Cancer /ˈkænsə(r)/ ( listen) (medical term: malignant neoplasm) is a class of diseases in which a group of cells display uncontrolled growth (division beyond the normal limits), invasion (intrusion on and destruction of adjacent tissues), and sometimes metastasis (spread to other locations in the body via lymph or blood). These three malignant properties of cancers differentiate them from benign tumors, which are self-limited, and do not invade or metastasize. Most cancers form a tumor but some, like leukemia, do not. The branch of medicine concerned with the study, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer is oncology.
Cancer affects people at all ages with the risk for most types increasing with age.[1] Cancer caused about 13% of all human deaths in 2007[2] (7.6 million).[3]
Cancers are caused by abnormalities in the genetic material of the transformed cells.[4] These abnormalities may be due to the effects of carcinogens, such as tobacco smoke, radiation, chemicals, or infectious agents. Other cancer-promoting genetic abnormalities may randomly occur through errors in DNA replication, or are inherited, and thus present in all cells from birth. The heritability of cancers is usually affected by complex interactions between carcinogens and the host's genome.
Genetic abnormalities found in cancer typically affect two general classes of genes. Cancer-promoting oncogenes are typically activated in cancer cells, giving those cells new properties, such as hyperactive growth and division, protection against programmed cell death, loss of respect for normal tissue boundaries, and the ability to become established in diverse tissue environments. Tumor suppressor genes are then inactivated in cancer cells, resulting in the loss of normal functions in those cells, such as accurate DNA replication, control over the cell cycle, orientation and adhesion within tissues, and interaction with protective cells of the immune system.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
cancer events
The Cancer Blog
Note: The contents of this blog are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice or substitute for professional care. For medical emergencies, dial 911!
Cancer Fundraisers And Sports: The Pink Zone
Posted Jan 28th 2010 8:00AM by Amber Greviskes
Filed under: Pink products, Cancer events
Just over a year ago, Kay Yow died of breast cancer. Her legacy lives on.
Diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987, the former North Carolina State women's basketball coach decided to raise awareness and money to fight the disease.
Among the many projects Yow was passionate about was the "Pink Zone," a Women's Basketball Coaches Association initiative that began in 2007 with 120 schools. Last year, "Pink Zone" raised more that $1.3 million.
Each high school, college and professional women's basketball team that participates in the Pink Zone pledges to raise money for breast cancer awareness at a home game. Most schools special order bright pink uniforms, warm-ups and sneakers.
This year's event runs from Feb. 12-21, but some schools are already hosting their Pink Zone games.
Media hype should grow throughout the celebration, but the North Carolina versus Virginia game promises to be among the most notable. Tar Heels player Jessica Breland and Cavaliers coach Debbie Ryan have both fought cancer.
Breland underwent chemotherapy over the summer for Hodgkin's lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system. Ryan overcame pancreatic cancer in 2000.
Check out AOL Health for more information on cancer prevention.
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Brides Against Breast Cancer: Event in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania
Posted Sep 11th 2007 12:00PM by Kristina Collins
Filed under: Breast Cancer, Cancer events, Events, Fundraisers
The Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation's mission is to grant wishes, including memory-making events, for metastatic breast cancer patients, while continuing to support, educate and increase resource awareness.
One of the Making Memories fundraisers is Brides Against Breast Cancer. It can give brides-to-be, an opportunity to find the wedding gown of their dreams (at an incredible savings) while making wishes and dreams come true. Click here if you wish to donate your gown.
The Drexelbrook Wedding and Banquet Facility is hosting Nationwide Tour of Gowns on October 10th and 11th. If you live near Drexel Hill, PA you can attend this event and browse over 40 racks of exquisite, named brand and designer wedding gowns costing from $89 to $799.
