Lance Armstrong

32 Pages·2007·1.26 MB·English

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Trusted Health Information
from the National
Institutes of Health
MedlinePlus
Summer 2006
the magazine
Winning
the Race medlineplus.gov
Lance Armstrong
Shares His Struggle
To Survive Cancer…
and Thrive!
Beware
America’s
Silent Killer
Detecting and
Managing High
Blood Pressure
Achoooooo!

This Is the “Season
of the Itch”—What You
Can Do About It
Dream Robber
The Challenges of Living
with Parkinson’s Disease
A publication of the NatioNal iNstitutes of HealtH and the frieNds of the NatioNal library of MediciNe
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MeNIdH linePlus
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the magazine Summer 2006
NatioNal library of MediciNe Table of Contents
at the NatioNal iNstitutes of HealtH
8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894
www.nlm.nih.gov
www.medlineplus.gov
donald a.b. lindberg, M.d.
Director, NLM
betsy l. Humphreys, M.l.s., a.H.i.P.
Deputy Director, NLM
donald West King, M.d.
Deputy Director for Research and Education, NLM
robert b. Mehnert, director
Office of Communications and Public Liaison, NLM
Kathleen cravedi, deputy director 6
Office of Communications and Public Liaison, NLM
christopher Klose
Magazine Coordinator
inside
Peter reinecke, front Letter from the Friends Chairman
cover
Strategic Advisor, NLM
1 Table of Contents
2 Introductions
Paul G. rogers
4 Clinical Trials
Chairman, Friends of the National Library of Medicine
friends of the NlM
6 Winning the race:
P.O. Box 31130

Bethesda, MD 20814 Lance Armstrong shares his struggle to survive cancer
... and thrive!
11 Pressure Points
Detecting and managing high blood pressure
selby bateman, Managing Editor
Jan Mclean, Creative Director 14 dream robber
shay sprinkles, Art Director
The challenges of living with Parkinson’s Disease.
traci Marsh, Production Director
NIH MedlinePlus, the Magazine is published by 20 Achoooooo!
Vitality Communications
407 Norwalk St. This is the “season of the itch”—
Greensboro, NC 27407
what you can do about it
[phone]
William G. Moore, President 26 NIH Research News
Pat blake, Controller
Pat schrader, Administrative Assistant
28 Advisors & Sponsors
Articles in this publication are written by professional journalists. All scientific and
Insmtietudtiecas lo inf Hfoeramltaht.i oHno iws erevveire, wpeerds ofonra al dcceucrisaicoyn bs yre rgeparrdeisnegn thaetiavleths ,o fifn tahnec Ne,a etixoenrcails e ibcinoabscvidke erc NIH MedlinePlus Editorial Board
and other matters should be made only after consultation with the reader’s physician
or professional advisor. Opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the
National Library of Medicine. NIH MedlinePlus Summer 2006 1
MedlinePlus and NIH’s National Library of Medicine
Welcome to NIH MedlinePlus, the magazine
i
t is a pleasure to support the how to stay healthy for a lifetime and will
National Library of Medicine and also profile some of the most fascinating
the Friends of the National Library people—from laboratory scientists and
of Medicine in launching the first public figures to patients just like you—
issue of NIH MedlinePlus. This who are making a difference in the search
quarterly guide for patients and their for medical advances.
families brings to you the latest and most The American people have made
authoritative medical and healthcare a long-term investment in the crucial
information from the National Institutes medical research being carried on by
the Nation’s Medical of Health (NIH) as featured online at the the NIH. NIH MedlinePlus magazine is
research agency MedlinePlus Web site. Your physician has an important way to make this research
made this magazine available to you as and healthcare information even
With roots in the 19th century, a free health resource; please take a copy more accessible and useful to health
the National Institutes of Health with you today. professionals and patients alike.
