This page is updated regularly with news and reports from around the world reporting the lifestyle and environmental issues which could affect the development of the progression of cancer, how lifestyle could effect treatment, the decisions for treatment, the success and the tolerability. 

More information on cancer and lifestyle can be found on the diet, exercise, smoking and lifestyle sections of this website or summarised in the book Lifestyle after cancer by Professor Robert Thomas.

BBC News (1/18) reported that drinking "wine with an alcohol content of 10 percent rather than 14 percent might" lower the risk of some cancers, according to research conducted by the World Cancer Research Fund. An analysis of "figures in a 2007 report which looked at the evidence for a link between alcohol consumption and cancer" revealed "the likely extra risk posed by each extra 10 grams of alcohol...regularly consumed."

        The UK's Telegraph (1/18, Smith) reported that people who switch "from a 14 percent wine to a 10 percent wine" could "reduce their risk of developing bowel cancer or breast cancer by seven percent." In fact, researchers found that "for every 100 people who switched, five would develop bowel cancer at some point in their lives, instead of six."

        The UK's Daily Mail (1/18, Hope) reported, "As well as cutting" the number of bowel cancer diagnoses, "switching to a lower-alcohol wine would reduce breast cancer, liver cancer, oesophageal cancer, and cancers of the mouth, pharynx, and larynx." The study showed that "the reduction in risk for each type of these cancers is similar to that for bowel cancer."

        The UK's Press Association (1/18) reported that Dr. Rachel Thompson, science program manager at the charity, said, "If you drink quite a lot at the moment, the best advice is to reduce the number of drinks you have." The World Cancer Research Fund recommends that men "should limit consumption to two drinks a day...and one for a woman," the UK's Independent (1/18, Laurance) reported.

HealthDay (1/21, Dotinga) reported, "High levels of vitamin D in the blood appear to be linked to lower risks of colorectal cancer," researchers found after evaluating some "520,000 people from 10 countries in Western Europe." In fact, "those with the highest levels of vitamin D in their blood had as much as a 40 percent lower risk for developing colorectal cancer than those with the lowest levels." Still, "it's not clear if higher intake of the vitamin actually prevents the disease." The UK's Telegraph (1/22) also covers the study.

WebMD (12/15, Stacy) reported that, according to research conducted at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, "compounds found in black pepper and curry powder help halt the growth of stem cells that give rise to breast cancer." Limiting "the number of stem cells...can limit the number of cells with the potential to form tumors," the investigators noted. After applying "piperine, found in black pepper, and curcumin, the main ingredient in the curry spice turmeric, to breast cancer cells in a laboratory dish," researchers found that the combination "reduced the number of stem cells, but did not harm normal breast cells." Researchers noted, however, that "because piperine and turmeric have not been tested in patients at risk for breast cancer," supplement use is not encouraged "at this time."

HealthDay (1/19, Preidt) reported that a "team at the University of California-San Diego School of Medicine conducted tests on mice with early lung cancer lesions and found that those repeatedly exposed to tobacco smoke developed larger tumors -- and developed tumors more quickly -- than those that weren't exposed to tobacco smoke." Investigators say their work in Cancer Cell "offers definitive proof that lung inflammation caused by chronic exposure to tobacco smoke promotes lung cancer growth."

The AP (1/22, Cheng) reports that "there has been little proof that quitting smoking after developing lung cancer makes any difference to survival." Now, however, researchers in the UK are saying those who do "could double their chances of surviving."

        In fact, "63 to 70 percent of" their study participants "who quit survived" for five years, HealthDay (1/21, Gardner) reported. Conversely, "only 29 to 33 percent of early stage lung cancer patients who kept smoking survived" for that long. According to the paper in the BMJ, the "survival seemed to come from a lower likelihood of tumor recurrence, not from heart/lung improvements." WebMD (1/21, Stacy) also covered the study

The Wall Street Journal (1/12, Winslow, subscription required) reports that there may be a link between the time an individual spends watching television and his or her risk of death, according to a study published in the journal Circulation.

        Bloomberg News (1/12, Matsuyama, Saminather) reports that investigators "tracked the TV-viewing habits of 8,800 adults and followed them for six years."

        The study findings indicated that "every hour of daily TV watching increased the risk of dying from any cause by 11 percent," HealthDay (1/11, Reinberg) reported. The researchers found that "for cardiovascular diseases the increased risk was 18 percent, and for cancer it was nine percent."

High blood sugar risk of cancer The UK's Telegraph (1/3, Alleyne) reported that, according to findings published in the Public Library of Science journal, "excess blood sugar means someone could be more likely both to develop cancer and also to die from it." In a study of "blood sugar levels in 274,126 men and 275,818 women from Norway, Austria, and Sweden," researchers found that "women were more vulnerable than men, and high blood sugar is linked to a range of different cancers for each gender." Notably, "the increased likelihood of cancer occurred regardless of the participants' body mass index levels."

Canada's Globe and Mail (11/18, Weeks) reports that, according to research published Nov. 18 in the Journal of the American Medical Association, "heart-disease patients treated with a combination of folic acid and vitamin B12 had an increased risk of cancer and death, compared to patients who didn't receive the vitamins as treatment." The finding "fuels fears that mandatory fortification of the food supply with folic acid could yield unintended consequences."

        The Los Angeles Times (11/17, Dennis) "Booster Shots" blog reported that the researchers "analyzed data from 6,837 people with ischemic heart disease treated with folic acid, B6 and B12; folic acid and B12; just B6 or a placebo," finding that "those treated with folic acid and B12 had higher rates of cancer, cancer deaths, and deaths in general over the course of several years."

        In fact, 10 percent "of patients getting folic acid and vitamin B12 developed cancer, compared with 8.4 percent who didn't receive this treatment," Bloomberg News (11/18, Cortez) reports. Meanwhile, "four percent died from cancer and 16 percent died from any cause among those getting folic acid and vitamin B12" compared to "2.9 percent of people who died from cancer and 13.8 percent who died from any cause among those who didn't get the combination."

