Stand Up To Cancer

Nancy Roach is the founder and Chair of the Board of Directors for Fight Colorectal Cancer. She also serves as a member of the SU2C Scientific Advisory Committee.

Cancer has been a part of my life for many years and continues to touch my life in many ways. On a personal note, I have lost my mom to pancreatic cancer, one beloved aunt to lung cancer, another to multiple myeloma and I have also lost many dear friends to colorectal and other cancers. I have an army of people in my heart who keep me moving forward. In 2001, after 20 years of normal pap smears, I was diagnosed with locally advanced cervical cancer. With my previous experience as an advocate, I was able to look at my own diagnosis from both a patient's perspective and the doctor's perspective to help navigate my treatment. I was humbled by my personal experience with cancer, and learned much about the reality of being a patient.

The job of a cancer advocate is to be the patient's "voice" at the table where decisions are made that impact the treatment of patients. After all, patients are the ultimate consumers of cancer research. Our voice needs to be heard at all points during the research process. Think about it like a car company - cars need to comply with all types of engineering and safety requirements - and they also need to be attractive to the people who buy the car. Car companies do a lot of research and testing to ensure that cars will fit the needs of consumers. The research process can benefit from engaging advocates in the same way.

A cancer advocate can help drive research, find solutions, and to help researchers understand the impact of cancer on real people. Advocates also remind Congress why research and access to care matters, and why funding critical programs makes a difference to their constituents. To help ensure that this happens, it is important that advocates also be able to listen, learn, and help communicate to the public what cancer researchers are trying to do. We are advocates because we have been touched by cancer. Researchers have worked for years - sometimes for decades - on their science. When we interact with researchers, we as advocates have a chance to learn about the science and the research process. We gain an understanding of their commitment and passion, and the challenges they face, especially now that Congress may cut research funding significantly.

I've been a patient, a caregiver, and a friend to people who would have benefitted from better screening or better treatments. Research is the path to making that happen. That keeps me passionate about research and moving research forward.

Looking back, I began my advocacy for colorectal cancer when my mother-in-law was diagnosed with rectal cancer in 1996. As I learned more I became frustrated by colorectal cancer's low profile, given how many people it kills each year. We have come a long way since then, but we still struggle with being a taboo cancer. Colorectal cancer is preventable, but it is still the 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths for men and women.

I started Fight Colorectal Cancer in 2006 to help give colorectal cancer survivors a voice. Currently, I serve as the Chair of our Board of Directors and spearhead our research efforts. As an organization, Fight Colorectal Cancer demands a cure for colon and rectal cancer. We work with survivors and their families across the country to educate and support patients. We empower our supporters to push for changes in policy that will increase and improve research, and to raise their voices against the status quo. Each year we host an annual Call-on Congress grassroots training and lobby day. We have trained hundreds of survivors and loved ones to stand up and be heard. In addition to advocating for federal funding, we support research directly through our Lisa Fund, working with American Association for Cancer Research to support research focused on finding a cure for colorectal cancer. Being able to provide private funding for research is an important part of our mission and an area that we hope to continue to grow. Fight Colorectal Cancer's goal is a cure - through universal screening that can prevent colorectal cancer or find it early when it's curable, and through successful treatments. I've seen progress in the last decade, but we still have a long way to go.

Through my work in advocacy I have also become involved with Stand Up To Cancer and currently serves as a member of the SU2C Scientific Advisory Committee. SU2C was started by advocates: a group of high profile, powerful women who had all been touched by cancer and were ready to change the way cancer research was being done. They partnered with the AACR, and required that their funded research teams involve patient advocates from the start. SU2C is changing the research process in exciting ways. I am proud to be a part of the team that selects the best in science to collaborate and move forward to benefit patients through their research.

Anyone touched by cancer has the ability to be an advocate for change. If you want big, systemic changes, find an organization that's working on your issues and get involved. If you want to support research, help raise money for an organization that funds peer-reviewed research. Shaping research in a hands-on way is more complicated, but I would start by contacting national organizations that support your passion and check out their programs. And if you're interested in colorectal cancer advocacy, drop me a line!

