A Thank You to the SU2C Community
Posted by su2cadmin on June 2, 2009 4:18 PM
Last week Stand Up To Cancer celebrated its first birthday and announced the 2009 SU2C Dream Teams. These five exciting projects will receive $73.6 million in funding from SU2C over the next three years. To learn more about the Dream Teams, check out SU2C Mag.
ABC, CBS and NBC covered the announcement on their morning shows. If you missed it, you can watch here:
In the past year, we've been awed and inspired by our SU2C community. You've shared your stories with us and with each other; you've launched over 30,000 stars in our Constellation and raised over $150,000 through team challenges. You joined us for our big show, helping raise over $100 million for translational research - without which none of this would be possible. Your generous contributions will support the Dream Teams' work, and we want to take a minute to thank you, again, for being a part of our community.
We're very proud of our first Dream Teams, but we know that this year was just the beginning. The battle is far from over, and there were many meritorious scientific proposals that we were unable to support this time around. Help us keep the research moving forward by spreading the word to friends and family or by making another donation - no amount is too small to make a difference.
Thanks again for helping make SU2C what it is today - we couldn't have done it without you!
Weekly Links - 6/4/09
Posted by su2cadmin on June 4, 2009 10:32 AM
There's lots of exciting news this week, so let's dive right in. Researchers at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have created a new, experimental class of drugs called PARP inhibitors. The drugs block the ability of damaged cells to repair themselves, making cancer cells more susceptible to chemotherapy. The drugs could help with two types of breast cancer that have traditionally been difficult to treat. "While preliminary, these are some of most exciting results we've seen in a long time," said Eric P. Winer, MD, director of the breast oncology center at Dana-Farber.
http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20090602/new-drug-for-hard-to-treat-breast-cancer
Meanwhile, another great research site, the Mayo Clinic, has developed a new test that will make it easier to diagnose pancreatic cancer, according to this month's issue of Gastroenterology. Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal forms of the disease, largely owing to how long it usually remains undetected. Now, a new kind of endoscopic exam can more than double the detection rate both of this cancer and of cancer of the bile duct.
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/hscout/2009/06/03/hscout627542.html
I really enjoyed this piece by Dr. Marc Siegel in which he talks about "a new approach to cancer" - the new approach being an emphasis on targeted therapies. Looking at news from this week's American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting, including the introduction of three new potential targeted therapies, Siegel sees a lot of promise. "These treatments, which are less toxic and more focused, are generally better tolerated and cause less side effects," he writes. "Once you convince the body that cancer is foreign, you can then provoke the immune system to fight it."
http://health.blogs.foxnews.com/2009/06/03/a-new-approach-to-cancer/
There's more bad news on red meat this week. Steak, burgers and other mainstays of the delicious, morbidly unhealthy American diet have already been shown to increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer. Now Australian researchers have found that you can reduce your risk of developing prostate cancer via a low-fat diet with little red meat and lots of fresh produce. Specifically, tomatoes, cauliflower, broccoli and green tea were all shown to have a positive effect; red meat, dairy products and fats didn't come off looking so good.
http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2009/06/04/Diet-may-help-reduce-prostate-cancer-risk/UPI-36321244095281/
Finally, I enjoyed this piece about how to prevent cancer. The American Institute for Cancer Research has identified three things people can do to "dramatically affect" their chances of developing cancer. None of them will come as a shock to regular Weekly Links readers, and they're all pretty easy to implement: eat a mostly plant-based diet, maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly. "The data is pretty clear that we can make a significant drop in the cancer rate with these three changes," said an AICR nutrition adviser. "We can prevent about one-third of cancers with these changes. And if you add tobacco prevention, which reduces about 30 percent of cancers, over half of today's cancers could be prevented."
http://health.yahoo.com/news/healthday/wanttostopcanceryoucanexpertssay.html
That's all I've got this week, but check in again next Thursday for more news you can use!
