Month: August 2024

2024-08-26T09:01:00

(BPT) – More than two decades ago, on Sept. 11, 2001, many lost their lives in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. From across America, people stepped forward — uniting to help the families of those lost, assist the injured, and do whatever they could to help.

AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers were among those who were there to help, offering emergency assistance to the injured, serving as family caseworkers, and helping those displaced from Ground Zero find housing and other services. For many, their service was a life-changing experience, inspiring them to pursue careers in public service.

The 9/11 attacks also inspired AmeriCorps alumni Cait and Kevin to serve. Both lost their fathers that day but found ways to heal through service.

Cait chooses to remember her father by inspiring others to give back and doing what her father loved — helping others in need.

“Looking back, my journey involved not only following in my father’s footsteps to help others but also finding the importance of community in my own healing. The way our communities came together after 9/11 was remarkable. It taught me that despite all our differences, we all have the ability to come together to listen, learn, and accept one another. I don’t think I would be the person I am today if it weren’t for these lessons. I learned how difficult and messy traumatic events can be in our lives, but also learned how resiliency can be beautiful,” said Cait.

Kevin continues to honor his father’s memory by working with nonprofit organizations to lift up fellow New Yorkers and Americans to a better and brighter future.

Kevin shared, “In 2001, I was just 4 years old when I lost my father in the attack on the World Trade Center. That devastating loss changed me and inspired me to help others in need through my service with AmeriCorps and now in my career. Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand how small efforts can affect great changes that impact the lives of those in need.”

The events of that day and the heroism of the first responders ultimately led to the creation of the Sept. 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, founded by the nonprofit 9/11 Day with the support of the 9/11 community, AmeriCorps, and bipartisan leaders in Congress.

Since 2009, Americans have united in service and volunteerism on Sept. 11 to honor those lost and recognize the sacrifices that members of the armed forces, emergency responders, and their families continue to make.

AmeriCorps works with 9/11 Day, grantees and partners, as well as faith-based, local, and national organizations, to offer volunteering opportunities in communities across the nation.

People of all ages and backgrounds join and lead community service projects from food drives and home repairs to neighborhood cleanups and disaster preparation activities to honor the lives and service of those lost that day. These civic champions cross divides, differences, and ideologies to make a difference — rekindling the spirit of unity and service that swept our nation after that tragic day.

You can be a part of this movement. Join your neighbors and make plans to serve your community on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024.

To find a volunteer opportunity near you or learn more, visit AmeriCorps.gov/911day.

2024-08-26T08:01:00

(BPT) – From the explosive growth of GLP-1 drugs for weight loss to the social media hype around gut health, new wellness trends have been central to the cultural conversation over the past year. To help understand the products and innovations shaping these trends — and how they may support everyone’s individual health goals — The Vitamin Shoppe’s new Health & Wellness Trend Report 2024 takes a deep dive into the top five trends of the year.

1. GLP-1 users seek nutritional support

As GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro are increasingly used to treat Type 2 diabetes and support weight loss, there is also a heightened focus on ensuring that people taking these medications get proper nutrition. These medications help people feel full longer, according to the Mayo Clinic, which can suppress the appetite, making daily food and nutrition choices even more important.

For that reason, GLP-1 users may want to add nutritional supplements to their daily routines to ensure they’re getting enough nutrients, including proteins, multivitamins, fiber and probiotics. These supplements can help fill key nutrient gaps and support the optimal digestive health of patients on GLP-1 drugs. In fact, The Vitamin Shoppe saw a 10% increase in sales of ready-to-drink protein beverages compared to last year, plus a 13% bump in meal replacement products tailored to weight management in the first four months of this year.

While taking a GLP-1 medication, it’s recommended to consult a health professional about developing a nutrition plan, which may include supplements while managing weight loss.

