A large study found that drinking three or more alcoholic drinks a day increases breast cancer risk by 10-30% compared to light drinkers. The researchers discovered no difference in risk between wine, beer, and spirits consumption.
A new study found that gemcitabine chemotherapy after surgery doubles disease-free survival from 4.9 to 11.4 months in patients with operable pancreatic cancer, improving outcomes by 41 percent
A new study of 24,479 Australian women found that those with high levels of physical activity were more likely to develop ovarian cancer, with a statistically significant dose-response effect. The study suggests exercise may not have the protective effects previously thought, but rather an increased risk, particularly at medium levels.
A recent study has found that couples are more likely to divorce if one of their spouses develops cervical or testicular cancer. Most types of cancer resulted in a slight decrease in the divorce rate in the first few years following the diagnosis.
A large study of Norwegian women with cancer found that pregnancy did not affect survival rates, except for breast cancer diagnosed during lactation where mortality was higher. The study tracked 45,511 women over eight years and compared their survival rates to non-pregnant patients.
In a surprising study, married esophageal cancer patients reported worsening physical wellbeing and increasing pain frequency over time. However, they showed less improvement in their legal worries compared to single patients.
A new study has found that adolescents may suffer from severe post-traumatic stress symptoms when a parent is recently diagnosed with cancer. Parents tend to underestimate the problems, and healthcare professionals should be aware of the prevalence of PTSS in children of a parent with cancer.
A new study suggests that an ultrasound-guided fine needle biopsy technique can accurately detect cancer in lymph nodes with a false positive rate of only one percent. The method has been shown to be highly accurate and may reduce the need for unnecessary sentinel node operations.
A study of 215 cancer patients found that acupuncture did not reduce nausea caused by radiotherapy, but patients believed it helped. The treatment had no statistically significant effect on nausea duration or intensity.
A large study of European patients has identified promising biomarkers to distinguish between patients with a high likelihood and low likelihood of relapse, paving the way for more targeted treatment approaches.
The experimental drug STA-4783 has been shown to delay cancer progression and prolong patient lives by inducing oxidative stress in cancer cells. In a randomized trial, patients treated with the combination of STA-4783 and chemotherapy lived up to 12 months after diagnosis, compared to 7.8 months for those receiving only chemotherapy.
A study presented at the European Cancer Conference found that axitinib shrank tumours and delayed disease progression in patients with advanced kidney cancer. The drug, which is also being tested in other types of cancer, showed promising results in a group of heavily pre-treated patients.
A study found that the -765G>C COX2 polymorphism increases the risk of ovarian cancer by nearly two-fold in C allele carriers and nearly three-fold in women under 53. The mutation may enhance COX-2 gene expression, inhibiting apoptosis and promoting tumour proliferation.
A survey of elderly Spaniards found poor knowledge about cancer, with many believing it's contagious or a punishment. The study highlights the importance of improving cancer education programs for older adults.
Researchers found a new chemotherapy regimen of irinotecan and cisplatin to be effective in treating childhood brainstem gliomas, with all six children showing significant tumor reduction. While the disease eventually progressed in three children, this is a promising breakthrough for a previously difficult-to-treat cancer.
A new method of molecular profiling has accurately predicted which stage II colon cancer patients are most likely to have their disease recur after surgery. The analysis identified two groups with distinct clinical outcomes, allowing for more accurate selection of patients who would benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy.
Researchers found that high BRCA1 expression in non-small cell lung cancer patients is associated with poor survival and increased risk of death. Patients with high BRCA1 levels may benefit from taxane-based chemotherapy, while those with low levels may not respond to cisplatin-based treatments.
Research shows PET scans with fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) can predict a breast tumor's response to chemotherapy and a patient's likelihood of survival. Women with high initial FDG uptake and significant reduction after treatment are more likely to achieve complete response.
Recent political decisions in Europe have had a major negative impact on cancer treatment, according to Professor John Smyth. The new European CanCer Organisation (ECCO) aims to address these issues and promote the interests of cancer patients, researchers, and policymakers.
A growing global cancer burden threatens low-to-medium resource countries due to limited health budgets and high communicable disease rates. Europe's successful cancer control policies demonstrate a viable approach that can be extended to these regions.
Researchers identified two genes that can predict which breast cancer cells will respond to docetaxel chemotherapy and which will resist it. A simple test for docetaxel resistance could be developed, sparing patients from unnecessary side effects and reducing healthcare costs.
A randomized trial found that vaginal brachytherapy significantly improves quality of life for women with endometrial cancer, reducing bowel symptoms and fatigue. Quality of life scores were higher in the brachytherapy group after six months, but did not differ at initial surgery.
Scientists have developed a method to detect circulating tumour cells (CTCs) in blood before and after chemotherapy treatment, potentially identifying patients at risk of cancer recurrence. The study found that CTCs persisted in the blood of patients who were more likely to experience recurrence.
Italian scientists have discovered a new target for anti-tumor therapy in cancer, finding that the Trop-2 gene is expressed in the vast majority of human cancers. The gene's over-expression was found in between 65% and 90% of tumor types analyzed.
The increasing elderly population will pose significant challenges in cancer care, including inadequate training of healthcare professionals and inappropriate ageist attitudes. Improved technology may help address some issues, but a digital divide and escalating costs threaten the accessibility of cancer treatment.
A new dictionary of terms has been developed to convert medical jargon into everyday speech, helping patients understand their breast cancer experience. The French dictionary, which will be bilingual, aims to bridge the language gap between patients and doctors.
