Breakthroughs in Cancer Research Offer New Hope to Women

Although research has significantly increased our understanding of the risks, causes, symptoms, and effective treatments for cancer, this most deadly of diseases remains a serious health risk. Women, in particular, are diagnosed with various forms of cancer at a rate that often outpaces men. In addition, they often tend to fare worse after receiving a diagnosis of cancer than do their male counterparts.

As part of a concerted effort to reverse this troubling trend, researchers around the world continue to seek answers that will assist in the development of better prevention, diagnosis procedures, and treatment methods for female victims of cancer. This week, we?ll review a trio of significant research findings that may lend hope to women struggling with the disease, as well as those who hope to prevent it.

Researchers Compile a List of Common Ovarian Cancer Symptoms

Although awareness of ovarian cancer has grown considerably in recent years, this disease remains a silent killer, causing more than 15,000 deaths annually in the United States alone. It is estimated that one in 56 women will develop ovarian cancer during her lifetime, and over 26,000 new cases of the disease are diagnosed annually.

If ovarian cancer is caught early, the prognosis for survival is very good. However, in its early stages, the disease often goes undetected, meaning that many cases aren?t diagnosed until the cancer has spread to other organs, making the risk of death much greater.

In early June, the American Cancer Society partnered with several other medical associations and public health advocacy groups to release a list of some of the earliest detectable symptoms associated with ovarian cancer. The symptoms include:

• Feeling bloated or full
• Pain in the pelvic region
• Difficulty eating
• Increased frequency of urination

The organization cautions women who have experienced one or more of the symptoms to seek immediate medical care. In addition, annual pelvic exams are another vital part of an effective ovarian cancer prevention plan.

Traditional Herb Found to Decrease Risk of Breast Cancer

The herb known as black cohosh has been used for centuries to help women cope with reproductive problems ranging from menstrual irregularity to menopause. In recent years, black cohosh supplements in pill form have been marketed as a treatment for many of the troubling symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes.

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia sought to determine whether black cohosh supplements impacted menopausal women?s risk of developing breast cancer. The researchers found that those women who had taken the supplement were half as likely to develop breast cancer as their counterparts who had not taken the supplements.

Although the findings may have significant implications for breast cancer prevention in menopausal women, the researchers caution that more studies will be necessary before a clear-cut recommendation can be made to include black cohosh supplements in a breast cancer prevention regimen.

Vitamin D Intake May Be Tied to Cancer Risk in Women

Researchers at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska recently released the results of a large study that sought to identify the relationship between nutrient intake levels and cancer risk in women. Specifically, the study focused on determining whether an elevated level of Vitamin D intake would impact the overall health profile of the participants.

The study analyzed the cancer risk of a group of 1,179 healthy older women. The subjects were divided into three groups, and each group was given a different type of supplement or a placebo. The researchers found that the group that took calcium and Vitamin D had a much reduced rate of developing several cancers in comparison to their counterparts in the other groups. Indeed, the women who took both supplements were 77 percent less likely to develop breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, and blood cancer.

Notably, the amount of Vitamin D given to the women who participated in the study was greater than the recommended daily intake currently prescribed for women. After further research, this target intake level may be adjusted to achieve optimal cancer prevention effectiveness.

The march toward increased prevention of cancer in women is an ongoing battle for researchers. However, as these studies indicate, new developments are unfolding at a rapid pace. Check back each week for the science news that can help you make the best choices to achieve optimal health.