Cancer News

Ovarian cancer has a nasty reputation.

Many place ovarian cancer in the role of Grim Reaper.

We’ve been told it is difficult to detect and that leads to a late-stage diagnosis. Few expect long-term survival.

A new study suggests a better outlook for patients diagnosed with this often-silent form of cancer.

Better Than Thought

UC Davis researchers reviewed records of more than 11,000 California women who received an ovarian cancer diagnosis between 1994 and 2001.

The study tracked survival information for these women up to 2011. The results offer helpful information for patients and physicians alike.

• One in three women (31%) from the study survived more than 10 years
• The majority of long-term survivors were younger, had an early-stage diagnosis or had lower-risk tumors

But that’s not unexpected. What stood out to the researchers was the fact that over one quarter (26.6%) of long-term survivors had a prognosis considered to be high-risk for dying from the disease.

“Many patients and physicians know that ovarian cancer is a dangerous cancer, but they don’t realize that there is significant biological variability among patients. It’s not a uniformly fatal prognosis.”

Study co-author Gary Leiserowitz. M.D.

Survivor Success Story

The UC Davis press release shared one survivor’s story. Jacqueline Price received her stage IIIC diagnosis at age 60. She is now 74.

Jacqueline expressed she could not imagine missing the past 15 years. She is an advocate for other ovarian cancer patients and organized a “healing circle” support group.

Never rule out the heart of a survivor.

Walk on.

Note: Cathy Miller is not a physician. Nothing on this site is intended to offer medical advice, treatment or services for you or any other individual. The resources provide general information for educational purposes only. This site and links to other sites do not substitute for professional care. You should seek the advice of your physician or other healthcare provider.

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What do you picture when you hear cancer support group?

• A hospital or clinic-sponsored group?
• Survivor-formed get-togethers?

With the explosion of social media, it’s not surprising its platforms are another vehicle for support.

But Twitter?

Cancer Support Chat

I admit, I was a bit surprised to hear of Twitter as a social media platform used for support.

Blogs? Definitely. Facebook. Sure. But little 140-character Twitter?

Numerous forms of breast cancer support groups exist for cancer patients and survivors – as well as all forms of cancer. The benefits are probably as individual as the person participating.

The Journal of Medical Internet Research wanted to see how effective social media is as a tool for breast cancer education and support. So, like all good journals, they conducted a study.

Two breast cancer survivors started the Breast Cancer Social Media Twitter chat support group in July 2011 (identifying hashtag is #BCSM).

• The chats occur weekly
• The group does not offer specific medical advice or self-promotion
• Topics include breast cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship

The following is information and findings from the study.

Survey Says

A total of 206 individuals responded to the survey.

• Most (92.7%) were female
• Nearly 70% were breast cancer patients
• Other respondents included family, friends, advocates, surgeons, and various health care professionals

The Twitter chat group brought positive results.

• Got involved – More than a quarter (28.4%) became volunteers or advocates for patients with breast cancer
• Safe forum – Most (87.4%) agreed on some level that the chat support “provided a safe and welcoming forum for support and education”
• Improved knowledge – The majority indicated improved knowledge in different categories (e.g., surgery and reconstruction, radiation treatment, post-treatment side effects)

Support takes many forms. Sometimes it’s helpful articles. Other times, it’s a warm hug.

You don’t have to walk 60 miles in 3 days to get involved. What I’ve found through this incredible journey of mine is it is the rare exception who has not been touched by cancer.

Whether you are a cancer patient, survivor, family or friend – you benefit from support. What shape that takes is individual as you are.

Walk on.

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Note: Cathy Miller is not a physician. Nothing on this site is intended to offer medical advice, treatment or services for you or any other individual. The resources provide general information for educational purposes only. This site and links to other sites do not substitute for professional care. You should seek the advice of your physician or other healthcare provider.

I’m a bit behind this month (seeing how it’s actually November).

The following are a few cancer news stories from October.

There is a brief summary of each news item with a link to the source.

I may miss November news stories as I will be walking in my 11th 3-Day Walk for the Cure.

Wish me blister-free luck.

Cancer News

Good Diet Linked to Lower Mortality Post-Ovarian Cancer

A healthy diet has many benefits. A new study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute revealed a link to lower mortality and suggests a protective effect following ovarian cancer.

Women with a smaller waist circumference and no history of diabetes and physical activity showed the strongest link to lower mortality.

Read the Press Release from the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center.

Study Compares Treatments for Early-Stage Lung Cancer

A study from The University of Texas MD Anderson Care Center shared treatment comparisons for early-stage lung cancer.

Removal of the entire lobe of lung versus a partial resection may offer patients a better survival rate.

Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) may offer the same survival benefit as a lobectomy for some patients.

The study was the largest population-based one of its kind for early-stage lung cancer treatment. JAMA Surgery published the study’s results.

Read the news release at MD Anderson Cancer Center site.

