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Tuesday, 27 August 2013

CAN A MENOPAUSAL HORMONE THERAPY CAUSE CANCER?

The Women’s Health Initiative study found that women taking combined hormone therapy (also called postmenopausal hormone therapy or hormone replacement therapy) to manage menopausal symptoms may have a higher risk of breast cancer. Combined hormone therapy is a combination of estrogen and progestin (a form of progesterone made in a laboratory). It is used to help women cope with menopausal symptoms and prevent osteoporosis. Hormone therapy with estrogen alone is only given to women who have had a hysterectomy (the removal of the uterus) because estrogen increases the risk of uterine cancer.
The Women’s Health Initiative also found that women taking combined hormone therapy had a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and blood clots. However, they had a lower risk of colorectal cancer and bone fractures. Because of these risks, many doctors recommend that women do not take combined hormone therapy or only take low doses for a short time. Combined hormone therapy is not usually recommended for women with a history of breast cancer or those who have a higher risk of breast cancer.
Recent research also showed that women who received combined hormone therapy have a higher risk of dying of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) if they develop the disease. However, woman in the study taking combined hormone therapy were not more likely to develop NSCLC than women who were not taking combined hormone therapy. The study also showed that the risk of dying from lung cancer was higher for women with NSCLC who smoke and take combined hormone therapy.
Research on combined hormone therapy is controversial and ongoing. The risks and benefits of the treatment are different for each woman. If you are considering hormone therapy for menopausal symptoms, it is important to talk with your doctor about your symptoms, medical history, and your options for relieving the symptoms, including the risks and benefits and how long you should take hormone therapy.

Source: Cancer.net web page

Saturday, 24 August 2013

CAN ORAL SEX CAUSE THROAT CANCER?

Michael Douglas was diagnosed with throat cancer (oropharyngeal cancer) three years ago. He initially said it was caused by years of heavy smoking, alcohol abuse and stress. However, he recently told The Guardian newspaper that it was caused by oral sex (cunnilingus).

In an Interview with Guardian reporter, Xan Brooks, Douglas said that his type of
cancer was caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) "which actually comes from cunnilingus". His agent later said Douglas had been talking generally, and not about his own cancer, but the Guardian responded by publishing the sound recording of the interview that clearly showed he blamed oral sex for his cancer, and not years of drinking, smoking and stress.

Douglas first revealed details of his throat cancer in the David Letterman Show, in September 2010.
So, what is the risk of developing throat cancer from oral sex?
Gypsyamber D'Souza, PhD, MPH, from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, and team explained at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting in Chicago, Illinois, that throat cancers that arise from HPV do not appear to raise the risk for domestic partners of the same cancer.

Dr. D'Souza explained that in their pilot study, they found that the prevalence of HPV among partners/spouses of an affected patient was approximately 7%, no different from that of the general population.

The team found that the HPV 16 subtype was present in just 2% of female partners and 0% of male partners. HPV 16 is responsible for the majority of throat cancers. Of the partners/spouses who underwent a visual oral exam, none had cancer or pre-cancer.

D'Souza explained that the risk of developing head and neck cancers for people whose partners have HPV-related cancer is very low.

At a press briefing, D'Souza said "Many people become infected but are able to clear those infections."

The researchers added that partners who have been together for a long time probably already share whatever infections they have. No changes in physical intimacy are needed, they emphasized. Put more simply "Couples will infect each other with whatever they have anyway - oral sex will neither increase nor reduce infection risk".
Oral sex with 6 or more partners raises risk of throat cancer, said one study
In a study published in NEJM (New England Journal of Medicine), Dr Maura Gillison of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, and team suggested that people who have oral sex with at least 6 different partners have a significantly higher risk of developing throat cancer.

The team recruited 100 patients who had recently been diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer, as well as 200 "healthy" individuals (the control group).

They found that people who had at least 6 oral-sex partners during their lifetime were 3.4 times more likely to have throat cancer. Those with 26 or more vaginal-sex partners had a 3.1 times higher risk of developing throat cancer.
What are the risk factors for throat cancer?
Smoking - this is by far the most important risk factor for throat cancer. Regular, long-term, heavy smokers are 20 times more likely to develop some type of throat cancer compared to non-smokers.

