Why Ancestry Impacts Cancer Treatments
Variant of Unknown Significance: What It Means for Your Treatment
Genetic testing is a key part of modern cancer care. It can reveal mutations in your tumor that help doctors choose targeted treatments. But sometimes the results show a “variant of unknown significance,” or VUS. This means there’s a change in your DNA that researchers don’t fully understand yet, so doctors can’t say for sure whether a treatment would work.
This happens more often in people with African, Asian, Hispanic, or Indigenous ancestry—not because of biology, but because most genetic databases have historically focused on people of European descent. If your background is underrepresented in these databases, it’s more likely your test result will be unclear.
Doctors are working to better understand these unknown mutations by expanding research and improving how genetic data is interpreted. Over time, more variants will be decoded—and what’s uncertain today may lead to new treatment options tomorrow.
For now, if your test includes a VUS result, don’t be discouraged. It’s still valuable information, and you can ask your care team whether additional testing, clinical trials, or updated interpretations could help guide your treatment path. (Source: Memorial Sloan Kettering)
Embracing the Emotions: Grief and Healing After a Hard Diagnosis
Grieving is a deeply personal process, and while not everyone experiences it the same way, the five stages of grief—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—can provide a framework for understanding the emotions that come with a late-stage cancer diagnosis. These stages aren’t linear; you may move between them or experience them in waves.
- Denial: Denial often serves as a buffer, helping you cope with the initial shock of the diagnosis.
- “You might find yourself thinking, ‘This can’t be happening to me,’ or feeling numb as your mind works to protect you from the overwhelming reality. Denial is a natural way of giving yourself time to absorb life-changing news.”
- Anger: Anger emerges as the reality of the situation sets in, often fueled by feelings of unfairness or loss.
- “You may feel angry at your body, the medical system, or even those around you who don’t fully understand your pain. This anger is a valid expression of your frustration and can be a way of processing the loss of control.”
- Bargaining: Bargaining reflects the deep desire to regain control and find hope amid uncertainty.
- “You might think, ‘If I try harder, or do everything right, maybe things will improve.’ Bargaining can be a way of searching for solutions, even in situations that feel beyond your control.”
- Depression: Depression often arises as you begin to confront the full weight of the diagnosis and its implications.
- “Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or isolation can feel overwhelming as you mourn the life you once imagined. This stage is not a sign of giving up but a step in processing the depth of your emotions.”
- Acceptance: Acceptance doesn’t mean you’re okay with what’s happened—it means finding a way to move forward.
- “Acceptance allows you to focus on what truly matters, whether it’s cherishing meaningful moments or making decisions that align with your values. It’s about adapting to your new reality, not surrendering to it.”
Understanding these stages can help you make sense of your emotions and remind you that everything you’re feeling is valid. Allow yourself grace, take things one day at a time, and know that navigating grief is part of learning to live fully, even in the face of challenges.
“Symptoms of Grief”
Grief touches every part of your being—mind, body, and spirit. After a late-stage cancer diagnosis, it’s common to experience a range of symptoms that reflect the profound emotional and physical impact of this life-changing event. Recognizing these symptoms can help you understand that what you’re feeling is a natural response to loss.
