Cancer Wellness Magazine: The Skin Issue with the Drs. Choi by cancerwellness

SUMMER 2019

MEET CHICAGO’S CANCER POWER COUPLE

THE CHOIS

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AFTER THE FIRE WHAT DANGERS LINGER AFTER THE SMOKE CLEARS? TREAT YOURSELF STAY & PLAY IN HOUSTON Cancer Wellness 1

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letter from

THE EDITOR

Photo by Christopher Free

ove the skin you’re in? This summer, fuel that romance by amplifying your dermal dedication. Welcome to the Skin Issue, bursting with a myriad of exciting topics all about staying safe under the sun. Our skin is not only our body’s largest organ, but a living, breathing ecosystem (a “microbiome”) that absorbs elements of the environment in which it resides, responding to triggers from the external world and making the necessary adjustments to achieve balance and purification. According to Skin Cancer Foundation, more people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the U.S. than all other cancers combined, and one in five Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70. These statistics are alarming. My own wake-up call occured in 2015, when my dermatologist noticed something I didn’t. An appointment was made right away with a plastic surgeon who specializes in the removal of basal cell carcinomas. I was frustrated and scared. How could I have cancer? Would it come back? Routine surgery cleared me of cancer, but looking back, I realize I probably wasn’t careful enough with my skin. Whether you have experienced skin cancer or any other type of cancer, you probably harbor some regrets about what you could have done. This issue features a treasure trove of educative articles that will hopefully inform and inspire you to be more proactive and aware of the factors, environmental and otherwise, that influence the condition of our body’s largest organ. As we wait in anticipation for the warmth of summer, we must not forget that the sun is the largest single contributor to skin cancer. The Skin Issue considers sun protection from multiple angles, including articles that explore Hawaii’s controversial sunscreen ban, the difference between chemical and mineral sunscreens, and a thorough exploration into the largely unregulated practices of the personal-products industry. Referencing a host of experts, the cW team offers solutions to the difficulty of finding sun protection products that won’t do more harm than good.

We had the distinct honor of interviewing two amazing leaders in the field of dermatology, and coincidentally they happen to be married. Dr. Jennifer Choi, the chief of oncodermatology at Northwestern’s Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, and her loving husband, Dr. Jaehyuk Choi, who runs the department’s lab, are leading research into the new side effects from immunotherapy treatment. The Chois were recruited from Yale to launch the department, and they’ve become the foremost authorities on skin conditions stemming from new cancer treatments. But if skin is not your thing, fear not! This issue presents a host of engaging topics, from unpacking the rising cost of cancer to a fabulous piece on Houston’s growing prominence as a top destination for cancer treatment, and for good reason: It has resources galore! Regardless of whether you are a cancer supporter, fighter, thriver, or are simply interested in living a healthy life, our summer issue is sure to inspire hope, understanding, and perspective. Enjoy!

@cayleiv

caylei.vogelzang

cayleivogelzang Cancer Wellness

SUMMER 2019

HOUSTON

on the COVER

SPOTLIGHT 10

AROUND TOWN 50

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THE FIGHTER

THE THRIVER

THE SUPPORTER

The Chois welcomed us into their new home for a photo shoot on an icy day in early March. We were greeted with fresh coffee and flaky pastries, which we enjoyed with their youngest daughter who was home sick from school. The sunlight reflected off the snow outside and bathed their living room in warm light, creating the perfect atmosphere to capture the intelligence and love shared between the Drs. Choi.

Cancer Wellness

CHARITIES WE LOVE

ON THE SCENE

CALENDAR

FEATURES 60

A FAMILY AFFAIR At home with the North Shore’s best oncodermatologists

TREAT YOURSELF: STAY & PLAY IN HOUSTON Home to the world’s largest medical complex, Houston’s diverse food and art scenes make this a vacation spot for more than just cancer patients

COOL FOR THE SUMMER This season’s hottest looks feature UPF 50 protection

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AFTER THE FIRE California’s 2018 wildfire season was reported as the deadliest one yet, but what dangers linger after the smoke clears?

SUMMER 2019 TRAVEL

COOL FOR THE SUMMER

WELLNESS ROAD TRIP Grand Velas Riviera Maya & S.E. Spa offers an oasis during cancer treatment

INNOVATIONS & RESEARCH 84

A BREAK FROM REALITY VR technology transports patients from the hospital room to the beach

LET THERE BE LIGHT These photodynamic therapy trials are revolutionizing cancer treatment

MICROHEARTS, HUGE IMPACT Tiny, lab-grown hearts are helping scientists better understand the cardiovascular risks of cancer treatment

MIND & BODY 28

FLAMING RED CTCL, a rare and painful cancer, is frustratingly difficult to diagnose

ALT. MEDICINE 36 GOOD VIBES ONLY Energy healing moves into the mainstream

BEAUTY 45

SKINTIGHT GENES Is the secret to good skin in our DNA?

ENTERTAINMENT 68

MORE THAN A MOUTHFUL A mouth cancer diagnosis didn’t derail Rob Paulsen’s illustrious career as a voice-over artist

READY FOR PRIME TIME Cancer fighters let loose and play with improv comedy

SWEET & SOUR The secret, philanthropic effort from Chicago’s Ferrara Candy Company

RESOURCES 102

SICK WITH DEBT Cancer treatment is draining— physically, mentally, and financially

CANCER & THE ENVIROMENT 108

SOMETHING FISHY Hawaii’s controversial sunscreen ban places people and the world’s coral reefs first

Cancer Wellness

CAYLEI VOGELZANG Editor-in-Chief

BRITT JULIOUS Editorial Director

NATALIA ESPINOSA Creative Director FEATURES Senior Editor CATHERINE EVES Staff Writer ALI CASSITY Editor-at-Large MIRELA STEFANESCU

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS LAUREN ADILEV, NATALIE CRAIG, DANA DUTERROIL, JONI FINCHAM, JASMINE JAFFERALI, JAMIE LUDWIG, SHERYL NANCE-NASH, EMMA NORRIS, NICOLE RODER, MARIA TRIPODIS, LIZ TUCKWELL

PHOTOGRAPHY ADRIAN C. GARCIA, CHRISTOPHER FREE, STEPHANIE JENSEN, JACK SAXE-STARAL, DANIELLE SCRUGGS, CARL SOCOLOW, ROBIN SUBAR, COLE WITTER

CREATIVE Illustrator BIANCA XUNISE Videographer ADRIAN C. GARCIA

MARKETING Marketing Manager ALLISON STERN Events & Partnerships Coordinator LAURYN HALL

OPERATIONS Chief Operating Officer JACK SAXE-STARAL

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD NATALIE CRAIG, DENA DODD PERRY, PARIS MENDES, DR. GAIL PRINS, DR. DIANA RANGAVES, MARIA TRIPODIS

DISTRIBUTION

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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR PART WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM THE PUBLISHER. THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN CANCER WELLNESS ARE THOSE OF THE RESPECTIVE CONTRIBUTORS AND ARE NOT NECESSARILY SHARED BY CANCER WELLNESS AND ITS STAFF.

Cancer Wellness

CONTRIBUTORS SHERYL NANCE-NASH WRITER

A freelance writer based in Long Island, New York, Sheryl specializes in personal finance, travel, small business, general business, and corporate governance. She began her career in legal journalism at the New York Law Journal and the National Law Journal. Her work has appeared in Money, The New York Times, ABCNews. com, and Forbes.com, among others. When she’s not encouraging people to spend their money wisely, she travels the globe to satisfy her wanderlust and hopefully inspire others to do the same.

NATALIA ESPINOSA

CATHERINE EVES

Natalia’s robust background in marketing, brand partnerships, and business development led her to the Cancer Wellness space where she hopes to continue to highlight all things beautiful and chic. Previously, she worked in marketing for the top-rated finance firm Fitch Ratings and with fashion designers Yumi Kim and Diane von Furstenburg, which helped her develop an eye for design in physical space. Five years ago, she found out she had the BRCA1 gene mutation and appreciates the space Cancer Wellness provides to promote early detection and prevention.

Before joining the Cancer Wellness team, Catherine taught English in China, and before that, she worked as managing editor at an independent press publishing literary fiction and nonfiction. Catherine lives in Chicago and co-hosts a bi-monthly storytelling and zine-making series called Meanwhile. She enjoys writing long-form feature stories and interviewing experts in the fields of medicine, ecology, and beauty for Cancer Wellness articles that uncover hidden truths in these industries.

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

SENIOR EDITOR

ROBIN SUBAR PHOTOGRAPHER

Robin Subar is a photographer specializing in portraits and editorial for a variety of luxury lifestyle publications. She is also a travel writer. Having lived on three continents, she welcomes diversity among her subjects. She holds a special place in her heart and in her work to promote and empower women and women’s causes as well as the marginalized. She is an advocate for living a healthy lifestyle (BRCA1) and is a devotee of yoga, meditation, her three very evolved children, her funny boyfriend, her headstrong Wheaten Terrier, and two cheeky parakeets.

DANIELLE SCRUGGS PHOTOGRAPHER

A photographer, writer, and photo editor based in Chicago, Danielle was the 2013 artist-in-residence at the Center for Photography at Woodstock. She also attended the inaugural THREAD at Yale storytelling conference in 2015, The New York Times Portfolio Review in 2018, and the Kalish Workshop for Photo Editing in 2018. Danielle’s worked for The New York Times, Vice, Ebony, Buzzfeed, and has exhibited at Flashpoint Gallery, A.I.R. Gallery, and other venues.

BIANCA XUNISE ILLUSTRATOR

As an illustrator and cartoonist based out of Chicago, Bianca’s work primarily focuses on the plight and daily struggles of identifying as a young black feminist weirdo in modern society. Her storytelling ranges from relatable slice-of-life content to complex nuanced narratives about police brutality. She received an Ignatz Award for Promising New Talent. Bianca’s work has been published on diverse platforms like The Washington Post, The Nib, Bitch magazine, and Shondaland, and has been featured on platforms such as Vogue, BBC, The Nerdist, and NYLON. Cancer Wellness

Dr. Jessica Shepherd, OB-GYN and issue 2 cover star, photographed in her home in Dallas.

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Cancer Wellness

#cW MANTRA

GRIT AND GRACE:

One wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let you give up, and the other makes it OK to let go. The truth is that you need both to succeed in life. @cherylejackson

N O

Cancer Wellness

the fighter

MICHAEL E VERHART AS TOLD TO BRITT JULIOUS

It’s a pretty surreal experience. I never had serious medical problems to speak of before. Later, I’d been showing some cognitive and physical symptoms, like a lack of mobility and strength on my left-hand side, and some forgetfulness. My brother and sister-in-law took me to the Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis, Maryland. I had an ER doc come in and give me a truth bomb: stage IV malignant glioblastoma. The seventh of December—and this is a bad joke—is my day of infamy. Everything got turned upside down once I got the diagnosis. Four days later, I was under the knife. They were able to get rid of most of my three tumors, but [they] were malignant. There’s still some [left], so that’s what we’re [working on] now. Physically, I’m doing well. I’m the kind of person who’s pretty even-keeled, so while I’m not overly naive, you also won’t find me on the bathroom floor writhing with psychological problems. Things have been going well, all things considered. I have an amazing support system. I’ve really learned firsthand what it means to have great caregivers. My mother retired a little bit early. As soon as I was diagnosed, she called up her boss and said, “You know what? I think this is the universe telling me that it’s time to retire.” She and my father, who’s also retiring soon, have been absolutely amazing. My local and extended family have been tremendous, as well as various friends and acquaintances. [This has] made me realize just how valuable caregivers are in the whole cancer experience.

Cancer Wellness

Illustrations by Bianca Xunise

To hear more from Michael, visit cancerwellness.com

People look at me and say, “Michael! Wow! You look great.” Which is true, and I have no reason to doubt what they’re saying. Some of the things that will become challenging questions to answer, I don’t even think I know what they are yet, in part because of where I am in the process. I’m more than a year in, but there are a ton of unknowns. I try to take things one day, one week, one month at a time. I have so many things to be thankful for, except for the worst part, which is G.D. stage IV glioblastoma. I try to maintain that positive outlook, and that involves being hopeful. I feel like I’m just getting started with all of this.

Photo by Carl Socolow

I try to take things one day, one week, one month at a time.

Cultivate Your Garden

Even in the dead of winter, indoor herb gardens can help keep meals fresh, delicious, and packed with nutrients. Tasty and easy to grow at home, these are some of cWâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favorite medicinal and cancer-fighting herbs. BY ALI CASSITY

BASIL

Antiviral, antioxidant, and antibacterial, basil has been linked to antimutagenic properties and tumor reduction. This herb is a staple of Mediterranean cooking and can be grown indoors on a sunny windowsill. Pair basil with tomatoes and mozzarella for a light caprese salad, or crush the fragrant leaves with garlic, parmesan cheese, olive oil, pine nuts, and salt for an easy, homemade pesto this summer.

PARSLEY

Vibrant and beautiful, parsley is great for liver and eye health. Fresh parsleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s slight brightness and peppery pop are an excellent addition to a summer brunch quiche. Even better, apigenin (a compound found in parsley) has been found to inhibit the spread of cancer cells.

OREGANO

ROSEMARY

Several studies link this woodsy herb and its active compounds to reduced tumor proliferation, limiting the production of certain human cancer cells. This evergreen herb is extraordinarily fragrant, slightly pine-like, and pairs well with chicken, lamb, and salmon. A sprig of rosemary can even brighten up a glass of lemonade or a cocktail.

CILANTRO

Cilantro is known to detox heavy metals like mercury and lead from the body, helping to prevent harmful buildup. The herb also has strong antioxidant and anti-anxiety properties, which can help promote healthy sleep. Add a handful of the leaves to guacamole for a crowd-pleasing appetizer at any barbeque.

Oregano essential oil is a miracle cure to help the body fight cold or flu. Part of the mint family and a powerful antioxidant, it can help treat menstrual cramps and urinary and respiratory tract disorders. Plus, carvacrol, a compound in oregano oil, has been found to inhibit cell growth and cause cancer-cell death.

Illustrations by Bianca Xunise

Photo by Carl Socolow

SAGE

Sage is a potent, antiviral antioxidant with strong cancer fighting potential. Containing over 160 distinct polyphenols (plant-based chemical compounds that act as antioxidants in the body), sage reportedly limits tumor growth, detoxifies the liver, and has been proven to prevent colon cancer in rats. Sage tea is also a great remedy for a sore throat. Try adding some sage to olive oil, butter, or honey for a subtle but flavorful addition to roasted veggies. Cancer Wellness

Think Dirty, Shop Clean Meet the mobile app that takes the guesswork out of buying health-conscious, safe, personal care products. BY CATHERINE EVES

Cancer Wellness

Book covers: courtesy of the publishers

Image courtesy of Freepik.com

ou think you’re doing everything right—eating plenty of green vegetables, drinking at least eight cups of water a day, and getting the doctorrecommended 150 minutes of exercise every week—but could your hygiene routine be sabotaging your health? A staggering amount of personal care products contain carcinogens and other toxic ingredients that act as hormone disruptors, causing symptoms such as infertility, PMS, acne, insomnia, or even cancer. But before you “Marie Kondo” your entire medicine cabinet, try the Think Dirty app (available on iOS and Android). Think Dirty allows users to scan barcodes on personal care and household products (either at home or while out shopping), and gives each product a rating from zero to 10. A rating of zero means the product is harmless, and a 10 means it is incredibly toxic. According to their website, Think Dirty assesses the risks of a product based on the potential health impacts of ingredients as listed by 30 reputable nonprofit and government agencies in the U.S. and abroad. Each ingredient is evaluated for “carcinogenicity, development and reproductive toxicity, and allergenicity and immunotoxicity.” Product evaluations are made by members of Think Dirty’s advisory board, who have experience in medicine, biochemistry, biology, physiology, environmental toxicology, environmental health and safety, and chemical engineering. We at Cancer Wellness think any product in the red zone, meaning a rating of seven or higher, is best tossed immediately. Worried about breaking the bank? Products with a rating higher than three or four can be phased out slowly and replaced with cleaner versions. The app also has a Shop section, which lists clean products by category and includes links to buy directly from company websites. So, instead of mindlessly trusting often arbitrary product labels like all-natural, “think dirty” while you shop.

THE cW LIBRARY

Doctor, drug company executive, and medical reporter Mike Magee brings his talents to the literary world with an eye-opening exposé of the atrocities within the American health care system. REVIEWED BY CATHERINE EVES

ike Magee’s thoroughly researched foray into the corrupt world of the American health care system is utterly fascinating—and frightening. Despite the fact that hospitals and private practices in this country offer some of the best treatments from the best doctors in the world, only a small percentage of the U.S. population is able to receive the full benefits of the system. Everyone else— the poor, the elderly, and those without adequate health care coverage from employers—suffers under a system that places last of all industrialized nations in terms of access, administrative efficiency, and health care outcomes. Because, as Magee says, “[The] Medical Industrial Complex is all about the health of the industry, not the health of all Americans.” As a solution, Magee calls for a system that is “universal, holistic, and that efficiently distributes our vast resources fairly and equitably in a manner that supports healthy families in healthy homes, rather than simply chasing cures,” and the book shows “how we might get there.” Atlantic Monthly Press June 2019, $27.00

More reads from the cW library H OT YO U N G W I D OW S C L U B

Book covers: courtesy of the publishers

Image courtesy of Freepik.com

By Nora McInerny

Grief and grieving are many things— confusing, turbulent, awkward—but they are never linear. Nora McInerny, creator of the popular podcast, “Terrible, Thanks for Asking,” offers advice on finding a new normal after the death of a loved one. In “Hot Young Widows Club,” McInerny writes candidly about the grieving process following the loss of her husband, her father, and her pregnancy in the span of a few weeks. Equal parts brutally honest and utterly funny, McInerny answers some of life’s toughest questions with a sense of humor, grace, and self-forgiveness. Simon & Schuster / TED, April 2019, $16.99

COOKING FOR CHEMO... AND AFTER! By Ryan Callahan

Inciting hunger in patients undergoing chemotherapy is no easy feat, but being nourished is imperative to win the battle against cancer. Chef Ryan Callahan’s updated cookbook features more than 80 recipes designed to offset common chemotherapy side effects that can ruin appetites. With snack, meal, and drink recipes, plus tips for negating appetite suppression, “Cooking for Cancer” is a must-read for any home cook in the wake of a cancer diagnosis. Callahan Publishing, January 2019, $25.00

Cancer Wellness

nutrition

16 20 21 22

ALWAYS ON TIME A WYNN-WYNN SITUATION NOURISH A GOLDEN GLOW HUNGRY FOR SUMMER

Cancer Wellness

Always on Time

Cancer Wellness

Photography by Jack Saxe-Staral and Adrian C. Garcia

Culinary Care provides hot meals for cancer fighters and caregivers when they need them most—during a long day at the hospital. BY BRITT JULIOUS

Cancer Wellness

t’s a warm day in early April, and Courtney White has just stepped inside of Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!, a popular tapas restaurant in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago. White is the founder and CEO of Culinary Care, a Chicago-based nonprofit providing free meals to cancer patients and their loved ones while they undergo in-hospital chemotherapy. At the restaurant, White picks up bags of prepared meals to be delivered that day to Northwestern Memorial Hospital. On any given week, White and her small team of full-time and part-time staffers deliver around 30 to 40 meals to people of all ages, races, and socio-economic classes. Today, she has about five deliveries.

For White, her organization is more than just a way to give back. In 2006, White lost her beloved father to lung cancer. Friends and loved ones dropped off meals for White and her family while they grieved. The gesture took one more burden off of the family’s shoulders, something White never forgot. Seven years later, Culinary Care was born. Most people don’t receive a meal from the hospital when they are considered outpatient, even if they’re at a facility for up to 15 hours in a single day. Finding a solution to this problem has been difficult in the past. According to a study from the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, malnutrition is one of the most common side effects of cancer treatment and can affect up to 80 percent of patients depending on tumor type and stage. A 2015 study also reported nearly 20 percent of all cancer deaths are the result of malnutrition.

White makes her deliveries after stopping by local restaurants like Blue Door Farm Stand and Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! to pick up orders.

In the car, White checks the Culinary Care app to confirm where each patient is located before weaving her way through the Northwestern Memorial campus.

It’s an issue that White didn’t initially anticipate. “I just want[ed] to be able to provide the same support that my family had, and so it started off that simple,” White says. “It was just more surprising to learn there’s a much bigger problem that we can work to potentially solve.” Come rain or shine (or sub-zero Chiberia temperatures), Culinary Care will be there to deliver meals. Customers can place their requests on an app and track the progress of their delivery in real time. Participating restaurants include Blue Door Farm Stand, Chicago q, the Goddess and Grocer, and many others. Since 2013, Culinary Care has delivered around 9,000 meals, but their goal is to deliver 100,000 by their 10-year anniversary in 2023. They also hope to fulfill requests in other cities, which range from coastal players like Los Angeles and New York to the deep south of Alabama and as far away as Canada and India. “We’ve put the foundation in place to get us there,” White says. White delivering lunch to customers. 18

Cancer Wellness

L: A salad from Blue Door Farm Stand; Top R: Chef Fernando Osorio prepares dishes for Culinary Care customers; Middle R: BDFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s map of farms from where they source ingredients; Bottom R: BDFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second-floor dining room.

Cancer Wellness

A Wynn-Wynn Situation

cope with stress. In fact, it wasn’t until her beloved mother passed from stomach cancer that Wynn finally began to take her health seriously. “Losing my mother was like a wake-up call,” she says. Adopting healthier habits was not a quick process for Wynn, who started slow and encourages others to do the same. In 2011, Wynn reached out to a friend who was a trainer and began an exercise regime that consisted of Maisha Wynn took back her life by adopting once-a-week and later twice-a-week sessions. Eight years a vegan lifestyle and dropping more than 120 in, Wynn now works out six times per week. pounds. Now, she shares her healthy habits to A visit to her physician, who diagnosed her with a help others visualize their goals and write their brain aneurysm, put things further into perspective. “My own success stories. physician said, ‘Hey Maisha, based on your family history, your mother being on 15 different meds before making her BY BRITT JULIOUS transition, [and] because she passed away from stomach cancer, as well as a multitude of other always tell people listen to your body. health issues, […] you really need to look at a “Material items are plant-based Your body will tell you everything lifestyle,’” Wynn remembers. She replaceable, you need to know,” says Maisha went “cold turkey” immediately, cutting out Wynn, author, lifestyle specialist, but you are not.” all animal products from her diet. vegan, and founder of Live to Wynn. “It’s not a diet. It’s not something As an entrepreneur, a motivational I’m doing to look good for the summer. This is a way speaker, and an advocate for good nutrition, Wynn has I live every day,” says Wynn. Her everyday favorites made a name for herself nationally and garnered praise from include healthy portions of vegetables like broccoli, places like Whole Foods Market and Essence magazine. kale, and spinach, as well as fruits packed with antioxiBut her inspirational lifestyle did not develop overnight. dants like blueberries and strawberries. To make other Wynn grew up in a family troubled by obesity. An foods more palatable, Wynn has leaned into her love emotional eater, Wynn says she “would always eat” to of seasonings, which she says makes everything—from veggies and soups to the slabs of meat she’s now cut out of her life—taste better. “At the end of the day, if I put a piece of chicken in front of someone or a piece of steak, and there wasn’t any seasoning, would it still be enjoyable?” she asks. “No; it’s the seasonings you love.” Besides helping her drop more than 120 pounds, Wynn also credits veganism for teaching her to be kinder to other people. “I’m more empathetic and compassionate, not only to myself, but to others,” she says. That compassion has translated to her business, Live to Wynn, her book, “The Wynning Way,” and her other pursuits. Number one on her list of goals to help others is to teach the value in loving oneself. “We, as women, we’re always looking for others to celebrate us. We’re looking for others to pour into us. But at the end of the day, self-love and self-awareness and kindness to your health begins with you,” Wynn says. “Material items are replaceable, but you are not.” Up next for Wynn is a busy few months. As well as returning to the annual Taste of Chicago food festival for live cooking demos, Wynn will also start a lifestyle series in the Gold Coast and embark on a weeklong culinary tour as part of World Vegan Month in November. World domination is sure to come next. Until then, Wynn will continue to share her message with people interested in making significant changes in their lives. “What I have learned is that we find our greatest strength in our lowest point in life,” Wynn offers. “It’s in the midst of our darkness where we actually find our power.” Maisha Wynn photographed at The Langham Hotel in Chicago. Cancer Wellness

Illustration by Bianca Xunise

Photo by Jack Saxe-Staral; Makeup by Sahara Pineda

“I

Nourish a Golden Glow Our cleansing columnist shares her top seasonal produce for healthy, glowing skin. BY JASMINE JAFFERALI

CELERY

sn’t spring wonderful! The flowers bloom, trees come back to life, and the sun stays high well into the evening hours, drawing us out of the winter gloom and brightening our spirits. But that’s not all we love about spring—fresh produce picked during springtime offers major health benefits for our skin. Let’s take a look a closer look at some of the season’s finest offerings to see how they can nourish our skin from within.

