The following should help clarify items in Andy Perdue's excellent cancer article Oct. 22.

I did not have radioactive seed implantation. However, for early stage tumors, surgically removing tumor tissue and temporarily placing a radioactive implant where the cancer was can kill remaining cells and make it easier for the immune system to begin the healing process. In a 10-year United States study on breast cancer, survival was identical for patients who had this procedure as for patients who had mastectomies. Removing larger tumors also reduces the burden on the immune system.

Fighting Children's Cancer Foundation closed December 31, 2010. Founders included Alice and Clint Didier, Dennis Fitzgerald, and Dr. Robert Schenter. A new FCCF with other founders began early 2011 under nonprofit Curative Foundation. Many "best practices" presented at conferences, and medical procedures observed at teaching hospitals here and abroad successfully address a wide variety of health problems, from adhesions and arthritis to cancer and z-plasties.

Marlene Oliver, West Richland