At the FERO Foundation, we promote an open and clear dialogue about cancer, which is why we created the Feropedia. This is a series of publications through which we aim to explain key concepts in oncology research to spread knowledge about this disease.
Aimed at an audience that does not necessarily know specific cancer-related terms, we provide brief summaries of these concepts so that everyone has, at the very least, a starting point to understand the reality of cancer and our mission as researchers.
What have we discussed so far?
Translational research:
We began by explaining one of the Foundation’s most important concepts: translational research. This type of research seeks to accelerate the transfer of basic research results to the clinical setting. This model is the most effective way to benefit more quickly from advances in the fight against cancer. Learn more about it on our website.
Liquid biopsy:
The Feropedia continued with the concept of liquid biopsy, bringing new knowledge to the public—in this case, new diagnostic methods. This test allows us, through a blood test (or other fluids), to make increasingly early cancer diagnoses and better monitor the evolution of the disease, thus helping to personalize treatments and save more lives.
Feropedia:
For the third entry, the Feropedia defined itself, highlighting the importance of its work and reiterating the participation of scientists in the definitions we share. Scientific rigor is very important to the Foundation, and the Feropedia is one of the many ways we aim to help people suffering from cancer or those who have loved ones affected by it.
What is cancer
The disease was the protagonist of the fourth Feropedia entry, in which we defined what cancer is. Through the words of Dr. Josep Baselga, the disease is demystified, defining it in a way that is understandable to everyone, but with the final message that we can combat it with the appropriate techniques and extensive research.
Precision medicine:
For the fifth definition, we decided to talk about precision medicine. This approach to cancer diagnosis and treatment is the latest trend in oncology. Thanks to its personalization, the recovery rate of patients treated with precision medicine increases as its development advances.
Biomarkers:
Personalized medicine is possible because we have certain molecular markers or biomarkers, the protagonists of the sixth Feropedia entry. We are seeing that when these treatment biomarkers are used, it is possible to identify those patients who will have a greater response or benefit from a targeted therapy.
War on cancer:
In the Feropedia, we also explain the history of cancer, as is the case with the seventh entry, where we recount the origins of the expression “War on Cancer.”
Three known types of breast cancer:
During October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we wanted to highlight the three main types of breast cancer that exist. This awareness effort not only helps to gain a deeper understanding of the disease, but also provides people with tools to detect breast cancer, along with advice and recommendations to prevent this type of tumor.
FERO Foundation:
In the penultimate post to date, we defined the FERO Foundation through the words of Ruben Ventura, Director of the Foundation. This special post, in video format, closed out 2022 and paved the way for the new Feropedia, in which the participation of professionals takes center stage.
Relationship between circadian rhythm and cancer:
We also share advances and new medical trends, such as the protagonist of the eighth Feropedia entry: the relationship between circadian rhythm and cancer. The circadian rhythm is our body’s natural 24-hour cycle, a kind of internal clock that our cells have. Dr. Antonia Tomás-Loba, Head of the Circadian Rhythm and Cancer Group at the University of Murcia, along with her team, is investigating the relationship between circadian rhythm and cancer to prevent, diagnose, and cure the disease more effectively.
Frequently asked questions about cancer:
That is why, in the latest published post, we had the participation of doctors César Serrano and Antonia Tomás-Loba, who answered the most frequently asked questions about cancer. As mentioned before, scientific rigor is very important when communicating any concept about cancer, as we believe that awareness work is one of the most important factors in understanding how to beat the disease.
Many more concepts, topics, and definitions await us this year, and we hope you will join us so that, together, we can end cancer.
If you would like to collaborate with the FERO Foundation through any of our current proposals, you can support us directly or send an email to fero@fero.org and we will help you make it happen.
