Got an itch that just won’t go away? Also known as pruritus (proo-rai-tuhs), itchy skin can have a wide variety of causes, including seasonal allergies and dry skin; various skin conditions, such as eczema; and even certain detergents and lotions. The good news is that itchy skin is typically not a sign of cancer. This … Read more
As of 2019, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in men and women in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society — but survival after diagnosis has been gradually increasing in the past decade due to advances in treatment. However, since 1994, cases of young onset colorectal cancer have increased … Read more
Medically reviewed by Stacy Kennedy, MPH, RD/LDN, CSO While there is limited scientific evidence demonstrating that eating organic food can decrease cancer risk, what is the evidence regarding its counterpart, GMOs? For now, there is insufficient evidence to conclude that consuming GMOs can increase your cancer risk. What are GMOs? GMO stands for genetically modified organism; … Read more
Medically reviewed by Kevin Elias, MD Today, cervical cancer is the only type of gynecologic cancer for which there is a routine screening test. The lack of such tests for endometrial and ovarian cancer — the most common gynecologic cancers — makes it especially important that women and their doctors be attuned to the symptoms … Read more
At the start of 2016, Amy Ennis was poised to take on the world. She was working as a project manager for Massachusetts’ biggest healthcare provider; she and her husband, Rich, had also recently celebrated their daughter Blakely’s first birthday. So, when Ennis went to the hospital for stomach pains and intense nausea in … Read more
Medically reviewed by Jeffrey A. Meyerhardt, MD, MPH Colorectal cancer forms in the tissues of the colon or rectum, which make up the large intestine. The colon and rectum are part of the body’s digestive system, which is made up of the esophagus, stomach, and the small and large intestines. The first six feet of … Read more
Immunotherapy drugs can be more effective against cancer when combined with other therapies, such as radiation therapy, targeted drugs, or other immunotherapy agents. Clinical trials that are currently underway are testing such combinations in a variety of cancers. It might seem that immunotherapy and chemotherapy make an unpromising pair. Chemotherapy, after all, is known to … Read more
Krista Lawrence likes to joke with her two adult children that they don’t need to get married and have their own kids just because she has metastatic breast cancer. In fact, thanks to her excellent response to a clinical trial at the Susan F. Smith Center for Women’s Cancers at Dana-Farber, Lawrence is enjoying each … Read more
Pancreatic cancer is notorious for being difficult to treat — and it is often not detected until it advances beyond the pancreas. While smoking and obesity are two established risk factors that impact this disease, another risk factor can be mutations in the BRCA2 gene, also associated with breast and ovarian cancer. Research studies have … Read more
Palliative care is a type of medicine that is often misunderstood. Because hospice care is a well-known subset of palliative care, many people think that the two are one in the same, and therefore should seek palliative care only if their cancer is terminal. Despite this stigma, patients at all stages of cancer treatment can … Read more
Through his cutting-edge research, oncologist Brian Wolpin, MD, MPH, is striving to broaden the treatment options available for patients with pancreatic cancer.
Support groups offer patients the opportunity to share their stories and the emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis among a group of people who can relate. So how do you find the one that’s right for you?
Targeted therapies take aim at the specific genetic changes and the proteins within cancer cells that drive their chaotic growth.
A diet high in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, along with exercise and maintaining a healthy body weight can improve the five-year survival rate for patients with stage III colorectal cancer, according to a new report from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers.
One doctor had initially forecast that Acra Samuels had no more than six months to live. Targeted treatment through Dana-Farber has almost certainly extended her life significantly.
Genetic testing provided a father and son with a proper diagnosis for their rare colon condition.
Colon and rectal cancers, which usually arise in the form of growths called polyps, affect the gastrointestinal tract.
Research shows that consuming nuts reduces the risk of colon cancer recurrence and death, but scientists are still examining why.
Gut microbes perform a variety of functions that are essential to health — and the relationship between gut microbes and cancer is just beginning to be explored scientifically.
There are a number of steps people can take to reduce their risk of colon cancer, including screening and adjustments in diet and lifestyle.