--Cat
Weekly Links - 6/11/09
Posted by su2cadmin on June 11, 2009 12:10 PM
On the heels of last week's good news - that US cancer rates are on the decline across the board - comes a less positive development. A new study indicates that the incidence of colorectal cancer has increased in 27 countries worldwide. Combined with previous studies linking a rise in colorectal cancer to economic transitions in developing nations, all the data seem to point to Westernization as the culprit. Steer clear of McDonald's!
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090609124608.htm
There's been a lot of hype surrounding antioxidants in recent years. Their cancer-fighting and general health-promoting properties have been extolled by everyone from top scientists in the field to Oprah. But new evidence indicates that antioxidant supplements might not be the healthiest choice for women battling breast cancer, as the pills may actually interfere with treatment. "The report is the latest to raise concerns about the large number of cancer patients turning to megadoses of vitamin and mineral supplements in hopes of boosting their health," notes Tara Parker-Pope of the NYT's Well Blog.
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/08/worries-about-antioxidant-use-by-breast-cancer-patients/?hp
This piece in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution highlights a not-often-discussed issue: the lack of women enrolled in clinical trials for cancer treatments. In an analysis of 661 prospective studies encompassing over a million participants, women accounted for just 37% of participants. "It's so important that women are appropriately represented in research," said one of the docs involved in the report. "We know there are biological differences between the sexes, as well as social and cultural differences. Studies need to be able to assess whether there are differences in responses to treatment."
http://www.ajc.com/health/content/shared-auto/healthnews/-brn/627849.html
In the summertime, when the weather is hot, the news is full of articles on skin cancer risk. But this New York Times piece looks at an often neglected side of the issue. A reader writes in wondering whether people with dark skin should protect themselves differently. And a physician expert replies that skin cancer is on this rise among African-Americans, Latinos and Asians. "Because people with dark skin assume they are not at risk, these cancers frequently are not detected on self-exam," the doc cautions. "Nonetheless, dark skinned people should wear sun protection as part of their daily routine."
http://consults.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/08/dark-skin-sun-dangers-and-self-exams/
Finally, this AP article reports that fully 60% of cancer patients in the US use "nontraditional medicine" either as their only treatment or as a supplement to conventional medical treatment. The piece reports that many hospitals now offer aromatherapy, message, meditation, yoga and acupuncture to cancer patients - but as an accompaniment to treatment, not a replacement for it. But it cautions that cancer patients are particularly susceptible to false "cures" because of a desire to exercise some control over their disease. "There are no herbal or vitamin supplements that we know of that will specifically boost the immune system," said a dietician at Moffett Cancer Center.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h5RXjXRWlg4i8NXdjqeKl3xAb4YwD98MLRR01
That's it for this week, but I'll be back next Thursday with more news you can use!
--Cat
Weekly Links - 6/18/09
Posted by su2cadmin on June 18, 2009 10:30 AM
This week brings some bad news when it comes to dietary supplements and cancer prevention. The Center for Science in the Public Interest is suing Bayer over the company's claims that its One A Day vitamins for men decrease the risk of developing prostate cancer. TV and radio ads claim that selenium, an ingredient in the vitamins, is preventative of the disease, but according to the Center, this claim is not backed up by sufficient scientific evidence. Sorry, guys.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hcxToIuY_kAPO4UwYhlNA9bnRhtAD98T5D2G0
This article from the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that the South trails the rest of the country in childhood cancer rates. The highest rate was in the Northeast, where 179 cases per million children were reported; in the south, cancer only affects 166 children out of a million. The reasons for the geographical differences remain unclear, however; theories include exposure to nuclear plant emissions and radon gas, which are higher in densely populated areas that experience cold weather.