        Notably, "the most common cancers associated with folic acid were colorectal, lung, prostate, and blood cancer," HealthDay (11/17, Reinberg) reported. But, "other researchers cautioned that the results should not turn women away from normal folic acid supplements that can help prevent birth defects," MedPage Today (11/17, Walsh) reported. WebMD (11/17, Boyles) also covered the story.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune (2/8, Hanson) reports that "a University of Minnesota study suggests that drinking two or more soft drinks a week nearly doubles the risk of developing pancreatic cancer." Investigators "studied the dietary habits of more than 60,000 adults in Singapore for 14 years." The researchers "found that those who drank high amounts of sugar-sweetened carbonated beverages were 87 percent more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than those who did not."

        The Washington Post (2/8, Huget) "The Checkup" blog reported that "the study, funded by the National Cancer Institute, notes that lifestyles in Singapore have much in common with those in the US and that the findings should apply to Caucasians as well as to the Asians who were tracked."

        The UK's Daily Mail (2/8, Derbyshire) reports that "the findings are published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention." Reuters (2/8), the UK's Press Association (2/8), and the UK's Telegraph (2/8, Alleyne) also cover the story.

USA Today (12/9, Szabo) reports that, according to a study published Dec. 9 in the Journal of the American Medical Association, "soy foods may be safe, and possibly even beneficial, for breast cancer survivors." Until now, "many breast cancer doctors have been cautious about recommending soy products -- such as soy milk, tofu, edamame, or miso soup -- because they contain plant estrogens. Most breast cancers are fueled by estrogen, which can make it risky to take additional hormones, such as for menopausal symptoms."

        The Los Angeles Times (12/9, Roan) reports that researchers at Vanderbilt University "analyzed data from the Shanghai Breast Cancer Survival Study of 5,042" Chinese women "ages 20 to 75." The investigators found that "patients with the highest intake had a 29% lower risk of death during the study period and a 32% lower risk of breast cancer recurrence compared to patients with the lowest intake of soy foods," which "was measured by either soy protein or soy isoflavone intake."

        Bloomberg News (12/9, Ostrow) reports, "The study, which followed women for an average of about four years, is the largest to examine the influence of soy intake on breast cancer survival and recurrence, the authors said. More than 192,000 women in the US will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, according to the National Cancer Institute."

        HealthDay (12/8, Gordon) reported, "What's more, the association between soy and a reduced risk of death held true even for women with estrogen receptor-positive cancers and women taking tamoxifen," the investigators found. In fact, the research team "found that soy actually reduces the availability of naturally occurring estrogen by binding to its receptors," having "a very similar effect to tamoxifen."

        MedPage Today (12/8, Phend) noted that "the study was done in China, where soy intake tends to be higher than in the US and eaten in less processed forms." But, "while American women typically eat less than one-tenth as much soy as their counterparts in China, the results should be reassuring regardless of consumption, according to an accompanying editorial." The editorialists also "cautioned that any potential benefits cannot be extrapolated to dietary supplements containing soy," but said that "patients with breast cancer can be assured that enjoying a soy latte or indulging in pad thai with tofu causes no harm and, when consumed in plentiful amounts, may reduce risk of disease recurrence."

        The UK's Telegraph (12/9, Smith), the UK's Press Association (12/8), Medscape (12/8, Barclay), WebMD (12/8, Doheny),

        and Time (12/8, Park) also covered the study.

MedPage Today (12/21, Woznicki) reported that "exposure to aristolochic acid, found in some Chinese herbal products such as Mu Tong and Fangchi, significantly increased the risk for urinary tract cancer, according to a" study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Investigators "found prescription of more than 60 grams of Mu Tong and consumption of more than 150 mg aristolochic acid were independently associated with an increased risk for urinary tract cancer." MedPage pointed out, "Once used in Chinese herbal preparations taken for weight loss or urinary tract infections, aristolochic acid has been banned in several countries, including in Taiwan and in the US."

The Time (12/8, O'Callaghan) "Wellness" blog reported, "Prostate cancer researchers are enthusiastic about new findings that suggest a natural compound found in hops plants might help to prevent the disease." Previous research revealed that xanthohumol "can effectively bind to estrogen receptors, blocking estrogen and potentially helping to prevent breast cancer." The new work suggests that it "may work similarly with testosterone, potentially interrupting the development of prostate cancer."

Bloomberg News (12/8, Bennett) reported that Harvard scientists have discovered that "drinking coffee may lower the risk of developing the deadliest form of prostate cancer." In fact, "the five percent of" study participants "who drank six or more cups a day had a 60 percent lower risk of developing the advanced form of the disease than those who didn't consume any." The work, Bloomberg notes, "is the first to associate coffee with prostate cancer, contradicting previous research that's found no link."

        The team is quick to point out, however, that "it's too early to start recommending that men start drinking coffee to help prevent prostate cancer, but the results are encouraging," WebMD (12/7, Warner) reported. BBC News (12/8) and the UK's Telegraph (12/8, Smith) also cover the study.

        Research explores role exercise could play in fight against prostate cancer. A presentation made "at the Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research conference" touched on the "role that exercise...could play in the fight against prostate cancer," the Time (12/7, O'Callaghan) "Wellness" blog reported. "An analysis of activity levels among 2,686 prostate cancer patients showed that men who jogged, played tennis, or participated in other comparable exercise for an average of three or more hours per week had 35% lower mortality rates than those who exercised less frequently or not at all." As for walking, those who did so "for four or more hours per week" had "overall mortality rates [that] were 23% lower than those of men who walked for fewer than 20 minutes per week."

HealthDay (12/7, Edelson) reported that "diabetes, heart attacks, and other cardiovascular problems appear to be more common in men with prostate cancer who are treated with androgen deprivation therapy," according to a study published online Dec. 7 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Investigators looked at data on "37,000 men treated for prostate cancer at Veterans Affairs hospitals." The researchers found that "surgical removal of the testes was associated with a 40 percent increased risk for heart disease and a more than doubled risk for heart attack. Use of multiple hormone-blocking agents was associated with a 27 percent increased risk for heart disease."

HealthDay (10/9, Preidt) reported, "Many breast cancer patients have low levels of vitamin D, which could lead to weaker bones and increased risk of fractures," according to research presented Oct. 8 at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's breast cancer symposium. Researchers examined "166 women undergoing treatment for breast cancer," finding that "nearly 70 percent had low levels of vitamin D in their blood." On average, there were "27 nanograms of vitamin D per milliliter of blood," while "levels of 32 nanograms per milliliter are adequate, according to the US Institute of Medicine." Notably, researchers found "the lowest levels of vitamin D...in non-whites and those with late-stage breast cancer." But, "weekly supplementation with high doses of vitamin D (50,000 IU or more) boosted the levels of the vitamin among all women."

