Latest news with #AmericanCancerSociety
The Hill
15 hours ago
- Health
- The Hill
Promising vaccine may prevent certain cancers from returning
An experimental cancer vaccine has shown promising results in keeping pancreatic and colorectal cancers from coming back. In a clinical trial led by the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of California, Los Angeles, researchers tested the vaccine on 25 patients who had previously been treated for pancreatic and colorectal cancers. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society, and pancreatic cancer accounts for about 3 percent of all cancers in the country. Researchers found that the vaccine, named ELI-002 2P, could trigger lasting immune responses and may help prevent or delay cancer recurrence in high-risk patients whose tumors are driven by KRAS mutations, which are responsible for half of colorectal cancers and more than 90 percent of pancreatic cancers, researchers noted. When they followed up with patients after more than a year, they found the average relapse-free survival was 16 months and the average overall survival was 28 months — both exceeding historical norms — with the greatest benefit seen in patients who developed strong mKRAS-specific T cell responses after getting the vaccine. Dr. Thomas Marron, an oncologist who was not involved with the study, told NewsNation the results are 'extremely promising,' as both cancers typically have a high risk of recurrence. 'This vaccine is about teaching patients' immune systems how to recognize and attack those tiny amounts of cancer cells so that they keep them from coming back, increasing the likelihood that we can cure patients with surgery and chemotherapy or radiation,' Marron said. Marron said UCLA's vaccine could become available within the coming years.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
World Breast Cancer Research Day: Honoring history, science, and the fight for a cure
Every year on August 18, the world comes together to recognize World Breast Cancer Research Day, a day dedicated to the life-changing research that has transformed breast cancer care and continues to push us closer to a cure. The date serves as a reminder of the sobering reality: 1 in 8 women and 1 in 833 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetimes. Globally, breast cancer makes up 12% of all diagnosed cancers, while in the US, it accounts for 30% of new female cancer cases annually, according to the American Cancer Society. For men, an estimated 2,800 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected each year. Look back at the history of breast cancer research Breast cancer is not a modern disease; it can be traced as far back as 3000 BC, when ancient Greeks made breast-shaped offerings to Asclepius, the god of medicine. Hippocrates later theorized that breast cancer was a systemic disease, an idea that held until the 1700s, when French physician Henri Le Dran suggested surgery could provide a cure. The late 1800s saw the first mastectomy, which was moderately effective but left survivors with significant challenges. Breakthroughs continued: the Curies' discovery of radium in 1898 paved the way for early radiation treatments, precursors to today's chemotherapy. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Could This NEW Collagen Blend Finally Reduce Your Cellulite? Vitauthority Learn More Undo By the 1930s, combining surgery with targeted radiation improved both outcomes and quality of life. Over the decades, research has built on these advances, leading to modern treatment options, surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and increasingly, targeted therapies delivered intravenously or in pill form. Today, science has added an even more powerful tool: genetic testing. By identifying mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, individuals with a family history of breast cancer can better understand their risk and make proactive choices. Why this day matters While October has long been associated with breast cancer awareness, World Breast Cancer Research Day ensures that the focus extends beyond one month of advocacy. It serves as a reminder that research is the cornerstone of progress and that those impacted by the disease deserve ongoing global support. The day was established in May 2021 by the Dr. Susan Love Foundation for Breast Cancer Research, an organization that made it its mission to center the voices of patients and drive forward groundbreaking studies. In 2024, the Tower Cancer Research Foundation carried that legacy forward, creating the Dr. Susan Love Fund for Breast Cancer Research to expand resources and strengthen the fight against the disease. Symptoms of breast cancer We must ensure there is enough awareness about breast cancer so that people recognize the warning signs early and don't ignore them. Early detection can make a life-changing difference, and awareness is the first step toward saving lives. Watch for changes such as a lump in the breast or underarm, swelling or thickening in part of the breast, or skin that looks dimpled or irritated. Redness or flaky skin around the nipple, pain in the nipple area, or the nipple turning inward can also be signs. Other symptoms may include unusual discharge from the nipple (including blood) or changes in the size or shape of the breast.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
