Study shows meditation, yoga helpful for breast cancer patients

Mindfulness therapies help survivors cope with stress and anxiety that often follows treatment

Meditation and gentle yoga have been proven to be more effective than group therapy in helping breast cancer survivors cope with the stress and anxiety that often follows treatment, according to a recent study from cancer researchers in Alberta and B.C.

The study, the largest trial of its kind, followed 271 breast cancer survivors in Alberta and B.C.

Findings show participants who used ‘mindfulness-based’ therapy, which includes meditation and yoga, were more likely than group therapy participants to develop positive coping strategies, such as acceptance, and less likely to use unhelpful strategies, such as worry and avoidance.

“More women than ever before are surviving their active treatments for breast cancer but continue to have high levels of stress resulting from their illness,” says Linda Carlson, a clinical psychologist with CancerControl Alberta at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary, a professor in the Department of Oncology at the University of Calgary, and the study’s lead author. Read more here.

Carlson LE, Doll R, Stephen J, Faris P, Tamagawa R, Drysdale E, Speca M. Randomized Controlled Trial of Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery Versus Supportive Expressive Group Therapy for Distressed Survivors of Breast Cancer (MINDSET). JCO Sep 1, 2013:3119-3126; published online on August 5, 2013;

Scientists voice fears over ethics of drug trials remaining unpublished

Almost a third of large clinical trials in the US still not published five years after being finished, scientists write in BMJ.

Drug companies and other organisations that carry out clinical trials are violating their ethical obligation to the people who take part by failing to publish the results, scientists will argue on Wednesday.

Almost one in three (29%) large clinical trials in the United States remain unpublished five years after they are finished, according to scientists writing in the British Medical Journal. Of those, 78% have no results at all in the public domain.

The scientists calculate about 250,000 people took part in the unpublished trials and have therefore been exposed to all the risks involved in research without the benefits to society they were led to believe would ensue. This "violates an ethical obligation that investigators have towards study participants", say Christopher Jones from the Department of Emergency Medicine, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, New Jersey, and colleagues. They call for additional safeguards "to ensure timely public dissemination of trial data." Read more here.

Article cited: Jones CW ,Handler L ,Crowell KE ,Keil LG ,Weaver MA ,Platts-Mills TF. Non-publication of large randomized clinical trials: cross sectional analysis. BMJ 2013;347:f6104

European Medicines Agency issues opinion that the benefits of deonosumab do not outweigh its risks in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer at high risk of spreading to the bones

The European Medicines Agency Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has finalised its assessment of an application to extend the use of denosumab (Xgeva) to include the treatment of patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer at high risk of spreading to the bones. The CHMP was of the opinion that the benefits of Xgeva had not been shown to outweigh its risks in these patients. Read more here.

Teenagers and young adults diagnosed with cancer are at increased risk of suicide

Teenagers and young adults are at increased risk of suicide after being diagnosed with cancer according to a study published in the leading cancer journal Annals of Oncology. A study of nearly eight million Swedes aged 15 and over found that among the 12,669 young people diagnosed with cancer between the age of 15 and 30 there was a 60% increased risk of suicide or attempted suicide. The risk was highest during the first year immediately after diagnosis when suicidal behaviour was 1.5-fold (150%) higher among the cancer patients compared with the cancer-free group. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Lu D, et al. Suicide and suicide attempt after a cancer diagnosis among young individuals. Ann Oncol. First published online: October 29, 2013.

No survival benefit from adding cetuximab to chemoradiotherapy in patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer

The results of the RTOG 0617 phase III trial presented at the Presidential Symposium of the 15th World Conference on Lung Cancer (27-30 October 2013, Sydney, Australia) show that the high-dose radiotherapy with concurrent chemotherapy was not superior and may be worse than standard chemoradiotherapy in term of overall survival. The RTOG researchers also found that cetuximab provided no survival benefit in addition to standard chemoradiotherapy for patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer. Read more here.

Emerging issues in head a neck cancer, 2-3 June 2014, San Pietro, Italy

The International Agency for Research on Cancer is delighted to announce a Workshop on Emerging Findings in Head and Neck Cancer, which will be held in San Pietro in Bevagna, Manduria, Italy, on 2-3 June 2014. The impetus for the meeting has come about because of the tremendous pace of discovery in two areas of head and neck cancer: the role of the human papilloma virus, and genomics of head and neck cancer. The meeting is intended for all those involved in any aspect of head and neck cancer research. The venue will allow casual, prolonged personal interactions, in order to promote in-depth discussions and provide opportunities to establish new collaborations. Read more here.

Coffee linked to lower liver cancer risk

In a recent study, researchers conducted a comprehensive literature search for studies evaluating the association between coffee consumption and liver cancer or hepatocellular carcinoma. The researchers found that from 16 studies reporting 3,153 HCC cases, the risk for developing the cancer was 40 percent lower in people who drank any coffee when compared to those who drank no coffee. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Bravi F, et al. Coffee Reduces Risk for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: An Updated Meta-analysis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2013 Nov;11(11):1413-1421.e1. PMID: 23660416

Radiation for breast cancer may raise risk of heart disease

A study conducted at Columbia University Medical Center in New York indicates that radiation therapy for early stage breast cancer, particularly on the left breast carries a small risk of heart disease during the patients' lifetime. While the this risk rate fluctuates between 0.05-3.5%, lead researcher David Brenner, professor of radiation biophysics at Columbia states that while all cancer therapies involve benefits and risks, the side effects need "to be balanced against the fact that lumpectomy plus radiation is of well-proven efficacy for treating early stage breast cancer." To read more about this study, click here.

Gene variant raises risk for colorectal cancer

A common genetic variant that affects one in three people significantly increases the risk of colorectal cancer from the consumption of red meat and processed meat, according to a study presented at the annual American Society of Human Genetics meeting, the largest gathering of human geneticists in the world. Read more here.

Why lung cancer strikes nonsmokers

A perception that patients contributed to their own illness by smoking harms both smokers and nonsmokers with lung cancer. Lung cancer expert Joan H. Schiller, MD, of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, co-authored a study measuring public attitudes about lung cancer. The study found that 70% of participants had a negative attitude about lung cancer. By comparison, only 22% had a negative attitude about breast cancer. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Hamann HA, et al. Stigma among patients with lung cancer: a patient-reported measurement model. Psychooncology. 2013 Oct 3. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 24123664

European Medicines Agency warning on risk of arterial thrombosis with ponatinib

As a result of the meeting of the European Medicines Agency Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), 21-24 October 2013, the CHMP has declared that a review of product information is underway for ponatinib (Iclusig). Following the emergence of new data on the risk of arterial thrombosis with ponatinib, the CHMP concluded that the product information for prescribers and patients should be reviewed and amended if appropriate to include information and warnings about this risk. A formal procedure is currently underway to implement this update. Connect to the ESMO news release here.

