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By Ian Lipski, M.D., and Lorenzo Cohen, Ph.D.

You know that feeling of being so wrapped up in a good book or great movie that you lose track of time or self? That's very similar to what hypnosis is like; it's a state of highly focused attention that allows a patient to concentrate on a self-created image so that the awareness of his or her current environment becomes less important and less clear.

In the context of cancer treatment, it involves the use of imagery and relaxation to reduce anxiety or pain or overcome some other obstacles.   



Medical hypnosis
Hypnosis within a medical setting involves a shift in consciousness precipitated by a self-induced concentration exercise. Medical hypnosis empowers patients who are faced with a perceived loss of control and generally improves satisfaction with medical procedures and the hospital experience.  

Extensive research indicates medical hypnosis can decrease pain and anxiety and the amount of medications needed in the interventional radiology suite. It can also shorten procedure time.

For claustrophobic patients undergoing MRIs, it has been shown to decrease the non-completion rate for some scans. Relieving pre-operative anxiety has been shown to lower intraoperative anesthetic requirements for some surgeries. 

Continue reading Medical Hypnosis Demystified.

Mind Over Hot Flashes: Part 1
By Leslie Schover, Ph.D., and Andrea Bradford, Ph.D.

Menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness, affect many women who receive chemotherapy, radiation to the pelvis, or surgical removal of the ovaries. These symptoms also affect women who were already postmenopausal at the time of their diagnosis, since survivors of several types of cancer (e.g., breast cancer, endometrial and ovarian cancers) are often advised to stop taking hormone replacement therapies containing estrogen.

Hot flashes are the most common symptom prompting women to seek treatment. Although estrogen replacement is the most effective solution, many women don't want to take hormone replacement. Also, estrogen is usually not recommended for survivors of hormone-sensitive tumors. Fortunately, several non-hormonal medications may help, including antidepressants like venlafaxine [Effexor], and the blood pressure-lowering drugs like clonidine, and gabapentin, whichare commonly used to treat neuropathic pain. Although they aren't as effective as estrogen, these drugs offer relief too many women.

Mind over menopause
Two new studies suggest that a form of psychological treatment called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) also can improve menopausal symptoms and quality of life in breast cancer survivors.

Continue reading Managing Menopausal Symptoms without Hormones.

By Lucy Richardson, MD Anderson Staff Writer

Yes, it happens.

But when MD Anderson patients have a complaint, need assistance or encounter a problem with scheduling, there's someone on their side -- a patient advocate in the Department of Patient Advocacy and Guest Relations.

On their first visit to the hospital, MD Anderson patients are assigned a patient advocate in their disease center. This person will be available to them throughout their care.

"MD Anderson is such a large place. Patients need to know they have a person to call if they have concerns or questions. And that their confidentiality will be honored," says Barbara Bowman, vice president for patient services.

Advocates are available all day, every day. Whether it's about troubling side effects or customer service.

"We're here to help make any situation better," says Chris Hernandez, director of the department. "We want patients to bring issues to us. We're here to help. We'll do everything we can, as quickly as possible, to make a patient's experience a positive one."

Continue reading Patient Advocacy: How We Work to Improve the Patient Experience.

By: Will Fitzgerald, MD Anderson Staff Writer

Yesterday, famed investor and philanthropist Warren Buffett announced he had stage 1 prostate cancer. 

While any cancer is certainly cause for concern, prostate cancer is generally slow growing, and several options are available for men depending on their situation.

Andrew Lee M.D., associate professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology, says stage 1 prostate cancer is localized and has not spread to other parts of the body.  Patients are often treated with surgery, external beam radiation or using brachytherapy, a radioactive implant surgically placed near the tumor.  For select patients, active surveillance is often recommended depending on their age and other personal risk factors.

Continue reading Early Stage Prostate Cancer--What Are Your Options?.

by Adelina Espat, MD Anderson Staff Writer

Your food choices can impact your chances for developing cancer.  And if you're being treated for cancer, what you eat can affect your treatment outcomes.

Every day, MD Anderson dietitians teach patients and survivors how to make healthier food choices. They do this to reduce the possibility of a cancer returning or to increase the chances for successful treatment.

