HLTH Executive Series: Dr. Karin Tollefson of Pfizer: Addressing the Alarming Rise of Early-Onset Cancers
The alarming rise of early-onset cancers, particularly in individuals under 50, demands a critical shift in our understanding and approach to cancer care.
In this episode, Dr. Karin Tollefson, Chief Oncology Medical Officer at Pfizer, discusses the concerning 79% increase in cancer diagnoses among younger people since 1990, highlighting the urgent need to address this trend. She emphasizes that this is a multifactorial issue, with likely contributors including Western lifestyle factors such as poor diet, obesity, sedentary habits, and exposure to toxins, as well as genetic predispositions. Dr. Tollefson also underscores the need for increased screening accessibility, particularly with colonoscopies, and molecular testing to tailor treatments for younger patients often diagnosed at later stages. Furthermore, she addresses the importance of making clinical trials more accessible to diverse populations and ensuring comprehensive survivorship care, including mental health, family planning, and fertility considerations, as cancer survival rates increase. Finally, Dr. Tollefson calls on the need to partner with advocacy organizations and to educate the public about early detection, healthy lifestyles, and available resources.
Tune in and learn about the critical shifts needed in cancer care to address early-onset cases.
About Dr. Karin Tollefson:
Dr. Karin Tollefson is a highly accomplished pharmaceutical executive with over 30 years of experience dedicated to advancing cancer care. Currently serving as Chief Oncology Medical Officer at Pfizer, she leads the Oncology Global and US Medical Affairs Division. Before joining Pfizer in 2023, Dr. Tollefson held the role of Senior Vice President and Head of Global Medical Affairs at Seagen Inc., where she successfully launched three practice-changing medicines and built a global medical affairs organization. Her extensive career includes significant tenure at Eli Lilly and Company, where she held various leadership roles in clinical operations, development, and medical affairs. Throughout her career, she has contributed to the launch of eight new medicines, impacting patient care across multiple tumor types and therapeutic areas. Dr. Tollefson is an Independent Director on the Board for Verastem Oncology, and has also served on the boards of the American Lung Association and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. She is a 2024 Healthcare Businesswomen's Association Luminary Award recipient, and is a strong advocate for women in the oncology field, being a sponsor of both the Oncology Women’s Network and the Pfizer Butterfly Community at Pfizer. She holds a Doctorate of Pharmacy from the University of Kansas and completed her undergraduate studies at Kansas State University.
Things You’ll Learn:
The incidence of cancer in people under 50 has increased by 79% since 1990, marking a significant and alarming trend that needs immediate attention, especially with colorectal cancer now the leading cause of cancer death in men and second in women younger than 50 years.
Western lifestyle factors such as poor diet, obesity, sedentary behavior, and exposure to toxins are likely significant contributors to the rise of early-onset cancers, suggesting that shifts in lifestyle and public health initiatives could impact cancer rates.
Younger cancer patients are often diagnosed at later stages due to a lack of preventative care and symptoms being easily dismissed.
Increased screening accessibility is crucial for early detection and prevention. This includes molecular testing and colonoscopies, which offer the opportunity to remove precancerous polyps, preventing them from developing into something more serious.
The battle against cancer requires collaborative efforts between healthcare providers, academic institutions, industry partners, and advocacy organizations. This is not just one organization's fight; collaborative efforts must continue.
Resources:
Follow Dr. Karin Tollefson, Chief Oncology Medical Officer at Pfizer, on LinkedIn.
Read more on Pfizer in Oncology here.
Patient Resources/Advocacy Links:
Explore This Is Living With Cancer’s Advocacy Support’s website.
Visit the Global Colorectal Cancer Alliance’s website here. (Pfizer was one of their sponsors)
Learn more about the transformative work CancerCare is doing.
Find CancerCare’s guide on Biomarker Testing here.
Read the best practices for Biomarker Testing Coverage here. (Pfizer had input and was a sponsor)
Get AONN Biomarker Navigation here. For the Precision Medicine Toolkit, look here.
Empower yourself or your patients with essential navigation resources–a site co-created with AONN, to find materials on breast, prostate, health equity, geriatric, and more. (Patient navigators can download and share educational tools for enhanced support.)
Deepen your understanding of prostate cancer here.
