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