About the Editor in Chief
Ernesto Cullari is a former nominee for U.S. Congress. He is a published writer; a photographer in the Green Beauty Industry, as well as a social marketer and partner at ICONS Marketing + Media. He received his Bachelor of Arts at Ithaca College, where he majored in Biology and minored in Philosophy and Spanish. He was a medical device representative with over 13-years experience marketing disruptive technologies to Orthopedic, General and Plastic surgeons.
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Being diagnosed with cancer is one of the greatest fears that a person can have, because it ultimately changes one’s quality of life. We hope that by sharing the stories of survivors that we can take some fear out of the fight against cancer. We hope to educate people on ways that they can lead healthier lives and we hope to empower people to demand better interventions.
The fears about cancer are justified. Cancer and its treatments are associated with pain and prolonged suffering. Many surgical interventions are barbaric and disfiguring. Too often cancer treatments leave patients sicker, both during and after treatment. Frequently, patients develop secondary cancers, like leukemia, after being treated.
People fear cancer more than heart disease, stroke and debilitating diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s. In the United Kingdom, “cancer is now more common than getting married or having a first child,” writes Sarah Knapton, Science Editor, for The Telegraph.
Rather than accept the status quo, we need access to better treatments that are currently in development, ones that treat cancers with less toxicity and show much greater results in terms of outcomes, quality of life and reduced suffering. These treatments, like those that take a metabolic approach to cancer, should be fast tracked if they can demonstrate to do little or no harm.
Cancer has become a big industry. And despite the millions of dollars spent on research and the millions raised through charitable efforts, the standard of care when it comes to cancer remains unacceptable. Hospital accommodations may have improved, but the results remain the same. According to USA Today, “Overall cancer survival has barely changed over the last decade. The 72 cancer therapies approved from 2002 to 2014 gave patients only 2.1 more months of life than older drugs, according to a new study from JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.”
There must be better treatments made available soon.
Conversation Cancer is not about pointing the finger and placing blame, it is a blog intended as a forum for people to share their triumphs over cancer, it is a forum where one can vent their frustrations about a medical system that seems to have failed society. It is intended to be a place to receive good information on wellness and a venue to shed light on promising cancer therapies, wherever they can be found. We’ve started the conversation; will you join in?
Meet our Science Writer Heather Schmidt
As a medical writer Heather analyzed and interpreted hundreds of clinical studies and researched rare diseases, existing therapeutics and emerging therapeutics. Some responsibilities included creating promotional messages for HCPs derived from complex scientific ideas and creating/researching/presenting in several new business pitch presentations as well as educating her fellow co-workers. She participated in market research for a blockbuster drug undergoing reformulation. Weekly scientific/medical blogs Ms. Schmidt wrote were featured on the website (www.rocketscience.us.com). She has experience in a multitude of medical specialties including neurology, psychiatry, interventional cardiology, pain management, and oncology.
Meet Guest Writer and Acupuncturist Catherine Craig
Catherine Craig M.S. L.Ac. is a Board Certified and Licensed Acupuncturist, specializing in chronic & acute pain management, holistic lifestyle & dietary counseling, and chronic disease management. She received her Clinical Masters of Science in Acupuncture from the Tri-State College of Acupuncture, and received her Bachelor of Arts from Vassar College.
Catherine came to practice these ancient medical arts after being inspired by her own journey of recovery from a debilitating chronic pain condition, and a subsequent battle with thyroid cancer.
She uses a highly personalized one-on-one approach and practical real-life solutions to help her patients on their individual path to wellness. Catherine’s passion and real-world experience bring a new perspective to health, nutrition, and personal wellness.
Learn more about Catherine and her practice at http://acuevolution.com
Meet Guest Writer Michele Santo
Michele Santo wants to live in a world where wellness is all the rage.
She co-authored the book, Empowering Transformations for Women. In 2008, she became a Health Coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and was the Healthy Eating Specialist for Whole Foods Market. In 2016, she became a Youth Mentor through Shine From Within and founded Unstoppable Girls Squad. She walks her talk when it comes to health.
When she’s not writing, she’s reading about online marketing or dancing in the kitchen.