More Medical Transparency

"Studies show that as many as 94% of doctors report an affiliation with and receive money from drug companies and medical device companies. Though doctors deny these payments influence their decision-making, ample research demonstrate that it does. Many doctors’ salaries also depend on number of procedures done. At a time when 30% of all tests and treatments are unnecessary, patients have a right to know what may be influencing their doctors’ recommendation about their health." 
                                                                                                             - Who's My Doctor

  
This woman gets it - she is exactly the kind of doctor that understands the issues. Exactly the kind of doctor we need to support so that more doctors like her come out of the woodwork. I am amazed by her story, and by the backlash from other doctors. Clearly they feel threatened because it would effect their extra income. She is powerfully inspirational. Although we've never met, she has joined the crew of change; she is creating a new system. Watching her video gave me a surge of excitement, and love. I viscerally love people that care about what's right. That care when things are wrong and they make the effort to fix it, to do all that they can. It's a very beautiful thing.

Here's the TedMed write up about Dr Leana Wen: "Wouldn’t you want to know if your doctor was a paid spokesman for a drug company? Or held personal beliefs incompatible with the treatment you want? Right now, in the US at least, your doctor simply doesn’t have to tell you about that. And when physician Leana Wen asked her fellow doctors to open up, the reaction she got was … unsettling."

I still can't believe that doctors in the US don't have to admit who they're getting payouts from. It's disgusting. It should be criminal. It feels dirty. We need transparency, and I very much appreciate a doctor that is willing to call out a flawed system! Personally, I want to know why my doctor is recommending a specific treatment, surgery, device, scan or medication, or if there's a conflict of interest. The only way things will change is if we put in the effort and demand it. Or we support those who are willing to stick their necks out. I can't take on all of the causes, but I can certainly promote those I believe in. If this is a cause you believe in, here's a link for more information: Who's My Doctor

Just a Bird

You know what I love? This guy...

...it's stephen from http://astrocytomaoptions.com! How fun is that! He came for a visit. There are so many things that I'm grateful for that I would never have experienced without this brain tumor diagnosis - like wonderful new friends.

Spending time with Stephen was a blast. We're different, but have such similar views on many, many things - most things in fact. We laugh, and talk about the research, and scheme, and theorize on off-label drugs. We talk about life; we talk about everything. It's exciting, and hopeful, and it feels right to be taking matters into our own hands. I am incredibly grateful to be living in this new advancing era of brain tumor science. I'm just a bird riding the wave, but to be near the ship leading the research, to be near the captains, and the explorers of the field, is such a treat, and a joy, and gift. 

We have a disadvantage, usually, in brain cancer because the blood-brain barrier prevents chemotherapies, and other drugs, from infiltrating tumor cells. Also, we are such a minute group compared to the majority of other cancers, which gives us far less funding and research. However, perhaps those disadvantages could become advantageous. Perhaps the degree of difficulty could be intriguing to doctors and scientists and philanthropists and curious people alike. Perhaps the lack of funding could cause an underdog mentality, where people want to help us. It could be that because we're such a small group, that maybe we could be easier to study, to track our cases, our pathologies, our success stories. Whatever it is, I feel hope. I feel like big things are coming with the premier of Surviving Terminal Cancer (http://www.survivingterminalcancer.com). We are on the cusp of change, and I for one am very excited to be on this side of history.