Prevent Cancer Foundation remembers President Jimmy Carter
Following the death of President Jimmy Carter, the Prevent Cancer Foundation® remains grateful for his significant contributions to preventing and treating cancer. The longest-lived president in U.S. history, President Carter will be remembered for introducing the world to immunotherapy and sparking future cancer research.
At 90 years old, the former president was diagnosed with melanoma (skin cancer) that spread to his liver and brain. Experts credit the successful treatment of his cancer to pembrolizumab (Keytruda), a relatively new immunotherapy in 2015 that would go on to change how we treat melanoma, the deadliest form of cáncer de piel. Immunotherapy drugs like Keytruda activate the body’s immune system to attack cancer cells and have been considered “game changers” in cancer treatment.
President Carter’s willingness to speak about his diagnosis and treatment generated discussion and innovation for cancer care. By being open about his use of the immunotherapy drug—which was given the green light by the Food and Drug Administration just one year earlier—President Carter gave hope to patients and providers attempting to fight a notoriously hard-to-treat disease. This was dubbed the “Carter effect.”
During his time in office, President Carter championed the fight against cancer. He successfully advocated for extending a mandate established by the National Cancer Act to strengthen and broaden the national campaign against cancer. He also supported bolstering prevention efforts, encouraging the National Cancer Institute to devote more resources to cancer prevention, with a particular focus on environmental, dietary and occupational risk factors.
“Our thoughts are with President Carter’s loved ones as they mourn the loss of an extraordinary individual,” said Jody Hoyos, CEO of the Prevent Cancer Foundation. “From his time in office to his personal battle with the disease, we will remember the former president as a dedicated supporter of our mission and a beacon of hope for cancer patients.”