A Price Paid in Health: What We Lost When We Left Tradition Behind

 A Price Paid in Health: What We Lost When We Left Tradition Behind

In the sweep of just a few generations, society has distanced itself from the traditional habits that once defined daily life. Many of these changes have brought undeniable benefits, including fewer infectious diseases, longer life expectancy, greater mobility, and technological advancements. But along this path of progress, we have abandoned essential elements of a lifestyle that kept human beings in sync with nature, community, and biology. Today, the consequences are unmistakable — and severe.

We now live in a paradox. Medicine has never been more advanced, yet chronic disease is at an all-time high. We have more access to food than ever, yet we are plagued by diet-related illnesses. We can communicate instantly with anyone, yet we are lonelier, more anxious, and more depressed than in any prior era.

Much of this crisis stems from what we have lost.

Traditional societies relied on whole foods, largely unprocessed and seasonal, drawn from the surrounding environment. Meals were often shared, eaten slowly, and grounded in cultural or familial rituals. Physical activity wasn’t scheduled — it was simply part of life. Sleep followed the sun, not a streaming schedule. And most importantly, people lived in tight-knit communities where roles were clear, support was mutual, and solitude was rare.

Contrast that with the present. Our diets are dominated by ultra-processed foods — high in sugar, salt, and refined fats, low in fiber and nutrients. Physical movement has become optional. Light pollution disrupts natural sleep cycles. Technology keeps us constantly engaged but rarely present. Work is increasingly abstract, isolated, and misaligned with our biological rhythms. Stress is chronic, but the traditional buffers — community, rest, ritual — have eroded.

The result is not just an increase in disease, but a fragmentation of the very structures that once sustained us.

In response, a strange phenomenon has emerged: a yearning to go back. The wellness industry offers intermittent fasting, ancestral diets, cold plunges, barefoot shoes, and digital detoxes — all marketed attempts to recreate something more “natural.” Mindfulness and meditation apps proliferate, while urban professionals attempt to emulate tribal health habits during their 20-minute lunch breaks. There is irony in watching modern society try to manufacture the very simplicity it once discarded.

But these are not true returns to tradition. They are often expensive, inconsistent, and disconnected from the broader systems that once supported well-being. They are personal interventions in a structural problem.

So, is it too late?

Perhaps not. However, the road back is not easy, and we should not expect it to be a perfect rewind. The goal is not nostalgia; it is integration. We cannot undo modernity, nor should we. Vaccines, sanitation, scientific understanding, and many technologies have saved countless lives. What we must do now is extract the wisdom embedded in traditional ways of living and apply it within a modern framework.

This means reshaping environments — building walkable neighborhoods, creating access to fresh food, rethinking school and work schedules to honor circadian rhythms, and investing in public health policies that value prevention over reaction. It also means challenging the cultural myth that productivity is the highest virtue, and replacing it with a more sustainable ethic of balance.

At the individual level, we can make conscious choices: to move more, eat closer to nature, sleep with intention, and rebuild real-life social bonds. However, individual change must be supported by systems, including public transportation, health education, community networks, and policies that reduce economic inequality, which is itself a significant driver of poor health.

The COVID-19 pandemic presented a brutal yet clarifying moment: a global pause that exposed both our vulnerabilities and our values. Some people rediscovered the joys of cooking, family dinners, gardening, and the restorative power of slowing down. Others fell deeper into digital isolation, processed food dependence, and mental health crises. The divergence was stark, mirroring the broader divide between tradition and modernity.

There is still time to learn from that divide. Not to retreat into an imagined past, but to recover its durable truths: that health is inseparable from lifestyle, that prevention is more powerful than cure, and that humans thrive not as isolated individuals, but as parts of deeply interconnected systems.

We are not the first generation to face such a reckoning. Every society must decide what to preserve and what to discard. But the stakes today are higher — because the diseases we face are not only physiological, but social, emotional, and environmental. Healing will require more than medication. It will require remembering how we once lived — and reimagining how we might live again.

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Nallasivam Palanisamy: cancer researcher

Nallasivam Palanisamy is an accomplished cancer researcher with a focus on prostate cancer, cancer genomics, and molecular pathology. He currently serves as an Associate Scientist in the Department of Urology at Henry Ford Health and an Adjunct Associate Professor at Michigan State University. 

