MS Strength

Decreased Cancer Risks for MS Patients?

A recent Swedish study yielded an interesting statistic about its country’s multiple sclerosis patients: there was a noted lowered risk for developing various forms of cancer. Dr. Shahran Bahmanyar (of Sweden’s Karolinska Institute) lead this study which tracked the records (over the course of 35 years) of roughly 20,000 Swedish MS patients v. approximately 200,000 people without MS.

Findings included a 10% lowered risk for a number of cancers. Specific types included pancreatic, ovarian, stomach, lung, prostate, and lymphatic. Says Dr. Bahmanyar, “We speculate that the lower risk for cancer among people with MS could be a result of lifestyle changes or treatment following diagnosis.” The lowered risk was also slightly more pronounced in female MS patients.

*For more information about this study, see Medscape Today.

The Global Idea: A Community Blog for Travelers

Do you ever wonder where you can find helpful, practical tips for your vacation that pinpoint easily-accessible transportation, tourist sites, and accommodations? And do you want to inform others about the great travel tips you’ve already learned? Well, some wise folks at the website The Global Idea came up with a fantastic idea: a travel Wikipedia (an online encyclopedia which is updated and changed by its readers) for those with special travel needs.

The Global Idea is set up with a main page (featured travel destinations and instructions for contributing are presented here), a FAQ page, a help page, an online store, a travel blog written by the creators, a link to important websites, and an extensive destinations index which spans the entire globe.

*Visit www.theglobalidea.com to access this travel Wikipedia.

This is the last interview for New Mobility’s “MS Life” column. I became its columnist this past January, as it began to be published every other month. A new column for non spinal cord injuries will be coming, which will also include MS profiles and information. I’m looking forward to contributing to this new feature. For a look at the last column in its entirety, visit New Mobility’s website . I had the good fortune of profiling Cathy, from Navigating the Journey of MS, who proved to be a genuine example of MS strength:

When diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2004, Cathy, 46, soon found herself in a difficult position: she was failing to see results from two of the disease-modifying medications. Her condition rapidly worsened until she began Tysabri, the once-monthly infusion. With much success, Cathy was able to increase her strength and make great strides within six months of the Tysabri treatment. This sparked the interest of Biogen—Tysabri’s creators— who asked Cathy to become a patient advocate and share her MS story. “I make motivational speeches at Tysabri functions across the state of Wisconsin, where I now live,” she says.

Having a former career in sales, Cathy was also prompted to start her own online MS store, The MS Shoppe. With the help of a marketing company and an attorney, she and her husband now sell MS-related assistive devices, clothing, and novelty items. “I hired a company to teach me and I have 90% control (over the company) except when I get stuck and they jump in and help me,” Cathy says.

Cathy identifies the source for her continual inspiration: her husband. She confesses that he has always been there for her during their 21-year marriage and now so more than ever. Cathy says, “My husband inspires me. He is the only person who has completely been there for me in my life. He has been my rock and has kept me grounded and motivated.”

Visit Cathy’s MS store at www.themsshoppe.com.