Survial rates after treatment.

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Hello WSmith,

I agree, the stats on positive outcomes for stage iv, need to be championed. My husband after 3 rounds of chemo, took his CT scan and we were told the mass in his right rib is gone. The docs looked surprised , they are trained to deal with the immediates and are not fortune tellers. His primary tumour is in his esophagus and has greatly decreased in size as well. We are living strong...enjoy every day.. do not create your bucket list quite yet....

Stay strong, surround your self with postive thoughts and positive people and ignore the nay sayers... there is a lot  of goodness for stage iv cancer patients.. we just are kept in the dark... mmm???? wonder why?

Best ,

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non small cell stage 1-b lung cancer

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Goodness sakes, that is a GOOD diagnosis, very low stage, and according to my oncologist, stage 1 non small cell lung cancer is curable.  Not just treatable and survivable, but CURABLE.  Possitive attitude is huge, and knowledge takes away fear.  There are so many who are not as fortunate as you.  Most lung cancers are found in late stages, since symptoms don't present themselves until then.  When found in early stages such as yours, it is usually found while doctors are checking for something else.  Count your blessings, and give thanks to God it's been found so early.  I was diagnosed stage 3a, on May 26th of 2010.  I had my upper right lung removed on August 12, 2010, had chemo, and now have been cancer free since then.  I also, count my blessings every day, and give thanks to the Good Lord for blessings of life, love, and doctors.

Take care, and keep your chin up, this is not a death sentence for you.  God Bless, Byrd

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I feel like I have been given a death sentence today.

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I was diagnosed with almost same dx. check out my caring bridge site.. Stage 4 lung cancer in October 2007 with 6 months to live,, Still here and doing well, mine was also inoperable.. Defentely NOT a death sentence. Read my storywww.caring bridge/visit/russellyoung

hope this helps you !!! will be in our prayers!!!

Russell

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Promising new drug for patients with myeloma

(Wednesday, 9 may HealthDay News) - three new studies confirm that drug lenalidomide can significantly increase time than multiple myeloma patients did experience any worsening of their disease, is after a transplant of stem cells or to chemotherapy.

However, what is not clearly studies is or not the improvement in survival time "without progress" will result in a longer overall survival.

"They are very promising, early studies," said the author of an accompanying editorial, Dr. Ashraf Badros, Professor in the Department of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore. "I think that these studies will generate much discussion."

Potential areas of debate, he said, include or non-progression-free survival is sufficient if it is not a benefit in overall survival. He said that progression-free survival may well justify this treatment if the quality of life improved considerably. However, none of the studies reviewed measures of quality of life. Another important factor is cost; This drug is estimated at about $163 381 per year to treat a patient, according to the editorial of the Badros costs.

Studies and writing are published in the issue of the New England Journal of Medicine on May 10.

Multiple myeloma is a cancer that affects plasma cells in the blood. Each year, approximately 22,000 Americans receive a diagnosis of multiple myeloma, according to the American Cancer Society. The current rate of survival at 5 years for multiple myeloma is only 40 percent. However, recent advances will likely increase the survival rate for people who are diagnosed to move forward, according to the cancer society.

Lenalidomide (Revlimid) modifies the immune response and direct toxic effects on tumors, according to background information in one of these studies.

Among younger people, the standard treatment is usually a stem cell transplantation to replace the many cancer cells from plasma. However, many older patients are ineligible for this treatment.

The first study looked at treatment lenalidomide in people who were not candidates for transplantation of stem cells, and it included slightly more than 450 people more than 65 years old, who was recently diagnosed with multiple myeloma. A group received initial chemotherapy which included lenalidomide also followed by treatment of maintenance by lenalidomide, while the second group has just received the initial chemotherapy, including lenalidomide. The latter group received standard chemotherapy without lenalidomide.

After an average 30-month follow-up period, the researchers found that the first group had an average of progression-free survival of 31 months, compared to only 14 months for the second group, only 13 months for the final group. This study was not designed to evaluate overall survival.

"This approach is approximately double the duration of remission of 15 to 30 months old therapies," said author Dr. Antonio Palumbo, of the study of the Department of Hematology at the University of Turin in Italy.

Palumbo, stated that the cost has always to be considered in the treatment. He said that there are some costs associated with lenalidomide because economies it is an oral medication, which must be administered intravenously. In addition, if it prevents complications, such as bone fractures, it can help prevent them disability and hospital costs.

The second study, conducted by researchers from the Roswell Park Institute in New York, included 468 persons less than 71 years who received transplants of stem cells. From 100 days after their transplants, half of the Group was given daily lenalidomide and half received either a placebo. Once the progression of the disease, study participants said what treatment they received, and if they were to a placebo, they were allowed to begin to lenalidomide.

At the time, the results were decoded, only 20% of people lenalidomide progression of the disease compared with 44% of those receiving placebo.

The third study, reported by French researchers, was also considered in the maintenance treatment of lenalidomide in those who have had a stem cell transplant. This study included 614 people aged under 65. The group taking lenalidomide was progression-free survival an average of 41 months, compared to 23 months in the placebo group. Four years after the start of the study, the average overall survival was similar in the two groups, according to the study.

Secondary effect the most important and what has been an increase in the risk of a second cancer. In the three studies, the rate of cancers of the second was more than doubled in people taking lenalidomide. Low white blood cells were also commonly related to lenalidomide therapy.

Badros said that all cancer treatments have secondary, and that for the most part, lenalidomide did appear to have unexpected effects, except for the increase in the rate of cancers of the second. This finding, he said, deserves further study.

More information

Learn more about multiple myeloma of the American Cancer Society.

SOURCES: Ashraf Badros, M.B., Ch.B., Professor, Department of medicine, University of Maryland School of medicine and the University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore; Antonio Palumbo, MD, Department of Hematology, University of Turin, Italy; May 10, 2012, New England Journal of Medicine

Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

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The infection causes Cancers from 1 to 6 in the world: study

(Wednesday, 9 may HealthDay News) - one in six cancers in the world is caused by infections preventable or curable, a new study finds.

Infections cause approximately 2 million cases of cancer, a year and 80% of these cases occur in the less developed regions of the world, according to the study, published online may 8 in The Lancet Oncology. The death by cancer of 7.5 million worldwide in 2008, approximately $ 1.5 million were due to potentially preventable or curable infections.

"Infection with certain viruses, bacteria and parasites is one of the largest and most preventable cause of cancer in the world," authors Catherine of Martel and Martyn Plummer, principal of the International Agency for research on Cancer in Lyon, France, said in a press release of the journal. "Application of present methods of public health for the prevention of infections, such as vaccination, practical safe injection of antimicrobial treatment - could have a substantial effect on the future burden of cancer throughout the world."

Researchers examined data on 27 cancers in 184 countries and has calculated that about 16% of all cancers in 2008 have been linked to infection. Cancers related to the infection rate was 23% in the developing countries and 7% in developed countries.

Rates of infection-related cancers varies from 3% in Australia and New Zealand to 33 per cent in sub-Saharan Africa.

"Many cancers related to the infection is preventable, particularly those associated with the virus of human papillomavirus (HPV), Helicobacter pylori and hepatitis b and hepatitis c virus," said researchers.

In 2008, these four major infections caused together 1.9 million cancers, mainly of the stomach, the liver and the cervix. Cervical cancer is about half of cancers related to the infection in women and hepatic and gastric cancer accounted for more than 80 per cent of cancers related to the infection in men.

The results of the study "show the potential of preventive and therapeutic programs in less developed countries to significantly reduce the global burden of cancer and the wide disparities between regions and countries," Danaei Gudarz, of the Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, wrote in an accompanying editorial.

"Since effective vaccines and relatively inexpensive for HPV and [B] are available, increasing the coverage should be a priority for health systems in high-burden countries," Danaei added.

More information

The U.S. National Cancer Institute offers an overview of cancer prevention.

SOURCE: Lancet Oncology, press release, may 8, 2012

Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

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Scientists map genome of Melanoma

(Wednesday, 9 may HealthDay News), researchers have completed the first sequencing of the genome of melanoma, an aggressive and often deadly form of skin cancer.

Understand the landscape of genomics which contributes to the development of melanoma can provide the new overview of the tumor biology and therapeutic resistance, the authors of the study say. They believe that discoveries can stimulate the development of new treatments for melanoma, which are likely to kill more than 9 000 people in the United States this year, according to cancer experts.

In a study published online on May 9 in the journal Nature, the scientists describe 25 sequencing human metastatic melanoma - cancers that have spread - and find a common denominator between melanoma and breast cancer, and the rate of mutation in melanoma varies with the level of ultraviolet light.

