Old Puzzles, Busy Guys and New Science

Elaine Waples

I am a two year cancer survivor, in remission, feeling good, and focusing on a quality of life that I perhaps took all too much for granted in the past. But like all cancer survivors, I worry about what may be happening inside my body where mutant cells and dormant micro-tumors might be taking up their opportunistic work again. I try not to dwell on it, but there is the ever-present question about what to do if there is a recurrence.

My husband and I have learned that cancers – even cancers with the same name – behave differently before and after treatment. While our doctors help us through the storms of illness, it is unreasonable to expect them to constantly research all possibilities in a world of head-spinning new science.

Cancer Survivor on N-of-One’s Direct-to-Patient Ombudsman Model

Kevin Davies

Posted 5/31/12 on Bio-IT World

The long-term success of N-of-One, a Waltham Mass.-based company offering personalized cancer information, will undoubtedly be shaped by the vision of its newly appointed CEO, Christine Cournoyer, and strategic partnerships with companies like Foundation Medicine, announced this week.

But ultimately it comes down to whether the company’s original direct-to-patient strategy works for cancer patients like Elaine Waples.