Saint Luke's Health System’s Post

Cancer is a formidable adversary that touches the lives of millions worldwide. However, in the battle against this relentless disease, there is a beacon of hope that guides us forward: World Cancer Research Day. This day is a powerful reminder of the incredible importance of ongoing research in our fight against cancer. World Cancer Research Day serves as a poignant reminder that each day brings us closer to understanding the complexities of cancer and finding new ways to combat it. Researchers, scientists and medical professionals dedicate their lives to unravelling the mysteries of this disease, searching for better treatments, early detection methods and ultimately, a cure. As we observe World Cancer Research Day, let us take a moment to honour the dedicated individuals who work tirelessly in laboratories, hospitals and clinics around the world. Their unwavering determination and groundbreaking discoveries offer hope to countless individuals and families affected by cancer. Together, we can support their efforts, raise awareness and contribute to the ongoing progress in the fight against cancer. With continued research, we move closer to a future where cancer is no longer a formidable foe but a conquerable challenge.

When we hear the word cancer, our world changes forever and our lives comes to a standstill. Carefree days with jovial pursuits are replaced with doctor's appointments, reading and gaining more knowledge of the disease and its treatments and maintaining a positive attitude while having a huge pit in your stomach everyday. This was my life when on January 22, 2004 my mom was diagnosed with cervical cancer at the age of 78. My twin sister and I as her primarily caregivers split our work schedules so one of us would be with her 24/7. This was in the days before remote work and smart phones. So to say we were effected emotionally as well as professionally is an understatement. And seeing my mom the strongest woman I've ever known suffer was devastating. When she passed on May 10, 2005, I loss my best friend. I lived the next 8 years in a blur having many extreme hardships. Accepting a temporary position in 2013 through a staffing agency for a Clinical Trial Assistant lead me to Premier Research and thus began my clinical trials career and my passion for clinical research. Being on the patient's family side gives me a deep empathy and understanding for what they go through because I've lived it. It's a honor and privilege to be able to contribute to clinical trials through my role as a Principle Records Specialist. Every study team and project I'm assigned to is meaningful as I know the work we doing is helping to improve lives. World Cancer Day allows us to support and acknowledge the toll cancer takes. This is why World Cancer Day matters to me. #WorldCancerDay #WorkCancerDay2024 #ClinicalResearch #ClinicalTrials #PremierPeople #PremierResearch

On this #worldcancerday, we must address the critical need for holistic survivorship care for those living with and beyond cancer. This special section of the Journal of Cancer Survivorship (edited by Sharon Manne and myself) highlights the history of survivorship programs at eight US cancer centers. Despite the notable challenges, each center achieved major accomplishments and there’s much to be learned from their experiences. https://lnkd.in/e6DgEybA https://lnkd.in/ey4Aqtw2 Dana-Farber Cancer Institute UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota ROBERT H. LURIE COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER OF NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania Stanford Cancer Institute As these cancer center programs were specifically chosen for this special series, we must also understand the experiences of community-based programs (where most cancer survivors receive their care) and programs outside the US (in both high-income and low- and middle-income countries). The population of cancer survivors is growing, including individuals living with advanced and metastatic cancer. In addition to offering state of the art cancer treatment, cancer centers must implement survivorship care services that address the complex needs of the growing and diverse population of cancer survivors, educate and train a multidisciplinary and multispecialty workforce to care for them, and actively collaborate with advocacy groups and community-based organizations to expand reach. #cancercare #cancersurvivorship #cancer #cancersurvivor

Today, the American Cancer Society (ACS) released an update of its lung cancer screening guideline to help reduce the number of people dying from the disease due to smoking history. The new guideline recommends yearly screening for lung cancer for people aged 50 to 80 years old who smoke or formerly smoked and have a 20-year or greater pack-year history. The recommended annual screening test for lung cancer is a low-dose computed tomography scan (also called a low-dose CT scan, or LDCT). The guideline, last updated in 2013, is published in the ACS flagship journal, CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. “This updated guideline continues a trend of expanding eligibility for lung cancer screening in a way that will result in many more deaths prevented by expanding the eligibility criteria for screening to detect lung cancer early,” said Robert Smith, Senior Vice President, early cancer detection science at the American Cancer Society and lead author of the lung cancer screening guideline report. “Recent studies have shown extending the screening age for persons who smoke and formerly smoked, eliminating the ‘years since quitting’ requirement and lowering the pack per year recommendation could make a real difference in saving lives.”