The authors found PREX2, a gene associated with breast cancer, about 14% of tumors of melanoma. "This is a moment of light bulbs in research," said Dr. Lynda Chin, Chairman of the Department of genomic medicine of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston author of the study. Potentially, this could change "the paradigm of the way in which we understand what is happening in cancer", she added.

Research has shown that PREX2 begins to lead the cancerous activity in genetic mutations, modify or disable cellular functions. Also other mutations have been identified for the first time in studied tumors.

The next challenge will be to understand how the PREX2 gene is a melanoma tumor grow, said Chin. "PREX2 is a large gene, and we're not sure what aspects are essential for the development of cancer." We have the "what", but now we have the "why" and the "how". »

Their study also helps to lay the groundwork for a new definition of cancer which includes the genetic tumor constitution, but also the site of the specific organ.

These features will also lead the development of future cancer treatment, said Chin. "this adds another layer of how we approach the cancer.". "Tell, tell me first, the genetic composition of the tumour and tell me then, origin of the tumour," she said.

Cancers are now described by a system based solely on the location of a tumor and its microscopic anatomy. Chin, said the research shows how genetic information adds a new element that can help to understand and classify tumors with greater precision.

The authors have also learned that the mutation rate is higher in persons with chronic sun exposure. This is another evidence that the development of the disease is related to ultraviolet light.

United States, melanoma has increased over the past three decades. It is one of the most common cancers in young people, and more than 76 000 new cases will be diagnosed through all age groups this year, according to the American Cancer Society.

While the study has discovered new important information, Chin warned that the Melanoma genome is very complex. For example, researchers have seen what she described as a large number of "structural rearrangement" on the genome. It is unclear what this means.

"It's like a bomb s gone off and all in the wrong order," she said. "And we are not sure how to put all together."

Dr. Darrell Rigel, Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the New York University Medical Center, said that it was interesting that the researchers found a breast cancer gene in melanoma tumor. "Regroup us melanoma as a type of cancer now, but in five to ten years, we are likely to see too many types of cancer," said.

Rigel also said that he was encouraged that researchers have found another potential target for drug therapy.

More information

Learn more about melanoma to the American Cancer Society.

SOURCES: Lynda Chin, M.D., Chairman, Department of genomic medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston; Darrell Rigel, M.D., Clinical Professor, dermatology, New York University Medical Center; 9 May 2012, Nature, online

Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

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Tarceva

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Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

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Colon Cancer gaps for black, white, mainly because of the screening

(Wednesday, 9 may HealthDay News) - differences in screening and account for much of the disparity colorectal (colon) cancer incidence and rates of mortality between white and black Americans, a new study said.

Differences in screening are responsible for 42 percent of the difference in the incidence of cancer and 19 per cent of the disparity in mortality rates, according to the study.

The study also concluded that the differences in survival linked to the stage of the cancer at diagnosis (which probably reflects differences in treatment) account for a 36 per cent additional differences between blacks and whites in colorectal cancer mortality rates.

The results suggest that equal access to care could significantly reduce these disparities, according to the study published online April 18 in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, biomarkers and prevention.

Researchers led by Iris Lansdorp-Vogelaar, then a visiting scholar at the American Cancer Society, used a computer model to apply rates of screening and survival of colorectal cancer given white of black Americans more of 50 years. They then compared the actual incidence rate and black to determine the extent to which racial disparities in cancer colorectal mortality rates are due to the differences in survival screening or specific step.

Application to blacks, the screening of white pattern would be the gap in the incidence rates of colorectal cancer in people over 50 years of approximately 28 to 16 cases per 100,000 and the gap in mortality rates of 27 to 22 deaths per 100,000, according to a press release American Cancer Society.

Researchers have also found that if blacks had the relative survival of where white, the disparity in rates of mortality of colorectal cancer decreases to about 17 deaths per 100,000.

In total, the differences in screening and survival represented 54% of the disparity in the rates of mortality of colorectal cancer between white and black. Researchers said that the rest of the disparity between the most likely is due to lifestyle factors that increase the risk (such as consumption of alcohol, smoking, consumption of meat and obesity) and decrease the risks (such as physical activity and hormonal replacement in women after menopause).

More information

The U.S. National Cancer Institute has more on colorectal cancer.

SOURCE: American Cancer Society, press release, 3 may 2012

Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

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Latest news on my mom

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We went for my mom's appointment to day and was told that she has Adenocarcinomas.  There is a tumor that has wrapped her Bronchical tube and the tumor is beginning to make it difficult for her to catch her breath.  I am not sure what the prognosis is and what we are looking at, but I did not get a very good feeling today when we spoke with the doctor.  i knew in my heart that she was sick and I knew that she had the Big C, but I just did not want to attempted it was true.  Today was very hard and it really hit home.

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times running please help

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Hi Bill,

I recommend looking into Reliv Advanced Nutrition. It is #2 on the American Anti Cancer Institutes top ten list for cancer fighters/prevention. Reliv nutrition is an exclusive carrier of Lunasin, which STOPS cancer cells from reproducing. The nutrition is also synergistic, bioavailable and of the very highest quality and standards. This website will verify this:http://relivingrecipes.com/2011/09/12/american-anti-cancer-institute-recommends-reliv-products/

Here is another place where people get together and share thier cancer success stories on how this nutrition helped them to overcaome thier cancer(s):http://healthwellnessandincreasedenergy.com/cancer.html

When fed extreme nutrition, our bodies can do miraculous things.

I wish I would have known about this when my father was still alive dealing with his cancer. My family and I also take the nutrition and get great health benefits and results.

My prayers are with you, your sister, your family and everyone else in these discussion forums. If you'd like to know more, you are welcome to contact me.

In hopes for a better and healthier tomorrow,

Christena

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Please pray for a miracle for our daughter!

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My 27 year old daughter, mother of my 5 month old grandson and center of my life, has recently been diagnosed with what one medical team is most likely "poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma" with the lung as its primary origin and another oncologist as " a highly unusual, very aggressive advanced carcinoma of unkown primary." With observable symptoms of blood clots at 4 weeks post partum, cancer was not investigated until late January when she presented with enlarged lymph nodes in her neck. She has a mass in her chest, carcinoma in lymph nodes in her abdomen, chest, arm pits, and neck, SVC syndrome as the tumor in her chest grows into this vein, and one 6 mm tumor in her brain. One oncologist today told me that given the best response to her treatment (10 days of radiation followed with chemo treatments of Taxol, Carboplatin, & VP 16), she may have 1-2 years. If she has a weak response to the treatment, she may only have weeks or a few months. I had her path specimens, reports, and images sent to the Cleveland Clinic and will take her there to learn their opinion within the week. My husband is a 12 year survivor of a severe traumatic brain injury when his medical team told me he would not live. We are people of faith and I am trying to stay positive and hang onto hope. Please help her by praying for a miracle.

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bone pain from chemo?

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On 5/17/2007 Dothedewmom wrote:

Hello all,

 I have posted several messages on here before and have always gotten some great advice. Now I turn to you all again. My mother has NSCLC stage 4  with several mets. Anyway she is taking Taxol/Avastin/Carboplatin for her chemo. The past week she has been having some terrible bone pain. She says sometimes it feels like her bones are breaking. I have read and reread the info on these chemos and none of them say anything about bone pain. I can not call her doctor because I am not on her medical release form so they will not give me any information and she doesn't want to call because she goes next Wednesday for another PET scan. She feels like she is a bother to her doctors. I tell her that if her insurance is paying these doctors $14,000 for each chemo treatment then she is surely not a bother. Anyway I just wanted to know if anyone else has dealt with the bone pain before. Her doctor's have already changed her pain medicine to Oxycotin. Sometimes it helps sometimes it doesn't. I hope someone can give us some advice. Thanks ahead of time and God bless all who are fighting this terrible disease.

The best information I've found for this is at cancercare.org. They will send you information on any topic to your home that you request. I have NSCLC and I'm in my 30s. It is can be quite painful, especially that particular regimine. I'm on my 4th round of chemotherapy. The one your loved one is going through was my first experience with chemo and those chemicals are very hard. She needs to tell her doctor, anything and everything, that is hurting or bothering her. She is paying for the service, and doctors, especially oncology doctors, do not like to hear that their patients are in pain. They want to control that pain and make the experience as less stressful and as easy as possible.

