Bob Riter's Cancer Columns

Bob Riter is the Executive Director of the Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes and writes a regular column about living with cancer in the Ithaca Journal (reprinted here). Bob's involvement with cancer education and advocacy began with his own diagnosis of breast cancer in 1996 at the young age of 40.

Advice for Those Newly Diagnosed Bob and Queenie The first few days following a cancer diagnosis are like riding on top of a speeding train. You're hanging on for dear life and can't quite see what's ahead. Although every situation is somewhat different, this is what I generally...
Being Single With Cancer Is Difficult Bob and Queenie For a day or two following chemotherapy, most people camp out on the couch and do nothing more strenuous than watch TV or flip through magazines. Loved ones bring glasses of water, cups of tea and small snacks to lift the patient's...
Doctor-Patient Interactions Bob and Queenie I spend much of my time helping seriously ill patients navigate the health care system. As a result, I'm constantly talking with patients about their interactions with doctors and other health professionals. Although each...
Donating Blood and Organs Bob and Queenie In my last column, I wrote about fumbling for words when the Red Cross called and asked if I would donate blood. I had just been diagnosed with cancer and found it hard to say, "I have cancer." After the column...
Having Cancer Can Make Us Change Our Concept of Hope Bob and Queenie Cancer and hope are two topics that often intersect. People with cancer sometimes wonder if maintaining hope in the face of a grim diagnosis is a good idea or a bad idea. My response is that hope is always good, but it's a mistake...
Holiday Gifts Part of Bob Riter's Cancer Columns, Holiday Edition
Holiday Gifts When the Cancer is Advanced Part of Bob Riter's Cancer Columns, Holiday Edition
How Old Is Too Old To Treat Cancer? Bob and Queenie The older you are, the more likely it is that you'll be diagnosed with cancer. The average age at diagnosis is now 66 and it's increasingly common for people in their late 80s and even older to consider cancer treatment. Is this a...
If You've Had Cancer, You Know This Look Bob and Queenie I love it when people suggest column ideas. I was walking through the chemo suite recently and a person called me over and said, "I wish you would write a column to tell people not to give me that look." "What look?" I asked....
It's OK to Ask Your Doctor! Bob and Queenie People often leave their doctor's offices irritated with themselves for not asking what they wanted to ask. Sometimes they simply forget to ask. (I encourage people to bring a list). On other occasions, though, people aren't...
New Nurses and Cancer Patients Bob and Queenie Most everyone is uncertain and tentative when first talking with people who are in treatment for cancer. What should you say? What should you not say? This is just as true for health professionals as it is for members of the general...
New Year A Time For Wishing Bob and Queenie At New Year's, we're supposed to make resolutions to change our own behavior in the months to come. I think it's more fun to wave a magic wand and change the behavior of everyone else. Here's what I wish for in 2011: I wish...
Nurses & Radiation Therapists Bob and Queenie Chemotherapy nurses and radiation therapists provide much of the hands-on care to cancer patients. As a result, these professionals have a profound impact on the quality of care - and the quality of caring - that patients receive....
Partner in Denial Bob and Queenie I recently spoke with a woman who was stressed because her husband has cancer and he seemed to be in denial over the seriousness of his situation. What was especially upsetting to her was that he didn't want to address any...
Second Opinions Bob and Queenie People diagnosed with cancer sometimes ask me if their doctor will take offense if they get a second opinion. The answer is no. Nearly all doctors today are receptive to patients getting second opinions. (And if you have one of those...
Survivor's Guilt Bob and Queenie People going through cancer treatment at the same time often form their own peer group. They see each other in chemo, in radiation, and in various support groups. The fortunate ones do well, but they often feel guilty when others...
Telling The Kids Bob and Queenie If you are diagnosed with cancer when you have young children, you're faced with what to share with them and how to share it. It is important to realize that cancer affects the entire family and not just the person with cancer. As...
The Good That Emerged Bob and Queenie A friend with cancer wrote me to say how she now experiences moments of intense appreciation. Just walking her dog at Buttermilk State Park filled her with tears. Not tears of sadness, but tears of unabashed appreciation of that...
The Human Side of Treatment Bob and Queenie Cancer treatment often involves operating rooms, chemotherapy protocols, and high tech radiation therapy equipment. All of which have reduced cancer deaths and improved the lives of those who have been diagnosed with the disease. ...
Thoughts & Prayer Tree Bob and Queenie There's a small tree in the living room of Gary and Mary Ellen Stewart's house in Ithaca. It's covered with cards, letters and drawings. At first, a visitor isn't quite sure what it is. It looks somewhat like a Christmas tree, but...
Working in the Cancer World Bob and Queenie I often talk with people while they're receiving chemotherapy. Recently, one woman asked, "How long have you been doing this?" I knew that she was talking about my work, so I replied that I've been visiting with cancer patients for...
Young Adults with Cancer Bob and Queenie Getting cancer is awful at any age, but it has to be especially difficult for young adults. They're too old for the nurturing and specialized pediatric oncology programs, and too young to fit in with the rest of us with...