The UK's Daily Mail (11/16, Hope) reports, "Almost 80,000 patients diagnosed with cancer each year could have avoided the disease by adopting a healthier lifestyle," according to data from the World Cancer Research Fund. In fact, "39 percent of cases of the 12 major cancers are preventable through better diet, drinking, and exercise habits." For the UK in particular, "record levels of drinking" have "risen more sharply...than in any other developed country," which means "the UK has one of the highest levels of preventable cancers." Research has shown that "bowel cancer can be cut by eating less red and processed meat, while drinking less alcohol would reduce the chances of breast cancer." Meanwhile, "eating more fresh fruit and [vegetables] and keeping a healthy weight reduces cancers of the stomach and pancreas."

USA Today (11/11, Szabo) reports, "Nearly half of breast cancer survivors suffer from persistent pain, even two to three years after surgery," according to research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The findings highlight "the need to improve care, both by finding ways to reduce nerve damage during surgery and by learning why some women have so much pain and others do not," researchers noted.

        The New York Times (11/10, Rabin) reports in Vital Signs that the study of "3,253 women who were breast cancer patients" showed that "the patients most likely to" report chronic pain "were those under 40, those who had undergone radiation treatment, and those who had surgery to remove all of the lymph nodes in the armpit rather than...a sentinel node biopsy."

        Of those who reported "severe pain, 77 percent said they had it daily," while 36 percent of patients experienced "light" pain every day, HealthDay (11/10, Doheny) reported. Patients reported "pain...in the breast area, the armpit, the arm and the side of the body."

        WebMD (11/10, Boyles) reported that the researchers concluded "that the cause of most chronic pain following breast cancer treatment is injury to key nerves during surgery." As a result, they called for "more delicate surgical techniques to avoid nerve damage." MedPage Today (11/10, Phend) also covered the story.

The UK's Daily Mail (10/29, Macrae) reports that an "analysis of 45,000 men aged 45 to 79" appearing in the British Journal of Cancer found that "those who had highly physical jobs were 28 percent less likely to develop the disease than those who spent most of their working lives sitting." The study further found that "men who walked or cycled for more than an hour a day having a 14 percent lower risk than those who walked or cycled for 40 minutes or less a day." The researchers, from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, concluded, "Findings from this study show that not sitting for most of the time during work or occupational activity and longer daily durations of the main component of active living (walking or cycling) may be associated with reduced prostate cancer incidence."

MedPage Today (10/28, Walsh) reported, "Although many carcinogens have been removed from working and living environments, many potential hazards remain, including building materials, additives, or contaminants in food and water, and pollutants, indoors and out, the American Cancer Society reported" in the Nov./Dec. issue of CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. The report stated that "concerns remain because of the vast and increasing number of potentially risky substances and the involuntary nature of many exposures."

        ACS "calls for new strategies to more effectively and efficiently screen the chemicals to which the public is exposed," WebMD (10/28, Wilbert) reported. The authors outlined several goals, including "new strategies for toxicity testing, for occupational and community exposures to meet regulatory standards, [and] funding for research to identify and reduce carcinogenic hazards." The Time (10/28, Guthrie) "Wellness" blog also covered the story.

The UK's Telegraph (10/24, Beckford, Winnett) reported that "the World Health Organization (WHO) will publish evidence that heavy users" of cell phones "face a higher risk of developing brain tumors later in life." The "decade-long investigation" was "conducted...in 13 countries" where researchers interviewed "tumor sufferers and people in good health to see whether their mobile phone use differed." The review of "12,800 people" showed that "six of eight...studies found some rise in the risk of glioma (the most common brain tumour), with one finding a 39 percent increase." Meanwhile, "two of seven studies into acoustic neurinoma (a benign tumor of a nerve between the ear and brain) reported a higher risk after using mobiles for 10 years." But, the "inquiry has faced criticism for including people who made just one call a week, and leaving out children, which some experts said could underplay the risks."

Curcurmin helps kill cancer cells

BBC News (10/28) reports, "An extract found in the bright yellow curry spice turmeric can kill off cancer cells," according to research published in the British Journal of Cancer. Researchers at the Cork Cancer Research Centre found that the chemical curcumin "started to kill cancer cells within 24 hours." The study showed that the cells "began to digest themselves, after the curcumin triggered lethal cell death signals." The researchers noted that their finding "opens up the possibility that natural chemicals found in turmeric could be developed into new treatments for oesophageal cancer."

Bloomberg News (9/24, Cortez, Kresge) reported, "Obesity may have caused 124,050 new cases of cancer last year in Europe," according to research presented at the European Cancer Organization and European Society for Medical Oncology. That estimate, "based on information from sources including the World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer," was "77 percent higher...than in 2002, when 70,000 of the 2.2 million cancers diagnosed across Europe could be linked to extra weight."

        For the study, researchers "designed a model to estimate the number of cancers that could be blamed on being fat in 30 European countries," finding that "being overweight or obese accounts for up to eight percent of cancers in Europe," the AP (9/25) reports. But, experts said that the "figure is poised to increase substantially as the obesity epidemic continues, and as major causes of cancer, such as smoking and hormone replacement therapy for menopausal women, drop dramatically."

        Researchers found that the "65 percent of all cancers linked to being fat" included "colorectal cancer, breast cancer in menopausal women, and endometrial cancer," the UK's Telegraph (9/24) reported. While researchers remain uncertain "why being fat boosts...cancer risk," they "suspect it is connected to hormones," as those who "become fatter...produce more hormones like oestrogen that helps tumors grow."

        The UK's Daily Mail (9/25) reports that "almost one in ten new cases of the disease among women in Europe are currently attributed to being overweight or obese -- almost three times more than men," the study showed. Specifically, 8.6 percent "of new cancers could be attributed to being overweight or obese" in women, compared to "3.2 percent...in men," the UK's Press Association (9/24) noted.

