Age is the biggest single risk factor for cancer. Risk increases significantly after age 50, and half of all cancers occur at age 66 and above. According to the National Cancer Institute, one quarter of new cancer diagnoses are in people aged 65 to 74. The median age of diagnosis varies in different cancer types … Read more
Scientific evidence that vitamin D can help lower the risk of cancer development, as well as the risk of metastasis or recurrence, has been mixed. But several new studies point toward such a connection for certain cancers. Numerous population-tracking studies over the years have shown that higher intake or blood levels of vitamin D are … Read more
Information about cancer risk can help you make informed decisions about screening and prevention strategies. As we recognize National Men’s Health Week, learn about the most common cancers in men in the United States and the options for prevention and treatment. 1. Prostate cancer There will be an estimated 180,890 new cases in the U.S. in … Read more
The nail gels and polishes used in manicures aren’t cancer-causing. But there is concern that some some devices that use ultraviolet light to help polishes and gels dry faster could pose a small risk for skin cancer. The primary kind of ultraviolet radiation emitted by some nail dryers – UVA – is the same type … Read more
Stress is generally defined as a condition in which the body or mind is placed under strain or tension. Stress is a normal part of life: In fact, studies show it to be a necessary part of life, prompting us to adapt and become more resilient. But if it becomes excessive, stress can have adverse … Read more
This much is known: A sedentary lifestyle raises the risk of cancer, while physical activity – even moderate exercise – can reduce the risk not only of developing cancer but having a recurrence following treatment. What’s not so clear is exactly why. “It’s still a little unknown,” says Jeffrey Meyerhardt, MD, MPH, co-director of Dana-Farber’s … Read more
With an estimated 8,500 new cases of skin cancer diagnosed in the U.S. every day, it is important that you not only protect yourself from the sun’s UV rays, but also regularly check your skin for anything out of the ordinary. While freckles and moles are often harmless, it is important to perform regular self-exams … Read more
Each year, more than 48,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with oral or oropharyngeal cancer, which occurs in the oral cavity – lips and cheeks, gums, tongue, floor or roof of the mouth – and the oropharynx, referring to the back of the mouth, the tonsils, and the base of the tongue. While … Read more
Often associated with professional athletes, smokeless or chewing tobacco is a major risk factor for several cancers, including oral, esophageal, and pancreatic cancer. While “chew” and “snuff” won’t be making their way to ballparks in Boston this baseball season, thanks to a citywide ban at all professional and amateur sporting venues, the habit is addictive … Read more
If you type “detox and cancer” into an Internet search engine, you’ll get an avalanche of websites, articles, products, patient testimonials, and practitioners claiming that cancer can be prevented or even cured by diets or “cleanses” that rid the body of “toxins.” Are these approaches safe? Are they effective? It’s not necessarily as straightforward as … Read more
Testing is a key part of a medical diagnosis, including cancer. Different kinds of tests and screenings are used to diagnose cancer and monitor it as a patient is treated. Test results can have two different outcomes: positive or negative. A positive test result indicates the condition being looked for is or may be present, … Read more
This blog post was originally published on the Cancer Research UK science blog. It is reposted here with minor edits. In a cabinet in London’s British Museum nestles a 5,300 year-old wedged-shaped tablet called a cuneiform. On its surface is scrawled one of the earliest forms of written language in the world. And it’s a … Read more
If you’re a woman age 21 to 65, you probably know that getting a Pap test is a part of routine health screenings. The test, usually taken every three years, is used to detect changes in the cells of the cervix that could lead to cervical cancer. But what does it mean when a Pap … Read more
In its Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer, the National Cancer Institute reported that between 2002-2011, colorectal cancer and lung cancer rates dropped among men and women in the United States. Despite these gains, statistics showed higher rates of both thyroid cancer and liver cancer. The increases for these diseases could … Read more
This blog post was originally published on the Cancer Research UK science blog. It’s reposted here with minor edits. ‘Love handles’, ‘muffin top’, ‘beer belly’, ‘extra padding’, ‘cuddly bits’, ‘winter insulation’… We all have names for the squishy bits we keep meaning to lose – but apart from not fitting into our favorite jeans, carrying … Read more
A mammogram is the most effective test for detecting early breast cancer. It is a special X-ray of the breast that can reveal tumors that are often too small to be felt or noticed on a physical examination. It can also show other changes in the breast that doctors believe may suggest breast cancer. Having … Read more
Swollen lymph nodes are usually a sign of infection by bacteria or viruses. In a small percentage of cases, though, the swelling can be caused by cancer. Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped tissues that act as filters for lymph. Lymph is a clear fluid that seeps out of the smallest branches of blood vessels and … Read more
By Edward J. Benz, Jr., MD, president and CEO, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Yesterday, the Boston Board of Health approved a policy raising the minimum age for buying tobacco from 18 to 21. This is great news. As a former smoker, I know how easy it was to pick up the habit at age 18. I … Read more
Since professional cyclist Lance Armstrong was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1996, many men have wondered about the connection between cycling and testicular cancer, as well as prostate cancer. While a number of studies have looked into a link between the sport and cancer, the findings to date are inconclusive, says Mark Pomerantz, MD. “This … Read more
Moles are benign growths on the skin that sometimes become cancerous. But what exactly is the connection between moles and melanoma, the most aggressive skin cancer? While it’s true that people with many moles should be screened more frequently by a dermatologist, scientists are learning that the mole-melanoma connection isn’t so straightforward. For example, a … Read more