2. Living better, longer

Recent interest in longevity has evolved from not just how long people live, but how long they’ll stay healthy — what some have dubbed “healthspan,” not just lifespan. This trend is being driven by cutting-edge research and new technologies that are adding healthy years to lives, with a heightened focus on nutritional health. Key areas of nutritional focus for healthy aging include cognitive health, cellular health and mobility health.

At The Vitamin Shoppe, cognitive support products are the biggest sales driver by volume this year, including the popular Ginkgo biloba, known for memory and circulatory support, and L-theanine, which helps promote relaxation and stress support.

Meanwhile, cellular health support products have seen the biggest percentage of sales gains, up over 45% from the previous year, such as Vthrive Bioactive B-Complex, which aids in energy production and nervous system support. Other customer favorites include the amino acid Jarrow Formulas’ L-Carnitine and Life Extension’s NAD+ Cell Regenerator, known for supporting healthy cellular metabolism.

“Longevity is one of the most exciting areas of wellness innovation today,” said Muriel Gonzalez, president of The Vitamin Shoppe. “There’s growing demand for this kind of knowledge, empowering consumers to incorporate the latest advances and products into their everyday wellness practices, including longevity-focused nutritional support.”

3. Gut health is everywhere

Log on to your favorite social media platform, and there is bound to be content about gut health. This wellness phenomenon has turned topics that were often kept private — like bloating, IBS and digestive issues — and made them almost fashionable.

This increased awareness of the importance of gut health has fueled sales of supplements such as probiotics, prebiotics, and fiber products like psyllium husk and digestive enzymes. Food and beverage makers are adding gut health ingredients to everything from soda and yogurt to even candy. At The Vitamin Shoppe, the best-selling ProBioCare range of probiotics and digestive health products increased sales 24% in 2023, with another 44% jump in the first quarter of 2024.

“Your gut is like the command center of your body; there’s so much more to it than just digestion. It plays a starring role in practically every aspect of your health and well-being,” explained Maya Shetreat, M.D., a member of The Vitamin Shoppe’s Wellness Council.

4. Women 40+ in the spotlight

Once an overlooked category, there’s growing interest in wellness products for women aged 40 and older. This year, The Vitamin Shoppe introduced three new brands for this key demographic to its 700 stores: Health & Her, Wile and Solaray Her Life STAGES. In fact, over 40 new products dedicated to women’s health were added, all addressing the unique needs of women as they reach life milestones such as perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause — including different areas of hormonal health, emotional health and sexual health.

According to industry figures from SPINS, women are increasingly seeking out case-specific supplements for their individual needs. For example, sales of PMS formulas increased 12% over a 12-month period ending in 2023.

“All these hormonal milestones in a woman’s life are natural, beautiful transitions — they aren’t taboo topics. Now, there are better solutions to address the often frustrating and uncomfortable symptoms each woman may experience,” explained Dr. Pamela Peeke, a prominent physician and nutrition expert, who helped develop the Solaray Her Life STAGES products.

5. Beverages are not just for hydrating anymore

While hydrating remains crucial for overall health, especially while exercising or enjoying the summer heat, consumers increasingly want beverages to do even more. Beverages can also boost wellness and mood with a range of vitamins, adaptogens, nootropics and botanicals.

Sales of these kind of ready-to-drink “functional beverages” have grown 20% last year, according to SPINS figures. Catering to this increased thirst for good-for-you drinks, The Vitamin Shoppe recently introduced dedicated displays in hundreds of its stores for trendy functional mocktails from brands including Kin Euphorics, De Soi, Hiyo and Parch.

For more information on all the latest wellness trends of 2024, download the complete Health & Wellness Trend Report from The Vitamin Shoppe here. To explore the full range of lifelong wellness solutions in the report, visit your local The Vitamin Shoppe store or VitaminShoppe.com.

2024-08-22T10:01:00

(BPT) – Do you have a home emergency plan in place for you and your family? If the answer is no, you’re not alone. According to a recent survey conducted by Wakefield Research for Amazon,* 81% of adults in the U.S. do not have a well-rounded home emergency plan in place. Outside of our own households, a similar number of adults (82%) are worried about not being notified if elderly family or friends have an accident or emergency at home.

