Surge in Throat Cancer Numbers Attributed to Oral Sex

Not only have researchers been able to pinpoint the cause of a new surge in throat cancer, they are able to present a theory as to why the upswing in the number of new cases has been reported. Dr. Ezra Cohen, an oncologist at the University of Chicago Medical Center revealed that this strain of throat center is a "new disease" that is becoming a more prevalent disease seen in patients today.

The Connection Between HPV Virus and Throat Cancer

Scientists released a new study from the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center which confirms that there is indeed a dramatic increase in cases of oral cancer and that the surge is caused by a virus called human papillomavirus (HPV), the same virus responsible for cervical cancer. Patients with this type of throat cancer are stricken by the cancer due to contracting the virus through oral sex. The risk is so widespread that it was revealed that oral sex was found to be a much higher risk factor for throat cancer than tobacco or alcohol use.

The virus attacks the precise section of the upper throat called the oropharynx, the area of the pharynx that is in between the soft palate and the hyoid bone. Scientists are working diligently to uncover the reason for the increase in these types of cancers, however, some hypothesize that it is due to the relationship between a change in sexual activities since the 1960s. The virus flourishes in the outer layer of skin and is spread through exposure to the skin. Sexual transference has a tendency to lead to affliction of the virus in close proximity to the place of contact. These cancer-associated types of HPVs cause dysplastic tissue growths that usually appear flat and are nearly invisible.

HPV Virus Found to Cause Other Types of Cancer

Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection (STI). In the past, intercourse was most often linked with cervical cancer, however, some researchers predict that the number of patients with HPV-linked throat cancers could well outnumber cervical cancer numbers in the coming years.

Who is Infected with HPV?

HVP is very common in young men and women. In fact, nearly 50 percent of sexually active young women has had a genital HPV infection. People at higher risk of getting the HPV virus are those that had sexual relations at an early age, had many different sexual partners, or a history of sexually transmitted disease.

In past years, it was believed that if a person had HPV virus, they would have it their entire life. But after years of research, it was revealed that in most cases, a person who has a normal immune system could rid their body of the HPV virus without medical treatment. HPV is a serious ailment that can be prevented.

What is the Treatment for HPV-Related Throat Cancer?

The treatment for throat cancer is different for those that contracted the disease through smoking and drinking compared to those that contracted the disease through oral sex. Francis Worden, MD, assistant professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School, revealed in a recent interview regarding the new surge of throat cancer that it is a "challenge" to treat patients with these tumors as they are two different types of cancer.

Studies are being conducted to determine the success rate of treating throat cancer connected to HPV transmitted through oral sex. In studies, a preliminary round of chemotherapy was given to establish how well the tumor reacted to the cancer-killing medication. Radiation was later given to the area surrounding the tumors. In many cases, the treatment was successful.

How is HPV Spread?

Scientists can not confirm whether or not the virus can be spread by kissing. They can confirm, however, that data suggests oral sex is a major route of transmission as well as sexual intercourse without a condom. Researchers insinuate that oral sex does not constitute "safe sex".

Vaccine maker Merck & Co is working to present an application this year to the US Food and Drug Administration for use of its male HPV vaccine. Even though the company's studies can not yet confirm that their vaccine protects against throat cancer, they plan to confirm that the shots protect against HPV infection. Doctors for the company expect the vaccine to work absolutely as well in male and female patients.

What Can You Do?

They say that knowledge is power. So if you are unclear about the risks or if you have any concerns or questions, it is recommended that you consult a physician right away. When in doubt, consult a specialist. No question should be left unasked. Please check back for more information regarding health and science news.

Researchers Assess Factors Behind Cancer Risk

Although cancer remains one of the deadliest diseases facing the human population, the scientific community?s understanding of the disease has progressed significantly in recent decades. Thanks to a wide array of new treatment methods and diagnostic techniques, the prognosis for many cancer patients is much better today than it was even ten years ago.

Not only have scientists been able to create advanced and highly effective cancer treatments, but they have also been able to develop sophisticated risk models for the disease. Because risk studies alert us to possible lifestyle changes that may be able to reduce the likelihood that we will develop certain types of cancer, they help advance public health.

This week, we will take a look at a number of cancer risk studies that have recently been released. Each of the studies addresses a particular risk factor or lifestyle variable that serves to either increase or decrease an individual?s likelihood of developing cancer.

Personality Traits Not Significant in Determining Breast Cancer Risk, Study Shows

Conventional wisdom has long held that people with certain personality characteristics were more prone to developing certain diseases, including cancer. A few early studies conducted in the 1990s seemed to suggest that this old wives? tale actually held some scientific truth.

