Treatments

A personal story related to PSA tests…

Yesterday I posted information offering a warning about PSA test results being misread or taken to a needless treatment for cancer of the prostate. The story I’ve linked to below is a personal experience relating the value of the PSA tests, and shows a very positive example of how to properly use test results to make an informed decision. A single PSA test with high results has, in some cases, been used to decide to take actions that may or may not have been beneficial to the patient, but in this case, a series of tests led to a biopsy and proper diagnosis and treatment of a developing cancer.  The important message here is to be properly and fully informed before making those choices! Follow the example of the author of this article, and you are likely to make the right choices for the right reasons.

From Medical News Today: Read the full article.

Cholesterol control in Brain Cancer and Viruses that kill Breast Cancer…

There’s been an increasing number of articles showing up from studies that are being published around the world related to both of these topics, and both are quite exciting. Treatment of any form of cancer first requires an understanding of how it forms, grows and thrives in the body. Then, and only then, are researchers able to consider ways to stop the growth and perhaps even destroy the cancerous cells, while hopefully leaving healthy ones alone. Current treatments are – as we’ve said in earlier posts – destructive to more than just cancer cells, and as a result cause long terms issues with reduced immune system function, lowered platelet production for clotting, and much more.

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Future Treatments to Target Cancer Cells…

More and more we are seeing new research leading to a range of different ‘targeted’ strategies for Cancer treatment. Another article published this past week (Protein Switches) tells of a research team working on this type of treatment in the US.  In essence they are creating a chemical ‘switch’ right within cells that are also infused with a dormant chemotherapy drug. When these switches detect cancerous activity within a cell, the drug is activated and destroys the now dangerous cell but has no effect on neighboring cells. Current chemotherapy drugs are not able to discriminate and can cause extensive damage to cells around the affected area, and have numerous side effects.  These new methods of delivering targeted treatment will leave healthy cells alone and reduce the long term after effects of treatment. Look for more news as testing continues into 2012, with hopes of animal testing possibly coming within the next year!

In memory of a great Canadian…

Today, Canada lost a great man.  A solid Leader.  A prominent figure.  And a man that saw a future that took the rest of us nearly eight years to see as he did.  But we started to see it through his eyes, as demonstrated by the fact that Jack Layton led the NDP all the way to be, for the first time, the official Opposition Party in Canada.

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