In honor of National Preparedness Month in September, now is the perfect time to develop a home safety plan for your family and loved ones who live alone. It can feel daunting to tackle getting a plan together, but here are three easy tips to help you get started.

Identify the risks that are unique to the area you’re in

An important first step is understanding the types of hazards that might be prevalent in your community, whether that’s wildfires, earthquakes, flooding or major storms. Knowing what emergencies you’re most likely to face allows you to better prepare and helps make creating a plan feel more manageable than trying to prepare for everything.

Your state and local government’s emergency management websites are a great starting point to get more information about the common types of disasters and whether plans already exist for your area. You should also sign up for your community’s alert and warning systems which can notify community members of impending disasters or of actions to take following a disaster.

Make a plan that takes into account the specific needs of your household

As you prepare, tailor your emergency plans and supplies to your specific needs and outline key roles and responsibilities, especially since your family may not always be together in case of an emergency.

Some questions to consider as you’re building out a plan:

• How will we receive emergency alerts and warnings?
• What is our evacuation route and meeting point?
• Does everyone know who to call in an emergency?
• What vital items do we need in an emergency supplies kit beyond the typical items? (e.g. prescription medication, eyeglasses, extra contact lenses, cashier’s check, etc.)
• Where will we keep important family documents physically and digitally? (e.g. copies of insurance policies, identification bank account records, etc.)

Invest in resources that can get you help fast and provide you peace of mind

Emergencies are by nature unpredictable and while it’s essential to have a well-thought-through and actionable plan, one of the best things that you can do is also invest in a service that offers emergency support at any time, like Alexa Emergency Assist. Available 24/7, 365 days a year, this service allows your entire household to get fast access to help without having to pull out your phone or if it’s not in reach, by simply saying, “Alexa, call for help,” to your Echo device.

Dedicated, professionally trained agents can request dispatch of emergency services and have access to any of your pre-saved critical information at the time of the call, like your home address, medications or allergies, allowing first responders to be thoroughly prepared when they arrive at your home.

Other key Alexa Emergency Assist features:

• 24/7 Urgent Response: Available around the clock, 365 days a year, even if phone lines are down.
• Professional assistance: Dedicated, trained agents can quickly request dispatch of police, fire, or ambulance services.
• No wait times: Call center answer times are faster than industry standards,** so you get help without delays.
• Pre-saved information: Urgent Response agents will have the information you choose to provide during sign-up, including your address, device details, medical conditions, household information (such as gate or door codes) and a list of emergency contacts.
• Emergency contacts: Alexa Emergency Assist allows you to save the contact information of up to 25 family members, friends or loved ones you choose to be automatically notified and informed when a call is placed.
• Smart alerts: These allow Alexa to detect if your smoke or CO alarm is sounding, or there’s a sound of glass breaking — and will notify you so you can take action whether you’re at home or away.

These tips will help offer you peace of mind, knowing that your family is prepared in case of any emergencies. To learn more about Alexa Emergency Assist, visit Amazon.com/gethelpfast.

*According to a survey of 1,000 U.S. Adults Ages 18+ and a survey of 1,000 U.S. parents of children ages 12 and under for Amazon by Wakefield Research between March 15-20, 2024.

**AEA’s calls are answered faster than industry standards according to the National Fire Protection Association and National Emergency Number Association.

2024-08-21T23:01:00

(BPT) – Back-to-school season is in full swing, which means it’s time to make sure your kids have the essentials they need for a successful school year. Health coverage should be at the top of that list — and being insured is important for students all year long. Academic success, long-term health outcomes, and health coverage all go hand-in-hand: Studies show that when children have health coverage, they are better equipped to participate in the classroom and during extracurricular activities, miss fewer days of school, and are more likely to complete high school and graduate college.

