A new study reveals a strong inverse association between coffee consumption and the risk of lethal and advanced prostate cancers.
Data presented at the American Association for Cancer Research Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research Conference revealed that coffee has effects on insulin and glucose metabolism as well as sex hormone levels, all of which play a role in prostate cancer.
Medical researchers report that that men who drank the most coffee had a 60 percent lower risk of aggressive prostate cancer than men who did not drink any coffee. This is the first study of its kind to look at both overall risk of prostate cancer and risk of localized, advanced and lethal disease.
Some 745,000 men are diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States according to the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance that tracks critical illness data for cancers, heart attack and stroke. Approximately 300,000 men die each year of cancer.
The researchers are unsure which components of the beverage are most important, as coffee contains many biologically active compounds like antioxidants and minerals. They study examined both regular and decaffeinated coffee intake of nearly 50,000 men every four years from 1986 to 2006.
Nearly 5,000 men developed prostate cancer over that time. The researchers examined the association between coffee consumption and levels of circulating hormones in blood samples collected from a subset of men in the cohort. The results do suggest there is no reason to stop drinking coffee out of any concern about prostate cancer, the report adds.
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Showing posts with label prostate cancer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prostate cancer. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
Walking And Exercise May Lower Prostate Cancer Risk
Men who regularly get moderate exercise may have a lower risk of developing prostate cancer.
Researchers examined men who underwent biopsies for possible prostate cancer. Those who exercised moderately, the equivalent of three to six hours of walking per week, were less likely to be diagnosed with the disease.
The study found that compared with their sedentary counterparts, these men were two-thirds less likely to have a biopsy positive for prostate cancer. In addition, men who performed one to three hours of walking each week had an 86 percent lower chance of having an aggressive form of the cancer.
According to the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance, some 745,000 men are diagnosed with cancer each week. Prostate cancer is the leading cancer impacting men. The study findings which appear in the current issue of the Journal of Urology do not prove that exercise helps prevent prostate cancer the researchers point out. But it could offer men another incentive to get active.
A number of studies have looked at the relationship between exercise and prostate cancer, and while most have pointed to a protective effect, about one-third have found no association. The medical experts found that among the 111 sedentary men in the study, half were diagnosed with cancer after biopsy. That compared with 27 percent of those men who got the equivalent of three to six hours of walking each week.
And among men diagnosed with prostate cancer, 51 percent of sedentary patients had more-aggressive cancer, versus 22 percent of those who had been mildly active -- getting the equivalent of one to three hours of moderate walking per week.
Exercise itself remained linked to a lower risk of prostate cancer after the researchers accounted for a number of other factors, like age, weight and race. Exercise has been shown to lower blood levels of testosterone and other hormones that may stimulate prostate tumor growth. Exercise is also believed to stimulate the immune system and the body's natural antioxidant mechanisms, both of which may help prevent the development of prostate cancer.
Researchers examined men who underwent biopsies for possible prostate cancer. Those who exercised moderately, the equivalent of three to six hours of walking per week, were less likely to be diagnosed with the disease.
The study found that compared with their sedentary counterparts, these men were two-thirds less likely to have a biopsy positive for prostate cancer. In addition, men who performed one to three hours of walking each week had an 86 percent lower chance of having an aggressive form of the cancer.
According to the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance, some 745,000 men are diagnosed with cancer each week. Prostate cancer is the leading cancer impacting men. The study findings which appear in the current issue of the Journal of Urology do not prove that exercise helps prevent prostate cancer the researchers point out. But it could offer men another incentive to get active.
A number of studies have looked at the relationship between exercise and prostate cancer, and while most have pointed to a protective effect, about one-third have found no association. The medical experts found that among the 111 sedentary men in the study, half were diagnosed with cancer after biopsy. That compared with 27 percent of those men who got the equivalent of three to six hours of walking each week.
And among men diagnosed with prostate cancer, 51 percent of sedentary patients had more-aggressive cancer, versus 22 percent of those who had been mildly active -- getting the equivalent of one to three hours of moderate walking per week.
Exercise itself remained linked to a lower risk of prostate cancer after the researchers accounted for a number of other factors, like age, weight and race. Exercise has been shown to lower blood levels of testosterone and other hormones that may stimulate prostate tumor growth. Exercise is also believed to stimulate the immune system and the body's natural antioxidant mechanisms, both of which may help prevent the development of prostate cancer.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Eating Red Meat Linked To Prostate Cancer
Men who consumer red meat or processed red meats may have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer than those who limit such foods.
Researchers at the National Cancer Institute report the findings of a major study. Researchers followed more than 175,000 men for nine years. Those who ate the most red and processed meats had heightened risks of developing any stage of prostate cancer, or advanced cancer in particular. Prostate cancer is the most commong cancer in men according to the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance, followed by lung and colon.
