Author: jeffgeschwind

New Cancer Treatment Breakthroughs

Cancer development and research largely focus on new treatments. Immunotherapy is a type of treatment that has shown promise. It helps your immune system fight off infections and other harmful diseases. It’s classified as a biological therapy, which means it uses substances found in living organisms to fight off cancer.

Types of Immunotherapy

The different types of immunotherapy act in various ways. They can stimulate the immune system or help the immune system attack the cancer.

Adoptive cell transfer: This treatment boosts the T cells ability to fight off cancer. The T cells are extracted from the tumor and the active ones against the cancer are grown in a laboratory before being given back via IV within 2-6 weeks.

Checkpoint Inhibitors: These drugs help your immune system respond to a tumor by interfering with the cancer cells ability to avoid attacks from your immune system.

Cytokines: These are proteins, interferons, and interleukins, created by your body’s cells that aid in normal immune system responses and its reaction to the cancer.

Immunotherapy isn’t as popular as surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy yet. It has been approved to use as a treatment for many different types of cancer. Immunotherapies help the immune system find and destroy cancer cells, which are clever at hiding under normal conditions.

There are some side effects of immunotherapy that impact people in different ways. They’ll vary from one individual to another. These side effects can include:

  • Redness or a rash
  • Pain and soreness
  • Fever and chills
  • Weakness, dizziness, or nausea
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Fluid retention and weight gain
  • Infection

Immunotherapy can be given in multiple ways. They can be given in a doctor’s office, hospital, clinic, or on an outpatient basis. Methods of admission include:

  • Intravenously
  • Pills or capsules
  • Creams that rub into skin
  • Intravesical goes directly into the bladder

Immunotherapies can be given in cycles or require you to receive treatment on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. A rest cycle is required in between treatments to allow time for the body to recover.

Your doctor will evaluate your progress through exams and bloodwork to determine how the treatment is working. They will examine the tumors and evaluate how these treatments are working against the cancer.

4 Reasons Why You Should Support Cancer Research & How

There is a devastating epidemic permeating our country that begs for our attention. Although there are, thankfully, many survivors, there are yet too many lives lost each year due to cancer-related illnesses. This is a disease that is fueled by many variables, from chemicals in the environment and food, to lifestyle choices that lead to low amounts of physical, day-to-day activity and high levels of stress. 

Whatever the cause, we, as a society are all affected in some way and have a responsibility to do what we can to support cancer research. In this article, I will share four reasons why you should support cancer research and a conclusion that tells how you can support.

It Will Help Lessen The Amount Of Cancer-Related Deaths Each Year

One of the strongest tools to be used is knowledge and awareness. Each year, we lose thousands of people to cancer-related illnesses. This could be avoided if we unite to support cancer research. Lives could be saved.

It May Save The Life Of You Or A Loved One Some Day

When you contribute to cancer research, you never know whose life you may be saving. Your support could even go toward research that may one day save the life of you or someone you know. It is wise to help and give to others because the return is sometimes even greater than the gift.

It Can Reduce The Dependency Of Prescription Drugs For Cancer Patients

Giving to cancer research may help develop effective ways to heal cancer in addition to prescription drugs. In this way, you may help lessen someone’s dependency on such. This can add to one’s quality of life.

It Will Help Someone Who Is Living With Cancer To Live A Better Quality Life

When you give to cancer research, you help organizations spearhead movements that provide better meals, transportation, and, overall, a better quality of life for cancer patients. This, in turn, gives someone living with the disease, hope, and a better outlook on life. Helping to give a better quality of life will help to show someone in need that people care.

How You Can Support Cancer Research

You can support cancer research in a variety of ways. One of the easiest ways to support is to give a financial gift to a nonprofit organization that conducts cancer research. In this way, you are making a great difference by helping to give life or positively change the life of someone in need. Another way you can support cancer research is by becoming an organ or tissue donor. There are many patients who would benefit from getting a new kidney, liver, or another transplant. 

