MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'cancers,'. Wed, 21 Jul 2010 11:01:58 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3737214&cid=t_366847_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2010%2F06%2F08%2FIs-It-Right-To-Hype-Ovarian-Cancer-Study.aspx Sometimes you think you are making progress in treating cancer. Then someone points out that the progress isn’t so certain after all.  Most of the media hypes the study which demonstrated improvement in treatment of advanced ovarian cancer with a targeted therapy drug and ignore the concerns. What appeared to be a very positive study in an abstract may not have been so positive after all.    Patients, families and their physicians are now under the impression that a new advance has been made in this deadly disease, when that may not be the case.  The positive press releases and news conferences were not balanced. Most of the media ignored the expert who raised legitimate concerns and cautions.  But that information was only available to th... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3737214 Tue, 08 Jun 2010 04:00:00 +0100 3737214 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3737217&cid=t_366847_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2010%2F06%2F05%2FNew-Hope-In-Advanced-Melanoma.aspx One of the most disappointing realities of my professional cancer experience has been the difficulty in making real, sustained progress in the treatment of advanced melanoma, a skin cancer which has been increasing in frequency over the past number of years.   Despite long-held hopes that some form of chemotherapy or tumor vaccine would lead to successful treatment, we haven’t made real progress in helping melanoma patients once their disease spreads.   A paper released today by the New England Journal of Medicine and presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (currently underway in Chicago) suggests that perhaps for the very first time we have a drug which substantively improves the outlook for patients who have advanced melanoma.   S... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3737217 Sat, 05 Jun 2010 04:00:00 +0100 3737217 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3737219&cid=t_366847_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2010%2F05%2F27%2FDont-Fry-Day-Reminds-Us-To-Be-Safe-In-The-Sun.aspx So it’s off to the mountains, the beach, or maybe even a weekend at home enjoying a cookout or some other festivity.  Vacation season is here, and so is the second annual “Don’t Fry Day” tomorrow, Friday (get it?) May 28th.   This celebration of “Don’t Fry Day” is brought to you by the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention, the American Cancer Society and many other organizations committed to reminding everyone that while it’s great to get outdoors and enjoy yourself it’s also extremely important to remember to do those things that will protect you from the damaging rays of the sun.   Skin cancer is no simple matter.  Just recently the American Cancer Society acknowledged—based on new research—that t... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3737219 Thu, 27 May 2010 04:00:00 +0100 3737219 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3737220&cid=t_366847_136_f&fid=35283&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.org%2FAboutUs%2FDrLensBlog%2Fpost%2F2010%2F05%2F21%2FA-Step-Forward-In-Finding-Ovarian-Cancer-Early.aspx A research report released last evening (and which will be presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in early June) is bound to raise hopes that we have—at long last—found a test that can effectively diagnose ovarian cancer when it is in its early stages and most curable.   The problem is that ovarian cancer is usually diagnosed at a later stage when it is more difficult to treat and cure.  Finding a test that will detect ovarian cancer early when it is treatable and curable has been referred to by many as the “holy grail” of cancer early detection.   But if we are to learn anything from the recent prostate cancer screening controversy, it is that we must proceed with caution before jumping into the fray with both fe... Dr. Len's Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3737220 Fri, 21 May 2010 04:00:00 +0100 3737220 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3560521&cid=t_366847_160_f&fid=36189&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.skinmdblog.com%2F69%2Fcan-you-grow-dark-even-with-a-sunscreen%2F Just a few things before I answer that question.  There are basically two kinds of UV rays- UVB and UVA.  UVB is what primarily causes sunburn (as well as skin cancers). UVA is what causes that early darkening of the skin just after sun exposure (as well as deeper tissue damage leading to wrinkles etc… and skin cancer).  Both UV rays cause darkening. In the past, most sunscreens primarily blocked against UVB rays. You may not get burned with these products but you will get dark because UVA rays that penetrate might still cause your skin to turn darker. But now that more studies have come out showing the role that UVA plays in the development of photoaging and skin cancers dermatologists now recommend using a sunscreen that blocks BOTH UVB and UVA. So when you go out and pick a ... Skin MD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3560521 Wed, 12 May 2010 16:22:50 +0100 3560521 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3403871&cid=t_366847_87_f&fid=36941&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mazecordblood.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D447 We came across this interesting website dedicated to the science around stem cells and bone marrow.  This is always a challenge since it’s not always clear whether these sites are above board, or just shills for cord blood companies.  www.Chxa.com reports that Duke University received $10 million from the Robertson Foundation, a family foundation started in 1996, to aid in the study of umbilical cord stem cells in the treatment of cerebral palsy. Many of us are familiar with the name of Dr. Joanne Kurtberg whose work with stem cells is renown in the race to treat cancers and other disorders, particularly those which plague children. Read about the donation and what the Robertson family believes Duke can accomplish with this support (Source: Cord Blood News) Cord Blood News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3403871 Wed, 24 Mar 2010 21:06:50 +0100 3403871 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3306921&cid=t_366847_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2Fblp_ZATKmA4%2F Fear of dentists seems to be universal. We all know people who are afraid to go see a dentist. Some people may have been traumatized while in a dentist’s chair earlier in life, some may have unknowingly developed their fear from the adults around them, or maybe they are just afraid. No matter the reason, although they may be afraid and delay trips to the dentist, they most likely end up going to have the necessary procedures done. However, there are many who are so afraid that they never go to the dentist, despite the condition of their teeth and this is a serious issue that has to be addressed. Dental care is more than cosmetic and it’s more than just fixing a broken tooth or putting in a filling. Dentists are trained to look for signs of oral cancers and they often can tell t... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3306921 Thu, 25 Feb 2010 13:55:48 +0100 3306921 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3243781&cid=t_366847_87_f&fid=36941&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mazecordblood.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D394 Researchers at the Duncan Cancer Center at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston Tx http://www.bcm.edu/news/item.cfm?newsID=1674 received 12 individual grants totaling $11.5 million to be used for cancer prevention grants.  The grants went to a wide variety of research projects focused on various cancers, including the treatment of blood cancers in which there is currently aggressive, experimental use of cord blood stem cells. (Source: Cord Blood News) Cord Blood News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3243781 Fri, 05 Feb 2010 10:14:38 +0100 3243781 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2999592&cid=t_366847_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2F17%2Freducing-marital-stress-through-communication%2F One heavily researched area within psychology is couples’ and marital communication. How a couple chooses to communicate — especially during a conflict — affects all sorts of things in the relationship: stress, relationship health, intimacy, even each person’s health. As Gouin et al. (2009) note in a summary of our existing research on this issue: Individuals reporting lower marital satisfaction experienced more non-specific physical illness symptoms over a 4-year period than individuals with higher marital satisfaction. Among healthy women, lower marital satisfaction was also associated with a more rapid progression of carotid atherosclerosis. Furthermore, women who were initially dissatisfied in their marital relationship were more likely to develop metabolic syn... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2999592 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:23:39 +0100 2999592 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2966798&cid=t_366847_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2009%2F11%2Febv-latent-membrane-protein-1.html Latent infection membrane protein 1 (LMP1) is expressed in most malignances associated with EBV infection, has oncogene-like effects on immortalized fibroblasts, and is essential for EBV to efficiently transform the growth of resting primary B-lymphocytes into long-term autonomously proliferating lymphoblastoid cell lines. Recombinant virus, genetic, and biochemical analyses have revealed that LMP1 is a constitutively active membrane receptor that appropriates signaling adapters of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily to alter cell gene expression through NF κB, mitogen-activated protein kinases, or interferon regulatory factors. LMP1 signaling mediated alterations in gene expression are critical for long-term cell proliferation and survival, and this is consistent with a s... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2966798 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:26:00 +0100 2966798 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2916351&cid=t_366847_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2F2h6n0yZFQOw%2F When I asked Genetics and Health readers to send a greetings to people they know who have survived or going through breast cancer, I knew I would hear from quite a few of you. And I was so touched by your prayers, greetings and short stories of triumph in behalf of your loved ones. Thank you to everyone who responded. Your family and friends are blessed to have people who care for them like you do. And thank you for participating in the Melange Perfume give-away as part of the “Think Pink Campaign” and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Here are the three winners, randomly chosen from 63 responses: Christine, who salutes her mom “she fought and won” Bridget Combs whose friend is a former Dallas Cowboy cheerleader, who had BC several years ago at the same time that her daughter was... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2916351 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 03:42:57 +0100 2916351 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2904953&cid=t_366847_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FNK3JOtpPf3o%2F People who are diagnosed with cancers that are rare have difficulty finding the help and support they need, indicate the findings of a study sponsored by Novartis Oncology and appearing in the current issue of CURE. CURE is a United States-based consumer magazine that focuses on cancer and cancer issues. There is not a lot of information available on rare cancers and, perhaps understandably, it is often more difficult to get an accurate diagnosis quickly. The chances of being misdiagnosed are high, say the patients. Numbers seem to show that as many as one-third may have been misdiagnosed with several diagnosis before the truth was discovered. This type of information is disturbing, because for every misdiagnosis, there are delays in treatment for what is really needed. As well, if a patie... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2904953 Sun, 18 Oct 2009 15:36:55 +0100 2904953 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2899129&cid=t_366847_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FeCpfA7EOKeg%2F The controversies on the danger of cell phones causing brain cancer do not seem to go away. Numerous studies have been done to prove, or disprove, the link between cell phone use and brain tumors, but so far no conclusion has been reached. The National Cancer Institute even has a fat sheet answering some of the concerns, and the Institute writes “studies have not shown any consistent link between cellular telephone use and cancer, but scientists feel that additional research is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.” Now, however, a review of the existing studies on the topic found a harmful association between mobile phone use and the risk of tumors. Appearing in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, the review analyzed results from 23 case-control studies involving more than 37,... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2899129 Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:55:00 +0100 2899129 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2876252&cid=t_366847_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FrjGAhr4M6Hk%2F Over 90% of deaths from breast cancer are caused by metastasis, when the cancer has returned and spread to other parts of the body, including the chest wall, lymph nodes, bones, lungs, liver or brain. But Breastcancer.org says that metastatic breast cancer is more treatable compared to a cancer that starts in the bones or liver so that’s good news. Well, researchers from The Wistar Institute has uncovered another good news – they identified the gene that can suppress the spread of tumor cells in the body! The gene, KLF17, is called a “metastasis-suppressor gene” which prevents the spread of cancer cells from the breast to the lungs (as in the study) when it is turned on, and promotes metastasis when it is knocked down, damaged or absent. The protein from KLF17 attaches itself t... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2876252 Fri, 09 Oct 2009 05:10:35 +0100 2876252 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2862582&cid=t_366847_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FahaPyBXqyMw%2F Researchers from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital have found that survivors of childhood cancers are at higher risk for obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes than their siblings who did not have cancer. The risk exists because the survivors tend to be more sedentary than the siblings. The study, done across medical centers in the United States and Canada, looked at over 20,000 childhood cancer survivors. From those 20,000 people, over 9000 survey responses were received and analyzed, and these were compared to almost 3000 responses from siblings. The researchers were looking for the type of lifestyle the survivors led compared with their siblings. According to this article, Childhood Cancer Survivors Exercise Less, Increasing Diabetes Risk, Cancer treatments such as crania... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2862582 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 06:57:09 +0100 2862582 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2851968&cid=t_366847_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2Fd0tjpkB_Oss%2F Music and cancer do not go together, and I mean that in the context of this new technology: A project at Harvard Medical School created a program to translate the signals from cells into musical notes. Normal signals will sound harmonious, abnormal signals like those coming from cancer cells will sound awful. Listen to this –     Using date from a pre-existing colon cancer study, bioinformatician Gil Alterovitz and his team created a program that transforms complex genomic information into musical notes, so that abnormal data will sound discordant. “When things go awry, such as in the case of p53-null mutant colon cancer cells under inflammatory stress conditions, gene expression varies slightly, and inharmonious chord progressions result. Listening to the result... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2851968 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:11:20 +0100 2851968 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2832231&cid=t_366847_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F99hzqiEpdDg%2F People with HIV are living longer with the use of antiretroviral drugs, but some of that may come at a cost. Researchers have noticed that certain types of cancers, such as anal, lung, Hodgkin’s, melanoma or liver cancer are more common in this group. People with HIV have a 60% higher chance of developing these cancers than do people who don’t have HIV. Researchers looked at 66,840 patients who had cancer and did not have HIV and 33,420 who had cancer and did have HIV. The types of cancers the researchers were looking for (anal, lung, liver, etc) were cancers that were considered non-AIDS-defining cancers, unlike a cancer like Karposi’s sarcoma, which is closely linked to AIDS. The researchers aren’t sure about why the HIV population has the higher risk. While a lon... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2832231 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:31:31 +0100 2832231 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2796676&cid=t_366847_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2Fv7uoq2gT82E%2F First it was “Dirty Dancing” then it was “Ghost”, and Patrick Swayze danced his way into every girl’s heart (including mine) who wished to find the same sensible and sensual man that Swayze portrayed in his films. So it’s with such a loss that tonight, Swayze’s publicist announced that the actor had died. After battling a deadly form of pancreatic cancer for almost two years, Patrick Swayze died Monday at his home in Los Angeles, and my condolence goes out to his family. Actor Patrick Swayze, 57, dies of pancreatic cancer. Image: Bauer-Griffin When the news first broke in March 2008 that Swayze has cancer, he was given a prognosis of anywhere from two to five years, and he even told ABC’s Barbara Walters, “I want to last until they find a cure, which means I’d bett... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2796676 Tue, 15 Sep 2009 08:02:06 +0100 2796676 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2774684&cid=t_366847_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2Fn6llr735uoc%2F It’s already known that your oral health – the condition of your gums, in particular – can have an effect on your heart healthy, but now researchers are finding that there may also be a connection with head and neck cancers. Chronic periodontitis, progressive bone loss and loosening of soft tissue surrounding the teeth, was to add to the risk of head and neck cancers, in particular, cancers in the mouth. In a study published in the most recent issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, researchers came to this conclusion after after studying 463 patients (207 control patients). “Although the study is comparatively small, the researchers were able to also see an association between bone loss and the risk of head and neck cancer.” However, the re... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2774684 Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:23:25 +0100 2774684 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2727189&cid=t_366847_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F9QS27idY65Q%2F Although the population in the United States is aging, it seems that deaths due to cancer are dropping, say researchers. This decline has been occurring over the past 50 years. A study published recently in the journal Cancer Research said: Age-specific cancer mortality rates have been steadily declining in the United States since the early 1950s, beginning with children and young adults and now including all age groups. During the second half of the 20th century, each successive decade of births from 1925 to 1995 experienced a lower risk of cancer death than its predecessor at virtually every age for which such a comparison can be made. A major decline in cancer mortality has been occurring in the United States for the past 50 years, affecting birth cohorts born as long as 80 years ago. T... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2727189 Sun, 23 Aug 2009 15:46:07 +0100 2727189 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2702364&cid=t_366847_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FohfZ-a09TFg%2F Earlier this week, I posted about ovarian cancer and preserving fertility among women who are still in their childbearing years (Ovarian Cancer, Young Women & Fertility). But other than knowing that ovarian cancer is difficult to diagnose and it’s survival rate is not good because of the difficulty diagnosing it in the early stages, how much do you know about it? Ovarian cancer, one of the gynecological cancers, along with uterine, endometrial, cervical and vaginal cancers, affects mostly women over the age of 50, or post menopause. Younger women do develop ovarian cancer but it’s not as common. While doctors don’t know what causes ovarian cancer, they do know that fertility and menopause play a role, showed by the rising number of older women who develop it. Why is i... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2702364 Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:03:51 +0100 2702364 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2649204&cid=t_366847_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2F7cNQ02Cc1Nc%2F And we all thought tanning beds were a safe substitute to sunbathing! But in recent years, doctors saw a dramatic rise in the number of young people with skin cancer as the use of tanning beds increased, so scientists combined the results of 20 studies and found a scary trend: The risk for skin cancer increases by 75 percent when people start using tanning beds before age 30. And the risk for skin and eye cancer from using tanning beds is so high that it is now classified into the top cancer risk category, alongside tobacco, arsenic, and mustard gas. Wow. We know arsenic and mustard gas are lethal, but tanning beds?! Well, one British study found melanoma as the leading type of cancer diagnosed in women in their 20s. And young women are considered the highest risk-group because of their... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2649204 Wed, 29 Jul 2009 02:15:00 +0100 2649204 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2639683&cid=t_366847_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FdB4CzGJ7ZKE%2F Tanya Angus has a rare disorder that causes her to keep growing beyond her already gigantic size of 6-feet 6-inches and 476 pounds. She is now considered one of the largest and heaviest woman on the planet, and she is still growing. Tanya’s trouble began in her late teens when she noticed herself growing disproportionately. In two short years she was 6 feet tall and grew from size 14 to 16. A benign tumor had lodged in Tanya Angus’s brain stem and wrapped itself around her pituitary gland, causing an over-production of growth hormones. A normal person’s growth hormone is just 260. Tanya has a count of 3,000 of the hormone. Although most of the tumor has been removed in 2003, tiny pieces of it are still embedded in her brain and could not be operated on. In 2005, the tumor grew again... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2639683 Sun, 26 Jul 2009 00:32:00 +0100 2639683 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2613911&cid=t_366847_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F7gpKvXSrIs8%2F Mucositis, the inflammation of the mucosal cells in your mouth become red, inflammed, and very painful. It can be caused by several things, such a: Not caring for dentures properly (wearing ill-fitting ones or not taking them out often enough Medications that cause dry mouth and/or mucositis Xerostomia (dry mouth) Infections Malnutrition Certain illnesses Side effect of chemotherapy or radiotherapy We’ve discussed dry mouth here before (Many Medications Cause Dry Mouth , Painful dry mouth from medications ) but mucositis is more than just dry mouth. According to the article, Managing Oral Mucositis in Patients With Cancer, This painful condition develops in approximately 40% of patients treated with standard chemotherapy, 30%-60% of patients receiving radiation therapy for can... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2613911 Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:18:25 +0100 2613911 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2591642&cid=t_366847_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FdoPZtj_b1BU%2F It seems, some races/ethnicities are just more prone to cancer than others. Corollary, some races have higher survival rates for cancer than others. For example, a mutation was found to increase the risk of colon cancer in Caucasians by 10%, but not in Japanese population. And in a recent study, African Americans were found to have lesser survival rates for breast cancer than their Caucasian counterparts. The same disparity was shown for prostate and ovarian cancers, which need changes in hormones in our body for the tumor to grow. Interestingly, the survival rates between black and whites are the same for other forms of cancers, like lung, colon, lymphoma, leukemia, or myeloma. Scientists found these results after other factors were adjusted for diagnosis, access to treatment, and stand... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2591642 Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:42:00 +0100 2591642 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2415640&cid=t_366847_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2F4OJJeJEmteM%2F The Oncotype DX test is an important diagnostic tool to help women with breast cancer determine how likely she will benefit from adding chemotherapy to her treatment. The test also measures how likely her cancer will return in the future. Well, new research found that Oncotype DX Test may also help predict the return of colon cancer, and affect the treatment course of a patient. A patient with low “odds of recurrence” may not need chemotherapy, and can stick to surgery alone. Oncotype DX Test for colon cancer is similar to the ones that is used in breast cancer, but the colon-cancer test is not as strong in predicting recurrence than breast cancer, but the test is useful nonetheless. Genome Health, the makers of Oncotype DX test, will likely commercialize the genetic test for colon ... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2415640 Sat, 16 May 2009 03:27:00 +0100 2415640 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2365323&cid=t_366847_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FrgTtU-dDDJs%2F Often, finding the gene(s) that cause a disease is like the proverbial needle in a haystack. And in very rare cases, it’s Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is a rare childhood lung cancer where cysts and/or solid tumors grow in the lungs of children anytime from birth to about 7-8 years of age. Malignant cancer cells. Image: Newscom Only about 50% of patients with PPB are successfully cured of the cancer, and the prognosis becomes better with early diagnosis. One fourth of children with PPB have other types of cancers in their bodies (personal history) or in other family members, so there is a clear genetic factor involved. A recent study found very interesting results that could help scientists understand how cancers develop. Results from a molecular study found that that a master controll... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2365323 Fri, 24 Apr 2009 03:10:00 +0100 2365323 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2323428&cid=t_366847_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FsUBmhdE1fiY%2F When I tell people I used to research about the genetics of myopia (or nearsightedness),  one of the questions they ask is whether they’ll pass it to their children. And I tell them there are other factors, “interactions” we call them, between our genes and our environment that determine if certain genes will express and/or be passed to our children. Genes and Environment play roles in diseases. Image: Newscom For example, mutations in the brca1 gene are highly associated with very high risks of breast cancer. A brca1 (breast cancer 1; on chromosome 7) is one of the genes in the body that suppresses tumors, by repairing damaged DNA. A mutation or defect in the gene produces a protein that can not repair DNA in other genes. A person with brca1 mutations has up to 80% risk... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2323428 Sat, 04 Apr 2009 13:00:17 +0100 2323428 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2258800&cid=t_366847_117_f&fid=36026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Fzimney-health-and-medical-news-you-can-use%2Fvitamin-d-deficiency-and-you%2F This is important, so listen up! It seems that every day there’s more news about the health risks associated with vitamin D deficiency, which might not be a problem if there weren’t also news nearly every day that few of us are getting enough vitamin D each day. We’re not getting enough either from our diets or from sun exposure, which are the two main sources not counting supplements (which are probably what you should be taking, by the way). Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to various bone problems as well as to diabetes, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, high blood pressure and other cardiovascular disorders, a variety of cancers as well as to infections, including recently to the development of the common cold. The list of illnesses associated with vitamin D deficienc... Dr. Z's Medical Report blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2258800 Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:40:21 +0100 2258800 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2183211&cid=t_366847_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2FzbL2zJGeQuo%2F As more children are surviving childhood cancers, some are finding themselves fighting the battle again later on, in adulthood. Such is the case with many women who were treated for Hodgkin’s disease when they were children if they were treated with radiation. And, the higher the radiation, the higher the risk - up to 40 times that of women who didn’t have Hodgkin’s disease, say researchers. Until about 20 years ago, Hodgkin’s disease in children was treated very aggressively with high doses of radiation and little else, but the survival rate has increased significantly. Over the past two decades, with improvements in technology and increase in knowledge, the amount of radiation needed and used has almost halved if not replaced completely by chemotherapy in some chi... Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2183211 Fri, 13 Feb 2009 09:37:47 +0100 2183211 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2173478&cid=t_366847_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2FNHs41mNxtEc%2F The puzzle of how some illnesses affect people of certain ethnic backgrounds differently than others continues to be a target of researchers. The latest study is on how African-American women fare with uterine cancer compared with their white peers. In this case, the findings are not ideal - they are more likely to die from uterine cancer. The study findings were published in the March 15 issue of Cancer. The study, done by Dr. Jason Wright, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and colleagues, involved almost over 80,000 women. According to a press release issued by the American Cancer Society, African-American women were 60 percent more likely to die from their tumors than white women and survival time periods were als... Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2173478 Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:52:50 +0100 2173478 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2168083&cid=t_366847_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2FyipeTGTbBgc%2F Whenever a new technology becomes available, there are concerns about other effects it may have. In this case, there were concerns that new fertility drugs, gaining in popularity, could play a role in a woman developing ovarian cancer. This has been hard to investigate because of the theory that women who have difficulty conceiving could be already at a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer - so it would be difficult to tell if it was the infertility or the treatment that caused it. A new study, published yesterday in the BMJ found that there is no link between the two. Researchers studied almost 55 thousand women who visited infertility clinics in Denmark between the years 1963 to 1998. The women were followed for an average of 15 years to see if they developed cancer. The researchers... Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2168083 Sat, 07 Feb 2009 14:47:25 +0100 2168083 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2168084&cid=t_366847_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2FbZQUPztqdE0%2F Having a sick child is bad enough, having a sick child who is dying is pretty close to unbearable. But what if you found out that your child was suffering needlessly from pain because he or she wasn’t getting adequate pain relief? According to an article in the journal Pediatric Blood & Cancer, children who need opioids during their last weeks of life may not be getting what they need. The study found that just over half (56%) of children who needed opioids in their last week of life received them every day. There was a difference between children with private health insurance and those relying on US government coverage. Those with a private insurance received daily opioids about 63% of the time while those on public aid only received them 52% of the time. Older children, those f... Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2168084 Fri, 06 Feb 2009 22:32:30 +0100 2168084 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2149780&cid=t_366847_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2FOxbCuLD4scY%2F Ependymoma is a brain cancer that affects children. It’s not easy to treat, but researchers from St. Jude’s Hospital found that aggressive surgery, followed by radiation resulted in a overall survival of     81% and a 7-year survival rate of up to 69.1%. To read more about this study, go to Aggressive Treatment Effective in Kids’ Brain Cancer ~~~ Tags: cancer blog, childhood brain cancer, ependymoma, st judes hospital Share This (Source: Cancer Commentary) Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2149780 Sun, 01 Feb 2009 01:26:39 +0100 2149780 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2147605&cid=t_366847_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FnqZEs6b_tto%2F Red hair is among the rarest of hair colors, with only 1% of the population having that natural hair. I personally think red hair makes heads turn. Check out these natural red-heads: Julianne Moore, Lindsay Lohan, Sarah Ferguson, Marcia Cross and of course, Prince Harry (and great grannie Queen Elizabeth I). Auburn, ginger, bright orange, carrot-top:  they are all the same red hair, and most would be sharing the same gene. Some variants of the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene are strongly associated with red hair. The gene codes for a receptor that is expressed on pigment cells in the skin (melanocytes). This receptor responds to a hormone that stimutats the production of the dark pigment eumelanin. So, if you have a variant of the MC1R gene that turns off the receptor, the pigm... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2147605 Fri, 30 Jan 2009 09:09:00 +0100 2147605 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2138210&cid=t_366847_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2FBFRjDzFh4CY%2F It’s been a given that if a woman has endometrial cancer, part of the surgical treatment is removing the ovaries (an oopherectomy). But, according to a study of over 3000 women under the age of 45 years, published in the online Jan. 26 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology, researchers found after five years, there was  no difference in survival rate between  young women with early endometrial cancer who had oopherectomies and those who didn’t. Endometrial cancer is generally found in women around age 60 years and older, with there being only a 5% rate in women under 40 years old. ~~~ Tags: cancer blog, oopherectomy, oopherectomies, endometrial cancer, endometrial cancer in young women Share This (Source: Cancer Commentary) Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2138210 Tue, 27 Jan 2009 21:01:12 +0100 2138210 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2104562&cid=t_366847_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FrWjz8N5fr_g%2F   Genetic tests for common medical conditions and disorders have become more in demand in the past years. The popularity increased even more when celebrities and universities began publishing their genetic information online, and direct-to-consumer genetic companies sprouted like mushrooms. Soon, genetic tests could become a common diagnostic tool at the doctor’s office. Getting access to our risk information is relevant to making informed decisions about our lifestyle. The hope is that if a person will understand his risk, say, for certain cardiovascular diseases, then he will take better care of himself to avoid getting the disease. And that’s where the shortcomings lie. Sue Friedman, executive director of the patient advocacy group Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered ... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2104562 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 19:01:03 +0100 2104562 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2101549&cid=t_366847_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2FdoRhIG29t2c%2F When a woman learns that she’s at high risk for developing ovarian cancer - a silent killer because symptoms are rarely noticed in the early stages - she has some decisions to make. One of those decisions is to have a preventative surgery, removing the fallopian tubes and ovaries, called a salpingo-oophorectomy. For those who decide to go ahead with the surgery, the hope is to eliminate the risk of ovarian cancer altogether. New research has shown, however, that some women still may develop ovarian cancer because when the fallopian tubes and ovaries are removed, there is the potential that some of the tissue is missed and left behind. If this happens, these bits of tissue are still at risk for becoming cancerous. That being said - having the surgery does lower the risks of developin... Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2101549 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 08:47:57 +0100 2101549 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2101007&cid=t_366847_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FoUb1MJW-Qqk%2F A gene responsible for spreading breast cancer and making tumors resistant to chemotherapy has been identified by scientists from Princeton University. The “metastasis gene” called Metadherin, or MTDH is turned on in 40% of breast cancer tumors. It is also found in 20% of prostate cancer patients studied. The gene helps spread cancer by making the tumor cells stick to blood vessels that bring them to distant areas of the body. MTDH also makes the tumors more resistant to chemotherapy drugs. Discovering this gene helps scientist “hit two birds in one stone”, says senior author Dr. Yibin Kang to Newsday. “If you come up with a therapy that inhibits the gene, it could make the tumor more susceptible to chemotherapy and at the same time reduce the chance for a t... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2101007 Tue, 13 Jan 2009 13:29:32 +0100 2101007 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2084349&cid=t_366847_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2FIobFqwlo1sM%2F Among the many studies researchers are doing to understand ovarian cancer risks, some are looking at the relationship between obesity and ovarian cancer. In a study, published in the most recent issue of the journal CANCER, researchers write that obesity may be a contributing factor to developing the cancer, with hormones playing the deciding factor. According to a recently issued press release: To investigate this issue, Dr. Michael F. Leitzmann of the National Cancer Institute and colleagues studied 94,525 U.S. women aged 50 to 71 years over a period of seven years. The researchers documented 303 ovarian cancer cases during this time and noted that among women who had never taken hormones after menopause, obesity was associated with an almost 80 percent higher risk of ovarian cancer. I... Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2084349 Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:56:02 +0100 2084349 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2075091&cid=t_366847_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2FndLXnxnyim8%2F I remember working with a writer once, editing her work, as she writing about neck pain caused by disc problems. The uppermost part of the back and the neck are part of the cervical spine. Near the end of the article, she had written something about how the problem could ultimately cause cervical cancer. When I contacted her to tell her that the cervix and the cervical spine were totally unrelated, she became quite huffy and told me that she was well aware of the difference. The story still gives me a chuckle years later. Anyway, it’s Cervical Health Awareness Month and it has nothing to do with your spine! The United States Congress designated January as Cervical Health Awareness Month and the National Cervical Cancer Coalition wants to make teen girls and women more aware of the he... Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2075091 Sat, 03 Jan 2009 08:59:07 +0100 2075091 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2510660&cid=t_366847_94_f&fid=36906&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDoctorDavidsBlog%2F%7E3%2FKVlvONOxHIw%2Fis-cancer-contagious.html This question actually comes up a lot in my practice.When a family is first coming to terms with a cancer diagnosis, so many questions pass through their minds. Does it run in families? Do my other kids need to be checked? Is it contagious?In humans, the answer is “No,” although now that we know cervical cancer is usually caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV; a sexually transmitted infection) this answer is a bit fuzzy. Although viruses like HPV that can cause cancer are contagious, cancer itself is not.But is that true for all animals? Apparently not. Recently I came across this fascinating article about one of my favorite animals from childhood: The Tasmanian Devil.When not chasing Bugs Bunny, Tasmanian Devils live in, well… Tasmania. They are marsupials, carrying their young in po... Doctor David's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2510660 Tue, 23 Dec 2008 04:59:00 +0100 2510660 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2061655&cid=t_366847_94_f&fid=36906&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDoctorDavidsBlog%2F%7E3%2F492853719%2Fis-cancer-contagious.html This question actually comes up a lot in my practice.When a family is first coming to terms with a cancer diagnosis, so many questions pass through their minds. Does it run in families? Do my other kids need to be checked? Is it contagious?In humans, the answer is “No,” although now that we know cervical cancer is usually caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV; a sexually transmitted infection) this answer is a bit fuzzy. Although viruses like HPV that can cause cancer are contagious, cancer itself is not.But is that true for all animals? Apparently not. Recently I came across this fascinating article about one of my favorite animals from childhood: The Tasmanian Devil.When not chasing Bugs Bunny, Tasmanian Devils live in, well… Tasmania. They are marsupials, carrying their young in po... Doctor David's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2061655 Tue, 23 Dec 2008 04:59:00 +0100 2061655 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2061652&cid=t_366847_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2FwFwueyNyA_8%2F FDA Approves Gleevec to Prevent Recurrence of Rare Gastrointestinal Cancer The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Gleevec (imatinib mesylate) for a new indication – keeping cancer from growing in patients following surgical removal of a gastrointestinal stromal tumor or GIST. GIST is a fairly rare form of cancer that originates in cells found in the wall of the GI tract. These cells, known as interstitial cells of Cajal, are part of the autonomic nervous system, which helps to control the movement of food and liquid through the stomach and intestines. Gleevec, first approved by the FDA in 2001, is one of the first drugs in a class of agents that block cellular communications that result in tumor growth "Approval of Gleevec offers health care professionals and patients ... Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2061652 Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:51:23 +0100 2061652 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2047735&cid=t_366847_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2F51LTNNVlgCo%2F Oral cancer, cancer of the mouth, tongue and surrounding areas may seem simple enough since these are areas that ate well seen, but sadly, most oral cancers are detected quite late, which means they are much more difficult to treat, let alone cure. And, with our aging population who were more likely to drink alcohol and/or smoke, now is when the cancer is coming through. Estimates range around a half a million for new cases of oral cancer around the world and, because of late detection, most die within 5 years of diagnosis. That’s a grim finding. According to an article that appears in the most recent issue of the Journal of Prosthodontics, it was thought that with all the preventive education put into mouth and oral care, that the need for the specialty would decline. But, that does... Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2047735 Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:22:59 +0100 2047735 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2027912&cid=t_366847_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2FZa4Tbj8uqyw%2F Cholesterol-lowering drugs, statins, are a growing market of medications as patients struggle to keep their cholesterol levels under control if diet and lifestyle changes don’t work on their own. Some of these drugs are Lipitor, Zocor, Parvachol, Lescol, Mevacor and Crestor. People with lymphoma are no different. According to statistics, about 20% of people with lymphoma are also taking some sort of statin. There was a concern that the statins could affect the most common type of treatment for lyphoma, rituximab (Rituxan), which can be used alone or in combination with another chemotherapy drug. Researchers at the Mayo Clinic found no reason to believe that statins would decrease the effectiveness of rituximab and, in some cases, they may have helped the treatment somewhat. Accordin... Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2027912 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 19:21:02 +0100 2027912 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2027913&cid=t_366847_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2FDApQre8JUWM%2F According to a press release issued by the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Older Age Doesn’t Affect Survival after Bone Marrow Transplant, if you’re over 65 years old and you have acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), you could do just as well as younger patients who receive the transplant. In a new study, researchers looked at 551 patients who had transplants for MDS and 565 for AML. They found that age had no statistically significant impact on transplant-related mortality, relapse, leukemia-free survival or overall survival. There was a difference in approaches, however. Traditionally, to prepare for such a transplant, patients are given very high intense doses of chemotherapy to "kill" their own blood cell supply. In the ol... Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2027913 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:30:33 +0100 2027913 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1991702&cid=t_366847_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2FYNpG5RTLkq8%2F Cancer isn’t supposed to happen. And it’s really not supposed to happen to young people. And even more, it’s not supposed to happen to athletic, fit young people. But it does. Cancer doesn’t discriminate and can happen to anyone at any me and 28-year-old Robert Muller, father of two and an elite hockey goaltender for Germany. Robert played in the world championship earlier this year. His brain tumor was first found in 2006 and he underwent surgery and had both chemotherapy and radiotherapy. But, the type of cancer Robert has, glioblastoma multiforme - the same type that Senator Edward Kennedy was diagnosed with - is very aggressive and has no cure. And, sure enough, Robert’s brain cancer returned in early November. He continues to play hockey, much to the ... Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1991702 Thu, 27 Nov 2008 08:44:09 +0100 1991702 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1991705&cid=t_366847_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2FW2JY_YZvIgk%2F B also has several types of cancer in its list. Who knew there were so many different types of cancer? B is for: B-cell lymphoma Basal cell carcinoma Bellini duct carcinoma Bladder cancer Brain tumor Breast cancer Burkitt lymphoma ~~~ Tags: cancer blog, burkitt lympohma, brain tumor, breast cancer, bladder cancer, lymphoma, basal cell cancer Share This (Source: Cancer Commentary) Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1991705 Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:18:37 +0100 1991705 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1964371&cid=t_366847_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2FXwWh9NCUQoA%2F We promise to love and protect them from birth. Every cut and bump makes us cringe; when our children hurt, we hurt. We hope and pray that our children will remain safe, and we are saddened by stories of others whose children are sick or who have been hurt. There are times though, when we can’t protect our children from becoming ill. According to the United States National Cancer Institute, "cancer is the leading cause of death by disease among U.S. children between infancy and age 15." Interestingly, white children develop cancer more than children from any other ethnic group. Leukemia, brain cancer and cancers of the central nervous system are the most common types of childhood cancers. But, although the cancer numbers aren’t changing over the years, the death rate ... Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1964371 Sun, 16 Nov 2008 09:44:32 +0100 1964371 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1960800&cid=t_366847_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FCgi-1RFzm8Y%2F Inspired by Diabetes Notes’ "Putting a Face on Diabetes", I wanted to do the same and show how people with genetic disorders - rare or common - manage their condition and live their lives to the full. I found a feature article about a teenager named Lizzie Tinney, living with Xeroderma Pigmentosa or XP. Lizzie is only 13 years old and yet she already had to undergo surgeries to remove skin cancer sores. Even while wearing protective clothing from head to tow, Lizzie still has to carry around a meter to measure how much UV light she receives. "It’s way hard. Its way still hard because I love the sun," says Lizzie. "But now that I know that I have XP, I can just go out with my hood on and I go out and play." Xeroderma Pigmentosa is a rare genetic... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1960800 Fri, 14 Nov 2008 17:21:22 +0100 1960800 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1961312&cid=t_366847_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2F-7O8F656kpU%2F A blog about cancer does, sadly, have to include some sad news from time to time - and this is one of those times. In December 2007, journalist, teacher, technical writer and website designer, Emru Townsend was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of leukemia. His only chance was getting bone marrow and the chance of finding a matching donor were very slim. Emru was of Caribbean descent and that ethnic group is sorely under-represented in the bone marrow registries of North America. Against all odds, a match was found and in early September 2008, Emru received a stem cell transplant and things looked up at first. Unfortunately, the leukemia was too strong and he lost his fight on November 11, at around 10 pm. Emru was a popular figure in the writing community. Many members of the Profes... Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1961312 Fri, 14 Nov 2008 08:15:43 +0100 1961312 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1955292&cid=t_366847_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FfWi6LNJnRnQ%2F For the first time, US researchers have decoded all the genes of a woman who died of myeloid leukemia, and they found 10 mutations that contributed to the development of her cancer. This finding is significant on several fronts. It’s the first time that a cancer genome has been sequenced. The scientists took samples of both cancer and normal skin cells from the same woman, and sequenced the DNA on both samples. Previous to this, the focus was on select regions of the genome, called candidate regions, suspected of carrying genes that cause or contribute to cancer. The study also found that 8 of the 10 mutations have never been suspected as contributing to the disease. The researchers found them on every cancer cell and none in the normal samples, which suggests that these mutations ... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1955292 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:51:03 +0100 1955292 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1952449&cid=t_366847_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2FIUoWjNdVqOk%2F Am I one of the few who reads a headline like this and thinks, wait a minute. Did I really read that? Yes - unfortunately, I did. Gardasil, a vaccine that protects against certain types of HPV infection, is a recommended vaccine in the US for girls aged 9 to 12 years old. According to statistics, 70% of cervical cancer is caused by two of the strains that are prevented by the Gardasil vaccine. So, for US residents, it’s recommended. As of August 1, 2008, however, all new female immigrants who are between 11 and 26 years old *MUST* receive the vaccine. Click here to read more. ~~~~~ Tags: cancer blog, gardasil, cervical cancer, HPV, HPV vaccine Share This (Source: Cancer Commentary) Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1952449 Tue, 11 Nov 2008 09:00:28 +0100 1952449 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1947702&cid=t_366847_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2Fu-31PJz6TXA%2F When I began writing my blog, Help My Hurt, I knew that I’d be writing about children and pain. And, along with that topic, came children and cancer and pain. If you’re looking for information on children and cancer pain, you may be interested in having a look at these two posts:: Making Cancer Less Painful - A Handbook for Parents Treating cancer pain in children Although this is for parents of children with sickle cell anemia, the form that is discussed could easily be adapted to a child with any type of pain that needs constant management: Sickle Cell Pain Relief Record As I get this blog going, there will be more information about cancer in children. ~~~~~ Share This (Source: Cancer Commentary) Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1947702 Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:54:20 +0100 1947702 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1943569&cid=t_366847_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2FzfbSr8bn-nY%2F Than anti-PHV vaccine that is being promoted heavily for teen girls should be given to boys too, say many people. HPV, or human papilloma virus, is responsible for genital warts. Although there are many types of HPV, two are responsible for 70% of cases of cervical cancer in women. Gardasil protects girls and young women against developing four strains of HPV, including the two responsible for most cervical cancers. The question from many is, if HPV is transmitted from boys to girls, from men to women, then boys should be vaccinated too. While researchers are working on finding out if this type of vaccine is good and safe for boys, we are left with the question: will boys get vaccinated? The only way a boy or man will ever know that they have been infected with HPV is if they develop genit... Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1943569 Fri, 07 Nov 2008 22:10:47 +0100 1943569 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1939794&cid=t_366847_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2FGd4m-yJvzLw%2F Please take our Gardasil poll The controversial Gardasil vaccine, to prevent transmission of four types of human papillomavirus (HPV), two of which cause cervical cancer, has been given a prestigious pharmaceutical award, considered the Nobel prize of the pharma world, the the 2008 International Galien Prize. The prize is given for recognizing and promoting significant advances in pharmaceutical research. With so many people opposing the vaccine, what do you think about the prize? ~~ Tags: cancer blog, gardasil, HPV vaccine, cervical cancer, galien prize, international galien prize, pharmaceutical research, human papillomavirus Share This (Source: Cancer Commentary) Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1939794 Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:20:35 +0100 1939794 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1939799&cid=t_366847_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2FL4q_2vmpge8%2F Forgive me if I sound cynical at the end of this post, but as you read it, you’ll very likely guess why. According to a study published in the most recent issue of the journal, Cancer, if you are in the United States and have been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), whether you receive appropriate treatment and survive has a lot to do with your socioeconomic standing, regardless of ethnic background. The lack of money affects everything from first seeing the doctor to treatment. People in lower socioeconomic brackets have less money to pay out of pocket, less ability to lose work time if they have a job, less likely to have insurance, and therefore less likely to be able to pay for treatments and follow-up visits. But honestly, is any of this a surprise? And is it reserved to ... Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1939799 Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:47:31 +0100 1939799 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1930464&cid=t_366847_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2FtstJ8drYLh4%2F Have you ever heard that saying that polite people never discuss religion or politics at a dinner party? I think we need to add Gardasil, the HPV vaccine, to that list. Some people are so strongly for the vaccine for girls as young as 9 years old, while others say “over my dead body.” The arguments fly fast and furious when it comes to the safety, efficacy, and ethical issues of giving Gardasil to our children. You know, I have no idea what side of the fence I’m on. A couple of years ago, I was hired by an online health site to write about HPV and the vaccine’s availability, from both a young woman’s point of  view and a mother’s point of view (For Mothers and For Young Women). When I wrote the pieces, my daughter was 17 and I was thinking  I really wa... Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1930464 Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:46:51 +0100 1930464 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1927923&cid=t_366847_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2Fns0K4lmIUNU%2F Ok, we know that most women don’t enjoy going to the doctor for a pelvic, or internal, exam. It’s not a glamorous position to be in, but - that Pap smear that you should get while you have your annual exam could save your life. A 15-minute doctor’s visit could spare you the heartache of being diagnosed with cervical cancer and all that comes with the diagnosis. What is a Pap test? The Pap test is named after Dr. Georgios Papanicolaou, who discovered a way to test the cells scraped from the cervix for unusual changes. The Pap test can tell not only cancerous cells, but abnormal ones that will develop into cancer years from now. Who should get the Pap test? All women should have Pap tests. Women who are 18 years old, even if not sexually active, should have their first Pap ... Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1927923 Mon, 03 Nov 2008 08:01:32 +0100 1927923 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1927924&cid=t_366847_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2F6Ffctc86AcI%2F Patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) who have been treated with rituximab but whose lymphoma still progresses, may have hope with another treatment called Treanda (bendamustine hydrochloride). Indolent lymphoma, or lymphoma that resists treatment, is difficult to treat and is not currently curable. Treanda, while not a cure, may help slow down its progress. The United States FDA had already approved use of Treanda for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). CLL is the most common form of leukemia in the United States. ~~~~ Tags: cancer blog, lymphoma, non hodgkin’s lymphoma, treanda, bendamustine Share This (Source: Cancer Commentary) Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1927924 Sun, 02 Nov 2008 21:58:23 +0100 1927924 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1926731&cid=t_366847_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2FLmKLRkbgOwY%2F Early detection is the hallmark of increased survival of cancer, but the trick is to find how we can detect cancers in the early stages. Cervical cancer is one that can be caught quite early if women go for their regular Pap tests, which is designed to detect changes in the cells on the cervix. Pap smears can detect cells in their precancerous stages as well. According to the American Cancer Society, over 11,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer this year. That means that they will have cancer that is no longer superficial. Although this number is high, death from cervical cancer is dropping significantly as women are becoming more aware of the need for a Pap test. In fact, between the 1950s and the end of the century, cervical cancer deaths dropped... Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1926731 Sun, 02 Nov 2008 13:04:29 +0100 1926731 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1962912&cid=t_366847_117_f&fid=38158&url=http%3A%2F%2Famericanacupuncture.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F10%2Fsmokers-should-you-get-your-cat-scan.html SMOKERS, GET YOUR CAT SCAN The push is on for smokers and non-smokers to get a CAT scan.  