Stand Up To Cancer

I'll start this week's roundup off with some good news on cervical cancer. A study out of India found that the mortality rate for the disease can be cut by a whopping 47% by screening for HPV and giving a simple treatment the same day as the virus is discovered. "The implications of the findings of this trial are immediate and global: international experts in cervical cancer prevention should now adopt HPV screening for widespread implementation," wrote two NCI scientists in an editorial accompanying the report. Let's do it!
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601124&sid=asRUT4ihBQDw&refer=home

I always love when a new cancer treatment comes from an unexpected place. This week, researchers in Spain have discovered that the active ingredient in marijuana, THC, can be used to fight brain cancer. THC causes brain cancer cells to undergo autophagy, a process whereby the cell basically eats itself. Best of all, the patients treated with THC did not have any toxic side effects.
http://www.webmd.com/cancer/brain-cancer/news/20090401/marijuana-chemical-may-fight-brain-cancer

Some researchers are questioning the efficacy of breast cancer screening. In a study out of the University of Nebraska, scientists found that in women over 50 who are screened every year, breast cancer screening saves 1.8 lives per thousand woman screened - meaning there's around a 5% chance that breast cancer screening will save a woman's life. Takeaway? We're doing well, but we could definitely do better.
http://www.dbtechno.com/health/2009/04/02/researchers-question-benefits-of-breast-cancer-screenings/

I have a special weakness for food-related stories, which is why this one, on how cancer treatments can affect the taste of food, caught my eye. Because chemotherapy and radiotherapy can alter taste and odor perception, some cancer patients can find themselves without much of an appetite, resulting in malnutrition. Fortunately, a new study identifies ways to help. Cancer patients should eat less foods with a metallic or bitter taste, eat more high-protein foods, add plenty of seasonings and spices, and use saliva-stimulating agents like sugar-free gum.
http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2009/04/01/Cancer_treatment_affects_taste_of_food/UPI-51171238636698/

This piece from the Vancouver Sun looks at survivors of childhood cancer, who, according to new research out of Canada, often face unique obstacles later in life. Radiation treatment, which has helped improve childhood survival outcomes in a big way, can also lead to long-term damage, resulting in learning disabilities. The study underscores the need to find new ways to treat pediatric cancer patients - both while they have cancer and long after the cancer is gone.
http://www.vancouversun.com/Health/Childhood+cancer+survivors+have+special+needs/1453809/story.html

Speaking of what happens to folks after their cancer treatment is over, this piece from NPR looks at "cancer debt" - the costs racked up by the insufficiently insured when undergoing cancer treatment. "It's not necessarily not having insurance -- it's not having adequate insurance," said John Seffrin, CEO of the American Cancer Society. "Our best data would indicate that roughly 1 in 5 people in this room today think they have health insurance that will cover them, but if they get a diagnosis of cancer, it's inadequate." Health care reform, anyone?
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102593259

That's all I've got for this week, but I'll be back next Thursday with a fresh round of links. See you then!

--Cat

Posted on April 2, 2009 9:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Check out the video "David Archuleta Fans Take a Stand" on SUTV's Lift channel! The video profiles a David Archuleta fan who was inspired by SU2C's big show to get a screening colonoscopy. Marge Lees heard about SU2C through one of David Archuleta's blogs, and after watching the show on September 5, 2008, she was went out and got screened - and it turned out she had colorectal cancer. Now, after surgery, she's a proud survivor. Marge's story reminds us all why it's important to keep spreading the word about cancer. Together, we really can save lives!

Posted on April 3, 2009 11:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

By now, you've probably heard that Farrah Fawcett is battling anal cancer, a rare and not-often-discussed type of the disease. In this CNN article, the author notes that the stigma associated with talking about anal cancer means most people aren't aware of the risk factors or warning signs - as used to be the case with colorectal and breast cancer before large public awareness campaigns. Fawcett is working on a documentary about her struggle with the disease. Get better soon, Farrah, and thanks for spreading the word!
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/09/anal.cancer.fawcett/