Also, you can support cancer research by joining cancer research study groups. This is a way to gain education and help further the research and discoveries of doctors who are searching for a cure. Finally, it is up to us all to work together to find ways to heal this epidemic to lessen its effect on our country.

How to Be a Great Mentor to the People Around You

A mentor is someone who shares skills and advice. A mentor might train a new employee, help another student in school, or walk a child at home through a difficult stage in life. The people who need mentorship aren’t always obvious; anyone, regardless of their age and position, can benefit from the occasional bit of advice.

A good mentor is knowledgeable, caring, and attentive. They might not have all the answers, but they will approach every situation with an open mind and a good attitude.

Lead by Example

Good advice is worth following. A mentor should always try to follow the advice they give. This may mean adhering to workplace standards or simply modeling a great attitude when they wake up in the morning. Examples can be far more powerful than words. If the student sees the advice in action, they will be more likely to follow it themselves.

Stay in Touch

A student can’t reasonably be expected to uphold the mentor relationship, especially at the beginning. The teacher should take it upon themselves to arrange meetings, follow up on conversations, and look for new opportunities that the student might benefit from. Consider making a contact schedule to set reasonable boundaries and expectations between both mentor and student.

Learn to Hold Back

If a student is given the solution to every problem, they won’t learn to solve things for themselves. A great mentor knows when to give advice and when to hold back and let the student try.

Instant advice can actually be harmful in weighty situations. Learn to hit the pause button and put in more thought before giving a response.

Encourage Accountability

Accountability goes both ways in a mentorship. The student is expected to follow through on the mentor’s suggestions, and the mentor is expected to keep their promises. This can be as simple as sending a follow-up email, doing a bit of research, or reaching out to a professional contact.

The mentor should be willing to admit failure. Some situations don’t work out as planned; admitting this sets reasonable expectations for the student.

A great mentor relationship is about the student and their success. The mentor should shape their advice to the student’s individual needs. In the process, both parties will learn a lot about each other and the skills they are trying to share.

The Importance of Traveling

Traveling may appear to be nothing more than a hobby for the sake of experience. However, there is a greater and deeper importance to traveling that may not be immediately seen. Here are some reasons as to why you should travel.

Removes Your Comfort Zone

Your comfort zone is a specific area where you can live without being free of stress or anything catastrophic happening. Every day when you wake up, you may undergo the same routine to the point where your body feels as though it is moving on its own. However, staying in a comfort zone for too long can lead to complacency and lowering your guard.

Getting out of your comfort zone forces you to adapt to new situations and approach things in a different manner. Traveling is one of the best ways to do that because you are now in a foreign environment and have to re-learn a lot of things. Take advantage of this opportunity whenever you can.

Make New Friends

We all have only one life to live, and we should strive to broaden who we come into contact with. Having friends from where you live is an excellent thing to have, but when you travel, you have the opportunity to meet other people you may not be able to every day. More importantly, keeping in contact with them increases your support system.

In today’s day and age, it always benefits you to network and increases the number of people you come into contact with. You never know when a valuable opportunity may come up by knowing a specific someone. If there is nothing ventured, you gain nothing.

Examine the World’s Diversity

Staying within your own community means that you will only be exposed to a certain ethnicity or two. However, there are a variety of races, languages, and cultures that exist. It can be hard to contextualize how large and diverse our planet is if you only stay in one, tiny subsection all your life.

Seeing the way people interact in different places and learning how diverse our world is can be a part of an enlightening journey you will never forget. That way, you can fully appreciate how surreal our world is.

What to See and Do in Southwest France

The southwest of France may not be the most popular vacation destination. However, there are many compelling reasons why tourists should visit the area. There is much to do and see there. 

