“The immune system is a powerful tool, and only in the last decade have we really begun to tap into its potential as a cancer-fighting powerhouse,” Dr. Puzanov says.

Thanks to rapid advancements in technology, today we’re able to look deeper into the human body, detect cancer earlier, treat areas that once were inaccessible and perform surgery less invasively.

While one-third of the general population has insomnia symptoms, cancer patients and survivors are at increased risk for sleeping disorders due to symptoms and side effects of cancer and subsequent treatments.

“They’ll say, ‘When it gets bad, then you can see me.’ But when it gets bad, what decision will you make? What treatment will you get?”

“We’ve come a long way,” he says. "That’s thanks to our phenomenal team, with dedicated surgical technicians and nurses.”

Anurag Singh, MD, and Emese Zsiros, MD, PhD, FACOG, are among the Roswell Park doctors finding innovative ways to improve patients’ quality of life without sacrificing effective cancer treatment.

As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Cancer Act of 1971, Cancer Talk will highlight Roswell Park's role in driving advances in cancer treatment, research, prevention and education throughout the decades. Keep reading to learn more about the people, ideas and progress that have originated from America's first cancer center.

"If a person is very stressed — and unfortunately, stress such as anxiety increases if you get a cancer diagnosis — that may divert valuable energy that could be used for the anti-tumor immune response.”