About.com Cancer

Study: Drinking Soda Increases Risk for Pancreatic Cancer

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:20:22 +0000

According to a new study, drinking a little as two sodas a week can increase your risk of developing pancreatic cancer by 87 percent. The University of Minnesota School of Public Health followed over 60,000 participants and evaluated their dietary intake, to include soda and juice consumption. Their findings show a link between drinking at least two sodas a week increased a person's risk of the disease. Diet sodas and juice did not.

The reason for the risk increase? Some researchers are hypothesizing that the sugar content is the culprit. More sugar equals more insulin. Remember that insulin is produced by the pancreas in response to increased blood sugar.� In some studies, insulin has been shown to support cancer cell growth. Juice, while high in sugar, is hardly consumed in large amounts like soda. You never see people drinking 64 ounces of apple juice in one sitting (a la Super Big Gulp) like you do with soda.

Should You Stop Drinking Soda?

More studies need to be done to confirm the link between soft drinks and cancer. However, drinking lots of soda is not good you for many other reasons. Tooth decay, risk of being overweight and obese through excessive empty calories and high sugar content, and its possible link to osteoporosis and diabetes are just a few reason why you should limit your soda intake.

Study: Drinking Soda Increases Risk for Pancreatic Cancer originally appeared on About.com Cancer on Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 at 11:20:22.

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Facts About the CA-125 Test

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 08:16:27 +0000

A lot of misconceptions exist about the CA-125 test for ovarian cancer. �The test, in a limited and many times fallible capacity, can detect the disease in some women. It measures the amount of a certain protein in the blood that is sometimes elevated in women with ovarian cancer. Sounds great - right?

In some cases, absolutely. In others, not so much. The CA-125 ovarian cancer screening test has the potential to be a an ovarian screening test for at average risk women, but definitely not today. Here's why...

Facts About the CA-125 Test originally appeared on About.com Cancer on Sunday, February 7th, 2010 at 08:16:27.

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World Cancer Day 2010

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 07:49:43 +0000

February 4th marks World Cancer Day, a day that bring global awareness to the disease. This year's theme is "Cancer Can Be Prevented Too" and focuses on the avoiding the common causes of cancer. This is an increased concentration this year of raising awareness about infections that cause cancer.

One of the first cancer causing infection that comes to mind is HPV, which is implicated in the development of cervical cancer and also oral cancer. HPV is a suspected cause of other types of cancer as well and it's role is being researched. HIV and Hepatitis are two other viral infections that can increase your risk of developing cancer. Less common infections like the Epstein-Barr virus, Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpes virus, and Human T-lymphotrophic virus-1. Cancer remains a global leading cause of death.

While some cases of cancer cannot be prevented, many of them can with simple lifestyle changes. Avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol consumption are two excellent ways to considerably cut your cancer risk. Don't forget that a healthy diet and regular exercise play an important role in your overall health, and this includes cancer prevention. Check out these 8 easy ways to prevent cancer.

We want to know: What are you doing to prevent cancer? Leave your cancer prevention tips and stories in the "Comments" section below!

World Cancer Day 2010 originally appeared on About.com Cancer on Thursday, February 4th, 2010 at 07:49:43.

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Sunscreen 101: What Everyone Should Know

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 11:44:35 +0000

Spring is just around the corner and that means most of us will be spending more time outdoors. Drugstores are already bulking up their tanning and sun protection aisles with numerous sprays, lotions, and oils. While having a large selection is important, it can be downright overwhelming! UVB this and SPF that... throw UVAs in the mix and the confusion begins! Study up on sunscreen basics before you go to the store. This way you will know exactly what product you need, what type of protection you are looking for and hopefully you will be in an out in under 15 minutes!

What You Need to Know About Sunscreen:

Sunscreen 101: What Everyone Should Know originally appeared on About.com Cancer on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 at 11:44:35.

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What Are Your Thoughts About Medicinal Marijuana?

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 09:17:26 +0000

The use of medicinal marijuana has always been a controversial topic, but when the U.S. Attorney General set forth guidelines urging more states to be more lenient of medicinal users, it has become a hot political topic. Despite it's strong support from the medical oncologic community, some people strongly oppose medicinal marijuana. They claim it is highly addictive and a gateway drug

I certainly believe that marijuana is addictive and can be a gateway drug for those who use the drug for recreational use. People with cancer, however, do not use marijuana to get high. The goal is to control the pain, relieve the nausea, and hopefully stimulate the appetite. It is certainly difficult to completely understand the stress, frustration, and decline of the quality of life that people with cancer endure without experiencing it for yourself or witnessing a loved one go through it. I have known several cancer patients who used medicinal marijuana legally and have found immense, immediate relief. They only required one medication (medicinal marijuana) to combat treatment side effects instead of 4-5 pharmaceutical drugs.

With that being said, how do you feel about medicinal marijuana?

