Cancer Research: Study links gene to aggressive form of brain cancer ♦ National screening program has markedly reduced breast cancer mortality ♦ Daily aspirin could block growth of breast, other cancers

Daily aspirin could block growth of breast, other cancers  A new lab study found that a daily dose of aspirin was effective at blocking breast tumor growth. Previous studies have already shown a similar effect on colon, gastrointestinal, prostate, and other cancers.

New method detects early breast cancer via urine Medical researchers have developed an approach for detecting breast cancer by means of urine samples. The method involves determining the concentration of molecules that regulate cell metabolism and that are often dysregulated in cancer cells. These molecules, referred to as microRNAs, enter into the urine over the blood. By determining the composition of microRNAs in the urine, the scientists succeeded in establishing with 91 percent accuracy whether a test subject was healthy.

Study links gene to aggressive form of brain cancer Scientists have identified a gene mutation linked to the development of an aggressive form of brain cancer. Researchers found that errors in a gene known as TCF12 -- which plays a key role in the formation of the embryonic brain are associated with more aggressive forms of a disease called anaplastic oligodendroglioma.

National screening program has markedly reduced breast cancer mortality Under the Norwegian Breast Cancer Screening Program, all women aged 50 to 69 are invited for mammography screening every two years. The program was launched as a pilot project in four counties in 1995/96 and went national in 2004. The purpose of mammography examination is to detect tumors at an early enough stage to begin effective treatment and reduce mortality.