Stand Up To Cancer

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.

Still looking for a gift to buy for that special someone? Consider giving a gift that is both healthy and helps fight off cancer. Here are a few suggestions from the team at SU2C!

Give the gift of fitness. Help a loved one stay fit by giving them a gift certificate to a local yoga or fitness class. Obesity and physical inactivity may account for 25-30% of several major cancers including colon, breast (postmenopausal), endometrial, kidney, and esophageal.

Choose toys with care. We all know kids love toys. So this year, choose the ones that are safe to play with. Make sure any plastic toys you purchase do not contain Bisphenol A (BPA) or Phthalates. In addition, double check that any wooden toys are made from natural pieces of wood that are not held together by toxic glues or have petrochemical finishes. If you are looking to give something soft and loveable, stay away from synthetic materials and try finding something made with organic materials.

Help someone you love relax. Studies have not conclusively proven that stress plays a role in cancer; however, ongoing stress can often lead to unhealthy habits, such as overeating, smoking or alcohol abuse, which may affect cancer risk. Gift a loved one a massage or a day of doing nothing to help reduce their post holiday stress, and start the new year off right.

Give a gift that gives back. The SU2C Shop is full of new gifts for the 2011 holiday season. From the SU2C exclusive Star Wars Tees, to our new eco-friendly travel mug, you can Stand Up To Cancer in style this holiday season with a gift that helps to fund more SU2C groundbreaking research. Not sure what to give? You can also purchase a gift card to the SU2C store for $25, $50 or $100.

Stuff a stocking with sunscreen or a winter hat. You know the smell that makes you think of summer? Encourage the ones you love to use it year-round. Unprotected sun exposure can cause melanoma - the number one cancer in men and women ages 25 to 29. Protect your head with hats and your skin with an SPF of 15 or more.

Give a bag of cancer fighting treats. Especially during the holidays, food is everywhere. Research indicates that 75-80% of cancers are caused in part by environmental factors, and about 30% are related to what you eat. Strawberries, apples, cinnamon and dark chocolate are just some of the foods that may help protect your body from cancer.

Spend some quality time with grandma learning about your family history. When you know your family history, you can plan ahead. Many cancers like breast, colorectal and ovarian can be hereditary. Relatives can be the best link to your past, to help raise awareness against certain cancers and guide you towards a healthy future.

Donate to cancer research in honor of someone you love. For as little as $1, you and your family can launch a star in the SU2C Constellation and create a lasting tribute of support for someone in the fight or in memory of a loved one affected by cancer. Each dollar donated will go to provide continued support for the life saving research SU2C funds.

Meet a few of the SU2C Teams fundraising leaders.

One of the many ways SU2C community members can raise money and awareness for groundbreaking cancer research is by creating or joining an SU2C team. In coming together with other SU2C members, these teams and their team captains have demonstrated unrivaled leadership and initiative. Each one has succeeded in their own right, be it through online team challenges, community fundraising events, or an old fashioned rallying cry to friends and family. Check out a few of our rock star teams from 2011 and consider joining a team or creating your own today! Every team makes a difference and every dollar raised goes directly to cancer research.

Crush Kids' Cancer: David Archuleta's Angels

Have raised a total of $68,815 since 2008

Crush Kids' Cancer: David Archuleta's Angels, is one of SU2C's longest running and most active teams to date. This team, led by pediatric oncologist Dr. Stacie Goldberg (Pecan Pie), has continued to raise funds for SU2C research by participating in SU2C team challenges. In addition to the online challenges the team continues to inspire and encourage its members to stay active in the fight against cancer, with frequent email updates and motivating messages to take action and donate now.

"Children's cancer is an area near and dear to my heart...The Stand Up To Cancer model is trying to unite academic centers all around the world so you're not just getting one piece of data from one individual site, and that's really the only way you're really going to forward the frontiers of medicine." - Stacie Goldberg, M.D., Team Captain 

DogTown Cross Fit (photo by Omid Khalili)

Have raised a total of $48,417 since August 2011

DogTown Cross Fit, a local Culver City California gym, created a team on SU2C to help raise money for cancer research at their first annual, "DogTown Throwdown for Cancer." The event, a 17-minute intensive physical challenge, encouraged DogTown Cross Fit members to go to their friends and family and garner support for the SU2C team. The entire Culver City community came together to make the event possible, donating items to raffle and food for guests at the event to enjoy. After only two short months they were able to raise almost $50,000 and had an impressive turn out for the challenge. Next year they hope to make the event even more successful.