(NIH) is the world’s leader in medi- The MedlinePlus Web site is a free
cal research. Comprised of 27 and comprehensive public health
separate Institutes and Centers, information resource from the world’s
NIH is the primary federal agency largest medical library, NIH’s National
for conducting and supporting Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus has
medical research, providing lead- extensive information from the NIH
ership and financial support to and other trusted sources on more than
top scientists in every state in the 700 diseases and conditions. There are
nation and throughout the world. also lists of hospitals and physicians, a
Supported by the American medical encyclopedia and a medical
taxpayer, NIH research has led dictionary, health information in Spanish,
to tremendous breakthroughs extensive information on prescription and
in what we know about diseases nonprescription drugs, health information
and how to prevent, detect, diag- from the media and links to thousands
nose and treat them. More than of medical clinical trials. NIH Director Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D.,
80 percent of NIH’s funding is This magazine will provide you with leads the nation’s medical research agency
awarded through almost 50,000 a gold standard of reliable, up-to-date and oversees the NIH’s 27 Institutes and
competitive grants to more than health information in a very user-friendly Centers and more than 17,000 employees.
212,000 researchers at over 2,800 format that can act as a springboard to
universities, medical schools and the Web site. Each issue will highlight four
other research institutions in ev- major health conditions, offering the latest The National Institutes of Health
ery state in the U.S. and around advice on prevention, diagnosis, treatment is an agency of the U.S. Department
the world. and research findings. Regular features of Health and Human Services.
will include the latest information on
2 Summer 2006 NIH MedlinePlus
Dear Reader,
a National treasure-
It is a pleasure to welcome you
House of Knowledge
to NIH MedlinePlus magazine, your
guide to the vast resources that

you will find at MedlinePlus.gov, The National Library of
the free Web site of authoritative Medicine (NLM), on the campus
health information from the of the National Institutes of
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Health in Bethesda, Maryland,
and other trusted sources. is the world’s largest medical
MedlinePlus.gov was created library. The Library, which has
by the National Library of Medi- long served health professionals,
cine, a part of the NIH and the U.S. educators and scientists, now
Dr. Donald Lindberg and grandson
Department of Health and Human also provides free information
Services. Founded in 1836, primar- explore www.medlineplus.gov. for the general public at
ily for doctors, the Library has www.medlineplus.gov.
expanded its mission and now serves the general public as well as health
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Each month, the public, physicians and health professionals view some
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There is no advertising, no registration and the site is completely free. In ad-
dition to a remarkable array of consumer-friendly information, there are con-
venient links to the scientific medical literature (PubMed), a registry of 27,000
clinical trials, extensive information about genetic diseases and much more.
The Web site is updated daily, so it always carries the latest information. NLM collects materials in all
I hope that you, your family and friends will find this magazine useful. areas of biomedicine and health-
If you would like to receive NIH MedlinePlus regularly, please fill out the care, as well as works on bio-
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Sincerely, lections stand at more than
Donald A.B. Lindberg, M.D. 8 million items—books, journals,
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NIH MedlinePlus Summer 2006 3
clinical trials

A Crucial Key to Human Health Research
At the forefront of
human health research
today are clinical trials—
studies that use human
volunteers to help
medical professionals
observe and test new
treatments for a wide
array of health products
and practices
a
clinical trial is a research study by contributing to medical research. n D iagnostic trials to find better
designed to answer specific There are several different kinds tests or procedures for diagnosing a
health questions by using of clinical trials, including: particular disease or condition.
human volunteers to help n S creening trials that test the best way
test those answers. Carefully conducted n T reatment trials to test experimental to detect certain diseases or health
clinical trials are the fastest and safest way treatments, new combinations of conditions.
to find treatments that work in people, drugs or new approaches to surgery n Q uality of Life trials (or Supportive
and there are clinical trials going on all or radiation therapy. Care trials) that explore ways to
the time in virtually every area of medical n P revention trials that look for better improve comfort and the quality
research. People who volunteer to take part ways to prevent disease in people of life for individuals with chronic
in clinical trials do so for several reasons, who have never had the disease, or to illnesses.
