TheoryLab

Every year the American Cancer Society estimates the number of new cancer cases and deaths that will occur nationally and in each state. Published annually since 1951, “Cancer Facts & Figures” provides the most current information about cancer. These widely cited projections serve as a basis for research, are a valued resource by policymakers, and are also readily understood by the public.

How many new cancer cases are there projected to be in 2021? What are the current cancer incidence, mortality, and survival statistics? What’s the latest information on cancer symptoms and risk factors?

The just-released “Cancer Facts & Figures 2021” and “Cancer Statistics 2021” provide a comprehensive breakdown of the most up-to-date cancer statistics. This year’s report also includes a special section on cancer and COVID-19. To find Cancer Facts & Figures 2021, as well as slides and an interactive tool where you can dive deeper into the data, visit http://cancer.org/statistics

Rebecca Siegel, MPH, is lead author of these publications. She is a cancer epidemiologist and Senior Scientific Director of Surveillance Research at the American Cancer Society. Ms. Siegel directs the production of 7 Facts & Figures publications and their accompanying scientific articles, including the Cancer Facts & Figures 2021, which was published January 12.

Her other research focuses on disparities in cancer incidence and mortality with an emphasis on colorectal cancer, particularly early-onset disease. Her research contributed to a shift in the age at which the American Cancer Society recommends beginning colorectal cancer screening.

3:00 – Rebecca Siegel on Cancer Facts & Figures 2021 and Cancer Statistics 2021

4:54 – Where does this cancer data come from?

8:01 – The differences between Cancer Facts & Figures 2021 and Cancer Statistics 2021

10:30 – What makes these publications so important?

13:16 – On the importance of her team’s findings on early onset colorectal cancer, and how this research led to an update in guidelines on when to start screening

17:37 – Findings shared in the special section on COVID-19 and cancer

22:15 – On what findings surprised her in this year’s edition

24:47 – A hopeful takeaway from Cancer Facts & Figures 2021

NCI-designated Cancer Centers play leading roles in their communities through cancer research, cancer prevention and control, and clinical research.

Being the director of a Cancer Center is a position of immense responsibility. Now imaging taking on that role during a pandemic.

Joann Sweasy, PhD—the inaugural holder of the Nancy C. and Craig M. Berge Endowed Chair for the Director of the University of Arizona Cancer Center—joined the podcast to talk about her approach to the position and how the Cancer Center has dealt with the challenges presented by COVID-19.

She also talked about her lab’s ongoing research into DNA damage and repair and how that relates to cancer.

And she spoke at length about mentoring, women in science issues, and what it was like to study under Dr. Evelyn Witkin, one of the leading cancer researchers of our time. Dr. Witkin helped change our understanding of DNA repair. In 1946, when the American Cancer Society’s extramural research program was launched, Dr. Witkin was one of the first female researchers funded by ACS.

3:33 – Joann Sweasy, PhD, Inaugural holder of the Nancy C. and Craig M. Berge Endowed Chair for the Director of the University of Arizona Cancer Center

5:09 – On the role that NCI-Designated Cancer Centers play in cancer prevention, clinical service, and research

8:32 – How her colleagues at the Cancer Center have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic to continue supporting cancer patients, caregivers, and researchers

10:07 – On how the pandemic has provided some unexpected silver linings

13:19 – Some of the ways that research into COVID-19 will benefit cancer patients

17:14 – On her lab’s research into DNA damage and repair and why this is critical to understanding cancer

20:08 – Recent research findings in her lab that she’s most excited about

25:08 – What it was like to train under the great Dr. Evelyn Witkin

28:08 – On some of the caregiving and work-life balance challenges faced by cancer researchers in 2020…

31:11 – …and how academic institutions and research funders could help

34:58 – Advice for young women pursuing a career in science

36:58 – The impact of ACS funding (and peer review) on her career

39:49 – A message she’d like to share with cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers

NCI-designated Cancer Centers play leading roles in their communities through cancer research, cancer prevention and control, and clinical research.

Being the director of a Cancer Center is a position of immense responsibility. Now imaging taking on that role during a pandemic.

Joann Sweasy, PhD—the inaugural holder of the Nancy C. and Craig M. Berge Endowed Chair for the Director of the University of Arizona Cancer Center—joined the podcast to talk about her approach to the position and how the Cancer Center has dealt with the challenges presented by COVID-19.

She also talked about her lab’s ongoing research into DNA damage and repair and how that relates to cancer.

