Evaluation of Therapies
While research shows drinking black (or green) tea or taking the herbal supplement gingko biloba may be useful, as a preventative measure, or to reduce risk, a woman has few choices when her cancer has moved to the advanced stage. In the first stage, a woman faces surgical removal of the tumor, and possibly one or both ovaries, to increase her chances of survival. Beyond that, her choice is chemotherapy.
One major problem with chemotherapy is the side effects. The more advanced the cancer, the weaker one may be, reducing the survival rate potential. Survival rates have not changed very much over the past fifteen years. Chemotherapy can increase survival time by as much as 50 percent. But, quality of life suffers. The side effects and increased toxicity, accompanying chemotherapy, reduce how one spends the prolonged survival time.
Some of Paclitaxel’s minor side effects, as reported by Medline Plus, may include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, change in taste, thinned or brittle hair, pain in the joints of the arms or legs, changes in the color of nails, and/or tingling in the hands or toes. More serious side effects may include mouth blistering or fatigue. Some alarming side effects could include unusual bleeding or bruising, dizziness, shortness of breath, severe exhaustion, chest pain, or difficulty swallowing. The most common side effect of Paclitaxel is a decrease of blood cells.
Carboplatin has its own list of side effects. It can reduce platelet production, which can interfere with your blood’s ability to clot. You may become anemic, feeling tired or breathless. Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and a general feeling of weakness are common with this chemotherapeutic agent.
The latest breed of drugs, such as Eli Lilly’s Gemzar, are hardly getting praise. On March 10th, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it was skeptical of the benefits Eli Lilly’s Gemzar, which was being used with Carboplatin to treat ovarian cancer patients. The FDA felt the 2.8 months increased survival time, provided by the Gemzar/Carboplatin combination failed to offset the treatment’s increased toxicity.
In January, the New England Journal of Medicine reported on a remarkable new delivery system of chemotherapy, called the “intra-abdominal, or intraperitoneal, chemotherapy. Those who received the “belly bath” as it is now being called by the media can survive 16 months longer than those receiving intravenous chemotherapy. The major drawback is that 60 percent of the women in the study were unable to complete all six cycles of this chemotherapy. Those who did survived longer, but only two in every five women were able to advance to the end phase of the therapy.
One novel approach, now in Phase III trials at more than 60 research centers across the United States, is OvaRex ® MAb, a murine monoclonal antibody, a type of biotech drug derived from mouse cells. It is being tested by highly regarded United Therapeutics, based in Silver Springs, Maryland. Their lead drug Remodulin, an injection which treats pulmonary arterial hypertension, is currently being marketed inside and outside the United States. More than $32 million has been spent researching, and on the development of, OvaRex and may have it available on the market by 2008.
OvaRex was developed in Canada by a company called ViRexx Medical Corp, and first tested in that country. According to Dr. Lorne Tyrrell, Chief Executive of ViRexx, “The whole study has been set up with the FDA. This is a study where the drug has been given fast track approval and orphan drug status.” Dr. Tyrrell is also on leave (until OvaRex become commercially available) as a Professor of Medical Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Alberta, and Director of the National Centre of Excellence for Viral Hepatitis Research.
OvaRex was tested in Canada, prior to the current Phase III trials in the U.S. “There have been a number of patients that have received OvaRex,” said Dr. Tyrrell, “We’ve had really no adverse effects from these patients.” Dr. Tyrrell explained the procedure, “After being injected intravenously, OvaRex binds to an antigen circulating in the blood.” An antibody’s general purpose is to neutralize an antigen. After an OvaRex injection, the murine monoclonal antibody binds to the CA-125 antigen.
In a way the body is tricked. But, the body is tricked in order to help “save” itself from the harmful antigen. When the OvaRex antibody is bound to the CA-125 antigen, the new combination is identified as a harmful unit. Before then, the antigen wanders through the body, without alerting the body’s defense systems, the dendritic cells, to attack and destroy the harmful antigen. Because the body is trained to identify and zero in on a foreign protein, in this case a mouse protein, it alerts the dendritic cells. Until then, the dendritic cells “tolerate” the cancerous cells. The tolerance is what permits the cancer to spread throughout the body. OvaRex seeks to break that tolerance. The murine monoclonal antibody is designed to target and bind exclusively to free floating CA-125 antigen.
