Prevent Cancer staff from L to R: Will Mellor, DJ Abernathy, Elliot Turner and Liona Chan

Our booth was brightly decorated in our Prevent Cancer signature green and our volunteers all matched in green tanks and sunglasses. We had a great time meeting so many people while jammin’ out to the many talented DJs and bands playing on the Dance Forest stage.

Many people stopped to participate in the new #PreventCancer4 campaign, a quick and easy way to support cancer prevention and early detection! They each filled out who they are preventing cancer for and posed for a photo. The #PreventCancer4 messages were ones from the heart: some honored moms and grandparents while others were more all encompassing: “everyone” and “the world”. And beyond that, some were a little more “out there”: “cancer sucks” and “hot chicks”. But no matter the answer, it’s pretty clear that everyone is affected by cancer in some way, and there is always someone who you should be preventing cancer for!

We also distributed our Buddy Bracelets promoting colorectal cancer awareness, green Prevent Cancer sunglasses, stickers and other cool swag. We even featured a free sunscreen “bar” where we had sunscreen “shots,” the recommended amount of sunscreen to use to protect your skin from the sun. The sunny morning definitely required it, as many visitors had forgotten theirs!

Several cancer survivors also stopped by and we were truly touched by the many personal stories that we heard throughout the day. It seems that everyone has a personal connection to cancer, and we are extremely thankful to everyone who was kind enough to share their stories with us.

Alabama Shakes performs on the main pavillion stage.

Many thanks to everyone who generously donated to the Prevent Cancer Foundation during Freefest! Every dollar counts and each donated to the Foundation helps fund our lifesaving cancer prevention and early detection research, education, advocacy and community outreach programs.

To those who visited our booth at Freefest, check out your #PreventCancer4 photos on our Facebook page and be sure to tag yourselves! For those who didn’t make it out to the festival, show your support for cancer prevention and make your own #PreventCancer4 photo and post it on our Facebook wall. Don’t be afraid to get creative! See these and other snapshots of Freefest here!

A number of studies conducted in northern European nations all concluded that increased UV exposure through indoor tanning beds is directly responsible for increased melanoma rates.  Researchers warned health officials of the dangers of tanning bed use for future generations and encouraged tough protocols for the tanning bed industry. Some countries have used this information to enforce bans on tanning beds while others have tightened industry regulations to prevent unhealthy tanning practices.

Read the Full American News Article

Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy Lisa Hughes with 2012 International Development and Education Awardee Dr. Mateus Kambale Sahani from the DRC.

The meeting included hundreds of sessions covering all areas of oncology–research, treatment, policy, screening and survivorship among many other topics. As part of the ASCO sponsored patient advocacy booth, the Foundation offered our resources to oncologists from around the globe, and to advocates, academics and corporate representatives who share our interest in prevention.  It was a pleasure for all of us to meet with so many individuals doing such incredible work and to learn about the many ways in which we all contribute to improving the field of oncology.

And while it is difficult to summarize all of the news that came out of the ASCO meeting, we wanted to share a link to the presidential address and video given by then ASCO President, Dr. Michael Link. His remarks summarize some of the progress that has been made in cancer care over the past year, his perspective on the state of care delivery in this country and beyond, and his observations over his year as ASCO President. His remarks can be viewed here.

I never had major health problems growing up, so to find out that I had cancer – and that I’d had it for about year – was a complete shock to me and my family. I transformed from “high school student” to “cancer patient” literally overnight and was quickly immersed in a world of medical jargon, surgeries, and medications I couldn’t pronounce. Just days after my diagnosis, I began the first of six chemotherapy rounds, which lasted until the fall of my senior year of high school. I have been in remission for eight years and am currently cancer free.

I learned to be an advocate for myself at a very young age, which has been an invaluable lesson not only as a cancer survivor but as an adult. Before my diagnosis, I could care less about going to the doctor and wouldn’t think twice about accepting a doctor’s opinion. But what 17-year-old would? Looking back, if my mom hadn’t insisted that we seek a second opinion about the lump in my neck, my cancer may not have been diagnosed as early as it was. My story is not meant to scare anyone into thinking they might have cancer or to rush to the emergency room with any tiny bump or freckle. Rather, I want to use my cancer experience as a tool for others to show how important it is for young women to take care of their bodies, advocate for their health, educate themselves about women’s health issues, and lead healthy lifestyles.