including the chance to play a more active prevent a disease from returning. These
role in their own health care, gain access approaches may include medicines, The latest and most complete
to new research treatments before they vitamins, vaccines, minerals information about clinical trials today
are widely available and help others or lifestyle changes. is available at the ClinicalTrials.gov
4 Summer 2006 NIH MedlinePlus
institution. The results will show you (www.pubmed.gov) and links to the
what studies are under way, whether a National Cancer Institute (www.nci.
trial is actively recruiting, the purpose nih.gov), the lead NIH institute on this
of the study, where and when it will take particular topic.
place and whom to contact for more “It’s really one-stop shopping,
information. allowing the user to dig deeper for
“From the very beginning, information on the disease or condition
ClinicalTrials.gov has been designed after viewing the list of clinical trials,”
for use by patients,” observes Donald says Dr. Lindberg. “ClinicalTrials.gov
Lindberg, M.D., director of the National is a powerful tool for the individual
Library of Medicine (NLM), the health care consumer, and it has untold
coordinating agency for NIH. “With benefits for the public health, too, as new
patients taking an increasingly active role drugs and therapies evolve from these
in their own healthcare, they now have important studies.” n
a chance to learn more about clinical
studies on everything from Alzheimer’s
disease to zinc supplementation.
Without question, it has helped How to Participate
investigators with their research
recruiting efforts, too.” Clinical trials are sponsored or
Launched in February 2000, funded by a variety of organizations
ClinicalTrials.gov currently contains or individuals, such as physicians,
information on more than 27,000 trials. medical institutions, foundations,
The site has proven very popular with voluntary groups and pharma-
the public, logging approximately ceutical companies, in addition to
8 million page views monthly and federal agencies such as the NIH, the
hosting over 20,000 visitors daily. The Department of Defense (DOD) and
site is updated regularly, with new the Department of Veterans Affairs
information added every day. (VA). Trials can take place in different
Web site (http://clinicaltrials.gov). This ClinicalTrials.gov has many helpful locations, such as hospitals,
is a free, confidential online resource features for the consumer. If you are universities, doctors’ offices
from the National Institutes of Health checking out trials on breast cancer, and community clinics.
(NIH), which anyone with a computer for example, the site also links you If you would like to participate
and Web browser can tap into for to the NLM’s MedlinePlus (www. in a clinical trial, you can find oppor-
a comprehensive listing of clinical medlineplus.gov), with in-depth tunities and more information
studies—in the U.S. and abroad— information on the topic, including at government Web sites such as:
sponsored by the NIH and other federal recent news articles and an interactive
n http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
agencies, pharmaceutical companies, tutorial. ClinicalTrials.gov also points
n http://www.cancer.gov/search/
universities and nonprofit organizations. you to NLM’s Genetics Home Reference
clinicaltrials (Cancer studies)
Here’s how it works. After you enter site (www.ghr.nlm.nih.gov), helping you
n http://www.aidsinfo.nih.gov/
the ClinicalTrials.gov Web site, you can understand possible genetic factors that
clinical_trials (HIV and
search for a trial by the name of the can increase the incidence of the disease.
AIDS studies)
disease, the location of the study, the It allows you to search medical journal
type of treatment or the sponsoring references via NLM’s PubMed
NIH MedlinePlus Summer 2006 5
Winning
the Race
lance armstrong Shares His Struggle
To Survive Cancer ... and Thrive!
t
The world knows and celebrates Lance Armstrong for his remarkable defeat of life-threatening cancer
and for his unparalleled seven consecutive victories in the Tour de France bicycle race. But, as Armstrong
reveals in this exclusive interview, he is prouder of his cancer victory than all of his racing wins.
