XMRV virus may cause prostate cancer in people

Researchers find first evidence of virus in malignant prostate cells in prostate cancer — XMRV retrovirus is associated with more aggressive tumors of prostate gland. – XMRV (Xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus) — a type of virus known to cause leukemia and sarcomas in animals has been found for the first time in malignant human prostate cancer cells.

High insulin level increases prostate cancer risk

JNCI news brief: High serum insulin levels and risk of prostate cancer – Elevated insulin levels in the normal range appear to be associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer, revealed by researchers in a new study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Pancreatic cancer risk reduced by diabetes drug metformin

Pancreatic cancer risk decreased by one anti-diabetic therapy, increased by others – The antidiabetic medication metformin is associated with a reduced risk of pancreatic cancer in diabetics, revealed by researchers. However, other commonly used therapies, such as insulin or insulin secretagogues, may be associated with increased risk.

Dietary fat from red meat and dairy linked to pancreatic cancer

Dietary fat linked to pancreatic cancer — researchers observed positive associations between pancreatic cancer and intakes of total, saturated, and monounsaturated fat overall, particularly from red meat and dairy food sources. – High intake of dietary fats from red meat and dairy products was associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer, revealed by researchers. This study was undertaken because research relating fat intake to pancreatic cancer was inconclusive.

Cannabis smoke alters human DNA, raising cancer risk

Cannabis alters human DNA — Research at University of Leicester highlights cancer risk from cannabis smoke. – Cannabis smoke damages DNA in ways that could potentially increase the risk of cancer development in humans, revealed by researchers. The new study published by University of Leicester researchers in the journal Chemical Research in Toxicology.

Stem cell protein LIN28 offers a new cancer target

LIN28, which maintains cell ‘stemness,’ is abundant in advanced cancers and transforms cells to cancerous state – A protein abundant in embryonic stem cells is now shown to be important in cancer, and offers a possible new target for drug development, report researchers from the Stem Cell Program at Children’s Hospital Boston.

HRT-breast cancer risk stays same regardless of family history

HRT-breast cancer risk stays same, regardless of family history – HRT conveys no greater breast cancer risk to women with, versus without, a first-degree family history of breast cancer. – The risk of developing breast cancer due to taking hormone replacement therapy appears to be the same for women with a family history of the disease and without a family history, a University of Rochester Medical Center study concluded.

Breast cancer linked to inherited high breast density

Mother-daughter breast density study points way to earlier cancer risk assessment – A unique mother-daughter study that used magnetic resonance to measure breast density in younger women shows that percent of breast water could be linked to the risk of breast cancer in middle age and older.

Charred meat may increase pancreatic cancer risk

Meat cooked at high temperatures and charring may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer, revealed by researchers. – Meat cooked at high temperatures to the point of burning and charring may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer, according to data presented at the American Association for Cancer Research 100th Annual Meeting 2009.

Urine test predicts lung cancer risk in smokers

Urine test may determine if a smoker is at risk for lung cancer. – Researchers may have uncovered why lung cancer afflicts some smokers and not others, according to data presented at the American Association for Cancer Research 100th Annual Meeting 2009.

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