Recent News and Articles on the Keywords: cure cancer + cancer + cure Related to the article below (Last Update: 8/5/2008)
Fruit drink company fronts court over cancer cure claims ABC Online, Australia - Aug 4, 2008 The makers of a fruit drink, which is claimed to cure cancer, will return to the Brisbane Magistrates Court in a dispute with Queensland Health. ...
PSA test: Don't do it, say angry men Los Angeles Times, CA - 5 Annals of Internal Medicine might give a boost to this start-up organization, Cure for Prostate Cancer Now Foundation. (Don't Google it. ...
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The Selfish Video Game: Play Games, Change Your Biology? PC World - Now a new study from non-profit health researcher HopeLab (which blends custom-tailored video games with medical cancer treatment) published in the medical ...
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Conquering childhood cancer Kansas City Star, MO - The potential is now there to greatly increase our knowledge about childhood cancer, improve treatment of childhood cancer and perhaps find a cure within ...
Couple share more than a leisurely bike ride Taunton Daily Gazette, USA - Jul 31, 2008 ... partners-turned-biking partners Jim and Heather Brow get ready to pedal side-by-side toward a cure for cancer this weekend in the Pan-Mass Challenge. ...
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Clinical and pathological response to primary chemotherapy in operable breast cancer - P Chollet, S Charrier, E Brain, H Cur?, I van … - European Journal of Cancer, 1997 - Elsevier ... 15], and following publication of better results obtained with vinorelbine in
metastatic breast cancer (40% response as first-line treatment), this drug was ...
[PDF]Induction of anti-self-immunity to cure cancer - NK Nanda, EE Sercarz - Cell, 1995 - actxdownload.cell.com ... to CureCancer... and focused on how to initiate, maintain, and regulate antitumor
autoimmunity, which could translate into effective treatment in cancer clinics. ... -
Hepatic resection for metastatic colorectal cancer results in cure for some patients - RL Jamison, JH Donohue, DM Nagorney, CB Rosen, WS … - Archives of Surgery, 1997 - Am Med Assoc ... of Colorectal Liver Metastases Defines Cure Tomlinson et ... Clinic Experience With
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Definitive evidence for hypoxic cells influencing cure in cancer therapy. RS Bush, RD Jenkin, WE Allt, FA Beale, H Bean, AJ … - Br J Cancer Suppl, 1978 - ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ... for hypoxic cells influencing cure in cancer therapy. ... treated by radiation therapy,
a 62% cure rate can ... disease, a haemoglobin level during treatment of below ...
Laparoscopic surgery for the cure of colorectal cancer - THK Schiedeck, O Schwandner, I Baca, E Baehrlehner … - Diseases of the Colon & Rectum, 2000 - Springer ... and better cosmesis-- have been well documented in the treatment of be ... The application
of laparo- scopic surgery for the cure of colorectal cancer is still ...
[PDF]Stem cells, cancer, and cancer stem cells - T Reya, SJ Morrison, MF Clarke, IL Weissman? - Nature, 2001 - microarray.princeton.edu ... Stem cells, cancer, and cancer stem cells ... But while we have focused on the molecular
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Chemo-free cancer cure 'will save thousands'
New drugs for breast cancer could save thousands of lives a year without the need for gruelling chemotherapy.
Trials have shown that hormone therapy drugs are at least as effective as chemotherapy in women under 40 - but with fewer side effects.
It means younger cancer patients could still be able to have children.
Experts believe up to 5,500 women each year who develop breast cancer before the menopause would benefit from drugs such as Zoladex, which is given once a month as an implant under the skin of the stomach.
The drugs work in cancers that are hormonesensitive, meaning they are stimulated by oestrogen. Around two-thirds of cancers in younger women are hormone-sensitive.
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The latest British trials, reported today in The Lancet, also showed that the drugs can boost the effects of both chemotherapy or tamoxifen.
Such double treatment cut the recurrence of cancer by nearly 13 per cent and reduced the death rate by 15 per cent.
Kate Law, head of clinical trials at Cancer Research UK, said last night: 'Breast cancer is always a shocking diagnosis but it is particularly sad when its treatment results in women being unable to have children.
"This is a very encouraging finding and suggests treatment for some women could be less devastating, while being equally effective as conventional chemotherapy."
Drugs such as Zoladex, also known as goserelin, were originally developed to treat prostate cancer.
They have been used against breast cancer for some years, but experts say the latest study provides the most solid evidence yet that the regime can save women's fertility as well as their lives.
Made by AstraZeneca, Zoladex costs just £84 a month.