http://www.ajc.com/services/content/printedition/2008/06/02/kidcancer.html
More bad news on hormone replacement therapy: a new study indicates that the increased risk cancer persists for two years after women stop taking estrogen and progesterone to ease the symptoms of menopause. "The findings underscore the now-standard recommendation that women who take hormones to relieve hot flashes and other effects of menopause should use the lowest possible dose for the shortest time," the article notes.
http://www.ajc.com/services/content/printedition/2008/03/05/hormones0305.html
It's summer, and news on skin cancer is everywhere - appropriate given some of our tendencies to sunbathe a little too much during the hottest months of the year. A new study from the American Society of Dermatologic Surgeons indicates that melanoma, the deadliest form of the disease, is on the rise among people ages 20 to 29. Combine that with a recent poll indicating that 31% of Americans never use sunscreen and you've got a pretty clear cause-and-effect scenario.
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/lifestyle/stories.nsf/healthfitness/story/B8341FE702A630B2862575D8007446B5?OpenDocument
I have a special place in my heart for food-related health news, so here's a quick piece noting that cooking carrots whole boosts their anti-cancer properties.
http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/health/090618_medical_headlines_with_dr_sapna_parikh
And here's one more to polish off this week's round of links: a new study from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition says that meat, eggs and dairy products are not, I repeat not, consistently linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. So go ahead, enjoy that Denver omelet - for now, at least, its ingredients have been exonerated!
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/704525
That's all for this week, but I'll be back next Thursday with more!
--Cat
Weekly Links - 6/25/09
Posted by su2cadmin on June 25, 2009 1:18 PM
This week brings the news that obesity has been linked to yet another form of cancer - this time, pancreatic cancer, which is the fourth-leading cause of death for men and women in the US. In a study comparing 841 patients with pancreatic cancer to 745 healthy people of similar age, race, and gender, those who were overweight or obese had an increased risk of developing the disease. Obesity was also linked to an earlier onset of pancreatic cancer.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2009/06/pancreatic-cancer-and-obesity-linked.html
According to research published in the most recent issue of Cancer, there appears to be a connection between childhood abuse and cancer in adulthood. Childhood physical abuse is associated with a 49% higher risk of developing cancer as an adult, leading scientists to speculate that dysfunctions in the production of cortisol - the hormone responsible for "fight or flight" instinct - may be connected to the disease.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090625111425.htm
If antibiotics were the defining medical innovation of the 20th century, what will be the discovery that changes the 21st? How about green tea? Okay, I'm kidding - sort of - but it seems like every week we learn that the delicately flavored caffeinated beverage is preventative of a new type of cancer. Today LSU researchers have indicated that the green tea extract EGCG can slow the growth of prostate cancer. What will they learn tomorrow?
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2009/06/green-tea-may-slow-prostate-cancer.html
Meanwhile, researchers in Boston are launching a large multi-institutional trial to determine whether vitamin D and fish oil can reduce the risk of developing cancer and cardiovascular disease. The trial will focus particularly on the African American population, which has a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency and a greater occurrence of certain types of cancer and diabetes. Whether the two are connected remains to be seen.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/06/23/brigham_and_womens_study_to_test_vitamin_d_fish_oil_supplements/
Here's news of relevance to Californians, as well as marijuana users - medical and otherwise - nationwide. Last Friday marijuana smoke was officially classified as a carcinogen by the Golden State. A spokesman for the state office of environmental health noted that marijuana smoke contains 33 of the same harmful chemicals found in cigarette smoke. But a UCLA study found no association between marijuana smoke and lung cancer, and even suggested a mild protective effect.
http://blogs.sfweekly.com/thesnitch/2009/06/chronic_city_california_cannab.php
Finally, you may have heard that on Monday, President Obama - himself known for being an occasional smoker - signed a law giving the FDA the authority to regulate tobacco in hopes of preventing America's younger generations from getting hooked on the cancer-causing leaf. "I was one of these teenagers," Obama said. "And so I know how difficult it can be to break this habit when it's been with you for a long time."
