If you are a regular reader of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Blog you will remember a blog post that was shared by non-Hodgkin lymphoma patient Mike Hamel from his blog, Cells Behaving Badly. In that post, Mike talked about the value of approaching cancer treatment with the mindset of a client rather than a patient.

Since that time, Mike has gone into remission once, had a return of his cancer and has been undergoing treatment during most of that time. The entire time, he has still managed to provide frequent updates and thought-provoking posts through his blog, renamed OPEN Mike.

In a recent post Mike shared a video interview he did with his oncologist, Dr. Dax Kurbegov, Director of the Memorial Cancer Clinic in Colorado Springs, CO. It’s an informative look into the patient/doctor relationship, and it’s clear that Dr. Kurbegov loves both his job and patients. Take a look.

Just diagnosed with cancer? Download these question guides to take with you to your medical appointments, and learn how to make the most out of your doctor’s visits by reviewing Communicating with a Blood Cancer Specialist.

If you have a question about leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma give us a call at 1-800-955-4572 or contact us online. We’re available Monday through Friday from 9am to 6pm EST.

A report in the news this week suggests that 9/11 responders to the World Trade Center may be at an increased risk for myeloma. The report’s authors caution that their findings are very preliminary, however so far eight responders have been diagnosed with myeloma, four of whom are men who were diagnosed when they were younger than 45 years. Myeloma typically is diagnosed in persons who are aged 50 years or older.

While some say that it is possible for these myeloma cases to be linked to these patients’ time at Ground Zero, there is also admission that it could just be a coincidence. "In all fairness, it is unusual for this patient population to have multiple myeloma but it's not unheard of," explains Dr. Denise Pereira, assistant professor of clinical medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. "But a lot of the things they were exposed to, such as benzene, have in the past possibly been implicated with an increased incidence in the cancer. It does make theoretical sense."

This report appears in the August issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine; to read the full news article visit HealthDay.

If you’d like to learn more about myeloma, here are some myeloma resources you can find on The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) website.

• Find out about causes, signs and symptoms and much more in the Myeloma section on www.LLS.org.
  
• Order or download these free booklets, Myeloma and The Myeloma Guide: Information for Patients and Caregivers.
  
• Already living with myeloma or are taking care of a loved one with myeloma? Some myeloma patients may qualify for the Co-Pay Assistance Program.

As always, our Information Resource Center specialists are available to take your questions Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST at (800) 955-4572. You may also contact them online.