New research shows that low-dose aspirin can help prevent colorectal cancer in women. Aspirin has already been shown to have potential preventative properties for other cancers, including melanoma.
The long-term study lasted for 18 years and involved 40,000 women age 45 and older. The participants were randomly assigned to take either 100 milligrams of aspirin or a placebo every other day.
The researchers did not find a link between colorectal cancer and and aspirin use during the first 10 years of the study. After women took it for more than 10 years, however, the benefits became more clear. The researchers observed a 42 percent reduction in colorectal cancer among the group of women taking aspirin, relative to the women who were not.
The researchers did not find that age or other factors were significantly associated with the study results.
To learn more, click here.
Showing posts with label Cancer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cancer. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Monday, March 18, 2013
FDA Investigating Link Between Popular Diabetes Drugs and Pancreatic Cancer
The popular diabetes drugs Januvia and Byetta, which were previously connected to an increased risk of pancreatitis, are now under investigation by the FDA to determine if they are associated with pancreatic cancer.
The FDA said that researchers have found precancerous changes on the cellular level in pancreatic tissue specimens from deceased users of Januvia and Byetta.
The FDA is encouraging users of the drugs to continue taking them as directed by their healthcare providers, but they are encouraging users and physicians to be alert to adverse events and report them to the FDA MedWatch program.
To learn more, click here.
The FDA said that researchers have found precancerous changes on the cellular level in pancreatic tissue specimens from deceased users of Januvia and Byetta.
The FDA is encouraging users of the drugs to continue taking them as directed by their healthcare providers, but they are encouraging users and physicians to be alert to adverse events and report them to the FDA MedWatch program.
To learn more, click here.
Friday, March 1, 2013
FDA: Osteoporosis Drug Ingredient Linked to Cancer
The FDA is warning that there is a strong possibility that calcitonin salmon, an ingredient used in osteoporosis drugs, is linked to cancer. Calcitonin salmon is a man-made version of the hormone calcitonin, which is found in salmon.
Calcitonin-containing drugs include Novartis AG's Mialcalcin injection and nasal spray and Unigene Laboratories Inc's nasal spray. There are also generic products that contain calcitonin.
The FDA said that it has concerns over the risks versus the benefits of using the drugs to treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. An advisory panel to the FDA is scheduled to discuss the matter on March 5 and will make a recommendation on whether to allow the products to continue to be marketed for the treatment of osteoporosis.
To learn more, click here.
Calcitonin-containing drugs include Novartis AG's Mialcalcin injection and nasal spray and Unigene Laboratories Inc's nasal spray. There are also generic products that contain calcitonin.
The FDA said that it has concerns over the risks versus the benefits of using the drugs to treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. An advisory panel to the FDA is scheduled to discuss the matter on March 5 and will make a recommendation on whether to allow the products to continue to be marketed for the treatment of osteoporosis.
To learn more, click here.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Aspirin May Extend Survival for Colon Cancer Patients
Aspirin's benefits have long been touted, and now it appears that we can add another one to the list. A new study in the New England Journal of Medicine reports that aspirin can help prolong the lives of colon cancer patients - specifically, patients whose tumors had a mutated form of the PIK3CA gene.
Of the patients with the mutated gene who took aspirin, 97 percent were alive five years after receiving their colon cancer diagnosis. Only 76 percent of those with the mutation who didn't take aspirin were alive.
Colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States when men and women are considered separately. When they are grouped together, it is the second leading cause of cancer deaths.
To learn more, click here.
Of the patients with the mutated gene who took aspirin, 97 percent were alive five years after receiving their colon cancer diagnosis. Only 76 percent of those with the mutation who didn't take aspirin were alive.
Colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States when men and women are considered separately. When they are grouped together, it is the second leading cause of cancer deaths.
To learn more, click here.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Breast Cancer Myths Debunked
In honor of October being National Breast Cancer Month, we're taking a look at some breast cancer myths that were debunked in an article on Health.com. Some of them might surprise you!
Myth: Family history is the biggest risk factor for breast cancer.
Fact: The vast majority of women who have breast cancer have no family history.
Myth: Most breast lumps are cancerous.
Fact: About 80% of lumps found in breasts are benign.
Myth: All women have a one-in-eight chance of getting breast cancer.
Fact: Risk of developing breast cancer actually rises as we age. A woman who is in her 30s has about a one-in-233 chance. This rises to one-in-eight by the time she reaches 85.
