Boosting immune response to destroy tumours

Scientists discover how to improve immune response to cancer at Princess Margaret Hospital. – Researchers have discovered how to trigger an improved immune response to cancer that could be included in new clinical trials that use a patient’s own cells to destroy tumours.

$51 million for cancer research in US

American Cancer Society awards 143 research grants to investigators at 83 institutions nationwide. Grants total more than $51 million in the second of two cycles for 2009. – The American Cancer Society, the largest non-government, not-for-profit funding source of cancer research in the United States, has awarded 143 national research and training grants totaling more than $51 million in the second of two grant cycles for 2009. The grants go into effect beginning July 1, 2009.

Walnuts may prevent breast cancer

New research shows that walnuts contribute to a healthy diet that can reduce breast cancer. – Walnut consumption may provide the body with essential omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and phytosterols that reduce the risk of breast cancer, according to a study presented at the American Association for Cancer Research 100th Annual Meeting 2009.

New iPhone app allows search of all registered clinical trials

New iPhone app allows search of all registered clinical trials

StopWatch Media’s ‘Clinical Trials’ medical app puts government database at fingertips of physicians and health care practitioners. – Before today, searching for one of more than 71,500 clinical trials in the National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health database required a chair, computer, internet connection, and a session on the government’s clinical trials website.

Breast cancer screening mammography not a true life saver

For a woman in the screening subset of mammography-detectable cancers, there is a less than 5% chance that a mammogram will save her life. – Women are often told that mammography saves lives. But rarely is the question asked, ‘how often?’

Aggressive breast cancer risk higher for black women

Risk of aggressive breast cancer subtype 3 times higher for black women – Lifestyle, age and weight have all been considered as risk factors for breast cancer. Now a study published in the open access journal Breast Cancer Research has found that even taking these factors into consideration, black women face three times the risk of developing an aggressive ‘triple negative tumour’ compared to women of other racial backgrounds.

$10.5 million pledge for breast cancer research

Boston University School of Medicine receives $10.5 million pledge to create a Breast Cancer Research Center. – Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) has received a pledge of $10.5 million to create a Breast Cancer Research Center, including an assistant professorship and an international scholars training program, from a Boston University School of Medicine graduate who wishes to remain anonymous. This pledge represents the largest individual gift received by the School of Medicine.

Women with BRCA mutation most likely to undergo mastectomy

Women with BRCA mutation, or worry, most likely to undergo prophylactic mastectomy. Patients’ fear should be strongly considered when counseling women at high risk for breast cancer. – Women at increased risk for breast cancer because of the genetic BRCA mutations are more likely to think a prophylactic mastectomy is the best way to reduce their risk for the disease, compared to other women who are at high risk, according to researchers at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Helium and exercise help COPD patients breathe easier

Helium helps lung patients breathe easier. New U of C research creates innovative intervention to help people with lung disease exercise longer and harder. – New research published in the international journal Chest, by Neil Eves, PhD, finds that people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who breathed a mix of 60% helium and 40% oxygen during a rehabilitation program were able to exercise longer and harder than those who breathed normal air.

Wine -red or white- increases breast cancer risk

Red wine vs. white? It makes no difference when it comes to breast-cancer risk – The largest study of its kind to evaluate the effect of red versus white wine on breast-cancer risk concludes that both are equal offenders when it comes to increasing breast-cancer risk.

Health Newstrack