HealthDay (10/6, Thomas) reported, "Exercising during adolescence may help guard against" gliomas "in adulthood," according to a study published Nov. 1 in the journal Cancer Research. Researchers "examined data on nearly 500,000 men and women aged 50 to 71" who responded to "questionnaires on height and weight at various points during their lives." They found that participants "who'd reported doing substantial amounts of light, moderate, and vigorous exercise between the ages 15 and 18 were 36 percent less likely to develop glioma than those who were sedentary." The study also showed that "those who were obese during their teen years had a three to four times greater risk of developing glioma than those of a normal weight." Notably, "tall people were also at increased risk of glioma," with "each 10 centimeter...increase" linked to "a nearly 20 percent increase in risk of developing glioma."

The UK's Daily Mail (10/1) reports, "A daily dose of housework could cut the risk of breast cancer," according to a study appearing in BMC Cancer. For the study, investigators surveyed over "110,000 postmenopausal women to rate their activity levels at different ages." They found that "women in the group who had done more than seven hours a week of moderate-to-vigorous exercise were less likely to develop breast cancer than inactive women." In fact, data indicated that "women who stay fit and physically active after the menopause are 17 percent less likely to develop the disease than those who rarely leave the sofa." But, "light exercise in later life did not help, nor did exercise at younger ages." The researchers speculated that "exercise may affect hormones in a way that helped prevent breast cancer."

In the New York Times (9/29) "Well" blog, Dana Jennings discussed how he has been "ambushed" by depression, despite the fact that he is "recovering well from an aggressive case of prostate cancer." Jennings noted that "as many as 25 percent of cancer patients develop depression, according to the American Cancer Society," compared to "about seven percent of the general population." Currently, Jennings is "seeing a psychiatrist who specializes in cancer patients," and has begun "a course of medication." Even though his physician has assured him that "depression isn't unusual among those who are on the far side of [cancer] treatment," Jennings said he is still "grieving for the person" he was before cancer.

The UK's Press Association (9/25) reports that, according to a study published online Sept. 24 in the International Journal of Andrology, "pollutant chemicals in mothers' breast milk have been linked to an increased rate of testicular cancer." Researchers found that "Danish men are up to four times more likely to have testicular cancer as men in neighboring Finland." The populace "also suffers high rates of other male reproductive disorders, including poor semen quality and genital abnormalities." There has been speculation that "man-made pollutants that alter the effect of hormones" are to blame.

        For the study, investigators "measured levels of 121 chemicals in 68 samples of breast milk from women in Denmark and Finland," the UK's Telegraph (9/25) reported. "They found a dramatic difference between the two countries," as "Danish breast milk had significantly higher levels of some chemicals, including dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and pesticides, than Finnish breast milk." Still, "why women in Denmark should have more of the chemicals in their breast milk than their Finnish neighbors remains unclear." The work "reinforces," however, "the view that environmental exposure to EDCs may explain some of the temporal and between-country differences in incidence of male reproductive disorders." HealthDay (9/24, Preidt) also covered the story.

HealthDay (9/1, Dotinga) reported that "chemotherapy in breast cancer patients disrupts cycles of sleep and wakefulness, and continued treatment leads to worse and more lasting problems," according to findings appearing in the Sept. 1 issue of Sleep. Investigators examined "95 women with breast cancer who were scheduled to receive chemotherapy," finding that "during the first week of" treatment, they "took longer to get to high activity levels after waking." The women "also decreased their activity levels earlier at night," which "continued in the first week of the fourth cycle of chemotherapy." The researchers concluded that "during chemotherapy, our biological clock gets out of sync, especially after the first cycle of treatment. The clock seems to regulate itself after only one cycle, but with repeated administration of chemotherapy, it becomes more difficult for the biological clock to readjust."

NBC Nightly News (9/14, story 6, 2:30, Williams) reported that people often "worry about whether or not" cell phones are "safe. It was a concern that led to some sharp questioning on Capitol Hill in Washington" on Monday. NBC's Bazell added, "Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA), who has survived two bouts of lymphoma, requested the hearing, asking whether cell phones might cause cancer." One scientist at the hearing, "from the cell phone industry...said huge numbers of studies found no link between cell phone use and cancer." However, "an Israeli physician, Dr. Siegal Sadetzki, said one study showed preliminary evidence there might be some risk after ten years of use."

        The panel told the Senate appropriations subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services that "more research is needed to determine whether cell phone radiation is harmful to humans, especially children," USA Today (9/15, Cauley) reports. "One thing most panelists agreed on: Children, because of their thinner skulls, are far more susceptible to radiation than adults."

        Still, the FDA, on its website, says, "The weight of scientific evidence has not linked cell phones with any health problems," ABC News (9/15, De Nies) points out. Likewise, ABC senior health and medical editor Dr. Richard Besser said, "The best science doesn't show a link between cell phone use and cancer of any kind. No link whatsoever."

        The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (9/14) explained that the hearing Monday "was held to examine whether to provide additional funding to the National Institutes of Health to study cell phone use as it relates to cancer." Currently, NIH "is conducting a $24 million study in which mice are exposed to cell-phone radiation over a period of several years. Results are not due until 2014, according to testimony from John R. Bucher, associate director of the national toxicology program for the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, which is part of NIH."

        Dr. Bucher said, "Children have a configuration of their skull that does allow penetration of cell-phone radiation," CNN (9/15) reports, but notes, "Bucher stopped short of declaring a causal link between cell-phone use and human cancer."

        Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) -- the new chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee and chairman of the Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education -- vowed to continue investigating a possible link in the HELP committee and with the NIH, according to Reuters (9/15, Fox). CBS News /CNET (9/15, Reardon), and the Dow Jones Newswire (9/15, Johnson) also cover the story.

HealthDay (9/1, Reinberg) reported, "Men who pack on excess pounds as young adults are at heightened risk of developing prostate cancer, although the risk varies by ethnic group," according to a University of Hawaii study appearing online in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. Investigators reviewed "data on almost 84,000 men" of varying ethnicity. "In all, more than 5,500 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer." However, it was important to note the specific timeframe in which the men gained weight. For instance, "higher weight in older adulthood was associated with increased risk of prostate cancer among white and Native Hawaiian men," but "a decreased risk of prostate cancer among Japanese men." And, "excessive weight gain in young adulthood increased the risk of advanced and high-grade prostate cancers...for white men," while it "upped risks for less hazardous, localized, and low-grade forms of the disease" in black men.

