Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis Can Take Big Toll on Women's Mental Health

• Robert Preidt
• April 12, 2021
• Full Page

Ovarian cancer is a tough diagnosis to cope with, and now a new study finds these patients face a much higher risk of depression and other mental health issues.

And the emotional anguish exacted a significant toll: The researchers also found it was associated with an inc...

Healthy Living Helps Ward Off Deadly Prostate Cancers in Men at High Risk

• Robert Preidt HealthDay Reporter
• April 12, 2021
• Full Page

A nutritious diet, regular exercise and other components of a healthy lifestyle may reduce the odds of lethal prostate cancer in men with a high genetic risk for it, researchers report.

"The excess genetic risk of lethal prostate cancer could be offset by adhering to a h...

Urinary Incontinence Surgery Won't Raise a Woman's Cancer Risk

• Robert Preidt
• April 12, 2021
• Full Page

Women face no increased risk of pelvic cancer -- tumors of the bladder, cervix and ovaries -- if they have surgery to treat stress urinary incontinence (SUI), a new study finds.

Concerns about possible complications and safety issues related to use of surgical mesh -- pa...

The Future of Cancer for Americans

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• April 8, 2021
• Full Page

At first glance, it appears that little will change between now and 2040 when it comes to the types of cancers that people develop and that kill them, a new forecast shows.

Breast, melanoma, lung and colon cancers are expected to be the most common types of cancers in th...

Why So Many New Cancer Diagnoses When Americans Turn 65?

• Robert Preidt
• April 7, 2021
• Full Page

A few years ago, Dr. Joseph Shrager, a professor of cardiothoracic surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine, noticed that lung cancer diagnoses were noticeably higher at age 65 than at slightly older or younger ages.

"There was no reason rates should differ much...

Mammogram Rates Have Rebounded Since Pandemic Began, But Concerns Remain

• Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
• April 6, 2021
• Full Page

When the pandemic first hit last spring, screening mammograms fell by the wayside as COVID-19 became the most pressing medical concern in the country, but U.S. testing rates rebounded by mid-summer, a new study shows.

But even though things have returned to normal, it st...

Adding in Stem Cell Therapy Helps Beat a Common Childhood Leukemia

• Robert Preidt
• April 2, 2021
• Full Page

Combining stem cell transplants with cutting-edge immunotherapy prevents leukemia relapses in young people and improves their chances of survival, new research suggests.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the most common childhood cancer.

This study included 50 patien...

Heart Disease Gaining on Cancer as Leading Cause of Death in Young Women

• Robert Preidt
• April 2, 2021
• Full Page

Heart disease is gaining on cancer as the leading cause of death among American women under 65.

"Young women in the United States are becoming less healthy, which is now reversing prior improvements seen in heart disease deaths for the gender," said Dr. Erin Michos, asso...

COVID Fears Mean More Cancers Are Being Diagnosed at Later Stages

• Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter
• April 1, 2021
• Full Page

Cancer screening rates are beginning to rebound after plummeting during the first year of the coronavirus pandemic, a new survey finds.

And patients are being diagnosed with more advanced cancers than before the pandemic, according to the American Society for Radiation O...

Obesity Tied to Shorter Survival in Cancer Patients

• Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
• March 30, 2021
• Full Page

Obesity may shorten the lives of patients with certain types of cancers, but not others, a new research review concludes.

The analysis, of more than 200 studies, found that across numerous cancers, obesity was linked to shorter survival. The list included breast, colon, ...

Don't Delay Your Cancer Screenings, Surgeons' Group Urges

• Cara Murez
• March 29, 2021
• Full Page

Many people may have postponed cancer screenings during the coronavirus pandemic, but a major medical group says now is the time to catch up.

The American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer is urging people to resume recommended cancer screenings to prevent further...

Smoking Rates High Among Surgery Patients

• Robert Preidt
• March 29, 2021
• Full Page

U.S. surgery patients have a high rate of smoking, which could be one reason why some wind up on the operating table, researchers say.

A look at nearly 329,000 Michigan residents who had common surgical procedures between 2012 and 2019 found that nearly a quarter had smo...

HPV Infections Are Plummeting Due to Widespread Vaccination

• Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
• March 26, 2021
• Full Page

Fifteen years of widespread vaccination of U.S. children with the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is reaping big rewards: A more than 80% drop in new infections has been seen in women and girls under the age of 25.

