Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey

Cancer Prevention and Screening is Crucial to Women’s Health

jfa77 — Mon, 06 May 2024 12:20:56 +0000

Cancer Prevention and Screening is Crucial to Women’s Health jfa77 Mon, 05/06/2024 - 08:20

May 1, 2024 – Now more than ever, we are reminded that health and wellness should always be a top priority. National Women’s Health Month and Mother’s Day, both celebrated in May, are important reminders that women can take control of their health by making feasible lifestyle choices and focusing on preventive care to lower the risk of certain cancers and other diseases. Ruth D. Stephenson, DO, FACOG, gynecologic oncologist in the Gynecologic Oncology Program at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and RWJBarnabas Health shares tips for women to live their healthiest lives.

Focus on a Healthy Lifestyle

Current nutrition and physical activity guidelines for cancer prevention by the American Cancer Society focus on a physically active lifestyle and healthy eating patterns at every age with an emphasis on maintaining a healthy body weight through all stages of life. It is recommended to eat foods with plenty of nutrients including a variety of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains and minimize highly processed sugary foods and drinks. Additionally, alcohol consumption has been linked to increased risk of many cancers. Therefore, not drinking alcohol or drinking in moderation is recommended to help reduce cancer risk. For people who choose to drink, limiting consumption is recommended and women should have no more than one drink per day. Following these guidelines have been shown to prevent many chronic diseases and improve health-related quality of life.

Be Mindful of Gynecologic Health

All women are at risk for gynecologic cancers. The five main types are cervical, endometrial, ovarian, vaginal and vulvar cancer. Women should always be mindful of any unusual signs or symptoms that require evaluation from a health care provider, such as pain or pressure in the pelvic area, unusual vaginal discharge or bleeding, frequent abdominal bloating or swelling or a sore in the genital area that does not heal. Screening guidelines for these types of cancers are often being updated, so, it is valuable to talk with your health care provider about what tests may be timely, such as Pap smears for cervical cancer. Additionally, annual exams from a gynecologist can help women keep their gynecologic health under control and prevent possible complications, so it is important to keep up with your scheduling annual visits.

Focus on Staying up to Date with Important Screenings

Some may think that colorectal cancer is a men’s disease, but women are just as much at risk. Several tests are available to find polyps or colorectal cancer early, including stool tests and colonoscopy. It is typically recommended by the American Cancer Society that colorectal cancer screening for men and women should begin at age 45. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in the United States, besides skin cancer. Fortunately, when detected early, it is also one of the most treatable. One of the best ways to tackle the disease is through early detection and screening with mammography, which can detect breast cancer before there are any signs or symptoms. Talk to your health care provider about when you should start cancer screening and what screening frequency is best for you.

RWJBarnabas Health, in partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, the state’s leading cancer program and only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, encourages women to take charge of their health. Learn more at rwjbh.org/mammo

For journalists – contact:
Krista Didzbalis 
Corporate Communications Specialist
201-306-4271
krista.didbalis2@rwjbh.org

For patient appointments/inquiries – contact:
844-CANCERNJ (844-226-2376

Circle of Support Program May 2024

jfa77 — Wed, 01 May 2024 16:40:49 +0000

Circle of Support Program May 2024 jfa77 Wed, 05/01/2024 - 12:40

File

Circle of Support Program_May 2024.pdf

Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey Researcher Elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences

jfa77 — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 12:01:35 +0000

Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey Researcher Elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences jfa77 Fri, 04/26/2024 - 08:01

New Brunswick, NJ (April 25, 2024) – RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, the state’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, have announced that Eileen White, PhD, Deputy Director and Chief Scientific Officer at Rutgers Cancer Institute, has been elected as a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Founded in 1780, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences honors excellence by bringing leaders from every field of human endeavor together to examine new ideas and address critical issues of importance to the nation and the world. The organization’s work has paved the way for the direction of research analysis in areas such as science and technology policy, global security and international affairs, social policy, education, the humanities, and the arts.

Dr. White is a cancer biologist, known for her work establishing that a DNA tumor virus oncogene functions by inhibiting programmed cell death by apoptosis. She also established that tumor cells induce intracellular nutrient scavenging by autophagy, which promotes their metabolism, growth, survival and malignancy.

She was previously a Damon Runyon Postdoctoral Fellow and Staff Investigator at Cold Spring Laboratory before moving to Rutgers University, where she contributed to the establishment of Rutgers Cancer Institute. Dr. White was pivotal in the establishment of the Princeton Branch of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research at Princeton University and serves as its Associate Director.

“It is my honor to be named a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and join a long list of my esteemed colleagues,” said Dr. White who is also a Board of Governors Professor of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry at the Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences. “There is no limit to what we can do together to address significant challenges facing our society, including those in the science and healthcare arena.”