And she spoke at length about mentoring, women in science issues, and what it was like to study under Dr. Evelyn Witkin, one of the leading cancer researchers of our time. Dr. Witkin helped change our understanding of DNA repair. In 1946, when the American Cancer Society’s extramural research program was launched, Dr. Witkin was one of the first female researchers funded by ACS.

3:33 – Joann Sweasy, PhD, Inaugural holder of the Nancy C. and Craig M. Berge Endowed Chair for the Director of the University of Arizona Cancer Center

5:09 – On the role that NCI-Designated Cancer Centers play in cancer prevention, clinical service, and research

8:32 – How her colleagues at the Cancer Center have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic to continue supporting cancer patients, caregivers, and researchers

10:07 – On how the pandemic has provided some unexpected silver linings

13:19 – Some of the ways that research into COVID-19 will benefit cancer patients

17:14 – On her lab’s research into DNA damage and repair and why this is critical to understanding cancer

20:08 – Recent research findings in her lab that she’s most excited about

25:08 – What it was like to train under the great Dr. Evelyn Witkin

28:08 – On some of the caregiving and work-life balance challenges faced by cancer researchers in 2020…

31:11 – …and how academic institutions and research funders could help

34:58 – Advice for young women pursuing a career in science

36:58 – The impact of ACS funding (and peer review) on her career

39:49 – A message she’d like to share with cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers

Dr. Stacey Finley develops mathematical models to better understand cancer, tumor growth, and the effectiveness of different therapies.

Her team creates a mathematical representation of what’s happening in biology, so they can understand how reactions are happening in cells, how cells are interacting with one other, and how that influences the growth of a tumor.

They can use that data to create simulations and make predictions about what could happen, all with the goal of finding more effective treatments for cancer patients.

Using mathematical modeling, “we can try as many ideas as we can think of, in a shorter amount of time, with fewer resources, and with fewer dollars to spend, compared to doing experimental studies.”

Dr. Finley provides the best explanation of mathematical modeling you’re likely to hear. But she also spoke at length about her approach to scientific mentoring and had wonderful advice for other young women of color who are aspiring scientists.

Stacey Finley, PhD, is Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering and the Gordon S. Marshall Early Career Chair at the University of Southern California.

3:51 – On systems biology and why it’s important to understand networks of reactions happening inside of cells instead of looking at one reaction at a time

5:38 – Why the immune system is a nice platform for looking at system-level behavior

8:22 – Mathematical modeling? What is that?

11:00 – Some great examples of how mathematical models are helpful to understanding cancer

15:20 – The process: use experimental data and clinical data to build a reliable mathematical model to make useful predictions; do simulations; make predictions; work with collaborators to test and validate the predictions; impact patient care

19:03 – An aspect of her research she’s particularly excited about

26:23 – Her approach to scientific mentoring and lessons she’s learned along the way

31:18 – Advice for aspiring mathematicians, scientists, and engineers who are young women of color

35:05 – Ways that she thinks funding agencies could make careers in cancer research more inclusive

40:01 – How ACS funding has impacted her research and career

45:04 – A message she’d like to share with people whose lives have been impacted by cancer

Dr. Stacey Finley develops mathematical models to better understand cancer, tumor growth, and the effectiveness of different therapies.

Her team creates a mathematical representation of what’s happening in biology, so they can understand how reactions are happening in cells, how cells are interacting with one other, and how that influences the growth of a tumor.

They can use that data to create simulations and make predictions about what could happen, all with the goal of finding more effective treatments for cancer patients.

Using mathematical modeling, “we can try as many ideas as we can think of, in a shorter amount of time, with fewer resources, and with fewer dollars to spend, compared to doing experimental studies.”

Dr. Finley provides the best explanation of mathematical modeling you’re likely to hear. But she also spoke at length about her approach to scientific mentoring and had wonderful advice for other young women of color who are aspiring scientists.

Stacey Finley, PhD, is Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering and the Gordon S. Marshall Early Career Chair at the University of Southern California.

3:51 – On systems biology and why it’s important to understand networks of reactions happening inside of cells instead of looking at one reaction at a time

5:38 – Why the immune system is a nice platform for looking at system-level behavior

8:22 – Mathematical modeling? What is that?

