July 18th, 2008
Worldwide…stomach cancer is one of the most common and fatal cancers.
From Mayo Clinic:
“…two factors that play a major role in the development of stomach cancer — infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria and diet, especially the type of diet that’s high in salted, smoked and pickled foods common in areas that lack refrigeration as a means of preserving food.
Stomach cancer is more readily treated when caught early. Unfortunately, by the time stomach cancer causes symptoms, it’s often at an advanced stage and may have spread beyond the stomach. Yet there is encouraging news. You can reduce your risk of stomach cancer by making a few changes in your lifestyle.”
Now Rhode Island researchers have identified two potential molecular markers that may predict the outcome of stomach cancer after treatment (usually surgery): two proteins, known as gastrokine 1 and 2 (GKN1 and GKN2) — which are produced by normal stomach cells.
The said research findings have reported (July 1 issue of Clinical Cancer Research),that stomach cancer patients who had poor outcomes following surgery for stomach cancer also had extremely low amounts of those two proteins.
I’m such a sucker for such kinds of molecular markers. I really hope that they bring us to better treatment, better yet preventative therapies sometime in the future.
Read more about this report from Science Daily.
Tags: gastrokine 1 and 2 (GKN1 and GKN2) proteins, molecular markers, stomach cancer, stomach cancer outcomes, stomach cancer treatments
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By Gloria Gamat -- 0 comments
July 17th, 2008
I knew about Amy’s Army when I got the following in my inbox from Dori Persky:
Amy Katz was diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) in 2003. She volunteered to participate in a worldwide study for Gleevac in order to “help other kids.” But, while the drug allows her to lead a somewhat normal lift, the only known cure for CML is a stem cell transplant. Although Amy’s whole family has been tested, none of them are a match (although ironically, her two sisters are perfect matches for each other.)
Amy’s Army was founded by friends and family soon after learning about Amy’s diagnosis. They held their first marrow drive in 2004 and had a turnout of over 1,620 people! The second drive drew 500 people in the midst of a Pittsburgh snowstorm! Although the many marrow drives that have been hosted by Amy’s Army have found 22 other donor matches, none has yet been found for Amy.
The most likely matches for Amy are Jews of Eastern European descent. The Pittsburgh Jewish community has been enthusiastic in their support of the cause, but we are now trying to expand by encouraging national Jewish organizations to host donor drives. Amy’s Army has already hosted donor drives in 12 states and is hoping to increase this number.
Hey folks, to anybody who may bump into this post and you think you can help, please check out the website - Amy’s Army - for donor drives and any other way you can help.
Tags: Amy Katz, Amy's Army, Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)
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By Gloria Gamat -- 0 comments
July 17th, 2008
University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center researchers have identified tissue type transglutaminase (TG2) as potential therapeutic target in chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancer.
“….found overexpression of tissue type transglutaminase (TG2) in ovarian cancer is associated with increased tumor cell growth and adhesion, resistance to chemotherapy and lower overall survival rates.
When researchers targeted and silenced TG2 in animal models, cancer progression was reversed, suggesting the protein may also provide a novel therapeutic approach for late-stage ovarian cancer.”
Reported findings appear in the July 15th issue of Cancer Research.
Read more from UT MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Tags: chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancer, late-stage advanced ovarian cancer, ovarian-cancer, TG2, tissue type transglutaminase
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By Gloria Gamat -- 0 comments
July 16th, 2008
Olympic swimmer Eric Shanteau (age 24) has recently announced that he has testicular cancer but is delaying his testicular cancer surgery until after he’s done competing in Beijing.
According to media reports, Shanteau noticed a testicular abnormality but didn’t see a doctor until his girlfriend urged him to do so. Shanteau got the testicular cancer diagnosis a week before the Olympic trials. Shanteau’s doctors recommended surgery as soon as possible but saw no signs that the cancer had spread.
After weighing his options and risks — and his life’s work to get to the Olympics — Shanteau decided to delay treatment until after the Olympics. He’ll be closely monitored during the games and will drop out if there is any sign his cancer is spreading.
What a very brave young man. Kudos to you! Also, best of luck in the Beijing Olympics competition.
Read more from CBS News.
Tags: Beijing Olympics 2008, Eric Shanteau, Olympic swimmer, testicular cancer, testicular cancer surgey
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By Gloria Gamat -- 0 comments
July 16th, 2008
According to a new report from the Center for the Advance of Health — breast self-exams do not appear to reduce breast cancer deaths.
Such were the findings that came out from a review of recent studies, thereby trumping the all-time advice to women to self examine their breasts on a regular basis to check for lumps. This report said that the practice has actually did more harm than good:
However, a review of recent studies says there is no evidence that self-exams actually reduce breast cancer deaths.
Instead, the practice may be doing more harm than good, since it led to almost twice as many biopsies that turned up no cancer in women who performed the self-exams, compared to women who did not do the exams.
