The future of cancer research

So it seems I finally have a chance to blog about a topic I've been wanting to write about for a few weeks now... the latest advancements in cancer research.

Maybe a few weeks ago you were lucky enough to catch the Stand Up 2 Cancer program on TV.  I did not get to watch the program myself, as Jake had control of the TV content (like always); however, I did get a chance to hear a pretty great interview with Laura Ziskin, co-founder of Stand Up 2 Cancer, on the Stupid Cancer Show podcast that I listen to.  I was very happy to hear about the great things that the organization was doing and plans to do.  Stand Up 2 Cancer research focuses on translational studies, especially those in the lines of genetics.  Instead of funding studies that cigarettes are bad for you or that you should or shouldn't drink red wine or if you should get your first mammogram at 35 or 40, they're funding research that might actually CURE people.  They force "dream teams" to work together, teams comprised of young cutting-edge scientists, actual clinicians, pharmaceutical companies, etc. and invest money in research that may not always be as successful as "typical" research, but whose payoff would be far far greater.   What is extra great about Stand Up 2 Cancer Research is that it is not specific to one age group or cancer type.  The old way of cancer research was disease-specific, which researchers are finding is no longer the best way of doing things.  The HER 2 gene found in pediatric brain cancer patients helped scientists develop the drug Herceptin for a subset of breast cancer patients, a drug which actually stops cancer from spreading.  That same gene has recently been found in some young male prostate cancer patients, as well.  Cancer is no longer age, body part, or type specific and Stand Up 2 Cancer is fighting for the cure in an actually meaningful way.  I was so pleased to hear they ended up raising 140 million dollars during their show on TV a few weeks ago!

All of this came during the same week as my checkup with my radiation oncologist.  My RO knows of my affinity to science and shared with me some details from the latest research he's been reviewing.  He says that the next major breakthrough that will happen in cancer treatment is the ability to find specific genetic markers that would show a predisposition for mutations and be able to give a cancer survivor a drug to suppress that mutation.  One day there should be a drug I will take to ensure that I would never have another recurrence.  How cool is that!

Hopefully, with support of organizations like Stand Up 2 Cancer, this drug technology is right around the corner.  Taking a drug to prevent some of the paranoia and a recurrence would be amazing!  That scare last week was just a horrible reminder of how frightening living as a cancer survivor can be.  It brought back those feelings of "not-knowing" that I had prior to both my biopsies.  I'm happy to report that my ENT did a thorough feeling and scoping of my nose, sinuses, throat, and tongue and found nothing abnormal or infected.  My left nasal passage was a little tight and so since I had been having sinus pressure for over a week, he went ahead and prescribed a steroid pack.  It seems to be helping, although I seem to be extra itchy and nauseated.  At least my sinuses don't hurt any more.

Anyway... exciting things are happening in the cancer research world and I just thought I'd share.  Also, in case you're looking at your calendar and thinking that it's getting near the end of the year and you better get going on your tax-deductible gifts to charity this year, you may want to look into Stand Up 2 Cancer this year.  Other honorable places to donate would be the American Association for Cancer Research, who actually share research money with Stand Up 2 Cancer, and the I'm Too Young for This Cancer Society, which provides age-appropriate support to young adults affected by cancer.