Stand Up To Cancer

With just a week to go before the big show, SU2C is in the news more than ever. (Have you heard our awesome single? Seen the latest list of stars who'll be answering our phones?) But the real newsmakers are the people working every day to fight cancer. That's why I was excited to read about the researchers who've identified the gene that causes genetic neuroblastoma in babies and children. Their discovery will lead to genetic testing for worried parents, and hopefully to targeted treatments that will fight one of the most deadly childhood cancers. Now that's making cancer history.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119435.php

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, so here are two news items, good and bad, on the women's cancer sometimes called "the silent killer." First the good: turns out plant-based flavonoids - known to you, me and Oprah as "antioxidants" - have been shown to cut ovarian cancer risk. So have a nice salad and toast your own good health.

http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSPAT26341320080822

Now the not-so-good news. A new blood test aimed at developing ovarian cancer early, while it's still treatable, has been available since June. But the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists, no lightweight in the women's cancer field, says the test has yet to be validated enough for routine use and can lead to unnecessary surgeries. "You've got industry trying to capitalize on fear," Dr. Andrew Berchuck, director of gynecologic oncology at Duke University, says in this NY Times article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/26/health/26ovar.html?_r=2&8dpc&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Speaking of women's cancers, here's good news for people who like good news. A new study from Israel shows that a sunny outlook can actually decrease your risk of developing breast cancer. "The results showed a clear link between outlook and risk of breast cancer, with optimists 25 percent less likely to have developed the disease," said the study's author. Smile - it could save your life!

http://www.5tjt.com/news/read.asp?Id=2981

Here's some interesting news from down under: an Australian survey finds that people are overly concerned about environmental cancer risks and not concerned enough about behavioral risks. In other words, blame your smoking before you blame your city's smog.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,24248808-38200,00.html

That's not to suggest that environmental factors can't play a major role, particularly when it comes to waste disposal sites, the likes of which abound throughout the United States. Two articles about Superfund sites on the East Coast caught my eye this week. Both areas were supposedly cleaned until they were safe, and both have proven deadly to residents. Really scary. (You can check to see if you live near a Superfund site here.)

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i0XeHFSCy-jmzYR3cSRyhBBlEXQgD92PME4G0

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/08/22/toxic.schools/index.html

Finally, let's turn our attention to a little meet-up in Colorado you may have been hearing about, the DNC. It's been all over the news this week, and I was really heartened to see Sen. Ted Kennedy back in action Monday night (even if it was against the advice of his doctors). "I pledge to you that I will be there next January on the floor of the United States Senate," he told the cheering crowd. "The hope rises again, and the dream lives on. My fellow Democrats, my fellow Americans, it is so wonderful to be here. And nothing, nothing is going to keep me away from this special gathering... "

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-te.kennedy26aug26,0,199245.story

When we check in next week it'll be just 24 hours to show time. Until then, though, there's plenty to read, watch and do all over su2c.org. Have a great time exploring and don't forget share your favorite stories of the week in the comments!

--Cat