Health Diaries > Health News > Cancer News > August 2004
August 30, 2004
Ovarian Cancer Blood Test, Gerald McRaney Cancer Surgery
"Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center researchers have designed a blood test to detect ovarian cancer using three proteins found in common in the blood of women with the disease."
"Major Dad" actor Gerald McRaney underwent surgery Monday to remove a cancerous growth from his lung.
Posted by news editor at 4:27 PM | Comments (0)
August 26, 2004
Colon Cancer Testing, Oral Cancer Major Killer, Lung Cancer Detection, Skin Cancer on Feet and Ankles
"Scientists with the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences and the Universities of Toronto and Western Ontario conducted a study of Ontario patients and found that colonoscopies missed 4 per cent of colon cancer cases."
"Oral cancer is a major cause of severe disability and death every year, killing more people nationwide than cervical cancer, Hodgkin's disease, cancer of the brain, kidney, liver, testes or malignant melanoma skin cancer."
A fluorescent bronchoscope is a device that may be able to find those at risk of lung cancer at a much earlier stage.
The foot and ankle are as prone to skin cancer as any other part of the body, and melanoma is likely to be misdiagnosed on the foot.
Posted by news editor at 8:19 AM | Comments (0)
August 22, 2004
New Cancer Drug for Pleural Mesothelioma
A new treatment for asbestos-related lung cancer has been registered for use in New Zealand.
Alimta (Pemetrexed) has been shown to extend the life expectancy of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma an average of 12 months, compared with six to eight months on existing treatments. (New Zealand Herald)
Posted by news editor at 3:46 PM | Comments (0)
Preschool Attendance Lessens Hodgkin's Disease Risk
Children who attend daycare or other preschool programs seem to have a sharply lower risk of developing Hodgkin's disease, a common childhood cancer, according to a new study. (Globe and Mail)
Posted by news editor at 8:56 AM | Comments (0)
August 19, 2004
New Cancer Test, Lung Cancer Different in Nonsmokers
"A new study by Houston researchers find that new technology can get fast feedback on whether treatments are working for breast cancer victims."
Among individuals who develop lung cancer, there appear to be differences between smokers and nonsmokers in individual patient characteristics and survival rates.
Posted by news editor at 9:05 AM | Comments (0)
August 17, 2004
Colonoscopies Overdone, Prostate Cancer and Hormone Therapy
Many physicians appear to be performing more "surveillance" colonoscopies than expert groups deem necessary, according to results of a National Cancer Institute-funded study published in the Aug. 17 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine." (Medical News Today)
Adding six months of prostate cancer hormone therapy to external beam radiation therapy in cases of localized prostate cancer appears to increase five year survival rates by 10 percent. (Newswise.com)
Posted by news editor at 1:18 PM | Comments (0)
August 14, 2004
Charlie Watts Has Throat Cancer, Prostate Cancer Test
Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts is being treated for throat cancer and has completed four weeks of a six-week course of radiotherapy at London's Royal Marsden Hospital. (nwitimes.com)
Prostate cancer is now the most common form of cancer in UK men, but there is considerable debate over whether men should be routinely screened for this disease. (BBC)
Posted by news editor at 2:30 PM | Comments (0)
August 10, 2004
New Prostate Cancer Gene Identified
Researchers at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) have found a new way to speed the discovery of genes that suppress tumors, and in the process identified a gene that appears to be important in prostate cancer. The findings appeared today in the journal Nature Genetics. (EurekAlert!)
Posted by news editor at 6:30 PM | Comments (0)
Robert Tisch Has Inoperable Brain Tumor
New York Giants co-owner Robert Tisch has an inoperable brain tumor, according to a family spokesman. The 78-year-old chairman of Loews Corp. has begun treatment. (NFL.com)
Posted by news editor at 1:15 PM | Comments (0)
August 9, 2004
Tooth Whiteners May Cause Oral Cancer
Do tooth-whitening products lead to oral cancer? New research suggests that it's certainly possible and a question that's worth further investigation. (WebMD)
Posted by news editor at 11:30 AM | Comments (0)
August 6, 2004
Fish Oil , Carbs and Cancer, Steve Jobs Surgery
"Loss of weight and muscle mass, common among people with cancer, may be improved with fish oil supplements, according to a new report."
Eating a lot of carbs may raise cancer risk.
Steve Jobs of Apple Computer undergoes emergency cancer surgery.
Posted by news editor at 9:59 PM | Comments (0)