Maria Leadbeater, Clinical Nurse Specialist at Breast Cancer Care, said: "These drugs have been licensed for many years, and there should be no barrier to women receiving them if there is a clinical need.
"This study gives us a better understanding of their effectiveness.
"These drugs are another treatment option for younger women with breast cancer and could help to even further reduce the risk of the disease returning when added to chemotherapy or drugs like tamoxifen.
"They can be offered on their own or as an alternative to techniques that permanently stop ovaries producing oestrogen, but this must be assessed on an individual basis.
"This would be particularly of interest to many of the younger women we support who are looking to conserve their fertility."
After surgery to remove tumours, drugs are used to reduce or switch off the body's supply of oestrogen, cutting the risk of the cancer coming back.
But while chemotherapy is effective at stopping the ovaries from producing oestrogen, it can cause permanent infertility and unpleasant side effects, including hair loss.
Hormone therapy drugs, called LHRH agonists, work by stopping the pituitary gland from producing a hormone which stimulates the ovaries to manufacture oestrogen.
Once treatment is ended, after about two years, the ovaries usually begin functioning normally again.
The new British study, which combined results from trials involving 12,000 women, found LHRH agonists used on their own to treat early breast cancer were as effective as chemotherapy.
The lead author of the study, Professor Jack Cuzick of Queen Mary, London University and Cancer Research UK, said: "These results point to an important additional approach to treating breast cancer.
"They mean pre-menopausal women could consider treatment that is as effective as chemotherapy without having to endure unpleasant side effects and risk losing their fertility."
About two-thirds of pre-menopausal patients have hormone-sensitive breast cancer - around 5,500 of the 42,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer every year in the UK.
The Government's 'rationing' watchdog, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, is due to issue new treatment guidelines in January 2009 which are expected to confirm the effectiveness of the drugs for breast cancer.
Dr Rakesh Patel, medical leader at AstraZeneca, said: "Clinicians have recognised their value in treating early breast cancer but it's very encouraging to have an important study which shows the benefits are increasing all the time."
Dr Sarah Cant, senior policy and information officer at Breakthrough Breast Cancer said: "Women tell us that they like to have treatment choice and this could be another option for some younger women with hormone positive breast cancer.
"We encourage anyone wanting to find out more to speak to their doctor.
"We also look forward to further research into the effects of these drugs when combined with newer breast cancer treatments such as aromatase inhibitors."
Pollutants, food ingredients, solvents may all cause harm, researchers say.
By Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter
MONDAY, May 14 (HealthDay News) -- A detailed analysis of hundreds of completed breast cancer studies has linked disease development with environmental exposure to more than 200 chemical compounds.
The finding is part of an effort to build a free, online breast cancer database for researchers and the public.
Described as "the most comprehensive of its kind," the database will highlight growing concern about environmental carcinogens such as pollutants, food contaminants, and organic solvents. The scope of the project will also extend to work that explores risk-related lifestyle factors such as diet, levels of physical activity, smoking/drinking habits and body mass.
"This compilation is a great effort, because it summarizes all the evidence and gives us hints of what to look for next," explained researcher Leslie Bernstein, a professor of preventive medicine with the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.
The results are outlined in a supplement to the May 14th online issue of Cancer. The database is already accessible at either www.silentspring.org/sciencereview or www.komen.org/environment.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), carcinogens are defined as agents that instigate abnormal cell division or harmful changes in the structure of a cell's DNA. They include chemicals, radiation, or infectious agents, among other things.
The ACS also notes that with the exception of skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women. This year, almost 179,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with the disease, and about 40,000 will die.
The International Agency of Research on Cancer has already classified 90 or so compounds as human carcinogens, according to the ACS. But Bernstein's team said that most of the chemicals to which people are routinely exposed have not undergone any testing for carcinogenic risk. An estimated 80,000 chemicals are registered in the United States for commercial use, according to the researchers.
For more than two years, Bernstein worked alongside colleagues from Harvard University, the Roswell Park Cancer Institute, and the Silent Spring Institute to amass and sort through approximately 900 national and international breast cancer studies focused on carcinogens.
The team honed in on 460 human breast cancer studies, of which more than 150 looked at specific environmental carcinogens among breast cancer patients. Most of those studies were conducted in the 1990s.
The remaining studies involved animal or laboratory research. The researchers pointed out that animal studies are valid references, because all known human carcinogens have also triggered tumors in animal subjects.
