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.
Colonoscopy still the definitive test for colorectal cancer screening and prevention. – Death from colorectal cancer is highly preventable with effective screening and early detection. Many screening options are available, each with advantages and disadvantages, but half of eligible patients still do not participate in colorectal cancer screening.
10-15% of lung cancer cases are caused by factors other than tobacco smoking, revealed by researchers. The study analyzed data on lung cancer occurrence among lifelong nonsmokers in North America, Europe, and Asia. – A new American Cancer Society study sheds light on the ten to fifteen percent of lung cancers that are caused by factors other than tobacco smoking. The study analyzed data on lung cancer occurrence among lifelong nonsmokers in North America, Europe, and Asia and found that lung cancer death rates among never-smokers are highest among men, African Americans, and Asians residing in Asia.
A study by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev researchers states that women exposed to negative life events are at greater risk of breast cancer. – Happiness and optimism may play a role against breast cancer while adverse life events can increase the risk of developing the disease – breast cancer, according to a study by Professor Ronit Peled, at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel.
Skin cancer could be diagnosed by the distinctive chemical odor it gives off, say US researchers. – Chemists described the first identification of a specific “odor profile” for skin cancer, a discovery that could form the basis of a rapid, non-invasive test for diagnosing the most common type of cancer in the United States.
Moisturisers used by millions of people may be increasing the risk of common skin cancer like melanoma. – Moisturisers used by millions of people may be increasing the risk of common skin cancer like melanoma, hinted by researchers. However, the researchers had cautioned that the experiments were carried out on mice, but the majority of moisturisers have not gone through skin cancer safety checks.
About one-third of colorectal cancers are inherited, but the genetic cause of most of these cancers is unknown. The genes linked to colorectal cancer account for less than 5 percent of all cases. – Scientists at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine and colleagues have discovered a genetic trait that is present in 10 to 20 percent of patients with colorectal cancer. The findings strongly suggest that the trait is a major contributor to colorectal cancer risk and likely the most common cause of colorectal cancer to date.
Women who survive five years after being diagnosed with breast cancer and after adjuvant systemic therapy have a good chance of remaining cancer free. – Breast cancer survivors continue to have a substantial risk of disease recurrence after five years of systemic therapy, according to a study published in the August 12 online issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
One-fifth of men under age 50 reported undergoing a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test to detect prostate cancer in the previous year, yet only one in three young black men reported ever having a PSA test in the previous year. – In one of the first examinations of PSA screening in younger men, a study published by researchers at Duke Medicine’s Prostate Center finds that one-fifth of men under age 50 reported undergoing a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test to detect prostate cancer in the previous year, yet only one in three young black men reported ever having a PSA test in the previous year.
US Preventive Services Task Force updates prostate cancer screening recommendations; Task Force finds no screening benefit for men over 75. – The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), updating its 2002 report, now recommends against routine prostate cancer screening for men over the age of 75. More evidence is needed to determine if men under 75 could benefit from screening.
High-dose injections of vitamin C may reduce tumor weight and growth rate by about 50 percent of brain, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers, – High-dose injections of vitamin C, also known as ascorbate or ascorbic acid, reduced tumor weight and growth rate by about 50 percent in mouse models of brain, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers, researchers from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) report in the August 5, 2008, issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
A review of studies of women concluded that there is no evidence that self-exams for lumps or other changes actually reduce breast cancer risk. – A review of recent studies says there is no evidence that the monthly breast self-exam to check for lumps or other changes that might signal breast cancer actually reduce breast cancer deaths.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves new genetic test for patients with breast cancer. – SPOT-Light HER2 CISH kit – a novel genetic test for determining whether patients with breast cancer are good candidates for treatment with the drug Herceptin (trastuzumab) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