$16 million investment in first of its kind Canadian chronic disease research project

The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer and the Heart and Stroke Foundation, are pleased to announce a $16 million investment in a first of its kind partnership between the cancer and cardiovascular research communities that will strengthen our understanding of chronic disease. The Canadian Alliance for Healthy Hearts and Minds, with $14 million from the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer and $2 million from the Heart and Stroke Foundation, will build on the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow Project (CPTP), a pan-Canadian research platform, by expanding efforts to identify the early root causes that lead to chronic diseases of the brain, the heart and the cardiovascular system. Read more here.

Lethbridge program reaches out to cancer survivors

Local cancer survivors were invited to a free education session on Saturday morning. “Living Your Best Life With Cancer and Beyond” featured speakers from around the province touching on some of the issues that those who are battling or have survived cancer live with every day. Director of CancerBridges, Janine Giese-Davis, created the seminars with rural Albertans in mind. Currently an associate professor in the Department of Oncology, Division of Psychosocial Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, at the University of Calgary, Giese-Davis leads the research effort on cancer survivorship on behalf of the provincial CancerBridges team. Read more here.

New assistant professor highlights compassion in teaching palliative care course

UToday recently sat down with Shane Sinclair, an assistant professor in the University of Calgary Faculty of Nursing, to talk about his new role and the early weeks of class. Sinclair was one of more than 40 new recruits who were recently welcomed to the university before the start of the fall semester. Read more here.

Study identifies safe delivery system for tricky yet potent anti-cancer cancer compound

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have discovered a way to effectively deliver staurosporine, a powerful anti-cancer compound that has vexed researchers for more than 30 years due to its instability in the blood and toxic nature in both healthy and cancerous cells. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Mukthavaram R, et al. High-efficiency liposomal encapsulation of a tyrosine kinase inhibitor leads to improved in vivo toxicity and tumor response profile. International Journal of Nanomedicine. Published Date October 2013 Volume 2013:8(1) Pages 3991 - 4006

Genetic errors identified in 12 major cancer types

Examining 12 major types of cancer, scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have identified 127 repeatedly mutated genes that appear to drive the development and progression of a range of tumors in the body. The discovery sets the stage for devising new diagnostic tools and more personalized cancer treatments. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Kandoth C, et al. Mutational landscape and significance across 12 major cancer types. Nature. 2013 Oct 17;502(7471):333-9. PMID: 24132290

BROCA sequencing approach evaluates all 24 genes implicated in breast cancer

Mary-Claire King, Ph.D., American Cancer Society Professor of Medicine and Genome Sciences, and Tomas Walsh, Ph.D., Associate Research Professor of Medical Genetics, both at the University of Washington, Seattle, conducted complete genomic sequencing of all genes implicated in breast cancer on DNA samples from breast cancer patients who had normal BRCA1 and BRCA2 commercial test results. The commercial testing occurred because the patients had a severe family history of breast cancer, defined as a family with three or more relatives affected by breast or ovarian cancer. The results were presented at the American Society of Human Genetics 2013 meeting in Boston. Read more here.

Flavored tobacco products appeal to youth

More than 40% of middle and high school students who smoke use either flavored cigarettes or flavored little cigars, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published in the Journal of Adolescent Health. The authors say these findings indicate the need for efforts to reduce the use of flavored tobacco products among young people. Read more here.

Study mentioned: King BA, et al. Flavored-Little-Cigar and Flavored-Cigarette Use Among U.S. Middle and High School Students. Journal of Adolescent Health. Published October 22, 2013.

Pancreatic cancer patient survival increased with adding nab-paclitaxel to gemcitabine

By all measures, the addition of nab-paclitaxel to gemcitabine for the treatment of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer improved the outcomes in comparison to patients who received only gemcitabine, according to the results of a phase III study led by Dr Daniel Von Hoff, TGen Distinguished Professor and Physician-In-Chief, and Chief Scientific Officer for the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center Clinical Trials at Scottsdale Healthcare, a partnership with the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and Scottsdale Healthcare. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Von Hoff DD, et al. Increased Survival in Pancreatic Cancer with nab-Paclitaxel plus Gemcitabine. N Engl J Med. 2013 Oct 16. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 24131140

IARC/WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region meeting on cancer control and research priorities

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the World Health Organization (WHO) Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office, and the Supreme Council of Health of Qatar convened in Doha for a three-day high-level meeting on cancer prevention. The meeting, which took place on 20–22 October, was attended by the cancer focal persons of the governments of the member states in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region and a number of IARC senior staff and other international experts. Read more here.

How an innovative hospital program helps cancer patients rediscover the joy of food

In the basement of the Toronto General Hospital, good food is considered a crucial factor in supporting patients – especially those who are being treated for cancer. The cooking series, ELLICSR Kitchen, is run by the University Health Network’s ELLICSR Health, Wellness and Cancer Survivorship Centre. It’s the kind of supplementary program the medical and wellness fields are creating as more is learned about the ongoing role nutrition can play in helping cancer patients recover from palate- and appetite-destroying radiation and chemotherapy treatments – and maybe even keeping cancer at bay. Read more here.

Obese patients with pancreatic cancer have shorter survival

A new study recently published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology finds that obese patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer have a two-three month shorter survival period than patients with normal body weight.  Although pancreatic cancer remains once of the deadliest tumour types according to the American Cancer Society,  there is growing evidence of the linkage between obesity and cancer.  According to Eric Jacobs, strategic director of pharmacoepidemiology at the American Cancer Society, "the most important thing to know about obesity and pancreatic cancer is that maintaining a healthy weight throughout life can help lower the risk of every developing this highly fatal cancer"

To read more about this study, click here

Study mentioned: Yuan C et al. Prediagnostic body mass index and pancreatic cancer survival. J Clin Oncol. 2013 Oct 21 [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 24145341

Ontario Breast Screening Program 2011 report

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and second leading cause of cancer deaths among Ontario women (2012). The Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) aims to reduce deaths from breast cancer through evidence-based, high-quality screening. The 2011 report, released October 2013, addresses significant changes in the OBSP over the last few years, highlights program strengths and identifies areas of focus for future improvement. Performance data for the OBSP High Risk Screening Program, launched in 2011, is introduced.