That could mean an equally big drop to come in a host...

Drug Boosts Survival for Women With Advanced Ovarian Cancer

• Denise Mann HealthDay Reporter
• March 25, 2021
• Full Page

Women with advanced ovarian cancer often face grim statistics, with less than half surviving for five years after their diagnosis. However, a new study suggests that so-called "maintenance therapy" with a targeted cancer drug may add years to some patients' lives.

In fin...

Too Much Restaurant Fare Could Shorten Your Life

• Ernie Mundell and Cara Murez
• March 25, 2021
• Full Page

Whether it's takeout or dining in, lives filled with lots of restaurant fare could turn out to be shorter, new research shows.

The study found that dining out frequently -- two or more meals prepared away from home each day -- is tied to an increased risk of death from a...

Drug Used to Prevent Miscarriages May Be Upping Cancer Rates Decades Later

• Denise Mann HealthDay Reporter
• March 24, 2021
• Full Page

Kids born to moms who took a drug widely used to prevent miscarriages in the 1950s and 1960s may be twice as likely to develop cancer in adulthood.

The drug in question, hydroxyprogesterone caproate, also known as OHPC or 17-OHPC, is a man-made version of the hormone pro...

U.S. Cancer Screening Rates Back to Normal After Pandemic Dip

• Robert Preidt
• March 24, 2021
• Full Page

After a sharp drop early in the COVID-19 pandemic, rates of routine breast and colon cancer screening soon returned to near-normal levels, a new study finds.

"These are the first findings to show that, despite real fears about the consequences of drop-off in cancer scree...

Cancer Survivors May Face Higher Odds for Heart Trouble

• Robert Preidt
• March 23, 2021
• Full Page

Cancer survivors, especially older ones, have an increased risk of heart disease over the next decade, a new study finds.

Ohio State University researchers analyzed data from more than 15,000 U.S. adults, aged 40 to 79, who were followed from 2007 to 2016. At the start o...

Many U.S. Mammography Centers Aren't Following Expert Guidelines: Report

• Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
• March 18, 2021
• Full Page

An ongoing debate about when and how often women should undergo screening mammograms is intensifying in medical circles.

A new study and an editorial published online March 15 in JAMA Internal Medicine are adding new fuel to the fight.

The research suggest...

Doubly Good: Healthy Living Cuts Your Odds for the 2 Leading Killers

• Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
• March 16, 2021
• Full Page

The same lifestyle habits that protect the heart can also curb the risk of a range of cancers, a large new study confirms.

The study of more than 20,000 U.S. adults found both bad news and good news.

People with risk factors for heart disease also faced increa...

Medical Bill Worries Tied to Worse Outcomes for Cancer Patients: Study

• Robert Preidt
• March 10, 2021
• Full Page

Financial worries can hamper the success of cancer treatment and raise patients' risk of death, according to a new study that offers the first evidence of such a link.

"The association we found was very strong, and very concerning," said senior study author Dr. Anurag Si...

Formaldehyde in Hair Straighteners Prompts FDA Warning

• Robert Preidt
• March 5, 2021
• Full Page

You might decide your frizzy locks aren't so bad after all, given a new warning from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that most hair straightening/smoothing products release formaldehyde gas, a human carcinogen.

Being exposed to formaldehyde for longer periods of ti...

Pandemic Putting Added Strain on Parents of Kids With Cancer

• Robert Preidt
• February 25, 2021
• Full Page

A cancer diagnosis for your child is devastating enough, but new research shows the coronavirus pandemic has made the battle even harder for many families.

"Parents and caregivers of children who have cancer are already under tremendous stress," said study author Kyle Wa...

Switch to Plant-Based Diet Could Protect Older Women's Brains

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• February 24, 2021
• Full Page

If you want to protect yourself against dementia, heart disease and cancer, you might want to get your protein from nuts instead of juicy red steaks.

New research shows that older women who ate the most plant protein were 21% less likely to suffer a dementia-related deat...

Many Cancer Patients Worry Pandemic Will Impact Their Care: Survey

• Robert Preidt
• February 24, 2021
• Full Page

Battling cancer is tough in normal times, but many U.S. cancer survivors are concerned the coronavirus pandemic will interfere with their care and put their health at risk, a new study finds.

"This study demonstrates the importance of clear communication between health c...

