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!

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 Probe Little-Known Cancer Risks

Although recent medical advances have increased the sophistication and effectiveness of available cancer treatments, the overall mortality rate associated with all types of cancer remains high. In 2005, cancer eclipsed coronary heart disease as the number-one killer of Americans under the age of 85.

While this statistic is grim, the good news is that a great deal of recent research has been focused on identifying possible risk factors for cancer. By singling out the genetic, environmental, and lifestyle variables that are associated with a heightened cancer risk, researchers and public health experts can help us make more informed choices and ultimately, with luck, help reduce the overall rate of cancer.

Red meat, smoking, and asbestos exposure are all examples of well-known cancer risk factors. This week, we'll review a few lesser-known cancer risks that have emerged in recent research reports.

Daily Cocktails May Increase Women's Risk of Breast Cancer

Several recent studies have hinted at the role that significant alcohol intake may increase breast cancer risk, but the just-released results of a major study conducted by researchers at health-care provider Kaiser Permanente seems to verify this hypothesis.

According to the study, which studied the alcohol-breast cancer link in a population of more than 70,000 women, the risk increased considerably among women who consumed more than three drinks a day. Among this group, breast cancer was more than 30% more likely to occur than among the general population.

The researchers indicated that it did not matter whether the alcoholic beverages were wine, beer, or liquor-based -- the increased breast cancer risk remained stable as long as the average equivalent of three drinks per day was being consumed. The researchers also stated that the health benefits of consuming one glass of red wine per day were confirmed by the study's results.

Study Finds Possible Link Between Coronary Heart Disease and Colon Cancer

Colon cancer and coronary heart disease have long ranked among the most deadly health risks. Now, the findings of a recent study conducted by scientists at the University of Hong Kong may indicate that there is a causative link between these two diseases.

According to the results of the study, subjects with known cases of coronary heart disease were more likely to be found to have colorectal cancer growth. Among the 706 participants who were subjected to screening for colorectal cancer, the largest group of those who were found to have cancerous growths also had heart disease.

The researchers also pointed out that the two diseases share many of the same risk factors, including smoking, diabetes, and metabolic disturbances.

Chemical Used in Fast-Food Preparation of French Fries May Be Linked to Cancer Risk

It's already well-known that a large order of French fries from your neighborhood fast-food drive-thru isn't exactly full of wholesome, health-promoting ingredients. Among other things, fast-food French fries are laden with sodium that can boost blood pressure and trans fats that can promote obesity and high cholesterol.

But according to the results of several recent studies, the health risks associated with fast-food French fries may be even more serious than previously thought. Most significant is the belief that the cooking process of fast-food French fries may result in the production of acrylamide, a compound that is widely recognized as a cancer-causing carcinogen among human populations.

The supposition behind this theory holds that acrylamide is formed when naturally starchy foods like potatoes are cooked at high temperatures in sugar-containing liquids. Of chief concern is a transformation that takes place in the amino acids of the potatoes in this environment. Under the right conditions, high levels of acrylamide may be generated.

However, despite mixed results in several studies conducted in the period 2002-2005, recent investigations have shed doubt on the probability of the acrylamide-cancer link. Future studies, including further analysis of the vast body of data from the Nurse's Health Study, will likely revisit this question.

As always, it's important to take cancer risk factor studies with a grain of salt; overall, making an effort to make healthy lifestyle choices is the best way to prevent cancer. Consult with your physician or another licensed medical professional to develop a personal cancer risk profile and prevention plan, and be sure to come back each week for the health research news that helps you stay informed.

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.