Cancer News and Research

Latest Cancer News and Research

New legislation provides women 40 to 49 with free mammograms

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has passed HB1606 by a unanimous vote of 197-0. This legislation, known as the Women's Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Screening Act, provides women aged 40 to 49,access to free mammograms.

4 Jul 2005

Risk of lung cancer increased by poor lung function

People with poor lung function are at an increased risk of developing lung cancer, suggests a study in Thorax.

1 Jul 2005

Mammography use exceeds targets although some are still reluctant

Mammography use by women over 40 is on the rise and already exceeds the target set by the government-led Healthy People 2010 initiative, according to a new study that also shows, for the first time, that breast cancer screening rises with age.

1 Jul 2005

Preclinical data suggest CuraGen's Velafermin may protect the gastrointestinal tract and decrease associated toxicity following exposure to radiation

New preclinical data on velafermin (CG53135), CuraGen's Phase II clinical product being developed for the prevention of oral mucositis (OM), suggesting that velafermin may protect the gastrointestinal tract and decrease associated toxicity, including enteritis and diarrhea, following exposure to radiation.

1 Jul 2005

Researchers use imaging to gain better understanding of cancerous cell behaviour

Thanks to imaging and analysis techniques used by researchers at TU Delft, an international group of scientists has been able to gain more insight into the behaviour of cancerous cells.

30 Jun 2005

Researchers find enzyme vital for controlling the early stages of cell death

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found an enzyme vital for controlling the early stages of cell death - a beneficial and normal process when it works right, but malignant in a variety of cancers when it malfunctions.

30 Jun 2005

Scientists discover identifying markers for primitive blood-forming stem cells - simplifies cell identification

Scientists at the University of Michigan Medical School have discovered the biological equivalent of a grocery store bar code on the surface of primitive, blood-forming stem cells in mice. Called hematopoietic stem cells, they give rise to all the different types of specialized cells found in blood.

30 Jun 2005

Protein that was thought to simply turn genes on and off now looks to be more like a cellular dimmer switch

The scientists showed for the first time that when certain parts of a protein molecule are modified - flexible, randomly structured regions believed to be only minor players in the protein world - they become important in turning genes on and off, but in a way that resembles a dimmer switch rather than an on-off switch.

30 Jun 2005

Children generally negative about smoking

One-third of children enrolled in a family smoking prevention program believed they could smoke without becoming addicted, according to a new study. Yet, overall, the researchers found most of the children generally had negative attitudes about smoking.

30 Jun 2005

Teflon likely to cause cancer

In a new report scientists say that a chemical compound used to make Teflon, possibly causes cancer.

30 Jun 2005

Ethnic groups in the U.S. more at risk of colorectal cancer

A new study has found that people of Hispanic, black and other U.S. ethnic groups have a 10 to 60 percent greater risk of being diagnosed with advanced colorectal cancer, and a 20 to 30 percent higher risk of dying from the disease compared to non-Hispanic whites.

30 Jun 2005

Studies compare hepatitis B drugs

According to a new study Roche's brand of interferon can help control the potentially deadly liver infection, hepatitis B, better than a competitor's drug.

30 Jun 2005

Old skin fungus drug has been found to be a possible cancer treatment

A drug that has been used for 40 years for the treatment of skin fungus has been found to be a possible cancer treatment, according to an international team of scientists. Leslie Wilson, professor of biochemistry and pharmacology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, said that the antifungal drug, griseofulvin, has been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells in his laboratory.

30 Jun 2005

European women soon to have access to new breast cancer drug

European women suffering from breast cancer will soon have access to the breast cancer drug Arimidex after British authorities granted approval for the drug to be used in a wider range of European women with breast cancer.

29 Jun 2005

Medical experts say that yearly checkup not necessary - doctors and patients disagree

Though you and your doctor might think that yearly checkup is just a routine part of staying healthy, that practice isn't endorsed by a panel of experts.

29 Jun 2005

Even low dose radiation exposure causes cancer

A new study says that workers in the nuclear industry who are exposed to chronic low doses of radiation have a slightly higher risk of developing cancer.

29 Jun 2005

Kidney disease associated with 'benign' prostate obstruction

Men who experience signs and symptoms of a prostate obstruction resulting from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are three times more likely than other men to develop chronic kidney disease, according to findings of a Mayo Clinic study published in this month's edition of Kidney International.

29 Jun 2005

Pomegranate juice may help babies resist brain injuries from low oxygen

Expectant mothers at risk of premature birth may want to consider drinking pomegranate juice to help their babies resist brain injuries from low oxygen and reduced blood flow, a new mouse study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis suggests.

28 Jun 2005

Low doses of radiation associated with a small excess risk of developing cancer

Low doses of radiation, such as those received in the nuclear industry, are associated with a small excess risk of developing cancer, according to a study published online by the BMJ today.

28 Jun 2005