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Voices of Hodgkin’s Blog
Voices of Hodgkin’s Blog

Beyond the Cancer Diagnosis: Dialogue with Betty Roggenkamp

Here is a great interview hosted by Adrian Pogacian, speaking with Betty Roggenkamp, in “Beyond the Cancer Diagnosis.” Betty is well known for her work in promoting quality cancer care as well as a leading expert in the area of AYA cancer survivors. Adrian is a clinical psychologist who specializes in the psychological impact of a cancer diagnosis, which is now a subspecialty known as “Pscyho-Oncology.” The interview highlights some of the psychological challenges that survivors face – and not just AYA’s! There are some great tips here and several helpful links to other organizations.

A Grim Prognosis, a Gamble, and a Patient’s Fight to Defy Cancer

Here is a powerful, well-told story about the importance of getting a second opinion. Katie Doble’s harrowing tale of her fight to survive a Stage IV diagnosis is more than inspiring – it’s a life lesson in doing your homework, and, above all, never giving up.

Make Hospital Food Healthy

How ironic is it that the place we go to be cared for, to be healed, is so often feeding us with food that could lead to serious health problems? The following article is a call to action for hospital administrators, but you don’t have to wear that hat to voice your concerns. You can be a “foodie” advocate in your own medical community! Write your hospital administrators and share the patient’s perspective. Find someone there who could make a difference and use your voice to change things. It could be a small step in solving a problem that affects so many.

American Cancer Society’s 2025 Annual Report

Here are the results of ACS’s yearly study looking at cancer statistics in the US. There are some fascinating findings in the report – some positive trends and others that are alarming.

Attributable Risk and Consequences of Bone Mineral Density Deficits in Childhood Cancer Survivors

Here are the results of a fascinating study on the risk of bone density loss in adult survivors of childhood cancer. This research looked at more than 3900 survivors from the St. Jude Lifetime cohort. Not surprisingly, the study showed that a significant portion of these survivors had significant bone loss decades after their treatment ended. Increased doses of radiation led to increased risks, though the researchers found that other comorbid conditions like sedentary behavior and smoking were factors that led to loss of bone density.

Belonging Beyond Borders: Facing Cancer as a Migrant

This is a thought-provoking short video about the challenges that cancer survivors face when they are diagnosed with cancer in another country. Hear from Carmen, an AYA survivor of Hodgkin’s who is from Costa Rica, and April, who is from the Philippines, as they negotiate cancer care in a world that is not their own.