 When I switched to my 2nd round of chemo, I had some symptoms that I didn't tell my doctor about and it almost cost me my life. My cell counts got too low and I developed a staph infection. I was new to the experience so I didn't think it was anything out of the ordinary. I had to learn the hard way to make sure I vocalized to my oncologist what was going on with me. It is good to keep a "pain" diary when you have pain what kind on a 1 to 10 scale, how long it lasted and where.

Bone pain is the worst pain a person can experience going through cancer, I think, beside the neuropathy. The website below might help too. But the only thing that really works for me is the pain management plan I take for the pain in my bones. I used to take loritab but now I am on a small dose of morphine. It keeps my pain in check, and if I have a sharp spike in pain, I also have a small dose that gets me through that spike, so I am at least comfortable. My doctor has asked me several times, "How much pain medication is too much?" He said it is however much you need not to be in pain. Some of folks I now like to use Fentanyl patches too. There are a lot of slow releasing pain meds that will help her feel a lot better. However, with this you can easily get constipated, so eat lots of fiber and if you still can't go, I recommend Miralax. It used to be a prescription only drug, but has now gone OTC. Its tasteless and you can mix it in anything. I usually drink a glass of this everyday and it works for me.

http://www.cancercare.org/pdf/booklets/ccc_lung_bone_care.pd

http://www.healthtalk.com/lungcancer/programs/16_480/index.c

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I do not where to start

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I absolutely do understand your situation, ironically I am the early stage of where your wife is now.  I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2003 was told it was a simple surgery and an ablation and that would be the end of it.  This many years 5 ablations and another surgery later and I am now diagnosed with lung cancer and they have just done mri of the brain and have the abdominal and pelvic scheduled for next week.  I also go back to Vanderbilt which is where i had my last surgery.

I have decided I am not going to have any more treatment as my quality of life is so bad now, I do not want to prolong it and make it more difficult for my family. I can stay by myself now and still do simple things and do not want to get to the stage that I cant at least be somewhat independent.  I ust pray that God will let me go before I become more of a burden to my family.

I am so sorry you are in the position you are in, this is exactly why I dont want to go through all that to just  prolong the inevitable.  I am 58 and have grown children and 5 grandchildren. The saddest part for me is that I will not be able to be here to see my grandchildren grow up.

I do not want to burden my children with the inevitable problems I  will have ,  I really think I am just mad because this happened to me.  I have not been the absolute perfect person however I always worked, two jobs and raised my children.  i  was married for 22 years and divorced then remarried (big mistake)  as I have wound up supporting my husband financiially which makes my life now even more difficult as I do not have a support system. noone to really talk about anything other than im feeling ok when someone calls.

When I had to go on disabiity and quit working I had to step aside from a business I bought, nOW i have a lawsuit against me, I lost my home of twelve years to foreclosure and really wonder each morning why i must wake up for another day. 

I think your wife may feel like me, and just be mad for having been the one to go through this..or maybe she doesnt realize how she is treating you.  Sometimes I think we hurt those that are closest to us, whether we know it or not.

I like you feel so empty, and wonder if I am just being selfish.  Maybe we aare both just being normal.  I do pray that God give you the strength to deal with what you have to come.  That is how I get through each day.  I would like to know how you are doing. My thoughts and prayers will be with you each day.

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Many young adults at risk of Skin Cancer: CDC

(Thursday, 10 may HealthDay News) - despite warnings on the dangers of excessive exposure to the Sun, young adults in the United States still get or use tanning beds, responsible for federal health, said Thursday.

Both activities increase the risk of skin cancer, the most common cancer among Americans, including potentially deadly melanoma.

"People need to realize that exposure to ultraviolet light, if it is the Sun or tanning beds, is dangerous, especially when you are young, and they need to limit their exposure," said Dr. Marcus Plescia, Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the Prevention of cancer prevention and control division.

"We are concerned that tanning is more and more common, and we fear that this will become a real epidemic if we are not careful." The problem is that you do not see cancers of the cultures up to 10-15 years later, "he says.

To protect this generation of generalized melanoma, said CDC public health efforts are needed to increase the use of shade and sunscreen in recreation areas.

The results appear in the two reports published in the issue of CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report on May 11.

In a study, the CDC researchers found that 50% of those 18 to 29 years old had at least sunburned in the last year, despite an increase in the use of sunscreen and other protective measures, such as sit in the shade and wear protective clothing. Among whites, 66 percent had tans.

In the other report, researchers found frequent tanning in young adults, with the highest rate among white women between 18 and 25. Much reported tanning almost 28 times on average in the past year, according to the report.

About 6% of American adults reported indoor tanning at least once in the previous year. Among white indoor tanners, 58% of women and 40% of men had used tanning beds 10 or more times in the past year, the researchers found.

"People need to understand that there is a risk the use of tanning beds," said Plescia.

Tanning before the age of 35 increases the risk of melanoma by 75 percent, noted the report. The fact that the rate of Melanoma is higher among young white women that white men can be explained by their more frequent use of the tanning, the authors suggested.

Plescia said that approximately 30 States limit the use of tanning beds by young people, but these regulations vary.

"Only two States, California and Vermont, prohibition room tanning for anyone under 18," he said.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is considering requiring labels on tanning beds to inform users about the risks of skin cancer, he said. But it does not ban tanning is realistic.

Dr. Daniel Siegel, President of the American Academy of Dermatology, said that the numbers were not unexpected. "I am not surprised," we find that many people of tanning. It's like smoking and other habits risky; "you are young and you think that you are immortal," said.

"It's a habit, people must change," said Siegel. "You must protect yourself from carcinogenic ultraviolet light that enjoy the Sun and tanning."

Melanoma is increasing at an alarming rate, Siegel added. "If you look at the lifetime risk, it is close to 1 to 50;" "It was 1 to 1 000 forty years ago," he said.

To reduce the risk of skin cancer, the CDC recommends that:

Stay in the shade, especially from 10 hours to 2 p.m.Wear clothing to protect exposed skin.Wear a hat to wide in the shadow of the face, head, ears and neck.Porter of the multidisciplinary sunglasses that block most ultraviolet a and ultraviolet B.Utiliser sunscreen with a sun protection factor 15 or more that blocks ultraviolet and ultraviolet B u.n. ' use a tanning.

More information

For more information on skin cancer, visit the Skin Cancer Foundation.

SOURCES: Marcus Plescia, MD, Director, division of prevention of cancer and control, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Daniel M. Siegel, MD, President, American Academy of Dermatology; 11 May 2012, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

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blurred vision

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Ray

I would talk to a Neurosurgeon and get their opinion and if anything can be done that's not invasive. Brain radiation especially if it's full brain radiation can cause that kind of problem. Give it a chance to heal for a few weeks.

Everything including the optical nerves are tied into the brain.

Here are all my personal notes and it tells you how to find 5 star doctors. You might look into some of the new vaccines that have come out especially those being used on GBM.

http://liveforeverwithcancer.com/

Keep writting.

John

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lung cancer surgery

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Hi there, I am sorry you have lung cancer.  I had my upper right lobe removed.  Let me tell you it isn't a piece of cake, yet it wasn't as bad as I thought.  I had excellent care at the hospital, and my doctors made sure I was treated appropriately for pain.  I can honestly say that my pain management was handled correctly.  I believe I, myself, have more problems with pain now (6 mths post op) at the site where the drain tubes were.  That seems to be the worst of it.  As for using your arm, yes you will be able to use it.  At least I was.  I think I was on a limit as to how much weight I could life.  LOL  Which for me, meant my hubby did the vacuming, a job I hate anyway.  I am totally off all pains meds as of Thanksgiving, so don't rush to quit them.  My oncologist didn't even want me to get off them then either, but I wanted to drive again.  I had dilluadid's, and it wasn't so bad when I quit.  I didn't even have to take ibuprofin or anything else.  So, I don't know if this helps you, but like I said, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, yet it was still REALLY tough.

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Dry Mouth

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Have you tried the biotene products.  I have dry mouth due to radiation and I use the mouth rinse durring the day.  When I go to bed, I use the biotene liquid which is thicker and can be swollowed.  Maybe a good time to stick to mild foods.  Oatmeal, eggs, mac & cheese, cottage cheese.  If he is not getting the calories he needs, there are ensure shakes.  Hang in there.  It will get better.

Paula

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Lung Cancer

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Surgery is what lung cancer patients always want.  That is the best treatment to start with.  Sometimes it is not possible, like if in both lungs, wrapped to near the heart, or other place that makes it in-operable.  But, all in all, we want to have it taken out for the best chance at survival.