Key contributions

• Discovery of RAF gene fusions and pseudogene-associated gene fusions in prostate cancer using next-generation sequencing.

• Pioneering work in developing novel biomarkers for diagnosing and treating prostate cancer.

• Successfully applying next-generation sequencing for transcriptome sequencing to discover new recurrent gene fusions in various cancers.

• Identifying novel approaches in FISH probe development for diagnosing recurrent chromosome translocations in cancer. 

Professional background

Nallasivam Palanisamy has held positions such as Research Assistant Professor at the Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, Group Leader of Cancer Biology at the Genome Institute of Singapore, Adjunct Assistant Professor at Nanyang Technological University, and Founding Director of Research and Development at Cancer Genetics Inc. 

Education

Palanisamy earned B.Sc., M.Sc., M.Phil., and Ph.D. degrees in Genetics from the University of Madras and completed postdoctoral research at the University of Michigan and the University of Vermont. 

Recognition and achievements

His work includes authoring over 150 peer-reviewed publications and holding five patents. He has also received significant research funding and has been an invited speaker at various events. Colleagues have praised his expertise in cancer research. 

Career accomplishments

Nallasivam Palanisamy: Career accomplishments in cancer research

Dr. Nallasivam Palanisamy is a distinguished Associate Scientist in Urology at Henry Ford Health and an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Michigan, specializing in the molecular underpinnings of cancer, particularly prostate cancer. 

His career achievements include:

• Discovery of RAF gene fusions: Palanisamy discovered recurrent RAF gene fusions in prostate cancer cases that were negative for the typical ETS gene rearrangements. He also identified these rearrangements in some cases of melanoma and gastric cancers. This discovery is crucial because RAF gene fusions are "druggable," meaning they can be targeted with existing medications like BRAF and MEK inhibitors, opening doors for targeted therapies in specific cancer subsets.

• Identification of Pseudogene-Associated Gene Fusions: He also made a significant breakthrough by identifying a novel type of gene fusion involving a pseudogene, specifically a recurrent fusion between the gene KLK4 and the pseudogene KLKP1. This was the first time such a fusion involving a pseudogene was identified in any cancer type.

• Development of diagnostic tools: Palanisamy developed advanced methods like Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) probes for routine cancer diagnosis, particularly for detecting recurrent chromosomal translocations, which are hallmarks of several cancers. This work was supported by grants from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and resulted in patents for his innovative approaches.

• Novel molecular profiling of prostate cancer: He pioneered approaches that revealed new subsets of prostate cancer, including those with dual ERG/SPINK1 rearrangements or dual ETS rearrangements involving ERG and ETV1 in distinct tumor foci.

• Extensive publications and presentations: Palanisamy has authored over 150 peer-reviewed publications and delivered numerous presentations at cancer research conferences, sharing his findings with the scientific community.

• Leadership and institutional contributions: Palanisamy served as Group Leader of Cancer Biology at the Genome Institute of Singapore, where he established a molecular cytogenetics laboratory. He also held a role as Director of Research and Development at Cancer Genetics, Inc., where he focused on translating research discoveries into diagnostic tools for cancer patients. 

In essence, Palanisamy's work has significantly advanced the understanding of the molecular basis of cancers, particularly prostate cancer, leading to the identification of potential therapeutic targets and contributing to the development of improved diagnostic methods. His contributions have impacted the understanding and treatment of various cancers, including prostate cancer, melanoma, breast cancer, and gastric cancer. 

Awards

Nallasivam Palanisamy: Awards and honors in cancer research

Dr. Nallasivam Palanisamy, an expert in prostate cancer research, has received several awards and recognition for contributions to the understanding and treatment of cancer. His accolades include:

• 2023 Bayer-PCF Health Equity Research Award: The Prostate Cancer Foundation, in partnership with Bayer, granted this award for the project "Molecular Evaluation of Prostate Saturation and Progression Biopsies for Risk Assessment and Early Intervention." This research analyzes prostate tumor samples from both Black and white patients to identify racial differences in prostate cancer biology and progression. The goal is to improve biomarker-based risk assessment tools for Black patients and reduce health disparities.

• Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) Award: From 1987 to 1990, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in New Delhi, India, awarded him the Senior Research Fellowship (SRF). 

