Cancer-Fighting Recipe: Simple Snap Peas with Cucumber and Ginger

Sugar snap peas are rich in Vitamin C.

This pea with an edible pod is half the calories of regular peas and high in fiber, vitamin C, K, A and folic acid. Cucumbers have a compound called lignans which provides nourishment to your gut bacteria and has anti-inflammatory properties. Adding lemon juice and ginger to vegetables are great ways to spark your taste buds as well as obtain great cancer fighters called limonene and gingerol.

This salad is very refreshing and easy.

Snap Peas with Cucumber and Ginger

Serves 4 with 10 minute prep time

Ingredients:

• ½ lb. of sugar snap peas, trimmed and thinly sliced
• ½ English cucumber, sliced (can substitute peeled and seeded local cucumbers when they are in season)
• 1 shallot, thinly sliced

Dressing:

• 2 Tb. Olive oil
• 2 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
• 1 Tbs. grated ginger
• 1 tsp. sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Prep the sugar snap peas, cucumber and shallot and toss in a salad bowl.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the oil, lemon juice, ginger, sugar, salt and pepper.
3. Combine the dressing and the chopped vegetables.

Source: www.realsimple.com

How the Basser Research Center for BRCA at Penn is Helping People with BRCA like Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie announced in a New York Times op-ed piece titled “My Medical Choice” she had a preventative (prophylactic) double mastectomy earlier this year.

A mastectomy is a procedure that removes part, or all of the breast.

Jolie, 37, announced she had the procedure after learning she carries a mutation of the BRCA1 gene, which sharply increases her risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

From her op-ed piece in the New York Times, Jolie says:

“We often speak of ‘Mommy’s mommy,” and I find myself trying to explain the illness that took her away from us. They have asked if the same could happen to me. I have always told them not to worry, but the truth is I carry a “faulty” gene, BRCA1, which sharply increases my risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Once I knew that this was my reality, I decided to be proactive and to minimize the risk as much I could. I made a decision to have a preventive double mastectomy."

How the Basser Research Center for BRCA at Penn is Helping Women with BRCA like Angelina Jolie

The Basser Research Center for BRCA at Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center was created to lead the revolution in defeating BRCA-related cancers. Through visionary philanthropy by Jon and Mindy Gray, the Basser Center was created as the first comprehensive center of its kind, featuring a remarkable breadth and depth of talent and resources as well as pioneering research that cannot be found anywhere else in the nation.

Increasingly, women at high risk for breast cancer are choosing prophylactic mastectomy to greatly reduce their chance of getting breast cancer.

“Prophylactic mastectomy reduces breast cancer risk by at least 90 percent,” says Rebecca Mueller, MS, CGC, certified genetic counselor and outreach coordinator at the Basser Research Center for BRCA.

Mueller explains, “Prophylactic mastectomy reduces breast cancer risk by about 90 percent. Whether someone elects prophylactic mastectomy involves a lot of factors. The breast cancer risk profiles for BRCA1 and BRCA2 are slightly different, so the counseling is very individualized. At the end of the day, women’s personal experiences with breast cancer may inform their choices. Women who have lost loved ones to breast cancer are more likely to get prophylactic mastectomies. Women from families full of breast cancer survivors may make other choices.”

Indeed, while prophylactic mastectomy stories often make the front page, at least as many women at increased risk for breast cancer choose other methods of managing their risk like enhanced breast cancer screening or risk-reducing medications. Jessica Long, CGC, a genetic counselor at Penn’s Basser Research Center for BRCA explains that “this is generally a very personal decision for each woman, even within the same family.”

Cancer Genetic Counseling at Penn

Cancer genetic counseling is an extremely important step in defining one’s cancer risk and considering interventions to address it. Genetic counseling with genetic counselors can help people who are concerned about their family history of cancer by:

1. Determining if genetic testing is appropriate for a family
2. Interpreting genetic test results, since mutations in different cancer genes confer different risks
3. Estimating cancer risks based on family history if no gene mutations can be identified

If a gene mutation is identified in a family, then family members can undergo genetic testing for that mutation to learn if they have inherited the increased cancer risk or not. For example, a mother or father with a BRCA1 mutation has a 50 percent chance of passing it on to each child. Despite the family history, individuals who do not inherit the mutation are typically at average risk for cancer.

Genetic counselors can also provide information on cancer risk by decade of life, information that can help women decide not just if but when to consider prophylactic surgery or other measures to manage cancer risk.

Penn’s Mariann and Robert MacDonald Women’s Cancer Risk Evaluation Center provides consultation with certified genetic counselors and medical oncologists.

Learn more about BRCA and hereditary cancer risk at Penn. 

Help Penn Discover New Ways to Help Women and Men with BRCA1 and BRCA2

The Basser Research Center for BRCA is dedicated to the improvement in basic understanding, clinical care, and development of new therapies targeting BRCA1/2 related cancers. Join the revolution and speed the pace of discovery, helping more women like Angelina Jolie empower themselves with knowledge about their risk for cancer by making a gift today.