The dendritic cells refuse to tolerate the foreign protein. When the antibody binds with the free-floating antigen, the dendritic cells recognize the complex (antibody plus antigen) as being foreign and engulf the new unit. The dendritic cells break down the key proteins of this unit, presenting all parts on the cells surface. At the point, the body’s killer T-Cells are alerted to fight the internal threat to the body. Once activated, the T-Cells will replicate and create more killer T-Cells. Any tumor cells expressing the CA-125 antigen is targeted for destruction. The army of T-Cells move to attack the ovarian cancer tumor.
The principle behind OvaRex is to re-program the immune system to harness the body’s defenses to prevent the growth and spread of the ovarian cancer. Will it cure ovarian cancer? “In most cases, it will be a delay,” explained Dr. Tyrrell. “However, I think that, and everyone hopes that, often in some of these tumors, you’re making incremental progress through careful clinical trials and adding new therapy. Each thing we do that improves the outcome when you start to look at the long term benefits of these, we hope that one day we will be able to cure this disease. We think this is a step. This has the potential to be an important step at helping to stimulate immune response to achieve a better outcome. Hopefully, one day we can improve that to where it is a cure.”
by James Finch
Friday, August 25, 2006
ovarian cancer : Was Your Ovarian Cancer Misdiagnosed? (1)
As many as 30,000 U.S. women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer this year. In 2006, between 15,000 and 16,000 women are likely to die from this silent killer. Ovarian cancer is the 5th leading cause of death among women, and it is responsible for about five percent of all cancer deaths. Chances are your doctor may have misdiagnosed you. That is often the case. A recent British study found 60 percent of all U.K. general practitioners had misdiagnosed their patients.
Three-quarters of British doctors surveyed incorrectly assumed that symptoms only occurred in the late stages of ovarian cancer. Based upon that information, it should be no surprise that Britain has one of the lowest survival rates for ovarian cancer in the Western World – of 6,800 cases diagnosed each year, more than 4,600 die.
A similar discovery was made by University of California researchers, who announced last year, “Four in 10 women with ovarian cancer have symptoms that they tell their doctors about at least four months — and as long as one year — before they are diagnosed.” According to their study of nearly 2,000 women with ovarian cancer, the researchers discovered physicians:
• First ordered abdominal imaging or performed gastrointestinal procedures instead of the more appropriate pelvic imaging and/or CA-125 (a blood test that can detect ovarian cancer).
• Only 25 percent of patients, who reported ovarian cancer symptoms four or more months before diagnosis, were given pelvic imaging or had CA-125 blood tests.
Patients with early symptoms are frequently misdiagnosed. Abdominal imaging or diagnostic gastrointestinal studies are less likely to detect ovarian cancer. According to the American Cancer Society’s website, “The most common symptom is back pain, followed by fatigue, bloating, constipation, abdominal pain and urinary urgency. These symptoms tend to occur very frequently and become more severe with time. Most women with ovarian cancer have at least two of these symptoms.”
By the time a woman reaches the fourth stage of ovarian cancer, her first-line treatment is often Carboplatin, Paclitaxel and Cisplatin as the specific chemotherapy for ovarian cancer. In the first stage, cancer is contained inside one or both ovaries. By stage two, the cancer has spread into the fallopian tubes or other pelvic tissues, such as the bladder or rectum. When the cancer has spread outside the pelvis area into the abdominal cavity, especially when tumor growths are larger than two centimeters on the lining of the abdomen, then ovarian cancer has reached stage three. The fourth and final stage of ovarian cancer is reached when the cancer has spread into other body organs, such as the liver or lungs.
If detected early, survival rates can be as high as 90 percent. Detected in the advanced stage, the survival rate falls to between 30 and 40 percent. Various imaging tests such as computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and ultrasound studies can confirm whether a pelvic mass is present. A laparoscopy can help a doctor look at the ovaries and other pelvic tissue to in order to plan out a surgical procedure, or to determine the stage of the ovarian cancer. A biopsy, or tissue sampling, would confirm if there is cancer in your pelvic region, and would help determine how advanced it is. An elevated CA-125 blood test typically suggests the cancer has progressed to the advanced stage.
About 50 percent of ovarian cancer patients are already at an advanced stage by the time a correct diagnosis is made. Only 10 to 14 percent of women with advanced cancer are likely to survive more than five years.
