Jan. 2015 Cancer PreventionWorks

Issue: Jan. 2015

HEALTHY EATING

Cooking seasonally in winter

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IN THE WORLD OF CANCER

The future of cancer screening?

Spotlight on skin cancer

Indoor fitness trends PURE BARRE

SOUL CYCLE

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PREVENTIVE MEASURES & GENERAL WELLNESS

Colorectal cancer rises among young adults Getting technical Health insurance deadline February 15 (p.11)

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MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Small events can make a big impact FANTASY FOOTBALL

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2014

Politics and prevention Be an expert advocate

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Foundation News

President’s Corner Dear Readers, The new year gives us an opportunity to pause and reflect on the year just ended—things that we are proud of, those we would do differently—and decide what we would like to accomplish in 2015.

In these pages you will read about the important breakthroughs and remarkable progress that occurred in 2014.

Though we still have work to do, we can all be proud of the year we have had in promoting cancer prevention and early detection.

You will also read more about what to expect with the 114th Congress and its new members as we resolve to fight even harder to Stop Cancer Before It Starts!™ And, as always, we have included some advice to help you and your family in your resolutions to eat healthy and exercise more to reduce your risk for cancer.

Cheers to a healthy and successful year!

Carolyn Aldigé President and Founder

Inaugural Advocacy Academy prepares for next Congress The Prevent Cancer Foundation held its inaugural Advocacy Academy in the District of Columbia on December 3, 2014. More than 50 policy and advocacy colleagues from diverse organizations attended the event with a goal of crafting a shared advocacy agenda for the 114th Congress, which was sworn in January 6, 2015.

Led by a professional facilitator who is also a scientific strategist, participants discussed what the current cancer prevention landscape looks like and worked together to define a vision for prevention policy success. Among many other components, this best-case scenario for prevention policy success includes: • Improved access to equitable care for all individuals • Enhanced public awareness of prevention behaviors and early detection strategies • Incentives for preventive habits and disincentives for unhealthy behaviors • An environment conducive to healthy lifestyles • Opportunities to improve health literacy An • appreciation among policy makers of the long-term benefits of prevention Participants also brainstormed the barriers that might stand in the way of achieving such a vision. Strategies were

developed to overcome these barriers and the group committed to working together to ensure that cancer prevention is addressed not only in the 114th Congress, but in state legislatures and communities across the country.

One of the leading themes of the day was the need for cancer and other chronic disease advocates to work together in order to advance a prevention policy agenda. A majority of participants supported forming a broader prevention policy coalition to continue the momentum of the Advocacy Academy.

The Prevent Cancer Foundation also debuted its Grassroots Advocacy Toolkit, which provides information, tips for working with legislators and templates for individuals interested in being their own best self-advocates.

For more information, please visit www.preventcancer.org/advocacy.

PreventCancer.org

Research progress report: Frizzled 9 and lung cancer chemoprevention Every year, lung cancer leads to more deaths than any other cancer. An estimated 159,2601 Americans were expected to die from lung cancer in 2014, accounting for about 27% of all cancer deaths.

The Foundation is committed to lung cancer prevention research and currently supports five researchers studying different aspects of preventing this deadly disease. One of these researchers is Meredith Tennis, Ph.D., of the University of Colorado Denver. Her project focuses on Frizzled 9, a protein that helps to maintain normal lung tissue, as a potential biomarker2 to predict how patients may respond to the drug iloprost, a drug being used for chemoprevention.

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to the American Cancer Society a biological indicator of a medical condition or illness 2Biomarker­-

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What led to your interest in lung cancer prevention research?

I lost my father to cancer at a young age, so cancer prevention is a very personal cause that I strongly support.

I began my graduate work investigating the risk of lung cancer in women with previous breast cancer diagnoses and soon realized the importance of preventing second cancers in survivors.

Since then, I have become passionate about how science can develop improved personalized prevention strategies and reduce the harm lung cancer causes around the world.

How is your research progressing?

We have shown that cigarette smoke leads to decreased Frizzled 9 levels in laboratory and mouse experiments and that Frizzled 9 is required to respond to iloprost. In a clinical trial of current and former smokers, only former smokers responded to iloprost. We hypothesize that removing exposure to cigarette smoke restores Frizzled 9 levels and allows patients to benefit from iloprost.