As an advocate, I have learned that I needed to become part of the process in order to influence the outcomes. Research and policy evolve through committee meetings, so I serve on many committees where research is defined, prioritized and evaluated. I am also working to decrease the bureaucracy of research - again, on committees. We want the research institutes and scientists to work together, not compete with each other. We want a promising preclinical finding to be translated into a clinical trial quickly and safely, not stay stuck because of lack of funding.

I think overall what is most powerful about a cancer advocate in any organization is their ability to provide a sense of urgency to cancer researchers, to Congress and to the public at large - patients are dying and we need research results now.

Written by Alison Sweeney, host of 'The Biggest Loser, author and SU2C Ambassador

I never had the chance to meet my mother's mother. My grandmother died of cancer when my mom was only twelve years old. And as a mother now myself, it makes me sad to think that my mom had to live her teenage years--arguably the most formative for a young girl--without her mother.

It's hard to believe that this was a time not long ago, when women didn't know about the importance of self-examination. This was a time when no one really even said the word cancer. People whispered it under their breath if they even uttered it at all. So I don't actually know a lot about my grandmother's cancer, except that it was in her lymph nodes and that it spread very rapidly.
I do know that losing her at such a young age had a profound effect on my mother. My mom realized early on how precious life is. Because of that, she always taught me to have an appreciation for life, to value the life we've been given, and to make the most of each and every opportunity, adventure, and challenge that comes along. In honor of her mother's too-short life, my mother is certainly making the most of her own.

I am so grateful that my mom is in my life today. I feel lucky every day that we get to spend together, sharing moments as a mother and daughter who have a very close relationship. The toughest year in our relationship came when my mom turned the same age her mother was when she passed away. I think my mom felt a heavy weight on her shoulders that year, and probably a deep fear, too. Only now, as an adult and a mom, can I begin to appreciate that fear--the fear that something like cancer might take you away from your family with little or no warning.

Cancer takes mothers away from far too many children. I have known several amazing women--mothers--who have bravely faced cancer. Two of my closest friends have heart-wrenching stories of loved ones battling cancer. Though some have lost their valiant fights, others have been fortunate to be able to beat cancer. I have been witness to incredible examples of survivors "paying it forward," survivors who graciously help in any way they can in the quest for a cure.
   
It's these survivors that inspire me to help join the fight against cancer. It's the mothers who have lost their lives to cancer that fuel my dream to help end cancer. We need to find a cure--for the sake of the victims and for the sake of their families. I may not know firsthand what my grandmother went through when she was diagnosed, but I know exactly how her loss has affected my mother. It is such a painful journey and I can only hope that my children, and my children's children, won't ever have to face the terrifying prospect of a life with cancer.

I have enthusiastically joined Stand Up To Cancer and I am proud to be part of an organization that is working so hard for a cure--a cure that will enable so many mothers (and so many others) to live long, healthy, happy lives. Launch a star in memory of someone you love at su2c.org.

Happy Mother's Day Mom, and all the mothers around the world.

Love,
Ali

Robert Gibson was diagnosed with stage four esophageal cancer in March of 2011. After receiving promising results from his participation in a clinical trial, Robert is now healing and recently organized a dirt biking event to raise funds for cancer research.

SU2C had the opportunity to speak with Robert to learn more about his personal cancer battle and The Tony Beir Memorial Man Ride event, which benefits SU2C and aims to encourage others to live life to its fullest.

How did you learn you had esophageal cancer?
The short version of the story is that I had been sick for over a year. My primary doctor had been chasing my symptoms trying to figure out what was wrong. At one point we thought I had a persistent ulcer. When the symptoms still didn't resolve themselves my doctor performed an endoscopy. That's when we discovered the tumor.

(Caption: Robert Gibson pictured left center, the day before his chemotherapy treatments began.)

At the time, what did you know about esophageal cancer?
I had heard of esophageal cancer before, but it wasn't something that I knew much about. At that point I had been more concerned about being diagnosed with colon or lung cancer. You hear more about those types of cancers. Esophageal cancer was the last thing I would have guessed I had. Finding out I had it was a real kick in the nuts.

