As a medical oncologist at Morrison Cancer Center in Hastings, Nebraska, Dr. Sanda Morar draws on the most up-to-date information in her field. Dr. Sandra Morar focuses particularly on treating gynecological, breast, and colorectal cancers.According to research recently published by the journal Immunity, the loss of two specific genes may increase a patient's risk of colorectal cancer. The genes in question play a role in encoding two kinase proteins, the loss of which can prompt the development of noncancerous or precancerous growths known as serrated polyps. Prior research has shown that as many as 35 percent of colorectal cancers develop from this type of polyp.Through a mouse model, researchers found that the loss of these genes caused the infiltration of the PD-L1 protein, which helps cancer cells to survive in the body. Introduction of a TGF-beta receptor inhibitor and anti-PD-L1 reduced the size of the tumors.Researchers believe that these findings may also help to explain the increased risk of colon cancer in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD. The study showed that gene loss decreased the concentration of CD8+ immune cells and prompted the development of colorectal cancer. The loss of these immune cells can be opportunistic for colorectal cancers, particularly since patients with IBD may already be immunocompromised due to immune-suppressing treatments.
Dr. Sanda Morar brings nearly three decades of experience to her work as a medical oncologist at the Morrison Cancer Center. In her role with the Hastings, Nebraska, medical facility, Dr. Sanda Morar treats patients for gynecological, colon, and breast cancer, among various additional forms of the disease.According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), lung and bronchus cancer is the deadliest form of the disease, claiming an estimated 154,050 lives in 2018. Lung cancer is more prevalent in men, with an estimated 83,550 deaths involving male patients, and makes up the vast majority of respiratory system cancers.Cancer of the lung and bronchus was also the most prevalent form of the disease in 2018, with more than 234,000 new cases reported, while 164,690 individuals developed prostate cancer. Colon cancer ranked as the third most commonly observed form of the disease with 97,220 new cases. Other common forms of the disease included melanoma of the skin, of which there were 91,270 cases, and urinary bladder cancer with 81,190 cases.
An oncologist at Morrison Cancer Center, Sanda Morar treats patients in Hastings, Nebraska. In addition to her work as a cancer specialist, Sanda Morar is the mother of a daughter who has recently enrolled at Georgetown University. Starting college is a difficult transition, especially for students attending universities far from home. Here are a few ways parents can support their children as they enter their freshman year:- Discuss finances. First-year students often run into financial problems caused by inexperience with budgeting and paying for their own expenses. Parents should make sure their children have a plan for managing their money, which may include finding a part-time job or a roommate to split living costs.- Be a guide. To help students get the most out of their first year, parents should avoid taking action to solve their children’s problems. Instead, parents can advise their children to talk with their school counselor about difficulties they may be having.- Plan during the summer. To ensure the big move goes smoothly, parents can use the summer before school begins to help their children prepare. For example, students and parents can work together to make and complete a summer to-do list, which may include tasks such as buying dorm furniture and making arrangements for health insurance.
One of today’s most-loved ballroom dances, the tango has a complex history. Born in the lower-class dance halls in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in the latter decades of the 19th century, it combines characteristics of the rural milonga and a sprightlier version of the flamenco. Cuba’s habanera, the traditions of African drumming, and the cowboy rhythms of the Argentine pampas have also influenced the expressiveness of the dance.The tango began as the dance of social outcasts, many of them European immigrants working in Buenos Aires’ meatpacking plants on the outskirts of the city. By the first years of the 20th century, the dance had gained enough respectability to become broadly popular in Europe, with composers creating new music specifically to accompany it. Originally a lively and lighthearted dance, it began to be suffused with longing and melancholy romance by the 1920s, with its duple meter turning into a 4/4 or 4/8 time. Carlos Gardel and Astor Piazzolla are among the best-known figures in tango music on the world stage. The life of singer and actor Gardel ended in a plane crash in 1935, when he was in the midst of a performance tour. Only in his mid-40s when he died, he had become famous in the 1920s and 1930s for his interpretations of tango ballads. Argentine-born Piazzolla, who lived from 1921 to 1992, was renowned for his virtuosity on the accordion-like bandoneon. His compositions fused elements of classical music and jazz with tango.
Breast cancer is one of the most well-funded areas of cancer research. Though it is difficult to imagine a world without the presence of the pink ribbon every October for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, or events like Komen’s Race for the Cure, activism to raise awareness of breast cancer only began in the 1970s. Before then, women tended to endure the disease silently and shamefully, with little social support and few answers from the medical community.Today, the landscape for breast cancer research and support looks much different. However, it is still beneficial for all women to understand the following facts about breast cancer:1. The prevalence of the illness. Anyone can develop breast cancer--including men. Around one in every eight women will develop the disease, and early detection makes a significant difference in a person’s ability to fight it off.2. The symptoms. While most women are aware that palpable lumps within the breast tissue are a sign of cancer, the disease does not always manifest this way, and there are other signs to be aware of. These include a pain or a burning sensation under the arm, a sudden change in breast shape, or inflammation. It’s important to note that not all people with breast cancer have symptoms, and regular screenings from a licensed professional are crucial. 3. The risk factors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most prominent risk factors for breast cancer include genetics, a menstrual period that begins before age 12, being over 50 years old, having undergone a late pregnancy or no pregnancy, heavy breast density, and a lack of physical activity. Women also have a higher risk of breast cancer if they begin menopause after age 55 and if they become overweight or obese once menopause has ended. In addition, high alcohol consumption and the use of oral contraceptives can affect a woman’s likelihood of developing the disease.
The diagnosis of a serious, life-limiting illness always comes as a shock. Individuals may experience a wide range of strong emotions upon diagnosis, including fear, grief, loneliness, stress and anxiety, disbelief, and anger. While the process of coming to terms with and fighting serious illness can be one of the biggest challenges of a person’s life, team-oriented palliative care can provide comfort.Rooted in compassion, palliative care is an area of medicine that focuses on providing relief for not only the physical symptoms of serious illness but also the emotional stress that often accompanies it. The ultimate goal is to improve a patient’s overall quality of life at any stage of illness through the collaborative efforts of professionals, the patient, and the patient’s family.Team-oriented palliative care is typically administered by a group of professionals from a wide range of disciplines, including medicine, spirituality, and psychology. A team typically consists of doctors and nurses working in tandem with registered dietitians, social workers, psychologists, massage therapists, and spiritual representatives to improve a patient’s quality of life. Through the work of these professionals, patients receive medical treatment and may find relief from pain, disordered sleep, and stomach problems. The team may also guide patients through counseling sessions, locate support groups, facilitate family mediation, explain medical forms and treatment options, and arrange transportation or housing.Studies show that the earlier a patient with a serious illness begins palliative care, the better the effects on his or her physical and mental health. According to a 2010 study of lung cancer patients, those who received palliative care in the early stages after diagnosis experienced less depression, enjoyed an improved quality of life, and lived almost three months longer than their counterparts.