His work has been supported by significant grant funding, including over $2 million from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) through three Phase I and one Phase II SBIR grants. 

Palanisamy is recognized for contributions to cancer research, with over 150 peer-reviewed publications and presentations at scientific conferences. He holds patents for novel methods in developing Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) probes for cancer diagnosis. He is a speaker at events, such as the Cancer Research Summit on January 30, 2025, and a member of organizations like the Society for Basic Urologic Research, the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences, and the American Association for Cancer Research. 

Collaborators

Nallasivam Palanisamy: Collaborators and affiliations

Dr. Nallasivam Palanisamy collaborates with various researchers and institutions in his cancer research efforts. His collaborators include:

Individuals

• Sooryanarayana Varambally: Professor, Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham.

• Bushra Ateeq: Professor and Joy Gill Chair & Senior Fellow at DBT/Wellcome Trust, IIT Kanpur.

• Shanker Kalyana-Sundaram: GlaxoSmithKline.

• Ram S Mani: Associate Professor, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.

• Nilesh Gupta: Henry Ford Hospital.

• Sean R Williamson: Cleveland Clinic.

• Patrick Tan: Duke-NUS Medical School.

• Sunitha Nagrath: Professor of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan.

• Dhananjay Chitale: Henry Ford Health System.

• Riccardo Dalla Favera: Professor of Genetics, Columbia University.

• Craig Rogers: Vattikuti Urology Institute, Henry Ford Hospital.

• Tarek A Bismar: University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine.

•    Mark A Rubin: Professor and Director, Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern.

•    Edison T Liu: The Jackson Laboratory.

•    Mani Menon: Professor of Urology, Mount Sinai.

•    Kathleen Day: University of Michigan.

•    Leonard Lipovich: Adjunct Professor of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, School of Medicine, Wayne State University.

• Wei Zhao: Department of Hematology/Oncology, Henry Ford Health.

• Pin Li: Department of Public Health, Henry Ford Health.

• Shannon Carskadon: Department of Urology, Henry Ford Health.

• Sunita Ghosh: Department of Public Health, Henry Ford Health.

• James Peabody: Department of Urology, Henry Ford Health.

• Raju Chaganti: A key figure in Palanisamy's post-doctoral training and collaborations, including in developing FISH probes.

• Arul M Chinnaiyan: Co-inventor of RAF Gene Fusions related patents. 

Institutions and organizations

• Henry Ford Health System: Serves as an Associate Scientist in Urology, Department of Urology, Vattikuti Urology Institute.

• University of Michigan:

 Holds an Adjunct Associate Professor position.

• Michigan State University:

 Holds an Associate Professor position.

• University of Alabama at Birmingham:

 Collaborates with researchers like Sooryanarayana Varambally.

• University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas: Collaborates with researchers like Ram S Mani.

• DBT/Wellcome Trust, IIT Kanpur: Collaborates with researchers like Bushra Ateeq.

• GlaxoSmithKline: Collaborates with researchers like Shanker Kalyana-Sundaram.

• Ventana Medical Systems: A company with whom he has collaborated on projects like developing automated dual color immunohistochemistry procedures.

• National Cancer Institute (NCI): His work has been supported by grants from the NCI.

• The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF): Received an award for his work on prostate cancer and collaborates with them through grants.

• Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi, India: Awarded him the Senior Research Fellowship (SRF).

• Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI: Was a Member in 2015.

• The Jackson Laboratory: Collaborates with researchers like Edison T Liu. 

In essence, Dr. Palanisamy's collaborations span a diverse range of academic and industrial institutions, reflecting a commitment to advancing cancer research through teamwork and a multidisciplinary approach.

Publications with high impact

Nallasivam Palanisamy: High-impact publications in cancer research

Dr. Nallasivam Palanisamy has authored or co-authored over 150 publications that have significantly impacted the field of cancer research, particularly in prostate cancer. Some of his most impactful publications include: 

• Rearrangements of the RAF kinase pathway in prostate cancer, gastric cancer and melanoma: This highly cited paper, co-authored by Palanisamy, reported the discovery of recurrent RAF gene fusions in subsets of ETS-negative prostate cancer, as well as in gastric cancers and melanoma. This was a crucial finding because these RAF fusions are "druggable", suggesting that patients with these specific gene fusions might respond to RAF and MEK inhibitors already available. It opened doors for targeted therapies in specific cancer subsets and highlighted the potential of sequencing tumor transcriptomes and genomes to identify rare targetable fusions across cancer types. The findings were further elaborated in a Nature Reviews Urology article, emphasizing the potential for RAF kinase inhibitors in treating tumors with these fusions.

