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Sweden Leads The Way In Monitoring Low-Risk Prostate Cancer Through Active Surveillance

December 5, 2022

On November 17th, specialists from the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Michigan discussed their methods for achieving very high levels of active monitoring during a webinar hosted by the Active Surveillance Coalition. Although active surveillance has been shown to prevent prostate cancer overtreatment, most nations still neglect it. According to American models, cost-effective prostate cancer screening requires more widespread active monitoring. Facts About Prostate Cancer Men throughout the world get prostate cancer. With 1.3 million new cases and 358,989 deaths annually, it is the second most common male malignancy after lung cancer. The American Cancer Society predicts that there will be 268,000 cases of prostate cancer diagnosed in the United States in 2022, an increase of 20,000 cases from 2021. Men with low-risk prostate cancer were often treated aggressively with radiation or surgery until recently (over the past decade). Both are effective in curing low-risk prostate cancer but come with substantial risks, including urinary issues and erectile dysfunction that can last a lifetime- it’s where Active Surveillance (AS) comes in. What is Active Surveillance For Prostate Cancer? Active surveillance is a treatment option for low-grade, slowly developing prostate cancer patients. This entails keeping an

Impact of Race & Ethnicity on Cancer Treatment and Outcomes

November 15, 2022

Every person facing cancer deserves access to clear information, personalized treatment, and meaningful support. But for many people in historically marginalized communities, that isn’t always the reality. Research shows that Black patients are more comfortable working with providers of the same race, yet only about 3% of oncologists in the U.S. are Black (Scientific American, 2021). This lack of representation can lead to less participation in conversations during appointments and may contribute to delays in diagnosis, missed referrals, and lower overall satisfaction with care. Providers themselves acknowledge this gap. Many report that care for African American patients could be improved through greater cultural sensitivity, stronger education and training, and more diverse care teams (Smith et al., 2008). The need is especially urgent when it comes to critical topics like end-of-life care, genetic testing, and treatment planning—where disparities can have lasting consequences. When the Data Doesn’t Reflect Everyone Most treatment guidelines and survival estimates in cancer care are based on clinical trials and population statistics from sources like the National Cancer Institute and American Cancer Society. But here’s the problem: ethnic and racial minorities are often underrepresented in those trials, even though these same groups experience higher cancer mortality rates than

Real-World Evidence, Real Lives: Why Personalization Matters in Cancer Care

November 1, 2022

A cancer diagnosis doesn’t come with a map. And too often, the guidance that follows feels one-size-fits-all—especially when the decisions are deeply personal. “They showed me the national guidelines, but none of it felt like it was written for someone with my health history—or my life. I left the appointment with more questions than answers.” This is where the current system falls short. Many treatment decisions are guided by data from clinical trials—trials that often exclude older adults, people with other conditions like diabetes or heart disease, and those from underrepresented communities (Scientific American, 2021). As a result, people are asked to make life-altering decisions based on data that doesn’t reflect their reality. Averages Don’t Speak for Individuals Let’s say two people are diagnosed with the same type of cancer. One is 42, with no other health issues. The other is 68, with COPD and a strong desire to maintain independence and energy. They need different things from their treatment. Yet, both are likely to be shown the same survival curve or treatment pathway—because it’s based on a narrow sample of trial participants, not people with real-world complexity. But the 68 year old member is adamant he doesn’t necessarily want

5 Common Myths About Breast Cancer

October 30, 2022

A breast cancer diagnosis can bring fear, confusion, and a flood of questions. And during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it’s not just about raising visibility—it’s about replacing fear with facts and clearing up common misunderstandings that can keep people from getting the care or clarity they need. This month, more than 22,000 people in the U.S. will receive a breast cancer diagnosis. While it’s the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women, it can affect anyone—with or without risk factors, with or without a family history. Let’s take a moment to clear up some of the most common myths. Myth #1: Breast cancer only affects women.The truth is, anyone with breast tissue can get breast cancer. While men account for less than 1% of diagnoses in the U.S., that still means more than 2,000 men will be diagnosed this year. Awareness and early detection matter—regardless of gender. Myth #2: If you have the BRCA gene, you’re more likely to get cancer.It’s a bit more complicated. Everyone has BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes—they help prevent cancer by repairing cell damage. But some people inherit mutated forms of these genes, which don’t function properly. That mutation increases the likelihood of developing breast

All About Breast Cancer

October 10, 2022

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month—a time to raise visibility, share knowledge, and support the millions of people affected by this disease. Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the U.S., second only to skin cancer (American Cancer Society, 2022). About 1 in 8 women—roughly 13%—will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. And while far less common, breast cancer also affects men. This month alone, nearly 22,000 people in the U.S. will hear the words, “You have breast cancer.” A diagnosis can feel overwhelming—but you are not alone. Risk Factors: What Increases the Risk of Breast Cancer? Some risk factors for breast cancer can be controlled, while others cannot. Among the non-preventable risk factors are: What You Should Know About BRCA Genes There’s a common misconception that the BRCA genes cause cancer. In fact, everyone has BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes—they help prevent cancer by repairing damaged DNA. The risk increases only when these genes are mutated or broken, making it harder for the body to detect and stop abnormal cell growth. People with a BRCA mutation have a 50%–70% chance of developing breast cancer by age 70 (National Cancer Institute, 2023). But it’s also

What is comorbidity and why does it matter?