Armstrong, whose non-profit Lance have clipped into a pedal and started a bike Dr. von Eschenbach finds Lance
Armstrong Foundation (LAF) is now a race ever again.” Armstrong’s story so compelling: “Lance
leader in the fight against cancer, knows Success stories such as Armstrong’s is a cancer survivor who represents so
all too well the impact that cancer of any are part of an evolving strategy in the many, many others across this country and
kind can have on an individual. In 1996, fight against cancer, notes Andrew von the world who have faced the challenge
his own aggressive form of testicular Eschenbach, M.D., NCI director and of cancer,” he says. “He is an example to
cancer metastasized into his lymph acting commissioner, U.S. Food and Drug us of what is possible, what is within our
nodes, lungs and brain. Armstrong Administration. grasp—a world in which no one suffers
underwent two surgeries, one to remove “Over the course of the 20th century, and no one dies as a result of cancer.”
his cancerous testicle and another to the primary strategy for treating cancer
remove two cancerous lesions on his brain. was ‘seek and destroy’,” he says. “Now, in an How did you learn of your cancer,
Over a three-month period, he received effort to preserve healthy cells and improve and how did you feel about it?
four rounds of chemotherapy. For these outcomes, we are increasing efforts to I was diagnosed with advanced
reasons, he understands that defeating ‘target and control’ cancer by modulating testicular cancer on October 2, 1996.
cancer cannot be done alone. and altering the behavior of the disease. I had ignored the symptoms for
As he told doctors, researchers and Someday we will eliminate cancer, but for months; pain comes with professional
clinical trial participants on one of his visits today, our immediate goal is to eliminate cycling, so it was easy to dismiss the
to the NIH’s National Cancer Institute the suffering and death due to cancer.” soreness in my groin, headaches and
(NCI), without their cancer research and (Read more comments from Dr. von difficulty breathing. I reluctantly went
that of others, “...quite frankly, I wouldn’t Eschenbach on page 8.) to the doctor after my testicle had
be here today. And I certainly wouldn’t That is one of the many reasons that swollen to three times its normal size.
6 Summer 2006 NIH MedlinePlus
I owe a lot to my neighbor—a friend more opinions and to not be afraid to Beyond supplying information,
and doctor who insisted I get it checked question their doctors. the work of the NCI represents our
out. By the time I was diagnosed, the I also think that a person with cancer government’s commitment to cancer.
cancer had already spread to my lungs needs to seek out support from friends That is why the current $40 million in
and brain, so it is fair to say I was in and family. I had a group of people budget cuts proposed for the NCI are
bad shape. there for me—to listen to me, cheer wrong. There is a long budget battle
How did I feel about it? Probably me on or remind me that I wasn’t really ahead, and I know the Senate has
the same as anyone who has ever been alone. I was lucky to know that other proposed an amendment to restore
diagnosed feels about cancer—I was in people were invested in my survival; funding. We cannot back away from our
complete shock. Here I was, young and you can never overestimate the benefit
healthy and riding better than ever and, of that kind of support and friendship.
suddenly, I have cancer. I was worried MedlinePlus and
about losing my career and, frankly, my in addition to talking with your
NCI Cancer Resources
life. I didn’t know how to tell my mom, doctors, did you seek information
and I was scared and angry. from the National cancer institute,
Main MedlinePlus Web page:
I can now say that my life is better and how important was it to you?
www.medlineplus.gov
because of my cancer experience. At the time, I didn’t know anything
Though I wouldn’t wish it for anyone, about the NCI and all the resources
MedlinePlus cancer types:
I believe I appreciate my life in a available to people with cancer. I http://www.nlm.nih.gov/
completely new and better way discovered the NCI while researching medlineplus/cancers.html
because I faced cancer and was lucky information about my diagnosis, and I
enough to survive. Having said that, believe it is a very important resource. Patient education tutorials:
I also believe that cancer still affects I would encourage anyone facing http://www.nlm.nih.gov/
far too many people, and we must cancer to seek more questions and medlineplus/tutorial.html
continue to work to change that fact. not be afraid. Especially now, with the
Drugs, supplements and herbal
increased use of the Web, it is amazing
information:
you say that “knowledge is power” how much information is available
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/med
in fighting cancer. from your to a new patient.