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final stage small cell lung cancer

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My mother  to the doctor because she started getting shoulder pain then starting coughing up blood. Doctor told her she had lung cancer sept.2011. she had a biop. done and they said it was stage 4 small cell lung cancer. They started her one chemo and radiation but But it was too late. Last day of radiation she told them she was getting really bad pain in her rib and hip so they did a bone scan and found it she had metastasis in her hip,thigh and rib and specks of cancer in her liver. Now shes on hospice and a ton of morphine. Pretty sure she in the end stages. She gets really confused so not sure if its the medication or in her brain.Lost alot of weight. on oxygen because one lung is full of fluid and collaped. and just this last week she had been puking at least 1 cup of blood a day. So sad cause she was the life of the party. Very sweet lady never like to see this happen to someone so kind.

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swelling belly

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Hello.  So sorry to hear about your dad.  His swollen belly is most likely a condition called ascites.  Fluid is building up around his organs and distending his belly.  It is a very incomfortable condition.  The doctors usually try diuretics and salt reduction first.  If that doesn't work,  they drain the belly with a stent.  My husband had a catheter installed and they taught me how to drain him at home when he became uncomfortable.  It is a side effect of having cancer.  (pancreatic, liver, lung, and colon usually)  Hope this helps.  Prayers.  Tina

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unorthodox treatment

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Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

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feet swelling

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My 87 year old dad has been on Tarceva for 5 days.  So far, side effects include fatigue and nausea.  Today I see his feet are swelling.   Has anyone experienced this side effect?  Any remedy? 

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PossibleLong Cancer

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My Dr. performed a Biopsy yesterday through my Throat. As soon as he touched the Tumor, it started bleeding so he was he just did a wash. now, I'm waiting for the results. Has this ever happened to anybody?

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Stage 4 lung cancer and lambert eatin syndrome

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April 30, 1974, she has a birthday coming up Monday.  lol  I have 2 daughters, and she's my oldest.  You are exactly right, that was a VERY popular name those years.  My youngest daughter is named Heather, born in 1980, and that was also a popular name.  Oh well, Mom here wasn't very original, but at least they didn't have some weird name with some weird spelling.  Take care, I've been thinking of you, and praying for your dad. 

Byrd

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Tamoxifen vs arimidex

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My daddy is dying of lung cancer.

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On 10/27/2007 babysurf13 wrote: Hi everybody, I am Chelsea. My father was told he had lung cancer in early August. He did the cemo treatment and it did not work. He went to the doctors after that and they gave him 6 months to live.  But for the people who have lost there love ones from it i have a couple of questtions. Did you know when his time was up? And how did you move on from it. I need to know more about it. I am only a 15yrs girl, that doesnt know anything. So if you people would help me out that would be great.

thanks<3

Dear Chelsea,

I know how hard this if for you, I just recently lost my mom to a rare cancer, adreanal cancer.  She passed away 10 months ago.  It is very hard to loose a loved one, my mom knew she was going to die, we had many wonderful talks before she became very week,those are the moments to treasure, I lost my dad when I was 20., and now 43 I lost my mom, it hurts no matter what age, but you my darling are too young, and you have to be strong for your dad, but don't be afraid to show your feelings, tell him everyday you love him, and if you need to cry then cry.  I wish I had some thing that could make the pain go away, but I don't I am still going through it myself, even for my dad who is gone 21 years, time lets you learn to deal with the loss, but missing them and loving is as strong if not more when it happens..

You want to know when it is time, you will know when it is time, don't look for it, when it happens pray that it is fast and no pain.  You don't want to see your dad in pain, we are selfish we want them here, but we don't want them to hurt.  Don't look for it.  My best advise as mom use to say, live one minute by minute, one hour by hour, one day by day, don't look to the future just live for today.  I will pray for you, if you want to talk we can talk on private message and I can give you my e-mail. 

Do you have brothers and sisters, how old are they.  Do you have a support group, it could be your friends, family, or if you feel good talking to your priest then do so, talking about how you feel will help you.

Hope to hear from you, good luck--God Bless

Marie

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what can I do for a loved one who is diagnosed with lung cancer

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My brother had throat cancer last summer and fall. He was told in November he was cancer free. This past April they found two spots on his lung and after a biopsy they told him it spread to his bones and lungs and that he has 6 months to 2 years live. He has to do 3 months of two different kinds of Chemo then re-assess. He is in California. What are the resources for centers and help. I live in NH and feel helpless

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Stage 3 Lung Cancer (NonSmoker)

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Hi I was diagnosed in May of 2010 with stage 3a non small cell lung cancer (adenocarcinoma with BAC features)  There are so many different types of lung cancer (small cell, oat cell, adenocarcinoma, squamish cell, and BAC, which is a sub-type of adenocarcinoma).  Your mom should find out what type she has with a biopsy, and also what type of mutation it is. The mutation is very important and is an important factor in deciding treatment options.  There is KRAS (the most common of lung cancers) EGFR, ALK, and a few new ones just being found (and quite rare) that I don't remember what they are called.  I was not staged until I did get a biopsy, and wonder how your mom is being staged without one also.

I had my upper right lobe of the lung removed, and around 30 something lymph nodes.  Fortunately for me, all margins were clear, no node involvement.  So, after about a month, I then started chemo.  I have been NED (no evidence of disease) ever since July 12, 2010.

There are so many new treatments that have come out even since I was diagnosed.  Never give up hope.  A teaching/college university cancer center is the best place to go.  There you will find experts in just your type of cancer.  There is an entire "tumor board" who discuss your case and come up with the best possible treatment.  They are also the only ones to have access to clinical trials.  I traveled 45 minutes each way to be treated at the best hospital for me.  Had I stayed in my small hometown, I really don't think I'd be alive today.  You can read my story and the difficulties I had just getting diagnosed if you click on my name. 

So, there IS good news with stage 3 cancer.  I am living proof.  I am going to tell you also, that all lung cancer patients want to be able to have the diseased lung portion taken out.  If that is an option for your mom, do so!!  And then follow up with chemo.  I wonder how they say it is moving aggressively, when it is no where else in her body.  ???  I hope your mom gets to a good cancer center and gets a second opinion.  She will need a thoracic surgeon, who after a biopsy will stage it. 

Take care, and keep in touch.  Hope this gives you lots and lots of hope.  Byrd

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daddy cool

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How long for results of biospy

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I was wondering if anyone knew how long is normal for the results of biospy to come back? 

My mother has one today and this waiting is driving me crazy.  She is very concerned because there is a mass in the lymph node at the base of her neck.  The involved lymph node is on the left side and the largest tumor in her lung is on the right side. 

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Loss of appetite!

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Hi!

My mother was diagnosed with non small cell lung cancer about 2 months ago.  She has no appetite and complains of a sour taste in her mouth.  She isn't on chemo, so I am not sure where the taste could be coming from, she has had this for years.  As far as the appetite goes, not sure if that could be coming from the cancer or what.  She found out about her diagnoses because she was diagnosed with Ulcers and her loss of appetite started from the first day she got diagnosed with ulcers.  But, I am wondering if anyone here that has lung cancer has loss of appetite and do you know, if appetite could ever come back?  I don't want my mom to have no appetite for the rest of her life, so i'm hoping at some point the feeling to eat will come back again.  She use to love eating everything and now, she never gets hungry and she complains that nothing taste good to her.  Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Michelle

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Exercise may improve survival in breast cancer patients with Colon Cancer

(Tuesday, may 8, HealthDay News) - physical activity could prolong the life of people with breast and colon cancer, a new study suggests.

Exercise can also benefit patients with other cancers, but there is no substantial evidence to claim that, the researchers added.

"We have a lot of data that says physical activity after a diagnosis of cancer is generally safe and is associated with many improvements in the overall quality of life, and these data suggest that it may even be beneficial in terms of life," said principal investigator Dr. Rachel Ballard-Barbash, Director Deputy of the applied research program in the division of sciences of control and the population of the U.S. National Cancer cancer Institute.

"For many years, we tend to think of a diagnosis of cancer is fatal, but as we are diagnosis much more early people and receiving effective treatment, they live long with their cancer," she said.

Cancer becomes a chronic disease, Ballard-Barbash explained.

"Because of this, many people is actually at risk other chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and hypertension, and physical activity is well known to be beneficial for these conditions,", she added.

The report was published in the issue of May 8 of the journal of the National Cancer Institute.

For the study, Ballard-Barbash team analyzed 27 observational studies published between January 1950 and August 2011 who watched the cancer survival and physical activity.

The evidence of these benefits was higher for patients with breast cancer, where exercise significantly reduced mortality all-cause mortality, including breast cancer, the researchers found. Strong data exist also for the improvement of survival in patients with colon cancer.

