Maintaining a Positive Attitude

Haverhill, Massachusetts-based Darcy Cardarelli has a deep interest in health and wellness issues. Darcy Cardarelli believes that positive thinking can have a measurable effect on protection against diseases such as cancer.

As detailed in a Harvard Health article, medical studies increasingly show that people with a positive attitude have a lower mortality risk. For many people, a positive attitude includes practicing gratitude, or taking time to appreciate what you have instead of feeling unfulfilled and seeking more. A feeling of gratitude can be sustained and amplified by taking time to write down the things you are grateful for, and in the process, reliving the positive experiences that make up a well-rounded life.

Another facet of a positive attitude is a sense of purpose, even in the face of upheavals. A key is maintaining a sense of normality and adherence to a healthy diet and a regular schedule of sleep and exercise. At the same time, find ways to stay connected with the people you love. View negative events in life as opportunities for personal growth and a new perspective.

Potential Impact of Social Media on Clinical Cancer Trials

An experienced computer programming and human resources professional, Darcy Cardarelli has spent time as an executive in various industries, including time as a manager with John Hancock and as president of SOTAS International in Haverhill, Massachusetts. As president of AlwaysHaveAHeart.com, Darcy Cardarelli maintains an online platform that allows people to discuss personal experiences with the disease.

A new report suggests that social media can play a significant role in future cancer treatments, particularly when it comes to alerting patients to the benefits of taking part in clinical trials. Due to a variety of concerns, from potential side effects to skepticism regarding placebo treatments, only 5 percent of patients in the United States take part in clinical trials.

Medical professionals and organizations are beginning to use various social media platforms to dispel harmful myths about clinical trials, such as beliefs that trials are only available to terminal patients or that trials should be viewed as a final treatment option. Social media can also be used to alert patients to new trials they may be eligible for. Driving enrollment is especially vital, as trials that do not receive enough interest ultimately close, wasting time and money on promising treatments.

While these benefits may seem obvious, social media outreach remains in the infancy stages in terms of cancer research. The University of Southern California has recently explored the effectiveness of Twitter as a recruitment tool for clinical trials, while individual doctors have also experimented with similar outreach methods. The MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Dr. Cathy Eng, for example, receives direct messages from patients on Twitter, especially regarding questions about clinical enrollment.

Other social media-driven initiatives and groups include the Lung Cancer Social Media (#LCSM) and Breast Cancer Social Media (#BCSM) Twitter groups and the NRG Oncology Social Media Working Group.

University of Cambridge Team Creates Virtual Reality Map of Tumor

A graduate of Dartmouth College with a bachelor of arts in psychology, Darcy Cardarelli draws on more than three decades of programming experience to develop a website that will offer stories to inspire people affected by cancer, the loss of a loved one, and other hardships. Darcy Cardarelli is particularly interested in cancer research and innovations that help improve these efforts. 

In late 2018, scientists at the University of Cambridge made new strides to improving research capabilities through a virtual reality (VR) cancer model that allows them to study tumors from any angle and examine cells on an individual level. According to the team, this endeavor will serve to expand the understanding of cancer and facilitate the development of new treatment methods. Funding for the project came from a $45 million Cancer Research UK grant awarded to Cambridge in 2017. 

To create the VR model, scientists take a tumor sample from a real patient and slice it into wafer-thin biopsy slices. The slices are then scanned with markers to analyze their DNA characteristics and molecular make up. This data enables researchers to build a 3D map of the tumor, which they can inspect while wearing 3D virtual-reality headsets. Additionally, the image gives scientists the opportunity to advance their knowledge of a tumor’s geography.

Three Ways Positive Thinking Can Help People Cope with Cancer

The former president of SOTAS International, Darcy Cardarelli has more than four decades of experience in computer programming and software creation. Darcy Cardarelli draws on this background in the development of AlwaysHaveHeart.com, a website featuring inspirational stories to help people with cancer, the loss of a loved one, and other hardships. 

Accounts of triumphs and successes can boost positive thinking, which evidence suggests can help individuals cope with a cancer diagnosis. The following list describes a few of the benefits of positive thinking. 

Offers stress relief
Maintaining a positive outlook can help lower blood pressure and relieve the stress and anxiety that come with a diagnosis and necessary treatment. No amount of worry changes the reality of a diagnosis, but positive thinking can allow a person to focus on the factors they can control. This can range from looking into support groups to participating in activities hat foster endurance against treatment side effects. 

Contributes to lower readmission after procedures
According to research by a team at Ohio State University’s Comprehensive Cancer Center, good mental health may affect hospital readmission and length of stay. Their study examined readmission and stay rates on patients who underwent a hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). The results demonstrated that the risk was higher in those with depression, low optimism, and other psychological issues prior to the procedure. 

Promotes treatment management
Positive thinking can help people with cancer manage their treatment plans and maintain communication with their care team. Additionally, it provides motivation to engage in activities that promote endurance.

It is important to remember that the benefits of positive thinking on cancer can only manifest if the desire comes from within and when paired with allowing oneself to feel a full range of emotions. Constant reminders to stay positive can pressure people to feel a certain way and deny themselves time to grieve.