Stand Up To Cancer

Today's New York Times looks at Hispanics moving to the US, who, according to new research, face a 40% higher chance of developing certain cancers than if they had remained in their native countries. One potential explanation? Immigrants from many countries have been shown to rapidly develop new, less healthy dietary and lifestyle habits upon moving to the US (we are, after all, the proud birthplace of fast food). The higher rates could also be attributed to more aggressive diagnostic measures employed here.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/07/health/07cancer.html

The Celera Corporation claims to have developed a blood test that could offer a safe way to diagnose early-stage lung cancer. The disease, which is one of the most lethal forms of cancer, often goes undetected until it has metastasized, making treatment difficult and recovery unlikely. Researchers found that the test, which uses a mass spectrometer to detect nine telling blood compounds, detected stage 1 lung cancer with over 90% accuracy.
http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssHealthcareNews/idUSN0529409320090806

In this fascinating piece, the NYT looks at the phenomenon known as "chemo brain," the fogginess and memory loss that often accompany chemotherapy treatment. Though almost all chemo patients experience short-term issues with memory and concentration, around 15% suffer from long-term chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment. "Some therapists have attributed the symptoms of chemo brain to anxiety, depression, stress, fatigue and fear rather than direct effects of chemotherapy on the brain and hormone balance," the article notes. "Yet when such factors dissipate, the symptoms may not."
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/04/health/04brod.html?em

The FDA has issued a stronger version of its original black-box warning against TNF blockers, immune-disease drugs that, according to research, may cause lymphoma and other cancers in children and teens. An FDA study initiated last year found 48 cases of malignant cancers in children and teens and 147 cases of leukemia in all patients taking TNF blockers. Because immune disease is also associated with an increased risk of cancer, the FDA cannot definitely name TNF blockers as the cause, but the agency does warn doctors and patients to be aware of the risk.
http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/news/20090804/child-teen-cancers-linked-to-tnf-blockers

Finally, a new study in Cancer, Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention indicates that more than half of Texas doctors are not recommending the HPV vaccine to their patients. The study focused on Texas because its governor's office issued a mandate two years ago that all girls be vaccinated for the virus. Results showed that 48.5% of Texas doctors always recommended the vaccine, 68.4% said they were likely to recommend it to boys and 41.7% agreed with the governor's mandate. Takeaway: if you want it, be sure to ask for it.
http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7016017473?More%20Than%20Half%20Of%20Texas%20Doctors%20Not%20Recommending%20Cervical%20Cancer%20Vaccine

That's all for this week, but I'll be back next Thursday with more news you can use!

--Cat