How did you go about deciding what to do next?
I was told that I had stage four esophageal cancer. The first couple of doctors I saw regarding treatment told me that all they could do was make me comfortable, and that pissed me off.

I talked to a friend of mine who was a doctor about my diagnosis, and he helped me a lot. He told me that to try and beat my odds I needed to put together a team of doctors, and have a leadership mentality when it came to directing my course of treatment. He helped me put this group of doctors together, and told me that the quality of my care would be determined by how hard I pushed, and how much I wanted to fight.

What was going through treatment like for you?
My primary oncologist signed me up for a clinical trial. The trial had a fair share of potential risks, but since I hadn't found very many clinical trials for esophageal cancer patients, I thought I'd take a chance at anything that might help me live. I told my team from the start that I wanted to fight and they told me that it would hurt. I was a navy seal. I've done two combat tours and received two purple hearts. I'd been hurt before. But I didn't understand what they meant until I actually started my treatment. Going through it was painful on a level that is hard to describe.

I used to think people who died from cancer, just gave up, but I was wrong. The pain I went through during treatment was indescribable, and the amount of medication I was on made me barely functional. Looking back, it took me getting knocked down by cancer to really understand what courage is.

What kept you going?
Friends and family were a good support system. Other cancer patients really taught me a lot about what it meant to have courage. I used to think I was the walking definition of courage, but I didn't know what it really meant. I have met some truly courageous people, men and women, from all walks of life who refused to give up and allow cancer to dominate their lives.

While I was in my third round of chemo I met Erin, a 21-year-old woman who was diagnosed with late stage breast cancer when she was five months pregnant. She was faced with the heartbreaking decision to choose to save her own life or the life of her unborn child. She chose her child and never once did I see her complain about that decision. Instead she lived every moment of her life with happiness until the very end. That's courage, that's living a life to be proud of. Just seeing how she lived made me take a good look inside myself and realize that everyone has that kind of strength; you just have to embrace it.

What inspired the idea for the Tony Beir memorial "Man Ride?"
The ride itself started out as a joke ten years ago amongst my group of friends. We were all dirt bike racers and wanted to see if we could create the toughest ride possible. We jokingly called it, The Man Ride. We would wear outrageous outfits and ride 120 miles in 100-degree heat. It was tough.

Tony Beir was another person who really inspired me when I was going through treatment. Years ago we worked together and were really more of acquaintances than friends. He was diagnosed with cancer six months before I was. When Tony heard about my diagnosis he reached out to me and provided a tremendous amount of support. He reminded me that it was important to not just try to survive, but to really live each day to the best of my ability. We both loved riding and would encourage each other to get on our bikes when we could. Three weeks before Tony died we went on a bike ride. He never gave up on living and he taught me what it takes to remember to keep going. The medicine can only take you so far. You have to be the one to continue living your life.

This is the first year that we have done the ride as a benefit. We ended up having between 60 and 70 people show up for the event last month. Even with the high winds and rain, everyone was out there laughing and having a good time. It's not just a benefit about raising money for cancer research. It's also an event about celebrating and embracing life.

How did you decide to donate the funds from the event to SU2C?
I am a big San Diego Padres baseball fan. Last May a friend of mine took me to a game. I saw the SU2C logo in the park, and it struck me. It was right after my second round of chemo. I went home and started reading about the organization. I really liked that SU2C was not just about one type of cancer but about funding collaborative research that would be directed at patients and about finding a cure. It made so much sense. I told myself that if I was ever in a position to get involved and help raise money I would.

What is your prognosis today?
To be honest I'm not sure. The doctors I worked with had never encountered a case like mine. I had a 2% chance of survival when I was first diagnosed. After my surgery they told me that scans showed no evidence of cancer cells and that I seemed to be healing normally. The surgery and my treatment plan were very radical.

You use the word "SCAR" as an acronym for your experience with cancer. What does it mean?
It actually has several meanings. It's an acronym for: Strength, Courage and Resolve. Survive Cancer, and Ride. When you have cancer it's not just about surviving. You have to live. The people that I've met in my life that have had cancer are not the same afterwards, regardless of what kind of diagnosis they received. Cancer changes you.

