RECURRENCE IN REVIEW
Transcript by Dr. Roberta Kline
There is a constant debate in the cancer community about the term "CANCER FREE". Cancer recurrence continues to be a major concern as reported in annual medical reports- identifying its tendency to “return with a vengeance". [1, 2]
Medical research has identified the major reasons why cancer recurs. A widely reported cause for this is attributed to a deficiency in treatment performance. [2] This means the therapy induced did not successfully remove or kill all of the cancer cells, possibly due to the patient's level of drug resistance. During treatment, Cancer cells can enter a dormant state to protect themselves from treatment and other stimuli. Over time, these dormant cells can reactivate. The cause of this may be a spike in chronic stress or the release of toxins from oxidative stress from environmental factors like smoking or repeat exposure to reactive chemicals. [3]Inflammation has also been linked to the activation of immune cells called neutrophils. [4] Cancer cells that have spread to other areas of the body after successful treatment of the original tumor can remain dormant for years or decades before recurring as metastatic cancer. Further activators of these dormant cells have also been linked to one's personal Epigenetics. [5] This determines how your environment and lifestyle affects your cell function- including the dormancy state of your cancer cells.
Another known cause for recurrence are Cancer stem cells or CSC's. These are a small group of cells in tumors that have the ability to self-renew, differentiate, and give rise to all cell types in a tumor. [6] Most stages of tumor progression, including tumorigenesis, promotion, progression, and recurrence are accompanied by epigenetic alterations, some of which can be reversed by epigenetic drugs. [6]
DETECTION MONITORING: After cancer surgery, there are many preventive measures to support a safe and healthy recovery and to reduce the risk of recurrence. A logical and preventive strategy as part of postop maintenance is called RECURRENCE PREVENTION SCANS. Through the use of affordable, real-time medical imaging such as the 3D Doppler Ultrasound, post-cancer surgery patients can subscribe to a personal monitoring regimen to scan for any potential lesions and micro-tumors that may have fallen under the radar. Proactive monitoring can also address complications such as post-surgical Infections, recurring pain, swelling, neuropathy from nerve damage, scarring, fluid buildup or blood clots. In less than 20 minutes per visit, you earn peace of mind from a comprehensive scan by seasoned specialists trained to support postop patient management.
(1.) Butow P, Sharpe L, Thewes B, et al. Fear of Cancer Recurrence: A Practical Guide for Clinicians. Oncology (Williston Park). 2018 Jan 15;32(1):32-8. (2.) Mahvi DA, Liu R, Grinstaff MW, et al. (2018). Local Cancer Recurrence: The Realities, Challenges, and Opportunities for New Therapies. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 68(6), 488. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21498 (3.) Payne KK. Cellular stress responses and metabolic reprogramming in cancer progression and dormancy. Seminars in cancer biology 2022 Jan Vol. 78, pp. 45-48. (4.) He X-Y, Gao Y, Ng D et al. Chronic stress increases metastasis via neutrophil-mediated changes to the microenvironment. Cancer Cell 2024:42(3);474-486. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccell.2024.01.013 (5.) Costa S, Alves Sales SL, Pinheiro DP, et al. (2023). Epigenetic reprogramming in cancer: From diagnosis to treatment. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2023.1116805 (6.) Yu X, Zhao H, Wang R, et al. (2024). Cancer epigenetics: From laboratory studies and clinical trials to precision medicine. Cell Death Discovery, 10(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41420-024-01803-z
WHAT'S NEXT AFTER CANCER?
