The University of Kansas Health System is treating a total of 48 COVID patients today, up from 41 yesterday. Other significant numbers:
- 28 with the active virus today, 21 yesterday
- 3 in ICU, 3 yesterday
- 0 on a ventilator, 0 yesterday
- 20 hospitalized but out of acute infection phase, 20 yesterday
Key points from today’s guests:
Tracy Mason Solis, breast cancer patient
- Contracted a rare type of breast cancer at 41. This type doesn’t usually happen to women under 65.
- Is grateful KU Cancer Center was able to get her in the same day she called asking for a second opinion
- Says it saved her life as within five days her tumor had grown from nothing to 10 centimeters
- Took part in a clinical trial to address the brain fog caused by chemotherapy
- Recommends patients take part in clinical trials if offered the opportunity and suggested questions for them to ask their doctor
Dr. Julia White, breast cancer radiation oncologist, The University of Kansas Health System
- Explained that clinical trials help not only the patient, but future generations of patients
- Does research aimed at helping women not worry about a recurrence of breast cancer
- Tries to match the risks of the trial with the seriousness of the diagnosis and minimizing side effects
- Getting patients involved in clinical trials is a joint effort between doctor and patient
Dr. Shane Stecklein, radiation oncologist, The University of Kansas Health System
- Conducts research two ways, both basic science focusing on the mechanism of the disease and clinical trials which identify new therapies
- Is leading a new trial focusing on triple negative breast cancer, which accounts for 15 percent of breast cancers in the U.S. It disproportionately affects both young and Black women.
- Described a clinical trial to see whether proton therapy is more effective than traditional radiation therapy in treating breast cancer
- With one in eight women being diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime, he encourages every woman over 40 to get a yearly mammogram
Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control, The University of Kansas Health System
- Thought COVID numbers were going to trend down, but they are “bouncing around” right now
- Concerned by increase flu and RSV cases, combined with tens of thousands of new cases of COVID being diagnosed daily
- Vital to be fully vaccinated and boosted to prevent another COVID surge this winter
- Also concerned about outbreak of Ebola in Uganda
Wednesday, October 12 at 8:00 a.m. is the next Open Mics With Dr. Stites. Imagine having to put your life in the hands of a stranger. That’s what happened to a Kansas City man, and the outcome was amazing. You’ll see the emotional moment they met for the first time.
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