Rituxan may prolong survival of patients with lymphoma

A new clinical trial conducted at Nantes Medical University in France has found that Rituxan (rituximab) can prolong the life of lymphoma patients.  The trial, conducted on 299 patients younger than 66 when first diagnosed with mantle-cell lymphoma determined that "after four years, 83% of rituximab patients were still alive and progression-free, versus 64% of patients who had standard treatment alone."

To read more about this clinical trial, click here.

Yoga can aid sleep difficulty for breast cancer patients

Researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center's integrative medicine program  have shown that practicing Tibetan yoga benefits breast cancer patients with sleeping difficulties.  The study, conducted on 227 women receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer, found that those who practice Tibetan yoga over the course of 4 75-90 minutes classes, taught one-on-one by a trained instructor, "reported fewer sleep problems and less daytime drowsiness..."

To read more about this study, click here.

Inflammatory bowel disease may raise cancer risk in children

A new study conducted at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden indicates that children afflicted with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at greater risk for developing gastrointestinal cancers as adults.  The international research team, lead by Dr. Ola Olen, a pediatric gastroenterologist at Karolinska found that "the risk of cancer up to an average age of 30 was 3.3 cases per 1,000 person years among those with IBD...compared with 1.5 cases per 1,000 person years in the control group."

To read more about this study, click here.

Expert panel supports HPV test alone for cervical cancer screening over 30

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), a panel of health experts, is supporting use of the HPV test as a routine component for cervical cancer screening.  The panel recommends that "the test for the human papillomavirus (HPV) can be used once every five years for women aged 30 to 65, in lieu of the once every three-year Pap test."  For women younger than 30, aged 21-29, undergoing a Pap test once every 3 years remains the recommended option.

To read more about the USPSTF's views on this issue, click here.

Recipe for reducing colon cancer risk

A new report produced by the American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund International indicates that 3 servings of whole grains per day can lower colon cancer risk by 17%.  According to Dr. Edward Giovannucci, nearly 100 studies involving more than 29 000 000 adults were evaluated, upon which a number of recommendations were put forth, including limiting red meat and alcohol, avoiding processed meat, and increasing consumption of fiber and dairy products.

Click here to read the complete report.

New research on how fat cells encourage tumours and raise cancer risk

New research conducted at the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City indicates that "16 different types of cancer [are] linked to obesity."  In a new review, published today (September 5, 2017) in Cancer Prevention Research, data from 20 studies, published over the past 70 years, focused on adipose stromal cells (fat cells) and their association with malignant tumours.  The findings indicated that "obese people with prostate or breast cancer appeared to have more [adipose stromal] cells than thinner people."

To read more about this study, click here.

Study mentioned: Himbert C, Delphan M, Scherer D, Bowers L, Hursting S, Ulrich C. Signals from the adipose microenvironment and the obesity-cancer-link: a systematic review. Cancer Rev Res. 2017 Sept; 10(9): 494-506.