The New York Times (9/1, D6, Rabin) reports in Vital Signs, "Married cancer patients live longer than single ones, presumably because they have a built-in support system, are more likely to stick to their treatment regimens, and may even be in better health to begin with," according to a study published in the journal Cancer. Data indicated that 65 percent "of married patients survived at least five years after a cancer diagnosis, compared with 57 percent of those who had never been married, 52 percent of the divorced patients and 47 percent of widowed patients."

The UK's Daily Mail (9/1, Hope) reports, "Thousands of women could avoid breast cancer if they adopted healthier lifestyles," according to experts at the World Cancer Research Fund. For the report, which "updates the fund's cancer prevention report in 2007," researchers examined "many different types of the disease," finding that "over 40 percent of breast cancer cases in the UK could be prevented just by making...relatively straightforward changes." In fact, researchers said that "at least 18,000" breast cancers "could be prevented" each year in the UK if women "drank less, kept healthy weight, and were more active." Research also showed that "breastfeeding babies is...an important factor in cutting the risk of the disease." The UK's Telegraph (9/1, Devlin) also covers the story.

According to the Wellness blog, hosted by Time (8/19, Blue), "burning everyday paraffin-wax candles can emit a storm of toxic chemicals, including toluene and benzene." While "it's nowhere near as harmful to light an occasional candle as it would be, say, to smoke a pack of cigarettes a day," researchers at South Carolina State University "say that frequent candle burning in tight, unventilated areas has been implicated in lung cancer, asthma, and skin rash."

        Speaking before a chemical society meeting, the researchers explained that the "candles, which are made from petroleum, are a source of known human carcinogens and indoor pollution," HealthDay (8/19, Thompson) reported. So, "lighting many paraffin candles every day for years or lighting them frequently in an unventilated bathroom around a tub, for example, may cause problems." However, "candles made from beeswax or soy, although more expensive, apparently are safer, because they do not release potentially harmful pollutants." The UK's Daily Mail (8/20, Macrae) and the Telegraph (8/20, Alleyne) also cover the study.

HealthDay (8/14, Mundell) reported that, according to a study published in the August issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics, "a glass of wine a day" may "cut the risk of treatment-linked skin toxicity by two-thirds in women undergoing radiation therapy for breast cancer." To see "if the natural antioxidants found in wine might work to ward off radiation-linked damage," researchers from Catholic University and the National Research Council in Italy divided "348 women with breast cancer...into three groups, depending on the dose of radiation received." The team found that "patients who drank wine on the days they had their treatment had lower rates of Grade 2, or higher acute toxicity, than those who did not. In fact, women who drank one glass of wine a day had a 13.6 percent rate of skin toxicity compared to a 38.4 percent incidence among patients who did not consume wine," the authors said

On the front page of the New York Times (8/18, D1) Science Times section, Tara Parker-Pope writes in the Well column that women who undergo "surgery for breast cancer" are typically advised not to "lift anything heavier than 15 pounds" or "carry a heavy purse or grocery bags" in order to "prevent lymphedema." The condition is "a painful and unsightly swelling of an arm or leg that can occur near the site where lymph nodes have been removed or damaged by radiation." But, "new research," published in The New England Journal of Medicine, "suggests that much of that advice may be too restrictive." In the "study of 141 breast cancer patients who had lymphedema," women who "embarked on a slow, progressive program of weight lifting" had "significantly fewer flare-ups than the women who restricted their activity." Still, Parker-Pope cautions patients not to "disregard everything their doctors tell them about lymphedema," noting that "some patients never fully recover."

HealthDay (7/30, Thomas) reported, "Cancer survivors are more likely than their healthy peers to suffer serious psychological distress, such as anxiety and depression, even a decade after treatment ends," according to a study published in the July 27 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine. Researchers "analyzed mental health and medical data on 4,636 adults who'd survived cancer and 122,220 who had never had cancer," finding that "about 5.6 percent of cancer survivors...have experienced severe psychological distress within the previous month, compared with three percent of those without cancer." Among those "at the highest risk of psychological problems" were patients "who were relatively young at the time of diagnosis, unmarried, had less than a high-school education, were uninsured, had other illnesses, or had difficulty doing the activities of daily living." Data indicated that "nine percent of long-term cancer survivors and six percent of individuals without cancer reported seeing or talking to a mental-health professional within the previous year."

HealthDay (7/30, Preidt) reported, "Treatment with 'suicide' genes slowed ovarian tumor growth in mice and may one day offer a way to treat late-stage ovarian cancer in women." According to the paper, published online in Cancer Research, investigators "found that nanoparticle delivery of diphtheria toxin-encoding DNA selectively expressed in ovarian cancer cells significantly slowed the growth of ovarian tumors." Dr. Edward Sausville, the journal's associate editor, says the "new treatment, which could be tested on humans within 18 to 24 months, could prove to be a significant advance in targeted therapy for cancer."

Following a MedPage Today article, Medscape (7/30, Mulcahy) reported, "HPV-positive cancers of the head and neck have dramatically better prognoses and are more responsive to chemotherapy and radiotherapy than HPV-negative cancers, which have a poor prognosis, experts noted at a press conference organized by the American Association for Cancer Research." Therefore, they maintain that "clinicians who diagnose oropharyngeal cancer should now test their patients' tumor tissue for" the virus. Although the suggestion is not new, the new study, led by researchers at the University of Maryland "makes an important contribution to the understanding of this link." What's more, it demonstrates, "for the first time, that the well-known difference in survival between black and white patients" is not "racially based. Instead, it is due to the fact that blacks are much more likely to have difficult-to-treat HPV-negative oropharyngeal cancer than whites, and thus have greater mortality."

        Delving into the specifics of the study, which was published online July 29 in Cancer Prevention Research, HealthDay (7/30, Preidt) reported that the team "found that median overall survival was 70.6 months for white patients and 20.9 months for black patients treated with chemotherapy and radiation." Yet, "median survival was 26.6 months for HPV-negative patients, while the survival rate for HPV-positive patients couldn't be calculated because most were still alive." Notably, "four percent of black patients and 34 percent of white patients were HPV-positive."

