Fred Hutch’s Dr. Elizabeth Swisher talks cancer care, patient experience

At our March Chamber Lunch, we were joined by Dr. Elizabeth Swisher, deputy director of the Fred Hutch, UW & Seattle Children’s Cancer Consortium, to hear about recent innovations in cancer care.

Her colleague, Dr. Vida Henderson, moderated the discussion, and the duo dove into common misconceptions coming from both in and outside of the industry. 

Here were a few of our main takeaways:

• Prevention is better than treatment. While it may seem obvious, technology has now caught up to the point where early detection is possible, allowing for a more holistic approach to treating those who are predisposed for certain conditions, diseases, or cancers.
  
  
• You are allowed — and often encouraged — to get a second opinion. When it comes to something as serious as your health, it’s not rude (or uncommon) to go to another practitioner to see what they have to say. Whether it's regarding a diagnosis, treatment plan, or clinical trial, you should feel empowered to seek additional answers.
  
  
• Immunotherapy is actually really, really cool. Fred Hutch researchers are studying and developing several types of immunotherapies — including adoptive T-cell therapies, antibody-based therapies, cancer vaccines, and checkpoint inhibitors — which can be used alone, in combination with conventional treatments, or with one another.
  
  
• Disparities in cancer care still exist, and are actually widening in some cases. The cost of care has only risen in recent years, and cancer-causing agents like stress or environmental toxins disproportionately impact those already feeling the economic pressure. According to Dr. Swisher, policy will likely need to be the driving force in alleviating this issue.
  
  
• There is a whole lot of misinformation swirling around regarding cancer treatment. Avoid: Unregulated herbal supplements; the idea that clinical trials are for worst-case-scenarios only. Look for: Credible sources, like the American Cancer Society.