Newly discovered virus linked to skin cancer

A new strategy to hunt for human viruses described in this week?s issue of the journal Science by the husband-and-wife team who found the cause of Kaposi’s sarcoma has revealed a previously unknown virus strongly associated with another rare but deadly skin cancer called Merkel cell carcinoma. – Researchers using sequencing technique discovered a new cancer virus Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV) causing Kaposi’s sarcoma, is associated with another rare but deadly skin cancer called Merkel cell carcinoma.

Exercise may benefit older breast cancer survivors

An Oregon Health & Science University Cancer Institute study will evaluate the beneficial effects of aerobic exercise and resistance training for breast cancer survivors who are at least two years post-treatment with chemotherapy or radiation. – An Oregon Health & Science University Cancer Institute study is examining different forms of exercise for women older than 65 who have had breast cancer. Different exercises may benefit older breast cancer survivors.

Genetic testing can gauge prostate cancer risk

Five genetic variants and a family history accounted for almost half (46 percent) of prostate cancer patients. Researchers identified five genetic locations associated with risk of developing prostate cancer: three on chromosome 8q24, one on chromosome 17q12 and one on 17q24.3. – Genetic testing of DNA in a blood sample can determine which men are likely to develop prostate cancer, as five genetic variants previously associated with prostate cancer risk have a strong cumulative effect.

RNA may stop breast cancer spread

The identification of molecules that inhibit a cell’s metastatic potential may help guide clinical decision-making in the future by enabling oncologists to more accurately identify patients at highest risk for metastatic relapse. – Now, researchers can develop more effective drugs to prevent or treat cancer metastasis, as they have identified a specific group of microRNA molecules that are responsible for controlling genes that cause breast cancer metastasis.

Colonoscopy fears overcome when patients support patients

University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine researchers found that patients who received telephone mentoring from a trained “peer coach” were two times more likely to keep their first colonoscopy appointment than those who received an educational brochure about the procedure in the mail or received no peer or literature support. – Patients who have had a colonoscopy can play a life-saving role by encouraging other patients to follow through with their own colorectal cancer screenings, according to new research from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. These peer coaches can provide important information to combat myths and fears that serve as barriers to colonoscopy ? issues patients say their doctors often fail to address.

Lung cancer cells’ survival gene 14-3-3zeta seen as drug target

Lung cancer cells’ survival gene 14-3-3zeta seen as drug target, as lung cancer cells can?t survive on their own when this key gene called 14-3-3zeta is silenced. – One of the deadliest forms of cancer appears to carry a specific weakness. When a key gene called 14-3-3zeta is silenced, lung cancer cells can’t survive on their own, researchers have found.

Novel anti-cancer strategy moves to clinic

Emory University researchers have developed a novel anti-tumor compound that represents a distinct strategy: targeting one of the most important “intercept points” for cancer cells. – Researchers at Emory University have developed a novel anti-tumor compound that represents a distinct strategy: targeting one of the most important “intercept points” for cancer cells.

New strategies work to put cancer on the firing line

Cancer cells are our own cells gone awry. That means our immune system doesn?t always see cancer as a horrific invader. – Dr. Yukai He wants to put cancer in the bull’s eye. “Cancer really comes from us,” the Medical College of Georgia Cancer Center immunologist says of the scary reality that cancer cells are our own cells gone awry. That means our immune system doesn’t always see cancer as a horrific invader.

Mouth rinse gargle test for cancer

A simple mouth rinse may provide a new way to screen for head and neck cancers in people at high risk for these diseases. – A morning gargle could someday be more than a breath freshener ? it could spot head and neck cancer, say scientists at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center. Their new study of a mouth rinse that captures genetic signatures common to the disease holds promise for screening those at high risk, including heavy smokers and alcohol drinkers.

Breast cancer gene mutation common in Hispanic, young black women

The gene mutation BRCA1, which is known to increase the risk of breast cancer, is prevalent among Hispanics and young black women with breast cancer, researchers report. – A genetic mutation already known to be more common in Ashkenazi Jewish breast cancer patients is also prevalent in Hispanic and young African-American women with breast cancer, according to one of the largest, multiracial studies of the mutation to date.

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