How has cancer changed you?
For me, getting cancer was the best thing that's ever happened to me because internally it made me a better person. It sounds strange but I look at life differently now. My faith is stronger, my friendships are stronger, I'm healthier than I've been in the past five years, and little things don't stress me out anymore. There are pivotal moments in your life where you have to find your strength and courage to keep going. You get that by going out and living and doing it with passion. Being diagnosed with cancer clarified that for me.

What is the best piece of advice you could give to someone currently battling cancer?
Don't quit. Just because a doctor tells you that you are sick doesn't mean you should give up on life all together. You have to fight and go on living life the best way you can. What I learned from Tony and Erin is that we have no concept of the future. One day we will all die. With cancer it shouldn't be just about surviving. Take charge of your body, take charge of your life, make yourself happy, and fight like hell to keep living.

This year SU2C had the honor of being the official beneficiary of Oaks Day in collaboration with Churchill Downs. SU2C's Mary Pomerantz shares the play by play of last week's exciting events, as the Kentucky Oaks 138 takes a stand against cancer.

Friday, May 4, 2012: Louisville, KY
It's the day before the Kentucky Derby, a day when the 3-year-old fillies take to the track to kick off the historic weekend of racing. This year, SU2C joins the crowd in celebration of its new collaboration with Churchill Downs, the thoroughbred association and racetrack that operates the Kentucky Oaks and Derby races. Today, SU2C is honored to be the official beneficiary of Oaks day!

NBC Sports race broadcast, 9:00 a.m.: The announcers tell the country about Churchill Downs' commitment to support the SU2C mission to fund groundbreaking research that gets treatments to patients faster, and helps save lives. For every attendee of Oaks day, Churchill Downs is donating $1 to SU2C. More than 110,000 people are expected to be in attendance this year.

Churchill Downs, 10:30 a.m.: Outside the track, neighborhood residents have set up temporary stands hocking tee shirts, flip flops, cold water, homemade BBQ and front yard parking spots. Traffic is at a standstill as the crowd pours through the streets towards the Twin Spires, in what can only be described as their Sunday best. Inside, vendors sell mint juleps among a sea of pink hats. Each year, the Oaks winner is presented with a garland of pink stargazer lilies, so it's become an Oaks tradition for attendees to don pink attire in honor of the lily. Looking conspicuous in our SU2C orange, we place bets and take our seats.

Infield, 12:00 p.m.: The apparel company and official style of the Kentucky Derby, vineyard vines, is also standing up to cancer at the Oaks with a special booth in the infield. Attendees honor their loved ones who have been touched by cancer at the vineyard vines dedication wall.

Winner's Circle, 4:30 p.m.: Storm clouds and thunder threaten to cancel the Oaks race and Survivors Parade. Fans in the infield find cover just as the rain begins to pour. 138 cancer survivors are scheduled to walk the track for the annual Survivors Parade and we all keep our fingers crossed that the weather clears.

Churchill Downs Racetrack, 6:00 p.m.: The rain lets up and the festivities continue. We watch as the survivors proudly march the track, despite the wet conditions. The Just Stand Up music video plays on the jumbo-tron and fans in the stands hold up their own "in honor of" cards. The day ends on a pithy note for SU2C with the historic win by jockey Rosie Napravnik, the first female to win the Oaks race, with horse Believe You Can. It somehow seems appropriate that the Oaks winners this year echos the ethos of Stand Up To Cancer...believing we can beat the odds to end cancer.

Next year, here's to orange Derby hats and another record-breaking turn out at the Oaks!

Each month, in observance of the U.S. National Cancer Awareness Calendar, SU2C brings you The State of the Fight, a series of articles by those on the front lines of cancer treatment. We've asked our scientists to tease out myths from facts and report on breakthroughs in the field, as we all forge ahead in the fight to end this disease.
 
Jaffer A. Ajani, M.D., is a professor of medicine in the Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
 
According to the National Cancer Institute, there will be an estimated 17,460 new cases of esophageal cancer in the United States this year. Additionally, more than 15,000 Americans are estimated to die from this disease this year alone. As a gastrointestinal medical oncologist, I became interested in esophageal cancer early in my career. For the past 25 years I have treated many patients with the intent to improve treatments for those suffering from this dreadful disease.
 
