A cancer diagnosis can be shocking, depressing and even debilitating. It can turn a patient’s world upside down and transform them from an ordinary citizen to a warrior overnight. Cancer does not discriminate — it comes in many forms and across all ages, socioeconomic statuses, ethnicities and religions.
The Huntsman Cancer Institute, a genetics research facility located on the upper east side of campus, has discovered more gene mutations responsible for inherited cancers than any other facility in the world. The institute began with pledge money from Jon Huntsman and his family in 1995, vowing to eradicate the disease.
According to the American Cancer Society, Utah will likely see 10,780 new cancer diagnoses in 2014. And with more than 100 different types of cancer, all are considered a different, unique disease and must be researched and treated as such at the institute.
Recently, cancer has been in the national news with the death of 29-year-old Brittany Maynard, who moved to Oregon to qualify for the state’s assisted-suicide laws. Maynard was given six months to live. Her choice to end her own life, with the help of doctors, earlier this month has sparked much debate.
Additionally, childhood cancer has been in the local news with the death of four-year-old Ethan Van Leuven of West Valley City from leukemia. Childhood cancer makes up less than one percent of all diagnosed cancers in the U.S., but due to major research, the survival rate for childhood cancer has increased dramatically, with an 80 percent five-year survival rate after diagnosis.
Jena Andrus, of the Cancer Learning Center at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, said there are ways to help control the presence of cancer in our lives.
“Prevention is key,” Andrus said “We believe if cancer is caught early, it is a lot easier to treat.”
She said some cancers can by avoided by “not using tobacco, exercising more, maintaining a healthy weight, regular cancer screenings and being safe in the sun.”
Linda Aagard, public relations director at the institute, holds views similar to Andrus’s about prevention.
“If I could tell young people one thing to help them prevent cancer, it would be to stay away from the tanning beds,” Aagard said. “Skin cancer is one of the most prevalent types of cancer, and it can be controlled by simply taking care of ourselves. Why not take steps in preventing cancers that you can prevent?”
A variety of screening options exist depending on the type of cancer. At 40 years of age, women are encouraged to get regular mammogram screenings. Tests also exist for skin cancer, prostate cancer and colon cancer, among others. The regularity of screenings should increase if there is a family history of the disease. Andrus encourages people to speak to their primary care physicians to learn more about screenings.
November is also Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. This cancer is referred to as the “silent killer” because there are no symptoms or screenings that will detect it until it has reached Stage IV. It is one of the deadliest cancers, with a one percent five-year survival rate after diagnosis. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 39,590 people will die of pancreatic cancer this year.
Aagard hopes people will volunteer at the institute to fight against all types of cancer.
“Everything helps, whether it [is] spending time with patients or knitting scarves and hats. Everyone has a role to play in finding a cure for cancer,” she said. “The time is now to work together to wage hope against this horrible disease.”
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