“Dr. White’s election to this extraordinary organization is the next chapter in a career already brimming with remarkable achievements,” added Steven K. Libutti, MD, Director of the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and Senior Vice President, Oncology Services at RWJBarnabas Health. “This recognition is a testament to her breakthrough research and dedication in the fight against cancer. We are proud to have her on our team.”

The induction will take place Friday, September 20, 2024, with a formal ceremony on Saturday, September 21, 2024, in Cambridge, MA.

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About Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey
As New Jersey’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Rutgers Cancer Institute, together with RWJBarnabas Health, offers the most advanced cancer treatment options including bone marrow transplantation, proton therapy, CAR T-cell therapy and complex surgical procedures. Along with clinical trials and novel therapeutics such as precision medicine and immunotherapy – many of which are not widely available – patients have access to these cutting-edge therapies at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey in New Brunswick, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey at University Hospital in Newark, as well as through RWJBarnabas Health facilities. To make a tax-deductible gift to support the Cancer Institute of New Jersey, call 848-932-8013 or visit www.cinj.org/giving.

For patient appointments/inquiries – contact:
844-CANCERNJ (844-226-2376)

Media Contact
Krista Didzbalis
Krista.didzbalis2@rwjbh.org
201.306.4271

Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital’s Transplant and Cell Therapy Program Awarded Accreditation by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy

jfa77 — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 13:14:32 +0000

Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital’s Transplant and Cell Therapy Program Awarded Accreditation by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy jfa77 Thu, 04/25/2024 - 09:14

(New Brunswick, NJ) - The Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) has once again awarded Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital’s (RWJUH) Transplant and Cell Therapy Program accreditation under the FACT-JACIE International Standards for Hematopoietic Cellular Therapy.

The accreditation is effective for three years beginning April 3, 2024 and applies to all services and facilities that were inspected by FACT, specifically:

Adult allogeneic and autologous hematopoietic progenitor cellular therapy
Immune effector cellular therapy
Peripheral blood cellular therapy product collection
Cellular therapy product processing with minimal manipulation

FACT accreditation elevates the Program’s position as a quality organization, and informs patients, health insurance companies and governments that it is dedicated to excellence in patient care and laboratory practices. FACT is the only accrediting agency that addresses all quality aspects of cellular therapy and cord blood banking including collection, processing, and administration.

FACT accreditation is awarded after successful documentation of compliance with the current standards. Compliance is determined by evaluation of written documents provided by the organization and by an on-site inspection carried out by a team who are qualified by training and experience.

“Achieving this prestigious accreditation for the eighth consecutive time affirms our program’s dedication to providing the highest quality care, and to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients in a safe and caring environment,” said Matthew Matasar, MD, MS Chief of Blood Disorders at Rutgers Cancer Institute and RWJUH. “Achieving and maintaining this accreditation is a rigorous process. Patients can be assured that as the only program offered in New Jersey at an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, they have access to outstanding clinical care, researchers, clinical trials, advanced therapies, and cutting-edge treatment that is available at only a small number of elite blood and marrow transplant programs nationally.”

In collaboration with RWJUH, the Transplant and Cell Therapy Program at Rutgers Cancer Institute has been performing autologous stem cell transplant since 1995 and allogeneic stem cell transplants since 2002.

The Program treats patients with a number of illnesses including acute and chronic leukemias, myelodysplasia, both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma, amyloidosis, and others. The clinical and research interests of clinicians focus on novel strategies to prevent graft-versus-host disease, improved umbilical cord blood transplants, and the development of cellular therapies that are less toxic than standard transplants such as CAR T-Cell therapy.

In addition to its FACT accreditation, The Transplant and Cell Therapy Program has been rated “Excellent” by the Commission on Cancer. Rutgers Cancer Institute also offers stem cell transplantation for children, adolescents and young adults with cancers and blood disorders through our Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapies Program.
To learn more, please visit www.cinj.org.

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Making a Difference

jfa77 — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 19:43:40 +0000

Making a Difference

Explore news on how giving and service are making a difference in the fight against cancer at Rutgers Cancer Institute.

jfa77 Thu, 04/11/2024 - 15:43

East Brunswick Public Schools

For more than a decade, East Brunswick Public Schools has raised money each year for Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey through a district-wide “denim day.” To date, over $32,000 has been donated to support research areas in pediatric hematology/oncology, breast cancer, and leukemia/lymphoma. Thank you, East Brunswick Public Schools!

