Grapes and red wine may help to treat multiple types of cancer

Compound in grapes, red wine could help treat multiple types of cancer, study finds – A recent study by a University of Missouri researcher shows that resveratrol, a compound found in grape skins and red wine, can make certain tumor cells more susceptible to radiation treatment.

Prostate cancer – active surveillance and watchful waiting better

Observation is safe, cost-saving in low-risk prostate cancer — Study suggests low-risk patients can forego immediate treatment – Many men with low-risk, localized prostate cancers can safely choose active surveillance or “watchful waiting” instead of undergoing immediate treatment and have better quality of life while reducing health care costs, according to a study by researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Massachusetts General Hospital.

New genomic prostate cancer test improves risk assessment and surveillance

New prostate cancer test improves risk assessment — Tool tested by UC San Francisco helps identify those best suited for active surveillance – A new genomic test for prostate cancer can help predict whether men are more likely to harbor an aggressive form of the disease, according to a new UC San Francisco study. The test, which improves risk assessment when patients are first diagnosed, can also aid in determining which men are suitable for active surveillance – a way of managing the disease without direct treatment.

Lymphoseek to locate lymph nodes in breast cancer or melanoma patients

US FDA approves Lymphoseek to help locate lymph nodes in patients with certain cancers – breast cancer & melanoma – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Lymphoseek (technetium Tc 99m tilmanocept) Injection, a radioactive diagnostic imaging agent that helps doctors locate lymph nodes in patients with breast cancer or melanoma who are undergoing surgery to remove tumor-draining lymph nodes.

Heart disease risk smaller after breast cancer radiotherapy

Heart disease risk after breast cancer radiotherapy smaller than previously thought – Researchers have for the first time calculated by how much radiotherapy for breast cancer increases the risk of heart disease and the findings can now be used by doctors to help treat patients more appropriately.

New CT scanner provides better images with minimal radiation

Next-generation CT scanner provides better images with minimal radiation – A new computed tomography (CT) scanner substantially reduces potentially harmful radiation while still improving overall image quality. National Institutes of Health researchers, along with engineers at Toshiba Medical Systems, worked on the scanner.

Breast cancer charity Komen overstated screening benefits

Breast cancer charity under fire for overstating the benefits of screening — Experts challenge ‘pink ribbon’ creator for misusing statistics to generate false hope – Professors Lisa Schwartz and Steven Woloshin of the Center for Medicine and the Media at The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice argue that last year’s breast cancer awareness month campaign by Susan G Komen for the Cure “overstates the benefit of mammography and ignores harms altogether.”

Pancreatic cancer risk lowers with high sun exposure

Sun exposure and sun-sensitive skin type decreased risk for pancreatic cancer – High levels of ultraviolet radiation at an individual’s birth location, sun-sensitive skin type and a history of skin cancer each decreased risk for pancreatic cancer, according to Australian researchers.

Breast cancer risk can be reduced by avoiding unnecessary CT scan

Breast cancer risk can be lowered by avoiding unnecessary medical imaging — UCSF analysis of IOM report on environmental causes of breast cancer suggests there is at least 1 way women can reduce risk – A report issued by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) last December reviewed all the available scientific data compiled to date about potential environmental risks of breast cancer?factors such as pesticides, beauty products, household chemicals, and the plastics used to make water bottles.

GI cancers risk higher among childhood cancer survivors

Study finds high risk of GI cancers among childhood cancer survivors – Survivors of childhood cancers are at an increased risk of another battle with cancer later in life, according to new research published by the Annals of Internal Medicine. Researchers found that childhood cancer survivors develop these malignancies at a rate nearly five times that of the general population.

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