This green stalk is a rich source of phytonutrients that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Although celery is low in calories, it is very high in dietary fiber, which aids in digestion and reduces stomach bloat. In addition, it improves the appearance of skin as it is an excellent source of vitamin K and molybdenum. It is also a very good source of folate, potassium, manganese, and pantothenic acid.

STRAWBERRIES

RADISHES

Did you know strawberries contain more vitamin C than oranges per ounce? These sweet red berries may help promote skin elasticity, protect against cardiovascular disease, and strengthen the immune system. If you can, buy organic—strawberries are on the Environmental Working Group’s “Dirty Dozen” list of fruits and veggies containing higher concentrations of pesticides than other produce.

Consider radishes the ultimate beauty food. Their high water content keeps skin well-nourished, and nutrients like vitamin C and zinc promote overall skin health. Radishes also contain anthocyanins, which help in the treatment of numerous cancers, from colon and kidney to stomach and oral.

Fresh produce picked during springtime offers major health benefits for our skin. LEMONS

ASPARAGUS

Illustration by Bianca Xunise

Photo by Jack Saxe-Staral; Makeup by Sahara Pineda

Feeling a little puffy? Is your skin dry and itchy? Start the day with a glass of warm lemon water. Warm water will help extract the vitamin C and polyphenols from both the lemon and its peel, so you can enjoy the full benefits of this citrus fruit. Because of their high potassium content, lemons also help balance sodium levels in the body and are high in other essential nutrients like folate.

These slender green spears are packed with vitamins A and C, which are essential for healthy hair, skin, and nails. Asparagus is a top-ranked vegetable for its ability to neutralize cell-damaging free radicals. It is also rich in iron, which helps promote blood flow, slows the aging process, and reduces inflammation, a leading cause of cancerous cell growth.

Cancer Wellness

Hungry for Summer These recipes from our resident nutritionist nourish your body and help you glow from within.

Cancer Wellness

Photography by Jack Saxe-Staral

BY MARIA TRIPODIS

GRILLED PEACHES WITH PISTACHIO + SESAME CLUSTERS

Serves 8 1/2 cup unsalted pistachios, shelled & roughly chopped 1/2 cup unsalted almonds, roughly chopped 1/4 cup sesame seeds 2 tablespoons whole flax seeds 1/4 cup coconut oil 1/4 cup pure honey (preferably raw and local) 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon salt 4 ripe peaches olive oil (to brush) plain Greek yogurt (optional)

Photography by Jack Saxe-Staral

Nut Cluster Prep: 1. Preheat oven to 325 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 2. Combine all dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl. 3. In a medium saucepan on low heat, add coconut oil, honey, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt. Mix ingredients thoroughly and remove from heat. 4. Immediately pour oil and honey mixture onto dry ingredients. Mix until evenly coated. 5. Pour mixture onto baking sheet and spread in an even layer. 6. Bake for 10 - 12 minutes, remove from oven, and stir. Return to oven and cook for another 10 - 12 minutes for a total of 20 - 25 minutes (or until golden brown). 7. Remove from oven and sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt. Let cool completely for at least 20 minutes. 8. Once cooled, use a sharp knife to break into 1-inch square pieces. Peach Prep: 1. Heat grill or cast-iron skillet to medium heat. 2. Rinse peaches under running water and pat dry. 3. Cut peaches in half and remove the pit. Brush the cut side with olive oil. 4. Grill (or sear) cut-side down, until grill marks appear (or browning occurs), approximately 5 minutes.

5. Flip peaches and grill until soft to touch, another 5 minutes. 6. Remove from heat and transfer peaches to a serving dish, skin-side down. 7. Accompany with plain Greek yogurt and top with nut clusters. 8. If desired, top with additional honey and cinnamon. Enjoy warm.

DAIRY-FREE KALE CAESAR SALAD WITH HERB ROASTED CASHEWS Serves 6 Salad: 3 cups curly or lacinato kale, chopped or torn into 2-inch pieces 1/4 cup white onion, thinly sliced 1 avocado, sliced with skin & pit removed anchovies (optional)

Salad Prep: 1. Prepare the cashews: Heat the oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. In a medium bowl, mix cashews, olive oil, salt, oregano, and garlic powder. Pour mixture onto baking sheet, forming an even layer. 2. Bake for 10 minutes (or until cashews are lightly browned). Let cashews cool completely, about 20 minutes. 3. In a large salad bowl, mix chopped kale, onions, avocado, and roasted cashews. 4. Pour dressing onto the mixture and combine. Serve immediately. NOTE: Leftover dressing can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.

Dressing: 2 egg yolks 1/4 cup olive oil juice of 1/2 lemon 1/2 tablespoon anchovy paste 1 tablespoon white miso paste 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 clove garlic, minced 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon black pepper Cashews: 1 cup raw cashews 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon garlic powder Dressing Prep: 1. Wrap a damp cloth around the base of a large mixing bowl. Add the egg yolks. 2. Whisk the yolks until they are broken apart. While whisking, add the olive oil very slowly. The batter should be smooth. 3. Continue whisking while slowly adding lemon juice, anchovy paste, miso paste, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper. Whisk until all ingredients are fully combined for a thin, creamy consistency. 4. Cool dressing in refrigerator.

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DARK CHOCOLATE NUT BARK WITH SEA SALT Serves 12 1/2 cup unsalted cashews, roughly chopped 1/2 cup unsalted walnuts, roughly chopped 1/2 cup unsalted almonds, slivered 1/4 cup unsalted pepitas 1/4 cup unsalted sunflower seeds 1/4 cup cacao nibs 1/4 cup hemp seeds, shelled 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes 1/2 cup all-natural peanut butter (or other nut butter) 1/2 cup coconut oil 1/4 cup cacao powder 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon sea salt (preferably Maldon salt) liquid stevia, to taste

1. Line an 8-by-8 baking pan with parchment paper. 2. Add all dry ingredients to a mixing bowl and stir. Add mixture to baking pan, forming an even layer. 3. In a saucepan, mix peanut or nut butter, coconut oil, cacao powder, vanilla extract, and liquid stevia over low heat. 4. Once ingredients are melted into a thin, liquid consistency, pour over nut mixture until all dry ingredients are coated. 5. Sprinkle with sea salt. 6. Place nut bark in the freezer for about 1 hour to harden. 7. With a large knife, cut the nut bark into rectangles (approximately 2-inch pieces) and enjoy cold. Store in the freezer.

CREAMY ZUCCHINI NOODLES

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Serves 2 2 large zucchinis 1 clove garlic, minced 1/2 cup white onion, thinly sliced 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 - 2 sprigs rosemary, finely chopped 1 cup curly or lacinato kale, roughly chopped into 1-inch pieces salt to taste 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt 1/2 avocado, sliced with skin & pit removed 5 - 6 basil leaves, finely chopped 1 teaspoon salt juice of ½ lemon 1/2 cup grape tomatoes, halved 1/4 cup pepitas (optional) shrimp (optional) diced chicken (optional)

3. Add the chopped rosemary, kale, and a dash of salt. (Optional: add shrimp or diced chicken.) 4. Once onion is tender and kale is wilted, add the zucchini noodles, a dash of olive oil, and a pinch of salt. Sauté uncovered until tender, about 5 minutes. 5. Remove from heat and let cool for at least 5 minutes. 6. In a medium mixing bowl, combine Greek yogurt, basil, avocado, lemon juice, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and 1 teaspoon salt. 7. Add cooled zucchini noodle mixture to a large mixing bowl. Pour yogurt sauce onto the zucchini noodles and gently mix. 8. Fold in the grape tomato halves. 9. Top with pepitas and basil. Serve warm or cold.

1. Rinse zucchini under running water and use a vegetable spiralizer to form long, noodle-shaped strands. 2. In a large sauté pan, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and onion and sauté for about 3 minutes.

NOTE: If you do not have a spiralizer, you can use a julienne vegetable peeler, a mandolin slicer with a spiralizer setting, or a flat vegetable peeler. If you have none of these, you can usually find pre-spiralized zucchini noodles at the supermarket.

PINK GRAPEFRUIT + FENNEL + GOAT CHEESE SALAD Serves 6 1 pink grapefruit, skin & white pith removed 3/4 cup fennel bulb, sliced Â˝-inch thick into half-moons 1/2 cup golden beets (about 1 small to medium-sized beet, whole) 1/2 cup white onion, thinly sliced 1 avocado, sliced with skin & pit removed 1/2 cup salted pistachios, shelled & roughly chopped 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese

3. In a small mixing bowl, combine all dressing ingredients. 4. Pour dressing over grapefruit mixture and gently mix until all ingredients are evenly coated. 5. Pour into a shallow serving dish and top with crumbled goat cheese, dill, and basil. Serve immediately.

ABOUT MARIA

Maria Tripodis is a registered dietitian and founder of Rebel Nutrition. She works in a clinical-care setting while seeing Rebel Nutrition clients on the side, assisting them with meeting their wellness goals. She hopes to promote healthy habits, balanced diets, self-confidence, and the opportunity to feel empowered to accomplish goals.

Dressing: 1/2 cup olive oil juice of 1/2 lemon 1 teaspoon salt 2 - 3 sprigs dill, finely chopped 6 - 10 basil leaves, finely chopped black pepper to taste NOTE: Grapefruit may interfere with some medications. Check with your physician before enjoying this dish. 1. Fill a saucepan with water and place whole beets in water, making sure they are completely submerged. 2. Heat on high and bring to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes, then reduce heat to low. Let the beets cook in water for approximately 1 hour, or until a fork can easily pierce the skin. 3. Once tender, drain the water and let the beets cool in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. 4. Once cooled, use a paper towel to rub off the beetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s skin under running water, or use a sharp knife to peel. For Grapefruit: 1. While the beets are cooking, prepare the grapefruit. Only the segmented grapefruit flesh will be used. With a sharp knife, remove the skin and bitter white pith. Cut between membranes to release the flesh (all membranes should be removed). 2. In a large mixing bowl, add grapefruit, fennel, sliced beets, onions, avocado, and pistachios. Cancer Wellness

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FLAMING RED THRIVE ON ASK THE DOCTOR

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FLAMING RED

After years of struggling with redness, itchiness, and pain from heat and sun, with few answers from doctors, Lauren Adilev finally received a diagnosis: the incredibly rare cancer CTCL. BY LAUREN ADILEV

kin so red it feels like I’m broiling from the inside out. Itching so much I’m going crazy. No moisture anywhere in my body. It hurts to move, to lie down, to breathe. These are common symptoms of someone with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, or CTCL. CTCL is a very rare disease; most doctors never see a case during their years of medical practice. For this reason, CTCL is hard to diagnose. The disease doesn’t have a genetic component and hits people out of the blue, more women than men, usually when they’re in their 40s. Cutaneous (meaning: relating to the skin) lymphomas are types of non-Hodgkin lymphomas which originate in the lymphocytes (white blood cells). The disease is divided into two general categories: CTCL accounts for approximately 80 percent of cutaneous lymphomas; the remaining cases are Sézary syndrome, in which large areas of the skin have very dry, red, scaly, and/ or blistered patches and itching is very intense. 28

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In 1997, I was a new immigrant to Israel who didn’t speak the language or know local customs. When my body broke out in a rash, my hair started falling out in clumps, and I started to feel sick. I knew I needed to see a specialist, but it was hard for my symptoms to be taken seriously. I made an appointment with the head dermatologist at Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem, but he insisted that it was nothing, just a bad rash. This was my life for more than two long years as I struggled to find the right diagnosis. Because CTCL is so rare, doctors don’t recognize the symptoms. I had to practically beg mine to perform a biopsy, or at least consult with other doctors from major medical centers, but he refused.

So I soldiered on, avoiding the sun as much as possible, slathering my body with creams, trying to work and live as normally as possible. Yet there were a few nights I felt so ill I thought I might die. At times, my condition became so unlivable I wrote a note for someone to find in case of my death. As the internet was in its infancy (I didn’t have a computer and smartphones didn’t yet exist), I went to the library at the The American Center in Jerusalem to see if there was a hospital in America where I might find a doctor to help me. I told a librarian what I was looking for, and he showed me some medical journals. In one, I found the name of a CTCL specialist at

the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. I took a leave of absence from work and flew overseas. They took biopsies of several lesions on my skin, and a week later, I had a diagnosis. I returned to Israel and entered a new life as a cancer patient. When I received my diagnosis, I thought that I would never get married or have children. Less than a year after my trip to Dana-Farber, I met someone. I explained that CTCL was a chronic illness, like diabetes, and most people don’t die from it. My daughter was born two years after we married. Due to my pregnancy hormones, my skin got worse. By the time my daughter was 16 months old, I could barely function. Luckily, in the small town near Jerusalem where we lived, there was a dermatologist who knew about my disease and had seen patients with it. We tried to avoid chemotherapy since it could affect my fertility, yet there was no choice, so I started weekly injections of methotrexate. But it was nice to know there were other options. Symptoms of CTCL can be relieved with steroid creams and phototherapy. Many patients use a chemotherapeutic topical cream containing mechlorethamine, but this is difficult to use because one has to be careful to apply this medication only to the affected area, avoid touching one’s face or eyes after application, and wash hands thoroughly so that others won’t come into contact with this toxic ointment. A year after I stopped the chemo injections, I got pregnant. Although my skin reddened, it was manageable. I nursed my son for a year, did chemo for another two months, and since then, I’ve lived normally, yet with safeguards. My skin can have a severe reaction to intense heat or strong sunlight, so from April to November, I’m very careful not to walk in the heat of the day. Luckily for my children, CTCL does not have a genetic component,

but there is cause for concern due to heritage. African Americans as well as people of AshkenazicJewish descent are more prone to developing CTCL (Mr. T., a wellknown television star from the 1980s, has CTCL and acknowledged it publicly). Approximately 1,500 to 2,000 people are diagnosed with CTCL every year, yet this figure is hard to obtain, because it can take months, even years, to receive a definitive diagnosis. Someone like me, for example, bothered by dry patches for an extended period of time might try every cream on the market for years, their symptoms never abating.

Approximately 1,500 to 2,000 people are diagnosed with CTCL every year, yet this figure is difficult to obtain, because it can take months, even years, to receive a definitive diagnosis. A diagnosis is crucial; most likely someone with “eczema” will be prescribed steroid creams and told to keep slathering on moisture, treating only the symptoms which appear on the skin. With CTCL or Sézary syndrome, patients can begin treatments which treat the blood. When treated internally, there is more hope that the redness, itchiness, and pain might abate. When my children were young, I sometimes would forego summer activities. People made unhelpful comments like, “But there’s shade,” but that didn’t help when the shady areas weren’t cool. Luckily, there were fun, indoor activities like the local library with children’s programming. Reflecting on this blurry, frenzied period of motherhood, I

think of the times I wasn’t totally present with my daughter. I wasn’t able to relax and enjoy my two pregnancies, and when Meira, my daughter, was a baby, I couldn’t fully enjoy playing with her due to the pain. Yet now we’re very close. We recommend books to each other, snuggle on the couch at night and talk about our days, and cook together. She is a high school sophomore, and my son Naphtali is 12. I’ve been off chemo for 11 years. At age 51, I can reflect on what cancer took from me: It prevented me from developing a career because I was too sick for years to work. But now, I’m looking into graduate programs in several areas that interest me. I’m definitely scared about our finances, yet all I can do is activate the reset button on my life. M y focus has shifted on others with chronic illnesses. If you know someone who is chronically ill, listen and try to be sympathetic— it’s so hard to be fatigued and in pain the entire day. If a friend says she can’t participate in an activity, don’t dismiss her concerns. Instead, ask how she can be accommodated. And if you are the one suffering from a rare ailment but struggling to find a diagnosis, keep pushing for the answers. Developing cancer at age 30 was certainly not a goal. This is life—it happens while you make other plans. I have to push myself daily to be proactive and hope for a bright—yet not bright red—future.

Lauren Adilev, who lives near Jerusalem, runs Turn Write This Way, a boutique content agency. A solo mom of a daughter and son, she writes and edits memoirs and marketing materials.

Cancer Wellness

Keep Calm and Thrive On After years of working with patients with cancer, clinical psychologist Ritu Trivedi-Purohit, Psy.D., founded Thriveosity, a new monthly gift box that caters to the cancer community in all forms.

Cancer Wellness

Ritu Trivedi-Purohit, Psy.D., photographed at Chicagoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Merchandise Mart.

Photo by Jack Saxe-Staral; Boxes: courtesy of Thriveosity

BY BRITT JULIOUS

Ritu Trivedi-Purohit, Psy.D., photographed at Chicago’s Merchandise Mart.

Photo by Jack Saxe-Staral; Boxes: courtesy of Thriveosity

bsence of disease doesn’t equal wellness. Just which has found that patients who can successfully navigate ask Ritu Trivedi-Purohit, Psy.D., a clinical and a new cancer diagnosis do so by developing a “new normal.” oncopsychologist and the founder of Thriveosity, What that new normal looks like varies from patient to an all-natural and organic subscription box for patient, but what is most important is its establishment. those affected by cancer. “Just because treatments are over Distress, which the International Psycho-Oncology and you have a clean bill of health doesn’t necessarily mean Society and the Union for International Cancer Control you are well,” she says. now call the “sixth vital sign,” is present in all patients with After years of working with patients and recognizing cancer. How the world, including medical professionals, their need for support and care beyond treatment, Trivedi- address that distress can, in some ways, “make or break” Purohit founded Thriveosity as a way to address the gaps a diagnosis. As the report states, “Evidence suggests that in care. “I just felt this calling to do something both addressing psychosocial, emotional, and physical sympintended to help and support patients and [that was] toms early in the cancer trajectory, through such steps as feeding my soul in a very meaningful way,” she says. palliative care or psychological interventions, may influence “We wanted to make sure we could give them the tools survival outcomes.” to help them stay abreast.” It seems Thriveosity came at the “I just felt this calling exact right time. “We’ve learned In her work, Trivedi-Purohit identified five “challenge areas” among that the need is even greater than to do something both her patients: nutrition, cognition, skin we initially recognized,” Trivediintended to help and care, aromatherapy, and what she calls Purohit says. “I wanted to fill that support patients and [that gap, and I saw Thriveosity as the “the basics,” meaning comfort items and essentials. Thriveosity boxes come was] feeding my soul in a very tip of the iceberg.” in different categories, broken down Monthly Thriveosity boxes begin very meaningful way.” by gender, age, and occupation (think at $50 per month for a six-month subpatient versus caregiver). scription and increase from there. Trivedi-Purohit’s background in psychology makes her Each Thriveosity box is shipped on the 30th of the month the perfect curator for each Thriveosity box. According and can include everything from blueberry-almond granola to Trivedi-Purohit, developments and advancements in to natural deodorant. Trivedi-Purohit chooses products to treatment for cancer have created a new community of match the season, so a customer may receive a sun hat in the survivors and thrivers. And although their numbers summer and a reusable coffee cup in the winter. continue to grow, there have not been adequate services More than anything, Trivedi-Purohit aims to select to address their particular concerns. Trivedi-Purohit is products that soothe rather than irritate the distress of usually the one who spends time with them during and a cancer diagnosis, and a portion of the proceeds from after their treatments. every box goes to organizations dedicated to cancer “Long effects of chemotherapy and radiation have research, advocacy, and patient education. She wouldn’t improved over time and have less harsh ramifications for want it any other way. “What can we do immediately, even people physically, mentally, and psychologically. But there in a small way, to help these patients to manage better?” still continues to be a significant gap in the management of Trivedi-Purohit asks. “This really grew very quickly into the rest, if you will,” Trivedi-Purohit says. something substantive, but it started from a very basic The “rest,” as Trivedi-Purohit defines it, is the understanding and a desire to help, and from that, we’ve emotional and psychological well-being of patients. been so fortunate that we’ve been able to get the word out.” According to a 2016 report from the journal Clinical Advances in Hematology & Oncology, the management of psychological issues in oncology is critical to the care and survival of patients. “Psychiatric disorders are now recognized to occur in approximately 30% to 60% of patients who are newly diagnosed with various types of cancer,” the report states. Trivedi-Purohit found that patients who were the most successful in healing also had a positive, healthy outlook and connection to the larger world. “I had [a client who] was in active treatment for breast cancer, and she really defied every notion I had of what cancer looked like and what patients dealing with cancer really look like,” she begins. “I learned a tremendous amount from her and working with her over the course of the year.” This anecdotal evidence backs up years of research, Cancer Wellness

Ask the Doctor

New York City-based dermatologist Dr. Adarsh Vijay Mudgil answers reader questions about sun safety for people of color. up believing sun safety was of little concern to me, and Q: the most I would do is put on sunscreen if I spent a day I’ve got naturally dark skin rich in melanin. I grew

up thinking because my skin tanned instead Q: Iofgrew burned, skin cancer was not a concern for me as a

black woman. Recently, I learned that although black people are less likely to get skin cancer, we’re more likely to die from skin cancer. Why do you think there are so many misconceptions about sun safety in POC communities? The truth is, skin cancer in POC communities happens with a lot less frequency. In fair-skin folks, it’s fairly common: Sun-induced skin cancers are the most common type of cancer. These concerns are very much at the forefront for fair-complected folks, but skin cancer is not something that’s really talked about much in skin-of-color communities. I’m Indian, I’m from a darker-skinned community, I don’t think I ever heard about skin cancer growing up, and I’m sure that’s similar in African-American and Latino populations. There’s just not a lot of awareness about it—that’s the bottom line.

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Sun protection is something that is also not really discussed in darker-skinned communities. Even when I was growing up, sunscreen was never really something my mom told me to use, it was never really a concern. I think a lot of that stems from the fact that we’re darker skinned, and our risk of getting a sunburn is much lower than someone with fair skin. But the truth is, sun protection is very, very important for all skin types. Something that resonates with a lot of folks is that sunscreen can be used for cosmetic purposes. Wear sunscreen because, yes, it’s going to protect from skin cancer, but it’s also going to keep you from getting wrinkles. Anything I can say to get my patients to wear sunscreen is fine by me. The United States is becoming more and more and more diverse—darker-skinned folks make up a bigger percentage of the population with each generation. Driving home the importance of sun protection now that the demographics of our society are changing is really important. The more awareness there is, the more compliance there will be and the less incidence of skin cancer in darker-skinned communities and fairer-skinned communities. About the Doctor Dr. Mudgil received his bachelor’s degree from Emory University and his medical degree from the Stony Brook University School of Medicine. He completed his residency in dermatology at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in Manhattan, where he served as chief resident. Dr. Mudgil is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, and the American Society of Dermatopathology, as well as a member of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai teaching faculty.

Photo courtesy of Dr. Adarsh Vijay Mudgil

at the beach. But I’ve read a number of articles lately that suggest sun safety is important for everyone. What sort of things do POC like me need to know about sun safety? Although we are less prone to getting a sunburn, U.V. rays still adversely affect our skin. We should all be taking the same precautions, namely avoiding the sun during peak hours, wearing a hat, and staying in the shade when possible. Sunscreen is critical—at least an SPF 30 and preferably one containing titanium or zinc, which physically block the sun’s rays. It’s also important to reapply every two to three hours and after swimming. Skin cancer does occur in people of color; sun protection is key. There’s a huge genetic component to melanoma—in darker-skinned folks, who get melanomas on their palms and soles and in areas that aren’t exposed to the sun, it is predominantly genetic, but the role of U.V. light is unknown. It’s not helpful to you in anyway to have your skin unprotected from the sun—you’re not benefiting yourself in anyway.

Alternative Medicine

Photo courtesy of Dr. Adarsh Vijay Mudgil

34 MEDITATIONS 36 GOOD VIBES ONLY

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The Extraordinary Benefits of Meditation

The ancient practice of meditation is gaining popularity as a tool to relax and unwind. BY LIZ TUCKWELL

n a cold night 15 years ago, I was exhausted but couldn’t sleep. I tossed and turned, got up to make a cup of tea, laid down, and stared at the ceiling. Desperate, I put on my headphones, grabbed my iPod, and located a meditation album someone suggested I try. I played the track titled “Deep Sleep” and was hooked. The meditation worked, and before I realized, it was the next day. This was my first real experience with meditation. Fast forward to 2019, where I was leading a guided meditation in front of staff members from Northwestern University. I began with simple instructions: Take a deep breath in, and then let it out slowly. There was an atmosphere of relief and peace in the room replacing the hurried angst of only 20 minutes earlier. What happened during that 15-year time span? Once I learned of the many gifts of meditation, I was not willing to let them go. Meditation, a practice to create intentional focus and awareness in one’s life, dates back to 5,000 B.C. According to a report from Psychology Today, archaeologists discovered evidence of meditation in cave art in the Indus Valley— drawings of figures sitting in what we would consider typical meditation

Once I learned of the many gifts of meditation, I was not willing to let them go. postures: crossed legs and peaceful faces. Meditation can be practiced at any time, in any position. Personally, meditation is a gift to help me get out of my head and back into my body. A 2011 study from Yale University found that meditation reduces activity in the default mode network—the brain network responsible for mindwandering and self-referential thoughts. This is the part of my mind that loves to wander into overthinking and anxiety. When I take the time to meditate, I am training my brain to move out of this anxious mental state and into a more peaceful one.