Event Details:
Drexelbrook Wedding & Banquet Facility. Drexelbrook Drive & Valley road
Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania 19026
Wednesday, October 10th, 10am - 8pm
Thursday, October 11th, 10am - 8pm
Contact: mminfo@makingmemories.org
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Chicago Cubs honour Breast Cancer patients
Posted Sep 4th 2007 5:47PM by Martha Edwards
Filed under: Cancer events, Fundraisers, Cancer Survivors
This Chicago Cubs will honour breast cancer patients in their September 22nd game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, CNN has reported. It's all part of the National City Real Men Wear Pink campaign, of which legendary player Ryne Sandberg is a spokesperson for. The game will feature real breast cancer survivors from the Chicagoland area, though unfortunately, nominations for survivors were only accepted until September 1.
I think it's awesome that the men involved with sports teams are getting involved in the fight against breast cancer. It might be a disease limited to females but it's something that affects everyone in one way or another.
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QVC sells shoes to save lives
Posted Aug 29th 2007 10:00AM by Jacki Donaldson
Filed under: Breast Cancer, Cancer events, Fundraisers, Products, Celebrity news
Breast cancer survivor and rocker Sheryl Crow says she conquered cancer in part due to the type of research funded by "FFANY Shoes on Sale." This Fashion Footwear Association of New York shoe sale features thousands of beautiful shoes sold at half the manufacturer's suggested retail price. All net proceeds are donated to the breast cancer cause.
If you love shoes and wish to help further the fight against breast cancer, tune in to QVC for a night of shopping on October 17 from 7:00 - 10:00 PM ET.
Over the past 10 years, "FFANY Shoes On Sale" has raised more than $16 million and sold over 950,000 pairs of shoes to benefit breast cancer research and education programs. Here's to another great year.
Note: The contents of this blog are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice or substitute for professional care. For medical emergencies, dial 911!
Cancer Fundraisers And Sports: The Pink Zone
Posted Jan 28th 2010 8:00AM by Amber Greviskes
Filed under: Pink products, Cancer events
Just over a year ago, Kay Yow died of breast cancer. Her legacy lives on.
Diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987, the former North Carolina State women's basketball coach decided to raise awareness and money to fight the disease.
Among the many projects Yow was passionate about was the "Pink Zone," a Women's Basketball Coaches Association initiative that began in 2007 with 120 schools. Last year, "Pink Zone" raised more that $1.3 million.
Each high school, college and professional women's basketball team that participates in the Pink Zone pledges to raise money for breast cancer awareness at a home game. Most schools special order bright pink uniforms, warm-ups and sneakers.
This year's event runs from Feb. 12-21, but some schools are already hosting their Pink Zone games.
Media hype should grow throughout the celebration, but the North Carolina versus Virginia game promises to be among the most notable. Tar Heels player Jessica Breland and Cavaliers coach Debbie Ryan have both fought cancer.
Breland underwent chemotherapy over the summer for Hodgkin's lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system. Ryan overcame pancreatic cancer in 2000.
Check out AOL Health for more information on cancer prevention.
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Brides Against Breast Cancer: Event in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania
Posted Sep 11th 2007 12:00PM by Kristina Collins
Filed under: Breast Cancer, Cancer events, Events, Fundraisers
The Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation's mission is to grant wishes, including memory-making events, for metastatic breast cancer patients, while continuing to support, educate and increase resource awareness.
One of the Making Memories fundraisers is Brides Against Breast Cancer. It can give brides-to-be, an opportunity to find the wedding gown of their dreams (at an incredible savings) while making wishes and dreams come true. Click here if you wish to donate your gown.
The Drexelbrook Wedding and Banquet Facility is hosting Nationwide Tour of Gowns on October 10th and 11th. If you live near Drexel Hill, PA you can attend this event and browse over 40 racks of exquisite, named brand and designer wedding gowns costing from $89 to $799.
Event Details:
Drexelbrook Wedding & Banquet Facility. Drexelbrook Drive & Valley road
Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania 19026
Wednesday, October 10th, 10am - 8pm
Thursday, October 11th, 10am - 8pm
Contact: mminfo@makingmemories.org
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Chicago Cubs honour Breast Cancer patients
Posted Sep 4th 2007 5:47PM by Martha Edwards
Filed under: Cancer events, Fundraisers, Cancer Survivors
This Chicago Cubs will honour breast cancer patients in their September 22nd game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, CNN has reported. It's all part of the National City Real Men Wear Pink campaign, of which legendary player Ryne Sandberg is a spokesperson for. The game will feature real breast cancer survivors from the Chicagoland area, though unfortunately, nominations for survivors were only accepted until September 1.
