Dr. Janelle Sabo, Global Therapeutics Platform Leader at Eli Lilly & Company discusses COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatments and how if given within 10 days of symptoms appearing can decrease the risk of hospitalization and/or disease progression in appropriate patients and having a plan of action should a high-risk individual test positive. 

Jamie Milas, Vice President of Marketing at Medical Microinstruments S.p.A. (MMI), an Italian startup robotics company, discusses their robotic system for microsurgery. Combining proprietary innovations including the world’s smallest wristed microinstruments as well as tremor-reducing and motion-scaling technologies, MMI’s Symani® Surgical System enables surgeons to scale down movement to enhance microsurgical procedures while expanding the field of supermicrosurgery.

Marie E. Lamont, President and Chief Operating Officer at Inteliquet™, a leader in clinical trial matching, discusses the impact COVID has had on clinical trials and how companies have leveraged advanced technology tools to further research, improve patient recruitment, and use AI and Machine Learning to recognize behaviors and patterns to constantly improve on the data collection process overall.

Returning guest, Dr. Neal Shore, MD, FACS, Medical Director for the Carolina Urologic Research Center discusses the importance of patient-centric treatment decision-making and the publication of an easy-to-understand summary of important clinical trial data in “Future Oncology“, a leading medical journal (Online Feb 2021). 

Josh Swider, CEO of Infinite Chemical Analysis Labs discusses the anticipated expansion of the hemp and cannabis industries and the new guidelines to regulate the same.  He talks about a trend called “lab shopping” where cultivators are taking samples of their product to multiple labs with questionable practices to obtain the highest potency results and how this is creating an uneven playing field for labs that are operating in compliance.

Gyula Kangiszer, President, RotChrom Technologies North America, developers of the first industrial-scale Centrifugal Partition Chromatography (CPC) technology platform, discusses the partnership with Cyclolab Cyclodextrin Research and Development Laboratory Ltd. (“Cyclolab”) aimed at developing a more efficient and cost-effective process to purify Remdesivir, a direct-acting antiviral agent approved in countries around the world to treat patients with severe cases of COVID-19.Bio

Dr. Jennifer Johnston, Director, Behavioral Provider Network, Easterseals Southern California Autism Services discusses the partnership with Rafi Nova, a socially conscious lifestyle brand, to develop the Sensory-Friendly Mask, available now, that benefits children and adults with autism and other disabilities or anyone who finds wearing a conventional mask uncomfortable.  A portion of each purchase will be donated to Easterseals Southern California when you use code: ESSC

Dr. Jennifer McVige, director of the Concussion Center at the DENT Neurologic Institute in New York, and board-certified in pediatric neurology, adult and pediatric headache, and neuroimaging discusses the difference between a migraine and a bad headache, ways a teen might subvert a migraine by avoiding potential triggers, and new treatments like Theranica’s Nerivio®, a prescribed therapeutic wearable worn on the upper arm for the treatment of acute migraine in patients age 12 and older.

We all know that a cancer diagnosis also affects family members to a great extent—but it’s difficult to fathom how much of your reality can change when this happens. We often see glimpses of how cancer can affect healthy and happy families, but it’s when you go through the experience yourself that you understand the full extent of the impact. 

Some of the most significant changes that cancer patients’ families report are:

• Changing roles. After the diagnosis, there’s a shift in the overall dynamic. As treatment proceeds, the patient is unable to carry out tasks they did previously, which can be painful to accept for the patient and a challenge for their family as they do their best to compensate.
  
• Expanded Responsibilities. From doctor appointments, caring for children, office work, and house chores, it’s an endless to-do list. 
• Children. Having children in the equation comes with its own unique challenges. Kids can often sense that something’s wrong, so many parents choose to discuss the situation with their kids.

Strategies to Cope

Different people react to the situation differently. The family dynamic, presence of children, and support from friends and extended family members all play a part in how a family comes to terms with the new reality.

Having spent time with so many families who were battling cancer, here are some strategies that have helped many families cope:

• Give yourself time. Learning that a loved one has cancer is a difficult process. There are several thoughts racing through your mind, all at once. Give yourself time to understand the situation and process the grief. 
• Focus on the facts. It’s easy to fall down a rabbit-hole during your online research and let fear cloud your judgment. Remember that each person’s cancer is different, and their treatment will also be different. Focus on your situation and avoid getting overwhelmed by other people’s outcomes. 
• Listen to your loved one. Take time to understand what’s going through the other person’s mind. Airing thoughts can help both you and your loved one release pent-up emotions. 
• Accompany them to the doctor.  A qualified healthcare professional will be able to answer your questions best because they are aware of your specific situation. Knowing more about the treatment and potential outcomes can help ease nerves and help your family make more informed decisions. 
• Ensure self-care.  You can’t take care of a sick loved one if you’re unwell yourself. Keep your health a priority by eating smart, getting proper sleep, and exercising. Incorporate daily practices to help relax your mind too, with different techniques like yoga, aromatherapy, or meditation. 

Battling cancer can feel like an uphill battle sometimes, but it’s easier with friends and family members supporting you during rough days. My CareCrew is one of the best apps for cancer patients with several tools to help you manage your schedule and coordinate support. Whether you need someone to walk your dog or just hang out for a while, this useful app for cancer patients can make things much easier.

Sign up to receive details about our mobile app release today or reach out to the My CareCrew team at hello@mycarecrew.co.

My CareCrew is not a licensed medical care provider. Please consult your medical team before following any suggestion mentioned in our blog or using a featured product or service to treat any medical condition.

Please note some of the products and services featured are from third-party and affiliate partners. My CareCrew receives compensation when you click on the links and purchase those products or services. Your purchase helps fund the free My CareCrew app for Cancer patients and caregivers!

Dr. Arnold Bullock, MD, the Alan A. and Edith L. Wolff Distinguished Professor of Urology at Washington University School of Medicine, Siteman Cancer Center, and Barnes-Jewish Hospital discusses important information on what all men, particularly black men should know about prostate cancer, what they can do to better understand why this population of men is disproportionately affected, and about the prostate cancer screening process. He is joined by Dr. Lannis Hall, Director of Radiation Oncology, Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital who discusses prostate cancer risk factors, signs and symptoms, and advice on how men and their loved ones can advocate for their health to ensure earlier diagnosis and treatment of the disease.