He was no stranger to health issues. He “broke both legs in 1997 while making the film “Letters From a Killer,” and went into rehab for a drinking problem.” In 2000 he was flying a plan when it depressurized and landed in a housing development.

His last acting role was as part of A&E’s The Beast. The show took 12 hours and a day and included Swayze doing his own stunts. He said it was exhausting but was happy he was continuing his life’s work of acting. The show was cancelled in June after Swayze found out the cancer had spread in his body, entering the liver.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive types there is. According to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, “about 29,000 people living in the United States are diagnosed each year.” Symptoms include:

• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
• Digestive problems, including abnormal stools, nausea, or vomiting
• Pain in the upper abdomen which can extend to your back
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Sudden weight loss
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Swollen gallbladder (usually found by your doctor during a physical exam)
• Blood clots
• Diabetes

Image: Zuma Press

Post from: Blisstree

Patrick Swayze Dies of Cancer at 57

The website cancer.org reports the odds of a person getting pancreatic cancer during their lifetime as “1 in 76 (1.31%).” It is a difficult disease to detect early, however, pancreatic cancer rates have dropped over the past two decades.

Image: Zuma Press

Post from: Blisstree

Kim Jong II: Pancreatic Cancer

A study done by researchers at the University of Texax M.D. Anderson Cancer Center looked at 841 patients who had pancreatic cancer and 754 healthy individuals, looked at weight, body mass index (BMI), ages, number of people who developed pancreatic cancer, survival rates, and smoking status.

A press release, issued by the JAMA and Archives Journal, which published the study findings:

The researchers found that individuals who were overweight (a BMI of 25-29.9) from the ages of 14 to 39 years or obese (a BMI of 30 or greater) from the ages of 20 to 49 years had an associated increased risk of pancreatic cancer, independent of diabetes status. The association between average BMI (per 5-unit increase) and risk of pancreatic cancer was stronger in men than in women. The association was statistically significant for each age group from 14 to 69 years in men but only from ages 14 to 39 years in women. The estimated association of average BMI (per 5-unit increase) with cancer risk also was slightly stronger in ever smokers than in never smokers. It was estimated that 10.3 percent of never smokers and 21.3 percent of ever smokers had pancreatic cancer attributable to being overweight or obese at an early age prior to cancer diagnosis (i.e., from the ages of 14-59 years).

This is an extremely important finding because the North American population is growing in size and obesity is hitting epidemic proportions. If pancreatic cancer, a very difficult to treat cancer and often fatal one, is related to a preventable cause, then this needs to be a serious public issue.

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Image: courtesy PhotoXpress.com

Post from: Blisstree

Obese Young May Raise Pancreatic Cancer

According to this article, Washington state to enact assisted suicide law , written earlier this year, this law allows for “aided dying,” not “euthanasia” or “assisted suicide”:

“Aided dying is neither euthanasia nor suicide,” said Terry Barnett, president of the Washington branch of Compassion & Choices advocacy group.

“It’s not euthanasia because euthanasia implies action by a physician to end a patient’s life. It’s not suicide because people who choose aid in dying are not choosing to end their lives.

“They don’t want to die — they’re choosing to end suffering that cannot be relieved and suffering that they are experiencing that is worse than death.”

The law is called the Death With Dignity Act .

The person at the center of this, the first one to die under this new law, is Linda Fleming, a 66-year-old who had been living with late-stage, terminal, pancreatic cancer. She made this choice when she was still able to with a clear mind and the ability to make her wishes known.

Death under these circumstances is rarely easy and for those who fear that people who believe in laws like this are rejoicing – I doubt it. While they may be grateful that Ms Fleming was given this opportunity, it’s never a good thing to see someone die.

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Image: iStock

Post from: Blisstree

1st To Die in New WA State Suicide Law

Fleming said the increased pain medications she took affected her mind and alertness. She said, “I am a very spiritual person, and it was very important to me to be conscious, clear-minded and alert at the time of my death.”

I’m not sure how I feel about assisted suicide. I’ll like to believe that if you’re terminally ill, you should be able to make that choice. I don’t think people should suffer. But I also trust faith to lead us to our end. How do you feel about assisted suicide?