The esophagus is a muscular tube in our bodies that carries food and liquids from the mouth to the stomach. This tube runs 10 to 13 inches long in most adults and has several layers. Esophageal cancer is a growth of abnormal cells that starts in the lining of the esophagus, and often forms a mass that can block the passage of food and penetrate the esophageal wall. To understand the disease more clearly, we must first understand that there are two common subtypes of esophageal cancer: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.
 
Squamous cell carcinoma accounts for less than half of all esophageal cancers. It occurs when squamous cells form within the inside layer of the esophagus lining. This type of esophageal cancer is highly associated with poor lifestyle habits. In some parts of the world it can also be caused by nutrient deficiencies in the soil. Occasionally, other factors such as ingestion of liquids and foods that damage the esophagus can also contribute to a squamous cell carcinoma diagnosis. Squamous cell carcinoma seems to be more prevalent in northern China, parts of the Middle East, Eastern Europe and many countries of the former Soviet Union.
 
Adenocarcinoma generally develops in the lower part of the esophagus. This form of cancer develops when glandular cells replace an area of squamous cells. The rise of adenocarcinoma is a relatively recent phenomenon (within the past 30 years); however, the increase does seem to coincide with western society's growing body mass index. It is more prevalent in North America and Western Europe, and other risk factors are gastroesophageal reflux disease and Barrett's esophagus, which is a change in the lining of the esophagus that is caused by stomach acid,
 
Men are three times more likely to develop esophageal cancer than women, and while it is clear there is an element of genetic susceptibility to this type of cancer, it is only partially understood. Lifestyle habits such as smoking, alcohol and poor diet can cause damage to the esophageal lining and increase the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma. Adults who suffer from chronic and severe reflux disease (particularly, nocturnal reflux) are at a higher risk for adenocarcinoma. Some of the most common symptoms of esophageal cancers are difficulty swallowing and unintended weight loss. Pain and bleeding can also be symptoms of this disease, but are very rarely seen.
 
Esophageal cancer is a treatable disease if caught early enough. However, since there is currently no early detection strategy in place for this type of cancer, a majority of patients are often diagnosed in the late stages making prognosis very poor. While progress is being made in the treatment arena, finding a way to detect this type of cancer in its earliest stages would make overall prognosis much greater.

Today, about 15 to 20 percent of patients are able to survive at least five years after diagnosis, according to the American Cancer Society. This is a much higher rate than in the 1960's when fewer than 5 percent of patients survived. There has been considerable improvement in surgical mortality and an increased general realization that localized (i.e., potentially curable) esophageal cancer should be treated by experienced physicians at a high-volume center. The important thing to remember is that every tumor is unique and the type of therapy used depends on the patient and the clinical stage at diagnosis.
 
Our group of physicians and clinical researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center has been treating hundreds of patients suffering from esophageal cancer diagnosed at several different stages for the past 10 years. One of our goals in advancing research has been to individualize therapy by identifying biomarkers of chemoradiation resistance in order to avoid surgery and preserve the patient's esophagus. Thus far, we have developed a validated predictive method that needs more work but has the potential to do just that.

My recommendation for anyone diagnosed with esophageal cancer is that a multidisciplinary evaluation by a group of experts take place before any therapy begins. Patients should take into consideration multiple opinions from physicians before moving forward with treatment. One of our patients, in his 30's, was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and the tumor was of a size that is typically not considered curable. With our team of experts we were able to treat him in a way specific to his tumor and as a result, the tumor was dramatically reduced in size. He was then able to undergo chemoradiation followed by surgery. The results after surgery showed no residual cancer cells. This type of outcome is very rare, and I feel that the type of treatment we were able to use was indicative of this patient's outcome. Not all patients are this lucky and a lot more work remains to be done, but it does give us hope.
 
One thing everyone can do to help reduce your risk of esophageal cancer is to avoid a high-risk lifestyle that includes: smoking, excessive alcohol and foods that have been shown to increase body mass index. I recommend everyone follow a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and incorporate frequent exercise into their daily routine.
 