The message is that it will catch tumors when they are small, and they can be removed before they spread. Lung cancer kills over 160,000 of us a year.  If more tumors can be caught early, many lives could be saved.  Every one of you 45 million Americans is a prime candidate for this lung imaging. Most  people agree on how good a CAT scan has become since 1995 when CAT scans were created.  The detectors now spin and slice through the body in 5 seconds.  An image can be taken in a single breath.  A computer can tune some densities in and out and make a 3D view of tissue and bone.  A scan might have 256 slices and a 0.3 mm square can be well visualized. What happens after your initial scan?  If ... Dr. Needles Medical Blogs blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1962912 Thu, 16 Oct 2008 21:36:00 +0100 1962912 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1652630&cid=t_366847_94_f&fid=36906&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDoctorDavidsBlog%2F%7E3%2F345257405%2Fwhen-chemo-works.html Recently, I blogged about a patient with a tumor that was difficult to diagnose. A day or two after that post, the pathologist told me the diagnosis: myoepithelial carcinoma. You can follow this link to the article that describes the largest group of patients with this diagnosis: 29. That paper brought the total number of such cases reported EVER up to 73. To put that in perspective, this is the number of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer in the US every 3 hours. To say that this diagnosis is vanishingly rare would be a tremendous understatement.So how does one go about deciding how to treat something so rare? We reviewed all 73 case reports, and unfortunately almost none of them included any details about what chemotherapy was used. There was one exception, though. This paper des... Doctor David's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1652630 Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:04:00 +0100 1652630 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1480711&cid=t_366847_131_f&fid=34976&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftalk.dnadirect.com%2F2008%2F05%2F30%2Fred-flags-for-hereditary-cancer%2F Guest post from Lisa Kessler, DNA Direct’s Senior Genetic Counselor: A recent article in the New York Times about red flags for hereditary cancer went into detail about specific findings in families. About 5-10% of cancers are thought to be strongly hereditary; for people who worry about their genetic risk, and who have a family history [...] (Source: DNA Direct Talk) DNA Direct Talk blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1480711 Fri, 30 May 2008 21:38:53 +0100 1480711 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1340691&cid=t_366847_136_f&fid=35300&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.metastaticlivercancer.org%2F2008-04-01-cancer-treatment%2Fliver-cancer-in-the-family%2F In the liver cancer story from Jessica it is not clear whether she talks about a primary cancer or a metastatic liver cancer. But the outcome is clear: too many people die from cancer… Notice how Jessica prays for a cure for all cancers where we take it one step further and pray that people start promoting cancer prevention globally. Just like Jessica we all have been struggling with father’s death as well. For mother the struggle is both physical as emotional: she has torn a ligament due to carrying father around, but after one year that’s more or less taken care of the loss of father is not at all taken care of: sometimes I call her up and I can tell she has been crying… We were told in advance: the doctor who made father’s metastatic liver cancer diagnos... Metastatic liver cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1340691 Tue, 01 Apr 2008 07:57:32 +0100 1340691 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1325538&cid=t_366847_94_f&fid=36906&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDoctorDavidsBlog%2F%7E3%2F257429858%2Fone-painters-battle-against-penile.html '[S]o, what have you got?''Oh, er, men's cancer,' I replied.'Prostate?''No.''Testicular?''No.'They dug a bit more until I just came out and said it. 'I've got penile cancer, OK -- cancer of the penis!'You could have heard a pin drop."selection from AlterNet’s article ‘Penis Cancer: My Very Private Hell'British Artist John D Edwards had penile cancer or ‘cancer of the penis’ as he put it.Penile cancer is rare in North America. Data reported to the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program (the cancer statistics program of the National Cancer Institute) show that only 1817 men were diagnosed with primary malignant penile cancer in the US between 1973 and 2002.Given the location of the cancer, it is an especially sensitive topic for patients to speak candidly about.Unless you... Doctor David's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1325538 Tue, 25 Mar 2008 04:23:00 +0100 1325538 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1055808&cid=t_366847_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2F191777376%2F This is a difficult week for me. Not only I am trying to wrap up on my blogging commitments before we go out of town on Friday, the weather isn’t cooperating. The other super typhoon already left but not without pounding North of the Philippines first (our region was almost hit badly if not for it changing its course), the previous one came back. Came back! That’s right. Have you ever heard of a storm that already left but decided to come back? This is a first for me too. And then a third one is brewing nearby! When will typhoons ever leave us alone?! Anyway, I first would like to share with you, interesting posts from a couple of my favorite blogs that never fail to talk about cancer: From Well Woman Blog: Urban Women Face Higher Risk of Breast Cancer From Battling Cancer: Is motorcyc... Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1055808 Wed, 28 Nov 2007 10:52:52 +0100 1055808 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=954479&cid=t_366847_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2F170537311%2F As reported by the US Government and the CDC, the top four deadliest cancers are the following: Lung cancer Colon cancer Breast cancer Prostate cancer We should remember though that if detected in it’s early stage, cancer need not be deadly. Moreover, if you have a family history of cancer, you should keep in mind to adjust the other cancer risk factors that can be adjusted such as your diet and your lifestyle. In any other form of cancer, smoking and drinking alcohol are always listed in the lifestyle factors involved. So make sure to avoid those. Like in any other serious condition, prevention is always better than treatment in terms of cancer. Check out the CDC’s cancer page to find more about facts and figures on cancer. Now, I need your participation by helping me comple... Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=954479 Mon, 15 Oct 2007 16:00:13 +0100 954479 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=629100&cid=t_366847_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F05%2F21%2Fcervical-cancer-vaccine-gardasil-reducing-the-risk-of-other-canc%2F Filed under: Drug, Prevention, Cervical Cancer, ResearchGardasil, a vaccine against four types of the human papillomarivus (HPV), may reduce the risk of cancers of the vagina and vulva in addition to reducing the risk of cervical cancer. The HPV virus can lead to precancerous or cancerous changes to the cervix, vagina, penis and anus. Researchers combined information from three clinical trials to evaluate the effectiveness of Gardasil on the risk of precancerous changes to the vulva and vagina. The study found that among women who had not been infected with the HPV virus, Gardasil was 100 percent effective against precancerous changes to the vulva or vagina. Among those that had been infected with a certain strain of the HPV virus, Gardasil was 71 percent effective. Gardasil was 49 percent... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=629100 Mon, 21 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 629100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=587877&cid=t_366847_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F05%2F03%2Fthought-for-the-day-another-round-of-coffee-cancer%2F Filed under: Leukemia, Colon and Rectal Cancer, Prevention, Liver Cancer, Stomach Cancer, Research, Daily newsMore on coffee -- a topic of panel discussion at the recent Experimental Biology 2007 meeting in Washington, DC, and subject of nearly 400 studies investigating consumption and cancer risk.Think about this:No one claims coffee is the new health food. And non-coffee drinkers are not encouraged to drink the beverage for their health. Yet the beverage is certainly losing some of its negative health image. But is it enough?Some say coffee protects against colon, rectal, and liver cancers (diabetes too). These same people recognize it also can increase the risk of leukemia and stomach cancer. Those at risk, like pregnant women and children, should limit their consumption.Like many conne... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=587877 Thu, 03 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 587877