In recognition of National Cancer Prevention Month, Michael S. Leapman, MD, MHS, Associate Professor of Urology; Clinical Program Leader, Prostate & Urologic Cancers Program, Yale Cancer Center; Assistant Professor, Chronic Disease Epidemiology, discusses prioritizing cancer prevention in our lives.
As we honor Cancer Prevention Awareness Month, what do you feel is the most important message to share with our community?
I would want to share a simple message of gratitude. We are part of a shared global community, including patients, families, dedicated scientists and clinicians who are working to understand the complexities of cancer, and find new ways to prevent its occurrence and enhance early detection. The experiences and support from the prevention community is what drives this mission forward. Thank you for your resilience, bravery, and support.
How do you connect with clinicians treating patients with cancer to bridge laboratory research to clinical care?
We are living in an exciting time of biomedical discovery in cancer. I feel fortunate to be connected to a large network of clinicians and scientists whose work converges on the translation of new discoveries with the aim of improving the lives of patients affected by cancer.
How can we prioritize cancer prevention in our daily lives?
We can make cancer prevention a component of our overall health as most measures overlap strongly with behaviors that are aligned with overall health - from what we eat and drink, exercise, our habits, and how we connect with each other.
Mentorship is an important part of cancer research—what is your favorite way to keep your colleagues and students engaged and learning from one another?
There is so much that is still not understood about cancer – its etiology, potential prevention strategies and treatment. Introducing trainees to cancer research is rewarding and immerses them in problem-solving. It is exciting to see our bright students, residents, and colleagues engage fully in these problems, think critically, and work to devise innovative solutions.