Cancer, stroke, bone loss among diseases and conditions studied in microgravity

JACKSONVILLE, Florida — Mayo Clinic physician and researcher Dr. Abba Zubair’s work combines two passions — medicine and space — for the benefit of astronauts and people on Earth. His research in space is yielding discoveries in cancer, stroke, bone loss and more. In this expert alert, Dr. Zubair answers five questions about his studies in microgravity.

What are you hoping to accomplish through your research?

"The goal is to harness the uniqueness of the space environment for the betterment of humanity, be it on Earth or in space," Dr. Zubair says."We wanted to take advantage of the environment at the International Space Station to study how it affects human physiology."

The absence of gravity and the impacts of radiation and vacuum are three fundamental aspects of the uniqueness of space, adds Dr. Zubair, who has sent three research projects to the International Space Station (ISS) since 2017, with more to come.

As a regenerative biotherapeutics specialist, Dr. Zubair's work focuses in part on adult stem cells — known as mesenchymal stem cells —and their use in future treatments for stroke. He noted that he uses stem cells in regenerative medicine and in supporting Mayo's bone marrow transplant program.

"I also know how challenging it is to grow them in the lab. One of the first fundamentals is to see how the absence of gravity influences how stem cells divide and the growth rate," Dr. Zubair explains. "We wanted to see whether cells grown in space are any better or grow faster than cells grown in the lab. When we did our first space flight, we had a really interesting finding, because we realized that the absence of gravity affects stem cells, but it depends on the type of stem cells."  

That led Dr. Zubair to another project on the ISS: studying how mesenchymal stem cells, the precursor for bone-forming cells, play a role in bone formation or osteoporosis, bone loss. He notes that astronauts tend to lose bone density despite rigorous exercise. 

How might your research benefit people with cancer?

Dr. Zubair is also studying how leukemia stem cells, the cells that form the seed of this blood cancer, respond to the space environment.

"We are also working to understand the impact of space radiation, from the angle of how we can mitigate the effect of radiation and prevent cancer," Dr. Zubair says. "In the long run, we really want to protect astronauts, especially during long-term space travel, such as to Mars, where they would be deep in space and away from any magnetic field protection that we get from Earth."

The research also may benefit people on Earth by revealing how to protect stem cells or cells in general when there is radiation exposure, such as nuclear accidents, he adds.

In addition, Dr. Zubair's space research could have implications for CAR-T treatment, bone marrow transplants or other therapies for cancer patients.

"If we can understand how stem cells in space, especially hematopoietic stem cells (cells that live in the bone marrow and produce cells that function in the blood), expand and differentiate to make immune cells like T cells, microphages, we will learn how to make them more efficiently," Dr. Zubair says.

You've remarked that you can envision a time when people might go into space to receive certain medical treatments. How would that work, and might it be possible to simulate microgravity for those treatments on Earth?

If cells proliferate more in space, for example if cancer cells go into what is called cell cycle and multiply abnormally when they proliferate, then chemotherapy will be more effective, Dr. Zubair says.

"If that is the case, that absence of gravity can induce leukemia cells or other cancer cells to go into cell cycle, that makes them susceptible to chemotherapy," he explains. "So instead of giving the chemo on Earth, you might go into space where the absence of gravity makes the cancer cells more vulnerable to chemotherapy. That would be one more reason to go to space. That is definitely something that I would love to explore."

It would be difficult to create a comparable microgravity environment on Earth, but technically, it could be done, Dr. Zubair adds.

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video is in the downloads at the end of this post. Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic News Network."

"Microgravity on Earth is basically like going into a swimming pool, a state of buoyancy where you are kind of in suspension; the gravity is canceled out by the effect of the water," he says. "Now, obviously it wouldn't be pleasant to be in water for quite some time. In the lab, we use a microgravity simulator where cells are suspended. It would be interesting if you could do the same for a human being."

What attracted you to space research?

Dr. Zubair grew up in Kano, Nigeria, and remembers gazing at the night sky as a child.

"As far back as I can remember, I was always fascinated by what is out there in space. Looking at the moon and all the stars, and really that ignites my passion for space and space exploration," Dr. Zubair says.

Dr. Zubair's first dream was to become an astronaut, but an adviser in high school counseled him to find a more practical career, and he pursued medicine.

What's next?

One of Dr. Zubair's next two payloads to the International Space Station, not yet scheduled for launch, will examine whether umbilical cord blood cells, rich in stem cells and potential therapeutic value, can be expanded. Another study will explore different cell types that participate in bone formation and whether the problem of bone loss in space can be alleviated through use of a special compound. 

"If it works, then definitely we will see how we can treat patients with osteoporosis, particularly women, cancer patients, or people who are bedridden for a long time and are not weight-bearing, which affects their bone," Dr. Zubair says.

Dr. Zubair notes that all of his space experiments are done in parallel on Earth with identical cells to compare the two results and validate the findings from space.

 "I really think there is a lot out there that is just waiting for us to explore and use," he says. "And that's why I do what I do."

