"It's Just Benign" - Connecting Benign Brain Tumor Survivors Everywhere

Like the slogan? Buy the T-shirt!  Now you, too, can wear the wonderful It’s Just Benign T-Shirt. 

It’s Just Benign is a terrific organization that supports brain tumor victims and friends and families and caregivers and a bunch of other folks I neglected to include. It’s mission in life is simple: “To provide information, support, and a means of communication for those diagnosed with benign brain tumors.”

While I’ve written about It’s Just Benign before, if you’re new to this site or this is an unfamiliar organization, throw http://www.itsjustbenign.org/ into the browser of your choice and get connected.

Personally, I like the “Forum” discussions under the “members” tab.

And here’s a link to buy the T-shirt: http://www.itsjustbenign.org/page/its-just-benign-tshirt 

Exercises for GBM Victims

Here’s a link to a good discussion about exercises for glioblastoma (GBM) victims on the ABTA Inspire site: http://www.inspire.com/groups/american-brain-tumor-association/discussion/exercise-related/?ref=as&asat=67624246

What I like about this discussion is that it’s caretakers and victims communicating with each other and helping each other.

If you’re a brain tumor caregiver or victim and haven’t signed up for the Inspire website, you may want to do so. It’s got a lot of honest, heart-felt discussions on a wide variety of subjects.

If you’re a meningioma victim or caregiver, I also strongly recommend http://www.itsjustbenign.org/ Be sure to go to the “members” tab to follow groups, blogs, etc.

Image credit: <a href='http://www.123rf.com/photo_12483512_athletic-gym-gymnasium-fitness-exercise-training-workout.html'>leremy / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

 

Cancer “stem cells” identified?

As reported by Pallab Ghosh, Science correspondent, BBC News, “Three separate studies on mice appear to have confirmed the view that the growth of tumours is driven by so-called cancer stem cells.”

Ghosh highlights the importance of these findings noting that “Doctors often successfully reduce the size of tumours through various therapies, but often patients suffer a relapse and the tumour regrows.”

This is consistent with what I heard at the ABTA’s Patient and Caregivers event as well as what I’ve read on websites like It’s Just Benign and the National Brain Tumor Society’s My.BrainTumorCommunity.org site.

The article goes on to say that “Some researchers believe that this happens because therapies fail to eradicate a small proportion of cells that drive tumour growth known as cancer stem cells. They believe that these are the cells that should be targeted to eliminate the tumour forever.

Evidence for the existence of cancer stem cells has been weak. But now three separate groups of researchers working independently have found direct evidence of cancer stem cells driving tumour growth in brain, gut and skin cancers. “

According to Prof Cedric Blanpain of the Free University of Brussels, who led one of the studies, the results could pave the way for a new approach to treating many cancers. "If these cells are indeed the cells that fuel tumour growth then maybe you can target these cells," he told BBC News.

Here’s a link to the article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-19083685

It’s Just Benign

If you have meningioma, know somebody who has meningioma or just learned that you have meningioma, you should visit this site.

• The site is dedicated to issues surrounding meningioma
• Beth Rosenthal, the founder, creates a great sense of community
• The website smashes to bits the lie that “benign” tumors don’t hurt you
• Victims unabashedly share their fears and worries and latest news
• The “interest” groups are particularly relevant to brain tumor victims, e.g. Migraines, Parents of Diagnosed Children, Seizures, Cognitive Issues, Depression & Anxiety Group
• They have an active, if regional, series of monthly support groups

 Here’s a link to their website: http://www.itsjustbenign.org/