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2009/06/68375563/1
That's all for this week, but check back next Thursday for more!
--Cat
Remembering Farrah Fawcett
Posted by su2cadmin on June 25, 2009 1:40 PM
Like many high school girls in the '80s, I ran home after school for two things: my mom's cooking and Charlie's Angels re-runs. From the first moment when Farrah Fawcett busted out of the screen toting a gun and a perfect up-do, to last month when her raw documentary "Farrah's Story" showed the world the harsh realities of battling cancer, Farrah has been an icon for women everywhere.
Stand Up To Cancer remembers and applauds Farrah, who passed away this morning, for her bravery and commitment to the fight against cancer. A star has been launched in SU2C's Constellation in her honor. To add your own tribute note to Farrah's star, please click here.
--Jules DiBiase
With You, We Stand - 6/26/09
Posted by su2cadmin on June 26, 2009 2:29 PM
With You, We Stand is a new feature on the SU2C Blog. Each week we'll focus on the stories of people around the world who have fought or are fighting cancer, and we invite you to share your stories with us in the comments below.
Farrah Fawcett
Farrah Fawcett, star of the 70s television show "Charlie's Angels," passed away on June 25 after a three-year battle with anal cancer. Fawcett documented her struggle in a television special called "Farrah's Story," which aired May 15 on NBC. In the last few months of her life, she worked to promote awareness of the rarely discussed disease. In this CNN.com article, her friends and loved ones remember her. Craig Nevius, who directed "Farrah's Story," said, "Not many stars can be credited with inspiring both a hair style and changes in legislation (surrounding domestic violence and more recently patient privacy). And she did it without posturing or campaigning but by simply choosing her own path and making her own rules."
http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/06/25/fawcett.reax/index.html
Jerri Nielsen FitzGerald
Dr. Jerri Nielsen FitzGerald made headlines in 1999 for her incredible courage and fortitude. While posted at the South Pole, isolated with a small group of researchers, she diagnosed and treated her own breast cancer, performing her own biopsy and chemotherapy with the help of such unlikely clinicians as a welder and a machinist. Following a dramatic rescue in -58 temperatures, she was treated in the US for her cancer, which went into remission before recurring in 2005. She passed away this week from the disease. ''She had incredible zest and enthusiasm for life,'' her husband said. ''She was the kindest soul I ever met. She was intelligent, with a great sense of humor, and she lived each day to the fullest.''
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/06/24/us/AP-US-Obit-Jerri-Nielsen.html?_r=2&ref=obituarie
Larry Collins
Larry Collins, 68, has been fighting lung cancer since his diagnosis last summer. In the ensuing year, he's lost 75 pounds, and has become so weak that getting off the couch too fast could result in a harrowing fall. But that hasn't stopped him from coaching Little League. For 44 years, the Evansville, Indiana resident has been a fixture in the town's baseball community, and he won't let cancer stop him from working with the kids he loves. "Do the boys know I'm sick?" he says. "Probably, but I don't mention it. I've only missed one game this season. Somehow I find a way to get myself to the dugout."
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2009/jun/25/little-league-skipper-coaches-through-cancer/
Maimah Karmo
Over at Jayne's Breast Cancer Blog, one remarkable survivor, Jayne England Byrne, profiles the work of another, Maimah Karmo. After Karmo's diagnosis of breast cancer at the age of 32, she created the Tigerlily Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping young women with breast cancer. As she explains it, "younger women have specific needs to their demographic - dating, insurance coverage, financial issues, fertility, coping with a longer lifespan while living with cancer or being metastatic, life after cancer, during college, dating, caring for younger children, not having a strong support system, being single, being in the prime of their lives and then having to face their mortality. Even the issue of them thinking they are too young and not being aware of their risks - someone needs to stand up and create a voice and a change for these younger women."
http://jaynesbreastcancerblog.com/2009/06/interview-with-maimah-karmo-part-1/
--Cat