Our preliminary data suggest that smoking stops Frizzled 9 from protecting lung tissue and that the effectiveness of iloprost may be altered by environmental factors that cause genes to be switched on or off. Determining exactly how cigarette smoke affects Frizzled 9 is a new area of investigation arising from this project. We hope that this project will help us determine who will respond to lung cancer chemoprevention by iloprost so we can provide the drug to the patients who are most likely to benefit.

The Prevent Cancer Foundation has been at the forefront of progress in lung cancer prevention and early detection.

“Because lung cancer is the leading cancer killer in America and around the globe, the Foundation has always placed a strong emphasis on advancing research and awareness in that area,” said Carolyn Aldigé, President and Founder of the Prevent Cancer Foundation.

The Foundation was a key contributor to early conversations on the use of low-dose spiral CT screening to detect lung cancer early, and continues to promote screening for high-risk individuals through programs and educational materials. The Foundation also works to call attention to important lung cancer issues like the stigma that comes with diagnosis, the lack of research funding and the lack of clinical trials.

Dr. Tennis’ project is one of numerous projects on lung cancer prevention and early detection that the Foundation has funded since 1985.

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In the world of cancer

The future of cancer screening?

Imagine visiting the lab to have your blood drawn and getting screened for multiple cancers with one blood test!

Recently, three scientific teams shared findings that may bring us one step closer to this possibility.

Members of the Early Cancer Detection Consortium in the United Kingdom (U.K.) are trying to find biomarkers, or biological indicators of medical conditions or illnesses, that could be used to develop such a test. They began by identifying approximately 800 blood-based biomarkers in cancer patients. Next, they will study which of these may be able to indicate the presence of cancer accurately.

Researchers from the University of Bradford in the U.K. have developed the Lymphocyte Genome Sensitivity test, which looks at the DNA inside white

blood cells and measures the damage caused by different intensities of ultraviolet light. Early results show differences in this damage among healthy patients and patients with cancer or with precancerous conditions. These differences were seen in melanoma, colon cancer and lung cancer.

An international team of scientists at Miroculus (a new biotech firm in the U.S.) is studying microRNAs, the tiny molecules found in the blood that regulate gene expression. Studies have shown that abnormal microRNA expression shows unique patterns for disease progression and specific cancers. So far, they have identified patterns for pancreatic, lung, breast and hepatic cancers.

There is still a lot of work to do to see if any of these studies will become screening tests. That is why funding early detection research is so important—it helps increase our understanding of cancer and identify ways to stop its development and detect it before symptoms surface.

Preventive Measures & General WELLNESS

Colorectal cancer rises among young adults Colorectal cancer has long been considered a disease of older adults.

While age is still a risk factor, the good news is that the number of people being diagnosed with the disease has consistently declined over the past 30 years.

Screening tools such as colonoscopies are primarily responsible for this positive trend.

Yet, unfortunately for people under 50, there has been a dramatic increase in colorectal cancer diagnoses among their age group. According to researchers at the MD Anderson Cancer Center, this increase is greatest among people ages 20 to 34 years and is expected to double in the coming years. These young people are also more likely to detect

their cancer in later stages, and they may be unprepared to navigate a disease that was completely unexpected.

Although it is unclear what is driving this trend, it is particularly discouraging because colorectal cancer is largely preventable. Risk factors for the disease include tobacco use, obesity and heavy drinking. Additionally, lifestyle factors such as a poor diet (particularly one heavy in red and processed meats), unhealthy weight and lack of exercise can be significant contributors.

Research has shown that AfricanAmericans have the highest rates of colorectal cancer incidence and mortality among all racial groups in the U.S., and Jews of Eastern European

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PreventCancer.org

In the world of cancer

Spotlight on skin cancer

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descent are also at higher risk.

This development is troubling, but it is within our power to stop it in its tracks. It’s important that young people know their family medical histories, as this is a critical indicator of who might develop the disease. It is equally important for young adults to know the warning signs of cancer. They can be their own health advocates by paying attention to changes in their bodies and speaking with their health care professionals about any medical concerns.

The Prevent Cancer Foundation continues its work to fund research and educate the public to help to reverse this potentially devastating trend.

