®, joined MJH Life Sciences in November 2020. Colleen is a graduate of Monmouth University, where she studied communication with a focus in journalism and public relations. In her free time, she enjoys learning to cook new meals, spending time with her adopted beagle, Molly, or sitting on the beach with a good book. Email her at 

Colleen Moretti

More than 700,000 new cancer cases worldwide in 2020 were attributed to alcohol usage, according to study results published in 

The data, according to Dr. Kevin Shield, show that more effective policies are needed to spread awareness and increase education on the risks associated with alcohol consumption and cancer.

“From a consumer rights perspective, there's a need to increase that awareness because people have a right to know if they're engaging in a certain type of health risk when they're engaging in a behavior,” Shield, an author on the study and head of the World Health Organization Pan American Health Organization Collaborating Center, said in an interview with CURE®.

Previous studies have shown that alcohol consumption is casually associated with an increased risk of cancer. To expand on that knowledge, Shield and colleagues sought to discover the amount of cancer cases in 2020 that were caused by alcohol consumption.

The study results showed that males made up most of the new cancer cases attributed to alcohol last year (568,700) and the most common cancers associated with consumption were of the esophagus (189,700), liver (154,700) and breast (98,300).

Shield, who is also an independent scientist at the Institute for Mental Health Policy Research at the Center for Addiction and Mental Health in Ontario, Canada, explained that alcohol increases a person’s risk of cancer because of its effects on the body. For instance, when alcohol comes into direct contact with the cells in the head and neck as well as the digestive system, Shield noted that it damages the DNA. Moreover, he said that the association of breast cancer and alcohol consumption comes from alcohol-induced hormonal dysregulations.

The data also demonstrated that heavy drinking was most associated with cancer at 346,400 cases, followed by risky drinking at 291,800 cases and moderate drinking at 103,100 cases. Shield noted that drink sizes differ globally, but generally, one to two drinks per day is a low dose, more than two to four per day is moderate and anything more than four per day is risky.

In terms of risk, Shield said, even low and moderate alcohol consumption carries a risk of cancer.

Regarding location, northern Africa and western Asia were least likely to have cancers attributed to drinking, and eastern Asia, as well as central and eastern Europe were most likely.

Of note, when Shield and colleagues included stomach and pancreatic cancers in their analysis, cancer cases attributed to alcohol rose to 808,700. That total increased to 925,900 cases when the study authors included data from former drinkers. Shield defined former drinking as anyone who has consumed alcohol but has since stopped. He mentioned that the researchers included former drinkers because they wanted to make sure they were accounting for all cancer cases that were related to drinking. But he noted that if a person stops drinking, their risk of cancer will go down.

Alcohol — just as with exposure to ultraviolet rays, obesity and pesticide exposure — is associated with an increased cancer risk, according to Shield. However, it’s not just a risk factor but rather “one of the top risk factors.”

People who reduce their alcohol intake could experience a “plethora of health benefits,” according to Shield, including a strengthened immune system, digestive system improvements, better heart health and a reduction in injuries as well.

Shield highlighted previous population surveys which found that more than half of the general population is unaware of the link between alcohol consumption and cancer risk. A clever way to show people those risks, according to Shield, is to put a health warning on the product. He noted that study results out of Canada showed that alcohol consumption was reduced in people who saw a packaging label that indicated health risks associated with alcohol.

“It actually improves the health of those individuals and the population in general,” he concluded.

For more news on cancer updates, research and education, don’t forget to 

Articles

Most people who consume alcohol are unaware that it increases their risk of receiving a diagnosis of cancer, according to an expert.

Reducing Alcohol Consumption Leads to a ‘Plethora of Health Benefits’ Including Decreased Risk of Cancer, Expert Says

The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recent approval of Rylaze (asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi [recombinant]-rywn) fulfills an unmet need for adults and children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia or lymphoblastic lymphoma who are allergic to standard E. coli-derived asparaginase treatments, according to an expert from the University of Utah Huntsman Cancer Institute. 

“This product represents another option for a second-line medication to deplete asparagine in patients with leukemias and lymphoblastic lymphomas that we can rely on the supply better, because of the way it’s produced,” Dr. Luke Maese, an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Utah Huntsman Cancer Institute and in the division of pediatric hematology and oncology at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, said in an interview with CURE®.