Researchers also examined other randomized controlled studies that exercise have benefited from patients in various ways, including the improvement of insulin levels, reducing inflammation and possibly improve the immune system.

Dr. Edward Giovannucci, Professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health and the author of a newspaper covering editorial, said that "even if the direct effects of physical activity are not definitively proven given that physical activity is generally safe, improves the quality of life of patients with cancer and has many other health benefits"adequate physical activity should be a standard part of cancer care. »

"The vast majority of cancer patients will probably be profit in some degree of physical activity," he added.

Some factors showed as much promise in extending the lives of cancer survivors, Giovannucci wrote.

"Many treatments can increase survival, but at a cost of quality of life; "physical activity is not only longer but also improves the quality of sound," he added.

Samantha Heller, a dietitian, nutritionist, physiologist exercise and coordinator of clinical nutrition at the Center for Cancer Care at the Hospital of Griffin, in Derby, Conn., said that "we have data indicate that physical activity improves not only the survival of people living with cancer, but it also reduces the risk of many other chronic diseases."

"Conversely, physical inactivity has been linked to several types of cancer, including breast, colon, prostate, pancreas and melanoma," she said.

Because some chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment for cancer treatments, survivors may be an increased risk of additional cancers and chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, Heller said.

"So, a healthy way of life, including regular exercise and a healthy diet is essential for survivors to reduce the risk of recurrence of cancer and other diseases," she said.

Regular physical activity also improves the sleep, psychological and emotional well-being and helps manage stress, said Mr. Heller.

"The number of cancer survivors is, fortunately, the United States growth," she said. "We need to get the word out of them that the exercise, if it is walk, dance, run, swim or Hula hooping, will boost their health, the level of fitness and quality of life."

More information

For more information on exercise and cancer, visit the US National Cancer Institute.

SOURCES: Rachel Ballard-Barbash, M.D., Associate Director, program of applied research, control and the population of cancer sciences division, the U.S. National Cancer Institute. Edward l. Giovannucci, M.D., SCD, Professor of nutrition and epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston; Samantha Heller, M.S., R.D., dietitian, nutritionist, physiologist exercise and coordinator of clinical nutrition, Center for Cancer Care, Griffin hospital, Derby, Conn. ; 8 May 2012, Journal of the National Cancer Institute

Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

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The color of the eyes can help predict the risk of Vitiligo

(Tuesday, may 8, HealthDay News) - the color of the eyes can help predict the risk of vitiligo, an autoimmune disease in which the skin loses its pigmentation, a new study finds.

The study of almost 3,000 non - Hispanic European Americans found people with blue eyes are less likely to have vitiligo. Researchers have also identified 13 new genes that may predispose people to the condition, which often results in uneven patches of white skin and hair.

About 27% of people with vitiligo had eyes grey/blue, compared to 52 per cent of Americans of European origin non-Hispanic without the condition of the skin. Meanwhile, 43% of people with vitiligo had eyes brown red or Brown, compared to 27 percent non-Hispanic European Americans. Approximately 30% of patients with vitiligo was green or hazel eyes.

Although the study focused on vitiligo, the researchers noted that their findings may shed light on how the color of the eyes can help predict the risk of the people for melanoma. People with brown eyes are under risk of melanoma.

"Genetically, in some ways vitiligo and melanoma are opposed polar.". Some of the genetic variations that make one more likely to have some vitiligo same be less likely to have melanoma and vice versa, "Dr. Richard Spritz, Director of the human genetics and genomics program at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, said in a press release from the University." "" Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease, in which the human immune system attack normal pigment cells. We believe that this vitiligo is hyperactivity of a normal process that seeks the immune system and destroyed cells cancer melanoma at the beginning. »

Given that people with vitiligo are more at risk of other autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes and thyroid disease, the study concluded that their findings may help scientists learn more about the genetic basis of these diseases as well.

The study appeared online may 6 in the journal Nature Genetics.

More information

Vitiligo American Research Foundation provides more information about vitiligo and melanoma.

SOURCE: University of Colorado School of Medicine, press release, may 7, 2012

Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

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Aim Skin Cancer Warnings at the Young, Too, Experts Say

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MONDAY, May 7 (HealthDay News) -- Doctors should take the time to counsel children, teens and young adults on the dangers of sun exposure and tanning beds, according to new recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

But rather than focus on skin cancer, discussions with young patients should center on how ultraviolet-ray exposure can damage the way their skin looks, the task force advised.

"We are not saying to young people to avoid sun exposure and indoor tanning to prevent skin cancer, because that message doesn't work," said Dr. Virginia Moyer, USPSTF chair and a professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

"That is the goal, but the message that works is to use appearance-based counseling," she said.

Because most research so far is based on people with fair skin -- who are at the greatest risk of skin cancer -- these new recommendations apply only to them, the authors noted.

Instead of telling these patients about the risk of skin cancer, they should be told that sun exposure leads to ugly skin: "What you end up having is wrinkled, leathery skin," Moyer said.

"If the audience you are trying to reach is young people whose concern about having skin cancer is not very high, then the more effective way to get the message across is to talk about the more immediate effects -- skin damage," she said.

For example, doctors can show patients photos taken of skin with a UV camera to demonstrate the damage UV rays can cause.

The recommendations appeared online May 8 in advance of publication in the July 3 print issue in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Specifically, doctors should counsel children, teens and young adults aged 10 to 24 who have fair skin and no history of skin cancer about skin cancer prevention. Having light skin, hair and eyes increases the risk for skin cancer, as does overexposure to ultraviolet rays at an early age, the recommendations state.

Skin cancer affects more than 2 million Americans each year, according to background information from the USPSTF.

This recommendation is a change from the group's previous statement, which said that evidence was insufficient to be able to make a recommendation at that time, Moyer said.

"We now have data that is pretty good that counseling adolescents and young adults who are fair-skinned to avoid sun exposure, using counseling that is appearance-based, works," she said.

Moyer noted that early skin damage is a precursor to skin cancer later in life. "But by the time people are concerned about the risk of skin cancer it's too late. The damage has been done," she explained.

Appearance-based counseling by doctors can change behavior, Moyer said. "It should be part of well-person exams for fair-skinned people," she added.

Right now there is not enough evidence to recommend counseling adults about the dangers of UV exposure, the report noted.

Dr. Jeffrey Salomon, an assistant clinical professor of plastic surgery at Yale University School of Medicine, said he isn't convinced that counseling children is enough to get them into the habit of protecting themselves from UV exposure.

"It is always a challenge to change people's behaviors," he said. Counseling and media campaigns aren't enough. These changes must be taught early, Salomon added.

In Australia, schools have an integrated program about sun protection, a large media campaign and widespread availability of sun-protection clothing and other products, he pointed out. Yet, studies show that even in Australia, the country with the highest incidence of dangerous skin cancers, media announcements only have short-term benefits in getting people to comply, he noted.

"I think that there is a clear parental responsibility to protect one's child from the largest-known cancer risk: the sun," Salomon said.

He noted that parents make their children wear bike helmets and buckle seat belts and they don't leave their children unattended.

"If children are slathered with sun-protection creams and not brought out in the midday sun, it will ultimately seem to be the normal and prudent thing to do," Salomon said.

More information

To learn more about skin cancer, visit the Skin Cancer Foundation.

SOURCES: Virginia A. Moyer, M.D., M.P.H., professor of pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, and chair, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force; Jeffrey C. Salomon, M.D. assistant clinical professor of plastic surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn.; May 8, 2012, Annals of Internal Medicine, online

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Cancer Cells in Bloodstream Show Great Diversity: Study

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MARDI, mai 8 (HealthDay News)--il y a beaucoup de diversité génétique dans les cellules jeter par des tumeurs cancéreuses dans le sang, une nouvelle étude a trouvé.

Certaines cellules possèdent des gènes qui leur permettent de se déposer dans des endroits nouveaux, aidant le cancer répartis entre les organes, tandis que les autres cellules ont différents modes d'expression de gènes qui pourraient rendre bénins plus ou moins de chances de survivre dans les autres endroits dans le corps.

Certaines cellules tumorales circulantes expriment même gènes qui pourraient prédire leur réponse à un traitement spécifique de cancer, les chercheurs ont dit.

« Dans un tirage unique de sang d'un patient unique, nous constatons [diverses] populations de circulation de cellules tumorales, » auteur de l'étude des Dr Stefanie Jeffrey, directeur de la recherche en oncologie chirurgicale à la Stanford University School of Medicine, a déclaré dans un communiqué de presse de l'Université.