lineplus/druginformation.html
experience, what are the two or three
most important things you believe
Updated information about feder-
cancer patients should keep in mind? ally and privately supported clinical
My mom and a core group of research in human volunteers:
friends helped me spend countless http://clinicaltrials.gov
hours reading information and asking
questions. It’s really important, and I Directories of health-care profes-
can’t stress that enough. You must be sionals, services and facilities:
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/
your own best advocate to be sure the
directories.html
treatment you are getting is best for you.
I got a second opinion, which can
National Cancer Institute (NCI):
be tough to do. We are inclined to Armstrong and the Lance Armstrong Foundation
www.cancer.gov/
trust our doctors implicitly and not hold LIVESTRONG Challenge cancer-research
question them, but the second opinion fund-raisers in various cities across the country, Links to all types of cancer:
I got was the right one for me. So, such as this 2005 Ride Portland event in Oregon. www.cancer.gov/cancertopics
I would encourage people to seek For details, visit www.livestrongchallenge.org.
NIH MedlinePlus Summer 2006 7
commitment to beating cancer, and the tough questions, get a second opinion,
NCI is critical in that fight. take care of yourself, surround yourself
with family and friends, and do whatever
What is the message you would you have to do to keep hope alive.
most like to send to people recently
diagnosed with cancer? the goal of this new magazine,
Hope. There can and should be life NIH MedlinePlus, is to give people
after cancer for more people, and I want access to trusted, easily understood
people to know that. information about dealing with
On Wednesday, May 17, you At a Lance Armstrong Foundation disease and staying healthy. do you
can help Lance and the LAF (LAF) event in Austin last fall, a lung often hear from people seeking such
be a voice for change. Thou- cancer survivor told the audience that she reliable information?
sands of people will take part changed doctors because the first one Constantly. A cancer diagnosis
in LIVESTRONG Day events seemed to write her off. changes a person forever. It is an
She said she fired the doctor because, overwhelming and confusing thing,
across the country to raise
as she put it, “I can’t have more hope than particularly since there are so many
awareness of and bring atten-
you do. I need someone to believe in me.” types of cancer and so many outcomes.
tion to an issue that impacts
Maybe that’s why she is still here and was More than anything else, people just
all Americans—cancer.
able to come to Austin to share her story. want information. They want to know
For more information, visit
Cancer is tough, and it still claims too about treatment, treatment centers,
www.livestrong.org.
many lives, but I think that hope is the side effects, fertility and depression
greatest weapon a person has. Ask the and, of course, how they are going to
Working together, We can defeat cancer
An interview with Andrew C. von Eschenbach
cancer—in all its forms—continues to take a huge toll National Cancer Institute has committed itself to a goal,
on people across the world. in your opinion, where do one based on our emerging understanding of cancer as a
we stand in the fight today? disease process. Our plan is to eliminate the suffering and
This year, more than 1.4 million Americans will hear death that result from this process that we understand as
the words, “You have cancer.” One out of every two men cancer, and we are committed to a goal of doing so as early
and one out of every three women during their lifetime as 2015.
will hear the words, “You have cancer.” One American
every minute is dying as a result of this disease. Now, we in what ways do you see the fight against cancer
need fresh thinking about new goals—goals that remain changing so dramatically?
focused not as a cure but as a long-term solution for We have the ability within our grasp, based on the
controlling cancer. trajectory of progress, to expand our understanding of the
In 1971—the same year that Lance Armstrong was fundamental mechanisms that give rise to our susceptibil-
born—the National Cancer Act was passed, and the ity to cancers, the early events of malignant transformation,
country committed its resources to conquer cancer. That the progression and the metastatic spread and the ultimate
journey has led us to a truly transformational moment. The death that we see all around us in our friends and relatives.
8 Summer 2006 NIH MedlinePlus