The Broken State Of Cancer Research, Cancer Detection & Cancer Drugs (& What We Can DO About It!) With Dr. Azra Raza.

Ben Greenfield

Sep 14, 2024

Episode description

In today's episode, you'll get to explore the world of early cancer detection with Dr. Azra Raza, a pioneering oncologist and professor of medicine. We discuss the anxiety-inducing issues surrounding current cancer screening methods like mammograms and colonoscopies and examine advanced alternatives such as GRAIL and Cologuard. Dr. Raza also shares her groundbreaking work in detecting "The First Cell" and explores the potential of biomarkers and wearable devices for early detection (check out her fascinating book on this topic for more invaluable information!).

In a deeply personal segment, Dr. Raza opens up about her late husband's battle with leukemia and how it shaped her understanding of cancer. We’ll also discuss the flaws in the current cancer research model, the financial struggles for innovative scientists, and the urgent need for better funding to accelerate progress.

Dr. Azra Raza is the Chan Soon-Shiong Professor of Medicine and Clinical Director of The Edward P. Evans Foundation MDS Center at Columbia University in New York. A practicing oncologist seeing 30–40 cancer patients weekly, she directs a basic cancer research lab with hundreds of original publications in high-profile journals. Her life is dedicated to the prevention of all chronic diseases, including cancer, by early detection. She worked with President Clinton, designing breakthrough developments in science and technology, and with President Joe Biden for the Cancer Moonshot initiative. Her latest book is a national bestseller and has been translated into nine languages.

Dr. Raza is now involved in First Cell Therapeutics, developing a specific antibody to target and remove the tumor macrophage hybrid cells that act as The First Cell giving rise to cancer.

Full show notes: https://bengreenfieldlife.com/firstcell

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Mindsip insights from this episode:

Challenge paycheck oncology to foster innovative research

Because researchers' salaries depend on grants, they are financially incentivized to pursue established research like mouse models rather than riskier, original ideas.

#research

Reevaluate cancer research methods to improve understanding

Cancer scientists are studying a disease they never see in animals that don't naturally get the disease.

#cancer

#research

Recognize increased cancer risk in survivors

One in five new cancers diagnosed each year in America appears in a person who is already a cancer survivor.

#cancer

#risk

Address climate change to combat rising childhood leukemia rates

Rising temperatures due to climate change are being directly linked to an increase in childhood leukemia.

#cancer

#environment

Recognize limitations of Galleri test in detecting early cancers

The Galleri blood test has a sensitivity of only 24% for stage one cancer, meaning it misses 70% of these early cases.

#cancer

#testing

Test smart bra technology for early breast cancer detection

A smart bra with tactile sensors that can detect changes in pressure and temperature is being tested at Stanford for early breast cancer detection.

#breast-cancer

#device

Utilize Ozempic and existing drugs for early cancer treatment

Treatments for the 'first cell' of cancer would be gentler, potentially using existing drugs like Ozempic, aspirin, or metformin.

#cancer

#GLP1

Reevaluate cancer drug development model due to high failure rate

95% of all experimental cancer drugs fail in trials, and the 5% that are approved only extend lifespan by an average of a few weeks.

#cancer

#clinical-trial

Recognize limitations of children's cells in adult cancer research

Even a child's cells are not a good model for adult cancer, as a 70-year-old's cells have received a 'thousand cuts' and metabolize drugs differently.