Archive - December 2017

The most lethal form of breast cancer could have a new treatment option, according to new research out of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. In the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers showed triple-negative breast cancer cells are highly vulnerable to interferon-β -- a potent antimicrobial that also activates the immune system. The new study shows interferon-β impairs breast cancer cells' ability

A study by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Health Professions published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, the official journal of the American College of Sports Medicine, connects traditional aerobic physical activity -; like walking -; to better sleep for post-primary treatment breast cancer survivors. The study, titled "Physical Activity and Sleep Quality in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Randomized Trial," is the first large randomized controlled

It’s hard to watch someone you love lose weight during cancer treatment, and when it does, you can feel helpless and anxious. The disease itself, the barrage of medicine that comes with it, and all those nasty side effects do a number on tastebuds, so don’t take it personally if they reject your offerings. To encourage the person you love to hunker down and put some weight on – or at least stop losing weight – there’s a lot you can do. Here’s some advice that

Higher blood sugar early in pregnancy raises the baby's risk of a congenital heart defect, even among mothers who do not have diabetes, according to a study led by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine. The study will be published online Dec. 15 in The Journal of Pediatrics. For many years, physicians have known that women with diabetes face an increased risk of giving birth to babies with heart defects. Some studies have also suggested a link between nondiabetic

According to a Danish study, contraceptives that use hormones, including birth control pills and intrauterine devices (IUDs), slightly increase the risk of breast cancer. But the importance of the increase is unique to each woman and depends on many factors, including: her age her general health her personal risk of breast cancer other breast cancer risk factors, such as smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, and maintaining a healthy weight The study was published on Dec. 7, 2017

A team of scientists has designed a new weapon to use in the war against bone metastases. The initial results have recently been published, and they are very promising. The majority of cancer deaths are not due to the initial tumor; they are due to secondary tumors that develop in other parts of the body. These are called metastases. Sometimes, cancer enters bones. In fact, in late stage breast cancer, approximately 70 percent of patients experience bone metastasis. This increases

A simple blood test that detects tumor cells circulating in the blood shows promise as a new way to predict high or low risk of a breast cancer relapse. This is according to data presented today at the 40th annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. A proof-of-concept study by the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group (ECOG-ACRIN) measured the prevalence of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in blood samples from patients cancer-free five years or more after diagnosis, then associated CTC presence with a

Stressed out from the Holidays? Sleigh this Holiday Season with a FootMate System. If the FootMate System can clean and massage Santa and his little elves tired and smelly feet, then it can work wonders for you too! With more than 11,000 bristles and cradled for the contour of your foot, the FootMate Foot Transformation System can simultaneously massage tender areas of the foot and smooth rough and dry skin to transform your tired and achy feet. Experience a soothing, invigorating foot

Following a phased rollout, UnitedHealthcare will launch a new app that helps women track their pregnancies and engage with their providers more effectively. Through the app, UHC Healthy Pregnancy, women can call a registered nurse at any time; access the member portal for healthcare costs, plan benefit information and in-network providers; search for information about pregnancy symptoms and concerns; monitor and track weight and the baby’s movements; set reminders to take vitamins; and

Lymphedema is a common side effect that may affect a cancer survivor months or even years after treatments such as surgery or radiation therapy. As part of the circulatory system, the lymph organs play many roles in the body including fluid balance and immunity. Lymph fluid is a lipid- and protein-rich fluid found within the lymphatic system that contains white blood cells and helps remove waste. When lymph nodes don’t filter and drain lymph fluid appropriately, the fluid will accumulate