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World Cancer Day for Awareness, Education, and Action

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Today is World Cancer Day, a multifaceted project begun in 2000 by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). This organization is a long-time leader in uniting people and governments in ways to reduce cancers globally. Their mission encompasses the world to provide cancer diagnoses, treatments, and care to all people – without regard to location, income, ethnicity or gender.

February 4th, 2000 was the day of its adoption at the World Summit Against Cancer for the New Millennium in Paris. Since that day, World Cancer Day is observed every February 4th as a day throughout the world for people to recommit to striving for a world without cancer.

What can be done?

• Individuals: It starts with one person, ourselves. Get regular checkups. Keep current on new developments for diagnosing and screening for cancers. Notice any signs or symptoms and have them checked. Many cancers are survivable if diagnosed early.

• Health professionals: If you are a health professional, keep abreast of innovative and up-to-date medical news about cancers. Since early detection is critical, a symptom could go unnoticed, or even misdiagnosed, if outdated knowledge led to a wrong conclusion.

• Governments: Through the ability to educate large population segments, governments can emphasize awareness, early detection, and screening. In fact, February is National Cancer Prevention Month in the US. This creates awareness throughout the country.

Because cultural beliefs can vary among countries and populations, communities have the ability to allay fears and teach good health practices.

What actions can you take for World Cancer Day?

On the World Cancer Day website is a 21 day challenge in which you can participate. It takes 21 days to create a habit, so for each of these days you’ll be sent emails with suggestions on how best to succeed at your commitment. There are five challenges from which you can choose:

• Focus on my health

• Support someone I know with cancer

• Speak up about cancer

• Get informed about cancer

• Help eliminate cervical cancer

An important point to remember, written in the World Cancer Day website:

“Whoever you are – a cancer survivor, co-worker, a carer, a friend, a leader, healthcare worker, teacher or student – you have the power to take action for a cancer free world.”

What Can You Do to Reduce Your Risk of Cancer?

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There are many ways to possibly reduce your risk of cancer. The good news is that since 1991, cancer deaths have declined 31%. That is good news, but there were still over 1,785,000 newly diagnosed cancer cases in the US in 2020. According to an American Cancer Society study, at least 42% of these – 750,000 – were potentially preventable. Today is the first day of National Cancer Prevention Month, held every February. This is a good time to assess your health and determine ways you can reduce your risk of cancer.

How can you reduce your risk of cancer?

According to the Mayo Clinic, there are seven tips that anyone can do and at the top of the list is taking charge of your own health. Review these known guidelines and see if you can make changes in your lifestyle.

  1. Limit exposure to toxins: About 90 percent of lung cancer is caused by smoking or by spending time with others who do smoke. Another source for lung cancer is through inhalation of asbestos fibers. Asbestos can also lead to mesothelioma, a deadly disease. This can be through certain occupations, products – even cosmetics – that still contain asbestos. It can also occur through renovations of homes built before 1980. If there is a chance of asbestos in any products, contact an abatement professional. There is no safe level of exposure to asbestos, but limit your exposure to any toxin.
  2. Eat a healthy diet: Fill your plate with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans. Meanwhile, alcohol can increase your chances of getting liver, breast, and colorectal cancers. Eating processed meats can also increase risks of some types of cancer.
  3. Be active and watch your weight: For best results physically and reducing your risk of cancer, have at least 30 minutes of daily physical activity. More is better. Not maintaining a healthy weight can increase the possibility of breast, prostate, lung, colon and kidney cancers.
  4. Watch your time in the sun: That includes tanning beds. Use sunscreen of at least an SPF or 30 and reapply generously every two hours. Cover up with dark or bright loosely fitting fabrics when possible. These reflect more ultraviolet radiation. Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. the sun is strongest and most dangerous. If possible, stay in the shade.
  5. Utilize the vaccines available: Hepatitis B has a vaccination to lessen the risk of acquiring this disease that can lead to liver cancer. Ask your doctor if this vaccine is right for you. There is also a vaccine for human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV can lead to cervical and genital cancers in addition to squamous cell cancers of the head and neck. This vaccine is geared to both boys and girls aged 11 and 12. There is also a newly approved vaccine, Gardasil 9, for males and females aged 9 to 45.
  6. Stay away from risky behaviors: Don’t share needles as this can result in HIV as well as hepatitis B and hepatitis C – these can heighten the risk of liver cancer. Practice safe sex by limiting sexual partners and use condoms. With many contacts, the chance of acquiring HIV, AIDS, or HPV rises. These diseases can lead to a number of cancers.
  7. Visit your doctor: Pay attention to your body so you can quickly recognize changes. This, plus regular checkups and screenings, can catch many cancers at an early stage which leads to more positive outcomes.