Finding free or low-cost health coverage for your family can be as easy as ABC. Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provide coverage for a broad range of health services for kids up to age 19. When enrolled, kids have access to preventive care, emergency services, dental visits, behavioral health care, immunizations, vision care, and more. For the millions of families who are currently covered, now is also a good time to ensure kids are caught up on routine vaccines and well-child visits needed to participate in school activities.

Get Insured with Medicaid and CHIP

The Connecting Kids to Coverage National Campaign wants families to experience the peace of mind and security that comes with knowing their child is covered no matter what the school year brings. Medicaid and CHIP cover more than 37 million children in the United States and have helped ensure that more than 94% of the nation’s children have health coverage. Enrollment is open year-round, meaning your family doesn’t have to wait for an open-enrollment period to see if you qualify. Coverage must be renewed each year, and it’s important to make sure your address, email, and phone number stay up to date with your state Medicaid office so your family can receive communications about important renewal information.

Medicaid and CHIP eligibility varies by state and depends on family income and how many people are in your household. In most states, children up to age 19 with family income up to $80,000 per year (for a family of four) may qualify. Families can apply online, over the phone, by mail, or in-person with their state’s Medicaid office or visit the “Find Coverage for Your Family” section on InsureKidsNow.gov. For more information, call 1-877-KIDS-NOW (1-877-543-7669).

With health coverage, children can get the services they need to make the grade this school year by staying healthy and thrive academically.

Provided by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

2024-08-21T11:31:00

(BPT) – Close your eyes and imagine a world where pets are as healthy and happy as possible. Now open them and look at your own pet who gives you so much love and companionship. Big dreams for pets inspire big innovations, and that’s exactly what one company does every day.

“Most people think of Purina as a pet food company. I think of Purina as a pet science company,” said Sheri Smithey, senior vice president of Global Pet Care Research & Development at Nestlé Purina PetCare. “We have nearly 500 pet experts globally, ranging from veterinarians, engineers and animal nutritionists to pet behavior scientists, food scientists and immunologists, all working to understand the science of pets to create products and technology that will make their lives better.”

Smithey’s team is responsible for all aspects of R&D for Purina including nutrition, digital solutions, engineering, product development and packaging. She knows that by asking the big questions, you find the big solutions. The key to innovation is to start with the imagination.

Here are several examples of what Smithey’s team imagined and the resulting innovations that now benefit pets worldwide:

Imagine: The daughter of a Purina scientist begged for a cat that she couldn’t get because of her allergies. So, what if there was a way to reduce the major allergen in cat hair and dander so more people can have a cat in their home?

Innovation: The world’s first allergen-reducing cat food, Pro Plan LiveClear, is an award-winning option that is a gamechanger for people with allergies to cats.

Imagine: What if senior dogs could think and act like younger dogs again, and instead of slowing down, rediscover energy and playtime?

Innovation: Pro Plan Bright Mind makes a difference for dogs ages 7 and older, featuring enhanced botanical oils that provide an additional energy source for senior dogs’ brains, helping them to think and act more like when they were younger.

Imagine: What if we could know more about feline health simply by better understanding their litter box habits?

Innovation: The Petivity smart litter box monitor connects to a smart device to share crucial behavioral data that could show signs of potential health problems like kidney disease.

Imagine: What if there was an easy way to help keep dogs’ and cats’ teeth clean and healthy that doesn’t involve the recommended daily brushing by their human friends?

Innovation: Dentalife is a treat that tastes good and supports the oral health of cats and dogs, giving confidence to pet owners everywhere.

Imagine: What if there were savory options to help entice the appetite that notoriously picky feline friends couldn’t resist?

Innovation: By studying the taste and texture preferences of different cats, a new product form was created as supplemental feeding enhancements for those with selective palates: Fancy Feast broths and Friskies lil’ soups.

“Our imaginations are the springboard to ask big questions and find big solutions, and all our work starts by observing how pets live today, identifying the challenges that lessen the length or quality of their lives, and imagining a future where those challenges no longer exist. Each project we create began with a simple word: Imagine,” said Smithey.

