Peter Attia, MD: How to Detect Cancer Early - Before it Spreads

Cancer is the 2nd leading cause of death in the U.S. and Dr. Peter Attia joins MedCram to explain optimizing cancer screening using various techniques: timing, imaging (full body MRI, etc.), liquid biopsies, and more.
Peter Attia, MD is the founder of Early Medical, a medical practice that applies the principles of "Medicine 3.0" (discussed in this interview) to patients with the goal of lengthening their lifespan and simultaneously improving their healthspan. Dr. Attia is the host of the popular medical podcast called The Drive, and the author of the #1 New York Times Bestseller, Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity.

Dr. Peter Attia received his medical degree from Stanford, trained for five years at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in general surgery, and spent two years at the National Institutes of Health as a surgical oncology fellow at the National Cancer Institute.

Topics covered in this video: How to Detect Cancer Early - Before it Spreads:

00:00:00 - Intro to Peter Attia, MD, and Outlive
00:00:45 - Summary of most common causes of mortality
00:01:29 - The 4 key chronic diseases: Cardiovascular, Cancer, Neurodegenerative, and Metabolic
00:02:07 - "Healthspan" vs Lifespan
00:03:41 - Medicine 2.0 vs Medicine 3.0
00:04:46 - Life expectancy changes over time
00:06:50 - Countries that focus more on prevention? Single-payer insurance?
00:09:48 - Kyle Allred shares his cancer diagnosis
00:10:31 - Dr. Attia's approach to cancer with his patients
00:11:43 - What is driving cancer: current understanding
00:12:27 - Somatic mutations and "bad luck"
00:13:19 - Very early and aggressive cancer screening rationale
00:16:15 - Metastatic cancer treatment remains largely unsuccessful
00:17:10 - Checkpoint inhibitors and other immunotherapy
00:19:03 - Inside the body vs outside the body cancers
00:21:03 - The power of direct visualization of colon and polyps
00:22:04 - Colon cancer screening specifics: age, frequency, etc.?
00:23:25 - Bowel prep for colon importance and tips
00:24:31 - Colonoscopy risks and upper endoscopy (Barrett's esophagus)
00:26:16 - Pills for colon bowel prep (Sutab) vs liquid prep
00:27:09 - Tips when choosing a GI specialist for a colonoscopy
00:28:08 - Blood tests for colon cancer screening (FOBT and Cologuard)
00:29:12 - How quickly can colon cancer develop?
00:30:26 - Breast cancer: Peter Attia's approach (age, modalities, etc.).
00:32:15 - "Stacking" screening modalities for breast cancer
00:32:36 - Mammography strengths and weaknesses (dense breast tissue)
00:33:13 - MRI and ultrasound for breast screening pros/cons.
00:34:16 - Stagger cancer screening modalities?
00:34:58 - Level 1 medical evidence and costs
00:35:53 - Genetic testing for breast cancer vs family history?
00:37:53 - Liquid biopsy for cancer detection
00:42:10 - The future of liquid biopsies for cancer screening
00:45:10 - Metal detector analogy for sensitivity vs specificity
00:48:25 - Prostate cancer: Dr. Attia's approach to PSA, imaging, and 4K tests
00:52:54 - Multiparametric MRI for prostate screening
00:56:59 - Empowering ourselves as patients with knowledge
00:57:41 - Incidence of prostate cancer. 80% in men of age 80?
00:58:40 - Lung Cancer increasing in never smokers
01:00:46 - Full body MRI screening for cancer?
01:07:45 - Aneurysm on MRI
01:08:59 - Exercise and cancer prevention?
01:11:05 - Possible impact of stress, immunity decline, etc.
01:12:32 - Other cancer screening: cystoscopy, lung, and more.
01:13:33 - Genetic testing recommended?
01:14:20 - Final thoughts on EARLY cancer screening and the future
01:15:50 - Where to find more of Peter Attia, MD

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Interview Produced and Edited by Kyle Allred with Daphne Sprinkle

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DISCLAIMER:

MedCram medical videos are for medical education and exam preparation, and NOT intended to replace recommendations from your doctor.

#cancer #earlydetection #medcram

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[auggiedoggiesmommy]

There’s a young woman on YouTube (Jenny Apple) who has been diagnosed with lung cancer. She has two young children and had a terrible reaction to immunotherapy so that is never happening for her again. She has the exon 20 EGFR gene mutation. She has recently been told she will most likely have to stop the clinical trial she is on. She was very healthy ..vegan/thin/yoga fit and knew something was wrong. It took months for her to be diagnosed even though she was seeking answers..basically she was dismissed. My feeling is that if doctors listened to healthy people more when they actually complained, outcomes might be better.