In the animal studies alone, evidence surfaced that linked 216 chemicals to the onset of breast tumors. These included 36 industrial chemicals, 6 chlorinated solvents, 18 products of combustion, 10 pesticides, 18 dyes, four type of radiation, 47 pharmaceuticals, and 17 hormones.
Of these compounds, the researchers isolated 73 that can be found in either human food or consumer products.
They noted, for example, the lingering hazards associated with polychlorinated biphenyls (or PCBs), which were typically used in the production of electrical equipment until federally banned in 1979. PCBs continue to pose a risk via contaminated rivers, fish, and pre-existing building construction, the researchers warned.
In addition, the authors categorized 35 compounds as carcinogenic air pollutants, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (or PAHs), which are byproducts of combustion.
The team also drew attention to another group of 25 organic compounds, including dioxins, which are produced by waste incineration and manufacturing. These carcinogenic chemicals are present in many American workplaces and place more than 5,000 women at an increased risk for breast cancer, the researchers said. These include women working in machine shops, dry cleaners, hairdressers, glass manufacturers, and aircraft maintenance facilities, all of which use harmful organic solvents.
Furthermore, among the identified carcinogens, 29 are produced in large amounts -- upwards of one million pounds or more per year.
The database project did not set strict guidelines as to how to limit exposure to carcinogens. But the authors said they encouraged research and government oversight into the problem. They advised that people do try and limit their exposure to PCB-contaminated fish, gasoline-generated air pollution, chlorinated tap water, non-stick coated cookware, and detergents containing fluorescent whiteners.
Just how carcinogenic, in terms of breast cancer risk, are these and other compounds on the list? The jury is still out on that question, Bernstein said.
"Women are terribly concerned about environmental causes of breast cancer," she said. "But it's really very difficult to study. Often the only way we've been able to look at some of these things is during occupational exposures or accidents -- what we usually call disasters."
"So, this work is a very useful tool for those of us who want to try to understand what we've missed in breast cancer. Now, it's up to us to do something with all this information," Bernstein said.
Janet Gray, a professor of psychology and the director of the program in science, technology and society at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., called the new database "an enormous contribution."
"Its greatest value is just the sheer comprehensive nature of the work, which allows both the public and researchers to have access to huge amounts of information in one place," she said. "I think this effort will really move us forward."
Known and Probable Carcinogens
Including Industrial Processes, Occupational Exposures, Infectious Agents, Chemicals, and Radiation)
What Is a Carcinogen?
Cancer is caused by abnormalities in a cell’s DNA (its genetic "blueprint"). These may be inherited from parents, or they may be caused by outside exposures to the body such as chemicals, radiation, or even infectious agents.
Substances that can cause changes that can lead to cancer are called carcinogens. Some carcinogens do not act on DNA directly, but lead to cancer in other ways, such as causing cells to divide at a faster rate, which could increase the chances that DNA changes will occur.
Carcinogens do not cause cancer in every case, all the time. Substances classified as carcinogens may have different levels of cancer-causing potential. Some may cause cancer only after prolonged, high levels of exposure. And for any particular person, the risk of developing cancer depends on many factors, including the length and intensity of exposure to the carcinogen and the person’s genetic makeup.
How Do We Determine if Something Is a Carcinogen? Scientists get much of their data about whether something might cause cancer from laboratory (cell culture and animal) studies. Although it isn’t possible to predict with certainty which substances will cause cancer in humans based on animal studies alone, virtually all known human carcinogens that have been adequately tested produce cancer in lab animals. In many cases, carcinogens are first found to cause cancer in lab animals and are later found to cause cancer in people. Because there are far too many substances (natural and manmade) to test each one in lab animals, scientists use knowledge about chemical structure, other types of lab tests, and information about the extent of human exposure to select chemicals for testing.
Most studies of potential carcinogens expose the lab animals to doses that are higher than common human exposures. This is so that cancer risk can be detected in relatively small groups of animals. For most carcinogens, it is assumed that those that cause cancer at larger doses in animals will also cause cancer in people. Although it isn’t always possible to know the relationship between exposure dose and risk, it is reasonable for public health purposes to assume that lowering human exposure will reduce risk.
Another important way to identify carcinogens is through epidemiologic studies, which look at human populations to determine which factors might be linked to cancer. While these studies also provide useful information, they also have their limitations. Humans do not live in a controlled environment. People are exposed to numerous substances at any one time, including those they encounter at work, school, or home; in the food they eat; and the air they breathe. And it is usually many years (often decades) between exposure to a carcinogen and the development of cancer. Therefore, it can be very hard to single out any particular exposure as having a definite link to cancer.
