In effort to raise awareness about cancer in the context of February being the National Cancer Prevention Month, here’s the selection of our most recent articles on breast cancer treatment, prostate cancer treatment, cancer-related Alzheimer’s disease risk, along with preventative recommendations to keep in mind. The American Institute for Cancer Research summarized the lifestyle changes for effective cancer prevention in the following three main guidelines. First, make plant foods prevalent in your diet, limiting red meat and avoiding processed meat. Second, have a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity every day. Third, maintain a healthy weight throughout life. As you can see, these tips are very similar to lifestyle recommendations for preventing other conditions, such as cardiovascular disease. Commitment to a healthy lifestyle is not just a tribute to the modern trend of healthy living – it is your investment into your future health and wellness.
Prostate cancer treatment linked with Alzheimer’s disease risk
A common prostate cancer treatment has been linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The research was led by Stanford University School of Medicine and the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. The research reviewed electronic medical records of prostate cancer patients, and researchers found the risk of Alzheimer’s disease was nearly doubled in those who were treated with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT).
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Testosterone has been shown to promote the growth of prostate tumors, and so ADT has been used to reduce testosterone and other androgens in prostate cancer patients. In the U.S., nearly half a million men currently receive ADT for prostate cancer.
The researchers identified nearly 18,000 prostate patients from two institutions, 16,888 had non-metastatic prostate cancer and 2,397 had been treated with ADT. Continue reading…
Yoga benefits men undergoing prostate cancer treatment
Yoga has been found to help diminish side effects associated with prostate cancer treatment. The findings come from researchers led by Neha Vapiwala, M.D. at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
Side effects experienced due to prostate cancer treatment are fatigue, changes in sexual health, and urinary incontinence. These side effects became stable in the men who engaged in yoga over the course of the study. Dr. Vapiwala said, “Data have consistently shown declines in these important measures among prostate cancer patients undergoing cancer therapy without any structured fitness interventions, so the stable scores seen with our yoga program are really good news.” Continue reading…
Acupuncture: The answer to side effects of breast cancer treatment
Women suffering from hot flashes because of breast cancer treatment side effects will welcome the news about acupuncture as a viable treatment.
Scientists at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania have found that hot flashes are particularly severe and frequent in breast cancer survivors. These patients cannot rely on the current FDA-approved hormone replacement therapies for hot flashes because the therapies include estrogen.
The results of the study are published this week in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Continue reading…
Weight loss surgery benefits cancer prevention: Study
The study examined 71 women with a body mass index (BMI) of 50.9. A BMI of 40 is considered obese, and a BMI of 50 is considered morbidly obese, and yet the women from the study did not identify themselves as obese.
The effects of bariatric surgery were looked at one to three years following the procedure. Of the group, 68 underwent the surgery – two opted out and one died from a heart condition. Mean weight loss was 100 pounds.
Susan C. Modesitt, M.D., from the University of Virginia Cancer Center, said, “If you look at cancers in women, about a fifth of all cancer deaths would be prevented if we had women at normal body weight in the U.S. When you’re looking at obesity-related cancers, the biggest one is endometrial cancer, but also colon cancer, breast cancer, renal cancer and gall bladder cancer. We think about 40 [percent] to 50 percent of all endometrial cancer, which is in the lining of the uterus, is caused by obesity.” Continue reading…
ReDO project finds common painkiller can fight against cancer
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The ReDO (Repurposing Drugs in Oncology) project is an international collaboration between the Anticancer Fund based in Belgium, and the US based GlobalCures. Their mission is to find untapped sources of novel treatments for cancer in existing and widely used non-cancer drugs.
Their latest target is Diclofenac, a common painkiller. The ReDO researchers confirm that this common painkiller has significant anti-cancer properties. The full details of their study and its results are published in the open-access on-line journal ecancermedicalscience.
Like other drugs undertaken by the ReDO project, diclofenac is inexpensive, readily accessible, and backed by safety test. It is a well-known and widely used NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) that is used to relieve many common pain conditions like joint pains, headaches, acute gout and post-surgery pain. Continue reading…