The findings which were reported in the American Journal of Epidemiology add to a conflicting body of research on meat intake and prostate cancer risk. Prior studies have come to different conclusions. However, medical experts generally consider the evidence linking red and processed meats to the disease to be limited and inconclusive.
These latest findings do not settle the question. The researchers explain that they do suggest that processed red meats and high-heat cooking methods -- namely, grilling and barbecuing -- may be particularly connected to prostate cancer risk.
The researchers followed 175,300 U.S. men between the ages of 50 and 71 who were surveyed about their diets. Specifically, the study looked at how much and what type of meat the participants typically ate. They also studied the cooking methods used.
The researchers used that information to estimate the levels of certain potentially cancer-promoting chemicals in the men's diets. Over the next nine years, 10,313 study participants developed prostate cancer and 419 died from the disease.
Overall, the researchers found, the 20 percent of men with the highest intakes of red meat, which in this study included beef and pork, were 12 percent more likely than those who consumed the least to develop prostate cancer. That's after a range of other factors, like smoking, exercise habits and education, were taken into account.
There was a stronger connection to advanced prostate cancer -- with that risk being almost one-third higher among those who ate the most red meat versus those who ate the least.
Similar findings were seen with processed meat. But when the researchers broke the men's diet information down further, they found that red processed meats -- like bacon and red-meat sausage and hot dogs -- were related to higher prostate cancer risk, while white processed meats, like poultry cold cuts, were not.
When it came to cooking methods, the only one that was linked to prostate cancer was grilling or barbecuing.
The finding is in line with the theory that meats cooked at high temperatures may be particularly linked to cancer because the cooking process produces certain chemicals -- including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heterocyclic amines -- that are known to cause cancer in animals.
The researchers also found that higher dietary levels of a PAH called benzo-alpha-pyrene were related to a higher risk of prostate cancer. A similar pattern emerged when the investigators looked at men's intake of nitrites and nitrates -- chemicals used to preserve and flavor processed and cured meats like ham, bacon and sausage. In the body, nitrites and nitrates can promote the production of potentially cancer-promoting chemicals called nitrosamines.
Researchers at the National Cancer Institute report the findings of a major study. Researchers followed more than 175,000 men for nine years. Those who ate the most red and processed meats had heightened risks of developing any stage of prostate cancer, or advanced cancer in particular. Prostate cancer is the most commong cancer in men according to the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance, followed by lung and colon.
The findings which were reported in the American Journal of Epidemiology add to a conflicting body of research on meat intake and prostate cancer risk. Prior studies have come to different conclusions. However, medical experts generally consider the evidence linking red and processed meats to the disease to be limited and inconclusive.
These latest findings do not settle the question. The researchers explain that they do suggest that processed red meats and high-heat cooking methods -- namely, grilling and barbecuing -- may be particularly connected to prostate cancer risk.
The researchers followed 175,300 U.S. men between the ages of 50 and 71 who were surveyed about their diets. Specifically, the study looked at how much and what type of meat the participants typically ate. They also studied the cooking methods used.
The researchers used that information to estimate the levels of certain potentially cancer-promoting chemicals in the men's diets. Over the next nine years, 10,313 study participants developed prostate cancer and 419 died from the disease.
Overall, the researchers found, the 20 percent of men with the highest intakes of red meat, which in this study included beef and pork, were 12 percent more likely than those who consumed the least to develop prostate cancer. That's after a range of other factors, like smoking, exercise habits and education, were taken into account.
There was a stronger connection to advanced prostate cancer -- with that risk being almost one-third higher among those who ate the most red meat versus those who ate the least.
Similar findings were seen with processed meat. But when the researchers broke the men's diet information down further, they found that red processed meats -- like bacon and red-meat sausage and hot dogs -- were related to higher prostate cancer risk, while white processed meats, like poultry cold cuts, were not.
When it came to cooking methods, the only one that was linked to prostate cancer was grilling or barbecuing.
The finding is in line with the theory that meats cooked at high temperatures may be particularly linked to cancer because the cooking process produces certain chemicals -- including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heterocyclic amines -- that are known to cause cancer in animals.
The researchers also found that higher dietary levels of a PAH called benzo-alpha-pyrene were related to a higher risk of prostate cancer. A similar pattern emerged when the investigators looked at men's intake of nitrites and nitrates -- chemicals used to preserve and flavor processed and cured meats like ham, bacon and sausage. In the body, nitrites and nitrates can promote the production of potentially cancer-promoting chemicals called nitrosamines.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Race, Income, Marital Status Has No Impact On Prostate Cancer Outcome
A patient's income, martial status and race has absolutely no impact on their outcome following curative radiation therapy for the treatment of prostate cancer.
A study conducted at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit found that socioeconomic status factors had no impact on predicting the outcome of treatment. All patients did equally well, based on the known prognostic factors.
The study, presented this week at the American Society for Radiation Oncology meeting in Chicago is unique in that nearly 50 percent of patients in the analysis are African American.