In a recent study conducted by Srinakharinwirot University in Bangkok, researchers tested the cortisol (aka the “stress hormone”) levels of 30 medical students ranging in age from 19 to 55 before and after a four-day mindfulness meditation program. Cortisol levels lowered in every participant. Their conclusion? “Mindfulness meditation lowers the cortisol levels in the blood suggesting that it can lower stress and may decrease the risk of diseases that arise from stress,” the study states. Additional benefits of meditation include greater stress management and immune function and decreased pain, inflammation, and depression. The bottom line? Meditation can change your brain, your body, and your world. Despite the many benefits, one can still find it challenging to delve into a meditation practice. Some believe significant changes only occur after 15 minutes, but I disagree. The essential components are breath and intentional focus. The effects of meditation are available to you regardless of how you practice. However you choose to begin your meditation practice, simply start. You deserve to feel the benefits and the gifts. You deserve to feel good.

Place one hand on your stomach and focus on the rise and fall of your belly while you breathe for one full minute. 34

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Listen to a piece of music that you love and commit to hearing all the words or nuances of sound.

Take a walk outside and mindfully watch each of your steps touch the ground before the lift of your next step.

Breathe deeply and count backwards from 16 to one. Slowly.

Photo by Adrian C. Garcia

O N -T H E - M O V E M E D I TAT I O N S :

Pocket Meditation

Our list of the best meditation apps on the market to offer clarity and calm amidst a cancer diagnosis. BY CATHERINE EVES

Studies show meditation and mindfulness practices lead to better sleep, more energy, less pain, and increased feelings of well-being, all of which are crucial to beating cancer. Here, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite meditation apps for cancer fighters and their supporters. CALM Calm features programs for beginners, intermediates, and experts, so there’s something for everyone. Novices will appreciate the opportunity to deepen their practice as they gain experience, and those already well-practiced in the art of meditation won’t feel as though their hand is being held while utilizing Calm’s variety of features. Calm Body includes 10-minute sessions of guided stretches and other gentle exercises to refocus and reinforce the mind-body connection. Good for those looking for a variety of different features. Price: Free for basic or $12.99/month for premium; $59.99/ year; $299.99 for lifetime subscription

Photo by Adrian C. Garcia

INSIGHT TIMER Insight Timer keeps it simple. Users set the desired duration for their meditation session, plus accompanying sounds and music. Insight Timer also features a message board to connect with or seek support from other meditators. Users can gain access to Insight Courses, which start at $4.99. These courses are 10- to 30-day programs with a specific focus, such as getting more restful sleep. Good for those who are short on time or like a no-frills approach to meditation. Price: $9.99/month; $59.99/year BUDDHIFY Buddhify was designed for on-the-go meditation. Users don’t buy a subscription but pay a single up-front cost, because Buddhify’s creators hope their app helps users get to the point where they won’t need an app to meditate. Special features include dual meditations (which are meant to be done with someone else to promote harmony in the relationship), child-focused meditations, and the Give feature, allows users to send a meditation to someone they feel could benefit from the practice. Good for those who don’t want to feel dependent on an app. Price: $30

SATTVA Sattva places itself at the intersection of ancient philosophy and modern mindfulness—where “ancient meets modern in the palm of your hand,” according to their website. In Ayurveda or Sanskrit, “Sattva” is one of the three modes of existence associated with purity and goodness. Sattva boasts a unique collection of guided meditations, ancient chants, Vedic mantras, and music created by Sanskrit scholars who have “mastered the subtle inner workings of the mind.” We like the sharing features, which allow friends to partake in group challenges and share playlists to inspire each other. Good for those interested in incorporating Ayurveda into their meditation practice. Price: $12.99/month; $49.99/year CANCERCARE MEDITATION This partnership between BodyMind Sessions and CancerCare.org features meditation sessions, inspirational talks, and music and natural sounds playlists to help patients relax during moments of high stress and anxiety. CancerCare launched their app in 2018, but the organization has been around since 1944. They are the leading, national organization providing free, professional support services and information to help people manage the emotional, practical, and financial challenges of cancer. Good for lengthy chemotherapy treatment sessions. Price: $6.99/month; $46.99/year LOVING MEDITATIONS Loving Meditations was created in the wake of a cancer diagnosis: When David Dachinger was diagnosed with stage IV cancer, his wife Tamara Green, LCSW, became his full-time caregiver. This app is their answer to the terror and turmoil that coincides with a diagnosis. Loving Meditations features daily inspirations, guided meditations, breath work, mindfulness-based stress reduction, guided imagery, and self-hypnosis. Good for those looking for easy-to-follow tools for anxiety, fear, sleeplessness, and pain. Price: $2.99/month; $19.99/year CREATE TO HEAL Created by WomenWings.org, this app aims to give users the tools to practice creative therapies and stress reduction during the chemotherapy process, or in the wait to receive test results. This app features guided meditations, music, art, and animations to help those in treatment for cancer relax and tune in to their creativity. Good for long and stressful waits in the doctor’s oﬃce. Price: Free Cancer Wellness

GOOD VIBES ONLY

By directing and balancing energy flow, reiki masters use their holistic practice to soothe the harsh side effects of cancer treatment. BY ALI CASSITY

ou are a cancer patient, and after weeks of chemo- diagnosis use complementary or alternative medicines therapy treatment, you’re in search of symptom including meditation, yoga, and herbal treatments. These relief. After sourcing a few suggestions, you’ve practices can ease the difficulties presented by treatsettled on alternative medicine. Inside a dimly lit ments like surgery or chemotherapy, which often create room, you lie on a padded massage table. A practitioner side effects like nausea or pain. After a cancer diagnosis, hovers her hands over you, at times incorporating a light noninvasive care practices like reiki create space for peace touch that guides energy throughout your body and and teach individuals how to care for their mind and body balances its flow. during treatment. More than ever before, hospitals and This is reiki, a holistic Japanese practice originating cancer care centers hire reiki practitioners as a resource in the early 20th century utilizing the body’s own natural for patients, or recommend the practice in addition to a healing energy to promote balance in mind, body, and patient’s regular treatment regimen. spirit. Practitioners lightly touch or hover their hands Reiki practitioners attempt to address the link above a client’s body to promote relaxation, calm, and between body, mind, and spirit, acknowledging how healing for both physical and mental chronic physical pain can lead afflictions. Practitioners believe that to mental anguish. Increased After a cancer energy flows within the body can be anxiety, depression, and insomnia diagnosis, noninvasive are common side effects of cancer unblocked, redirected, and balanced. Individuals seek reiki treatment care practices like reiki treatment and are known to weaken for things like cancer, depression, create space for peace the body. By addressing these PTSD, chronic pain, anxiety, and complications, doctors and reiki and teach individuals other ailments. The reiki master taps healers hope to improve a patient’s how to care for their into different energy points using 11 chances of recovering from their traditional hand placements. These mind and body during treatment and disease. placements direct energy from head “I refer to reiki as a completreatment. to toe, traveling from eyes, temples, mentary healing modality, because and neck down over the abdomen, complementary means ‘in addition finishing at the bottom of the feet. Those receiving to.’ It’s not about curing; it’s about healing,” says Jane reiki report feelings of calm energy, warmth, and even Van De Velde, DNP, R.N., reiki master, and founder tingling in their body throughout a session. of the Reiki Share Project. Through her organization, Reiki’s rise in popularity comes at a time in which Van De Velde coordinates reiki treatments with a focus Americans are increasingly turning to holistic, natural on cancer patients, offering sessions in the suburbs of practices. According to a study published in the journal Chicago at places like Wellness House and Elmhurst JAMA Oncology, one-third of all people with a cancer Hospital. 36

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Ultimately, Van De Velde says, the Reiki Share “It’s all about putting people into a different place,” Project’s main mission is education. Through classes Van De Velde says. “The relaxation response moves offered by the organization, patients, family members, them from the sympathetic nervous system fight-orand even health care providers can learn to administer flight response into what we call parasympathetic, or reiki. Learning the practice comprises three levels of rest and digest.” training. At each level, the student receives attunement, As a holistic, complementary healing practice, reiki a practice which makes them receptive to reiki energy. is slowly making its way into the lexicon of health care Level one training covers reiki history, self-reiki practices, and an introduction to practicing on others. providers across the nation. In Illinois, the Reiki Share Project makes it their mission to bridge that gap between After level two training, students are considered reiki methods, promoting complete balance between the practitioners. They receive more attunement and learn reiki symbols, as well as the methods for channeling mind, body, and spirit. Van De Velde’s nursing credenreiki to someone without physical proximity, called tials make it possible for her to translate the language of distant reiki. Following level three, reiki into something more easily practitioners become reiki masters, understood in the health care Because reiki focuses on allowing them to teach others. world, a step which she hopes will For more than a decade, Wellness balancing energy flows bring reiki into the spotlight for House, a cancer care center with 17 in an individual’s body doctors looking for better ways locations throughout the Chicagoland and mind, many cancer to support their patients through area, has partnered with the Reiki treatment. patients who incorporate Share Project and Jane Van De Velde. “We have to frame it in a In 2018 alone, Wellness House saw 125 the practice into their way that will be in line with the patients make 320 reiki program visits. routine see improved sleep way health care providers think, “Although there are many benbecause evidence-based practice is patterns and reduced efits of reiki, the main goals of reiki really paramount in health care,” stress, anxiety, and appointments at Wellness House Van De Velde says. “Reiki has a are stress reduction and relaxation. physical pain. place there, and I really focus on Participants learn about Reiki as a the relaxation response which is a stress management tool,” says Tracy measurable scientific response.” Lester, wellness and education programs manager at At Elmhurst Hospital’s outpatient cancer center, Wellness House. Reiki Share Project volunteers offering reiki to patients Because reiki focuses on balancing energy flows in during a chemotherapy sessions since 2012. Patients an individual’s body and mind, many cancer patients who can elect to receive 15 minutes of reiki in their seat while incorporate the practice into their routine see improved receiving their chemotherapy infusion, and volunteers sleep patterns and reduced stress, anxiety, and physical pain. also offer treatment to family members and staff. Reiki recipients are asked to rate their pain and anxiety from one to 10 before and after treatment; Van De Velde tracks the data which is then incorporated into patient charts. “We’ve been able to gather good evidence that the response is positive in terms of relaxation, lessening pain, and relieving anxiety, but we don’t have a lot of evidence of the biological response of the mechanism of action yet. There’s not a lot of research money going towards these larger studies right now,” Van De Velde says. Until funding increases, organizations like the Reiki Share Project will continue leading the way by connecting traditional Western medicine with this holistic Japanese modality. For individuals seeking relief from cancer treatment side effects, reiki opens the door to surrender and ease.

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Neil Fine, M.D. and Clark Schierle M.D., Ph.D.

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THE DEVIOUS LANGUAGE OF COSMETICS STOP FUELING SELF-DOUBT CHECK THE LABEL SKINTIGHT GENES

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beauty

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The Devious Language of Cosmetics As cosmetics companies thrive on dramatic marketing claims and false advertising, how do consumers know what to trust? BY CATHERINE EVES

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Photo courtesy of Natalie Craig

Photo by Adrian C. Garcia

ermatologist approved. Hypoallergenic. Allnatural. We see these labels everywhere, but what exactly do they mean? Apparently, not much at all. dermatologist-approved label, according to both Rogers According to the Food and Drug Administration, the and Jacknin. However, beauty and skin-care companies law does not require cosmetic products to be individually will employ their own dermatologists, essentially approved by the FDA before going to market. According providing a stipend for doctors which may persuade to the FDA, “Under the law, cosmetic products and them to give their stamp of approval on a product, ingredients do not need FDA premarket approval, with regardless of whether or not they actually believe it is the exception of color additives. However, FDA can beneficial for consumers. “Dermatologists are often on pursue enforcement action against products on the retainer and paid for speaking about and recommending market that are not in compliance with the law, or against a line of beauty/skin-care products,” says Rogers. firms or individuals who violate the law.” A manufacturer In response to consumer concern, retailers like can also use any ingredient in the formulation of cosmetics, Credo Beauty, Beautycounter, and Thrive Market are barring “the ingredient and the finished cosmetic are safe capitalizing on the trend toward providing safe, natural under labeled or customary conditions of use, the product beauty products that consumers can is properly labeled, and the use of the trust. Michelle Connelly, lead buyer ingredient does not otherwise cause “You’re naturally for Credo Beauty, explains Credo’s the cosmetic to be adulterated or “Brand Standard,” which considers drawn into the term misbranded under the laws that FDA product ingredients, but also the ‘dermatologist enforces.” individual company’s “manufacturing approved,’ When product labels assert practices, clear and consistent labeling, claims like dermatologist approved, it but it really doesn’t and marketing claims,” Connelly says. is natural for consumers to trust that Credo’s “Dirty List” goes beyond their say much.” the product will deliver the desired Brand Standard, and compiles a list of effect without negative consequences. ingredients that are linked to health Unfortunately, this is not always the case. But without and environmental issues, like formaldehyde, parabens, prior knowledge of minerals and chemicals, it’s difficult and phthalates. Credo refuses to stock products with for a consumer to recognize an ingredient that might any of these ingredients, or work with brands that go cause them irritation. “You’re naturally drawn into the against their Brand Standard in any way. term ‘dermatologist approved,’ but it really doesn’t say Whether a product claims it is dermatologically much,” says Dr. Jeanette Jacknin, a board-certified approved, tested, or recommended, dermatologists dermatologist and author with expertise in holistic agree that consumers need to be discerning and dermatology and natural cosmeceuticals. conduct their own research. “What to look for is the name So how does this end up on cosmetic products? “You of a board-certified dermatologist who actually has done have to pay for it,” says Dr. Heather Rogers, a Seattle- at least consumer studies, if not clinical studies on the based dermatologist who launched her own skin-care product,” says Jacknin, adding that the product packaging line to solve the problem of providing patients the most or instructions will usually include this information. beneficial and least harmful products. “It costs $200, And although the beauty industry is moving towards and that’s all it took,” she says. making a point of marketing products as “chemical If one dermatologist tests a product and deems free” and “all-natural,” there’s something important to it safe for consumers, this is enough to warrant a remember. “All chemicals aren’t bad,” says Jacknin.

Stop Fueling Self-Doubt

Social media empowers and connects us to our community but can also reinforce societal beauty standards and pressures that perpetuate self-doubt. BY NATALIE CRAIG

Photo courtesy of Natalie Craig

Photo by Adrian C. Garcia

ave you ever met someone who was 100 percent satisfied with their life and their appearance? Chances aren’t good—even the people you thought lead perfect, happy lives struggle with self-confidence. Beauty standards are constantly evolving, and whether these ideals are more inclusive of different forms of beauty or not, they affect every single person. Studies from the National Center for Biotechnology Information show it is imperative for cancer patients to remain in high spirits and foster a positive outlook to encourage their bodies to heal. Just because someone is posts like this.” I followed these steps for a couple of days fighting cancer doesn’t mean their needs and desires to feel until I didn’t see anything Kardashian-related on my beautiful evaporate. Societal beauty standards hang over feed. It may sound silly, but this action alone drastically our heads like a storm cloud, and while on some days the improved my self-esteem. sun may shine, other days may feel like we have been caught Change your notiﬁcation settings. Social media in a torrential downpour of self-doubt and deprecation. can take up a significant amount of my day. I had to From reflecting on my own insecurities and implement some balance because there was no way talking with friends and family, I’ve determined that spending eight hours a day on my phone was healthily social media is the trigger for most. As a social media impacting my self-esteem. I decided to mute all social influencer, it would be impossible for me to delete my media notifications. You can easily internet presence. Even so, if I mute notifications by visiting your quit using social media, would settings panel on any social media Rarely are things as they all of my insecurities melt away? seem online. An image can site. Usually, the platform will ask Probably not, but I know my you would like to “receive push be altered or staged, a smile ifnotifi insecurities wouldn’t weigh me cations.” Switch that setting down every day. Instead, they could hide depression, and all from on to off. My screen time might come in the form of an of the followers in the world went from eight hours to four in occasional, light spring shower—a a week. My mind was instantly don’t necessarily equate to clearer. necessity to keep me progressing and growing, just like blooming actual love or friendship. Shift your mindset. Social flowers. Social media is a tool for media is so impactful because it community building and connection. allows us to have a connection to people and places we So what can we do to embrace the positives of might never have met. But it also serves as a breeding social media while also making it a safer space for our ground for emotionally damaging content. Therefore, minds, bodies, and spirits, especially if a clean break the ultimate tool to block the social media noise is isn’t an option? your own mind. Rarely are things as they seem online. Mute, block, snooze, and repeat. Users have the An image can be altered or staged, a smile could hide option to mute, snooze, or see fewer posts on platforms like depression, and all of the followers in the world don’t Instagram and Facebook. My trigger was the Kardashians. necessarily equate to actual love or friendship. It’s I became obsessed with their beauty and constantly important to remind yourself that you have everything compared myself to them. It had to stop. So, every time you need within yourself, and while you have your own a photo of one of them popped up on my Instagram feed, battles, so does everyone else—even if you may not see I would click the photo and the three dots on the upper it at fi rst. right-hand corner of the post, and then select “see fewer Cancer Wellness

CHECK THE LABEL Sun safe this summer by slathering on the ‘screen. Both mineral and chemical sunscreens protect the skin from sunburn, but is one better than the other? BY JAMIE LUDWIG

fter a long, grueling winter, there’s nothing more sunscreens. That’s because a bad hair or makeup day is thrilling than a warm, sunny day. Although icy a temporary catastrophe, but improper sun protection streets and sub-zero temperatures are gone could potentially have lasting consequences. People until next season, the sun comes with its own undergoing or who have completed cancer treatment may problems: harmful ultraviolet rays. It’s time to reach for have even more cause for caution: Chemotherapy and the sunscreen, but with so many products on the market, other cancer treatments can increase photosensitivity and so much conflicting information, how does anyone (or the likelihood of getting burned), and those who’ve know what to choose? endured certain types of skin cancer, such as melanoma For many, the answer is mineral or basal cell carcinoma, may face the (aka physical) sunscreen. As conA bad hair or makeup day risk of recurrence. sumers seek alternatives to the conventional, often chemical-laden is a temporary catastrophe, WHAT TO KNOW goods lining cosmetic and drugstore but improper sun protection With these concerns, along with shelves, natural beauty and wellness products—including mineral sun- could potentially have lasting misleading or confusing information about chemical ingredients, it’s no screens—have soared in popularity. consequences. wonder selecting a new sunscreen But for people currently undergoing can be a little stressful. While both treatment or who are in remission from cancer (or living with other chronic illnesses), types of sunscreen protect skin from the sun, chemical switching to natural products isn’t about keeping up and mineral sunscreens work in different ways. Mineral with trends. Rather, it’s about finding more gentle yet sunscreens contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide (or a effective means to take care of oneself in a body that combination of the two). When it’s applied correctly, it may be experiencing side effects from medical treat- acts as a physical block between skin and sun. “Physical ment, or is more sensitive to chemical irritants and sunscreens actually prevent the radiation from getting fragrances. through the skin,” explains Seattle dermatologist Dr. Even the most passionate clean-beauty and skinHeather Rogers. care fanatics might hesitate when it comes to natural 42

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C hemical sunscreens, in contrast, have to be absorbed between the two is that zinc provides a better protecinto the body in order to work. “Most people [will] have tion from both UVA and UVB rays; it actually provides certain parts-per-million of chemical sunscreens in their you with the broadest protection of any sunscreen,” she blood and in their urine,” Rogers says. Though she doesn’t says. “Titanium does protect you from UVB, but it does believe these products cause cancer, Rogers is interested not protect you from UVA as well.” She recommends in discussions about whether chemicals used in sunscreen looking for products containing at least 10 percent zinc could disrupt hormone activity. According to a report from oxide. the Environmental Working Group, a review from the Whichever type of sunscreen you choose, proper Danish EPA concluded most of the active ingredients in application is always important. Follow the directions sunscreen lack information about their safety, and 16 of the on the package, or consult your health care professional 19 had no information about whether for their recommendations. And like they may cause cancer. Additionally, conventional sunscreens, mineral The Danish EPA “While the published studies suggest concluded most of the sunscreens can be worn under that several chemical filters interact and used in conjunction with active ingredients in clothes with human sex or thyroid hormones, other sun-protection gear, such as sunscreen lack none of the ingredients had sufficient hats, umbrellas, and clothing washed information to determine the potential information about their in detergents like SunGuard, which risks to humans from hormone disrupboosts the Ultraviolet Protection safety, and 16 of the Factor tion,” the report states. (UPF) of fabric. 19 had no information “It’s about investing the time at Though natural beauty products about whether they sometimes get dismissed as not as the beginning of summer,” Rogers effective than their chemical countersays. “I’m going to go buy six bottles of may cause cancer. parts, Rogers says this isn’t the case sunscreen. I’m going to go get two sun when it comes to sunscreen. “If you [compare] a singular shirts. I’m going to keep a hat in my car and I’m always ingredient [...] zinc provides the best protection from the going to have sunglasses, and I’m going to be prepared for sun,” she says. the summer.” It may be annoying to prepare such a list, Though some may prefer the texture and feel of but once you do, you won’t have to worry about it for the titanium-dioxide-based products to zinc oxide, Rogers rest of the summer. After all, having fun and enjoying the says they are both good choices. “The difference summer is the ultimate goal.

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Super Clean Solutions This season is all about the sun—and properly protecting yourself from it’s inviting yet harmful rays. Check out some of our favorite clean & green beauty products to keep your skin in tip-top shape. REVIEWED BY CATHERINE EVES

ILIA TINTED LIP CONDITIONER, SPF 15

$28.00 ILIA touts itself as “makeup infused with skin care,” and they maintain transparency in their ingredients lists. Their tinted lip conditioner is an all-star product, featuring the nourishment of a balm, the rich shades of your favorite lipsticks, plus SPF that comes from all-natural zinc. Ultra-hydrating and ultra-pigmented, this conditioner lasts through morning coffee and well into the lunch hour.

Products available at Credo Beauty in Chicago

$38.00 Featuring 20 percent zinc oxide, this is some of the best sun protection you can find. Additional ingredients include coconut and sunflower seed oils, plus sweet orange and hibiscus essential oils for a delightful scent that isn’t overpowering. Better yet, Suntegrity Skincare was created in memory of the founder’s mother passing from melanoma, and features sunscreen lines for the face, body, and even lips.

YUNI BEAUTY SHOWER SHEETS

$1.50 YUNI Beauty’s Shower Sheets are a beach bag essential. These large body wipes cleanse and deodorize when the possibility of a shower isn’t near enough in your future, like after a sweaty yoga session or a day at the beach. Plus, they’re plant-based and compostable, formulated without harmful chemicals or synthetic colors and fragrances. We love how soft they are, and being alcohol-free, they’re nonirritating and smell oh, so wonderful.

KAIA NATURALS, “THE TAKESUMI DETOX” CHARCOAL DEODORANT + DETOX, SAKURA BLOSSOM

$22.00 This all-natural, aluminum-free deodorant comes in three pleasing scents and feels ultra-smooth. Kaia Naturals’ website includes everything you need to know about the four-week detox period when making the switch from chemical to all-natural deodorants. If you have the patience, making the switch is one way to protect yourself from cancer-causing carcinogens found in most body-deodorizing products, but is best to try during the cooler months of winter.

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NUORI SUPREME-C SERUM TREATMENT

$129.00 This skin-brightening serum is formulated as a 20-day treatment. The box contains two vials to last 10 days each. Upon opening, powdered vitamin C is released into a serum containing rose flower water, hyaluronic acid, and ferulic acid, which all contain skin-soothing, anti-inflammatory, and hydrating properties. (Fair warning: This treatment can be harsh on sensitive skin.)

Photography by Adrian C. Garcia

SUNTEGRITY MINERAL SUN STICK, SPORT, WATER RESISTANT (80 MINUTES) BROAD SPECTRUM SPF 30

SKINTIGHT GENES Want clear skin? Epigenetics—the study of controlling gene expression—is no longer just for the cancer research world. BY EMMA NORRIS

s the beauty industry moves away from a one-size-fits-all approach to skin care, there’s one innovative, customizable technology leading the fray: epigenetics. But for those in the cancer research world, this is far more than just a beauty buzzword. Epigenetics has long been at the forefront of studies into how we can regulate our genes and prevent the mutation of cells that lead to disease. Could the meeting of these two applications of epigenetics be the key to treating the unique skin-care issues resulting from cancer and its treatment?

WHAT IS THE EPIGENOME?

Each of us is born with a unique set of genes or DNA, which determines everything from our appearance and height to health issues. Environmental factors like nutrition, pollution, smoking habits, stress, and sun exposure can impact which of these genes activate. The epigenome is considered the control panel of our genes, which determines which genes are active at any given time.

