Head of cancer research institute
warns cell phone use causing cancer:
Associated Press
This article reports that the head of the
Pittsburgh Cancer Institute urged his
faculty and staff to limit cell phone use
because of the possible increased risk of
cancer. The article notes that the warning
was based on unpublished data and that
numerous studies have not found a link
between cell phone use and cancer. Article:
Associated Press
Exercise cuts some health
risks of smoking: Los Angeles Times (August
4)
This article discusses the
benefits of smoking cessation for athletes
and the effects of exercise for smokers.
The article cites a Cancer Epidemiology
Biomarkers & Prevention study showing that
women who were current or former smokers and
had high levels of physical activity were
less likely to develop lung cancer than
those who were less sedentary.
Article:
Los Angeles Times
Manufacturers to reduce amounts
of suspected carcinogen in snacks:
These articles report that after a lawsuit
in California, four snack manufacturers
agreed to reduce levels of a suspected
carcinogen called acrylamide in potato chips
and french fries over the next three years.
The articles note that acrylamide forms
naturally when starchy foods are baked or
fried, and that the FDA is studying the
effects of the compound but has not yet
taken formal action.
Representative Article:
Associated Press
Vitamin C slows tumor growth in
mice: Reuters
This article describes a Proceedings of the
National Academy of Sciences study finding
that high-dose injections of vitamin C slow
the growth of ovarian, pancreatic and
glioblastoma tumors in mice. Researchers
say they hope to begin similar studies on
human cancer patients soon.
Article:
Reuters
Immunotherapy boosts survival of
children with high-risk sarcomas: HealthDay
News
This article reports on a Clinical Cancer
Research study indicating that immunotherapy
following chemotherapy may help prolong
survival and boost the immune systems of
children with high-risk sarcomas.
Researchers found that patients responded
better to a standard flu vaccine compared to
a new dendritic
vaccine. O verall,
children who received vaccinations had a 43
percent five-year overall survival compared
to 31 percent for patients who did not
receive the treatment.
Article:
HealthDay News
Cancer patients turn to
complementary therapies: HealthDay News
This article discusses a Cancer study
finding that as many as 61 percent of cancer
patients use alternative therapies like
prayer, relaxation and massage. Researchers
note that women are more likely to engage in
complementary therapies and that it remains
unclear how much benefit these therapies
confer to cancer patients.
Article:
HealthDay News
The health
impact of
coffee: The New York Times
This article
discusses myths and
scientific research on the health impact of
coffee consumption. The article cites
multiple studies suggesting that coffee
consumption does not increase the risk of
developing cancer and that coffee drinkers
may actually have a 50 percent decreased
risk of developing liver cancer.
Article:
The
New York Times
Granite used in kitchen
countertops may emit cancer-causing gas: The
New York Times
This article discusses that some granite
kitchen countertops may emit dangerous
levels of radon, a radioactive gas that can
cause lung cancer. The article notes that
marble industry officials claim that the
amount of radioactive materials found in
granite countertops is not enough to pose a
health risk, though researchers are
conducting studies of granite widely used in
kitchen counters. Article:
The
New York Times
High vitamin D levels may reduce mortality
among colorectal cancer patients: Reuters
(July 11, 2008)
This article describes a JCO
study indicating that patients with
colorectal cancer with higher plasma
25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D) levels prior
to diagnosis have a significant reduction in
overall mortality. Researchers report that
further research on vitamin D levels in
colorectal cancer patients must be performed
before further recommendations can be made.
Article:
Reuters; Abstract:
JCO
Vitamin D tests increase after
deficiencies are linked to diseases: USA
Today (July 13, 2008)
This article reports that
testing for vitamin D levels, once uncommon,
has skyrocketed since medical studies linked
deficiencies to a variety of diseases,
including cancer. The article notes that
between 2006 and 2008, vitamin D testing
increased by 74 percent and that
manufacturers of vitamin D diagnostic tests
have seen similar increases in demand.
Article:
USA Today
Active lifestyle may help prevent
cancer: Reuters
This article describes an American Journal
of Epidemiology study that found individuals
who are physically active, including those
who exercise and are active in daily
routines, are less likely to develop cancer
than sedentary people. Researchers note
that the most active groups of men and women
surveyed had a 13 percent and 16 percent
lower risk of developing cancer,
respectively, compared to the least active
groups.
Article:
Reuters
Plant may protect cancer
patients' skin during radiation therapy:
Research indicating that ointment
containing Calendula plant extracts may
reduce dermatitis in cancer patients who
apply the ointment before radiation
therapy. Researchers found that 41 percent
of patients using the ointment suffered
moderate-to-severe dermatitis, compared with
63 percent of those using trolamine, a
standard cream used in Europe to prevent
dermatitis.
Vegetables may alter cancer
genes: Reuters
This article reports on
research published in the journal PLoS One
finding that men with pre-cancerous prostate
lesions who eat extra servings of broccoli
each week for a year have hundreds of
positive genetic changes, including
alterations that activate genes known to
fight cancer and switch off genes known to
contribute to tumors. The article notes
that researchers did not track men long
enough to see who developed cancer, but that
men with a gene called GSTM1 had the most
genetic changes. Article:
Reuters
Smokeless tobacco increases risk
of oral cancer: Reuters
This article discusses a study
published in the journal Lancet Oncology
showing that the use of chewing tobacco and
snuff increases the risk of oral cancer by
80 percent and esophageal and pancreatic
cancer by 60 percent. The article notes
that the use of smokeless tobacco products
varies widely depending on sex, age, ethnic
origin and economic background, and is
highest in the United States, Sweden and
India.
Article:
Reuters