Prostate cancer affects one in six men in the United States according to the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance and the majority of all prostate cancer are diagnosed in men older than 65. Most individuals diagnosed with the illness will survive. Only one in 35 will die of prostate cancer. Radiation therapy involves administering high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells.
According to the study's lead researcher, prior studies on socioeconomic status and cancer outcomes done by other groups have had conflicting results. One study, for example, suggested that African Americans with breast or colon cancer do much worse than white patients because they receive care at hospitals with less expertise.
Another study the medical experts noted show that men with prostate cancer who are married have better outcomes than those who are unmarried or without a partner. And yet other studies suggested that hospitals with large minority patient populations have higher mortality for cancer.
A shortcoming of many of the studies is the fact that they include a relatively small percentage of African American patients. By comparison, almost half of the Ford study group was African American, which allowed researchers to undertake a more accurate assessment of how socioeconomic status affects prostate cancer outcomes.
The study included 788 Henry Ford Hospital patients with localized prostate cancer who were treated with external beam radiation therapy. Among those in the study, 48.5 percent were African American with a median household income $36,917, and 46 percent were white with a median household income of $60,190. The patients' ages ranged from 44 to 90.
While there was a large difference in median household income among African Americans and whites, none of the socioeconomic factors examined predicted for patient outcome. Only known disease risk factors determined overall survival or biochemical (PSA) control rates.
A study conducted at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit found that socioeconomic status factors had no impact on predicting the outcome of treatment. All patients did equally well, based on the known prognostic factors.
The study, presented this week at the American Society for Radiation Oncology meeting in Chicago is unique in that nearly 50 percent of patients in the analysis are African American.
Prostate cancer affects one in six men in the United States according to the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance and the majority of all prostate cancer are diagnosed in men older than 65. Most individuals diagnosed with the illness will survive. Only one in 35 will die of prostate cancer. Radiation therapy involves administering high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells.
According to the study's lead researcher, prior studies on socioeconomic status and cancer outcomes done by other groups have had conflicting results. One study, for example, suggested that African Americans with breast or colon cancer do much worse than white patients because they receive care at hospitals with less expertise.
Another study the medical experts noted show that men with prostate cancer who are married have better outcomes than those who are unmarried or without a partner. And yet other studies suggested that hospitals with large minority patient populations have higher mortality for cancer.
A shortcoming of many of the studies is the fact that they include a relatively small percentage of African American patients. By comparison, almost half of the Ford study group was African American, which allowed researchers to undertake a more accurate assessment of how socioeconomic status affects prostate cancer outcomes.
The study included 788 Henry Ford Hospital patients with localized prostate cancer who were treated with external beam radiation therapy. Among those in the study, 48.5 percent were African American with a median household income $36,917, and 46 percent were white with a median household income of $60,190. The patients' ages ranged from 44 to 90.
While there was a large difference in median household income among African Americans and whites, none of the socioeconomic factors examined predicted for patient outcome. Only known disease risk factors determined overall survival or biochemical (PSA) control rates.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
High-def Colonoscopy Detects More Polyps
A high-definition (HD) colonoscopy is much more sensitive than standard colonoscopy in finding polyps that could morph into cancer.
According to researchers from the Mayo Clinic it appears that high-definition colonoscopy detects more precancerous polyps. The difference could be as much as 20 percent.
Approximately 14 million colonoscopies are performed each year according to the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance, the industry organization that tracks and reports data related to critical illnesses. Some 745,000 men were diagnosed with cancer each year, roughly 10 percent with colon cancer.
A study was conducted between September 2006 and December 2007 when the Mayo Clinic in Florida was switching its six colonoscopy procedure rooms from standard colonoscopy endoscopes to high-definition endoscopes.
The findings, presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology in San Diego, Calif., are not only important because a large group (2,430) of patients participated, but they resulted from the only study to date that has compared these two methods in a general clinical practice setting, among all the patients who needed a colonoscopy and with all the physicians who performed it.
An endoscope is the lighted tube inserted into the colon and rectum to look for, and remove, polyps. A high-definition endoscope uses both a high-definition video chip and HD monitors (like HD television) that increase the resolution of the image. Patients were not assigned to one scope or the other. Instead, they were placed in whatever room was available and assigned a gastroenterologist who was on duty at the time.
Researchers found that the rate of detection of adenomas -- polyps that are likely to become cancerous -- was 29 percent among patients who were scanned with high-definition endoscopes, versus 24 percent for those in which standard endoscopes were used.
The study was funded by Mayo Clinic, and the authors declare no conflict of interest nor do they endorse the products mentioned in the study.
According to researchers from the Mayo Clinic it appears that high-definition colonoscopy detects more precancerous polyps. The difference could be as much as 20 percent.