Les chercheurs ont dit que leurs résultats mettent en évidence la façon dont plusieurs types de traitement peuvent être nécessaires pour remédier à ce qui semble être un seul type de cancer et suggèrent que les modèles actuels de la lignée de cellules de cancers humains doivent être améliorés sur.

L'étude, qui a utilisé des échantillons de sang de patients atteints de cancer du sein, est le premier à regarder la circulation de cellules tumorales un par un au lieu de prendre la moyenne de plusieurs des cellules. Il est également le premier à montrer l'ampleur des différences génétiques entre les cellules tumorales en circulation, les chercheurs ont dit.

Les scientifiques savent depuis longtemps que des cellules tumorales circulantes se déplacent dans les bloodstreams de patients atteints de cancer. Au cours des cinq dernières années, cependant, de nombreux chercheurs sur le cancer ont commencé à penser que les cellules pourraient être la clé pour le suivi des tumeurs invasive.

L'étude s'affiche en ligne mardi dans la revue PLoS One.

Plus d'informations

Le U.S. National Cancer Institute a plus sur le cancer.

SOURCE : L'Université de Stanford, communiqué de presse, 7 mai 2012

Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. Tous droits réservés.

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For Healthier Eating, Keep Fruits, Veggies Within Reach

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MONDAY, May 7 (HealthDay News) -- College students are more likely to snack on fresh fruits and vegetables when these healthy options are placed where they can easily reach them, a new study suggests.

Students also ate more fruit when it was made clearly visible to them, according to the report recently released online in the journal Environment and Behavior.

For the study, Gregory Privitera, an assistant professor of psychology at St. Bonaventure University in New York, and Heather Creary, an undergraduate student there, recruited 96 college students and offered them fruits and vegetables. Apple slices and baby-cut carrots were put in either clear or opaque bowls and placed on tables that were close to the participants or on a table about 6.5 feet away.

The students were left alone with the food for 10 minutes. During that time, the study revealed, they were more likely to eat the fruits and vegetables when they were placed close to them. Making the food more visible made the students eat more apples, but not carrots. The researchers suggested that the fact that fruit is sweeter may have spurred more motivation to eat the apples.

"Apples, but not carrots, have sugar, which is known to stimulate brain reward regions that induce a 'wanting' for foods that contain sugar," the study authors explained in a journal news release. "Hence, apple slices may be more visually appealing than carrots."

The findings could offer colleges and universities ideas on how to improve the layout of their dining halls to promote healthy eating among students.

"Many dining facilities on college campuses are structured in a buffet," the researchers noted. Placing healthy foods closest to seating areas or entrances and visible, such as in open containers at the front of the buffet, could increase intake of these foods among college students, they said.

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about eating fruits and vegetables.

SOURCE: Environment and Behavior, news release, April 30, 2012

Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

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Doctors Urge Routine Skin Screenings

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SUNDAY, May 6 (HealthDay News) -- Adults and children should be screened routinely for changes in the appearance of their skin, experts advise.

Mount Sinai Medical Center researchers point out that regular visits to the dermatologist are just as important as trips to the dentist because they can provide clues as to what's going on outside as well as inside the body.

One in five Americans will develop some form of skin cancer during their lifetime, the Mount Sinai doctors cautioned. Although skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, it's also one of the most preventable, they noted in a center news release.

In honor of Skin Cancer Awareness Month and Melanoma Day on Monday, May 7, the experts offered the following advice on skin cancer prevention:

Wear sunblock. Almost half of all UV exposure occurs between the ages of 19 and 40 years. Sunblock should be applied to the body, around the eyes, lips, ears and feet everyday year-round. Dermatologists can recommend sunscreen for infants and sensitive areas, such as the eyelids or face. Do not sunbathe. It may take between 10 and 20 years for the damage to show up, but the sun's rays dissolve the collagen and elastin in your skin. Perform monthly self-checks. Monitor your brown spots, such as moles and freckles. If you have many of these spots, consult your dermatologist about total body photography. This preventative measure can help closely track the appearance of your spots to determine if they've changed over time. Follow the ABCDEs. Consult a dermatologist if a mole has any of the following: Asymmetry (one side is different from the other); Border irregularity; Color variation (one area is a different shade or color than another); Diameter equal to or larger than a pencil eraser; Elevation (it is raised or has an uneven surface)

Sunscreens will have new U.S. Food and Drug Administration-mandated labels beginning June 18, the experts noted. So, when looking for sunscreen, be sure its label has the following:

Provides "broad-spectrum protection," or UVA as well as UVB coverage measured by the given sun-protection factor (SPF) value. "SPF 30" (or higher). Being protected by SPF 30 means it will take 30 minutes of sun exposure to get the same amount of UV light penetration as you would get in just one minute with unprotected skin. The Mount Sinai specialists noted anything lower than SPF 30 will have the following label warning: "Spending time in the sun increases your risk of skin cancer and early skin aging. This product has been shown only to prevent sunburn, not skin cancer or early skin aging." "Water-resistant." The new FDA rules prohibit any sunscreen from being labeled as "waterproof." Those marked "water-resistant" have been shown to pass a standard 40- or 80-minute test of water exposure followed by UV testing.

More information

The U.S. National Library of Medicine has more about skin cancer.

SOURCE: Mount Sinai Medical Center, news release, April 27, 2012

Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

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Lung Cancer Patients less likely to be treated

(Friday, 4 may HealthDay News) - A study of elderly people with non-small cell lung cancer found that older patients are less likely to receive treatment as younger patients, regardless of their overall health condition and prognosis.

Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common type of lung cancer.

For this study, watched American researchers the data of more than 20,000 patients with lung cancer aged 65 and over in the Cancer Registry Center goes between 2003 and 2008 and found that, for all the stages of lung cancer, younger patients, patients were more likely to receive the treatment as patients in good health.

It is not better for patients, the researchers said. Previous research has shown that patients of lung cancer which are otherwise in good health can benefit from treatments, while those of other diseases are more vulnerable to the toxicity of cancer treatment.

"It is clear that, as human beings human and physicians, us set age to decide whether to continue the treatment for cancer, including lung cancer treatments.". "Instead, we should we in the overall health, of our patients" lead author Dr. Sunny Wang, a doctor at the San Francisco VA Medical Center and Assistant Clinical Professor of medicine at the University of California at San Francisco, said in a press release from the University.

The study was published May 1 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Patients aged 65 to 74, who were seriously ill with other diseases - and therefore less likely to benefit from and more likely to be adversely affected by the cancer - received treatment on the same pace as patients in the same age with no other disease.

These patients were more likely to receive treatment and patients aged 75 to 84, which did not have other diseases and better prognosis.

"The message here is, based strictly on the age, the cancer treatment," Wang said. "Do not bury a 75-year-old otherwise healthy and decide automatically treat a patient really 65 without evaluating carefully the risks and benefits for the patient."

More information

The American Cancer Society has more on non-small cell lung cancer.

SOURCE: University of California, San Francisco, press release, may 1, 2012

Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

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Screening for other health problems may help the survival of COPD

(Friday, 4 may HealthDay News) — people with often fatal lung condition chronic obstructive, or COPD, have an increased risk of death if they also have some types of other health problems, according to new research.

COPD is a progressive disease, bronchitis and emphysema, often linked to smoking, which makes it difficult for patients to breathe.

The new study included more than 1,600 patients with COPD in the United States and Spain who were followed for an average of 51 months. The results were released online on May 4 of publication printed in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

Researchers looked at 79 other health problems in patients with COPD and concluded that "12 were significantly and independently associated to an increased risk of death", lead author of the study Dr. Miguel Divo, a doctor in the pulmonary and critical section at the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, said in a press release from the American Thoracic Society.

These 12 conditions were: lung cancer; cancer of the pancreas; cancer of the esophagus; breast cancer; pulmonary fibrosis; fibrillation and atrial flutter; congestive heart failure; coronary artery disease; ulcer gastric and duodenal; cirrhosis of the liver; Diabetes with neuropathy; and anxiety.

Overall, the average number of other patient health conditions is 6. The average number of other health problems a 6.5 in patients who have died and 5.8 among those who survived, investigators found.

People with COPD for these other conditions for screening and treatment of them can improve survival, noted Divo, which is also lecturer in medicine at Harvard Medical School.

While the study found an association between the high rate of mortality and health problems that coexist in the patients with COPD, it has not established a relationship of cause and effect.