Maese explained that prior to this approval there had only been one other drug available for patients who had hypersensitivity to the standard E. coli-derived asparaginase. Although study results have shown that drug to be safe and effective, the supply chain was unreliable and there were often significant shortages of the drug.

“Those shortages have been ongoing for over five years,” he said. “So it's hard to know exactly, when they were going to come or go.”

This approval comes following the release of results of a phase 2/3 study that evaluated efficacy, safety and tolerability of Rylaze in 102 pediatric and adult patients who had hypersensitivity to the standard E. coli-derived asparaginase or experienced silent inactivation to treatment.

The results demonstrated that at 48 hours, treatment with Rylaze induced a therapeutic benefit in over 93% of patients.

Compared to other available treatments in this space, Rylaze is a short-acting agent. A short-acting agent is effective quickly after being administered, however the effects last for a short period of time and require consistent administration. So six doses of Rylaze, in the approved 48-hour dosing, is equivalent to one course of the longer-acting products which usually is absorbed slowly and takes longer to go into effect.

“Now with this (Rylaze) available, we will be able to have (a) product available and have (it) on demand for patients. (Patients) would still (be) require(ed) to wait until recovery from the reaction, however will not have to delay administration after recovery as the product will be avalible. So, they will be able to start their replacement course in a more expedited fashion,” Maese noted.

Some of the most common side effects associated with Rylaze included pancreas toxicity, blood clots, hemorrhage and liver toxicity, nausea, muscle pain, fatigue, infection, headache, fever, hypersensitivity, decreased appetite, swelling and sores in the mouth, bleeding and high blood sugar.

Maese explained how the approval is significant for patients.

“Because the predecessor product is not always reliably available to patients, (Rylaze) fulfills an unmet need,” he concluded.

The FDA approval of Rylaze provides certain patients with leukemia and lymphoma with an on-demand treatment option since the only other approved therapy is currently undergoing a shortage.

FDA Approval of Rylaze ‘Fulfills an Unmet Need’ for Group of Patients With Leukemia and Lymphoma

Survivors of colorectal cancer could have improved quality of life, social and physical functioning, and feel less fatigued up to two years post treatment, if they participate in light-intensity physical activity, according to study results recently published in 

“It is advisable for colorectal cancer survivors to follow the recommendations to move more and sit less. This will very likely contribute to leading a healthy and happy life after colorectal cancer,” Dr. Martijn Bours, from the department of epidemiology of Maastricht University in The Netherlands, said in an interview with CURE®.

Colorectal cancer survivors go through treatment that often results in long-term side effects such as fatigue and bowel problems, which can negatively impact a person’s quality of life.

Evidence from previous studies demonstrated that higher levels of light-intensity physical activity are associated with health-related quality of life improvements in colorectal cancer survivors, however those studies did not assess the long-term benefits. In addition, other study results have demonstrated that colorectal cancer survivors are often physically inactive and spend on average about two-thirds of their time sitting or lying down.

The researchers evaluated questionnaire responses from 325 stage 1-3 colorectal cancer survivors (67.1% men; average age, 67 years). The questionnaires included information on a survivor’s hours per week spent doing light-intensity physical activity and their quality of life and were administered at six weeks and six, 12- and 24-months post treatment. Survivors were also asked to wear activity monitors at these moments, to objectively measure their sedentary habits.

The study results demonstrated statistically significant long-term associations between a survivor performing more light-intensity physical activity (eight hours per week) and them having an improved quality of life, social functioning, physical functioning and feeling less fatigued.

Median self-reported time spent participating in light-intensity physical activity at diagnosis was 10.5 hours per week, which later decreased at six weeks post treatment to 7.5 hours, but then increased again further after treatment. Most of the participants said the physical activity consisted of light housework. At diagnosis, 74% of the patient population reported to adhere to Dutch physical activity guidelines. That total decreased to 60% at six weeks, then increased to 68% at 12 months. However, at 24 months post treatment, that number dropped to 63%.

Of note, the mean fatigue scores decreased, and the mean scores of quality of life and functioning outcomes increased between the six-week and 24-month period post treatment.

