Cancer Research: Scientists test new strategy that could help fight ovarian cancer ♦ Most men not getting prostate cancer screening ♦ Cancer death rate continues steady drop

Radiation an important addition to treatment for pancreatic cancer surgery candidates Radiation therapy was associated with a lower risk of cancer recurrence in pancreatic cancer surgery patients, making it, like chemotherapy, an important addition to treatment, new research found. Whether radiotherapy helps patients after pancreatic cancer surgery has been a long-standing question, and the findings suggest that it does.

Cancer death rate continues steady drop Steady reductions in smoking combined with advances in cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment have resulted in a 23 percent drop in the cancer death rate since its peak in 1991

Scientists test new strategy that could help fight ovarian cancer A promising novel method to treat gynecologic tumors has been discovered by researchers. The approach focuses on a protein called p53, which is commonly mutated in women who have high-grade serous ovarian cancer, the deadliest form of reproductive cancer. In many women with the disease, the cancer is very advanced by the time it is diagnosed and is therefore difficult to treat.

Most men not getting prostate cancer screening, treatment information they need Men and their health providers are not having important discussions when it comes to prostate cancer screening and treatment,

Cancer Research: Suicide gene therapy kills prostate tumor cells ♦ Imaging test detects aggressive, treatment-resistant cancers ♦ Understanding of ovarian cancer

Imaging test detects aggressive, treatment-resistant cancers A new imaging test has been developed that could enable doctors to identify more dangerous tumors before they spread around the body -- and tailor treatment accordingly. Researchers describe detailed development of magnetic resonance imaging technology to map areas of oxygen deprivation within tumors.

Younger and older patients experience different symptoms from the same breast cancer drugs, The long-term outcomes in postmenopausal women who took two widely used breast cancer treatments have been analyzed. Researchers found that although both drugs were safe and effective, and had no detrimental effect on overall quality of life, there were some differences in the type and severity of symptoms the women experienced with each treatment, and these especially differed by age.

Fallopian tube organoids promise better understanding of ovarian cancer, infertility A new way of growing fallopian tube cells in culture is expected to give a boost to our understanding and prevention of female genital diseases, such as infertility, inflammatory disease, and ovarian cancer.

Suicide gene therapy kills prostate tumor cells Results from a long-term clinical trial conducted by cancer researchers show that combining radiation treatment with 'suicide gene therapy' provides a safe and effective one-two punch against the disease.

Cancer Research: Nanotech drug delivery shows promise for improved melanoma treatment ♦ Aspirin use may lower breast tissue density allowing for earlier detection

Obesity contributes to metastasis in ovarian cancer patients An increased body mass index is associated with a greater risk for ovarian cancer with worse overall survival, a large number of studies have shown. However, the influence of obesity on ovarian cancer metastasis had not been evaluated. Researchers set out to determine are tumor cells better able to successfully metastasize when the "host" is obese versus lean?

Older Breast Cancer Patients Defy Survival Models Older women with early-stage, invasive breast cancer had better survival rates than what was estimated by a popular online tool for predicting survival.

Aspirin use does not improve outcomes for cancer patients, but may lower breast tissue density, allowing for earlier detection Whether aspirin may help prevent or reduce the risk of breast cancer remains a hotly debated research question. While past studies have indicated a potential benefit, most recently in hormone receptor-positive breast cancers, one new study suggests otherwise. Aspirin does not appear to be protective or associated with improved clinical outcomes or survival among breast cancer patients with aggressive disease However, another study suggests aspirin may in fact help reduce breast tissue density, which could lead to earlier detection.

Nanotech drug delivery shows promise for improved melanoma treatment A new three-drug delivery system for cancer treatment, especially metastatic melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, has been developed by researchers. The work has demonstrated that the system may have particular value with cancers like this that often spread through the lymphatic system. It may offer a novel therapeutic option for more effective cancer treatment.

Cancer Research:Yoga may lessen side effects in men undergoing prostate cancer treatment ♦ New target for immuno-oncology therapies ♦ Healthy diet may reduce risk of ovarian cancer i

Prostate cancer screening under age of 55 may be of limited value Mass prostate cancer (PSA) screening before the age of 55 may not have any benefit over screening starting after the age of 55, according to a new 20 year analysis of 6822 patients.