11:00 – Some great examples of how mathematical models are helpful to understanding cancer

15:20 – The process: use experimental data and clinical data to build a reliable mathematical model to make useful predictions; do simulations; make predictions; work with collaborators to test and validate the predictions; impact patient care

19:03 – An aspect of her research she’s particularly excited about

26:23 – Her approach to scientific mentoring and lessons she’s learned along the way

31:18 – Advice for aspiring mathematicians, scientists, and engineers who are young women of color

35:05 – Ways that she thinks funding agencies could make careers in cancer research more inclusive

40:01 – How ACS funding has impacted her research and career

45:04 – A message she’d like to share with people whose lives have been impacted by cancer

Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is the 2nd most common sub-type of lung cancer, accounting for around 30% of lung cancer diagnoses.

And it is a particularly deadly disease that’s characterized by poor therapeutic response, a high relapse rate, and poor prognosis. Furthermore, unlike other subtypes of lung cancer, to date there are no therapies to specifically target the LSCC subtype.

Verline Justilien, PhD, has an American Cancer Society grant to study an oncogenic protein called Ect2. Too much of it is a bad thing, and the more you have of it as a LSCC patient, the worse your prognosis is. What if we could know which patients have a worse prognosis, so we could treat them more aggressively? What if a therapy could target Ect2?

Dr. Justilien takes us through her very promising research into a kind of cancer where we urgently need progress. And she also

Verline Justilien, PhD, is Assistant Professor of Cancer Biology at the Mayo Clinic.

3:28 – What is lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC)?

5:33 – A goal of precision medicine is targeting and treating specific tumor types; but no therapies are available that specifically treat LSCC. Dr. Justilien talks about why that is.

8:40 – What is an oncogene?

9:53 – Why is the Ect2 oncogene so important…

11:54 - …and why is it so important in this sub-type of lung cancer?

14:33 – Could the levels of Ect2 in a lung squamous cell carcinoma patient be used to predict patient outcomes?

17:49 – On how her team is trying to target Ect2 therapeutically

19:04 – How ACS funding has impacted her research

21:08 –What advice would she have given to her high school self to encourage her to accomplish her dreams?

23:14 – While female college students of color report interest in STEM majors at an equivalent rate as white women students, they remain the least represented group in STEM. What could be done to attract and retain more women of color in research? How could ACS help?

26:39 – A message she’d like to share with cancer patients, caregivers, and survivors

Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is the 2nd most common sub-type of lung cancer, accounting for around 30% of lung cancer diagnoses.

And it is a particularly deadly disease that’s characterized by poor therapeutic response, a high relapse rate, and poor prognosis. Furthermore, unlike other subtypes of lung cancer, to date there are no therapies to specifically target the LSCC subtype.

Verline Justilien, PhD, has an American Cancer Society grant to study an oncogenic protein called Ect2. Too much of it is a bad thing, and the more you have of it as a LSCC patient, the worse your prognosis is. What if we could know which patients have a worse prognosis, so we could treat them more aggressively? What if a therapy could target Ect2?

Dr. Justilien takes us through her very promising research into a kind of cancer where we urgently need progress. And she also

Verline Justilien, PhD, is Assistant Professor of Cancer Biology at the Mayo Clinic.

3:28 – What is lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC)?

5:33 – A goal of precision medicine is targeting and treating specific tumor types; but no therapies are available that specifically treat LSCC. Dr. Justilien talks about why that is.

8:40 – What is an oncogene?

9:53 – Why is the Ect2 oncogene so important…

11:54 - …and why is it so important in this sub-type of lung cancer?

14:33 – Could the levels of Ect2 in a lung squamous cell carcinoma patient be used to predict patient outcomes?

17:49 – On how her team is trying to target Ect2 therapeutically

19:04 – How ACS funding has impacted her research

21:08 –What advice would she have given to her high school self to encourage her to accomplish her dreams?

23:14 – While female college students of color report interest in STEM majors at an equivalent rate as white women students, they remain the least represented group in STEM. What could be done to attract and retain more women of color in research? How could ACS help?

26:39 – A message she’d like to share with cancer patients, caregivers, and survivors

The number of adults aged 85 and older is expected to triple by 2060, due in large part to better treatments and a decline in tobacco use. Because cancer risk increases with age, demand for cancer care in this population will continue to grow.

William Dale, MD, PhD, joined the podcast to talk about the needs of older adults who are cancer patients and how we can better meet them.

He also talked about “The Elephant in the Room,” a film executive produced by Dr. Dale and his wife that depicts the real-life experiences of Bonnie Freeman, who was a nurse practitioner at City of Hope. Ms. Freeman, who wrote the screenplay for the film, tragically passed away shortly before the film’s release.