10 Subtle Signs of Cervical Cancer Doctors Say You Should Never Ignore
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Cervical cancer diagnoses are quite rare, with only about 13,000 women diagnosed every year, according to the American Cancer Society (317,000 are diagnosed with breast cancer every year, for comparison). One of the biggest reasons for this is that the illness doesn't present any signs of cervical cancer until the later stages. 'Cervical cancer is a slow onset cancer, so by the time someone is showing symptoms it's usually more advanced,' explained Lauren Streicher, M.D., a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, and medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause. What's more, when there are early symptoms, they are typically things that have other, more likely causes. 'Non-specific symptoms can mean many other things, so just because you may exhibit these symptoms, it doesn't automatically mean cervical cancer. Get them checked out, but chances are it's nothing serious,' Dr. Streicher said. About the experts: Lauren Streicher, M.D., a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, and medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause; Kecia Gaither, M.D., an ob/gyn and director of perinatal services and maternal fetal medicine at NYC Health+ Hospitals/Lincoln in New York City; Christine Horner, M.D., a women's health advocate and author of Radiant Health, Ageless Beauty. In the meantime, make sure to have a yearly pap test on your calendar. 'Since the cancer is slow to develop, yearly pap tests and visits to your gynecologist can help ensure you don't have any abnormalities in the cervix,' Dr. Streicher said. But if you experience any of these signs of cervical cancer in between your annual appointments, especially if it's more than one, it doesn't hurt to get them checked out. 1. Unusual bleeding or spotting According to Kecia Gaither, M.D., an ob/gyn and director of perinatal services and maternal fetal medicine at NYC Health+ Hospitals/Lincoln in New York City, unexplained bleeding can be a sign of cervical cancer. 'Symptoms of cervical cancer are vague, and can mean many things, but bleeding in between periods, bleeding after intercourse, or after menopause can all be signs of cervical cancer,' she explained. Heavier-than-usual menstrual bleeding, bleeding after a pelvic exam, bleeding after douching, or longer-than-usual menstrual periods would also qualify. 2. Abnormal vaginal discharge There are many reasons for vaginal discharge (and many forms that are completely normal), but Dr. Gaither explained that if it is watery and foul-smelling, that may be a sign of cervical cancer. According to the Cleveland Clinic, watery or bloody vaginal discharge that is heavy and foul-smelling can be a sign of Stage I cervical cancer, so a change in your discharge may be one of the first things you see. 3. Pain during sex Tumor growth throughout the tissue of the cervix can cause pain during intercourse for women with cervical cancer, per the Mayo Clinic, but cancer isn't the only thing that can cause pain during sex. 'Pain or bleeding from sex can mean many non-serious things as well,' Dr. Streicher said. 'It can mean inflammation of the cervix, a vaginal infection or cervical polyp—all of these are non-serious causes—which is why the general mantra is that if anything doesn't seem right and is consistent, get it checked out.' 4. Abnormal pap test results If you get abnormal pap test results, don't freak out that it's cervical cancer right away. Your doctor will review the results to see what types of abnormalities were found. Not all cell abnormalities found in the cervix are cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, abnormal pap test results could also include cells that don't look normal because of irritation, infection, or changes in hormones, lesions caused by a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, or cells that could become cancer in the future if not treated. Depending on the results, your doctor may order further testing, such as a colposcopy or biopsy. 5. Persistent back or pelvic pain Lower back and pelvic pain can be linked to problems with the reproductive organs, which include the cervix. Dr. Gaither warned that 'persistent back pain' is what to look out for. Per the Cleveland Clinic, back, pelvic and abdominal pain don't typically arise until later stages, when the cancer may have spread. So if it's constant and you also have one or more other symptoms, speak to your doctor immediately. 