‘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!

Leukemias and Lymphomas

Leukemias and lymphomas are cancers which affect the cells which are part of the fluids circulating around the body.

Leukemias affect certain blood cells, particularly the white cells, or "leukocytes" which help fight off infections and disease.

And lymphomas are cancers of the lymphatic system, a network of vessels which form part of the body's immune system, and carry other infection-fighting cells called "lymphocytes", as well as draining dead cells away from the tissues.

There are several different types of leukemia, classed mainly according to the way the cancer develops, and the variety of white blood cells they affect.

There are two principal kinds of lymphoma - Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's - the latter is more common, and also slightly harder to treat.

Professor Peter Johnson, an expert in lymphomas from the University of Southampton, who carries out work for Cancer Research UK is hopeful that new chemotherapy and radiotherapy techniques will help improve survival rates in lymphoma.

He said: "The sorts of treatment we are investigating in the future centre around on how we can stir the body's immune system into recognising that the lymphoma is there.

Click here to read more about this disease.

Source: www.news.bbc.co.uk

Common myths about cancer

Myths about the causes and prevention of cancer have been floating around for years. While some have been tame, there have been some cancer myths that are downright outlandish and ridiculous. Check out the craziest cancer myths in the following list.

Myth: Fellatio Greatly Reduces a Woman's Risk Factor for Breast Cancer
Truth: An email circulated with a link to what appeared to be a bonafide CNN news story claiming that a study found that women who performed fellatio reduced their risk of breast cancer. The truth is that there is no evidence that performing fellatio will reduce your risk of cancer.

Myth: Designer Lipsticks Contain Lead that Cause Cancer.
Truth: The FDA regulates all cosmetics manufacturing. It is logical to think that if a lipstick contained an ingredient that is sure to cause cancer, it would be pulled from the shelves immediately. This email hoax is still popping up in inboxes and striking fear in women. It is a hoax and there is no brand of lipstick that can cause cancer. Read more about lipstick and cancer...
Myth: Wearing Deodorant Can Cause Breast Cancer.

Truth:There is so significant data that shows that wearing deodorant causes cancer, yet people are still buying into it. The suggestion is that a chemical is absorbed through the skin through a shaving nick or cut, and causes breast cancer. Again, there has been no significant study to support this claim.
Myth: Piercing Your Nipples May Causes Breast Cancer in Men and Women

Truth: An injury to the breast or nipple cannot lead to cancer development. The only real medical risk factor for piercing the nipple is infection. Read more about pierced nipple and cancer...
Myth: Men Don't Get Breast Cancer.

Truth: Just ask Richard Rountree, the star of Shaft if men get breast cancer. Male breast cancer may be less common than breast cancer in females, but it does happen.
Myth: There is a Cure for Cancer, but Drug Companies Wouldn't Make Money.

Truth: If this was true, how come the family members of these drug company employees are still suffering from cancer? The likelihood of there being a general cure for all cancers is not realistic because they are caused by different factors. It is estimated that almost 30% of Americans believe this myth.
Myth: Forwarding Emails to Friends Will Donate Money to Cancer Charities.

Truth: Aol, The American Cancer Society, or any other major corporation does not rely on the use of email forwarding to make charitable contributions. The email sent usually contains the story of a child with cancer, perhaps with a photo, claiming that for every person your forward the email to the child will receive $.03 for treatment costs. Don't waste your time forwarding, folks. This is a cancer hoax and myth.

Source: www.cancer.about.com

Vaccines under development could be a solution to breast cancer

Breast cancer, the most common form of cancer in women, can now be fought with new vaccines that are under development. Listeria monocytogenes, a microorganism found in diary products will be used in a new vaccine development program. Dr. Yvonne Paterson, the scientific founder of Advaxis Incorporation and a person who suffered from breast cancer herself, is heading a team of researchers, who are working to develop a new vaccine to fight cancer, using Listeria monocytogenes, which has a direct stimulatory effect on activities of immune killer T cells.

A new vaccine called Lovaxin B has been developed by this team and it is in pre-clinical study and Advaxis Incorporation has sought the approval of FDA for clinical trial of this vaccine. If the vaccine passes the clinical trials, the company plans to manufacture this vaccine in large quantities in future.

Only 20% of people, who are suffering from breast cancer, survive and breast cancer is considered to be a ‘killer disease’ in developing nations. If new initiatives like this one come out well, it would be a great achievement in the field of medicine.

Read more of this story...