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Spring, 2013

Patient Shoshana Phillips started a non-profit organization to help other Native American cancer patients and their children cope with the diagnosis. Her goal is to give her own family a safe and healthy living environment, as well as having dedicated space to take in Native Americans and their families when they're in Ann Arbor for treatment.

Screening patients for distress is as important as any other basic vital sign. It should be monitored at all points of care and should change according to what's happening in the lives of patients, their cancer and how they're responding to treatment. Distress screening is endorsed by the American College of Surgeons as well as the Institute of Medicine.

Apple iPads are the latest technology available to Rogel Cancer Center patients through the Sight and Sound Program, established in 2008 to provide relaxation and distraction to patients during treatments. Initially offering iPods loaded with music and podcasts, the program has added laptop computers and iPad tablets that allow patients to search the Internet or play games during their time at the Rogel Cancer Center.

QR codes, which stands for Quick Response and, even though they originated in the world of industry, have become a common way for companies -- and even hospitals -- to get information to customers.

Rehabilitation is an ongoing aspect of cancer care. Rehabilitation can begin at diagnosis with something like, for example, quitting smoking before surgery. Restorative rehabilitation that usually takes place after treatment might include range of motion exercises after breast surgery or an exercise prescription to fight cancer-related fatigue.

In today's age of fad diets and infomercials promoting the latest exercise craze, it's easy to see that weight is a health concern. Besides making you feel more confident and look better, achieving a healthy weight can help reduce your cancer risk.

Both men and women may experience hot flashes and sweating from their cancer or cancer treatment. In people with cancer, hot flashes are most commonly associated with lower hormone levels from breast cancer or prostate cancer treatment.