THE RISE OF EPIGENETICS IN SKIN CARE

Photography by Adrian C. Garcia

Conventional wisdom in the skin-care world says there are five types of skin—oily, dry, combination, sensitive, and acne prone—and these remain immutable throughout our lifetime. However, studies show that environmental factors can radically impact our gene expression and, according to a 2017 study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, this can manifest in our skin.

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According to the study, the expression of certain genes that cancer may also alter the genetic code impacting the has an impact on the ageing of the skin, including DNA skin. The personalized skin-care tests created by comparepair, mitochondrial structure, and protein metabolism. nies like EpigenCare and Rationale could potentially “If we can selectively turn certain genes assist in analyzing these new conditions off and others on, these new gene patterns the skin. This could help “DNA skin analysis impacting could improve the appearance of skin as people with cancer create a plan of attack we age,” explains Dr. Alexa Boer Kimball, takes the guesswork that allows them to have more agency a Harvard Medical School researcher and painful mistakes over their complexion. and the study’s lead author, in a story for “We do know that genetic differout of finding the Popular Science. ences along with the patient’s microbiome perfect skin-care Much of the effort around epigenetics can account for some of the variability programme.” in skin care has been focused on turning in response to different treatment,” says off the genes responsible for ageing, and Skelsey. For example, “Epigenetic analysis turning on the genes for rejuvenation. Pioneering the may allow us to determine which patient is likely to develop epigenetic movement is biotechnology startup EpigenCare, severe acne with medication, and we might be able to the first company to create a direct-to-consumer home prescribe an anti-acne regimen before the skin changes test that uses a next-generation sequencing technique to begin.” analyze epigenetic tags. The noninvasive test measures Personalized skin care is a small fraction of what DNA-methylation levels on genes related to skin factors scientists may one day achieve with epigenetics—some like ageing, elasticity, moisture, and pigmentation. They consider it the next breakthrough in cancer treatment, are then able to help consumers build a highly targeted with growing evidence to suggest it has the potential to skin-care regime by matching them with products that overcome chemotherapy resistance. But in the meantime, match their epigenetic needs. it may be just the thing people with cancer need to take In 2017, Australian skin-care brand Rationale control over their skin in a time otherwise marked with launched DNArray, a genetic test which takes a DNA uncertainty. sample from inside the cheek to determine genetic skin strengths and prescribe a bespoke skin-care plan. “DNA skin analysis takes the guesswork and painful mistakes out of fi nding the perfect skin-care programme,” says Richard Parker, the founder of Rationale. “It’s specific to each individual, and it is completely accurate.”

THE IMPLICATIONS OF EPIGENETIC SKIN CARE FOR PEOPLE WITH CANCER

Nothing can take a toll on the skin quite like cancer. Those with previously obedient complexions may suddenly find themselves battling a range of skin issues. “Breast cancer can manifest as nodules in the skin, especially the scalp,” says Dr. Maral K. Skelsey, director of Dermatologic Surgery Center of Washington and a clinical associate professor at Georgetown University School of Medicine. “Some patients with new cancer treatments also develop itchy rashes all over their body along with severe acne.” Other potential side effects from cancer treatment include red patches, dry and itchy skin, discoloration, and sores. While these issues may seem insignificant in the face of a diagnosis, they can seriously impact a person’s confidence and sense of normalcy. A study from Washington University published in the journal Neoplasia shows cancer cells can disguise themselves by turning on and off other genes to fit more easily into the soft tissues of the body. It follows

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Dr. de

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NO PROBLEM TOO SMALL “I just love to be able to get someone from point A to point B, and when you see the results on their skin, it is so gratifying,” says Dr. Sangini Patel about her line of work. Since moving to Chicago 12 years ago, Dr. Patel has gained a sizeable following among the city’s cultural elite for her compassionate, meticulous approach to aesthetic dermatology. No problem is too small for Dr. Patel. “It might be small in our eyes, but to them, it’s defining everyday,” Dr. Patel says. “To be able to fix those feelings [...] I love it.”

Q: What is your work philosophy? My first patient was my mom. She was my guinea pig for all of my aesthetics work. I always treat my patients like a family member because you don’t want them to go overboard and you want to help their concerns.

Dr. Patel answers questions about what aesthetic dermatology is and why she enjoys her work.

For a consultation with Dr. Sangini Patel at Advanced Skin and MOHS Surgery Center, contact:

Q: What is aesthetic dermatology? Aesthetics entails anything that is not medical, which is going to be our Botox, fillers, lasers, or peels. It’s mainly anything that is non-medical that can improve the appearance of the skin.

Q: What do you want patients to take away from their visits? I want them to just feel better about themselves. The skin is the first thing that we see. I want them to feel confident, stand a little taller, and just be happier.

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Around Town

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50 CHARITIES WE LOVE 53 ON THE SCENE 56 CALENDAR

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Beating Cancer is in Their Blood

Under Executive Director Pam Swenk, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society provides blood cancer fighters with everything they need to beat their disease. BY CATHERINE EVES

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supported research for 34 of 39 total FDA-approved therapies to help treat blood cancers, according to Swenk. “It is incredibly humbling and yet empowering to understand that this chapter plays a role in these great accomplishments,” she says. LLS also offers educational programs for patients and professional health care workers, finds clinical trials, assists people with insurance co-pays, and provides access to other types of financial assistance. They are the largest funder of research to advance cures, and have invested more than $1.3 billion since their inception. “As the largest nonprofit dedicated to fighting blood cancers, our goal is to cure cancer, and we believe we can achieve this goal,” says Swenk.

Photography by Adrian C. Garcia

“LLS and blood cancer does not see color or documentation and believes that language or history should not be a barrier in the path to wellness.”

Photo courtesy of Pam Swenk

ed by Executive Director Pam Swenk, the Illinois and Northwest Indiana Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) sets itself apart with the Be Your Own Advocate (BYOA) Program, which provides unique, disease-specific resources to take the guesswork out of treatment schedules, types of treatments, and finding medical professionals for people with blood cancers, especially for fighters in underserved communities. It wasn’t until after the program’s launch that the true beneficiaries of BYOA revealed themselves. “We found that the highest amount of interest in the BYOA materials was in some of the hospitals and clinics catering to the underserved,” says Swenk. “[Like] Stroger (Hospital, in Chicago), where the largest population they serve are people of color and non-English speaking patients.” Swenk reveals that these hospitals have less resources and time to devote to patients, but their needs can be highest. “There are cultural issues in underserved populations, such as fears of deportation for the undocumented or historical fears of improper medical treatment in other populations,” begins Swenk. “LLS and blood cancer does not see color or documentation and believes that language or history should not be a barrier in the path to wellness,” she says. Partnerships with community organizations like Gilda’s Club, Imerman Angels, Wellness House, and others means that LLS is providing resources to all affected by blood cancer, regardless of demographics. “All people have the potential to develop a blood cancer,” says Swenk. Founded in 1949, LLS has supported research that has contributed to nearly every blood cancer therapy treatment, including immunotherapy, genomics, and precision medicine. In the past year alone, LLS has

The American Cancer Society’s ResearcHERs campaign raises funds and awareness for the most innovative cancer research—by women, for women. BY CATHERINE EVES

Photography by Adrian C. Garcia

Photo courtesy of Pam Swenk

Funding Her Next Breakthrough

ollowing the success of the “Real Men Wear Pink” campaign, the American Cancer Society’s newest initiative switches the focus to women or, rather, women researchers. ResearcHERs was unveiled to the public on March 8, International Women’s Day, and on April 29, ACS gathered a veritable army of philanthropists, scientists, business women, and other powerful women in leadership roles for a breakfast benefit which preceded the campaign’s official launch on May 1. ResearcHERs ran through the month of May to celebrate National Cancer Research Month. ResearcHERs is a national campaign but was devised in ACS’ Chicago office by Suzanne Elder, the senior director of State Health Systems at ACS. According to Peter Steele, executive director of ACS Illinois, Elder’s motivation wasn’t about creating just another benefit or fundraiser. “It’s about creating a movement, a collaboration,” says Steele. “[It’s] about empowering women to support women in the cancer space.” What is most innovative about ResearcHERs, according to Steele, is the emphasis on the campaign’s co-chairs and ambassadors. “I think really the power of this is built around the volunteers and the leaders in this community who can drive this force,” says Steele.

ResearcHERs aims to recruit 150 women to help reach the campaign’s fundraising goal of $250,000. The campaign’s co-chairs, Michelle Le Beau, director of the University of Chicago’s Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cheryle Jackson, a senior aviation executive at AAR, and Connie Lindsey, the executive vice president of Northern Trust, will draw on their personal and professional connections to bolster the campaign’s reach. “The whole goal is to use our social contacts, our professional contacts, and to serve as advocates to advance the goals of engaging women to raise funds that will directly support women cancer researchers,” says Le Beau. The campaign’s three co-chairs were chosen because of their shared commitment to saving lives and helping sustain women-led cancer research. “Like many people, I have an affinity with the American Cancer Society because they have launched the careers of many scientists, many of whom are women,” says Le Beau. “My very first grant supporting my research [came] from the American Cancer Society.” According to Steele, ACS is the largest, private nonprofit funder of cancer research in the United States, and have made a habit of funding cancer researchers early in their career, when they don’t yet have the credibility to Cancer Wellness

Steele notes a startling statistic—ACS has funded the research of 47 nobel laureates, but none of them have been women. “When we saw that statistic, we knew we needed to create awareness around this and solve that gap,” Steele says, pointing out the parallels in the underrepresentation of women across careers—from the corporate world to academia. That’s why the funds raised by ResearcHERs will go to sustaining women-led research for cancers that affect both men and women. “The opportunity to fuel women’s careers and to inspire the next generation to choose science is part of that motivation,” says Steele.

“ResearcHERs is a part of that [...] understanding that balance is better, and it’s better for solutions, it’s better for innovation, it’s better in reaching our collective goals.” “One thing to remember is that the young women who are training in science now are armed with the latest technology, so they are bringing some of the newest ideas, the newest technologies to cancer research,” says Le Beau. Such innovation is only possible when a variety of voices are

From L to R: Connie Lindsey, Cheryle Jackson, and Michelle Le Beau, the ResearcHERs co-chairs. 52

Cancer Wellness

being heard and represented, says Jackson. “There’s a global understanding [that] if you really want to drive innovation, if you really want to solve problems, then you’ve got to [include] women, people of color, [people] from different disparate geographic regions,” she says. “ResearcHERs is a part of that movement and that understanding that balance is better, and it’s better for solutions, it’s better for innovation, it’s better in reaching our collective goals.” On the campaign’s social media, ResearcHERs will spotlight the discoveries women researchers have made as a spark to promote the sort of innovation that may very well one day cure cancer. “[Women have made] many breakthroughs that are literally transforming the way that cancer is not only treated and diagnosed but [made] survivable,” says Steele. “[This campaign] is so powerful, so relevant. [Funding] that research earlier in the curve is what leads to these wonderful breakthroughs.” It will be a collaborative effort from the men and women of the American Cancer Society and ResearcHERs ambassadors. “My personal motto is that one can do anything, and many together can do everything,” says Maryann Rasmussen, account manager of community development at ACS. “With this initiative, we’re ensuring that ACS continues to fund a balance of male and female researchers.”

Photography by Adrian C. Garcia

receive substantial grants. “It was these awards that […] made me competitive to apply for funding,” says Le Beau. “They launched my career.” This is a long-term goal of the campaign—to raise awareness of women-led research in the hopes of inspiring more young women to seek STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) opportunities. ResearcHERs will engage the next generation with their heroes in the STEM field, according to Steele. “[We hope to] engage them in a mentor relationship [to] get them interested, and to connect them with someone who’s already going through some of the challenges that may exist for women and girls trying to enter [the] research field,” he says. “Only about 20 percent of faculty across most institutions are women,” begins Le Beau. “This is a wonderful time to raise the profile of women in science, and create new opportunities to launch the careers of women in science,” she says. According to Le Beau, the push to educate young women about STEM opportunities is gaining prominence in academia and across the medical field. “We now have a whole cadre [of] individuals coming through the pipeline, very talented young scientists, who are completing their training, and entering the scientific workforce, so this is a wonderful time to recognize their potential and contributions,” she says.

Be Bright Pink BY LAURYN HALL

Photography by Adrian C. Garcia

Featuring multiple DJs, customized cocktails, live music, drag queens, and over-the-top performances, this year’s Tickled Pink for Bright Pink fundraiser was a night of goodwill, good fun, and great food. Held on Feb. 22, 2019, at Rockwell on the River, Tickled Pink raised money for Bright Pink, a Chicago nonprofit promoting prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer. Guests were treated to small plates from some of Chicago’s best restaurants, including Tao, Aba Restaurant, Stan’s Donuts, and more. Founded by Jodi Fyfe (see: “The Supporter,” page 114) of the Paramount Group Chicago, Tickled Pink has raised over $2,100,000 for breast cancer research and awareness since its inception in 2005. Earlier this year, Tickled Pink launched a year’s worth of programming to celebrate their 15th anniversary, which occurs in 2020. “I’ve had people who’ve done [Tickled Pink] with me for all 14 years. That’s a big deal. That’s commitment, and they do it because they believe in the mission. They [know] others that were impacted by [cancer], but they also understand it’s a good way to spread the word,” says Fyfe. Bright Pink was a perfect benefactor for this year’s Tickled Pink fundraiser. Katie Thiede, CEO of Bright Pink, understands the importance of empowering women to be advocates for their health. Through initiatives such as Assess Your Risk, Bright Pink encourages women to become aware of their personal cancer risk and use that knowledge to take action.

Cancer Wellness

Photos courtsey of Kesem

BY ALLISON STERN

Photos courtsey of Bear Necessities

Life Can Be Sweet

The 26th annual Bear Tie Ball, hosted by Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation, was one of the most glamourous Chicago charity events of 2019. Held on March 9, 550 guests gathered at the UIC Forum to raise money for pediatric cancer research at the “Candy Land”-themed event. Guests were greeted with an entrance decorated with giant candies, while lollipops and gumdrops festooned every corner, and the signature cocktail—a gumdrop martini— satisfied even the pickiest sweet tooth. This year, the Bear Tie Ball raised $750,000 to benefit pediatric cancer research grants through Bear Discoveries—medical research grants that are awarded primarily to fellows and junior investigative researchers. Funds raised also supported Bear Hugs, which are customized experiences awarded to children going through cancer. Children work with Bear Hug Givers to fulfill their deepest desires, like meeting their favorite baseball player or singer. Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed cocktails, dinner, and a live auction. Co-chairs Kristine Farra and Michael Palumbo presented a “Tribute to Courage” to Emily Crabtree, a childhood cancer survivor who is once again battling cancer as an adult. Nine young Bear Necessities recipients graced the stage to share their Bear Hug experiences. The evening concluded with supporters of Bear Necessities dancing to live music by Chicago locals Front of House, led by singer David Sherman. Guests were able to bring a piece of the evening home with them as they were treated to a candy buffet and a white rose on their way out the door.

Campfire Magic

Photos courtsey of Kesem

Photos courtsey of Bear Necessities

BY LAURYN HALL

Philanthropists gathered at the Hotel Fairmont Chicago on March 16, 2019, for the Magic Ball, an annual gala to raise funds for Kesem. Kesem is an organization offering annual, weeklong summer camps for the children of people with cancer. In the spirit of summer camp, the Hotel Fairmont was decorated with pine trees and lighting that made it feel as though guests were enjoying a starry night around a campfire. More than 500 attendees raised $850,000 during the magical night of dinner, drinks, and dancing. Kesem was founded in 2000 by Iris Rave Wedeking after she found there were virtually no support services for children of cancer patients. With a team of college students, the first Kesem chapter opened that summer at Stanford University. “The program of Kesem exists to support children through and beyond their parents cancer,” says Jane Saccaro, CEO of Kesem. “We think it’s incredibly important that children are able to find support from peers and college student leaders who’ve been through similar journeys as they have,” she says, noting that most children don’t have a peer group who can relate to their experiences. According to Kesem, more than five million children in the United States have been impacted by a parent’s cancer. “[Kesem] started out serving 37 children, and this summer we’re thrilled to announce that we’ll be serving over 10,000 children,” Saccaro says. Kesem’s annual summer camps are free-of-charge, and it is thanks to benefits like the Magic Ball. “We are only able to offer those services due to the incredible and generous support of tens of thousands of donors,” says Saccaro. “It’s truly the factor that allows us to expand and grow our services.”

Cancer Wellness

JUNE 2019

SPOTLIGHT ON UPCOMING EVENTS IN THE COMMUNITY

BRUNCH RUN 5K & WALK

PLAY FOR THE CURE GAME DAY

Imerman Angels

Date: Saturday, June 8 Time: 8:30 a.m. Location: Montrose Harbor, 4400 N. Simonds Dr., Chicago, IL Cost: $55 brunchrun5k.com This is not your ordinary 5K! The Brunch Run is a 5K (or one-mile walk) with a reward worth the exercise. When you reach the finish line, you will be treated to an amazing brunch from Chicago’s award-winning Blue Plate Catering.

Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation

Date: Monday, June 17 Time: 1:00 p.m. Location: Exmoor Country Club, 700 Vine Ave., Highland Park, IL Cost: $250+ http://bit.ly/LSCRF19 Enjoy a daytime outing playing golf, tennis, or cards and raise funds for breast cancer research. Photo courtesy of Imerman Angels

ABC 7 GIBBONS 5K RUN & 3K WALK

Leukemia Research Foundation

Date: Thursday, June 13 Time: 6:25 p.m. Location: Arvey Field in Grant Park, 1501 S. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL Cost: $49 bit.ly/gib5k More than 2,000 people gather along Chicago’s lakefront to run, walk, and raise funds in search of a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and other blood cancers.

PASSPORT TO CLEAN BEAUTY

Photo by Sheri Whitko

17TH ANNUAL TASTING STARS A Silver Lining Foundation & Tasting Stars

Photo courtesy of LRF

Date: Saturday, June 22 Time: 7:00 p.m. Location: DIRTT Environmental, 325 N. Wells St., Chicago, IL Cost: $175 bit.ly/silv17 This premier champagne event has raised nearly $400,000 for breast cancer screening and support services since its inception.

Cancer Wellness

Date: Thursday, June 13 Time: 5:00 p.m. Location: Neiman Marcus, 1st Floor 737 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL Cost: FREE bit.ly/cwissue3 Join us in celebrating the release of issue 3, featuring complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, a clean-beauty panel with Indie Lee and Jenny Patinkin, mini-makeovers, and a unique, after-hours shopping experience. Photos courtesy of SLF

Cancer Wellness

ARS

JULY 2019 2019 CHICAGO DOCK DASH Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Date: Sunday, July 14 Time: 11:00 a.m. Location: Columbia Yacht Club, 111 N. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL Cost: $75 www.dockdash.org Party on the dock during this paddle board and kayak regatta benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Photo courtesy of THF

19TH ANNUAL GOOMBAY BASH The H Foundation

Date: Saturday, July 27 Time: 5:00 p.m. Location: Aon Grand Ballroom, 840 E. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL Cost: $150-$250 www.goombaybash.com Join fellow philanthropists at Chicago’s Navy Pier for a tropical party while raising money for the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University.

CRUISIN’ FOR A CURE

Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation

Photo courtesy of LLS

COOLER BY THE LAKE Leukemia Research Foundation

Date: Saturday, July 27 Time: 6:00 p.m. Location: Columbia Yacht Club, 111 N. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL Cost: Donation bit.ly/cooler19 Enjoy a spectacular evening, featuring distillery tastings paired with gourmet foods, a silent auction, games, live music, and more.

Photo courtesy of LRF

Date: Saturday, July 27 Time: 7:30 p.m. Location: Dusable Harbor, 111 N. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL Cost: $99-$130 bit.ly/rolfecure Join the Rolfe Foundation for an evening excursion on Lake Michigan. Enjoy the beautiful sights and sounds on board the Anita Dee II.

PURPLE STRIDE Colon Cancer Coalition

Date: Sunday, July 28 Time: 7:00 a.m. Location: Community Park, 8105 W. 171st St., Tinley Park, IL Cost: $30 bit.ly/purpstri More than a fun run, this annual, allages race benefits colon cancer research.

Cancer Wellness

AUGUST 2019 LEUKEMIA CUP REGATTA

THE GREAT CHEFS EVENT

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Alexâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lemonade Stand Foundation

Date: Monday, August 12 Time: 6:30 p.m. Location: Artifact Events, 4325 N. Ravenswood Ave., Chicago, IL Cost: $195 bit.ly/alexchef19 Calling all Windy City foodies! Acclaimed chefs Paul Kahan,Tony Mantuano, and others create their signature dishes for an evening your stomach wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t soon forget.

Photo courtesy of ALSF

Date: Saturday, August 24 Time: 11:00 a.m. Location: Columbia Yacht Club, 111 N. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL Cost: Donation bit.ly/regatta19 Captains, crews, and friends raise their sails to fight blood cancers during this event which features a lively competition on the water, a post-race party, a killer Caribbean barbeque, a spirited Rain Gutter Regatta, and an awards ceremony for race winners and top fundraisers.

BUBBLE FUN RUN Compass to Care

Date: Saturday, August 17 Time: 8:00 a.m. Location: Hodges Park, 101 S. Courtland Ave., Park Ridge, IL Cost: $20-$30 and free for childhood cancer survivors bit.ly/bubrun19 This all-ages race is as fun as it is beneficial for the Compass to Care Childhood Cancer Foundation.

Photo courtesy of Cindy Shebley

RED SKY NIGHT

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Date: Friday, August 23 Time: 6:00 p.m. Location: Columbia Yacht Club, 111 N. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL Cost: Donation or Sponsorship www.redskynight.org Sail away to cure cancer. Since 2007, the Chicago Leukemia Cup (part of the Leukemia Cup Regatta series) has raised more than $3.9 million at this annual event.

To list or partner with Cancer Wellness on an event, please contact our events & partnerships coordinator Lauryn Hall lhall@cancerwellness.com

Photo courtesy of LLS

Photo by Adrian C. Garcia

Cancer Wellness

SEPTEMBER 2019 TEAL LIGHTS CELEBRATION

HEAD FOR THE CURE 5K RUN/WALK

National Ovarian Cancer Coalition

Date: Friday, September 13 Time: 6:00 p.m. Location: Wendella Boats, Lower Level at Kinzie & Rush St., Chicago, IL Cost: $75 bit.ly/teal19 View the skyline, recognize the NOCC’s top community partners, and enjoy a fabulous lake and river architectural cruise.

Head for the Cure

Date: Saturday, September 15 Time: 8:00 a.m. Location: Diversey Harbor, 2601 N. Cannon Dr., Chicago, IL Cost: $32 bit.ly/headcure5k Funds raised during this race benefit brain cancer research and programs at Advocate Health Care, the Malnati Brain Tumor Institute at Northwestern University, and the NIH’s Brain Tumor Trials Collaborative. Photo courtesy of HFTC

the Photo courtesy of NOCC

SKYLINE SOIREE

American Cancer Society

Date: Friday, September 13 Time: 7:00 p.m. Location: City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL Cost: $140 bit.ly/skyline19 This annual party is a unique opportunity to support the mission of the American Cancer Society while mingling with young professionals and philanthropic leaders for an unforgettable evening.

SUBSCRIPTION 50% OFF DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION USE CODE

cwskin19

www.cancerwellness.com Photo courtesy of ACS

Cancer Wellness

A Family Affair Drs. Jennifer and Jaehyuk Choi together run a first-of-its-kind oncodermatology department and lab, revolutionizing the fast-developing field, while still making time to raise their three daughters in Chicago’s North Shore. BY BRITT JULIOUS

Cancer Wellness

Photography by Robin Subar

estled on a quiet block in the North Shore of Chicago live two of the country’s leaders in the oncodermatology field. Drs. Jennifer and Jaehyuk Choi, who launched and currently run Northwestern University’s oncodermatology division (the first of its kind in the nation), are not only breaking ground in the rapidly expanding field of research on the side effects of new immunotherapy and other cancer treatments, they also happen to be the happily married parents of three daughters. To call them a power couple would be an understatement. On a chilly day in early March, the Chois welcomed us into their new home. Its minimalist design, which might have seemed vast and stately, was offset by endearing knickknacks, like oversized photo prints of the family of five on a beach vacation. One daughter was home sick, and although she was supposed to be resting, she often snuck downstairs to greet our staff or find comfort in her parents’ arms. The Cancer Wellness team caught the Chois on a morning off, a rarity for this dual-physician household. While most parents would find it challenging to manage the rigorous demands of running an emerging research lab at one of the top universities in the world with regular patient visits and quality family time, the Chois balance it all with ease. That’s likely because Jennifer and Jaehyuk have been in it (meaning work and research and friendship and family life) for most of their lives. “It’s totally easy,” Jaehyuk jokes. “We employ a legion of robots.” The two met during their freshman year of college at Harvard University. They were just friends at the time, and they both went on to study medicine at Yale. Jennifer stayed on at Yale for a fifth year of research while Jaehyuk received his M.D.-Ph.D., and after nine years of friendship, they eventually began dating. They were engaged nine months later and married six months after that. “Once I decided on derm, he then decided on derm because of his research,” says Jennifer, who was a year ahead of him. “At one point, I was his attending.” Each Choi had their own reasoning for entering the field of oncodermatology. Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors, which block the protein epidermal growth factor receptor found in high levels on cancer cells, had just been released to the market during Jennifer’s dermatology residency, and they produced a unique, acne-like rash on the face, chest, and back. It differed compared to previous cancer treatments, which intrigued Jennifer. “This [was] really tough because they’re sitting here, trying to battle their cancer, and yet they have to deal with this thing that’s so visible,” she says. She was also inspired to enter the field after her mother was diagnosed with advanced stage III pancreatic cancer. The experience, she says, was devastating to her family. “I think that helped to drive my passion [...] because I was able to witness the suffering and the battle, the worry that somebody goes through [when she was] battling cancer,” Jennifer says. “It made me extra passionate. If you are undergoing this treatment, and if you’re dealing with something on your skin, whether it’s rashes or pain or swelling of your hands and feet, if I can help you, that’s the role I want to play.”

