| Lung cancer leading cause of cancer death in US women
What's the leading cause of cancer death in women in the United States? The answer might surprise you, because it is lung cancer, not breast cancer. According to the American Lung Association, lung cancer accounts for almost twice as many deaths as breast cancer. And while smokers are more likely to develop the disease, one in every five people with lung cancer has never touched a cigarette.
Blount Memorial thoracic services coordinator Michelle McPherson says there are a couple of key reasons why lung cancer doesn't receive wide media attention. "Lung cancer doesn't have a powerful advocacy group like breast cancer. In addition, lung cancer research is unfunded because the survival rate is typically short, and people who get lung cancer are often times blamed for it being their own fault."
McPherson encourages all women -- both smokers and non-smokers -- to learn about lung cancer risk factors, symptoms and screenings.
Obesity May Increase Risk For Ovarian Cancer
Women who are severely overweight face an increased risk for endometrial cancer and post-menopausal breast cancer. But are they also more likely than normal-weight women to develop ovarian cancer? A recent study in the online journal Cancer analyzed data on 94,525 women who averaged about 62 years old at the start of the study. About a third were overweight, a fourth were obese. In a seven-year span, ovarian cancer was diagnosed in 303 of the women. Among those who had never taken hormone therapy after menopause, obese women were 80 percent more likely to have ovarian cancer than were normal-weight women. No relationship between weight and ovarian cancer was found in women who had taken menopausal hormones at some point. Ovarian cancer, which most often affects women 55 and older, has a five-year survival rate of just 45 percent.
Herceptin proven to benefit women with HER2 positive early breast
Herceptin has demonstrated unprecedented efficacy in treating both early and advanced (metastatic) HER2 positive breast cancer. Given on its own as monotherapy as well as in combination with or following standard chemotherapy, Herceptin has been shown to improve response rates, disease-free survival and overall survival while maintaining quality of life in women with HER2 positive breast cancer. Herceptin received approval for use in the European Union for advanced (metastatic) HER2 positive breast cancer in 2000, and for early (adjuvant) HER2 positive breast cancer in 2006. In the advanced (metastatic) setting, Herceptin is approved for use as a first-line therapy in combination with paclitaxel where anthracyclines are unsuitable, as first-line therapy in combination with docetaxel, and as a single agent in third-line therapy.
Health Groups Launch New Effort to Increase California Tobacco Tax
Lung cancer causes more deaths than the next three most common cancers combined (colon, breast and prostate). An estimated 160,390 deaths from lung cancer will occur in the United States this year. Unfortunately, lung cancer research into better early detection and screening methods has not received sufficient funding over the last several years, thus lung cancer survival rates have remained flat for the past 30 years. To support the effort to pass SB 600, the American Lung Association, American Heart Association and American Cancer Society will be coordinating a statewide grassroots and media campaign that emphasizes public support for increasing the tobacco tax. In particular, the health organizations will be targeting grassroots activities in legislative district s that will be important to winning a two-thirds vote in each legislative house.
Women's health center installs diagnostic device
The newest digital screening, diagnostic imaging and breast procedures are able to detect cancer at its earliest stages, before a woman feels a lump and when survival rates are the highest. • The center has relationships with TGen, the Wellness Community, Susan G. Komen and others dedicated to finding a cure for cancer. Information: JCL.com/deervalley. .
Scientists discover genetic 'off switch' for series of cancers
There was already evidence that related genes might play a role in the early stages of breast cancer development, the scientists said.Dr Joanna Owens, Cancer Research UK's science information manager, said: "This is an exciting addition to what we already know about the key molecular triggers for cancer formation. If we can understand more about these crucial events, we can find new ways to put the brakes on cancer."A spokesman for Macmillan Cancer Support in Scotland said: "Early diagnosis and treatment of cancer is essential for improving survival rates and reducing anxiety and distress in patients, so news about any new potential treatment is always welcome. "However, with two million people now living with or beyond cancer in the UK, support and access to information is also crucial." .
The dangers of screening must be balanced
Screening offers the best possible opportunity for early diagnosis of breast cancer and experts agree that this means a better chance of successful treatment. The information women receive at time of screening is based on careful research into the views of the women being screened. Improvements can always be made and we are contributing to a review by the Department of Health. There are still some uncertainties about predicting the precise risk of developing breast cancer, and although survival rates have increased greatly, 12,500 women still die of the disease each year in the UK. Too many women over 50 are already not attending their screening appointments. No one should be put off breast screening. It could save your life. Jeremy Hughes Chief Executive, Breakthrough Breast Cancer Peter Johnson Chief Clinician, Cancer Research UK Sir, In reply to the letter from Professor Baum and others (Feb 19), I believe that their sentiments are misguided.
A good reason for a cigarette tax -- and kicking the habit
As an ex-smoker and a breast-cancer survivor, I support another cigarette tax because it might convince people to never smoke.
Puffing "cancer sticks" was the dumbest thing I ever did. After my teenage son and daughter urged me to kick my 20-year smoking habit -- "We don't want you to die, Mom" -- I finally quit.
Fortunately, a psychologist who specialized in behavior modification and hypnosis helped me.
Twenty years later, I recall one smoking-cessation technique. It involved a putrid odor from a topless mayonnaise jar that contained water. That is where I discarded cigarette butts before my final day of smoking.
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Health digest: Reading Hospital schedules educational events
Breast-feeding Education, Sunday, 2 to 4 p.m., Health Education Center. Fee $10. FLOW for Cancer Survivors, Monday, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Conference Center, Fifth Avenue lobby entrance. Fee $3. •"Journey Through Pregnancy - Preparing for Delivery and Baby," next Tuesday, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Health Education Center. Expectant parents are invited to attend between 28-40 weeks of pregnancy. Except where otherwise noted, call 610-988-HELP for information or to register. ??? The Miller-Keystone Blood Center, 2745 Leisz's Bridge Road, Bern Township, has scheduled the following blood drive sites: .
Pfizer recognizes 'World Cancer Day'
Among women worldwide, breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death. According to the WHO, smokers are some 22 times more likely to develop lung cancer than non-smokers; smoking causes about 90% of lung cancer cases in men and 80% in women. In an effort to provide support for smokers to break their lethal addiction and focus on combating the human and economic cost of disease through prevention and wellness, Pfizer developed the first new nicotine-free prescription cessation treatment Champix (Varenicline). Nevertheless, Pfizer's new grants support the global commitment to promote access to quality health care and education and to advance science and innovation in the development of breakthrough medicines that will cure or control cancer. Since 2007, 29 Global Health Partnerships grants have been awarded to NGOs working in more than 46 countries around the world.
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