Dr. Zubair has been honored by NASA with the Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal for demonstrating that human-derived mesenchymal stem cells grown aboard the International Space Station could be used for potential clinical applications.

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About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.

Media contact:

• Sharon Theimer, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Mayo Clinic announced today a landmark $50 million philanthropic gift from Gilchrist and Amy Berg of Ponte Vedra, Florida. This transformative contribution will accelerate global healthcare innovation through Mayo Clinic's Innovation Exchange, which will be renamed the Mayo Clinic Berg Innovation Exchange in their honor.

Rooted in the Mayo Clinic Model of Care, the Mayo Clinic Berg Innovation Exchange drives change by serving as a dynamic marketplace that connects global innovators with essential expertise, resources and opportunities at Mayo Clinic — streamlining solutions development and eliminating critical barriers to success.

"The Bergs have been champions of Mayo Clinic's Innovation Exchange since its earliest days through their gifts of time, thought leadership and financial support," says Gianrico Farrugia, M.D., president and CEO of Mayo Clinic. "We are truly grateful for their remarkable generosity and commitment to bringing more innovations to patients."

Active participants since the exchange's inception in 2019, the Bergs have played a vital role in its development. Their commitment extends beyond financial support; they engage with leadership and contribute to shaping the exchange's strategic direction.

"To us, this is about more than financial support — it's about helping shape the future of healthcare innovation with an organization whose culture values excellence, compassion and discovery," says Gilchrist Berg. "When you work alongside Mayo Clinic's visionary leaders, you cannot help but feel energized about Mayo's abilities to lead on a global stage."

"We like to get involved with people who have the right values and character," says Amy Berg. "With Mayo Clinic, we know we're supporting an organization that places the patient at the heart of what it does."

The Mayo Clinic Berg Innovation Exchange fosters collaboration among a curated network of experts in artificial intelligence (AI), digital health, regulatory science, investment, product design and entrepreneurship. The program's innovators are currently working on advancements in diagnostics, digital tools, devices, research and therapeutics.

This generous gift will:

• Fuel research: Advance research leveraging emerging technologies to address critical patient needs.
• Foster knowledge: Provide mentorship, peer networking and educational opportunities.
• Accelerate collaboration: Enhance collaboration, identify synergies and expedite the development of innovative solutions.

"The Mayo Clinic Berg Innovation Exchange advances science by facilitating and enabling connections that otherwise would not be possible, a key component of Mayo Clinic's bold vision to transform healthcare," says Kent Thielen, M.D., CEO of Mayo Clinic in Florida and vice president of Mayo Clinic. "Gilchrist and Amy Berg are strengthening the program's capacity to form partnerships that deliver faster, stronger solutions to complex medical challenges. We are incredibly grateful for the active partnership and support provided by the Bergs and excited about the impact the Mayo Clinic Berg Innovation Exchange will have on the future of healthcare."

"Gilchrist and Amy recognize that innovation requires the right support to thrive," says Charles Bruce, M.B., Ch.B., medical director of the Mayo Clinic Berg Innovation Exchange and chief innovation officer of Mayo Clinic in Florida. "They have provided energy and vision. This gift is a remarkable legacy, ensuring the exchange's continued success."

Gilchrist Berg is the founder of Water Street Capital, a private investment firm. Amy Berg currently serves as chair of the World Affairs Council of Jacksonville and president of the Berg Family Foundation.

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About Mayo Clinic 
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education, and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.  

Media contact: 

• Tia R. Ford, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

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BUCARAMANGA, Colombia, and ROCHESTER, Minnesota — Hospital Internacional de Colombia (HIC) and Mayo Clinic announced that HIC in Bucaramanga has joined the Mayo Clinic Care Network. HIC is the first hospital in Colombia and in South America to join the network, a group of carefully vetted health care organizations with special access to Mayo Clinic's knowledge and expertise.

HIC is one of the highest-rated medical institutions in Latin America and recipient of the Five-Star Global Hospital Rating by Newsweek and Statista.

With the formal signing of the agreement, HIC becomes part of a select group. Created in 2011, the Mayo Clinic Care Network has roughly 45 member organizations across the United States and in Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.  

To select network  members, Mayo Clinic conducts a thorough evaluation process that includes an in-depth review of each institution’s clinical and business practices, quality, safety, and service efforts. HIC and other members of the Mayo Clinic Care Network remain independent.

“The agreement with Mayo Clinic represents a significant achievement—not only for our institution, but also for Colombia and the entire region. This milestone is the result of more than a year of continuous work, and today we are proud to announce that we are part of the Mayo Clinic Care Network. We take on the responsibility of evolving our care model by progressively incorporating its guidelines into our clinical protocols, workforce training, and safety standards,” said Dr. Víctor Raúl Castillo Mantilla, President of the Hospital Internacional de Colombia – FCV.

Objectives include further strengthening HIC’s diagnostic and treatment capabilities in key areas such as oncology and cardiology, while also enhancing medical training and overall quality of care, Dr. Castillo added.