By James Finch
Three-quarters of British doctors surveyed incorrectly assumed that symptoms only occurred in the late stages of ovarian cancer. Based upon that information, it should be no surprise that Britain has one of the lowest survival rates for ovarian cancer in the Western World – of 6,800 cases diagnosed each year, more than 4,600 die.
A similar discovery was made by University of California researchers, who announced last year, “Four in 10 women with ovarian cancer have symptoms that they tell their doctors about at least four months — and as long as one year — before they are diagnosed.” According to their study of nearly 2,000 women with ovarian cancer, the researchers discovered physicians:
• First ordered abdominal imaging or performed gastrointestinal procedures instead of the more appropriate pelvic imaging and/or CA-125 (a blood test that can detect ovarian cancer).
• Only 25 percent of patients, who reported ovarian cancer symptoms four or more months before diagnosis, were given pelvic imaging or had CA-125 blood tests.
Patients with early symptoms are frequently misdiagnosed. Abdominal imaging or diagnostic gastrointestinal studies are less likely to detect ovarian cancer. According to the American Cancer Society’s website, “The most common symptom is back pain, followed by fatigue, bloating, constipation, abdominal pain and urinary urgency. These symptoms tend to occur very frequently and become more severe with time. Most women with ovarian cancer have at least two of these symptoms.”
By the time a woman reaches the fourth stage of ovarian cancer, her first-line treatment is often Carboplatin, Paclitaxel and Cisplatin as the specific chemotherapy for ovarian cancer. In the first stage, cancer is contained inside one or both ovaries. By stage two, the cancer has spread into the fallopian tubes or other pelvic tissues, such as the bladder or rectum. When the cancer has spread outside the pelvis area into the abdominal cavity, especially when tumor growths are larger than two centimeters on the lining of the abdomen, then ovarian cancer has reached stage three. The fourth and final stage of ovarian cancer is reached when the cancer has spread into other body organs, such as the liver or lungs.
If detected early, survival rates can be as high as 90 percent. Detected in the advanced stage, the survival rate falls to between 30 and 40 percent. Various imaging tests such as computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and ultrasound studies can confirm whether a pelvic mass is present. A laparoscopy can help a doctor look at the ovaries and other pelvic tissue to in order to plan out a surgical procedure, or to determine the stage of the ovarian cancer. A biopsy, or tissue sampling, would confirm if there is cancer in your pelvic region, and would help determine how advanced it is. An elevated CA-125 blood test typically suggests the cancer has progressed to the advanced stage.
About 50 percent of ovarian cancer patients are already at an advanced stage by the time a correct diagnosis is made. Only 10 to 14 percent of women with advanced cancer are likely to survive more than five years.
By James Finch
ovarian cancer : Living With Cancer
It’s a story many of us have heard before: a young woman is diagnosed with ovarian cancer (or some other horrible disease), goes through surgery and chemo, gets too sick to work, loses her job, and her health insurance eventually runs out. Heart-wrenching, for sure. Especially sad when the woman has a husband and two small children. But for cancer patient Kellie Main Foret, you just can’t make any assumptions or guess what her next move will be.
Diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2004, Foret has undergone several rounds of chemo, surgery, and all the other treatments her doctors feel are necessary. But this isn’t a story about cancer treatments, it’s a story about how this young woman has taken her current circumstance and turned it into something life-affirming and positive.
Foret started making custom jewelry pieces last fall before Christmas in order to raise money to buy her kids Christmas presents. The surprising twist was that her work was so unique and beautiful that it started gaining attention from local galleries and boutiques throughout the Detroit metro area. Soon, she was expanding her designs and original pieces until she had created a unique collection of original art jewelry pieces, all growing from her signature piece, “Tree of Life.”
“I designed the Tree of Life piece while I was going through chemotherapy for ovarian cancer,” said Foret. “To me, this piece represents all the roads we travel and how these journeys make each of us unique.
“I have so much to be thankful for. My Tree of Life continues to grow, and I hope my work adds something to other women’s lives that reassures them that they are unique and that everyday is special.”
One of her jewelry sets, called “My Angel,” is in memory of Foret’s chemo buddy who died a few weeks ago in November. All the proceeds from sales of this jewelry go to ovarian cancer research. “I know that in honoring my friend’s life, I am also doing something positive for other women who will benefit from ongoing research and an eventual cure for ovarian cancer,” said Foret.
Because of her initial success, Foret recently decided to open up an online store to sell her jewelry over the internet. The web site, www.pulsejewelry.com, just went live on November 19, 2005, and is already receiving and shipping orders for the holidays.
