"Base Tan" in a Tanning Booth
Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," Does a tanning booth give you a base tan so you won't burn in the sun?Carolyn Vachani RN, MSN, AOCN, OncoLink's Nurse Educator, responds:Absolutely not! You can still burn even after getting tan in a tanning...

"Base Tan" in a Tanning Booth
Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," Does a tanning booth give you a base tan so you won't burn in the sun?Carolyn Vachani RN, MSN, AOCN, OncoLink's Nurse Educator, responds:Absolutely not! You can still burn even after getting tan in a tanning bed....

"Dumping Syndrome" after Surgery
Question Can you help me better manage "dumping syndrome?" I have had such a hard time with eating after my stomach cancer surgery. Do certain foods make it worse? Is this going to be a permanent problem? Answer Katrina Claghorn, Registered...

Family History of Cancer
Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I come from a family of five: 3 girls and twin boys. My Mom is currently on Hospice; she started with stomach cancer and [progressed?] to the uterine and spots on the liver. Recently, she had two sisters die in the...

Family History of FAP
Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," FAP (familial adenomatous polyposis) is very prevalent in our family.  I lost my husband at 33 y.o. and his brother at 38 y.o. to colon cancer, at which time it was discovered that FAP was the culprit.  Two of my sons...

Genetic Testing for FAP
Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," FAP is very prevalent in our family. My son has had 3 genetic tests done in an effort to locate his mutation so that other family members could get blood tests to see if they have it, but they have not been able to...

CHAMPUS coverage for Bone Marrow Transplants
Dear OncoLink "Ask the Experts," CHAMPUS initially said they do cover bone marrow transplants for some conditions but not for metastatic breast cancer. Does anyone know of a way to "get around" the bureaucracy? It is...

Coverage for Child
Dear OncoLink "Ask the Experts," To what entity or person can I appeal that has higher authority to help press my case for psychological counseling as part of my cancer therapy? I thought somewhere that HMO's were obliged to go outside...

Dealing with Outstanding Medical Bills and Coverage for Screening Procedures, and Preexisting Conditions
Dear OncoLink "Ask the Experts," I am a 33 y/o white male with a history of testicular cancer treated with chemotherapy followed by lymph node dissection. I have been in remission since Dec. 1993. At the onset of my disease, I did not...

Can cancer patients be evaluated annually with PET scanning?
Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," Why can't cancer patients be evaluated annually with PET scanning? If it is simply a matter of cost, can't a patient pay for one his/herself? It would be worth the cost for the peace of mind gained.  Peeyush...

Can PET Scan Tell Type of Tumor?
Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," My father had a surgery for stomach cancer three years ago. Recently, he was found to have some tumor around his neck. His PET scan result shows that he has tumor. Can the PET test check out whether the tumor is...

F-18 FDG PET in the Evaluation of Hepatocellular Cancer
Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I just found out that I have liver cancer and the oncologist wants to do a PET Scan. She told me the reason for this test, but I'm not sure I understand. Can you explain? Peeyush Bhargava, MD, Chief Fellow in the...

Acne-form Rash Caused by Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors
Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," Are there any practice standards that have been adopted by ASCO or NCCN for the acne-form rash caused by tyrosine kinase inhibitors? I am referring to a standard drug therapy for the rash in oral or topical form? I...

Best Practice Guidelines for Advanced Lung Cancer
Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I am an APRN working in palliative care - inpatient and some homecare. I also have a special interest in lung cancer. I was wondering if there exist any "best practice guidelines" for advanced lung cancer? I...

Protocol for Continuous Infusion Pumps
Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," Our institution recently began using continuous infusion 5-FU via pump for outpatients. Can you please tell us how your protocol works for these pumps? Carolyn Vachani RN, MSN, AOCN, OncoLink's Nurse Educator,...

Birth defects and fertility after radiation for testicular cancer
Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I was diagnosed with stage I seminoma in December 2002 and had my left testicle removed shortly after. In March 2004, I was told I had to get radiation treatments because the cancer reappeared in the para-aortic...

Can radiation to the upper mantle affect fertility?
Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease when I was 24. I am now 27 and have been in remission for 2 years. I was stage 1B and had surgery, then radiation to the upper mantle. I've read as much as possible about what...

Dating after breast cancer
Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I am 28 years old unmarried and going through breast cancer treatment. How will I ever be able to feel "normal" enough to date again? Linda Jacobs, PhD, CRNP, AOCN, BC, Clinical Assistant Professor at the...