DO YOU KNOW THE SIGNS OF OSTEOARTHRITIS (OA) IN DOGS? OA IS A CHRONIC AND PAINFUL JOINT DISEASE THAT CAN SEVERELY AFFECT YOUR DOG’S HEALTH AND HAPPINESS.

STUDIES SHOW 40% OF DOGS FEEL PAIN FROM OA, BUT ONLY ABOUT HALF GET DIAGNOSED.^[i],[ii]

FOR PAIN AWARENESS MONTH, VETERINARIAN DR. COURTNEY PIERCE, MEDICAL LEAD FOR CANINE PAIN AT ZOETIS (“ZOH-EHT-ISS”), IS HERE TO TALK ABOUT HOW OA AFFECTS DOGS, INCLUDING INSIGHTS FROM HER DOG ERNIE’S EXPERIENCE WITH THE DISEASE, HOW TO LOOK OUT FOR SIGNS OF OA PAIN AND AVAILABLE TREATMENT OPTIONS TO HELP CONTROL THE PAIN CAUSED BY OA.

[i] IHS Markit. (2021) Canine and Feline Pain Market 2021: Animal Health Market Analysis.​

[ii] Wright A, Amodie DM, Cernicchiaro N, et al. Identification of Canine Osteoarthritis Using an Owner-Reported Questionnaire and Treatment Monitoring Using Functional Mobility Tests. J Small Anim Pract. 2022;63(8):609-618.

BIO  

Dr. Courtney Pierce received an undergraduate degree in animal science and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from North Carolina State University. She earned her Master of Business Administration (MBA) from King University. She is a small animal general practitioner with special interests in surgery and pain management, feline medicine, and compassion fatigue prevention in veterinary health care workers. She is a certified as a “Cat Friendly Veterinarian” and Compassion Fatigue Profession (CCFP). Dr. Pierce lives on a small farm in Damascus, Virginia with her husband, two young boys, four rescue dogs, one orange cat, and several chickens.

Short:

Dr. Courtney Pierce is a small animal veterinarian with special interests in surgery and pain management and is the medical lead for canine pain at Zoetis. Dr. Pierce lives in Damascus, VA with her husband, two boys and a variety of companion and farm animals.

#dogs #drcourtneypearce #courtneypearce #veterinarian #medical

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A diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic (LIM-foh-SIH-tik) leukemia (C-L-L) can be overwhelming, but advances in cancer research, including targeted therapies, have paved the way for more precise treatments. C-L-L is one of the most common blood cancers in adults, and because its progression varies from person to person, choosing a tailored treatment plan is crucial.

brukinsa.com

Today, we’re joined by Lynne who will share her personal journey with C-L-L, and Dr. Nakhle Saba [Knack-Leigh Sah-bah], director of lymphoid malignancy and CAR T-cell (Car-tee cell )therapy at Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute, who will provide insight into the latest treatment approaches and why informed decision-making is so essential for those facing this disease.

BIO’s

Dr. Saba

Dr. Saba earned his medical degree from the Lebanese University in Beirut 2005. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN and Tulane University in New Orleans, LA, and his fellowship in Hematology and Medical Oncology at Tulane University. After fellowship completion in 2011, Dr. Saba joined the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institutes of Health (NIH) for an additional fellowship in lymphoid malignancies. His research at the NIH was focused on tumor biology and developing new therapeutic approaches for leukemia and lymphoma. He returned to Tulane in 2014 as Assistant Professor of Medicine, promoted to Associate Professor in 2018, then to Professor in 2024 following a successful career in research, teaching, and treating blood cancers. Dr. Saba’s research focuses on lymphoid malignancies and cell therapy, to identify therapeutic targets and novel drugs for these diseases.

Dr. Saba’s leadership skills are evident by the roles he played at Tulane as chair of the “immune effector cell therapy – IECT”, co-chair of Sarah-Cannon Lymphoma Committee, and President of Louisiana Oncology Society (LOS). Under his direction as president, the LOS passed four bills that were signed into law in Louisiana and are expected to positively impact cancer care in our state. Those bills include the Bone Marrow Donation, Fertility Preservation For Cancer Patients, Right To Prompt Coverage, and Expansion Of Biomarker Testing.

Dr. Saba authored and/or co-authored more than 120 published manuscripts and research abstracts, he presented at regional, national, and international meetings as a researcher and invited speaker. His articles appear in journals like Blood, Leukemia, Cancer Research, The Lancet Haematology, Haematologica, Science Advances, Bone Marrow Transplant and others. Click to access  Dr. Saba’s Bibliography on PubMed  or Dr. Saba’s Articles, Abstracts, and Citations

Dr. Saba was recruited at the Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute as Professor of Medicine at LSU Health Sciences Center, and Director of Lymphoma, CLL, and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T. He will be diligently working to expand the lymphoma and CLL research portfolio and bring cutting edge therapies to the region such as CAR-T, the next generation CARs, and be the first to bring the tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) for solid tumors to Louisiana.