"The owners of the gym all stand behind cancer research. We have all been affected and I had this idea of doing our own event where 100% of the proceeds go to a cancer charity. I thought SU2C would be perfect, not just because of what this charity does but as a way to also honor the memory of SU2C co-founder Laura Ziskin." - Josh Gallegos, Team Member

Spell the End of Cancer

Have raised a total of $19,885 since August 2010

This year marked the second annual fundraising event for Spell the End of Cancer. Josephine Hicks, the team captain, holds the event each year in memory of her partner Ann Brewster Jones, who died of pancreatic cancer in February 2010. Her idea for the team was to help fund cancer research, and have some fun by raising money doing one of Anne's favorite things - playing Scrabble. Participants of Spell the End of Cancer donate in order to attend the event, a game night, that consists of word games, food, and prizes.

"Anne and I watched the first live Stand Up To Cancer broadcast in September 2008 and were really impressed with the model of bringing together teams of doctors and researchers, and encouraging them to collaborate and work together. After Anne passed, I wanted to do something in her memory and give to SU2C. I decided an event based around playing Scrabble would be perfect." - Josephine Hicks, Team Captain

Adriana Jenkins Foundation for Personalized Medicine

Have raised a total of $6,875 since August 2011

The Adriana Jenkins Foundation for Personalized Medicine team was formed based on a legacy article that Adriana Jenkins published in Forbes magazine at the time of her passing. In that article, she eloquently laid the groundwork to generate interest and enthusiasm around the need to continue to develop personalized medicines for patients with cancer and other diseases. In establishing the Adriana Jenkins Foundation for Personalized Medicine they seek to keep Adriana's voice and mission alive by driving awareness and supporting continued progress in the field.

"We're so excited that the Adriana Jenkins Foundation for Personalized Medicine fundraising team with Stand Up to Cancer (SU2C) -- formed in memory of our very dear friend Adriana who lost her nearly decade-long battle with advanced breast cancer earlier this year -- has already reached 25% of its first year fundraising goal. It is our great hope, that through our SU2C team, we can raise both awareness and funds to advance the field of personalized medicine for cancer as a tribute to the memory of Adriana." - Kelly Lindenboom, Team Member

Thank you to every team captain and team member in the SU2C community. SU2C is thrilled to have teams like these and many others supporting cancer research. Congratulations on being leaders in the fight!

Please consider starting your own fundraising team today at SU2C.org/teams

Throwing Cancer to the Wind, Teri Griege Conquers the Ironman World Championship

By Amy L. Marxkors

The fanny pack. That's what freaked everybody out the most. She wore it while she knocked out fifty-mile training rides. "Fanny," as she affectionately dubbed it, was a caddy for Teri's chemotherapy treatment, an unpretentious little bag filled with cytotoxic chemicals. Fanny and Teri were inseparable--at least for the prescribed forty-eight hours of IV infusion. Teri had an Ironman to train for, after all, and she wasn't going to let chemo keep her from chalking up the miles.

The demands of an Ironman competition are staggering: a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, topped off with a 26.2-mile run. Ironman status is the triathlete equivalent of knighthood. It is a sacred title, demanding the body and soul of athletes brave enough to attempt it. Sitting atop the elite echelons of the sport is the Ironman World Championship in Kona, the Holy Grail of triathlons. To compete in Kona is to know a rare and singular privilege. It is for Kona that Teri is training.

From the moment she was diagnosed with cancer, Teri knew she would continue her training. Yes, the diagnosis was devastating. Her cancer had metastasized to her liver and the tumors were large. Doctors gave Teri a six percent chance of survival and a timetable of two years. But Teri refused to give in to the odds and statistics.

"We were going to use the same determination and willpower that she uses to race to attack this," says her husband Dave said of her illness. "We said, 'You've got cancer. Fine. Let's get after it. There is still life. This is no time to sit and mope around.'"

"She wouldn't succumb to it," he continues. "She wasn't going to let it beat her. She was determined to work hard and push herself and not let it rule her. She wasn't going to let it determine her existence."

Teri underwent four months of radiation and heavy chemotherapy before having a colon and liver resection surgery in January 2010. After surgery, she received eight more months of intense chemotherapy. In August of that year, she was placed on maintenance chemo--one week on, one week off. It is a routine she will follow for the rest of her life.