6. Very little appetite or unintentional weight loss As with many cancers, loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss can be a cause for concern. In fact, a 2024 study published in JAMA found that unintentional weight loss was associated with a much higher risk of a cancer diagnosis in the coming year. So while this symptom on its own does not mean cervical cancer, if you experience a wide array of these warning signs, in addition to a loss of appetite or weight loss, talk to your doctor. 7. Extreme fatigue Fatigue is a broad symptom that can come and go and shouldn't be used as a marker for cervical cancer on its own. However, like unexplained weight loss, it commonly appears before and during cancer, per the American Cancer Society. Unlike standard feelings of tiredness, you may feel tired in a way that doesn't improve with rest or sleep, sad or cranky, very weak, or like you can't focus your thoughts. If you're experiencing many of the other symptoms on this list along with extreme fatigue, it's worth mentioning to your doctor. 8. Leg swelling or pain Leg pain or swelling is a sign of cervical cancer, though it might not show up until later stages of the disease, said Christine Horner, M.D., a women's health advocate and author of Radiant Health, Ageless Beauty. "Cervical cancer can spread to lymph nodes in the area between the hip bones. Cancer cells can also stop lymph fluid from draining away. This might lead to swelling in your legs due to fluid build-up. The swelling is called lymphedema." According to the National Library of Medicine, lymphedema can also be caused by an inherited condition or an obstruction in the lymphatic system. 9. An HPV diagnosis This is less of a symptom, and more of a risk factor for cervical cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, HPV infections cause almost all cervical cancers. HPV is a group of more than 200 related viruses, that are transmitted through intimate skin-to-skin contact, per the National Cancer Institute. Of the 200 viruses, two are responsible for most HPV-related cancers—but all can be prevented with vaccination. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the HPV vaccine for all children around ages 11 or 12 and all young adults through age 26 if they didn't receive it earlier. 10. Having HIV Another risk factor for cervical cancer is having human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). According to research in The Lancet, women living with HIV have a six-fold higher risk of developing cervical cancer. Women who have HIV are more susceptible to cervical cancer because of their compromised immune system. 'The immunodeficiency status makes you more prone to catching things,' explained Dr. Gaither. While there is currently no cure for HIV, per the CDC, treatment can control the virus and reduce your risk of developing associated illnesses. There are a few reasons cervical cancer is known as a silent killer among women. For one, the disease doesn't present any symptoms until it is at a later stage. This makes the illness tricky to catch early, and complicates treatment. 'Cervical cancer is a slow onset cancer, so by the time someone is showing symptoms it's usually more advanced,' explains Lauren Streicher, MD, clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University's medical school, and medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause. Cervical cancer symptoms are also non-specific. 'Non-specific symptoms can mean many other things, so just because you may exhibit these symptoms, it doesn't automatically mean cervical cancer. Get them checked out, but chances are it's nothing serious,' Dr. Streicher explains. The good news is that a yearly pap test can help with early detection. 'Since the cancer is slow to develop, yearly pap tests and visits to your gynecologist can help ensure you don't have any abnormalities in the cervix,' Dr. Streicher says. But if you experience any of these symptoms in between your annual appointments, it doesn't hurt to get them checked out. (Just remember: Many of these signs of cervical cancer are also signs of common, benign issues, so no need to freak out quite yet.) You Might Also Like Can Apple Cider Vinegar Lead to Weight Loss? Bobbi Brown Shares Her Top Face-Transforming Makeup Tips for Women Over 50 Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says he has ‘no tumors' after stage 4 cancer diagnosis
