A new study estimates the lifetime risks for colorectal and endometrial cancer in people with a genetic mutation for Lynch syndrome. The analysis was controlled to avoid bias and overestimating risk.

Even after adjusting for possible bias, lifetime risks for both cancers was high and the need for special surveillance was critical. Read the rest of this entry »

In research this week Japanese surgeons report very good outcomes when lung tumors from colorectal cancer tumors can be completely removed, colonoscopies done in the morning find more polyps, and high levels of vitamin D in the blood predict better survival after colorectal cancer diagnosis.

US life expectancy reached a record high in 2007 according to the CDC.   A veteran treated at the Miami VA Health Center is suing the US government because of HIV infection allegedly contracted during a colonoscopy. Read the rest of this entry »

Regular phone calls from specially trained nurses improved quality of life and reduced depression in rural patients with advanced cancer. However, the calls didn’t reduce cancer symptoms or time in the hospital.

While patients in the telephone based-palliative care program did live slightly longer than patients who received regular care, the difference wasn’t significant. Read the rest of this entry »

In an effort to broaden and clarify access by individual patients to experimental medicines that have not yet obtained FDA approval or haven’t been approved for a new use, the Food and Drug Administration issued two new rules on August 12, 2009.

• The Expanded Access rule establishes how seriously ill individual patients or groups of patients can obtain investigational medicines while at the same time preserving the clinical trials process.
• The Charging rule clarifies when a manufacturer of an investigational drug may charge for it and what costs can be recovered in those charges.

In addition, the FDA established a website for consumers to explain access to investigational drugs through clinical trials or through the expanded access process. Read the rest of this entry »

The Liver Symposium

The Liver Symposium: Embracing Excellence in the Treatment of Hepatic Tumors will be held at the Denver Marriott Tech Center on Saturday, August 22, 2009 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Directed at both health professionals and patients, the Liver Symposium is unique in combining information about liver tumors from medical experts and cancer survivors. Read the rest of this entry »