Oncology Ventures: What to Do if You Have a Loved One Fighting Cancer
Investing in data-driven startups that enable more affordable, efficient and accessible cancer care.
We are trying out a video version this month. Text below as well.
Oncology Ventures Fund Updates and Reflections
Many folks have reached out recently, asking what they should do if they have a loved one fighting cancer. So, in case one of you is unfortunately going through this right now, I wanted to share some unsolicited, non-clinical,
advice as a cancer survivor who has spent a lot of time with cancer patients and their caregivers.
Don’t send messages with question marks. It gives them a task, which they may not have the energy to answer. When you ask “how are you doing?”, chances are they aren’t feeling great (chemotherapy is tough). And it puts them in a position where they may need to lie, since they may feel like they need to make you feel better.
Instead, send positive messages and love statements. Send them a fun memory you shared together or “I am thinking about you. No need to respond to this text. Here if you want to talk.” or “When and where is your next chemo appointment? Would be happy to stop by if you want some company.”
Be present and empathetic. Allow them to express their feelings and emotions without judgment or trying to fix everything.
Try to avoid the “Is there anything I can do for you?” questions. It is tough for a lot of people to ask for something.
Instead, offer practical support. Ask how you can assist them with routine tasks that may be difficult for them, whether it's helping with household chores, running errands or providing transportation to medical appointments.
Or, offer specific ways you can assist. For example, you could say, "I'm available to cook dinner for you this week. What day works best?"
Offer respite for their caregivers. If your loved one has a caregiver, consider helping them out.
Giving their caregiver a break or providing support can be immensely valuable to both your loved one (who may feel like they are burdening their caregiver) and, of course, the caregiver.
Post-cancer treatment, don’t ask them if they are in remission. Remission is complicated. The percentages of cancer recurrence changes every month and year. And, most likely, they don’t want to talk about it. Enjoy your time together.
We have now met with 280 data-focused cancer start-ups who are working to make cancer care more affordable, efficient, accessible and equitable.
We are inspired by the magnitude and caliber of innovation happening in the oncology world today.
Welcome to the team:
Khail Macadaeg, who joined us as an Executive Assistant, supporting our team in countless capacities as we continue to scale.
Oncology Ventures in the News
We were picked up by The Wall Street Journal:
Oncology Market Facts of the Month
Dogs can smell cancer in humans.
Dogs have a highly developed sense of smell, and some can detect the odor signatures of various types of cancer.
Dogs have shown they can detect colon cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer and melanoma by sniffing people’s skin, bodily fluids, or breath.
One of the leading ways precision medicine can be accomplished is through better use of cancer biomarkers (biological markers).
Cancer biomarkers are a broad class of molecules produced by the body or cancer cells that can be identified in bodily fluids or tissues. These biomarkers can be genetic mutations, proteins, immune complexes and more.
Cancer biomarkers can identify people who have cancer or who are at risk of developing cancer. For example, the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation biomarkers confer a high likelihood of breast and ovarian cancers.
Cancer biomarkers can also help select or predict those people who are likely to derive therapeutic benefit from specific drugs, are useful for preclinical development, and biomarkers can be used to monitor remission, through routine blood tests and imaging.
Cancer cells can undergo "cellular reprogramming".
This means that they have the ability to change their characteristics and behavior, resembling different cell types within the body.
For example, a cancer cell originating from lung tissue can undergo reprogramming and acquire properties similar to those of cells found in other tissues, such as bone or muscle. This cellular reprogramming can contribute to tumor heterogeneity, treatment resistance and metastasis (the spread of cancer to other parts of the body). Understanding and targeting these reprogramming processes may provide new avenues for cancer therapies.
Comedy!
It's so funny what features Apple pushes. Because right now according to Apple - the most important thing that they think is happening in my life right now is that I left my AirPods behind. Every time I walk more than 10 feet from my AirPods I get the "Ben's AirPods are left behind” alert.
I know I left them behind Apple. I realized it as soon as I started having intrusive thoughts I didn't like. Which, I don't know if you can tell by the whole I do stand up comedy and just launched a venture capital fund in this environment thing, but that happened pretty quickly. I mean I was already halfway down the stairs of my 4th floor walkup. Which is right on the border of being worth it to go back.
It's not even helpful the way they tell you they're left behind. I mean I would get it if they were like “hey Ben, by the way your AirPods are on your dresser”. Instead it says - “AirPods last seen near 120 E 10th St. Last seen by who? Can you just ask them to bring it to me?”
I know Apple is trying to be nice. But, they are coming across as a bit of a jerk. Their words say "your AirPods are left behind", but I read it as "Psst, hey, guess who forgot their AirPods in their apartment again? Yeah, that's right, you did. Ready to be alone with your thoughts all day? This is going to be rough for you.”
It is tough to go somewhere without my AirPods - how am I supposed to listen to Taylor Swift without them?
Asks
What innovative cancer center should we get to know?
If you are a Venture Capital fund looking to invest in cancer start-ups, feel free to shoot us a note letting us know what you are looking for. We are happy to send across opportunities that may be a fit.
As always, please send over any fun jokes.
May I add a suggestion: do not assume that your loved one will embrace "fight" or "battle" language. Though it's commonly used and many people identify with the idea of being a cancer warrior, it's appropriate to let the patient determine his own approach to the journey and avoid editorializing the experience (e.g. suffering, victim, etc).
In particular, the language can be triggering to those whose prognosis is not as positive or expected to be longer, and unintentionally puts the onus of the outcome on the patient. Most advocacy groups are moving against this language and have revisited their materials to avoid it, in particular when it relates to an individual's journey versus a collective effort.
So please listen first, and then follow a patient's lead!