Photography by Robin Subar

Cancer Wellness

Soon after her residency, she started the first Yale oncodermatology program. At the time, there was only one other program in the country. “We developed it, and it became very, very busy, which means that they suddenly understood that this was something that is very needed,” she says. Jennifer was a faculty member for eight years before she and Jaehyuk were recruited to start an official division of oncodermatology at Northwestern University three years ago. The new division is the first of its kind within a dermatology department in the country. Jaehyuk, a physician-scientist, spends around 80 percent of his time in the lab developing new therapies with a team that includes postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and medical students. “I’m a cancer geneticist, so we try to study the basic Adam and Eve events that actually cause cancer,” Jaehyuk says. The remaining 20 percent is spent in the clinic seeing patients, especially those with rare skin cancers like skin carcinoma and Merkel cell carcinoma. “Someone asked me, why do you want to be a doctor? And I said I thought it was really a privilege because people trust you with their lives,” Jaehyuk says about his work. “I actually feel like that trust [patients] give me is really precious and [...] I really want to live up to that responsibility.” Like the broader field of cancer, both Chois can attest to the fact that the field of oncodermatology has drastically changed in the last decade. In its initial stages, the focus of researchers was describing the things they saw as a result of new therapies. Now, their work is more translational. Instead of just describing what the two see, they’re also focused on figuring out why it is happening. “Let’s try to predict who can get it. Let’s try to see if the people who are getting it is actually associated with your tumor response, [and if so], is there any way that we can use your rash and skin cells?” Jennifer says. Information pulled from these questions could tell researchers additional information about the tumor, its response to treatment, and how it relates to one’s entire body. Cancer is fundamentally a genetic disease. As Jaehyuk explains, humans are born with genes from each parent, but one’s cells can develop mutations that one wasn’t born with initially. When those mutations “go awry,” one can develop cancer. “Everyone’s cancer is different genetically,” Jaehyuk begins. “We can use these differences or genetics to figure out: Does that explain why one patient does better than another patient? Does it explain why one patient does worse? Does it explain why one patient responds to one therapy, and another patient responds to another therapy?” By using this genetic approach, primarily through immunotherapy, Jaehyuk and his team believe they can figure out who responds to what and ultimately make their therapies better. The department has also begun taking actual biopsies of people who get immunotherapy rashes and studying it 62

Cancer Wellness

in the lab. “We’re doing all these special stings to figure out what specific cells are being regulated in the rash,” Jennifer explains enthusiastically. “Can you then isolate those inflammatory cells that are being found in the skin and actually either grow it in the lab and be able to use it to treat other things?” Their team is also hard at work on numerous clinical trials aiming to prevent the acne-like rash from immunotherapy, as well as hair loss from chemotherapy. “I want our division and our department to be the best in the world,” Jennifer says about their work. That means providing the most cutting-edge treatment, staying at the forefront of describing different reactions from new cancer therapies, and conducting research to figure out why these reactions are happening and how to prevent them. Jaehyuk’s philosophy, while similar, is also more straightforward. “When I talk to patients, they ask me questions, and in the lab, we try to answer the questions,” he says. “If I can bring back and actually impact, improve patient care, [that] is my personal goal.” The blend of the scientific and the humanistic has made the Chois absolute rock stars in the oncodermatology world. In 2018, the two received the Compassionate Care Award from the Melanoma Research Foundation at Chicago’s Wings of Hope gala. “Your patient relationship is the reward that you get, ultimately, so you don’t really expect anything else,” Jaehyuk says about the award. “So it’s just an amazing opportunity to see not only that people think that we may be eligible for the award, but that other people think it’s important to recognize compassionate care.” For the Chois, the Compassionate Care Award is not just a title. Compassion is embedded into the very ethos of their professional care. “Cancer is really like a 360 [degree] diagnosis. You have it, and then your parents have it, your kids have it, your cousins have it. It’s really a whole family thing,” Jaehyuk says. “It’s a very emotional diagnosis to have. I feel like every patient feels like they never have enough information or enough support because it affects so many aspects of your life. I wanted to dedicate my life to try to make their lives better.” Northwestern has allowed their patient-centered philosophy to shine. “It’s not like our research is the most important thing,” Jennifer begins. “You are the most important thing.” She aims to treat every patient like they’re a family member, going the extra mile and thinking outside the box to offer treatment that goes beyond what other medical professionals are recommending. “When you see a unique problem, can you think outside the box

because you’re using the knowledge that you have to say even though this is something that we don’t necessarily do all the time, we’re going to try this because [...] we’re not going to give up?” Jennifer questions. “Let’s figure this out with you.” Hope is the key here. “Even when you are going through a really rough time, [...] sometimes there is all of a sudden a better outcome than you expect [because] you can hold on to hope, and that hope is so important to live with,” Jennifer says. Compassionate care also means treating patients like human beings. A 2016 study out of Iran found therapeutic touch to be beneficial to the survival and well-being of people with cancer. “An affirmation can be made regarding the use of T.T. (therapeutic touch), as a noninvasive intervention for improving the health status in patients with cancer,” the study states. “Moreover, therapeutic touch was proved to be a useful strategy for adult patients with cancer.” Jennifer uses this philosophy by holding her patient’s hands or offering them hugs. “As a physician, I try to really just show them that I care for what they’re going through, that I’m trying to empathize with them, that this is really tough, but you can go through this,” she says. This outlook, Jennifer says, stems from chats with her mother who saw numerous oncologists because she lived with stage III pancreatic cancer for seven years. “She would always say, I don’t care about the doctor who knows the most. The one that helped me the most was the one that told me she cared, and that she would just sit there and hold my hand,” Jennifer remembers. And while working together may prove to be a challenge for some couples, Jennifer and Jaehyuk value their time as a team. “I remember when I was choosing my specialty, one of my mentors said to me, ‘Jae, my wife and I work in the same place. We’re a one-car couple. Sometimes it’s better not to be a one-car couple.’ But I work in the same place, the same department, and it’s actually been an amazing experience,” says Jaehyuk. “I learned a lot from her, and we support each other through a lot of common experience.” Those experiences, from breaking new medical ground to empathetically working with patients to winning awards, have proven the Chois are an unmatched and one-of-a-kind duo. “We feel very privileged because we like what we do,” Jaehyuk adds. “I think that helps everything, [because] we don’t do it for any other reason besides the fact that we love it.” Cancer Wellness

Cancer Wellness

the thriver

MARIA GONZALEZ-CRESPO AS TOLD TO BRITT JULIOUS

To hear more from Maria, visit cancerwellness.com

Cancer Wellness

She said the results of the biopsy came out positive with cancer. She asked me to come with someone, [but] my husband was actually on a trip and he was not here, so I immediately called my sister. When she said [I was] positive, stage III, for a few seconds, everything stopped. I no longer heard anything else. I literally don’t remember anything else. Thank God my sister was there with me. All I could think of was my daughter, my husband, my family. I just felt like I’m not done. There’s so much that I still want to do [and] want to see. I want to see my daughter grow and watch her achieve her goals. What does courage mean to me? To me, it’s more than something that comes from your gut. It’s something that you do. What does courage mean to me? To me, it’s more than something that comes from your gut. It’s something that you do. Not everyone is ready to share their truth. It’s the act that comes from the deepest part of your being that allows you to do things that are challenging and positive at the same time. When I finished my treatment, we had a big celebration, and I asked my friends and family to bring scarves. I wanted to take them to the hospital and gift them. I gave my first scarf to a woman I met at a support group. When I started looking at the pictures of my reactions to the scarves I received, I wondered what [other] women actually feel like when they get a scarf. I wanted a name for this project, and all I remembered was the word “courage.” Everything my friends and family gave me was just a lot of encouragement that lifted my soul. So I came up with my nonprofit Courage for the Soul, and that’s exactly what I got. I got so much encouragement to get through my journey. I wanted to be able to pass it on, give it back, because if I felt this way, I knew that I was not the only one. I’m just taking it one day at a time, one week at a time, one month at a time. It’s something, to be honest, that doesn’t sit well with me, but I’m learning to adapt. And I’m accepting that it’s okay. This is where I’m at right now. It is not going to be forever.

Photo by Danielle Scruggs

I remember receiving the call, and you know right there.

Photo by Danielle Scruggs

entertainment

68 MORE THAN A MOUTHFUL 70 READY FOR PRIME TIME 72 SWEET & SOUR

Cancer Wellness

MORE THAN A MOUTHFUL Rob Paulsen is one of the most recognizable voice actors working today, but a cancer diagnosis almost silenced him forever.

“I

will go to my grave in probably, hopefully, 30 years or so, believing that laughter is a huge component in a cure for whatever ails you,” says Rob Paulsen. As one of the busiest and most recognizable voice actors working today, Paulsen has made a name for himself by utilizing his greatest gift—his voice—to make children of all ages laugh. He’s best known for his work as Pinky on the popular children’s animated show “Pinky and the Brain,” but Paulsen has racked up more than 500 acting credits on shows like “The Fairly OddParents” to “VeggieTales” to “Robot Chicken” and “Mickey Mouse ClubHouse.” If there’s an animated show you once loved from the ‘80s, ‘90s, or 2000s, Paulsen likely played a part in its success. 68

Cancer Wellness

But in 2016, Paulsen’s livelihood almost came to an abrupt end after a cancer diagnosis took away parts of the functionality of his mouth. Now, he will recount his experiences with (and eventual triumph over) cancer in his book, “Voice Lessons: How a Couple of Ninja Turtles, Pinky, and an Animaniac Saved My Life,” out Oct. 8, 2019. Because it was not painful and did not keep him from doing his job, Paulsen didn’t think much of a swollen lymph node he had for more than a year on the left side of his neck. “I’m a typical guy in that unless something is hanging off me or I can’t feel an extremity, I don’t go to the doctor,” Paulsen says about his prior lifestyle. During his annual physical with his internist, he finally brought up his concerns. Within 24 hours, Paulsen met with an ENT physician at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles. “I pushed him.

Photography courtesy of Rob Paulsen

BY BRITT JULIOUS

Photography courtesy of Rob Paulsen

I said, ‘Well, I’m a grown up. I can take a punch. What bigger than the cancer. It’s so much bigger than the pain,” do you think?’” recalls Paulsen. A few weeks later, Paulsen Paulsen recalls. “The joy of being able to share a laugh received the news: He had stage III metastatic squamous with anybody, it is such a powerful medicine.” cell carcinoma with an occult primary It will be three years this June tumor. since he underwent treatment, but Treatment would be brutal, but “It is so much bigger than the Paulsen continues to live with the side cancer. It’s so much bigger effects. Radiation severely affected his Paulsen was prepared to face the worst. “All the doctors said, ‘Here’s than the pain. [...] The joy of salivary glands. Paulsen has a constant the deal. We’re pretty sure we can mouth, so he carries water with him being able to share a laugh dry cure you, but [...] we almost have to kill everywhere. He also has trouble tasting with anybody, it is such a you,’” says Paulsen. And according to food. That lack of taste makes it difficult Paulsen, that wasn’t too far from the for Paulsen to gain weight. He lost 50 powerful medicine.” truth. pounds during treatment, and he’s only Saving Paulsen’s life was of the been able to gain back 15 pounds. most concern, but what would happen to his career? But in the end, Paulsen accepts what he has As a voice actor, Paulsen’s livelihood depended on his lost, for it could have been a lot worse. ability to use his mouth. All of that could be taken “Struggle is with a small ‘S.’ It’s a hassle. It’s not the away in an instant if things didn’t go according to plan. sort of thing where I can go, I can’t live like this, because Still, none of that seemed to phase Paulsen. Laughter I can,” says Paulsen. “The tradeoffs are much greater and is what kept him sane through it all. He recalls going to much more positive than the negatives.” And despite it all, some chemotherapy treatments with Maurice LaMarche, the doctors were able to save Paulsen’s voice. a voice actor who portrayed the Brain on “Pinky and Paulsen details more of his journey in his book. the Brain.” Doctors, caregivers, nurses, and other Writing it, he says, was like getting paid to go to patients stopped by after learning Pinky was undergoing therapy. “The experience was, I think, cathartic, was treatment, and it was a positive experience both for nostalgic. It allowed me to try to make sense of some Paulsen and for the people in the hospital. “It is so much stuff in my life that I probably wouldn’t have dug really deeply into unless I had this opportunity,” he says. In addition to making festival appearances, voicing characters on shows like “The Powerpuff Girls” and “Rick and Morty,” and writing his book, Paulsen is now the voice director for Nickelodeon’s “Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and pitching new projects to networks. Busy, it seems, is part of his new language, but that doesn’t mean he’s forgotten who he is or what he’s gone through. “We had to kill part of the good stuff of Rob, and hopefully the other good stuff of Rob will still be there: his personality, his sunny outlook on life, the fact that he does what he does for a living and makes himself and other people happy,” he says. “Things worked out for a reason. In my case, it could not have been more vivid.”

Top: Rob Paulsen performs at “Animaniacs in Concert.” Paulsen voiced Yakko on the hit television show; Bottom L: The hot-tempered Brain, voiced by Paulsen’s friend Maurice LaMarche, is the ultimate foil for Paulsen’s goofy Pinky; R: Rob Paulsen performs at “Animaniacs in Concert,” which tours across the U.S. over the next few months.

Cancer Wellness

Ready for Prime Time Inspired by one of history’s most influential comedians, Gilda’s Club Chicago offers classes to let those affected by cancer let loose and play.

Cancer Wellness

Photography by Adrian C. Garcia

BY BRITT JULIOUS

Photography by Adrian C. Garcia

n the top floor of Gilda’s Club Chicago, one ever. Gilda’s Club programming is an important and man and four women gathered on a chilly natural tribute to her legacy. Thursday evening to play. “Since Gilda’s Club Chicago’s inception more For six weeks, the group has participated than 20 years ago, Gilda Radner’s comedic legacy and in an ongoing improvisational program from the improvisation brilliance have been a cornerstone of organization. Each two-hour class offers a crash our programming,” says Liz Sullivan, LCSW, OSW-C, course in the foundations of improv comedy, leading the clinical program manager of Gilda’s Club Chicago. up to a group performance at a local benefit. “Whether it’s through the improv mantra, ‘Yes And,’ or But the group appears to be unfazed by the presthrough formal training in improv workshops offered sure to perform for a room of strangers. Instead, as the at the club, members find yet another tool to use during evening unfolds with name exercises and renditions and after their cancer experience.” of the classic improv game “Freeze,” participants are Improv offerings at the club vary from season to more concerned with getting their chance to act out an season and have increased due to popular demand unusual character before time runs out and the class by Gilda’s Club members. The organization has officially ends. worked with facilitators and improv groups over the “[Improv is] very much outside the realm of years to provide the program for both beginners and normal adult play. It’s not really a thing we do,” says seasoned performers, ensuring the fun doesn’t stop Kat Bovbjerg, the Gilda’s Club volunteer who leads the after the six-week program runs its course. Chicago location’s improv program. “The beautiful It’s popularity comes as no surprise to Bovbjerg, thing about improv is that anyone can do it.” who says improv offers participants a much-needed Bovbjerg has done improv in escape from the often emotionally Chicago since 2014 and worked “This program is a testament and physically draining reality of for Gilda’s Club since 2016. As their everyday lives. What if one to how humor, laughter, and were a research study coordinator at a police officer, or a rock star, camaraderie can support Northwestern’s Feinberg School or an anthropomorphic lamp? of Medicine, Bovbjerg’s research individuals throughout their During improv, one can be all of focuses on quality-of-life issues those things and more. cancer experience.” after primary cancer treatment. “It allows people to have a safe Looking for an opportunity to space to try and make sure that give back, Bovbjerg discovered Gilda’s Club and everyone is accepted or learning how to say yes to later their improv program. other people’s ideas,” she offers. Sullivan agrees, Leading an improv class was a natural fit for adding, “This program is a testament to how humor, Bovbjerg, who has a warm, friendly, and accepting laughter, and camaraderie can support individuals demeanor. Bovbjerg continues to participate in improv throughout their cancer experience.” classes around the city, and she says the experience Back in the clubhouse, participants are ready to of working at Gilda’s Club has offered her a fresher rehearse their run of show for their big performance perspective than the ones she normally encounters. the following week. The show will consist of renditions “People at Gilda’s, as opposed to who I’m working with of the improv games “Five Things,” “Dr. Know-it-All,” in my own personal classes [...] have such rich life “Three Lines,” and finally “Freeze.” Here, participants experiences.” are free to be anyone they want to be—a potent appeal. After legendary comedian Gilda Radner passed “It’s this making things up with other people, in a way from ovarian cancer at age 42, Radner’s cancer psythat once it’s on stage, feels incredibly spontaneous chotherapist Joanna Bull, her husband Gene Wilder, and magical, and you’re playing with the people and broadcaster Joel Siegel founded Gilda’s Club together,” begins Bovbjerg. “When it kind of clicks and opened the organization’s first location in 1995. together and you’re really in the flow of the moment Twenty-four years later, Gilda’s Club now encompasses a with other people, it’s incredibly fun.” worldwide collection of standalone and hospital-affiliated venues offering initiatives aimed to educate and support To learn more about this or other Gilda’s Club programs, those impacted by cancer. Current club offerings include visit GildasClubChicago.org. yoga and meditation sessions as well as mindfulness and jewelry-making classes, among many others. But the Gilda’s Club improv program holds a deeper connection to the club’s namesake. Radner, who was best known as an original cast member of “Saturday Night Live,” is considered to be one of the most influential and important female comedians Cancer Wellness

SWEET & SOUR Chicago’s Ferrara Candy Company and Imerman Angels partner to provide the cancer community with a little sweetness during a sour time. BY CATHERINE EVES

Cancer Wellness

Photo by Adrian C. Garcia

and their families however we can.” Ferrara frequently errara Candy Company has been a Chicago receives feedback from cancer patients letting them staple since its inception in 1908, and is now the second-largest, non-chocolate candy manufactur- know how they’re making a difference. “[They] let us know how they love this product and how it was someing facility in the world. Ferrara creates the candies we grew up on—sweet treats like Laff y Taff y, SweeTARTS, thing they came to depend on,” says Hazelrig. Ferrara donates the specialty boxed candy to Imerman Boston Baked Beans, Red Hots, Butterfinger, Nerds, Angels, branded with the traditional Imerman Angel Crunch—and the iconic Lemonhead. wings, who then distribute these “alternate medicines”— But to Ferrara, Lemonheads aren’t just a sweet treat that the public knows and loves. Through a part- according to Hazelrig—to chemotherapy treatment facilnership with the Chicago charity Imerman Angels, ities around the country. “They really are the angels that go out in the field and get these in the hands of people Ferrara donates 200,000 boxes of Lemonheads every who need it,” says Hazelrig. year to chemotherapy centers around “Of course we’ll donate The fact that both Imerman Angels the United States. For patients, eating as much as we can and and Ferrara Candy Company are local to Lemonheads aren’t just something to help pass the time during chemohelp support Imerman’s Chicago is what brought them together. “They were able to make a quick contherapy appointments—they’re actually mission to aid cancer nection with us,” says Hazelrig. “They improving the cancer patient experience. “[Imerman Angels] reached out patients and their families realized, too, the candies were being however we can.” used whether we donated them or not. to us [and] let us know [that] the sweet [...] The partnership was a natural one and tart lemon candies really helped mask the taste of chemotherapy,” says Michael Hazelrig, at that point, so [we were] happy to do some small part to help support those fighting cancer, and support the a brand manager at Ferrara. The unique taste of mission of Imerman,” says Hazelrig. Lemonheads reduces the common chemo side effect of a In the future, Ferrara hopes to fi nd other ways metallic aftertaste, which can prevent those undergoing to support and give back to their community. “We’re treatment from getting adequate nutrition to keep their honored to partner with Imerman, and we’re very fighting bodies and spirits strong. Additionally, cancer humbled that we can be associated with anybody that’s patients share that the candy helps lessen the nausea going through this situation,” begins Hazelrig. “It’s a associated with chemotherapy. very humbling experience, [being] able to provide a “When we heard this, it was a no brainer,” says little bit of sweetness for someone who’s going through Hazelrig. “Of course we’ll donate as much as we can and such a sour time.” help support Imerman’s mission to aid cancer patients

travel

Photo by Adrian C. Garcia

74 78 80

STAY AND PLAY A TOUCH OF COMPASSION WELLNESS ROAD TRIP

Cancer Wellness

Treat Yourself: Stay and Play The fourth-largest city in America is home to some of the best food, art, and luxury spas in the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and a 50-million-square-foot medical complex. BY DANA DUTERROIL AND JONI FINCHAM

Cancer Wellness

Photo courtesy of Texas Medical Center

HOUSTON

Photo courtesy of Texas Medical Center

our bags are packed, and you’re heading HELPFUL RESOURCES AND to the airport to catch a flight. Ideally, your SUPPORT SERVICES destination is an island getaway, a remote M.D. Anderson’s Integrative Medicine Center respite, or just a long weekend with friends. features an array of services, from meditation to But if you’re ill and heading to Houston, you’re joining onco-massage therapy. Contact the center in advance the almost 10 million patients who seek medical care to schedule services during your visit. Volunteer every year in the nation’s fourth-largest city. Houston is stylists staff the beauty and barber shop where patients home to the Texas Medical Center receive complimentary shampoos If you’re ill and heading to and haircuts. Music lovers can listen (TMC), the world’s largest medical complex with 50 different medical Houston, you’re joining the to volunteer pianists, along with institutions covering an area of 50 the occasional harpist at various approximately 10 million locations, including M.D. Anderson’s million developed square feet. Back in the 1930s, a hefty donation patients who seek medical Hospitality Center. There’s also an from Monroe Dunaway Anderson, a observation deck on the 24th floor of care every year in the banker and cotton trader, led to the the Main Building and gardens for eventual establishment of the world’s nation’s fourth-largest city. an on-site outdoors fix. largest cancer hospital which bears the name of its generous benefactor, the University of WHERE TO STAY Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. More than 137,000 Many M.D. Anderson patients stay at Rotary House people visit the facility annually, including many out-ofInternational, a hotel connected conveniently to M.D. towners who would be hard-pressed to call their stay a Anderson via skybridge and managed by Marriott. vacation. Instead, it’s more akin to a business trip, where However, there are also lodging options nearby beyond the business is wellness. Nevertheless, patients and their the major chains. traveling companions still need “me time” away from the Hotel Ylem is a locally owned, family-run boutique hospital setting. After mastering navigating Houston’s hotel which received a major makeover from its past life medical mini-metropolis, consider exploring the city as a Holiday Inn Express. Local art is displayed inside itself. along with a three-story mural on its exterior, making this hotel a popular spot to snap a picture for Instagram. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Sales from their mini-bars and cocktail lounge go to M.D. Anderson’s Patient Travel Services provides discounts a charity devoted to providing clean drinking water for patients and their caregivers’ domestic and international to underserved parts of the world. Medical rates are flights, as well as bilingual assistance. Renting a car will offered as well as a shuttle service, complimentary allow you and your crew to get around the city with breakfast, and a tablet concierge in every room to assist ease, but there are also rideshare options like Lyft and with logistics. Hotel Ylem is also within walking distance Uber if you prefer the passenger side. The TMC links to of NRG Stadium—home to the Houston Texans football the MetroRail system with stops in Hermann Park and team, concerts, and the Houston Livestock Show and Houston’s Midtown and Downtown areas where you’ll Rodeo. find restaurants and entertainment. For those who prefer a residential feel rather than

Cancer Wellness

Although M.D. Anderson has plenty of amenities on its premises, a change of scenery is recommended given Houston’s status as a 2019 must-visit destination according to The New York Times and Travel + Leisure. The TMC’s central location offers many nearby opportunities to take a break in between appointments and enjoy the city’s art, nature, and cuisine.

