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In recent years, researchers have considered a potential link between beta-blockers and a decreased risk of cancer. This theory stems from the fact that beta-blockers inhibit the actions of the stress hormone norepinephrine. This, along with studies that found norepinephrine can promote the growth and spread of cancer cells, led researchers to reason that the beta-blockers could have anticancer properties.

However, a recent study published early online in Cancer revealed that the use of beta-blockers showed no reduction of colorectal cancer risk.

Beta-carotene, selenium, and folic acid taken at high levels, as some supplement manufacturers suggest, are now proven to increase the risk of developing various cancers.

“It’s not that these nutrients are toxic – they’re essential and we need them, but we need them in a certain balance,” says Tim Byers, MD, MPH, professor of epidemiology at the Colorado School of Public Health and associate director for prevention and control at the University of Colorado Cancer Center.

According to a landmark study published recently in The Lancet Oncology, 2 million (16.1%) of the worldwide 12.7 million new cancer cases in 2008 were attributable to infections. This percentage was higher in less developed countries (22.9%) compared with more developed countries (7.4%). The numbers also varied 10-fold by region, from 3.3% in Australia and New Zealand to 32.7% in sub-Saharan Africa.

Oftentimes, patients with multiple myeloma experience disease progression even after receiving a stem cell transplant. However, according to a recent study, a new long-term therapy, lenalidomide, can be used after transplantation to slow down the progression of the disease.

An analysis recently published in JAMA found that clinical trials are not producing the high-quality evidence needed to guide medical decision making. According to the largest comprehensive study of ClinicalTrials.gov, the majority of clinical trials is small, and there are significant differences in methodical approaches.

A new study shows that nearly half of patients see value in taking an active role in their care, even when they are dealing with a debilitating illness.

Navigating Cancer surveyed 295 cancer patients. The majority, 72%, was drawn to using personalized tools and resources to manage their care. More specifically, 77% was interested in reading cancer education materials from expert sources. Having online access to their medical records was a common interest of 74% of those surveyed.

European healthcare professionals perceive drug-related morbidity to affect 50% of all patients, according to 2 new studies conducted at the Nordic School of Public Health NHV.

In the studies, drug-related morbidity included adverse drug reactions, drug dependence, intoxication by overdose, inadequate effect of medicines, and untreated indications. Two panels of experienced physicians and pharmacists estimated the following:

An Institute of Medicine committee report, Ethical and Scientific Issues in Studying the Safety of Approved Drugs, recommends that the FDA monitor a drug’s safety after initial approval and throughout its time on the market.

A new study finds that 40% of the discrepancy in colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and nearly 20% difference in CRC mortality between blacks and whites is a result of screening inconsistencies between the two races. According to the study, an additional 35% of the black-white disparity in CRC mortality rates is attributed to differences in stage-specific survival, which likely reflects differences in treatment. The study, appearing online in Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention, determines that equal access to care could reduce the racial disparities in CRC rates.

It is estimated that this year alone, approximately 21,000 individuals in the United States will be diagnosed with multiple myeloma (MM), and more than 10,000 deaths will be attributed to the disease.¹ Response rates and survival have improved considerably over the past several decades, due in large part to the use of high-dose chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation, and the development and approval of the targeted agents thalidomide, lenalidomide, and bortezomib.² Although these advances have resulted in prolonged remissions and better quality of life, virtually all Read More ›