Cancer is not just one disease, but a large group of almost one hundred diseases. Its two main characteristics are uncontrolled growth of the cells in the human body and the ability of these cells to migrate from the original site and spread to distant sites. If the spread is not controlled, cancer can result in death.
Prostate cancer immunotherapy significantly prolongs survival in men with advanced prostate cancer. Phase 3 IMPACT trial results to be presented during late-breaking session at AUA Annual Scientific Meeting. – Sipuleucel-T (Provenge), an experimental immunotherapy improved survival in men with metastatic disease, according to new results to be presented April 28 at the American Urological Association (AUA) Annual Scientific Meeting in Chicago.
AUA counters mainstream recommendations with new best practice statement on PSA testing. New guidance stresses that PSA testing should be individualized, men should get baseline reading at age 40. – The American Urological Association (AUA) issued new clinical guidance ? which directly contrasts recent recommendations issued by other major groups ? about prostate cancer screening, asserting that the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test should be offered to well-informed, men aged 40 years or older who have a life expectancy of at least 10 years.
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.
Hormone therapy offers potential protective effect against colon cancer in older women – In a large study, a national team of researchers led by Mayo Clinic scientists observed that self-reported use of hormone therapy was associated with a significantly lower colorectal cancer risk. However, the mechanisms for the apparent protective association are still unclear.
Statins may exert influence on prostate cancer growth by reducing inflammation. – Cholesterol lowering drugs called statins may reduce inflammation in prostate tumors, possibly hindering cancer growth, according to a study led by investigators in the Duke Prostate Center.
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.
Meat cooked at high temperatures and charring may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer, revealed by researchers. – Meat cooked at high temperatures to the point of burning and charring may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer, according to data presented at the American Association for Cancer Research 100th Annual Meeting 2009.
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.
Improved self-examination and physician skin surveillance should become an integral component of skin cancer risk reduction strategies. – Older men whose melanoma is detected by a physician are more likely to have thinner and therefore more treatable tumors at diagnosis, according to results of a survey published in the April issue of Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
An herbal extract of Nigella sativa inhibits the development of pancreatic cancer due to thymoquinone, the major constituent of the oil extract. – Nigella sativa – an herb recently found to kill pancreatic cancer cells also appears to inhibit development of pancreatic cancer as a result of its anti-inflammatory properties, according to researchers from the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson.
Urine test may determine if a smoker is at risk for lung cancer. – Researchers may have uncovered why lung cancer afflicts some smokers and not others, according to data presented at the American Association for Cancer Research 100th Annual Meeting 2009.
Scorpion venom’s Chlorotoxin with nanoparticles slows spread of brain cancer – a highly invasive tumor. – By combining nanoparticles with a scorpion venom compound already being investigated for treating brain cancer, University of Washington researchers found they could cut the spread of cancerous cells by 98 percent, compared to 45 percent for the scorpion venom alone.