DALLAS (KNWA) — Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones says he has 'no tumors' after dealing with stage 4 cancer and using an experimental trial drug. Jones, 82, said in an interview with the Dallas Morning News on Tuesday that he was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma in 2010 and started treatment shortly after. Roughly 105,000 new melanomas are expected to be diagnosed in the U.S. this year, according to the American Cancer Society, while about 8,400 are expected to die of the skin cancer. While the exact cause of every melanoma is unknown, the Mayo Clinic says most are brought on by exposure to ultraviolet light. Areas that are often exposed to the sun, like the skin on your arms and legs, typically serve as starting points for melanoma. Over the following decade, Jones underwent two lung surgeries and two lymph node surgeries, he told the newspaper. Treating melanoma will vary based on the severity of the case and whether it has spread. Options typically include surgery and therapies like radiation, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy, the Mayo Clinic explains. Jerry Jones attends the Premiere of Netflix's 'America's Team: The Gambler And His Cowboys' at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on August 11, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by) Early treatment can cure most skin cancers, the Cleveland Clinic notes, but advanced cases can be fatal. A 2021 National Library of Medicine article found that the five-year survival rate for stage 4 melanoma was 29.8 percent. 'I was saved by a fabulous treatment and great doctors and a real miracle [drug] called PD-1 [therapy],' Jones said. 'I went into trials for that PD-1 and it has been one of the great medicines.' The American Cancer Society says that PD-1 therapy is a 'checkpoint protein' that helps prevent immune cells called 'T cells' from attacking normal cells. Some cancer cells, however, have enough PD-L1, a protein found on some normal and cancer cells. Inhibitors like PD-1 are meant to help a patient's 'immune system to better find and attack the cancer cells, wherever they are in the body.' They can be used to respond to several types of cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. 'I now have no tumors,' Jones said Tuesday. ESPN reported that Jones talks about undergoing cancer treatments at MD Anderson in Houston in the upcoming Netflix documentary series 'America's Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys', but he does not reveal the details of the treatment. The docuseries discusses Jones' purchase of the Cowboys, Tom Landry's firing, Jimmy Johnson's hiring, and the rise of the 1990s Cowboys teams. Stories about Jones' life are interspersed throughout the series. The docuseries premieres on Aug. 19. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
6 days ago
- Health
- The Hill
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says he has ‘no tumors' after stage 4 cancer diagnosis
DALLAS (KNWA) — Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones says he has 'no tumors' after dealing with stage 4 cancer and using an experimental trial drug. Jones, 82, said in an interview with the Dallas Morning News on Tuesday that he was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma in 2010 and started treatment shortly after. Roughly 105,000 new melanomas are expected to be diagnosed in the U.S. this year, according to the American Cancer Society, while about 8,400 are expected to die of the skin cancer. While the exact cause of every melanoma is unknown, the Mayo Clinic says most are brought on by exposure to ultraviolet light. Areas that are often exposed to the sun, like the skin on your arms and legs, typically serve as starting points for melanoma. Over the following decade, Jones underwent two lung surgeries and two lymph node surgeries, he told the newspaper. Treating melanoma will vary based on the severity of the case and whether it has spread. Options typically include surgery and therapies like radiation, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy, the Mayo Clinic explains. Early treatment can cure most skin cancers, the Cleveland Clinic notes, but advanced cases can be fatal. A 2021 National Library of Medicine article found that the five-year survival rate for stage 4 melanoma was 29.8 percent. 'I was saved by a fabulous treatment and great doctors and a real miracle [drug] called PD-1 [therapy],' Jones said. 'I went into trials for that PD-1 and it has been one of the great medicines.' The American Cancer Society says that PD-1 therapy is a 'checkpoint protein' that helps prevent immune cells called 'T cells' from attacking normal cells. Some cancer cells, however, have enough PD-L1, a protein found on some normal and cancer cells. Inhibitors like PD-1 are meant to help a patient's 'immune system to better find and attack the cancer cells, wherever they are in the body.' They can be used to respond to several types of cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. 'I now have no tumors,' Jones said Tuesday. ESPN reported that Jones talks about undergoing cancer treatments at MD Anderson in Houston in the upcoming Netflix documentary series ' America's Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys ', but he does not reveal the details of the treatment. The docuseries discusses Jones' purchase of the Cowboys, Tom Landry's firing, Jimmy Johnson's hiring, and the rise of the 1990s Cowboys teams. Stories about Jones' life are interspersed throughout the series. The docuseries premieres on Aug. 19.
