At the moment, one topic and one topic only is dominating our health conversations in America. That, of course, is the devastation caused by the coronavirus pandemic. This understandable focus should not allow us to neglect other maladies affecting our state. After all, diseases don’t take a break. So today I want to remind readers — and especially our representatives in Washington — not to let up in the fight against one very serious scourge: cancer.
It’s lamentable but true that, sooner or later, cancer enters everyone’s personal orbit. It touches our loved ones, our co-workers, and our neighbors alike. Nothing can prepare you for losing a loved one too early. In 2009, our daughter, Laura, lost her battle with ovarian cancer at the age of 25. A few short weeks before her passing, Laura told us she wanted to help others facing the same disease. So, her friends and family founded the Laura Crandall Brown Foundation, which provides funding for early detection research of ovarian cancer, raises awareness of all gynecological cancers, and provides emotional and financial support to women in treatment.
Here in Alabama, it is estimated that, in 2020 alone, roughly 30,000 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed and more 10,000 will die. Compared to national averages, we face higher incidences of ovarian, lung, prostate, and other deadly cancers. On the eve of the 50th Anniversary of the War on Cancer, it’s clear that, as a state and as a nation, we have not yet gained the upper hand on this disease.
But there are some fairly simple things we can do to improve these numbers today. First among them is keeping up with recommended screenings. For example, for men and women of a certain age, mammograms and colonoscopies should be familiar parts of your health routine. And it should become common knowledge that the five-year survival rate for cancer caught early, before it has spread throughout the body, is an amazing 89 percent. That rate for cancers caught late is around 20 percent.
Yet for the lion’s share of cancers, catching them early is often a matter of luck. Out of more than 100 cancers, we only have screenings available for five. Our Laura hardly had a chance because ovarian cancer is not one of the five. She was diagnosed at a later stage, and the cancer had spread to other parts of her body. Across the board, seven out of the 10 cancer deaths are attributed to cancers that lack early detection tests. The science of cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment has come a long way, but we need to do better.
There may be hope on the horizon. If clinical trials can deliver on the promise they’ve so far shown, we are drawing closer to transforming our approach to cancer screening. With advances in the understanding of human genomics and machine learning, there are new tests that allow for the detection of many different cancers, including those without current screenings, using a standard blood draw. They are coming as soon as next year.
For those of us who have experienced cancer’s wrath firsthand, this news is cause for joy. Of our representatives in Washington, D.C., we ask that this anticipation spur action so that the maximum number of lives can be saved. New technology — no matter how impressive — simply cannot have an impact if people can’t get it. This means pathways for insurance coverage will be critical. And they have to be resolved now, when we have the lead time.
This year has thrown its share of challenges our way, so I’m hesitant to throw out one more. But as the 50th Anniversary of the War on Cancer approaches, let’s commit to doing better in the name of those we’ve lost to cancer. In Laura’s name, let’s commit to more success stories and fewer lives cut short by this terrible disease.
Jim Crandall is the founder of the Laura Crandall Brown Foundation and president of its board of directors.
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November 12, 2020 at 07:49AM
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Cancer took my daughter; could early screening technology save others? - AL.com
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