Not only is she busy designing and creating her art jewelry pieces, she has also been learning how to use the technology to maintain and run her online store, update and add new products, and fulfill orders using online shipping.
“I really love what I do, and I feel like I have such an exciting life,” said Foret. “My hope is that through my work, other women will enjoy these original jewelry pieces while knowing they are raising awareness and supporting one of the most important issues facing women today – ovarian cancer.”
By Lauren Hobson
Diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2004, Foret has undergone several rounds of chemo, surgery, and all the other treatments her doctors feel are necessary. But this isn’t a story about cancer treatments, it’s a story about how this young woman has taken her current circumstance and turned it into something life-affirming and positive.
Foret started making custom jewelry pieces last fall before Christmas in order to raise money to buy her kids Christmas presents. The surprising twist was that her work was so unique and beautiful that it started gaining attention from local galleries and boutiques throughout the Detroit metro area. Soon, she was expanding her designs and original pieces until she had created a unique collection of original art jewelry pieces, all growing from her signature piece, “Tree of Life.”
“I designed the Tree of Life piece while I was going through chemotherapy for ovarian cancer,” said Foret. “To me, this piece represents all the roads we travel and how these journeys make each of us unique.
“I have so much to be thankful for. My Tree of Life continues to grow, and I hope my work adds something to other women’s lives that reassures them that they are unique and that everyday is special.”
One of her jewelry sets, called “My Angel,” is in memory of Foret’s chemo buddy who died a few weeks ago in November. All the proceeds from sales of this jewelry go to ovarian cancer research. “I know that in honoring my friend’s life, I am also doing something positive for other women who will benefit from ongoing research and an eventual cure for ovarian cancer,” said Foret.
Because of her initial success, Foret recently decided to open up an online store to sell her jewelry over the internet. The web site, www.pulsejewelry.com, just went live on November 19, 2005, and is already receiving and shipping orders for the holidays.
Not only is she busy designing and creating her art jewelry pieces, she has also been learning how to use the technology to maintain and run her online store, update and add new products, and fulfill orders using online shipping.
“I really love what I do, and I feel like I have such an exciting life,” said Foret. “My hope is that through my work, other women will enjoy these original jewelry pieces while knowing they are raising awareness and supporting one of the most important issues facing women today – ovarian cancer.”
By Lauren Hobson
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
ovarian cancer : BRCA1 and BRCA2: Their Function
Researchers used to think that the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes were tumor suppressor genes. Although researchers are still trying to understand precisely how the two genes function, they now believe that they may actually be what are called mismatch repair genes. (For recent news about the role of BRCA2, see Related News below.)
To understand what's meant by this, you need to understand a little bit about the cell replication process that occurs constantly within our bodies. As our cells age and die, new cells must be made to replace them. For this to happen, each of the three billion letters of DNA that are found within every cell has to be copied — one letter at a time. Not surprisingly, mistakes sometimes occur. When this happens, a gene may stop making its protein or the the protein can cease to function normally.
To ensure that such mistakes don't accumulate, our body has special proteins — called mismatch repair proteins — that check for and then correct mistakes in the newly made DNA. The genes that produce these special proteins are called mismatch repair genes — and it is in two of these genes (BRCA1 and BRCA2) that researchers have discovered the mutations most commonly linked with breast and ovarian cancer.
When a person's mismatch repair genes aren't functioning properly, they may not be able to catch and correct those inevitable DNA copying mistakes. And when such mistakes occur in genes whose function it is to prevent a cell from becoming cancerous, malignancies can occur.
©Copyright 2000, 2001 Genetic Health. All Rights Reserved.
To understand what's meant by this, you need to understand a little bit about the cell replication process that occurs constantly within our bodies. As our cells age and die, new cells must be made to replace them. For this to happen, each of the three billion letters of DNA that are found within every cell has to be copied — one letter at a time. Not surprisingly, mistakes sometimes occur. When this happens, a gene may stop making its protein or the the protein can cease to function normally.
To ensure that such mistakes don't accumulate, our body has special proteins — called mismatch repair proteins — that check for and then correct mistakes in the newly made DNA. The genes that produce these special proteins are called mismatch repair genes — and it is in two of these genes (BRCA1 and BRCA2) that researchers have discovered the mutations most commonly linked with breast and ovarian cancer.
