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Cancer Center
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CANCER - ARTICLES |
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NEW Biomarker affects response to new cancer therapy
November 7, 2008
Antibody therapy is the latest form of treatment for cancer. A new study reveals that mutations in a gene involved in a cancer biochemical pathway affect response to cetuximab. This opens the door to a more personalized approach to cancer treatment,
Does caffeine increase breast cancer risk?
October 24, 2008
Caffeine has previously been suspected of increasing the risk of breast cancer. In a new study, no overall risk is found with increasing levels of caffeine consumption. However, caffeine does slightly increase the risk of hormone-negative breast cancer and also of larger breast tumors and further research is needed into the underlying mechanisms.
No need for repeat colonoscopy within five years
October 10, 2008
It has not been clear what the best interval between colonoscopy exams might be. A new study shows that people with a negative result are very unlikely to develop cancer during the next five years. This suggests the interval between colonoscopy screens can be at least five years.
Family history of brain tumor increases brain cancer risk
October 10, 2008
Brain tumors tend to run in families but it is not clear whether the influences are genetic or environmental. A study of a population database now reveals that a family history of glioblastoma and astrocytoma does increase the risk of brain cancer and opens up the possibility of identifying some of the genes involved.
Androgen deprivation therapy does not offer benefit in prostate cancer
August 1, 2008
A new study shows that androgen deprivation therapy does not improve survival from prostate cancer among elderly men with localized disease. Given the costs and side effects of this approach, physicians need to consider carefully before offering it, given this new evidence.
A new approach to pancreatic cancer
July 18, 2008
Cutting off the blood supply to a tumor is the latest approach to cancer. A clinical trial shows targeting angiogenesis is safe and maybe even effective in pancreatic cancer.
Radiation after surgery improves prostate cancer survival
July 4, 2008
There are new findings for men facing a range of treatment options for prostate cancer. Having radiation therapy after surgery improves the chances of survival, according to a preliminary report.
Exercise protects against breast cancer
June 6, 2008
Physical activity protects women against breast cancer. And weight, time of life, and the type of exercise undertaken affect the amount of health benefit gained.
Larger skin lesions are more likely to be melanoma
May 9, 2008
Larger moles are the ones to worry about, for they are more likely to prove to be melanomas. So size should continue to be an important element in the dermatologist's assessment of a skin lesion.
Men and their partners speak out on prostate cancer treatments
April 25, 2008
A wide-ranging study reports on how men feel about the outcomes of prostate cancer treatments. There are many different issues which can affect quality of life and wellbeing, the researchers say.
Don't rely on vitamins to ward off cancer
March 10, 2008
Vitamin supplements do not provide any significant protection against cancer. Indeed, vitamin E may even increase the risk, particularly among smokers.
Cancer Alarm Signals
July 18, 2007
Four symptoms, if promptly reported, carry a good likelihood of helping in the early diagnosis of four matching types of cancer. They are: blood in the urine, blood in the sputum, difficulty in swallowing, and blood in the stool.
Don't Stop Your Breast Cancer Drugs Too Soon!
March 5, 2007
After their initial treatment for breast cancer, many women should take tamoxifen (or another, similar drug). In fact, failing to take the full course of treatment with tamoxifen is disappointingly common - as many as 35% of women give up within the 5-year period. This puts them at increased risk of recurrence and maybe death.
How to Avoid Breast Cancer - What To Do In Your 20s, 30s, and 40s
October 10, 2006
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In connection with this, The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation has supplied us with a short list of steps women can take at different stages of their lives to help them reduce their chances of developing breast cancer.
Ejaculation Frequency and Prostate Cancer Risk
June 4, 2004
A new study has shown that men who ejaculate frequently are not at increased risk of developing prostate cancer. Indeed, they may well have a decreased risk, based on their lifetime ejaculation frequency . . .
How to Talk with Your New Cancer Patients
November 6, 2003
Health reporter Laura M Schmidt was 51 when she got the news that she was likely to die from pancreatic cancer within 6 to 12 months. She's decided to tell her story, hoping it may help improve communications between patients and their health professionals at this critical time. Here's the first instalment.
Variations in PSA Levels
July 4, 2003
A raised PSA level found on routine testing should not necessarily lead to an immediate prostate biopsy. There can be considerable natural variations in test results . . .
Preventing and Treating Oral Candidiasis
June 5, 2003
Oropharyngeal candidiasis is a common complication of neutropenia caused by hematological cancers, treatment with chemotherapy or irradiation, and HIV infection. Evidence from clinical trials as to the effectiveness of different medications used in its treatment and prophylaxis has been gathered by an expert, Dr Christine Pankhurst, and is summarized in this article.
Advising Patients About Alternative Cancer Treatments
February 14, 2003
In this review, researchers summarize what is known about the efficacy and safety of several popular complementary and alternative treatment options for patients with cancer.
Good Health Habits Tied to Lower Cancer Risk
November 14, 2002
A study that analyzed the observance of the US Dietary Guidelines showed that a high level of compliance was associated with a lower risk of cancer.
Lumpectomy or Radical Mastectomy?