Bours noted that performing physical activities that require moderate to vigorous strength can often be difficult for this patient population due to their past cancer treatment, as well as the fact that these individuals are often over the age of 70 and frequently have other health conditions such as diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis. Instead, those individuals can take part in light-intensity physical activity like slow-paced walking, playing billiards and doing housework while standing such as cooking or cleaning dishes.

Although there are no specific recommendations for light-intensity physical activity, he noted that these results highlight the fact that participating in any kind of physical activity may positively impact quality of life, level of daily functioning and fatigue symptoms. He also mentioned a previous study which demonstrated that replacing one hour of sedentary time per day with one hour of standing resulted in better quality of life, functioning and less fatigue.

“Importantly, a physically active lifestyle includes both increasing physical activity 

 decreasing sedentary behavior,” Bours said. “Besides having a positive influence on quality of life after colorectal cancer, moving more and sitting less can, for instance, also decrease the risk and impact of several health conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer.”

He noted that although the results of their study in colorectal cancer survivors are promising, further research is needed to identify which activities are most beneficial for these survivors.

Performing the recommended 150 minutes of physical activity per week could lead colorectal cancer survivors to “a happy and healthy life” post treatment, according to an expert.

 ‘Move More, Sit Less’: Physical Activity Improves Quality of Life in Colon Cancer Survivors

Charlene Wheeless used to describe herself as the She started off writing a blog, which quickly turned into “typical type A personality.” That changed, however, her book “You Are Enough!” Her book tells the story of after she was found to have breast cancer in lessons she has learned through her job, life and cancer February 2017 and had nine surgeries in three years. journey.

When she left her corporate job, she didn’t know what she was going to do but then realized she had a story to tell.

She started off writing a blog, which quickly turned into her book, "You Are Enough!" Her book tells the story of lessons she has learned through her job, life and cancer journey.

 about her cancer and survivorship journey and why she felt she had to write a book.

“YOU ARE ENOUGH!” imparts Wheeless’ lessons learned in business and during her cancer journey. The book is available on Amazon.

Q: Why did you decide to write this book?

 When I left the corporate world, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. And I didn’t know what I was going to do. I woke up one day and I thought, “I have an important story to tell and I need to figure out how to tell it.” So I started a blog called Just Between Us Girls, and in the blog I talked about the things that (happen) to you post cancer, the way you feel about your body, the people around you, your spouse, how you can become so insecure when that’s not something that you’re used to being. But when I was looking for resources to help me, I couldn’t really find anything, or I found (that) people were doing what I felt was sugarcoating the whole thing. I decided that someone needed to tell an authentic story. Literally, I woke up one day, and I said, “Oh, my gosh, I am being pulled to write a book.” ... It was a pull to tell the story, warts and all, so that I could perhaps help other people.

... I’ve been very open with my cancer. (When people found out that after the surgery) I had one and a half (breasts), all these different things, people started reaching out to me. And in many cases, I don’t know them, and they’ll ask, “I’ve just received a diagnosis. Can we talk?” And that’s been really rewarding, as well. Because of the book, I’ve been able to tell the story.

I also have the story of what it’s like being a Black female executive climbing the corporate ladder. The lessons I learned in doing that, which was really hard, are some of the same lessons I was able to apply to creating my new life as a patient post cancer, if there is such a thing — I think we’re kind of always a patient with cancer. But I suddenly understood how important my story was for other people to hear and to learn from, and just maybe their journey would be a little bit easier for them because they read the book. ... I wrote it in two months, which people tell me is an incredible amount of time to write a book. I’d never written one, so I didn’t know how long it takes. But I guess that’s just testament to how strong the pull was to write.

You say in your introduction you felt you “had” to write a book. Could you explain that a little more?

I think, both from a cancer perspective and from going through life as a Black female, there’s so much to unpack there. When I was younger in my career and I would go to sessions (at conferences), they’d have panels of really accomplished women. I was struggling in a world that was not built for me and I wanted to learn something from these women. And again, everybody kind of sugarcoated it. (They would say), “Oh, I didn’t experience blatant bias,” and I would walk away actually not feeling motivated and empowered but instead feeling, “What’s wrong with me? Why am I having this unique experience?”

