Everyone with cancer deserves state-of-the-art care and a chance to live the best life possible.

Our cover subject, Michael Whitley, searched out a world-renowned expert to help him manage metastatic kidney cancer. Like many, he found a source of hope in new treatments. Between 1991 and 2018, cancer deaths in the United States fell by 31%. It’s a huge achievement, driven by healthier lifestyles, earlier detection and groundbreaking treatment advances. But deaths could fall by another 40% if proven interventions get to everyone, finds the American Cancer Society.

Even the best medicine is only fully effective when people are screened regularly, diagnosed early and treated promptly. Death rates for certain cancers are higher for people who are Black, Latino/Hispanic, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian/Pacific Islander, LGBTQ, low-income or rural or lack college degrees. Black Americans face the greatest disparities—a 14% higher death rate. That’s why the theme of our second annual Cancer Health 25 issue is Black Lives Matter. It features remarkable individuals fighting to break down racial barriers to cancer care.

In this issue, as always, we celebrate personal stories. Kelly Shanahan, who is living with metastatic breast cancer, found a new identity after she could no longer practice medicine. Sonia Dolinger found that her chronic lymphocytic leukemia battle strengthened her entire family. Native American artist Robert DesJarlait (“A Colon Cancer Diary,” dug deep into healing rituals to thrive again.

We invite you to get smart about Care & Treatment and News, learn what a respiratory therapist does and discover melanoma resources. Pamper yourself too, with soothing, healing Good Stuff and restorative travel.

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