Life being the operative word. Yes, cancer is filled with pain and questions and uncertainty, but it was hope that propelled her to action. For Teri, the Ironman is more than a sport. It is a bold act of defiance against a disease that threatened to kill her.

After her surgeries, Teri allowed her body three months to recover before she began incorporating workouts back into her daily regimen. She started gently, going for easy three or four-mile runs and swimming laps a couple of times a week. Within six weeks, she found her endurance had returned. She began increasing her distances, maneuvering training demands around her treatment schedule. She doubled-up running and swimming on days when she wasn't receiving chemo infusion. And when treatment demanded she be connected to the little bag of cytotoxic chemicals for forty-eight-hour bursts, she simply grabbed "Fanny" and went for a ride.

Teri completed two half Ironmans--Branson and Kansas--and continued to increase her training load. Once training for Kona began, Teri dedicated each week, three days to swimming, three days to biking and three days to running. By doubling up disciplines on certain days--essentially training "nine days a week"--she was able to maintain weekly averages of two hundred miles on the bike, thirty-five miles running, and eight to ten thousand meters in the pool. Instead of following the conventional training pattern of two or three fitness "building" weeks followed by one recovery week, Teri fashioned her training plan according to her chemo treatments, alternating light and heavy training every other week.

"There would be days... where I would definitely not be as strong," she says of training through treatment. "I didn't know how I would feel on race day, and I wanted to put in all the distance I needed to. I might have to turn down the intensity, but not the distance."

If her body struggled during a run, she let herself walk. Sometimes it would take her twice as long to cover the miles she could have knocked out with ease before her diagnosis. But it wasn't about the time; it was about moving forward.

"I get joy from training. It gives you the 'I can,'" she says of her experience of training through cancer. "I can cope with this. I can do it another day. When you're happy, you are joyful and you can persevere. If you're not happy and you're not joyful... you have no reason to persevere.

"It lets me know that I can do this," she continues. "I can. I can train. I can beat cancer... I can do it. That's what I gain from it. I gain the strength to believe in myself and know that I can do it."

(On October 8th, Teri crossed the finish line at the Ford Ironman World Championship. She followed up her incredible race by running the New York Marathon in November. Her next goal is the 2012 Berlin Marathon. Teri still receives chemo treatments every other week.)

High Fiber Diet Linked To Lower Colon Cancer Risk
Eating a high-fiber diet is linked with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer, according to new research that analyzed 25 different studies. Total fiber intake, as well as fiber from whole grains and from cereals, was most strongly linked with a reduction in colorectal cancer risk, the researchers say. The evidence was weaker for fiber from fruits, vegetables, and legumes, says study researcher Dagfinn Aune, a research associate at Imperial College London. "It doesn't mean you shouldn't eat your fruits and vegetables," he tells WebMD. He found fewer studies on the impact on colon cancer risk of fiber from fruits, vegetables, and legumes than studies looking at the other foods, he says. "It's possible that we did not have enough statistical power." Overall, the link found between fiber intake and risk reduction was small. Aune's team found a 10% risk reduction in colorectal cancer for each 10 grams of fiber eaten a day. However, the more fiber people ate, the more risk reduction was found.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-500368_162-57323169/high-fiber-diet-linked-to-lower-colon-cancer-risk/

Brain Scan Study Finds Evidence of 'Chemo Brain'
Women who survive breast cancer after undergoing chemotherapy may also have to contend with impairments in attention, memory and planning skills, U.S. researchers said Monday. The research study reported that women who had undergone chemotherapy for breast cancer had significantly less activity in parts of the brain responsible for executive functioning tasks compared with breast cancer patients who were not treated with chemotherapy. Among those treated with chemotherapy, the study also found a strong correlation between women who complained they were having trouble with memory and thinking skills and actual deficits in these regions of the brain. This study may help explain why many breast cancer patients complain of "chemo brain" -- a term used to describe foggy thinking and memory lapses following treatment with chemotherapy. "This is a huge validation for these women who are telling their doctors 'something is wrong with me'," said Shelli Kesler of Stanford University School of Medicine in California, whose study appears in the Archives of Neurology. "This shows that when a patient reports she's struggling with these types of problems, there's a good chance there has been a brain change," Kesler said. Her study involved 25 breast cancer patients who had been treated with chemotherapy, 19 breast cancer patients who had surgery and other treatments, and 18 healthy women. While a finding in 25 women seems small, Kesler said it is large for a brain scan study and points to a need to start identifying, which women who undergo chemotherapy are, most vulnerable to these types of deficits.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/sns-rt-us-cancer-breast-braintre7ad26v-20111114,0,300105.story

