On the surface, it might appear that Meghan McLyman and Jay Wood don’t have much in common. McLyman is a mother and professor who teaches dance, and Wood is a stay-at-home father and former architect. They came to Dana-Farber for different reasons — McLyman had breast cancer and Wood was diagnosed with prostate cancer — … Read more
New approaches to treatment are improving outcomes for patients with aggressive prostate cancer, which is prostate cancer that has spread or is at higher risk of spreading. In addition, new tests are helping guide treatment choices as more treatment options become available. Therapies used to treat aggressive prostate cancer include chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and newer … Read more
From vibrantly frosted cupcakes to fruity cereal and rainbow bagels, synthetic dyes are often found in a variety of foods. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows the use of seven synthetic dyes to impart color on food, but many are being phased out amid growing public concern about whether synthetic food dyes (also … Read more
Nicotine pouches—small packets of nicotine powder placed between the gums and lips—are tobacco-free, but are they truly safer than cigarettes, vapes, chewing tobacco, and other nicotine products? A product with historic roots The practice of soaking tobacco leaves in water and pressing them between the gums and lips because popular among Swedish aristocracy in 1637 … Read more
Clinical trials assess the safety and efficacy of new cancer drugs or drug combinations. The data and learnings these studies collect help regulators determine if the treatments should be approved and made broadly available to patients. Clinical researchers conduct clinical trials at cancer institutes, medical centers, clinics, and hospitals worldwide, all under strict guidelines. Many … Read more
The group of oils known as seed oils has recently come under scrutiny in various online communities. Pointing to the processing they undergo and their fatty acid make-up, some people oppose the use of these oils—which include peanut oil, sesame seed oil, canola oil, soybean oil, and others—claiming that they are unhealthy. The truth, however, … Read more
Dana-Farber strongly encourages patients to get vaccinated for COVID-19 to protect themselves from serious infection of the virus. Family members, caregivers, and frequent household contacts also should also stay up to date with vaccinations to protect those around them. COVID-19 vaccines have been given to millions of people and have proven safe and effective at … Read more
Flu season starts in the fall and ends in the spring – and people with chronic health conditions, such as cancer, are at a higher risk of getting the flu.
Just like genetic and lifestyle factors, the composition of breasts can affect a person’s risk of developing breast cancer in their lifetime. Although it’s not yet known why, people with dense breasts have a higher risk for breast cancer. Breast density is a measure of how much glandular and fibrous tissue there is in the … Read more
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men. When found early, before it has spread, patients can do extremely well. However, prostate cancer risks vary due to genetics, health care access, socioeconomics, and environmental exposures. Some groups have higher risks and worse outcomes. For example: The best way to improve your chances of … Read more
When Sandra Noack returned home from a visit to Bogota, Colombia, to visit her family, there was a letter waiting for her. It was a leaflet sent via the Massachusetts Department of Public Health describing a clinical trial at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for Latina and Hispanic breast cancer survivors. The trial didn’t involve any medicine. … 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
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
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.
With the season of sniffles and sneezes upon us, it’s integral to ensure your immune system is shored up. The immune system is a complicated mechanism that defends you from bacteria and viruses, and it’s especially important for many people undergoing treatment for cancer. Many chemotherapies damage the immune system as they attack all fast-growing … Read more
A growing body of research points to a connection between alcohol consumption and elevated cancer risk. Studies from the American Institute for Cancer Research have found that having even less than one drink a day, of any kind of alcohol, increases the risk of several types of cancer, including breast, colorectal, esophageal, liver, stomach, mouth, … Read more
In the culinary world, cooking oils like olive, avocado, vegetable, and canola, are indispensable. But amid the frying, sautéing, and dressing, whispers of concern have arisen regarding the potential link between cooking oils and cancer. There is ongoing research into the relationship between cooking oils and cancer, as well as the chemical reactions created during … Read more
Breast cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer and affects almost 300,000 women in the United States every year. The good news is that with early detection, the chances of successful treatment are higher. This is why breast cancer screening — which uses tests and imaging to detect cancer in people without … Read more
Alongside gasoline engine exhaust and radiofrequency waves from cell phones, aspartame, the sweetener found in diet sodas and many sugar-free foods, is now categorized as “possibly carcinogenic.” The decision, made by the World Health Organization (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), has gotten a lot of attention. We spoke with Timothy R. Rebbeck, … Read more
Over the past three decades, the number of cancer survivors has increased. That trend is expected to continue. The numbers indicate progress in the treatment of cancer, but they also underscore the importance of quality of life after cancer. “We want people to lead healthy, productive, enjoyable lives, and mobility is such an important piece … Read more