Collaborative Science Brings New Approaches to Pancreatic Cancer Treatment

Christine Wilson, cancer survivor, shares her experiences from the Abramson Cancer Center’s 2013- Focus on Pancreatic Cancer Conference. In this blog, she discusses Stand Up To Cancer, and the pancreatic Dream Team at Penn Medicine.

Jeffrey Drebin, MD, PhD

Jeffrey Drebin, MD, PhD, recently spoke about the pancreatic cancer initiative funded by Stand Up To Cancer at the 2nd Focus on Pancreatic Cancer Conference. This grant from Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) includes scientists and clinicians from Penn, Johns Hopkins and a number of other leading institutions, working together, sharing knowledge and data to develop new treatments for pancreatic cancer. The SU2C grant has led to enrolling over 1,000 patients in clinical trials, with the results of those trials generating new trials that are underway or planned. The SU2C trials are not only multidisciplinary, and multi-institutional, but also translational—meaning that that they are seeking new understanding of the biology and genetics of pancreatic cancer, in order to apply that knowledge to developing new treatments. Promising areas of research include new ways to deliver drugs to cancers, better understanding of the role of neighboring tissue, the stroma, in promoting cancer growth, new approaches to metabolic therapies—those that deprive the cancer cell of needed nutrients, and identifying unique targets on pancreatic cancer cells for which new drugs can be developed.

“We know that pancreatic cancer is an increasing cause of cancer death, and we know that we have not had enough long term survivors of this disease,” says Dr. Drebin, “but we believe that this research will take us to the next stages of treatment, and better outcomes.”

Learn more about Penn Medicine's Pancreatic Cancer Dream Team

At Penn, Care for People with Cancer From All Specialties

A cancer diagnosis is unexpected and often devastating. Shock can quickly give way to fear. But for Kathy Brandt, these emotions were followed immediately by a practical resolve.

“It’s truly terrifying," says Kathy. "After that initial diagnosis when you feel like you’ve been hit by a ton of bricks, the decision needs to be made where you’re going to seek treatment.”

Kathy was diagnosed with lung cancer, and chose to be treated at the Roberts Proton Therapy Center at Penn Medicine.

“Penn Medicine was a wonderful choice for us,” Kathy explains. “They use a team approach.”

This team approach means patients have the advantage of a multidisciplinary care philosophy at Penn Medicine. Kathy saw an oncologist, a surgeon and a radiation oncologist, who recommended proton therapy to treat her cancer after surgery.

Also at the Roberts Proton Therapy Center, Penn Medicine provides other specialists to address every aspect of cancer from pre to post treatment, including:

• Dietitians
• Dosimetrists
• Integrative medicine physicians
• Nurses
• Patient navigation specialists
• Radiation therapists
• Social workers

This is all part of the comprehensive treatment services offered at the Roberts Proton Therapy Center. The center’s world-renowned team of experts is dedicated to providing multidisciplinary cancer care focused on a patient’s particular type of cancer.

Caroline Hogue also chose proton therapy at the Roberts Proton Therapy Center as part of her esophageal cancer treatment.

Caroline Hogue (right) with her sister at a LIVESTRONG event.

“Picking a world-class hospital that has all kinds of care, all in one place, is just a phenomenal choice and the right choice for me,” Caroline says.

Patients choose proton therapy because it has fewer side effects than conventional radiation treatments, targeting cancer cells with accuracy and precision. They choose Penn Medicine because of the standard of care for which Penn is known.

“I’m convinced that I would not be here if I had not had the care that I have had at Penn,” Caroline says.

“We are here to do everything we possibly can to help the patient, medically, emotionally, in every possible way, get through treatment,” says Stephen Hahn MD, chair of radiation oncology at Penn Medicine.

“Having doctors and staff co-locate in one place allows them to share different ideas about patient care, and really discuss and get to the heart of a patient’s problem,”says Dr. Hahn.

Offering multidisciplinary care at Penn Medicine stems from the philosophy that the patient always comes first.

“We are here to serve the patient,” says Dr. Hahn. “You should expect that your doctor will tell you about all the different options. Patients deserve to hear about those different options so that they can make the best and most informed decision about their care.”

This approach put patients like Kathy and Caroline at ease and helped them make the decision to choose Penn proton therapy treatment. For Kathy, the successful outcome of her treatment has allowed her to put behind those initial fearful emotions.

“My perspective coming out the other side now is not to sweat the small stuff,” says Kathy. “I like to garden. I like to fish. I like to spend time with my family and friends and especially my grandchildren. That’s really the most important thing to me right now.”

Cancer-Fighting Recipe: Cream of Watercress Soup

This vitamin and phytocehmical rich soup is so fresh and light in taste and doesn’t have any cream in it at all!

Watercress can have a radish taste but mellows when cooked and is considered a cruciferous vegetable. Cruciferous vegetables have many cancer-fighting properties and may boost the immune system as well.

