Experience, Creativity, and Tenacity
in the Patient's Battle Against Cancer
Overview of
The John H. Palestrini
Cancer Patient Advocacy Program
Because of our Generous Supporters, ICAN patients involved in
The John H. Palestrini Cancer Patient Advocacy Program
have access to the following information services:
- A review and analysis of the patient's pathology report relating to TNM staging ("Tumor Node Metastasis"); review of the patient's medical history, diet, lifestyle and risk factors, current condition as well as any comorbid factors; and complete review of symptoms prior to presentation.
- Referrals, at the patient's request, to medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiologists, interventional radiologists, anesthesiologists, and additional specialists relevant to the patient's ongoing care.
- Referrals to support groups that may be of assistance in handling the emotional impact that cancer has on the patient and the patient's family.
- Referrals to cancer-specific organizations that may be of assistance in addressing insurance issues or employment termination issues (because of diagnosis or disclosure of metastatic disease).
- Review of the nature/amelioration of specific side effects from chemotherapy (such as nausea and neuropathy) as well as from other treatment modalities.
- Discussion of the interaction of diet with cancer chemotherapy drugs based on recent studies.
- Delineation of the symptoms about which the cancer patient should alert his/her oncologist.
- Discussion of relevant tumor imaging technology.
- Discussion of pain management issues and treatment options that can be addressed with the patient's medical team.
- Explanation of the recommendations given or not given by the patient's oncology team; assistance in answering the patient's questions which remain either after or between appointments with the medical team.
- Review of the relevant radiotherapy/interventional radiology options which the patient, in turn, may discuss with his/her medical team.
- Discussion of the relevance of the patient's specific immunohistochemistry and cytogenetic results to available clinical trials so that the patient may explore all options with her medical team.
- Analysis of relevant cancer clinical trials options as well as the nature and purpose of clinical trials using Remission Coach®.
- Review of relevant cancer-specific drugs in the anticancer pipeline. Review of all relevant and complementary and alternative medicine ("CAM") avenues.
- Review of the merits of filing a "Single Patient IND for Compassionate or Emergency Use" for a specific experimental cancer drug, if relevant to the patient's situation.
- Exploration of options that might reduce travel costs for the patient as well as ICAN supporters who have volunteered to host a clinical trials patient in a particular city.
The John H. Palestrini Cancer Patient Advocacy Program
is a vital part of ICAN's Cancer Patient Advocacy and Clinical Trials Program Advocacy Services.
For more information about this special program, please click on.....
ICAN is currently working on The John H. Palestrini Cancer Patient Advocacy Program. We are working to put together a Family and Friends Advisory Council for the The John H. Palestrini Cancer Patient Advocacy Program. If interested, please email us at John.Palestrini.Program@askican.org.
If you would like to become involved as a donor and supporter or a member of our Cancer Research Literature team as a Research Team Leader (medical school students, physicians, nurses, and post-docs only please), you may reach us at John.Palestrini.Program@askican.org.
Federal Tax I.D.: EIN 86-0818253 | WA Charities: 37195