Wellness Report

Glioblastoma is the most common form of brain cancer and it often strikes without a warning.

Senator Ted Kennedy has it. It took the lives of composer George Gershwin and Movie Critic Gene Siskel.

Scott Patrick is finding a web of support as he braces for the fight of his life.

“It's just pure and sincere,” says Scott.

In the pages of a Caring Bridge, a site that connects people through serious illness, Scott and his family have found a find a team of care brought together by a man playing his toughest game.

“We've seen a huge connection of friends and family that may not have happened had Scott not had this challenge,” says Scott’s wife Ronda Patrick. “Those connections are really energizing. So for me, having the feedback from people that are really sincere and wanting to know and care about Scott, it's really made me feel the human spirit is alive and well.”

“My childhood friend growing up, Kevin Bergstrom,” says Scott, “he reached out, and few days later he was at my doorstep here as a result of Caring Bridge. That’s a pretty powerful connection.”

Scott has been the Vice-President of Corporate Sales for the Seahawks for 11 years. He was also with the Sonics for 11 years and helped open two stadiums here in Washington.

But at the height of his career, life threw him a big curveball.

Two years ago, sitting in a hot tub after a workout, Scott had a seizure.

“But just by luck a maintenance man was nearby and he pulled me out of the tub and called 911,” he says.

“That was the first miracle, “says Ronda, “We figured he was meant to be here a little bit longer.”

A blur of surgery and tests concluded: Scott has Glioblastoma, which is an aggressive and incurable form of brain cancer.

“So now I’m trying to fight hard to stay in this game,” says Scott.

“You look up words that are really big that you've never heard before,” says Ronda, “but I had a need to know what we were dealing with.”

20,000 people will be diagnosed with Glioblastoma this year--500 in the state of Washington.

And it’s a tough one: Glioblastoma is highly aggressive and resistant to treatment.

Dellan Elliott’s husband Chris died of Glioblastoma 6 years ago. She’s been fighting for better research, treatment and education ever since. This summer has brought exciting news:

So, for now, the fight for Scott and his family, the fight goes on…

“Just put one foot down and put another foot down in front of it,” says Scott, “and here we go.”

…for a family that knows, this, is worth fighting for.

“There are a lot of great people with big hearts out there working on it and I believe we are going to find the way.”

Web Extra: An Interview with Ground-Breaking Advocate Dellann Elliott

Founder of the Chris Elliott Fund Dellann Elliott talks about Glioblastoma

August 27, 2000, we were up at Crystal Mountain and my husband said let's go home. When we left my husband kept thinking I was drifting on the road. He worked on the yard, I went to the store and when I came back my husband was sitting with my children and he said I feel really weird. I'm smelling all kinds of smells like rotten tennis shoes. I thought he had the flu, I had no idea that was a symptom of a brain tumor. Later he said call 911. They thought he had meningitis. He said the man in the ambulance had a seizure.

The neurosurgeon came and got me and showed me that he had a primary brain tumor, and I remember being told if you have it this is the right place to have it in the right temporal lobe.

I as pacing and his neurosurgeon came out and he said to me, this is the type of tumor that will end his life sooner than later. So that was really tough. That was really tough

At that point in time I never knew anyone with brain tumor let alone brain cancer. So friends did some research, and it wasn't good. In fact it was really scary. At that time standard protocol was radiation and then intravenous chemo. Now standard protocol for this type of disease has advanced. Now you have radiation and a drug called Temador so we are seeing some advancement. You also don't have to wait for the drug to reoccur to get that drug. 8 years ago you had to wait until you had a second brain tumor until you had the drug Temodar.

You've had a quick education. Yes I have. So, I like to share that with people because I know how important it is because I would have loved to had someone there sharing that with me. What were some of the last things Chris told me? We sat down together. We made a list of the things that he wanted to do. Besides spending time with his family and traveling, but he also said please do something about this disease so that's where I built my strength. I also know we've made a difference here and world wide. Chris left a beautiful legacy in that fact, as well as a beautiful legacy for his kids.

What are you doing to change what's happening with brain cancer? I know you're traveling a lot... I've been going to Washington D.C. We also educate, advocate and spread awareness. I advocate for increasing our national health institute of health budget for cancer, also to eliminate the 2 year waiting period for medicare for people with life-threatening diseases. People with brain cancer often don't last that long. It's happening all over including here. There will be 500 new cases here in Washington this year. So people need to know what. Work with the experts. Swedish has a brand new center for advanced brain tumor treatment. Everyone's brain tumor is different so it doesn't make sense to have a standard protocol. You want to have the genetic markers tested so you can find the drug that will respond to that. Why has it been more difficult to get the funding? Part of the problem the life span is short for people with brain cancer. But also because we've been treating with a protocol that only works for 30 percent. That has stunted our research that way.

What I would want people to know for sure is that we are there for them. It is not an easy disease. I would like people to see us as a resource to help them on their journey. The more we can get the word out about brain cancer and that it is an individual approach is beneficial the more we can do that the more we will be having success with brain cancer.

The Chris Elliott Fund supports research at the Dana-Farber Institute. Years ago we sent them the seed money to get enough to do more research. We have actually identified the genes that cause glioblastoma.

