A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that patients who underwent stem-cell transplantation have similar rates of hospitalization, diseases, and psychological health as those who did not receive a transplant. However, they reported higher incidence of musculoskeletal problems and poor long-term sexual health.
A study of 15,500 middle-aged men and women found that regular yoga practice was associated with a lower weight gain between ages 45 and 55. Those who were already normal weight at age 45 and practiced yoga regularly lost about 3 fewer pounds compared to non-practitioners.
Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center have made a groundbreaking discovery that enables temporary metabolic hibernation in mice, reducing oxygen dependence and potentially extending organ preservation time before transplantation. This technique could also accelerate wound healing in diabetic patients and improve cancer treat...
A new study suggests that mammography is catching breast cancer earlier, but the increasing number of in situ cancers poses a challenge to healthcare professionals. The researchers found a sixfold increase in noncomedo DCIS and a nearly fourfold increase in LCIS among postmenopausal women.
A study found that parents quitting smoking before their children reached third grade is associated with nearly double the chances of their children quitting smoking in young adulthood. The findings suggest that helping parents quit smoking should be considered in future public-health interventions targeting youth smoking.
Researchers discovered that certain mutations in the androgen receptor cause advanced prostate cancer when introduced into healthy mice. These findings shed light on why hormone withdrawal therapy fails to cure most men with advanced prostate cancer, and open the door to discovering new, effective therapies.
A study by Victoria Holt found that overweight and obese women on oral contraceptives have a significantly higher risk of getting pregnant due to body-mass index. The study suggests that an additional two to four women will get pregnant per year among those who are overweight or obese.
A $9.7 million grant led by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center aims to create reliable and inexpensive blood tests for early cancer detection. The collaboration involves institutions worldwide, with a focus on identifying serum biomarkers and protein patterns to detect disease at an early stage.
Men who consumed four or more glasses of red wine per week reduced their risk of prostate cancer by 50 percent, while white wine showed no significant effect. The study suggests resveratrol, an antioxidant in red grapes, may be responsible for this benefit.
Researchers found that mice engineered to lose a single copy of the Rb gene in their prostate develop a precancerous condition analogous to human prostate cancer. This suggests that loss of Rb could be the initial spark for prostate cancer development.
A recent study published in Radiation Research has established a dose-response relationship between radiation dose from Chernobyl and thyroid cancer. Researchers found that the incidence of thyroid cancer was 45 times greater among those who received the highest radiation dose compared to those in the lowest-dose group.
Researchers discovered that a human protein called Apobec3G began evolving to defend against viruses in primates over 30 million years ago, suggesting HIV is a newcomer to this conflict. The study provides insights into the genetic mechanisms of HIV prevention and potential new targets for treatment.
Anal cancer rates have increased by 160% in men and 78% in women over the past 30 years, with African-American men showing a particularly sharp increase. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is necessary for most cases of anal cancer, but smoking also plays a significant role.
Research at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center reveals that African-American women are more likely to develop aggressive and rapidly growing breast cancers. Tumors from black women tend to exhibit abnormal cell-cycle regulatory proteins, which can lead to poorer outcomes if diagnosed at later stages.
Long-term yo-yo dieting has a negative impact on immune function, with frequent weight loss episodes associated with decreased natural-killer-cell activity. Women who maintained stable weight for five years showed 40% greater NK cell activity compared to those with unstable weight.
A large study of over 400 oral cancer cases and 600 healthy controls found no link between marijuana use and increased risk of oral cancer. Marijuana users with certain genetic variations were also not at higher risk than those with normal genes.
Scientists analyzed the genomes of over 300 breeds and found similarities with human diseases. The study reveals distinct DNA blueprints for each breed, which may help uncover genes responsible for unique traits and behaviors.
A study by Dr. Karen L. Syrjala found that physical recovery occurs earlier than psychological or work recovery after HCT for leukemia or lymphoma treatment. Recovery can take up to 5 years, with 84% of survivors returning to full-time work. Factors such as depression and social support before HCT can impact recovery.
A study found that parents who sit in nonsmoking sections can lower their child's chances of becoming a smoker by 13% by 12th grade. Meanwhile, parents who don't use nonsmoking sections have 42% daily smokers among their children.
Researchers found that agricultural workers who thin orchards have detectable levels of pesticides in their house and vehicle dust, posing a risk to children. Children of thinners were more likely to have detectable pesticide metabolites in their urine, supporting the theory that workers track home pesticides on their clothing and shoes.
A study of nearly 1,500 couples found that valacyclovir reduced HSV-2 transmission by half, with couples using condoms and valacyclovir having the lowest transmission rate. This finding adds an important option in managing genital herpes, particularly for those who are sexually active.
Women on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are more likely to have smaller tumors and earlier-stage cancer diagnosis due to regular mammography screening. The study found that HRT use is associated with improved breast cancer prognosis, particularly in women who receive estrogen-blocking drugs such as tamoxifen.
A new study suggests that maternal circulating cells can migrate to the heart of infants, potentially causing a damaging immune response. The research, led by Dr. Anne Stevens, found that these cells were present at higher levels in the hearts of babies with neonatal lupus syndrome, which can cause severe heart damage.
A new campaign, SELECT Sunday, aims to raise awareness of prostate cancer among African-American men, who have the highest incidence rates and a death rate more than double that of white men. The campaign seeks to double African-American enrollment in an international study investigating vitamin E and selenium as preventive measures.