New research indicates that more and more women with early-stage breast cancer are choosing to have both breasts surgically removed. In the years between 1998 and 2005, the rate of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy among US women with ductal carcinoma in situ increased by a whopping 188% -- even though the 10-year survival rate for this type of cancer is 98%.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090409103354.htm

Elsewhere, scientists have proven that a common virus can effectively target and kill cancer stem cells in breast cancer tissue. Stem cells are ordinarily difficult to kill, as they don't respond well to chemotherapy or radiation. But the reovirus used in the study not only killed the stem cells, it also stimulated the anti-cancer immune system. "Refining this two-pronged approach to killing cancer is our next step," said one of the docs involved. "We are taking advantage of the natural characteristics of reovirus and the immune system itself to create a powerful virus-based anti-cancer therapy."
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090408192134.htm

While we're on the topic of breast cancer, the Huffington Post has a great "Dueling Docs" piece on whether drinking increases your risk of developing the disease. One doc breaks down the results of a recently published study indicating that one drink a day ups your risk; the other helps interpret the statistics, concluding that "the researchers in this study made a statistical model that spit something out, but when I look at the numbers, I don't agree with their results."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/janice-horowitz/dueling-docs---is-drinkin_b_184967.html

We ladies are all too familiar with the unpleasant, but necessary, annual routine of getting a Pap smear to screen for cervical cancer. Now some researchers are saying a simple blood test can do a better job - without any feet having to go up in any stirrups. The DNA test detects the HPV virus with more efficacy than a Pap, and may only be needed every few years instead of every twelve months. Score!
http://www.healthnews.com/family-health/womens-health/hpv-test-outperforms-pap-test-prevention-cervical-cancer-2928.html

I just couldn't resist wrapping up with a food-related story. This week's key ingredient is broccoli sprouts, the long and lean cousins to broccoli that taste so great in a salad or grilled with asparagus. New research out of Johns Hopkins indicates that these yummy greens can reduce the level of H. pylori bacteria living in your stomach, which in turn reduces your odds of developing stomach cancer, which is strongly linked to the germs. You're welcome!
http://www.naturalnews.com/026018.html

That's all I've got for this week, but I'll be back next Thursday, so check in then!

--Cat

Posted on April 9, 2009 4:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SU2C.org has been recognized as an Honoree in the 2009 Webbys! Out of over 10,000 submissions to the 13th annual Webby Awards, only 15% of submissions are recognized as Honorees.

If that weren't exciting enough, one of last summer's SU2C Film Challenge winners, Jesse Ash's "Magical Cure," has been nominated for a Webby in the public service/activism category. You can check out "Magical Cure" here:

http://www.standup2cancer.org/sutv?sid=3&vid=2303

And you can vote for Jesse here:

http://pv.webbyawards.com/

Voting closes April 30, so be sure to help Jesse out!

Thanks to all of our readers and our wonderful SU2C community for making SU2C.org the great site it is!

Posted on April 28, 2009 1:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

This week brings more news on controversial new prostate cancer vaccine Provenge. The company producing the vaccine said Tuesday that it "significantly" prolongs patient survival according to the results of a new clinical trial; this finding contradicts that of the FDA, which declined to approve the drug after a previous trial. Now patient advocates and three congressman are calling for a probe of the agency, claiming its decision may have been colored by conflicts of interest.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2009/04/prostate-cancer-vaccine-significantly-prolongs-survival.html

I loved this story out of Edgewater, Florida, where over 700 elementary school students and their parents held a "mini" Relay for Life to raise money for cancer research. During the one-hour event, the kids stood in formation on the school's athletic field to spell out the word "HOPE." In the end the school's team raised $700 for cancer research. "I'm very happy that they're trying to help all the sick kids in the world to not have pain anymore," said a student who had survived bone cancer the year before.
http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/News/EastVolusia/evlEAST04041609.htm

In this CBS News article, medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook urges readers to get routine screening for skin cancer. "Early detection is the name of the game when it comes to curing melanoma," LaPook writes. And he emphasizes that routine screening includes a complete head-to-toe inspection by a dermatologist: "This means looking from head to toe at every millimeter of your body, including where the sun doesn't shine."
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/04/16/health/cbsdoc/main4949884.shtml