Recently, the Netherlands Cancer Institute scientists who conducted a hallmark study that found several statistical correlations between emotions and breast cancer risk undertook a much larger scale study to retest the results of their previous work. In the follow-up study, a sample of 9700 female breast cancer patients filled out a highly detailed questionnaire that assessed various psychological and emotional qualities.

After analyzing their results, the scientists retracted their previous hypothesis. The lack of any consistent statistical correlations in the new study soundly disproved the idea that emotional qualities have any relationship, causal or otherwise, to cancer.

Cholesterol Drug May Decrease Cancer Risk

The cholesterol drugs known as statins have been at the center of a heated controversy over the last several months. Based on the results of several recent studies, the ability of statins to reduce cholesterol effectively has come into question ? as has the overall safety of the drugs as an anti-cholesterol treatment.

However, even as statins? future as a cholesterol medication is in question, researchers at the Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System have found that this class of drugs may have another application ? as an anti-cancer agent. According to a recent study, it was found that patients who had taken statins had a lower risk of developing certain types of cancer than the general population. Lung cancer and colorectal cancer appeared to be most strongly affected by the drug.

In the laboratory, scientists have been able to confirm the ability of statins to inhibit tumor growth in a clinical environment. However, in population studies that deal with human patients, the results are not as clear-cut. The researchers say that more patient studies will be necessary in order to arrive at a definitive conclusion on statins? ability to impact cancer risk.

Study Sharpens Scientists? Understanding of Ovarian Cancer Risk

Because potentially deadly ovarian cancer has few detectable early symptoms, quick diagnosis of the disease is imperative. In addition, the lifestyle factors that may impact the development of ovarian cancer are vitally important to every woman.

A recent study conducted by researchers at the Harvard Medical School and the Harvard School of Public Health focused on the impact of a number of different lifestyle factors on ovarian cancer risk. Specifically, the scientists focused on measuring the risk impact of alcohol, tobacco use, and caffeine, as these three variables are often cited in cancer risk studies.

After analyzing data from 12,701 women, the researchers found no clear evidence that either alcohol consumption or tobacco use impacted ovarian cancer risk. However, the data did suggest that caffeine consumption slightly diminished the risk of ovarian cancer. The authors urged further study of this intriguing finding, but issued no definitive statement on the role that caffeine use should play in a woman?s ovarian cancer prevention strategy.

If you?re looking for ways to reduce your risk of developing cancer, talk to your doctor for a personalized health audit that will hone in on the lifestyle changes you should incorporate. Don?t forget to check back each week for more health science news!

Asbestos and Lung Cancer: Research Findings Shed Light on a Deadly Disease

Asbestos is the name used to refer to a naturally-occurring group of minerals that were long prized for their unique insulating properties. For decades, a synthesized form of asbestos was used in much of the commercial and residential construction in the United States and around the world. In fact, the vast majority of the public and private structures that were built in the twentieth century contain elements that contained some form of asbestos.

By the mid-twentieth century, however, questions about the long-term safety of these materials began to circulate. Workers who were constantly exposed to asbestos as part of their job duties began to suffer from a number of specific lung and respiratory disorders. Accusations flew on both sides of the controversy, but it was not until the late 1970s that federal regulations officially banned the use of the substance in the United States.

Today, decades later, we are still dealing with the public health fallout of the asbestos debacle. Cases of asbestos-related disease are at an all-time high, and governments around the world are still determining the best way to deal with the problem.

Scientists are doing their part by continuing research efforts into asbestos-related disorders. This week, we?ll take a look at some of the recent findings that have emerged from investigations into asbestos-related lung cancer and mesothelioma.

New Technology Boosts Early Detection of Asbestos-Linked Lung Growths

As is the case with most types of cancer, the prognosis for patients diagnosed with asbestos-related lung cancers is improved significantly when the disease is detected early. However, conventional diagnostic imaging methods have often had trouble detecting lung cancer growths early enough to significant impact treatment outcomes.

Recent research conducted by scientists at University Hospitals of Cleveland may change all that. According to a recent statement released by the institution, researchers there have been putting the finishing touches on a new imaging technology that is expected to significant improve the effectiveness of efforts to detect early-stage lung cancer. The new technology is also believed to be particularly useful for detecting asbestos plural disease, another potentially deadly respiratory condition caused by asbestos exposure. The researchers emphasized the importance of early detection with every type of lung disease, and expressed confidence that this technological advance would facilitate more effective early diagnosis.

Genetic Inflammation Risk May Increase Chances of Developing Lung Cancer

Although environmental factors such as asbestos exposure have been shown to play a role in causing several different types of lung cancer, researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and the National Cancer Institute may have pinpointed another important variable. According to the results of a recent study, people with a gene that causes lung inflammation may be at higher risk of developing lung cancer after exposure to environmental hazards, such as tobacco smoke or asbestos particles.