Approximately 14 million colonoscopies are performed each year according to the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance, the industry organization that tracks and reports data related to critical illnesses. Some 745,000 men were diagnosed with cancer each year, roughly 10 percent with colon cancer.
A study was conducted between September 2006 and December 2007 when the Mayo Clinic in Florida was switching its six colonoscopy procedure rooms from standard colonoscopy endoscopes to high-definition endoscopes.
The findings, presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology in San Diego, Calif., are not only important because a large group (2,430) of patients participated, but they resulted from the only study to date that has compared these two methods in a general clinical practice setting, among all the patients who needed a colonoscopy and with all the physicians who performed it.
An endoscope is the lighted tube inserted into the colon and rectum to look for, and remove, polyps. A high-definition endoscope uses both a high-definition video chip and HD monitors (like HD television) that increase the resolution of the image. Patients were not assigned to one scope or the other. Instead, they were placed in whatever room was available and assigned a gastroenterologist who was on duty at the time.
Researchers found that the rate of detection of adenomas -- polyps that are likely to become cancerous -- was 29 percent among patients who were scanned with high-definition endoscopes, versus 24 percent for those in which standard endoscopes were used.
The study was funded by Mayo Clinic, and the authors declare no conflict of interest nor do they endorse the products mentioned in the study.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Mini-Stroke Precedes Just 1 In 8 Strokes
October 1, 2009. One out of every eight strokes is preceded by a milder interruption of blood flow to the brain, called a transient ischemic attack (TIA). Canadian researchers conclude that such an attack is not the crucial warning sign that physicians need.
For the study published in the Sept. 29 issue of Neurology, researchers found that, of the 16,409 people diagnosed with stroke over a four-year period, 2,032 -- or 12.4 percent of them -- had a TIA in the weeks before the stroke.
As a result, the medical experts concluded that a TIA does not have enough predictive power to warrant intensive preventive measures.
A TIA, which some refer to as a mini-stroke, occurs when a clot briefly blocks a brain artery. Symptoms of a TIA are the same as those of a stroke -- sudden onset of weakness or numbness in an arm or leg, loss of vision or double vision, speech difficulty, dizziness, loss of balance -- but they go away, often in a few minutes. Many people ignore the symptoms, but they are clear signs of possible trouble.
Dr. Larry B. Goldstein, director of the Duke Stroke Center. But he disagrees with the Canadian report's interpretation of the predictive importance of TIAs. "They predict 10 to 15 percent of strokes," Goldstein said. "This is not a small number, so it is an opportunity to prevent stroke that you don't want to miss when it happens."
Some medical experts noted that better predictive tools are available. Many prefers carotid ultrasound, an inexpensive way to listen to blood flow in the main artery to the brain.
Stroke is a leading cause of critical illness with over one million new cases diagnosed in the United States annually according to the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance the national trade organization.
For the study published in the Sept. 29 issue of Neurology, researchers found that, of the 16,409 people diagnosed with stroke over a four-year period, 2,032 -- or 12.4 percent of them -- had a TIA in the weeks before the stroke.
As a result, the medical experts concluded that a TIA does not have enough predictive power to warrant intensive preventive measures.
A TIA, which some refer to as a mini-stroke, occurs when a clot briefly blocks a brain artery. Symptoms of a TIA are the same as those of a stroke -- sudden onset of weakness or numbness in an arm or leg, loss of vision or double vision, speech difficulty, dizziness, loss of balance -- but they go away, often in a few minutes. Many people ignore the symptoms, but they are clear signs of possible trouble.
Dr. Larry B. Goldstein, director of the Duke Stroke Center. But he disagrees with the Canadian report's interpretation of the predictive importance of TIAs. "They predict 10 to 15 percent of strokes," Goldstein said. "This is not a small number, so it is an opportunity to prevent stroke that you don't want to miss when it happens."
Some medical experts noted that better predictive tools are available. Many prefers carotid ultrasound, an inexpensive way to listen to blood flow in the main artery to the brain.
Stroke is a leading cause of critical illness with over one million new cases diagnosed in the United States annually according to the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance the national trade organization.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Study: PSA Test Considered Unreliable Prostate Cancer Screening
Researchers noted that the inability of the PSA test to distinguish between deadly and harmless prostate cancers makes it unusable as a population-wide screening tool. PSA is a protein made by the prostate gland. It is found in small amounts in the blood of healthy men, and is often elevated in men with prostate cancer, but also in men with benign prostate enlargement.
Some 745,000 men in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer this year according to the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance, the industry trade group. Nearly 300,000 will die and prostate cancer causes about a quarter of all cancer deaths among men.
The lead author of one study, a urologist with Gavle Hospital in Gavle, Sweden, noted that in addition to PSA, further biomarkers are needed before inferring population-based screening for prostate cancer. The claim was based on a study of PSA tests of over 500 men diagnosed with prostate cancer. Their PSA was measured several years before being diagnosed. Scientists compared those tests with PSA tests from over 1,000 men without prostate cancer.