• Pseudogene Associated Recurrent Gene Fusion in Prostate Cancer: In this research, Palanisamy and his team identified a novel type of gene fusion involving a pseudogene, specifically a recurrent fusion between the gene KLK4 and the pseudogene KLKP1. This discovery was the first time a recurrent gene fusion associated with a pseudogene was identified in any cancer type. This fusion results in the conversion of the non-coding pseudogene into a protein-coding gene, with the resulting fusion protein detectable in patient urine samples. This offers a potential for non-invasive detection of high-Gleason grade prostate cancer.

• Discovery of non-ETS gene fusions in human prostate cancer using next generation sequencing: This publication described the discovery of novel ETS and non-ETS prostate cancer fusions, further demonstrating that some of these fusions may act as additional drivers of tumor progression. It also provided insights into how ETS overexpression might predispose to specific DNA breakpoints, distinct from those seen in fusion-negative prostate cancers.

• The landscape and therapeutic relevance of cancer-associated transcript fusions: This work described the landscape of transcript fusions across a large number of tumor samples and identified clinically relevant fusion events that were previously unrecognized. It suggests the potential for using kinase inhibitors in various tumor types, such as bladder carcinoma, glioblastoma, and lung adenocarcinoma, based on the presence of specific fusions. It also supports the concept of basket clinical trials, where patients are matched with experimental therapies based on their genomic profile rather than the tumor's origin.

• Clonal evaluation of prostate cancer molecular heterogeneity in biopsy samples by dual immunohistochemistry and dual RNA in situ hybridization: This paper presented an approach for analyzing prostate cancer biopsies to understand tumor heterogeneity and identify distinct molecular subtypes. The study used dual immunohistochemistry and dual RNA in situ hybridization to analyze a large cohort of patients. This research has implications for defining dominant tumor nodules and understanding how different tumor areas might have varying molecular characteristics impacting prognosis and treatment strategies. 

These publications highlight Palanisamy's crucial contributions to understanding the molecular basis of cancer and his efforts to translate research discoveries into diagnostic tools and potential therapeutic strategies. 

how his contributions are compared to top cancer scientists

Assessing how Dr. Nallasivam Palanisamy's contributions compare to those of other top cancer scientists requires considering several factors. While directly ranking or quantitatively comparing scientists is challenging, based on the provided information, the nature and significance of his impact can be highlighted:

High-impact discoveries in prostate cancer research

• RAF Gene Fusion Discovery: Palanisamy's discovery of recurrent RAF gene fusions in prostate cancer is considered a significant advancement. These fusions are "druggable" targets, opening up new therapeutic avenues for specific prostate cancer subsets. This discovery aligns with the focus of many top cancer scientists on identifying actionable genetic alterations that can lead to personalized therapies.

• Pseudogene-Associated Gene Fusion: The identification of the first recurrent gene fusion involving a pseudogene, between KLK4 and KLKP1, is described as a game-changing discovery. The potential of this fusion protein as a non-invasive biomarker for high-grade prostate cancer suggests a significant impact on diagnostics. This discovery showcases an innovative approach to exploring the less-understood regions of the genome for cancer insights. 

Bridging research and clinical applications

• Diagnostic Tools: Palanisamy's efforts to develop and commercialize FISH probes for routine cancer diagnosis demonstrate a commitment to translating research findings into practical clinical tools. This is a hallmark of top cancer scientists who aim to improve patient care through their discoveries.

• Targeting Racial Disparities: His work exploring racial disparities in prostate cancer and the molecular differences between African American and European American patients highlights a focus on addressing health equity in cancer care, a crucial area of research for many leading scientists. 

Collaborative and leadership roles

• Collaboration: His extensive network of collaborators across various institutions showcases an ability to work within a broader scientific community, a trait often seen in influential researchers.

