Even if you are not in one of the 15 (!) states to see the northern lights this weekend, there are alot of celestial happenings. Did you catch the brilliant full moon? How about the planets Venus, Jupiter and Mercury in alignment? So vibrant in a dark sky. It’s as if the heavens are speaking to us through light and power. Not impressed? How about this…

While everyone’s hair is on fire about the use of vaccines in the MAHA movement, scientists across the pond are busy designing vaccines for therapy. Not to avoid a cancer, but after the cancer is already growing. Working off the mRNA findings used for the Covid vaccine, they are now harnessing the power to create life -altering, much needed enhancements to our armament against cancers. Over 100 patients with head and neck cancers will receive the treatment, adding to their cutting edge use of vaccines for bowel and skin cancer. Fifteen hospitals in the National Health Service will be offering these in the next year.

Not to be out done, there is significant work here at home. (Brits are better at tooting their horns) According to our own NCI, cancer treatment vaccines are an immunotherapy that help us to treat our cancers using our natural defenses. They work against the cancer cells, not the precursors that cause cancer. They attack the antigens in cancer cells, teaching the immune system to recognize these proteins and destroy them.

Currently approved vaccines include Provenge for prostate, BCG and Adstiladrin for bladder, Imlygic for melanoma. Trials are underway for pancreatic with mRNA, Head and Neck HPV tumors, and at Cleveland Clinic a preventative vaccine for triple negative (aggressive) breast cancer.

Ask your own physicians about trials available. Do your homework. If the routine care stopped working and the disease is advancing, get creative. Find a specialist in your cancer type who may have more tools available. Often, you can still receive the recommended therapy by your own physician and have testing and blood work close to home.

Even when the darkness overwhelms, have faith that the stars are aligning in our favor. Make the effort. You would travel for vacation, so, do so if necessary for health. You and your loved ones are worth it.

For more information go to http://www.cancer.org for the updates from ASCO July 2025, Memorial Sloan Kettering cancer trials, cancer research.org.