And it was the same thing with cancer. It was, “Am I the only one who actually wants to kill herself after surviving breast cancer?” As I started to talk to other people, they gave me (the impression) that they maybe felt the same way but would never talk about it. These are topics that are just verboten — you don’t talk about them. I felt really strongly that I’m a fairly fearless person and somebody has to talk about this, right? I decided that person was going to be me, and the best way to do it was to put it in a book so that people could refer back to it. I could tell stories and give people examples and lessons that helped me create the life I have now.

(There is) a woman who used to work for me in London, who I’m still in touch with, who I love dearly. We had dinner in London one night, and she had been going through her own personal things. Afterward she sent me a note and said, “I was reading your blog, and when I started reading it I was crying for you, but when I finished reading it, I was crying for me, because I know how strong you are. And the fact that you were willing to be so vulnerable helped me to feel like I’m OK.” I thought, if I can do that for one person, then maybe I can do that for thousands of people. ... I believe that legacies are built by the people you touch along the way. I know now that time is finite, and you have an incredible sense of your own mortality when you’ve gone through something like this. My goal has been to touch as many people with my message as I possibly can.

I tell a story about the challenges of climbing that corporate ladder and what happens when you get to the end and ask yourself, “Well, what was it all for?” I managed to blend that with my cancer journey, some of the challenges there and the intersectionality.

As an example, one of the first things I wrote is that it’s choice, not chance, that changes your life. I think that applies to work and the situations we can find ourselves in at work. It also applies to dealing with a diagnosis, as well, and dealing with the disease. How you choose to approach that disease can make a really big difference.

I have a chapter about the importance of having a champion at work and being able to advocate for yourself. There’s no greater place to advocate for yourself, (no place more) crucial, than in the health care system. In each chapter is a strategy, both for life and for career. When people finish reading the book, they’ll realize that it may not be the exact same thing, but my story is their story. It kind of belongs to all of us. If I’ve done my job, they will walk away feeling empowered, somewhat fearless. (They will know) how to thrive and create the life they want, with purpose and passion and, most importantly, unapologetic authenticity. You don’t have to twist yourself into knots to fit someone’s ideal of who you are. If I could only deliver one message, it would be “You are enough.” So many of us walk around thinking that we don’t measure up. I want everybody to know that you are you, and it is enough.

Charlene Wheeless didn't recognize the woman in the mirror after treatment and decided to change her world.

What are some of the lessons you learned from surviving cancer?

There are so many. One of the things that I had to do, and this may sound a little strange, is I had to forgive myself for getting cancer. I think if you’re someone, particularly if you’re a type A personality, you think there’s something you did or didn’t do that caused you to get cancer, (such as) something that affected your immune system. I learned that I just needed to be easier on myself.

I also had to learn that not everybody knows how to have a friend who is sick. You need to give people some grace. I had friends who never came around when I was sick, and there were people I saw all the time. I had to ... allow them some grace and some understanding. But, certainly, there’s always room for humanity and compassion, and we should lead with those things.

I also learned, quite frankly, that there are people out there (in the workforce) who will subtly and not so subtly take advantage of your weakened state. My husband, Greg, said to me when I was getting ready to go back to work — a little bit of tough love here — “I know, you’ve been surrounded by people who have been all about you getting better and wanting to help and do everything they can for you, but when you go back into work, nobody cares that you had cancer and within a couple of weeks, no one’s even going to remember that you had cancer.” And I thought, well, that’s kind of a horrible way to think about things ... but I tell you what, he was 100% right. For people who have not had cancer or any kind of a disease who work with people that do, I just beg you to give them some grace and understand that, although they may look normal to you, they could be falling apart inside.

Now when I run into people who have had some kind of a disease or who are suffering from something, I just want to hug them and say, “You are OK. And if you don’t fit into your life that you used to have, you have permission to create another life.” That’s what I learned. I would have never thought that I’d be living the life that I am now. I would have never thought that I would write a book and that I would be on the speaking circuit talking about my life and my experience. But people appreciate and want authenticity, and they want to connect on a really human level, and you have to be willing to do that. There are a lot of people out there who might want to see you fail in the workplace, and, trust me, they’re out there. But there also are so many people who want to help and who want to be your champion, and you just have to let them. But that’s hard because we equate being vulnerable with being weak, right? It’s actually the opposite.

What was the most challenging part of your cancer journey?

