Category Archives: Hereditary Cancer:

Strike Deadly Pancreatic Cancer: Healing Pillars from Bottleneck to Potentials

By Hui Xie-Zukauskas

Pillars for P. Cancer Therapy_Cancer Prevention DailyCancer. The word itself can send shivers down your spine. How about pancreatic cancer? Consider these three facts:

  • A grim reality: Pancreatic cancer is a rare and deadly cancer. Estimated 66,440 people in the US will be diagnosed with and approximately 51,750 Americans will die of pancreatic cancer in 2024 (per American Cancer Society). Data also predicts the disease to become the second leading cause of cancer deaths by 2030.
  • A growing concern: Pancreatic cancer diagnoses in young adults (under 45) are on the rise. As the incidence increases, it’s becoming a public health problem too.
  • A glimmer of hope: Yes, let’s explore it as evolving breakthroughs combat this terrible disease!

First, let me briefly emphasize what makes pancreatic cancer extremely fatal. It is because of its key characteristics such as:

  • Asymptomatic nature in early stages (if any signs, vague or nonspecific)
  • No routine screening test available
  • Invasive early and rapid spread
  • Limited effective treatments
  • Therapy-resistant, with high rate of recurrence
  • Poor prognosis, with a 5-year survival rate about 10% or low long-term survival.

For the focus here, the most common type of pancreatic cancer (85% overwhelmingly) is pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC); its nature remains aggressive and multifaceted.

However, the mainstays for pancreatic cancer treatment are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, which appear to reach a “bottleneck” status with unsatisfactory clinical results. Also sadly, most cancers have already metastasized at the time of diagnosis.

Despite its complexity, genetic research and scientists’ unwavering effort have propelled discoveries!

A hallmark of pancreatic cancer is KRAS mutation. KRAS is a tumor-promoting gene, and mutated in ~95% of pancreatic cancer patients. Studies indicate that KRAS mutation likely initiates human pancreatic cancer, and drives tumor growth and progression. Even so, targeting KRAS through pharmacological interventions—especially with single agent inhibitors in the past—has confronted an “undruggable” challenge.

Yet, researchers are unlocking new opportunities in various paths, with transformed treatments encompassing but not limited to:

  • Targeted therapy: Innovative therapies—such as the use of siRNAs (small interfering RNA) through nano-delivery, anticancer vaccine, and immune T-cell therapy—are driven against KRAS mutation. Additionally, a subgroup of pancreatic patients harboring BRCA1/2 mutation can benefit from platinum-based chemotherapy and Olaparib (a PARP inhibitor). Next-generation sequencing technology will facilitate genomic mapping of cancer cells to identify more treatment targets.
  • Immunotherapy: In the past, most pancreatic cancer didn’t respond to immunotherapy, likely attributed to its immuno-suppressive tumor microenvironment that facilitates tumor escape from immunosurveillance. Now, studies and clinical trials are ongoing to alter tumor microenvironment, and make tumors active immunologically or cytotoxic T-cells respond.  
  • Liquid biopsy: This is an emerging, non-invasive, and less costly clinical tool to detect cancer biomarkers or “signatures” from blood circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) or circulating tumor cells, etc. It shows promises for early detection, treatment precision and monitoring, and offers prognostic value in pancreatic cancer.
  • Combined therapies: In addition to a targeting approach, combined drugs to simultaneously block multiple abnormal pathways in PDAC, or a combination of immuno- and chemotherapy, can also improve survival and/or quality of life in cancer patients.  

Still today, early detection is crucial, because pancreatic cancer is curable at an earlier, localized, and surgically resectable stage.

If you experience persistent abdominal pain, unexplained loss of appetite or weight, or any concerning symptoms, don’t hesitate to see your doctor. For those with a hereditary risk, consult with oncologists to keep updated on helpful or applicable genetic development.

Finally, with a glimmer of light, a glimmer of joy for the positive impact on cancer patients, it also creates an urgent need for our awareness and actions. Spread words and modify lifestyle!

 

Image Credits: slidemodel.com; CancerPreventionDaily

Beyond Colon Cancer: The Hidden Cancers Threatening Young Lives

By Hui Xie-Zukauskas

Lower Cancer Risk_Sm_for LIIn recent years, there has been a concerning rise in cancer incidence and mortality among individuals aged 15–39. Notably, colorectal cancer (CRC) has shown an uptick in cases among those under 50, both in the US and globally. This underscores the urgent need for preventive measures to mitigate cancer risks and elevate awareness.