About Lynne

I am a very active, “young” senior citizen whose priorities are my grown children and their partners, my 3-year-old grandson, 20-month-old granddaughter, and my longtime partner. I have a huge passion for all animals, and love doing Pilates, aerobics, Zumba Gold, and weight training. I became a pescetarian about 10 years ago. I was diagnosed with a very specific high-risk subtype of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) in April 2019, three weeks after the tragic passing of my third child, my 26-year-old daughter. I was so devastated by her death, and now facing an unknown diagnosis, I turned to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) for support. Fast-forwarding to now, I have been on the “Light The Night” Executive Leadership Committee for the Westchester/Fairfield LLS for four years, and my team “Lynne’s Hope” has raised almost $200,000 for the cause, for which I am extremely proud. I am blessed to be under the care of a world-renowned CLL specialist. I want cancer survivors to know there is hope for us to live a long life because of all the constant new medical treatments that are being discovered every day. I have been in treatment for two years for CLL and am doing great! My mantra is, “I will not let Leukemia define me; I will define it!”

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Liver cancer is the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide and third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States.1,2 Hepatocellular carcinoma, or HCC, is the most common type of liver cancer, yet more than half of patients are diagnosed at advanced stages of the disease often when symptoms first begin to appear.3,4 Historically, the prognosis for advanced HCC has been poor, with only 7% of patients surviving up to five years after diagnosis.4

http://imfinzi.com/

But today, there is reason for optimism. Advances in research and medical innovation are signaling a shift in patient expectations, offering hope for more time for patients navigating their unresectable HCC or uHCC diagnosis. Here to explain the progress being made in the treatment landscape is Dr Shroff [shrawf] with the University of Arizona Cancer Center.

BIO:
Rachna T. Shroff, MD, MS, FASCO, is associate director of Clinical Investigations and co-leader of the Gastrointestinal Clinical Research Team at the University of Arizona Cancer Center (UACC). She also is a professor with tenure in the Department of Medicine, Chief of the Division of Hematology and Oncology, and Medical Director for the Oncology Service Line. Dr. Shroff also served as Associate Dean for Clinical and Translational Research for the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson; 2021 – 2024. She came to UACC from MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where she was on faculty from 2010-18 after completing her medical oncology fellowship there.
Research Interests
Dr. Shroff is a clinical and translational investigator focused on developing novel therapies for pancreatic and hepatobiliary cancers. She holds multiple positions nationally due to her expertise in these areas, including serving as the Hepatobiliary Subcommittee co-chair for the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) and as Chair for GI ASCO 2025, a meeting sponsored by the American Society of Clinical Oncology focused on gastrointestinal cancers. Most recently, she was elected to serve on the ASCO Nominating Committee. She also is a member of the Scientific and Medical Advisory Board for the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation.

Dr. Shroff has led numerous clinical trials focusing on pancreaticobiliary tumors and is the national PI for SWOG 1815 which investigated a triplet chemotherapy regimen as a potential new standard of care for biliary cancers. This is based on a phase 2 study she led that is now published in JAMA Oncology. Dr. Shroff has been invited to speak at national and international meetings on topics related to targeted therapies for pancreatic and biliary cancers and has numerous peer-reviewed publications in this area.

#livercancer #cancer #drshroff #hcc #hepatocellularcarcinoma

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Listen to “EXPERT AVAILABLE TO SPEAK ON BRUCE WILLIS’ APHASIA DIAGNOSIS” on Spreaker.

#clinicalprofessor #disorders #speech #treatment #neurological #health #MartaKorytkowska #aphasia #brucewillis #diagnosis

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Unexplained high cholesterol. High cholesterol is sometimes the only evidence of an underactive thyroid in an older person. Because this sign may stand alone, high cholesterol warrants a thyroid evaluation.

Heart failure. Reduced blood volume, weaker contractions of the heart muscle, and a slower heart rate—all caused by low thyroid hormone levels—can contribute to heart failure, when your heart can’t pump out blood as effectively as it should The ineffective pumping may cause subtle symptoms such as feeling less energetic or just walking more slowly. In more advanced stages, fluid can back up in the lungs and legs causing shortness of breath and leg swelling.

Bowel movement changes. An older person with hypothyroidism might have constipation because stool moves more slowly through the bowels.

Joint or muscle pain. Vague joint pain is a classic hypothyroidism symptom. It sometimes is the only symptom of hypothyroidism in an older person. Many people experience general muscle aches, particularly in large muscle groups like those in the legs.

