Lab mice show the way as early lung-cancer detectors
They can ID biomarkers in cancerous rodents' urine.
“Mice are said to have a nose for cheese, but with training they also can sniff out a deadly disease: lung cancer. That is the conclusion of a new study led by Gary K. Beauchamp, director of the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia. The mice did not smell cancer directly; they were trained to detect the illness in other mice by smelling those animals' urine.”
Scientists discover enzyme that 'cleans' cancer cells
Scientists have discovered that an enzyme can rid cells of a gene believed to be responsible for a wide range of cancers.
“Dr Joerg Hartkamp and Dr Stefan Roberts have found that the protease HtrA2 can “clean” cells of the oncogene WT1, which is found at high levels in many leukaemias and solid cancers such as breast and lung cancer. Their work has given drug designers a new target which will allow them to develop treatments for all these cancers in which WT1 expression is elevated.”
Middle-school kids add to Miami Marathon
“It was an emotional race for Cydney Greech, 43, and her husband, Ron, of Colorado Springs, Colo. Cydney raised $1,000 for cancer awareness and ran the marathon, her first, as a tribute to her mother, who is dying of lung cancer. For the past five years, Cydney has been battling thyroid cancer, but it recently went into remission. ``I never felt pain, and I was strong,'' said Cydney, who cried after finishing in just over four hours. ``My mother was with me the entire way.''”
Smoking Leading Cause of Lung Cancer Increase in Women
“A shocking study reveals that lung cancer is the second leading type of cancer diagnosed in Welsh men and women. The study is focusing on location in correlation to smoking cigarettes. In the past four years, there has been a 10 percent increase among women. Considering the discoveries about smoking and cancer, the statistics are alarming, especially because the percentage of the increase in men getting lung cancer isn't as high as in women.”
Cancer and Housing
“As many of us may know, it is World Cancer Day tomorrow, February 4, and the link between cancer and housing is not a well-kept secret anymore. The ARCHIVE Inst works squarely at the intersection of housing and health: our work, therefore, seeks to use one fundamental right (housing) to deliver another (health). Housing is perhaps the ultimate nexus between the built environment and health disparities: it has been the focus of much recent research and intervention activity looking at new approaches to old problems1. Poor housing environments contribute to ill health most obviously through poor amenities, shared facilities and overcrowding, inadequate heating or energy inefficiency.”
Lung Cancer: Large Impact, Little Funding
The ACCP and FIRS Elevate Lung Cancer Status During 2010: The Year of the Lung
“NORTHBROOK, Ill., Feb. 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- During the 2010: The Year of the Lung campaign, the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) and other members of the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) are honoring World Cancer Day, February 4, by elevating the awareness of lung cancer in terms of prevalence and prevention, as well as the amount of funding the disease receives for research in diagnosis and management.”
Allegro Diagnostics Planning Large Lung Cancer Diagnosis Trial for 2010
“Allegro Diagnostics is on track to launch a major clinical trial of its lung cancer test this year after a long process, completed in October, of designing the goals of the study and submitting paperwork on it to the FDA, CEO Dan Rippy says. The FDA has granted the Boston-based startup conditional approval to conduct an 800-patient study of its genetic test for lung cancer; the company expects to begin enrollment early this year.”
I-Team: Deadly Disease on the Rise
A Big I-Team investigation exposes Wisconsin's deadly secret: a super-aggressive form of lung cancer with no cure. We've heard the warnings for years. Now, people are dying. The number keeps growing. And thousands of people in Milwaukee and throughout our area could be at risk and not even know it.
Cancer Resource Center first in Alabama
Tom Woods was diagnosed with lung cancer in May 2008.
He had been a long-time smoker but had quit six years prior to his doctor finding a spot on his right lung as part of an annual exam. It was early in the disease, and Woods had surgery to remove the cancer in July of the same year.
Recently, he was encouraged to volunteer to help guide other cancer patients. Woods said he felt an obligation to do so even though he doesn’t feel like he has any special skills or knowledge.
“Just time and prayer — that’s all I have to offer them,” Woods said.
But it’s Woods and other volunteers like him who will man Alabama’s first Cancer Resource Center, located at Flowers Hospital in Dothan.
World Cancer Day's Spotlight on Prevention
Experts Say That 40 Percent of Cancers Are Preventable With Lifestyle Changes
(CBS/AP) Cancer doesn't know any boundaries or borders; the disease affects all of us worldwide.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 12 million people are diagnosed with cancer each year. Cancer kills more people than AIDS, malaria, and TB combined, but the good news is that approximately two out of five cancers are potentially preventable. In recognition of World Cancer Day, which takes place every year on Feb. 4, the WHO is supporting the International Union Against Cancer to promote ways to ease the global burden of cancer. This year's theme is "Cancer Can Be Prevented Too," which focuses on simple measures to prevent cancer. Experts say about 40 percent of cancers could be prevented if people made some lifestyle changes.”
Strength in Numbers
“My wife, Dina, and I found out the other day that a friend in our social circle was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. It's the first friend/acquaintance of ours so diagnosed since I was similarly informed last February. Naturally I was sorry to hear of another person joining this less-than-exclusive cancer club. However, since I knew this new member, its effect on me was more personal. I called her the next day to offer any insights, answer any questions, share a few anecdotes, some of which hopefully she might find helpful. And in so doing, I felt another sensation, the sensation of not being alone, vis-a-vis the whole honor/camaraderie-amongst-cancer-patients thing.”
Benefits Of CyberKnife Radiosurgery For Lung Cancer Drive Continued Adoption
“Accuray Incorporated, a global leader in the field of radiosurgery, announced that more than 12,000 courses of lung cancer treatment have been completed with CyberKnife radiosurgery. Usage of CyberKnife radiosurgery for lung cancer continues to grow, as illustrated by a 25 percent increase year over year in calendar year 2009.”
Report shows Coos County has highest lung, oral cancer rates in state
“NORTH BEND, Ore. - A new report from the Oregon State Cancer Registry, shows Coos County ranks highest in the state for lung and oral cancer. The statistics are taken from data collected over a 10 year period ending in 2006. "Coos County has had similar statistics for generations now, decades, we've most always been the highest smoking county in the state," says Coos County Tobacco Prevention Coordinator Stephen Brown.”
Local Cancer Center Testing Lung Cancer Vaccine
“Santa Barbara, CA-- The Cancer Center of Santa Barbara is participating in a clinical trial to test the effectiveness of a new lung cancer vaccine. It's called Lucanix and is a cell-based therapeutic vaccine, for patients with non-small cell lung cancer. The phase three clinical trial begins after more than 22 years of development. It's the final step before seeking FDA approval. The trial is open to anyone over the age of 18 and under the age of 75, who meet the advanced stage disease presentation and treatment status requirement. It is limited to 506 total participants.”
Harmless Virus Could Be an Answer to Cancer
“You'd think that infecting a cancer patient with a virus would be the last thing a doctor would want to do. But what if it was a virus that attacks and kills cancer cells? That's exactly the premise that led to the founding of Oncolytics Biotech (ONCY), a Calgary-based biotechnology company. It's about to begin Phase 3 trials that could pave the way for a marketable cancer treatment based on this technology in two years, says CEO Dr. Brad Thompson (pictured) in an interview with DailyFinance.”
Lawrence Garfinkel dies at 88; statistician helped link smoking to lung cancer
“Garfinkel had a key role in two massive studies with the American Cancer Society, one of which helped pave the way for the landmark 1964 surgeon general's report on smoking and health.”