2024-08-20T23:01:00

(BPT) – The promise of AI has raised many questions about how it will impact the workforce. Should the speed of AI development be considered a threat to workers, or a source of opportunity to them in this rapidly changing environment?

Fundamentally, generative AI will help workers, according to Cognizant CEO Ravi Kumar S. His optimism is fueled by a deep understanding of the best ways this technology can be used. How and where AI is adopted is what Cognizant focuses on — advising companies on the best deployment of these tools, tailored to the needs of each enterprise.

“One of the main effects of generative AI is that it will change how we assess expertise in various disciplines,” said Kumar. “It will also transform how different disciplines can communicate and collaborate, such as a software engineer and medical specialist using AI to translate their professional vocabularies into language the other can understand.”

Kumar answers commonly asked questions about AI, drawing on research Cognizant has conducted to better understand how it will impact the workforce today and into the future.

Why won’t AI replace humans in the workforce?

AI can automate many tasks, from generating emails to coding and more, potentially freeing up workers to spend more time creating and innovating. But most jobs at a variety of levels still need a human.

AI will never create a like-for-like replacement for a human position. For example, AI is never going to replace surgeons, but generative AI can perform administrative tasks that help doctors have more time to see and care for patients. Generative AI can also aid diagnostics, since there is too much data for any one doctor to know. AI opens access to more data and can identify patterns in that data most humans wouldn’t have the capacity to see.

Can you assess the potential impact of AI industry-by-industry or job-by-job?

We quantify the impact of AI through what we call an “exposure score” and a “friction score.” The exposure score estimates how likely a task is to be taken over by AI, while the friction score refers to how easily that employee can be retrained.

Consider a developer versus a fisherman. There are 21 million developers worldwide, but programming work can largely be taken over by AI — a high exposure score. However, developers are highly retrainable, giving them a low friction score. On the other hand, fishermen are unlikely to be replaced with AI, but if robots were created that could fish, what transferable skills do they have? That’s an example of a low exposure score and high friction score.

Cognizant and Oxford Economics partnered to develop what we’ve called our “New Work, New World” study, which analyzes how AI will affect the workforce. The study applied these scores to 18,000 tasks in 1,000 jobs, discovering that 90% of jobs could experience some degree of disruption by AI over the next 10 years.

Cognizant currently works with companies to assess exposure and friction scores of all their positions, among other crucial information, to help companies better understand how and when to retrain employees. Understanding what each company and their employees need now and into the future is key to helping them optimize AI for growth and development.

How will AI impact business profitability?

We’re now in an era of hyper-productivity as enterprises fundamentally rewire their businesses for new levels of agility, productivity and innovation. In a recent analysis we did as part of our “New Work, New World” study, we found that more than three-fourths of businesses (76%) are looking to use generative AI to create new revenue streams. Companies also plan to invest an average of $47.5 million in generative AI this year.

With our data showing generative AI tools potentially injecting nearly $1 trillion into the U.S. economy and even more globally over the next 10 years, it’s not surprising the survey identified generative AI as a core source of potential productivity and growth for most companies.

But to fully harness this hyper-productivity, we must expand the pace of training and upskilling around the world so that workers are prepared to participate in the digital economy. This is why we launched our Synapse initiative last year, which is aimed at training one million individuals and creating employment opportunities in the future digital economy.

What do companies need to help them optimize AI?

Rolling out any new technology enterprise-wide is complex and challenging. So far, only 26% of the companies surveyed have been able to implement AI company-wide, and many express concern these delays could give competitors an advantage.

Our data also points to a need for outside expertise to help them with AI adoption, with 43% of companies planning to work with external consultants to strategize using AI.

To provide this much-needed support, we’re finding more and more companies are tapping us to help them traverse the AI productivity-to-growth journey. We’re working with enterprises across industries to modernize their technology, reimagine processes and transform experiences so they can stay ahead, including maximizing AI to their advantage.