My cancer and chemotherapy treatments made me more vulnerable to other types of cancer, so I follow strict guidelines to ensure I stay as healthy as possible to avoid getting cancer again. Although lymphoma is not a preventable disease, early detection was key to my survival, and prevention is now a part of my everyday life. This is the first of a series of blog posts about steps young people can take to prevent cancer. Having cancer was my wake-up call to start taking care of my body, but you shouldn’t have to be a survivor to make healthy lifestyle changes. Keep reading the Prevent Cancer Foundation Blog to hear more of my story and learn how young people can reduce their risk.

My cancer was not preventable, but many of them are. Check out www.preventcancer.org to find out how you can stop cancer before it starts.

Tell us about your research examining the blockade of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARg), a cellular protein that is important in regulating gene expression, as a strategy for cancer chemoprevention.

I became interested in PPARg approximately 5-6 years ago when we discovered the ultraviolet rays in sunlight triggered the conversion of normal cellular lipids into “oxidized” lipids that activated PPARg. It is known that repeated exposure to ultraviolet rays in sunlight account for more than 90% of skin cancers.  I reasoned that if ultraviolet rays could activate PPARg, then PPARg may play an important role in sun-induced skin cancer formation. As it turns out, our early data would appear to support this conclusion.  In our most recent studies, our preliminary data shows that mice treated with a chemical carcinogen develop far less tumors when they are co-treated with a drug which activates PPARg. Our current focus is on understanding how this happens and whether these PPARg activating drugs prevent skin cancer in people.

How has receiving a Prevent Cancer Foundation grant impacted your research?

The vast majority of university-based medical research is supported by the government through the National Institutes of Health (NIH). When I entered into my research career in 2002, the NIH was undergoing a major reduction in funding due to the recession of 2001 and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. For beginning investigators like me, it was extremely difficult to obtain the funding necessary to get a research project off the ground. The Foundation provided me with the funding I needed to generate enough data to compete with established investigators. Since receiving the Foundation grant, I have gone on to obtain three different NIH grants that have allowed my research to progress nicely.

Why is it important to fund research in the field of cancer prevention and early detection?

Prevention strategies either prevent a tumor from occurring, or if they do occur, they decrease the aggressiveness of the tumor and improve treatment response rates. Similarly, early detection strategies help to detect the tumors before they have spread, thus making it much easier to effectively cure the patient.

The easiest step to prevent skin cancer is to simply limit exposure to the harmful rays of sunlight (e.g. use of UVA/UVB sun block). In the near future, we hope that our studies will provide an effective preventive treatment for those at high future risk for skin cancer, such as those with extensive sun damage to the skin, the presence of premalignant lesions, or those who have already had skin cancer.

For more information about how you can prevent skin cancer, visit preventcancer.org.

4 servings, about 3 cups each 

Active Time: 25 minutes / Total Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup red-wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill, or oregano or 1 teaspoon dried
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 6 cups chopped romaine lettuce
• 2 1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken, (about 12 ounces; see Tip)
• 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
• 1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped
• 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
• 1/2 cup sliced ripe black olives
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

Preparation

1. Whisk vinegar, oil, dill (or oregano), garlic powder, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add lettuce, chicken, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, olives and feta; toss to coat.

Nutrition

Per serving : 343 Calories; 18 g Fat; 5 g Sat; 7 g Mono; 89 mg Cholesterol; 11 g Carbohydrates; 31 g Protein; 3 g Fiber; 618 mg Sodium; 656 mg Potassium

1 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 2 vegetable, 3 1/2 lean meat, 2 fat

Tips & Notes

• Tip: If you don’t have cooked chicken, poach 1 pound chicken breasts for this recipe. Place boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a medium skillet or saucepan. Add lightly salted water (or chicken broth) to cover and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer gently until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the middle, 10 to 15 minutes.