Download the full report here.

MASCC International Symposium, June 26-28, 2014, Miami

The International Symposium on Supportive Care in Cancer will take place on Thursday 26th June – Saturday 28th June 2014, in Miami, Florida. The scientific program will focus on new development, challenges and modern technology in supportive cancer care. This will include topics of regional and global importance particularly Central and South America and the Asia – Pacific regions. The 2013 meeting in Berlin attracted 1400+ participants, 850+ abstracts submissions, 5 workshops and +90 proffered papers. Read more here.

Inherited gene variation tied to high-risk pediatric leukemia and greater risk of relapse

Research led by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital scientists has linked an inherited gene variation to a nearly four-fold increased risk of developing a pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia subtype that is associated with a poor outcome. The high-risk variant was found in the GATA3 gene. Researchers reported the high-risk version of the gene was more common among Hispanic Americans and other individuals with at least 10 percent Native American ancestry than those of other ethnic backgrounds. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Perez-Andreu V, et al. Inherited GATA3 variants are associated with Ph-like childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia and risk of relapse. Nat Genet. 2013 Oct 20. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 24141364

New idea for targeting the common cancer protein KRAS

Patients with cancers driven by the protein KRAS, which are particularly hard to treat, may benefit from small molecules that attach to and disrupt the function of a KRAS-containing protein complex, according to results presented at the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics, held Oct. 19-23. Read more here.

New prognostic model predicts survival in advanced prostate cancer

Researchers at the Duke Cancer Institute have developed a tool for doctors to forecast the potential survival of individual patients with advanced prostate cancer, enabling them to better and rapidly assess whether to try additional rounds of treatment or seek clinical trials. In their study, Halabi and colleagues developed and validated the new prognostic tool using two different clinical trials of prostate cancer patients whose cancer returned after they had undergone a regimen of docetaxel, the standard first-round chemotherapy that is used after hormone treatments have been ineffective. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Halabi S, et al. Prognostic Model Predicting Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Survival in Men Treated With Second-Line Chemotherapy. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2013 Oct 17. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 24136890

Mutational landscape identified in 12 major cancer types

Examining 12 major types of cancer, scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have identified 127 repeatedly mutated genes that appear to drive the development and progression of a range of tumours. The discovery sets the stage for devising new diagnostic tools and more personalised cancer treatments. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Kandoth C, et al. Mutational landscape and significance across 12 major cancer types. Nature. 2013 Oct 17;502(7471):333-9. PMID: 24132290

Summary Basis of Decision (SBD) for Tafinlar

Health Canada has issued a Notice of Compliance to GlaxoSmithKline Inc. for the drug product, Tafinlar. The market authorization was based on quality (chemistry and manufacturing), non-clinical (pharmacology and toxicology), and clinical (pharmacology, safety, and efficacy) information submitted. Based on Health Canada's review, the benefit/risk profile of Tafinlar is favourable as a monotherapy for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma with a BRAF V600 mutation. A validated test is required to identify BRAF V600 mutation status. Read more here.

Nurse practitioners and physician assistants in the BC health sector

The Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research (MSFHR) funded this Research Synthesis for Health Research on behalf of the Nursing Research Advisory Council (NRAC). Its purpose was to: 1) provide decision makers in the British Columbia (BC) health sector with a comprehensive international review and synthesis of the research literature pertaining to nurse practitioners (NP) and physician assistants (PA), including information regarding their current and potential organization, financing, funding, regulation, and service delivery in BC; and 2) offer pragmatic advice in regard to the future implementation and utilization of these two professions within this province. A set of nine questions posed by NRAC provided a framework for the project. Read the full document, The utilization of nurse practitioners and physician assistants: a research synthesis, here.

Youth using flavoured tobacco products at very high levels – Canadian Cancer Society calls for ban on all flavoured tobacco to curb youth smoking

New data released today from the national Youth Smoking Survey show that a very high number of high school students are using flavoured tobacco products. More than half (52%) of high school students in Canada who used tobacco products in the previous 30 days had used flavoured tobacco products. Fruit- and candy-flavoured tobacco makes it easier for youth to become addicted to tobacco. “These survey results clearly show there is an urgent and compelling need for federal and provincial governments to ban all flavoured tobacco products,” says Rob Cunningham, Senior Policy Analyst, Canadian Cancer Society. “Swift action is needed to protect youth from these products. It is essential that governments introduce new legislation without delay.” Read more here.

Read the full survey, Flavoured tobacco use among Canadian youth: evidence from Canada's 2010/2011 youth smoking survey, here.

Iclusig (ponatinib): Increased reports of serious blood clots in arteries and veins

FDA is investigating an increasing frequency of reports of serious and life-threatening blood clots and severe narrowing of blood vessels (arteries and veins) of patients taking the leukemia chemotherapy drug Iclusig (ponatinib). Data from clinical trials and postmarket adverse event reports show that serious adverse events have occurred in patients treated with Iclusig, including heart attacks resulting in death, worsening coronary artery disease, stroke, narrowing of large arteries of the brain, severe narrowing of blood vessels in the extremities, and the need for urgent surgical procedures to restore blood flow. Read more here.

ABRAXANE® phase III study of patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer published in NEJM

Celgene International Sàrl, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ:CELG), has announced the results of the MPACT (Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Clinical Trial) phase III clinical trial of ABRAXANE® (paclitaxel protein-bound particles for injectable suspension) (albumin-bound) in combination with gemcitabine online in the New England Journal of Medicine. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Von Hoff DD, et al. Increased Survival in Pancreatic Cancer with nab-Paclitaxel plus Gemcitabine. N Engl J Med. 2013 Oct 16. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 24131140

Checklist for clinical readiness of lab tests derived from complex molecular assays published

Scientists from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health, together with collaborators from outside academic centers, have developed a checklist of criteria to evaluate the readiness of complex molecular tests that will guide decisions made during clinical trials. The checklist focuses on tests that are based on complex mathematical models incorporating large numbers of measurements from so-called “omics” assays. “Omics” refers to the comprehensive study of sets of related molecules, such as genes, proteins, or metabolites, in a biological sample. Read more here.