So, what are MD Anderson dietitians eating to stay cancer-free?

To answer this question, we spoke with Rachel Murphy, senior clinical dietitian in MD Anderson's Department of Clinical Nutrition, and Clare McKindley, clinical dietitian in MD Anderson's Cancer Prevention Center.

Here's what they had to say.

How do you get your fill of fruits and vegetables each day?

"Dried fruits are my go to or 100% juice. Dried fruit I can easily add to cereal or just have it as is. Because I don't always tolerate milk well and I'm not as good with my fluid intake, despite my active schedule, I drink an 8 oz glass of calcium fortified orange juice (100% juice). This keeps me hydrated, meets my dietary calcium needs and supports my fruit intake.

"For vegetables, I pre-slice bell peppers to snack on during the day. For example, I'll take the sliced veggies with me to a Mexican restaurant I go to after climbing. I use the vegetables to dip in the salsa. Or, when I go to a pizza restaurant, I'll order lasagna and a salad (no dressing because I generally do not like the taste.) Then, I place a small square of the lasagna on top of my salad. These two techniques help me to maintain my vegetable intake goals." Clare McKindley

Continue reading What do MD Anderson Dietitians Eat?.

By Sarah Pants

In July of 2011 Sarah was diagnosed with Cervical Cancer. Scared but determined to fight Sarah uses humor to get through treatment.

I don't know what occurred in my brain that led me to believe that laparoscopic surgery would be "no big deal." I actually used those words to describe it when talking to people about my upcoming hysterectomy.

"Oh, it's all laparoscopic. It's no big deal."  

I'd never had laparoscopic surgery, so I don't know where that ludicrous conclusion came from. I was completely overlooking the more important part of the phrase "laparoscopic surgery." It's surgery, and by their very nature, surgeries are a big deal.

My hysterectomy was scheduled to take place 16 days after my diagnosis. I think my doctor would have done it sooner if I'd been able to move in with my parents sooner. My nephews were still in town visiting and living in the extra bedrooms at my folks' house, and I needed a little bit of time to get my own place in order beforehand.

I wound up moving in with them on Aug. 2, doing pre-op all day on the 3rd and having the surgery on the 4th. Once the cancer word is mentioned, things seem to move pretty quickly.

Let the show begin
I wasn't nervous until the morning of the surgery. I woke up that morning at a profane hour and stumbled into the living room to find my dad on the couch. He didn't even finish saying "good morning" before I crumbled into tears. 

Continue reading My Hysterectomy .

By Tena Gardiner, Department of Social Work

Mindful meditation might sound like a foreign concept to many people, but it's actually a much more common and simple practice than you might realize.  In fact, there are two different forms of mindful meditation: informal and formal.

Informal meditation

Informal mindfulness can be a really helpful way to figure out if this is something you will enjoy and works for you because it allows you to integrate mindfulness skills into your everyday life.

Examples include:

• Directing attention to and focusing on your breathing to calm yourself right before making a difficult phone call
• Listening to ambient sounds in the environment while walking or driving
• Mentally labeling feelings or thoughts during an intense or stressful conversation
• Focusing on the effect that eating an orange has on all five of your senses
  

Formal meditation

Formal mindfulness practice takes the informal practice a step further and refers to the actual practice of mindfulness meditation.

It includes the following:

• Sustained, disciplined introspection
• Allowing one to learn how the mind works
• Allowing one to observe the mind's contents
• Development through sitting and walking meditations, yoga and tai chi

Micki Fine, who teaches meditation at MD Anderson addressed the benefits of mindfulness last year at TEDEX Houston. 

Continue reading Calm and Coping Through Mindful Meditation.

By Johnny Rigg, MD Anderson Staff Writer

What comes to mind when you think of hospitals? White walls, solemn faces, that sterile smell?

Here, we take these stereotypes into consideration and try our best to stray from the norm. Our staff and in-house programs aim to facilitate comfort and ease throughout the stays of our patients and their families.
    
Whether you're here for a quick check-up or an extended period of time for treatment, there are a variety of services that can help make MD Anderson feel more like your home away from home.
    
Beauty and Barber Shop: At this style oasis on Floor 6 in the Main Building, patients can receive personalized, one-on-one hair and cosmetic care.

