Radiation treatment increases cancer fatigue

While a majority of cancer patients are already fatigued before they ever begin radiation therapy, almost all will have experienced it by the end of treatment.

Researchers at the University of Rochester had 370 radiotherapy patients fill out of a symptom inventory at the beginning of their radiation treatment and each week during therapy. Before therapy began 57% were fatigued. By the end of the third week, 76% were expressing fatigue. By the end of treatment 78% said that they were fatigued. Only 13% never experienced any fatigue at any point.

Of those 160 patients who were not fatigued at the beginning of treatment, 70% developed it during radiotherapy.

Prostate cancer patients reported the least severe fatigue while the most severe was experienced by patients with lung, gastrointestinal, and head and neck cancers. Age, sex, or radiation dose was not signficantly related to how severe fatigue was.

Jane Hickock M.D. and her team, in reporting their results in the October 15, 2005 issue of *Cancer* (Volume 104, Issue 8 , Pages 1772 - 1778), concluded:

Fatigue was a common adverse effect of RT for cancer, reported by more than three-fourths of patients by the third to fifth weeks of treatment. Cancer diagnosis was the only factor found to be significantly related to variation in fatigue severity. Additional studies should be devised to identify other underlying causes of RT-related fatigue

[Read the study abstract in *Cancer*.](http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/111081990/ABSTRACT)

Posted by Kate Murphy on October 6th, 2005
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »

FDA issues E.coli warning on Dole pre-packaged salads

The FDA has warned consumers of the potential of E.coli illness from the use of certain brands and “use-by” dates of Dole pre-packaged salads. The nationwide health alert is based on an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 in Minnesota.

Since people undergoing chemotherapy are at increased risk for any infection and those who have been treated for rectal or colon cancer may also experience increased diarrhea, colorectal cancer patients and their families should be particularly careful to check the brands and “use-by” dates for any pre-packaged salads. Although these salads should no longer be on store shelves, consumers may still have them in their refrigerators.

The alert covers the following products:

+ Classic Romaine - with a “best-if-used-by (BIUB)” date of September 23, 2005 and a production code beginning with “B250.”
+ American Blend - with a “best-if-used-by (BIUB)” date of September 23, 2005 and a production code beginning with “B250.”
+ Greener Selection - with a “best-if-used-by (BIUB)” date of September 22, 2005, and a production code beginning with “B250.”

The FDA warns consumers not to eat or serve salads from these batches. The “best used if” code date is located in the upper right-hand corner of the front of the bag. At this time the FDA does not believe that other DOLE products are affected, and they say that the DOLE company is working cooperatively with them and has recalled alll potentially dangerous salads.

The FDA believes that this warning is an urgent one because:

E. coli O157:H7 infection often causes severe bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps; sometimes the infection causes non-bloody diarrhea or no symptoms. Usually little or no fever is present, and the illness resolves in five to ten days. Although most healthy adults can recover completely within a week, in some persons, particularly children under five years of age and the elderly, the infection can also cause a complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition can lead to serious kidney damage and even death.

The FDA recommends anyone who experienced any of these symptoms after eating pre-packaged salad contact their physician or their local health department.

Although these lettuces are washed prior to packaging, high risk individuals, especially those who might become dehydrated from diarrhea, should wash them again at home and keep them refrigerated.

“Lettuce is washed before it’s sold, but our research has shown the risks of food-borne illness can be greatly reduced by washing it again at home,” said Joe Frank, a food microbiologist with the University of Georgia Center for Food Safety in Griffin, Ga.

Frank found that E.coli clings to the “stomata” or tiny breathing holes in lettuce leaves. He also found increased levels of E. coli on the cut edges of lettuce and in bruised areas.

Although washing with a chlorine solution destroys E. coli on cut surfaces of lettuces, the scientists at the University of Georgia do not recommend this at home. Washing will reduce, but not eliminate risk of disease.

Not all strains of E. coli cause disease. In fact, the organism is part of the helpful bacteria in the healthy human intestinal tract. However, dangerous strains such as the E. coli O157:H7 found in the Minnesota outbreak can cause severe illness in people who are already battling other disease.