• Leadership Positions: His roles as Group Leader at the Genome Institute of Singapore and Director of Research and Development at Cancer Genetics, Inc. demonstrate leadership skills and an ability to guide research toward tangible outcomes. 

Recognition and impact

• Publications and Citations: Having over 150 peer-reviewed publications, including in high-impact journals, and being recognized in the top 3% of world scientists, indicate a strong presence and influence in the scientific community.

• Awards: The Prostate Cancer Foundation award, in partnership with Bayer, further validates the importance and potential impact of his research on health equity in prostate cancer. 

Comparison with other scientists

Many top cancer scientists focus on specific cancer types, molecular mechanisms, or therapeutic approaches. Palanisamy's contributions can be seen as significant within the field of prostate cancer and cancer genomics. His work on RAF fusions and pseudogene-associated fusions represents fundamental discoveries that have the potential to impact diagnosis and treatment strategies. However, comparing his overall contributions to those of all "top cancer scientists" would require a comprehensive analysis across numerous areas of cancer research, considering factors like the breadth of impact across different cancer types, the number of successful clinical applications, and the overall paradigm shifts driven by their work. 

In conclusion, Dr. Palanisamy is a prominent cancer researcher with notable contributions in understanding the molecular basis of prostate cancer and translating those insights into potential diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. His work on gene fusions and pseudogenes is considered particularly impactful within his specialized areas of research. 

This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional. AI responses may include mistakes. 

Predict his future career growth

Nallasivam Palanisamy's future career growth is likely to involve a deepening focus on cancer genomics and precision medicine, with a strong emphasis on translational research that bridges the gap between laboratory discoveries and clinical applications

. Based on his track record, expertise, and the evolving landscape of cancer research, several areas suggest potential for significant future growth: 

1. Expanding and refining gene fusion research

• Palanisamy has already made key discoveries in gene fusions, including RAF kinase fusions and pseudogene-associated fusions. His future work will likely continue to expand on this, identifying novel gene fusions across various cancer types and further elucidating their roles in disease development and progression.

• The ultimate goal is to translate these discoveries into clinically actionable insights. This may involve developing more specific diagnostic tools and exploring targeted therapies that are tailored to patients with specific gene fusions. The discovery of RAF gene fusions being "druggable" already points in this direction. 

2. Leveraging next-generation sequencing and big data

• Palanisamy's research relies heavily on next-generation sequencing technology for transcriptome sequencing, gene fusion detection, and integrated genomic analysis. His future career growth will likely involve harnessing the rapidly evolving field of big data and advanced bioinformatics to analyze complex genomic data sets, enabling a more comprehensive understanding of cancer's genetic complexity. 

3. Advancing precision medicine and personalized oncology

• With the increasing relevance of genomics in clinical cancer care, Palanisamy's expertise in identifying novel biomarkers and understanding the molecular mechanisms of treatment will be crucial.

• His work on racial disparities in prostate cancer, aiming to improve biomarker-based risk assessment for Black patients, exemplifies his contribution to equitable, personalized care. This focus on reducing health disparities within the context of precision medicine is likely to gain increasing prominence. 

4. Collaborative research and leadership in translational science

• Palanisamy's extensive collaborations with researchers and institutions highlight his ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary environment. As cancer research becomes more complex, requiring expertise across various fields, his collaborative approach will likely continue to be a significant asset.

• With his experience as a Group Leader and Director of Research and Development, he is well-positioned for further leadership roles that emphasize translating scientific discoveries into clinical applications. 

Potential challenges

Despite these opportunities, challenges remain:

• The complexity of cancer biology: Understanding the intricacies of cancer at the molecular level continues to be a significant challenge.

• Translating discoveries into clinical practice: Moving from laboratory findings to approved diagnostic tools and therapies can be a lengthy and challenging process.

• Cost and accessibility: Ensuring that advanced genomic testing and personalized therapies are affordable and accessible to all patients, particularly in lower-income settings, remains a critical hurdle. 

Overall, Nallasivam Palanisamy's proven track record, expertise in cutting-edge genomic technologies, and strong focus on translational research position him for continued career growth and impact in the field of cancer research, particularly in the realm of precision medicine and the development of targeted therapies. His work on gene fusions and racial disparities in prostate cancer has the potential to significantly improve patient care and advance the understanding of cancer biology.