MSI Press Blog

As with Carl, many people have "signs" of cancer that can be interpreted either as something else quite mild or dismissed entirely as just a bad day or maybe I ate something bad yesterday. Otherwise quite healthy people simply ignore them as an annoyance. (Before cancer, Carl was sick just one day in his life -- 50 years earlier he threw up, once, on the lawn, from unsuspectingly drinking stagnant water the day while carrying out his Forest Service employee duties, Seriously. Never again did he ever throw up even after three rounds of chemotherapy, but he died, healthy, from cancer!)  This is the insidious nature of cancer. Often, you just do not know you have it because the signs are so innocuous until it has taken over your body and is in the winner's circle -- and you have an incredibly difficult battle to get your body back -- and many people lose that battle every single day. This is especially true of "toilet information." Change in bowel movement is prett...

  When you’re facing cancer, especially a tough diagnosis or recurrence, one of the first questions you or your loved ones might ask is: Are there any clinical trials available? Clinical trials can offer access to cutting-edge treatments, experimental therapies, or more personalized care approaches — sometimes when standard treatments have been exhausted. But clinical trials aren’t always an option for every patient. And one of the most heartbreaking examples of this is cancer of unknown primary. Where to Look for Clinical Trials If you’re considering a clinical trial, there are several reputable ways to begin your search: ClinicalTrials.gov : This is the largest and most comprehensive database of clinical trials in the U.S. and many other countries. You can search by cancer type, location, phase of trial, and eligibility criteria. National Cancer Institute (NCI) : The NCI runs its own trials and also supports trials at major cancer centers across the country. Visit cancer.go...

Receiving a cancer diagnosis is life-altering. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed, scared, and uncertain about the road ahead. While every journey is unique, there are several immediate steps you can take to prepare for the challenges and decisions that lie ahead. Here are some key actions to consider: 1. Understand Your Diagnosis Knowledge is power. Make sure you fully understand your diagnosis, including the type of cancer, stage, and potential treatment options. Ask your doctor questions such as: What type of cancer do I have? What stage is it, and what does that mean for my treatment? What treatment options are available to me? What are the potential side effects and risks? What is the expected timeline for treatment? Consider bringing a trusted friend or family member to appointments to help take notes and ask additional questions. 2. Find the Right Medical Team Choosing the right oncologist and medical team is crucial. Seek second opinions if necessary and look for a hospital or tr...

  Someone in authority said this week—though I can’t quite recall who—that “Anyone who does not die of something else will die of cancer.” It stopped me in my tracks. Is that where we are now? It might sound like a grim philosophical riddle, but the context was very real. The speaker wasn’t invoking fate; they were pointing to a terrifying truth about how prevalent cancer has become . If heart disease doesn’t get you, if you don’t have a fatal accident, if infection is avoided, if the brain stays strong and the organs keep going… then yes, cancer is waiting in the wings, statistically speaking. And it’s not an exaggeration. Cancer is already one of the leading causes of death worldwide—and the longer we live, the more chances cells have to misbehave. But does it have to be this way? Let’s walk through the logic. Yes, if you subtract all other causes of death, then—by default—cancer becomes the final villain. But that doesn’t mean we are powerless. That doesn’t mean cancer i...