When a person's mismatch repair genes aren't functioning properly, they may not be able to catch and correct those inevitable DNA copying mistakes. And when such mistakes occur in genes whose function it is to prevent a cell from becoming cancerous, malignancies can occur.
©Copyright 2000, 2001 Genetic Health. All Rights Reserved.
ovarian cancer : BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutations and Cancer Risk
Although the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes appear to be similar in function, they are located on different chromosomes, and each, when mutated, confers varying degrees of risk, not only for inherited breast and ovarian cancer but for other types of cancer as well. The types of cancer associated with mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are as follows:
BRCA1. Mutations in the BRCA1 gene appear to increase an individual's risk for breast, ovarian, prostate, and possibly colon cancer.
BRCA2. Mutations in the BRCA2 gene appear to increase an individual's risk for breast (male and female), ovarian, prostate, and pancreatic cancers. In addition, researchers suspect that defects in this gene carry with them an increased risk for cancer of the lung, larynx (voice box), and skin; however, more studies are needed to confirm these associations.
Researchers are still trying to determine the exact risk of cancer that is conferred by carrying a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene.
Early studies indicated that 80 percent of women who had inherited mutations in either of these genes would one day develop breast cancer, and that 60 percent would eventually develop ovarian cancer. However, these numbers were based on data collected from women in high-risk families (that is, those in which several cases of cancer had already been diagnosed). As researchers have expanded their studies to include members of the general population, they are discovering that risk associated with having a mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 may actually be lower than initial studies indicated. For this reason, the degree of risk associated with these mutations is now most commonly expressed as a range of numbers rather than an absolute — at least until enough data exists to make better estimates.
©Copyright 2000, 2001 Genetic Health. All Rights Reserved.
BRCA1. Mutations in the BRCA1 gene appear to increase an individual's risk for breast, ovarian, prostate, and possibly colon cancer.
BRCA2. Mutations in the BRCA2 gene appear to increase an individual's risk for breast (male and female), ovarian, prostate, and pancreatic cancers. In addition, researchers suspect that defects in this gene carry with them an increased risk for cancer of the lung, larynx (voice box), and skin; however, more studies are needed to confirm these associations.
Researchers are still trying to determine the exact risk of cancer that is conferred by carrying a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene.
Early studies indicated that 80 percent of women who had inherited mutations in either of these genes would one day develop breast cancer, and that 60 percent would eventually develop ovarian cancer. However, these numbers were based on data collected from women in high-risk families (that is, those in which several cases of cancer had already been diagnosed). As researchers have expanded their studies to include members of the general population, they are discovering that risk associated with having a mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 may actually be lower than initial studies indicated. For this reason, the degree of risk associated with these mutations is now most commonly expressed as a range of numbers rather than an absolute — at least until enough data exists to make better estimates.
©Copyright 2000, 2001 Genetic Health. All Rights Reserved.
ovarian cancer : How Are Ovarian Cancer Inherited?
By studying patterns of breast and ovarian cancer in families, researchers have learned that mutations in specific genes can predispose women to these types of cancer. In fact, mutations in just two different genes — BRCA1 and BRCA2 — account for the majority of what scientists term hereditary breast and hereditary ovarian cancer cases.
All women have some risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. But having a family history of breast and ovarian cancer can mean a significantly increased risk for you. So the first step to understanding your risk is by analyzing your family's medical history. Such an analysis will take into account how many people in your family had breast or ovarian cancer and at what age the cancer developed. Once you know your risk level, you and your doctor can determine a screening schedule that is appropriate for you.
By Kari Danziger,
All women have some risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. But having a family history of breast and ovarian cancer can mean a significantly increased risk for you. So the first step to understanding your risk is by analyzing your family's medical history. Such an analysis will take into account how many people in your family had breast or ovarian cancer and at what age the cancer developed. Once you know your risk level, you and your doctor can determine a screening schedule that is appropriate for you.
By Kari Danziger,
Thursday, August 10, 2006
ovarian cancer : Cancer Symptom
Cancer symptoms and the importance of early detection
Cancer is like a curse for mankind and that too a life threatening one. Cancer will continue to be a monster for us until we are able to detect cancer symptoms in a more definitive manner and are able to find a fail-proof cure for it. So, we are faced with two challenges here – the ability to read/recognise cancer symptoms and the ability to treat cancer in a fail-proof manner. To understand cancer symptoms and the importance of early detection in a better way, let’s first start with understanding what cancer actually is.
