Stand Up To Cancer

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and this week brings a lot of news related to the disease, which will strike an estimated one in eight US women. First up: more news on the genetic testing front as an Icelandic company announces it has developed a screening test for some of the most common forms of breast cancer. The DNA test, which uses a blood sample or a cheek swab, costs $1,625 and looks for seven variations in the human genome that have been linked to the disease. But critics question the test's reliability - as well as the notion of genetic testing in general.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/07/AR2008100702682.html

Meanwhile, new research indicates that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - known to you and me as painkillers - are associated with a reduced risk for breast cancer. But physicians warn that for the time being, the data should be viewed as an unexpected perk to the commonplace use of aspirin and ibuprofen, not a reason to start taking the over-the-counter drugs even more.

http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/healthday/2008/10/09/nsaids-might-lower-breast-cancer-risk.html

In other women's cancer news, federal health officials say that one in four US teenage girls have received the cervical cancer vaccine since its introduction. Supporters of the vaccine were hoping for much higher vaccination rates, but epidemiologists say that families are wary of new vaccines, doubting their long-term safety and efficacy. (The fact that the shots retail for around $400 doesn't help, either.)

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hMjMMeVViJJInF9KTuuG_T23A4lwD93N4QMG0

Speaking of HPV, just the other day Harald zur Hausen, the German scientist credited with discovering the link between the common STD and cervical cancer, was recognized for his groundbreaking work with a little something called the Nobel Prize in medicine. Congrats, Harald!

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081007/NEWS07/810070373/1009

Good news for smokers! (How often do you hear that?) A new study shows that drinking red wine - and yes, it has to be red - can reduce the risk of lung cancer, especially among current and former smokers. "People who had ever smoked and who drank at least a glass of red wine daily were 60 percent less like to develop lung cancer than ever-smokers who didn't drink alcohol," the researchers found. Another point for resveratrol!

http://in.reuters.com/article/health/idINTRE4987L120081009

Unfortunately, the news this week isn't all sunny. Progress against cancer may be continuing apace here in the Western world, but the disease is set to become the next big epidemic in developing countries. Estimates show that the disease is responsible for taking 20 million lives in the developing world annually - and that number could easily rise to over 50 million new cases annually if something isn't done.

http://www.ghanaian-chronicle.com/thestory.asp?id=8775&title=%3Cb%3ECancer%20kills%2020%20million%20people%20in%20%20Africa%20annually%3C/b%3E

How about a little piece of breast cancer news from good old LA, which SU2C calls home, to round out this week's links? An upcoming benefit for breast cancer patients at the Lucky Strike Lanes in Hollywood could draw an unexpected crowd thanks to its title: "Bowling for Boobies." Hey, you gotta give us Angelenos credit for keeping it real.

http://blogs.courant.com/roger_catlin_tv_eye/2008/10/worst-name-for-a-cancer-event.html

That's it for this week. See you next Thursday!

--Cat