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
    alzheimer’s disease
    Anavex Life Sciences’ Anavex 2-73 Could Slow Alzheimer’s
    June 14, 2024
    medicare shift
    From Volume To Value: The Medicare Shift To Value-Based Care
    August 20, 2024
    Physicians
    Why Recruiting Physicians is More Challenging than Hiring Other Professionals
    December 17, 2024
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 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
    The Divide in the ACO Debate – Beltway Rhetoric versus Marketplace Cynicism
    February 3, 2012
    Patient Engagement Matters
    February 6, 2013
    future of healthcare survey heathcare reform
    The Future of Healthcare Survey: Does it include Doctors?
    March 2, 2012
    Latest News
    Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
    July 6, 2025
    Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
    June 25, 2025
    When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
    June 20, 2025
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Can We Lower the Risk of Second Cancers?
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 > Specialties > Can We Lower the Risk of Second Cancers?
SpecialtiesWellness

Can We Lower the Risk of Second Cancers?

Andrew Schorr
Andrew Schorr
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE
second cancer risk

Linda Lewis, former editor of More and Today’s Parent magazines, Canada. (Photo credit: John Van Der Schilden) 

second cancer risk

Linda Lewis, former editor of More and Today’s Parent magazines, Canada. (Photo credit: John Van Der Schilden) 

The world lost a bright star in journalism recently when Canadian Linda Lewis, former leading magazine editor, died at 52 from complications of myelofibrosis. In reading her obituary it’s clear she was a warm, caring person – mother of two – who loved life and, as the cancer diagnosis set in, the spontaneity of enjoying the moment.

Linda’s myelofibrosis had transformed into acute myeloid leukemia and that took her life. But one wonders if the stage was set years before when, at age 39, she was treated for cervical cancer. The treatment included chemo and radiation and Linda’s doctors in Toronto apparently think that led to the myelofibrosis – scarring in the bone marrow – years later.

The latest buzz is about chemo-free treatments for some cancers – targeted therapies that turn off a cancer causing mutation or limit a protein that allows cancer cells to survive. The belief is these will be much less toxic with little or no damage to healthy cells – including the ones in bone marrow, the blood factory. Certainly we’ve been told that people who develop cancer had an immune system that somehow let them down and allowed cancer cells to grow and proliferate and that, even after treating the first cancer, the immune system might fail again leading to a new, second cancer. Cancer might be that person’s Achilles heel.

But, to be sure, too many second cancers have been caused by treatment for the first one. The treatment beat back cancer number one but caused collateral damage and starting a time bomb ticking. Most of us who have been treated for cancer, even when the regimens are hard (and they usually have been), are grateful for being given more years of life. And as therapies have been improved, many of us have seen very long remissions. As cancer therapy becomes more refined, and more targeted, my hope is the chances of another cancer shoe dropping years in the future will be less of a reality.

To be transparent, I am living with a second cancer, also myelofibrosis. And fortunately the symptoms are well controlled with a new medicine. Whether AML lies in my future I do not know. All any of us have is today.

Was the myelofibrosis caused by the chemo I had for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in 2000? We know some of the drugs in the “cocktail” I received “hammered” the bone marrow. That was a risk then and still is for people who receive that same standard regimen, FCR. But it has given me 13 years with no more treatment for CLL, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of those years.

I didn’t expect a second cancer diagnosis, for me it came out of nowhere. I bet it was the same for Linda Lewis. Looking forward let’s hope today’s patient who receives an unfortunate cancer diagnosis can benefit from the latest treatments and not face a second cancer down the line.

TAGGED:cancersecond cancer
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Health Tips For Women
Top 5 Health Tips For Women Over 45
Women Health
July 7, 2025
car accident lawsuit
Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
Policy & Law
July 6, 2025
women dental care
What Is a Smile Makeover and How Much Does It Cost?
Dental health
June 30, 2025
HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps
Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
June 25, 2025

You Might also Like

laser skin therapy is great for creating a more youthful appearance
SkinSpecialties

How Laser Skin Rejuvenation Can Help You Look Younger

August 2, 2022
pain management tips
OrthopaedicsSpecialties

Alternatives to Pain Management

December 23, 2022
Wellness

Why Healthy Routines Are Key For Quality Of Life For Dementia Patients

December 20, 2018

How to Prevent COPD Exacerbations Without Medication

October 3, 2013
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?