Healthy diet may reduce risk of ovarian cancer in African-American women A healthy diet may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer in African-American women.

New target for immuno-oncology therapies By studying a type of immune cells, a team of researchers identified the mechanism of action for a new target for novel immuno-oncology treatments.

Yoga may lessen side effects in men undergoing prostate cancer treatment Men with prostate cancer who are undergoing radiation therapy can benefit from yoga,.

Cancer Research: Protein's work in eye lens suggests a way to tame cancer ♦ Oral contraceptive use associated with better outcomes in patients with ovarian cancer.

Previous oral contraceptive use associated with better outcomes in patients with ovarian cancer. Patients who develop ovarian cancer appear to have better outcomes if they have a history of oral contraceptive use.

World first blood cancer drug trial reveals life-changing results A breakthrough has been achieved with the results of the world-first clinical trial with actual patients of a new drug to treat particular blood cancers. This clinical trial, a first-in-human study, looked at the efficacy of a new inhibitor, ONO/GS-4059, in the treatment of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma patients refractory or resistant to current chemotherapies

Preventing radiation in cancer therapies to damage healthy organs When a person receives a cancer treatment through radiation, he or she is exposed to ionizing radiation and to avoid that energy to damage healthy tissue. A new study looked at the properties of various materials called dosimeters that measure radiation doses.

Protein's work in eye lens suggests a way to tame cancer How does a protein called connexin put the clamps on cancer? Researchers have now reported an explanation. In the future, cancer therapies could potentially be based on connexin molecules.

Health News:Legionnaires disease outbreak could be linked to Safeway ♦ Snake venom helps hydrogels stop the bleeding ♦ Revolutionary new weapon in air pollution fight .

Legionnaires disease outbreak could be linked to safeway  . Public health officials in Wenatchee, Washington, reported four cases of Legionnaire’s disease October 27 possibly originating from the produce section at a Safeway on North Miller Street. The grocery store temporarily closed down the misters during the ongoing investigation

Mechanism discovered that could lead to better ovarian cancer treatment Resistance to chemotherapy is a major problem for those suffering from ovarian cancer -- a problem that prevents a cure from a disease dubbed the 'silent killer.' Now researchers are giving patients new hope with recent findings that help pinpoint the mechanisms causing chemoresistance

Snake venom helps hydrogels stop the bleeding A hydrogel infused with snake venom may be the best material to stop bleeding quickly, even in the presence of anticoagulants.

Maintaining blood pressure levels measured before entering OR may improve outcomes When a patient arrives in the operating room (O.R.) for surgery, one of the first things a physician will do is take his or her blood pressure, a “baseline” measurement used throughout the procedure. However, a new study has found that blood pressure taken before the patient enters the O.R. may produce more accurate measurements.

Revolutionary new weapon in air pollution fight People could soon be using their smartphones to combat a deadly form of air pollution, thanks to a potentially life-saving breakthrough by researchers.

Women's Health: Heart medications prolong survival in women with ovarian cancer ♦ Fetal cells influence maternal health during pregnancy

Heart medications that target stress may help prolong survival in women with ovarian cancer A new analysis of patient records indicates that certain drugs taken to improve heart health may also have anti-cancer properties.

New embryo image processing technology could assist in IVF implantation success rates Biologists and engineers have developed a new non-invasive image processing technique to visualize embryo formation. Researchers were able to see, for the first time, the movement of all of the cells in living mammalian embryos as they develop under the microscope. This breakthrough has important implications for IVF treatments and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis. In the future, this approach could help with embryo selection to improve IVF success rates.

The alien within: Fetal cells influence maternal health during pregnancy (and long after) Dramatic research has shown that during pregnancy, cells of the fetus often migrate through the placenta, taking up residence in many areas of the mother's body, where their influence may benefit or undermine maternal health.

Women with hypertension in pregnancy and their siblings face increased risk of heart disease High blood pressure during pregnancy is a risk factor for future hypertension and cardiovascular disease, but it’s not clear if this increased risk is because these women are more likely to have a family history of heart disease or if elevated blood pressure during pregnancy causes long-term metabolic and vascular abnormalities.