What is cancer?
Put simply, cancer is a diseased condition of body which is caused by uncontrolled abnormal growth of cells. This growth might start in one organ and might quickly start spreading to other nearby organs. There are various types of cancer and these are generally named after the body organ where this uncontrolled and abnormal growth of cells occurs. So you have breast cancer, ovarian cancer, lung cancer and many other types of cancer. The cancer symptoms might vary based on what organ they affect.
Importance of early detection of cancer symptoms
Since the cancer cells grow at a fast pace, if you are not able to read cancer symptoms early enough, the cancer might become completely incurable. If the cancer symptoms are diagnosed in the early stages (and if the cancer is localised to just one organ), you might actually be able to get a cure for cancer. So, early detection of cancer symptoms is quite important in determining your chances of survival. Moreover, if the cancer symptoms are not recognised quickly and diagnosis sought, cancer can spread to other organs too (which might make it completely incurable). There are instances where early detection of cancer symptoms lead to complete cure too (e.g. early detection of breast cancer symptoms might make it possible to get a complete cure through surgery that involves removal of cancerous cells).
Pro-active detection of cancer symptoms
Cancer symptoms can be detected at a very stage by being proactive e.g. by going for cancer screening tests that help see the cancer symptoms early enough for curative action to be effective. In fact, too much of a delay could lead to curative action being not possible at all. Most hospitals and clinics stack free cancer symptom detection booklets which you can read to increase your awareness about cancer symptoms and cancer in general.
By Karen Lavender and Warren
Cancer is like a curse for mankind and that too a life threatening one. Cancer will continue to be a monster for us until we are able to detect cancer symptoms in a more definitive manner and are able to find a fail-proof cure for it. So, we are faced with two challenges here – the ability to read/recognise cancer symptoms and the ability to treat cancer in a fail-proof manner. To understand cancer symptoms and the importance of early detection in a better way, let’s first start with understanding what cancer actually is.
What is cancer?
Put simply, cancer is a diseased condition of body which is caused by uncontrolled abnormal growth of cells. This growth might start in one organ and might quickly start spreading to other nearby organs. There are various types of cancer and these are generally named after the body organ where this uncontrolled and abnormal growth of cells occurs. So you have breast cancer, ovarian cancer, lung cancer and many other types of cancer. The cancer symptoms might vary based on what organ they affect.
Importance of early detection of cancer symptoms
Since the cancer cells grow at a fast pace, if you are not able to read cancer symptoms early enough, the cancer might become completely incurable. If the cancer symptoms are diagnosed in the early stages (and if the cancer is localised to just one organ), you might actually be able to get a cure for cancer. So, early detection of cancer symptoms is quite important in determining your chances of survival. Moreover, if the cancer symptoms are not recognised quickly and diagnosis sought, cancer can spread to other organs too (which might make it completely incurable). There are instances where early detection of cancer symptoms lead to complete cure too (e.g. early detection of breast cancer symptoms might make it possible to get a complete cure through surgery that involves removal of cancerous cells).
Pro-active detection of cancer symptoms
Cancer symptoms can be detected at a very stage by being proactive e.g. by going for cancer screening tests that help see the cancer symptoms early enough for curative action to be effective. In fact, too much of a delay could lead to curative action being not possible at all. Most hospitals and clinics stack free cancer symptom detection booklets which you can read to increase your awareness about cancer symptoms and cancer in general.
By Karen Lavender and Warren
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
ovarian cancer : Topotecan Not Recommended for Ovarian Cancer
When added to standard first-line chemotherapy treatment for ovarian cancer, the drug topotecan doesn't increase patient survival and is not recommended, a German study says.
A combination of carboplatin and paclitaxil is the current standard treatment for advanced ovarian cancer . While research has shown this treatment is effective and has low toxicity, cancer recurrence and death rates remain high, according to background information in the article.
The study, published in the Aug. 2 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, included 1,308 patients with untreated ovarian cancer. They received paclitaxil and carboplatin, followed by either topotecan or surveillance.
Topotecan did not improve patient survival or survival without cancer recurrence. The study also found topotecan treatment increased the frequency of blood-related toxicities and infections.
The researchers concluded that topotecan should not be used as part of first-line treatment in ovarian cancer patients.