MedPage Today (7/30, Bankhead) reported, "Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) had a significantly greater likelihood of exposure to household pesticides compared with a control group," according to a study published in the August issue of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring. The study included "41 children with ALL and their mothers," who were "matched for age and area of residence with 41 children without ALL." Researchers "assessed environmental exposures by means of questionnaires and by analysis of pesticide metabolites in urine samples." They targeted "six organophosphate metabolites commonly found in household and garden insecticides," which "consisted of three dimethyl phosphates and three diethyl phosphates." The study showed that "33 percent of case mothers reported use of insecticides in the home, compared with 14 percent of control mothers." Notably, "children with ALL had significantly higher levels of diethyldithiophosphate (P<0.05) and diethylthiophosphate."

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Medscape (7/30, Gandey) reported that, according to a study published in the July issue of Cancer Epidemiology: Biomarkers & Prevention, "Women with a history of migraine had a 26 percent reduced risk for breast cancer." For the study, researchers examined "more than 4,500 cases and another 4,500 controls" from the Women's Contraceptive and Reproductive Experiences Study, which included women aged 35 to 64 who "had been diagnosed with invasive breast cancer." Their analysis revealed that the reduced risk for breast cancer "did not differ by menopausal status, age at migraine diagnosis, or use of prescription medications." In fact, "the risk was the same even when researchers restricted the analysis to women who avoided various migraine triggers, such as alcohol, exogenous hormones, and smoking." The researchers noted, however, that "it is also possible that medications used to treat or prevent migraine, rather than the occurrence of migraines, may be responsible for the reductions in risk."

The CBS Evening News (7/28, story 8, 2:15, Couric) reported that, according to a paper published online July 29 in The Lancet Oncology, tanning beds may "pose as big a risk as tobacco and asbestos." Medical correspondent Jon LaPook, MD, explained that the "international panel of cancer experts upgraded the warning on tanning beds from probably to definitely able to cause cancer."

        The AP (7/29, Cheng) points out that "a new analysis of about 20 studies concludes the risk of skin cancer jumps by 75 percent when people start using tanning beds before age 30." In addition, researchers from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the "cancer arm" of the World Health Organization, "found that all types of ultraviolet radiation caused worrying mutations in mice, proof the radiation is carcinogenic. Previously, only one type of ultraviolet radiation was thought to be lethal." Now, "the new classification means tanning beds and other sources of ultraviolet radiation are definite causes of cancer, alongside tobacco, the hepatitis B virus, and chimney sweeping, among others."

        Canada's CBC News (7/29) explains that "until now, only UVB radiation from solar rays was known to cause a genetic mutation," but the IARC team "found the same mutation in the skin of mice treated with UVA." Therefore, "the agency decided to reclassify all types of ultraviolet radiation -- UVA, UVB, and UVC -- as carcinogenic to humans, or Group 1 carcinogens. Previously, the three UV types were grouped as probable carcinogens." CBC points out that the "WHO has warned people younger than 18 to avoid tanning beds."

        According to HealthDay (7/28, Reinberg), the Food and Drug Administration "is considering strengthening its warnings about the risk of skin cancer and eye damage" related to tanning bed use, the agency said. New York's Newsday (7/29, Altherr), BBC News (7/29), and the Minneapolis Star Tribune (7/29), as well as the UK's Sun (7/29), Press Association (7/29), and Daily Telegraph (7/29) also covered the story.

BBC News (6/30) reported, "Vegetarians are generally less likely than meat eaters to develop cancer," according to a study appearing in the British Journal of Cancer. The study included "61,566 British men and women" who were "meat eaters, those who ate fish but not meat, and those who ate neither meat nor fish." Researchers found that "while in the general population about 33 people in 100 will develop cancer during their lifetime, for those who do not eat meat that risk is reduced to about 29 in 100." In particular, "they found marked differences between meat eaters and vegetarians in the propensity to cancers of the lymph and the blood, with vegetarians just over half as likely to develop these forms of the disease." Data indicated that "vegetarians were 75 percent less likely to develop" multiple myeloma "than meat eaters." But, the researchers said that "the reasons...were unclear," noting that "potential mechanisms could include viruses and mutation-causing compounds in meat -- or alternatively that vegetables confer special protection."

Lifestyle after cancer - New self help book launched. This practical guide book summarises the lifestyle evidence from across the world, and is based only on proven facts. It explains how lifestyle after a cancer diagnosis can optimise the chances of living longer and living better, both during treatments and afterwards. The author Robert Thomas is Director of the Primrose Research Unit, visiting Professor at Cranfield University and Oncologist at Addenbrooke’s Hospital Cambridge University NHS trust. He specialises in communication and lifestyle research and was awarded the UK “Hospital Doctor of the Year” and “Oncologist of the Year”. More information and how to order

Omega-3 fatty acids associated with decreased risk of developing advanced prostate cancer: HealthDay News
This article reports on a Clinical Cancer Research study finding that men who consume the highest amount of omega-3 fatty acids have a 63 percent lower risk of aggressive prostate cancer, compared with men who consume the lowest amount of omega-3 fatty acids.  The article notes that prostate cancer risk was also reduced in men with a genetic predisposition for the disease. Researchers explain, however, that these findings contradict previous data and that more research on the role of omega-3 fatty acids in prostate cancer prevention is necessary.
Article: HealthDay News

Expert questions claims that certain devices protect cell phone users from microwave radiation.

In the Los Angeles Times (6/15) The Healthy Skeptic column, Chris Woolston writes, "Cell phones release microwave radiation when they're in use, a fact that" has "inevitably led to fears of brain cancer." But, "worries about brain cancer spawned a market for products that supposedly protect cell phone users," such as "a thin polyester patch that contains a microchip that allegedly renders cell phones harmless." In an "unpublished scientific paper," investigators stated that the device "supposedly...can convert harmful delta brain waves to helpful alpha waves." Still, Robert Park, professor emeritus of physics at the University of Maryland, claims that "it's a scam," noting that "the claims they're making aren't very clear." He added that "claims of 'natural resonant frequencies' may seem impressive," but that "people have been talking about natural resonant frequencies for years." Furthermore, "the cheap devices are extremely unlikely to possess the type of technology it would take to really absorb, deflect, or modify radiation in a meaningful way."