Teenage Girls, Alcohol and Breast Cancer
Teenage girls who have a family history of breast cancer and drink alcohol are increasing their own risk of the disease. Researchers from Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School conducted a health survey, published Sunday, on almost 7,000 girls ages 9 to 15. The surveys were repeated twice when the girls were 18 to 27. The participants' mothers were asked about their own history of benign breast disease, breast cancer and family history of breast cancer. Not surprisingly, the study found that girls with a family history of breast cancer were more likely to develop benign breast disease in young adulthood -- more than twice as likely as girls with no family history. But the study also showed that the more alcohol the higher-risk girls consumed, the more likely they were to develop benign breast disease -- which is a risk factor for cancer. Moreover, girls with a family history of breast cancer who had the most rapid growth spurt in height were at higher risk compared with girls without a family history. Previous studies have shown that alcohol consumption in adult women raises the risk of breast cancer. The study suggests that risk factors for breast cancer are different depending on whether there is a family history of the disease.
http://www.latimes.com/health/boostershots/la-heb-breast-cancer-20111114,0,2020211.story

Acupuncture May Help Common Cancer Treatment Side Effect
An ancient therapy could prove effective at relieving a common side effect of cancer treatment; a small, new study shows. Acupuncture was able to reduce dry mouth in people who were receiving radiation therapy to treat their head and neck cancers, reported researchers from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and the Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center. "The medical implications are quite profound in terms of quality of life, because while chronic dry mouth may sound benign, it has a significant impact on sleeping, eating and speaking," study researcher Lorenzo Cohen, Ph.D., director of MD Anderson's Integrative Medicine Program, said in a statement. "Without saliva, there can be an increase in microbial growth, possible bone infection and irreversible nutritional deficits." Researchers examined 86 people with nasopharyngeal carcinoma who were undergoing radiotherapy for their cancer. Forty of the patients received acupuncture three times a week while they received their radiotherapy over seven weeks, while 46 just had regular care. Researchers monitored the study participants' saliva flow using a Xerostomia Questionnaire -- a score under 30 meant that dry mouth was mild or completely gone. A month after all the study participants had finished their therapies, researchers found that 54.3 percent of the people who had acupuncture had a Xerostomia Questionnaire score of over 30, while 86.1 percent of people who didn't have acupuncture had a score of over 30. And then six months after undergoing treatment, researchers found that just 24.1 percent of the people who had acupuncture had a score over 30, while 63.6 percent of the people who didn't had a score of over 30. Researchers said more studies are needed to see why exactly acupuncture has these benefits.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/13/acupuncture-dry-mouth-xerostomia-cancer-radiation_n_1087017.html

The inspiring story of how a mother's colon cancer and brother's stomach cancer were linked genetically and ultimately helped to save their own family's lives. No Stomach For Cancer's Beth Lambert share's her story with SU2C.

How did you find out about your brother's stomach cancer?
In November of 2005 my brother, Steve, was hospitalized after experiencing some digestive problems and stomach pain. The doctors did a series of tests, including an endoscopy, and everything appeared to be normal. In fact, I distinctly remember my mom calling to tell me that they were relieved because nothing cancerous showed up on the test. The next day, the doctors performed surgery, to find that what they thought was scar tissue but was instead stage 4 cancer that had spread throughout his stomach.

Did he have symptoms?
He had some signs of constipation and gastric reflux for the two months preceding his diagnosis. The problem with symptoms for stomach cancer is that they often mirror symptoms of more ordinary digestive-related issues such as acid reflux.

Did you ever think his cancer and your mother's colon cancer could be linked genetically?
Even though both were diagnosed the same year, I never even thought about it. After all, hers was colon cancer and his was stomach cancer...why would there be a genetic link?

What made your family decide to get tested to see if you had a genetic marker that made you prone to cancer?
It was really one of those fluke conversations. My mom mentioned to her oncologist that my brother Steve was dealing with a rare cancer cell type (signet ring cell). This was a new oncologist and, in familiarizing himself with her care history, he pointed out that her cancer cell was also of the signet ring cell formation. She was referred to Mass General Cancer Center to have some genetic testing done. She went the following week and, eight months later, the results were in. She tested positive for the genetic marker. Within a few weeks, the rest of my surviving siblings and I were tested and three of the four of us also carried the genetic marker.