Cancer Research: New treatment options for a fatal leukemia ♦ 'Major player' in skin cancer genes identified ♦ Non-genetic cancer mechanism found

Prostate cancer: Why some tumors are resistant to radiotherapy  Scientists believe they have identified how some tiny regulatory molecules in cells can make prostate cancers resistant to radiotherapy. It is hoped that this new development could pave the way for more effective treatments -- allowing a lower dose of radiotherapy to be used while prolonging the lives of thousands of men.

Gene therapy may improve survival of patients with recurrent ovarian cancer Use of gene therapy to deliver a protein that suppresses the development of female reproductive organs may improve the survival of patients with ovarian cancer that has recurred after chemotherapy, which happens 70 percent of the time and is invariably fatal.

New treatment options for a fatal leukemia In industrialized countries, acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the most common form of cancer in children. An international research consortium has now succeeded in decoding a specific form of this leukemia, which is regarded as incurable, and in obtaining insights for new therapeutic possibilities.

'Major player' in skin cancer genes identified A subgroup of genetic mutations that are present in a significant number of melanoma skin cancer cases has been defined by a multidisciplinary team of researchers. Their findings shed light on an important mutation in this deadly disease, and may lead to more targeted anti-cancer therapies

Non-genetic cancer mechanism found Cancer can be caused solely by protein imbalances within cells, a study of ovarian cancer has found. The discovery is a major breakthrough because, until now, genetic aberrations have been seen as the main cause of almost all cancer.

Cancer Research:Breast cancer could be stopped in its tracks ♦ Study could explain why ovarian cancer treatments fail ♦ Proteins identified to target in osteosarcoma treatment

Breast cancer could be stopped in its tracks’ by new technique Certain breast cancers spread to the bones using an enzyme that drills “seed holes” for planting new tumours. The discovery could lead to treatments aimed at preventing secondary breast cancers in patients with non-hormone sensitive disease. The enzyme lysyl oxidase (Lox) is released from the primary tumour in the breast. Scientists found that it produces holes

Study could explain why ovarian cancer treatments fail Ovarian cancer cells can lock into survival mode and avoid being destroyed by chemotherapy. The research used whole genome sequencing to analyse tumor DNA samples from 91 patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer

Researchers identify origin of chromosomal oddity in some cancer cells Surveys of the genomic terrain of cancer have turned up a curious phenomenon in some tumor cells: a massive rearrangement of DNA in one or a few chromosomes, thought to be produced during a single cell cycle. Scientists demonstrate how this sudden, isolated shuffling of genetic material can occur.

Scientists identify key to preventing secondary cancers Breast cancer is a disease that commonly spreads to other areas of the body; the most common site for the disease to spread is the bone. Leading scientists have identified a possible key to preventing secondary cancers in breast cancer patients, after discovering an enzyme that enhances the spread of the disease. They also report that an existing class of drugs for osteoporosis could stop the spread of the disease

Potential proteins identified to target in osteosarcoma treatment The genes and pathways that, when altered, can cause osteosarcoma have been identified by researchers using new models. The information could be used to better target treatments for the often-deadly type of cancer

Cancer Research: Nanotherapy effective in mice with multiple myelom ♦ Researchers unveil new gene subgroup in prostate canc ♦ Removing mutant p53 significantly regresses tumors

Nanotherapy effective in mice with multiple myeloma A nanoparticle-based therapy is effective in treating mice with multiple myeloma, a cancer of immune cells in the bone marrow. Targeted specifically to the malignant cells, these nanoparticles protect their therapeutic cargo from degradation in the bloodstream and greatly enhance drug delivery into the cancer cells.

36-percent increase in pediatric patients treated with proton therapy, new survey shows survey indicates a steady increase in the number of pediatric patients who are being treated with proton radiation therapy for cancerous and noncancerous tumors. Based on a survey of all proton therapy centers in the U.S, the number of pediatric patients treated with proton therapy grew to 722 in 2013

Ovarian cancer-specific markers set the stage for early diagnosis, personalized treatments Six mRNA isoforms (bits of genetic material) produced by ovarian cancer cells but not normal cells have been identified by scientists, opening up the possibility that they could be used to diagnose early-stage ovarian cancer

Researchers unveil new gene subgroup in prostate cancer Prostate cancer researchers have drawn a molecular portrait that provides the first complete picture of localized, multifocal disease within the prostate and also unveils a new gene subgroup driving it.