More information

The U.S. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute has more on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

SOURCE: American Thoracic Society, press release, may 4, 2012

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High spending, but lags in quality of the United States health care: report

(Thursday, 3 may HealthDay News) - despite the fact that Americans spend more on health care that citizens of 12 other developed countries, a new report finds that more is not necessarily equal better when it comes to the quality of care.

The report of the Fund of the Commonwealth, led by the associate researcher David Squires, revealed that the United States bombings on approximately $8,000 per capita for health care, according to figures from 2009. On the other hand, the Japanese and New Zealand spend just one-third of this amount on health care, while the Norwegians and cough Switzerland about two-thirds.

Yet Americans are now the worst in terms of preventable deaths of asthma in patients aged 5 to 39. The country also rank evil - alongside the Germany - diabetes-related amputations. Cardiac arrest in hospital and mortality rates of stroke, the average stacks United States at best.

"It is a common assumption that Americans get more health services that people in other countries, but in fact we will not the doctor or the hospital as often", Squires said in a press release of the Commonwealth Fund. "The higher prices that we pay for health care and perhaps our increased use of expensive technologies is the explanations most likely health high spending in the United States unfortunately, we seem to get the best quality for this increase in spending.".

Published on Thursday, the report analyzed in Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, France, Canada, Germany, Norway, Japan, Switzerland, Denmark, Netherlands and United Kingdom, as and the United States--the only nation among these studies which does not provide for universal health care health care.

The authors found that the United States ranked No. 1 (followed by the Netherlands) in 2009, the proportion of its gross domestic product on health care: a full 17%. By comparison, other countries in the report has passed 12% or less, with the Japan with the rank the lowest spender at about 9%.

Despite spending their country, Americans can expect poorer access to physicians in other industrialized countries, with only 2.4 physicians for every 100,000 citizens. On this point, only the Japan fared worse, according to the report.

Other disturbing evidence included the fact that the Americans also have the rate of second-worst of medical consultations (behind the Sweden), relatively few beds, stay relatively short hospital in acute care situations and a low rate of release of the hospital.

This is all bad news, however. The United States is no. 1 in survival in patients with breast cancer. She also shared first place (with the Norway) for survival in the patients with colorectal cancer.

But when it's hospital costs and prescription of medicines, the Americans are at the higher Summit far.

At a time where a U.S. patient is released from the hospital, he or she will have cost the health care system about $18,000 on average. Care for similar Canadian patients comes to only $13 000, whereas in many other countries (Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, France and Germany), it plunges below $10,000.

When comparing the cost of 30 prescription drugs more common, the report concluded that Americans pay a third more Canadian and German and two times more than their counterparts Australian, French, Dutch, British and the New Zealand.

The Americans can take some consolation in the observation of the report that each nation in the study is faced with a growing trend of health care costs. Karen Davis, President of the Commonwealth Fund, pointed out that recent legislative changes have the potential to improve financial results of health care across the country.

"The affordable care Act gives us the opportunity to build a system of health care that provides affordable care and of high quality for all Americans," Davis said in the press release. "To achieve this goal, the United States must use all the tools provided by the Act, including new methods of organisation, delivery and pay for health care, which will help to slow the growth of health care costs while improving quality."

More information

Visit the World Health Organization to learn more about health expenditure in the world.

SOURCE: Commonwealth Fund, press release, may 2, 2012

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Many Patients of Cancer of the breast in their forties are not "at risk": study

(Thursday, 3 may HealthDay News) - more than half of women in their forties diagnosed with breast cancer after a routine mammogram had no family history of the disease, finds a new study that can add to the debate on the timing of cancer screening.

The researchers say their results point to the value of mammograms of annual screening for women 40 to 49. But others remain convinced.

History of the family usually means a parent first degree of disease (parent, brother or child). People without a family history with cancer of the breast, "64% of these women had invasive disease," said researcher Dr. Stamatia Destounis, a radiologist at Elizabeth Wende Breast Care Center and a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Rochester in New York.

Destounis was to present its findings at the annual meeting of the American Roentgen Ray Society in Vancouver on Thursday.

It is one of the many studies conducted to determine the ideal age for women to begin mammography screening and appropriate between projections intervals. In 2009, the controversial U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) triggered when it recommends that Screening Mammograms every two years for women aged 50 to 74, but not younger.

The USPSTF recommended 40 to 49 women at risk middle of breast cancer to discuss the advantages and disadvantages with their doctors and then determine the value of screening. This is because the Working Group found a small advantage for young women and a moderate injury, such as false positive results.

However, the American Cancer Society and other organizations continue to recommend annual screening from the age of 40.

Earlier this week, a review published in the Annals of Internal Medicine concludes that in their forties, women who have a family history of breast cancer or extremely dense breasts should consider making a mammography every two years. The researchers said that the benefits of screening every two years outweigh the risk for these women.

In the new study, Destounis and his colleagues evaluated records of all mammograms performed at the 2000 to 2010 Imaging Centre. They focused on 373 women in their 40 diagnosed with breast cancer after a routine mammogram. Among them, 228 - or 61% - had no family history of the disease. Seventeen were excluded because of personal history of cancer or other status at risk.

211 Women remaining almost 64% had invasive disease, and 15% have cancer cells in the lymph nodes.

"This study reinforces the importance of mammography screening in the Group of 40 to 49 years without family history as a risk factor," concluded Destounis.

However, the President of the USPSTF said that the study does not prove that the cancers were detected by mammograms.

"The assumption is made that these women have done better because the cancers found by screening," said Dr. Virginia Moyer, also Professor of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. "The only way to know is to randomize [women] screening or not.". This would give a group of women for screening and the other no screening.

Those are the types of studies, the Working Group considered in the production of guidelines 2009, Moyer said. The USPSTF found a small benefit to women in their forties balanced by a moderate risk of harm, she said.

"Their shows only data they find invasive cancer, not that women benefited directly from mammography," said Moyer.

Data and the conclusions of research presented at medical meetings should be considered preliminary until published in a medical journal reviewed by peers.

More information

For more information on mammograms, visit the American Cancer Society.

SOURCES: Stamatia Destounis, MD, radiologist, Elizabeth Wende Breast Care Center and Clinical Professor, University of Rochester, New York; American Roentgen Ray Society annual meeting, April 29 - May 4, 2012, Vancouver, Canada; Virginia Moyer, M.D., M.P.H., President, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and Professor of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston

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Mammograms are thermography for the detection of Breast Cancer: study

(Friday, 4 may HealthDay News) - thermography - a method for the detection of breast cancer considered by some as a substitute for mammography - is a non-reliable cancer, according to new research.

In a study of some 180 women, thermography missed about 50% of cancers and delivered too many false positives, said Dr. C.M. Guilfoyle, researcher at the hospital in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.

Screening method uses software to measure and compare thermal anomalies in the breast and radiation without creating a breast "card" to find signs of developing breast cancer. The thinking is that the temperature is in the regions where the increase in blood flow, and which may indicate a tumor.

Researchers assessed the technique, marketed as the touching breast Scan, on the breasts of women undergoing biopsies after that they had dubious conclusions about other imaging examinations.

"I think that we always try to determine the role of thermography as a breast cancer screening tool," said Guilfoyle. Technology, it was often not able to differentiate between malignant and benign, injury she said.

Guilfoyle should present the findings Friday at the annual meeting of the American Society of surgery breast in Phoenix.

The test, as its name indicates, is no physical contact. It is available in the area of the city of New York and may extend to other locations earlier, said Barbara Zimmerly, a spokesman for the company.

It costs about $150, and it is not covered by insurance at this time. "The test is accurate, according to the latest study by 88 per cent," said Zimmerly.

Guilfoyle, however, has less precision in the assessment of women with abnormal radiological results between October 2009 and may 2011.

For the study, every woman has a thermography test before a tissue biopsy and Guilfoyle compared the results of pathology of the final tissue with the results of thermography. Each breast has been interpreted as positive or negative for cancer based on the results of thermography.

Healthy breast was also discussed with thermography. Two models of thermography analysis were used. A focus on the minimization of false negative results; the other focused on reducing anxiety-producing false positives.

Depending on what model of scanning was used, thermography missed, about half of all cancers or had an excessively high number of false positives from the reports of pathology on the abnormal breasts, according to the study.

The researchers also found that 47% of normal breast received a false positive reading on the analysis of thermography.

The role of thermography is always changing, said Dr. Kimberly Lovett, Southern California Permanente physician and a researcher at the University of California-San Diego Center for patient safety.

Lovett wrote about the dangers of ads online all thermography as the sole method for the detection of breast cancer.