Reserachers reported that in men with a prediagnostic PSA level below 1 nanogram per milliliter, only six men [1.2 percent] were later diagnosed with a high-risk prostate cancer. Hence, PSA levels below [that] almost ruled out a future high-risk prostate cancer diagnosis. They noted that the direct implication of their findings in a screening situation was that no matter which PSA cut-off you adopt for selecting men for further diagnostic work-up, you will either have too many false positives or too many false negatives.
Given the current trend in lowering the PSA cut-off to about 3 nanograms per milliliter, the medical reserachers noted that a large number of healthy men will be subject to painful, stressful and costly diagnostic procedures. Their report worried that the wide overdiagnosis of slow-growing tumors causing unnecessary medical treatment and anxiety.
Although most agencies providing recommendations on prostate cancer screening, especially those outside the United States, do not recommend routine PSA testing for the early detection of prostate cancer, it continues to be performed frequently medical experts noted.
Some 745,000 men in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer this year according to the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance, the industry trade group. Nearly 300,000 will die and prostate cancer causes about a quarter of all cancer deaths among men.
The lead author of one study, a urologist with Gavle Hospital in Gavle, Sweden, noted that in addition to PSA, further biomarkers are needed before inferring population-based screening for prostate cancer. The claim was based on a study of PSA tests of over 500 men diagnosed with prostate cancer. Their PSA was measured several years before being diagnosed. Scientists compared those tests with PSA tests from over 1,000 men without prostate cancer.
Reserachers reported that in men with a prediagnostic PSA level below 1 nanogram per milliliter, only six men [1.2 percent] were later diagnosed with a high-risk prostate cancer. Hence, PSA levels below [that] almost ruled out a future high-risk prostate cancer diagnosis. They noted that the direct implication of their findings in a screening situation was that no matter which PSA cut-off you adopt for selecting men for further diagnostic work-up, you will either have too many false positives or too many false negatives.
Given the current trend in lowering the PSA cut-off to about 3 nanograms per milliliter, the medical reserachers noted that a large number of healthy men will be subject to painful, stressful and costly diagnostic procedures. Their report worried that the wide overdiagnosis of slow-growing tumors causing unnecessary medical treatment and anxiety.
Although most agencies providing recommendations on prostate cancer screening, especially those outside the United States, do not recommend routine PSA testing for the early detection of prostate cancer, it continues to be performed frequently medical experts noted.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Exercise May Prevent Protate Cancer
September 28, 2009. Regular exercise may help protect men from prostate cancer.
According to a new study released today by Duke University Medical Center men who were moderately active were significantly less likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Moderately active was defined as anything equivalent to walking at a moderate pace for several hours a week.
The researchers looked at men who had a prostate biopsy and found that exercise was associated with less aggressive disease in men who did develop prostate cancer. As the amount of exercise increased, the risk of cancer decreased, the study's lead author said in a news release.
The majority (58 percent) of the men in this study were sedentary, which means they exercised less than the equivalent of one hour per week of easy walking.
Prostate cancer is the third most common cause of death from cancer in men of all ages and is the most common cause of death from cancer in men over 75 years old according to the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance . Prostate cancer is rarely found in men younger than 40.
Men at higher risk include African-America men older than 60, farmers, tire plant workers, painters, and men exposed to cadmium. The lowest number of cases occurs in Japanese men and those who do not eat meat (vegetarians).
Prostate cancers are grouped according to tumor size, any spreading outside the prostate (and how far), and how different tumor cells are from normal tissue. This is called staging. Identifying the correct stage may help the doctor determine which treatment is best.
According to a new study released today by Duke University Medical Center men who were moderately active were significantly less likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Moderately active was defined as anything equivalent to walking at a moderate pace for several hours a week.
The researchers looked at men who had a prostate biopsy and found that exercise was associated with less aggressive disease in men who did develop prostate cancer. As the amount of exercise increased, the risk of cancer decreased, the study's lead author said in a news release.
The majority (58 percent) of the men in this study were sedentary, which means they exercised less than the equivalent of one hour per week of easy walking.
Prostate cancer is the third most common cause of death from cancer in men of all ages and is the most common cause of death from cancer in men over 75 years old according to the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance . Prostate cancer is rarely found in men younger than 40.
Men at higher risk include African-America men older than 60, farmers, tire plant workers, painters, and men exposed to cadmium. The lowest number of cases occurs in Japanese men and those who do not eat meat (vegetarians).
Prostate cancers are grouped according to tumor size, any spreading outside the prostate (and how far), and how different tumor cells are from normal tissue. This is called staging. Identifying the correct stage may help the doctor determine which treatment is best.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Aspirin Protects Against Colon Cancer
An aspirin a day can prevent colon cancer in people with a genetic disorder that increases their risk of developing the disease.
