Winter 2010 (Vol. 7, No. 1) The LTFU LifeLinks newsletter is sent quarterly to people who have undergone treatment through Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center's transplant program.
Dear friend of LTFU,
This issue of the LTFU LifeLinks Newsletter presents information from a study recently completed to look at how life expectancy in patients who had already survived five years after transplant compares with life expectancy for the general population.
Overall, the results are quite positive, showing that 80 percent of these patients lived at least 20 years after transplant. As expected, however, the average life span of people who have experienced a life-threatening disease and gone through a difficult treatment is shorter than the average for the general population. The article emphasizes what patients can do to decrease the risk of late effects after a transplant.
We want to ensure that our patients have accurate information about what the results of this study might mean for them as individuals.
We are very interested in your reaction to these findings and would welcome any comments you have. You can send comments to ltfunews@fhcrc.org. If you have questions about the study, you can call LTFU at 206-667-4415.
Best regards, Paul Martin, M.D. Director, Long-Term Follow-Up
Featured Readings Key study shows need for more research Study evaluates five-year transplant survivors Read more »
Frequently Asked Questions Life expectancy study Read more »
Educational Events Brown Bag Discussion This group provides peer support and education to participants. All transplant and returning follow-up patients are welcome to attend and share their experiences. Participation can be in person or by conference call. A faculty member will join us one or two weeks a month to provide insight and education on various aspects of the transplant process. This group is co-facilitated by a clinical social worker and an LTFU nurse. Bring your lunch if pressed for time. Space is limited to 50 participants.
When: Every Thursday, 12-1 p.m.
Where: Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, 825 Eastlake Ave. E., Sixth Floor, Room 23
To participate in the discussion via conference call, dial 1-641-715-3300. At the prompt to enter a PIN number, enter 882679 followed by the # symbol. You will be charged a long-distance fee. If you need financial help, we can provide you with a phone card.
Questions? Contact Long-Term Follow-Up at (206) 667-4415.
Questions?
If you have any medical or long-term follow-up questions, call (206) 667-4415. If you have comments or questions about the newsletter or would like to be added to or deleted from our mailing list, contact Kevin Bray at (206) 667-6256 or by e-mail at ltfunews@fhcrc.org. You are also welcome to subscribe to receive an electronic version of the newsletter via e-mail by visiting http://www.fhcrc.org/en/treatment/long-term-follow-up.html.
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, home of three Nobel laureates, is an independent, nonprofit research institution dedicated to the development and advancement of biomedical technology to eliminate cancer and other potentially fatal diseases.
