• 9/23/2004
  • no attribution
  • wsoctv.com – Medstar

American men have about a one in two risk of developing cancer during their lifetime. For women, the risk is about one in three. This year alone the American Cancer Society estimates 1,368,030 cases will be diagnosed in the U.S. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in this country (after heart disease). About 563,700 Americans will die of cancer in 2004.

Although cancer can occur at any age, it is rare in children (about 9,200 cases of childhood cancer will be diagnosed this year). More than three-quarters of all cancers are diagnosed in people 55 and older. The most common cancers in men are: prostate, lung and colon/rectum. In women, the leading cancers are breast, lung and colon/rectum. The leading causes of cancer death for men are lung, prostate and colon/rectum. For women, the top cancer killers are: lung, breast and colon/rectum.

More cancers are being detected in early, more treatable stages. In addition, researchers have developed better treatment methods. Nearly 10 million Americans are surviving with a diagnosis of cancer (some are cancer-free while others are still undergoing treatment). Overall, the five-year survival rate for all cancers is about 63 percent. The four main types of cancer treatment are surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and biologic therapy.

Traveling for Cancer Treatment
Many patients must travel some distance for their treatments. In some cases, local hospitals don’t offer treatments for a particular kind of cancer. In other instances, specialized treatment is only available at a facility hundreds of miles from a patient’s hometown. Research suggests travel may increase the chance of a better outcome. A study last year in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found patients with head and neck cancer who traveled more than 15 miles to their treatment center had one-third the risk of death as those living closer to the treatment facility.

But travel is not without problems. Treatments often last from one to several days, and patients often require more than one session. That means constant travel and overnight stays. While health insurance may pay for treatment, most policies won’t cover travel expenses, lodging and meals. For families, traveling for treatment can become a large financial and emotional burden.

Several organizations work to provide aid for cancer patients who need to travel for treatment. One of them is the Corporate Angel Network (CAN®). CAN partners with companies to provide transportation for cancer patients on unused seats of corporate jets. The first flight in December 1981 brought a cancer patient home for the holidays from a treatment facility in New York City to Detroit. Since then, over 20,000 flights have been logged roughly 1200 flights/year. More than 500 major corporations have agreed to participate in the Corporate Angel Network. Last year, Crowne Plaza Hotels and Resorts partnered with CAN to provide lodging for patients and families traveling for treatment. CAN is open to cancer patients, bone marrow donors and bone marrow recipients. Patients must be ambulatory (able to walk up and down the stairs of the plane without assistance) and able to be transported without the need for oxygen, IV medications or other type of support treatment during the flight.

There are several other benefits of CAN flights. Patients avoid the long wait and crowds in airport terminals. The corporate jets are able to fly out of smaller airports that are often located closer to treatment centers. The smaller airports are often away from the large busy airports, so there is less traffic congestion and travel to and from the airports is less stressful. Corporate jets have larger, more comfortable seating than commercial passenger planes. Patients can travel as often as necessary and children can be accompanied by one or both parents.

To arrange for a flight, patients must register at least three weeks ahead of an anticipated appointment at a recognized cancer treatment center. Since CAN can’t guarantee availability of a flight, back-up arrangements need to be made on a commercial airline.

For information about the Corporate Angel Network: http://www.CorpAngelNetwork.org
Additional information on travel and lodging is available at: http://www.lymphomation.org or at http://www.cancerguide.org/travel.html