I’m optimistic about the future and how companies can use generative AI for critical tasks while developing a future-ready workforce through reskilling. Used thoughtfully, we can ensure generative AI is a positive force not just for economic productivity, but also for workers and society.

Learn what generative AI can do for your business at Cognizant.com.

2024-08-20T07:01:00

(BPT) – What are you doing to nourish your brain on a daily basis? Many people eat a balanced diet and work out to nourish and support their bodies and their overall health, but it’s just as important to support the brain. It can lead to greater mental focus, a longer attention span, sharper memory, greater mental energy, and can even enhance your mood and mental health. And it couldn’t be more important.

Why? It’s because the brain is the epicenter of, well, everything. It’s about experiences, memories, attention span and so much more. Nurturing the brain isn’t just about delaying cognitive decline or aging — it’s about embracing life to the fullest. A healthy brain means meaningful activities, deep relationships, engrossing passion. There is a profound impact of brain health in every aspect of the human journey. Cognitive vitality and unlocking the potential of each moment resonates with everyone. When the brain thrives, so does daily life.

Whether you’re a young professional looking to optimize your cognitive performance, an older adult focused on maintaining mental clarity and memory, or a kid just trying to get through final exams, it’s wise to boost your brain. The good news? It’s easy to do. Here are some ways to give your brain some love.

Eat right. There are many reasons to eat a balanced diet of fruits, veggies, whole grains and lean meats, and brain health is high on that list. Eating foods packed with antioxidants and other nutrients is great for your brain. Omega-3 fatty acids also play a crucial role, and can be found in fatty fish, nuts and seeds.

Get your Cognizin Citicoline on. What’s that? Citicoline is a naturally occurring brain chemical that has neuroprotective properties. In other words, it helps protect and repair brain cells and supports focus and memory. Cognizin^® Citicoline is one of the most comprehensive brain ingredients on the market. An innovative form of Citicoline, which has been clinically researched for its role in cognitive function, Cognizin^® is a clinically studied nootropic to support mental energy, memory, focus and attention. Many other cognitive health ingredients only enhance brain performance, but Cognizin^® provides brain performance as well as brain health support over time. This brain health nutrient has demonstrated through multiple clinical trials that it provides essential brain health benefits to people of all ages.

Exercise. When you exercise, you’re not just burning calories. You’re increasing blood flow to the brain, which can improve cognitive function. How much exercise does the trick? Thirty minutes of moderate exercise on most days is a good guideline. And hey, all of that good food and exercise will help your body, too.

Focus on sleep. A recent study by Johns Hopkins Medicine revealed what many of us already knew — sleep is vital to brain health. If you’ve ever slogged through the day after a bad night’s sleep, you know how groggy and “off” you feel. But this study showed that sleep is an integral part of “brain plasticity,” or the brain’s ability to adapt to input. After a bad night’s sleep, we actually have trouble processing anything we learned the next day and have trouble remembering it in the future. Can’t remember what you had for lunch yesterday? A bad night’s sleep could be the culprit.

Challenge your brain daily. Love Wordle? How about a crossword puzzle or other type of brain teaser? Doing them is like a workout for your brain, and helps keep you sharp.

It’s easy to check off a good diet, sleep, exercise and puzzles each day. What about Cognizin? It’s actually in more products than you might realize, from beverages you see regularly at the grocery store to supplements to protein bars, even lollipops! There are currently 200+ products out there right now that contain Cognizin. Visit Cognizin.com/en/buy-cognizin to get started.

A few easy lifestyle changes can show the love to your brain every day. It’ll love you back, guaranteed.

2024-08-20T11:01:00

(BPT) – Julio, a 49-year-old engineer and avid runner, discovered an alarming sign of trouble right after completing a half-marathon: blood in his urine. He promptly consulted a doctor, which led to a bladder cancer diagnosis. Specifically, Julio had low-grade intermediate-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (LG-IR-NMIBC), a type known for its tendency to recur.

