The surfing community was shocked by the shark attack death of its beloved barrel surfer and star Tamayo Perry off Oahu this week. He knew well the shark risks as a seasoned veteran and lifeguard. The tragedy fascinated me. There is such brilliance in science, how is it possible that there is not a spray, a device with sonar, an alarm with repulsive decimals that a surfer could wear to repel sharks? Taking risk is part of the “ fun” or drama? No, the thousands sitting on surf boards around the world need to do research to avoid, not rescue.
Well, the same can be said of cancer. Why are we still slash, burn and poisoning the body to battle cancer? “Chemo prevention” came up as management for Princess Kate. It really was to minimize the fact that toxic chemo is being used to kill microscopic cells to avoid cancer regrowing. So many of you have gone through these treatments. What we need is a way to actually avoid cancer entirely, true chemo prevention strategies. Sure, you can avoid toxic exposure (smoking, viruses, sun, alcohol, toxic chemicals) but in reality we need a way to ward off cancers with some protective measure. Wouldn’t that be amazing? Is the human body so complex? Is cancer so nuanced? Genetics, epigenetics, DNA evaluations can’t be that difficult.
It’s almost 25 years since we mapped the genome. I believe there will be a sea- change, at least by the next generation, whereby we move from treating to real prevention for most disease. Our desire and vision is so much greater than current processes. Change never comes from complacency. It only happens with desire and passion. Real changes must occur for our children and grandchildren.
There is currently more research for prevention. Presently the use of hormone modulators like tamoxifen and finesteride are available to avoid breast and prostate cancers. NSAIDs like aspirin possibly for colon cancer. Vaccines for cancer inducing – viruses such as HPV which could limit head and neck, anal, some gyn cancers. Hepatitis C treatment to avoid liver cancer, provenge for prostate spread, melanoma vaccine for advanced disease. Memorial Sloan Kettering is testing mRNA vaccine for pancreas cancer after surgery. Cleveland clinic is running trials for breast cancer vaccine in patients at high risk.
Healthcare research will continue to push for real change in cancer. The sharks are nipping all of us, especially as we age. We need more than a punch in their nose to break free and be safe. Actual cancer prevention, not treatment, must be the goal.