Fresh research out of Tennessee indicates that sleep problems can lead to increased pain in cancer patients. More than half the sample group studied had trouble sleeping, and one in four reported moderate to severe trouble sleeping; statistical analysis indicates that the sleep problems led to increased ratings of pain in these patients. "We believed we would find a bi-directional relationship between insomnia and pain, but instead found that trouble sleeping was more likely a cause, rather than a consequence, of pain in patients with cancer," said the study's lead author.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090415075046.htm

Meanwhile, this New York Times article profiles a familiar issue in the cancer community: the high cost of cutting-edge treatment. One patient interviewed in the piece was prescribed oral medication - which free patients from having to go to a clinic to receive treatment - only to find his insurance wouldn't pay for it. The price tag on a 42-day supply of the pill? $5,500.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/15/business/15pill.html?hp

Regular Weekly Links readers know how much I love food-related stories, and this week's is a great one: a new study in the International Journal of Cancer has found that women who drink a few cups of coffee or tea each day have a lower risk of developing endometrial cancer. The reasons aren't exactly clear, but scientists hypothesize that it's either the antioxidant compounds present in both beverages, or simply the dose of caffeine.
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/health&id=6765119

That's all I've got for this week, but I'll be back next Thursday with more!

--Cat

Posted on April 16, 2009 3:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

On behalf of myself, Robert DeNiro and Craig Hatkoff, the 2009 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL salutes STAND UP TO CANCER. During this year's eighth annual film festival, which runs April 22 through May 3, we are proud to lend our support to build awareness for such an important groundbreaking initiative to raise funds for critical research to conquer all forms of cancer.

The team that co-founded Stand Up To Cancer includes Sherry Lansing and Laura Ziskin, who are also leaders in the film industry. We applaud Stand Up To Cancer's efforts to mobilize the entertainment community, as well as the nation and the world. And we will ask our filmmakers and the thousands of people who attend the Tribeca Film Festival each year to STAND UP with us.

Our annual celebration of film, music and culture, was founded in 2001, following the attacks on the World Trade Center. Our message was then, and continues to be, one of hope, to enable the general public to experience the power of cinema. We used our most powerful tool to communicate and to help in the cultural revitalization of a community. And in the past eight years, we have been a part of an effort that has reached millions through our films, panel discussions, Drive-In, Family Festival Street Fair and Sports Day. And so, the 2009 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL broadens the message of hope as we lend our voices to STAND UP TO CANCER. I will personally ask our filmmakers and my colleagues, to join us in a call to action, to STAND UP on behalf of those in our community who have been touched by the disease, either with a diagnosis or through a loved one affected by cancer. Together, we can make a difference.

Jane Rosenthal
Co-Founder, Tribeca Film Festival
www.tribecafilm.com/festival

Posted on April 20, 2009 1:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This week brings some interesting news about breast self-exams, which were once recommended for women on a monthly basis but were removed from screening recommendations when studies indicated they didn't impact mortality. Now new research presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Breast Surgeons indicates that breast-self exam is as effective as mammography and MRI at detecting breast cancer in young, high-risk women.
http://www.medpagetoday.com/HematologyOncology/BreastCancer/13868

Research from the same conference also brings surprising news about hormone replacement therapy, which was shown in the nineties to increase breast cancer risk in menopausal women. Now a USC researcher is hypothesizing that hormone replacement therapy in younger women - otherwise known as the birth control pill - could be harnessed to lower breast cancer risk. "I want to encourage people to realize that this really could work," the doc said. "Millions of women took the pill this morning. This could potentially be very, very protective against breast cancer."
http://www.breastsurgeons.org/presskit/Hormone%20Therapy%20ASBS.doc

The American Association for Cancer Research is also having its annual meeting this week. One of the most interesting revelations of the conference is a series of studies looking at the impact of genetic alterations on blood, bladder and ovarian cancers. US News and World Report has a great rundown of the studies' results.
http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/healthday/2009/04/21/gene-studies-reveal-cancers-secrets.html