"Carboplatin-paclitaxel remains the standard of care for patients with advanced ovarian cancer," the authors wrote.
by Robert Preidt
A combination of carboplatin and paclitaxil is the current standard treatment for advanced ovarian cancer . While research has shown this treatment is effective and has low toxicity, cancer recurrence and death rates remain high, according to background information in the article.
The study, published in the Aug. 2 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, included 1,308 patients with untreated ovarian cancer. They received paclitaxil and carboplatin, followed by either topotecan or surveillance.
Topotecan did not improve patient survival or survival without cancer recurrence. The study also found topotecan treatment increased the frequency of blood-related toxicities and infections.
The researchers concluded that topotecan should not be used as part of first-line treatment in ovarian cancer patients.
"Carboplatin-paclitaxel remains the standard of care for patients with advanced ovarian cancer," the authors wrote.
by Robert Preidt
Thursday, August 03, 2006
ovarian cancer : High in Fat and Meat Diets
Many have speculated that high diets of fat and/or meat might increase the risks of getting ovarian cancer for women. Yet most dairy and meat associations defend their products and say that there is not comprehensive studies or research that can confirm this, in fact they say that the industries are unnecessarily being condemned for something that is most likely completely false and conjecture at best. Of course they have financial motivation for saying that and so one has to question their sincerity.
When reviewing these claims further we see that they may actually have a point. The World Cancer Research Fund have studied the results of the tests and research and they too have concluded that high intakes of dairy, fats and meat products may not be a risk of ovarian cancer. There have not been enough in depth studies to prove anything either way. More studies are needed to determine if these claims are correct or not.
Milk consumption may not have any increase in the risk of ovarian cancer at all. The studies seem to be too limited and those research papers suggesting such may not be viable. Although others say that commercial interests are clouding the issue and claiming that more data is needed when plenty of data and proof already exists. Yet we know that milk products are important to our diets and help in many nutritional aspects. If nutrition is neglected due to perceived risks in ovarian cancer in women, then such advice can cause other health issues.
It is imperative that all women get with doctors and ask them about ovarian cancer, as it is very difficult to detect in its early stages. If you are a woman it would behoove you to do your own research and learn more about ovarian cancer. Think on this and stay informed.
by Lance Winslow
When reviewing these claims further we see that they may actually have a point. The World Cancer Research Fund have studied the results of the tests and research and they too have concluded that high intakes of dairy, fats and meat products may not be a risk of ovarian cancer. There have not been enough in depth studies to prove anything either way. More studies are needed to determine if these claims are correct or not.
Milk consumption may not have any increase in the risk of ovarian cancer at all. The studies seem to be too limited and those research papers suggesting such may not be viable. Although others say that commercial interests are clouding the issue and claiming that more data is needed when plenty of data and proof already exists. Yet we know that milk products are important to our diets and help in many nutritional aspects. If nutrition is neglected due to perceived risks in ovarian cancer in women, then such advice can cause other health issues.
It is imperative that all women get with doctors and ask them about ovarian cancer, as it is very difficult to detect in its early stages. If you are a woman it would behoove you to do your own research and learn more about ovarian cancer. Think on this and stay informed.
by Lance Winslow
ovarian cancer : Ovarian Cancer & Hysterectomies
A hysterectomy is not often a procedure that needs to be performed urgently, except in the case of ovarian cancer. Therefore, a woman considering the procedure should take time to investigate all her options, including other possible treatments. There are now new treatments for conditions that previously would have required a hysterectomy. Women advised to have a hysterectomy for a non-cancerous condition before being offered more conservative treatments may find it beneficial to seek a second opinion.
Deciding whether to have a hysterectomy can be a difficult and emotional process. By becoming informed about the procedure, women can confidently discuss available options, concerns and wishes with their doctor, and make a decision that is right for them.
If you, too, have been questioning the necessity of a surgery for fibroids, prolapse, incontinence or any "cele" repairs, you will be reassured to know you have every right in doing so. The decision to undergo surgery of any kind is often difficult, so it is often useful to explore other alternatives before moving forward. Women, especially around the time of menopause, are too often advised to have major gynecological surgery for minor conditions that can be significantly improved with natural alternatives
Every 10 minutes, 12 hysterectomies are performed in the United States. That is over 600,000 per year, of which only 10% are due to cancer. This surgery most often does not correct the diagnosed problem and instead results in new afflictions. And, argues Dr. Stanley West, author of The Hysterectomy Hoax, nine out of ten hysterectomies are unnecessary.
