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.

Vitamin supplements may increase lung cancer risk

Supplemental multivitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E, and folate are unlikely to decrease the risk of developing lung cancer. Use of supplemental vitamin E at high doses for a prolonged period of time may slightly increase this risk. – Vitamin supplements do not protect against lung cancer, according to a study of more than 77,000 vitamin users. In fact, some supplements may even increase the risk of developing it. The findings were published in the American Thoracic Society’s American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

Bowel cancer rising in Australia, reports AIHW

The report shows that bowel cancer incidence rates have risen in the last decade, to the point where it is the second most common cancer in Australians-but survival rates have been improving. – A new Australian report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) presents a mixed bag on favourable and unfavourable trends in chronic diseases over time. The report, Indicators for chronic disease and their determinants, 2008, focuses on the 12 chronic conditions that represent a large burden of disease in Australia.

Gene changes after smoking affects lung cancer

Smoking?s effects on genes may play a role in lung cancer development and survival; changes in gene expression persisted in people who had quit smoking many years earlier. – Smoking plays a role in lung cancer development, and now scientists have shown that smoking also affects the way genes are expressed, leading to alterations in cell division and regulation of immune response. Notably, some of the changes in gene expression persisted in people who had quit smoking many years earlier.

Avastin found effective in advanced breast cancer patients

Avado Study of Avastin Plus Docetaxel Chemotherapy Showed Improved Progression-Free Survival in Patients With Advanced Breast Cancer – Genentech, Inc. (NYSE: DNA) announced that AVADO, a Roche-sponsored Phase III, placebo-controlled study evaluating Avastin? (bevacizumab) in combination with docetaxel chemotherapy met its primary endpoint of prolonging progression-free survival (PFS) in patients who had not received prior chemotherapy for their locally recurrent or metastatic HER2-negative breast cancer.

7 new prostate cancer genetic risk factors identified

UK researchers identified more than 7 new genetic links to prostate cancer, 2 of which would be included in a new diagnostic test aimed at spotting men at risk from this disease. – 7 new sites in the human genome identified that are linked to men’s risk of developing prostate cancer, revealed by Cancer Research UK funded scientists at the Institute of Cancer Research and University of Cambridge.

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.

Quit Smoking – a Healthy Start to 2008

Smokers should make a new year’s resolution to give up the habit. The Australian Medical Association AMA is urging all smokers to put their health first in 2008. – The Australian Medical Association AMA is urging all smokers to put their health first in 2008 by making a New Year’s resolution to quit smoking for good.

PET imaging more accurate in lung cancer staging

For more accurate staging of lung cancer, PET imaging founds to be a useful diagnostic tool. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related death and early accurate diagnosis provides improved treatment for patients and the best chance for long term survival.
– Positron emission tomography (PET) is a useful diagnostic tool that supports the need for more accurate staging of lung cancer and improved treatment for patients, concludes an extensive systematic review published online in Journal of National Cancer Institute.