Reference: McShane LM, et al. Criteria for the use of omics-based predictors in clinical trials. Nature. 2013 Oct 17;502(7471):317-20. PMID: 24132288

IARC releases the latest global cancer trends in five continents

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) today launched
Cancer Incidence in Five Continents, Volume X (CI5-X). The new publication, which compiles the latest global cancer incidence rates by cancer site and geographical distribution, is a collaboration between IARC and the International Association of Cancer Registries. Based on cancer cases diagnosed in 2003–2007 in 68 countries, Volume X is an invaluable source of information about the global burden and distribution of cancer. Read more here.

Download CI5-X and previous volumes here.

Spanish researchers sequence non-infiltrating bladder cancer exome

Researchers at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) performed the first exome sequencing for non-infiltrating bladder cancer. The results, published online in the Nature Genetics, reveal new genetic pathways involved in the disease, such as cellular division and DNA repair, as well as new genes that might be crucial for understanding the biology of this illness and its evolution. The genetic signature of these patients may be a first step towards improving patient management. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Balbás-Martínez C, et al. Recurrent inactivation of STAG2 in bladder cancer is not associated with aneuploidy. Nat Genet. 2013 Oct 13. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 24121791

ASCO recommends all breast cancer patients receive HER2 testing

Guidelines on HER2 testing in patients with invasive breast cancer by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP) have been updated for the first time since their publication in 2007. The guidelines recommend HER2 testing for all newly diagnosed breast cancer patients with either early-stage invasive or metastatic disease. The new update is based on a new review of the literature. Read more here.

Published guidelines: Wolff AC, et al. Recommendations for Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 Testing in Breast Cancer: American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists Clinical Practice Guideline Update. J Clin Oncol. 2013 Oct 7. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 24101045

Radiation vs. surgery for bladder cancer

Even though surgery is commonly used to remove solid tumors, some patients are unable or unwilling to undergo the operation. In such cases, doctors rely on other forms of treatment such as chemotherapy and radiation. Recently published research found that radiation therapy controlled invasive bladder cancer about as well as surgery. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Huddart RA, et al. Randomized noninferiority trial of reduced high-dose volume versus standard volume radiation therapy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer: results of the BC2001 trial (CRUK/01/004). Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2013 Oct 1;87(2):261-9. PMID: 23958147

CAREX Canada: Report on environmental data priorities now available

Our new report outlining the data gaps our team encountered in estimating Canadians’ exposures to known and suspected carcinogens in community environments is now available. The report, “Indicators of exposure to known and suspected carcinogens in the environment: Data priorities and recommendations”, is one of many CAREX resources designed to support actions that aim to reduce or eliminate Canadians’ exposures. Examples of high priority data gaps include:

• Drinking water – measured levels of contaminants are not easily accessible for drinking water from treatment systems or private wells
• Foods and beverages – there is a lack of standardization within and between studies that measure contaminants and studies that measure consumption
• Consumer products – very little data exist on levels in products and frequency of use
• Indoor and outdoor air – diesel engine exhaust and asbestos are known carcinogens but few data exist on current levels in Canada.

Read more, and download the report, here.

SLN biopsy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with node-positive breast cancer

Among women with clinically node-positive breast cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy, who had 2 or more sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) examined, the false-negative rate did not meet the predefined criteria in the ACOSOG Z1071 study. The authors speculate that when 2 or more SLNs are identified by a combination of radiotracer and dye mapping in patients who become clinically node-negative after chemotherapy, there may still be a role for staging with SLN biopsy. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Boughey JC, et al. Sentinel Lymph Node Surgery After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Patients With Node-Positive Breast Cancer: The ACOSOG Z1071 (Alliance) Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2013 Oct 9;310(14):1455-1461. PMID: 24101169

Outdoor air pollution a leading environmental cause of cancer deaths

The specialized cancer agency of the World Health Organization, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), announced today that it has classified outdoor air pollution as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1). After thoroughly reviewing the latest available scientific literature, the world’s leading experts convened by the IARC Monographs Programme concluded that there is sufficient evidence that exposure to outdoor air pollution causes lung cancer (Group 1). They also noted a positive association with an increased risk of bladder cancer. Particulate matter, a major component of outdoor air pollution, was evaluated separately and was also classified as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1). Read more here.

Multivitamins may save some breast cancer patients' lives

People suffering from invasive breast cancer may have another tool to add to their arsenal for fighting the disease, according to a newly released study. Researchers found evidence that postmenopausal patients who take multivitamins with minerals on a regular basis have a 30 percent lower rate of death when compared with those who don’t take the supplement. The research was conducted in collaboration with the Women’s Health Initiative Clinical Trials and the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Wassertheil-Smoller S, et al. Multivitamin and mineral use and breast cancer mortality in older women with invasive breast cancer in the women's health initiative. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2013 Oct 9. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 24104882

Hitting the angiogenesis in gastric cancer

Ramucirumab is the first biological treatment given as a single drug that has survival benefits in patients with advanced gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma progressing after first-line chemotherapy, according to Prof. Charles Fuchs and the REGARD Trial Investigators who published results from an international, randomised, multicentre, placebo-controlled, phase III trial in The Lancet. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Fuchs CS, et al. Ramucirumab monotherapy for previously treated advanced gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (REGARD): an international, randomised, multicentre, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2013 Oct 1. pii: S0140-6736(13)61719-5. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 24094768

Why every claim of an exciting new cancer cure needs close examination

The language of medical discoveries is a tricky business. Every week, dozens of press releases cross the news wires, alerting editors and readers to a new “breakthrough” or “landmark discovery” that may forever change the way a disease is treated. What is often missing from those announcements is that those discoveries may just as likely change nothing. True breakthroughs are rare and the development of important new treatments takes years – decades, even – of rigorous research and study. Read more here.

HCC report: Better health, better care, and better value for all

In recent years, a number of Canadian jurisdictions and organizations have adapted the US-based Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s Triple Aim framework and broadened its focus from the organizational level to the system level. The Health Council of Canada supports the use of the Triple Aim framework as a starting point for pursuing a higher-performing health system in Canada, with a balanced focus on achieving the complementary goals of better health, better care, and better value. The Health Council includes equity as a complementary, overarching aim. The result: better health, better care, and better value for all.

Download the Health Council of Canada report, "Better health, better care, and better value for all: refocusing health care reform in Canada", here.

