Cancer
Breast Cancer
BAX the Death Protein - [10/26/08]
Summary: Apoptosis, the death of cells, occurs for many reasons. It is fueled by gene codes and proteins such as BAX. When the BAX protein is activated it kills the cell by destroying the mitochondria. Researchers have found a trigger to activate the BAX protein in cells with the BH3 peptide.
Comment: This study is the first to selectively trigger the BAX protein. Many cancer cells have genes that block the production of BAX. This ability to trigger death within certain cells can allow researchers to develop new drugs and therapies to kill cancer cells within a body. Being able to kill only cancer cells could provide doctors and patients with safer and more effective breast cancer therapies.
Read article - HealthNewsDigest.com October 26, 2008
Respiratory Rates can Predict Insomnia - [10/21/08]
Summary: Breathing and heart rates, combined with cortisol levels can help doctors determine the likelihood of patients with metastatic breast cancer developing insomnia. The parasympathetic system is a part of the nervous system that controls breathing. In this study the parasympathetic system was identified as the body's reaction to stress, and as a contributor to sleep disorders. This connection suggests that by using simple breathing exercise patients can avoid insomnia.
Comment: Sleep disorders can be a common complaint of women who have metastatic breast cancer. It can affect their quality of live and ability to recover effectively. By using simple breathing exercises these patients can avoid insomnia and enjoy the benefits from a good night's rest.
Read article - Science Daily October 21, 2008
Vegetarian Eating may Reduce risk of Disease and Cancer - [10/17/08]
Summary: A new book titled The Flexitarian Diet - The Mostly Vegetarian Way To Lose Weight, Lower Blood Pressure, Be Healthier & Add Years To Your Life encourages semi-vegetarian eating to help lower your blood pressure, glucose, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels and reduce the likelihood of diseases and cancers. Being a "flexitarian eater" means lowering your intake of meat, and eating more fruits and vegetables, plant-foods and whole grains. "Being a flexitarian is a more flexible, more realistic way to be a vegetarian" says Dawn Jackson Blatner, the creator of The Flexitarian Diet.
Comment: Eating as a flexitarian has been found to improve, prevent or decrease the likelihood of acquiring many health conditions, including cancer. Cancer can be serious and fatal, making it important to find correct treatment and prevention when possible. These mostly easy-to-adapt-to eating habits may lead to a longer life because of the cancer prevention benefits.
Read article - Medical News TODAY October 17, 2008
Patients Misunderstand Written Screening Tests - [10/14/08]
Summary: The majority of physicians require patients to answer written questions while in the waiting room to visit the doctor. However, a new survey has revealed the gap between doctors and patients in this process. Because of the difference in literacy between patients and physicians, most patients are confused, or don't understand most of the questions. According to Dr. Master, one of the authors of this survey, the predominant reason for this is illiteracy.
Comment: Illiteracy is becoming more common in American which is causing great problems to physicians. Not only is there a problem with illiteracy but also with patients who are innumerate. By answering the surveys to the best of your abilities, you will receive better diagnosis or treatment of breast cancer.
Read article - Medical News TODAY October 14, 2008
Internet Consulted More Often Than Doctors - [10/12/08]
Summary: New market research shows that over the past year more adults went to the internet to get health information than consulted a doctor. This trend may likely be the product of an increasing consumer comfort in using the web to find reliable medical information. In addition, rising costs of healthcare coverage and visits to the doctor may be adding to the preference for first looking for information online.
Comment: The impacts of this trend, as well as others, will be discussed in an online seminar entitled "Is TV Dead? How the New New Media Changes Pharmaceutical DTC Advertising". The event is scheduled for October 14th at 11am EST and October 16th at 3pm EST.
Read article - Medical News Today. October 12, 2008.
Read article - Register for the Seminar
Findings to Improve Treatment of Inherited Breast Cancer - [10/11/08]
Summary: Researchers studied the interactions of the BRAC1 gene, the SIRT1 protein, and Survivin to better understand the downstream processes of inherited breast cancer. They found that BRAC1 was a tumor suppressor by maintaining SIRT1 expression, which resulted in lower levels of Survivin expression. When the BRAC1 was mutated there were higher levels of Survivin, which caused the cells to become malignant.
Comment: About 8 percent of breast cancer cases are caused by a genetic mutation, such as a BRAC1 mutation. Most of the women with this mutation develop breast cancer. This information helps researchers better understand the causes and possible treatments of this inherited breast cancer. Familial breast cancer can often be harder to treat, but with this research new treatments may be developed.
Read article - Science Daily October 11, 2008
Vitamin D Linked to Overall Health - [10/10/08]
Summary: Vitamin D has been linked to improved overall health. This vitamin affects 36 organ tissues in the body including bone marrow, breast, colon, intestine, kidney, lung, prostate, retina, skin, stomach and uterus tissues. It has also been linked to improving immune systems, insulin secretion, heart health, blood pressure, muscle strength, brain activity, and decreased risk of cancer. For most adults 200-600 IU of daily vitamin D is recommended, but some experts recommend up to 2000 IU daily.
Comment: Vitamin D has previously been thought to improve bone health, but this study shows that it can affect all areas of health. By increased intake of vitamin D people with breast cancer can experience improved health.
Read article - Medical News TODAY October 10, 2008
Using Herbal Menopause Therapy and Breast Cancer Treatments - [10/07/08]
Summary: Researchers are studying the effects of using black cohosh, an herbal supplement used by women going through menopause, with the breast cancer treatment tamoxifen. This research will use rats prone to breast cancer. Previous studies have shown that tamoxifen reduces the occurrence of breast cancer in these rats, so by giving them both the herbal supplement and tamoxifen researchers can see what effects the two treatments will have when used together.
Comment: There have not been any previous studies on the effects of both medications when used at the same time, currently women taking tamoxifen cannot take any herbal supplements and have to rely on antidepressants for menopausal relief. This study can clarify the safety of these medications.
Read article - Science Daily October 7, 2008
Suicide Risk in Cancer Patients - [10/06/08]
Summary: A recently conducted study shows that cancer patients are two times more likely to commit suicide than the average U.S. citizen. Most patients with cancer that committed suicide were diagnosed with the condition when it was at a terminal state, concluding that they were "better off dead". "Our data suggest that the psychological experience of cancer survivors deserves further attention, as urged by the Institute of Medicine, particularly because appropriate use of psychosocial interventions in patients with cancer can make a positive impact on quality of life," write the authors of this study.
Comment: Cancer patients are at higher risk for developing the condition of depression. It is very important to diagnose cancer as early as possible because of the even higher suicide risk of those who are diagnosed with cancer when it is at a terminal stage. Frequent doctor check-ups are a successful way to discover cancer early on, and reduce the chance of developing depression.
Read article - Medical News TODAY October 6, 2008
Nanoparticle Imaging for Breast Cancer - [10/06/08]
Summary: A new breast cancer imaging method has been developed that uses fluorescent molecules in calcium phosphate nanoparticles viewed in non-toxic near infrared light. Using this method researchers were able to identify 5mm breast cancer tumors in mice after four or more days. Using nanoparticles gives the dye used 200% greater photoefficiency and 500% greater photostability.
Comment: More accurate and effective methods of breast cancer imaging can allow doctors to detect breast cancer earlier, when the cancer is easiest to treat. Current imaging technology such as x-rays and MRI's can only detect some sizes of tumors, they are also limited in the depth of the tumor, and can have dangerous side effects. This new imaging can help more women be diagnosed early and protect their health.
Read article - Science Daily October 6, 2008