This past September, as we celebrated progress in cancer prevention and early detection at our Annual Gala, I took a moment to reflect on the waves of change we’ve seen and the collective effort that brought us here. Over the past three decades, the contributions of many have driven groundbreaking research and supported community programs across the country. This work is saving countless lives and allowing more people to experience better outcomes. Not only does the Prevent Cancer Gala celebrate these achievements, but it celebrates international partnerships—as we did this year with our friends from the United Kingdom—and the enduring bond we share with our supporters and advocates.
Looking ahead, we remain deeply committed to our mission. While we’ve achieved much, our work is far from over. By continuing to innovate, advocate and collaborate, we can push the boundaries of cancer prevention even further. Only together can we ensure that the next 30 years bring us to a world where cancer is preventable, detectable and beatable for all.
JODY HOYOS CEO
PREVENT CANCER FOUNDATION GALA CELEBRATES THREE DECADES OF COMMITMENT TO CANCER PREVENTION AND EARLY DETECTION
Marking the 30th anniversary of honoring nations committed to fighting cancer, the 2024 Prevent Cancer Gala, themed An Indispensable Friendship, transported guests “across the pond.” The gala raised over $2.1 million for cancer prevention and early detection while celebrating this year’s honoree, the United Kingdom. The British Ambassador, Her Excellency Dame Karen Pierce, DCMG, and Sir Charles Roxburgh, KCB, were honored alongside nearly 1,000 guests. The event was held on September 25 at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. Funds raised by the Annual Gala support the Foundation’s programs, including research grants, fellowships and community grants, and the Foundation’s public education campaigns.
COULD MUSHROOMS ADVANCE THE FIGHT AGAINST BREAST CANCER?
How some ‘fun-guys’ are playing a role in breast cancer prevention
In the U.S., breast cancer affects about 1 in 8 women, with an estimated 300,000 new diagnoses in 2024.1 From avoiding smoking to staying active, there are many ways to reduce your risk of breast cancer. Diet also plays an important role in reducing your risk. That’s where button mushrooms, the most commonly consumed fungi in the U.S., come into the conversation.
White Button Mushrooms and Breast Cancer Prevention, is a study currently underway by a Prevent Cancer Foundation-funded researcher to examine the potential protective factors of white button mushrooms in breast cancer in postmenopausal women who have obesity.
“Given the generally low, inconsistent uptake of increased exercise and dietary change as a prevention strategy, there is an urgent, unmet need for the development of novel lifestyle-based interventions that will enable safe and effective prevention of obesity-associated breast cancer,” says study author, Dr. Lisa D. Yee.
Dr. Yee, a breast surgeon, translational researcher and professor at City of Hope in Duarte, California, is funding her study through an award from the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s Awesome Games Done Quick, held in 2022.
Button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporous), have previously been found to slow the production of estrogen, as well as dihydrotestosterone. Research has also found mushrooms to potentially support immune function, fight free-radicals and reduce inflammation in the immune cells, while also supporting gut health.
Dr. Yee’s study of a white button mushroom supplement given to study participants in tablet form is focused specifically on its anti-inflammatory effects on immune cells. The study will conclude this fall.
“Taking care of women with breast cancer, as well as those at high risk of developing breast cancer, has motivated my research efforts to understand how diet and diet quality modulate breast cancer risk,” Dr. Yee says. “This research and the generosity of the Prevent Cancer Foundation allows us to further investigate the effects of the common white button mushroom on cellular changes that can lead to cancer.”
1 American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2024. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2024.
FATTY LIVER DISEASE: What you need to know
Fatty liver disease is on the rise—and with it can come an increase in liver cancer cases. With no routine screening and no early symptoms, this condition often flies under the radar. The good news is there are steps you can take to prevent or reverse it and reduce your cancer risk.
WHAT IS FATTY LIVER DISEASE?
Fatty liver disease is a disorder of excessive fat buildup (steatosis) in the liver. Over time, it can interfere with the functioning of your liver and cause liver damage.
WHO’S AT RISK FOR FATTY LIVER DISEASE?
For NAFLD, the strongest risk factors are metabolic disorders, including:
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High levels of cholesterol or triglycerides in the blood
There are two main types: nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcohol-related fatty liver disease (AFLD).* NAFLD accounts for 25% of total cases and is more common than AFLD (5% of total cases) but rates of both are increasing—particularly for NAFLD, which affects a third to almost half of U.S. adults.1
NAFLD is classified into two categories:
• Simple fatty liver: There’s excessive fat storage but little to no inflammation or liver damage.
• Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH): The liver shows both inflammatory changes and cellular damage.
Typically, NAFLD affects middle-aged or older adults, but due to rising rates of adolescent obesity, it’s being seen more often in children and teens.