National Cancer Prevention Month: An opportunity to learn and improve our health

Every February is an opportunity to revisit out successes and failures in dealing with all types of cancers. This is an exciting time of progress as researchers make new discoveries and develop new treatments. It’s also a time to think of new ways to involve people in their own healthcare solutions.

To access more information on the statistics from 2020, the American Cancer Society website is a great resource. Below is the latest news on current and future developments to reduce your risk of cancer from the Cancer Network:

  • Over the next century, successful implementation of the World Health Organization (WHO) elimination strategy could reduce cervical cancer mortality by almost 99% and save more than 62 million women’s lives.
  • A recent study determined circulating tumor cells were associated with melanoma relapse, suggesting that this form of liquid biopsy could help identify patients who would benefit from adjuvant therapy.
  • According to researchers, when individuals quit smoking it not only stops further damage from accruing, but it also may lead to the reawakening of lung cells that were not damaged by tobacco carcinogens.
  • A new AI system could possibly surpass human experts in the prediction of breast cancer, potentially leading to enhanced screening results and earlier identification of the disease. 
  • Online and digital videos were found to play a key role in cancer education, leading to increased knowledge and interventions, however access for vulnerable populations needs to be improved. 
  • Engaging in the recommended amount of leisure-time physical activity (7.5-15 MET hours/week) was found to be associated with a lower risk for 7 different cancer types.
  • Greater adherence to the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF)/American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) cancer prevention recommendations appeared to be associated with decreased colorectal cancer (CRC) risk for both African Americans and whites.
  • A blood-based screening test, presented at the 2020 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium, held from January 23-25, in San Francisco, California, could potentially diagnose multiple cancer types earlier, including gastrointestinal cancers across stages at high sensitivity.

Potential for great progress in cancer prevention

So much good news, but still a huge number of people suffering and dying from cancer. You have read of steps which could prevent, or get an early and more treatable diagnosis. Each one of us has a responsibility to do what we can to stay healthy and to encourage our family and friends. While we cannot prevent every cancer with our due diligence, much can be accomplished.

If you recognized yourself in the seven tips from Mayo Clinic, make a plan to reduce your risk of cancer by changing at least one bad habit or behavior before the 2022 National Cancer Prevention Month.

Record Decline in U.S. Cancer Death Rates

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According to a report by the American Cancer Society, data from 2017-2018 shows a record decline in U.S. cancer death rates – a drop of 2.4%. The year 2016-2017 cancer deaths dropped 2.2%. In general, the death rate has been declining since 1991 – a decline of 31% from 1991 to 2018. Death rates also decreased for prostate, colorectal and breast cancer. This is great news and positive news as we approach National Cancer Month in February. But what is the cause?

Why the decline in U.S. cancer death rates?

Since almost half of the decline is due to one form of cancer, lung cancer, we can point to a decrease in smoking over this time. While this is a large factor, there are also improvements in surgery, diagnostics, new pharmaceuticals, and more targeted radiation that have contributed to the decline. These factors, as well as immunotherapies, have helped decrease the other cancers as well. For those who suffer from lung cancer, including those who suffer from asbestos-related lung cancer, this report should be encouraging.

Dr. Deborah Schrag, chief of population sciences at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute stated, “Both men and women who are diagnosed with lung cancer are surviving longer, and that’s really fantastic news.”  While acknowledging the improvement, Dr. Schrag also commented, “We have a lot of good progress. We should celebrate that, but we shouldn’t declare victory.”

