A New Agent That Might Change the Lives of Many Cancer Patients

Posted on October 16, 2011 by wngai

This is not only good news for all prostate cancer patients, but is also good news for all cancer patients.

The investigational radiopharmaceutical radium-223 chloride (Alpharadin) has recently been shown to improve survival in patients with advanced prostate cancer and bone metastases. This agent could potentially be used in other cancer patients to extend their lives.

The beauty of this product is that it is highly targeted for bone metastases; so this product will be valuable for many different Stage IV cancers patients whose cancers have spread to bones.

Radium-223 chloride works by releasing minute, highly charged, targeted doses of radiation (alpha particles) that are highly lethal to cancer cancers but have a short penetration. This specific targeting delivers radiation to the bone metastases and minimizes the damage done elsewhere.

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Posted in Anal Cancer, Bladder Cancer, Breast cancer, Cancer, Colon cancer, Endometrial Cancer, Esophageal Cancer, Gallbladder cancer, Gastric Cancer, Head and Neck Cancer, Liver Cancer, Lung Cancer, Melanoma, Nasopharyngeal Cancer, Non Small Cell Lung Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer, Prostate cancer, Renal Cancer, Small Cell Lung Cancer, Thyroid Cancer | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chocolate is Good for the Heart and Brain

Posted on October 16, 2011 by wngai

Good news for chocolate lovers!! A new study reported that chocolate is beneficial to the heart and the brain. 

The investigators performed an analysis on 7 studies to evaluate the effects of chocolate consumptions in various forms (such as chocolate bars, chocolate drinks, and chocolate snacks such as confectionary, biscuits, desserts and nutritional supplements) on overall health. 

The results showed that high levels of chocolate consumption was associated with a 37% lower risk of cardiovascular disease and a 29% lower risk of stroke when compared with individuals who ate the least amount of chocolate.  The study, however, did not find any association between chocolate consumption and the risk of heart failure or the risk of diabetes. 

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Cetuximab Increases Survival in Patients with Lung Cancer with High EGFR Expression

Posted on October 16, 2011 by wngai

Good news for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC)!  If you have NSCLC, you might like to ask your oncologist to check whether you have high expression of EGFR.  Patients with high EGFR expression represented about 25 percent of people with NSCLC. 

A new study presented at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer meeting showed that non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who had high EGFR expression and received cetuximab (Erbitux) and standard chemotherapy lived 2.4 months longer than those in a control group. 

The new analysis is part of the FLEX trial which evaluated the effects of cetuximab on patients with non-small-cell lung cancer.  

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Barbecued Meat Increased the Risk of Kidney Cancer

Posted on October 16, 2011 by wngai

We all love barbecue, but a study suggested eating too much barbecued meat might increase the risk of kidney cancer (Renal Cell Carcinoma). 

Barbecue involves cooking meat at high temperatures.  However, cooking meat at high temperatures might result in the formation and ingestion of carcinogenic compounds, including heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). 

Given the kidney’s role in metabolism and urinary excretion of these compounds, it is possible that these carcinogens might increase the risk of kidney cancer.  Now a new study published at the British Journal of Cancer has confirmed this hypothesis. 

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Soy Intake Prevents Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in Women

Posted on October 16, 2011 by wngai

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is one of the common malignant tumors worldwide.  

In the United States, the age-standardized incidence rates of NHL per 100,000 persons in 2008 were 16.3 in men and 11.5 in women.  The National Cancer Institute previously predicted that ~65,540 people would be diagnosed with NHL in 2010, representing the fifth most common malignancy, and 20,210 people would die of this disease.  

While the incidence of NHL inJapanhas almost doubled in the last three decades, these are nevertheless less than half those in Western countries.  It is suspected both underlying medical conditions and environmental factors are related to the development of this cancer. 

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Curry Spice for Tendinitis Pain

Posted on October 12, 2011 by wngai

The global incidence of tendinitis is increasing as the population ages. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis or metabolic diseases such as diabetes are at increased risk of having tendinitis. 

Tendinitis is a form of tendon inflammation that causes pain and tenderness close to the joints, and it is particularly common in the shoulders, elbows, knees, hips, heels, and wrists.  Tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, and Achilles tendon injury are all examples of common tendon disease. 

If you have tendinitis, you might like to consider eating curry for lunch or dinner next time.  A new study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry indicated that curcumin, which gives the curry spice turmeric its bright yellow color, could be helpful in reducing the inflammation and the pain associated with tendinitis and arthritis. 

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Yellowish Plagues on the Eyelid Increases Risk of Cardiovascular Events

Posted on October 12, 2011 by wngai

If you have yellowish, flat plagues on the upper or lower eyelid (Xanthelasmata), you might like to see a cardiologist. 

A new study published in BMJ indicated that occurrence of xanthelasmata is linked to an increased risk of mycardial infarction (MI), ischemic heart disease, and death.

The study included 12,745 people who were followed for 33 years (from 1976 to 1978 until May 2009).

Results showed that participants who had xanthelasmata had an increased risk of MI, ischemic heart disease, severe atherosclerosis, and death compared with individuals without xanthelasmata.

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Yoga Beneficial for Diabetes

Posted on October 12, 2011 by wngai

If you are diabetes, you might like join a yoga class.  

A new study published in Diabetes Care reported that gentle yoga classes may help people with type 2 diabetes to reduce weight and to improve their glycemic control. 

The study, involving 123 middle-aged and older diabetic patients, found that those who added yoga classes to standard diabetes care experienced a mild reduction in their body mass index (reduced by 0.4) in three months and was able to maintain their blood glucose level. 

The yoga used in this study, however, was a gentle form, and parts of the practice were adapted for people who had additional health problems.  For example, certain poses were avoided in people who had heart disease. 

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Which diet can prevent acne?

Posted on October 12, 2011 by wngai

Acne is a nuisance for lots of teens.  It may also be nuisance to adults who are in their middle age as well.  

While the cause of acne might be related to stress, personal hygiene and genetics, diets also plays an important role.  

A presentation made by Dr. Shalita at the American Academy of Dermatology Summer meeting in New York indicated that patient with acne should limit their amount of carbs and should not to overtake diary products. 

Dr. Shalita explained many people with acne may have hyperinsulinemia (excess levels of insulin in the blood) and foods that are low in the glucose level (low-carb eating plans) may contribute to the hormonal control of acne. 

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How to Shorten the Duration of Cold Symptoms?

Posted on October 12, 2011 by wngai

The winter is coming and many of us are going to catch the cold this year.  How can we shorten the duration of cold symptoms? 

A study published in the Open Respiratory Medicine Journal reported that high-dose, but not low-dose, zinc lozenges can shorten the duration of the common cold. 

The author of the study reviewed all clinical trials conducted on zinc lozenges and evaluated whether the dose of zinc had any effect on the duration of cold. 

The investigators found that taking zinc dose of less than 75 mg has no effect on common cold duration, whereas taking zinc acetate in daily doses exceeding 75 mg showed a 42% reduction in the duration of colds.  

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