An area many tourists have visited are the historic ports of Rochefort and La Rochelle. During the 17th century France heavily relied on the Port of Rochefort for its Navy ships. The famous L’Hermione was built at this port. The purpose of the L’Hermione was to transport General Lafayette in order to assist America in its battle with the British. La Rochelle is Southwest France’s premiere maritime attraction. It is called the “White City, due to the fact that the towers guarding the attraction are made of pale stone. 

British tourists already know that the Dordogne is the place to vacation in Southwest France. At the center of Dordogne lies Perigueux. This small town encompasses many villages, a rolling green landscape and castles and gardens that must be seen. Above the Dordogne River lies the Marqueyssac hanging gardens. From there, visitors can also make their way to the Rocamadour, considered a sacred site. 

Dordogne is also home to the city of Sarlat-la-Caneda. This historic city has been bustling since renaissance and medieval times. Here, visitors will see sandstone buildings as they stroll through various alleyways. Its cobbled streets make the city a desirable place for visitors to explore on foot. While there, many visitors go shopping at the Sarlat Markets. They can also get a beautiful view of the city by riding the Sarlat Panoramic Lift. 

These aren’t the only things to see and do. Visitors can also plan on experiencing the Midi-Pyrenees. The majority of Gascony is covered by this area, which visitors can see by embarking on a slow barge trip. The capital is Toulouse, well known for its older buildings and prestigious university. 

Close by lies Albi, a city known for its extraordinary sites. One of the city’s main attractions is the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum, in honor of his birth city. Architecture buffs will also enjoy the city’s red brick cathedral. 

These cities and sites in Southwest France are ones that few tourists will pass up the chance to visit. Each destination has its own appeal. 

All About Ajax Amsterdam

The sport of football, or soccer, as most Americans refer to it as, has evolved over the years, becoming an important element of the culture and tradition of many countries throughout Europe. While the popularity of football has been steadily rising throughout the world, the sport has always been the most celebrated game in Europe. Having been created in England, football quickly spread throughout the Eastern Hemisphere, eventually making its way overseas through European colonists. While there are dozens of football clubs throughout Europe, Ajax Amsterdam is one of the most beloved teams by fans not only in the Netherlands but all over the world. The long-standing history of the team paired with their revolutionary concept of “total football” are just a few of the reasons why they continue to receive the support from so many. Learn more about Ajax Amsterdam, also referred to as AFC Ajax, below.

History

AFC Ajax dates back to the year 1900 when the team was first founded and then later accepted into Dutch Football. Eighteen years later, the team won their first National Championship under the guidance of their trainer, Jack Reynolds. Reynolds innovative coaching and leadership led the team for over 35 years. His methods and training later built the foundation for the clubs famous youth training program.

During the 1930s, the team continued to dominate, adding on wins to their record. In 1934, Ajax moved to their new stadium, “De Meer,” where they would stay for the next 60 years as their power and ranking continued to grow. 

Ajax continued to grow into a force to be reckoned with. The 1960’s and ’70s ensued with more years of successful seasons. The team brought home their first title in a European Champions Cup in 1971, followed by three consecutive wins in the years to follow. 1972 was a big year for Ajax. The team won the Dutch Cup, the National Championship, the European Champions Cup, and the World Cup. 

After an exciting win in both the European and World Champions in 1995, the team left De Meer stadium for their new home for the more spacious Amsterdam ArenA. The news was hard for fans, as many years of memories were made at De Meer. Throughout their history and into the present day, Ajax Amsterdam perseveres through trial and tribulation and remains on top, delivering exceptional performances to their fans.

Total Football movement

In the 1970s, Ajax Amsterdam introduced the theory of “total football” to the sport of football. The theory breaks down the sport into an art, noting the importance of fluidity, movement, and intelligence. Total football involves a player taking the place of another player who has moved on the field. It requires tactical ability and ensures that a team is moving swimmingly to keep the structure. The continued perpetual movement to create space dictates that there are no predetermined roles, as an outfielder can quickly take over another position. 

