Blog

When a loved one is diagnosed with cancer, how do caregivers live? Seeking that elusive answer nearly leveled Nancy Sharp in the early months of her husband Brett’s brain tumor diagnosis.

The quest to discover effective treatments and cures for diseases and conditions is a worthwhile and compelling goal. Scientific research is responsible for innovative breakthroughs that improve quality of life, extend survival, and even prove life-saving. But alongside the potential benefits of scientific research are the potential risks to the people who participate in the journey that makes breakthroughs possible. The Belmont Report identifies basic ethical principles for conducting research that involve human subjects and sets forth guidelines to assure these principles are followed throughout the research process. The Belmont Report is the result of over four years of meetings that began in 1976 and were conducted by the National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research (Commission). With the Food and Drug Reauthorization Act of 2017’s recent amendment of the term patient experience data to now include both “physical and psychosocial impacts of a disease or condition, or related therapy or clinical investigation,” it is a particularly relevant and important time to revisit the ethical principles established in the Belmont Report.

Each month, the Cancer Policy Institute profiles advocates who have been engaged in cancer advocacy. Read on to learn more about Rachel, and how her cancer diagnosis led her to pursue a career in cancer advocacy.

If you are interested in learning more about policy, advocacy, and ways to get involved, sign up to be a part of the Grassroots Network!

When her husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor at 32, Nancy Sharp suddenly found herself navigating a new role as a cancer caregiver.

Today’s Wall Street Journal includes an in-depth story from Laura Landro examining the unique challenges facing cancer survivors.

The article’s subheadline sums it up in one clear sentence: “As more patients are treated successfully, doctors and researchers are focusing more on helping people navigate the difficult, often lonely years after treatment.”

When health care providers investigate cancer diagnoses and cancer survival rates, it is important for them to examine the disparities between various demographics and what causes these differences as they may impact treatment decision making and outcomes.

The adverse effects of obesity include conditions like type II diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. However, obesity has also been linked to the development of certain types of cancer, including colorectal cancer.

Today, the Cancer Support Community and Airbnb are teaming up to connect people traveling for cancer treatment with free, temporary housing through Airbnb's Open Homes program.

Each month, the Cancer Policy Institute profiles advocates who have been engaged in advocacy in their home state, their community, with elected officials, and more. Read on to learn more about our featured advocate for July 2019, and her background as a cancer survivor turned advocate. If you are interested in learning more about policy, advocacy, and ways to get involved, sign up to be a part of the Grassroots Network!

This May, we visited the Navajo Nation to mark the opening of the first full-time cancer center on an American Indian Reservation. Since then, two major media companies spotlighted our work with the Navajo Nation and health leaders to create the first full-time cancer care center on an American Indian reservation.