Cancer sufferers who also have depression may be far more likely to die prematurely, reports a new study from researchers at Tilburg University in The Netherlands. For the study the reviewed survey data collected from 3,080 cancer survivors between 2008 and 2009. The cancer survivors in the study included those who had suffered endometrial cancer, colorectal cancer, lymphoma or multiple myeloma.
The FDA has approved Xofigo for treatment of men with late-stage, castration-resistant prostate cancer. The drug will be available to patients whose cancer has spread to the bones but not to other organs, according to the agency. The treatment uses pinpoint delivery of alpha radiation to combat cancer. Because of its targeted approach, cancer cells are killed off with less damage.
The FDA has issued its proposal to boost consumer awareness of tanning bed use. Should the proposal be finalized the agency will reclassify sunlamp products, necessitating labeling with a warning against use by young persons. "Using indoor tanning beds can damage your skin and increase your risk of developing skin cancer," said FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D.
Smoking may pose a bigger health risk to women than men, says a new study from researchers in Norway. For the study, researchers reviewed health records for 600,000 women, finding the women were especially susceptible to developing bowel cancer linked with smoking. Women who smoked in the study were, in fact, twice as likely to develop bowel cancer than men.
A surprising number of melanoma survivors continue using tanning beds even after recovery from the condition, reports a new study from researchers at the Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven. For the study, researchers reviewed health records from 27,120 participants of the 2010 National Health Interview Survey. They found that 171 of those participants had previously experienced melanoma.