1IN3 CancerViewDigest: Focus on HPV Vaccine

This month's edition of the 1IN3 CancerViewDigest focuses on the HPV Vaccine. Included in this curated collection of cancer news is a video interview with Dr. Heather Bryant entitled "HPV vaccine 101," a Q&A interview with Dr. Catherine Popadiuk on the HPV vaccine, an infographic on which cancers are associated with HPV, and data visualization on the link between HPV and oral cancers. Visit the website here.

Study looks to light therapy to help patients after cancer

January 20, 2012 is a day Diane Franssen will never forget.

“I was having a bath and I felt a hard spot on the top of my right breast,” the 66-year-old grandmother recalls. She knew right away it was cancer.

Chemotherapy, surgery and radiation followed. For months, Franssen battled fatigue that stayed with her even after the final round of radiation.

“It’s the kind of exhaustion, sleep won’t help,” Franssen explains. “Your arms and legs feel really weak and you have very little strength.”

Fatigue is a common side effect of cancer treatment, impacting 96 per cent of patients. 33 per cent of patients say that fatigue stays with them for months after treatment.

“There was a study published last year showing that light therapy helped prevent the worsening of fatigue in women undergoing chemotherapy,” Jillian Johnson, a PhD student in psychology at the University of Calgary explains. “We wanted to see if it could help people who finish their treatments but still feel tired.” Read more here.

Marriage associated with better cancer outcomes

People who are married when diagnosed with cancer live longer than those who are not, according to new research. Married patients also tended to have cancer diagnosed at an earlier stage, when it is often more successfully treated, and to receive more appropriate treatment. "Our data suggest that marriage can have a significant health impact for patients with cancer, and this was consistent among every cancer that we reviewed," said first author Ayal Aizer, MD MHS, chief resident of the Harvard Radiation Oncology Program in Boston, Massachusetts. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Aizer AA, et al. Marital Status and Survival in Patients With Cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2013 Sep 23. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 24062405

Researchers identify a protein that may predict who will have thyroid cancer recurrence

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, have taken the first steps to determine if a protein, called Programmed Death Ligand 1 (PD-L1), can help to predict which thyroid cancer patients will most likely have a recurrence of the disease. Study findings were presented at the 2013 Clinical Congress of the American College of Surgeons. Read more here.

Why doctors are raising the alarm over e-cigarettes

Tobacco-industry scientists argue that e-cigarettes deliver lower amounts of nicotine than regular cigarettes, are less toxic and don’t expose others to second-hand smoke. Research on the health risks and efficacy of e-cigarettes as a smoking-cessation aid is still in the early stages, said Dr. Matthew Stanbrook, deputy editor of the CMAJ. “We should not assume they are safe simply because they appear to be less harmful than traditional cigarettes.” Read more here.

Ontario passes tanning-bed ban for minors

Ontario has passed a law that will ban people under the age of 18 from using tanning beds, a measure aimed at cutting rates of skin cancer in the province. The new rules will also force tanning salons to prominently post government-created posters that explain the risks of tanning to customers. Read more here. Read more here.

Kadcyla (trastuzumab emtansine) and Herceptin (trastuzumab) - Potential risk for medication error due to name confusion

Hoffmann-La Roche Limited (Roche), in consultation with Health Canada, would like to bring to your attention the potential risk for medication error due to the similarity in the non-proprietary names of KADCYLA and another breast cancer medication, HERCEPTIN, and the importance of ensuring that the correct product is administered to patients. KADCYLA (trastuzumab emtansine), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with HER2-positive, metastatic breast cancer who received both prior treatment with HERCEPTIN (trastuzumab) and a taxane, separately or in combination. Read more here.

Premenopausal high-risk breast cancer patients with luminal A tumours benefit from postmastectomy radiation

The PAM50 assay was used to identify a subgroup of patients with node positive breast cancer who derived increased long term benefit from chemotherapy plus radiation over chemotherapy alone following mastectomy; premenopausal women with luminal A tumours showed significantly decreased local disease recurrence from the addition of radiation to chemotherapy following surgery in an analysis of long term follow-up data from two small independent studies. Read more here.

Treating chest lymph nodes in patients with early breast cancer improves survival without increasing side effects

Giving radiation therapy to the lymph nodes located behind the breast bone and above the collar bone to patients with early breast cancer improves overall survival without increasing side effects. This new finding ends the uncertainty about whether the beneficial effect of radiation therapy in such patients was simply the result of irradiation of the breast area, or whether it treated cancer cells in the local lymph nodes as well, according to research presented at the 2013 European Cancer Congress. Read more here.

Hyperfractionated radiotherapy improves survival in head and neck cancer patients

The use of an intensified form of radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancers can improve overall survival rates compared with standard radiation therapy, according to results from a large study presented at the 2013 European Cancer Congress. A comparison of altered fractionation radiotherapy with standard fractionation radiotherapy in a meta-analysis of more than 11,000 patients showed an eight percent reduction in the risk of death in the AFRT group, as well as a nine percent reduction in the risk of progression or death. Read more here.

Phase III FIRE-3 trial data show most patients with wild-type RAS metastatic colorectal cancer benefit from first-line FOLFIRI plus cetuximab treatment

Findings from a preplanned analysis by mutational status done on data from the FIRE-3 trial, that expanded KRAS testing as a predictive factor of resistance to more rare NRAS gene and BRAF, confirmed previously reported results that first line treatment with FOLFIRI plus the anti-EGFR agent cetuximab achieve benefit in term of overall response rate and overall survival in most patients with KRAS wild type (exon 2) metastatic colorectal cancer, but the benefit encompass also those with wild type KRAS exon 3/4 and wild type NRAS exon 2/3/4. Read more here.

Phase III trial results favour lanreotide therapy in patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuro-endocrine tumours

A strong anti-proliferative response was demonstrated for the somatostatin analogue lanreotide in patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuro-endocrine tumours. The final analyses of data from a phase III trial showed that treatment with lanreotide significantly prolonged progression-free survival in patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours compared to treatment with placebo. Read more here.

Belagenpumatucel-L therapeutic tumour cell vaccine for non-small cell lung cancer

Despite overall survival results from second-line treatment with the therapeutic tumour cell vaccine, belagenpumatucel-L, did not meet predefined end point in the entire population of patients with late stage non-small cell lung cancer, the phase III STOP trial identified subgroups of patients who derived notable clinical benefit. Significantly prolonged overall survival with belagenpumatucel-L were demonstrated in stage IIIB/IV patients who began belagenpumatucel-L within 12 weeks of the completion of front-line chemotherapy. Read more here.