We need to ask “How have these surgeries impacted the quality of life for women?" Nowhere in the gynecological literature did the study address the number of women for whom sex had become painful or impossible. Nowhere were there studies to track the number of marriages that failed or were severely compromised as a result of these post-surgical complications or alcoholism or drug addiction resulting from debilitating chronic pain.
Women who have been hysterectomized experience a myriad of negative side effects, including chronic pain and fatigue, depression, and pain during sex. These are only a fraction of the long list of unwanted symptoms reported by women after surgery.
So, if you decide, or have already decided, that surgery is not an option, you are probably asking yourself, "Now what?" I have asked myself this same question. But, I will tell you, there is no quick fix. As women we must understand our bodies to care for them in a positive way.
The more I review this subject the stronger I feel about informing women before they make this important decision. Prevention is the key and hormone balance is the answer.
For the most part those who are encouraged to have their uterus’s removed are likely suffering from estrogen excess which is explained well by Dr. John Lee.
Balancing hormones involves working on a few fronts using simple strategies.
1. Evaluate your hormones using a saliva test – determine what is happening in your body – ask your self the question – are you estrogen dominant? Use a saliva test to find the answer.
2. Optimize your diet by lowering your insulin levels. Over 2/3 of North Americans are overweight. This extra weight increases insulin levels causing estrogen dominance to increase. EAT 40/30/30
3. If the saliva test shows the need, use a natural progesterone cream in the process of rebalancing your hormonal system
4. Exercise to reduce excess estrogen and to eliminate toxins
5. Drink more water
6. Supplement with wisdom using our hormone balancing program of fiber, indoles, efa, multi – fruit & veggi essence, calcium
By Jackie L. Harvey
Deciding whether to have a hysterectomy can be a difficult and emotional process. By becoming informed about the procedure, women can confidently discuss available options, concerns and wishes with their doctor, and make a decision that is right for them.
If you, too, have been questioning the necessity of a surgery for fibroids, prolapse, incontinence or any "cele" repairs, you will be reassured to know you have every right in doing so. The decision to undergo surgery of any kind is often difficult, so it is often useful to explore other alternatives before moving forward. Women, especially around the time of menopause, are too often advised to have major gynecological surgery for minor conditions that can be significantly improved with natural alternatives
Every 10 minutes, 12 hysterectomies are performed in the United States. That is over 600,000 per year, of which only 10% are due to cancer. This surgery most often does not correct the diagnosed problem and instead results in new afflictions. And, argues Dr. Stanley West, author of The Hysterectomy Hoax, nine out of ten hysterectomies are unnecessary.
We need to ask “How have these surgeries impacted the quality of life for women?" Nowhere in the gynecological literature did the study address the number of women for whom sex had become painful or impossible. Nowhere were there studies to track the number of marriages that failed or were severely compromised as a result of these post-surgical complications or alcoholism or drug addiction resulting from debilitating chronic pain.
Women who have been hysterectomized experience a myriad of negative side effects, including chronic pain and fatigue, depression, and pain during sex. These are only a fraction of the long list of unwanted symptoms reported by women after surgery.
So, if you decide, or have already decided, that surgery is not an option, you are probably asking yourself, "Now what?" I have asked myself this same question. But, I will tell you, there is no quick fix. As women we must understand our bodies to care for them in a positive way.
The more I review this subject the stronger I feel about informing women before they make this important decision. Prevention is the key and hormone balance is the answer.
For the most part those who are encouraged to have their uterus’s removed are likely suffering from estrogen excess which is explained well by Dr. John Lee.
Balancing hormones involves working on a few fronts using simple strategies.
1. Evaluate your hormones using a saliva test – determine what is happening in your body – ask your self the question – are you estrogen dominant? Use a saliva test to find the answer.
2. Optimize your diet by lowering your insulin levels. Over 2/3 of North Americans are overweight. This extra weight increases insulin levels causing estrogen dominance to increase. EAT 40/30/30
3. If the saliva test shows the need, use a natural progesterone cream in the process of rebalancing your hormonal system
4. Exercise to reduce excess estrogen and to eliminate toxins
5. Drink more water
6. Supplement with wisdom using our hormone balancing program of fiber, indoles, efa, multi – fruit & veggi essence, calcium
By Jackie L. Harvey
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