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In the second half of 2014, we saw huge strides in skin cancer prevention. This progress is critical because skin cancer is the most common cancer and is also the most preventable. More than 76,000 people are diagnosed with melanoma— the most dangerous type of skin cancer—and almost 10,000 die of the disease each year.

In July, thenActing Surgeon General Dr. Boris Lushniak took a significant step toward cancer DIE OF prevention and early detection by issuing a call to action to prevent skin cancer. Dr. Lushniak is a dermatologist by trade, and recognizes the dangers of ultraviolet rays in both indoor and outdoor tanning and the easy steps that the public can take to protect themselves.

The Surgeon General’s call to action on skin cancer came on the heels of an announcement by the Food and Drug

a deadline for approving new sunscreens. The FDA currently has a backlog of eight new sunscreen applications; the last sunscreen ingredient to be approved was in 1999.

Administration (FDA) that it will soon The Prevent Cancer Foundation require labels on tanning beds and is an active partner in all of these lamps, warning against use by anyone initiatives, and applauds the work of younger than 18. each of these agencies on these imporMany are calling these moves a major tant public health measures, which “win” for public health and a sign of can have a significant impact on skin what’s to come in skin cancer prevention. cancer prevention.

What can you do to prevent skin cancer? Reduce your risk by limiting your exposure to the sun (especially at its brightest), always wearing sunscreen SKIN CANCER EACH YEAR and lip balm with UVB and UVA Some are even drawing comparisons protection with SPF 30 or more, and to the Surgeon General’s report on avoiding sun lamps and tanning beds smoking and health in 1964 and the completely. To learn more, visit Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertiswww.preventcancer.org. ing Act of 1965, both of which had an You can also become an advocate enormous impact on tobacco cessation and push your community to become rates in the U.S. sun-safe by providing shade at parks, In 2014 Congress passed the Sunscreen schools and public spaces, and banning Innovation Act, which will give the FDA indoor tanning facilities.

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Projected increase of incidence of colon and rectal cancers among young adults by 2030.

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Getting technical Today, technology is so ingrained in our everyday lives, sometimes we don’t even notice it’s there. By now we are used to smartphones that put the world at our fingertips. But with a recent onslaught of healthrelated technology cropping up, the health community is sitting up, logging on and taking notice.

WEARABLES Wearable fitness devices have been around for a while, but with the hotly-anticipated Apple Watch to be released in 2015, they are getting a second life. Even the most basic wearables can track your steps and monitor your sleep. They help you take note of how much you’re walking or running and remind you to make smart choices. Most devices will connect with an app you can download onto your smartphone to help manage your health, and are intended to start you on the road to better health and prevention.

APPS

There are hundreds of thousands of apps to choose from to help you eat better, sleep better, move more or manage other aspects of your health. One of the most popular apps, MyFitnessPal, helps you set goals, track calorie intake and activity and monitor your progress. Other apps, like foodtweeks, are more advice-oriented: this app lets you enter in the food you want to eat, and then suggests “tweaks” for you to make your meal healthier.

Even hospitals are seeing the benefits of personal technology, developing apps to communicate with their health care teams and manage patients’ records online.

HEALTHY EATING

Cooking seasonally in winter

Eating healthy year-round is essential to reduce your risk of cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Winter produce offers an array of ingredients rich in nutrients and earthy in flavor. Below are a few suggestions of warm winter dishes that incorporate fresh, healthy and tasty ingredients into soups, stews and casseroles.

SQUASH is a hearty ingredient and a quintessential winter flavor. The winter variety of squash has a harder rind than the spring variety, and should always be peeled. The starchy and sweet flavor can

EFFECTIVENESS Gadgets and apps can be helpful in monitoring your health, but in the end, YOU are still your own best advocate. Remember that apps and devices are simply tools to help you live a healthy life. Of the 430,000 health-related apps available by 2013, only 103 were regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, so it is essential to use apps with caution.

You should also be mindful that technology cannot and should not take the place of regular health checkups with your doctor.

Do a little research and read the reviews on wearables or any apps you’re thinking about downloading.

In particular, be wary of apps that claim to diagnose an illness or identify a disease; even if an app says you are in the clear, it is important to visit your health care professional to discuss outcomes.

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PreventCancer.org

WINTER GREENS are hearty and full of flavor. They can be eaten raw in salads, alone as a side or incorporated into a dish such as a soup, stew or casserole.

