The Cancer Project

The Cancer Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to cancer prevention and survival through nutrition education and research.
The Cancer Project promotes cancer prevention and survival through a better understanding of cancer causes, particularly the link between nutrition and cancer. Through research, education, and advocacy.

http://www.cancerproject.org/

Annual Mammogram Screening For Women

The nation's largest and most respected women's health care group, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) updated their breast cancer screening guidelines yesterday. In the new guidelines, which are concurrent with other major health groups, ACOG now recommends that women have annual mammograms beginning at age 40. The group previously recommended mammogram screening to begin at age 40, but not annually. Previous ACOG recommendations stated women should begin having yearly mammograms at age 50.

source: http://cancer.about.com/

Cancer Facts & Figures 2011 - Most Requested Tables & Figures

The most requested tables and figures from Cancer Facts & Figures 2011 have been assembled in an electronic format (PDF) to make it easy for you to use them. Please note that all graphic material should credit the American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts & Figures 2011.

Age-Adjusted Cancer Death Rates, Males by Site, US, 1930-2007

Age-Adjusted Cancer Death Rates, Females by Site, US, 1930-2007

Estimated New Cancer Cases and Deaths by Sex, US, 2011

Estimated New Cancer Cases for Selected Cancer Sites by State, US, 2011

Estimated Cancer Deaths for Selected Cancer Sites by State, US, 2011

Leading Sites of New Cancer Cases and Deaths—2011 Estimates

Probability of Developing Invasive Cancers Over Selected Age Intervals, by Sex, US, 2005-2007

Cancer Death Rates by Educational Attainment, Race/Ethnicity, and Sex, Ages 25-64, US, 2007

American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts & Figures 2011

Cancer Symptoms

Cancer often has no specific symptoms, so it is important that people limit their risk factors and undergo appropriate cancer screening. Most cancer screening is specific to certain age groups and your primary-care doctor will know what screening to perform depending on your age. People with risk factors for cancer (for example, smokers, heavy alcohol use, high sun exposure, genetics) should be acutely aware of potential cancer symptoms and be evaluated by a physician if any develop.

Consequently, individuals need to know which symptoms might point to cancer. People should not ignore a warning symptom that might lead to early diagnosis and possibly to a cure.

Cancer Symptoms

Novel Compound Selectively Kills Cancer Cells

Novel Compound Selectively Kills Cancer Cells by Blocking Their Response to Oxidative Stress
Scientists have discovered a novel compound that selectively kills cancer cells by blocking their response to oxidative . . > full story

http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/health_medicine/cancer/

Fire official who worked at WTC dies of cancer

Associated Press

NEW YORK — A fire official who worked at ground zero has died of cancer.

Steven Mosiello served as the right-hand man to the chief of the FDNY on Sept. 11. The 58-year-old was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2009. Newsday reports the department classified his cancer as presumed to be linked to his work at ground zero.

He died Friday at a hospice in Melville, N.Y.

The Massapequa resident was a fire marshal from 1979 to 2002 and one of the first responders to the trade center. He worked alongside Chief Peter Ganci who was killed when the south tower collapsed.

Al Hagan of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association called Mosiello "a dedicated firefighter and fire marshal who gave the better part of his adult life to the city of New York."

—Copyright 2011 Associated Press

NIH-funded study shows reduction in death for men with intermediate-grade prostate cancer:

Short-term hormone therapy given in combination with radiation therapy to men with early-stage prostate cancer increased their chances of living longer compared to treatment with radiation therapy alone, according to a clinical trial supported by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health. Benefits of the combined treatment were limited mainly to patients with intermediate-risk disease and were not seen for men with low-risk prostate cancer, researchers say. The results appeared in the July 14, 2011, New England Journal of Medicine. The trial was conducted by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group.

More

source: http://www.cancer.gov/

3D Medical Animation - What is Cancer?

3D Medical Animation - What is Cancer?

