More evidence that physical activity does a body good

CANCER DIGEST – April 20, 2019 – Another study about physical activity and health has shown that increased physical activity of any type reduces overall risk of dying regardless of age, sex, or starting fitness level.

The Swedish study was presented in Lisbon, Portugal at EuroPrevent 2019, a conference of the European Society of Cardiology.

Proton therapy shown safe and effective for childhood neuroblastomas

Image courtesy CHOP News

CANCER DIGEST – April 12, 2019 – Proton therapy is both effective in reducing a common childhood tumor while posing little risk to nearby organs, a new study shows.

Researchers at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the Perelman School of Medicine analyzed the largest group of pediatric patients to date with high-risk neuroblastoma treated with proton therapy. 

Neuroblastoma is a cancer of immature nerve cells found most commonly in the adrenal glands. The study is published online in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology.

Anti-cancer vaccine linked to dramatic reduction of other cervical disease

Photo courtesy BMJ

CANCER DIGEST – April 6, 2019 – Researchers in Scotland have found that women born between 1995 and 1996 who were vaccinated against HPV had a 89 percent reduction in the highest grade of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN3), the type of lesions indicating the highest risk of invasive cervical cancer. 

CIN is categorized by risk for developing cancer with CIN1 at lowest risk, up to CIN3 at highest risk.

Could a box on your doorstep prompt more colon cancer screening?

Television ads for Cologuard® promote the ease of fecal
immunochemical test, or FIT kits for colon cancer.

CANCER DIGEST – Mar. 23, 2019 – You may have seen the friendly talking box pitching the simplicity of getting screened for colorectal cancer. "No need for time off for special prep, because I use the DNA in your stool to find colon cancer."

Link between obesity and breast cancer may be fatty acids in blood

CANCER DIGEST – Mar. 16, 2019 – Free fatty acids in the blood may stimulate growth of breast cancer cells, which would explain the link between obesity and higher risk of developing breast cancer after menopause, say researchers.