The Nice Manifesto outlines seven key goals to improve breast cancer care in Europe, including increasing screening programs, supporting research, and expanding breast unit accreditation. The manifesto represents a promise to improve breast cancer care for all patients across Europe.
Tamoxifen, originally designed as an anti-oestrogen, has proven effective in cancer treatment and is now licensed for preventing breast cancer in high-risk women. Raloxifene, developed to treat osteoporosis, also demonstrates potential in reducing invasive breast cancer risk by 76% in postmenopausal women.
The European School of Oncology task force recommends a multidisciplinary approach to managing metastatic breast cancer, prioritizing patient psychological wellbeing and disease-specific treatment goals. Patients with MBC should be offered psychosocial support and involved in decision-making.
Researchers analyzed the American SEER database of over 45,000 women with early-stage breast cancer and found that being young was an independent indicator of poor survival. The study revealed a significant increase in the risk of dying from breast cancer in women under 45, with a hazard ratio of 1.03 for age.
Researchers found a higher risk of developing lobular and tubular breast cancer in women taking HRT, with combined HRT increasing the risk even more. No increase in ductal breast cancer risk was observed, and some cancers were more hormone-receptive than others.
The study found that patients receiving the combination of paclitaxel and bevacizumab had a significantly improved progression-free survival of 11.4 months, compared to 6.11 months with paclitaxel alone. This trend also suggested improved overall survival in patients treated with the new drug combination.
A breakthrough project in the Netherlands dramatically improved patient care for breast cancer patients by implementing structured best practices. The initiative reduced waiting times to under a week and increased pre-operative multidisciplinary consultations, leading to more clear-cut diagnoses and fewer unnecessary operations.
The COSMIC database has expanded to include data on 538 genes and 124,367 tumours, highlighting the need for further research to uncover additional breast cancer susceptibility genes. Scientists believe that many somatic mutations are caused by a combination of faulty gene and environmental factors.
A Phase III trial demonstrated a significant increase in average time to progression with sunitinib treatment compared to placebo, leading to improved overall survival. Treatment with sunitinib was well-tolerated, with common side effects including fatigue and diarrhoea.
ECCO 13 study investigates post-treatment parenthood success rates in Hodgkin's lymphoma patients, with radiotherapy and chemotherapy linked to higher pregnancy success. The research highlights the importance of preserving fertility in young cancer survivors.
A Dutch study found that higher doses of radiotherapy significantly improved patient outcome over a five-year period. An anti-androgen therapy trial suggested early treatment can benefit locally advanced disease, while immunotherapy trials are showing promising results for androgen-independent prostate cancer.
A phase III clinical trial found that combining gemcitabine with capecitabine significantly improves overall survival for patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer. The combination of treatments resulted in a median survival of 7.4 months compared to 6 months with gemcitabine alone.
A new vaccine-based approach has been shown to prolong disease progression in patients with renal cancer and malignant melanoma. The therapy, which uses latex or silica beads, was found to stabilise and control disease for an average of one year. In contrast, standard treatments have limited efficacy and are often toxic.
A study of 304 recently diagnosed cancer patients found that 57% of pre-diagnosis CAM users continued to use it after diagnosis, with post-diagnosis use being almost universally helpful. The study highlights the importance of addressing psychosocial needs and communication barriers in cancer care.
Colorectal cancer affects millions across Europe, with a rapidly aging population highlighting the need for improved screening and prevention strategies. Researchers highlight irinotecan combined with 5-fluorouracil as an effective treatment regimen.
A study assessing anxiety, depression, and quality of life in Greek patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy found that nearly a third experienced severe emotional distress. Routine screening for emotional distress is recommended to identify patients in need of psychological or pharmaceutical intervention. Additionally, research on...
The new Clinical Trials Directive has led to differences in the scope of revised legislations across EU member states, with only a few adding provisions for non-commercial trials. The directive also simplifies the conduct of academic clinical trials but poses challenges for future pan-European multi-centre studies.
Research from ECCO 13 emphasizes the importance of cervical cancer detection, treatment, and prevention. The study found that adequate radiotherapy significantly improves survival rates for women with cervical cancer, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where HIV co-infection does not impact survival. The data also highlights the need f...
Researchers developed nanoparticles that can target and deliver drugs to prostate cancer cells using aptamers, achieving highly specific and efficient tumour targeting. The bioconjugates successfully adhered to PSMA-positive prostate cancer cells and were rapidly internalised into the targeted cells.
A study of Chernobyl children with thyroid cancer found no association between ret rearrangement and radiation exposure. Instead, the age of diagnosis may be a significant factor in understanding the molecular biology of thyroid cancer.
Key decision-making tools were highlighted to improve patient outcomes, while patients and healthcare professionals stressed the importance of timely access to quality screening, diagnostic tests, and treatment. Experts emphasize the need for a unified voice to address systemic inequalities in cancer care across Europe.
New data from ECCO suggests a strong correlation between Chlamydia psittaci infection and development of ocular adnexal lymphoma (OAL), with C. psittaci found in 78% of all OAL cases but only 23% of non-cancerous disease cases.
The GENEPI project aims to predict radiotherapy efficacy and side effects based on genetic, physical, and patient-related factors. It will establish a pan-European database on radiation-related morbidity, enabling researchers to investigate factors influencing individual responses to radiotherapy.
Combination therapy of radiotherapy and cetuximab significantly improves loco-regional control, median survival, and overall survival rates in patients with loco-regionally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx, hypopharynx, or larynx. The treatment also showed minimal enhancement of toxicity compared to radiotherapy alone.