by Life Credit Company | Jan 12, 2017 | Cancer Research & News
In recent years, DNA — the material that makes each of us tick — has increasingly been studied to reveal everything from ancestry to our risk for certain medical conditions. Now, scientists are exploring our genetic makeup in their quest for innovative ways to develop help for cancer patients. When cancer cells attack our bodies, they do so in part through an enzyme called polymerase, which can help the cells survive DNA damage. Researchers at Johns Hopkins and University of Maryland have proposed a new cancer treatment using a combination of the drugs talazoparib and 5-azacytidine, which together attack the enzyme and prevent cancer cells from flourishing. According to their study, tumors in mice who were given the drug combo were half the size of those in mice that received just one of the two drugs. The therapy also had similar effects in preventing the spread of leukemia. Researchers are forging ahead to make this new help for cancer patients a reality; talazoparib hasn’t yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration but but a similar drug targeting breast- and ovarian-cancer DNA enzymes is quickly moving forward. Drug therapy isn’t the only area where DNA is being explored. The National Institutes of Health is in the midst of recruiting 1 million Americans to participate in a comprehensive, pioneering study about the role of genetics and life style in health. The effort is part of the federal government’s “precision medicine” plan, which refers to tailoring medical treatments according to a person’s genetic makeup, with a special focus on cancer treatment. White House Office of Science and Technology Police associate...
by Life Credit Company | Nov 30, 2015 | Financial Assistance for Cancer Patients
Raise Money & Boost Morale If you have a friend or relative who was recently diagnosed with cancer, you may have asked yourself “How do I to set up a cancer fundraiser?”. Planning a benefit for a cancer patient requires planning, communication, and a little hard work. You can keep it small and raise money from family, friends, and your neighborhood, or you can go big and involve your local community and benefit from generous media attention and businesses. How do I begin fundraising for a cancer patient? Life Credit offers four helpful tips to get you started! Plan Ahead – Gather a small group of loved ones, you’ll want to get help and begin planning a cancer benefit weeks beforehand. Pick the location of where you will host the event, such as a local restaurant, person’s house, or other venue. You should also come up with a group activity for the benefit, such as bowling, a silent auction, potluck, or marathon Create Media Attention – Get the word out about the event to generate buzz about your event and cancer fundraising. Many newspapers and community message boards have local event listings for free, and some media outlets may even be interested in covering the benefit for an upcoming story. You can also utilize social media to let folks know. Create a private Facebook page and invite friends, family members, coworkers, and others so they can get the latest news about donations and fundraising. Get Donations – Contact local merchants for donations. You can ask a member of the planning committee who is comfortable with public speaking to do this task. Be sure to provide...
by Life Credit Company | Oct 16, 2015 | Quality of Life & Emotional Support
Meditation is known to have a positive effect on the emotional and psychological impact cancer has on its survivors. Some recent studies have also suggested that mindfulness also strongly impacts the physical bodies of cancer survivors, with effects extending to a cellular level. According to researchers at the Alberta Health Services and the University of Calgary, breast cancer patients that practice meditation experience positive cellular changes within their bodies. The study shows that telomeres were longer in the group of women who participated in mindfulness compared with survivors who didn’t undergo these interventions. What is Meditation? Meditation is an age-old practice from the eastern world that helps people to stay aware in the present moment. Regular practice leads to clarity, insight, serenity, and improves the wellbeing of the mind and body. There are many different forms of mediations that can help cancer patients; from mindful meditation, to meditation that relives stress and anxiety. How to Meditate Find a comfortable position on the floor. You can use a mat or cushion to help prop your body up. Sit cross-legged and place your hands on your lap. Focus on your breath. Count for every inhale you take. If your mind begins to wander, allow it to, but gently pull your attention back to the breath. If you find that meditating alone is difficult, find a group that hosts guided meditation practices. Many hospitals offer these types of services to help cancer patients and survivors. A Lifetime of Help Here at LifeCredit, we want you to not only be mindful of your life, but mindful of your finances. That is why we...
by Life Credit Company | Jan 13, 2015 | Financial Assistance for Cancer Patients
Cancer patients have a lot to think about. In addition to finding the best doctors and treatment options, there are also responsibilities at home and work that require time and attention. We’ve written about several of these issues in past posts. Now it’s time to take a look at housing needs for those who travel for their cancer treatment. Housing Help for Cancer Patients When a patient is traveling for cancer treatments, having a clean, comfortable place to stay is essential. Fortunately, many organizations recognize that providing housing for out-of-town cancer patients also provides financial help and peace of mind when it’s needed most. And there are some amazing organizations for help for cancer patients that offer housing for both the patient and their families. Explore Your Options There are seven national groups that organize patient housing, from the American Cancer Society to the National Children’s Cancer Society. Ronald McDonald House Charities offer everything from lodging near hospitals to family rooms right in hospitals to serve as places to relieve stress. There’s even housing services aimed at serving actors, courtesy of The Actors Fund. Of the specialized groups, six cancers are covered. Be the Match works with patients who have brain and nervous system cancers. Other groups are focused on providing housing for patients with colorectal cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and pediatric cancers. There are additional options as well. The Cancer Financial Assistance Organization offers a service to find local groups near your zip code. Help for cancer patients comes in so many forms. Whether you’re in need of financial help, care giving, housing or medical care, there...
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