New trial alert: Management of malignant bowel obstruction (MBO) in patients with advanced gynecological cancers

A new trial, conducted at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto is seeking to optimize multidisciplinary care and evaluate treatment outcomes for malignant bowel obstruction (MBO) in women with advanced gynecological cancers.  According to the trial's hypothesis, "if patients with MBO can be effectively managed in an ambulatory setting, this may improve quality and consistency of patient care, and help reduce volume and duration of bed occupancy."

To read more about this trial, click here.

Common treatment for early prostate cancer may carry heart risk

A new study conducted on 7,600 men with early stage prostate cancer suggests that androgen-deprivation therapy may increase the risk for heart failure.  According to study author Reina Haque, a researcher with Kaiser Permanente, "patients should consider heart-healthy lifestyle changes, and physicians should actively monitor the patient's health for early signs of heart disease."  Dr. Nachum Katlowitz, director of urology at Staten Island University Teaching Hospital in New York City agrees with Haque; his reasoning is that all treatments carry potential side effects, however "if androgen-deprivation therapy increases the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, but decreases the risk of dying from prostate cancer, then we use it."

To read more about this study, click here.

Study supports annual mammograms starting at age 40

A new study conducted at the University of Colorado School of Medicine supports guidelines suggesting that annual mammograms begin at age 40.  According to study co-author R. Edward Hendrick, computer modeling was conducted by his team of investigators on mammogram recommendations for three age groups: annual screening from ages 40-84, annual screening from ages 45-54; every other year from 45-54, and screening every other year from 50-74.  According to projections, "deaths from breast cancer would fall by an average of 40% with annual screenings" from ages 40-84.

To read more about this study, click here.  

National estimates of genetic testing in women with a history of breast or ovarian cancer: new report

A new report published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology provides new U.S. estimates of genetic testing in women with a history of breast or ovarian cancer.  According to cross-sectional data from three Cancer Control Modules, "up to 10% of breast and 15% of ovarian cancers are attributable to hereditable mutations."  This report thus quantifies the unmet need for genetic testing in patients with a history of breast and/or ovarian cancer.

To read this report in its entirety, click here.

Source mentioned: Childers CP, Childers KK, Maggard-Gibbons M, Macinko J. National estimates of genetic testing in women with a history of breast or ovarian cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2017 Aug 18:JCO2017736314. [Epub ahead of print]

New genetic blood test for detecting early stage cancers

A new study conducted at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center has unveiled that a genetic blood test may aid in detecting early stage cancers.  According to Dr. Victor Velculescu, the genetic test "scans blood for DNA fragments released by cancerous tumors, [detecting] many early stage cancers without rending false positives for healthy people."

To read more about this study, click here. 

Researchers ID genes in mice that cause aggressive brain cancer

Researchers at Yale University have identified a specific combination of genes causing aggressive brain cancer glioblastoma in mice.  Following the assessment of more than 1,500 genetic combinations in mice, co-corresponding author Sidi Chen stated that with the human cancer gnome mapped, "we can use this information to determine which existing drugs are most likely to have therapeutic value for individual patients, a step towards personalized cancer therapy,"

To read more about this study, click here

DNA blood test screen for rare sinus cancer

Researchers at the Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences in Hong Kong have discovered that at DNA blood test can screen for nasopharyngeal cancer.  While this form of cancer is rare in the United States (with an occurrence of 1 case in every 100,000 people), it is far more common in southern China and North Africa.  Following a clinical trial conducted on more than 20,000 individuals, "the DNA test would up accurately detecting nasopharyngeal cancer 97% of the time."

To read more about this study, click here.

Breast-feeding lowers mom's breast cancer risk

A new report published by the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) states that the risk of breast cancer is lowered by 2% per 5 months that a woman breastfeeds her child.  In addition, the report further states that "breast-fed babies are less likely to gain excess weight as they grow, which could reduce their cancer risk later in life."

To read more about this report, click here.

Gum disease may be linked to cancer risk in older women

A new study conducted at the School of Public Health and Health Professions at the State University of New York at Buffalo indicates a causal relationship between gum disease and increased cancer risk in postmenopausal women.  According to lead researcher Jean Waclawski-Wende, periodontal disease was associated with a "14% higher risk of developing any type of cancer [especially] esophageal cancer, which was more than three times more likely in older women who had gum disease..."

To read more about this study, click here.