US Department of Health and Human Services Breast Cancer Reference Collections

Reference Collections

• Cancer Dictionaries and Encyclopedias
• Diagrams, Pictures, and Anatomy
• Find a Breast Cancer Doctor
• Mammogram Facilities
• Clinical Trials
• Cancer Support Organizations
• Laws
• Publications
• Other Sites with Breast Cancer Reference Collections

Cancer Information, Support Groups, Message Boards - Cancer Forums

Some really great Information, Support Forums and Message Boards
http://www.cancerforums.net/
http://www.cancer-forums.org/
http://community.breastcancer.org/
http://cancerfocus.org/forum/
http://www.rare-cancer.org/forum/
http://www.tc-cancer.com/forum/index.php
http://forums.about.com/ab-cancer/start/?lgnF=y
http://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewforum.php?f=1
http://community.nationalbreastcancer.org/
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Ovarian-Cancer/show/94

Clarient

Clarient is a leader in cancer diagnostics, dedicated to collaborative relationships with the healthcare community as we translate cancer discovery & information into better patient care.

We're Taking Cancer Personally.
Learn more about Clarient.

Clarient's new lung cancer test helps physicians differentiate histologic sub-classes of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), leading to better therapy selection for patients. Learn more about InsightDx Pulmotype.

Source: http://www.clarientinc.com/

Taking Action For Your Health: Breast cancer reference and resources

The breast is made up of lobes and ducts. Each breast has 15 to 20 sections called lobes, which have many smaller sections called lobules. Lobules end in dozens of tiny bulbs that can produce milk. The lobes, lobules, and bulbs are linked by thin tubes called ducts.
Each breast also has blood vessels and lymph vessels. The lymph vessels carry an almost colorless fluid called lymph. Lymph vessels lead to organs called lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are small bean-shaped structures that are found throughout the body. They filter substances in a fluid called lymph and help fight infection and disease. Clusters of lymph nodes are found near the breast in the axilla (under the arm), above the collarbone, and in the chest.

source: www.abcactionnews.com

Wiley Online Library. Oncology & Radiotherapy

Wiley-Blackwell’s oncology and cancer journals play a critical role in supporting the battle against cancer. Groundbreaking original research articles disseminated as quickly as possible keep you informed of the latest developments in the field and help fuel new research and discoveries. Moreover, insightful review articles place the latest findings in context, giving you an overall portrait of what we know about cancer, what we need to know, and what we need to do to advance research and improve care

Oncology & Radiotherapy

Scientists reverse stance on sun and cancer

(NaturalNews) Since the 1980s, physicians and cancer groups have regularly warned the public against the potential health dangers of direct sunlight on skin. As a result, many people have stayed out of the sunlight completely, covered their limbs even in warm weather or slathered themselves with UV protection products, all in the interest of lowering their risk of melanomas.

However, more recent findings indicate that this kind of nearly vampiric avoidance of the sun may not benefit your cancer odds after all.

A 2009 study by a group of Leeds University researchers found that higher levels of Vitamin D were linked to improved skin cancer survival odds. Other studies have found that Vitamin D has a connection to a strong immune response in the body. In fact, Vitamin D may hasten the death of tumor cells.

source: http://www.naturalnews.com/032533_sun_exposure_skin_cancer.html

How to Find the Right Cancer Support Group

For each person diagnosed, cancer is a unique experience. No two people will travel the same journey during and after cancer treatment. How people cope after being diagnosed, during treatment, and afterward is also different for each individual. One common thread in all people with cancer is the need for a good support system.

http://cancer.about.com/od/howtocope/a/supportgroups.htm

Cancer Information

Cells are the building blocks of living things. Cancer grows out of normal cells in the body. Normal cells multiply when the body needs them, and die when the body doesn't need them. Cancer appears to occur when the growth of cells in the body is out of control and cells divide too quickly. It can also occur when cells “forget” how to die.

There are many different kinds of cancers. Cancer can develop in almost any organ or tissue, such as the lung, colon, breast, skin, bones, or nerve tissue.

There are many causes of cancers, including:

• Benzene and other chemicals
• Certain poisonous mushrooms and a type of poison that can grow on peanut plants (aflatoxins)
• Certain viruses
• Radiation
• Sunlight
• Tobacco

However, the cause of many cancers remains unknown.

http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/cancer/overview.html

Treatment for Specific Cancers

PDQ® Cancer Information Summaries: Adult Treatment
Treatment options for adult cancers.

