Today, I attended the dedication of a farm situated at a public school in Warrenton, Virginia—Fauquier High School—in memory of a young man, Trip Bopp. Trip and his family are friends of mine. Tragically, Trip was just 24 years old when he was killed on April 22, 2021, during a daytime burglary at his
In my work on cancer prevention with Less Cancer, I engage deeply with diverse people and communities. Often, our only common thread is a shared priority for good health and the goal of reducing cancer rates. In today’s world, it’s easy to become distracted by personalities, preferences, likes, dislikes, and the faults of others. For
For over twenty years, I have dedicated my work to public health. When I began, conversations about prevention were nearly nonexistent—sick care was the dominant framework. Prevention, or the idea that we could impact our own health through lifestyle and environmental changes, was dismissed as unrealistic. Fast forward to today, and we finally see discussions
For over two decades, I have worked in the arena of public health—a field that is complex and challenging to describe. Unlike linear sick care or treatment, public health involves a variety of educational and communication platforms that, while rooted in evidence-based science, require creativity and the ability to pivot as needed to secure
The FDA recently approved Shield, a blood test by Guardant Health, for screening colorectal cancer in individuals aged 45+ with an "average risk." While not a substitute for colonoscopies, Shield aims to enhance accessibility and insurance coverage, potentially increasing screening rates due to its convenience. The test, with a 10% false positive rate and
A heartfelt thank you to Traverse City and all the supporters of Less Cancer. Last night's launch of the Less Cancer Hike and Bike America for 2024 faced an unexpected hurdle as our concert was rained out. Despite the disappointment, the unwavering support and generosity from the people of Traverse City, Michigan, shone through.
Everybody’s an Athlete — Yes, You Too!The Less Cancer Bike Ride began with a couple of cyclists embarking on a 300-mile, two-day ride from southern Michigan to northern Michigan. Today the ride still attracts many dedicated, athletic cyclistswho ride the original route or elsewhere. However, since the advent of Covid-19, the event has evolved into a virtual bike
Access to healthcare isn’t equal. We should do something about it.As roughly half the population faces reduced access to life-saving care, it’s important to remember that a step back in any area of healthcare access costs lives. Access to healthcare, the cost of care, and the inequities of both have plagued Americans for decades.The True Cost of
With the reignited Cancer Moonshot Plan in motion, the Biden Administration is working to deliver on a promise made well before it took office. As vice president, Biden first put cancer at the forefront of public health in 2016. Today, he has even created a dedicated Cancer Cabinet to explore new ways to treat, diagnose,
Marketers know how to tug on your heartstrings. (I know, I am one). A leisurely stroll down any grocery aisle will certainly offer up a cure for whatever ails you, plus reassuring terminology like “natural”, “cage-free” and other terms that harken buyers back to the idyllic farm days of yore. Many of these terms of
