Battling Cancer

Welcome to the weekend edition of cancer news, events and anything else interesting going on in the world of cancer.

The Upside Down Ribbon of FRIENDS for an EARLIER BREAST CANCER TEST

“While most breast cancer organizations focus on searching for a “cure” for breast cancer, Friends is the only breast cancer organization whose sole purpose is to find a new method for earlier pre-tumor detection of breast cancer. Right now, breast cancers may be growing in the body for 5 to 8 years before they can be found through modern technology. Friends is dedicated to making funds available to researchers who are searching for a biological method capable of indicating the presence of breast cancer in the body within the first year of onset. Friends’ upside down ribbon represents their commitment to this vision. ”

Go shopping with the Friends! Check out the unique products or buy a 2008 Gathering of Friends Raffle Ticket. Win one of 12 great prizes for only $25 per entry. You can also purchase a ticket to the Join Friends at the 2008 GATHERING OF FRIENDS for an inspirational Lunch or Dinner on Monday, October 13, 2008 in Greensboro, NC. Table Sponsorships and Individual Tickets are available now! 

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The Democratic National Convention has been the news here in Denver this week. I can tell you traffic has been impacted but more importantly; no matter what your party affiliation, we here in the Rockies tasted a piece of history.

Here’s what’s new in cancer news and events around the globe.

Hope on Wheels is a women’s cycling event in Middle Tennessee offering women an opportunity to ride and fundraise in their hope for a cure. Women can ride, train and fundraise throughout the year to prepare for this landmark women’s ride.

100% of participant entry fees are directed to breast cancer research by
the event beneficiary The Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation.

An annual one day cycling event for women wishing to find a cure for Breast Cancer, Saturday, September 6, 2008. Register today! Choose 12, 29, 62 or 100 miles!

A Women’s’ Ride to Find A Cure!

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Raining here in Denver, Colorado. Much needed and much appreciated.

What’s going on in your corner of the globe? Here’s the cancer news from all over the world.

Mixed Reviews on Skin Cream Report

A report on moisturizing cream and the link to skin cancer in mice has caused much controversy this week. The report in the Aug. 14 issue of the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, discusses highlights from research out of Rutgers University.

Albino mice treated with UV radiation were then exposed to skin creams. All four creams caused non melanoma skin cancer. The suspect ingredients are mineral oil and sodium laurel sulfate.

What does this mean for humans? Nothing yet and the report is having controversial and mixed reviews from the scientific community.

Read the articles here:

ABC Science, Friday, August 15, 2008. Controversy over moisturiser-cancer link.

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Here’s what’s new in cancer headlines:

Check out FASHION TARGETS BREAST CANCER!

“Fashion Targets Breast Cancer (FTBC) was established in 1990 by Ralph Lauren after his friend and fashion editor of the Washington Post, Nina Hyde, died of breast cancer. Launched in the UK in 1996 by Breakthrough Breast Cancer, FTBC now celebrates its 12th year.

This year, FTBC is supported by high street retailers, including Marks & Spencer who have launched an exclusive campaign inspired range, 30% of the proceeds from which will be donated to Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

Topshop will be donating 50% of the retail price of their FTBC shopper bag and River Island will donate 45% of the retail price of the exclusive River Island FTBC range to Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

Plus, no less than £7.50 from the sale of each FTBC T-shirt online will go directly towards fighting breast cancer and no less than £4.50 from the sale of each Unisex T-shirt.”

Breast Cancer still remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer amongst women and over 44,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the UK.

AND THERE’S MORE....this year FTBC is giving away a free goodie bag containing a designer handbag, Paul Smith goodies, Elemis cosmetics plus more items by selected designers – all worth over £300! To be in with a chance of winning, simply sign-up for the regular FTBC e-mails and your name will be entered into this free prize draw.

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Here’s What’s New in the Cancer Community!

The High Point, NC, Ladies of Hog are sponsoring The Harley-Davidson “Live To Ride” Poker Run on August 2, 2008. Register online NOW.

Fire up your bike and get ready to ride the Triad in support of breast cancer earlier detection test research!

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Here’s a look at some of the latest news in prostate cancer:

The New York Times published an in-depth article about prostate cancer and theFrom “No Answers For Men With Prostate Cancer,”

Last year, 218,000 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer, but nobody can tell them what type of treatment is most likely to save their life.

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During his 1970 inaugural address, American President Richard Nixon declared a War on Cancer. Promising to allocate at least $100 million in funding to investigate the causes for what was then the second-leading cause of death in the United States, Nixon followed through in 1971 by signing the National Cancer Act. Key objectives of this act included infusing basic sciences research funding, ramping up clinical trials and making the National Cancer Institute a free-standing body under the National Institutes of Health.

Nearly forty years later, physicians and scientists are making great strides in better understanding the etiology, management and treatment in all forms of cancer. Recently, the American Society for Clinical Oncology released a report entitled, Clinical Cancer Advances 2007: Major Research Advances in Cancer Treatment, Prevention, and Screening. This annual review, which is available as a .pdf, podcast, and slideshow at the People Living With Cancer website, includes the following highlights: 

Primary Liver Cancer Patients Get the Option for Systemic Treatment: Until recently, surgical techniques were the first line of treatment in liver cancer patients because response to chemotherapy was so poor. In 2007, results of a large study showed that advanced liver cancer using sorafenib (Nevaxar), a targeted chemotherapeutic, lived 44 percent longer than patients who did not. More →

The American Cancer Society released a report today linking lack of health care coverage with poorer survival outcomes in cancer patients.

Published in the January/February issue of CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, the report shows that although Americans are experiencing lower cancer-related mortality rates overall due to better screening and detection methods, education and prevention tactics, and treatment approaches, uninsured patients are still 1.6 times more likely to die within five years than privately insured patients.

According to The National Health Interview Survey, the two age groups most likely to go without health insurance are adults aged 18 - 24 and 25 - 34. The same report also found that nearly half of individuals in low-income households were without insurance within a year of being surveyed and that Hispanic and American Indian households were also more likely to be uninsured than other demographic groups.

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