Compared to breast, lung, colon and prostate cancers, esophageal cancer research still has a long way to go, but we are doing our best to help those diagnosed with this disease to survive. Raising public awareness and practicing prevention are also key factors in forging ahead in the fight against this disease. The National Cancer Institute and MD Anderson Cancer Center have great resources for those looking to learn more about treatment or prevention of esophageal cancer. As we learn more about genetics, new treatment methods, and as we work to find a better way for early detection, our hope is to one day make this dreadful disease a thing of the past.

Each month, in observance of the U.S. National Cancer Awareness Calendar, SU2C brings you The State of the Fight, a series of articles by those on the front lines of cancer treatment and research.  We've asked our scientists to tease out myths from facts and report on breakthroughs in the field, as we all forge ahead in the fight to end this disease.

Stephen B. Gruber, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., is director of the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Southern California.

Lynch Syndrome is a common genetic disorder that places a person at greater risk for colon cancer and endometrial cancer. It is estimated that one in 440 Americans carry a mutation that causes Lynch Syndrome.

Lynch Syndrome is caused by mutations in genes that repair DNA. The genes that cause Lynch Syndrome are passed from parent to child, and a child of a parent with Lynch Syndrome has a 50 percent chance of having the gene that causes the disorder.

Approximately 2 percent to 4 percent of all diagnosed colorectal cancers and 2 percent to 5 percent of all diagnosed endometrial cancers are due to Lynch Syndrome. Despite the fact that Lynch Syndrome is common, not all people who carry the gene go on to develop cancer: genetics is not destiny.

The good news is that many people with Lynch Syndrome lead healthy lives. Colonoscopy can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by 65 percent and has been unequivocally shown to save lives. To reduce endometrial cancer risk with Lynch Syndrome, oral contraceptives are highly recommended for women not actively seeking pregnancy. After menopause, removing the uterus and ovaries completely eliminates the risk of uterine cancer and dramatically reduces the risk of ovarian cancer.

Information about Lynch Syndrome has developed tremendously over the past 20 years. Not only do we now know what causes Lynch Syndrome, we know cost-effective ways to diagnose and care for patients with Lynch Syndrome. Research in my lab today is focused on understanding the risk of cancer in gene carriers and how to prevent and treat cancer in those with the gene. Together with our collaborators across the United States, we have shown that genetic testing is cost-effective in a number of different settings, and shown that screening and treatment unequivocally save lives.

There are no specific symptoms or warning signs of Lynch Syndrome. This is one of the many reasons doctors offer genetic testing to healthy people who are at-risk based on their family history alone. Otherwise, prevention is the key to treating Lynch Syndrome, and it is clear that using strategies that include routine colonoscopies, oral contraceptives, and preventative surgery are often effective. However, given that no type of prevention is perfect, it is important to also be aware that if cancer does arise, treatment can be tailored for a patient with Lynch Syndrome.

Lynch Syndrome is diagnosed in several ways, and the most common method is by recognizing the classic patterns of cancer within a family. The rule of thumb that helps people recognize Lynch Syndrome is the "3-2-1-0 rule." This pattern represents three people in a family with either colon or uterine cancer, in two or more generations, with one person diagnosed below the age of 50. The "zero" represents the designation that a rare condition called familial polyposis, characterized by hundreds or thousands of polyps that carpet the colon, has been excluded.

The second way to recognize Lynch Syndrome is by special stains and tests that can be performed on tumor tissue. Pathologists are very good at recognizing the features of Lynch Syndrome, and now there are tests that show whether cancers have the hallmark features of Lynch Syndrome. These pathology results can lead physicians to order additional diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis.

Ultimately, Lynch Syndrome is diagnosed on the basis of a gene test. When a mutation is identified in one of the four mismatch repair genes that cause Lynch Syndrome, a diagnosis is confirmed. Genetic testing for Lynch Syndrome is now the standard of care for patients and families with the mutation.

Children of individuals with Lynch Syndrome are at highest risk; it is quite rare for a new mutation to arise spontaneously. Unfortunately, Lynch Syndrome is under-recognized. Even some patients with colon cancer or uterine cancer are unaware that their cancer may have arisen on the basis of Lynch Syndrome. The best way to be sure about your own risk for Lynch Syndrome is to know your family history and ask your doctor.