Services are provided at no charge by Volunteer Services on a first-come, first-serve basis and include shampoos, haircuts, shaves, wigs, scarves and hats. Whether you need a quick trim or a full treatment, your needs will be taken care of here.

Child care: Being treated at any hospital is never easy, and finding someone to watch your children makes it even more difficult. The Child Visitation Room on Floor 1 in the Main Building offers free short-term child care for children ages 2 months to 12 years.

There's no shortage of toys, movies and video games available. The suggested limit is two hours at a time; however, exceptions can be made by speaking with Child Visitation staff members.

Continue reading MD Anderson's Top Spots.

By Andrew Griffith

Andrew Griffith has mantle cell lymphoma and has had an auto (November 2009) and an allo (August 2011) stem cell transplant. He lives in Canada and is married with two young adult children. He blogs at www.lymphomajourney.wordpress.com and can be followed on Twitter @lymphomajourney.

Planning a lengthy hospital stay is a bit like planning any extended vacation or business trip. The biggest difference being that hospital life means getting used to no longer being in control. Long hospital stays require you to accept limited choices and get comfortable with dependence on others.

Given my experience with lengthy hospital stays as part of my stem cell transplants -- some planned, some as a result of complications -- the following may be helpful, should you find yourself in this situation.

Get your life in order: When faced with a cancer diagnosis the cliché of getting your affairs in order, for the possibility of death, becomes real. It means opening joint bank accounts, updating your will, assigning a personal care power of attorney with a "do not resuscitate" clause if that's your wish, and any other instructions that will make it easier for family members if the unfortunate happens.

On the emotional side, if there's need for family or other reconciliations, do it now rather than later.

Continue reading Preparing for a Long Hospital Stay.

By Marisa Minor, Department of Social Work

A cancer diagnosis can create a variety of questions for patients who have children. The first question many parents ask is, "How do I talk to my child about cancer?"

Whether you're wondering how to tell your child about your diagnosis, treatment, progression or recurrence, there are quite a few things to consider before beginning these important discussions.

To start, consider your child's age and developmental stage. Some children are too young to verbalize questions and others may be too afraid to ask. Also, what does your child already know about cancer?  

What is the best approach?
It's common for parents to protect their children by withholding information that may be upsetting, but research shows the following:

1. A parent's cancer diagnosis affects a child whether or not the child is informed of the condition. 1
2. Anxiety levels are higher in children who aren't informed about their parent's condition, compared to children where the issue is discussed. 2 
3. For parents of teenagers, an important aspect of coping is ongoing communication between the teens and their parents during the course of the illness. 2
   

Continue reading Talking to Your Child About Cancer.

By Cheryl Keenan, advanced practice nurse, Department of Neurosurgery

I have been involved with Run for the Rose since it started 10 years ago.

Dr. Marnie Rose was one of our patients. I met her when she was working in her pediatric residency. She was a brave and courageous physician and patient.

It was during her residency that Marnie found she had a brain tumor.

In 2005, the neurosurgeon I worked for and who helped care for Marnie during her illness was also diagnosed with a brain tumor. My involvement with these two exceptional physicians has driven me to be passionate about the care of brain tumor patients and Run for the Rose.

The Brain and Spine Center team from MD Anderson is out there every year with a booth for patient and family education. We pass out information about our center, which is one of the largest and most comprehensive programs of its kind in the world.

Financial support from the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation has done so much to help with brain cancer research and improved patient outcomes in the Brain and Spine Center.
It's also heartwarming to see survivors with their families returning to support Run for the Rose.

Continue reading Brain and Spine Supports Run for the Rose.

Imagine flying from out of state to MD Anderson for treatment every week, paying thousands of dollars a year on plane tickets, hotel bills and ground transportation. 

Needless to say, it adds up quickly.

The Houston Ground Angels is a network of volunteers who donate their time to help provide patients in need free transportation to and from their health care facility.

All you have to do is ask, and a friendly face will be waiting at the airport ready to drive you to your next clinic visit.

In the past 10 years, with more than 6,800 missions completed (with patients traveling from 42 states), they've provided assistance to many.

Continue reading Ground Angels' Drive to Help Patients Pays Off.