Alcohol - heavy, chronic alcohol consumption, particularly spirits, also raises the risk of developing throat cancer.

People who do both - drink and smoke a lot - have the highest risk.

Frequent heartburn -
non-drinkers and non-smokers who have frequent heartburn have a higher risk of developing cancers of the throat and vocal cord.


Source: Medical News Today

Thursday, 15 August 2013

ANTI-CANCER DRUG REVERSES ALZHEIMER´S DISEASE IN MICE


The study, published in the journal Science, examined previously published outcomes on the drug bexarotene - which is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in cutaneous T cell lymphoma.
The researchers established that the drug does notably improve cognitive deficits in mice expressing gene mutations associated with human Alzheimer's disease, however, they could not verify the effect on amyloid plaques.
Senior author Rada Koldamova, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor in Pitt Public Health's Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, said, "We believe these findings make a solid case for continued exploration of bexarotene as a therapeutic treatment for Alzheimer's disease."
Dr. Koldamova and her team were studying mice expressing human Apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4) - the only known genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease, or APOE3 - known not to raise the risk for Alzheimer's disease - when a Case Western Reserve University study was published last year.
It claimed that bexarotene elevates memory and rapidly cleared amyloid plaques from the brains of Alzheimer's model mice expressing mouse Apolipoprotein E (APOE).
Amyloid plaques are made up of toxic protein fragments known as amyloid beta that are known to damage neurons in the brain and are believed to result in the memory deficits linked to Alzheimer's disease, and eventually death.
Bexarotene is a compound chemically associated with vitamin A that triggers Retinoic X Receptors (RXR) found all over the body including neurons and other brain cells. Once they are activated, the receptors bind to DNA and control the expression of genes that guide many different biological functions.
Elevated levels of APOE are one result of RXR activations by bexarotene. The researchers started examining similar compounds over 10 years ago.
Source: Medical News Today

Tuesday, 6 August 2013

OMEGA-3 ROLE IN PREVENTING ORAL AND SKIN CANCERS

Foods containing omega-3 fatty acids may help in the prevention of early- and late-stage oral and skin cancers, according to a study published in the journal Carcinogenesis.
UK researchers from Queen Mary, University of London grew cell cultures in the laboratory from several different cell lines. These included both malignant oral and skin cancers, alongside pre-malignant cells and normal skin and oral cells.
The focus was mainly on a type of cancer called squamous-cell carcinoma. This is one of the major forms of skin cancer affecting the outer layers of the skin (mainly made up of squamous cells). The researchers point out that squamous-cell carcinoma can also occur in the lining of the digestive tract, lungs and other areas of the body.
Oral squamous cell carcinomas are the sixth most common skin cancer worldwide, the researchers say, and are difficult and expensive to treat.
Omega-3 induced cancer cell death
When the researchers carried out in vitro tests by adding fatty acids into the cell cultures, results showed that omega-3 fatty acids induced cell death in malignant and pre-malignant cells in doses that did not affect normal cells.
Professor Kenneth Parkinson, head of the oral cancer research group at Queen Mary's Institute of Dentistry, says:
"We found that the omega-3 fatty acid selectively inhibited the growth of the malignant and pre-malignant cells at doses which did not affect the normal cells."
"Surprisingly, we discovered this was partly due to an over-stimulation of a key growth factor (epidermal growth factor) which triggered cell death. This is a novel mechanism of action of these fatty acids," Prof. Parkinson adds.
Potential cure for oral and skin cancers?
The scientists say that because the doses needed to kill the cancer cells did not affect normal cells, this means Omega-3 fatty acids could be used for the prevention and treatment of oral and skin cancers.
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are found mainly in oily, fatty fish. Previous research has found that omega-3 may have numerous health benefits, including helping to prevent cardiovascular disease.
Research from the University of Pittsburgh has also suggested that high consumption of the fatty acids can improve memory in young adults.
Increasing omega-3 levels 'may reduce cancer risk'
Because omega-3 cannot be made in large quantities by the human body, the main way to increase levels is to consume foods that are rich in it. Advice on fish and omega-3 fatty acids from the American Heart Association recommends at least two servings (3.5 ounces for each) of oily fish every week.
Many other foods also contain high levels of omega-3, including:
·         Salmon
·         Walnuts
·         Ground flax seeds
·         Sardines
·         Beef (from grass-fed cows)
·         Soybeans
·         Halibut
·         Scallops
·         Shrimp
·         Tofu.
Source: Medical News today