[FDA Nationalwide Health Alert](http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/news/2005/new01239.html)

[Recommendations from the Center for Food Safety at the University of Georgia](http://www.griffin.peachnet.edu/cfs/hottopics/lettuce.html)

Posted by Kate Murphy on October 6th, 2005
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »

Move research out of the labs and into people!

The process of developing cancer treatments, diagnostics and interventions can easily take 15 years or more:

* Ideas turn into lab experiments
* Lab experiments are moved to animals
* … and then to early research with people
* Good results mean large late-phase trials with large numbers of participants

The jump from lab experiments to large clinical trials is called TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH –and without translational research, promising ideas may be stuck in labs and test tubes instead of moving to patients.

NCI’s SPORE program [Specialized Programs of Research Excellence](http://spores.nci.nih.gov/index.html) funds translational research. SPORE research has resulted in 210 clinical interventions for patients in the last 13 years, a remarkable record.

The SPORE program is being reviewed by NCI, and significant changes are proposed. There is concern about the changes in many quarters, [including Congress](http://www.c-three.org/pdf/lettertohhs.pdf) and [SPORE advocates](http://www.sporeadvocates.net/content/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=78&Itemid=2).

C3 urges NCI to be sure that changes are made thoughtfully in the context of scientific merit. [You can send the same message by asking your Congressional member to sign onto the Shaw-Harman letter before October 9. Click here to take action!](http://www.kintera.org/siteapps/advocacy/index.aspx?c=cgKJLROyEpH&b=437949)

Posted by Nancy Roach on October 6th, 2005
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »

Even With Changes, NCI Always Moving Forward

The Director’s Update in the October 4, 2005 edition of the NCI Cancer Bulletin highlights some of the leadership changes at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and how these changes will help NCI maintain its forward progress toward the 2015 goal to eliminate the suffering and death due to cancer by the year 2015.

NCI Director Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach started the article by stating:

>Last week brought with it an important change at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), with my appointment as interim commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by President Bush. And as I said at the time, I will maintain my position as NCI director and my ultimate commitment to the 2015 goal.

>To ensure that the many ambitious initiatives and programs we have launched to reach that goal continue to progress, Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt has asked Dr. John Niederhuber, who recently came to NCI as deputy director for translational and clinical sciences, to serve as the NCI chief operating officer to handle much of the institute’s day-to-day management.

Dr. von Eschenbach closed his remarks by saying:

>While their missions may differ somewhat, NCI and FDA, along with the other government health agencies, share a common goal of improving public health. I am committed to leading FDA through this time of transition and fulfilling my responsibilities to NCI.

>Change is never easy, but with good people and a dedication to success, I have no doubt we can come through it for the better.

Read Dr. von Eschenbach’s article in the October 4, 2004 edition of NCI Cancer Bulletin.

Posted by Dusty Weaver on October 4th, 2005
Posted in: Policy & Advocacy News | No Comments »

NCI Director Featured in First “Understanding NCI” Teleconference Series

The National Cancer Institute’s Office of Liaison Activities first monthly teleconference in a new “Understanding NCI” series was a resounding success. Over 100 members of cancer advocacy organizations, survivors, family, and friends participated in the teleconference which included a question and answer period. NCI Director Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach spoke about “Eliminating Suffering and Death Due to Cancer by 2015: The Future of Cancer Research.” The call was moderated by Mr. Doug Ulman who chairs the NCI Director’s Consumer Liaison Group (DCLG). He also addressed the question “What is the role of the advocacy community in the future of cancer research?” DCLG Member Col. (Ret.) Jim Williams set the tone for the teleconference with remarks on “What I’ve learned about cancer research as an advocate and member of the DCLG.”

This teleconference is available in its entirety by calling toll-free 1-866-443-2931. The instant replay will be available until October 20, 2005, at 5:30 p.m. (EST). For more information on this and other teleconferences in the series please go here.

Posted by Dusty Weaver on October 4th, 2005
Posted in: Policy & Advocacy News | No Comments »