Cervical cancer is caused by a virus called HPV (human papilloma virus) that is spread through sexual contact. For many people, the virus is cleared by the immune system. But if it isn’t, it can develop into cancer. The virus can be detected through HPV screening that inspects a sample of cervical tissue for the … Read more
To help reduce the risk of cancer, the American Cancer Society recommends at least 150 minutes a week of exercise or activity — a 30 minute walk each weekday, for instance — plus some strength training twice a week for good physical health. But researchers at Dana-Farber and other cancer centers are exploring the possibility … Read more
Bispecific antibody therapies are a type of immunotherapy for patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. These therapies provide a valuable new option for patients. There are many standard therapies that are monoclonal antibodies. These therapies treat cancer by binding to a marker on cancer cells and rallying the immune system to destroy them. Bispecific antibodies are … Read more
Dana-Farber researchers have found that a transcription factor called SOX17 gives colon cancer a safe space to develop.
Lung cancer is on the rise in young people, particularly those who are assigned female at birth (AFAB).
If you have received a positive result from a GRAIL Galleri test, which is a multi-cancer early detection (MCED) blood test, you need further testing to determine if you have cancer. If you have a positive GRAIL test, that means the test has found a signal that is associated with cancer and requires investigation. Other … Read more
You might have heard the buzz about ultraprocessed foods being unhealthy. But what are they, exactly? And are they really all that bad? A lot of familiar and, frankly, favorite foods fall into the ultraprocessed food category, so it’s good to get the facts about the risks and expert tips for making your shopping cart … Read more
A melanoma therapeutic vaccine is a type of personalized cancer vaccine that is intended to train the immune system to fight cancer cells in a way that lasts many years. These novel vaccines are personally tailored to recognize the mutations present in an individual’s tumor cells. They are different from vaccines for infectious diseases, which … Read more
Over the past 30 years, outcomes have improved dramatically for women with breast cancer. There are many new treatments, including hormone therapies and CDK4/6 inhibitors. In contrast, there has been no improvement in the outcomes for men with breast cancer. And current guidelines don’t support the use of newer therapies in men. “If we do … Read more
If you’ve seen the original Star Wars movie, you might wonder if the iconic Tie fighter was modeled after the strikingly similar looking Gabija protein complex, a bacterial defense system. From the right angle, they appear to share the same distinctive shape: a deadly center protected by two wings. They also share a purpose: defend … Read more
An ovarian cyst is not the same as ovarian cancer. Benign ovarian cysts are extremely common, while ovarian cancer is rare. They do share symptoms, such as abdominal bloating, pressure, pain, or swelling. A gynecologist can help you determine if you have a benign ovarian cyst and if you need treatment. Many cysts go away … Read more
Inflammation is normal. It’s an essential process our bodies use to fight infections and heal wounds. But inflammation that persists can be harmful, and in some cases can increase the risk of cancer.
The same way you can predict whether a family is away, getting ready for work, or cooking dinner by observing which lights are on in the house, scientists can gaze into a cell and predict its state based on which genes are on or off. Normal liver cells, for instance, have a predictable and recognizable … Read more
Investigators who run investigator-initiated trials (IITs) have two essential qualities. One is curiosity, which keeps them alert, aware of discoveries, and able to make connections that lead to new treatment ideas. The second is determination. “The burden of responsibility for what is typically a many-year-long study falls on that one investigator,” says Ursula Matulonis, MD, … Read more
A frequent component of treatment for breast cancer is surgery to remove the cancer. While mastectomy was more common in decades past, experts at Dana-Farber want you to know that science and treatment have advanced. Improved screening, early diagnosis, and advances in medicine are enabling many more patients to have the option of breast-conserving surgery, … Read more
Laura Orfanedes was worried that she was going to end up with breast cancer. No one in her family had it, and yet she could not shake the feeling. So she took action. She went in for her first mammogram at age 40. In December 2009, at age 43, her annual scan showed an area … Read more
In 2013, Camille Molloy had just returned from her annual winter trip to Marco Island, in Florida. She and her husband of 57 years, Pete, were carrying their luggage up the stairs, and she tripped. A few weeks later, Molloy was still struggling to walk, so she went in for an X-ray. The image inadvertently … Read more
Colon and rectal cancer combined are the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancers. Eighty percent of patients are diagnosed at a stage of disease when treatment is given with curative-intent. However, treatment can have both short- and long-term side effects that may impact quality of life. To address these concerns, investigators at Dana-Farber have led clinical … Read more
As a cancer imaging fellow at Dana-Farber, Michael Rosenthal, MD, PhD, spent about two years working on a radiologist’s version of paint-by-number. Together with his colleagues, he annotated 687 computed tomography (CT) scans, manually differentiating skeletal muscle from fat tissue by labelling them with different colors. The work was part of a 2018 project to … Read more
A new fad has emerged: the full-body MRI scan. The interest in this high-tech health diagnostic comes from the notion that the scan can catch health issues, including cancer, early. With a price tag of $2,000 to $2,500, they aren’t an option for many people, and they are not covered by health insurance. But are … Read more