[mjb]

Only 1 comment, I am 8 years post-diagnosis of metastatic colon cancer that spread to the liver and lung, was told I had 6 months. So we all don't die.. :)

[azlondon]

I was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, at the age of 42. No member of my family ever had any cancer of any kind, so this was a massive shock. I’ve also been super healthy apart from this. So you just never know… it can really happen to anyone.

[maryzulick]

My husband was just diagnosed with prostate cancer 30+ years after beating testicular cancer. His Nurse Practitioner did not follow through on a slightly elevated PSA. After switching to an MD and her going over my husband’s chart, followed through as it should have been 3 years prior. Praying his bone scan and CT are negative. Appreciate this doctor’s educating us in these different areas, his research and his knowledge. We have experienced awful healthcare since moving to New Mexico and plan on moving back East because of it. I also work in the medical field as an echo tech as well as general and vascular ultrasound. I definitely will purchase this doctor’s book!!

[diyeana]

I was thinking about this very topic this morning. I turn 49 this month and both my parents were diagnosed with cancer in their early 50's. My mom passed away from it at 52. I love Dr. Attia.

[philip]

Dr Attia is one of the best lecturers I’ve watched. He covers this topic with clearly delivered relevant information with efficient explanations. Five stars!

[didactica]

I don’t mind the thought of my death. I am looking forward to leaving this matrix illusion and on to the next life but I do hope I go peacefully and feel I’ve given my loved ones everything they deserve. Peace & love to all of you ❤

[sandiesorchids]

My husband had lymphoma in 2007 - 2008 stage 4 today he is in remission today.

[isosfnr]

Dr. Attia is a unique Dr./Researcher. He’s the Dr. who takes the time to explain when many Dr.’s don’t bother. We’re all lucky to listen to him.

[hump]

Omg I’m sorry Kyle, I didn’t know. Praying for complete recovery.

[kjohnson]

Had colon cancer diagnosed at 38. No known family history or other medical issues. Looked healthy, slender and fit. First sign was blood in stools at age 37. I had to eventually demand a colonoscopy and when doctor finally agreed, polyp so big he can't get by to view entire colon. So doing so by age 40, I would have been dead.

[peterz]

The Galleri multi-cancer screen (blood test) is something to consider as it simultaneously screens for about 50 cancers with varying degrees of certainty. Costs about $1000, about same as Cologuard which only does colon cancer. A number of US cancer centers are now recommending for patients, not as a replacement for conventional screening but to augment normal screening. Especially as most cancers deaths have no official screening procedure. It is direct to consumer through Genome Medical with online med screening. Neither Genome Medical nor Grail who invented and continue to develop the technology, advocate using this as a stand alone. Look at it a means to do some level of screening for the many cancers which are never screened for, and for only about $1 a day when spread over 3 years. Hopefully it will demonstrate it's worth to the FDA and be approved for insurance reimbursement in the next few years.

[petesmitt]

The medical industry has ethical dilemma's, often relating to practitioners that utilise their training primarily to increase their wealth, rather than for patient health; a good example of gross unethical practice was the epidemic amounts of early childhood removal of tonsils back in the 50's - 60's; this surgery was driven by complaints from parents about their child keeping them awake due to enlarged tonsils causing noisy breathing; this is the only symptom of tonsillitis in young children, as such tonsillitis is an inflammation, reported to be caused by cows milk food intolerance; there is no fever or infection, no pain or even discomfort to the child, yet the medical industry was quite happy to put the child through risky, invasive surgery, removing healthy lymphatic tissue from a child unable to give informed consent, just to keep their parents happy and the doctors bank accounts healthy.

[davidgrana]

My mom had a colonoscopy 4 years ago and they found nothing, she had another one yesterday and they've found a 4cm polype, which is scary because it's considered large and also it's weird that i can grow so big in only 4 years. Please pray for my mom

[AW-wwee]

Kyle, get recovered soon! Thank you for making such a comprehensive interview!

[LoveABun]

Wish he would have discussed the pros and cons of u/s screening for breast cancer screening, risks of contrast dyes and proper screening for previous breast cancer patients who have had preventative bilateral mastectomies years after their initial tumor removal via lumpectomy.

We need this guy back for another interview, please!!

[tigerrx]

Dr. Attia’s breakdown of sensitivity vs specificity was elegant, thorough, and comprehensive. Very well done! We can apply that to majority of medical tests

[rosepainting]

Take good care Kyle! I’m praying for 100% recovery!

[marciking]

I am shocked that nutrition was not addressed as a potentially preventative or at least a very important consideration in the fight to prevent certain cancers.