November 4, 2002
Total mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery for breast cancer? Two randomized studies have made the comparison, using 20-year follow-up periods. Their findings are summarized here...
Ovarian Cancer in Breast-Cancer Patients
October 7, 2002
A careful family history may help identify breast-cancer patients at greatly increased risk of ovarian cancer. Indeed, this may be more effective than genetic testing for mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes....
Early Prostate Cancer: Surgery vs. Watchful Waiting
September 27, 2002
Which is better for early prostate cancer- radical prostatectomy or watchful waiting? A Scandinavian study provides the answer, but also leaves several unanswered questions.
Oral Contraceptives and Breast Cancer
July 26, 2002
Refuting earlier findings, a new study shows that the risk of breast cancer is not increased in women taking oral contraceptives . . . . . .
Detecting Skin Cancer
February 1, 2002
The incidence of skin cancer, already the commonest human malignancy in the USA, is increasing. Accurate, early diagnosis can reduce morbidity and mortality, while improved prevention can reduce the escalating incidence. Here we summarize some of the diagnostic features of the commonest skin malignancies . . . .
Preventing Skin Cancer
February 1, 2002
Avoidance of the sun's rays is the main measure for preventing skin cancers. But earlier reporting of potentially malignant changes in naevi and actinic keratosis lesions is also extremely important . . . .
A Better Tamoxifen?
December 19, 2001
Tamoxifen, a specific aromatase inhibitor, is the established first-line treatment for endocrine-responsive advanced breast cancer. However, even more specific agents are now available. One of them, letrozole, has proven clearly superior to tamoxifen in a large clinical study...
Do Dairy Foods Increase Prostate Cancer Risk?
December 6, 2001
A new report suggests that dairy foods increase the risk of prostate cancer, but a careful analysis casts some uncertainty on these findings.
Hospice and Palliative Care
November 13, 2001
Many doctors are uncomfortable when faced with the care of dying patients. Here, two Cyberounds physicians give comprehensive practical advice on the clinical management of many of the problems that arise during the final days.
Prostate Cancer
October 12, 2001
Cancer of the prostate is the most common cancer in men. This disease will be diagnosed in almost 200,000 Americans in the year 2001 and will lead to the death of over 30,000 men. Although there is no consensus concerning screening, diagnosis or management, Dr Rami Haddad has succinctly summarized the main approaches in use today.
Breast Cancer and the Older Woman
September 12, 2001
Older women make up one of the fastest growing segments of the population. Breast cancer, rising in incidence overall, is a significant health care issue in the geriatric community. The use of patient education, self-examination and mammography can be helpful to detect breast cancer at an early stage.
Excess Weight Adds Health Problems
August 31, 2001
Obesity is on the rise worldwide. Another new study warns of the long-range health risks of being overweight.
Evaluating Cancer Pain
August 24, 2001
Pain is the most feared symptom of cancer. Its management depends largely on an adequate assessment of the type of pain and its characteristics. Such an approach will aid in the best selection among different treatment options . . . .
Treating Cancer Pain
August 24, 2001
In patients with cancer, treatment of pain is one of the more important duties of the physician. There are a number of different approaches to the problem, and selection of the best will depend on a variety of factors. This is a summary of an article reporting present-day trends in cancer pain management.
A new approach to treating chronic myeloid leukemia
July 2, 2001
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is diagnosed in about 6,000 people annually in the USA, with 20-30% of them dying within 2 years. There are three progressive phases - an initial chronic phase, an accelerated phase, and the blast crisis. The leukemic cells contain the Philadelphia chromosome, which is associated with generation of an oncogenic protein BCR-ABL. A new drug, STI571, is a fairly specific blocker of BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase activity, and was therefore considered ideal for trial in CML patients and in Ph-positive ALL patients. The results were remarkable.
Green Tea and Gastric Cancer
July 2, 2001
A new study casts doubt on the gastric cancer-fighting potential of green tea.
Breast cancer treatment and outcome in older women
March 19, 2001
Two-thirds of newly diagnosed cases of breast cancer are in postmenopausal women. Does age-related comorbidity affect the treatment decisions and the outcome in these patients? A new study from the NIH has examined this question.
Are annual Pap smears in the over-50s valuable?
January 22, 2001
The Pap smear is an important regular screening test for women in their reproductive years. However, some people recommend discontinuing this screening from age 65 onwards, in view of the relatively low incidence of important cervical disease over 50. It is quite likely that a positive test result will actually be a "false-positive" in older women. A recent study has thrown light on this.
More Evidence That Diet Affects Stomach Cancer Risk
November 7, 2000
A six-pack of beer a day may do more than raise your blood alcohol level--it may also increase your risk of stomach cancer.
Sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy?
July 31, 2000
Fecal occult blood testing, barium enema and sigmoidoscopy are recognized screening methods for colorectal carcinoma. If screening gives a positive result, colonoscopy is usually the next step. Results of two recent studies suggest that colonoscopy should replace other screening methods, and be done routinely in all persons over 50 years of age .
Lifestyle Changes Or Medication?
July 27, 2000
The need for a preventive approach to cardiovascular disease is well recognised and has had considerable success during the past thirty years. Equally clear is the fact that .

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