Dr. Tse-Kuan Yu from M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
2nd Gulf Coast International Dragon Boat Regatta
Sunday, October 23, 2005

"I would like to thank the organizer of this event for inviting me to speak today. This event has a lot of personal importance to me. My mother who is surviving with cancer is here today in the crowd.

Last year as part of her cancer survival group, we participated in the first annual dragon boat race here. I am proud to speak here today because the dragon boat race represents the developments that have occurred in the treatment of cancer.

In early 1900’s, there were two treatment methods – surgery and radiation. It was focused on the disease and the attempts to cure the disease with limited concern for the patient.  This is exemplified by the Halstedian approach with radical mastectomy to maximally remove for cure with less concern of the morbidity. Since then, we have made many strides in the treatment of cancer. 

From these, our ability to increase survival of cancer patient has increased dramatically. Now we have three treatment modalities – surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, each with their own role to cure cancer. Now, we are using most modern technologies to help us see the anatomy and tumor to direct radiation treatment. Now, we are able to use what we have learned about the biology of cancer to help patients.

Recently, some of you may have heard of reports of using antibody against Her2 antigen on the surface of breast cancer cells to kill cancer and improve survival. I think the improvement most relevant here today is our focus had changed from treating the cancer to treating the patient by investing and investigating ways to improve quality of life with improved survival.

The dragon boat race represents that stride to improve quality of life. This started with Dr. McKenzie from Vancouver Canada reporting in small trial that dragon boat race did not affect lymphedema. Trained properly, it provides a way to develop upper body strength, general health and have fun, to be happier. I believe the future holds great promise in the treatment of cancer patient.

For radiation treatment, I have seen plans for unbelievable technologies ahead of us, such as robotic arms that move with the patient during radiation treatment. For cancer detection, we are currently using nanotechnology to help us image small microscopic cancer cells. For treatment selection, we are currently investigating using the DNA and the RNA of the tumor and the patient to see who will recur and where the recurrence will be.

In the future, we will have full set of armament from surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, biologic therapy, and others where we will be able to tailor the treatment for each person depending on the DNA and gene expression of the tumor and the patient.

I thank you for being here because your participation in event like this helps generate awareness of cancer.  It helps in our endeavor to newer ways to treat cancer. It helps in our endeavor to find better ways to help cancer patients. Thank you for allowing me to speak here."

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