Encouraged About The Advances In cancer Research

by | Aug 4, 2013 | Cervical cancer, Recurrent cervical cancer | 10 comments

 
Last week I was able to tour MD Anderson’s campus and research facilities. In addition to research, I learned about the many services available to the patients. I now know that I did not fully utilize what was available to me. In my case, the likely reason was simply geography. I flew to MD Anderson for my chemo treatments and doctor appointmens and then home. I would have participated in more of the available programs had I lived closer. For example, services offered by the Integrative Medicine Center through both the Group Clinical Services and the Individual Clinical Services which range from nutrition lectures to Pilates and yoga. Patient services are endless. Everything from quiet rooms where you or your caregiver can sleep to a library where patients can research their specific diagnoses are the tip of the iceberg. The goal seems to genuinely be to help the patient navigate with many tools in their arsenal.   

Interesting Prevention Research

I read about the Cancer Prevention Department in the most recent Conquest magazine. Our tour took us by the Prevention Center which includes the behavioral research center. They are studying how certain behaviors have an impact on cancer prevention and recurrence. Of course, I’m interested in the research about exercise and it’s impact on cancer. Exercise has played a huge role in my journey and I believe whole-heartedly that being fit saved my life.
 

It’s Difficult To Comprehend The Size Of The Facility

Next, a quick stop at the medical research library. The library contains MD Anderson’s institutional archives and special collections including oral histories, manuscripts, photographs, and rare books on cancer medicine. The next stop was to see the model of MD Anderson. The campus is vast and comprised of many buildings. It’s difficult to comprehend the size and scope of the pure real estate involved. It was helpful to see the model to get my bearings as well as an aerial view of the numerous buildings. 

Groundbreaking Research In Layperson’s Terms

 
Our final stop was in an actual research lab specific to endometrial cancers. Endometrial cancer is defined as cancer that starts in the endometrium, the lining of the uterus. We met with a brilliant post-doctorate fellow who is doing research about CD73 and its impact on cancer cells.
I’m going to share this information in layman’s term because it’s how it makes sense to me. It’s my understanding CD73 is a finger-like membrane that covers the outside of cells. Without CD73 the cells don’t “stick” to each other and can divide quicker and move through our systems faster. The cells that do not have CD73 create multiple nuclei.
When examining cancer cells that lack CD73, it appears that they associated with more aggressive metastatic cancers. Cells that lack CD73 have been examined for other diseases and are responsive to drugs that are available. If a drug is found that restores (I’m not sure it’s a restoration) the CD73 to cancer cells there’s hope it will prevent the cancer cells from gaining strength and metastasizing during treatment. Makes sense, right?

 

All cancer Patients Need To Know That Research Is A Priority

 
It’s encouraging to hear about the research that is being done to fight cancer. Patients may not be aware of the incredible things that are happening outside of their doctors’ offices and chemotherapy rooms. I bet that if they knew, they would walk through the corridors of MD  Anderson with confidence. Confidence that advances increase their odds at living longer. As a patient, research gives me hope.  It’s saved my life.

10 Comments

  1. JoCarol

    Thank you. I'm currently looking into furnished apartment rentals. Nothing is cheap, that's for certain, and places don't know their availability until 7-14 days before check-in, which makes planning ahead difficult. Too, I'm on chemo weekly and I find it laborious. Anyway, it is kind of you to offer, but I think I'm doing all that can be done. Thank you anyway, though!

    Reply
  2. Linda

    If I can be a resource to you, please feel free to email me at info@mestrong.net. There are long term apartments you can rent as well. I can reach out to my contacts and get some information if you would like me to.

    Reply
  3. Linda

    If I can be a resource to you, please feel free to email me at info@mestrong.net. There are long term apartments you can rent as well. I can reach out to my contacts and get some information if you would like me to.

    Reply
  4. Linda

    I agree Karen. It certainly gives me hope when I get to hear the excitement in the researchers voices.

    Reply
  5. JoCarol

    I was so happy to find your site, especially your earlier post providing travel tips to MDA. I, too, will be headed there from Orlando; I will be there 8 weeks, beginning in mid September. MDA's website lists so many hotels, but it was great to read of your experiences. Thank you.

    Reply
  6. JoCarol

    I was so happy to find your site, especially your earlier post providing travel tips to MDA. I, too, will be headed there from Orlando; I will be there 8 weeks, beginning in mid September. MDA's website lists so many hotels, but it was great to read of your experiences. Thank you.

    Reply
  7. Anonymous

    Thank you for the interesting information about CD73. I think it would be healing and inspiring for every patient (if they wanted) to have the opportunity to visit the research lab. It can be good to know what is going on, and seeing it rather than just reading about it. We might not fully understand, but it can provide some valuable sense of hope.

    Reply

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