On February 4, the world once again united to raise awareness, improve education, and catalyze action in the fight against cancer on World Cancer Day. The theme, “Close the Care Gap,” speaks to us at AccessHope. Our mission is to deploy the latest cancer knowledge to the places it is needed most, when it is most valuable – thereby closing the gap for the people we serve. Read more in our blog to see how we’re using renowned knowledge and expertise to fight cancer with everything we know today, and every day. https://hubs.la/Q02jVxdf0

Calling all my network!!! HELP IMPROVE EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF CANCER. Please share and re-share this with your networks on all platforms. You can help improve early diagnosis of cancer by sharing this 3 minute survey with anyone you know, who might know Foundation Year Doctors, or any Qualified Doctors who supervise or train Foundation Year Doctors. We need hundreds of responses before the end of May 2024 so please share the heck out of this on all your networks and platforms. This survey is part of a research project funded by Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance and being led by Dr Hong Tseung. (Oh and if you are wondering it doesn't just need to be people in Cheshire and Merseyside, as the findings of this could help inform a national strategy) 🙏 🙏 🙏 "Your answers will be anonymous and will greatly help the Cheshire & Merseyside Cancer Alliance in an important assessment on the gaps in Education on Cancer Early Diagnosis for Junior Doctors, so that a targeted and relevant education program can be developed, which will help both them and people with suspected cancer. Please scan the QR code below to access the relevant questionnaire." Dr M.H. Tseung GP Clinical Lead on Models of Education, Cheshire & Merseyside Cancer Alliance

The American Cancer Society kicked off Lung Cancer Awareness Month last week by releasing updated screening recommendations. Given that lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, with an estimated 127,000 deaths expected in 2023 alone, our hope is that these updates lead to earlier detection and improved outcomes.   We’ve already seen positive trends related to incidence rates. Since 2006, lung cancer incidence rate has declined 2.6% per year in men and 1.1% per year in women. As always, there is still work to be done. While this updated guideline is an important step, our efforts extend even further. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) continues to advocate for tobacco control and expanded access to lung cancer screenings. We are also committed to lung cancer research and are currently funding 77 grants totaling more than $63 million with the vision of ending lung cancer as we know it, for everyone. 

As 2023 draws to a close, we would like to extend our sincere thanks to all our members and everyone in the lung cancer community who has supported us this year. There remains a lot to do to ensure lung cancer moves up the political agenda, but we’ve been energised to see steady progress, with England and Australia both committing to screening programmes in 2023. You can learn more about progress in screening where you are, or in other parts of the world, from our interactive map. As we move into 2024 and beyond, we hope we can continue to support policymakers, clinicians and advocates in highlighting the opportunities available to improve lung cancer outcomes.  https://lnkd.in/eiP58M2t

“Incidence is increasing for many common cancers, including 6 of the top 10,” according to the American Cancer Society. But there has not been a lack of cancer conferences, walks, runs, and galas over the past couple decades. Something isn’t working. Maybe we need to look at preventing and curing cancer differently. Let’s start by being honest about cancer. The CURE story link: https://lnkd.in/gm7ZZ-zJ #cancer #preventcancer #breastcancer #cancersucks #hereditarycancer #preventcancer #1forcecommunity #worldovariancancerday #ovariancancer #pancreaticcancer #luekemia #braincancer #prostatecancer

1 in 16 Americans will develop lung cancer. The risk of developing lung cancer in the Siouxland area is higher than the 12-year state average per the Iowa Cancer Registry data and it is one of the top cancer diagnoses in our state. Of the men and women with lung cancer, an estimated 20% were never smokers. Lung cancer usually has no symptoms until the cancer has spread. Watch Gary's story and learn more about how a low-dose CT lung scan found his lung cancer early. Are you a candidate for this screening? Take a quick quiz to know! https://lnkd.in/eS8MbrSA