Latest Research Findings Give Hope to Cancer Patients

Despite significant strides in the field of medicine, millions of deaths continue to be caused each year by various forms of cancer. According to a recent report issued by the National Cancer Institute, nearly 8 million deaths worldwide are attributed to cancer. Each day, cancer is cited as the chief cause for over 20,000 deaths.

Still, although cancer remains one of the chief causes of mortality, new treatments for the disease are constantly being identified, explored, and studied. While a universally effective cure for cancer remains a distant hope, many treatments that are prolonging the lives of cancer patients are now on the horizon.

Although a cure for the disease seems unlikely, scientists are committed to uncovering new medications and treatments. In fact, cancer research remains one of the most active areas of scientific study around the globe. This week, we'll take a look at the results of several recent studied that may offer new hope to patients diagnosed with cancer.

Newly Discovered Antibodies May Help Cancer Fight

Scientists at the University of Navarra's Center for Applied Medical Research have found a new class of antibodies that could be used to help stimulate the body's immune system and might help revolutionize treatment methods for some types of cancer.

These cells, known as monoclonal antibodies, could be used to help stimulate the body's immune system, essentially kick-starting the protective defenses that sometimes go awry, allowing abnormal cell growth or other chronic diseases to flourish.

Most current cancer treatments do not employ the action of the immune system in the fight against the disease. In fact, some common forms of cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy, actually break down the immune system and impede the body's ability to fend off harmful invaders. Although the antibody-based approach must withstand more testing before being deemed suitable for widespread use, the researchers expressed excitement in the possibilities of future treatments.

Hormone Therapy May Be the Answer for Ovarian Cancer Patients

Hormone-based medications have been under fire in recent years. The treatments have been under particularly harsh scrutiny since a large-scale study linked hormone replacement therapy to heightened risk of heart problems among menopausal women.

In spite of these findings, a new study conducted by researchers at the University of Edinburgh suggests that hormone therapy may prove to be a lifesaver -- literally -- for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer, a form of the disease that is often notoriously hard to treat.

The study compared the use of a treatment based on an anti-estrogen compound to traditional chemotherapy. On average, the women who received hormone treatment lived three years longer than their counterparts who received standard chemotherapy.

Although the scientists acknowledge that further research is necessary, they expressed confidence that this form of treatment might represent a viable alternative to chemotherapy for some women with ovarian cancer, particularly those who have experienced a secondary recurrence of the disease.

Radiation "Seeds" Prove to Be Highly Effective Against Prostate Cancer for Some Men

Because early detection often proves to be difficult, the mortality rate associated with prostate cancer can be high. However, scientists at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York have found a new treatment that can virtually eliminate the disease in some men.

The treatment explored in the new study is known as brachytherapy, which involves physically inserting small, radioactive cells directly into the prostate gland to kill cancer cells and impede abnormal cell growth. The treatment proved so successful that the scientists likened it to a cure for the disease in some cases.

Brachytherapy proved to be especially effective in cases in which younger men had been diagnosed early, before the disease could progress very far. Furthermore, it was found that the use of the radiation seed treatment was often safer and required less recovery time than traditional surgical treatments for prostate cancer.

The scientists also recommended that more men should have access to this highly effective treatment for prostate cancer, urging more cancer specialists to offer it as an alternative, especially for patients under the age of 60.

Although a single cure for cancer remains elusive, this research indicates that new and innovative treatments are being discovered and developed every day. If you or a loved one is concerned about finding the best cancer treatment, consult with a specialist to devise a personalized treatment plan that will work with your unique health profile. Be sure to check back here each week for more of the health science news you need!