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.
Research backs risk-reduction surgery for ovarian cancer – Scientists back preventative surgery to improve survival for women who are at greater risk of getting ovarian cancer and suggest it appears helpful for women at risk of getting breast cancer because of genetic faults.
Researchers turn to machines to identify breast cancer type – Researchers have created a computer algorithm that successfully predicts whether estrogen is sending signals to cancer cells to grow into tumours in the breast. By finding this hormone receptor, known as estrogen receptor positive, physicians can prescribe anti-estrogen drug therapies, improving patient outcomes.
High cholesterol fuels the growth and spread of breast cancer – A byproduct of cholesterol functions like the hormone estrogen to fuel the growth and spread of the most common types of breast cancers, revealed researchers. They also found that anti-cholesterol drugs such as statins appear to diminish the effect of this estrogen-like molecule.
Fewer Doses of HPV Vaccine Result in Immune Response Similar to Three-Dose Regimen – Two doses of a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, trademarked as Cervarix, resulted in similar serum antibody levels against two of the most carcinogenic types of HPV (16 and 18), compared to a standard three dose regimen.
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: A change in circulating tumor cells detection has high potential in the prediction – A new study reveals that in the prediction of treatment outcome for castration-resistant prostate cancer, a change in circulating tumour cells detection might be more accurate than the change in prostate-specific antigen levels.
CA-125 change over time shows promise as screening tool for early detection of ovarian cancer — Blood test used to find recurrence uncovers invasive, high-grade disease at curable stage – CA-125, the protein recognized for predicting ovarian cancer recurrence, now shows promise as a screening tool for early-stage disease of ovarian cancer. The simple blood test could offer a much-needed screening tool to detect ovarian cancer in its early stages – even in the most aggressive forms.
Major Changes Urged for Cancer Screening and Treatment — Scientific Panel Recommends New Personalized Strategies to Reduce Cancer Overtreatment – To address the growing problem of people being overdiagnosed and overtreated for cancer, a group of scientists convened by the National Cancer Institute and chaired by a UC San Francisco breast cancer expert is proposing a major update of the way the nation approaches diseases now classified as “cancer.”
Use of ADT For Treatment of Prostate Cancer Linked With Increased Risk of Kidney Injury – Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for nonmetastatic prostate cancer was associated with a significantly increased risk of acute kidney injury, according to a study that included more than 10,000 men published in JAMA.
Study confirms link between omega-3 fatty acids and increased prostate cancer risk — Consumption of fatty fish and fish-oil supplements linked to 71 percent higher risk – A second large, prospective study by scientists at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center has confirmed the link between high blood concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids and an increased risk of prostate cancer.
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.
Cancer diagnosis puts people at greater risk for bankruptcy — Study also shows younger cancer patients are most vulnerable to financial stress – People diagnosed with cancer are more than two-and-a-half times more likely to declare bankruptcy than those without cancer. Younger cancer patients had two- to five-fold higher bankruptcy rates compared to older patients, and that overall bankruptcy filings increased as time passed following diagnosis.
