• 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Learn more about the groundbreaking research SU2C is funding and how you can get involved today.

Jill Costello
UC Berkeley alumna Jill Costello, the beloved and inspirational coxswain for the Cal women's varsity crew team who died of lung cancer in June 2010 at the age of 22, is one of two winners of the 2011 Inspiration Award from the National College Athletic Association, the NCAA announced on Wednesday. The NCAA gives the award to a current coach or administrator, or to a current or former varsity student-athlete, "who, when confronted with a life-altering situation, used perseverance, dedication and determination to overcome the event and now serves as a role model to give hope and inspiration to others." This is the first time that this award has been given posthumously, according to the NCAA, and the first time a UC Berkeley student-athlete has received it. "As a team, we always talked about having a good attitude, and it's easy when it's a bright and sunny day and everything's going your way," said Dave O'Neill, head coach of Cal's women's crew team. "But to see how courageous Jill was during the most trying moments was one of the most incredible things I've ever seen.... She was so focused and courageous and committed to making the most of every day." At UC Berkeley, the women's rowing team's race with Stanford has been renamed "The Jill Row," and the new varsity eight boat was christened, Beat Lung Cancer. "Jill inspired so many people in the last 15 months. As a coach, I'm certainly inspired and amazed by her, and with the power of what sports can do," said O'Neill. "She would be very honored and proud of this NCAA Inspiration Award, and I'm sure she's looking down on us."
http://newscenter.berkeley.edu/2011/10/26/former-cal-rower-jill-costello-receives-ncaas-inspiration-award/

Keith Williamson
Breast cancer survivor Keith Williamson doesn't begrudge pink, the omnipresent October color intended to represent breast cancer awareness. He would just like to see a little blue from time to time as a reminder that members of his sex can be diagnosed with the disease as well. "We're small in numbers, but we are a number," said Williamson, 55, a retired William Carey University telecommunications specialist. To change this Williamson is proposing a small aesthetic change to the universally known pink ribbon that would include a bit of blue. Certainly, the number is modest compared to the number of female breast cancer cases. But Williamson believes it's worth a mention or two. He's full of jokes about getting a mastectomy, but he's also a serious believer in the slogan to live every day like you're dying. After all, the disease brought him as close to death's door as you can get without crossing over. So while he laughs that one day he'll get a tattoo of a nipple to replace the right breast that he lost, he also passionately expresses his opinion that male breast cancer is not adequately understood. "I've read articles (about breast cancer) in health magazines - four pages long - with maybe one sentence about men with breast cancer, if that," Williamson said.
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20111021/NEWS01/110210319

Fit to Fight
A free exercise program in Missouri, entitled "Fit to Fight," has been created to help minimize side effects of cancer treatment and help local patients and survivors stay fit. "This program really allows a perfect opportunity for people to learn how to safely return to a fitness program in a supportive group and also stay healthy while they're fighting cancer," Physical Therapist and Fit to Fight Co-Founder Sam Schmidt explains. The Fit to Fight program welcomes cancer patients who want to exercise once a doctor releases them to do so. The specially designed exercises in the 8-week long program help terminal patients, those going through treatment and cancer survivors. "In the group setting, we do pretty basic exercises just because the fitness levels are so varied. So we do lots of stretching, some core work, some balance, breathing, relaxation," Fit to Fight Exercise Physiologist Sarah Rott said. "This program puts the spark back in ya," says Bob Albee, Lymphoma survivor. "This program here is to get back all that strength that you've lost, because you laid around for 6, 7 months just getting infused with chemo." Schmidt says research shows the right amount of exercise can help many people counter some side effects of cancer treatment.
http://www.kpax.com/news/fit-to-fight-exercise-program-helps-cancer-patients-survivors/

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.

Learn more about the groundbreaking research SU2C is funding and how you can get involved today.