Chronic Heartburn Raises Odds for Cancers of Larynx, Esophagus

• Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
• February 22, 2021
• Full Page

People with chronic heartburn may face increased risks of several rare types of cancer, a large U.S. government study shows.

Researchers found that among more than 490,000 Americans aged 50 and up, those with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) had about twice the ris...

Drivers May Be Inhaling Dangerous Carcinogens Inside Their Cars

• Robert Preidt
• February 18, 2021
• Full Page

Worried about what damage the polluted air outside might pose to your health during your work commute? New research suggests you might want to worry more about the chemicals you are exposed to inside your car.

Benzene and formaldehyde are used in automobile manu...

Insight Into Why a Prostate Cancer Therapy Works Better for Black Men

• Cara Murez
• February 17, 2021
• Full Page

Higher levels of a certain type of immune cell may explain why immunotherapy for prostate cancer is more effective in Black men than in white men, researchers say.

The finding could lead to immunotherapy-based precision treatment for localized aggressive and advanced pro...

Know the Signs of Rare But Deadly Gall Bladder, Bile Duct Cancers

• Steven Reinberg
• February 16, 2021
• Full Page

Most people aren't aware of the signs of gallbladder or bile duct cancer, but the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey says they should be.

The gallbladder is a small organ connected to the liver by bile ducts. Its job is to store bile, which is made by the liver to ai...

COVID Vaccine Reaction Can Mimic Breast Cancer Symptoms, But Doctors Say 'Don't Panic'

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• February 11, 2021
• Full Page

One side effect of COVID-19 vaccination is creating undue fear among women, causing them to worry that they might have breast cancer.

Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines can cause lymph nodes to swell, particularly those in the armpit on the side where the shot was rece...

Abnormal Stool Test Result? Don't Delay Your Colonoscopy

• Robert Preidt
• February 11, 2021
• Full Page

Getting a colonoscopy as soon as possible after an abnormal stool test could reduce your risk of colon cancer and death from the disease, researchers say.

In a new study, investigators analyzed data from more than 200,000 U.S. veterans, aged 50 to 75, who had an abnormal...

Even Low-Intensity Exercise Can Help During Cancer Treatments

• Robert Preidt
• February 10, 2021
• Full Page

If you have cancer and you're trying to exercise to boost your health, new research suggests you don't have to knock yourself out during your workout.

Light exercise is just as beneficial as more demanding workouts for cancer patients, the researchers found.

Previo...

Drug Combo May Boost Survival for Tough-to-Treat Liver Cancers

• Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
• February 9, 2021
• Full Page

A new drug combination for advanced liver cancer can extend people's lives substantially more than the long-standing drug of choice, new study findings confirm.

The treatment involves two drugs approved to fight various cancers: bevacizumab (Avastin) and atezolizumab (Te...

Cancer Plagues California Sea Lions, With Implications for Humans

• Robert Preidt
• February 5, 2021
• Full Page

A virus-linked cancer killing California sea lions is sounding a chilling alarm for mankind.

Exposure to environmental toxins significantly boosts risk for the herpes-like cancer, which was discovered in sea lions in 1979.

Since then, between 18% and 23% of adult ...

Breast Cancer Surpasses Lung Cancer as Leading Cancer Diagnosis Worldwide

• Robert Preidt
• February 4, 2021
• Full Page

Breast cancer has surpassed lung cancer as the world's most commonly diagnosed cancer.

In 2020, there were an estimated 19.3 million new cancer cases and nearly 10 million cancer deaths worldwide, according to the Global Cancer Statistics 2020 report from the American Ca...

Could Working Outside Help Prevent Breast Cancer?

• Denise Mann HealthDay Reporter
• February 2, 2021
• Full Page

The great outdoors can soothe the soul, but new research suggests that working outside might also guard against breast cancer.

The study wasn't designed to say how working outside affects chances of developing breast cancer, but vitamin D exposure may be the driving forc...

Pandemic Has Greatly Slowed Pace of Cancer Research

• Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter
• January 27, 2021
• Full Page

To the ever-growing list of COVID-19's collateral damage, add one more casualty: cancer research.

A new study indicates that during the first wave of the pandemic last spring, the number of newly launched cancer treatment studies cratered by 60%.

"In short, the fir...

Discovery Could Explain Why Black Americans More Prone to Colon Cancer

• Robert Preidt
• January 27, 2021
• Full Page

New research reveals why Black Americans might be more vulnerable to colon cancer than white people are.