Removing mutant p53 significantly regresses tumors, improves cancer survival For two decades cancer researchers have looked unsuccessfully for ways to develop compounds to restore the function of mutant p53 proteins. Now a team of researchers has discovered that eliminating the abnormally stabilized mutant p53 protein in cancer in vivo has positive therapeutic effects, showing that tumors regress significantly and survival increases.

Cancer Research: What makes cancer cells spread? ♦ Injected immune cells safe in multiple myeloma patients ♦ Body's 'serial killers' captured on film destroying cancer cells

What makes cancer cells spread? New device offers clues Cancer becomes deadly when it spreads, or metastasizes. Why do some cancer cells break away from a tumor and travel to distant parts of the body? A team of oncologists and engineers teamed up to help understand this crucial question.

Body's 'serial killers' captured on film destroying cancer cells A dramatic video has captured the behavior of cytotoxic T cells -- the body's 'serial killers' -- as they hunt down and eliminate cancer cells before moving on to their next target.

Biomarker may boost ovarian cancer chemotherapy response A molecule that helps control gene expression may play a role in controlling chemotherapy resistance among patients with the most common form of ovarian cancer. Chemoresistance is a major challenge in cancer treatment and this study may provide a means to overcome resistance.

Injected immune cells safe in multiple myeloma patients, In a report on what is believed to be the first small clinical trial of its kind, they have safely used immune cells grown from patients’ own bone marrow to treat multiple myeloma, cancer of white blood cells.

Researchers focus on potential tool for predicting survival, staging in prostate cancer A molecule that promotes metastasis of advanced prostate cancer to the bone, an incurable condition that significantly decreases quality of life. The research may offer new targets for diagnosing and treating this common disease

Cancer Research: Organic nanoparticles, more lethal to tumors ♦ Study discovers how pancreatic cancer spreads to the liver ♦ Non-invasive colon cancer screening for African-Americans

Smoking induces early signs of cancer in cheek swabs DNA damage caused by smoking can be detected in cheek swabs. The study provides evidence that smoking induces a general cancer program that is also present in cancers which aren't usually associated with it -- including breast and gynecological cancers.

Study discovers how pancreatic cancer spreads to the liver Investigators has illuminated the precise molecular steps that enable pancreatic cancer to spread to the liver -- the event that makes the most common form of the disease lethal. By understanding this process, their discovery can lead to targeted treatments that delay metastasis, and offer clinicians a new biomarker to test for the earliest signs of pancreatic cancer.

Non-invasive colon cancer screening may be promising for African-Americans, Stool DNA (sDNA) testing, a new non-invasive technology for colon cancer screening, is a promising alternative to colonoscopy for African Americans.  sDNA sensitivity and specificity of advanced lesions and all adenomas (polyps) in African Americans was similar to or exceeded that of other racial group.

Chemo before surgery benefits patients with advanced ovarian cancer Women with advanced ovarian cancer have fewer side effects and tend to have a better quality of life if given chemotherapy before surgery. Delaying surgery also reduced the amount of time spent in the hospital after surgery.

Organic nanoparticles, more lethal to tumors Carbon-based nanoparticles could be used to sensitize cancerous tumours to proton radiotherapy and induce more focused destruction of cancer cells, a new study shows. Radiotherapy used in cancer treatment is a promising treatment method, albeit rather indiscriminate. Indeed, it affects neighboring healthy tissues and tumors alike. Researchers have thus been exploring the possibilities of using various radio-sensitizers; these nanoscale entities focus the destructive effects of radiotherapy more specifically on tumor cells.