“Mayo Clinic is pleased to welcome HIC to the Mayo Clinic Care Network,” said Dr. Eric Moore, medical director, Mayo Clinic International, and chair of head and neck surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. “We look forward to working together to develop innovative solutions to advance our common purpose: high-quality, patient-centered care.

Among projects planned, Mayo Clinic will conduct a comprehensive review of HIC’s breast cancer care and offer guidance on best practices in areas including diagnostics, clinical protocols, workflows, and quality. Both institutions will also explore the integration of additional innovative technologies into patient care.

Benefits of Joining the Mayo Clinic Care Network

Through membership in the Mayo Clinic Care Network, HIC physicians have access to Mayo Clinic clinical tools and services, including:

• AskMayoExpert

This point-of-care tool offers concise clinical information on hundreds of medical conditions and includes treatment recommendations, clinical protocols, and medical references. The database can be used wherever care is provided.

• eBoards

These live, scheduled video conferences allow member hospital medical teams to review and discuss complex cases with a multidisciplinary panel from Mayo Clinic and other physicians across the Mayo Clinic Care Network.

• Healthcare Consulting

Member hospitals can access Mayo Clinic’s extensive experience, knowledge, and subspecialty expertise to achieve clinical, operational, and business goals.

HIC personnel will also benefit from Mayo Clinic’s patient education materials, professional development opportunities, and continuing medical education. In addition, they will have access to Mayo Clinic-verified medical information through an online database. These tools—along with clinical consulting—will help HIC continue delivering outstanding care to its patients.

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About HIC:

The Hospital Internacional de Colombia (HIC) is one of Latin America’s top-ranked medical institutions, recognized among the Top 10 hospitals in the region by Latam Business Conference (LBC) and awarded the Five Stars Global Hospital Rating by Newsweek and Statista. As a core part of the FCV ecosystem, HIC is located in Bucaramanga, a city in northeastern Colombia, situated in the Andes mountains and approximately 250 miles from the capital, Bogotá.

HIC operates two campuses: a high-complexity medical center with more than 60 specialties, and the Cardiovascular Institute — the facility that marked the start of the hospital’s growth. With its specialized medical divisions and advanced care centers, HIC delivers comprehensive, high-complexity services. Its integrated approach combines patient-centered care, cutting-edge technology, and a strong focus on innovation, research, and medical education.

About Mayo Clinic:

Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.

Media contacts:

• Yira Guerrero, FCV Head of Press and Protocol, yiraguerrero@fcv.org, +57 322 5251793
• Pilar Salcedo, FCV International Public Relations Specialist, internationalpr@fcv.org, +1 854236 9726
• Sharon Theimer, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

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ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic researchers have developed a new artificial intelligence (AI) tool that helps clinicians identify brain activity patterns linked to nine types of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, using a single, widely available scan — a transformative advance in early, accurate diagnosis. 

The tool, StateViewer, helped researchers identify the dementia type in 88% of cases, according to research published online on June 27, 2025, in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. It also enabled clinicians to interpret brain scans nearly twice as fast and with up to three times greater accuracy than standard workflows. Researchers trained and tested the AI on more than 3,600 scans, including images from patients with dementia and people without cognitive impairment. 

This innovation addresses a core challenge in dementia care: identifying the disease early and precisely, even when multiple conditions are present. As new treatments emerge, timely diagnosis helps match patients with the most appropriate care when it can have the greatest impact. The tool could bring advanced diagnostic support to clinics that lack neurology expertise. 

The rising toll of dementia 

Dementia affects more than 55 million people worldwide, with nearly 10 million new cases each year. Alzheimer's disease, the most common form, is now the fifth-leading cause of death globally. Diagnosing dementia typically requires cognitive tests, blood draws, imaging, clinical interviews and specialist referrals. Even with extensive testing, distinguishing conditions such as Alzheimer's, Lewy body dementia and frontotemporal dementia remains challenging, including for highly experienced specialists. 

StateViewer was developed under the direction of David Jones, M.D., a Mayo Clinic neurologist and director of the Mayo Clinic Neurology Artificial Intelligence Program.  

"Every patient who walks into my clinic carries a unique story shaped by the brain's complexity," Dr. Jones says. "That complexity drew me to neurology and continues to drive my commitment to clearer answers. StateViewer reflects that commitment — a step toward earlier understanding, more precise treatment and, one day, changing the course of these diseases." 

To bring that vision to life, Dr. Jones worked alongside Leland Barnard, Ph.D., a data scientist who leads the AI engineering behind StateViewer. 

"As we were designing StateViewer, we never lost sight of the fact that behind every data point and brain scan was a person facing a difficult diagnosis and urgent questions," Dr. Barnard says. "Seeing how this tool could assist physicians with real-time, precise insights and guidance highlights the potential of machine learning for clinical medicine." 

Turning brain patterns into clinical insight 

The tool analyzes a fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) scan, which shows how the brain uses glucose for energy. It then compares the scan to a large database of scans from people with confirmed dementia diagnoses and identifies patterns that match specific types, or combinations, of dementia. 