Myth: Small-breasted women have a lower risk of breast cancer.
Fact: There's no connection between breast size and developing breast cancer.
Myth: Breast cancer presents in the form of a lump.
Fact: You should be alert for other signs of breast cancer, including swelling, skin irritation or dimpling, breast or nipple pain, nipples turning inward, discharge and redness, scaliness or thickening of the nipple or breast skin.
The article addresses 25 common myths and we've only addressed a few of them. Click here to read the article in its entirety.
Myth: Family history is the biggest risk factor for breast cancer.
Fact: The vast majority of women who have breast cancer have no family history.
Myth: Most breast lumps are cancerous.
Fact: About 80% of lumps found in breasts are benign.
Myth: All women have a one-in-eight chance of getting breast cancer.
Fact: Risk of developing breast cancer actually rises as we age. A woman who is in her 30s has about a one-in-233 chance. This rises to one-in-eight by the time she reaches 85.
Myth: Small-breasted women have a lower risk of breast cancer.
Fact: There's no connection between breast size and developing breast cancer.
Myth: Breast cancer presents in the form of a lump.
Fact: You should be alert for other signs of breast cancer, including swelling, skin irritation or dimpling, breast or nipple pain, nipples turning inward, discharge and redness, scaliness or thickening of the nipple or breast skin.
The article addresses 25 common myths and we've only addressed a few of them. Click here to read the article in its entirety.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
CDC: Cancer Patients, Survivors Need the Flu Vaccine
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month - and it's also the beginning of fall, when flu starts to crop up.
While cancer patients and survivor are not more likely to get the flu, they are at an increased risk of complications if they do, including pneumonia, hospitalization and even death. The CDC recommends that cancer patients and survivors get the flu vaccine (they should receive the shot, not the nasal spray).
Cancer patients and survivors are also advised to contact their healthcare providers immediately if they experience flu-like symptoms.
To learn more, click here.
While cancer patients and survivor are not more likely to get the flu, they are at an increased risk of complications if they do, including pneumonia, hospitalization and even death. The CDC recommends that cancer patients and survivors get the flu vaccine (they should receive the shot, not the nasal spray).
Cancer patients and survivors are also advised to contact their healthcare providers immediately if they experience flu-like symptoms.
To learn more, click here.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Cancer Now Leading Cause of Death for Hispanic Americans
The American Cancer Society (ACS) has reported that cancer is now the leading cause of death among Hispanic Americans, overtaking heart disease. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for non-Hispanic whites and African Americans.
The ACS estimates that 112,800 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in 2012 among Hispanic Americans. Of those, 33,200 will lead to death. Hispanics are the largest and fastest-growing minority in the United States, accounting for 16.3% of the population in 2010.
While the rates of new cancer diagnoses and cancer deaths among Hispanics have been declining in recent years, the group continues to have higher rates of new cases and deaths for cancers of the stomach, liver, cervix and gallbladder, which the ACS attributes to greater exposure to cancer-causing infectious agents, lower rates of cervical cancer screening and possibly genetic factors.
To learn more, click here.
The ACS estimates that 112,800 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in 2012 among Hispanic Americans. Of those, 33,200 will lead to death. Hispanics are the largest and fastest-growing minority in the United States, accounting for 16.3% of the population in 2010.
While the rates of new cancer diagnoses and cancer deaths among Hispanics have been declining in recent years, the group continues to have higher rates of new cases and deaths for cancers of the stomach, liver, cervix and gallbladder, which the ACS attributes to greater exposure to cancer-causing infectious agents, lower rates of cervical cancer screening and possibly genetic factors.
To learn more, click here.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
FDA Approves New Drug for Advanced Prostate Cancer
The FDA has approved Xtandi, a drug designed to treat prostate cancer that has returned or spread despite major medical intervention. According to the National Cancer Institute, more than 241,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year and 28,170 will die from the disease.
Xtandi is indicated for patients who have already received the chemotherapy drug docetaxel and testosterone-limiting interventions, such as drugs or surgery.
During a study, patients who took Xtandi survived an average of 18.4 months longer than those who received a placebo treatment.
To learn more, click here.
Xtandi is indicated for patients who have already received the chemotherapy drug docetaxel and testosterone-limiting interventions, such as drugs or surgery.
During a study, patients who took Xtandi survived an average of 18.4 months longer than those who received a placebo treatment.
To learn more, click here.
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