Cancer research: Excessive use of dietary supplements linked to increase cancer risk ♦ Potential new lung cancer therapy ♦ Earlier ovarian cancer detection

Cancer and chemo brain: Cancer diagnosis affects cognitive function Breast cancer patients often display mild cognitive defects even before the initiation of chemotherapy. A new study now attributes the syndrome to post-traumatic stress induced by diagnosis of the disease

Earlier ovarian cancer detection Successful ovarian cancer treatment often relies on catching it early. A study may help point to a new method for women at risk.

Potential new lung cancer therapy New findings about regulation of PD-L1, a protein that allows cancer to evade the immune system, has shown therapeutic promise for several cancers, including the most common form of lung cancer.

Excessive use of dietary supplements linked to increase cancer risk While dietary supplements may be advertised to promote health, new research shows a link between consumption of over-the-counter supplements and increased cancer risk, if the supplements are taken in excess of the recommended dietary amount.

Cell type responsible for scarring, skin-cancer growth identified by scientists A skin cell responsible for scarring, and a molecule that inhibits the cell's activity, have been identified by researchers. The researchers also found that the cell may play a role in the growth of melanoma and in skin damage caused by radiation. A drug that acts in the same way as the inhibitory molecule is already approved for use in humans as a treatment for type-2 diabetes, so it could potentially move quickly into clinical trials for the treatment of scarring and melanoma,

Women's Health Research: Could a tampon one day help predict endometrial cancer? ♦ Ozone air pollution could harm women's fertility ♦ Women with ovarian cancer gain extra months ♦

Could a tampon one day help predict endometrial cancer? It is possible to detect endometrial cancer using tumor DNA picked up by ordinary tampons, researchers say. The new approach specifically examines DNA samples from vaginal secretions for the presence of chemical “off” switches — known as methylation — that can disable genes that normally keep cancer in check.

Immunotherapy delays recurrence for stage III and IV ovarian cancers  Personalized medicine is getting closer to reality for women with late-stage ovarian cancer. An experimental immunotherapy is in the works that can target an individual woman’s tumor and extend the time period between initial treatment and the cancer’s return.

Women with ovarian cancer gain extra months with addition of drug to standard chemotherapy Overall survival for women who received standard chemotherapy treatment plus bevacizumab was a median five months longer than for women who received the standard chemotherapy treatment alone.

Ozone air pollution could harm women's fertility Many urban and suburban areas have high levels of ground-level ozone, an air pollutant that can adversely affect lung and heart health. New research in mice suggests breathing high levels of ozone could also affect women’s ability to conceive.

Cancer Research: Sweeping prostate cancer review ♦ Tumor sanctuaries ♦ Stress management techniques improve quality of life for women with breast cancer + more

Sweeping prostate cancer review upends widely held view on radiation  Two new studies have upended the widely held view that it's best to delay radiation treatment as long as possible after the removal of the prostate in order to prevent unwanted side effects. The findings inject hard facts into a debate Continue Reading

Cancer therapy 'tumor sanctuaries' and the breeding ground of resistance  Tumors acquiring resistance is one of the major barriers to successful cancer therapy. Scientists use mathematical models to characterize how important aspects of tumor microenvironment can impair the efficacy of targeted cancer therapies. Continue Reading

Stress management techniques improve long-term mood and quality of life for women with breast cancer  A new study shows that providing women with skills to manage stress early in their breast cancer treatment can improve their mood and quality of life .Continue Reading

New potential for personalized treatments in bowel cancer  Genetic changes in bowel tumors are linked to the way the body’s immune system responds to the cancer. Scientists can now start looking at what causes a weak immune Continue Reading

Immune markers discovered that can predict ovarian cancer patients' response to treatment  A biomarker that will help lead to better predictions of the success of chemotherapy in ovarian cancer patients has been discovered by researchers. This discovery could lead to better treatment options in the fight against ovarian cancer  Continue Reading

Cancer News: HPV vaccine highly effective ♦ Nanohydrogels attack cancer cells ♦ Gold nanotubes attack cancer cells ♦ Hormone replacement therapy increased ovarian cancer

HPV vaccine highly effective against multiple cancer-causing strains According to a multinational clinical trial involving nearly 20,000 young women, the human papilloma virus vaccine, Cervarix, not only has the potential to prevent cervical cancer, but was effective against other common cancer-causing human papillomaviruses, aside from just the two HPV types, 16 and 18, which are responsible for about 70 percent of all cases. That effectiveness endured for the study's entire follow-up, of up to four years. Continue Reading

