Overview of
The Judy Joseph Palliative Care Program 

Because of our Generous Supporters, ICAN patients involved in
The Judy Joseph Palliative Care Program
have access to the following information services:

  • A review and analysis of the patient's pathology report relating to TNM staging ("Tumor Node Metastasis"); review of the patient's medical history, diet, lifestyle and risk factors, current condition as well as any comorbid factors; and complete review of symptoms prior to presentation.
  • Referrals, at the patient contact's request, to medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiologists, interventional radiologists, anesthesiologists, and additional specialists relevant to the patient's ongoing care.
  • Referrals to support groups that may be of assistance in handling the emotional impact that cancer has on the patient and the patient's family.
  • Referrals to cancer-specific organizations that may be of assistance in addressing insurance issues or employment termination issues (because of diagnosis or disclosure of metastatic disease).
  • Review of the nature/amelioration of specific side effects from chemotherapy (such as nausea and neuropathy) as well as from other treatment modalities.
  • Discussion of the interaction of diet and cancer chemotherapy drugs based on recent studies.
  • Delineation of the symptoms about which the patient should alert his/her oncologist.
  • Discussion of relevant imaging technology.
  • Discussion of pain management issues and treatment options that can be addressed with the patient's medical team.
  • Explanation of the recommendations given or not given by the patient's physicians; assistance in answering the patient's questions which remain either after or between appointments with the medical team.
  • Review of the relevant radiotherapy/interventional radiology options which the patient contact, in turn, may discuss with his/her medical team.
  • Review the patient’s genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, and immune cell studies to best prioritize clinical trial options and sequencing of therapies.
  • Analysis of relevant cancer clinical trials options as well as the nature and purpose of clinical trials using Remission Coach®.
  • Review of relevant cancer-specific drugs in the anticancer pipeline.
  • Review of all relevant and complementary and alternative medicine ("CAM") avenues.
  • Review of the merits of filing a "Single Patient IND for Compassionate or Emergency Use" for a specific experimental cancer drug, if relevant to the patient's situation.
  • Exploration of options that might reduce travel costs for the patient contact, such as Corporate Angels Network, as well as ICAN supporters who have volunteered to host a clinical trials patient in a particular city.

The Judy Joseph Palliative Care Program
is a vital part of ICAN's Cancer Patient Advocacy and Clinical Trials Program Advocacy Services.

ICAN is currently working on The Judy Joseph Palliative Care Program. We are working to put together a Family and Friends Advisory Council for the The Judy Joseph Palliative Care Program. If interested, please email us at Judy.Joseph.Program@askican.org.

If you would like to become involved as a donor and supporter or a member of our Cancer Research Literature team as a Research Team Leader (medical school students, physicians, nurses, and post-docs only please), you may reach us at Judy.Joseph.Program@askican.org.


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