CDC: Current Swine Flu Recommendations

The Centers for Disease Control have issued Interim Guidance for reducing the impact of swine influenza A (H1N1).

While they are not recommending now that large community gatherings be cancelled, they do say:

Persons with underlying medical conditions who are at high risk for complications of influenza may wish to consider avoiding large gatherings.

In addition, they strongly recommend that people who have symptoms of influenza-type illness, including coughing or sore throat, contact their doctor first before going to a medical office or hospital.  Talk to your oncologist about how to manage your treatment and what symptoms to report during this time of heightened risk for infection. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on April 29th, 2009
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Tags: CDC, influenza, swine flu

Longtime Senator Switches Sides

Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA)

Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA), Cancer Survivor and Ranking Member on the Senate Appropriations Committee, has decided to leave the Republican Party and run in the 2010 Democratic primary. You can read the Senator’s statement below.

April 28, 2009

Statement by Senator Arlen Specter

I have been a Republican since 1966. I have been working extremely hard for the Party, for its candidates and for the ideals of a Republican Party whose tent is big enough to welcome diverse points of view. While I have been comfortable being a Republican, my Party has not defined who I am. I have taken each issue one at a time and have exercised independent judgment to do what I thought was best for Pennsylvania and the nation. Continue reading…

Posted by Joe Arite on April 28th, 2009
Posted in: Policy & Advocacy News | 2 Comments »
Tags: Appropriations, Senate, Specter

FDA Warns: Don’t Eat Raw Alfalfa Sprouts

The Food and Drug Administration recommends that consumers not eat raw alfalfa sprouts or combinations of sprouts that include alfalfa due to potential contamination with Salmonella Saintpaul.

The Centers for Disease Control, working with the FDA and state health departments, have identified 31 cases of illness traced to alfalfa sprouts in six different states since mid-March.  All either ate sprouts in a restaurant or bought them in retail stores.

Because the outbreak is widespread, the FDA suspects the problem may be in the seeds used for sprouting and how they are handled. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on April 28th, 2009
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Tags: alfalfa sprouts, FDA, salmonella

News Update: Avastin Did Not Improve Efficacy of FOLFOX in the Adjuvant Setting

A news release from last Wednesday stated that the clinical trial of NSABP C-08 was negative.

This was the clinical trial testing whether the addition of Avastin to FOLFOX would increase efficacy in reducing recurrence for patients with stage II and III colon cancer.  FOLFOX was given over 6 months compared to FOLFOX in combination with Avastin for 6 months, followed by additional 6 months of Avastin. There was a great hope that this anti-VEGF therapy would further decrease tumor recurrence. Continue reading…

Posted by Heinz-Josef Lenz, MD on April 28th, 2009
Posted in: From the Desk of Dr. Lenz | 11 Comments »
Tags: Avastin, C-08, personalized medicine, Treating Colorectal Cancer

Strides for Life Cocktail Party and Auction

Dylan Cappel

The Strides for Life Colon Cancer Foundation is planning their Sixth Annual Cocktail Party and Silent Auction on Friday, May 8, 2009 from 7 pm to 11 pm at the Kohl Mansion in Burlingame, CA.

Dancing will feature Martini Straight Up.

Funds raised during the evening support the Bottoms Up Colonoscopy Program which provides colonoscopy screening, follow-up, and colon cancer treatment for uninsured people in the San Francisco Bay area. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on April 25th, 2009
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | 1 Comment »
Tags: free colonoscopies, Strides for Life