The rates of NAFLD are highest among Latino people as compared to Black and white Americans but is rising across each of these groups. 2
For AFLD, the most common risk factor is excessive alcohol intake, including heavy or binge drinking, usually over a long period of time.
Other factors that can increase fatty liver disease risk include viral hepatitis infection and some medications, like steroids.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU HAVE FATTY LIVER DISEASE AND HOW DOES IT INCREASE LIVER CANCER RISK?
For people with NAFLD, those with simple fatty liver may never experience any symptoms, while those with NASH may see symptoms as the degree of liver damage increases. These include fatigue and right sided abdominal pain or fullness. Worsening symptoms, including nausea, vomiting and jaundice, may occur from progressive damage, which can eventually cause liver scarring (cirrhosis) and liver failure. The presence of cirrhosis increases the risk of liver cancer.
For those with AFLD in the early stages, there may be no signs or symptoms. As it progresses, you may see symptoms like the above along with an increased risk of liver cancer if cirrhosis develops.
Because there are often no symptoms, fatty liver disease may be found when you have blood or imaging tests done for other reasons. Liver function tests (liver enzymes) may be elevated, or an imaging scan may show abnormalities.
HOW DO YOU TREAT FATTY LIVER DISEASE?
The first step in the treatment of fatty liver disease in those who are overweight is gradual weight loss (1-2 pounds/week), which reduces fat and inflammation. More rapid weight loss can worsen the condition. For those who are thin, treatment of metabolic issues (such as elevated cholesterol or diabetes) is important. Those who drink alcohol are advised to stop.
Depending on the extent of the disease, many changes may be reversible through these steps and your cancer risk can return to normal. It’s then critical to maintain healthy lifestyle behaviors to prevent fatty liver disease from returning.
HOW DO YOU PREVENT FATTY LIVER DISEASE?
Prevention is key when it comes to fatty liver disease. Steps such as maintaining a healthy weight; eating a well-balanced diet of lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains while limiting alcohol, foods or drinks high in fat or sugar; highly processed foods; and regular physical activity can help reduce the risk for fatty liver disease and improve overall health.
If you have any of the above conditions associated with fatty liver disease, talk with your health care provider about your risk. If you do receive a fatty liver diagnosis, don’t despair; work with your health care provider to reverse the damage and stop cancer before it starts.
*In 2023, liver experts renamed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to metabolic dysfunctionassociated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Readers will likely see both terms being used in various publications while the transition of names is ongoing.
1 Teng et al. Global incidence and prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Clinical and Molecular Hepatology, 29(Suppl), S32-S42.
2 Shaheen et al. Trends in the racial and ethnic disparity of metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD): Data from NHANES 1988 to 2018. Journal of Endocrine Society. 2023. 7(Suppl 1).
GEN Z: Plugged in, but not to their health
Getting screened for cancer—even when you feel fine—can lead to better health outcomes. But if there’s one age group that could use a reminder, it’s Gen Z. That’s according to the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s 2024 Early Detection Survey,1 which sheds light on how this generation’s phone anxiety may be partially to blame. More than half of Gen Z adults2 (55%) reported they are less likely to schedule an appointment if it requires calling a health care provider’s office.
While those in their 20s are only eligible for a few routine cancer screenings, it’s clear they are falling behind—more than half (53%) of Gen Z adults said they didn’t have a routine medical appointment or routine cancer screening in the last year compared to millennials (47%), Gen X (40%) and baby boomers (27%). While phone anxiety is a barrier to receiving cancer screenings and health care among Gen Z, it’s not the only challenge this generation faces when it comes to staying on top of their health:
• Among Gen Z women, only 35% of respondents reported being up to date on their cervical cancer screening, and more than quarter (29%) of those who are behind say they didn’t know they needed to be screened.
• Only 39% of Gen Z respondents are up to date on their oral cancer exam. The generation’s top reason for being behind on this screening is not being able to afford the cost (32%).
• Less than a third (27%) of Gen Z respondents have received a skin cancer check with their health care provider in the last year. Gen Z cited not knowing they needed to be screened as their top reason for being behind on annual skin cancer checks.
Unfortunately, these results are in tandem with the increase of young-onset cancer cases being diagnosed in adults between the ages of 18 and 49. A study published in BMJ Oncology showed new cancer cases among younger adults have increased by roughly 79% between 1990 and 2019. According to the American Cancer Society, melanoma—the deadliest form of skin cancer—is one of the most common cancers in people younger than age 30. And oral cancer diagnoses are increasing in younger adults due to human papillomavirus (HPV), a virus that can be prevented with the HPV vaccine beginning at age 9. The reason for this sharp increase is not yet fully understood; however, we know routine screenings can allow for earlier detection of cancer, when there are more treatment options and better chances of survival.