What is the genetic marker called?
The genetic mutation is called CDH1. My mom, two of my siblings and I tested positive along with two cousins and two of Steve's children.

Was having your stomach removed as a precaution a difficult decision to make?
Honestly, it was an extremely easy decision because we knew by not having it done we were at a very high risk (83%) of developing stomach cancer. We had just watched Steve suffer a very painful death, and we did not want to have to go through what he did.

What was the recovery like?
The body amazes me; it is truly resilient. Considering the fact that they removed my entire stomach, the recovery went well. Following the surgery, the physical healing part was very manageable. We made a point to walk regularly to help our body adapt. Especially shortly after the surgery, eating was extremely difficult. Because I often felt nauseous and clammy after I ate, I became afraid to put food into my body. With time, it became easier, for sure. However, even now, four years later, eating can still be a challenge. I don't complain about it, though, because it is nothing compared to stomach cancer.

The pathology results from the surgery showed precancerous cells growing in all of us. It undoubtedly saved our lives.

Why is it important to spread awareness about Stomach Cancer and its warning signs?
Stomach cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the world, and I have found that people do not know much, if anything, about it. People need to be aware of some of the warning signs because, with this particular cancer, it can be hard to detect. Some symptoms may include weight loss, poor appetite, nausea, frequent abdominal pains, and ulcer type symptoms. By knowing and paying attention to the warning signs, people have a better chance of fighting it.

How did you get involved with No Stomach for Cancer?
Karen Chelcun Schreiber, the Founder of the organization who lives in Wisconsin, and I met initially through message boards for patients who dealt with having their stomach's removed. Then, in February 2010,Karen reached out to me and asked if I would consider being on the Board of Directors since we were both trying to raise awareness about stomach cancer.

One of the aspects of our organization about which I am most proud is that our focus is people. We want to be accessible because, having been affected by stomach cancer, we know that, when you are going through a crisis, you sometimes need an answer after 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Why is it important to create a supportive environment for people affected by stomach cancer?
I guess it is the same for anyone dealing with not only stomach cancer or other cancers, but also with any type of medical crises. It is tough to go through something so difficult alone on an emotional level, without question. However, because there are so many issues relating to digestion and eating, people need help. At a time when they feel pretty rotten, they also need to think about their nutritional needs.

What advice would you give to someone who may be experiencing signs of stomach cancer?
It is essential to listen to your body and "trust your gut." If something doesn't feel right, contact your doctor. If your doctor is dismissive, seek a second opinion. Ask about having an endoscopy done. I have heard stories about people who brought something to their doctor's attention and were given misinformation such as, "There is no hereditary form of stomach cancer." Also, when we go to the doctor, it is very natural to be afraid. Sometimes it is easier when the doctor is dismissive; we breathe a sigh of relief, taking comfort in the fact that the doctor didn't seem concerned or didn't find anything. There is always a balance; we need to trust our doctors, but we also need to trust our bodies. If something doesn't seem right, it probably isn't. You know your body the best. Listen to it.

Our website www.nostomachforcancer.org is a great resource for information about stomach cancer. If you look at the team of medical experts on our Scientific Advisory Council, you will see they are the leading experts in their field. They are accessible to us and have been great about answering questions that we have. If you need information that is not on our web site, send us an e-mail and we will do our best to answer it.

Andy Williams
Singer Andy Williams announced last week that he has bladder cancer, is undergoing treatment, but plans to return to performing in 2012. "You may have read or heard that I have bladder cancer. It's true and I'm currently undergoing treatment to deal with it," Williams said in his statement. The singer also told fans at a concert in Branson, Missouri, Saturday night, a reporter who attended the concert told CNN on Sunday. "But that is no longer a death sentence. People with cancer are getting through this thing," Williams said, according to Tyler Franke with the Branson Tri-Lakes News. "They're kicking it, and they're winning more and more every year. And I'm going to be one of them." Williams, 83, shared the news during his Christmas Show at the Moon River Theater, which he founded in 1992, according to the theater's website. "Moon River" was one of Williams' most popular songs.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/06/showbiz/andy-williams-cancer/?hpt=hp_t2&imw=Y