Psychiatric problems. Clinical depression—a common symptom in younger people with hypothyroidism—can also affect older people with the condition. The difference is that in older people it can be the only hypothyroidism symptom. Some older adults also develop psychosis with delusional behavior or hallucinations.

Cognitive decline. Older people with a very underactive thyroid gland can sometimes be misdiagnosed as dementia. That’s why doctors usual order thyroid testing in people with new cognitive decline. If you or a loved one is being evaluated for dementia, make sure that a thyroid test is part of the evaluation.

To learn more about diseases and conditions of the thyroid, read the Special Health Report, Thyroid Disease from Harvard Medical School.

Image: Alex Rath/Getty Images

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Approximately 1 in 5 people living with cancer in the United States are diagnosed with a rare cancer; however, these are often misunderstood and overlooked. Cholangiocarcinoma, or CCA, is a rare cancer affecting fewer than 10,000 people in the U.S. CCA arises from the cells within the bile ducts, a series of thin tubes that reach from the liver to the small intestine. Because of its nonspecific symptoms, patients with CCA are often diagnosed at a late or advanced stage when the prognosis is poor and survival rates are low.

www.testmycholangio.com

Innovative technology called biomarker testing has made it possible to look very closely inside each person’s tumors to identify genomic changes. Determining the genomic makeup of a person’s tumor can help doctors understand more about the tumor.

National Cancer Survivors Day serves as an opportunity to rally around those living with CCA and other rare cancers, recognizing the challenges they face, and providing the community with the national attention they need and deserve. Dr. Rachna Shroff discusses CCA, along with importance of biomarker testing. Dr. Shroff is joined by Melinda Bachini, Director of Advocacy for the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation and a CCA survivor, who will share her personal symptom and diagnosis journey.

Interview is courtesy of Incyte Corporation

Rachna T. Shroff, MD, MS, is an Associate Professor of Medicine and Chief of GI Medical Oncology as well as Leader of the Gastrointestinal Clinical Research Team at the University of Arizona Cancer Center (UACC). She is the Director of UACC’s Clinical Trials Office as well as the Director of the Arizona Clinical Trials Network (ACTN). More recently, she was appointed as the Associate Dean for Clinical and Translational Research for UA College of Medicine-Tucson. She came to UACC from MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX where she was on faculty from 2010-2018 after completing her medical oncology fellowship there.

Dr. Shroff is a clinical and translational investigator focused on developing novel therapies for pancreatic and biliary cancers. She holds multiple positions nationally due to her expertise in these areas, including serving as the Hepatobiliary subcommittee Co-Chair for the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) and as a Program Committee member for GI ASCO. She also is a member of the Scientific and Medical Advisory Board for the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation. Dr. Shroff has led numerous clinical trials focusing on pancreaticobiliary tumors and is the national PI for SWOG 1815 which is investigating a triplet chemotherapy regimen as a potential new standard of care for biliary cancers. This is based on a phase 2 study she led that is now published in JAMA Oncology. Dr. Shroff has been invited to speak at national and international meetings on topics related to targeted therapies for pancreatic and biliary cancers and has numerous peer-reviewed publications in this area.

BIO
Melinda Bachini is an 11-year survivor of cholangiocarcinoma. In 2012 she was treated at the National Cancer Institute by Dr. Rosenberg with a clinical trial using Adoptive Cell Therapy with TIL. Due to her exceptional and breakthrough response to NIH treatment, her story was published in the New York Times and other media.

Melinda is married and the mother of six children, grandmother to one. She is passionate about patient advocacy. Her personal experience with previous and current treatments allows for great insight into patients participating in clinical trials. Her position as Director of Advocacy for the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation allows Melinda to interact, support and educates others touched by this cancer. She shares her story with as many cancer patients as possible in hopes of giving courage to those in need.

Melinda had previously volunteered for seven years with the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation and in August of 2017 came on as staff. She also worked for over 15 years in the Emergency Medical Field as an EMT Paramedic.

Melinda serves as a patient advocate for the NCI Hepatobiliary Task Force, the NCI Patient Advocate Steering Committee (PASC), ECOG-ACRIN GI Committee, ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Advocacy Committee, NCI Council of Research Advocates, and the NCCN Hepatobiliary Guideline Panel. Melinda attended 2016, 2017, and 2018 NCCS, CPAT Symposium, and advocated on Capitol Hill. She participated as a panelist in the Cancer Moonshot – Community Oncology Event at the White House, told her personal story, and was introduced by her state Senator for the Innovation and Access in Quality Cancer Care at the US Capitol. In June of 2017 she spoke with nine US Senators at NIH to share her personal story of how research has prolonged her life. Melinda has served as a Consumer Reviewer for the Department of Defense for several years.

