Is inflammation the silent culprit behind the two most deadly global diseases—cancer and cardiometabolic disorders?

In this episode of Medicine for Good, Dr. Julieta Gabiola welcomes Felix Oen and Dr. Han Chong Toh to explore the powerful link between chronic inflammation, cancer, and cardiometabolic diseases. Research shows that persistent low-grade inflammation weakens the immune system, increases cancer risk, and fuels conditions like diabetes and heart disease.

The discussion highlights AI’s transformative role in healthcare, enabling early disease detection, precision medicine, and remote monitoring. Dr. Toh and Oen explain how AI-driven tools improve diagnostics and identify high-risk patients before symptoms appear, offering game-changing advancements in patient care.

Another key focus is the epidemic of fatty liver disease, which affects one in three people worldwide and significantly raises risks for cirrhosis, liver cancer, and metabolic disorders. The conversation also explores repurposed medications like aspirin, metformin, and statins in reducing cancer risk.

As the episode concludes, the guests emphasize a holistic approach to healthcare, stressing the importance of AI integration, lifestyle interventions, and early screenings in managing chronic diseases.

About Felix Oen

Felix Oen is a biomedical entrepreneur and co-founder of TikaHealth, a bioinformatics platform designed to enhance personalized healthcare, precision medicine, and patient data management. With a background in integrative medicine, AI, and machine learning, he has led multiple ventures in digital health, focusing on predictive analytics and early disease detection, particularly for cancer and liver diseases. Built during the COVID-19 pandemic, TikaHealth is now utilized by clinicians across cities to improve patient care, health literacy, and accessibility. Beyond his professional career, Felix is deeply involved in community initiatives, supporting marginalized groups and children-at-risk in Singapore and the region. Known for his leadership, strategic planning, and analytical expertise, he is committed to driving innovation in global healthcare.

About Dr. Han Chong Toh

Dr. Han Chong Toh is a distinguished medical oncologist with over 25 years of experience in clinical care and translational cancer research. As the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS), he leads strategic initiatives and the development of innovative cancer therapies. He is also a tenured professor at Duke-NUS Medical School and an Adjunct Principal Investigator at the Singapore Immunology Network and the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology. His research spans cancer immunology, immunotherapy, inflammation, and health policy, earning him multiple accolades, including the National Senior Clinician Scientist Award. Committed to advancing cancer treatment, he champions academic-industry collaborations, innovation, and impactful healthcare solutions.

About the Host:

Dr. Jette is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at Stanford University and the President & CEO of ABCs for Global Health. Click here for her full profile or read her full interview here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we explore a groundbreaking leap in cancer detection—one that may save millions of lives through early screening. Imagine a world where a single blood test could detect over 50 types of cancer, including those that are often diagnosed too late, like pancreatic, ovarian, and lung cancers. The Galleri Test, developed by GRAIL, offers a revolutionary approach to identifying cancer in its earliest stages when treatment is most effective.

Dr. Gabiola, who tragically lost her husband to pancreatic cancer at just 46, takes us through her deeply personal connection to this issue. She shares how her experiences led to a quest for better early detection methods, especially for cancers that hide until they’re advanced. Now, the Galleri test, a non-invasive blood test, presents new hope for patients, detecting cancer signals long before symptoms appear.

Dr. Josh Ofman, the President of GRAIL, explains how the Galleri test uses advanced AI to detect cancer DNA in the blood, offering a 90% accuracy rate for identifying the origin of the cancer signal. This multi-cancer screening is set to complement existing tests like mammograms and colonoscopies, but its broad scope may significantly reduce cancer mortality rates in the future. For those at risk or over the age of 50, this test represents a monumental shift in preventive care.

Listen in as we unpack the science behind this innovation, the future of early cancer detection, and the impact it could have on individuals and their families.

Mentioned in the Show:

1. GRAIL's Website (Galleri Test Information): Dr. Ofman referenced that patients and providers can learn more about the Galleri test on GRAIL's website. He also mentioned that individuals can order the test through telemedicine providers from this site: GRAIL (Galleri Test)
2. Quest Labs: For those who order the Galleri test, they can visit a Quest Labs location to have their blood drawn for the test: Quest Diagnostics

About Dr. Josh Ofman, MD, MSHS

Josh Ofman, MD, MSHS, is President at GRAIL. Josh also serves on the Board of Directors of Cell BT, Inc, an immuno-therapy company focused on the discovery and development of innovative cancer therapeutics. Previously, Josh spent more than 15 years at Amgen, where he most recently held the role of Senior Vice President, Global Value, Access and Policy.

Prior to that, Josh was a faculty member in the Department of Medicine and Health Services Research at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, as well as Senior Vice President of Zynx Health Inc., a subsidiary of Cerner Corp.

Josh holds a BA in history and philosophy of science from the University of California, Berkeley, and an MD from the University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine. Josh also has an MSHS from the UCLA School of Public Health.

About the Host:

Dr. Jette is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at Stanford University and the President & CEO of ABCs for Global Health. Click here for her full profile or read her full interview here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if a simple blood test could detect cancer early enough to save lives?

In today’s Medicine for Good episode, Beyond the Signal, we delve into the inspiring and hopeful story of Roger Royse, a Silicon Valley startup lawyer diagnosed with stage 2 pancreatic cancer. Unlike many others, Roger’s cancer was detected early thanks to a groundbreaking Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) blood test, Galleri by GRAIL. While 70% of cancers do not have standard screening options, Roger's proactive approach highlights the power of these new diagnostic tools, particularly for elusive cancers like pancreatic cancer, which often go undetected until it's too late.

Roger shares his emotional journey—from the initial shock of the diagnosis to his aggressive chemotherapy regimen and the experimental cancer vaccine that led him to remission. His resilience is evident as he recounts his determination to seek out life-saving technologies, even when faced with medical roadblocks.

Despite having no symptoms, Roger's decision to pursue the MCED test was pivotal in catching the disease early. He challenges the outdated notion that cancer screening should only be done when symptoms arise.

In this episode, we also touch on the broader implications of multi-cancer detection technology. Early detection through blood tests could revolutionize cancer care, reducing late-stage diagnoses and improving patient outcomes. Roger’s story isn’t just about survival—it’s about advocacy. He’s now using his platform to promote the importance of being proactive about health, even when you feel healthy. For him, the key takeaway is clear: Early detection saves lives.

Join us as we explore the future of cancer detection, the human side of a high-tech medical breakthrough, and how a simple blood test gave Roger a second chance at life.

Mentioned in the Show:

1. Galleri Test by GRAIL: Roger took the Galleri multi-cancer early detection (MCED) blood test, which played a crucial role in detecting his stage 2 pancreatic cancer early. This test screens for multiple types of cancer from a single blood sample. You can learn more about the Galleri test on their official website here​.
2. Prenuvo MRI: After receiving the cancer signal from the Galleri test, Roger quickly arranged for a private MRI scan with Prenuvo, a company that offers advanced full-body MRI scans. Prenuvo provides detailed insights into health status, including cancer detection. More details about Prenuvo can be found on their official website here​.
3. Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN): Roger is actively involved with PanCAN, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting pancreatic cancer. PanCAN raises funds for research and advocates for legislation to improve early detection and treatment. More information about PanCAN can be found here.

About the Host:

Dr. Jette is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at Stanford University and the President & CEO of ABCs for Global Health. Click here for her full profile or read her full interview here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.