Researchers say carrots may contain more potent anti-cancer properties if not cut before cooking.

BBC News (6/16) reported, "The anti-cancer properties of carrots are more potent if the vegetable is not cut up before cooking," according to research conducted by investigators at Newcastle University. The study, expected to "be presented at NutrEvent, a conference on nutrition and health," showed that "when carrots are heated, the heat kills the cells, so they lose the ability to hold on to the water inside them, increasing the concentration of falcarinol as the carrots lose water." But, "the heat also softens the cell walls, allowing water-soluble compounds such as sugar and vitamin C to be lost via the surface of the tissue." The investigators discovered that "if the carrot is cut before being boiled, the surface area becomes much greater -- and so the loss of nutrients is increased."

Carotenoid supplements associated with increased lung cancer risk: Reuters This article reports on an American Journal of Epidemiology study finding that long-term use of high-dose beta-carotene, lutein and retinol supplements increase the risk of developing non-small-cell lung cancer, particularly among smokers and former smokers.  The article notes that when taken for 4 years or more, high doses of beta-carotene increased the risk for non-small-cell lung cancer by more than 3-fold, lutein increased the risk by 2.5-fold and retinol increased the risk by 80 percent.  High-dose supplements of retinol and lutein were also linked to a modest increase in risk for lung cancer overall.

 Consuming soy may reduce breast cancer risk: Reuters; HealthDay News
These articles report on an NCI study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention suggesting that women who consumed soy once a week or more during childhood have a 60 percent lower risk of developing breast cancer, compared with women who consumed less.  Regular soy consumption in adulthood is associated with a 25 percent lower breast cancer risk. Researchers note that this is the first study evaluating the effect soy has on breast cancer risk and that more research is needed.
Representative Article: Reuters

Red meat consumption associated with increased mortality risk: The Washington Post; Associated Press; Reuters; HealthDay News
These articles report on an NCI study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine finding that people with diets high in red meat have an increased risk of premature death from a range of diseases, including cancer. Researchers examined more than 500,000 middle-aged and elderly Americans and found that those who consumed more than four ounces of red meat per day were 30 percent more likely to die during the 10 years they were followed in the study.  Men who had the highest red meat intake had a 22 percent increased risk of dying from cancer, compared to those who consumed the least amount of red meat. Similarly, women who reported the highest amount of red meat consumption had a 20 percent increased risk of dying from cancer, compared to those with the lowest red meat intake.
Representative Article: The Washington Post

3.  High-dose vitamin E supplements offer little health benefit; The New York Times
This article discusses recent research on vitamin E supplements, reporting that taking high doses of vitamin E daily does not protect against heart disease and stroke, nor does it have any effect on the risk of developing or dying from breast, lung, prostate or colon cancer. The article also references a 2007 NCI study finding that smokers who took vitamin E supplements had a slightly higher risk of developing lung cancer.
Article: The New York Times

Experts urge caution on high consumption of yerba mate tea: 
This article discusses research suggesting that lifelong drinkers of yerba mate tea - a tea native to South America that is gaining popularity for its high caffeine and antioxidant content - are at increased risk of developing some cancers.  The article notes two studies finding that regular consumption of yerba mate increased risk of lung, respiratory or digestive cancers by as much as 60 percent.  The article notes, however, that cancer and epidemiology experts disagree somewhat on the association between yerba mate consumption and cancer risk. Los Angeles Times

Folic acid supplements associated with increased prostate cancer risk: These articles report on a JNCI study finding that men who took folic acid supplements were more than twice as likely to develop prostate cancer, compared with men who took a placebo. Researchers note that the estimated prostate cancer risk was 9.7 percent for participants in the folic acid group and 3.3 percent for the placebo group . They also found, however, that prostate cancer incidence was slightly lower in men who had adequate amounts of folate in their diet. HealthDay News

Wine associated with decreased risk of Barret's esophagus: Reuters Health; HealthDay News; WebMD
These articles report on a Gastroenterology study finding that wine may reduce the risk of developing Barrett's esophagus, a precursor to esophageal cancer.  The articles note that study participants who drank one or more glasses of red or white wine a day were 56 percent less likely to develop Barrett's esophagus, compared with those who did not drink wine. They report beer or liquor did not lower the risk of developing Barrett's esophagus. 
Representative Article: Reuters Health

Aspirin reduces the risk of developing precancerous colorectal polyps: The Washington Post
Additional coverage of a JNCI study finding that prolonged use of low-dose aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduces the risk of precancerous colorectal polyps in people at high risk for the disease.  The article notes that study participants who took aspirin more than four days a week were 17 percent less likely to develop colorectal polyps than people who took aspirin less than two days a week, and were 28 percent less likely to develop polyps compared with those who did not take aspirin.
Article: The Washington Post

Healthier lifestyles can reduce cancer cases worldwide: Reuters
This article reports on a World Cancer Research Fund and American Institute for Cancer Research study suggesting that healthier living can prevent one-third of the most common cancers in developed countries and a quarter of cancers in developing countries.  Researchers suggest that diets based on fruits, vegetables and whole grains, instead of red meats, dairy and fats, as well as exercise and weight control, can reduce the risk of many cancers, including cancers of the breast, prostate, kidneys and lungs. Reuters

Vitamin C and E pills do not prevent cancer: 
These articles report on research finding that vitamin C and E supplements, taken together or separately, do not affect cancer risk in men, compared to a placebo.  The article notes previous studies suggesting that diets rich in vitamins may provide health benefits, but researchers caution that vitamins' effectiveness may vary based on the form of administration.  Associated Press 

Cured meats associated with increased risk for childhood acute leukemia
This article reports on a BMC Cancer study finding that Taiwanese children and teenagers who ate cured meats and fish more than once a week had a 74 percent higher risk of developing acute leukemia than children and teens who rarely ate those foods and consumed more vegetable and soy products. The article notes that cured meats contain nitrites, precursors to nitrosamines, which can trigger tumor growth , while vegetables and soy contain antioxidants that neutralize these compounds.  The article also notes that further research is needed to confirm the preliminary findings.Article: Reuters