Vemurafenib in patients With RAI refractory, progressive, BRAFV600E-mutated papillary thyroid cancer

Vemurafenib may offer sorely needed novel treatment for a subset of patients with metastatic or unresectable papillary thyroid cancer that is resistant to radioactive iodine therapy. Vemurafenib demonstrated antitumour activity in the phase II study of patients with BRAFV600E-mutated papillary thyroid cancer who were either tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment naive or had received prior TKI treatments; however treatment naive patients showed greater benefit. Read more here.

Young patients with metastatic colorectal cancer are at high risk of disease progression and death

Younger patients with colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body represent a high-risk group that is less likely to respond to anti-cancer treatments. An analysis of 20,034 patients in 24 phase III clinical trials for colorectal cancer, of which 695 patients were younger than 40, showed that the youngest and oldest patients had the highest risk of their disease progressing and of dying, compared to middle-aged patients. Read more here.

Identifying the disease-causing mechanisms in cancers with an unknown primary site improves treatment and survival

Identifying the molecular profile of a tumour where the primary site is unknown is crucial to the choice of treatment, according to research presented at the 2013 European Cancer Congress. In up to five percent of all cancers, the site of the primary tumour is unknown and the disease is not diagnosed until it is at an advanced stage, when the cancer has metastasised. Until recently, the choice of treatment has been based on efforts to find biomarkers that could indicate the site of origin, but now a team of researchers has succeeded in identifying the particular molecular profiles of the metastatic tumours in a large group of patients. Read more here.

Colorectal cancer screening works

There is ‘irrefutable’ evidence that fall in death rates is attributable to colorectal cancer screening programmes, according to research presented by Professor Philippe Autier, Vice President, Population Studies, at the International Prevention Research Institute, Lyon, France. Read more here.

FDA-approved antidepressant may combat deadly form of lung cancer, study finds

A little-used class of antidepressants appears potentially effective in combating a particularly deadly form of lung cancer, according to a new study from researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine. And because the drugs have already been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in humans, the researchers have been able to quickly launch a clinical trial to test their theory in patients. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Jahchan NS, et al. A Drug Repositioning Approach Identifies Tricyclic Antidepressants as Inhibitors of Small Cell Lung Cancer and Other Neuroendocrine Tumors. Cancer Discov. 2013 Sep 26. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 24078773

Cancer-killing cells controlled by epigenetic process, new study shows

For the first time, a new study from the Keck School of Medicine of USC has described how natural killer (NK) cells in the human body, which can kill and contain viruses and cancerous tumors, can be manipulated by epigenetics. The discovery, detailed in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, paves the way for developing more effective cancer drugs. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Nandakumar V, et al. Epigenetic control of natural killer cell maturation by histone H2A deubiquitinase, MYSM1. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2013 Sep 23. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 24062447

Steinhardt researcher pinpoints biological risk factor in obesity-related cancers

Nutritional epidemiologist Niyati Parekh’s latest research study, which appears in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention, concludes that disturbances in body insulin and glucose levels, specifically exposures to longer periods, are associated with an increased risk of obesity-related cancers and offers suggestions for clinicians to screen for these disturbances to aid in the prevention of these cancers. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Parekh N, et al. Metabolic Dysregulation of the Insulin-Glucose Axis and Risk of Obesity-Related Cancers in the Framingham Heart Study-Offspring Cohort (1971-2008). Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2013 Oct;22(10):1825-1836. PMID: 24064521

The benefits of looking across many cancer genomes

Cancer is not a single entity, but rather, it is more than one hundred complex and distinct diseases, with most cancer types demanding a unique treatment strategy. This understanding led, in part, to the launch of The Cancer Genome Atlas, a joint venture supported by the National Cancer Institute and the National Human Genome Research Institute. Read more here.

Penn Medicine researcher unveils findings on 2 new weapons against thyroid cancer

For many years, patients with advanced thyroid cancer faced bleak prospects and no viable treatment options. But now, building on recent discoveries about the genetics and cell signaling pathways of thyroid tumors, researchers are developing exciting new weapons against the disease, using kinase inhibitors that target tumor cell division and blood vessels. Two recent clinical trials led by a researcher from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania showcase the great promise of these new approaches. Read more here.

Everolimus slows disease progression in advanced papillary kidney cancer patients

The first Phase II study to investigate the use of the anti-cancer drug, everolimus, for the initial treatment of advanced papillary kidney cancer has shown that it is successful in slowing or preventing the spread of the disease, according to research presented at the 2013 European Cancer Congress. Read more here.

Diabetes increases the risk of developing and dying from breast and colon cancer

Diabetes is linked to an increased risk of developing cancer, and now researchers have performed a unique meta-analysis that excludes all other causes of death and found that diabetic patients not only have an increased risk of developing breast and colon cancer but an even higher risk of dying from them. Dr Kirstin De Bruijn told the 2013 European Cancer Congress that previous studies have examined the association between diabetes and dying from cancer but death from specific types of cancer has not been well-studied. Read more here.

Survival after cancer diagnosis in Europe is strongly associated with how much governments spend on health care

The more a European Union national government spends on health, the fewer the deaths after a cancer diagnosis in that country, according to new research presented to the 2013 European Cancer Congress. Researchers say that higher wealth and higher health expenditure are strongly associated both with increased cancer incidence and decreased cancer mortality. In the case of breast cancer, increased health expenditure appears to be even more strongly associated with better outcomes. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Ades F, et al. Discrepancies in cancer incidence and mortality and its relationship to health expenditure in the 27 European Union member states. Ann Oncol. 2013 Sep 28. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 24078620

Promising results for new antibody drug in non-small cell lung cancer patients: smokers respond well

New results from a trial of an antibody that helps the immune system to recognise and attack cancer cells have shown particularly encouraging responses in patients who are smokers or former smokers. Presenting the most up-to-date data from 85 patients with non-small cell lung cancer in a large, phase I clinical trial of an experimental drug called MPDL3280A, Professor Jean-Charles Soria told the 2013 European Cancer Congress: “This is the first study to suggest a potential relationship between smoking history and response to inhibiting the PD-L1/PD-1 pathway – a pathway that is instrumental in enabling cancer cells to escape detection by the immune system. In this study, 26% of smokers responded to treatment, whereas only 10% of never-smokers responded. The fact that smokers seemed to respond better is great news for lung cancer patients, because the majority of them are former or current smokers.” Read more here.

