Topic: Cancer Care

Alex Trebek

How Immunotherapy Is Helping Alex Trebek

Published by on August 5, 2020 | Share your thoughts

We’re so happy to hear the good news that Mr. Trebek is improving after starting immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer. He was diagnosed in early 2019 with pancreatic cancer…and it has been a long, challenging road so far. But he’s now seeing excellent results thanks to this innovative treatment. CTOAM was the first in Canada to use immunotherapy! Did you know that we’ve been using immunotherapy for many years now? In fact, CTOAM was the first in Canada to use immunotherapy to treat stage 4 metastatic melanoma in this groundbreaking case. That was now over 5 years ago, and Joan is still in full remission! Joan was even able to get her treatments fully covered by her insurance because of the data we provided her and her oncologist with. You...
Read Article

Close up of colourful cancer cell and DNA.

Supposed “Cure” for Cancer is Unlikely – But Precision Oncology Brings Hope

Published by on February 1, 2019 1 Comment

A news story broke the other day, claiming that a team of Israeli scientists had found a complete cure for cancer that would be available within a year. Sounds incredible, right? There’s only one problem: anytime you see something that claims to be a cure for cancer, you should always approach it with skepticism. The idea of a ‘complete cure for cancer’ is fundamentally problematic when you understand what cancer actually is. Science Based Medicine explains: “Cancer is not one disease, but a category including many related diseases. Different cancers involve different tissues, different mutations, and different behaviors and features. While some treatments are effective against a variety of cancers, there is no one treatment effective against all cancers (let alone a cure for all...
Read Article

Close-up of two sets of hands clasping one another.

What NOT to Say to a Cancer Patient | Newsletter Issue 9

Published by on December 17, 2018 | Share your thoughts

You can either love or dread spending time with your family over the holidays, but one thing is certain: if someone in your family has cancer, other people may struggle with what to say or how to handle their own emotions in the situation. Susan Silk is a clinical psychologist who developed something called the Ring Theory – a simple template for how to act around people in a crisis situation. Her Ring Theory can help cancer patients and caregivers have a better understanding of how to navigate their emotional needs. This can come in particularly handy at Christmas! → Feel More Supported with These Resources Check out Issue 9 of the CTOAM newsletter to learn about how the Ring Theory can help you and your loved ones. Do you...
Read Article

Graphic illustration of Susan Silk's Ring Theory

What is the Ring Theory for Cancer Patients?

Published by on December 16, 2018 | Share your thoughts

How to Support a Loved One with Cancer The inspiration for the Ring Theory began when psychologist Susan Silk had breast cancer. She underwent surgery for it, and during her recovery in the hospital, Susan found that she didn’t feel like having visitors. This is a common feeling for many cancer patients – they’re exhausted by treatment or the emotional toll, and simply don’t have energy to give to others. But Susan quickly learned that her friends didn’t necessarily understand this. When she tried explaining to a colleague, who had come to visit, that she just wasn’t in the mood, it didn’t go well: her colleague responded to Susan by saying, “This isn’t about you!” Meaning that, Susan’s needs were a lower priority that those...
Read Article