Alzheimer's typically affects memory and processing regions, Lewy body dementia involves areas tied to attention and movement, and frontotemporal dementia alters regions responsible for language and behavior. StateViewer displays these patterns through color-coded brain maps that highlight key areas of brain activity, giving all clinicians, even those without neurology training, a visual explanation of what the AI sees and how it supports the diagnosis. 

Mayo Clinic researchers plan to expand the tool's use and will continue evaluating its performance in a variety of clinical settings. 

For a complete list of authors, disclosures and funding, review the study.

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About Mayo Clinic 
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news. 

Media contact:  

• Tia Ford, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu 

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ROCHESTER, Minn. — Little is known about what causes ovarian cancer, and there is no way to detect it early yet. About 75% of the time when someone is diagnosed with ovarian cancer, it has already progressed to stage 3 or stage 4, which means it has spread to other parts of the body. Mayo Clinic physicians, researchers and patients had been working together to learn more about this devastating disease when a 22-year-old patient, who has two rare genetic conditions that dramatically elevate lifetime cancer risk, came to Mayo Clinic.

The patient carries a hereditary BRCA2 mutation, which is one of the genes that causes hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) syndrome, and a hereditary TP53 mutation, which causes Li-Fraumeni syndrome.

At Mayo Clinic, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Imaging also revealed she had an ovarian cyst. Although the cyst was benign, she chose to have a mastectomy and hysterectomy with removal of her ovaries and fallopian tubes, a procedure called a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, because of her elevated cancer risk. Upon further examination, her Mayo Clinic physician and research team detected early, hidden changes in the cells lining her fallopian tubes, revealing signals that may point to the first signs of ovarian cancer before symptoms or visible lesions appear.

"Our team glimpsed a rare and revealing phenomenon in epithelial biology, uncovered through the cells of a young patient living with profoundly high-risk genetic conditions. Using cutting-edge, single-cell technologies, we traced how her epithelial cells were developmentally altered in ways that signaled a high risk for lethal ovarian cancer. These insights could pave the way for future strategies to detect the disease in its earliest, precancerous stages when prevention is still possible," says Nagarajan Kannan, Ph.D., director of the Stem Cell and Cancer Biology Laboratory at Mayo Clinic and co-lead author of this study published in JCO Precision Oncology.

Jamie Bakkum-Gamez, M.D., the patient's gynecologic oncology surgeon at Mayo Clinic, says she is determined to find a way to detect ovarian cancer earlier to help save more patients' lives.

"We know that the most aggressive and common form of ovarian cancer often actually starts in the fallopian tube. However, why the fallopian tube and how it starts are not yet known. Knowing how ovarian cancer begins and forms could not only lead to the development of earlier screening tools, but also more personalized risk-reduction strategies and improved guidance around the timing of preventive surgeries and fertility planning," says Dr. Bakkum-Gamez, who is a co-lead author of this study.

Watch: Dr. Jamie Bakkum-Gamez on revealing hidden signs of ovarian cancer risk

Journalists: Broadcast-quality sound bites are available in the downloads. Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic News Network." Name super/CG: Jamie Bakkum-Gamez, M.D./ Gynecologic Oncology/Mayo Clinic

Together, Dr. Kannan and Dr. Bakkum-Gamez have established a living fallopian tube biobank at Mayo Clinic. The cells and tissues donated by patients help scientists study how ovarian cancer begins — cell by cell — directly in human tissue. From the patient specimens, organoids, or small versions of the fallopian tubes, can be grown. The biobank includes organoids from patients with average-to-high ovarian cancer risk and specializes in inherited cancer mutations like the ones associated with HBOC syndrome and Li-Fraumeni syndrome.

"The precise cellular origin of ovarian cancer remains one of the greatest unanswered questions in cancer prevention — limiting our ability to intervene early and save lives. This work lays the foundation for a new era of early detection and precision prevention for ovarian cancer, especially for patients with inherited risk such as BRCA mutations."

Nagarajan Kannan, Ph.D.

Ovarian cancer precursor

A healthy fallopian tube consists of two main types of epithelial cells: multiciliated cells that have hundreds of cilia, or hairlike appendages, that help move the fertilized egg through the fallopian tube and secretory cells that secrete fluids to nourish and protect the developing embryo. But in the fallopian tube cells collected from the patient with HBOC syndrome and Li-Fraumeni syndrome, the scientists saw something they had never seen before. Instead of the two types of epithelial cells, the secretory cells vastly outnumbered the multiciliated cells across the fallopian tube. They also found that secretory cells were driving chronic inflammation — an established contributor to cancer development.

"Through single-cell RNA sequencing, we could see the disruptions in the development of cells lining the fallopian tube lumen — findings that could help reshape how we understand and ultimately prevent ovarian cancer," says Megan Ritting, co-lead author and Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences doctoral candidate. Ritting spearheaded the use of cutting-edge genomic technology in this study.

Furthermore, oral contraceptives containing progestins, or synthetic analogs of the hormone progesterone that is produced by the ovaries, can be used to reduce ovarian cancer risk by up to 50%. However, Ritting and the research team were surprised to see that this patient's fallopian tube cells did not have any progesterone receptor proteins, which suggests oral contraceptives may not have been effective in reducing the patient's risk for ovarian cancer.

