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Spring Survey 2012 Results

Cell Phones & Brain Tumors: Should You Worry?

PROGRAM DETAILS:

Increasingly, cell phones and brain tumors have been ending up in the same sentence together. Is there a connection? Should we be concerned? There has been much speculation by members in the cancer community for some time, though research has not provided any evidence to support these claims. On this special Patient Power program, host Andrew Schorr is joined by Dr. Reid C. Thompson, director of the Vanderbilt Brain Tumor Center and associate professor of Neurological Surgery, to discuss the theories and science behind the cell phone brain cancer controversy.

Ezra Fitz, who also joins the show, was in his 20s when he suffered an unexpected seizure. Physicians at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center soon found the cause – a malignant brain tumor. During this Patient Power program, Mr. Fitz shares his story and acknowledges the questions he and his family had about the possibility of a cell phone link. Ezra discusses the cutting-edge brain surgery, an awake craniotomy, he received, and why the location of his tumor required this type of surgery.

Dr. Thompson then goes on to discuss the latest in brain cancer research. He addresses questions sparked by a recent memo from the director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute warning his staff to curtail their use of cell phones because of potential health risks. People have many questions, but the big one is: Are there particular risk factors, whether environmental or genetic, we should be aware of? Dr. Thompson details the results of several current studies. He explains the difference between non-ionizing radiation and ionizing radiation and gives listeners an idea about where the current fears come from.

If you have questions about different treatment options for brain tumors and the most current research, this Patient Power program is not to be missed.

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EXPERTS & GUESTS:
Reid C. Thompson, M.D.
Director of the Vanderbilt Brain Tumor Center, Vanderbilt Medical Center
Dr. Reid C. Thompson is the Director of the Vanderbilt Brain Tumor Center and Vice Chairman of the Department of Neurological Surgery. He is a neurosurgeon and clinician scientist with expertise in the surgical treatment of patients with complex brain and spinal cord tumors. Dr. Thompson treats both adults and children and performs over 250 complex intracranial operations a year.... more >

Ezra Fitz,
Underwent brain surgery at Vanderbilt
Ezra Fitz, a 31-year-old novel translator, was diagnosed with a gemistocytic astrocytoma brain tumor after having a seizure. With no prior symptoms or warning signs, many questions about its origin remained. Shortly after diagnosis, Ezra underwent a craniotomy at The Vanderbilt Brain Center, performed by Dr. Kyle Weaver. After surgery, Ezra received 30 days of radiation and 12 months of... more >

TRANSCRIPT:

  1. Introduction
  2. Ezra’s Story
  3. Brain Cancer Research
  4. Listener’s Questions
  5. Risk Factors for Brain Cancer
  6. Treatment Options
  7. Importance of a Team Approach
  8. Why Get a Second Opinion?
  9. Personalized Medicine and Clinical Trials

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