BACK TO SCHOOL

Start your journey at the neighboring art-filled grounds of Rice University, where greenery and inviting oak-lined walkways provide the perfect antidote to the fluorescent lighting of hospital halls. Outdoor sculptures like Jaume Plensa’s “Mirror” and Houston artist Joseph Havel’s bronze spheres reward viewers who take a closer look. Start or end your day with an outdoor experience at James Turrell’s “Twilight Epiphany” Skyspace. The artist’s 40-minute LED light show enhances the sunrise and sunset viewed through what looks like a modern-day Mayan temple. (Free; reservations recommended for “Twilight Epiphany.”)

GREEN SPACE

Nearby Hermann Park is filled with picturesque spots for a moment of zen, free of charge, like the peaceful Japanese Garden accented by a waterfall, koi pond, and flowering trees. However, the stunner of this 445-acre park is the McGovern Centennial Gardens. A grand lawn bordered by two perfectly landscaped pergola pathways leading to a 30-foot garden mount which greets you at the main

Cancer Wellness

ART THERAPY

The serene surroundings of the Menil Collection campus in Houston’s Montrose neighborhood immediately elicit a sense of relaxation. Feel like a kid again with a seat on the red wooden swing while people watching. Step inside the main building to view the light-filled galleries where the museum’s minimalist curatorial approach encourages you to spend time with the art.

ON THE BAYOU

Explore the hiking and biking paths at Buffalo Bayou Park. Opt for a serious trek or a leisurely paced walk among the wildflowers and wildlife. For a more urban refuge, the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center maintains five miles of trails winding through 155 acres of forest, wetlands, and meadow habitats. Stop for a moment of meditation at the observation deck overlooking a pond frequented by colorful dragonflies and turtles.

PAMPER YOURSELF

Spend an entire day unwinding at the Trellis Spa, a Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star spa, nestled in the 18-acre wooded grounds of the Houstonian Hotel. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to appointments to enjoy the included amenities: an indoor float pool, relaxation rooms, and hydrating stations with selections of cucumber water, juice, and the spa’s signature shortbread confetti cookies. According to Seliece Womble, the Houstonian’s director of marketing and public relations, the staff places importance on “providing physical comfort and

Photo courtesy of Mary Cuclis

BEYOND THE MEDICAL TOWERS

entrance. Stroll the themed gardens decked out with roses and native plants before making your ascent on the wheelchair-friendly incline. Upon reaching the top, you’ll be treated to views overlooking Miller Outdoor Theatre, the Museum District, and the TMC skyline.

Photo courtesy of Cherie Flores Garden

a hotel room, Luxurway specializes in rental properties near the TMC with many one-story homes available, so there’s no need to climb stairs. Discounted extended-stay rates for TMC patients are offered, as well as a generous first right of refusal to medical care guests and their caregivers who might need to book a longer stay after their arrival.

Photo courtesy of Mary Cuclis

Photo courtesy of Cherie Flores Garden

nourishing treatments to guests visiting from out-of-town that can be enjoyed by both vegan and gluten-free diners. for medical treatment.” Many guests undergoing cancer Pondicheri’s Bake Lab + Shop offers takeaway snacks and treatments book the spa’s NB-Ceutical Facial by Natura sweets, including purportedly amazing chocolate chili Bissé, a paraben and alcohol-free facial that alleviates cookies and spiced nuts. tightness, irritation, and flaking while soothing delicate Vibrant is a contemporary restaurant serving a skin. “[Guests] often share that visiting Trellis is a lovely plant-rich menu that’s gluten-free, dairy-free, and indulgence and haven during their challenging time,” refined-sugar-free. The beautiful, airy space provides Womble says. a relaxing dining environment where the interior’s Reflexology and acupressure massage can release the clean color palette allows the artfully plated dishes to knots created through the stress of treatment and sitting all stand out. The most ardent bread fans will be won over day in waiting-room chairs. Midtown Reflexology’s signa- by Vibrant’s chickpea flatbread and walnut cardamom ture $40 one-hour treatment is delivered while you relax in bliss balls. a cozy recliner. River Oaks Advanced A short distance from TMC, you’ll Maintaining a healthy diet find Green Seed Vegan in Houston’s Bodyworks’ larger menu of services includes reflexology as well as acuhistoric Third Ward. This small while traveling is always pressure massage to relieve tension restaurant with a handful of tables and a challenge, but Houston’s barstool seating owes its popularity and improve circulation. Book an acupuncture treatment diverse dining scene makes to cold-pressed raw juices, smoothies, with Dr. Sonya Patel, owner sandwiches and wraps that can it easy to find delicious and and of Mirvana Acupuncture and all be made gluten-free. Must-order Chinese Herbs. Patel is recognized highlights include the BBQ-jackfruit good-for-you options in for her expertise, research, and and tacos filled with restaurants brimming with sandwich experience in working with cancer sunflower walnut “chorizo.” Head positive energy. patients. “Research has proven over to nearby Emancipation Park that acupuncture is effective in for a stroll, and then cruise across alleviating the side effects of standard cancer therapy the street to Crumbville, TX to treat yourself to the treatments, like chemotherapy and radiation, and can best vegan cookies and stuffed cupcakes you will ever enhance a patient’s care program,” Patel says. For eat—samples are offered so you can try before you buy. patients experiencing hair loss, Houston is home to TM Don’t leave without a loving hug from baker/owner, Ella Hair which offers a human-hair prosthesis enabling Russell, who will quickly become your new best friend. the wearer to recreate their pre-loss look. If you’re not in the mood to dine out, order mealsto-go from Houston chains, Local Foods and bellagreen. COMFORT FOOD Both restaurants have multiple locations around the city Maintaining a healthy diet while traveling is always a and are known for accommodating a range of dietary challenge, but Houston’s diverse dining scene makes preferences—from vegan to keto, with an emphasis on it easy to find delicious and good-for-you options in freshly prepared food. restaurants brimming with positive energy. James Whatever brings you to Houston, stay and play in style Beard-nominated chef/owner, Anita Jaisinghani of with the best food, entertainment, and accommodations Pondicheri Café, creates creative and nourishing Indian in all of Texas. food from morning to night with dosas, thalis, and curries

Cancer Wellness

A Touch of Compassion Wellness for Cancer founder Julie Bach travels around the world to make spas and wellness facilities more accessible to people with cancer. BY BRITT JULIOUS

Cancer Wellness

“I thought, well, I could just do this on a broader scale and send people to spaces,” Bach says. “And then I realized that not everybody was open, that I actually kind of had an anomaly here with Vail and with Aspen from a spa perspective.” Now, Bach travels around the world with her nonprofit, Wellness for Cancer, to teach self-care practices for individuals with cancer as well as train spas and wellness centers on how to create and facilitate specialized treatments for people with cancer. When visiting facilities, Bach works with the spa, the general manager of the hotel, the food and beverage teams, and any other departments to flesh out their beliefs and misconceptions around the word “cancer.” Later, she asks them what “wellness” means to them. From there, she delves into her specific training protocols. Each property requires something different. “It depends on their wellness strategy, depends on their core competency,” Bach says. “I believe that you need to understand how to adapt your products, your services, for each individual, and so it really depends on the capabilities of the team.” Outside of her work within facilities, Bach also works one-on-one with people with cancer and helps institute guidelines and case studies for the industry as a whole. “We are establishing guidelines in the industry for what is and should be a proper training, given the knowledge of the disparity globally in training,” says Bach.

Photo courtesy of Julie Bach

“I

t’s not ‘Build it, they will come,’ it’s helping people to find places that they can explore whatever it is they want to explore, or just reset, relax, and be with their family and life,” says Julie Bach, founder of Wellness for Cancer, a 501 (c) (3) charity created to help facilitate better self-care and lifestyle choices for people with cancer. In addition to working directly with people with cancer on their health and lifestyle choices, Wellness for Cancer travels across the globe to train cancer centers, oncology specialists, integrative medicine specialists, and other wellness professionals on evidence-based integrative medicine practices, including yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and massage. “This is not oncology massage, and this is not the cancer treatment,” Bach says about their work. “This is about wellness and helping people who happen to have side effects from their cancer treatment and their cancer.” Wellness for Cancer began as a response to Bach’s experience acting as a caregiver for her mother, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer shortly after her father passed away from cancer. Bach’s mother moved to Vail, Colorado, where Bach is based, to live with her daughter and undergo treatment. “Unfortunately with ovarian cancer, there’s high depression, high isolation incidences,” Bach says. “My ex-husband was a chiropractor, and he said your mother needs to be touched.” Bach brought her to the spa she had recently purchased. Soon, Bach’s mother began to make a turnaround, and in 2005, the local cancer center reached out to Bach to establish a cancer and spa outreach program. Although Bach’s mother later passed, she began to take on the work sparked by her mother’s beneficial treatment. Later, Bach received a grant from Susan G. Komen to bring spa services to patients in Aspen.

Meeting people where they are, instead of where Over the last three years, Bach has been on the road Bach believes they should be, has been one of her biggest for nearly 300 days of every year. That work has allowed challenges. “I’ve been told I just have to have patience, her to train specialists in more than 20 countries, and in and so my role is to be that catalyst at a very high level 2019, she anticipates that number will grow. Significant [...] with many doctors to help pull the industry forward projects include partnering with luxury hotel brand Six through evidence,” Bach says. Senses on training as well as helping develop additional Perceptions of cancer around the world vary greatly. guidelines for skin-care brands to test their products. And while opinions may be more “They can’t rely on me or progressive in a place like Southern someone like Becky [Kuehn] from When visiting facilities, California, there is much more work Spa Solutions to look at their ingreBach works with the spa, dients and [say] that these ingreto be done in other cities and countries, according to Bach. “I think look fine,” Bach says. “They the general manager of the dients one of my roles is in helping to really need to take responsibility for their adapt the portrayal of someone with hotel, the food and beverage products and test them so that cancer,” Bach begins. “Like in the teams, and other departments people who are in cancer treatment U.K., they talk about cancer suffercan know the combination of their to flesh out their beliefs and own products and whether or not ers. And that’s not in my vocabulary as a mindfulness teacher. [...] I’m the misconceptions around the someone’s going to have side effects.” voice of the normalcy and flexibility For the time being, Bach will word “cancer.” and compassion; [I’m] not defining continue to espouse her philosophy people by their cancer.” of change and compassion as her Part of Bach’s work, then, is to help evolve how other company continues to grow. “It’s not a marketing ploy people view and talk about cancer, something particularly of holding out a banner and [saying] now we can take difficult for those who don’t regularly work directly with care of people with cancer,” offers Bach. People with the cancer community. “In order to help someone, you cancer “want what someone else is having,” and it is have to have a good relationship with your thoughts on up to wellness professionals to provide that experience. cancer, and most people don’t,” Bach suggests. “It makes “They just want to be normal and know that you know them face either a situation that they’ve had with a family what to do,” Bach says. “And so for me, I think the member, or it makes them face their own mortality. And biggest lessons, again, is just in normalcy, in flexibility, we’re not used to that.” Cancer brings up fear, and Bach compassion, and vulnerability.” works to eliminate it.

Cancer Wellness

WELLNESS ROAD TRIP

Grand Velas Riviera Maya & S.E. Spa S.E. Spa thrives under the guidance of Spa Director Maria Leticia Fernández, who incorporates Wellness for Cancer training into every treatment, for every guest. BY CAYLEI VOGELZANG

Cancer Wellness

rating. It was recently named the “Best Spa in Mexico” by the 2018 Food and Travel Reader Awards and one of the world’s most luxurious spas by Forbes Travel.

A WARM WELCOME

After a relatively quick plane ride from icy Chicago, I landed in sunny Cancún, which sits at the intersection of the wild and infamous Yucatán Peninsula and the Caribbean Sea on Mexico’s eastern coast. After picking up my rental car, I headed south for an hour on I-307 to the S.E. Spa within Grand Velas. The entrance to Grand Velas is a sight to behold. A magnificent series of moulded white slabs emerge from a pristine pool of water several city blocks long. At the midpoint of the pool is a bridge that leads to the main security gate. After receiving the OK from the guard, I cautiously made my way down the windy, jungle-flanked lane to a footbridge that led to the main spa.

When I reached the front desk, I was immediately greeted by the exuberant spa director, Maria Leticia Fernández. Her eyes beamed as she held her arms aloft to greet me with warmth and friendship. I liked her immediately. Leticia spoke quickly and with conviction, and she explained that she provides regular, training to her employees to ensure they are constantly evolving to meet the needs of their clientele. Before my visit, I studied up on Leticia and her mission. Knowing that she had been trained by Wellness For Cancer, I expected her to be well-educated on cancer care in the spa environment. What I did not expect was for her to be so deeply invested—Leticia shared a few personal stories about her own experience with cancer, not as a fighter but as a supporter, and I can tell that these experiences have given her an incredible sense of empathy. Many times I find that

Photo courtesy of Grand Velas Riviera Maya

I’

ve had a long love affair with Mexico, a land of vibrancy in color, texture, and depth. For me, it is also a hub for those seeking physical, mental, and spiritual wellness. I visit regularly to practice yoga, connect with nature, and reset my perspective. I relish diving in cenotes and taking part in ancient rituals performed in a temazcal, a carefully constructed sweat lodge used for cleansing, purifying, and connecting with the natural world, mother earth, and all of its inhabitants. Luckily for me, some of the ancient tenets of these rituals are folded into the spa offerings at choice properties throughout Mexico. Recently, I visited Grand Velas Riviera Maya & S.E. Spa, which featured staff that have been trained and certified by Wellness For Cancer, a well-respected worldwide leader in cancer training. Before arriving, I was interested to learn how the Wellness for Cancer program was incorporated into the warp and weave of this property’s programming. Grand Velas Riviera Maya, which opened its doors in 2008, is rare in that it is an all-inclusive property that holds a AAA Five-Diamond

spas can seem impressive on paper, almost boastful, but the difference between a good spa and a great spa comes from behind the scenes, in the leadership and training of the property employees. Leticia works diligently to ensure her staff portrays the same compassion, warmth, and sensitivity to all clients—those with cancer and without.

PUTTING SPA GOERS AT EASE

For Leticia, cancer is personal. She treats both her guests and her staff like family. When speaking about interacting regularly with those recently diagnosed with cancer, she gently but matter-of-factly told me, “We cry, we always cry—perhaps it is about release.” Leticia is very familiar with the dangers of isolation and disempowerment that can accompany a diagnosis, so she is determined to facilitate meaningful connections. We both agreed on the power of touch. Often, people feel isolated by their diagnosis. Leticia is not afraid to hug her clients when they need it, and she understands how a warm and reassuring hand can put anyone at ease. Leticia puts the patient first, not their diagnosis. This can also be seen in the way Leticia has adjusted the lexicon of the intake questionnaire, something I found to be unique of S.E. Spa. Instead of asking patients if they have cancer, the questionnaire asks questions about recent surgeries or treatments, which allows clients to reveal their diagnosis on their own terms.

A ROOM WITH A VIEW

The spa itself is massive and optically stunning. The entrance opens to reveal a large, three-story atrium with skylights. An impressively large glass wall runs the length and height of the entire spa, revealing the jungle outside. This concept— bringing the outside world in—is presented in 40 of the treatment rooms which overlook or abutt the wild vegetation outside. Immense waterfalls flank the east side of

the lobby, dropping precipitously into a shallow pool, which is part of the hydrotherapy circuit, or the “Water Journey.”

As my tour of Grand Velas came to an end, driving back down the winding access road, I remember feeling tickled. This spa and it’s management really did deliver. Hydrotherapy circuits seem to be all the rage these days. Typically, an attendant will escort you through a series of stations, alternating steam with dry heat, hot water to cold, and pressurized for a gentle force. According to its website, the S.E. Spa water journey strengthens the immune system, flushes away toxins, and revitalizes the senses. Hydrotherapy stations at S.E. Spa include a clay room, ice room, polar pool, a cinnamon-scented sauna with hydrotherapy jets, and rain showers.

A NOD TO THE ANCIENTS

As we explored the spa, Leticia explained that a holistic approach is central to all service options at S.E. Spa. Mexico’s ancient Aztec and Mayan civilizations had an intimate understanding of the healing properties of certain sacred plants and herbs. Elements of these traditional medicinal therapies have either been adapted or given a modern twist, like during the Bacal massage, which utilizes hot corn cobs in lieu of hot stones. Other locally sourced, exclusive concepts include an aloe vera massage, an organic honey experience, the Pixam Kan massage and the Nik Te Ha aquatic massage. All of these treatments use ingredients found naturally in the jungle surrounding S.E. Spa. S.E. Spa does not promote

some spa treatments over others for people with cancer. Rather, the spa considers the needs and desires of each client and adjusts each treatment accordingly. This is another way Leticia’s Wellness for Cancer training shines. Wellness for Cancer preaches compassion and understanding that people are not defined by their cancer—they visit spas to rest and rejuvenate like anyone else, and it’s up to facilities like S.E. Spa to be flexible in their treatments, considerate with their language, and sympathetic to each patient’s motivation for booking a stay at a spa.

FUTURE-MINDED

Given its glut of offerings, S.E. Spa has a dedicated spa concierge department that can tailor a spa treatment, or even an entire spa vacation, to one’s specifications and goals. Good thing, too—the international spa industry is booming. The ability of a spa, or a spa chain to survive and thrive with today’s high expectations is premised on its ability to constantly evolve. This means that it must be focused on providing new, diverse and increasingly sophisticated rituals of bliss. As my tour of Grand Velas came to an end, driving back down the winding access road, I remember feeling tickled. This spa and its management really did deliver. With cancer rates steadily on the rise, sophisticated, futureminded spas are responding to this market and expanding their services to accommodate this population. Individuals who are going through or recovering from cancer treatment are most in need of these treatments and services, so long as the providers are educated on technique and engagement, like Leticia and her staff. Grand Velas Riviera Maya & S.E. Spa is the place to go for individuals in treatment or recovery from cancer who don’t want to be reminded about their recovery status—they want to be treated as just another spa-goer, looking for a little rest and relaxation. Cancer Wellness

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A BREAK FROM REALITY LET THERE BE LIGHT MICROHEARTS RID THE EXCESS

Cancer Wellness

A Break from Reality

Thanks to virtual-reality technology, many chemotherapy patients are escaping the dreary confines of the hospital for a restorative afternoon at the beach.

ou’ve recently been diagnosed with cancer, and a thousand worries invade your mind. You wonder how your life will change, and how much life you have left to live. You think about your family and friends and how they’ll cope with your illness. You worry about your job, your pets, and the countless little tasks you take care of every day to make your home function. Then your doctor informs you of your treatment options. You hear the word “chemotherapy,” and you remember a scene you once saw in a movie. A character receiving chemo suffered from intense pain and unrelenting nausea. It was a terrible film. Regardless, you choose this treatment option because it is your best shot at living. And you want to live. In fact, living has become the primary goal. 84

Cancer Wellness

When you go to the infusion clinic, everyone is kind and welcoming. They do their best to make you comfortable. Unfortunately, chemotherapy can be very uncomfortable. It’s poison, afterall, and that same poison you hope will eviscerate the cancer cells also saps your energy, making you miserable. You sit in a big, comfortable chair in an open bay. Nurses are in and out. IVs drip and machines beep. Around you are 15 more big chairs, each holding another cancer patient. Some of them watch TV. Some of them talk to a “chemo buddy.” And many of them look scared, uncomfortable, and sick. It’s impossible to be in this room and not think about your own mortality. But what if you didn’t have to be there? What if you could receive your chemotherapy treatments, but not have to be “present” for them at all? Thanks to virtual-reality (VR) technology, many chemotherapy

Photos courtesy of Christiana Care Health System

BY NICOLE RODER

activity,” says Cynthia Waddington, CNS, clinical director patients are able to do just that. In a number of oncology clinics around the country, of cancer programs at Christiana Care Health System in doctors and nurses are using VR to help ease patients’ Delaware. “IV pumps are beeping, the phones are ringing, nurses are walking back and forth, patients are coming and anxiety and stress during chemotherapyand to improve going.” This doesn’t create the relaxing atmosphere most the patient experience. Doctors and nurses have used patients desire in their weekly treatment appointments. distraction as a clinical tool for decades. A 1993 study Waddington says Christiana Care started using found cognitive distraction and relaxation training VR in their chemotherapy suites almost two years ago, helped to relieve anxiety and distress for chemotherapy after a patient’s visitor brought the idea to their medical patients. Around the same time, scientists began learning director. “The visitor came to us because she realized about VR and its many possibilities. how hard it was, how long of a day it can be, how hard By 1997, a report from the journal Computer cited the use of VR as a medical intervention for patients under- it can be to find something to do to be comfortable,” Waddington says. “But most imporgoing a routine gastric procedure. tantly, she realized there was no According to a 2007 study from the “How cool is it that our escape. There needed to be an escape Oncology Nursing Society, VR is an patients here at their chemo from the harsh reality.” excellent distraction tool for chemoappointments get to see this Everyone at Christiana Care therapy, and it can make treatments loved the idea. “It’s something novel seem shorter. Most patients who quality technology that the for our patients,” says Waddington. tried VR during their treatments regular community doesn’t “It’s so cutting edge. And how cool said they would use it again. Other have access to?” is it that our patients here at their studies have found a significant chemo appointments get to see this reduction in anxiety, fatigue, and symptom distress, including nausea, vomiting, and dif- quality technology that the regular community doesn’t have access to? It really is a treat for them.” ficulty concentrating. A study looking at the use of VR to combat anxiety As of 2017, the VR health care market has grown to more than $976 million, and Grand View Research, during chemotherapy is underway at the Marie Yeager a U.S.-based market research and consulting company, Cancer Center, part of Spectrum Health Lakeland, in St. Joseph, Michigan. Researchers are conducting a predicts it will top $5.1 billion by 2025. cross-sectional design study to see if VR has an overall “The infusion suite comes with noise, it comes with impact on patients’ level of anxiety from chemotherapy. “A lot of the patients are anxious because of the nature of cancer, or they may be anxious because of their socioeconomic and family status,” says Dr. Barbara Schmidtman, manager of radiation oncology and ambulatory infusion at Marie Yeager and the principal investigator on the study. “Many of our patients are undergoing a great deal of distress.” Brandon Beede, information security project manager for Marie Yeager, adds, “At least while they’re in our care, I like to take the extra steps to see if VR can take them out of their current reality and stress to extract them to places that they might not be able to see because they are so connected to their care.” And VR can truly take you into a brand-new reality. “The first time I put on a virtual-reality headset, I literally had tears in my eyes because I was laughing so hard,” says Melanie Meehan, a clinical research associate at Marie Yeager. “I just could not believe how realistic it was and how I could look 360 all the way around and feel like I was somewhere else.”

Cancer Wellness

Let There Be Light Photodynamic therapy offers new treatment options for especially aggressive cancers. BY BRITT JULIOUS

he next frontier in cancer treatment may have been here all along. Photodynamic therapy may not offer a cure for cancer, but its use, especially for aggressive and difficult to diagnose forms of cancer like lung cancer and mesothelioma, may prove to be a revolutionary form of treatment. While photodynamic therapy is currently only used to treat esophageal and non-small cell lung cancer, several clinical trials are now underway to test the efficacy of photodynamic therapy for treatment of other precancerous, cancerous, and benign tumors. Photodynamic therapy uses a photosensitizer or a photosensitizing agent with light. These photosensitizers, injected into the bloodstream and absorbed by cells throughout the body, linger in cancer cells after injection, unlike with non-cancer cells. Around 24 to 72 hours after the initial dose, the photosensitizer produces a form of oxygen that kills cancerous cells in 86

Cancer Wellness

the exposed tumors. Photodynamic therapy can also shrink or destroy tumors by activating oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s immune system to attack tumor cells or by damaging the blood vessels in the tumor and thus denying the cancer from receiving nutrients. Besides providing a less toxic and physically damaging form of treatment compared to traditional types of chemotherapy and radiation, photodynamic therapy is usually an outpatient procedure, fostering a quicker recovery time and improving a patientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s physical well-being. Although many of the studies and trials are only in their initial phases, this new wave of research continues to find positive results, suggesting a less-invasive future for cancer treatment may be closer than previously thought. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve rounded up an incomplete list of the numerous clinical trials recently finished or currently underway studying the benefits of photodynamic therapy in cancer treatment.