Image: sxc.hu.

Post from: Blisstree

Washington Woman: First Assisted Suicide

1. In Calgary (Canada), the city is turning pink today to fight breast cancer.

The Weekend to End Breast Cancer kicks off its second day today, with 1,400 men and women back on Calgary streets, completing the final 25 kilometres of the 60-kilometre route.

This year’s walk — the fourth in Calgary — has raised more than $4 million, with proceeds going to the Tom Baker Cancer Centre.

2. As if we do not have enough cancer scare yet this week: first the cellphone, now granite kitchen countertops!

A physics professor at Rice University is warning of a radioactive threat found in some kitchen countertops.

Some granite countertops contain levels of uranium high enough to be dangerous to humans, said Rice professor W.J. Llope.

Llope’s findings remain unpublished, although he said he plans to seek publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

3. The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network mourns the loss of Carnegie Mellon University Professor Dr. Randy Pausch who recently died at age 47 after losing from his 2-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, the only national organization creating hope in a comprehensive way through research, patient support, community outreach and advocacy for a cure, is deeply saddened by the loss of Carnegie Mellon University Professor Dr. Randy Pausch.

During his nearly two year battle with pancreatic cancer, he helped raise awareness of the disease and the urgent need for additional funding for pancreatic cancer research.

4. Last but not least in this list: McCain addressed Cancer Summit and goes after Congress.

John McCain spoke about an old foe Thursday evening — not a political opponent but cancer.

The Arizona senator addressed the LIVESTRONG summit, a town hall sponsored by the Lance Armstrong Foundation that focused on all issues surrounding cancer: treatment, health insurance, funding, care and eradication of the disease.

This is all for now. Enjoy your Sunday!

Post from: Blisstree

Cancer Commentary Links 27-July-2008

Then, just reports that Steve Jobs has told associates he is cancer-free — shares of Apple jumped nearly 3 percent the very next day!

According to reports, Jobs is having nutritional problems due to pancreatic cancer surgery he had four years ago while Apple remains adamant that Steve Jobs’ state of health is a private matter.

Well…the guy must be having a tough time, cancer-free or not. However, a person of his stature can make the state of his health really private if he wants to keep mum about it. With all the speculations I cannot help but think about this might all be a business strategy, in one way or another.

Post from: Blisstree

Is Steve Jobs Cancer-Free?

All over the news are the following words this weekend by Patrick Swayze that is hopeful:

“…a miracle, dude.”

I don’t know why. I am juicing every day along with other treatments and all I can say is that it’s working fine and really well.”

The actor, according to reports has been undergoing chemotherapy and the new CyberKnife (robotic radiosurgery system) for the pancreatic cancer he was diagnosed with in March.

It’s really inspiring to see him up and about and getting back to work.  Like I said in my previous post, not everyone that has access and can afford the best treatments are as lucky to be responding wel

Post from: Blisstree

Time For Some Good Cancer Story News: Patrick Swayze

Seems like Patrick is not allowing his cancer to stop him from doing one thing he loves: acting.

The star of such hit films as “Dirty Dancing” and “Ghost” is going forward with plans to begin working on a new cable television series later this year despite being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in March.

Cancer experts applaud his decision to continue working, saying that nothing he could do, physically, will speed the pace of cancer and that working could even benefit him mentally.

I agree. Going back to normal routine (whatever that means!) will benefit the cancer patient mentally. When his mindset is good, he won’t give up that easily and then maybe his body will respond well to treatment. But then that is not true to all cancer patients. Each case is always different.

Read more from ABC News.

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Even Cancer Is Not Putting Patrick Swayze In A Corner

On Friday night, he appeared in public: FOXNews has the photo and story.

Swayze took time off from his grueling chemotherapy regimen to take in Friday night’s NBA playoff game in Los Angeles between the Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs.

Although Swayze’s usually ripped physique seems somewhat shrunken by his fight, he appears to be holding his own against the usually aggressive cancer that often kills within weeks.

It’s just great seeing him holding it out, don’t you think? All the best.

Post from: Blisstree

Patrick Swayze Made First Public Appearance Since Cancer Announcement