By studying similarities in high-risk individuals and tracing connections between their blood relatives, researchers are helping solve the mysteries of a disease that is usually diagnosed in the late stages, when it is harder to treat.

Remember the days of tanning? Only a few decades ago people looked forward to slathering their bodies with oily lotions that helped turn skin darker and brought out a “healthy” glow.

Hepatitis C is the most common blood-transmitted virus in the United States and the leading cause of liver cancer worldwide.

Many types of cancer are best treated using a combination of therapies, which may include surgery, cancer drugs and chemotherapy, radiation therapy and other approaches. Receiving each one at the right time and in the right sequence can have a great impact on the treatment plan’s success.

The most common and well-known type of primary brain cancer in adults is glioblastoma, which is a highly aggressive and difficult-to-treat disease. Much less is known about low-grade gliomas, a group of primary brain cancers that most often develop in younger people during the prime of life, with an average age at diagnosis of only 37 years.

We know that cancers related to HPV are common, on the rise and, for more than a decade, preventable. Why aren’t more families taking advantage of HPV vaccination, a powerful opportunity to prevent some very serious and possibly fatal cancers before they develop?

In 2012, Laurie Rich, PhD, arrived at Roswell Park to begin his doctoral work under the mentorship of Mukund Seshadri, PhD, DDS, Chair of Oral Oncology. He arrived at the same time as a very important piece of equipment, and as some crucial research was taking place.

After going through treatment the second time, I began a successful recovery and wanted to find a way to give back and help fight the terrible disease that has affected my life and the lives of so many others.

A pilot social media program at Roswell Park aims to help adolescent and young adult cancer patients and survivors, by providing a safe online space to share their thoughts and know that they are not alone.