Stand Up To Cancer

Remember a few weeks back when I mentioned that Farrah Fawcett is making a documentary about her experience battling anal cancer? Next week NBC will air the documentary as a two-hour special called "Farrah's Story." "This film is very personal," Fawcett said. "At the time, I didn't know if anybody would ever see it. But at some point, the footage took on a life of its own and dictated that it be seen." You can check it out May 15 at 9 p.m.
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2009/05/06/2009-05-06_nbc_sets_farrah_fawcett_cancer_show.html

Roche's cancer drug Avastin has just been cleared by the FDA for use against with glioblastoma multiforme, the most aggressive form of brain cancer. The FDA fast-tracked clearance after two studies published in March showed impressive responses in patients treated with the drug. Avastin is still being evaluated for effectiveness against ovarian and prostate cancer, so stay tuned.
http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssHealthcareNews/idUSL644559520090506

In an Ohio-based study of 434 women, 3T MRI - which is MRI at a high magnetic field strength - was found to detect a significant number of breast lesions not found with either mammography or ultrasound. "Our study suggests an important role for 3T MRI in such high risk groups for an early diagnosis of breast cancer and better accuracy in evaluating the extent of disease--a crucial factor in appropriate therapy planning," said the study's lead author.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090505162448.htm

Here's a little much-needed good news about lung cancer, one of the most lethal forms of the disease. New research out of MGH indicates that exercise may be beneficial to lung cancer patients. The patients in the study were enrolled in an exercise program that included aerobics and weight training; over half experienced a significant reduction in lung cancer symptoms.
http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2009/05/06/Exercise-may-benefit-lung-cancer-patients/UPI-15671241590766/

In less hopeful lung cancer news, another new study shows that women may be more vulnerable than men to the cancer-causing agents in cigarettes. Researchers looked at 683 lung cancer patients and found that female patients tended to be younger when they developed the disease - in spite of smoking fewer cigarettes on average than their male counterparts. "Lung cancer is not only a man's disease, but women tend to be much more aware of other cancers, such as breast cancer," one of the docs involved with the study said. "Several case-control studies seem to suggest that women are more vulnerable to tobacco carcinogens than men."
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/hscout/2009/05/04/hscout626607.html

Finally, I loved this piece from the New York Times in which Well Blog contributor Dana Jennings writes about his experience being treated for - and recovering from - prostate cancer. "The flowering trees in my neighborhood - magnolia and crab apple, dogwood and weeping cherry - are all billow and burst," he writes. "Meanwhile, the robins hold sunrise conclaves on the front lawn, and the night birds gab and gossip past midnight. I think I know how those birds feel . . . I, too, find myself giddy with the optimism of spring."
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/05/after-a-winter-of-cancer-the-optimism-of-spring/

See you next week.

--Cat