Winter greens have a stronger flavor than their spring counterparts. Cook these hearty greens to bring out a softer, sometimes even sweet flavor. Examples: Kale, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage be used in both savory dishes and desserts.

Examples: Pumpkin, Butternut Squash

CRISP WINTER FRUITS are versatile and add a bright punch of flavor to the dense flavors of winter produce. Winter fruits add a sweet and tangy component to dressings and chutneys or make a great snack on their own. Examples: Kumquats, Clementines, Pomegranates, Persimmons

ROOT VEGETABLES are often used year-round in classic comfort dishes. The starchy quality of root vegetables offer limitless creative options. The density of the roots stands up to slow-cooked dishes, soups and roasting. They make a great side dish puréed. The starch creates a creamy texture. Examples: Parsnips, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes

Winter produce is full of nutrients and unique flavors. Be adventurous and try some of these delicious ingredients.

Indoor fitness trends Don’t let the winter chill be an excuse to stop moving.

Moderate exercise just three times a week can significantly improve your health and reduce your cancer risk. Rise to the challenge and stay active, despite the cold!

COMMUNITY CENTERS Most local community centers, gyms and YMCAs also offer classes. Search online to find out what’s being offered in your area. The sheer variety guarantees there is something to fit your interests, schedule and price range.

PURE BARRE This high-intensity, low-impact class uses a ballet barre to help sculpt your hips, thighs, seat, abdominals and arms. Classes are 55 minutes long and do not require any dance experience. Depending on your diet and other variables, Pure Barre says you can see results after 10 classes.

SOUL CYCLE (OR FLY WHEEL OR ZENGO) Incorporating hand weights, choreography and music, this 45-min. class will work your whole body. If it’s your first time, be sure to arrive early and ask the front desk for help adjusting your bike.

BEACHBODY These videos can be used in your home with your personal weights, mats and bands. Videos range from 30-90 mins. each. Each set of videos comes with a suggested workout calendar and eating plan.

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DISCLAIMER: The Prevent Cancer Foundation is not affiliated with, nor does it endorse or have any financial relationship with, any of the companies mentioned in this story.

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MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Small events can make a big impact

BENEFIT CONCERT Get a popular band (or several) to donate their ticket proceeds.

CROSSFIT

Compete with other gyms and charge entrance fees to participate.

FIDGOR TEXAS HOLD’EM TOURNAMENT

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Often when individuals and families are touched by cancer they want to do something to make a difference. They want to help prevent others from hearing the devastating news, “you have cancer.”

The Prevent Cancer Foundation has been honored to be the recipient of beneficiary fundraisers, which are usually held in memory or honor of someone who has been diagnosed with cancer. No event is too small or too out of the box. Events have been as simple as a child making purple lapel ribbons—her mom’s favorite color—and selling them in her honor as she battled colon cancer, and a group of friends holding a crazy hat party to remember a friend who loved to wear hats and who is now greatly missed.

Some events become an annual tradition, like the Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament hosted by Foundation Board Member Drew Figdor and his wife Michele each year, which raises $150,000 to fully fund a two-year research grant. Foundation friends Headley Butler, Stuart Prince, Roger Edwards and Victor Maddux have organized a

Fantasy Football Challenge annually for the last four years, which has raised more than $10,000 during an evening of fun and good-natured competition.

Last summer, Carrie Amaya in Wisconsin hosted a Poker Run to raise funds for prostate cancer research in honor of her father.

And we were delighted when Linda Castelli of Staten Island hosted a luncheon for cancer survivors like her, which not only raised funds, but also raised awareness about cancer prevention and early detection.

It is our hope that each of these events has been a source of healing for those touched by cancer—and the funds raised through these events will have a significant impact on finding new ways to prevent cancer or detect it early when it is most treatable.

If you are interested in hosting a beneficiary event, please contact Jessie Edington at Jessie.Edington@ preventcancer.org or 703-519-2119.

POKER RUN

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Gather your friends and charge an entry fee to participate.

Select five checkpoints where you can pick up cards. At the final checkpoint, the best hand wins!

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ADVOCACY NEWS

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Politics and prevention 54%

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he 114th Congress was sworn in on January 6, 2015. For the first time in eight years, both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives are controlled

by Republicans, with President Barack Obama, a Democrat, in the White House.