It was definitely coming out of it. Coming out of treatment, because I (felt that I) no longer fit into the life I had before. And I didn’t understand the life I was in. I’m such a strong person, I have such a strong sense of identity. And all of that was gone. It was kind of a harrowing experience because I would look in the mirror and I would see this person and I’d stare at her because I didn’t recognize her. I didn’t know who she was. And so it really started a journey of me trying to figure out who I was and how I was going to move forward in the world. One of the toughest parts was realizing that I couldn’t go back to my old life. I couldn’t be that hard-charging executive, type A personality, overachiever, all those things. I had a career as an executive, and I spent 33 years building that career. All of a sudden, it didn’t work anymore. So, I think that was really hard for me. I have two daughters who are now 27 and 25, and they handled it like champs. But I think I did them a big disservice because I think I put on too much of a brave front for them and it took a lot of energy to do that. I didn’t teach them the lesson that sometimes you’re not OK. And it’s all right not to be. You don’t always have to put on a brave face for everyone.

What advice would you offer someone who has received a diagnosis and may be going through a similar situation?

I tell them to not be afraid to reach out and ask for help. I think that’s one of the hardest things to do. We think that it’s a sign of weakness, but I think it’s really a sign of strength to ask people for help when you need it.

The other thing that I would say, which may sound a little strange, is be selfish. Really watch out for what you need and what’s important to you. I have lots of friends who wanted to visit when (I was) going through treatment because I didn’t work during my treatment. A lot of people wanted to visit me, and it was exhausting — I only had so much energy. I realized at some point that they were coming over, they cared about me, but when they came over, I had the responsibility to make sure they knew I was OK. It was more (like) your visitors are there to assuage their feelings as opposed to yours. It’s unintentional, of course, because everybody has good intentions. I just wish that I had been more selfish earlier, reserved my energy and told people, “Feel free to text, send me a note, whatever it is you want to do, an email, but not a visit.” I would tell people to be more selfish because your health is really important, your mental state, you have to manage your energy.

How has being a survivor changed your life?

Wow. I say cancer changed my life, so I had to change my world. And it was realizing that the life I had built for 30-plus years, I no longer fit into it. I found that I just didn’t have the patience for some of the crap that we have to put up with. And I also learned that your time is finite, and you only have so much of it, so we should all think about how we channel that energy, how we use that energy. I’m a big believer in that if something negative happens to you, it’s your responsibility to turn that into a positive for someone else. Through cancer, I found a new voice to tell a really raw and honest and authentic story to help other people. If someone is struggling, and they read something I’ve written, I want them to say, “It’s OK to not be OK. Here was this person who is really strong, and she struggled, so it’s all right if I’m struggling.” I would say that cancer gave me an incredibly strong sense of purpose that I didn’t have before.

Is there anything else that you think survivors should know, either from your journey or about your book?

Regarding the journey, for most of us, you will get through this, and I say most because I’m just being honest. But for most of us, you will get through this no matter how hard it is. Give yourself a break, particularly talking about the career aspect. Again, I’m going to say, “You are enough.” I spent so much time trying to be whatever this company or this leader said I needed to be. I was thinking I’m not enough of this, I’m too much of that, I should be less of this, be more of this. ... So much happens that when you look up, you don’t even know who you are anymore. Fitting in is so important in the workplace; unfortunately, it’s like trying to squeeze your size 8 foot into a size 6 stiletto shoe. You’re going to get your foot in that shoe, but at some point it is going to reshape your foot into something you don’t recognize. You don’t have to do that. We don’t have to turn ourselves inside out to be successful. Believe that we are enough, you are enough, every gift you bring to the table — whoever you are, your unique difference — you are enough. That’s what I want people more than anything else to walk away with from the book; believing that, not just saying it, but believing it.

This interview has been edited for clarity.

A hard-charging executive felt lost after surviving cancer because she didn’t fit into her old life. But, she says, “cancer changed my life, so I changed my world.”

Colleen Moretti

Reducing Alcohol Consumption Leads to a ‘Plethora of Health Benefits’ Including Decreased Risk of Cancer, Expert Says

FDA Approval of Rylaze ‘Fulfills an Unmet Need’ for Group of Patients With Leukemia and Lymphoma

‘Move More, Sit Less’: Physical Activity Improves Quality of Life in Colon Cancer Survivors

It's Important to Know: You Are Enough

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