Letter of Hope from Chris Nevala, MD, MSCI

November is my favorite time of year in Utah. The weather is perfect for going outside and the first signs of snow are showing up in the mountains. I am excitedly getting my skis ready for another season and looking forward to taking a break from the chaos of everyday life to focus on time spent with friends and family over the upcoming holidays.

November is also Gastric Cancer Awareness Month. Since I am a medical oncologist with a focus on taking care of patients with stomach cancer, this makes November even more special. This year I would like to take a moment to reflect on the progress we have made treating stomach cancer and explain why I am especially hopeful for the future.

Research and Evolving Treatment Strategies

Our understanding of gastric cancer has evolved dramatically in recent years. Two decades ago, all we had to treat this disease was a handful of chemotherapy drugs. Fortunately, my scientist colleagues in labs around the world are tirelessly working to learn how gastric cancer forms, grows, and spreads. 

That research has led to:

• Clinical trials that evaluate treatment strategies and have completely changed the way we treat gastric cancer. 
• Targeted therapies that can be used to tailor a patient’s treatment based on their unique molecular characteristics. 
• Immunotherapies that can harness a patient’s own immune system to fight their cancer more effectively
• Advanced genetic testing that can help family members determine if they are also at risk for gastric cancer.

I see the impact these advances have had on patients in my clinic every week and for this I am incredibly thankful.

Moving Forward with Gratitude

Of course, we still have work to do. Gastric cancer continues to be diagnosed at a rate that is far too high and the patients I see in clinic seem to be getting younger and younger. We need to build on the successes of the last decade and continue to develop more and better treatments. The support I receive from Huntsman Cancer Institute to develop and run clinical trials for our gastric cancer patients gives me hope that this is a goal we can achieve.

“The strength you demonstrate during your cancer journeys gives me hope that we are going to be able to beat this disease.”

I also want to express my deepest admiration for all who are affected by gastric cancer and especially to those who have chosen to sacrifice their own time to participate in research studies. The strength you demonstrate during your cancer journeys gives me hope that we are going to be able to beat this disease and is what inspires me to come to work every day.