Breaking Down Kidney Cancer Treatment Advancements and Providing Hope

Although late-stage kidney cancer generated poor survival rates for over two decades, significant progress is being made in the treatment of the disease, according to Sid Sadler, who added that advancements driven by dedicated doctors, researchers and clinical trials have led to improved outcomes.

Sadler, a patient advocate and survivor of kidney cancer, went on to note that while a cure remains uncertain, ongoing research continues to develop, providing hope for patients with this disease. To further discuss this topic and the importance of forward-looking research in kidney cancer, Sadler sat down for an interview with CURE.

In case you missed it, you can also catch Sadler’s insights on takeaways from his experience with kidney cancer, as well as facts and tips, in a recent Instagram Takeover with CURE which he hosted!

Transcript:

For kidney cancer, we are just beginning to see progress. For the longest time, for 20-plus years, the survival rate for stage 4 kidney cancer was not great. You can go online and see the numbers. While it's still not the best, we have greatly improved that number thanks to incredible doctors, researchers, scientists, caregivers and patients who have been willing to participate in clinical trials. I believe we are turning a corner in kidney cancer.

I don't like to use the word “cure,” and I don't know when that will be. I'm not a doctor, but I think the key message is that there are doctors, researchers and scientists who dedicate their lives to finding ways to cure this disease. So, if you are diagnosed and are listening to or reading this, it's not hopeless. There are many researchers, doctors, and institutions looking for a cure and have found very effective treatments, and even, dare I say, vaccines to treat patients.

On the advocacy side, if people are interested in getting involved, I say, do it. As I mentioned earlier, advocacy work isn't just online or social media or what I'm doing here. It can be many different things. It can be talking to people in your community, talking to another patient, or simply donating your time or money to an organization. Advocacy work has many avenues, so get involved if you're interested.

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