In terms of your health, knowledge is power and ignorance is definitely not bliss. Learning about both prevention and early warning signs of cancer makes you more likely to catch them before they turn deadly. One third of cancers are curable if caught in their early stages. Educating yourself, and making small lifestyle changes, you can help protect yourself from late stage cancer.

In addition, knowing your family history can also help you plan ahead. Many cancers like breast, colorectal and ovarian can be hereditary. Ask your doctor about genetic counseling, and talk to your family. Relatives are the best link to your past, and doctors are a great resource for helping you to create a healthy lifestyle.

At the end of the day, you know your body best. So why not make it your mission to get educated, get screened, and become your own health advocate? Even after a cancer diagnosis, education is key. Every person is unique and so is every cancer. Doctors play a key role in your treatment plan; however, learning about your disease and the most up to date treatments for it can often help you better understand your diagnosis and aid in your treatment decisions.

To find out how you can take steps to prevent cancer, visit: http://www.worldcancerday.org/prevention

For more information on specific types of cancer, screening guidelines and treatment methods, make sure to watch for Stand Up To Cancer's monthly State of the Fight. For more information, visit the American Association for Cancer Research or the National Cancer Institute.

What if we told you that there is a way that you could change a health behavior and reap benefits by greatly reducing your risk of several diseases including cancer, heart disease, stroke and lung disease? It would be an easy decision, right? Who doesn't want to live a longer, healthier life?

Unfortunately, some behaviors are hard to change, even when we know they are bad for us. It's a well-known fact that smoking is the leading cause of preventable death worldwide, causing more than five million deaths per year. Yet each day more than an estimated 45.3 million adults continue to smoke in the United States alone. This doesn't even account for the more than 3,800 people a day in the United States under the age of 18 who will have their first cigarette, despite the fact that they know it's bad for them. Breaking any habit can be difficult, but the decision to quit might just be the most important one you'll ever make.

According to the National Cancer Institute, of the more than 7,000 chemicals in tobacco smoke, at least 250 are known to be harmful, including hydrogen cyanide, carbon monoxide and ammonia. Even secondhand exposure to tobacco smoke is unhealthy. It may increase the risk of breast cancer, nasal sinus cavity cancer and nasopharyngeal cancer in adults and the risk of leukemia, lymphoma, and brain tumors in children.

While quitting smoking at any age is beneficial, the earlier you can kick the habit the better. Studies also show that, regardless of age, smokers who quit are less likely to die from smoking related diseases than those who continue to smoke. In addition, quitting also has immediate health benefits. After just a few weeks of not smoking, your circulation will improve and your blood pressure and heart rate will begin to return to normal. Within even a few hours of quitting, the level of carbon monoxide, a gas that reduces the blood's ability to carry oxygen, begins to decline. Not to mention that quitting smoking improves one's sense of smell and taste.

The benefits of quitting are irrefutable, but that doesn't change the fact that nicotine is addictive and quitting smoking is hard to do. In fact most heavy smokers often require more than one attempt before they are able to say goodbye to tobacco for good. But there are a number of effective approaches that can help you in your decision to quit. Start by finding creative ways to resist the urge to smoke, and make sure to enlist family, a friend or support group to help you through. You can always talk to your doctor or another health care provider about methods for quitting and which may work best for you. For more information, science-driven tools and resources for smokers looking to quit, visit the National Cancer Institute's Smokefree.gov. If you are a non-smoker concerned about the health of a loved one who smokes, let them know about your concern and be there to support them if they make the decision to quit.

If you don't want to quit smoking cigarettes for yourself, do it for your friends, your family and your future. The hardest things in life are the ones most worth doing.

You don't have to be an expert to know that loving your body helps to set the stage for a healthy lifestyle. And, leading a healthy lifestyle may even help to reduce your risk for various diseases and certain types of cancer.

One of the best ways to maintain good health is by getting enough physical activity. Exercise provides innumerable benefits and can help reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and certain types of cancer. According to research, obesity and physical inactivity may account for 25 to 30 percent of several major cancers including colon, breast (postmenopausal), endometrial, kidney and esophageal. Finding time to exercise may be tricky, but just 30 minutes of physical activity a day (60 minutes for children) could help reduce your risk of developing certain cancers and keep your body strong.

