Stand Up To Cancer

This week's round of cancer news brings a fresh update on the dangers of smoking. According to a recent analysis of several studies, there is a "significant" link between the bad habit and an increased risk for developing colorectal cancer. The meta-analysis, published in the most recent issue of JAMA, notes, "We believe that smoking represents an important factor to consider when deciding on the age at which CRC screening should begin, either by lowering the age in smokers or increasing the age in non-smokers."
http://www.newsinferno.com/archives/4393

The holidays are all about nifty new toys, so how about a cool gizmo that helps detect skin cancer? The portable, handheld device uses a light technique to reveal inflamed scar tissue and non-melanoma skin cancers. "Today, people can check their blood pressure at monitors available in every drugstore," said one of the scientists behind the device. "If people could check for skin cancer just as readily, I think more skin cancers would be detected in their earliest and most treatable stages."
http://www.skininc.com/skinscience/physiology/36373984.html

A team of German researchers have identified the molecular mechanism cancer cells use to defend themselves against chemo. It's a complex physiological process involving both nitrogen monoxide and surviving, a protein that prevents the programmed death of cancerous cells. What does all of this mean? "This allows us to quickly and effectively identify mechanisms that are not restricted to a specific indication," said one of the professors involved in the study." This ultimately benefits patients, as the results of the initial research benefit them sooner."
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081217095600.htm

A new study out of the Yale School of Public Health indicates that many girls aren't getting the cervical cancer vaccine because of both public concerns that it encourages promiscuity and because of its high price tag. Most of the 326 adults surveyed believed that adolescent sexual activity would nearly double among girls receiving the vaccine.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081217190441.htm

Just this morning on CNN.com I saw this piece, which profiles the parents of children with cancer and cites the experts on how to break the news to children of varying ages. Though telling the truth is recommended for every age group, Lawrence Wolfe, a pediatric hematologist-oncologist at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New York, notes, "I don't think that future-predicting truth telling is necessary -- the kind where you're looking into a crystal ball. "If the child is sophisticated to say, 'Am I going to die of this?' you can answer that it's a possibility, but we're embarking on a plan now to try to keep that from happening."
http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/12/18/ep.children.bad.diagnosis/index.html

I loved this story: the Austin, Texas branch of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is teaming up with the American Housing Foundation to provide free housing for breast cancer patients who are having trouble holding down work while undergoing treatment. In the next few weeks, 25 families will be moved into units in local apartment buildings thanks to the program.
http://www.keyetv.com/content/news/topnews/story/Austin-offering-free-housing-for-some-breast/ZstjcH6cl0GtCUEchouwAw.cspx

Finally, September 5th Special Participant Pearce Quesenberry and her mom recently posted on our blog, celebrating Pearce's declaration of being N.E.D! (Click here to read this post.)

Katie Couric has written of her personal encounter with inspirational young Pearce, which you can read and watch here:
The Girl Who Stood Up To Cancer: www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/12/18/couricandco/entry4675613.shtml

That's all I've got for this week. Your humble Weekly Links narrator will be on Christmas break until January 8, but check back in with us then for more news you can use, and in the meantime, happy holidays!

--Cat