- 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.
List of Antineoplastic and other Hazardous Drugs, 2014
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has issued a newly updated list of hazardous and antineoplastic drugs. The 2014 version of the document is in the public domain and can be downloaded, reprinted, and shared freely. The document strives to prevent occupational exposure to antineoplastic and other hazardous drugs in the healthcare setting. Continue reading
Nanoparticles, Triple Negative Breast Cancer, Aerobics and More…
Here are a few highlights of cancer research news that have recently caught my attention:
- Scientists at UC Davis created nanoparticles that could provide a sleuth of applications for diagnosing and treating cancer. More on this study can be found in Nature Communications.
- There was no survival benefit for women who had both breasts removed compared with women who underwent lumpectomy followed by radiation therapy according to a study by researchers at Stanford. Find out more about this study in JAMA.