Anyone who has experienced cancer, as a patient or a loved one, knows that the disease affects far more than the physical body. During Wellness House‘s Mind Body Fest from Aug. 19-24, people with cancer, their families, caregivers, and friends can explore ways to manage the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual effects of cancer.
And just like that, Hinsdale is back in the rhythm of life! While I’m probably the only person in town trying to hang on to the last fleeting days of the summer heat, I definitely feel the pull toward fall. With kids back in school, soccer nets up at the parks and “Friday Night Lights” festivities in full effect, we’re now officially looking at our calendars for what’s coming up on the social scene.
There may not be another fall event as highly anticipated as the Wellness House Ball. Set at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel in Chicago on Oct. 18, this is a night set to sparkle, as well-heeled guests arrive at a glistening venue of gold and jade accents. With the illuminated skyline as a backdrop, this event always draws the crème de la crème of Hinsdale society.
Chicago Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg bravely shared his journey with metastatic prostate cancer before his passing in July, serving as a powerful advocate for talking about the disease and getting screenings for early detection.
Dr. Russell Szmulewitz, professor of medicine and director of the genitourinary oncology program at UChicago Medicine’s Comprehensive Cancer Center, said such high-profile advocates for prostate health can destigmatize the topic for men reluctant to discuss sensitive health issues.
“These public-facing cases have opened up people’s eyes to the fact that this affects more than 300,000 men a year,” Szmulewitz said. “Even for those that aren’t affected by the illness, it makes it a little bit personal and legitimizes the struggle that (patients) face with their illness. They know that they’re not alone and that even famous people are battling this illness.”
September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and Wellness House is hosting its annual Hot Topics in Prostate Cancer symposium on Saturday, Sept 27, where Szmulewitz will present updates in medical oncology as one of the participating physicians (see Page 19 for details).
In 1990, the Chicago Tribune reported on a groundbreaking study from UCLA showing that cancer patients who participated in structured support groups experienced more than emotional relief—they demonstrated measurable improvements in immune function and quality of life. Patients who attended weekly sessions learned relaxation techniques, shared their fears and coping strategies, and reported feeling less depressed and more resilient. Notably, the study suggested that psychosocial support might even influence survival outcomes, with patients in support groups living significantly longer than those who received only medical care (Chicago Tribune, October 26, 1990).