Understanding Cancer: A Diverse Family of Diseases

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Most all of us have been affected by cancer. Either we have had it, we have a loved one who has had it or we know someone who has had it. This newsletter I want to make sure we all understand what cancer is. How we need to think about it properly so we know how to screen for it and live in a way so it’s less likely we get it.

What Exactly is Cancer?

Cancer isn't a single disease, but a group of related conditions where cells grow uncontrollably due to DNA damage. This abnormal growth can form tumors, either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Malignant tumors can invade nearby tissues and spread to other body parts, a process called metastasis.

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With over 200 types of cancer, each has its own characteristics, risk factors, and treatment needs. This diversity emphasizes the importance of tailored approaches to prevention, screening, and treatment. Understanding cancer as a family of diseases helps us appreciate the complexity of cancer care and the need for personalized strategies.

Check out this video on Khan Academy describing how cancer starts.  

Here is a good article about the war on cancer- The ‘war on cancer’ isn’t yet won (nature.com)

Strategy 1- Cancer found early is easier to cure.  

It’s clear that how easily you can overcome cancer depends primarily on what stage the cancer is at when found. If it’s stage 1 cancer, meaning it’s localized and small, it’s almost always curable. Therefore, we want to guide each person to get screened appropriately with typical guidelines and for more advanced cancer screening (like full body MRI and liquid biopsy technology). Your job as a patient is to follow the typical guidelines, and work with a knowledgeable expert physician  

Check out typical cancer screening guidelines here  

Cancer Screenings and Prevention - Screenings by Age Group (preventcancer.org)

Check out this video from Dr Pelo speaking about full body MRI and liquid biopsies and what people should know before getting these done.

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Strategy 2- Cultivate a cancer-resistant lifestyle

For decades, we have known that lifestyle choices significantly impact cancer risk. While smoking is the most notorious cancer-causing habit, it's not the only one. Excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, metabolic disorders, and a sedentary lifestyle all increase cancer risk for several types.

To build a cancer-resistant lifestyle:

• Avoid smoking
• Limit alcohol intake
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Stay physically active
• Eat a balanced diet
• Protect your skin from sun damage
• Get adequate sleep
• Manage stress
• Keep up with recommended screenings

By incorporating these habits, you're not just reducing cancer risk – you're promoting overall health.

Check out this article and paper which talks about how up to half of cancer deaths can be prevented by lifestyle. Can a healthy lifestyle prevent cancer? | ScienceDaily

Here is a video from Peter Attia and Rhonda Patrick talking about how exercise decreases your risk of cancer death.

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Don't forget: Get $50 for a new member referral!

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Introducing – The Bionic Beat

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Welcome to the first edition of Bionic Health’s biweekly email newsletter.

We hope to deliver you the latest in medical news that we believe will be interesting and help you live healthier longer. We’re glad you’re here!

We'll try to make the articles and videos fun to read but also allow you to go deep and really geek out if you want to (like I do). We also want to keep you up to date on the Bionic Journey.

Protein: Maximizing Muscle with Every Bite

I think of protein as more than just a nutrient; it's a building block for a vibrant life, especially as we age.

A riveting discovery reveals we can effectively utilize up to 100 grams of protein in one sitting to bolster muscle synthesis, challenging previous notions about protein absorption limits.

The secret lies in the protein's digestibility rate, highlighting the advantage of combining whole foods and protein shakes to ensure a steady supply of this essential nutrient to our muscles. This finding underscores the importance of selecting the right type of protein for optimal health benefits.

Read the paper

Watch the video:

What Attia has to say

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The Transformative Power of Sleep

Sleep does more than just recharge our batteries; it's a cornerstone of health, influencing everything from mood to performance.

However, the flip side reveals that inadequate sleep can have dire consequences, leading to deteriorated health outcomes.

Recognizing the dual role of sleep not only illuminates its importance for daily functioning but also as a preventive measure against a spectrum of health issues.

Read the article

Watch the video:

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Exercise: Beyond Zone 2

While Zone 2 exercise has its merits, it's not the pinnacle of fitness goals.

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and strength training emerge as the champions for rapid health improvements, offering a more efficient route to peak physical well-being.

These forms of exercise are designed to maximize benefits in a shorter timeframe, proving that the foundation of a robust exercise regimen goes beyond steady-state cardio to include dynamic and strength-building workouts.

Read the article

Watch my take:

Bionic Beat v6: Health Targets & More

In this week's newsletter, we'll highlight some recently released product updates designed to make it easier for you to optimize your health.

We'll also provide a preview of some significant changes to the Bionic Health app homescreen that are coming soon.

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Helping members achieve goals

Introducing Health Targets, a new feature that provides personalized guidance on the biomarkers you should prioritize. Research shows that physician-guided goal-setting leads to better health choices. That's why your dedicated clinician will select a unique set of targets tailored to your needs. Watch these personalized goals evolve as you progress on your health journey. Health Targets delivers clear, actionable insights from your physician to help you make informed decisions and achieve your goals more effectively.

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Read the paper: Goal Setting & Action Planning for Health Behavior Change

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Action Plans

Introducing Action Plans - your new personalized health optimization roadmap.

We've analyzed your data to create a clear plan tailored to your goals, covering four key areas:

1. Lifestyle guidance on daily habits

2. Science-backed supplement recommendations

3. Prescribed medications with monitoring

4. Education to empower your health journey

Your care team tracks progress and adjusts your plan based on results, so you'll know exactly where to focus for maximum impact.

Let your Action Plan be your step-by-step guide to peak health and performance.

Read the paper: Using Action Plans to Help Primary Care Patients Adopt Healthy Behaviors: A Descriptive Study

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Your Biomarker Dashboard (coming soon!)

Introducing the Bionic Health Biomarker Dashboard - a revolutionary way to visualize your health at a glance. 

This intuitive, color-coded graphic displays each of your key biomarkers as a spoke, instantly showing you what's optimized (green), at risk (yellow), or needs attention (red).

The Dashboard also features four high-level scores:

1. Your biological age via the PhenoAge method

2. Bionic Score, a comprehensive metric of your tracked biomarkers designed to show your progress

3. % optimal - your proportion of featured biomarkers in Bionic optimal ranges

4. 30-year risk of a heart attack or stroke via the PREVENT model

With the Biomarker Dashboard, you can quickly assess your health status, track progress, and prioritize areas for improvement, all with one holistic picture. 

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