By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    bowl of vegetable salad
    Raw Foods: benefits and harms
    November 9, 2021
    pros and cons of the keto diet
    Read This Before You Follow the Keto Diet
    May 18, 2022
    spinal cord injuries
    4 Potential Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries (and How to Seek Compensation)
    May 25, 2022
    Latest News
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
    Chewing Matters More Than You Think: Why Proper Chewing Supports Better Health
    May 22, 2025
    Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
    May 16, 2025
    Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
    May 16, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Video: The Future of Medicine in Nigeria Depends on Radiology
    December 10, 2015
    A Guide to Implementing an Effective Healthcare Solution
    November 27, 2013
    4 Simple Steps For Solving The Real Cause Of Your Depression
    July 18, 2019
    Latest News
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    May 18, 2025
    The Critical Role of Healthcare in Personal Injury Recovery: A Comprehensive Guide for Victims
    May 14, 2025
    The Backbone of Successful Trials: Clinical Data Management
    April 28, 2025
    Advancing Your Healthcare Career through Education and Specialization
    April 16, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Back to School: An Ongoing Need for Patients
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > eHealth > Back to School: An Ongoing Need for Patients
eHealth

Back to School: An Ongoing Need for Patients

Andrew Schorr
Last updated: March 24, 2013 7:50 am
Andrew Schorr
Share
5 Min Read
SHARE

patient engagementIt’s tough to be a cancer patient today. Not just because you have cancer, but because you have to do a lot of work to ensure you have knowledgeable doctors, the best care, and that you do your part.

patient engagementIt’s tough to be a cancer patient today. Not just because you have cancer, but because you have to do a lot of work to ensure you have knowledgeable doctors, the best care, and that you do your part.

The human genome project has ushered in the age of “precision medicine.” Cancer centers around the world are leveraging vastly cheaper approaches to analyzing the genetic profiles of a new patient’s cancer. At the same time upstart biotech firms have been developing an increased parade of “targeted therapies,” many of them in the form of expensive pills. The changes can be bewildering for doctors and they certainly are for patients who have the overlay of fear.

The other day I hosted a town meeting on behalf of MMORE (Multiple Myeloma Opportunities for Education and Research). It was held at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and 200 patients and caregivers turned out. They heard from experts including myeloma mentor patients Paul Rabuck and Eunice Marks; Thomas Martin, M.D. from UCSF; and Robert Orlowski, M.D. and Brianna Garrison, Licensed Master Social Worker, both from MD Anderson. They also came to meet others with the same health concern. The clinical part of the discussion took more than an hour as the doctors took us through the vast changes in treatments, research and side effect management. The audience took copious notes.

More Read

How to Sell Your EHR and IT Products to Clinics and Physician Practices
Understanding The Threat Posed By Healthcare Data Hackers
How to Prepare For and Execute An Online Presence
Aetna Acquires mHealth StartUp, iTriage: mHealth is Here to Stay
The Quantified Self and the Most Perfect Gift in the Universe

The discussion will continue in support groups, social media, advocacy groups and on the Patient Power site. The good news is there is lots to talk about and clearly, with some cancers – unfortunately, not all – people are living longer and better. But it takes work and some sophistication to cut through the clutter of old information and wrong or misleading information.

patient engagementThat was apparent to me when I went to Los Angeles after Houston. While I was driving there, and listening to the radio, the airwaves were filled with ads for area cancer centers. It’s big business. The ads especially plugged technology, new million dollar radiation devices and the stories of grateful patients.

If only it were that simple: go to the hospital that “cares” about you and has the gleaming machines. But in this age of precision medicine that is far from enough. It is unlikely even the slickest center has the best doctor for every cancer. They may lack the latest expertise and the availability of a clinical trial that might give you the hope of receiving tomorrow’s medicine today – and there are a lot of promising medicines in research.

That’s why you have to be a savvy patient and do your homework. You have to seek out the experts and weigh what they say against what is being offered. You have to be discriminating. And, in cancer, it’s doubly important because if you get the wrong treatment first you may be harmed and precluded from the right therapy later on. You can’t always recoup. I am devoted to connecting patients with unbiased information and helping them become students of their disease.

Let’s applaud the patients who attended our town meeting: becoming educated is critical for anyone facing cancer today. No one dreams of taking a college-type course in an illness but, to get the best care today, it’s a wise approach.

Wishing you the best of health,

Andrew

TAGGED:cancerePatientpatient engagement
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

stress impact your health
The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
Health Wellness
May 22, 2025
chewing better for health
Chewing Matters More Than You Think: Why Proper Chewing Supports Better Health
Dental health Health
May 22, 2025
Do You Grind Your Teeth at Night? Here’s How Night Guards and TMJ Treatments Can Help
Do You Grind Your Teeth at Night? Here’s How Night Guards and TMJ Treatments Can Help
Dental health
May 21, 2025
The Secret To A Confident Smile: Top Tips For Better Teeth
The Secret To A Confident Smile: Top Tips For Better Teeth
Dental health
May 21, 2025

You Might also Like

ICD-10
eHealthHospital AdministrationMedical RecordsPolicy & Law

Ready or Not: ICD-10 Will Go Live as Planned Oct. 1st

April 3, 2014

Why You Must Demand Precision Medicine for Cancer

May 1, 2013
DiagnosticsRemote Diagnostics

6 Innovative Technologies Making Medical Diagnostics More Predictive

February 16, 2022
puzzle.jpg
eHealth

Digital Disconnect: Why Won’t Clinical Trials Embrace Online Advertising?

October 6, 2016
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?