Preventing Lymphedema, One Patient at a Time

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Advances in medical care could stop patients from developing lymphedema, swelling in the limbs that can result when lymph nodes are removed during cancer surgery. Two recent articles about lymphedema feature MSK health care professionals discussing ways to prevent it through surgical practices and physical therapy.

In 2014, the American Society of Clinical Oncology updated its guidelines. Now it recommends not removing sentinel lymph nodes in patients with early-stage breast cancer if cancer is in only one or two nodes. In a Reuters article, MSK’s Dr. Monica Morrow explains that if cancer has spread to these nodes, it will be targeted by the radiation, chemotherapy, or hormone therapy that is the post-surgical standard of care.

Even when lymph node removal is necessary, precautions can lower a patient’s lymphedema risk. A U.S. News and World Report article features MSK physical therapist Ms. Debbie Mattera. While working with patients to regain range of motion, she educates them on how to reduce their lymphedema risk by avoiding injury and sunburn, exercising slowly, and reporting any swelling to their doctors. She recommends patients seek out a physical therapist with experience working with cancer survivors.

Three Questions for our Librarians – Dina

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This month I asked three questions to Dina Matsoukas, Research Informationist.

What areas can you help MSK users with?
As a Research Informationist, I can help MSK users with their research by conducting literature searches and providing citation management training and support. As a member of the MSK Library’s Systematic Review Service, I participate in and provide guidance on systematic review and evidence-based practice projects conducted at MSK. I also provide scholarly research/communication support, for example, by helping authors understand quality metrics when evaluating journals to submit their manuscripts to for publication or when documenting and assessing their own record of scholarly productivity.

What projects have you been working on recently?
Over the summer, the MSK Library sees an increase in use by young “researchers-in-training” as MSK offers a variety of student programs (eg. SCORE) and internship opportunities. I always enjoy helping these students navigate the MSK Library’s resources and training them on wonderful resources like PubMed and Endnote that they will hopefully continue using throughout their careers.

What is your favorite meal OR if you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I recently traveled back to my home town of Montreal (Quebec, Canada) and was reminded of how much I miss Montreal bagels. Since you ask: A still-warm bag of St-Viateur bagels might just constitute my favorite meal…along with the cream cheese, smoked salmon, capers and onions that will go on them if you manage to get the bagels home before eating them!

Identifying Trusted Journals to Share Your Research

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I have written before about predatory journals and the importance of asking the right questions before you submit your manuscript for publication.  In May 2016, I published a post about predatory journals and summarized Dr. Morley’s ten steps which researchers can use as a manuscript submission checklist.

Recently, I found a website entitled, “Think. Check. Submit.”, which was developed by several organizations focused on scholarly communications activities. They partnered together in response to issues involving deceptive publishing, and developed an awareness campaign and easy-to-use checklist that researchers can consult when investigating whether a journal can be trusted.

This brief video (1:58 min) from their site highlights their three-step process.

In addition to the video, this website has a more extensive list of questions than the one I previously shared, broken down into three actionable themes.

  • THINK – Are you submitting your research to a trusted journal?
  • CHECK – Have you used their checklist of questions to assess the journal?
  • SUBMIT – Did you answer ‘yes’ to most or all of the questions on their list?

As always, if you still need or want additional support in determining the credibility of a journal or where to publish, don’t hesitate to reach out and ASK US.

Donna Gibson
Director of Library Services