As a marketing intern for the University of Wisconsin-Madison Carbone Cancer Center, I covered new cancer treatments and advancements for the UW Health website.
Spotlight: Ticiana Leal and the Lung Cancer Disease Oriented Working Group
Clinical studies at the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center require a team of individuals who are passionate for the research they pursue and the cause for which they fight. The Lung Cancer Disease-Oriented Working Group (DOWG) is one of 17 research groups designed to better patient care through collaboration. It includes a team of doctors, nurses and research assistants who enroll patients in studies – all in an effort to beat the number one cause of cancer-related deaths in Wisconsin.
Ticiana Leal, MD, one member of the team, says her passion for treating lung cancer is fueled by the relationships formed with patients.
“Fighting cancer is a daily endeavor, so every patient I treat is unique,” says Leal. “When it comes to this disease, it always requires a personalized approach.”
The Role of Humor in Cancer Treatment
Madison, Wisconsin – Stephen Rose, MD has known for some time that humor can be an effective method of relating to cancer patients in his practice as a physician at the UW Carbone Cancer Center.
In a study, “The Use of Humor in Patients with Recurrent Ovarian Cancer” published in the International Journal of Gynecological Cancer, Rose examines the clinical benefits of using this tool with patients. The findings reveal that using humor judiciously can have a positive influence on treatment.
While previous studies have considered how light-hearted interactions between doctors and patients can impact care, Rose was inspired to look into the effect of humor in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer in particular because of seriousness of this generally terminal diagnosis.
“Patient visits are often tense and emotional,” he observes. “so we wanted to explore how humor is used by the patient, their family or their caregivers in this dynamic, and whether it was perceived as helpful to the patients down the line.”
Erin Berge 