Although his diagnosis in March 2020 was complicated by the pandemic, Julio was still able to get started on treatment right away, which involved a surgery called transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) to remove a tumor of around three centimeters from his bladder, followed by a round of chemotherapy to try and prevent further tumors from developing.

“People with LG-IR-NMIBC usually undergo repeated surgical procedures called TURBTs, due to the highly recurrent nature of the disease. This can have a significant impact on a patient’s physical health and quality of life,” explained Sandip Prasad, M.D., MPhil, Director of Genitourinary Surgical Oncology, Morristown Medical Center/Atlantic Health System, New Jersey. “These patients need more options to help them better manage their disease.”

“Surgery was difficult for me,” said Julio. “It took me a long time to recover. It was very painful. It took two to three weeks to start walking and moving like my normal self, then two to three months to start running again.”

Within a year of having surgery, Julio faced the recurrence of small tumors, a common issue with LG-IR-NMIBC. Up to 50% of LG-IR-NMIBC cases recur within one year.^[1]

What is bladder cancer?

Bladder cancer can develop when cells in the urinary lining begin growing out of control, and as more cancer cells develop, they can form a tumor that might spread to other parts of the body over time.^[2] Bladder cancer can be categorized as either low-grade, which grows slower but has a tendency to recur, or high-grade, which tends to spread more aggressively.^[3] About 730,000 people in the U.S. live with bladder cancer, with an estimated 83,190 new cases expected in 2024.^[4]

Although bladder cancer is the second most common urologic cancer among men in the U.S., with men around three times more likely than women to be diagnosed with bladder cancer, the treatments have remained the same for decades.^[2],[5]

The burden of recurring tumors

While Julio understood that his LG-IR-NMIBC diagnosis meant he had a lower risk of losing his bladder, he also learned that it meant potentially facing recurring tumors and undergoing multiple surgeries. This prospect weighed heavily on him, knowing the surgeries would increasingly disrupt his life and bring more pain. Statistics show that nearly 70% of recurrent patients undergo two or more TURBT surgeries.^[1],[6]

Having to face surgery again and again to remove recurring tumors was not something Julio looked forward to. With a wife, three kids, and a career to manage, Julio needs to stay on top of his game. “Life is hectic, and I want to avoid anything that slows me down and keeps me from doing the things that bring me joy,” said Julio.

Investigational approaches in development

Fortunately, Julio’s doctor informed him that there were chemoablative, investigational treatment approaches in development for patients like him, so he enrolled in a clinical trial.

“Offering patients more options is always beneficial,” said Prasad, “and the potential for alternative bladder cancer therapies may provide significant advantages, particularly in cases with frequent recurrence.”

Looking ahead

Today, Julio is physically active and still enjoys running.

“I think it’s important to know that this cancer can happen to anyone, just as it happened to me,” Julio said. “If it happens to you, it’s important to get educated and ask your doctors about all your treatment options, including any investigational treatments in clinical development.”

To learn more about LG-IR-NMIBC, visit UroGen.com.

^[1] Babjuk M, Burger M, Comperat EM, et al. European Association of Urology Guidelines on Non-muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer (TaT1 and Carcinoma In Situ) – 2019 Update. Eur Urol. 2019 Nov;76(5):639-657.

^[2] About Bladder Cancer. American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/bladder-cancer/about/what-is-bladder-cancer.html. Accessed June 19, 2024.

^[3] Bladder Cancer Stages. American Cancer Society. National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, MD, https://www.cancer.gov/types/bladder/stages. Accessed June 19, 2024.

^[4] SEER Cancer Stat Facts: Bladder Cancer. National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, MD, https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/urinb.html. Accessed June 19, 2024.

^[5] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Male Urologic Cancers. USCS Data Brief, no 21. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2020.

^[6] Simon M, Bosset PO, Rouanne M, et al. Multiple recurrences and risk of disease progression in patients with primary low-grade (TaG1) non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer and with low and intermediate EORTC-risk score. PLoS One. 2019 Feb 27;14(2):e0211721.

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