‘Dog Scan’ for Cancer!!

We all know that ‘CAT Scan’ is used in the diagnosis of cancer, but now doctors believe that ‘Dogs’ can actually sense cancer, since they can smell hundreds of chemicals released by the body in sweat, urine and breath, as a result of cancer.

Well, if ‘CATs’ can, why not ‘Dogs’!

Check this news story from ABC News to learn more about this interesting find!

Obesity increases your cancer risk (even if you are a non-smoker)!

Telegraph.co.uk: Obesity has become the main cause of cancer in non-smokers, a global conference will hear next week.

The World Cancer Research Fund has spent five years collecting information about the effect bodyweight, diet and physical activity has on the risk of developing cancer and will present its findings on Thursday.

Smoking is still the single biggest cause of cancers, accounting for one third of the 300,000 cases in the UK each year.

But only one quarter of people smoke and research has found that for non-smokers being overweight or obese is the most important avoidable cause of cancer. In the UK, 12,000 people a year could avoid cancer if they maintained a healthy weight, according to Cancer Research UK.

Obesity is known to cause between nine and 15 per cent of breast cancers – more than defective genes.

A recent study found women who have gone through the menopause and are obese increase their risk of developing breast cancer by a third.

Obesity is known to increase the risk of cancer by raising the level of hormones such as oestrogen, which feeds many breast cancers.

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Got new ideas for cancer research? You could win a million dollars, if you have one!

Medical researchers teamed up with hedge fund managers on Wednesday to offer a new million-dollar prize for the best new idea for cancer research in the hopes of kick-starting innovative approaches.

They invited cancer experts, scientists and the general public to join an Internet-based club and compete for the Gotham Prize for Cancer Research.

Federal funding of cancer research has been flat, and is in fact lower than in recent years when inflation is taken into account, said Dr. Gary Curhan of Harvard Medical School.

And the system of seeking grants -- money to do research -- is based around pleasing either National Institutes of Health supervisors or gatekeepers at the advocacy organizations that pay for research on specific types of cancer, he said.

Curhan teamed up with hedge fund managers Joel Greenblatt and Robert Goldstein of private investment firm Gotham Capital to set up the prize club, found at http://www.gothamprize.org/

"The goal here is to open up the site to people with ideas," Curhan told reporters in a telephone briefing. "The winners of these prizes are not going to be those who are successful in evaluating the idea. It is going to be the person with the best idea."

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Reoviruses to the rescue of cancer patients!

Reovirus is a family of viruses that affects the gastrointestinal or respiratory system in humans. Reovirus infections are common in humans and in most cases they are mild or sub clinical.

Scientists have now discovered that reoviruses can indeed be very useful to humans, as they have the ability to destroy cancerous tumor cells. This short clip explains how reoviruses can be used to treat cancer in humans.

‘The Bay Drug’ – Is it the solution to metastatic kidney cancer?

A drug, which was originally developed for colon cancer, is found to be very effective in managing metastatic kidney cancer. This drug, called ‘The Bay Drug’, has the ability to contain the tumor growth in metastatic kidney cancer patients to a large extent.

This news clip tells more about this drug and its effects on metastatic kidney cancer patients.

Tulsi inhibits the progression of breast cancer

Indolink.com: It is in America's medical establishment - especially in the many outstanding cancer research centers - that traditional Indian medicine is confronting western science and proving that it has something worthwhile to offer. No wonder the power of Tulsi and of turmeric, so common to Desis everywhere, is now beginning to amaze Americans.

And in many instances the work is being done by Indian-American scientists or in collaboration with scientists in India.

Take ongoing research on the holy Tulsi plant (Ocimum sanctum) at Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit, Michigan, or the common spice Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) at MD Anderson Cancer Research Center in Houston.

In the case of Tulsi or India’s holy basil, Ayurvedic practice recommends Tulsi in several formulations to enhance immunity and metabolic functions as well as in the management of respiratory problems. Recent pharmacological studies have established the anabolic, hypoglycemic, smooth muscle relaxant, cardiac depressant, antifertility, adaptogenic and immunomodulator properties of this plant.

Surprisingly enough, in 2006, research scientists at Karmanos Cancer Institute announced findings of their study titled Inhibition of breast cancer progression by the medicinal herb Ocimum Sanctum at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) conference in Washington, D.C.

They asked the question, can this herb curb breast cancer growth? Ocimum Sanctum or Tulsi or Holy basil is part of the mint family that has been used in Indian homes for hundreds of years. The researchers were interested in studying the effects of the herb, which appear to have anti-oxidant, chemically induced cancer-inhibiting and anti-inflammatory properties, on human breast cancer using a mouse model system.

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Developments in the fight against cancer

In this video, Dr. Ang Peng Taim, Medical Director of Parkway Cancer Centre, explains about the recent developments in the field of cancer research. A must-watch for cancer patients and their families, since this video sends out a clear message that cancer is curable, irrespective of the stage of the disease.