Similar phase III results reported for dovitinib vs. sorafenib treatment in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Superior efficacy was not demonstrated by dovitinib in a head to head comparison with sorefinib in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma who had progressed following therapies targeting the VEGF and mTOR pathways. However, this large, phase III trial did establish a role of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in that setting. Dovitinib showed similar activity to sorafenib and generally a well tolerated safety profile. It may offer an additional treatment alternative in this group of with limited treatment options. Findings were presented during the Genitourinary Malignancies Proffered Papers Session (Abstract E17-7035) at the European Cancer Congress. Read more here.

Younger age in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer associates with poorer outcome

New data from an analysis of data in the large ARCAD databank identify patients with metastatic colorectal cancer under the age of 40 years as a high-risk population for treatment failure and poorer overall- and progression-free survival. The findings were presented during the Gastrointestinal Malignancies/Colorectal Cancer II Proffered Papers Session (Abstract E17-1484) at the European Cancer Congress. Read more here.

A phase III study of tivantinib plus erlotinib did not meet a primary endpoint in patients with locally-advanced or metastatic, non-squamous NSCLC

Although a large, phase III trial of tivantinib plus erlotinib for the treatment of patients with locally-advanced or metastatic, non-squamous, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) did not meet its primary endpoint of prolonging overall survival, promising progression-free survival and overall response rate results were seen in these patients. Following trial cessation by an independent review board, an analysis of data by molecular subgroup is underway. From the molecular analysis, it is expected to answer whether clinical benefit in patients with tumours that overexpress MET is observed. Read more here.

New approaches to testing cancer drugs needed - ESMO commentary

Research institutes, regulators and the pharmaceutical industry are urged to cooperate to develop new approaches to testing cancer drugs, in order to bring the revolution in personalised medicine to patients across Europe, says the European Society for Medical Oncology. It has become clear in recent years that each patient’s cancer has individual characteristics that are potentially amenable to “personalised” treatments that target those characteristics. But there is still a great deal of work to be done to ensure patients benefit from these developments as quickly as possible. Read more here.

The landscape of medical oncology in Europe by 2020 - ESMO commentary

Many large European countries may be facing a future shortage of medical oncologists without realising it - a situation that could have dire consequences for cancer patients, the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) has warned. At the European Cancer Conference, researchers reported new data that looks at the projected number of medical oncologists in Europe and tries to predict if European countries will face a shortage of medical oncologists by 2020. Read more here.

New trial combining anti-cancer drug and radiotherapy may result in a new treatment for the most aggressive brain tumour

Results from a clinical trial of a new treatment for glioblastoma suggest that researchers may have found a new approach to treating this most aggressive of brain tumours, as well as a potential new biological marker than can predict the tumour’s response to treatment. Presenting the research to the 2013 European Cancer Congress, Professor Wolfgang Wick will say that combining radiotherapy with an anti-cancer drug called APG101 – a fusion protein similar to an antibody – blocks a cell-signalling pathway called CD95 that plays a crucial role in the development of the cancer. Read more here.

Organised screening for prostate cancer using the prostate-specific antigen test, does more harm than good

Prostate cancer screening using the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is widely used in France despite a lack of evidence showing that it reduces cancer deaths. Now, researchers have shown that men experience more harm than good from routine PSA screening, according to research presented by Professor Mathieu Boniol, at the 2013 European Cancer Congress. Read more here.

IARC Scientific Publication No. 161: Air pollution and cancer

IARC introduces e-books as a new medium for the wider dissemination of the Agency's research. IARC's first e-book is Air Pollution and Cancer. The IARC Monographs Programme convened a multidisciplinary Advisory Group that included epidemiologists, toxicologists, atmospheric scientists, cancer biologists, and regulators to make recommendations for the development of a series of Monographs on air pollution. Air Pollution and Cancer provides the updated state-of-the-art overviews from this Advisory Group on various topics related to the carcinogenicity of mixtures of ambient air pollution. Read more and download the e-book here.

FDA approves Perjeta for pre-operative breast cancer

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the targeted drug Perjeta (pertuzumab) for certain women with early stage breast cancer before surgery. The approval is specifically for women with HER2-positive, locally advanced, inflammatory or early stage breast cancer who are at high risk of having their breast cancer return or spread, or are at high risk of dying from the disease. The drug is meant to be used in combination with another targeted drug and with chemotherapy. Read more here.

Request for information on proposed NCI policy ensuring public availability of results from NCI-supported clinical trials

With this Notice, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) announces and seeks public input on NCI’s plan to promote and ensure public availability of results from all commenced, NCI-supported clinical trials.

Background

NCI, a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is dedicated to improving the health of Americans by conducting and funding biomedical research through an extensive portfolio of clinical trials and clinical trials-related research. A fundamental premise of all NIH-funded research is that the results of such work must be shared in order to contribute to the general body of science and ultimately, to the public health. Grantee institutions are expected to make the results and accomplishments of their activities available to the research community and to the public at large.

NIH funding recipients ensure the timely disclosure of their scientists’ research findings through publications, presentations at scientific meetings as well as by sharing research tools, depositing information into databases and materials into repositories and through other means. NIH has many policies in place to educate funding recipients about their responsibility to share the results of NIH-funded work, and to facilitate such sharing. For example, the NIH Data Sharing Policy (http://www.grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/data_sharing/data_sharing_guidance.htm), the NIH Public Access Policy (http://publicaccess.nih.gov/), the NIH Research Tools Policy (http://www.ott.nih.gov/policy/research_tool.html), and the NIH Genome Wide Association Policy (http://gwas.nih.gov/03policy2.html) are all important examples of critical information and materials sharing policies that ensure that NIH research funding is used productively and to the best advantage of science and the public health. Such sharing is fundamental to biomedical research program performance. Read more here.

Qi gong may benefit women receiving breast cancer treatment

In a recent study, researchers set out to determine if qi gong may affect quality of life in women who are receiving radiation treatment for breast cancer. The scientists concluded that qi gong may benefit women with breast cancer who are receiving radiation therapy, particularly those who experience depressive symptoms before undergoing therapy. More research is needed to better understand and confirm these findings. Read more here.