Nanohydrogels that attack cancer cells Hydrogels are materials that are commonly used in everyday objects such as contact lenses or diapers, in order to control humidity. However, chemical engineers have now developed a new technology based on thermosensitive nanoparticles (nanohydrogels) to use these materials in the field of biomedicine, as an alternative to achieve controlled release of anticancer drugs. Continue Reading

Gold nanotubes launch a three-pronged attack on cancer cells Scientists have shown that gold nanotubes have many applications in fighting cancer: internal nanoprobes for high-resolution imaging; drug delivery vehicles; and agents for destroying cancer cells Continue Reading

Short-term use of hormone replacement therapy associated with increased ovarian cancer risk Taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for menopause, even for just a few years, is associated with a significantly increased risk of developing the two most common types of ovarian cancer, according to a detailed re-analysis of all the available evidence Continue Reading

2/11/15 Health News: Microbes linked to type 1 diabetes ♦ Another reason to drink wine ♦ E-cigarette flavorings trigger lung cell stress ♦ A one-two punch against ovarian cancer

Microbiome linked to type 1 diabetes: Shift in microbiome species diversity prior to disease onset

In the largest longitudinal study of the microbiome to date, researchers have identified a connection between changes in gut microbiota and the onset of type 1 diabetes. The study, which followed infants who were genetically predisposed to the condition, found that onset for those who developed the disease was preceded by a drop in Continue Reading

Another reason to drink wine: It could help you burn fat, study suggests

Drinking red grape juice or wine -- in moderation -- could improve the health of overweight people by helping them burn fat better. The findings suggest that consuming dark-colored grapes, whether eating, drinking juice or wine, might help people better manage obesity and  metabolic disorders such as fatty liver. Continue Reading

E-cigarette vapors, flavorings, trigger lung cell stress

A new study shows that emissions from e-cigarette aerosols and flavorings damage lung cells by creating harmful free radicals and inflammation in lung tissue, suggesting that e-cigarettes are likely a toxic replacement for tobacco products. Continue Reading

A one-two punch against ovarian cancer

Only 1.3 percent of cancers diagnosed between 2004 and 2010 were cancers of the ovary, but fewer than half of these women survived for five years or more. Researchers have now studied a combination therapy developed to help women with ovarian cance .Continue Reading  

11/2/14 Health News: Robotically assisted surgery cuts recovery time ♦ Tea, citrus lower ovarian cancer risk ♦ Antisocial behavior a consequence of homelessness ♦ psoriasis cure

Robotically assisted bypass surgery reduces complications after surgery, cuts recovery

Robotically assisted coronary artery bypass grafting surgery is a rapidly evolving technology that shortens hospital stays and reduces the need for blood products, while decreasing recovery times, making the procedure safer and less risky, experts say. Continue Reading

Tea, citrus products could lower ovarian cancer risk, new research finds

Tea and citrus fruits and juices are associated with a lower risk of developing ovarian cancer, according to new research. The research reveals that women who consume foods containing flavonols and flavanones (both subclasses of dietary flavonoids) significantly decrease their risk of developing epithelial ovarian cancer, the fifth-leading cause of cancer death among women Continue Reading

Antisocial behavior a consequence, rather than cause of homelessness

Anti-social behaviors such as drug and alcohol abuse are often the consequence, rather than the cause of homelessness, according to a series of studies that suggest that contrary to common belief, unexpected life events could lead to anyone becoming homeless. Continue Reading

Lesion-healing mechanism in psoriasis discovered

The underlying genetic factors that help repair skin lesions caused by psoriasis has been discovered by researchers, which could engender new methods of controlling the lingering condition. "Our research suggests that targeting this mechanism of healing may lead to pharmaceutical products that limit the itchy, painful lesions all psoriasis sufferers must endure," the lead researcher said. Continue Reading

Aspirin May Reduce Ovarian Cancer Risk

More than 20,000 women nationwide are expected to be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2014, and at least 14,000 will likely die from the disease. If caught early, ovarian cancer can often be successfully treated. However, its symptoms can mimic more common conditions, such as digestive and bladder disorders, so it’s usually not diagnosed until advanced stages. Late-stage ovarian cancer leaves women with limited treatment options and poor prognoses, making prevention particularly important.