While it might be perplexing to see the unexpected rise in cancer among the younger population, considering that traditionally cancer primarily affects older adults, the reasons behind this trend are complex and fascinating. Let’s delve into this in simpler terms.

Cancer is caused by mutation, i.e., a permanent change in the DNA sequence of an organism. Mutations can result from damage to DNA and errors in DNA repair.

Imagine DNA as a blueprint for building a magnificent LEGO castle. Each LEGO brick represents a specific unit of DNA called a “base pair”. DNA damage is like the LEGO bricks get chipped or break due to various factors, DNA repair by enzymes works as repair crews identify damaged bricks and replace them with new ones. When the damage is too severe or the repair crew is overwhelmed, the building plan (DNA) can be disrupted and structural crises in the castle (cell malfunctions) take place.

We know that most of cancer risk in aging adults can be attributed to randomly acquired mutations in proliferating tissues or susceptible cell types. In contrast, cancers in younger individuals result from the presence of genetic predisposition or the exposure to carcinogens (cancer-causing agents) or both, which all impact DNA damage and repair, genomic integrity, and then accelerate cancer growth in a young body.

To illustrate further, its origins have three key elements: inherited genetic predisposition, environmental carcinogens (including cancer-causing viruses), and developmental mutations—the latter can vary greatly depending on mutational rates in various cell types. Importantly, the interplay between each element and among these factors can also contribute to the variation in cancer risk among different cells, tissues and age groups.

Colon cancer is not the only type of cancer with a high prevalence in young people. Other cancers include:

  • oropharyngeal cancers (more in adolescent and young cancer survivors),
  • breast cancer,
  • cervical cancer,
  • skin cancer, melanoma and
  • pancreatic cancer – its genomic feature distinctly involves the well-known tumor genes (including breast cancer’s BRCA1 and BRCA2).

I’d like to highlight some harmful environmental factors more relevant to young people, and mostly also apply to a broader population.

  • Traumatic brain injury (resulting from car accidents, sports, falls, bast injuries but leading to long-term chronic neuro-inflammation in the brain and link to CNS tumors)
  • Oncogenic pathogens or carcinogenic viruses – such as Infections by the human papilloma virus (HPV), causing cervical and oropharynx cancers; Infections by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), causing lymphomas and nasopharyngeal cancer; Merkel cell polyomavirus, causing Merkel cell carcinomas; Human T-cell lymphotropic virus, causing leukemias; and Fusobacterium, associated with colorectal cancer.
  • Hazard environmental exposures – Sunlight/UV damage, causing skin cancer; air-borne radon or tobacco smoke, or air-borne asbestos, causing lung cancer.
  • E-cigarettes – potential risk for oral cancer
  • Food-borne pre-carcinogens and/or carcinogens: generated by chemical or physical food processing, including N-nitroso compounds (NOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), heterocyclic aromatic amines (HCAs), and acrylamide. Moreover, some fungi- and plant-derived substances pose a cancerous potential. Their mechanisms of action and relevance to human biology can be classified as either genotoxic (DNA-reactive) or epigenetic (effects other than DNA reactivity).

It’s essential to remember that adolescents and young adults diagnosed with cancer face a risk for early death. This risk, influenced by factors such as age at diagnosis, race, ethnicity, lower socioeconomic status and cancer type, is multifaced and requires adequate healthcare with careful monitoring.

Next, let’s move to colon cancer, especially early-onset CRC, with an emphasis on risk factors.

Modifiable risk factors

These include obesity, type-2 diabetes, heavy sugar and red meat diet, physical inactivity, smoking, high alcohol consumption, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and frequent antibiotic use.

Non-modifiable risk factors

Particularly for early-onset CRC, being male, black or Asian, having IBD, or a family history of CRC are among non-modifiable risks.

Based on recent scientific evidence, early-onset CRC is associated with a genetic predisposition, mainly attributed to sporadic mutations in some genes (e.g., APC, KRAS, BRAF, TP53) that trigger uncontrolled cell growth and subsequent tumor formation.

