Stand Up To Cancer

New research out of Yale indicates that the right combination of estrogen and a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) could relieve the symptoms of menopause while cutting breast cancer risk. Ever since hormone replacement therapy was shown in several studies to increase breast cancer risk, researchers have looked for a safe way to alleviate menopausal symptoms. The addition of the SERM to the therapy appears to block cell growth; now the results are being tested in large-scale clinical trials.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091019172339.htm

A new treatment for renal cancer has been approved by the FDA. Votrient, otherwise known as pazopanib, was shown in a phase III trial to reduce the risk of advanced renal cell carcinoma progression by 54% compared with a placebo, irrespective of prior treatment. Advanced renal cell carcinoma is the most common malignancy of the kidney and is highly resistant to chemotherapy; around 13,000 Americans will die from the disease this year.
http://seekingalpha.com/article/167957-glaxosmithkline-receives-fda-approval-for-renal-cancer-treatment

A clinic in Reading, Massachusetts has been using a new form of breast cancer screening that eliminates the waiting period often associated with suspicious mammography results. Breast scintigraphy involves injecting a contrast agent into a patient, then using a gamma camera to look for "hot spots" in the breast that could indicate cancer. The Lahey Clinic is using the technique to provide patients with abnormal mammograms faster results than they would get from a six-month follow-up mammogram.
http://www.wickedlocal.com/reading/homepage/x927263244/New-brerast-cancer-test-at-Lahey-Clinic

Recent research from the Journal of General Internal Medicine indicates that cancer survivors who smoke may not be getting the support they need to quit. In fact, more than a quarter of cancer survivors who smoke didn't get any advice about quitting from their health care provider, according to the study. "While smoking cessation is difficult, it can play an important role in increasing cancer survivors' quality of life," said the study's lead author. "Time and again, studies have shown that people really do listen to what is said at the doctor's office in regards to smoking, so healthcare providers need to take advantage of this teachable moment."
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2009/10/cancer-survivors-are-often-inspired-to-live-more-healthfully-but-not-all-do-despite-a-desire-to-quit-cigarettes-some-conti.html

It's been a while since I threw any food-related news items into the mix, so here's a good one: a new Australian study indicates that selenium can dramatically cut the risk of developing bowel cancer. Selenium, which helps trigger apoptosis - otherwise known as cell death - is found in seafood, grain and eggs, among other common foods; in one study, mice who were fed extra selenium showed a 60% reduced incidence of bowel cancer. Cheers to that!
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,26248632-12377,00.html

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

--Cat