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FDA Warns of Counterfeit Avastin

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 11:48:39 +0000

The FDA has issued a warning that a counterfeit version of the anti-cancer drug Avastin is being distributed to clinics in the U.S. According to drug maker Roche, counterfeit Avastin does not contain bevacizumab, the active ingredient in the drug. In a written statement from Genentech (part of the Roche family), the company cited the fake version as unsafe and ineffective.

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7 Throat Cancer Symptoms You Should Know

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:43:41 +0000

Sore throat. Persistent cough. Having to clear your throat often. While many may chalk these symptoms up to a cold that won't go away, they could be symptoms of something more serious, like throat cancer. The signs of throat cancer are so common and vague that many people choose to ignore them or wait for them to go away. This can lead to a delay in a proper diagnosis which may affect treatment outcome.

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Help! Insurance Won't Pay for Chemo...

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:19:53 +0000

I have a love/hate relationship with my health insurance provider. When they cover my medications and tests, I am thrilled. But, when I get a letter saying they do not cover a procedure, medication, or test that my doctor believes I need, I feel deflated. Every day, cancer patients receive these denial of coverage letters and phone calls -- even for vital medications like chemotherapy drugs. So, what's a cancer patient to do? What to do when you insurance won't pay...

Coping with Cancer Shame

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:14:56 +0000

In the public eye, all cancers are not judged equally. For that reason, it may be difficult for some cancer patients to talk about their disease, even to the point of not tell friends and family. Recently, I received an email from a reader who is battling anal cancer is feeling shame and embarrassment because of it. Her feelings of shame have been so strong that it has prevented her from adequately coping with the diagnosis.

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6 Year Old Cuts Her Mother's Hair to Prepare for Chemo

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:40:47 +0000

Chemotherapy induced hair loss can be an emotionally devastating side effect of treatment. You never quite realize how much your hair means to you until you don't have it. If you are a parent, you may realize how much your hair means to them, too. Often silently, children are bothered by the sudden loss of a parent's hair. To them, hair loss can be a physical reminder that their parent is sick.

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Eli Whitney Died of Prostate Cancer

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:35:28 +0000

It's not very often that a historical figure makes it onto Google's Hot Trend list, so when I saw Eli Whitney trending, I was quite surprised. I knew an antique musket made by his armory had been featured on last night's Pawn Stars, but who knew it would cause such a stir?

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When Cancer Patients Don't Quit Smoking...

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:39:17 +0000

I read an interesting study this morning about smokers who continue to smoke despite being diagnosed with cancer. A study featured in the medical journal Cancer analyzed data from lung and colon cancer patients and the results were not exactly encouraging. Researchers studied 5,300 lung and colon cancer patients and found that many smokers continue to smoke, even though they knew it was especially crucial during treatment.

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Study: Kids Aren't Using Sunscreen Like They Should

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:10:03 +0000

A new study published in the journal Pediatrics has found that kids are using sunscreen as much as they should be. Researchers surveyed 360 ten year olds in 2004, asking questions about whether they had suffered from a sunburn the previous summer, how often they spend in the sun, and also whether they liked having a tan or spent time outdoors to get a tan. The kids were surveyed again three years later and the results were startling.

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Report: Hugo Chavez Still Battling Cancer

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:27:41 +0000

CNN is reporting that Hugo Chavez is still battling cancer, despite survivorship claims from the Venezuelan president. According to ABC News in Spain, cancer has spread to Chavez's spine and bones and he has nine months left to live. Unsurprisingly, Venezuelan officials are denying the news report. Read the news article from CNN.

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Joe Paterno Dies of Lung Cancer

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 10:41:15 +0000

Legendary Penn State football coach, Joe Paterno, has died following a battle with lung cancer. Paterno had been hospitalized from complications related to the disease since January 13th. He was 85. Read the Paterno family's statement about his death.

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