However, one overlooked group is individuals younger than 50 years (<50 years) who do not usually undergo screening if they are at average-risk (defined as those without a personal or family history of CRC, without a personal history of IBD). Currently, there are little data regarding risk factors for CRC at average-risk young adults who are also asymptomatic.

Act to lower cancer risk

Armed with a comprehensive awareness and an inner-warrior mindset, act swiftly in the specific domains to impede or prevent cancer development within your young body.

  1. Live a healthy lifestyle. Eat a plant-based diet, stay active, avoid smoking, limit alcohol, and practice sun-safety.
  2. Maintain a healthy weight.
  3. Get screened for early detection.
  4. Get cancer risk assessment and genetic counseling. (for high-risk individuals)
  5. Get the HPV vaccination. Protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections.

Finally, cancer in young people disrupt crucial life stages such as education, career development and family planning. Early diagnoses can have long-term consequences in every aspect of individual’s well-being. Furthermore, the rising cancer burden in young people poses a significant public health challenge. Thus, the unexpected vulnerability in young people demands our attention and dedication to this troubling shift.

 

Image credit: Matt Cole, Mis wanto at Vecteezy

A Genetics and Energy View of Breast Cancer Prevention

By Hui Xie-Zukauskas

BRAC genes illustration_Rev_CPD 2015For breast cancer awareness, it’s important to do something beyond wearing “PINK in October.” So today, I’d like to focus on two factors related to breast cancer: genetics and energy.

First, let me use a simple diagram (as seen here) to illustrate how a mutation of BRCA genes is linked to breast cancer.

BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are cancer suppressors. Their function is to protect a cell from developing cancer, thereby helping you fight cancer. When either of these genes becomes mutated, it no longer functions properly. As a result of unrepaired DNA damage and impaired genetic integrity, cells are more likely to grow uncontrolled to develop cancer, like a car racing on the highway without brakes.

Each of us has BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, both women and men, because BRCA is not a sex-linked gene. The mutation can be inherited from either parent. For women with a BRCA mutation, the lifetime risk of breast cancer is approximately 80%, and the chance of ovarian cancers is 54%. Men may carry the BRCA mutation, but have a lower risk.

Among approximately 200,000 breast cancer cases each year, BRCA gene mutation accounts about 10 percent of them. So, clearly here there is a promising area for treatment and prevention.

Next, let’s approach the topic from the viewpoint of energy.

“Energy” in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is termed “Qi.” Everything is energy at both the physical and spiritual levels. Essentially, the root of cancer is Qi related. There is a principle in TCM – “Flow of Qi makes flow of blood; Qi stagnation causes blood stagnation,” which implicates clots, masses, tumors, and illness.
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How can we use positive and healing energy to prevent or cure cancer? Here are 8 ways:

  1. Makes our immune system strong. Our immune system is our powerhouse to fight cancer. That’s why scientific innovations tap into the body’s immune system to destroy cancer cells. When cancer overwhelms your body’s immune capacity and healing power, it is a tragic ending.
  2. Take care of your emotions. Keeping a positive outlook on life will boost your positive energy, because stress is one of risk factors for breast cancer. Anger, fear, sadness, and worry affect your Qi negatively, but happiness and socializing build up vibrant Qi.
  3. Foster gratitude. Devote time (at least a few minutes a day) to appreciate what you have, even the “small things”. Doing so will boost your positive energy!
  4. Go for a nutrient-packed diet. Consume fruits and vegetables and other foods with high fiber, low fat, and low sugar, because nutrition boosts both level and quality of your energy. Alcohol, animal fats, and processed foods do not.
  5. Exercise regularly. Be physically active, because it keeps Qi moving and blood flowing!
  6. Maintain a healthy weight. The key to weight management is energy balance. Obisity is energy imbalance and contributes to the risk of breast cancer. Healthy weight plays a role in lowering the risk of cancer and that of cancer recurrence.
  7. Be vigilant about early detection! Get a genetic screening to identify BRCA gene mutation, and start treatment early. Doing so will help protect your vital energy.
  8. Prevention, prevention, and prevention. Preventive care keeps your energy moving in the right direction. We all know that prevention is better than cure.

To sum up—

Breast cancer prevention is for both women and men, and is a year-round practice. We cannot control our genes, gender, age, race, or family history. However, each of us can promote a healthy lifestyle to boost vibrant, positive energy to reduce breast cancer risk.