Colorectal is the second biggest cause of cancer death in the United States and Europe, where a total of 560,000 people develop the disease each year, and 250,000 die from it according to the American Association for Critical Illness insurance, the national trade organization.
Scientists at the Institute of Human Genetics at Newcastle University in Britain said the benefits of aspirin were only seen after several years. The researchers noted that they uncovered a simple way of controlling stems cells that make tumors grow.
The researchers tested over 1,000 people with Lynch syndrome -- an inherited condition that predisposes a person to a range of cancers, particularly of the colon. Some were given aspirins and some a placebo.
Follow-up tests after 10 years showed that although there was no difference in cancer rates after 29 months, a significant difference was detected after four years. Fewer people in the aspirin group developing colon cancer, the study's leader noted.
To date, there have been only six colon cancers in the aspirin group as opposed to 16 who took placebo, the study notes. There is also a reduction in endometrial cancer.
People with Lynch syndrome have an increased risk of many cancers including stomach, colon, brain, skin, and prostate. Women carriers also have a high risk of developing endometrial and ovarian cancers.
In low daily doses aspirin has been found to stave off the risk of heart attacks and strokes, as well as chase away occasional aches and pains. Other scientists have previously found it can reduce the risk of developing colon cancer and suggested it does so by blocking the enzyme cyclooxygenase2, or COX-2, which promotes inflammation and cell division and is found in high levels in tumors.
Colorectal is the second biggest cause of cancer death in the United States and Europe, where a total of 560,000 people develop the disease each year, and 250,000 die from it according to the American Association for Critical Illness insurance, the national trade organization.
Scientists at the Institute of Human Genetics at Newcastle University in Britain said the benefits of aspirin were only seen after several years. The researchers noted that they uncovered a simple way of controlling stems cells that make tumors grow.
The researchers tested over 1,000 people with Lynch syndrome -- an inherited condition that predisposes a person to a range of cancers, particularly of the colon. Some were given aspirins and some a placebo.
Follow-up tests after 10 years showed that although there was no difference in cancer rates after 29 months, a significant difference was detected after four years. Fewer people in the aspirin group developing colon cancer, the study's leader noted.
To date, there have been only six colon cancers in the aspirin group as opposed to 16 who took placebo, the study notes. There is also a reduction in endometrial cancer.
People with Lynch syndrome have an increased risk of many cancers including stomach, colon, brain, skin, and prostate. Women carriers also have a high risk of developing endometrial and ovarian cancers.
In low daily doses aspirin has been found to stave off the risk of heart attacks and strokes, as well as chase away occasional aches and pains. Other scientists have previously found it can reduce the risk of developing colon cancer and suggested it does so by blocking the enzyme cyclooxygenase2, or COX-2, which promotes inflammation and cell division and is found in high levels in tumors.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Prostate Cancer Treatment May Spark Heart Problems
The findings from new research conducted at King's College in London could make doctors think twice before prescribing the standard hormone treatment to men with prostate cancer, particularly if they are at risk of heart disease.
More than 670,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer globally every year, making it the second-most common cancer in men, after lung cancer. In the U.S., over 185,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer annually according to the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance, the national trade organization. About 600,000 men are being treated with endocrine therapies for prostate cancer worldwide.
Researchers studied 30,000 men in Sweden with prostate cancer who received hormone therapy between 1997 and 2006. They compared the rate of heart problems in those patients to the rate in the general Swedish population. Prostate cancer patients had a 28 percent higher relative chance of having a fatal heart attack and a 21 percent increased chance of dying from heart disease.
While these risks were still low in absolute terms, the researchers estimated that the hormone therapies would cause heart problems including a heart attack at the rate of about 10 persons for every 1,000 prostate cancer patients.
Previous studies have found hormone therapy given to prostate cancer patients with a history of heart disease increases their chances of dying. Scientists believe that male-produced testosterone has some protective effect on the heart. Thus, hormones that interfere with testosterone could be deadly.
More than 670,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer globally every year, making it the second-most common cancer in men, after lung cancer. In the U.S., over 185,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer annually according to the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance, the national trade organization. About 600,000 men are being treated with endocrine therapies for prostate cancer worldwide.
Researchers studied 30,000 men in Sweden with prostate cancer who received hormone therapy between 1997 and 2006. They compared the rate of heart problems in those patients to the rate in the general Swedish population. Prostate cancer patients had a 28 percent higher relative chance of having a fatal heart attack and a 21 percent increased chance of dying from heart disease.
While these risks were still low in absolute terms, the researchers estimated that the hormone therapies would cause heart problems including a heart attack at the rate of about 10 persons for every 1,000 prostate cancer patients.