"With the generous partnership of patients who allow their cells to be studied using advanced technologies, including organoid models, we are making critical progress in understanding how these cancers develop. This work represents an important step toward identifying opportunities to develop preventive strategies, treatments and approaches that could reduce the risk of fallopian tube and ovarian cancers," says Dr. Bakkum-Gamez.

In the next steps of this research, using the living fallopian tube biobank, the scientists are investigating how and where earliest origins of ovarian cancer take root.

Review the study for a complete list of authors, disclosures and funding. 

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About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.

Media contact:

• Kelley Luckstein, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

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First patient celebrates 67th birthday using his new lungs to blow out candles on his birthday cake in honor of receiving the gift of life

PHOENIX — Mayo Clinic in Arizona announced it has added lung transplantation to its nationally recognized solid organ transplant program. The program delivers world-class care to critically ill patients battling end-stage lung disease who need a lung transplant to survive and restore their quality of life. 

The new Mayo Clinic Lung Transplant Program in Arizona offers a multidisciplinary team of medical and surgical experts in the Southwest, supported by clinical innovation from across Mayo Clinic, bringing unparalleled experience and the latest in research-driven care to every patient.

"With the launch of our new lung transplant program, we are reinforcing our commitment to providing category-of-one care to patients with serious and complex medical needs. This new program strengthens our nationally acclaimed solid organ transplant program in Arizona, giving more patients access to the transformative gift of renewed life," says Richard Gray, M.D., CEO of Mayo Clinic in Arizona. 

Jonathan D'Cunha, M.D., Ph.D., surgical director of the transplant program, says the team of experts will provide transplantation for the full range of patients with end-stage lung disease.

"This is the beginning of a remarkable new era for lung transplantation in Arizona," says Dr. D'Cunha. "We are excited and honored to offer patients and families renewed hope and a second chance at life through Mayo's unrivaled expertise in comprehensive adult organ transplant care."

Craig Scherer became the new program's first patient to undergo a lifesaving lung transplant on May 30. Soon after surgery, Craig was already beginning to breathe slowly on his own for the first time in years. He was discharged June 18 and is now back at home.

"It is surreal to be able to breathe again and not gasp for air. The reality has not even set in yet. I'm putting a lot of thought into finding the right words to express how deeply grateful I am for this gift," says Craig. 

Craig is one of the millions worldwide who have suffered loss of lung function due to chronic respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. 

Over the years, the progressive disease slowly robbed the Arizona man of his ability to breathe, leaving him dependent on oxygen tanks for survival. "I couldn't go places, couldn't do things. My quality of life was zero. I was always very anxious and afraid the tanks were going to run out," says Craig. 

Chronic lower respiratory diseases (CLRDs) are the fifth-leading killer in the U.S., according to a 2024 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The report cited CLRD as the cause of death for approximately 145,000 people in the U.S. in one year. 

Craig's wife, Nanci, says he also lost the ability to speak. "He didn't have the oxygen to talk. We lived in silence and isolated," says Nanci. The couple has been married for 32 years.

Eventually, Craig reached the final stage of lung failure. Oxygen tanks were no longer enough to help him breathe. "We were truly desperate. We were down to weeks," says Nanci. "I didn't think he would make it to his next birthday." 

Dr. D'Cunha led the team of surgical specialists that performed Craig's transplant. He said patients like Craig all too often reach a point where supplemental oxygen is no longer sufficient to meet their respiratory needs.

"There are no medical interventions at that point. They have run out of time," he says. "Lung transplant becomes the patient's only option. In Craig's case, without the transplant, it likely would have resulted in his death."

Three weeks after his transplant, with daily physical therapy, Craig is back to walking and talking like he did years ago. "It is not an easy journey," says Dr. D'Cunha. "But it's a journey that gives patients like Craig hope — to see his grandchildren, the next milestone, or whatever his goals may be."

Ashraf Omar, M.B., B.Ch., medical director of the lung transplant program, took note of Craig's determination from the start. "I'm proud of Craig. He has always amazed me," says Dr. Omar. "He's a special person. Motivation is the cornerstone of his success." 

Mayo Clinic's new program in Arizona will offer the latest advancements in lung transplant innovation, including ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP), which is considered one of the most transformative breakthroughs in lung transplantation in recent years. EVLP improves the success of lung transplantation by helping preserve and evaluate donor lungs prior to transplant.  

Mayo Clinic Transplant Center, with integrated programs in Minnesota, Florida and Arizona, is the nation's largest provider of adult solid organ transplantation. Mayo Clinic in Arizona is on target to surpass its 2024 record number of nearly 900 transplants.

In the first week of June alone, the Arizona program successfully performed a record-breaking 36 transplants. The addition of the lung transplant program establishes Mayo Clinic in Arizona as a comprehensive transplant destination medical center.

