Spectrum News 1: Early Detection and Prevention Put Cancer Survival Within Reach

Spectrum News 1 recently interviewed Arsen Osipov, MD, medical director of the Pancreatic Cancer Multidisciplinary Clinic and Multidisciplinary Cancer Programs and Integration at Cedars-Sinai, about the importance of early cancer detection, highlighting one couple's story of survival and recovery.

Philip and Linda Simmons spent 35 years building their life together before facing their greatest challenge: back-to-back cancer diagnoses.

“Phil was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Then he was declared cancer-free on a Friday, and the following Monday, I was diagnosed with breast cancer,” Linda Simmons said.

The couple caught both cancers early thanks to routine medical testing—Philip's during screening for another condition and Linda's through her regular mammogram.

About 40% of cancer cases in the U.S. are preventable, according to an American Cancer Society study. To reduce the risk of developing the disease, experts recommend maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active, avoiding tobacco and limiting alcohol use.

Osipov told Spectrum News 1 that if diagnosed early, cancers can be cured, but “if you diagnose cancers at a later stage, typically, let's say stage 4, where the cancer may have metastasized to a different organ, you're not really talking about cure, you're more talking about palliation or prolonging people's lives.”

Now healthy, Philip and Linda are back to living their lives, including doing puzzles, spending time with friends and visiting their mountain home in Lake Arrowhead. Philip recommends that people “make sure that nothing's growing that shouldn't be growing for early detection and early treatment,” he said.

Watch the complete segment from Spectrum News 1.