Exposure to nighttime artificial light may increase prostate cancer risk: The Washington Post (February 17)
This article reports on a Chronobiology International study suggesting that exposure to artificial light at night may increase a man's prostate cancer risk.  The article notes that the study analyzed satellite measurements of nighttime light emissions and cancer rates in 164 countries, finding that nations that emit the most light at night are more likely to have the highest prostate cancer rates.  The article explains that the Unites States, which has among the highest nighttime light emissions, has a prostate cancer rate of about 125 cases per 100,000, compared with about 67 per 100,000 among countries with the lowest nighttime light emissions. Article: The Washington Post

Coffee may lower risk of oral cancer: Reuters
This article reports on an American Journal of Epidemiology study finding that coffee consumption may lower the risk of oral cancer.  Researchers report that those who drank one or more cups per day had half the risk of developing cancers of the mouth, pharynx or esophagus, compared with people who did not drink coffee.
Article: Reuters

 Green tea may reduce effectiveness of cancer drug bortezomib:  Los Angeles Times
This article discusses concerns from pharmacologists and physicians who found that certain chemical components of green tea may decrease the efficacy of the cancer drug bortezomib (Velcade) and other boronic-acid proteasome inhibitors.  The article highlights a recent study finding that the polyphenols in green tea decrease the drug's ability to induce cancer cell death, and have the potential to negate the drug's efficacy.  
Article: Los Angeles Times

One alcoholic drink per day increases women's cancer risk: The Washington Post; Los Angeles Times; Associated Press; Reuters; HealthDay News
These articles report on a JNCI study finding that nearly 13 percent of breast, liver, rectum, upper respiratory and upper gastrointestinal system cancers in women may be associated with alcohol use.  Researchers noted that as little as one serving of alcohol per day increases cancer risk, regardless of the type of alcohol consumed.  
Representative Article: The Washington Post

Fruits, vegetable lower breast cancer recurrence risk: Reuters
This article reports on a JCO study finding that breast cancer survivors who eat diets high in fruits and vegetables (exceeding current U.S. dietary guidelines) and low in fat can reduce their recurrence risk by nearly one-third.  The study notes, however, that this approach is only effective in women who do not experience hot flashes following breast cancer therapy. 
Article: Reuters; Abstract: JCO

Chemical used in making rubber linked to increased cancer risk
This article reports that workers exposed to 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT), a chemical used in the manufacturing process of rubber, are twice as likely to develop colon cancer and four times as likely to develop bone marrow cancer, compared to the general population. The article notes that researchers believe the increased risk of cancer may be associated with length of exposure to MBT, though further confirmatory research is being conducted.
Article: Reuters

Phenols in extra-virgin olive oil suppress HER2 gene: HealthDay News 
This article reports on a BMC Cancer study finding that phytochemical polyphenols (lignans and secoiridoids), found in extra-virgin olive oil, help regulate HER2 gene expression and could help reduce breast cancer risk.  Researchers note, however, that these phytochemicals only affect "cultured breast cancer cells at concentrations that are unlikely to be achieved in real life by consuming olive oil." 
Article: HealthDay News   

Marital distress may slow breast cancer recovery: This article reports on a Cancer study finding that breast cancer survivors who report marital distress have greater difficulty recovering from treatment, compared to women who said they were in a non-distressed relationship.  The article notes that participants who reported marital distress were more likely to experience slower recovery of physical functioning, more severe side effects, an increase in depressive symptoms and unwanted thoughts and fear about cancer recurrence.  Researchers suggested women in this group may benefit from psychosocial referrals.  Article: Reuters

Mobile phones do not increase risk of eye cancer:  Reuters
This article discusses a Journal of the National Cancer Institute study finding that regular mobile phone use does not appear to increase the risk of uveal melanoma.
Article: Reuters

Smoking increases colon cancer risk: Reuters
This article reports on a JAMA study indicating that regular smokers are 18 percent more likely to develop colorectal cancer and 25 percent more likely to die of the disease than people who have never smoked.  Researchers suggest that smokers may need to undergo colorectal cancer screenings earlier than people who do not smoke. 
Article: Reuters

Estrogen-like compounds in skin moisturizers may increase breast cancer risk: Reuters
This article reports on research from the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium finding that six widely available moisturizers contain estriol or estrone, two estrogen-like compounds that could increase breast cancer risk if absorbed through the skin.  One researcher urged women with breast cancer to forgo using these topical moisturizers, as they may interfere with their treatment. Article: Reuters

Group therapy may prolong survival for women with breast cancer
This article describes a Cancer study indicating that women with breast cancer who participate in group therapy sessions - consisting of a year of small-group meetings led by clinical psychologists - may live longer and have a lower risk of cancer recurrence.  Researchers found that after 11 years, women who participated in the one-year group sessions were 56 percent less likely to die of breast cancer and 45 percent less likely to experience cancer recurrence, compared to women who did not participate

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 

Herbal supplement may help treat cancer: Los Angeles Times
This article describes claims that the herb curcumin, derived from turmeric, has anti-inflammatory benefits and may be a treatment for various cancers.  Experts note the lack of research on the effects of the herb in humans, but note data suggesting that curcumin can block inflammation, eliminate free radicals and kill cancer cells in the laboratory. 
Article: Los Angeles Times 

Red wine may protect against lung cancer: HealthDay News  
This article describes an American Association for Cancer Research study suggesting that each glass of red wine consumed per month is linked to a 2 percent reduced risk of lung cancer among men.  Researchers note that smokers who drink one to two glasses of red wine per day reduce their risk of lung cancer by 60 percent, compared to smokers who do not consume red wine. Article: HealthDay News 

 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 

 Broccoli compound may fight cancer: Newsday (October 5)
This article reports on research finding that sulforaphane glucosinate, a compound found in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables, boosts tumor-fighting enzymes and may help prevent breast cancer.  The article notes that despite promising research on anti-cancer foods, doctors are cautious about sweeping recommendations that focus on one food group. 
Article: Newsday   

Effects of breast cancer diagnosis on some marriages: Los Angeles Times (October 5)
This article, written by the author of a book on breast cancer, discusses the effects of breast cancer diagnoses on patients' marriages.  The author describes research suggesting that a breast cancer diagnosis contributed to divorce among some couples, but in others, it strengthened the relationship. 
Article: Los Angeles Times

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

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