Previous studies have found hormone therapy given to prostate cancer patients with a history of heart disease increases their chances of dying. Scientists believe that male-produced testosterone has some protective effect on the heart. Thus, hormones that interfere with testosterone could be deadly.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Hispanic Americans Have Lower Cancer Risk
Hispanic (Latino) Americans are less likely than non-Hispanic whites to develop and die from all cancers combined as well as the four most common cancers (female breast, prostate, colorectal, and lung) according to a new report.
However, Hispanics have higher rates of several cancers related to infections (stomach, liver, and cervix) and are more likely to have cancer detected at a later stage.
The findings come from the latest edition of Cancer Facts & Figures for Hispanics/Latinos. Hispanic Americans comprise the largest, fastest-growing, and youngest minority in the United States. An estimated 98,900 new cancer cases will be diagnosed in Hispanic/Latinos in 2009. Prostate is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men, while breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Colorectal cancer is the second-most common cancer in both men and women.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, exceeded only by heart disease according to the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance. More than 1.44 million Americans had a diagnosis of cancer in 2008 and some 565,000 died. According to the National Institutes of Health, cancer cost the United States an estimated $228 billion in medical costs in 2008.
An estimated 18,800 Hispanics are expected to die from cancer in 2009; the top two causes of cancer death among men are lung and colorectal cancer, while breast and lung cancer are the top two in women.
Between 1997 and 2006, cancer incidence rates decreased among Hispanics by 1.3% per year in men and 0.6% per year in women, compared to decreases of 0.8% per year and 0.4% per year in non-Hispanic white men and women, respectively.
During the same time period, cancer death rates among Hispanics decreased by 2.2% per year in men and 1.2% per year in women, compared to decreases in non-Hispanic whites of 1.5% per year in men and 0.9% per year in women.
The report also finds that compared to non-Hispanic whites, Hispanic/Latino Americans have a later stage of diagnosis for many cancers, including breast and melanoma and have generally similar 5-year survival, except for melanoma, for which survival rates are lower in Hispanic compared to non-Hispanic white men (79% versus 87%) and women (88% versus 92%).
However, Hispanics have higher rates of several cancers related to infections (stomach, liver, and cervix) and are more likely to have cancer detected at a later stage.
The findings come from the latest edition of Cancer Facts & Figures for Hispanics/Latinos. Hispanic Americans comprise the largest, fastest-growing, and youngest minority in the United States. An estimated 98,900 new cancer cases will be diagnosed in Hispanic/Latinos in 2009. Prostate is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men, while breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Colorectal cancer is the second-most common cancer in both men and women.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, exceeded only by heart disease according to the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance. More than 1.44 million Americans had a diagnosis of cancer in 2008 and some 565,000 died. According to the National Institutes of Health, cancer cost the United States an estimated $228 billion in medical costs in 2008.
An estimated 18,800 Hispanics are expected to die from cancer in 2009; the top two causes of cancer death among men are lung and colorectal cancer, while breast and lung cancer are the top two in women.
Between 1997 and 2006, cancer incidence rates decreased among Hispanics by 1.3% per year in men and 0.6% per year in women, compared to decreases of 0.8% per year and 0.4% per year in non-Hispanic white men and women, respectively.
During the same time period, cancer death rates among Hispanics decreased by 2.2% per year in men and 1.2% per year in women, compared to decreases in non-Hispanic whites of 1.5% per year in men and 0.9% per year in women.
The report also finds that compared to non-Hispanic whites, Hispanic/Latino Americans have a later stage of diagnosis for many cancers, including breast and melanoma and have generally similar 5-year survival, except for melanoma, for which survival rates are lower in Hispanic compared to non-Hispanic white men (79% versus 87%) and women (88% versus 92%).
Monday, September 14, 2009
1 Million Men Overdiagnosed With Prostate Cancer
Over 1 million additional men were likely to have been incorrectly diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer.
Researchers indicated that over the past two decades, the introduction of prostate-antigen screening, or PSA, has resulted in the overdiagnosis reported in a new study published online by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
The report notes that overdiagnosis has been associated with early diagnosis in prostate cancer, but there have been no previous national estimates of its magnitude. Nearly 800,000 American men are diagnosed with cancer each year according to the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance, the national trade organization. Prostate cancer accounts for 10 percent of all cancer-related deaths.
Using data from the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program, researchers at the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice examined age-specific prostate cancer incidence rates in American men diagnosed and treated in each year after 1986. The PSA screening was introduced in 1987.
According to the study, an additional 1.3 million men were diagnosed. These they note would otherwise have never been diagnosed absent screening, and more than 1 million have been treated since 1986.
The increased diagnosis has been most dramatic among younger men. The diagnosis for prostate cancer has more than tripled since 1986 in men aged 50-59 (from 58.4 to 212.7 per 100, 000) and more than a sevenfold increase in men under age 50 (from 1.3 to 9.4 per 100,000).