Friday, 21 June 2013

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR CANCER PATIENTS WHO CAN NOT AFFORD THE PAYMENT OF CANCER DRUGS





Many cancer patients are unable to pay for prescription drugs either because they are uninsured, under-insured, or simply can’t make the co-payments on their prescriptions. Because of this, some pharmaceutical companies have developed Prescription Assistance or Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) that offer medications to some people who cannot afford them.
The companies often restrict the programs to: U.S. citizens; people who make below a certain income; people who either lack prescription drug coverage or those with coverage whose insurer has denied coverage of a particular drug.
However, if you are denied access to a program, you may appeal the decision. Be sure to let the company know your circumstances, as they may work with you to find a solution.
More HERE

Wednesday, 12 June 2013

TRAVEL AND LODGING RESOURSES FOR CANCER PATIENTS




The following national organizations offer help for people with the traveling and lodging resources for cancer patients and their families. People should contact organizations directly to learn more about the specific programs and services. This list below is valid to US only. In addition to this national list, many organizations serve people in their local communities; talk with your health care team about the groups in your area that may be able to help.  

Air Care Alliance
www.aircareall.org
888-260-9707
Corporate Angel Network
www.corpangelnetwork.org
866-328-1313
Air Charity Network/Angel Flight America
www.aircharitynetwork.org
877-621-7177
Hope Lodge
www.cancer.org/hopelodge
800-227-2345
Air Compassion America
www.aircompassionamerica.org
866-270-9198
Joe’s House
www.joeshouse.org
877-563-7468
Air Compassion for Veterans
www.aircompassionforveterans.org
888-662-6794
LifeLine Pilots
www.lifelinepilots.org
800-822-7972
Angel Flight Samaritans
www.angelflightsamaritan.org
800-296-1217
National Association of Hospital Hospitality Houses
www.nahhh.org
800-542-9730
National Patient Travel Center
www.patienttravel.org
800-296-1217



Monday, 3 June 2013

FINANCIAL RESOURCES FOR CANCER PATIENTS WITH FINANCIAL CHALLENGES





The following national organizations offer help for people with cancer with financial challenges. People should contact organizations directly to learn more about the specific programs and services, including eligibility criteria. This list below is valid to US only

General Financial and Co-Pay Assistance

American Cancer Society
www.cancer.org
800-227-2345
HealthWell Foundation
www.healthwellfoundation.org
800-675-8416
National Organization for Rare Disorders
www.rarediseases.org
800-999-6673
CancerCare
www.cancercare.org
800-813-4673
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
www.lls.org
800-955-4572
Patient Access Network Foundation
www.panfoundation.org
866-316-7263
CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation
www.cancercarecopay.org
866-552-6729
Lymphoma Research Foundation
www.lymphoma.org
800-500-9976
Patient Services Inc.
www.uneedpsi.org
800-366-7741
Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition
www.cancerfac.org
The MAX Foundation
www.themaxfoundation.org
888-462-9368
Together Rx Access Card
www.together-rxaccess.com
800-444-4106
CureSearch: Childhood Cancer Resource Directory
www.curesearch.org/resources
800-458-6223
National Council on Aging
www.benefitscheckup.org
202-479-1200
National Organization for Rare Disorders
www.rarediseases.org
800-999-6673
Chronic Disease Fund
www.cdfund.org
877-968-7233
National Marrow Donor Program
www.marrow.org
888-999-674317
Partnership for Prescription Assistance
www.pparx.org
888-477-2669
Partnership for Prescription Assistance
www.pparx.org
888-477-2669
Patient Advocate Foundation
www.copays.org
866-512-3861
Sarcoma Alliance
www.sarcomaalliance.org
415-381-7236