Not sure what kind of exercise to do? Start by finding something you enjoy and that will simply get your body moving. Jogging, yoga, dancing, and even walking are just a few of the ways you can get your daily dose of exercise.

Numerous studies have also shown that physical activity can also help patients who are currently battling cancer. While it may be hard to find the strength to exercise when undergoing treatment, the benefits it can provide may be worth the effort. The National Cancer Institute reports evidence that may link physical activity with improved quality of life, and by reducing fatigue for some patients who are actively receiving treatment.

Another way you can improve your overall health and potentially reduce your risk of cancer is by pledging to protect your skin year-round. Skin cancer is extremely common and can be extremely fatal, if it isn't caught in time. Each year almost 70,000 new cases of melanoma are diagnosed in the United States, and nearly 9,000 people die from the disease. Just like any cancer, skin cancers vary by type and arise from a mixture of environmental risks and genetic predispositions.

While no single precaution can fully protect you from skin cancer, you stand a better chance of reducing your risk of skin cancer by following these simple prevention and screening guidelines:

• A tan may look good, but too much exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun is bad! Do your best to avoid sun burns via intentional tanning and use of tanning beds (they are just as harmful);
• Choose SPF carefully (make sure it protects you from both UVA and UVB rays). Apply it generously and reapply often, especially after being in the water;
• Try to avoid spending too much time in the sun between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun's rays are strongest. If you have to be outside, umbrellas and shady areas are a great way to avoid direct sun exposure; and
• Get to know your own skin and don't hesitate to get checked regularly by a dermatologist for abnormalities! It is good to always get any new suspicious moles checked out. Take a look at the guidelines for the ABCD Screening Method to learn more about what kinds of moles you should look out for.

Exercising and properly caring for your skin are just two of the many ways you can help maintain a healthy body and decrease your cancer risk. By taking a stand for your own health, you are helping to protect yourself and decrease the number of preventable cancer deaths worldwide. When we all stand together, we can change the odds against cancer.

It is not uncommon to start a new year off by making a pledge to diet and lose weight. Each year millions of people pledge to cut down on the junk food to fit into a smaller pant size. However, it's important to remember that eating healthy isn't just about a smaller waistline... eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, coupled with exercise and living a healthy lifestyle may also help reduce your risk for cancer!

It's true: fruit and vegetables, as part of a healthy lifestyle, are kind of like anti-cancer super heroes. They are low in fat, high in fiber, and contain nutrients and antioxidants that can help reduce one's risk of cancer cells from forming. Overall, research has shown that eating more vegetables and fruits may help lower your risk of developing lung, mouth, throat, esophageal, stomach, colon and rectal cancer. Eating natural foods such as these may also decrease your risk for obesity, which has also been shown to be a risk factor for several types of cancer.
Another way to boost your health is by cutting down on the junk food. Sodas, chips, and candy may taste good, but they are often chock-full of preservatives and food additives that contribute to an unhealthy lifestyle. Studies have also shown that alcohol consumption may be linked to the development of certain cancers such as mouth, esophageal, laryngeal, pharyngeal, breast, and liver cancers. In patients with liver cancer, deaths are higher among heavy alcohol users than among those who don't drink alcohol. However, it's important to remember that most of these things are not harmful when consumed in moderation.

Too many diet restrictions to handle at once?

Instead, try limiting your intake of these foods and add some cancer fighting treats to your menu. Tomatoes, mushrooms, strawberries, grapes, lemons, broccoli, walnuts, coffee and even dark chocolate are just some the foods that have been shown to stave off cancer and inhibit cancer cell growth or tumor size. To help prevent some cancers and other chronic diseases, the National Cancer Institute recommends two to five servings of fruits and two to eight servings of vegetables, with special emphasis on dark-green and orange vegetables and legumes. 

The biggest overall benefit of trying to maintain optimal nutrition by healthy eating is that it helps create a body that is able to function at its best. This is beneficial to everyone, whether you are in the fight against cancer or trying to reduce your risk.