LUNG CANCER Researchers at the University College in London recently launched a phase III randomized controlled trial with an incorporated phase II (pilot) component for therapeutic prevention of lung cancer using the photosensitizer drug Fotolon. Patients in the trial will undergo autofluorescence bronchoscopy to scan for high-grade lesions in the lung, and only patients with one or more high-grade lesions will participate in the trial. High-grade lesions are more likely to develop into cancer compared to low-grade lesions, and early detection can increase one’s chances of survival. Researchers hope to demonstrate a 20 percent or greater response in patients receiving photodynamic therapy to treat their lesions compared to patients in the control group. According to the National Library of Medicine, “The overall aim of the phase III is to show that the time period over which [high-grade lesions] progress to invasive lung cancer is significantly longer when treated with [photodynamic therapy] compared to surveillance alone.” MESOTHELIOMA Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive, deadly cancer which develops due to exposure to asbestos. In November 2018, the journal Photochemistry and Photobiology reported researchers utilized a combined treatment of lung-sparing surgery and intraoperative photodynamic therapy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy with 90 patients to extend their lifespan to a median of three years compared to only eight months for patients receiving standard treatment. By developing a 3D culture model of micrometastatic mesothelioma, researchers aim to use this new treatment protocol to increase tumor cell death eventually. PANCREATIC CANCER A study from the Indiana University Health Center has found that photodynamic therapy for locally advanced pancreatic cancer is a “safe, technically feasible” form of treatment to increase tumor death. According to the study, “Increased volume and percentage of tumor necrosis were observed in 6 of 12 patients (50%).” However, this trial was only in its initial stages, and researchers recommend phase II studies. BREAST CANCER According to a study by the Cleveland Clinic, “Although 80% of [breast cancer] patients receive adjuvant chemotherapy, ~40% of those patients relapse and ultimately die” due to the development of metastatic breast cancer. Breast cancer cells primarily metastasize to the lung, liver, brain, bone, and skin, creating “significant morbidity.” A new study utilizing photodynamic therapy through the combination of two FDA-approved drugs (capecitabine and aminolevulinic acid) has produced many positive results, including “reduced proliferation”

and “enhanced tumor cell death” as well as a reduced spread of metastatic cells. BLADDER CANCER Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer accounts for 75 percent of all bladder cancer diagnoses and has a recurrence rate of 60 to 70 percent. Effective treatment thus far has been limited, with only three drugs—Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), thiotepa, and valrubicin—approved in the last 30 years for treatment. A new study out of the University of Toronto aims to increase the opportunity for treatment of cancer using photodynamic therapy. Numerous trials have demonstrated promising results and an early response rate of 45 to 90.9 percent. Although photodynamic therapy often causes “collateral damage” to the surrounding areas when treating for bladder cancer, researchers have found delivery of approximately 90 J/cm2 of the compound TLD1433, creates minimal side effects like mild fatigue and urinary frequency. HEAD AND NECK CANCER A 2017 report from the Journal of Clinical Oncology reports photodynamic therapy using redaporfin may be a beneficial treatment when standard treatments fail for advanced head and neck cancer patients. Redaporfin is a new photosensitizer designed to improve safety compared to similar options. According to the report, a “photodynamic effect was observed in all subjects” with a dose greater than or equal to 0.5 mg, and one patient achieved “complete tumor necrosis” of the treated area during their final photodynamic therapy session. This study, however, was just a first step and requires additional research into the treatment. GLIOMAS High-grade gliomas are fast-growing tumors of the glial cells and typically develop in the brain or the spine. According to AboutKidsHealth, about 120 to 150 kids are diagnosed with a high-grade glioma every year, and symptoms typically include headaches, nausea, vomiting, blurry vision, changes in behavior, and seizures. In a report from February 2019 in Journal of Neuro-Oncology, researchers from Mount Sinai in New York, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University Hospital of Munich recently completed clinical trials to demonstrate photodynamic therapy as a viable treatment for malignancies such as high-grade gliomas and other brain tumors. Researchers used 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), a photosensitizing precursor for photodynamic therapy of actinic keratosis, to selectively target tumors. According to the journal, additional randomized, controlled studies are needed to continue to observe its efficacy.

Cancer Wellness

Microhearts, Huge Impact Better cancer treatment options mean higher survival rates, but long-term survivors risk cardiovascular disease later in life. At InvivoSciences, Ayla Annac is growing microhearts to help better understand the cardiovascular risks of cancer treatment.

yla Annac, CEO of InvivoSciences, is leading the next wave of cancer care and asking the one question many patients don’t consider: What happens to survivors once cancer is behind them? As treatment methods become more effective, survivorship is on the rise. While higher survival rates seem to signify a change for the better, Annac says doctors and patients forget about their futures. Multiple studies by researchers from universities including the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Columbia University note an increased risk of heart disease in cancer survivors, particularly survivors of breast cancer and childhood cancer. Researchers believe treatment methods such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy weaken the heart, contributing to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease beginning in the first five years after treatment. Annac was not always interested in creating a biotech startup, but after losing her father in 1988 to heart disease following cancer, she knew she wanted to do something about this unique and underserved

Cancer Wellness

issue. Annac moved to the United States from Turkey in 1993 to pursue an MBA at Saint Louis University and follow a lifelong dream: her father had always wanted Annac to eventually pursue her Ph.D. in the U.S. In St. Louis, she met her co-founders, Dr. Ted Wakatsuki and Dr. Elliot Elson, both inventors. With their scientific backgrounds and Annac’s business experience and passion for cardio-oncological care, InvivoSciences was born in 2001. Currently, the company is pioneering new technology called NuHearts. Invented by Wakatsuki and Elson, NuHearts are microhearts grown from human tissue, enabling doctors to screen drug candidates and analyze a drug’s effects and safety before treatment begins. “We and many investigators in the field believe that some patients are more sensitive to developing heart conditions such as arrhythmia and heart failure,” Annac says. “Our goal is to develop patient-specific, inexpensive diagnostic tools to monitor cardio-oncology side effects and help patients avoid expensive testing.” According to a 2017 study conducted by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill,

Photo courtesy of Ayla Annac

BY ALI CASSITY

Photo courtesy of Ayla Annac

the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and Columbia “We have 2.5 million breast cancer survivors, University, cardiovascular disease ranks among the which is excellent. However, we are not ready for them leading causes of death for men and women across the to have heart issues,” says Annac. “If they have a heart general U.S. population. Among breast cancer survivors, attack, they’re not going to think that it has anything they found that cardiovascular disease represents the to do with their cancer. I want to make sure they’re number-one, non-cancer cause of death, resulting in keeping their heart as strong as possible and stopping nearly 35 percent of non-cancer deaths in survivors aged treatment when they need to.” She hopes the NuHearts 50 or older. The risk of death increased greatly after the technology will allow patients to make the best choices fifth year of cancer survivorship, and the study noted that for their individualized treatment plans, whether that “after year seven, breast cancer survivors had nearly twice means exploring other treatment options or working the risk of [cardiovascular disease] mortality compared to with their doctor to adjust their regimen. those without breast cancer.” Generally, NuHearts use cell lines generated by outside Specifically, the greatest risk was linked to chemocompanies, but the hearts are also being grown using therapy. Other studies have linked radiation therapy samples from volunteer patients at company-approved with increased risk of cardiovascular disease death, academic institutions and hospitals. Using these cells, noting that radiation on the left side of the chest may researchers at InvivoSciences grow a microheart in injure cardiac muscle and increase risks. A 2018 study the laboratory which can then be used to analyze by researchers at the University sensitivity to a particular drug’s of Arizona and Canada’s Dalhousie cardiac side effects. The hearts “Our goal is to develop University also noted the link between patient-specific, inexpensive provide a window into cells and radiation and cardiovascular disease, tissues, giving researchers an diagnostic tools to monitor inside estimating that the heart received one view of the heartbeat’s to five grays (a gray is a measurement cardio-oncology side effects molecular mechanisms. Each unit) of radiation during treatment. heart is approximately the size and help patients avoid Studies by the Children’s Oncology of an icon on an iPhone screen; expensive testing.” Group found similar heightened dishes in the lab contain 96 or 384 risk of cardiovascular disease of these tiny hearts. following cancer treatment in survivors of childhood A nnac has always prioritized compassion. For now, cancer. Specifically, the younger a patient was during Annac wants to focus on the most at-risk populations, treatment, the higher the risk of potentially deadly including women, children, and the elderly, who all heart disease as a survivor. face higher risks of cardiovascular disease than other These numbers are alarming to Annac, who seeks to cancer survivor groups. She says that her intention is use her technology to better prepare cancer patients for life never to inspire fear but rather to provide information after their disease. As a mother, she was struck by the risk that has the potential to save lives. Through utilizing to survivors of childhood cancer and the dire impact on life NuHearts during their treatment process, Annac hopes expectancy from such risks. Addressing this cardiotoxicity to empower patients to be active advocates for their could help build a future where patients and doctors are best personal path to healing, adjusting drug therapy better informed of the risks of cancer treatment, and Annac according to their heart health. aims to push technology to the next frontier to get there. “Am I putting fear on someone who has already suffered?’” Anna asks. “But if I don’t speak about it, there’s a problem. They think they survived, they are happy, and they are not paying attention to the heart.” NuHearts have not yet been integrated into hospitals, but InvivoSciences is in talks with pharmaceutical companies. Ultimately, Annac aims to usher in a new era where doctors and patients can work together. She does not advocate against radiation or chemotherapy, but wants patients to be informed and heart-conscious throughout their cancer journey. “Advanced cancer treatment options are excellent at producing survival, but let us not forget our hearts,” Annac says. “We are not parts; we are not cars. The highest generator of healing, love, and light is in your heart.” From L to R: Dr. Ted Wakatsuki, Ayla Annac, Dr. Elliot Elson, co-founders of InvivoSciences. Cancer Wellness

RID THE EXCESS

A recent study published by the American Chemical Society provides insight into a new device designed to lessen the negative side eﬀects of chemotherapy. BY CATHERINE EVES

Cancer Wellness

on reasons like metastasis or the time of discovery. While chemotherapy drugs target cancer cells, they also affect nearby healthy cells, resulting in side effects known too well to cancer patients. The higher the dose, the more discomfort the patient will typically feel. In the animal trial, the ChemoFilter was placed downstream of the doxorubicin injection site. “It occurred to me, wouldn’t it be great if during and right after my infusion procedure we had a device that we could put up in the jugular veins […] to bind to any of that excess chemotherapy and remove that device from the body shortly thereafter,” says Hetts. The device is inserted right before chemotherapy is administered and removed immediately once treatment is finished. “It’s very low risk,” says Balsara.

“[Chemotherapy] is limited by what the heart can take and what the body can take.” While there are a few devices like this currently being studied for manufacturing, the ChemoFilter is unique in that it attracts and captures molecules based on their electrical charge. Once Hetts had an idea about the sort of material he would need to create the ChemoFilter, he reached out to the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at U.C. Berkeley, seeking a material that would interact with molecules based on their electric charge. It was almost pure luck that Xi Chelsea Chen, one of Balsara’s post-doc

students, had a material in mind. “It was really fortuitous that [we knew of] the polymer,” says Balsara, whose research in hydrogen fuel cells has never before led him to the world of medical oncology. Balsara and his team provided Hetts with a negatively charged polymer which attracted the positively charged ions in doxorubicin in the animal study. Because of the delicate nature of the absorber and each patient’s unique vasculature, the apparatus would need to be manufactured via 3D printing. “Because you can print anything you want […] You can use 3D printing to tailor a device specifically to an individual patient,” says Hetts. He notes that patients who would benefit from this device will have undergone multiple CT and MRI scans. “You can use that data to print a device that would fit perfectly in their vasculature,” says Hetts. Hetts and Balsara agree that human trials for the ChemoFilter are still a few years away. “There’s a lot to be done to ensure the efficacy of this device,” says Balsara, which is crucial before testing the device in immunocompromised cancer patients. “If we can capture 60 percent of the drug [in animal trials], we want to be absolutely sure that if we bring it to humans we can have that kind of efficacy,” says Balsara. Careful not to reveal too much, Balsara shared that so far the results have been promising, but still, “We have a lot of homework to do,” he says. Photo by Stephanie Jensen

any cancer fighters undergoing regular chemotherapy treatments must suffer through side effects like exhaustion, nausea, and pain. The unpleasant side effects some feel from chemotherapy are considered rote, but in the future, this may not be the case. Researchers at the University of California are in the process of approving the fi rst human clinical trials for a “chemo sponge” which, in animal (pig) trials, has been shown to absorb 64 percent of the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin before it hits the bloodstream. According to a new study published by the American Chemical Society in January 2019, the device, named ChemoFilter, “soaks up” excess chemotherapy drugs before they enter the bloodstream and spread to other parts of the body. This practice, in theory, lessens the intensity of negative side effects while retaining the efficacy of killing cancer cells—making it an attractive option for cancer patients to complement chemotherapy. According to Dr. Steven Hetts, an interventional radiologist at the University of California San Francisco who originally conceived of the device, the ChemoFilter is positioned to move into the clinical trial stage within the next few years, and would be revolutionary in more quickly and effectively treating cancer treatment side effects. “[Chemotherapy] is limited by what the heart can take and what the body can take,” says Dr. Nitash Balsara, a professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at U.C. Berkeley. Chemotherapy treatments can be incredibly toxic to the human body depending

Photo by Stephanie Jensen

fashion

92 BLOSSOM BUDDIES 94 COOL FOR THE SUMMER Cancer Wellness

Cherry Blossom Intimates provides custom prosthetics and mastectomy bras to the Washington, D.C., cancer community—plus love, compassion, and understanding. BY BRITT JULIOUS

n a world where discussions about breast cancer are still considered taboo, Cherry Blossom Intimates offers something different: community. Located in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., the recently opened boutique is the brainchild of Jasmine Jones, a former beauty queen turned entrepreneur and public speaker, and Dr. Regina Hampton. Although Jones and Hampton lead radically different lives, they—like many others—have parallel experiences with breast cancer. Jones’ grandmother passed from the disease nine years ago after receiving a double mastectomy. Likewise, Hampton diagnosed, performed surgery on, and ultimately lost her childhood friend to breast cancer last year. The two met by chance at a breast cancer 5K, and instead of running, they walked and talked about their experiences. “I remember [my grandmother] shopping for prosthetics, and it was always in a medical supply store, and 92

Cancer Wellness

Photos courtesy of Cherry Blossom Intimates

BLOSSOM BUDDIES

it was never anything pretty,” Jones says. “Dr. Hampton told me that she’s seen so many of her patients come in who’d had negative prosthetic shopping experiences and post-surgical bra shopping experiences. We just sort of bounced ideas off each other and said maybe this is something we could do.” Cherry Blossom Intimates officially opened last year. Since then, the store has made a name for itself in the D.C. area and beyond for its unique approach to both the breast prosthesis and bra shopping experience. Custom breast prosthetics comprised of 100 percent pure silicone are made using post-mastectomy, 3D chest-wall scans. The benefits of a custom prosthesis include protection of the chest wall and surgical scars, balancing of one’s posture, and prevention of curvature of the spine and muscular pain in the neck and back. Unlike the medical supply stores where many women go for their prosthetics, Cherry Blossom Intimates offers prosthetics in 36 skin-tone colors, a deliberate decision on the part of Hampton and Jones. “Like with makeup, people come in different shades. It’s only until recently [makeup companies have] begun to offer makeup in [more shades],” begins Hampton. “We’re taking that concept beyond makeup and bringing it to the breast world.” Adds Jones, “When they see the color options, that’s when they become emotional, because they start to realize the experience they previously had post-surgery will now be changed for the rest of their lives.” In addition to offering numerous custom prosthesis shades, Cherry Blossom Intimates’ “off-the-shelf” prosthetics come in brown. “We specifically have brown prosthetics as our standards off the shelf. And not a lot of women have seen those or have even been offered

Photos courtesy of Cherry Blossom Intimates

those,” says Hampton. “To me, if we keep nothing else 60- and 70-year-old women, they say, ‘Well what do you in stock, it will at least be a brown prosthetic and then have that’s lacy? I don’t want a plain black bra,’” adds [we will offer] a custom prosthetic.” Hampton. With the help of stores like Cherry Blossom Finding a brown prosthesis may not seem like a big Intimates, women can finally own the sort of intimates deal to some, but for women in the D.C. area, providing they once wore and loved before their diagnosis. brown prosthetics is smart business. Washington, D.C., Back in their shop, customers will not only get a has the highest breast cancer and breast cancer mortalrewarding experience, they’ll also learn a bit about ity rates in the country, and Ward 8, which is 92 percent Jones and Hampton’s loved ones on the Angel Wall. A African American, has the highest rates of diagnosis picture of Jones’ grandmother, one of the inspirations in the area. Supplying potential customers with a brown behind Cherry Blossom Intimates, rests on a shelf. prosthesis addresses the discrepancies in which populaNearby is a photo of Hampton’s childhood friend. “We tions face the highest rates of diagnosis and what is actually really take time out every day to acknowledge them and available to people in stores. Other their presence because we know so With the help of stores like items in the store include mastectomy much of the store was inspired by bras and post-surgical supplies. them and how they impacted our Cherry Blossom Intimates, Cherry Blossom Intimates is lives,” Jones says. “The love that women can finally own the sort they’ve shown is what we hope to also driven by inclusivity in the bra of intimates they once wore and exude in our store every day.” It is shopping experience. Rather than separate breast cancer and nonthese intimate, personal touches loved before their diagnosis. breast cancer patients, Hampton and that ultimately elevate the Cherry Jones designed their store to facilitate the same shopping Blossom Intimates experience from both the cold mediexperience for everyone. Bras come in sizes A through cal-supply shop and a run-of-the-mill intimates store. Q cup, and post-mastectomy bras are interspersed with Customers walk away from their time in Cherry traditional ones. “I take care of breast cancer patients Blossom Intimates feeling loved and respected, a feeling and non-breast cancer patients. Why can’t everybody just Hampton and Jones took great strides to facilitate. Guests shop in one place?” Hampton asks. “I think that women can receive mocktails and hot tea in their fitting room. who have breast cancer just feel so isolated. I don’t think Hugs are freely given. And according to Hampton, their anyone had really thought of [a store] in that way.” employees are personally and intentionally chosen by who Aesthetically speaking, cancer doesn’t change one’s has a passion for the work and for the community. Every love of design or beauty. A beautiful piece of clothing is team member has been impacted by breast cancer in some a beautiful piece of clothing. “When you’re 35, and you way. “Written into our employee manual is treat everyone have to get a mastectomy, you’re still in the prime of like your mother or your sister or your daughter,” Jones your life. And so, even though you may have to wear a says. “Everyone is going to experience a really beautiful prosthesis and you may choose not to get reconstruction, and unique shopping experience for their intimates. And you still want a pretty lacy bra to put your prosthesis in,” regardless of their breast cancer status or stage, they were says Hampton. “I think that’s something the mastectomy going to be able to feel comfortable and sexy and feminine.” and prosthesis world never thought of.” And it’s not just Cherry Blossom Intimates is located at younger women who’ve grown to appreciate the delicate 9201 Woodmore Center Dr., Suite 426, Glenarden, MD. and colorful offerings on display in the store. “Even our Find them online at CherryBlossomIntimates.com. older women want something pretty and sexy. Even our

L & R: A peek inside the Cherry Blossom Intimates showroom; Middle: Dr. Regina Hampton and Jasmine Jones.

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COOL FOR THE SUMMER

PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEPHANIE JENSEN 94

Cancer Wellness

Sun safety involves more than just sunscreen. We selected some of the best looks of the season from our favorite brands with clothing made to provide UPF 50+ protection from ultraviolet rays.

On Alex: Dress by Coolibar; Cancer Wellness 95 shoes by Penelope Gazin

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Meet the models

Brother and sister rockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;roll duo White Mystery (comprised of Miss Alex White and Francis White) will continue to stay cool this summer with pop-up roller rinks and rock concerts. The Whites wish peace, love, and recovery to all of those affected by cancer.

Swuimsuits by UV Skinz 97 Makeup: Yvette Oduro

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Swuimsuit by UV Skinz

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DANAREBECCADESIGNS.COM

resources 102 SICK WITH DEBT 105 CARERS 106 KNOW YOUR RISKS

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Sick with Debt After costly treatments and surgeries that aid in treating cancer, there is often one worry plaguing the mind of the average survivorâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;how to pay for it all. BY SHERYL NANCE-NASH

When high deductibles, co-pays, and a loss of income collide, the financial dominoes fall, leaving tens of thousands of Americans resorting to medical bankruptcy.

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sia Carter survived breast cancer, but her troubles are far from over—she recently filed bankruptcy. When Carter was first diagnosed with stage III breast cancer in 2016, she was working as a contractor and didn’t have health insurance. It wasn’t until 2017 that she got insurance, and it was expensive: $653 a month. Out-of-pocket expenses added up quickly with MRIs, EKGs, a double mastectomy, surgery to remove lymph nodes, and two reconstructive surgeries. “I spent at least $10,000,” says Carter, a single mother from Frisco, Texas. “It’s been an uphill battle that I’m still climbing,” she says. Unfortunately, stories like Carter’s are all too common. “Few people are aware of the financial toll the disease can take. It’s a one-two punch,” says Scott Petinga, a cancer survivor and founder of the Center for Advocacy for Cancer of the Testes International. “Having to go through treatment will cause a loss of work and inertly a loss of income—and at the same time, medical and pharmaceutical costs, not covered by insurance, are due.” A study conducted by researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center found the financial toxicity resulting from the high cost of cancer care is almost as deadly as cancer itself. According to the National Cancer Institute, anywhere from one-third to over three-quarters of cancer survivors exhaust their savings to finance medical expenses, which can cost tens of thousands per month. “Cancer costs the U.S. economy more than $216 billion annually in direct treatment costs and lost productivity, a number that will increase dramatically as incidence rates climb,” says Susan Brown, the senior director of education and patient support, at Susan G. Komen. When high deductibles, co-pays, and a loss of income collide, the financial dominoes fall, leaving tens of thousands of Americans resorting to medical bankruptcy. “A Harvard study estimated that 62.1 percent of all bankruptcies were because of medical bills, and this was before the Affordable Care Act was in full force,” says Molly MacDonald, a breast cancer survivor and founder and executive director of The Pink Fund, a breast cancer charity and nonprofit, financial assistance fund that provides cost-of-living expenses to breast cancer patients. She adds that it’s important to note that most medical bankruptcies result from hospitalizations in addition to outpatient treatment and costly prescription drugs. “A patient may have a very high deductible with their health insurance, which may require them to start a GoFundMe or similar program, deplete their savings, ask relatives for financial help, sell an asset, dip into retirement savings, and max out credit cards […] and that is just to begin treatment,” says MacDonald. Cancer Wellness

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MITIGATING CANCER’S TOXICITY

S o how do you come back financially after cancer? Find a financial advisor. Start by asking friends and family for recommendations of people they’ve worked with, or turn to the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors which provides a directory of advisors in your area. A financial advisor can help you reconstruct your financial life, be it negotiating with creditors, finding ways to generate extra income, or managing debt. The best strategy is to be proactive sooner rather than later.

UNDERSTAND YOUR COVERAGE

S ome cancer patients face even higher out-of-pocket costs if they obtain medical care outside of their plan. “Be sure your providers participate in your insurance plan, so that you are not subject to balance billing. Ask if chemotherapy or surgical procedures can be performed at freestanding facilities rather than hospital-based facilities,” recommends Dr. Jeffrey Levin-Scherz from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Many types of chemotherapy can be administered in ambulatory facilities—and this can lead to both lower costs and better patient experience. There are only a few chemotherapy regimens that need a high level of monitoring which require hospital care.

ASK FOR HELP

D on’t be afraid to speak up. There are many financial resources available for people with breast cancer. Hospital discharge planners, patient-service offices, nurse navigators, and patient navigators may also have information on resources and advice about financial matters. Most hospitals and treatment centers have financial counselors. They can help you understand the details of your insurance paperwork and give an estimate of the cost of treatment.

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Financial counselors can also help work out a payment plan. Some places may be willing to reduce or waive some costs. And candidly express your concerns about costs to your doctor. “You and your health care professional can probably develop a cheaper plan that still adequately addresses your condition,” says Petinga.

Cancer may be a formidable opponent, but what might take you by surprise is the impact it can have on money matters. TAP ALL RESOURCES

S eek out pharmaceutical company coupons and patient-assistance programs if you are eligible. Look to nonprofits—the Susan G. Komen Treatment Assistance Program helps bridge the gap for underserved individuals by providing limited financial assistance, education, and support services to low-income, underinsured, or uninsured women and men across the country undergoing treatment for breast cancer. No matter a person’s income, they may qualify for financial aid from federal, state, or local programs. Many organizations such as the New Day Foundation for Families, the Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition, and The Pink Fund offer financial assistance and help with travel, lodging, and medical items, including prescription drugs. Many employers offer services to help their employees navigate clinical care—and also navigate the bills that follow complex cancer therapy. Talk to your human resources department. And although it may not be pleasant, talk to your creditors. Some mortgage companies, for example, are now expanding their payment-deferment programs to include those facing costly health challenges.

PROTECT YOURSELF

B uild a medical emergency fund to better weather future health costs. While it’s hard to estimate what your medical bills might be, you can estimate how much you would need on a monthly basis if you were unable to work. Aim to have at least three to six months worth of expenses saved and easily accessible.