Why not declare victory?

With this steady decline in U.S. cancer death rates, why not declare victory? Cancer is still the second leading cause of death behind heart disease. Cancer led to the deaths of 599,000 Americans in 2018. It is projected there will be 609,000 cancer deaths in 2021. Obviously, there is still much research ahead. However, there are also other factors that won’t be helped by scientific research and high tech treatments. To improve statistics in the following problem areas there will need to be more education, individual awareness of lifestyle and cultural challenges, medical personnel, and state and city planning.

• Though cervical cancer is virtually preventable with medical screenings and the HPV vaccine, 2018 had 4,000 women die from this cancer.

• Black patients’ survival rates are below that of white patients’ for almost all cancers.

• There are geographic differences in death rates, including: statewide detection differences, and areas with societal activities leading to smoking or obesity.

• There’s a concern that the death decline seen in colorectal and breast cancers have slowed in the past few years and progress for prostate cancer has actually stopped.

Possible effects of the coronavirus pandemic on cancer deaths

The fear, and difficulty, of going to medical facilities for routine exams or tests when unusual symptoms appear are often delayed or skipped entirely. This can lead to later diagnoses and, potentially, more deaths. The effects will probably not be known quickly. As Rebecca Siegel, senior scientific director of surveillance research at the American Cancer Society and lead author of the referenced report, said, “This will be an impact that will be felt slowly over the next decade.”

With vaccinations in process for Covid-19, cancer doctors anticipate, and hope, the pandemic will be a minor interruption in the decades- long progress made in the fight against cancer deaths.

How Does COVID-19 Affect Lung Cancer Patients?

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The novel coronavirus, commonly called COVID-19, primarily affects breathing as it is a respiratory disease. But specifically, how does COVID-19 affect lung cancer patients?

Since there is currently no vaccine or treatment directly targeted for COVID-19, people with lung cancer need to be particularly aware of guidelines for protection strategies against the disease by following CDC directions. There are many causes of lung cancer, but exposure to asbestos is a major cause. Asbestos can also lead to the fatal lung disease, malignant mesothelioma.

How does COVID-19 affect lung cancer patients?

Since people with lung cancer are in one of the more high-risk groups for acquiring COVID-19, know the basics of prevention:

• Practice social distancing – Stay home as much as possible. If outside your home, wear masks and gloves, wash your hands with soap and water before and after any encounter with others or with in-store products for at least 20 seconds, and maintain a minimum of six feet between yourself and others. This includes during doctor visits and other medical appointments.

• Get tested – Since lung cancer classifies as high-risk, get tested if there are new symptoms beyond normal. Others who fall into this category are adults over 65, adults with other serious diseases, and those who are taking chemotherapy drugs or have other immunity issues. Symptoms include a dry cough, trouble breathing, and a temperature of 100.4 or over.

• Speak with a doctor – In all cases, if you or a loved one has lung disease, it is highly recommended to speak with their doctors to determine any guidelines the doctor may suggest for your specific situation. Here you can also access and print an informative handout produced by the Lung Cancer Research Foundation.

Should I really be concerned?

In a word, yes. Currently, the United States leads the world in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths. However, the number may be much greater as many people experience COVID-19 with no symptoms. That doesn’t mean they can’t pass the virus on to others, so social distancing is extremely important – especially for high-risk individuals.

Remember, there is no treatment geared specifically for COVID-19 and there is no preventative vaccine. The only protection is squarely on each individual to do their best to follow all CDC guidelines.

What drugs are being used?

Some medications have shown promise but there are currently no COVID-19 specific drugs approved through a completed study.

Vaccines virtually eliminated smallpox and polio in past decades. Scientists are currently working toward developing vaccines that could end, or lessen the effects of, coronaviruses as well. In this month, there are almost 80 vaccine development initiatives ongoing. Best case timeline for vaccine development is 18 months.

Are lung cancer patients more susceptible to COVID-19?