PDQ® Cancer Information Summaries: Pediatric Treatment
Treatment options for childhood cancers.

A to Z List of Cancers
An alphabetical list of all cancers, with links to disease-specific and general information about treatment, supportive care, screening, prevention, clinical trials, and other topics.

Source: http://www.cancer.gov/

Breast Cancer Information

Breast cancer is a cancer that starts in the tissues of the breast. There are two main types of breast cancer:

• Ductal carcinoma starts in the tubes (ducts) that move milk from the breast to the nipple. Most breast cancers are of this type.

• Lobular carcinoma starts in the parts of the breast, called lobules, that produce milk.

In rare cases, breast cancer can start in other areas of the breast.

Breast cancer may be invasive or noninvasive. Invasive means it has spread from the milk duct or lobule to other tissues in the breast. Noninvasive means it has not yet invaded other breast tissue. Noninvasive breast cancer is called "in situ."

• Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), or intraductal carcinoma, is breast cancer in the lining of the milk ducts that has not yet invaded nearby tissues. It may progress to invasive cancer if untreated.

• Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) is a marker for an increased risk of invasive cancer in the same or both breasts.

Many breast cancers are sensitive to the hormone estrogen. This means that estrogen causes the breast cancer tumor to grow. Such cancers have estrogen receptors on the surface of their cells. They are called estrogen receptor-positive cancer or ER-positive cancer.

Some women have what's called HER2-positive breast cancer. HER2 refers to a gene that helps cells grow, divide, and repair themselves. When cells (including cancer cells) have too many copies of this gene, they grow faster. Experts think that women with HER2-positive breast cancer have a more aggressive disease and a higher risk that the disease will return (recur) than women who do not have this type.

PubMed Health

Skin Cancer Signs, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Prevention and Diagnosis on MedicineNet.com

Skin cancer is the most common form of human cancer. It is estimated that over 1 million new cases occur annually. The annual rates of all forms of skin cancer are increasing each year, representing a growing public concern. It has also been estimated that nearly half of all Americans who live to age 65 will develop skin cancer at least once.

The most common warning sign of skin cancer is a change in the appearance of the skin, such as a new growth or a sore that will not heal.

The term "skin cancer" refers to three different conditions. From the least to the most dangerous.

www.medicinenet.com

Breast Cancer at Cancer.org

Thanks to improvements in treatment and early detection, millions of women are surviving breast cancer today. Whether you’re worried about developing breast cancer, making decisions about treatment, or trying to stay well after treatment, the Detailed Guide, Overview, and other materials below have the information you need. This information focuses on breast cancer in women. To learn more about how breast cancer affects men, see our section Breast Cancer in Men.

source: Cancer.org

Cancer Risks From Airport Screenings Are Minimal, Say TSA

Cancer risks from airport X-ray screenings are mimimal, says the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

MSNBC reports that the TSA have admitted that the results of tests on the radiation levels at X-ray body scanners that have been put in airports across America are flawed. The tests came back showing ten times more radiation than was expected. The TSA says the scanners will be re-tested because there was a 'calculation error' in the safety studies.

The pro-passenger group, the Association for Airline Passenger Rights, said the government should stop using the $180,000 machines that produce a virtual-nude image of the body until new tests are concluded in May.

source: www.thirdage.com

Screening Would Prevent Deaths from Colon Cancer

If more Americans were properly screened for colorectal cancer, it would significantly reduce the proportion of people who get the disease as well as the rate of deaths, according to a new report by the American Cancer Society.