1 The cancer screenings studied in this survey were for breast cancer, cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, oral cancer, prostate cancer, skin cancer and testicular cancer.
2 In this survey, Gen Z is defined as adults ages 21-27, millennials as adults ages 28-43, Gen X as adults ages 44-59 and baby boomers as adults ages 60-78.
their health care journeys. For many in this age group, being away at college or moving out of a parent’s or guardian’s home may require finding a new health care provider. Some are navigating the health care system by themselves for the first time—since the Affordable Care Act requires health insurance plans and issuers that offer dependent child coverage to extend coverage until age 26, many in their late 20s are just now procuring their own insurance coverage.
The Early Detection Survey indicated a strong preference for digital solutions in health care scheduling. Nearly half of Gen Z adults expressed that the option to schedule appointments online or via an app would significantly encourage them to book routine doctor’s appointments or cancer screenings.
To further combat the rise in early-onset cancer cases, Gen Z should take notice that Early Detection = Better Outcomes. It’s within your control to advocate for your health and talk to a health care provider about the routine cancer screenings you need. The Prevent Cancer Foundation is empowering people to educate themselves and have these conversations by providing resources for patients, such as info on the screenings you need at every age, listings for free and low-cost cancer screenings and a tool to create your own personalized screening plan.
Talk with your health care provider about any personal or family history of cancer or other diseases to determine if you should begin cancer screenings at an earlier age or be tested more frequently. Having one or more family members with a history of certain cancers or other diseases may increase your cancer risk.
You can find information and resources on all cancer types studied in the 2024 Early Detection Survey—including information on relevant screenings—at preventcancer.org.
People in their 20s who are of average risk should receive the following routine screenings and vaccinations:
Clinical breast exam: If you were assigned female at birth, talk with your health care provider at least once every three years for risk assessment, risk reduction counseling and a clinical breast exam. (Source: National Comprehensive Cancer Network)
Cervical cancer screening: If you have a cervix, begin cervical cancer screening at age 21. In your 20s, this means a Pap test every three years, with additional screening options available in your 30s. (Source: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force)
Oral cancer check: Visit your dentist every six months and ask for an oral cancer exam. (Source: American Dental Association)
Skin cancer check: Get an annual skin check and perform monthly self-exams. If you notice any changes to moles or areas that look concerning, bring it to the attention of your health care provider. (Source: American Cancer Society)
Testicular cancer check: If you have testicles, ask your health care provider to examine them during your routine physical and learn about selfexams. Performing a self-exam can help you get to know what is normal for you. If you notice a change, see your health care provider right away. (Source: American Cancer Society)
HPV vaccination: Young people ages 9-12 should get vaccinated against HPV. This applies to all young people regardless of whether or not they have a cervix. If you were not fully vaccinated when younger, you can “catch up” and get vaccinated against HPV up to age 26. HPV is linked to at least six types of cancer. (Source: American Cancer Society)
Let’s talk about
PROSTATE CANCER SCREENING
PROSTATE CANCER SCREENING
Prostate cancer is second only to non-melanoma skin cancers as the most common cancer among men in the U.S. Black men are more likely to be diagnosed with and die from prostate cancer compared with white men for reasons that are not well understood. 1
While routine screening is key to overall cancer prevention, prostate cancer screening is not always straightforward. But it should be: When found early, before the cancer has spread beyond the prostate, the five-year survival rate is close to 100%.
What is the screening?
Blood tests to measure prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a protein produced by cells of the prostate, are used to screen for prostate cancer. Sometimes this is performed along with a digital rectal exam (DRE) to detect whether there is an enlarged prostate gland in the rectum.
What are the challenges associated with prostate cancer screening?
Unfortunately, PSA testing can be inaccurate. PSA levels can be elevated in both cancerous and non-cancerous (benign) conditions including prostatitis and benign prostatic hypertrophy (or BPH). Even in the absence of these benign
conditions, false-positive results, where the test result is elevated but there is no cancer present, are common. This contributes to increased anxiety and unnecessary medical procedures such as biopsies (which can lead to infection, pain or bleeding).
Other times, false-negative results can occur where the test fails to detect a cancer that is present. This can lead to a false sense of reassurance and delays in diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, DRE is intrusive and not always sensitive enough to find early-stage cancers.
Overdiagnosis (diagnosis of cancer that would have never led to problems) and overtreatment (treatment of cancer that would have otherwise never caused any problems) in prostate cancer screening are also frequently cited concerns. Despite the number of cases that are diagnosed each year, most prostate cancers are slow growing and do not cause health problems. In fact, most men who have prostate cancer die with it rather than from it.2
It is challenging to predict which prostate cancers will be slow growing and can be watched closely versus those that are more aggressive, necessitating treatment. Innovations such as biomarkers and advanced MRI imaging are being utilized to overcome this by helping to identify cancer aggressiveness.