AI Deep Learning to Identify and Assess Treatment Response in Cancer

Identification at an early stage is critical when it comes to successfully getting rid of cancer. Technology is dramatically changing the way we approach diagnosing cancer, based on the fact that there are now new methods that can predict and diagnose cancer in patients. A patient can now have their medical record processed with tech that can assess correlations contained within their medical history with massive amounts of medical data. This type of technology is able to locate correlations that a doctor simply would be unable to make. Each and every case of cancer has specific traits that are connected in one way or another. When analyzing millions of cases, there are correlations that can be drawn that are incredibly accurate. For example, this tool may be able to notice various traits that are present in your medical record, which could indicate a high risk of developing cancer. Millions of previous cases set a precedent that can be followed, which may allow a doctor to treat a patient at an incredibly early stage. The earlier cancer is diagnosed and treated, the higher the propensity that the patient is going to survive the ordeal. 

The validity of this technology has been tested over and over, and the results continue to indicate that the predictions made are highly accurate. There is no denying the fact that artificial intelligence is superior to the individual analysis of a single doctor. A team of specialists who are supremely talented in their field of study would not be able to match the efficiency that this type of artificial intelligence can produce. There is a good chance that technology of this magnitude will be used in the medical field routinely in the near future. However, there are concerns that have been posed by many people, which could alter the path that this type of artificial intelligence winds up taking. This type of predictability is perfect for insurance companies who want to avoid paying out large sums of money for medical bills. Avoidance is the key in this scenario. Insurance companies want to minimize their monetary expenditure, which means they are going to be financially incentivized to avoid providing insurance to compromised individuals. If insurance companies possess this technology, major problems could arise for individuals that have a risk of developing cancer.

Identifying the Different Types of Tumors

Tumors can develop on any person. They can form on any part of the body, and generally require the attention of a medical professional. Felt as a lump or mass on the body, tumors may cause alarm to the individual who finds it. However, it is important to note that there are several different types of tumors, and while some can be potentially dangerous and lead to cancer, not all are harmful. A tumor, or neoplasm, is made up of a mass of abnormal tissue. They can be solid or filled with liquid. Tumors can also vary in size and can develop from almost any type of cell or tissue. 

The Three Main Categories of Tumor Identification:

Benign

Benign tumors are noncancerous growths. They can form anywhere, but they do not spread to other areas of the body. While benign growths are common, the cause of the tumor isn’t always identifiable. Generally, benign tumors form when dead cells are not replaced, allowing them to form into a growth. Benign tumors can be categorized into different classifications dependent on where they grow on the body. Usually, a medical professional will diagnose a benign tumor through a series of tests which may include CT scans, MRI scans, X-Rays, etc. Doctors may also perform a biopsy to confirm the tumor is benign, and not malignant. When it comes to treating benign tumors, doctors may recommend simply monitoring the growth if there are no additional side effects present. If the tumor does require treatment, doctors may perform surgery to remove the mass, or radiation therapy to reduce the size, depending on the location.  

Premalignant

While not yet cancerous, premalignant tumors indicate a chance of developing into cancer. Because of this, it is critical that premalignant tumors are monitored closely. Generally, a patient will undergo a series of clinical and lab studies. From here, doctors work towards removing or killing the tissue associated with the growth to prevent the tumor from developing into cancer. There are several different types of premalignant growths. Examples include cervical dysplasia, actinic keratosis, metaplasia, and leukoplakia. 

Malignant 

Lastly, malignant tumors are diagnosed as a cancerous growth. They can grow quickly and can spread into other organs or parts of the body. When a person has cancer, the cells in their body divide and spread. Damaged cells that should be replaced remain and new cells continue to form despite the need. Cancer can arise from several factors, but most commonly due to genetics or environmental causes. There are hundreds of different types of cancer. A type of cancer is usually named depending on the organ or tissue where it has formed.