"As the leader in organ transplantation in the country, we are committed to our vision where no patient dies while waiting for a lifesaving transplant," says Bashar Aqel, M.D., director of the Mayo Clinic Transplant Center in Arizona. "Our new program meets an urgent need for so many patients fighting to survive end-stage lung disease."

On June 23, Craig celebrated his 67^th birthday. He joined the team of surgeons who performed his lifesaving transplant for a news conference announcing the launch of the new transplantation program.  

The highlight of the event came when Craig addressed the crowd sharing what the transplant means to him. "These lungs are my 67^th birthday gift," said Craig, his hands resting on his chest. "This is the best birthday gift I could get in the world. It gave me life." 

Craig also expressed his gratitude for the staff at Mayo, the doctors, his family, his organ donor and the donor's family. "My heart goes out to the family. One day I hope I get to communicate my gratitude to them for giving me life. Most people don't get a second chance. I do," said Craig.

Dr. D'Cunha lit candles on a birthday cake for Craig in the shape of a set of lungs. In honor of the gift of life, Craig used his new lungs to blow out the candles with one single breath. Watch the emotional moment that was met with cheers and applause in recognition of the gift of life.

Craig and Nanci returned home to spend the rest of his birthday with family. Together they share four children, 14 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.  

"I have a lot of life left to live in me. Everything is a motivator — my wife, my kids, my grandkids, my health," says Craig. "Before, I had no quality of life and couldn't do anything. Now there’s nothing I can't accomplish."

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About Mayo Clinic 
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.

Media contact:

• Marty Velasco Hames, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu     

Additional resources:   

• Press kit including b-roll and interviews available here for download.

• For more information about lung transplantation and referrals, visit Mayo Clinic Lung Transplant Program in Arizona or call 480-342-1010.

• Consider giving the gift of life. Learn more about how you can become an organ donor.

• Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news. 

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Mayo Clinic in Florida has become a Blue Zones Approved Worksite, joining a growing number of organizations across the city committed to making even more healthy choices available to employees. This milestone, achieved in collaboration with Blue Zones Project Jacksonville, reflects Mayo Clinic's dedication to fostering an environment where well-being is not just encouraged — it is embedded in the culture.

Through this initiative, Mayo Clinic has made evidence-based changes such as enhancing the employee dining menu with more plant-forward options, expanding gym and recreational spaces, and creating serene areas where staff can downshift and recharge. These changes align with Mayo Clinic's longstanding commitment to providing world-class care — both to patients, and to those who make that care possible.

"Mayo Clinic is setting a powerful example of how organizations can prioritize the health of their workforce in meaningful, sustainable ways," said Nicole Hamm, executive director of Blue Zones Project Jacksonville. "Their commitment to well-being sets a high standard for workplaces throughout our city."

"At Mayo Clinic, our employees are at the core of everything we do and how we care for our patients," says Kent Thielen, M.D., CEO of Mayo Clinic in Florida. "Caring for our employees by creating an environment where they belong and prioritizing all aspects of their health helps us to fulfill our mission as an organization. We continue to implement and instill a culture of health and well-being for staff, patients and the Northeast Florida community. We are proud to become a Blue Zones Approved Worksite and look forward to continuing to work together with Blue Zones Project Jacksonville to make Jacksonville a better place to live, work, eat and play."

To mark the occasion, Mayo Clinic in Florida will host a Worksite Approval ceremony and well-being celebration for employees on Monday, June 23 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. ET on the Mayo Clinic in Florida Campus in the Kinne Auditorium located in the Cannaday Building. The event will include a ribbon-cutting and ceremony starting at 11:30 a.m. followed by wellness activities, healthy food tastings, opportunities to interact with fellow employees, Mayo Clinic leaders and Blue Zones Project Jacksonville staff, as well as will include information on the continued steps Mayo Clinic is taking to support staff longevity and well-being.

Local media are invited to attend and cover the event.

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About Blue Zones Project Jacksonville
Blue Zones Project is brought to Jacksonville by Blue Zones and a powerful coalition of community leaders: Baptist Health, Brooks Rehabilitation, the City of Jacksonville, Community First Credit Union, Florida Blue, Jacksonville Jaguars, Jessie Ball duPont Fund, Mayo Clinic, UF Health and United Way of Northeast Florida. This innovative partnership brings together influential public and private organizations under a shared vision to measurably improve community well-being, resilience and economic vitality in Jacksonville. Over six years, local leadership and the local Blue Zones Project team will launch and implement policy work and school initiatives across all of Duval County. The Westside, Northside and East Jax neighborhoods will undergo focused Blue Zones Life Radius transformation. Visit bluezonesprojectjacksonville.com for more information.

About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.

Media contacts:

• Kristin Murray, Blue Zones Project Jacksonville, kristin@bluezones.com
• Tia Ford, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

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PHOENIX — Dr. Allison Rosenthal's experience facing a leukemia diagnosis while in medical school inspired her to pursue a career fighting cancer. It also gave her insight into aspects of life with cancer for people under 40. Now, Dr. Rosenthal is among the leaders of an effort at Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center to help younger adults and older teens receive age-appropriate care and support. In this expert alert, Dr. Rosenthal shares three topics that younger people with cancer often want to discuss with their healthcare teams.

