dendritic immune cell

Doctors at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire have built personalized cancer vaccines that use the patient’s own immune system to fight colorectal cancer.

The key to success was first removing bulky liver tumors and then using the vaccine to kill any tiny cancers remaining in the body.

Five years after getting the vaccine, two-thirds of patients whose systems produced an immune response to the vaccine were alive and cancer free. Read the rest of this entry »

Happy Thanksgiving.

Many of us face this day with some misgivings.  Our health is a challenge or our loved ones are struggling with cancer.  Medical bills pile up.  We don’t have the time or energy or money for all the things we want.

Some of us have lost family members or friends since last Thanksgiving.

But facing the holidays with gratitude and purposely practicing it makes a difference in health.  Researchers have found that focusing on what we are grateful for improves both physical and emotional health.

And expressing gratitude — by writing in down or talking about it — enhances those health effects.  So, today I am grateful. Read the rest of this entry »

Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals has withdrawn Darvon®, Darvon-N®, and Darvocet® from the US market at the request of the FDA.

Even in recommended doses, Darvon (propoxyphene) can cause changes in heart activity which can be seen on an electrocardiogram (ECG) adding to the risk of serious changes in heart rhythm.

On November 19, 2010, The FDA recommended that health professionals stop prescribing any propoxyphene immediately and that patients who are using it contact their doctor about the right way to stop.

If your doctor has prescribed a drug that contains Darvon for you, the doctor should contact you to discuss other ways of managing pain and safely discontinuing its use. Read the rest of this entry »

We are very pleased to announce that Representative Dan Boren (D-OK) will be joining us on our December Grassroots Advocate Chat to talk about a new bill he will be introducing early next year that will provide for new funding for colorectal cancer research.Register today to talk with Rep. Boren about this exciting new bill.

Read the rest of this entry »

Just for today, don’t smoke!

Nearly 47 million Americans risk their lives — and increase their risk for colorectal cancer — by smoking.

But the good news is that 30 years ago, 1 in 3 people in the US smoked.  Today that has dropped to 1 in 5.

Today, November 18, is a chance to try life without tobacco.  The American Cancer Society hopes that people who stop smoking today will stay smoke-free.

Need help? The National Cancer Institute has tools to help you if you are still struggling with smoking.