The report, Colorectal Cancer Facts & Figures 2011-2013, notes there has been substantial progress in the last decade reducing colorectal cancer incidence and death rates in most population groups in the US, largely through the prevention and early detection of colorectal cancer through screening. But even more progress is possible by increasing access to and use of colorectal cancer screening tests. Almost half of Americans 50 and older are not getting screened according to guidelines.

www.cancer.org

Useful Cancer Resource

The latest information about cancer from HealthDay News, The Abramson Cancer Center, and the OncoLink Weekly News Flash.

http://www.oncolink.org/resources/resources.cfm?c=3

Susan G. Komen for the Cure News

For the latest information on breast cancer and the impact this life-threatening disease continues to have across the world, consider this your primary resource. Their spokespeople and grassroots networks of millions work tirelessly to make a difference while putting a face to every news story. As the leading news source for breast cancer developments, statistics, trends, commentary, photos and video, they continually update the news-related content in order to keep you informed.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure News

Cee Lo Green Stands In for Rihanna at Cancer Benefit

Cee Lo Green who has the hit song "F&*k You" took Rihanna's place after she had to cancel her performance Thursday because of the flu, at the organization's annual fundraising dinner, which has raised $25 million for research and education about women's cancers.

Cee Lo Green's Fuck You Song

New NIH study projects survivorship and costs of cancer care based on changes in the US population and cancer trends

Based on growth and aging of the U.S. population, medical expenditures for cancer in the year 2020 are projected to reach at least $158 billion (in 2010 dollars) – an increase of 27 percent over 2010, according to a National Institutes of Health analysis. If newly developed tools for cancer diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up continue to be more expensive, medical expenditures for cancer could reach as high as $207 billion, said the researchers from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the NIH. The analysis appears online, Jan. 12, 2011, in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Source: http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/

Defining Chronic Cancer

Some cancers are curable: patients undergo treatment; they complete treatment; they move forward to survivorship. But there are other cancers that are considered incurable: there is treatment for these cancers, but there is no cure. Once upon a time, incurable cancers were referred to as terminal, but things are changing.

With new and innovative developments in cancer treatment, many incurable cancers are quite treatable, and patients can live a long time with cancer. These patients like to say they are living with cancer, not dying of it. In fact, this group of patients has adopted a new term for their cancer—chronic.

Lauren Groover, a professional advocate battling metastatic breast cancer, says, “Psychologically, the only way to deal with Stage IV cancer is to say it’s ‘chronic’ because when you say ‘terminal,’ it’s over—you find that dark tunnel, and there is no light at the end of it.”

By the time Lauren’s cancer was diagnosed in 2006, it had already reached Stage IV, and she was told that her life expectancy was between one and five years. Lauren is treating her cancer as a chronic disease, and she knows that she will never really be finished with treatment. “Once I wrapped my head around the idea that this is chronic, I wasn’t as let down anymore by my relapses.”

Mary Hughes, a clinical nurse specialist in the department of psychiatry at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, works with patients who are living with chronic cancer. She says that it’s important to distinguish between chronic cancer that is in remission (such as leukemia or lymphoma) and metastatic cancer, which refers to active disease that has spread from the original site. Both conditions are chronic, but there is a distinction. “Living with metastatic disease is different from living with a cancer diagnosis with your disease in remission,” Hughes explains.

Patients with certain types of leukemia or lymphoma may experience long periods where their cancer is in remission, during which time they are not undergoing any type of treatment. With metastatic cancer, though, treatment is continual, as the focus is on controlling the disease. “Someone with metastatic disease will always have some type of cancer treatment as long as they’re alive because that’s how the disease remains controlled,” explains Hughes.

Source: http://news.cancerconnect.com/

New Drug for Use in Bone Scans Approved

New Drug for Use in Bone Scans Approved; provides an alternative to radioactive tracer that is currently in short supply
(Posted: 02/01/2011) - The FDA has approved a New Drug Application (NDA) from NCI for a new strength of a previously approved drug, Sodium Fluoride F18, for use in bone scans. In contrast to Technetium-99m, which has been the only approved radioactive tracer for bone scans, Sodium Fluoride F18 is not subject to the supply problems.

Source: www.cancer.gov

Cancer News Articles May Contribute to Confusion About Cancer

New research from North Carolina State University shows that most online news stories about cancer contain language that likely contributes to public uncertainty about the disease -- a significant finding, given that at least one-third of Americans seek health information online.

"Previous studies show that more than 100 million Americans seek health information online, and that their findings affect their health decisions," says Dr. Kami Kosenko, an assistant professor of communication at NC State and co-author of a paper describing the study. "But, while people facing uncertainty about cancer issues are likely to seek out additional information, we've found that there are features of the information they're seeking that may actually exacerbate the uncertainty."

