How to Quit Smoking
By Stacy Simon Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States. Since the release of the Surgeon General’s Report on Smoking and Health 50 years ago, there have been 20 million deaths due to tobacco. Almost half the deaths from 12 different types of cancer combined – including lung, voice box, throat, esophagus, and bladder cancers – are attributable to cigarette smoking alone. In addition to cancer, smoking greatly increases the risk of debilitating long-term lung diseases like emphysema and chronic bronchitis. It also raises the risk for heart...
Source: American Cancer Society :: News and Features - November 16, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Smoking/Tobacco Source Type: news

An Essential Guide for Cancer Caregivers
The American Cancer Society Complete Guide to Family Caregiving, Second EditionEdited by Julia A. Bucher, Peter S. Houts, and Terri AdesCaring for someone with cancer comes with a unique set of challenges. Caregivers may handle a loved one’s physical needs, medical needs, practical needs, and emotional needs – all while learning on the job. Having a reliable and respected source for help is critical in order for a caregiver to deliver the very best support they can. That’s why the American Cancer Society created The American Cancer Society Complete Guide to Family Caregiving, now in its second edition.Wri...
Source: American Cancer Society :: News and Features - November 15, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Caregiving Source Type: news

CDC: 40% of Cancer Cases in US Might Be Linked to Tobacco
By Stacy Simon New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that 40% of cancers diagnosed in the US may have a link to tobacco use. The report was published in the November 11, 2016 issue of Vital Signs. Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of cancer and cancer deaths. It can cause cancer of the liver, colon and rectum, lung, oral cavity, esophagus, pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box), stomach, pancreas, bladder, kidney, and cervix, and acute myeloid leukemia. According to the CDC, about 660,000 people in the US were diagnosed each year between 2009 and 2013 with a cancer related to toba...
Source: American Cancer Society :: News and Features - November 11, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Smoking/Tobacco Source Type: news

How to Test Your Home for Radon
By Stacy Simon When it comes to reducing your cancer risk, one important step could be right under your nose, or below your feet. Getting your home tested for radon can help protect you and your family from a key cause of lung cancer. Exposure to radon accounts for about 21,000 deaths from lung cancer each year according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). While that is nowhere near the 480,000 deaths a year caused by smoking, it’s still significant. And it’s the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. What is radon? RADON HOTLINES: 1-800-SOS-RADON Purchase radon test kits 1-800-55RADON Li...
Source: American Cancer Society :: News and Features - November 11, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Cancer Risks/Causes Lung Cancer - Non-Small Cell Source Type: news

Junk DNA Research Leads to Lung Cancer Discovery
(Source: American Cancer Society :: News and Features)
Source: American Cancer Society :: News and Features - November 8, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: news

Why Non-smokers Sometimes Get Lung Cancer
By Stacy Simon As many as 20% of the people who die from lung cancer in the United States every year do not smoke or use any other form of tobacco. This translates to about 16,000 to 24,000 Americans every year. In fact, if lung cancer in non-smokers had its own separate category, it would rank among the top 10 fatal cancers in the United States. It’s still true that staying away from tobacco is the most important thing any of us can do to lower our risk of getting lung cancer. But there are also other risk factors. Researchers have made a lot of progress over the past decade in understanding what causes lung cancer ...
Source: American Cancer Society :: News and Features - November 1, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Lung Cancer - Non-Small Cell Prevention/Early Detection Source Type: news

New Website to Help Cancer Survivors Manage Health
By Stacy SimonThe American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute have launched an easy-to-use website to help cancer survivors during and after cancer treatment. Springboard Beyond Cancer provides survivors with online tools to manage side effects from cancer treatment, cope with stress, improve healthy behaviors, communicate better with their health care teams, and ask for support from family and friends.“With Springboard Beyond Cancer, we want to empower cancer survivors by giving them the information they need to help identify issues, set goals, and create a plan to more smoothly navigate the cancer jou...
Source: American Cancer Society :: News and Features - October 26, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Coping with Cancer Source Type: news

Exercise Can Improve Breast Cancer Survivors’ Quality of Life
By Stacy Simon Exercise is not only safe and possible during and after breast cancer treatment, but it also can reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. Despite these benefits, a lot of women don't get any regular physical activity beyond their usual daily activities. Studies of breast cancer survivors have shown that regular exercise significantly improves physical functioning and reduces fatigue. Certain kinds of exercise appear to help breast cancer survivors at high risk for arm, breast and chest swelling (lymphedema) avoid the condition. And some types of exercise can improve symptoms for those who already ha...
Source: American Cancer Society :: News and Features - October 26, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Breast Cancer Coping with Cancer Diet/Exercise/Weight Source Type: news

