Radiation Archives

More aggressive treatment not necessary for men with a family history of prostate cancer

More aggressive treatment not necessary for men with a family history of prostate cancer – Approximately 10-20 percent of prostate cancer patients have a family history of the disease. There are three major factors that are used to evaluate the extent and aggressiveness of prostate cancer, help make treatment decisions, and estimate prognosis: the Prostate Specific Antigen Level (PSA), Gleason score (GS) from the biopsy, and the digital rectal exam findings (DRE).

$3.5 million Komen award to study rare and aggressive type of breast cancer

TGen breast cancer research benefits from $3.5 million Komen award — Grant enables multi-institute team to study rare and aggressive type of breast cancer – The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is part of a team of medical investigators receiving a $3.5 million grant from Susan G. Komen for the Cure to study triple-negative breast cancer, a highly aggressive form of this cancer that disproportionately affects African-Americans.

Alpharadin improved survival in advanced prostate cancer patients

First Phase III trial of an alpha-pharmaceutical — Shows improved survival in patients with bone metastases and advanced prostate cancer – Until recently, options for patients with bone metastases from advanced prostate cancer have been very limited. But now the first Phase III study of an alpha-pharmaceutical in these patients has shown that it can prolong survival significantly, according to research reported recently at the 2011 European Multidisciplinary Cancer Congress.

Eating grapes and drinking red wine protect your skin

Protective Effect of Structurally Diverse Grape Procyanidin Fractions against UV-Induced Cell Damage – UV radiation leads to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These molecules exert a variety of harmful effects by altering key cellular functions and may result in cell death. Several studies have demonstrated that human skin can be protected against UV radiation by using plant-derived antioxidants.

Many advanced breast cancer patients do not receive recommended treatment

Nearly half of women with advanced breast cancer in the US not receiving life-saving treatment – UT MD Anderson research finds use of post-mastectomy radiation therapy static despite evidence-based guidelines of its benefits – Forty-five percent of women with advanced breast cancer in the U.S. did not receive postmastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) despite the publication of evidence-based guidelines outlining PMRT as a potentially lifesaving treatment, according to new research from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The study, published in the July issue of Cancer, found that PMRT use rates for women with advanced breast cancer have remained static since 1999.

Better inform consumers about sunscreen to help reduce skin cancer risk, early aging

FDA Announces Changes to Better Inform Consumers About Sunscreen — New Rules Give Consumers More Information to Help Reduce the Risk of Skin Cancer, Early Aging – Sunscreen products meeting modern standards for effectiveness may be labeled with new information to help consumers find products that, when used with other sun protection measures, reduce the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging, as well as help prevent sunburn. The final regulation allows sunscreen products that pass the FDA’s test for protection against both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays to be labeled as “Broad Spectrum.”

Radiation improves survival in breast cancer surgery patients

Breast cancer surgery patients benefit from adding radiation therapy – Additional radiation treatment improves disease free survival lessening the chance of cancer recurring in women with early breast cancer who have had breast conserving surgery (lumpectomy), interim results of a new study found. The results will be presented Monday, June_6 at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Advanced stage prostate cancer patients experience 20 year survival rates with surgery

Advanced-stage prostate cancer patients experience 20-year survival rates with surgery – Long-term survival rates for patients with advanced prostate cancer suggest they can be good candidates for surgery, Mayo Clinic researchers have found. Their study found a 20-year survival rate for 80 percent of patients diagnosed with cancer that has potentially spread beyond the prostate, known as cT3 prostate cancer, and treated with radical prostatectomy, or surgery to remove the prostate gland.

Teen girls and young women need a lesson on dangers of indoor tanning

New survey finds teen girls and young women need a lesson on dangers of indoor tanning – Despite repeated warnings from dermatologists on the health dangers of tanning, results of a new survey by the American Academy of Dermatology (Academy) confirmed that a large percentage of Caucasian teen girls and young women admitted using tanning beds or intentionally tanning outdoors in the past year.

Acupuncture relieves hot flashes from prostate cancer treatment

Acupuncture relieves hot flashes from prostate cancer treatment – Acupuncture provides long-lasting relief to hot flashes, heart palpitations and anxiety due to side effects of the hormone given to counteract testosterone, the hormone that induces prostate cancer, according to a study published in the April issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology?Biology?Physics, an official journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).

Testosterone – prostate cancer link needs reevaluation

Study suggests another look at testosterone-prostate cancer link – The long-standing prohibition against testosterone therapy in men with untreated or low-risk prostate cancer merits reevaluation, according to a new study published in The Journal of Urology.

Closely monitoring better for low risk prostate cancer

Closely monitoring low-risk prostate cancer, with biopsy, does not raise risk of death and discourages overtreatment – A Johns Hopkins study of 769 men from across the United States recently diagnosed with low-grade prostate cancer shows that forgoing immediate surgery to remove the tumor or radiation poses no added risk of death.