"We found that nearly two-thirds of cancer news articles contain at least some uncertain terms -- words or phrases that reflect probability or ambiguity rather than certainty," says Dr. Ryan Hurley, a senior lecturer of communication at NC State and lead author of the study. The researchers evaluated more than 800 news articles on cancer issues, ranging from prevention to diagnosis to treatment. The articles were found on Google News, Yahoo! News, CNN website and MSNBC website.

Specifically, the researchers found that uncertain terms were used most often in reference to cancer treatment. "If you are trying to find clarity about cancer treatment options, reading news articles online may actually confuse the issue further," Hurley says. For example, one news article said, "There is no evidence that adding chemotherapy right away helps, and it may even worsen patients' chances." Hurley explains that this sentence creates uncertainty for readers because it indicates a lack of information (no evidence) as well as ambiguity about treatment efficacy (may even worsen).

To measure the use of uncertain terms, the researchers developed a scheme that captures five specific "message features" that are theoretically related to uncertainty. These features are conflicting information, complex information, ambiguous information, having too much information and having too little information. The researchers assessed the cancer news articles to determine the extent to which each included one or more of the uncertainty message features.

"To this point, no one has developed a means of systematically identifying and quantifying uncertain terms," Hurley says. "We believe the scheme we've created could be applied to identify uncertain terms in any text, from news articles to advertisements."

The researchers plan to use the scheme in forthcoming research efforts, including the design of experiments that can help us understand how uncertainty in messages influences people and affects behavior.

The paper, "Uncertain Terms: Message Features of Online Cancer News," will be presented Nov. 15 at the National Communication Association Annual Convention in San Francisco, Calif. The paper was co-authored by the late Dr. Dale Brashers of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Source:
www.sciencedaily.com

Online Physician Education Program Outlines Treatment Strategies For Pancreatic Cancer

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network announced a partnered effort to educate physicians about treatment strategies for pancreatic cancer. From a joint collaboration between ASCO University®, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, and The ASCO Cancer Foundation®, the 2011 ASCO Tumor Board: Pancreatic Cancer highlights the current treatment strategies and novel therapeutics that exist for this disease, the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States.

Seventy five percent of patients with pancreatic cancer die within the first year of diagnosis and only six percent survive more than five years. As part of this ASCO University tumor board series on pancreatic cancer treatments, the program will focus on radiotherapy options and new chemotherapy regimens.

The tumor board pairs pancreatic cancer experts and technology through ASCO University, ASCO's online physician education forum, to create an open environment for oncology professionals to learn about treatment approaches for this disease. Doctors who log on to the 2011 ASCO Tumor Board: Pancreatic Cancer, will be able to walk through a patient case presented by leading experts in pancreatic cancer care who represent both ASCO and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and also contribute to the discussion. The case presentation and discussion is led by Eileen O'Reilly, MD, Medical Oncologist from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and Christopher Crane, MD, Radiation Oncologist from The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. Both serve as members of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Medical Advisory Council.

"Pancreatic cancer remains a challenge and we need to work together as a physician community in order to improve outcomes for our patients," said Ronald Blum, MD, Chair of ASCO's Education Production Subcommittee. "This Tumor Board on ASCO University allows us to interact and learn about the newest technologies and therapies for treating our patients with pancreatic cancer."

"The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is proud to participate in the continuing education of healthcare professionals who treat pancreatic cancer patients," stated Julie Fleshman, President and CEO of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. "We are thrilled to collaborate with ASCO on this important project and expand our outreach efforts to oncologists and healthcare professionals to ensure the most cutting edge treatment is available."

The case presentation for Pancreatic Cancer Tumor Board will be available for one year, while the online discussion forum will be open through Feb 18th. Once closed, the key discussion points noted in the forum will be summarized and made available in the module containing the presentation. Physicians can log on to the 2011 ASCO Tumor Board: Pancreatic Cancer for free by visiting here.

Source:
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
ASCO Cancer Foundation
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network