Gene Mutation Found Common to Colorectal and Endometrial Cancers

Scientists from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard identified a genetic mutation that is present in approximately 20 percent of colorectal and endometrial cancers.

Previously overlooked, “the altered gene, called RNF43, now ranks as one of the most common mutations in the two cancer types.”

Read more at News Releases for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute site.

Stanford Study Finds Value in Genetic Screening for Breast Cancer

Contrary to an earlier study, Stanford Medicine researchers found genetic screening could reduce the number of breast cancer cases.

The study showed the riskiest top 25 percent of gene combinations predicted 50 percent of all future breast cancers.

Armed with that information, researchers suggest women would be able to have regular mammograms, watch their diets and make childbearing and breast-feeding decisions with the awareness of their higher risk.

Review the Stanford Medicine News Release for full details.

 

Note: Cathy Miller is not a physician. Nothing on this site is intended to offer medical advice, treatment or services for you or any other individual. The resources provide general information for educational purposes only. This site and links to other sites do not substitute for professional care. You should seek the advice of your physician or other healthcare provider.

BigStock Photo Credit

The following are a few cancer news stories for September.

There is a brief summary of each news item with a link to the source.

Let me know in Comments if you find these useful or would like to share other news stories. Thank you.

Cancer News

Victoria’s Secret Breathes Easier Over Study Results

Now this is one rumor I had not heard. Apparently, there was enough of a belief in the claim that bras – yes, bras – caused breast cancer to warrant a study.

Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center conducted a study that found no support (sorry) for the claim that brassieres worn daily by millions of women might be linked to breast cancer.

At least not in Seattle. The study used data from more than 1,000 Seattle-area women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer between 2000 and 2004.

Read the Press Release from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

New Tool Aids in Detection of Cancerous Breast Tissue

An astonishing 40 percent of women who undergo breast cancer surgery require additional surgery. The reason? Missed cancerous tissue.

Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) developed a tool that will help surgeons better distinguish cancerous breast tissue from normal tissue. Hopefully, that means fewer repeat operations.

Read more at the Science Daily news site.

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Unlocks Mystery of Rare Eye Cancer in Children

Retinoblastoma usually affects children 1 to 2 years of age and is a retinal tumor. It is is the most common malignant tumor of the eye in children.

Researchers questioned why mutations to a particular gene caused a tumor in the retina but not other cell types. The researchers at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center appear to have linked the cancer to a single genetic change.

Review the USC News article for more details.

Sign of Early Development of Pancreatic Cancer Discovered

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths, accounting for six percent of all cancer-related deaths.

Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and other institutions have discovered a sign of the early development of pancreatic cancer. The hope is this discovery will help early detection of pancreatic cancer and identify new treatment strategies.

Review the Dana-Ferber Cancer Institute News Release for full details.

 

Note: Cathy Miller is not a physician. Nothing on this site is intended to offer medical advice, treatment or services for you or any other individual. The resources provide general information for educational purposes only. This site and links to other sites do not substitute for professional care. You should seek the advice of your physician or other healthcare provider.

BigStock Photo Credit

The following are a few cancer news stories for August.

There is a brief summary of each news item with a link to the source.

Let me know in Comments if you find these useful or would like to share other news stories. Thank you.

Cancer News

Over-the-Counter Pharmacy Items May Slow Breast Cancer Recurrence

In our July issue, researchers found promising results from the use of aspirin in lowering your risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

A new study shows similar promise for overweight and obese women in slowing the recurrence of hormone-related breast cancer.

Researchers from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and The University of Texas at Austin published their findings in the journal Cancer Research.

The findings show postmenopausal overweight breast cancer patients who use anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin or ibuprofen have significantly lower breast cancer recurrence rate.

Read the Press Release from UT Health Science Center, San Antonio.

Hard-to-Treat Head and Neck Cancers May Have New Treatment

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center scientists have identified a potential new drug for certain difficult-to-treat head and neck cancers. Head and neck cancers are the sixth most common type of cancer in the world.

The new drug may shrink tumors before surgery and reducedetrimental side effects of chemotherapy. An early-phase clinical trial is scheduled for this fall.

Read more at the Center News.

HPV Antiviral Concoction Used Against Cervical Cancer

Duke University researchers used a gene editing method known as CRISPR and redirected it against the human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus that causes cervical (and other) cancer. The antiviral concoction caused the cancer cells to self-destruct.

Review the DukeToday article for more details.

Certain Birth Control pills May Increase Breast Cancer Risk

Fred Hutchinson researchers discovered that recent use of some birth control pills may increase breast cancer risk.

The findings published in Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, revealed women using birth control pills containing high-dose estrogen and a few other formulations had an increased risk for breast cancer, while those using some other formulations did not.

Review the Press Release for full details.

 

Note: Cathy Miller is not a physician. Nothing on this site is intended to offer medical advice, treatment or services for you or any other individual. The resources provide general information for educational purposes only. This site and links to other sites do not substitute for professional care. You should seek the advice of your physician or other healthcare provider.

BigStock Photo Credit