Old Men’s and Young Men’s Cancer – How to Protect Yourself?

By Hui Xie-Zukauskas

Men-s Cancer in Puzzle_CPDMen may experience something wrong or annoying physically but hate to bring it up in conversation. This is understandable, but could potentially be gravely risky in regard to cancer. Stick with me for a few seconds, and I’ll explain why, along with a list of lifestyle-modifying and life-saving strategies to protect you from cancers that strike old men and young men.

First, let me briefly outline the difference between “young men’s cancer” and “old men’s cancer.”

 

Testicular cancer

Prostate cancer
Age 15 – 35 50+
Location Outside body, inside the scrotum Inside body, under the bladder
Risk factors Race/ethnicity, HIV infection, uncorrected or undescended testicles, injury to scrotum, family history Family history, genetics, race/ethnicity, hormones, smoking, obesity, inflammation, occupation
Signs or Symptoms
  • A lump in either testicle
  • An enlarged testicle or swollen scrotum
  • Discomfort or heaviness in the scrotum
  • Pain in the abdomen, groin area, or lower back
 No sign at early stage

  • Change in urinating frequency, urgency, or flow; blood in the urine
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Pain in the hips or lower back
Prognosis Malignant, rare, but can be cured if detected early Common, can very often be treated successfully

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So, how can men be vigilant about their cancer risks? If you are a man, here are 20 things you can do:

  1. Get screened for prostate cancer. Men over 50 should consult their doctors for screening, especially those having a family history of the disease. The screenings may include a digital rectal exam (DRE) and a blood test for prostate specific antigen (PSA).
  2. Detect testicular cancer. Perform testicle self-examination monthly and have a doctor examine annually. See instructions for testicular self-examination at http://www.webmd.boots.com/men/guide/tescticular-self-examination
  3. Take a blood test for HIV antibodies. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) causes AIDS, and HIV-infected individuals can remain symptomless for years. If you think you may have been exposed to HIV, consult your physician. The good news is, new drugs are available to treat HIV infection effectively.
  4. Move your body. Physical activity is a key to preventing prostate cancer. Some research evidence indicates that men who are more physically active have a lower risk of getting prostate cancer. Do whatever works for you—whether that’s exercising regularly or getting physically active in various ways throughout the day. And keep it fun by alternating your routine, workout format, or partners.  More activity is more protective.
  5. Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight and obesity are among modifiable risk factors for cancer. Obesity is strongly linked to diabetes; one in three Americans has diabetes and these folks often don’t even know they have it. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to a wide spectrum of health problems from heart disease and stroke to kidney, eye, and nerve damage.
  6. Have RED in your diet. Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, an antioxidant that reduces the risk of prostate cancer. Especially, cooked and processed tomatoes contain high levels of lycopene.
  7. Eat more GREEN. Broccoli is high in cancer-fighting agents (i.e., sulforaphane and isothiocyanates). Regularly eating broccoli may lower your risk of prostate cancer. Other greens such as cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kale, and mustard greens are vegetables rich in indoles, sulfoxide, and 5-methyl-methionine, all of which have potent anticancer effects.
  8. Consume more fish. Omega-3, found in certain fish including salmon, sardines, tuna, mackerel, and trout, can help reduce your risk of developing prostate cancer.
  9. Consider biological selenium (not synthetic or supplement). Selenium, a naturally occurring chemical, may help you fight prostate cancer, though the evidence is non-conclusive. However, you’ll never go wrong with plant-based foods (vegetables, grains, etc.), fish, nuts, wheat germ, and Brewer’s yeast, which all contain selenium.
  10. Reduce meat consumption. Red meats and processed meats have been linked to a greater risk of several types of cancer, including prostate cancer.
  11. Avoid deep-fried foods. High-heat cooking (e.g., deep-frying or grilling) generates potential carcinogens. In particular, it produces heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in animal meats, and so does overcooking meat. One study revealed that frequent consumption (once a week or more) of certain fried foods including French fries, fried chicken, fried fish, and doughnuts was associated with an increased risk for prostate cancer.
  12. Be wary about supplements. There is no clear evidence that any vitamin or herb supplements prevent testicular or prostate cancer. Plus what’s in a supplement is not all regulated.
  13. Drink more water or tea. Water helps get rid of toxins, bacteria and waste in the body. Green and black tea contain potent antioxidants and anticancer agents such as polyphenols.
  14. Drink coffee daily. Coffee provides a beneficial effect for fight cancer, according to Harvard researchers. They found that men who drank six or more cups of regular or decaf coffee were 59% less likely to develop advance prostate cancer than those who eschewed the brew.
  15. Listen to your body. If you experience pain in your groin area or lower back, a change in urination (frequency, urgency, or pressure), or difficulty urinating, or if you see blood in your urine or semen, talk to your doctor. Never ignore those warning signs.
  16. Quit smoking. Smoking is one of the primary risk factors for lung cancer, and is attributed to several other cancers including prostate cancer.
  17. Keep your cell phones away from your pants if possible. Cell phones emit radio frequency radiation, and radiation is a carcinogen.
  18. Enjoy fun for life. A healthy lifestyle doesn’t need to come with boredom. You can exercise, have sex, and watch TV too as long as it’s not too much. Also, instead of chips and popcorn with your TV watching, eat a big plate of fresh veggies and fruits.
  19. Prevent inflammation and viral or bacterial infections. Inflammation has been linked to many human cancers.
  20. Treat an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH). There are effective drugs available, so consult a doctor.

