A new study conducted by researchers at Columbia University reports millions of Americans are receiving unnecessary computed tomography (CT) scans which could increase their risk of developing cancer later in life. Approximately 62 million diagnostic CT scans were performed in the United States last year including more than 4 million involving children. Each CT scan [...]

A study conducted by researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston University and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, indicates more than one-third of men being treated for early prostate cancer may receive “mismatched” care that’s inappropriate based on their pre-existing health conditions. Standardized treatment options for early prostate cancer include external beam radiation therapy, brachytherapy, prostatectomy, and [...]

Two scientific teams, one based at Kyoto University and another based at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, have used slightly different methods to arrive at the same goal: converting human skin cells into cells having the same multipotency capabilities as embryonic stem cells. Multipotency refers to embryonic stem cells’ ability to reprogram into virtually any type [...]

Dr Edward Chu from the Yale Cancer Center recently interviewed Dr Louis Denis of Pfizer Oncology. During the 30-minute program, the two physicians discussed how cancer drugs are developed, tested and approved for the pharmaceutical product pipeline. The broadcast includes segments on Dr Denis’ previous work at the Cancer Therapy and Research Center in San [...]

Researchers at Loyola University Medical Center have completed the only study of its kind comparing the effectiveness of radiation versus surgery in treating patients with early larynx cancer. Loyola’s investigation, which included over 3800 patients, concluded that long term cure rates were equivalent using both therapies but, radiation treatment significantly reduced the risk of developing [...]

If you are a cancer patient scheduled to have a biopsy, blood test or surgery, you may want to watch this new video from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The informative 15-minute presentation answers common questions about tissue banking, a process where the patient can voluntarily donate a portion of their tumor or blood sample so [...]

Researchers from Duke University and Purdue University have developed a new method for sorting magnetic particles which may give scientists a better tool for detecting and diagnosing disease. The technique, known as nonlinear magnetophoretic separation, relies on silicon microchips that have a field of chromium-coated cobalt disks no larger than 5 microns on their surface. [...]

A book by 38-year-old breast cancer survivor Deanna Favre, wife of Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre, is rapidly becoming one of the most popular cancer books in recent memory. The book, entitled Don’t Bet Against Me!, describes Mrs. Favre’s life including her battle against the disease which began with her diagnosis back in 2004. [...]

An electronic device the size of a large wristwatch is helping researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh gather information on people’s exposure to situations which may increase their risk of disease and illness. The eWatch contains multiple sensors which measure environmental factors such as sound, motion, temperature, and other conditions. It [...]

Some tiny freshwater fish have been providing scientists new information on Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC), a rare and aggressive form of the disease characterized by rapid tumor progression. Researchers at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine have been studying zebrafish, a minnow-like fish commonly found in aquariums, to learn more about [...]