"I have a very big passion and motivation to take care of our younger cancer patients," Dr. Rosenthal explains. "These are some of the people who need the most support after treatment."

Advances in cancer treatments have made many of the cancers most common in younger people highly treatable and often curable, Dr. Rosenthal says.

Worldwide, roughly 1.3 million people ages 15 to 39 were diagnosed with cancer in 2022, the most recent statistics available, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The most common cancers in that age group were breast, thyroid, cervical, testicular, ovarian, blood cancers (leukemias and lymphomas) and colorectal, agency figures show.

While long-term disease control or a cure is the objective, completing treatment doesn't necessarily mean that a younger person's experience with cancer is over, she adds.

"That means many adolescent or young adult cancer patients go on to live long lives, leaving them to navigate cancer survivorship for decades," says Dr. Rosenthal, a hematologist and oncologist at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. "There is the emotional impact that comes along with having experienced cancer, and that can be significant as they try to move forward in life. And there are also the physical effects and the long-lasting impact of that."

In addition to being a time of transition from pediatric medical care to adult care, the late teens and young adulthood typically are times of major life changes, adding challenges on top of cancer. The adolescent and young adult cancer program "is predicated on the idea that centering care around their unique needs improves their experience and outcomes," Dr. Rosenthal explains. In addition to individual feedback from patients, the program has a patient advisory council whose participants share what is important to them.

"We've tried to prioritize what we're working on based on the feedback we're getting from our patients who are in the midst of this experience," she says.

Dr. Rosenthal has observed that questions on these three topics are often on the minds of patients in their late teens, 20s and 30s during and after cancer treatment:

• Wellness behaviors and exercise.

"There are guidelines and recommendations for lifestyle choices including exercise, but it's a little bit hard to access those and to hold themselves accountable to pursue them," Dr. Rosenthal says.

• Connection with peers with cancer and additional support to know that they're not alone.

"And when their peers move on, to feel that they aren't left behind," Dr. Rosenthal explains.

• Sexual health and relationships.

"It's difficult for people to navigate," Dr. Rosenthal says. "It can be uncomfortable to ask about. It's hard to tell their peers about. There's a lot of work going into what we can proactively do to best support them."

Fertility can be impacted by cancer and its treatment, making conversations about fertility preservation important.

Another priority for the Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Program is advance care planning. For older people with advanced cancers, involving palliative care earlier often helps them live longer and have a better quality of life, Dr. Rosenthal notes. That same approach could help younger patients.

"We're working on an advance care planning project specifically for young people with advanced cancers, to empower them to have a voice when they have time to have a voice, and not have that taken from them as well," Dr. Rosenthal says. "I know there's so much that can be done. Long-term outcomes, survivorship, quality of life — all of that is very important."

The program takes a multidisciplinary approach, including cancer specialists, social workers, health psychologists, and financial and vocational counselors.

"We're really fortunate that the majority of young adult patients who get cancer care are going to do well in the long term; there's going to be a lot of long-term survivors," Dr. Rosenthal says. "But if we aren't paying attention to the long-term treatment side effects, quality of life and the monitoring and maintenance of health, then we aren't providing the full service for these patients that they really deserve."

JOURNALISTS: Global, regional and national statistics on cancer in people ages 15 to 39 are available here.

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About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.

Media contact:

• Sharon Theimer, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

The post Cancer before 40: Mayo Clinic expert shares 3 topics that younger patients often want to discuss appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Mayo Clinic Healthcare cardiologist offers simple tips to maximize health at outdoor events

LONDON — Festival season can be surprisingly physically demanding. Hours spent standing, walking or dancing can put extra strain on the heart, especially for those with preexisting conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes, explains Gosia Wamil, M.D., Ph.D., a cardiologist at Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London.

For people with heart failure, this can lead to shortness of breath or a worsening of symptoms. For those with coronary artery disease, in which the major vessels that supply blood to your heart become narrowed or blocked, sudden intense activity can trigger chest pain or even a heart attack, Dr. Wamil says.

"Key warning signs of heart distress at festivals include chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, cold sweats, or fainting," Dr. Wamil adds. "These symptoms should never be ignored, and immediate medical help should be sought if they occur."

Noise exposure at outdoor concerts, carnivals and other events also can affect heart health.

"Short-term, loud noise can trigger the body's 'fight or flight' response, raising blood pressure and heart rate," Dr. Wamil says. "Long-term, chronic noise exposure has been shown to increase the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease."

Overindulging in alcohol, caffeine or salty food poses another serious risk. It can trigger holiday heart syndrome, in which even healthy individuals develop an irregular heartbeat, or atrial fibrillation, Dr. Wamil says.

"Alcohol is a direct toxin to the heart muscle and can cause a sudden rise in blood pressure," she explains. "For those with existing heart conditions, binge drinking can trigger heart failure or even a heart attack."