Current drinkers who consume at least 30 grams of alcohol daily have an 80% higher risk of breast cancer compared to nondrinkers. Alcohol is associated with a strong increase in hormonally responsive types of breast cancer, including lobular and ER+/PR+ tumors.
A new study found that moderate-intensity exercise performed in the morning can improve sleep quality in postmenopausal women. Women who exercised for at least half an hour daily, seven days a week, had better sleep onset and quality compared to those exercising in the evening.
Researchers developed a molecular test that detects residual cancer cells with high accuracy, outperforming standard cytogenetic analysis. The test predicts disease progression and can be used to stratify patients according to their level of remission, potentially shortening clinical trial duration.
Researchers found that yeast cells experience a sudden surge in genetic changes at late-middle age, similar to humans. Genetic instability is linked to cell division cycles, not lifespan, and may explain why cancer typically surfaces later in life.
Research found that moderate-intensity physical activities like walking, biking, or swimming can reduce breast-cancer risk in postmenopausal women by about 20 percent. Regular exercise also offers a similar protection among high-risk groups, such as those with a strong family history of breast cancer.
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center found that retinoids killed medulloblastoma cancer cells, both surgically removed and grafted onto mice. The compounds trigger cell death by activating a protein called BMP-2, which is critical for cell death in the nervous system.
Long-term, heavy smoking significantly increases prostate cancer risk in middle-aged men, with double the risk of aggressive forms. Current smokers also face a 40% higher risk compared to nonsmokers.
A new study connects a powerful cancer-causing protein to a gene associated with Werner syndrome, a disease causing premature aging. Researchers suggest developing drugs that interfere with the WRN gene's anti-aging properties to block Myc's tumor-promoting activity.
Women taking long-term combined HRT face a significant increase in breast-cancer risk, doubling the risk for invasive lobular and ductal breast cancer. The study found that both sequential and continuous progestin regimens were associated with similar increases in breast-cancer risk.
The Early Detection Initiative aims to identify proteins that signify cancer presence or risk in human blood samples using proteomics techniques. Researchers will analyze data from large groups of individuals with known health histories and behaviors.
A new study suggests that lung-volume-reduction surgery may be a cost-effective treatment for severe emphysema, particularly for patients who respond well to the procedure. The surgery costs around $35,000 per person, but its long-term cost-effectiveness is uncertain due to limited follow-up data.
Researchers found that low blood levels of selenium are a risk factor for progression of Barrett's esophagus and that higher levels of selenium may inhibit the progression of this condition. The study suggests that adequate selenium consumption may lower cancer risk in people with Barrett's esophagus.
A study found that if one parent quits smoking, the child's odds of smoking decrease by 25 percent. If both parents quit, the child's chances drop by nearly 40 percent. The research suggests that parental influence on smoking is not affected by the child's age when the last parent quits.
The study found that 50% of patients started taking dietary supplements, 40% made dietary changes, and 20% began new physical activities. Lifestyle changes were common among cancer patients up to two years after diagnosis and were often associated with improved health and well-being.
Researchers found that postmenopausal women who engaged in moderate-intensity exercise experienced significant reductions in weight, total body fat, and intra-abdominal fat. The study's large sample size and high adherence rates make it a significant finding for older women seeking to reduce their risk of chronic disease.
A study of nearly 125,000 women found significant disparities in breast cancer stage, treatment, and survival rates based on race and ethnicity. Japanese women fared best overall, while Puerto Rican women were more likely to receive substandard care.
A clinical trial using lab-grown T cell clones has shown promise in shrinking melanoma tumors. In the study, five patients saw their tumors stop growing for up to a year, while three experienced tumor shrinkage.
The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is developing a blood test for breast cancer detection, using biomarkers such as circulating breast-tumor cells and growth factors. The project aims to improve breast-cancer detection and diagnosis by complementing mammography with molecular-screening tools.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has awarded a $7 million grant to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center researchers to develop new, more tolerable and effective therapies for blood cancers. The project aims to harness the immune system to selectively target cancer cells using immune cells or antibodies armed with toxic agents.
The initiative involves over 50 investigators in Seattle and Vancouver, B.C., aiming to develop improved therapies for men with recurrent or advanced disease. Prostate cancer affects one in six men, with an estimated 189,000 diagnoses this year and 30,200 deaths.
A study found that nearly all patients with cancer reported improved well-being from using alternative therapies, but used these therapies primarily for general health, not as a substitute for conventional medicine. Cancer patients who were female, college-educated, or younger were more likely to use alternative treatments.
The FDA has cleared a new diagnostic test that aims to detect 20% of SLE cases that previously went undiagnosed due to the limitations of existing blood tests. The test, developed by Mark Roth, uses molecules called SR proteins as biomarkers, improving doctors' ability to make accurate diagnoses and predict disease flare-ups.
A new study found that men with early-stage prostate cancer who follow a low-fat diet have half the risk of late-stage disease compared to those who consume more fat. Low-fat diets also reduced blood levels of testosterone, which fuels prostate growth and may contribute to cancer development.
Cancer biologists have successfully identified 21 potential cancer genes that collaborate with p27, a protein found in abnormally low levels in lymphomas and breast cancers. The study reveals new insights into the cellular pathways that distinguish one type of cancer from another.
A gene called Sir2, long studied in yeast and worms, has a counterpart in fruit flies that plays a dynamic role in genetic regulation of early development. The study found that Sir2 appears to play a dual role, acting as both a silencer and repressor gene.
Researchers found that women at high and elevated risk of ovarian cancer are less likely to get screened than those at lower risk. Most women overestimate their risk, with only 11% correctly estimating it.