Philly Fights Cancer

Early detection saves lives, and new guidance is helping lead the way.
At Philly Fights Cancer, we’re proud to share the latest advancements from American Dental Association and Penn Dental Medicine’s Center for Integrative Global Oral Health.

Their first set of living guidelines for early oral cancer detection reinforces a critical truth: routine clinical oral exams remain the foundation for catching cancer early—when it’s most treatable. The recommendations also emphasize biopsy as the gold standard for diagnosis and provide important clarity on when additional testing is (and isn’t) effective.

As research evolves, so will these guidelines—ensuring clinicians and patients have access to the most up-to-date, evidence-based care.

Because progress in prevention and early detection is just as important as breakthroughs in treatment.

Read more at the link below:
https://www.dental.upenn.edu/news-events/2026/03/03/ada-living-guideline-program-releases-first-set-of-recommendations-on-early-oral-cancer-detection/

May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month—a time to prioritize prevention, early detection, and smarter, more personalized care.

At Penn Medicine, researchers are continuing to uncover how genetic and immune system traits shape a patient’s response to melanoma treatment—paving the way for therapies that are more targeted, more effective, and easier on the body.

At Philly Fights Cancer, we’re proud to fund the clinical trials at the Abramson Cancer Center that are driving these breakthroughs—advancing how we prevent, detect, and treat skin cancer every day.

And a reminder as we head into sunnier days: daily sunscreen is one of the simplest, most powerful ways to protect your skin year-round.

Taking one additional pill could buy more than an extra year of precious time for people with advanced triple-positive breast cancer.
“Adding palbociclib, a well-tolerated oral agent, to our standard treatment regimen provides a substantial and meaningful prolongation of response time and disease control for these patients who suffer from a currently incurable disease,” said Angela DeMichele, MD, MSCE, the Mariann T. and Robert J. MacDonald Professor in Breast Cancer Care Excellence at Penn Medicine, who was part of the research team.
https://www.healthday.com/health-news/cancer/new-combo-therapy-extends-survival-by-more-than-a-year-in-advanced-triple-positive-breast-cancers

Words can heal in ways medicine alone cannot.

Learn about the story of Deborah Burnham and the Writing a Life program at Abramson Cancer Center—a space where patients are invited to process, reflect, and reclaim their stories through writing.

Through thoughtful prompts and shared experiences, patients explore the visible and invisible marks cancer leaves behind—finding connection, courage, and even a little bit of magic in their words.

Because healing isn’t just physical, it’s emotional, creative, and deeply human.

Read more via Penn Medicine News: https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/abramson-cancer-center-she-helps-patients-find-their-words-cast-spell-cancer