2 servings

Active Time: 20 minutes 

Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 orange
• 10 ounces Pacific sole, (see Note) or tilapia fillets
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 2 teaspoons unsalted butter
• 1 medium shallot, minced
• 2 tablespoons white-wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons chopped pecans, toasted (see Cooking Tip)
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

Preparation

1. Using a sharp paring knife, remove the skin and white pith from orange. Hold the fruit over a medium bowl and cut between the membranes to release individual orange sections into the bowl, collecting any juice as well. Discard membranes, pith and skin.
2. Sprinkle both sides of fillets with salt and pepper. Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and place over medium heat. Add the fillets and cook 1 minute for sole or 3 minutes for tilapia. Gently flip and cook until the fish is opaque in the center and just cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes for sole or 3 to 5 minutes for tilapia. Divide between 2 serving plates; tent with foil to keep warm.
3. Add butter to the pan and melt over medium heat. Add shallot and cook, stirring, until soft, about 30 seconds. Add vinegar and the orange sections and juice; loosen any browned bits on the bottom of the pan and cook for 30 seconds. Spoon the sauce over the fish and sprinkle each portion with pecans and dill. Serve immediately. Makes 2 servings.

Nutrition

Per serving : 234 Calories; 9 g Fat; 3 g Sat; 3 g Mono; 70 mg Cholesterol; 11 g Carbohydrates; 28 g Protein; 2 g Fiber; 401 mg Sodium; 556 mg Potassium

1 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 1 fruit, 4 very lean meat, 1 fat

Tips & Notes

• Ingredient Note: The term “sole” is widely used for many types of flatfish from both the Atlantic and Pacific. Flounder and Atlantic halibut are included in the group that is often identified as sole or grey sole. The best choices are Pacific, Dover or English sole. Other sole and flounder are overfished.
• Cooking Tip: To toast chopped nuts or seeds: Cook in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant and lightly browned, 2 to 4 minutes.

Okay, okay, I am not afraid; let’s do this! A call to a local gastroenterologist (G.I. doc), recommended by a neighbor, got me an appointment to learn about the colonoscopy procedure and make decisions, with the doctor, about what would work best for me. The G.I. doc showed me pictures of the inside of the human body and explained to me exactly what would occur before, during and after the colonoscopy.  She told me that there were a number of different preps available, and gave me extensive instructions on what to do, what not do and what to expect. 

Then I had the opportunity to talk with the G.I nurse who filled me in on great tips to get through the prep!

• To reduce any anal discomfort, use adult wet wipes or a water spray to clean off instead of toilet paper.  Vaseline “down there” helps you not get irritated.
• Once you take the prep keep moving; “Okay, you’re not going for a walk in the woods”, but vacuuming, walking around the house, climbing the stairs all will help your bowels empty out sooner and get this prep done!
• Keep plenty of clear liquids on hand to drink. Water gets BORING and you need to stay hydrated.  Fat-free bouillon or broth is good, but what saved me was Jell-O.  It really filled me up. Other fluids, in any color except red or blue; strained fruit juice (apple juice really cuts the taste of the prep), Crystal Light, water, plain coffee, plain tea, diet soda (ginger ale is great for cutting the taste of the prep), popsicles in any color except red or blue.
• Be prepared to spend most of the day before your test on the toilet.  Books and magazines are a definite plus.
• Follow the doctor’s instructions to the letter. You wouldn’t want to have to do the prep all over.
• CALL the doctor’s office for help if you have any trouble or don’t understand the prep instructions.

Now I have the facts and I made my decision about what kind of prep and anesthesia I wanted. I am on the schedule and ready to go! (Ohhhh, bad one.)     

Check out my next blog on the prep and the procedure itself!

1. Take baby steps.

If you’re trying to make healthful changes to your diet, keep in mind that even small changes will improve your health and feelings of well-being. Small changes are easier to make and stick with. Keep track of your food intake by writing down what you eat and drink every day and use this record to help you recognize what you need more or less of.

2. Have a healthful treat.

Trying to up your calcium intake? Order a latte or cappuccino made with skim milk as an alternative to black coffee. Keep in mind that caffeine can interfere with calcium absorption, but consuming the plentiful amount of steamed milk typically added to these tasty beverages will offset this effect. 

3. Sip smart.

A moderate amount of alcohol (two drinks a day for men, one for women) may help you unwind and may even be good for your health; be mindful that alcohol has calories, however. A 12-ounce beer contains 150 calories, 5 ounces of wine has 100 and 1 ½ ounces of hard liquor has 100. 