Physical Symptoms
Grief often manifests in your body, leaving you feeling drained or unwell. Common physical symptoms include:
- Fatigue or a sense of exhaustion
- Sleep disturbances, such as insomnia or oversleeping
- Changes in appetite, including overeating or loss of appetite
- Tightness in the chest or throat
- Digestive issues, nausea, or stomach pain
- Headaches or muscle tension
- Shortness of breath or feeling physically heavy
Emotional Symptoms
The emotional weight of grief can feel overwhelming, with waves of feelings that may come and go. You might experience:
- Deep sadness or feelings of despair
- Anger, frustration, or irritability
- Anxiety, fear, or a sense of panic about the future
- Guilt or regret, especially about things you feel you can’t change
- Isolation, loneliness, or emotional detachment
- A feeling of being lost or “in a fog”
Cognitive Symptoms
Grief can also affect your thoughts and focus, making everyday tasks feel challenging. These symptoms might include:
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering details
- Intrusive thoughts about your diagnosis or what the future holds
- Questioning the fairness or meaning of life
- A sense of confusion or being mentally overwhelmed
Behavioral Symptoms
Grief can change the way you interact with the world, leading to shifts in behavior such as:
- Withdrawing from social interactions or avoiding loved ones
- Avoiding reminders of the diagnosis
- Increased reliance on substances or comfort habits
- Crying more frequently or unexpectedly
- Difficulty completing daily tasks or routines
Spiritual Symptoms
Grief can challenge your beliefs or provide opportunities for reflection. You may find yourself:
- Questioning your faith or spiritual beliefs
- Searching for meaning in your diagnosis
- Feeling disconnected from a higher power or spiritual practices
- Seeking moments of clarity or spiritual growth
Grief is not a straightforward process, and these symptoms may appear or fade over time. It’s important to be gentle with yourself, allow space for your emotions, and reach out for support when you need it. You are not alone, and understanding these symptoms can be the first step toward finding balance amidst the storm.
The Immune System and Cancer Vaccines
One way our immune system protects us is by ridding our bodies of altered cells that could lead to cancer. But exactly how and when does our immune system sense cancer? How do tumors evolve to avoid being detected? And how can a better understanding of this process help develop better cancer treatments?
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) computational biologist Benjamin Greenbaum, PhD, is looking for answers to these important questions. He is the co-director of Neoantigen Discovery for The Olayan Center for Cancer Vaccines at MSK, a hub for cancer vaccine discovery and innovation. The center’s computational efforts, which have also received funding from The Tow Foundation and are led by Dr. Greenbaum, are essential to designing effective cancer vaccines.
Inspiring Journey: Living Strong with Stage 4 Lung Cancer
It was a hot, humid night in 2010 when Giancarlo Oviedo-Mori and his parents sat in a Bronx hospital and received the shock of their lives. They learned that he had advanced non-small cell lung cancer. He was only 18 years old and had big dreams. “Every South American kid wants to be a professional soccer player. I wanted to be the next Messi,” remembers Giancarlo, who immigrated to the United States with his family from Peru when he was 8 years old.
“I had never seen my parents cry like that before. It really broke me,” says Giancarlo, who has no family history of cancer and never smoked. “There was no logical reason why I got lung cancer, but I didn’t question it. I just trusted God and had this peace that everything was going to be OK.”
Fifteen years later, Giancarlo is now married and has a 2-year-old son as he continues to live with stage 4 metastatic lung cancer. Over the years, the cancer has remained persistent, but each time one treatment stopped working, there has been a new drug to try, thanks to clinical trials at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) where he is now being treated.
Ferngrove Stays: Arriving 2026
Coming in 2026, Ferngrove will offer a serene sanctuary for individuals facing advanced-stage cancer—nestled just outside the vibrant town of Highlands, North Carolina. Renowned for its world-class hospitality, Highlands is home to two of the nation’s top 10 bed-and-breakfasts, alongside a charming downtown filled with exceptional restaurants, galleries, and boutique shops—all just five minutes from the stillness of Ferngrove.
Guests will stay at no cost in thoughtfully designed private cottages, each with sweeping mountain views and calming forest surroundings. These cottages feature open, vaulted living spaces with cozy fireplaces, designer kitchens, and spa-inspired baths complete with soaking tubs, walk-in showers, and private decks overlooking the national forest.
Ferngrove will offer a quiet peacefulness—a place to think, reflect, and simply breathe. Here, the noise of treatment and uncertainty can begin to fade, and healing can start with stillness. Stays will be flexible and self-guided, with optional offerings such as emotional health sessions, integrative wellness tools, and a signature six-week guided program focused on processing grief and building resilience.
Check back soon for photos and more information as we prepare to welcome our first guests in 2026.