September 15, 2022

When people hear the words “you have cancer,” the focus often narrows immediately to the tumor—its size, location, stage, and treatment options. But for many, cancer isn’t the only medical condition they’re living with. Other chronic conditions—like heart disease, diabetes, or kidney disease—may be part of the picture too. That’s where comorbidity comes in. Comorbidities are other health conditions a person has in addition to cancer. And they matter—a lot. In fact, comorbidities can significantly influence which treatments are safe, what outcomes are likely, and whether certain approaches will do more harm than good (Piccirillo et al., 2008). Nearly 30 such conditions commonly affect cancer treatment and prognosis enough to be considered during care planning (NCI, 2023). Looking Beyond the Tumor Doctors have long recognized the role of comorbidities in cancer care. Tools like the Adult Comorbidity Evaluation-27 (ACE-27) make it easier to document and consider these other diagnoses when making treatment decisions (Piccirillo et al., 2004). Why does this matter? Because in many cases, the other conditions someone lives with—not the cancer itself—have a greater impact on how they’ll respond to treatment. For example, among men with prostate cancer, comorbidities are often more predictive of survival than the cancer’s

The Benefits of Shared Decision-Making

September 1, 2022

A cancer diagnosis can bring with it a wave of uncertainty. For many people, the moment they hear the word cancer is the moment life splits into a “before” and an “after.” What follows is often a series of decisions—complex, deeply personal, and life-altering. In these moments, shared decision-making becomes more than a best practice. It becomes a source of clarity and connection. Shared decision-making invites people to take an active role in their care, working together with their care team to weigh the medical facts alongside their personal values, preferences, and goals. It doesn’t mean choosing alone—it means choosing together. What Shared Decision-Making Can Look Like One of our members, newly diagnosed with advanced lung cancer, described her experience this way: “I thought I only had one path. I didn’t know there were options, or that I could ask questions. When someone finally walked me through the choices—and what they’d mean for me—I felt like I could breathe again.” That kind of relief—the moment when fear gives way to understanding—is what shared decision-making makes possible. Why It Matters Research shows that people who participate in shared decision-making are more likely to choose treatments that align with their values and

Why Early Cancer Detection Can Make All the Difference

August 30, 2022

Hearing the word cancer can bring a flood of emotions—fear, confusion, uncertainty. It’s a moment that changes everything. But across so many types of cancer, the outlook is improving. Thanks to new discoveries and better tools, people are living longer, fuller lives after diagnosis—especially when the disease is found early (American Cancer Society, 2022). Early detection doesn’t take away the difficulty of a diagnosis, but it can open the door to more treatment options, fewer complications, and a better chance at healing. It gives people time—not just for medical decisions, but for deeply personal ones too. How Early Detection Works Cancer often grows silently. That’s why screening matters—it can find signs of cancer long before symptoms appear. These tests are typically recommended for people at average or higher risk, depending on age, family history, and other factors. Mammograms, Pap smears, colonoscopies, and low-dose CT scans are all examples of tools that can catch cancer at an earlier, more treatable stage (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, 2021). When cancer is found early, it’s often still localized—meaning it hasn’t yet spread to other parts of the body. In many cases, this makes treatment more effective and less aggressive. It can also mean

Is truly personalized cancer treatment possible?

August 15, 2022

When you hear the term personalized medicine, you might think of a treatment plan designed just for you—and in cancer care, that’s increasingly becoming a reality. Personalized cancer treatment, also known as precision oncology, uses a person’s genetic and molecular profile to tailor treatment strategies to the unique characteristics of their cancer1. Genes hold the instructions for how cells grow and change. In cancer, certain genes may be mutated or behave abnormally. Understanding these variations has led to the development of more precise diagnostics, more effective therapies, and a new generation of targeted treatments designed to hit cancer at its molecular roots2. Compared to conventional approaches, personalized treatment may offer fewer side effects and better outcomes because it’s designed with a patient’s specific cancer in mind—not a one-size-fits-all model3. What Personalized Cancer Treatment Can Include Personalized cancer care goes beyond just matching a drug to a mutation. It can help guide decisions across the entire journey: These strategies can help people with cancer feel more confident in their care and more supported in their decisions. What’s Holding Personalized Treatment Back? While the science is promising, access to personalized care still has gaps: Still, the field is moving quickly. As researchers

Ardynn Blog

Sweden Leads The Way In Monitoring Low-Risk Prostate Cancer Through Active Surveillance

Impact of Race & Ethnicity on Cancer Treatment and Outcomes

Real-World Evidence, Real Lives: Why Personalization Matters in Cancer Care

5 Common Myths About Breast Cancer

All About Breast Cancer

What is comorbidity and why does it matter?

The Benefits of Shared Decision-Making

Why Early Cancer Detection Can Make All the Difference

Is truly personalized cancer treatment possible?

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