Well, raise your glass for a toast, because it looks like wine may help improve survival of patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a form of blood cancer. Past research has indicated that the antioxidants present in grapes can inhibit the development of tumors; now a new study shows that consumption of wine slightly increases five-year survival in women with non-Hodgkin's. But researchers caution to take the results with a grain or two of salt, as excessive drinking can cause other problems in cancer patients.
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/health&id=6776590

More news on the food front - my favorite kind. Researchers at the University of Chicago Medical Center have found that grapefruit juice can help make an anti-cancer medication more potent. In another study, docs found that the omega-three fatty acids present in walnuts can help reduce the risk of breast cancer. Sounds like a tasty summer salad in the making!
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/health&id=6774359

Finally, I was touched by this article from the San Francisco Chronicle, which comes bearing the surprising headline, "A few good things to say about cancer." Arthur Hoppe wrote about his experience with lung cancer just a couple of weeks before his death in 2000. He celebrated the "warm bath of sympathy and love" that accompanied his cancer treatment, and concluded that "Any serious illness brings home this ephemeral nature of time. I now do thank God each morning for another day. And while it's impossible to relish every moment, I manage to do it again and again - when I awake from a nap, when my tongue touches that first morsel of lemon cake, when I hug a loved one. Never before have I realized what a wonderful gift is life."
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/04/22/EDRJ174DUN.DTL

That's all I have for this week, but I'll be back next Thursday with more.

--Cat

Posted on April 23, 2009 12:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'll start off this week's roundup with some alarming news out of the University of Texas: based on current demographic trends, researchers are predicting a 67% increase in the number of adults over 65 diagnosed with cancer by 2030 - 1.6 million by then as opposed to one million now. "In 2030, 70 percent of all cancers will be diagnosed in the elderly and 28 percent in minorities, and the number of older adults diagnosed with cancer will be the same as the total number of Americans diagnosed with cancer in 2010," said one of the docs involved in the research.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/healthNewsMolt/idUKTRE53S7PL20090429

Elsewhere, some more encouraging news: new research indicates that women were ten times as likely to do breast self-exams if they took part in a counseling program that included one in-person session and two follow-up phone calls. The 600 women involved in the study were divided into two groups. One received dietary counseling and the other watched an education video about BSE and practiced the technique on a silicone model. One year later, 60% of the women in the BSE group were still performing adequate self-exams; only 12% from the other group were doing the same.
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/hscout/2009/04/30/hscout626563.html

And in other breast cancer news, Canadian researchers have found that breast cancer risk assessment can potentially start much earlier than it currently does: in a study of 400 women, ages 15 to 39, and their mothers, the docs found that breast tissue composition in young women may be correlated with cancer risk. "By identifying the environmental and genetic factors that influence breast tissue composition early in life, we may be able to develop safe and effective methods of prevention," the study's lead author said.
http://www.ajc.com/health/content/shared-auto/healthnews/age-/626562.html

Hey, remember CT colonography? It's the non-invasive, non-painful-and-humiliating way of finding colon polyps, and earlier this year Medicare decided not to reimburse for it, indicating that current research wasn't sufficient to justify using the more expensive technique over traditional colonoscopy. Now a fresh study out of the University of Wisconsin indicates that radiologists using CTC can predict with a very high degree of accuracy whether or not a polyp needs to be further evaluated or removed. CMS, are you reading this?
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090423132654.htm

Statins. Millions of people in the US take them to lower cholesterol; now a little facility you may have heard of called the Mayo Clinic has found that statin use is associated with a three-fold reduction in a man's risk of developing prostate cancer. "What's good for the heart is also good for the prostate," summarized the study's principal investigator.
http://www.cancerpage.com/news/article.asp?id=13366

Finally, I'll wrap up this week's links with - you guessed it - a food story. This week's super-food is the apple, which no fewer than six different studies have recently found to have anti-cancer properties. Fortunately for we Americans, apples are a national favorite, providing 33% of the cancer-fighting phenolics consumed by the average US resident annually. I guess the old adage is true, with a slight update: an apple a day keeps the oncologist away!
http://www.ajho.com/Numerous-Studies-Report-Multiple-Anti-Breast-Cancer-Properties-in-Apples/article/131451/

That's all I've got this time around, but I'll see you next Thursday for more links!

--Cat

Posted on April 30, 2009 2:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)