"I would say women thermography continues to be studied, and hopefully, the technology will improve over time," said. "However, at this time, thermography should absolutely not be used as an alternative to mammography screening or as an alternative to biopsy of the breast in the presence of a positive screening."

If a woman has a suspicious lesion on a mammogram, the methods of monitoring should be an ultrasound or biopsy or both, says Lovett.

Mammography remains the gold standard for detecting breast cancer, says Lovett. The American Cancer Society agrees that thermography is not a substitute for mammography.

Data and conclusions presented at meetings should be considered preliminary until published in a medical journal reviewed by peers.

More information

For more information on breast imaging, visit the American Cancer Society.

SOURCES: C.M. Guilfoyle, M.D., investigator Bryn Mawr hospital, Bryn Mawr, Penn; Kimberly Lovett, M.D., researcher, Centre of San Diego for the safety of the patients, the University of California-San Diego. Barbara Zimmerly, spokesman without touching breast Scan; American Society of Surgeons of breast, annual meeting, from 2 to 6 may 2012, Phoenix

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Study: Gene Therapy HIV safe, but not always as clear the effectiveness

The underlying connection was closed: A connection that was expected to be kept alive was closed by the server.

WEDNESDAY, May 2 (HealthDay News) - New research shows that gene therapy can have long-lasting effects on the immune cells of patients HIV - a promising sign - even though the specific treatment being studied did not eradicate the virus.

This approach is one of several gene therapy strategies that are being investigated by scientists as possible ways to keep the AIDS virus from spreading in the blood.

In this case, "people were treated by gene therapy and nothing bad happened." "It was safe," said study co-author Frederic Bushman, a professor of microbiology at the University of Pennsylvania.

In addition, he said, the treated immune cells managed to remain around for about a decade. "The general picture that emerges about genetic alterations to human immune cells is that they can persist for a long time if you do it right."

The study appears in the May 2 issue of Science Translational Medicine.

Researchers have long been exploring gene therapy - in which cells in the body are genetically modified - as a possible treatment for infection with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The idea is that the therapy would offer a permanent alternative to costly medications that come with potentially disabling side effects.

"Just think about what an HIV patient has to do: take drugs every day for the rest of his life, and the minute he stops taking them, the virus starts coming back," said John Rossi, chair of the department of molecular and cellular biology at the Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope in Duarte, Calif.. He was not associated with the new research.

The study looks at 43 HIV-positive patients. Between 1998 and 2002, researchers removed blood from the patient, genetically modified it, and injected it back into them.

The plan was to program immune cells known as T cells to kill HIV cells.

Up to 11 years later, researchers found that all 43 patients are healthy, and 41 still have modified T cells in their bodies. That means the modified cells didn't cause leukemia, as has happened with some similar gene - therapy treatments.

The treatment, however, didn't seem to have had a major impact on the HIV in the patients and "may not have worked at all" on that front, study co-author Bushman said.

Dr. David Looney, director of the Center for AIDS Research at the University of California, San Diego, said the research is still "exciting and promising" since it shows that modified immune cells can last a long time, potentially decades.

Several research projects are continuing to examine gene therapy for HIV patients. There's a caveat, however: If gene therapy treatments become available, they seem likely to be extremely expensive.

Purpose Bushman said that if the gene therapy could someday replace antiretroviral medicines, the cost might still be lower than keeping patients on drugs for the rest of their lives.

More information

For more about HIV, visit the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

SOURCES: Frederic Bushman, Ph.d., professor of microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia; John Rossi, Ph.d., professor and chair, department of molecular and cellular biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA.; David Looney, MD, associate professor and director, UCSD Center for AIDS Research, University of California, San Diego; May 2, 2012, Science Translational Medicine

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Often more deadly male breast cancer, study suggests

(Friday, 4 may HealthDay News) - male breast Cancer is much less common that it is among women, but can be more deadly, suggests new research.

"Men with breast cancer do not and women with breast cancer, and there are opportunities for improvement," said study author Dr. Jon Greif, a San Francisco breast surgeon. "They were less likely to get the standard treatment that women menstruating.".

For men with cancer, in all, survival rates are lower than those of women, at least when found in the early stages, Greif diagnosis. Cancers differ in other respects.

Greif was to present his findings Friday at the annual meeting of the American Society of Breast Surgeons in Phoenix.

Greif and his team of care, however, that some differences are not may wear in clinical practice.

A major limitation to research: the database, they drew guard trace which breast cancer patients die, but not what they are dead. It is therefore impossible to say that if they died of their cancer or something, he explained.

Although many men is not always aware they can get breast cancer, about 2 200 new cases of male breast cancer are expected this year, according to the American Cancer Society. The company believes 410 men will die of breast cancer in 2012 at the United States.

Greif compares to about 13,000 men with breast cancer identified from the national database of Cancer, more than 1.4 million women with the cancer. The data covered from 1998 to 2007.

Researchers evaluated characteristics of cancer and survival rates, age of account, ethnicity and other factors.

Men with breast cancer were more likely to be black and women with breast cancer (11.7% from 9.9%) and less likely to be Hispanic (3.6% against 4.5%), the researchers found.

In addition, men were older at diagnosis--63, on average, compared to 59 for women.

Men tumors were larger when a diagnosis; they were more likely to have tumors of later stage, involvement of the lymph nodes, spreads to other parts of the body and other differences.

Men with breast cancer were less likely to get a partial mastectomy and receive radiation, the study found.

Greif also concluded that survival at 5 years in all of the women was 83%, but men was 74%. Who was looking for all cancers of the breast, whatever the stage.

When the team watched Greif survival step by step, women with early stage cancer had better survival rates than men at an early stage of the disease. The gap closed when men and women had more advanced disease.

"Women are encouraged to obtain breast exams [and] mammograms" Greif said. This is why cancers are often diagnosed earlier, when tumors are smaller, he said. Increased awareness of male breast cancer is crucial.

The study is valuable in highlighting the differences between the sexes, even with its limitations, said Dr. Susan Boolbol, Chief of the division of breast surgery at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York.

"Over the years, it was thought that step for the stage, women and men had equal results," said Boolbol. New research concludes otherwise and includes the largest number of men with breast than many previous studies, she noted.

Lack of information on the cause of death is a major limitation of the conclusion, she said. Despite this, "it is a very interesting study and... it will open the door to more research in male breast cancer."

The study may also raise awareness that men can develop breast cancer indeed, said Boolbol.

Men should be aware of the possible symptoms of breast cancer, suggests the American Cancer Society. Among them: a lump or swelling, dimpling or puckering, a shift to the inside of the nipple, scaling of the nipple or breast skin, redness of the nipple or breast skin and the nipple discharge.

Data presented at medical meetings are considered generally preliminary to this published in a journal of peer.

More information

For more information on male breast cancer, visit the American Cancer Society.

SOURCES: May 4, 2012, press conference with: Jon Greif, D.O., general surgeon, San Francisco; Susan k. Boolbol, MD, Chief, division of breast surgery, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York City; May 4, 2012, presentation, American Society of Breast Surgeons annual meeting, Phoenix

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Risk of outpatient blood clot needs more attention: study

(Friday, 27 April HealthDay News) - people undergoing ambulatory surgery must be informed of their risk of dangerous blood clots, according to a new study which concludes the risk is higher among the groups, including, but not limited to, those who are elderly or obese.

Researchers at the University of Michigan found that 84 patients considered at high risk undergoes a blood clot after ambulatory surgery. More than 60% of the operations are currently performed as outpatient procedures, according to context in a new version of the University.

"Ambulatory surgery now includes a variety of procedures, cosmetic surgery for cancer and orthopedic surgery operations, and not all patients are young people and in good health," lead author of the study Dr. Christopher Pannucci, a surgeon plastic of the University of Michigan, said in the press release. "These data are in contrast strikingly with the expectations of the provider and patient ambulatory surgery is a low risk event".

Researchers have looked at more than 200,000 through the United States outpatient surgery and found that most of the patients had more than one risk factor to develop a clot, known as a venous thromboembolism. These clots to form in the veins (deep vein thrombosis or DVT) and can be fatal if they travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolism).

The study, published online April 13 in the annals of surgery, found that improved patient screening is needed to prevent these dangerous blood clots. Factors to consider include:

Age surgery lengthCurrent pregnancyActive cancerType of surgery

The researchers, who have created a tool that clinicians can use to measure the risk of a patient for a blood clot after ambulatory surgery, said their findings could help improve how patients are informed of the surgical risks.

More information

The U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has more on the treatment and prevention of blood clots.

SOURCE: University of Michigan health system, press release, April 24, 2012

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