Chronic or persistent inflammation is known to raise the risk for cancer and other diseases. Studies suggest that reducing inflammation with drugs such as aspirin and non-aspirin NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) may reduce overall cancer risk. However, studies of whether these drugs influence ovarian cancer risk have been inconclusive.

A team led by Drs. Britton Trabert and Nicolas Wentzensen of NIH’s National Cancer Institute (NCI) investigated associations between ovarian cancer and aspirin, non-aspirin NSAIDs, or acetaminophen use. The researchers analyzed data from 12 large studies that together included nearly 8,000 women with ovarian cancer and 12,000 without.

Overall, 18% of the women reported using aspirin regularly (at least once per week), 24% used non-aspirin NSAIDs regularly, and 16% used acetaminophen. Women who reported daily aspirin use had a 20% lower risk of ovarian cancer than those who used aspirin less than once per week. Results for non-aspirin NSAID use, which include a wide variety of drugs, were less clear. The scientists observed a 10% lower ovarian cancer risk among women who used NSAIDs at least once per week compared with those who used NSAIDs less frequently.  However, the finding was not statistically significant—it may be due to chance. Acetaminophen, which relieves pain but doesn’t reduce inflammation, wasn’t associated with reduced ovarian cancer risk.

These findings add ovarian cancer to a growing list of cancers that might be prevented by aspirin use. “Our study suggests that aspirin regimens, proven to protect against heart attack, may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer as well,” Trabert says. “However intriguing our results are, they should not influence current clinical practice. Additional studies are needed to explore the delicate balance of risk-benefit for this potential chemopreventive agent, as well as studies to identify the mechanism by which aspirin may reduce ovarian cancer risk.”

The scientists caution that, despite the potential benefits of a daily aspirin regimen, it should only be undertaken with a doctor’s approval. Side effects of daily aspirin use include gastrointestinal bleeding and hemorrhagic stroke.

2/23/14 Health News RESTAURANT CUSTOMERS EXPOSED TO HEPATITIS A - Food Safety Rules Rile Organic Farmers - Liquid Biopsy for Ovarian Cancer

SAN FRANCISCO FOODIES, LET THE PROCESS WORK

Congressmen, and the reporters who cover them, love to be in the know, and when they do not have that insider information they feel a bit weak and vulnerable – I get it.  I also get that the San Francisco foodie community is upset that they are having trouble getting its fix of grass-fed, organic... Continue Reading

HILTON HEAD RESTAURANT CUSTOMERS EXPOSED TO HEPATITIS A

According to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), customers and staff of Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks in Hilton Head Island who were present at the restaurant on the evening of February 15, 2014, are encouraged to contact their primary care provider to receive treatment for possible exposure to the... Continue Reading

Planned food safety rules rile organic farmers

Jim Crawford was rushing to load crates of freshly picked organic tomatoes onto trucks heading for an urban farmers market when he noticed the federal agent. A tense conversation followed as the visitor to his farm — an inspector from … Continue reading

Liquid Biopsy Device Monitor Treatment of Ovarian Cancer Patients and Only Costs $1

The ATC Chip identifies ovarian cancer cells floating in ascites( an accumulation of fluid in the stomach).and may be useful for diagnosing other types of malignancies that involve ascites, like pancreatic cancer.

Pathologists will be interested to learn that researchers at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital are developing a “liquid biopsy” technology specifically to enable point-of-care monitoring of the progress of patients undergoing treatment for certain types of cancers. The goal is to develop a method that community hospitals can use to monitor treatment of ovarian cancer patients without the need for expensive medical laboratory equipment. Researchers estimate that their ‘liquid biopsy’ technology could cost as little as $1 per test when eventually cleared for use in clinical settings. The research team created a microchip device—called the ATC chip—that simplifies monitoring of a patient’s response to treatment for ovarian cancer and certain other malignancies. The device captures, isolates, and identifies tumor cells from ascites (ATCs). Continue Reading