- MSK has unveiled its new Program for Family Care in Cancer, an expansion of its prestigious accomplishments in psycho-oncology. It will offer counseling interventions for bereaved parents whose child died of cancer, advanced cancer patients, and cancer survivors.
- A clinical trial has shown that screening for lung cancer may reduce deaths from the disease by 20%. But the cost-effectiveness of screening Americans age 65 or older has been questioned, with one drawback being that it results in many false positives. MSK’s Dr. Peter Bach, a lung cancer risk specialist, strongly endorses screening, saying it should not be restricted to patients who can pay out of pocket.
- Results of a study conducted by MSK’s Dr. Thomas J. Kaley demonstrated the potential of sunitinib for patients with recurrent and progressive meningioma. The primary endpoint of the study was achieved – the 6 month progression free survival rate was 42%.
- A study carried out by MSK has shown that women with breast cancer who consume a soy protein supplement may develop high levels of genistein, a soy phytoestrogen, in their blood. This can result in increased activity in genes that advance breast tumor growth and spread. While the implications are uncertain, breast cancer patients should probably not take soy supplements.