Cancer Research spotlight

Otis Brawley is a globally-recognized expert in cancer prevention and control. He has worked to reduce overscreening of medical conditions, which has revolutionized patient treatment by increasing quality of life and reducing health disparities.

Brawley’s research focuses on developing cancer screening strategies and ensuring their effectiveness. He has championed efforts to decrease smoking and implement other lifestyle risk reduction programs, as well as to provide critical support to cancer patients and concentrate cancer control efforts in areas where they could be most effective. Brawley currently leads a broad interdisciplinary research effort on cancer health disparities at the Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, striving to close racial, economic, and social disparities in the prevention, detection, and treatment of cancer in the United States and worldwide. He also directs community outreach programs for underserved populations throughout Maryland.

Brawley joined Johns Hopkins University as a Bloomberg Distinguished Professor in 2019 from the American Cancer Society and Emory University.  

 Disclaimer: This page provides support and encouragement and does not offer medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding medical decisions. 

   Dr. Castro is internationally known for her basic science and translational research program in the areas of tumor immunology, neuro-immunology, and immune mediated gene therapeutic approaches for the treatment of brain cancers. She has received continuous funding from the NIH and other foundations for her research and is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Women of Action Award from the Israel Cancer Research Fund for her achievements in the field of brain cancer biology and therapeutics and the Medallion’s Endowed Chair Award in Gene Therapy. She is a member of multiple professional societies and has published over 200 original articles in the most prestigious biomedical journals; she is frequently invited to present her research at conferences and symposia worldwide. 

Disclaimer: This page provides support and encouragement and does not offer medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding medical decisions.

Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn is a scientist whose discoveries helped us better understand how our cells age, stay healthy, and sometimes become cancerous.

Inside each of our cells are chromosomes, which carry the body’s genetic instructions—almost like an instruction manual for life. At the ends of those chromosomes are tiny protective tips called telomeres. You can think of telomeres like the plastic tips on the ends of shoelaces that keep them from fraying. Telomeres help protect our DNA from damage.

Dr. Blackburn also helped discover telomerase, a natural enzyme in the body that helps rebuild and maintain those protective tips. This discovery became important because scientists learned that many cancer cells use telomerase to keep growing and multiplying, almost like giving themselves endless life.

Her work has helped researchers better understand: how cancer grows, why cells age and how treatments might one day stop cancer cells from continuing to multiply. 

Dr. Blackburn helped unlock one of the body’s hidden secrets—how our cells protect themselves, age, and sometimes turn into cancer. Her discoveries opened new doors for cancer research and future treatments.

Disclaimer: This page provides support and encouragement and does not offer medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding medical decisions.

This month we highlight Dr. James P. Allison, whose groundbreaking research helped the body’s immune system recognize and fight cancer cells.

Because of discoveries like this, melanoma—once one of the most difficult cancers to treat—now has new hope. Many patients are living longer, stronger lives.

Research is turning possibilities into progress—and progress into hope. 

Disclaimer: This page provides support and encouragement and does not offer medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional regarding medical decisions.