With are now with the National Institute of Health to prioritize those genes. 13 exciting and wonderful and fabulous. So go to our website to find more information at www.chriselliottfund.org and you will see on there many ways to get involved.

Web Extra: An Interview with Ambassador Tamara DePorter

Mrs. Seattle and Ambassador Chris Elliott Fund Tamara DePorter talks about Glioblastoma

I had a good friend and colleague who died of brain cancer. 10 years ago I couldn't do anything but now I feel like I can thanks to the Chris Elliott Fund and Dellann Elliott. Cancer touches everyone. I know so many people and it is personal for me to. So, it's just awesome to be a part of it. So what impressed you? The people. We can see the impact we are making especially because of my title but also be cause of my work with the Chris Elliott Fund.

What do you hope to do? I hope to get the name Glioblastoma out there so people don't say 'what is that?' I keep running across people that have Glioblastoma. What have you learned about brain cancer? It's scary. But everything helps. I just want people to know that we are here and we can help. It's so overwhelming sometimes we are happy to help. So let's try and make it better because this is not going to go away. Not yet.

MORE LINKS & INFORMATION:

Caring Bridge: Visit Scott Patrick

Caring Bridge

The Chris Elliott Fund

The Chris Elliott Fund: Fundraisers!

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

There's a lot of controversy these days over the importance of self-breast exams. In this week’s Wellness Report we talk to a local specialist who breaks down the "how to" and the "why should I?"

Every three minutes a woman in the U.S. is diagnosed with breast cancer. We all know regular check-ups are important, but the game plan gets confusing when it comes to checking ourselves.

“The breast exam is just one part of a woman's breast health program,” says Dr. Patricia Dawson, who is a breast surgeon and program director at the Swedish Breast Center.

“The self breast exam is something they can do to understand their bodies.”

There have been several recent studies on whether self-breast exams help. Just this summer: an international group called the Cochrane Collaboration found in their study no solid evidence that self-breast exams do any good. In fact, it said they often lead to unnecessary biopsies.

But in another 2006 study right here by a doctor at Swedish Medical Center, more than 80% of the women under 40 diagnosed with breast cancer found the lump or symptoms themselves.

“It doesn't have to be an elaborate exam,” says Dawson. She recommends self-exams as part of her program, but recognizes there are some issues that need to be addressed.

“Women are uncertain about them and they feel insecure,” she says, “They don't know what they are feeling and they are worried they will find something.”

Her best advice:
1. Check yourself at the same time every month-and about a week after your period starts.

“That’s because we tend to be lumpier before our periods start and less lumpy after they have been going on for about week,” she advises.

If you’re menopausal just make sure to check it on the same day so you can compare notes and tell your doctor about any changes.

2. Do 2 exams: one in the shower when your hands are slippery so you can feel things more easily, and one lying down.

“That allows the breast tissue to flatten out against the chest wall,” says Dawson.

Also, use different pressures: First a somewhat firm touch, then a lighter touch.

Remember: younger women's breasts are naturally lumpier because the breast tissue is denser.

Also, nipple discharge usually does NOT indicate cancer.

And that lump you're feeling could just be a cyst.

“You can get a lot of lumps that you can feel and they feel like grapes. If you were to put a needle into this and take the fluid out, it would go away. Just remember, when you feel new ones keep telling your doctor about it.”

Dawson says the goal is not to know or catch everything, but to simply get familiar with what your breast usually feels like and never hesitate to tell your doctor.

“Mostly we are responsible for saying something feels different and we need to get it checked out.”

The American Cancer Society still recommends a 3-part screening: a clinical breast exam, a self breast exam, and a mammography.

Web Extra: Recommendations & Links on Self Breast Exams & Breast Cancer Awareness

Swedish Medical Center: Breast Cancer Information

Dr. Susan Love’s Breast Book http://books.google.com/books?

The Cochrane Collaboration Report: Should Women Stop Breast Self-Exams?

The American Cancer Society: So what should women do?

ACS Cancer.org: Breast Cancer Resource Page

ACS Electronic Mammogram Reminder

Recommendations by the American Cancer Society:

1. MAMMORGRAM:
Women age 40 and older should have a mammogram every year and should continue to do so for as long as they are in good health. While mammograms can miss some cancers, they are still a very good way to find breast cancer.

2. CLINICAL BREAST EXAM (CBE):
Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam (CBE) as part of a regular exam by a health expert, preferably every 3 years. After age 40, women should have a breast exam by a health expert every year. It might be a good idea to have the CBE shortly before the mammogram. You can use the exam to learn what your own breasts feel like.

3. BREAST SELF-EXAM (BSE):
BSE is an option for women starting in their 20s. Women should be told about the benefits and limitations of BSE. Women should report any changes in how their breasts look or feel to their health professional right away. If you decide to do BSE, you should have your doctor or nurse check your method to make sure you are doing it right. If you do BSE on a regular basis, you get to know how your breasts normally look and feel. Then you can more easily notice changes, but it's ok not to do BSE or not to do it on a fixed schedule. The most important thing is to see your doctor right away if you notice any of these changes: a lump or swelling, skin irritation or dimpling, nipple pain or the nipple turning inward, redness or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin, or a discharge other than breast milk, but remember that most of the time these breast changes are not cancer.