Ashley Lauren Foundation Brings Joy to Pediatric Cancer Patients

Serving as a hematologist and an oncologist at Regional Cancer Care Associates, LLC, Dr. Kenneth D. Nahum’s medical career spans 30 years. Committed to supporting many non-profit organizations, Kenneth D. Nahum, DO, and his family were honored by the Ashley Lauren Foundation for their longstanding support.

Based in Spring Lake, New Jersey, the Ashley Lauren Foundation aims to make living with cancer somewhat more bearable by bringing joy into the lives of children with cancer. Hospitals whose pediatric patients are serviced by the Foundation include Newark Beth Israel Hospital, Monmouth Medical Center, and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia/Voorhees Specialty Care Center.

One of the Foundation’s programs is called Making Dreams Come True, which works to grant the dream-fulfilling wishes of children with cancer. Another patient-centered program is the Birthday Brigade, which delivers balloons, cake, and a gift to children who spend their birthday in the pediatric cancer ward. Additionally, the Foundation organizes fun outings for patients and their families to enjoy together to give them a chance to enjoy normal life outside of the hospital.

Blood in Stool Linked to General Inflammation, as Well as Colon Cancer

Based in Howell, New Jersey, Kenneth D. Nahum, DO, treats cancer and blood disease patients as a member of Regional Cancer Care Associates, LLC. Having served as principal investigator in a variety of clinical trials, Dr. Kenneth D. Nahum has undertaken research on the health behaviors of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

Encompassing the full range of cancers involving the rectum and colon, colorectal cancer impacts more than 4 percent of men and women nationwide. Recent research undertaken at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, Scotland, focuses on fecal occult blood tests and the medical records of approximately 130,000 patients over a 16-year period.

As expected, the 2,700 tests that came back positive for minute traces of blood in the stool correlated strongly with colon cancer with a related risk of mortality seven times higher than those without positive results. A surprise finding was that a significant non-colorectal cancer mortality correlation also existed. Overall, those who tested positive had a 58 percent greater likelihood to die over the 16 years covered by the test.

A hypothesis is that blood in the stool may be associated with generalized inflammation associated with diverse conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as colorectal cancer.

ACP Policy Advocacy - Against Health Care Choices

A passionate hematologist and oncologist with three decades of professional experience, Kenneth D. Nahum, DO, remains active in his field. Through membership in the American College of Physicians (ACP), Dr. Kenneth D. Nahum and his peers can effectively advocate for policies that benefit them.

ACP issues statements on legislature and legal issues that affect physicians, including the recently proposed Health Care Choices plan from the Health Policy Consensus Group. Health Care Choices proposes alternatives to the Affordable Care Act’s payment system, primarily in the form of block grants. ACP, along with many other national advocacy and professional development groups for health care providers, claims that the concepts and policies laid out in the proposal are dangerous and have been repeatedly rejected by the public and legislators.

ACP stands against proposals that would remove Americans from the insurance market and make it impossible for those with pre-existing conditions to get health care. It also advocates against giving insurance companies the ability to deny coverage indirectly through lifetime limits or restrictions on women's health care services.

ASCO Works toward Developing Programs for Oncology Providers

An alumnus of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Kenneth D. Nahum, DO, provides care for patients with cancer or blood disorders. Moreover, Dr. Kenneth D. Nahum maintains active membership with the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

Toward the end of achieving its mission of overcoming cancer by conducting research, funding education, and promoting quality patient care, ASCO promotes and sponsors lifelong learning and essential skills enhancement programs for oncology professionals, including the following:

- Continuing Education (CE). ASCO’s joint accreditation status enables its simultaneous recognition by several well-respected industry entities: the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, the American Nurses Credentialing Center, and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. ASCO developed this program to assist oncology professionals with the acquisition of knowledge and improvement of skills necessary to care for patients with, and survivors of, cancer. The CE program takes into account individual differences with respect to background, learning style, and level of experience.

- Leadership Development. This yearlong program is designed for professionals who have completed their final subspecialty training and are keen on a leadership role in not just ASCO, but also the practice of oncology. Program highlights include learning about ASCO’s role in the development of cancer care, gaining exposure to government research agencies, and receiving actual advocacy experience. Program participants must be prepared to commit time for travel and training.