Brain Tumor Awareness Month

As May comes to a close, there is one more awareness month that we need to pause and remember: Brain Tumor Awareness Month. Approximately 600,000 people in the United States are living with a brain tumor diagnosis, and nearly 60,000 children and adults will be diagnosed with a brain tumor this year alone.

At the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center, our scientists and physicians are working every day to seek a cure that will save the lives of these patients. Some of this research is conducted through our SPORE (Specialized Program of Research Excellence) program, a $2.3-million grant from the National Cancer Institute that is designed to move scientific findings quickly and efficiently from the laboratory bench to the patient bedside. For example, one of the most promising projects of the SPORE involves using the herpes simplex virus to target and kill brain tumor cells while sparing the surrounding cells.

This is just one example of the innovative research being done at the Cancer Center. I encourage you to visit our website to learn more about our brain tumor research program and read stories of our patients whose lives were saved by the treatments they received here.

-Ed Partridge, M.D.

Think Twice Before Fun in the Sun

Did you know that skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States? Since May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, we'd like to take this opportunity to remind you of the health hazards that come with too much sun exposure.

When referring to the summer season, many people associate the phrases "tanning" and "laying out" with summer fun. Although getting that perfect bronze tan for a few months may look great, it also has its potential consequences. Here are a few facts to illustrate just how serious skin cancer can be:

A Special Thank You to Oncology Nurses

Hectic days in the hospital and clinics are not rare at the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center, but through it all, our oncology nurses are always there to offer help. With May being Oncology Nursing Month, we'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of our wonderful nurses for their hard work and dedication!

The Cancer Center is home to some of the best nurses in the country, and we're proud to have them on our team. Individuals undergoing cancer treatment need caring and compassionate people surrounding them, and our oncology nurses provide that to the highest level. For more than 40 years, our doctors and nurses and have helped save lives, and that's something we're extremely proud of.

On behalf of the Cancer Center and all the patients treated here over the years, I offer my sincere thanks to all of our nurses for their dedication and commitment to taking care of those in need.

-Ed Partridge, M.D.

Birmingham Becomes Smoke-Free!

Yesterday, I had the privilege of addressing the Birmingham City Council regarding the Clear Indoor Air Ordinance and its importance to the health of the citizens in our city.

The City Council heard from many sides of the issue, but in the end concluded with a unanimous vote to pass the ordinance. The new ordinance is among the toughest in Alabama, with a longer list of locations where smoking is prohibited,  including hotels, bars, lounges and outdoor patios.

This was, I thought, an historic event for Birmingham, and I applaud the council for their thoughtful deliberation and courage in moving forward with this. Birmingham now becomes the largest city in Alabama to go "smoke free." Maybe this will be the stimulus for a statewide smoke-free law. Let's hope so.

-Ed Partridge, M.D.

A Disturbing Trend

Today's edition of The Birmingham News features a story that highlights a disturbing trend among Alabama teens - the increasing use of smokeless tobacco products. According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, about 19 percent of high school boys in Alabama use dip, chew or other such products. The national average among this same age group is 12 to 15 percent.

This statistic is extremely concerning for many reasons. One is that if someone becomes addicted to tobacco at a young age, he or she is more likely to become addicted for life. This greatly increases their cancer risk, as smokeless tobacco can lead to cancers of the throat, mouth, larynx and stomach.

Another cause for concern is the misinformation surrounding smokeless tobacco. While we have made great strides in educating people about the dangers of cigarettes - and decreased the number of smokers in the process - many people believe that smokeless tobacco is less addictive and less harmful than cigarettes. Reports, most recently one by the Surgeon General, have shown that this is definitely not the case.

With April being Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month, I encourage you to educate yourself and your children about the dangers of both smokeless tobacco and cigarettes by visiting the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center and UAB Medicine websites. And when it comes to these products, remember to just say NO.

-Ed Partridge, M.D.

Young Professionals Help the Cancer Center Spring Ahead

Spring is always a busy time of year, and the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center is no exception to that. Today I had the privilege of attending the quarterly meeting of our Young Supporters Board, which is busily preparing for its annual fundraiser, Fiesta Ball 2012.

It always amazes and inspires me to see the tremendous energy and enthusiasm these young professionals have for the fight against cancer. Each one of them has been touched by cancer in some way and have chosen to give back and make a difference.

Today we had the pleasure of watching a video from the Cancer Center's Life Stories series, which featured Mary Ann Harvard, a charter member of the YSB and a five-time survivor of Hodgkin's lymphoma. By sharing her story, Mary Ann serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of research and why we do the work that we do.

I encourage you to watch Mary Ann's video and learn more about the YSB by visiting our website or YouTube. We would also love for you to join us to celebrate Cinco de Mayo for a cause at Fiesta Ball 2012 on May 3 at B&A Warehouse. You can learn more about that event (and purchase tickets) by clicking here.

Again, the support of our community is critical to the mission and success of the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center. As always, I thank you for everything you do to help us achieve our vision of eliminating cancer as a major public health problem.

-Ed Partridge, M.D.

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

As the month of March reaches the halfway mark, how many of you have taken this opportunity to schedule a colonoscopy? My guess is not as many as there should be. Of all the major cancers, colorectal cancer screening procedures are probably some of the most feared and avoided - and misunderstood.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States and the third most common cancer in men and in women. It is estimated that more than 141,000 Americans will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2011, and approximately 49,000 will die from the disease.

The good news is that colorectal cancer rates have been steadily decreasing over the last 20 years, and that is thanks to improved screening and early detection methods. Colorectal cancer is actually one of the most highly treatable cancers when it's found early. That's because most of these cancers start out as small, non-cancerous growths known as polyps. Early testing can find and detect these polyps, allowing them to be removed before they turn cancerous. Simply put, you can stop cancer before it starts.

There are several tests for colorectal cancer, with the most common being stool tests and colonoscopies. A colonoscopy is a procedure in which a thin, lighted tube is inserted into the rectum to allow the doctor to view the inner lining of the colon. Preparing for the test is more inconvenient than the procedure itself. In fact, people who are having a colonoscopy are given medicine to help them relax; many people sleep through the exam.

Both men and women, beginning at age 50, should have a colonoscopy once every 10 years, and perhaps more often if there is a history of colorectal cancer in their family. I strongly urge you to talk with your doctor or health care professional about which colorectal cancer screening procedure is right for you. Don't let a little discomfort get in the way of saving your life.

-Ed Partridge, M.D.