People with diabetes or heart disease should plan ahead when attending festivals and other events, advises Dr. Wamil, who specializes in the link between diabetes and heart disease. It's important to take medications on time, bring medical identification and carry essential supplies, such as snacks, water and a list of medications.

Keeping blood sugar stable with healthy food choices and staying hydrated can help prevent complications. Comfortable shoes and regular rest breaks are also key, especially for those with neuropathy or fatigue.

"If you have a heart condition or other serious medical issue, staying near the edge of crowds is a sensible precaution. It allows quicker access to medical help and an easier way out if needed," Dr. Wamil suggests. "Crowded environments can lead to overheating, anxiety or unexpected physical exertion, so choosing a shaded, quieter area can reduce risk."

For everyone, staying healthy during festival season means hydrating often, especially with water, and seeking out shade on hot days.

"Try to balance fun with rest, and include healthy foods when possible," Dr. Wamil says. "Protect yourself from the sun, pace your activities, and keep your phone charged in case of emergencies."

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About Mayo Clinic Healthcare
Mayo Clinic Healthcare, located in London, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mayo Clinic, a not-for-profit academic medical center. Mayo Clinic is top ranked by U.S. News & World Report in more specialties than any other hospital for a reason: quality of care. Mayo Clinic Healthcare is the U.K.'s front door to that unparalleled experience. Visit Mayo Clinic Healthcare for more information.

Media contact:

• Sharon Theimer, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — In a bold step to transform cancer care, Mayo Clinic is bringing new hope for patients diagnosed with the most aggressive and treatment-resistant cancers. Today, Mayo Clinic opened the new 228,000-square-foot Duan Family Building at its Jacksonville, Florida location. The building will house the first carbon ion therapy program in the Americas, and advanced technology that can seamlessly deliver both carbon ions and protons to treat the same tumor. 

"Carbon ion therapy and other heavy particle therapies are the advanced radiation therapies of our future," says Cheryl Willman, M.D., executive director, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center. "When battling our patients' complex, currently radioresistant cancers at Mayo Clinic, we need the advantage of these next-gen radiation tools, which can be fine-tuned to target and treat aggressive tumors while minimizing the impact to surrounding tissue."

As a leading National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center with locations in Florida, Minnesota and Arizona, Mayo Clinic is uniquely qualified to bring carbon ion therapy, as well as the dual carbon ion and proton treatment option, to the Americas.

"Mayo Clinic is building a better future where more cures are possible — giving new hope to patients with aggressive cancers," says Gianrico Farrugia, M.D., president and CEO of Mayo Clinic. "This is the latest demonstration of our commitment to patient-centered healthcare transformation through our Bold. Forward. strategy."

While treatment with carbon ion therapy is expected to begin in 2028 and proton therapy in 2027, the opening of the Duan Family Building marks a significant milestone. Beginning this summer, other cancer treatment options will be offered in the new building, including photon therapy, immunotherapy, chimeric antigen receptor-T cell therapy (CAR-T cell therapy) and more, along with sophisticated imaging technology.

"The emerging treatments that will be offered in the Duan Family Building, including carbon ion therapy, are an important part of the integrated cancer practice at Mayo Clinic, ensuring constant, research-driven innovation in the care we are providing to patients," says Kent Thielen, M.D., CEO of Mayo Clinic in Florida. 

Mayo Clinic researchers, working with outside global experts, are also exploring the use of other heavy ions beyond carbon in clinical studies to evaluate their potential benefits in future cancer care.

This building and the advances in cancer care treatment technology housed within represent a significant investment, largely thanks to the generosity and vision of our benefactors. 

Advancing radiation therapy

Many patients with cancer require radiation therapy during their treatment. Different forms of radiation therapy have varying biological impacts on cancer cells.

• Photon therapy: This is the most common form of radiation therapy, which uses X-rays or gamma rays — packets of light energy called photons — to treat cancer. Beams are directed at the tumor, preventing the cancer cells from growing or dividing.

• Proton beam therapy: This particle therapy directs a precise dose of positively charged particles (protons) at cancer cells, destroying their genetic material while minimizing the impact on surrounding, healthy cells. This is especially beneficial for treating tumors near vital organs and cancer in children.

• Carbon ion therapy: This heavy particle therapy delivers positively charged particles (carbon ions) that release their energy upon hitting the targeted cancerous tumor. The particles destroy cancer cells with very little damage to surrounding tissue. It is particularly effective against cancer cells that are resistant to other forms of radiation.

Advances in radiation therapies, such as carbon ion and dual modality treatments of proton beam and carbon ion, enable clinicians to create highly individualized, precise and effective treatments, ultimately bringing more cures to patients.  

How radiation therapies work

In 2019, Mayo Clinic and technology innovator Hitachi began working together to bring carbon ion therapy to the Americas. While carbon ion therapy was discovered in the United States in the 1970s, the technology has only been available for clinical care at a handful of centers in Asia and Europe.

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About Mayo Clinic 
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education, and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.  

Media contact: 

• Tia R. Ford, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu 

Media kit:

• Duan Family Building media kit with soundbites, images, animation

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