UNDER CONSTRUCTION. More t/c Third Annual Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research (AACR), by Ann E. Fonfa I was the only self-identified advocate at this important meeting. For many years I heard advocates discuss the idea that we need to look into prevention, spend more money, move away from treatment issues (as too little) and ‘early’ detection (not early enough). This conference, larger than the prior years, was filled with researchers who scent a growing area (funding). This is good. More attention is being paid to ideas, concepts and research on prevention. Held in Seattle, WA, it began on Saturday, October 16. Six educational sessions started the conference. I attended Session 5: Screening and Prevention in the Genetically Predisposed. The chairperson was Gloria M. Petersen, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. Research has shown that the “cancer risk is modifiable” and development of cancer is not necessarily inevitable. The session was presented as an “overview of the research approaches, both observational and interventional…describe the rationale for studying chemopreventive agents, prophylactic surgery, and screening, and review the current status of these approaches in hereditary colon cancer and breast/ovarian cancer”. Dr. Petersen was the first speaker and mentioned the need to look into major and minor genes, and possibly more screening after a negative test. John A. Baron, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, NH spoke about “Chemoprevention and Screening in Persons at Genetic Risk for Colorectal Cancer. Much of hereditary colorectal cancer is related to FAP (a prevalence of polyps which may appear at an early age). But of course more than 80% is sporadic and ¾ of those are ‘environmental’. 15% is considered to be familial. There is also an increased risk of thyroid cancer (but Baron stated that the prognosis is ‘good’). In HNPCC syndrome, (hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer), Cox-2 is overexpressed but less than in ‘sporadic’ colon cancer. Aspirin has been shown to inhibit this growth. (see below for review of press release on aspirin). From the abstract: Poor nutrition is estimated to be a major risk factor in up to one third of cancer deaths. By inference, cancer incidence, morbidity and mortality can be reduced substantially through implementation of dietary change. While there is no consensus as to the positive dietary risk factors for cancer it is accepted that low fruit and vegetable consumption is associated with increased risk. Evidence that a diet rich in plant-based foods protects against cancer comes primarily from epidemiological studies but gives no indication as to which components are cytotoxic or how. By using biomarkers of genetic instability as surrogate endpoints for human tumors and cancer the ability of phytochemicals to influence malignant transformation can be investigated. Ann’s NOTE: I spent a lot of time at this conference pressing for a recommendation on healthy eating to begin now. I believe the oncology community has to step up without waiting another thirty-forty years for research to clarify exactly what elements in fruits and vegetables are good for us. I tried to bring the concept of URGENCY to these people whose life work is dealing with the research. I believe most are genuinely motivated to do good (while doing well), but lack that urgency advocates and patients bring to the issues. Also I do not see a down side in stating that fruits and vegetables are beneficial. There has NEVER been any indication that foods are harmful unless someone has a specific allergy or food sensitivity. I suggested that the worst thing that could happen would be that people reduced their risk of heart disease and maybe diabetes. Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.