Researchers indicated that over the past two decades, the introduction of prostate-antigen screening, or PSA, has resulted in the overdiagnosis reported in a new study published online by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
The report notes that overdiagnosis has been associated with early diagnosis in prostate cancer, but there have been no previous national estimates of its magnitude. Nearly 800,000 American men are diagnosed with cancer each year according to the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance, the national trade organization. Prostate cancer accounts for 10 percent of all cancer-related deaths.
Using data from the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program, researchers at the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice examined age-specific prostate cancer incidence rates in American men diagnosed and treated in each year after 1986. The PSA screening was introduced in 1987.
According to the study, an additional 1.3 million men were diagnosed. These they note would otherwise have never been diagnosed absent screening, and more than 1 million have been treated since 1986.
The increased diagnosis has been most dramatic among younger men. The diagnosis for prostate cancer has more than tripled since 1986 in men aged 50-59 (from 58.4 to 212.7 per 100, 000) and more than a sevenfold increase in men under age 50 (from 1.3 to 9.4 per 100,000).
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Colon Cancer Screenings Still Too Low
While colorectal cancer kills nearly 50,000 Americans a year only 61 percent of Americans who should be screened do so, new research finds.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States after lung cancer. There are several types of screening tests available according to the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance which advocates the importance of screening as a way for more Americans to survive deadly cancers.
Despite highly publicized education campaigns and widespread agreement about the importance of colorectal cancer screening, screening rates still lag. Rates for minorities, the uninsured and other vulnerable groups are lower still, with only 22 percent of lower-income people screened.
Using data from a Texas health system researchers identified 20,000 men and women ages 54 to 75 who were eligible for colorectal cancer screening. About 15 percent of the patients lived below the poverty line.
Patients most likely to get screened included those who saw a doctor regularly or who had health insurance.
Those with insurance were almost three times as likely to be screened, and those who saw the doctor regularly were nearly four times as likely to be screened.
Women were slightly more likely than men to be screened. Hispanics were slightly more likely to be screened than whites.
The study appears in the September issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States after lung cancer. There are several types of screening tests available according to the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance which advocates the importance of screening as a way for more Americans to survive deadly cancers.
Despite highly publicized education campaigns and widespread agreement about the importance of colorectal cancer screening, screening rates still lag. Rates for minorities, the uninsured and other vulnerable groups are lower still, with only 22 percent of lower-income people screened.
Using data from a Texas health system researchers identified 20,000 men and women ages 54 to 75 who were eligible for colorectal cancer screening. About 15 percent of the patients lived below the poverty line.
Patients most likely to get screened included those who saw a doctor regularly or who had health insurance.
Those with insurance were almost three times as likely to be screened, and those who saw the doctor regularly were nearly four times as likely to be screened.
Women were slightly more likely than men to be screened. Hispanics were slightly more likely to be screened than whites.
The study appears in the September issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Men Who Gain Weight At Heighten Risk For Prostate Cancer
Men who gain weight as young adults are at heightened risk of developing prostate cancer according to a new study.
Researchers from the University of Hawaii reported that obesity is a risk factor for many common cancers, including colorectal cancer and breast cancer in postmenopausal women. However, whether obesity plays a role in prostate cancer risk has been unclear, researchers say.
The new study finds that body mass in both younger and older adulthood, and weight gain between these periods of life, may influence prostate cancer risk. There are some 1.4 million new cases of cancer diagnosed each year in the United States according to the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance. Over 565,000 Americans die from cancer each year.
The researchers collected data on almost 84,000 men. The study also examined the relationship between weight and prostate cancer in a multiethnic population including blacks, Japanese, Hispanics, Native Hawaiians and whites. Men who were overweight or obese at 21 had a lower risk of localized and low-grade prostate cancer, the researchers found.
The study findings revealed that when men put on weight seemed to matter, as did race and ethnicity. Higher weight in older adulthood was associated with increased risk of prostate cancer among white and Native Hawaiian men and a decreased risk of prostate cancer among Japanese men.
Researchers from the University of Hawaii reported that obesity is a risk factor for many common cancers, including colorectal cancer and breast cancer in postmenopausal women. However, whether obesity plays a role in prostate cancer risk has been unclear, researchers say.
The new study finds that body mass in both younger and older adulthood, and weight gain between these periods of life, may influence prostate cancer risk. There are some 1.4 million new cases of cancer diagnosed each year in the United States according to the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance. Over 565,000 Americans die from cancer each year.
The researchers collected data on almost 84,000 men. The study also examined the relationship between weight and prostate cancer in a multiethnic population including blacks, Japanese, Hispanics, Native Hawaiians and whites. Men who were overweight or obese at 21 had a lower risk of localized and low-grade prostate cancer, the researchers found.
The study findings revealed that when men put on weight seemed to matter, as did race and ethnicity. Higher weight in older adulthood was associated with increased risk of prostate cancer among white and Native Hawaiian men and a decreased risk of prostate cancer among Japanese men.
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