While it is critical for our nation’s lawmakers to work together toward meaningful accomplishments in this Congress, it will be a challenge with opposing parties in the legislative and executive branches and a lame duck president.

The Affordable Care Act will continue to be implemented nationwide. However,

most expect that Republicans will continue to hold votes to repeal or weaken the law, which will then be swiftly vetoed by President Obama.

The U.S. Supreme Court will also take up King v. Burwell and will rule whether the federal government can offer health insurance subsidies to individuals in states that do not run their own insurance exchanges. In other words, government-provided financial assistance to low-income individuals and families is at risk. More than five million subsidies across the country to help people pay for health insurance have already been granted at an average

of $4,700 per person. If these subsidies are eliminated, it could be devastating to the most vulnerable individuals and families.

Even though the 2016 presidential election is 21 months away, the cycle is well underway and will continue to play a significant role in the business of Washington over the next two years.

To receive updates and insight into how all these issues will impact cancer prevention and early detection, visit www.preventcancer.org/advocacy.

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Be an expert advocate While it is critical for individuals to actively play a role in their own cancer prevention and early detection efforts, collectively we can effect even greater change through broad advocacy efforts at local, state and national levels. Advocacy, in the classic sense, is influencing decision and policy makers in support or opposition of a cause or policy. Yet, most people have never set foot on Capitol Hill or in their state legislatures.

The Prevent Cancer Foundation believes that advocacy is much more than supporting legislation or being involved in politics. It includes a wide array of activities and efforts. The Foundation recently released Prevention, a grassroots advocacy toolkit to support individuals interested in taking action in

THE TOOLKIT INCLUDES:

their own lives and communities, as well as nationwide. Engaging in advocacy does not have to be difficult; the toolkit provides simple information, tips and tools to support legislative, policy, personal, community and media advocacy.

The Prevent Cancer Foundation created this toolkit because we know that individual advocates across the country are our strongest resource.

Their experiences, stories, interests and actions can­­—and do—have a significant impact on decision makers and policies that influence the health and well-being of our nation.

1. Talking points about cancer prevention and early detection

Download this free resource at www.preventcancer.org/advocacy

7. Glossary of advocacy terms

2. Advocacy 101 information, including a checklist to help you get started 3. Advocacy tools and templates, such as phone call scripts, letter examples and meeting tips

4. Media tools and templates, such as op-ed and letter to the editor examples, as well as social media tips 5. Federal advocacy resources 6. State advocacy resources

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PreventCancer.org

Preventive Measures & General WELLNESS

Health insurance deadline February 15 Open enrollment, when individuals can purchase health insurance plans or change their existing plans on the health insurance marketplace, will end February 15, 2015. It is particularly critical that people living with cancer or those who are at risk for the disease make their decisions and lock in their plans by that date. This applies to all plans that were created under the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as health care reform. These plans provide “essential health benefits,” including preventive services, and many consumers will qualify for financial assistance to help pay for their coverage.

Before shopping for insurance, individuals living with cancer (or at risk for the disease) should also download the Cancer Insurance Checklist. This checklist provides information on the resources, services and costs that consumers should consider when comparing insurance plans.

This free resource is available in English and Spanish at www.cancerinsurancechecklist.org

Visit www.healthcare.gov for more information.

UPCOMING EVENTS AND NEWS March 6, Annual Spring Gala

April 22-24, Dialogue for Action™ conference & Laurels Luncheon May 4-5, Lung Cancer Workshop

Cancer Insurance Checklist Your guide to shopping for insurance on the Marketplace/Exchange if you have cancer, have a history of cancer, or are at risk for cancer.

CancerInsuranceChecklist.org

News for 2015

TO SUBSCRIBE, CONTACT: Prevent Cancer Foundation 1600 Duke Street, Suite 500, Alexandria, VA 22314 Toll-Free: (800) 227-2732 Main: (703) 836-4412 Email: pcf@PreventCancer.org Visit: PreventCancer.org Cancer PreventionWorks is published by the Prevent Cancer Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention and early detection of cancer.

All contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. The Prevent Cancer Foundation is a member of the Combined Federal Campaign (#11074).

1600 Duke Street, Suite 500, Alexandria, VA 22314

The future of cancer screening?

Getting technical

Politics and prevention