Study mentioned:Chen Z, et al. Qigong improves quality of life in women undergoing radiotherapy for breast cancer: results of a randomized controlled trial. Cancer. 2013 May 1;119(9):1690-8. PMID: 23355182

Canada's hereditary-cancer clinics feel the ‘Angelina effect’

Five months after actress Angelina Jolie announced that she had had a double mastectomy to prevent breast cancer, hereditary-cancer clinics are reporting a sharp increase in doctor referrals and phone calls from women asking for genetic testing. Read more here.

Walking may lower breast-cancer risk in older women, study finds

Older women who take regular walks are less likely to get breast cancer than their less-active peers, according to a new study. American Cancer Society researchers found postmenopausal women who walked for at least one hour each day had a 14 per cent lower chance of getting breast cancer than infrequent walkers. More vigorous exercise was tied to an even lower risk. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Hildebrand JS, et al. Recreational Physical Activity and Leisure-Time Sitting in Relation to Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Risk. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. October 2013. 22; 1906.

Adcetris - Notice of compliance with conditions

Health Canada has issued a Notice of Compliance with Conditions under the Notice of Compliance with Conditions Policy for ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin), 50 mg/vial of lyophilized powder for reconstitution for: 1. The treatment of patients with Hodgkin lymphoma after failure of autologous stem cell transplant or after failure of at least two multi-agent chemotherapy regimens in patients who are not ASCT candidates; 2. The treatment of patients with systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma after failure of at least one multi-agent chemotherapy regimen. Read more here.

Report: Breast cancer death rates down 34% since 1990

A new report from the American Cancer Society finds that death rates from breast cancer in the United States have dropped 34% since 1990. But the rate at which new breast cancers are diagnosed increased slightly among African American women from 2006 to 2010, bringing those rates closer to those of white women, who still have the highest diagnosis rates among women ages 40 and older.

The findings are published in Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2013-2014 and in Breast Cancer Statistics, 2013 in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. The reports, published every 2 years, provide detailed analyses of breast cancer trends and present information on known risk factors for the disease, factors that influence survival, the latest data on prevention, early detection, treatment, and ongoing research. Read more here.

Melanoma patients fall back into old sun habits, study finds

People with the most dangerous type of skin cancer tend to stay out of the sun and wear extra sunscreen the year after being diagnosed. But a new small study suggests those precautions don’t last. Two to three years after being diagnosed with melanoma, people spent as many days in the sun and were exposed to at least as much UV radiation as their peers without the disease, researchers found. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Idorn LW, et al. A 3-Year Follow-up of Sun Behavior in Patients With Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma. JAMA Dermatol. 2013 Oct 2. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 24080851

Regular doctor visits linked to lower risk of colon, rectal cancer

Older Americans who visit their doctors regularly are less likely to develop or die from colon and rectal cancers, according to a new study. Researchers credit screening that catches precancerous growths and early cancers for the differences seen in rates of both cancers and deaths among people on U.S. Medicare. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Ferrante JM, et al. Primary Care Utilization and Colorectal Cancer Incidence and Mortality Among Medicare Beneficiaries: A Population-Based, Case-Control Study. Ann Intern Med. 2013 Oct 1;159(7):437-446. PMID: 24081284

Where the cancer fight strikes closest to home

A new landmark report, Population Health in Canada’s Largest Cities, released September 30, 2013, assesses differences in the cancer risks of populations in Canada’s largest cities. Led by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, the report finds that western municipalities overall have healthier lifestyles than their eastern counterparts, and better cancer risk profiles as a result.

Population Health in Canada’s Largest Cities presents indicators for selected cancer risk factors including tobacco use and exposure, physical activity, obesity, alcohol and fruit and vegetable consumption. The report also includes information on the percentage of Canadians in each of the featured cities reporting up-to-date cancer screening for colorectal, breast and cervical cancers. Read more here.

First estimate of amount of radiotherapy dose wasted in compensating for tumour growth between treatments

For the first time, researchers have estimated the daily dose of radiotherapy that could be wasted in compensating for cancer cell growth that occurs overnight and during weekends in patients with early breast cancer. In research presented to the 2013 European Cancer Congress (ECC2013), Professor John Yarnold will say that, until now, there has been contradictory evidence as to whether gaps between radiotherapy treatments, for instance overnight or at weekends, makes any difference to the overall effectiveness of radiotherapy on breast cancer, and, if it does make a difference, why that could be. Read more here.

Only one in five female oncologists have a leadership position

Relationship with patients (79%), intellectual stimulation (70%) and pride in being able to fight a challenging disease (60%) are the key points that make the job rewarding for female oncologists. These and other interesting data were highlighted in the ESMO Exploratory Survey on the Challenges of Female Oncologists, a project launched by ESMO President, Martine Piccart, presented in a dedicated forum at the ECC2013 Congress in Amsterdam. Read more here.

New research shows how aspirin may act on blood platelets to improve survival in colon cancer patients

Researchers believe they have discovered how aspirin improves survival in patients diagnosed with colon cancer, the 2013 European Cancer Congress (ECC2013) will hear. The new research has shown that aspirin improves outcome in patients whose tumour cells express a specific protein on their surface; the protein is known as Human Leukocyte Antigen class I, a cell-surface protein produced by a collection of genes involved in the functioning of the immune system. Read more here.

Biological therapy with cediranib improves survival in women with recurrent ovarian cancer

Women with ovarian cancer that has recurred after chemotherapy have survived for longer after treatment with a biological therapy called cediranib, according to new results presented at the 2013 European Cancer Congress (ECC2013). Read more here.

Variations in death rates after surgery for oesophageal and gastric cancers prompt European initiative to improve patient outcomes

A pilot study has shown large variations between European countries in patient survival after surgery for oesophageal and gastric cancers. The 2013 European Cancer Congress (ECC2013) will hear that the reasons for these differences are not clear and cannot be explained simply in terms of the volume of patients treated at each hospital. Read more here.

More research urged to compare and validate genomic tests in oncology

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) has welcomed preliminary clinical trial results that suggest genomic testing could allow many patients with early breast cancer to safely avoid chemotherapy. The new trial results, reported at the European Cancer Congress 2013 this week, illustrate that more research is urgently needed to compare and validate the growing number of genomic tests becoming available in oncology, ESMO says. Read more here.

Why are so few South Asian-Canadian women being screened for cervical cancer?

One of the frustrating paradoxes of cancer-screening programs is that those who could benefit most are often the least likely to be tested. In India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, cervical cancer is one of the biggest killers of women. But among immigrants from these South Asian countries, barely 20 per cent of women undergo Pap tests to screen for cervical cancer. Read more here.