While patients with lung cancer do not appear to be more likely to get COVID-19, if they do acquire the disease, complications are more likely. If a patient is undergoing immunosuppressive treatment, such as chemotherapy, their immune system may not be able to fight it off, however. Cancer patients, overall, should be more vigilant about all the precautions. Following all guidelines provides the best chance of avoiding contraction of COVID-19.

Clinical Trials of Cuban Lung Cancer Vaccine Continue

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Research cooperation between two countries that don’t communicate politically – the United States (US) and Cuba – allows a strange relationship to make strides against cancer. Now a Cuban lung cancer vaccine is in US clinical trials.

How did this strange relationship begin?

After Fidel Castro took over as president of Cuba, causing great harm to most of the middle class, over half the doctors fled the island. There is no doubt that his authoritarian, sometimes ruthless, leadership had unimaginable downsides, but there is a side that cannot be ignored. He was determined to bring Cuba to the forefront in science and medicine.

He sent thousands of people to other countries to study at top medical universities. Because Cuba was so isolated due to the American embargo and its geography, they lacked not only doctors, but medicines, as well as hospital and medical equipment and supplies. To service the medical needs of the population and reach the global standing Castro demanded, Cuba was forced to conduct research and create medicines within the country on their own – and it paid off.

Making strides against cancer

A famous American oncology doctor, Randolph Lee Clark, visited Cuba and Castro in 1980 with information about interferon, a promising drug for treating cancer. It intrigued Castro enough that he sent doctors to visit Clark and also to Finland to study their methods of purifying interferon from white blood cells. By the time the doctors returned to Cuba, a new laboratory awaited them along with an instruction from Castro, “Make interferon for Cuba.” These doctors worked tirelessly to reproduce the method for purification seen in other countries. In 42 days, they were ready with the process.

Meanwhile Castro sent Luis Herrera to Europe to learn information about genetic engineering, a science that was changing science throughout the world. Herrera brought this knowledge back to Cuba.  These two new scientific breakthroughs were the start of Cuba’s biotechnology development and recognition as a medical power.

Cuban lung cancer vaccine trials in US begin in earnest

For years, US citizens suffering from Stage 4 cancers, traveled illegally to Cuba for cancer treatments unavailable in the US. For many, what had been a death sentence, now became a chronic illness but one that could extend lives for possibly years. The CIMAvax vaccine from Cuban researchers, which was based on interferon and genetic engineering, extended lives.

This caught the attention of scientists at Roswell Park in the US. When President Obama opened the doors to a new relationship with Cuba, two Roswell researchers traveled to Cuba and met with scientists there. Roswell scientists wanted to learn more about CIMAvax and the Cuban scientists wanted to learn more about the world-class immunology treatments developed by Americans. They also wanted access to America’s advanced research equipment that could speed and enhance their work.

The relationship began in earnest after hearing a presentation made by Cuban doctors at Roswell Park in 2011. A 2015 trade mission led by Gov. Andrew Cuomo ended with an agreement between Roswell Park and Cuba’s Center for Molecular Immunology (C.I.M.). This was an agreement to initiate a clinical trial for CIMAvax targeting lung cancer – a trial approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be held in the US and a first for a Cuban drug. This may be a boon to those with lung cancer brought on by asbestos exposure. In the Roswell trials CIMAvax is joined by a checkpoint inhibitor, nivolumab possibly making the vaccine even more successful.

Today, the clinical trial is still gathering information, but once it passes, it is expected to be cleared for used by patients in the US by the FDA. With travel – once again illegal – unnecessary for patients, it would be available to many more patients who have little hope at this time.

What about the future?

There is already an agreement for a biotech joint venture between the US and Cuba – a first. They also agreed to build a new biotech facility in Cuba for more research on cancer drugs. The facility will be jointly owned by Roswell Park and C.I.M. They visualize factories manufacturing new medicines for people around the globe.

Candace Johnson, president and chief executive officer of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, said, “I know everything that we do with Cuba can be a challenge because of the relationship between our two countries,” Johnson said. “We’re very hopeful. It seems to me it would be very difficult … from the FDA’s perspective, if this drug has a role, that it wouldn’t be available in this country.”