Cancer of the colon is the disease characterized by the development of malignant cells in the lining or epithelium of the first and longest portion of the large intestine. Malignant cells have lost normal control mechanisms governing growth. These cells may invade surrounding local tissue, or they may spread throughout the body and invade other organ systems.
Women fare better than men with metastatic colorectal cancer — are hormones helping? – Younger women with metastatic colorectal cancer lived longer than younger men, revealed by researchers in a new US study. However, this survival advantage disappeared with age, suggesting a benefit from estrogen or other hormones.
New blood tests promise simple, cost-effective diagnosis of gastrointestinal cancers – Promising results from a new blood test that can aid in the early identification of patients with colon cancer will be presented at Europe’s largest cancer congress, in Berlin today.
How diarrheal bacteria cause some colon cancers revealed in mouse studies – Johns Hopkins scientists say they have figured out how bacteria that cause diarrhea may also be the culprit in some colon cancers. The common Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF) dupe immune system cells into permitting runaway colon tissue inflammation, a precursor for malignant growth.
What are the risk factors of sporadic colorectal cancer? – Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers in China. Although the association between the epidemiological factors and sporadic colorectal cancer is not known and still remains uncertain.
Researchers make discovery in colon cancer prevention — Individuals who have low levels of ‘Celebrex gene’ are resistant to Celebrex treatment for colon tumor prevention. – A new study finds that individuals who have low expression of the “Celebrex gene,” 15-PGDH, are actually resistant to Celebrex treatment when used to prevent colon cancer.
Genetic marker may predict early onset of prostate cancer – Fox Chase Cancer Center researchers have identified a genetic marker that is associated with an earlier onset of prostate cancer in Caucasian men who have a family history of prostate cancer. If the data are confirmed, the marker may help clinicians personalize prostate cancer screening.
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.
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.
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.
Landmark Policy Report: Many Cancers Could Be Prevented In the US and Across the Globe – A new global policy report estimates that approximately 45 percent of colon cancer cases and 38 percent of breast cancer cases in the US are preventable through diet, physical activity and weight maintenance.
Vitamins C and E and beta carotene again fail to reduce cancer risk in randomized controlled trial – Women who took beta carotene or vitamin C or E or a combination of the supplements had a similar risk of cancer as women who did not take the supplements, according to data from a randomized controlled trial in the December 30 online issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Colonoscopy significantly reduces death from left-sided colon cancer but not from right-sided. Physicians should advise patients of test limitations. – A new study finds that colonoscopy is strongly associated with fewer deaths from colorectal cancer. However, the risk reduction appears to be entirely due to a reduction in deaths from left-sided cancers.
