Cancer
Natural Compounds May Help Treat Cancer
CORVALLIS, Ore. -- Oregon State University scientists say they've discovered some food compounds studied for an ability to prevent cancer might also be able to treat it. Researchers at the university's Linus Pauling Institute suggest some natural food compounds might be effective in working side-by-side with conventional drugs that are now used in chemotherapy. The scientists said they examined the activity of chlorophyllin and found, on a dose-by-dose basis, it was 10 times more potent at causing the death of colon cancer cells than hydroxyurea, a chemotherapeutic drug commonly used in cancer treatment. Beyond that, chlorophyllin kills cancer cells by blocking the same phase of cellular division that hydroxyurea d... More »
High Serum Insulin Levels And Risk Of Prostate Cancer
Elevated insulin levels in the normal range appear to be associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer, according to a new study published online August 21 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Insulin-like growth factors appear to be involved in the development of prostate cancer, but the relationship between circulating insulin levels and prostate cancer risk has been unclear. Demetrius Albanes, M.D., of the Nutritional Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Md., and colleagues investigated the relationship of the level of serum insulin and glucose, as well as surrogate indices of insulin resistance, to the development of prostate cancer. Rese... More »
Gen-Probe Begins U.S. Clinical Study Of PROGENSA PCA3 Assay, New Molecular Test To Help Assess Prostate Cancer Risk
Gen-Probe Incorporated announced that the Company has begun a clinical trial intended to secure U.S. regulatory approval of its PROGENSA PCA3 assay, a new molecular test that may help determine the need for a repeat prostate biopsy. "Based on the results of our extensive clinical research studies and our European commercial experience, we believe that our PROGENSA PCA3 assay can help predict the risk of a positive follow-up biopsy, thereby improving patient care," said Eric Lai, PhD, Gen-Probe's senior vice president of research and development. "In addition, this is an important step forward in our efforts to maximize the economic value of our oncology strategy." The clinical study of the PROGENSA PCA3 assay is expected to conclude i... More »
Candy- and Fruit-Flavored Cigarettes Banned
Flavored cigarettes, popular with kids and teens, are now illegal in the US, the FDA said this week. More »
More Research on Cell Phone Safety Needed, Experts Say
Is there a link between cell phone use and cancer? Find out what the current evidence shows. More »
New ACS Report Offers Detailed Portrait of Cancer Among Hispanics
A new report looks at how cancer affects Hispanic Americans. More »
New Prognostic Marker For Human Breast Cancer
Elevated levels of GLI1 (glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1) protein in human breast cancer are associated with unfavorable prognosis and progressive stages of disease. Researchers writing in the open access journal BMC Cancer found increased expression of GLI1 in samples taken from more advanced and less survivable tumors. Edgar Dahl led a team of researchers from RWTH Aachen's University Hospital who sought to evaluate whether GLI1 could represent a new prognostic marker in breast cancer treatment. He said, "GLI1, a mediator of the so-called 'hedgehog' signaling pathway, has previously been implicated in the development of different human tumor entities. We've found a positive, significant association between overexpression of GLI1 a... More »
New Breast Cancer Study Findings Recently Were Reported By Researchers At Harvard University
According to recent research from the United States, "A diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer (BC) forces patients and providers to make difficult treatment decisions. To pilot test a decision aid (DA) for advanced BC. Pretest, posttest study." "Two academic cancer centers in Boston, Massachusetts. Fifty patients diagnosed with advanced BC. A patient DA that consisted of a 30-minute DVD and booklet. Patients were surveyed at baseline, after the intervention, and at 3 months. included use and acceptability of DA, distress, treatment goals, and preference for and actual participation in decisions. Physicians were surveyed at baseline and 3 months. included treatment goals, assessment of patients' experience with treatments, and patients' p... More »
Human Trials With Kanzius Invention Could Start In 2011: Liver, Pancreatic Cases To Go First
Pancreatic and liver cancer patients would be the first people treated with the late John Kanzius' external radio wave generator if it's approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Human trials for Kanzius' experimental cancer treatment device could get under way as early as 2011, said Steven Curley, M.D., lead investigator for the Kanzius project at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. "Why those two cancers? We have antibodies that we know will attach to those cancer cells and not other, healthy cells," Curley said. "They are also two of the worst types of cancers. ... Ninety-six percent to 97 percent of people with these cancers die from the disease." Curley spoke for about an hour Friday morning at a special Eggs 'n'... More »
How To Do Skin Cancer Checks
Skin cancer is the most common type of the disease, but even its most deadly form - melanoma - is very curable if caught early. Doctors recommend monthly self-exams in addition to regular checks from a professional: Use the right equipment. Make sure the room is brightly lit and look into a full-length mirror if possible. Use a handheld mirror to check hard-to-see areas, or ask a loved one to help. Know your markings. Learn where all your moles, spots and freckles are so you'll recognize new growths or changes in existing ones. Be thorough. Go from head to toe, without forgetting underarms, the tops and bottom of hands and feet, between fingers and toes, under nail beds and on your scalp (use a comb or hairdryer to part hair). L... More »