Evidence Update: Massage Therapy Helps Relieve Cancer-Related Pain
Pain related to cancer and its treatment is a common problem among patients with cancer. Conventional treatment does not always relieve cancer pain satisfactorily. A recent publication analyzed and published research on the effect of massage therapy and cancer pain. Twelve available studies that included 559 total participants were reviewed. The authors found significant reductions in cancer pain with massage, especially for surgery related pain. Comparing massage therapy with no massage treatment or conventional care, massage therapy was effective in relieving pain in cancer patients. The analysis suggests that massage therapy has significant positive effects for cancer pain relief, particularly for the short term. Further well-designed, large studies with longer follow-up periods are needed to be able to draw firmer conclusions regarding the effectiveness. Lee S, Kim Jy et al. Meta-Analysis of Massage Therapy on Cancer Pain. Integrative Cancer Therapies 14 (2015): 297-304.
Evidence Update: Older Cancer Patients Miss Benefit of Physical Therapy
A recent study published by researchers at The University of North Carolina examined the utilization of occupational and physical therapy (OT/PT) services in older cancer patients. The records of 592 patients with cancer were examined. The average age was 71, and 63% of the patients had breast cancer. Most of the patients (64.5%) had at least one functional deficit and 41% had at least two functional deficits all potentially requiring OT/PT. These deficits were measured with standard scales and tests, and included reduced physical health, difficulties with activities of daily living and reduced social activities, reduced memory or concentration and/or a history of falls. Of cancer patients with functional deficits only 9% received OT/PT within 12 months of a noted deficit. The authors concluded that a minority of older cancer patients, even with defined functional deficits that could benefit from rehabilitation, were referred for OT/PT care. TurningPoint began to beat the drum for breast cancer patients to be routinely referred for rehabilitation care back in 2003. Strides have been made but much work remains. Pergolotti M et al. The prevalence of potentially modifiable functional deficits and the subsequent use of occupational and physical therapy by older adults with cancer. J Geriatr Oncol. 2015 May;6 (3):194-201.
Shop and Support TurningPoint with Kroger Community Rewards
There is a new and easy way to support TurningPoint with your grocery shopping through Kroger Community Rewards. TurningPoint is now part of the Kroger Community Rewards Program. You can support TurningPoint’s mission by shopping at Kroger and a percentage of your purchases will be donated to TurningPoint. Kroger Community Rewards makes it easy to contribute to TurningPoint’s mission…all you have to do is shop at Kroger and swipe your Plus Card! Kroger shoppers must re-enroll each year in the community rewards program by registering their Kroger Plus Card with their preferred nonprofit organization–TurningPoint! Now is the time to enroll as September 1st begins a new year for Kroger. Please encourage your family, friends, and neighbors to register their Kroger cards with TurningPoint. It is one of the easiest ways to help TurningPoint thrive. Go to www.kroger.com/communityrewards Register your Kroger Plus Card and create an online account. In your Account Summary, located in Account Settings, scroll down to select the “Community Rewards” tab. Enter “TurningPoint” or NPO number 69715, select, and confirm.
Shop and Support TurningPoint with Amazon Smile
There is a new and easy way to support TurningPoint with your on-line shopping through Amazon Smile. Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice – TurningPoint! AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service. Support TurningPoint by shopping Amazon Smile here. If you don’t have this link, start off at Amazon Smile, search for ‘TurningPoint’ (one word, no space) and select us for your Amazon account. Then you are set to add contributions to our organization every time you shop. (Note: You must begin your shopping at Amazon Smile and not regular Amazon.) Spread the word and let your friends know how they too can support TurningPoint with Amazon Smile.