By combining data from both types of studies, scientists are able to make an educated assessment of a substance’s cancer-causing ability. When the available evidence is compelling but not felt to be conclusive, the substance may be considered to be a probable carcinogen.
How Are Carcinogens Classified?
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
The most widely used system for classifying carcinogens comes from the IARC, which is part if the World Health Organization (WHO). In the past 30 years, the IARC has evaluated the cancer-causing potential of about 900 likely candidates, placing them into one of the following groups:
Group 1: Carcinogenic to humans
Group 2A: Probably carcinogenic to humans
Group 2B: Possibly carcinogenic to humans
Group 3: Unclassifiable as to carcinogenicity in humans
Group 4: Probably not carcinogenic to humans
Perhaps not surprisingly, most of the agents are of probable, possible, or unknown risk. Only about 90 are classified as "carcinogenic to humans."
National Toxicology Program (NTP)
In the United States, the NTP releases the Report on Carcinogens about every 2 years. The NTP is formed from parts of several different government agencies, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The Report on Carcinogens (RoC) identifies 2 groups of agents:
"Known to be human carcinogens"
"Reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogens"
Unlike the IARC’s list, the RoC does not list substances that have been studied and found not to be carcinogens. Below are the lists of known and probable human carcinogens from both groups.
Known Human Carcinogens
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) "Carcinogenic to Humans" (Group 1)
Agents and Groups of Agents
Aflatoxins (naturally occurring mixtures of)
4-Aminobiphenyl
Arsenic and arsenic compounds (Note: This evaluation applies to the group of compounds as a whole and not necessarily to all individual compounds within the group)
Estrogens, nonsteroidal (Note: This evaluation applies to the group of compounds as a whole and not necessarily to all individual compounds within the group)
Estrogens, steroidal (Note: This evaluation applies to the group of compounds as a whole and not necessarily to all individual compounds within the group)
Ethylene oxide
Etoposide in combination with cisplatin and bleomycin
Formaldehyde
Gallium arsenide
Gamma radiation
Helicobacter pylori (infection with)
Hepatitis B virus (chronic infection with)
Hepatitis C virus (chronic infection with)
Herbal remedies containing plant species of the genus Aristolochia
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (infection with)
Human papillomavirus type 16
Human papillomavirus type 18
Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I
Melphalan
8-Methoxypsoralen (Methoxsalen) plus ultraviolet A radiation
MOPP and other combined chemotherapy including alkylating agents
Mustard gas (Sulfur mustard)
2-Naphthylamine
Neutrons
Nickel compounds
Opisthorchis viverrini (infection with)
Oral contraceptives, combined (Note: There is also conclusive evidence that these agents have a protective effect against cancers of the ovary and endometrium)
Oral contraceptives, sequential
Phosphorus-32, as phosphate
Plutonium-239 and its decay products (may contain plutonium-240 and other isotopes), as aerosols
Radioiodines, short-lived isotopes, including iodine-131, from atomic reactor accidents and nuclear weapons detonation (exposure during childhood)
Radionuclides, alpha-particle-emitting, internally deposited (Note: Specific radionuclides for which there is sufficient evidence for carcinogenicity to humans are also listed individually as Group 1 agents)
Radionuclides, beta-particle-emitting, internally deposited (Note: Specific radionuclides for which there is sufficient evidence for carcinogenicity to humans are also listed individually as Group 1 agents)
Radium-224 and its decay products
Radium-226 and its decay products
Radium-228 and its decay products
Radon-222 and its decay products
Schistosoma haematobium (infection with)
Silica, crystalline (inhaled in the form of quartz or cristobalite from occupational sources)
Solar radiation
Talc containing asbestiform fibers
Tamoxifen (Note: There is also conclusive evidence that this agent (tamoxifen) reduces the risk of contralateral breast cancer)
2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin
Thiotepa
Thorium-232 and its decay products, administered intravenously as a colloidal dispersion of thorium-232 dioxide
Treosulfan
Vinyl chloride
X- and Gamma radiation
Mixtures
Alcoholic beverages
Analgesic mixtures containing phenacetin
Areca nut
Betel quid with tobacco
Betel quid without tobacco
Coal-tar pitches
Coal-tars
Mineral oils, untreated and mildly treated
Salted fish (Chinese-style)
Shale-oils
Soots
Tobacco products, oral tobacco products
Wood dust
Exposure Circumstances
Aluminum production
Arsenic in drinking water
Auramine, manufacture of
Boot and shoe manufacture and repair
Coal gasification
Coke production
Furniture and cabinet making
Hematite mining (underground) with exposure to radon
