Stand Up To Cancer

The controversy over whether cell phones increase cancer risk continues. Conflicting reports make the issue a tough call, and at least one lawmaker is attempting to learn more. Sen Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) pledged on Monday to promote further research into whether the devices cause cancer, especially in kids. "I'm reminded of this nation's experience with cigarettes," Harkin said. "Decades passed between the first warnings about smoking tobacco and the final definitive conclusion that cigarettes cause lung cancer."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/14/AR2009091402952.html?hpid=sec-tech

New research in mice indicates that metformin, a commonly prescribed diabetes medication, may help shrink breast tumors when used in conjunction with doxorubicin chemotherapy - and could also prevent cancers from recurring as they become more and more resistant to treatment. In the October edition of Cancer Research, Harvard Medical School researchers note that the results could have big implications for cancer treatment, with mice remaining tumor-free for three months on the combined regimen.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203278404574413273870984920.html

This article from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution looks at cancer rates for Hispanics living in the US. Though Hispanics are less likely to die from cancer than non-Hispanic whites, studies show they have higher rates of stomach, liver and cervix malignancies - all of which can be linked to infections, according to a new American Cancer Society report. "There's a real lack of support for culturally appropriate and linguistically appropriate services for them," said Hilary Waldman, a spokesperson for the Hispanic Health Council.
http://www.ajc.com/health/content/shared-auto/healthnews/-brs/630957.html

Another study has emerged linking cancer outcomes to depression - this time a comprehensive meta-analysis of past studies on the relationship between survival and psychological state. According to the LA Times, the meta-study shows that those who suffer depressive symptoms following cancer diagnosis are 25% more likely to die of the disease than those who do not show signs of depression. Among those diagnosed with major or minor depression during the course of treatment, the risk of dying increased by 39%.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2009/09/depression-linked-to-earlier-death-when-cancer-is-diagnosed.html

Finally, this Washington Post article looks at whether trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection, could increase men's risk of developing advanced prostate cancer. New research out of the Harvard School of Public Health shows that men with the infection were twice as likely to develop advanced prostate cancer - and three times as likely to develop a lethal case of the disease - than a control group. Trichomoniasis infects nearly 174 million people worldwide each year, and 75% of men who have the infection don't know it.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/checkup/2009/09/does_infection_boost_prostate.html?hpid=sec-health

That's all for this week, but check back next Thursday for more!

--Cat