Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is a disease in which the cells of the lung tissues grow uncontrollably and form tumors. There are two kinds of lung cancers, primary and secondary. Primary lung cancer (also called adenocarcinoma) starts in the lung itself. Primary lung cancer is divided into small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer, depending on how the cells look under the microscope. Secondary lung cancer is cancer that starts somewhere else in the body (for example, the breast or colon) and spreads to the lungs.

20% reduction in lung cancer mortality with low dose CT vs chest X ray

Lung cancer screening trial shows screening with CT scans reduces lung cancer deaths – Scientists have found a 20 percent reduction in deaths from lung cancer among current or former heavy smokers who were screened with low-dose helical computed tomography (CT) versus those screened by chest X-ray. The primary research results from the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) were published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Ovarian cancer screening does not improve survival

Ovarian cancer screening does not appear to reduce risk of ovarian cancer death – In a clinical trial that included nearly 80,000 women, those who received ovarian cancer screening did not have a reduced risk of death from ovarian cancer compared to women who received usual care, but did have an increase in invasive medical procedures and associated harms as a result of being screened.

Gene expression changes in nasal cells may help identify lung cancer

Gene expression changes in nasal cells may help identify lung cancer in earliest stages – A simple, minimally-invasive technique using cells from the interior of the nose could help clinicians detect lung cancer in its earliest – and most treatable – stages, according to a study conducted by researchers in Boston.

Age plays too big a role in prostate cancer treatment decisions

Age plays too big a role in prostate cancer treatment decisions – Older men with high-risk prostate cancer frequently are offered fewer ? and less effective ? choices of treatment than younger men, potentially resulting in earlier deaths, according to a new UCSF study.

High alpha carotene levels may lead to longer life

High alpha-carotene levels associated with longer life – High blood levels of the antioxidant alpha-carotene appear to be associated with a reduced risk of dying over a 14-year period’

Genetic test for lung cancer risk prompts smokers to quit

New research shows genetic test for lung cancer risk prompts smokers to quit – New research shows a gene-based test for lung cancer risk assessment motivates smokers to quit or cut down, according to results of a clinical study presented today at the American Association of Cancer Research’s Ninth Annual Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research.

Natural plant sunscreen shows promise in preventing skin cancer

Grapes provide some of the natural agents studied in the prevention of skin cancer in mice at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. – Maybe you worshipped the sun in your youth or weren’t as meticulous as you should have been with sunscreen. If so, take heart: Scientists at The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio are finding that certain plant substances, when given in combinations, may suppress damage that can cause skin cancer.

Cigarette smoke causes harmful changes in lungs even at lowest levels

Cigarette smoke causes harmful changes in the lungs even at the lowest levels — First study to show alteration in the function of genes in the lungs resulting from secondhand and low-level smoking – Casual smokers may think that smoking a few cigarettes a week is “no big deal.” But according to new research from physician-scientists at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, having an infrequent smoke, or being exposed to secondhand smoke, may be doing more harm than people may think.

Cancer deaths continue to drop in US

Cancer deaths continue to drop in USA – The continued drop in overall cancer mortality rates over the last 20 years has averted more than three-quarters of a million (767,000) cancer deaths according to a new report from the American Cancer Society.

Vitamin B6 lowers risk of lung cancer

Higher levels of vitamin B6, common amino acid associated with lower risk of lung cancer – An analysis that included nearly 400,000 participants finds that those with higher blood levels of vitamin B6 and the essential amino acid methionine (found in most protein) had an associated lower risk of lung cancer, including participants who were current or former smokers.