Thyme has the essential oil thymol in it which may have antiseptic and antifungal properties.

Parsley is usually used as a garnish to cleanse the palate but it is also vitamin and phytocehmical rich as well as.

This soup is really fast to put together. You can have it on the table in 30 minutes. Watercress has a wonderful, peppery taste and is full of vitamins A, C and K. Adding the finely diced stalks gives the soup extra flavor, while the butter or cannellini beans give it a higher protein content than the usual potatoes and a creamy texture and taste without dairy. If you cook your own beans, add the liquid they were cooked in and cut back on the stock proportionately. If you aren’t vegetarian, try making this soup with chicken stock.

The website, Cook for Your Life, where this recipe was taken, also provides great recipes that are indexed by symptom and are made from wholesome foods.

Cream of Watercress Soup

Soups Serves: 4-6 Prep: 20 - 30 min

Ingredients

• 3 bunches watercress, washed well
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
• 1 medium onion, diced
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 (15-ounce) cans of white or cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 6 cups vegetable stock or water
• 2 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley, plus more for garnish

Directions

1. Finely dice the thick stalks of the watercress. Set aside. Break up the leafy greens into leaflets, discarding any remaining thick main stems. Set aside and reserve some for garnish.
2. Heat the oil in a heavy soup pot over medium-high heat. When it starts to ripple, add the onions, diced watercress stalks and thyme. Fry until the onion starts to soften. Turn the heat down to medium, sprinkle with a little sea salt and cover. Sweat the vegetables for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring from time to time. Don’t let them burn or color!
3. Add the beans and their liquid and stir to mix well with the vegetables. Add the stock if using canned beans. Bring to a boil. Turn the heat down and cook until the beans are heated through and can be easily smashed against the side of the pan with a spoon, about 10 minutes.
4. Add the watercress leaflets to the soup and cook for 5 minutes, until they wilt. Blend the soup until smooth in a blender or with an immersion blender. Bring back to a simmer, add all the watercress leaves and the chopped parsley, and cook a minute more and taste for seasoning. 
5. Serve immediately.

The Benefits of Being an NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center

The Abramson Cancer Center has been designated a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) since 1973, one of only 40 such centers in the country.
The NCI recognizes cancer centers around the country that meet rigorous criteria for world-class, state-of-the-art programs in multidisciplinary cancer research.

The NCI supports cancer centers that have dedicated significant resources into developing research programs, faculty, and facilities that will lead to better approaches to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer.

What are the Benefits of Being an NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center?

The benefits of NCI-designation for cancer centers include:

• Recognition of excellence in cancer research.
• Membership in the community of NCI-designated cancer centers, and a "seat at the table" where the strategic plans and initiatives of NCI are formed.
• Opportunity to represent the needs of its local community in national dialogue on cancer research issues.
• Opportunities for extensive information sharing and broader scientific collaborations with other NCI centers.

For patients who come to a comprehensive cancer center like the Abramson Cancer Center, this means they receive treatment from a cancer center that is leading the way in cancer care through research, and has access to the latest advances in diagnosis, care and technology backed by a multidisciplinary approach to cancer care.

Patients who come to Penn Medicine can rest assured their medical team is in constant communication and art of a greater team of experts, clinicians and researchers leading the way in cancer care.

Learn more about cancer research at the Abramson Cancer Center.

Funding for Cancer Research Saves Lives and Dollars

Christine Wilson, cancer survivor, shares her experiences from the Abramson Cancer Center’s 2013- Focus on Pancreatic Cancer Conference. In this blog, she discusses funding for cancer research.

Margaret Foti, PhD, chief executive officer of the American Association for Cancer Research, opened the 2nd Focus on Pancreatic Cancer Conference with a comprehensive overview of the progress made against cancer and the challenges facing researchers, clinicians and patients today. Dr. Foti noted that while there has been significant progress in a “new era of science and medicine,” the global incidence of cancer continues to rise, and “we have not stemmed the tide of many major cancers.”

She pointed to the ongoing need to foster innovative approaches, exemplified by the work at the Abramson Cancer Center, in order to reach the point where we can “deliver the right dose of the right drug to the right patient at the right time.” She also noted that in many instances, cancer is increasingly becoming a chronic disease. Penn, she noted, is “uniquely equipped to translate research, provide access to clinical trials, multidisciplinary treatment and expertise in treating rare and difficult cancers.”

Dr. Foti called on the audience to support a “decisive assault on cancer, harnessing the collective knowledge, passion and smarts of scientists and clinicians from a broad spectrum of fields. She pointed to Stand Up To Cancer’s $200 million commitment in cancer research, which includes a grant to Penn to study new approaches to pancreatic cancer, as an outstanding example of an innovative funding mechanism that brings together researchers from different disciplines and institutions. Dr. Foti called on the audience to tap the power of individuals, the power of public leaders and the power of patient leaders to make cancer research a national priority.

Learn more about Penn Medicine's Stand Up To Cancer Pancreatic Cancer Dream Team here.