The researchers examined age-related "epigenetic" changes in colon tissue. These changes affect how genes work.

The investigators found that in both Black and w...

Male Breast Cancer Patients Face Higher Heart Risks

• Robert Preidt
• January 26, 2021
• Full Page

Heart disease risk factors are common among men with breast cancer, a new, small study finds.

Researchers analyzed the medical records of 24 male breast cancer patients, aged 38 to 79. Half had a family history of breast cancer.

Nearly 8 in 10 of the patients had i...

Daily Aspirin Can Lower Colon Cancer Risk, But Age Matters

• Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
• January 25, 2021
• Full Page

Low-dose aspirin may help some people curb their risk of developing colon cancer -- but not if they wait until age 70 to start, a large, new study suggests.

Researchers found that when people began using aspirin in their 50s or 60s, their risk of developing colon cancer ...

Therapeutic Vaccine Is Keeping Melanoma in Remission 4 Years On

• Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
• January 25, 2021
• Full Page

Giving melanoma patients a "personalized" vaccine can prompt an anti-tumor immune response that lasts for years, an early study finds.

The study involved just eight patients with advanced melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.

But it builds on earlier work sh...

Men, Make Health Your Goal This Year

• January 24, 2021
• Full Page

The new year is the ideal time to focus on your health and one expert has some tips, especially for men, for doing that.

According to Dr. Kevin McVary, director of Loyola Medicine Men's Health Center, in Maywood, Ill., "Men don't always focus on their health and, in fact...

Even When Cancer Is in Remission, Patients' Risks of Severe COVID Rise

• Robert Preidt
• January 22, 2021
• Full Page

Your cancer has gone into remission, so you breathe a sigh of relief as you try to navigate the coronavirus pandemic safely.

Not so fast, says new research that finds even cancer patients in remission still have a high risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19.

Alcohol Plays Role in U.S. Cancer Cases, Deaths: Report

• Robert Preidt
• January 20, 2021
• Full Page

There's another reason to keep your tippling to a moderate level: Alcohol plays a significant role in cancer cases and deaths in the United States, researchers say.

On average, drinking accounted for 4.8% of cancer cases and 3.2% of cancer deaths or about 75,200 cancer ...

Cancer Screening Fell Sharply Early in Pandemic, But Has Rebounded

• Robert Preidt
• January 14, 2021
• Full Page

As clinics closed for non-essential care and patients' COVID-19 fears kept them from check-ups, the United States saw a steep drop in cancer screenings and diagnoses during the first peak of the pandemic, a new report finds.

Researchers analyzed data on how many patients...

More Breast Cancer Survivors Opting for 'Going Flat' After Mastectomy

• Cara Murez
• January 14, 2021
• Full Page

When journalist Catherine Guthrie learned that she would need to have a mastectomy following a breast cancer diagnosis, she was shocked by what seemed like a cursory explanation from her surgeon about what would happen next.

That included removing both of her breasts, ad...

Crowdsourcing Raises Billions for Families Hit Hard by Medical Bills

• Cara Murez
• January 12, 2021
• Full Page

You have probably seen the social media posts: Your good friend's co-worker is raising money online to help pay for cancer treatments or another friend needs funds to pay medical bills after a car crash.

Crowdsourced fundraising seems to, at least partly, fill a gap betw...

U.S. Cancer Death Rates Keep Falling: Report

• Robert Preidt
• January 12, 2021
• Full Page

Improved lung cancer treatment is a major reason for the 31% decline in cancer death rates in the United States between 1991 and 2018, including a record 2.4% decrease from 2017 to 2018, the American Cancer Society says.

How the COVID-19 pandemic will affect this downwar...

Coffee Might Help Ward Off Prostate Cancer

• Robert Preidt and Ernie Mundells
• January 12, 2021
• Full Page

A cup of java may not be a bad idea for men's health: Drinking lots of coffee may reduce their risk of prostate cancer, researchers report.

The investigators analyzed data from 16 studies conducted around the world. Together, the studies involved more than a million men,...

For Many Cancer Patients, Diagnosis Brings Psychological 'Silver Lining'

• Amy Norton
• January 11, 2021
• Full Page

Could a cancer diagnosis sometimes produce positive life changes? In a new study, many people with colon cancer, even in advanced stages, believed their diagnosis had brought some beneficial effects to their lives.

In surveys of 133 colon cancer patients, researchers fo...