Poll: Do you think it is acceptable to smoke marijuana for medicinal purposes?

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What Are Your Thoughts About Medicinal Marijuana? originally appeared on About.com Cancer on Thursday, January 28th, 2010 at 09:17:26.

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Brain Cancer Not Just One Tumor Type, But Many?

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 11:32:04 +0000

A researcher by nature, I get very excited when hear of medical research findings that will one day shape how cancer is treated. Recent findings from the University of North Carolina is a perfect of example of this as they have made a surprising discovery. They found that glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) brain tumors may not just be a single tumor type, but� different subtypes. Four subtypes have been identified and each has their own molecular structure and arise from different cells. What does this mean, you may ask? Different subtypes may respond differently to treatments. In fact, early research in this study has shown different treatment responses by the subtypes. While it hasn't changed how GBM is treated today, it may change how oncologists treat it after further research.

Brain Cancer Not Just One Tumor Type, But Many? originally appeared on About.com Cancer on Thursday, January 21st, 2010 at 11:32:04.

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Survivor Contestant Jennifer Lyon Succumbs to Breast Cancer

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 10:23:27 +0000

Survivor: Palau contest, Jennifer Lyon, has lost her battle with breast cancer. The aspiring actress and photographer died in her Oregon home Tuesday evening. She was 37.

Lyon was diagnosed in 2005 with stage 3 breast cancer and immediately underwent a double mastectomy, followed by chemotherapy. She told People magazine that she felt something abnormal in her breast in 2004, but let it go. She chalked it up to scar tissue from breast augmentation.

We learn from Jenn how important it is to check your breasts regularly and to report any abnormal findings to your doctor immediately. Do not make assumptions if you find something and certainly don't wait for them to go away or decrease in size.

Survivor Contestant Jennifer Lyon Succumbs to Breast Cancer originally appeared on About.com Cancer on Thursday, January 21st, 2010 at 10:23:27.

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Dexter Star Announces Cancer Diagnosis

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:09:06 +0000

Dexter star Michael C. Hall announced that he has been diagnosed with cancer and it is now in remission. The 38 year old was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma and undwent treatment at an undisclosed location. In a statement he called his conidtion "treatable and curable".� His diagnosis will not affect the filming of the new season of Dexter.

Michael C. Hall is just one of 8500 people that will be diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2009. Most people experience enlarged lymph nodes, night sweats, and fevers as symptoms that prompt them to seek medical attention. Some people may not experience any symptoms, however. Read more about lymphoma.

Dexter Star Announces Cancer Diagnosis originally appeared on About.com Cancer on Thursday, January 14th, 2010 at 10:09:06.

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Bra Colors and Facebook Status Messages: Is It Spreading Awareness?

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 11:30:17 +0000

As I scanned through my Facebook friends' status messages this weekend, I noticed a lot of messages containing only a single color as the status. I must have missed the memo, but apparently, the new trend is to post the color of your bra to spread breast cancer awareness.

Initially, I thought it was a pretty cool way to spread the word. I began to broadcast my own, when I gave it a good thought, "How much awareness am I really spreading by letting 300 of my closest friends in on the color of my unmentionables?"

While it's a fun spin on the chain email, I seriously doubt it is going to push women to get screened for breast cancer. Why don't we post the results of our mammograms, instead of the color of our bras? I would love to see a hundred "Normal" status messages as opposed to "leopard" or "pink".

What are your thoughts? Did you post the color of your bra on Facebook? Do you think it will generate much buzz about breast cancer awareness?

Bra Colors and Facebook Status Messages: Is It Spreading Awareness? originally appeared on About.com Cancer on Monday, January 11th, 2010 at 11:30:17.

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Salon Tanners May Feel The Heat of the Health Care Reform Bill

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 09:50:20 +0000

The Senate's Health Care Reform Bill now includes a proposed 10 percent tax on tanning salon services, in hopes to curb rising skin cancer rates and to also raise funds for healthcare. The bill replaces the 5 percent proposed tax on elective plastic surgery procedures (loosely called Bo-Tax), which was nixed after it was determined that tan tax would generate almost twice the revenue - about 2.75 billion over 10 years. Salon owners and industry officials say the estimate is inflated and claim the tax will hurt small business owners in the long run.

Is a tax on tanning a bad thing? Not the least bit, in my opinion. The fact that exposure to UV rays, including those from artificial sources, like tanning beds greatly increases the likelihood of developing melanoma is not debated - its factual. It is the same principle as tobacco being a known cause for cancer. Cigarettes are taxed - why should tanning be any different? I hope that it makes people think twice about their health and how tanning will affect it. Those with melanoma will tell you that having a golden bronze glow doesn't make much of a difference when you are going through chemotherapy.

Salon Tanners May Feel The Heat of the Health Care Reform Bill originally appeared on About.com Cancer on Wednesday, January 6th, 2010 at 09:50:20.

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