COVID-19 AND INCREASED CANCER RISKS


The endocrine system is a network of glands and organs that control hormone production and drive several of the body's most important functions

Endocrine Relapses: Case reports have noted instances where acute viral and inflammatory stress from COVID-19 triggered rare relapses of endocrine-secreting conditions

Nearly 60 musicians have died this year because of #cancer
#Covid-19 #endocrinesystem


Shingles Vaccine (Shingrix)
  • What it protects against: Shingles and postherpetic neuralgia caused by the varicella-zoster (chickenpox) virus.
  • Who needs it: Recommended for healthy adults aged 50 and older, as well as immunocompromised adults aged 18 and older.
  • How it is given: A two-dose series administered intramuscularly in the upper arm, with the second dose given 2 to 6 months after the first (or 1 to 2 months later for immunocompromised individuals). [1, 2, 3]
HPV Vaccine (Gardasil 9)
  • What it protects against: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, including types that cause cervical, anogenital, and oropharyngeal (head and neck) cancers, as well as genital warts. [1, 2]
  • Who needs it: Routinely recommended for preteens (ages 11–12, though it can start at age 9), and recommended for everyone through age 26 (and shared clinical decision-making for adults aged 27–45). [1]
  • How it is given: A 2- or 3-dose series depending on the age at initial vaccination
  • mRNA cancer vaccines are an emerging form of immunotherapy designed to treat existing cancers by training the patient’s own immune system to recognize and attack tumor cells. Unlike traditional vaccines that prevent infectious diseases, these act as personalized treatments. Recent landmark clinical data has positioned them as a major breakthrough in oncology. [1, 2]
    How They Work
    mRNA cancer vaccines utilize the same underlying messenger RNA technology popularized during the COVID-19 pandemic, but they are applied therapeutically. [1, 2]
    • Tumor Sequencing: Doctors biopsy a patient's tumor and sequence its DNA to identify mutations unique to that specific cancer. [1]
    • Neoantigen Identification: Using AI and algorithms, researchers select specific abnormal proteins (called neoantigens) that appear on the tumor but not on healthy cells. [1, 2, 3]
    • Custom Vaccine Production: An mRNA strand is custom-manufactured to instruct the patient's cells to produce these neoantigens. [1, 2]
    • Immune Response: When injected, the vaccine trains the immune system's T-cells to aggressively target and destroy any remaining cancer cells carrying those specific proteins. [1]
    Latest Breakthroughs & Clinical Status
    The field achieved a historic milestone following the release of Phase 3 clinical trial results for the most advanced candidate: [1, 2]
    • Melanoma Success: In the Phase 3 INTerpath-001 trial, an experimental vaccine called intismeran autogene (developed by Moderna and Merck) was tested on patients with high-risk melanoma after surgery. When combined with the immunotherapy drug Keytruda, the vaccine slashed the risk of cancer recurrence or death by 42% compared to using Keytruda alone.
    • Regulatory Status: Manufacturers are actively engaging with regulatory authorities and are expected to file for FDA approval very soon, which could potentially bring the first personalized vaccine to the market by 2027.
    • Expanding to Other Cancers: Following the melanoma success, clinical trials are aggressively expanding to test mRNA vaccines against other solid tumors, including lung, bladder, kidney, and pancreatic cancers. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
    Key Challenges
    While highly promising, widespread adoption faces hurdles. Because each vaccine must be custom-made for an individual patient, the manufacturing timeline currently takes roughly 6 to 8 weeks. Additionally, personalized production is highly complex, raising questions about scalable distribution and high treatment costs. [1, 2, 3]
  • You can keep your endocrine system healthy by adopting balanced daily habits that support hormone production and metabolism.
    Daily Habits and Nutrition
    • Eat whole, unprocessed foods: Focus on fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats (such as omega-3s from fatty fish, avocados, and olive oil) to stabilize blood sugar and lower inflammation.
    • Limit sugar and alcohol:
      Cut back on refined sugars, sugary drinks, and heavy alcohol use, which strain metabolic and hormone regulation.
    • Get regular exercise: Aim for consistent physical activity like walking, swimming, or resistance training to improve insulin sensitivity and manage stress hormones.
    • Prioritize quality sleep: Get 7 to 9 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night to help regulate cortisol, leptin, and growth hormones.
    • Maintain a healthy weight: Keeping a weight that is healthy for you reduces the risk of insulin resistance and thyroid or reproductive hormone imbalances.
    Environmental and Medical Care
    • Avoid endocrine-disrupting chemicals: Reduce exposure to harmful plastics by avoiding microwaving plastic, choosing BPA-free or glass containers, and skipping cosmetics containing parabens or phthalates.
    • Get vital nutrients: Support gland function with proper intake of vitamin D, iodine (from seafood, eggs, or dairy), and calcium.
    • Schedule regular checkups: Visit your primary care provider or an endocrinologist for routine blood panels if you experience unexplained fatigue, mood shifts, or weight changes.

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