CDC: Younger Patients Can Get Just 2 Doses of HPV Vaccine
By Stacy SimonThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revised its recommendation for the HPV vaccination for ages 9 through 14. Children in that age group can now get just 2 shots instead of 3. The shots can be given at least 6 months apart. The CDC continues to recommend that most children get the vaccine at age 11 or 12.Debbie Saslow, PhD, senior director, HPV Related and Women’s Cancers at the American Cancer Society, said the new recommendation will make it easier for people to get protection from HPV. “It’s a burden on parents to get teenagers to the provider’s office. The new ...
Source: American Cancer Society :: News and Features - October 20, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Cervical Cancer Prevention/Early Detection Source Type: news

FDA Approves Lartruvo for Soft Tissue Sarcoma
By Stacy SimonThe US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Lartruvo (olaratumab) for advanced soft tissue sarcoma. It’s for people with the disease who are not good candidates for radiation or surgery. The new drug is to be used in combination with the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin.Soft tissue sarcomas are cancers that develop in muscles, fat, tendons, or other soft tissues anywhere in the body. There are not many treatment options available for this type of cancer; therefore, a new drug approval is a significant development.Lartruvo is a monoclonal antibody, which is a manmade version of an immune system p...
Source: American Cancer Society :: News and Features - October 20, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Sarcoma - Adult Soft Tissue Cancer Source Type: news

Simple Answers to Breast Cancer Questions for the Newly Diagnosed
Breast Cancer Clear & Simple, Second Edition: All Your Questions AnsweredFrom the Experts at the American Cancer SocietyEven though advancements in screening and treatment are making a difference in the fight against breast cancer, 246,660 women in the United States are expected to be diagnosed with the disease this year. For those who must face breast cancer, having a trusted, easy-to-read source for answers can be an invaluable way to feel more informed, more in control, and more prepared as they move forward with life and with treatment. The book Breast Cancer Clear & Simple, Second Edition, is designed to be ju...
Source: American Cancer Society :: News and Features - October 11, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Breast Cancer Source Type: news

NFL Helps American Cancer Society Fight Breast Cancer
Professional football and the color pink go together during October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Each October, the National Football League joins the American Cancer Society to raise awareness about the importance of regular breast exams and to raise money to help fight breast cancer. Since 2009, the American Cancer Society has partnered with the NFL, its franchise clubs, players, and the NFL Players Association on “A Crucial Catch,” a breast cancer awareness initiative that conveys an important public health message promoting early detection and the importance of breast cancer screening, and addres...
Source: American Cancer Society :: News and Features - October 4, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Breast Cancer Source Type: news

Cut Down on Sugar This Halloween
By Stacy SimonFor the past 30 years, Americans have been sweetening their diets with more and more sugar. These days, we each consume an average 20 teaspoons of sugar a day – most of it from soda and other soft drinks, candy, desserts, and sweetened dairy products – according to the American Heart Association (AHA).The AHA recommends no more than 5 teaspoons of sugar a day for women and 9 for men on average. Children under age 2 should have no food or drinks sweetened with sugar. Children and teens up to 18 should be limited to 6 teaspoons of added sugars per day and limited to no more than 8 ounces per week of...
Source: American Cancer Society :: News and Features - October 4, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Diet/Exercise/Weight Source Type: news

New ACS Cookbook Offers Tasty, Good-For-You Recipes
With 120 all-new recipes including Mini Twice-Baked Potatoes, Chicken Paillard with Arugula and Fennel, and Corn, Avocado, and Tomato Salad, The New Healthy Eating Cookbook, Fourth Edition can help home cooks and their families eat better without sacrificing flavor or taste. The recipes were reviewed by the American Cancer Society’s medical and nutrition experts and emphasize fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. The New Healthy Eating Cookbook also includes tips on portion control, meal planning, healthy snacking, and reading nutrition labels. “Good health starts with good nutrition, and...
Source: American Cancer Society :: News and Features - October 3, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Diet/Exercise/Weight Source Type: news

Five Ways to Reduce Your Breast Cancer Risk
By Stacy Simon While you can’t change some breast cancer risk factors—family history and aging, for example—there are some risk factors that you can control. And while there is no sure way to prevent breast cancer, there are things you can do that may lower your risk. Here are 5 ways to help protect your breast health. 1. Watch your weight. Being overweight or obese increases breast cancer risk. This is especially true after menopause and for women who gain weight as adults. After menopause, most of your estrogen comes from fat tissue. Having more fat tissue can increase your chance of getting breast canc...
Source: American Cancer Society :: News and Features - October 3, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Breast Cancer Diet/Exercise/Weight Source Type: news