Donna-Lee and Alexandra Lista
Donna-Lee Lista was having issues with a disc in her neck in 2006 and went for an MRI. "I went to an early morning appointment one day," the Montgomeryville woman said. "The machine had to be rebooted and they took shots of my neck and a little farther down and they saw something (in her lung) that did not look right." Her orthopedist suggested that she go for a CT scan, but reassured her that since she didn't smoke it was unlikely to be lung cancer. However, "they found a tumor," she said. "I was fortunate. There were no symptoms. I was caught early enough that it was operable. I proceeded very quickly." In February 2006, doctors removed the upper lobe of Lista's lung. She underwent chemotherapy and celebrated five years of survival this past May. Today, Lista is very active speaking and raising money for research into lung cancer treatments and education. Her daughter, Alexandra, 16, has joined the cause too. Alexandra, a junior who plays lacrosse for Mount St. Joseph Academy in Pennsylvania, started Laxers vs. Lung Cancer, a charity that sells hair ties and t-shirts to raise money to fight lung cancer. She decided she wanted to raise money for lung cancer after noticing that event after event at her school was devoted to fighting breast cancer. "It's a really big hit with the girls in the school and the other lacrosse teams," she said. "It's such a great cause." Since "it's happening to more and more people who haven't smoked, I've sort of made it my mission," Donna-Lee Lista says of her advocating for more funding for the lung cancer research. "I don't think anyone deserves this disease. There is such a stigma, it's hard to get funding." She's hopeful because some of the research into treatments and finding cancer-related genes is bearing fruit. "We are starting to make lung cancer not as taboo," Lista said. "Anybody can get lung cancer who has a set of lungs. That is the bottom line."
http://www.pennlive.com/newsflash/index.ssf/story/mom-daughter-fight-lung-cancer/3943f4b743234602be1a426a4a36ce2f

The Finalists of the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology
Saturday in Pasadena, a sharp group of local high school students, competed in the Super Bowl of science, vying for thousands of dollars in prize money and recognition for their research. David Cheng of Calabasas, Manoj Kanagaraj of Chino Hills, Daniel Chiou of Hacienda Heights and Barry Chen of Walnut were four of the 15 teenagers who spent the day at CalTech, getting peppered by professors about their work. The four young men along with Victoria Petrova of Torrance -- who will present her work at Massachusetts Institute of Technology next week -- were regional finalists in the annual Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology. "Our future is in safe hands," said Tom McCausland, chairman of the Siemens Foundation, after watching the presentations. "We're kind of showing the best of the U.S. educational system, and what young people can do." Shortly before 9 p.m., organizers announced the winners. Angela Zhang, a senior at Monte Vista High School in Cupertino, won the individual category and a $3,000 college scholarship for her biochemistry project designed to eradicate cancer stem cells through a controlled delivery of the drug salinomycin. This year, a record 2,436 students entered nationwide, submitting more than 1,500 projects. Regardless of the outcome Saturday, Kanagaraj's summer studying breast cancer stretched his already considerable ambitions. "I really do want to cure cancer," he said.

Joe Frazier
Joe Frazier, a small but tough, underrated heavyweight boxer from Philadelphia and one of the sport's fiercest competitors, died Monday night from liver cancer. He was 67. Frazier was diagnosed with cancer in late September, said his personal and business manager, Leslie Wolff. He had made several personal appearances since then. Frazier was best known for his ongoing battle in the ring to top his boxing competitor Muhammad Ali. Though there was lingering animosity between Frazier and opponent Ali for more than 40 years, their names became synonymous with each other. Ali and Frazier. Frazier and Ali. It was almost as if you couldn't say one without the other, said boxing historian Bert Randolph Sugar, who covered their amazing trilogy of fights in the 1970s. Ali, now 69, said upon hearing the news that Frazier was terminally ill, "The news about Joe is hard to believe and even harder to accept. ... Joe is a fighter and a champion, and I am praying he is fighting now." Upon hearing of Frazier's death Monday night, Ali said in a statement, "The world has lost a great champion. I will always remember Joe with respect and admiration. My sympathies go out to his family and loved ones."
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/boxing/story/2011-11-06/joe-frazier-dead-liver-cancer/51118056/1

To add a note to Joe Frazier's star on the SU2C constellation or to launch a star for someone you love visit: www.SU2C.org/constellation

SU2C is inspired by stories like these and millions of others. Cancer takes one person every minute and to wait for someone else to save our lives and the lives of those we love is no longer an option. At SU2C, we believe that together, we can end this disease by becoming one unstoppable movement. The end of cancer begins with you.

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