EXPLORE INSURANCE OPTIONS

John Hill, president of Gateway Retirement, works with people to develop a financial plan that includes preparation for the unexpected. He’s big on guaranteed universal life insurance, because it can be tapped for critical and chronic illnesses. Similarly, there’s Fifth Season Financial’s FLAG (Funds for Living and Giving). FLAG is designed to bridge the gap between traditional financial assistance programs, mitigating the direct medical and treatment costs and the much broader financial needs of patients with advance-stage illnesses. The individual can access a significant portion of the face value of their life insurance policy (as opposed to the cash-surrender value) at a time when they need funds the most. Fifth Season pays the premium on the policy. Throughout the process, the policy is kept in place, and ultimately the advance is repaid using the proceeds of the policy. Remaining funds are given to the family. There are zero stipulations, conditions, or financial obligations to Fifth Season. The individual can choose to spend the funds in whatever way best suits their context and lifestyle, like paying rent or mortgage or medication and treatment costs. Cancer may be a formidable opponent, but what might take you by surprise is the impact it can have on money matters. Keep your guard up to protect your financial future. When you win your battle with cancer, the last thing you need is a fight to fix your finances.

Caring for the Carers Family caregivers save the American health care system billions of dollars every year, but at what cost? BY BRITT JULIOUS

cancer diagnosis can be devastating, not only for the patient, but for their friends and loved ones, too. Unlike a lost job or a broken heart, a diagnosis may not offer easy solutions. It is a venture into the unknown, and the time between one’s initial diagnosis and a declaration of remission or no evidence of disease can be anywhere from weeks to months to years. For some, it may never come at all. Like their loved ones, caregivers (also known as carers) are often thrown into confusing, emotionally fraught situations that may have a deleterious effect on one’s mental and emotional health. What then can be done to protect both the well-being of the person with cancer as well as the caregiver? Caregivers are friends, relatives, or neighbors providing day-to-day, unpaid support for a person unable to complete the tasks of their daily lives. According to a discussion in the International Journal of Nursing Studies, family caregivers save the American health care system $350 billion. But while they may be financially beneficial, caregivers’ challenging circumstances are the perfect recipe for breeding physical and psychological issues. According to a 1998 study from the Victorian Carers Program in Australia, researchers found “less life satisfaction, less positive affect, and more negative affect among caregivers compared with non-caregivers, regardless of age or marital status.” Additional studies confirm these findings. According to a 2009 report in the journal Gerontology and Geriatrics, “Hours per day of caregiving, and use of emotional, functional, and physical support were associated with mental health, and the hours per day of caregiving and use of physical support were predictors of burden.” This burden can manifest in a number of ways, from financial instability to higher levels of depression to unintentional injuries, like “falls, cuts, scrapes, and bruises ranging from minor to serious.” And although some studies have found many caregivers find positive effects from their role (such as closer relationships and satisfaction with meeting responsibilities), it is not widespread. “Caregivers may experience both emotional distress and psychological satisfaction and growth, effects that are not incompatible,” reports the American Psychological Association. Because each caregiving situation is different from the

next, there is no true way to predict one’s mental and physical outcome. So what can be done to help the caregivers who are most in need of support? A number of organizations, nonprofits, and government initiatives across the country and abroad are working to address the most pressing concerns. Below, we’ve included a guide to some of our favorites.

CARERS TRUST

This U.K.-based charity is “for, with and about carers.” Carers Trust works to improve support services for caregivers by providing a network of independent partners for replacement care and grants for caregivers to use in their own lives. They also advocate for policy changes to provide more overall support for care recipients and caregivers.

CARERS WEEK

There are 6.5 million people in the U.K. who identify as carers. This annual campaign (which runs June 10 to 16) aims to raise awareness of caring in the U.K. by highlighting activities and events from thousands of individuals and organizations. Carers Week also helps people who may not identify as caregivers understand the term and access support.

AARP

Although the AARP is best known for the support they offer people over 50, they also have a robust array of resources for caregivers, including one tailored to those caring for people with cancer. Everything from care at home to medical advice to financial and legal advice as well as finding a care/life balance is covered on their site.

CAREGIVER ACTION NETWORK

Describing themselves as the nation’s “leading family caregiver organization,” Caregiver Action Network aims to improve the lives of the more than 90 million Americans caring for loved ones with chronic conditions, disabilities, disease, or the fragility of old age. Their nonprofit, CAN (the National Family Caregivers Association) provides educational resources and peer support free of charge. Cancer Wellness

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Know Your Risks: Melanoma

The American Academy of Dermatology estimates that approximately 9,500 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with skin cancer every day. Skin cancer is most often caused by ultraviolet radiation that triggers skin cells to multiply rapidly and form tumors. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer characterized by its likelihood to metastasize, making it the most deadly form of skin cancer.

See something funny? Know your ABCs and get checked by a doctor if a mole has changed or appeared over time.

Asymmetry Borders

outer edges are uneven

Color

dark black or has multiple colors

Diameter greater than 6 mm

Evolving

Because doctors are not usually able to track a mole throughout its life, any mole that presents atypically will be recommended for biopsy. Dermatopathologists will check the biopsied tissue for cancerous cells under a microscope. Individuals with a higher number of moles have a higher incidence of melanoma, because they are more likely to have pigmented lesions which are more likely to be diagnosed as melanoma or cancerous. Melanoma typically appear as flat or slightly raised discolored patches on the skin with irregular borders, or as lesions that itch, bleed, or don’t heal.

change in size, shape, or color

Stage 0:

Cancer cells are confined to the top layer of skin. Cancerous cells may present as a new lesion or on a preexisting mole.

Stage I:

Tumors have invaded below the epidermis, into the second layer of skin, but are small and are not yet at risk of metastasis.

Stage II:

Tumors are slightly larger, but have not metastasized to other parts of the body. At this stage, timing is incredibly important.

Stage III:

Tumors have most likely spread to the closest lymph node. In stage III, “satellite tumors” may also appear on other parts of the skin.

Stage IV:

Melanoma has spread to nearby as well as distant lymph nodes and other organs.

Ways to Protect Yourself People who are at a high risk for melanoma must complete regular self-exams. Those at high risk have a family history of melanoma, or have had melanoma before, or have a high frequency of moles. Doctors recommend “mole mapping,” in which full-body photographs are taken to track the evolution of moles over time.

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To lower your risk of getting melanoma, it’s important to limit exposure to U.V. rays. Always apply sunscreen, even during the dark days of winter, and make sure to wear full-coverage clothing, hats, and sunglasses if you’re looking to soak up some vitamin D.

cancer & the environment 108 SOMETHING FISHY 110 ULTRAVIOLET 111 AFTER THE FIRE

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o s Cancer Wellness

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Something Fishy Hawaii’s controversial sunscreen ban means a healthier ocean for both human and marine life, but some doctors worry new restrictions could lead to higher incidences of skin cancer. BY BRITT JULIOUS

hile increased sun safety awareness has greatly benefited the human population, it has harmful effects on marine life. Most pressing is the issue of coral bleaching, which causes coral reefs to turn white and release algae from its tissues. In 2018, in response to this threat, the state of Hawaii banned the sale of sunscreen products containing the ingredients oxybenzone and octinoxate. The bill would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2021. “The purpose of this act is to preserve marine ecosystems, including coral reefs, by prohibiting the sale in Hawaii of ultraviolet sun protection factor sunscreen personal care products containing oxybenzone and octinoxate,” the new bill states. In the case of the bill, personal care products do not just include sunscreen. Lotions, pastes, balms, ointments, creams, solid stick applicators, brush applicators, roll-on applicators, aerosol sprays, non-aerosol spray pumps, and automated mist spray products are all included as part of the ban. A 2016 joint study spurred the Hawaiian government into action. The study, first published in the journal Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, identified oxybenzone as “an emerging contaminant of concern in marine environments.” “Oxybenzone is a photo-toxicant; adverse effects are exacerbated in the light,” the study states. “Whether in darkness or light, oxybenzone transformed planulae from a motile state to a deformed, sessile condition. Planulae exhibited an increasing rate of coral bleaching in response to increasing concentrations of oxybenzone.” Coral bleaching causes the coral to expel algae living in coral’s tissues, which causes the coral to turn white. Major coral bleaching events are not unique to the Hawaiian coastline. In 2005, the U.S. lost half of its coral reefs in one year from a massive bleaching event in the Caribbean. According to the National Oceanic 108

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and Atmospheric Administration, “Comparison of satellite data from the previous 20 years confirmed that thermal stress from the 2005 event was greater than the previous 20 years combined.” Other “significant harmful impacts” include genetic damage to the coral and other marine organisms, increased probability of endocrine disruption, induced deformities in the “embryonic development of fish, sea urchins, coral, and shrimp,” and coral mortality. According to the bill, oxybenzone and octinoxate also “degrade corals’ resiliency and ability to adjust to climate change factors and inhibit recruitment of new corals.” Coral can recover from coral bleaching if the stress-caused bleaching is not severe, but prolonged algae loss and stress can eventually cause coral mortality. Recent studies even suggest chemical sunscreens may be dangerous for human use as well (see “Check the Label,” page 42). But the 2016 study was not the first to identify the potential harm in sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate. A 2008 study out of Marche Polytechnic University in Ancona, Italy, found “sunscreens cause the rapid and complete bleaching of hard corals, even at extremely low concentrations [...] due to organic ultraviolet filters.” This study also found sunscreens “containing parabens, cinnamates, benzophenones, and camphor derivatives can contribute to hard-coral bleaching if released into natural systems.” “The contamination is constantly refreshed and renewed every day by swimmers and beachgoers,” the Hawaiian bill states. The chemicals also enter the water through sewage facilities, as oxybenzone and octinoxate are not removed by water treatment systems in the state. Cesspools, leaking septic systems, and municipal wastewater collection and treatment centers also pose a risk to water contamination. Thus far, oxybenzone and octinoxate have been detected throughout the

Hawaiian islands, including at the popular Waimea necessary for broad-spectrum protection, as well as Bay, Hanauma Bay, and Waikiki beach on Oahu and the potential stigma around sunscreen use that could at the Honolua Bay and Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area develop as a result of these restrictions,” they wrote in Reserve on Maui. their statement. Also, according to the 2008 Marche Polytechnic Still, that has not stopped Hawaii’s ban nor the University study, tourists tend to use more sunscreen spread of similar bans in other environments. In the than what is recommended by the Food and Drug fall of 2018, the western Pacific nation of Palau banned Administration, meaning “the quantity of sunscreen the sale of “reef-toxic” sunscreens which contain one released during a usual bath could be far higher than of 10 prohibited chemicals, including oxybenzone, that estimated in this study.” methylparaben, and ethylparaben. According to The “An average dose application of 2 mg/cm² of sunNew York Times, tourists with banned sunscreen may screen (dose suggested by the U.S. FDA) for a full body get it confiscated upon entry and fined up to $1,000. surface of 1.0 m² results in an average usage of 20 g per The ban goes into effect in 2020. application (Poiger et al., 2004). We consider a conserva And in February, Key West, Florida, voted to tive measure of two daily applications per tourist traveling ban the sale of sunscreen containing oxybenzone and on a 5-day average tourist package, and a rough estimate of octinoxate as a step to protect the state’s barrier reef 78 million tourists per year in areas hosting reefs. Based on ecosystem, the third largest in the world. According this calculation and on an annual production of UV filters, to The New York Times, the Key West ban will go into between 16,000 and 25,000 tons of effect on Jan. 1, 2021. A statewide ban is a significant “Our coral has been under sunscreens are expected to be used in tropical countries. According to attack by a number of stressors,” first step in the protection of our experiment, it is estimated that marine (and human) life, and it Key West Mayor Teri Johnston at least 25% of the amount applied said. “We just thought if there was is washed off during swimming and might inspire visitors to be more one thing we could do, to take one conscious of their purchases off of the stressors away, it was our bathing, accounting for a potential release of 4,000-6,000 tons/year,” the the island before their arrival. responsibility to do so.” study states. In response to the ban, Of course, banning the sale of Hawaii.com released their own such products does not stop tourists and other visitors recommendations for reef-safe sunscreens, including to Hawaii from bringing their own products containing Thinksport SPF 50 Sunscreen, which has a perfect the ingredients into the state. And the bill would not rating from the Environmental Working Group, Reef be an outright ban, as people can purchase products Safe Sun® Oxybenzone Free Biodegradable Sunscreen with oxybenzone and octinoxate if they have a medically SPF 50, and Banana Boat Simply Protect SPF 50+ licensed prescription. But a statewide ban is a significant Sunscreen spray, among others. All of these products first step in the protection of marine (and human) life, are available on Amazon.com. and it might inspire visitors to be more conscious of their Staying sun safe and reef safe does not have to be purchases off the island before their arrival. mutually exclusive. Luckily, consumers have an abundance But not everyone is on board with the new ban. In of choices available to them in easily accessible online and May of 2018, the American Academy of Dermatology in-store outlets. The best way to stay conscientious is to Association released a statement in response to the ban. be proactive. As Nate Masterson of Maple Holistics told us, “The American Academy of Dermatology Association “This means that getting comfortable with ingredients is concerned that the public’s risk of developing skin labels, or sticking to natural sunscreens, is an essential cancer could increase due to new restrictions in Hawaii component of adequately protecting yourself and the that impact access to sunscreens with ingredients environment from harmful ingredients.”

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An Ultraviolet Ray of Sunshine

Both UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) #1 and SPF (Sun Protection Factor) are measurements of sun protection. However, UPF measures the amount of U.V. radiation that will penetrate a material, while SPF measures the amount of time skin is safe from damage caused by the sun. Applying a sunscreen with

#2 an SPF rating of 15 will protect

you for 15 times longer than if you were wearing no protection at all.

A thin, white T-shirt has a UPF rating of 5, meaning that one-fifth of the sun’s rays will penetrate the fabric to reach the skin. Darker, heavier fabrics offer greater protection from the sun, up to UPF 50. The construction matters, too—tightly woven fabrics, like nylon, offer greater UPF ratings than those which are looser, such as wool and cotton.

Sunscreens with higher #6 SPFs, such as 75 or 100, are not any more effective #4 than SPF 50 sunscreens. These sunscreens can actually be more damaging, because they may give sunbathers a false sense of security about sun protection.

Fabrics made of lycra/elastane are the most likely to have UPFs of 50 or higher, followed by nylon and polyester.

UPF considers both UVA

#7 and UVB radiation; SPF only

measures UVB protection. Ultraviolet radiation is part of the electromagnetic, or light, spectrum that reaches the earth from the sun—both UVA and UVB damage the skin, eyes, and immune system.

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Sunscreens on the market today are much better at protecting against UVB rays than UVA, so labels declaring “broad-spectrum protection” are often misleading to consumers.

FACT! Sunscreen was invented in 1938 by Franz Greiter, a Swiss chemistry student. His first sunscreen was SPF 2. Interestingly enough, it wasn’t until 1978 that the FDA stated that “suntanning is not good for the skin,” according to The New York Times. In 1979, the Skin Cancer Foundation established SPF 15 as the minimum standard for adequate SPF protection.

ented reiter, dent. PF 2. wasn’t tated good ng to imes. ancer PF 15 ndard ction.

After the fire The 2018 wildfire season was reportedly the deadliest one yet, but survivors aren’t in the clear. While little is known about the health effects of long-term exposure to wildfire smoke, researchers are drawing conclusions based on what they know about exposure to general air pollution, and the findings are a major cause for concern. BY CATHERINE EVES

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ast fall, California suffered its worst wildfire Paper masks covering the mouth and nose are a season yet—two of the top 20 largest wildfires common sight in polluted, urban areas of Asia, and now in the state’s history took place over the past many California residents have begun to wearing them. year, the worst of which, named “Camp Fire,” While ordinary dust masks filter out large particles, they destroyed more than 18,000 structures and resulted in are not designed to filter dangerous particulates that may 85 deaths, according to the California Department of cause cancer, heart disease, and stroke, according to the Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). The deadly ALA. Dust masks with an N-95 or N-100 filter will filter fire covered an alarming 153,336 acres, burning cars, out the more damaging, finer particles, but can be difficult refrigerators, computers, and countless other hazardous to use, especially for those with lung disease. materials, cloaking parts of California in fog-like smog It is these vulnerable groups that are most at-risk for for weeks. adverse health effects as a result of long-term exposure to Camp Fire was contained on Nov. 25, 2018, more wildfire smoke, such as those with compromised immune than two weeks after it broke out, but air pollution systems like cancer patients, the young who have under lingers long after a blaze stops burning. developed lungs, the elderly, and the poor who might According to a July 2018 article in The Independent, not be able to limit time spent outside. Firefighters are the extensive damage caused during the recent wildfire season is in keeping with historical trends based on climate change—higher temperatures lead to increasing dryness, which increases the risk of wildfire. To put it into perspective, not since the Griffith Park fire of 1933 has a wildfire proven so deadly, and even then, the reported 29 deaths is significantly lower than Camp Fire’s 85 victims. This number doesn’t include the thousands of civilians and firefighters hospitalized. The air quality index in Northern California rated above 100 or 150 during and in the aftermath of Camp Fire, according to a November 2018 article from the Associated Press. The air quality was “worse than air quality in China and India,” the article states. In another AP article, Dr. Ian Tong, Chief Medical Officer of the virtual care provider Doctor on Demand, said the air quality index in the Bay Area reached over 270 during the fire. This is a result of high levels of particulates in the air from burning homes and everything inside them. Even when smoke is not visible, hazardous particulates are still in the air, causing cancer, heart damage, immune problems, and lung problems, according to a November also considered a vulnerable group because they are fre2018 article from Stanford University. Because no quently exposed, often setting up camps near the blaze in longitudinal studies are available for long-term effects of order to more easily bus firefighters in and out. As well, exposure to wildfire smoke, little is known for what this firefighters often don’t have time to shower and wash could mean for residents in wildfire-ravaged areas, but it their clothes between shifts, so smoke settles on their certainly can’t be good. skin for prolonged periods, according to a November Physical effects aren’t the 2018 article from SELF magazine. only cause for concern—the Individuals with depression If that’s not scary enough, effects on mental health are just there is also risk of asbestos can take medicine to treat their exposure as significant. The American from the jostled bed symptoms, but there are very rock of older homes during Lung Association (ALA) recfew effective ways to protect fires, according to Gene Gantt, ommends limiting time outside during periods of high levels executive director of the California against air pollution. of air pollution, but months State Firefighters. Asbestos is without exercise and sunshine the most well-known carcinogen, take their toll, leading to depression and other mental causing the rare but deadly cancer mesothelioma, as well illnesses that interrupt day-to-day life. Individuals as cancers of the lung, larynx, and ovaries. with depression have a variety of means to address Camp Fire is not the first wildfire to raise concerns. their symptoms, but there are very few effective ways The Rice Ridge Fire of 2017 burned for four months and to protect against air pollution. cloaked the Seeley Lake valley of Montana in toxic smog 112

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long after the fire stopped burning. According to an article by wildfires, this data is hard to collect. “It’s kind of in Pacific Standard, one month after the fire’s smoke challenging from an epidemiological point of view to began lingering, emergency room kind of separate out the wildfire visits for respiratory symptoms smoke from general air pollution.” High turnover rates in in nearby counties doubled from He considers this a “methodoccupations like firefighting, ological challenge,” adding, “If previously recorded data of a limited funding, and access to you’re looking at changes in air similar time period. These repeated exposures medical records are just a few pollution around a fire event, is raises risk—one could draw an the fire smoke or is it the air of the roadblocks in carrying itpollution analogy to cigarettes. “There’s in general, or which out long-term studies. evidence that, the more you amount of which is it, that might smoke, the greater your risk of be causing health effects.” lung cancer,” says Curtis Noonan, High turnover rates in occuan associate professor of epidemiology at the University pations like firefighting, limited funding, and access to of Montana, in Pacific Standard. “That’s not to say medical records are additional roadblocks in carrying out long-term studies. John Balmes, a professor of environmental health sciences at the Berkeley School of Public Health, told Pacific Standard, “Even researching the effects of smoke on firefighters—who, with their regular and intense exposures to wildfires, are among the worst affected—can be difficult.” In one study, Balmes tracked a group of firefighters during a fire season, but was unable to secure funding to follow up on their health the following season—“A progression that could have shed light on the long-term effects of smoke,” the article states. Even so, there is enough evidence to suggest that individuals with chronic illnesses or cancer should be wary of exposure to air pollution for any amount of time. “People who have pre-existing diseases like cancer or cardiovascular disease tend to be more sensitive to environmental stresses like air pollution in general,” Kinney says. “We [don’t have much] actual evidence for wildfire smoke and [its affect on] cancer patients, but from what we know in general about air pollution, that would be a safe bet.” Kinney continues: “Most of the studies so far have you couldn’t get cancer from just one acute exposure. been looking at acute responses [...] such as people That’s why repeated exposure is a relevant way to look going to the hospital, being admitted, on the day of or at risk—because it increases the potential that that day after the smoke occurs.” Most are being admitted mechanistic pathway is getting triggered.” for respiratory issues, but once these individuals feel Dr. Patrick Kinney, an air pollution epidemiolobetter, concern should still remain. “The thing about gist and professor of environmental health at Boston cancer—from what we know about air pollution—it University, makes a similar inference. “Certainly those takes a long time [over] many years of exposure before very high levels [of pollution], even for a couple weeks, is cancer becomes evident,” Kinney says. of concern from a health point of view,” he says. “There It will likely take decades before researchers are are cases where [...] people are exposed to very high able to provide evidence and speak plainly about cancers levels of some dusty pollutant over a period of time, and definitively caused by short- or long-term exposure to then it goes away, and then they develop some sort of wildfire smoke, but from what can be gathered from chronic illness,” Kinney says. He uses the profession current studies, this is something the public could expect. of firefighter as an example: “A lot of [firefighters] end “We know that lung cancer is one of the outcomes that’s up developing chronic respiratory problems, and it’s promoted by exposure to higher levels of general air an exposure that occurred very intensely for a relatively pollution, so we assume that pollution in general, even short amount of time.” from wildfires, would probably have similar effects,” But this is where the data runs out. Because there Kinney says. are currently no longitudinal studies for health effects due to long-term exposure to air pollution caused Cancer Wellness

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the supporter

JODI FYFE AS TOLD TO BRITT JULIOUS

I started Tickled Pink for my cousin Carrie Kenney, who passed away from breast cancer back in February of 2004. That’s why we have the event in February. She was diagnosed with her first bout of breast cancer when she was 27 and passed at 34. [Her death] just left a huge void in my life. She was my cousin, my best friend. We grew up together. She was a year older than I was, and for as long as I can remember, she was a part of my life. My goal was to honor her, make sure people didn’t forget her, and make sure this didn’t happen to other people. When she found out she had cancer, it was almost [like] she was ashamed. Why should you be ashamed of anything? [Back then], I think that it was shameful. It’s okay to talk about things. Up until recently, we didn’t. I think the more well-rounded and educated we are, the sooner you can treat [cancer]. It’s such a well-needed change. There was nobody there for me when I went through this with Carrie. I’ve become an advocate to help people. [People] reach out to me and ask, “Who do you know? Who do you talk to?” I’m not a survivor in the sense of having the disease, but I’m a survivor in the sense of being with someone who has gone through the disease, so you make a lot of connections. I’m no expert, but I understand more than the person who’s never had to deal with [cancer]. I know the different types. I know the various stages.

To hear more from Jodi, visit cancerwellness.com

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Next year’s our 15th anniversary. In the beginning, [I created Tickled Pink] for me to feel better. It was for me to remember her, even if [other people] didn’t know her. And somehow it’s grown. We try to keep the momentum going and keep Tickled Pink alive and to [let people] know [the event is] not one and done, because breast cancer is not one and done. Neither is ovarian cancer. You get tired of the pink ribbon, the blue ribbon, the green ribbon. At the end of the day, we just need a cure, and that cure will help all of us. That’s really the end goal. If you had told me I’d be running this for 14 years, [I’d think you were] crazy.

Photo by Danielle Scruggs

At the end of the day, we just need a cure, and that cure will help all of us. That’s really the end goal.

ADVERTORIAL

THE GIFT OF INTENTION Medicine doesn’t always come in the form of a pill. Just ask the founders of Juju Supply Co. JuJu Supply Co.’s charms, bracelets, crystals, and jangles offer mental and spiritual comfort during times of physical and emotional stress. Founded in 2015 by lifelong friends Jonathan and Casey after Casey’s lung cancer diagnosis, JuJu Supply Co.’s wide array of intention-driven jewelry is both a spiritual tonic for those in need and a tangible reminder of the power of personal totems. During her treatment, a carved set of lungs picked up on a road trip to New Mexico helped Casey focus her thoughts on healing. “The jangles, or the JuJu, were pieces that not only connected me to my cancer and what I was going through, but also to people, places, and belief systems that I hold very near and dear to me,” says Casey. Post-treatment, her JuJu is a reminder of her survival. JuJu Supply Co. hopes their specialized collection of JuJu, organized by intentions on their website (including strength, protection, and renewal), will offer the same type of healing they provided Casey during her time of need. “It’s not just flowers or candy or something that’s going to expire,” Casey says. “There is so much intent and love behind the giving and receiving of our products. Our hope is that whether giving or receiving JuJu people feel connected to and nurtured by that which they need and desire most.”

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Cancer Wellness

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Cancer Wellness