4. Eat more fruit.

Your local supermarket’s produce section may lack substance in the winter, but don’t let that discourage you from getting in your daily servings. When the fresh pickings are slim, opt for convenient, packable dried fruit like mangoes, apricots or plums. While dried fruits typically contain more calories than their fresh counterparts, they’re still a great way to provide your body with the same healthful substances (like fiber, vitamin C and potassium) as a piece of fresh fruit.

5. Get more fiber.

To boost the amount of whole grains you eat, try simple tricks like stuffing brown rice in green peppers or tomatoes before baking. And next time you make macaroni and cheese, substitute fiber-rich whole-wheat macaroni for an added boost.

6. Cereal versatility.

To increase your whole-grain intake, it helps to find clever uses for otherwise plain whole-grain cereals. Substitute unsweetened whole-grain cereal for croutons in your lunchtime salad; use rolled oats as “breading” for staples like baked chicken or fish. 

7. Eat more whole grains.

To increase your whole-grain intake, it helps to find clever uses for otherwise plain whole-grain cereals. Substitute unsweetened whole-grain cereal for croutons in your lunchtime salad; use rolled oats as “breading” for staples like baked chicken or fish.

8. Eat fruit for dinner.

Dinner may not typically be known as a fruit-heavy meal, but that shouldn’t stop you from experimenting with these sweet additions. Try adding drained mandarin oranges to a green salad with refreshing cucumber, or toss grapes, pomegranate seeds or raspberries into the mix. Don’t just stick to salad, however – pineapple is a tasty addition to barbecued kebabs, and chicken pairs well with the sweet flavors of mangoes or apricots. For dessert, bake apples with a drizzle of honey and a pinch of cinnamon.

9. Eat beans for protein.

To vary your protein sources, eat more beans. Whip up a batch of chili with kidney or pinto beans; make a split pea, lentil, minestrone or white bean soup; try black bean enchiladas; or put hummus (chickpea spread) in a pita. Make beans or peas part of a meal often. 

10. Eat for restful sleep.

If a good night’s sleep is what you crave, there may be a food combination to help. Specialists recommend a pre-slumber snack that’s rich in carbohydrates and contains a bit of protein; this combination is said to increase the tryptophan levels in the brain, causing you to sleep more soundly. Try low-fat yogurt with a sprinkle of granola, a small bowl of oatmeal or a sliced apple with a bit of peanut butter.

From www.eatingwell.com with permission.

While the campaign and our partners are always available, year around, to provide resources to men and women across the country in cancer prevention through survivorship, we wrapped up our last event of the season in Austin, TX at the LiveStrong Ride. The LiveStrong Ride was the last of four LiveStrong Challenges that we participated in, in addition to the Dempsey Challenge in Lewiston, ME.  Prevent Cancer met hundreds of individuals and gave out hundreds of brochures with information about risk reduction, screening and prevention.

Looking back on the year, Breakaway from Cancer hosted two charity cycling rides to raise money for programs, services and research within our partner organizations. Thousands of men, women and children came out to participate. We then had the pleasure of travelling from Sacramento, CA to Thousand Oaks, CA with the Amgen Tour of California (ATOC,) meeting passionate cancer survivors or individuals with stories of early detection along the way. In four of the ATOC host cities we honored cancer survivors with our Breakaway Champion award – the words courageous and inspirational only begin to describe these men and women.

Just two weeks later, Breakaway from Cancer hosted our first policy roundtable discussion called “Striking the Balance.” This panel of experts identified unmet needs of focus within health policy and how to address them. The podcast can be accessed at the Prevent Cancer website or at the Breakaway from Cancer. 

Also over the summer we brought Breakaway from Cancer to Capitol Hill. We were joined by Members of Congress and staff at this event which highlighted campaign resources for Members and staff directing their constituents in need of information and assistance to the campaign and its partners.

Prevent Cancer and our partners the Cancer Support Community, the Patient Advocate Foundation, the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship and sponsor, Amgen, are looking forward to 2011. Stay tuned for updates on an expanded website, more in our Striking the Balance Stories, and many opportunities to become involved!