This will help reduce overtreatment harms including impotence and incontinence, common side effects of surgery, in those whose cancer would have been unlikely to cause death.
Should I be screened?
As a result of overdiagnosis and overtreatment, most medical experts and relevant medical professional associations do not recommend universal prostate cancer screening, but rather make an informed decision with input from a provider about the risks and benefits in accordance with the individual’s unique health status. For those at average risk of prostate cancer, this conversation should start at age 50. Men who are considered at high risk should start this conversation sooner:
• Black men or those who have a family history of a close relative (father, brother or son) diagnosed with prostate cancer before the age of 65 should start talking about prostate screening with their providers at age 45.
• Men who have more than one close relative who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer before the age of 65 are thought to be at even higher risk and should begin the conversation at age 40.
After this discussion and consideration, men who decide to begin screening should undergo PSA testing with or without DRE. If negative, the results of the PSA test will determine the schedule and frequency of future testing.
Prostate cancer screening is an individualized decision with no “one size fits all.” Age, race, family history and overall health are crucial factors to consider along with the risks, benefits and uncertainties of screening. Prioritize this conversation with your provider as part of your overall health plan and if they do not bring it up, make sure that you do.
Scan this QR code to learn more about prostate cancer.
1 American Cancer Society. (2024). Cancer Facts and Figures 2024.
2 Jacklin et al. (2021). More men die with prostate cancer than because of it – an old adage that still holds true in the 21st century. Cancer Treatment Research Communications, 26, 100225.
BRIDGING GAPS IN CARE: Patient Navigation at the Prevent Cancer Foundation Medicare’s
Dig deeper:
role in patient navigation
Patient navigation programs in cancer, first established in the 1990s, aim to make health care systems more manageable, providing crucial support to patients and their families.
Patient navigators assist with health carerelated financial challenges, transportation issues and language barriers, and ensure that patients receive timely and appropriate treatment.
These programs offer tailored patientcentered care, such as care coordination and symptom management, and address healthrelated social needs, reducing disparities in health outcomes. Ultimately, they improve care quality and reduce costs for patients, providers, and the broader health care system.
Still, opportunities remain to expand access to patient navigation services such as cancer screening support, prevention and pre-diagnosis care. Earlier this year, the Prevent Cancer Foundation launched a two-year, $100,000 funding opportunity for community-based programs across the U.S. that are focused on patient navigation in cancer prevention and early detection.
Grant recipients will be chosen based on their ability to utilize best practices and partnerships to promote health equity within their communities, particularly for individuals disproportionately impacted by cancer and structural barriers to health care. In addition, grant recipients will be offered peer-learning opportunities and resource-sharing.
In March 2024, the Foundation’s annual Advocacy Workshop focused on bridging gaps in patient navigation and cancer screening, gathering experts to discuss effective strategies and policies. Conversations continued at the second of three Prevent Cancer Dialogue webinars in June. During the summer session, speakers shared best practices in which successful patient navigation implementation can help reduce disparities and improve cancer screening. The Foundation offers comprehensive resources and materials from these events to promote awareness and education on patient navigation and cancer prevention.
The Prevent Cancer Foundation was encouraged by the important first step of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to increase access to patient navigation services by offering reimbursement for these services under Medicare. Codes included in the 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule describe services focused on removing barriers to care, including care coordination, health education, patient selfadvocacy skills, health system navigation and facilitating access to community-based social services to address unmet social determinants of health, such as food and housing insecurity and transportation needs. Still, opportunities remain to expand adoption, payment and access to navigation services to include screening support, preventive and pre-diagnosis care.
FUNDRAISING WITH FITNESS
immune system, control your weight and reduce your risk of cancer. And fitness is not just good for your health; it’s also a great way to raise money for cancer prevention and early detection!
Making a difference doesn’t have to be a huge undertaking; fundraise in whatever way best fits your schedule by turning everyday events and activities—from cycling to counting your steps—into events benefiting what matters most to you. Additionally, these events can be a great way to honor a loved one’s legacy or personal cancer story.
Matt Milner, an avid bicyclist, has cycled against cancer since 2016. He founded the annual Champion Awareness ride to honor cancer survivors and increase awareness of cancer prevention and early detection.
By fundraising and live streaming on social media, Matt makes a huge impact while doing what he loves—biking!
Any way that you like to get moving can be used to fund cancer prevention and early detection.
Scan the QR code to learn how to start your own fundraiser.
