Category: Cancer

Epigenome’s role in cancer revealed in new study (Links to an external site)

In new research led by scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, researchers have delved into the workings of the epigenome across 11 cancer types and revealed important roles for this regulatory system of the genome in the way cancer forms, grows and spreads.

Change in breast density over time linked to cancer risk (Links to an external site)

Many middle-aged and older women get mammograms every one to two years to screen for breast cancer, as recommended by their doctors. A study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis indicates that previous mammograms hold underutilized data that could help identify women at high risk of breast cancer and even reveal which breast is likely to be affected.

Red flags indicate risk for early-onset colorectal cancer (Links to an external site)

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have identified four important signs and symptoms that signal an elevated risk of early-onset colorectal cancer. These red flags may be key to earlier detection and diagnosis of early-onset colorectal cancer among younger adults. The number of young adults with colorectal cancer has nearly doubled in recent years.

Physical Activity Lowers Cancer Risk – More People Should Probably Know That

A new study has found that a large majority of the public may be unaware that lack of physical activity can increase the risk of cancer. The study, out of Washington University in St. Louis and published Wednesday in the Journal of Health Communication, included a diverse sample of participants who were asked to list […]

Boston Nutrition Obesity Research Center: 25 Years of Progress on the Links Between Overweight and Cancer

At today’s annual symposium of the Boston Nutrition Obesity Research Center (BNORC), CNiC’s Dr. Graham Colditz delivered a plenary session talk reviewing BNOCR’s 25-year contribution to the science on obesity and cancer. A past associate director of the Center, Colditz also paid tribute to groundbreaking nutrition researcher, George Blackburn, who passed away in February 2017 […]

Large Study Further Confirms Overweight & Obesity Increase Risk of Premature Death

 A “normal” weight – with BMI between 22.5 and 24.9 – was linked to lowest risk by Hank Dart It turns out that a healthy weight is a healthy weight. That’s the essential conclusion of a large and well-designed new study looking at long term weight and its relation to premature death.What makes this seemingly […]

Compelling Evidence on Overweight & Cancer Compels Action

An editorial published in today’s British Medical Journal (BMJ) by Cancer News in Context’s Yikung Park and Graham Colditz makes the strong case that it’s time to take action to combat weight-related cancers.  The editorial addresses a new “umbrella review,” also published in the BMJ today, that found strong evidence that overweight and obesity increases the risk of 11 […]

Doubling Down on Prevention: Heart Disease & Cancer’s Shared Risk Factors

Even in parts of the country experiencing an early thaw, winter starts to feel a bit long by the end of February.  The days are still short. The temps are still low. And the trees are still mostly bare.  Yet, even amidst all that, we can still take heart.  Not just because we’re about to […]

Weighty Evidence: New Report Further Highlights Importance of Overweight and Cancer Risk

A new international report released today further highlights the important role that overweight and obesity play in the development of cancer.  Produced by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and released in the New England Journal of Medicine, the report, Body Fatness and Cancer — Viewpoint of the IARC Working Group, finds that […]

Some Simple Tips for Keeping Weight in Check

Although keeping weight in check can be a tall order in this day of dollar menus and smartphones, it’s well worth the effort.  The cancer benefits alone are huge.  When the impact on heart disease, diabetes, blood pressure, and good old-fashioned quality of life are added, the benefits become enormous.  Try these simple steps: ‪Exercise, […]

Potential of Prevention: Only 3 Percent of Us Meet 4 Key Health Behaviors

by Katy Henke When it comes to leading a healthy lifestyle, let’s just say that Americans have a lot of room for improvement. That’s according to a recent study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings that found that only 2.7 percent of U.S. adults practice four key behaviors that can improve health and lower the risk […]

Siteman Cancer Center’s Program for the Elimination of Cancer Disparities Celebrates 10 Years

by Katy Henke 2015 marked 10 years for The Program for the Elimination of Cancer Disparities (PECaD). PECaD, a National Cancer Institute-funded program, works to eliminate cancer disparities through cancer prevention and treatment. To celebrate 10 years of accomplishment and collaboration in the community, PECaD hosted an evening of achievement on September 15, 2015, presenting […]

New Study Shows Being Sedentary is Bad for Physical and Fiscal Health

Creative Commons photo (cropped): Flickr/hjl There is no magic bullet that will guarantee good health.  That’s just an unfortunate fact of life.  But there is something that can help stave off heart disease, diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, and depression, while also helping us maintain a higher quality of life as we get older.  And it’s largely […]

Breast Cancer Prevention Now

By Graham A. Colditz, MD, DrPH It is time to bring our focus back to lowering the risk or reducing the onset of new cases of breast cancer at all ages. Worldwide incidence of the disease is rising as societies across the globe modernize, which brings with it higher rates of breast cancer risk factors, […]

New Study Confirms Weight is a Major Cancer Risk Factor

Photo: Flickr/Kizette The subjects of weight gain, the obesity epidemic, and their major impact on health are brought up so much these days that they’re easy to tune out.  So, if a few articles and news reports here and there pass you by – on accident or on purpose – we understand.  But we won’t […]

The Ongoing Challenge to Secure Resources for Cancer Prevention

The ongoing challenge of garnering appropriate resources and recognition for cancer prevention was highlighted yet again by a recently released paper in the Journal of Cancer Policy titled Cancer economics, policy and politics: What informs the debate? Perspectives from the EU, Canada and US. The overall goal of this paper was to assess the factors that are […]

Becoming a Stand-Up: Fighting Disease with Desks

It was hard to miss the headlines this summer telling us that a new federal study confirmed what many disgruntled office workers had long suspected – that their desk jobs may just be killing them.  While the headlines were a bit overblown, they did capture the essence of what more and more evidence is showing, […]

(Video) 8 Ways to Prevent Cancer (and A Bunch of Other Diseases)

As part of our 8 Ways to Prevent Cancer campaign, the Siteman Cancer Center and the Cancer News in Context team produced a series of videos focusing on practical information and useful tips about each “way.” This is the first in the series, featuring CNiC’s Dr. Kate Wolin. Simple tips.  Big benefits.

Rest NOT Best

Following closely on the heels of the American College of Sports Medicine Exercise Guidelines for Cancer Survivors, MacMillan Cancer Support in the UK this week is launching a Move More campaign designed to get cancer survivors up and moving and debunk the notion that rest is best for cancer survivors during and after treatment. As […]

Going Global: New WHO Report on the Rise of Chronic Disease

It’s been a trend developing for a number of years: the rising prominence of chronic disease across the globe.  Where diseases like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer were once the main health concerns of more affluent countries, they’ve now taken over top spots in developing nations as well – signaling both a shift away […]

Preventing Disease, Saving Billions of Dollars

In the New York Times this week, Mark Bittman highlights the magnitude of our chronic disease burden and the potential for prevention to save our future federal budget billions of dollars (see story).  A small change in diet to reduce heart disease by 10% would save 100 billion dollars. And this is all easy to […]

Radiation, Chernobyl, and the Japanese burden of cancer

The New York Times today reports that the nuclear disaster in Japan is on par with the 1986 Chernobyl explosion (see story). It is appropriate that we consider the impact this will have on disease. In a rigorous review of the epidemiologic evidence following the Chernobyl nuclear accident, Cardis and Hatch provided an update on […]