Linden High School Volleyball

The Linden High School Varsity Girls Volleyball team collected over $2,100 between 2022 and 2023 and donated to breast cancer research at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey. A tradition since 2016, the team sold t-shirts and collected donations to raise money to help prevent and find a cure for breast cancer. Players also made posters and decorated the gym to spread awareness. A ceremony was held before the Linden High School vs. Elizabeth High School varsity game to honor breast cancer patients and survivors. Both teams sported pink uniforms for the event and were cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd.

Venus Jewelers

Venus Jewelers, located at 1024 Easton Avenue in Somerset, hosted a shop-for-a-cause event during the holiday season. 100% of net proceeds from T. Jazelle Gemstone Cause Charm Bracelets were donated to Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey. Each design features an inspirational charm with a unique meaning and message. Thank you for your support!

Park Avenue BMW

Park Avenue BMW hosted a “Drive for a Cure” event to promote breast cancer awareness. For every test drive on October 20 and 21, Park Avenue would donate $100 to Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, as well as encouraging donations from clients, staff, family, and friends. Sharing in the excitement, management committed on the spot to donate $100 for the sale of every new or previously owned car. Between donations, test drives, and sales, the event raised more than $25,700. Thank you, Park Avenue BMW!

Qin CV April 2024

jfa77 — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 18:12:52 +0000

Qin CV April 2024 jfa77 Thu, 04/11/2024 - 14:12

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Qin-CV-2024.pdf

3D Surgical Procedures and Medical Animation Videos

jlasin — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 16:38:50 +0000

3D Surgical Procedures and Medical Animation Videos

Watch from a collection of hundreds of high-quality surgical procedure and medical animation videos. The videos are brief and provide valuable information about common diseases, conditions, and procedures. Included with each video is a full text transcript of the video dialogue. Each video is produced to enhance the level of healthcare knowledge for consumers.

Watch 3D Surgical Procedures/Medical Animations Videos

Please note that the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey's Resource and Learning Center does not guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the information available at websites from external links. Address all medical concerns to your healthcare professional.

April 2024

jlasin Fri, 04/05/2024 - 12:38

2024 Annual Research Retreat Agenda

jfa77 — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 19:08:15 +0000

2024 Annual Research Retreat Agenda jfa77 Tue, 04/02/2024 - 15:08

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2024_RETREAT_AGENDA_FINAL.pdf

Circle of Support Program April 2024

jfa77 — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 18:43:13 +0000

Circle of Support Program April 2024 jfa77 Fri, 03/29/2024 - 14:43

File

Circle of Support Program April 2024.pdf

Testicular Cancer: Expert Advice for Early Detection

jfa77 — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 14:09:04 +0000

Testicular Cancer: Expert Advice for Early Detection jfa77 Wed, 03/27/2024 - 10:09

New Brunswick, N.J., April 1, 2024 – Testicular cancer is most common between the ages of 15 and 45, with the median age for diagnosis being 33, according to the American Cancer Society. Therefore, young men should become familiar with the symptoms related to this disease and understand how easily they can play a role in its detection.

Vignesh T. Packiam, MD, director of Clinical and Translational Research in Urologic Oncology and a urologic oncologist in the Urologic Oncology Program at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and RWJBarnabas Health, the state’s leading cancer program and only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, shares more.

There are some risk factors that can increase your risk of testicular cancer. Men whose testicles did not descend into the scrotum at birth, a condition known as cryptorchidism, are at an increased risk for testicular cancer. Other established risk factors include a family history or personal history of testicular cancer.

Early detection is key and can start in your own home. Regular self-exams are easy and can help men to recognize if something might be wrong. To self-exam, an individual should hold each testicle separately between the thumbs and forefingers of both hands and roll it gently, feeling for hard lumps, rounded masses, and/or changes in shape or size. This should be performed once a month.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to a medical professional if experiencing early signs of testicular cancer. Any lumps, bumps, or a dull ache in the groin or lower abdomen are all possibly signs of testicular cancer. Pain, swelling, or discomfort in the testicles can also be warning signs of the disease. If the cancer has spread, it most commonly affects the lymph nodes in the lower back, which can cause lower back pain.

There’s no need for shame in the conversation about men’s health. It is common for men to feel nervous when talking to a medical professional about abnormalities in the testicles. However, not speaking up about medical concerns to a doctor unnecessarily delays or prevents treatment, and can allow the cancer to grow and spread. Ultimately, the best way to reduce your risk of testicular cancer is to be aware of the body and report any changes to a medical professional.

This is a highly curable cancer, especially in the early stages of disease. At advanced stages of disease, experience is critical to yield the best outcomes, and our team at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey has expertise in multi-disciplinary management for testicular cancer.

Learn more about the Urologic Oncology Program at Rutgers Cancer Institute by visiting cinj.org/patient-care/urologic-oncology-program.