Jan Peter Kosters, Ph.D., and Peter Gotzsche, Ph.D., of the Nordic Cochrane Centre, conclude in the review:
“At present, screening by breast self-examination or physical examination [by a trained health worker] cannot be recommended.”
Indeed it is tricky what diagnostic tool to pursue in our hope to catch breast cancer (or any other cancer for that matter) at the earliest possible stage. I have always said that getting a second or third opinion always helps in any case that your initial test turn out positive.
This reminds me of a pre-employment medical exam a long time ago. One company that hired me, sent me to one hospital/clinic for a full medical exam.
Read More
Tags: breast caner diagnostic tests, breast self-exams, breast-cancer, medical procedures, medical tests
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By Gloria Gamat -- 4 comments
July 15th, 2008
The results of a three-year pivotal Phase 3 placebo-controlled trial evaluating denosumab in the treatment of bone loss in men undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for non-metastatic prostate cancer, showed positive top-line results.
Denosumab is the first fully human monoclonal antibody in late stage clinical development that specifically targets RANK Ligand, the essential regulator of osteoclasts (the cells that break down bone).
Amgen is studying denosumab in numerous tumor types across the spectrum of cancer induced bone disease.
Such were the findings recently reported by Amgen, Inc –maker of the bone loss drug denosumab.
In this study of more than 1,400 men, denosumab treatment produced statistically significantly greater increases in bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine (primary endpoint) and non-vertebral sites compared with placebo at multiple time points. These improvements in BMD were consistent with those seen in other denosumab studies evaluating BMD in women with breast cancer receiving aromatase inhibitor therapy, and in post-menopausal women with low bone mass.
During the 36-month evaluation period, men receiving denosumab experienced less than half the incidence of new vertebral fractures (a secondary endpoint) compared with those receiving placebo, a statistically significant finding. Furthermore, in the denosumab arm there were fewer non-vertebral fractures over the 36-month period.
Loss in bone mineral density and fractures are conditions induced by the hormone-blocking therapy that men with non-metastatic prostate cancer has to go through.
While this bone loss drug could be the answer to that problem…I’m pretty sure it has side-effects. Let’s wait and see what the FDA has to say. This is a Phase 3 clinical trial already, so that means it won’t be long until this gets approved for marketing and use in patients. We’ll see…
Tags: androgen-deprivation-therapy, bone fractures, bone loss, bone loss drug, bone mineral density, denosumab, non-metastatic prostate cancer
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By Gloria Gamat -- 0 comments
July 14th, 2008
On Saturday, the White House has lost Tony Snow. Lost to colon cancer that is at age 53 –survived by his wife, Jill, and their three children.
President George W. Bush recalls Snow with fondness:
“He had a wonderful sense of humor. He loved to laugh. He loved his country. And he loved his family.
I just hope they understand that Tony was loved here in the White House.”
Full report from AP, LA Times and The Washington Post.
Tags: colon-cancer, President-George-W.-Bush, Tony Snow, White House, White House aid Tony Snow
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By Gloria Gamat -- 1 comment
July 12th, 2008
I got this from Angela of Breastfeeding 1-2-3: Leaking Breast Milk after Surgery for Breast Abscess or Lumpectomy.
Recently a reader posted a comment seeking help on the question of leaking breast milk after a lumpectomy.
This mother was nursing her one-month-old at the time of the surgery, and had had the incision glued and stitched several times in the month since, but breast milk continued to leak through the stitches.
The delay in healing was compounding the stress of the lumpectomy. One doctor recommended weaning through the use of cabbage leaves and binding the breast tightly (please read on for a discussion of the dangers of that!)
Definitely a great informative read. So read it all. Way to go Angela! Thanks for the hat tip.
Tags: breast surgery breastfeeding, breast surgery for a breast abcess, leaking milk, lumpectomy
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By Gloria Gamat -- 0 comments
July 11th, 2008
What: 4th Annual Relay For Life in Second Life
When: July 19, 2008
Where: virtual meeting
Second Life is that 3-D virtual world where people create mini version of themselves and interact. There are about 13 million registered Second Life accounts world wide and at any given time about 38,000 people are using the social network.
Visit the website to see how you can help. Enjoy your weekend folks.
[Thanks to Paul McGee of American Cancer Society for the hat tip.]
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By Gloria Gamat -- 0 comments
July 10th, 2008
What: Stand Up To Cancer
When: September 5 , 2008 8pm ET/PT
Where: simultaneous telecast on ABC, CBS and NBC
Check out the Stand Up To Cancer website and see how you can help.
Stand Up To Cancer aims to attack cancer once and for all by pushing promising scientific breakthroughs to the finish.
Don’t miss this star-studded event and you too can help push cancer research forward.
[Thanks to Tara Settembre for the hat tip!]
Tags: cancer research, Stand Up To Cancer
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By Gloria Gamat -- 1 comment
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