March 2011

ABTA Introduces TrialConnect™
The American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA) recently launched TrialConnect™, a free service that links brain tumor patients with appropriate clinical trials based on tumor type and treatment history. The confidential program, administered by EmergingMed, is offered in English and Spanish. For more information, contact a TrialConnect™ specialist at 877-769-4833, Monday-Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. EST. Or, visit www.abtatrialconnect.org. Read more about TrialConnect™.

ABTA to Sponsor Patient-Family Symposium on April 9th in Milwaukee
The ABTA is sponsoring the free, full-day symposium: "Brainstorming Brain Tumors: A Day of Support and Education for You and Your Caregiver," from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 9, 2011, at the Radisson Milwaukee North Shore. The event host, Columbia St. Mary's Cancer Center, is one of three National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Community Care Centers to receive an ABTA Brain Tumor Community Education Grant. The program was created last year to bridge the gap in patient resources and education. Earlier this year, ABTA sponsored symposiums in Savannah, Ga. and Spartanburg, N.C. For more information about the Milwaukee patient-family symposium, visit the ABTA website, or call 414-963-WELL (9355).

Pick Your Distance. Pick Your Event. 
Join the ABTA Running Team!
Do you plan on participating in a running event this year? If so, consider running to support the brain tumor research and patient-family programs of the American Brain Tumor Association. To date, 38
runners have joined the ABTA team with plans to participate in events throughout the country (in California, Colorado, Illinois, Missouri and New Jersey). And while registration for the 2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon is closed, ABTA has a limited number of available entries. Meet current members and learn more about the team at www.abtarunners.org.

Medical Student Summer Fellowship Applications Due March 14th
The ABTA is accepting applications for the 2011 Medical Student Summer Fellowship Program. The intent of the program is to motivate talented medical students to pursue a career in neuro-oncology research. The ABTA Medical Student Summer Fellowships are $3,000 grants awarded to qualified medical students who wish to spend a summer conducting brain tumor research. The fellowships, 
conducted in a neuro-oncology laboratory with a mentor, are designed to provide an introductory learning experience. The fellowship start date is determined by the mentor and should extend 10-12 weeks over the summer. The application deadline is March 14, 2011. Read more.

Follow the Path to Progress on Facebook
Join the more than 900 individuals (50 teams)who have already registered to run, walk or strut in ABTA's Path to Progress at Chicago's Soldier Field on May 14, 2011. Register today at www.pathtoprogress.org. And, be the first to find out about Path to Progress promotions at the ABTA Path to Progress 5K Run/Walk Facebook page. To follow us, simply click on "like."

Unmet Needs Linked with Stress Among AYA Cancer Patients
A new study links unmet needs, particularly those dealing with physical and daily living capabilities, with stress in adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients. The study, appearing in the February issue of Support Care in Cancer, involved interviews with 53 patients between the ages of 16 and 30 within four months of a cancer diagnosis. Twenty five percent of patients (lower that that found in previous studies) reported stress, most often due to physical and daily living concerns, followed by psychological issues, and health system, information, and care and support needs. Read a free summary of the research. Visit ABTA’s AYA Web page.

Patients Underestimate Caregiver Stress
A new study suggests that patients may underestimate caregiver stress while caregivers may overestimate patient needs. Researchers surveyed 100 cancer patients and 100 family caregivers on the perceptions of caregiving tasks. Caregivers were more likely than patients to attribute caregiving responsibilities with psychosocial stress. In addition, caregivers reported providing more help in dealing with feelings and logistical issues than patients said they needed.The study authors say the results support the need for more research on the psychosocial aspects of caregiving. Read a free summary of the study. Visit ABTA's online Caregiver Corner.

Cell Phone Use May Alter Brain Activity
A new study appearing in a recent issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) linked cell phone use for at least 50 minutes with an increase in brain glucose metabolism in the area of the brain closest to the phone antenna. Researchers do not know the significance of the findings. Read a free summary of the research. Read the latest on cell phones and brain tumors at the ABTA website.

Oncologists Most Likely to Refer Patients to Clinical Trials
In a new survey, nearly 88 percent of medical oncologists (physicians who typically supervise brain tumor treatment, often in coordination with a neuro-oncologist) referred or enrolled one or more of their patients during the previous year to a clinical trial, compared with 66 percent of radiation oncologists and only 35 percent of surgeons. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), only 2 to 4 percent of adults diagnosed with cancer each year will enroll in a clinical trial. And while brain tumor clinical trial participation is higher (estimates range from 10 to 20 percent depending on patient brain tumor type) participation numbers are still too low to enusre optimal research and treatment advancement. The authors of the NCI-funded study, appearing in the February 11 Journal of the National Cancer Institute, recommend additional research to better understand physician attitudes toward clinical trials. Continued and increased participation is needed to realize “the full potential of clinical research in the 21^st century,” according to the researchers. Read a news release on the research. Read an article on clinical trials in a recent issue of the ABTA newsletter. Learn more about ABTA’s new clinical trial matching service TrialConnect™.

The Cancer Genome Atlas Launches New Website
The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) project has launched an updated website for patients and families. The new site, at http://cancergenome.nih.gov/, provides the latest on TCGA scientific discoveries, including how they may impact cancer treatment and care.

Founded in 1973, the American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA) was the first
non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to brain tumors. Today, ABTA provides critical funding to researchers working toward breakthroughs in brain tumor diagnosis, treatment and care, and is the recognized resource for comprehensive information and compassionate support for brain tumor patients and their families. Make a donation to the American Brain Tumor Association.

This information is provided by the American Brain Tumor Association, 2720 River Road, Des Plaines, Illinois, 60018.

For more information on ABTA, call toll-free: 1-800-886-atba, write info@abta.org, or visit: www.abta.org.

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©2011 American Brain Tumor Association

Save the Date

2011 Patient-Family Meetings:

April 9, 2011
Milwaukee, Wis.
Columbia St. Mary ‘s Cancer Center

July 29-30, 2011
Lincolnshire, Ill.
ABTA 10th Biennial
Patient-Family Meeting

Having Fun Raising Funds:

March 26, 2011
Brooklyn, N.Y.
9th Annual Cherry Blossom Walk

April 10, 2011
Columbus, Ohio
10th Annual Kevin Mullen Memorial 5K Run/Walk

April 30, 2011
Woonsocket, R.I.
The 11th Annual
Chad Dunbar
Bowling
Tournament

April 30, 2011
Liverpool, N.Y.
Mark W. Stoetzel Memorial Mixed
Team Tournament

May 7, 2011
Ypsilanti, Mich.
8th Annual
Glio-Blastoff
5K Run/Walk

May 14, 2011
Soldier Field
Chicago, Ill.
ABTA
Path to Progress
5K Run/Walk

May 21, 2011
Metairie, La.
Kick Brain Cancer for
Good

May 21, 2011
Spokane, Wash.
3rd Annual Joggin for the Noggin

June 25, 2011
Seattle, Wash.
Seattle Rock 'N Roll Half Marathon

August 8, 2011
Joliet, Ill.
Wheels for a Cause Car & Bike Show

Learn. Share.
Support. Connect.
Join the hundreds of patients, family members and friends who are learning, supporting and sharing through ABTA's social networking site, Connections. Learn more.