The film, which is available on Amazon Prime, is about a “comical nurse practitioner who treats his patients in an unconventional way, is challenged by a tough and stubborn patient, but is determined to show him the bright side, even when the end is so close.”

Amazon Prime: https://www.amazon.com/Elephant-Room-Niko-Vitacco/dp/B08GCNTZXQ

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8857090/

William Dale, MD, PhD, is Chair of Supportive Care Medicine and Director of the Center for Cancer and Aging Research at City of Hope, a comprehensive cancer center near Los Angeles.

4:49 – Unmet needs for older adults who are cancer patients

9:47 – On barriers preventing senior cancer patients from enrolling in clinical trials

13:34 – What strategies might decrease these barriers?

17:27 – Misconceptions and opportunities for impact in the field of palliative care

22:02 – On “The Elephant in the Room”

24:40 – How he hopes the film could help advance palliative care, and how it draws on the real-life experiences of nurse practitioners and social workers at City of Hope

29:36 – How to find “The Elephant in the Room” on Amazon Prime, and how a number of colleagues in medicine have commented on its realism

32:21 – How the American Cancer Society has impacted his research and clinical care

37:15 – Current research pursuits that he’s most excited about

42:19 – A message he’d like to share with cancer patients, survivors and caregivers

The number of adults aged 85 and older is expected to triple by 2060, due in large part to better treatments and a decline in tobacco use. Because cancer risk increases with age, demand for cancer care in this population will continue to grow.

William Dale, MD, PhD, joined the podcast to talk about the needs of older adults who are cancer patients and how we can better meet them.

He also talked about “The Elephant in the Room,” a film executive produced by Dr. Dale and his wife that depicts the real-life experiences of Bonnie Freeman, who was a nurse practitioner at City of Hope. Ms. Freeman, who wrote the screenplay for the film, tragically passed away shortly before the film’s release.

The film, which is available on Amazon Prime, is about a “comical nurse practitioner who treats his patients in an unconventional way, is challenged by a tough and stubborn patient, but is determined to show him the bright side, even when the end is so close.”

Amazon Prime: https://www.amazon.com/Elephant-Room-Niko-Vitacco/dp/B08GCNTZXQ

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8857090/

William Dale, MD, PhD, is Chair of Supportive Care Medicine and Director of the Center for Cancer and Aging Research at City of Hope, a comprehensive cancer center near Los Angeles.

4:49 – Unmet needs for older adults who are cancer patients

9:47 – On barriers preventing senior cancer patients from enrolling in clinical trials

13:34 – What strategies might decrease these barriers?

17:27 – Misconceptions and opportunities for impact in the field of palliative care

22:02 – On “The Elephant in the Room”

24:40 – How he hopes the film could help advance palliative care, and how it draws on the real-life experiences of nurse practitioners and social workers at City of Hope

29:36 – How to find “The Elephant in the Room” on Amazon Prime, and how a number of colleagues in medicine have commented on its realism

32:21 – How the American Cancer Society has impacted his research and clinical care

37:15 – Current research pursuits that he’s most excited about

42:19 – A message he’d like to share with cancer patients, survivors and caregivers

Clinical trials are the key step in advancing potential new cancer treatments out of the lab and into the clinic. Patient participation in trials is crucial to this success.

But only a small fraction of patients end up enrolling in a cancer clinical trial due to barriers that make participation difficult or even impossible. As a result, approximately 20% of cancer clinical trials fail due to insufficient patient enrollment. Understanding and addressing these barriers is critical to accelerating progress in cancer research.

Mark Fleury, PhD, is Policy Principal at ACS CAN – the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (https://www.fightcancer.org/). Dr. Fleury joined the podcast to help us understand where we are falling short and how we can reduce these barriers to patient enrollment in clinical trials.

5:36 – What is ACS CAN?

7:55 – A recent piece of cancer-related legislation where ACS CAN was involved that he is particularly proud of

13:07 – Why clinical trials in cancer research are so important to patients

16:23 – On barriers to clinical trial enrollment: ACS CAN resources note that “approximately 20% of cancer clinical trials fail due to insufficient patient enrollment.” Why are we falling short?

22:50 – Some of the recommendations ACS CAN has helped identify that would reduce barriers to enrollment in cancer clinical trials

27:04 – How clinical trial matching services could be improved

32:38 – On disparities in clinical trial participation