#cancer #survivor #cholangiocarcinoma #navigating #diagnosis #rachna #shroff #melinda #bachini #incyte #cca #medical #educate #support #emergency #liver #pancreatic #biliary #hepatobiliary #oncology

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MAY IS HEPATITIS AWARENESS MONTH AND TODAY WE ARE SPEAKING WITH HEP C SURVIVOR AND ADVOCATE FOR THE COMMUNITY, KAREN. IN 2010 KAREN LEARNED THAT HER LIVER WAS FAILING, AND SHE WAS LATER DIAGNOSED WITH THE HEPATITIS C VIRUS.

FORTUNATELY, SHE MADE A FULL RECOVERY, AND TODAY SHE’S ALL ABOUT HELPING OTHERS. KAREN JOINS US NOW TO DISCUSS WHAT IS HEP C, WHY SCREENING IS SO IMPORTANT AND WHY EVERYONE DESERVES TO AND CAN BE FREE OF HEP C.

KAREN BIO: No last time due to patient confidentiality rules

Karen offers a no nonsense approach to living with hepatitis C. A Hepatitis C survivor, Karen created a liver loving diet and lifestyle that allows her to create awareness and advocate for the hep C community. After receiving successful treatment for hep C in 2012, Karen began a website, ihelpc.com, to encourage and inform other patients by talking about her experience living with liver disease. Karen has also authored The Liver Loving Diet to provide health and nutritional tips for those with liver disease.

Hepatitis C, or hep C, is a viral infection that can cause chronic inflammation and scarring in the liver, leading to long-term health problems. Chronic hep C is also the most common reason for liver transplants in the United States.[i] But that’s not the only reason the virus is considered a major public health problem. Among 2.3 million people living in the US with hep C, 40% don’t even know they have it. [ii],[iii] Many people who are infected with chronic hep C don’t experience symptoms or have non-specific symptoms, like chronic fatigue. They can be asymptomatic for several decades. And someone infected with the virus can spread it whether they have symptoms or not. 1
Karen, a hep C survivor and advocate for the community, didn’t feel any symptoms of her hep C until after a bike ride, when her feet became numb and her body was swollen. The following day she was admitted to the hospital with liver failure and ultimately was diagnosed with hep C. Karen eventually felt empowered by the knowledge of her diagnosis and decided to take the step to treat her hep C.

There are many factors which could lead a patient to refrain from getting tested for hep C. These may include stigma, not experiencing symptoms, lack of access to treatment or fear of side effects.[iv],[v] The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends one-time testing for all adults over 18 years of age, pregnant women during each pregnancy and those younger than 18 if at risk. 1

Since May is Hepatitis Awareness Month, it’s the perfect time to discuss the importance of getting tested for the infection and find out more about its symptoms.

Interview is courtesy: AbbVie
CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

#hepatitis #awareness #karen #diagnosis #disease #abbvie #control #prevention #symptoms #treatment #stigma #pregnant #risk #virus #numb

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Dan Reynolds, lead singer of the multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning band, Imagine Dragons, has earned legions of fans worldwide with sold-out tours and a string of chart-topping songs including “Radioactive” and “Thunder.”

While the band dominates the charts, Dan has been living with ankylosing spondylitis (AS)—a painful disease that most people probably aren’t familiar with—for more than a decade. Dan was diagnosed with AS in his early 20s, and three of his brothers also have AS.

Dan continues his efforts to make a difference in the lives of others by supporting several causes, including his work as an advocate for the AS community. Recently, Reynolds has been working with Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation to launch Monster Pain in the AS, a national campaign to raise awareness of unexplained back pain that may be AS.

For Dan, unexplained back pain is personal. After years of living with intense and unexplained back pain, Dan finally found the right doctor, a rheumatologist, who helped him find answers and a treatment plan that worked for him. He says this was “the greatest feeling in the world.”

This is why Dan is speaking publicly about his AS, in hopes of encouraging others living with persistent, unexplained back pain to seek diagnosis and care. Some 2.7 million people in the United States are thought to have AS and related conditions.1 But because it’s underdiagnosed, the numbers may be even higher.

Reynolds talks about his journey, the challenges living with unexplained back pain that may be AS, and how to find help. Reynolds will be joined by rheumatologist [Dr. Hillary Norton, who also has AS,] to share the signs and symptoms, her unique perspective on the disease, and the importance of getting a correct diagnosis.

Interview is courtesy: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
1 Spondylitis Association of America website. Overview of Ankylosing Spondylitis. Available at https://www.spondylitis.org/Ankylosing-Spondylitis. Accessed September 27, 2019.

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