Cancer Research: Turning fake pills into real treatments ♦ New agent developed for prostate cancer diagnosis ♦ Study could reduce unnecessary cancer screening

Cardio-oncology services may improve patient care if more widely available The impact of cancer treatments on cardiovascular health is an important consideration when treating cancer patients, but many hospital training programs have no formal training or services in cardio-oncology

Turning fake pills into real treatments A series of fascinating studies showed that many people respond positively to placebo pills -- even when they are told that the pills don't have any active ingredients. Researchers are now testing these "open-label" placebos for the first time among cancer survivors.

New agent developed for prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment An agent called PSMA-617 is capable of attaching specifically to prostate cancer cells. This agent can be labeled with various radioactive substances. When chemically bound to a weakly radioactive diagnostic radionuclide, it can detect prostate tumors and their metastases in PET scans. If labeled with a strongly radioactive therapeutic radionuclide, PSMA-617 can specifically destroy cancer cells.

Most women with early-stage breast cancer undergo imaging for metastatic cancer despite guidelines Most women -- about 86 percent -- with early-stage breast cancer will undergo imaging to determine if the cancer has metastasized, despite international guidelines that recommend against testing,

Study could reduce unnecessary cancer screening Contrary to expectations, a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis does not improve cancer detection in people with unexplained blood clots in their legs and lungs. The results are expected to improve patient care and reduce screening costs around the world.