Stand Up To Cancer

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