The researchers found that long-term inflammation of the lung tissue can be exacerbated by exposure to environmental hazards. Over time, the combination of these two factors can lead to cell abnormalities and aberrant growth patterns, including cancer. The study participants with the inflammation-prone gene IL1B were several times more likely to develop environmentally-related lung cancers than were their counterparts without the gene. The scientists argued that these results may benefit early detection efforts.

Women with Lung Cancer Often Fare Better than Men, Study Shows

Lung cancer is a devastating and debilitating disease, regardless of your age, gender, or health status. However, according to the results of a recent study conducted by researchers at the Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center, female patients diagnosed with the disease often have an easier experience than do their male counterparts.

Whether their lung cancer was the result of tobacco use, asbestos exposure, or unknown causes, women with the disease typically experienced less severe symptoms and reported less pain, respiratory difficulty, and discomfort than male patients. The researchers argued that these findings may indicate that early detection of lung cancer is more difficult in females than in males. They proposed the development of a new set of early-detection protocols that might help identify early-stage lung cancer in female patients.

If you?re concerned that you might be at risk for developing asbestos-related lung cancer or mesothelioma, talk to your doctor for a personalized health assessment. Don?t forget to check this site each week for more of the breaking science news you need!

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!

Researchers Assess Risk Factors, Possible Treatments for Colon Cancer

Colon, bowel, and colorectal cancers rank among the most deadly forms of the disease. In the United States, colon cancer is the third most-common type of cancer, and it ranks second on the list of cancer-related deaths. Each year, colon cancer is responsible for nearly 700,000 deaths worldwide -- nearly 150,000 in the United States alone.

One reason why colon cancer is responsible for so many deaths each year is because it is often diagnosed only when the disease has reached an advanced stage. There are few readily detectable outward symptoms of colon cancer, which makes early detection particularly challenging. As with all forms of cancer, the earlier a positive diagnosis can be made, the better the likelihood for recovery and remission.

In order to reverse the high rate of mortality associated with colon cancer, researchers around the world are working on devising methods of prevention, early detection, and treatment. This week, we'll review some of the key research findings related to colon cancer that have emerged from the scientific literature.

Genetic Marker Associated with Early-Onset Colon Cancer Identified

As scientists have progressed in their quest to decode and classify the human genome in recent years, the genetic risks associated with many different types of cancer have begun to be better understood. The findings of one recently published study pinpointed a unique genetic sign associated with a type of colon cancer that typically strikes adults under the age of 50.

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic focused on a specific cellular structure called telomeres. These function as the "lids" on the end of chromosomes that cap each cell's genetic material. In people who were diagnosed with colon cancer before the age of 50, it was found that the telomeres were often much smaller and shorter than normal.

The researchers cautioned that further tests are needed to confirm these findings. However, if found to be valid, the abnormal telomere structure linked with early-onset colon cancer could prove to be helpful in the development of future treatments for this form of the disease. In fact, techniques are currently being developed that could actually lengthen or repair the telomeres of individuals with this genetic defect.

Aspirin May Protect Against Colon Cancer

The latest breakthrough in colon cancer prevention comes from an unexpected source: the humble aspirin. Originally developed as a pain relief medication, aspirin is now being credited with helping to prevent an array of illnesses. Researchers at the Harvard School of Medicine found that the same property that lends aspirin its anti-inflammatory power can also help protect against the development of some forms of colorectal cancer.

According to the scientists, colon cancer cells contain an abnormally large amount of the enzyme known as COX-2. Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs possess a special property that allows them to inhibit the action of the COX-2 enzyme. In one segment of the study, participants who followed a preventive course of daily aspirin consumption had 36% less chance of developing the type of colon cancer that is characterized by high COX-2 levels.

Although more research is necessary before aspirin can be accepted as a part of a preventive protocol for those at high risk for colon cancer, the researchers assert that this finding represents a significant step forward in the fight to prevent this often-deadly disease.

Hormone Deficiency Could Play a Role in Colon Cancer, Scientists Say

Although hormones play a major role in helping the human body function properly, these chemical compounds are rarely associated with cancer. However, a recent study conducted by the Kimmel Cancer Center in Philadelphia indicates that key deficits in the hormones guanylin and uroguanylin may play a role in sparking cancerous cell growth in the colon.

These substances typically protect against the kind of abnormal cell growth that result in polyps and tumors. However, when colon cancer begins to develop, they are somehow edged out of the colon and can no longer be detected.

With further investigation, this deficiency may be able to be treated with a type of hormone replacement therapy, preventing the development of tumors in high-risk populations. However, the precise mechanisms by which these hormones influence cell growth will have to be clarified before viable treatments can be developed.

If you're concerned about managing your risk for developing colon cancer, your doctor can help you develop a personalized prevention plan based on your unique health history and profile. Please check back each week for more of the health science news you need!