The
Importance of Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle and Monitoring
Written by: Dr. Leslie Valle-Montoya
CONTRIBUTOR:
Announcing the TSCCC (TriState Cancer Care Community)- a professional network comprised of community leaders, legislators, health specialists & educators. We are backed by the AngioInstitute (501c3) and are aligned by cancer foundations centralized in the NY, NJ and CT. We assemble the latest information, current news events, research reports, technologies and success stories about the battle against cancer and the luminaries who wage them. |
9/10/2024- A NEW TOUCHDOWN IN THE FIGHT AGAINST BREAST CANCER- DENSE BREAST DISCLOSURE LAW CONFIRMED
9/10/2024- The Dense Breast Disclosure Law was officially confirmed at the Legislative Building in the CT State Capitol, hosted by the ‘Are You Dense Advocacy’ organization. The conference was emceed by Mr. Joe Cappello, co-founder and executive director, establishing both a celebration and an historical landmark for the 20+ year crusade for a national legislation. The law affirms the vision of the late Dr. Nancy Cappello for a public educational advocacy to protect women from misinformation about their breast health. This initiative enacted national support for legislative action to enforce patient disclosure about tissue density. (See full report)
AT LAST! "ARE YOU DENSE ADVOCACY" LANDS 20-YEAR TOUCHDOWN:Congresswoman DeLauro Celebrates National Support for Women’s Health
Click to see Sen DeLauro's Video |
A powerful voice in national Women's Health advocacy resonated from the back of the room, where a familiar face from the big-screen took center stage. The highly-beloved CT Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro transmitted a compelling video message from Washington and received a rousing applause with many tears of loving support. “Today we celebrate the launch of the Food and Drug Administration's Breast Density Notification Rule. I am a 35 year cancer survivor. I'm alive today thanks to the grace of God, the care of hardworking medical professionals, the power of biomedical research and early detection. In 2009, this law was championed by my dear friend Dr. Nancy Capello, who passed away several years ago due to breast cancer...Had Nancy been notified of her status earlier, she may have been here today to celebrate with us. Nancy's husband (Joe) carried on her fight and their story inspired me. I want to thank you again for inviting me to join you today. I urge you to keep up the fight.”
Thanks to the power of web-streaming technology, an unconfirmed count of breast cancer orgs nationwide (and their respective members) accessed the live feed of the Are You Dense? event. Donna Johnson, president of ‘Are You Dense?’ mentioned about an upcoming virtual (seminar-style) event which will launch sometime in mid-October- bringing in some of the top names in public advocacy as well as leaders from the medical community.
For more info. on this press release, contact ‘Are You Dense Alliance’ (multimedia dist.) / Alexandra Fiederlein: editor.prevention101@gmail.com or call 516-522-0777
Click to see Den. Anwar's Videos |
SEN. SAUD ANWAR
CONNECTICUT STATE SENATE ADVOCATES FOR UNDERSERVED WOMEN
7/13/2024 ‐ The Women's Health Collaborative proudly celebrates the dedicated commitment and support of STATE SENATOR SAUD ANWAR (D‐South Windsor) of District 3 for his legislative work in health initiatives for women. A pulmonary physician by profession, Sen. Anwar joined public office in 2013 as mayor of South Windsor, CT (until 2015, and 2017‐2019). Senator Anwar is involved in humanitarian and peace initiatives nationally and internationally. He is frequently invited to consult for our government and has organized medical missions for disaster relief. His efforts have been recognized at the state and federal levels and by several professional organizations. He has received numerous citations for his service to the State and is an expert on international affairs.[1]
WOMEN’S HEALTH COLLABORATIVE GOES TO ALBANY
(Play Video-L) The NY Cancer Resource Alliance gives loving tribute to Dr. Nancy Cappello, co-founder of "Are You Dense" and chief crusader of the mission to bring change to the protocols and standards of Early Detection. Her organization embarked in a global advocacy project to win legislation for dense breast scanning and to bring awareness to the need for better technologies and imaging interpretation. Today, her loving husband Joe continues her unending fight to save more lives through awareness, advocacy and her crusade for change. |
ADVOCACY & JOINING HANDS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
By: Geri Barish - Hewlett House (Cancer Resource)
EXTRA: 2024 UPDATES ON DENSE BREAST RESEARCH
3/2024- Dr. Noelle Cutter of Molloy University and an associate of Bard Diagnostics/Are You Dense? partnerships conducted an observational study exploring the functional phenotypic differences that make dense breast tissue. Because it is widely noted that women with dense breasts have a greater likelihood of developing cancer, understanding the pathways and changes in gene expression may offer the first avenue for the enzymes enrolled and drug targets for personalized medicine in pursuit of developing better treatment options. “The proposed role of senescence in dense breast tissue metastasis involves creating a tumor-promoting microenvironment, facilitating immune evasion, and promoting angiogenesis, all of which contribute to the progression and spread of cancer cells.”- For full report, visit: www.pinksmartnews.com
The 2024 Women's Health Resource Network Launches Ultrasound Screening Initiative for Underserved Communities
Density under mammograms conceal tumors & cysts. Ultrasound is the suggested screening complement |