Finally, ladies, let’s encourage the men in our lives to take actions for a healthy lifestyle and cancer protection.

 

Image credit: by Ambrozjo and CancerPreventionDaily.com/

How to Prevent Hereditary Cancer: A Yoga Concept

By Hui Xie-Zukauskas

Do you or your loved ones have any hereditary cancer? Facing hereditary cancer can be challenging. The passing of family members is devastating, and the possibility of getting this “C” makes you feel fearful, sad, frustrated, powerless or even angry. Staying very emotional is understandable, but won’t fix the problem.

Warrior2_IMG_3388-e1360171441431-1024x682Today I’m going to show you one way to stay on top of this horrible “C” – a solution inspired by Yoga Warrior II.

Let’s engage in this yoga pose first. As the warrior II image illustrates, you stretch one arm straight in front and extend the other out behind, with legs and feet stepping apart in a facing-forward position, while your body maintains steadiness and balance, being powered by the leg and core muscles’ strength, with your gaze focusing ahead (just to give an idea for non-yoga goers).

In addition to its physical benefits, the mental or psychological aspect of Warrior II guides you to honor the past, to explore your future, and to strengthen your presence. Angelina Jolie has taken real-life Warrior II actions when facing her risk for hereditary breast cancer. She kept in mind the tragedy of losing her mother to breast cancer, and desires to stay around long for her children and the loved ones. Courageously, she pursued all she could do at the present. Angelina went for a genetic testing to find out her mutated BRCA1 gene, and then underwent a preventive double mastectomy to reduce her high risk of developing breast cancer.

Cancer risk factors come from foods we eat, water we drink, the environment we live, and the genes we inherit; the latter is considered out of our control. What Angelina has done is truly empowering not only for women dealing with hereditary breast cancer, but also for a boarder population; because breast cancer occurs in men too and men do get mastectomy treatment. This conveyed a message that you can take control of your health, including hereditary cancer, by taking preventative measures before it’s too late.

So, what can you do now when it comes to the genetic susceptibility to cancer? Here are 8 practical tips:
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1.      Consult your physician and get genetic testing. Genetic counseling is an essential step for any hereditary illness.
2.      Identify a medical or preventive treatment that’s best for you. With the advance of new technologies and therapies, you have more options to choose, which opens up the horizon for your healthy future.
3.      Remember follow-up visit or care whether or not you have had any therapy.
4.      Explore insurance plans for the coverage of your cost. This seems non-therapeutic, but could be a determining factor for many folks to make an informed, life-saving decision.
5.      Cope with any change in your physical body, and manage side effects from your treatment. Keep informed on any related issues.
6.      Seek support when coping with fear, i.e. any fear of cancer diagnosis or cancer recurrence, so as to uphold your emotional well-being, which is vitally important.
7.      Live a healthy lifestyle, refraining from any known cancer risk factors such as tobacco smoking, alcohol, or toxic chemicals and carcinogens.
8.      Enjoy the moment!

See more Cancer and Hereditary Cancer

Image credit: By Brittany Becher