June Observances: National Cancer Survivors Day and Immunotherapy Month
Written by Tara Strand on June 2, 2022
On June 05, 2022, hundreds of communities will celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day® (NCSD). This day provides an opportunity for people affected by cancer to connect, celebrate victories and support each other. As cancer treatment advances continue, there may be more cause for celebration.
June is also Immunotherapy Month. Over the past decade, this emerging treatment has offered some patients new and better treatment options. Advances in immunotherapy may offer hope to those affected by cancer. This month, there are many ways to celebrate cancer survivors and immunotherapy advances.
National Cancer Survivors Day and Mesothelioma
Since 1988, the first Sunday in June has been set aside to honor people affected by cancer, including mesothelioma. NCSD events throughout the country recognize survivors and support those with recent diagnoses. Each year on NCSD, advocates, family and friends gather to offer services, raise awareness and spread information.
- Attend a local or virtual NCSD event
- Celebrate privately with family and friends
- Host and register an event with NCSD
- Make a tax-deductible donation to the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation
- Raise online awareness by researching or sharing information
- Use the hashtag #NationalCancerSurvivorsDay
NCSD celebrations have art exhibits, carnivals, contests, parades, rallies and speeches. The events include virtual gatherings, which immunocompromised cancer survivors may prefer. Each cancer survivor can decide which (if any) type of event they are comfortable attending.
Mesothelioma is among the cancers represented during NCSD. Some survivors of mesothelioma use their voices to raise awareness about this disease. Their survivorship may also inspire and support recently diagnosed patients. Survivor Heather Von St. James has been supporting the mesothelioma community for more than a decade.
In recent years, some studies have reported improvements in mesothelioma survival. These improvements may stem from optimized treatments developed through clinical trials. One such treatment is immunotherapy.
Immunotherapy Month and Treatment Advances
Immunotherapy Month celebrates a notable cancer treatment advance. Each June, the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) organizes this event for various reasons. SITC aims to raise awareness about cancer immunotherapy. As part of that goal, SITC provides educational opportunities for clinicians, patients and researchers. The organization offers a full calendar of events, both online and in-person.
- Attend a SITC educational program
- Become a SITC member or create a free account
- Get active on social media platforms, such as Twitter
- Join the Cancer Immunotherapy CONNECT Open Forum
- Send a video clip to SITC about the importance of curing cancer
- Support immunotherapy research by donating to Forward Fund
Immunotherapy uses various approaches to empower the immune system to fight cancer. Some immunotherapies allow immune cells to recognize and attack cancer cells. For qualified patients, immunotherapy can be a gentler and more effective option than chemotherapy. Research into immunotherapy as a mesothelioma treatment is ongoing.
A recent study highlighted the success of immunotherapy treatment for mesothelioma. The study investigated two drugs, Opdivo® (nivolumab) and Yervoy® (ipilimumab), in patients with pleural mesothelioma. Compared to chemotherapy, these immunotherapy drugs improved mesothelioma patients’ quality of life and survival.
This June, SITC commemorates this immunotherapy advance and others like it. At the same time, NCSD celebrates people affected by cancer and their supporters. In the fight against cancer, recognizing progress is an important aspect of fostering hope.
Sources
Faig J, Howard S, et al. Changing Pattern in Malignant Mesothelioma Survival. Translational Oncology. February 2015;8(1):35-39. doi: 10.1016/j.tranon.2014.12.002
National Cancer Institute (NCI). Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors. Updated April 2022.
National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation, Inc. About National Cancer Survivors Day®.
National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation, Inc. Homepage.
National Today. National Cancer Survivors Day – June 5, 2022.
Scherpereel A, Antonia S, et al. First-line nivolumab plus ipilimumab versus chemotherapy for the treatment of unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma: patient-reported outcomes in CheckMate 743. Lung Cancer. May 2022;167:8-16. doi: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2022.03.012
Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer. SITC Cancer Immunotherapy Month™ Events.
Von St. James H. Surviving mesothelioma: The best is yet to come. Baylor College of Medicine. November 2016.
Free Mesothelioma Treatment Guide
Tara Strand specializes in writing content about mesothelioma and asbestos. She focuses on topics like mesothelioma awareness, research, treatment, asbestos trust funds and other advocacy efforts.