I think it's awesome that the men involved with sports teams are getting involved in the fight against breast cancer. It might be a disease limited to females but it's something that affects everyone in one way or another.
* Read
* Permalink
* Email this
* Linking Blogs
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QVC sells shoes to save lives
Posted Aug 29th 2007 10:00AM by Jacki Donaldson
Filed under: Breast Cancer, Cancer events, Fundraisers, Products, Celebrity news
Breast cancer survivor and rocker Sheryl Crow says she conquered cancer in part due to the type of research funded by "FFANY Shoes on Sale." This Fashion Footwear Association of New York shoe sale features thousands of beautiful shoes sold at half the manufacturer's suggested retail price. All net proceeds are donated to the breast cancer cause.
If you love shoes and wish to help further the fight against breast cancer, tune in to QVC for a night of shopping on October 17 from 7:00 - 10:00 PM ET.
Over the past 10 years, "FFANY Shoes On Sale" has raised more than $16 million and sold over 950,000 pairs of shoes to benefit breast cancer research and education programs. Here's to another great year.
cancer
Posted Dec 17th 2009 12:30PM by Amber Greviskes
Filed under: Chemotherapy, All Cancers
Chemotherapy and other cancer treatments can wear you out. Whether your fatigue comes from anemia, hormonal alternations, poor sleep, physical deterioration, anxiety or depression the result is the same: You're exhausted. And, in your weakened state, you're more likely to catch a seasonal cold or flu.
Doctors can prescribe iron supplements, sleep aids or anti-anxiety medications -- but don't overlook traditional home remedies. Eating regular, healthy meals and snacks promote healing and energy. If you're up to it, you can also try light exercise like a walk. AOL Health offers 11 home remedies to cure cancer-treatment fatigue and ways to prevent cancer-treatment fatigue.
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Eli Lilly's Evista cancer drug approved by FDA
Posted Sep 14th 2007 5:47PM by Brian White
Filed under: Drug, All Cancers
It's interesting when a drug is re-purposed into something aimed at fighting cancer, but that is what has happened to Evista, a prescription drug made by Eli Lilly which was originally for osteoporosis patients.
The FDA has officially approved Evista for use in breast cancer patients as of late this week, although the drug will now come with a box warning advising patients of a heightened risk for stroke by taking the drug.
I'm not sure -- are some drugs worth the possible benefits when certain side effects can be just as bad as what is trying to be treated
Filed under: Chemotherapy, All Cancers
Chemotherapy and other cancer treatments can wear you out. Whether your fatigue comes from anemia, hormonal alternations, poor sleep, physical deterioration, anxiety or depression the result is the same: You're exhausted. And, in your weakened state, you're more likely to catch a seasonal cold or flu.
Doctors can prescribe iron supplements, sleep aids or anti-anxiety medications -- but don't overlook traditional home remedies. Eating regular, healthy meals and snacks promote healing and energy. If you're up to it, you can also try light exercise like a walk. AOL Health offers 11 home remedies to cure cancer-treatment fatigue and ways to prevent cancer-treatment fatigue.
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Eli Lilly's Evista cancer drug approved by FDA
Posted Sep 14th 2007 5:47PM by Brian White
Filed under: Drug, All Cancers
It's interesting when a drug is re-purposed into something aimed at fighting cancer, but that is what has happened to Evista, a prescription drug made by Eli Lilly which was originally for osteoporosis patients.
The FDA has officially approved Evista for use in breast cancer patients as of late this week, although the drug will now come with a box warning advising patients of a heightened risk for stroke by taking the drug.
I'm not sure -- are some drugs worth the possible benefits when certain side effects can be just as bad as what is trying to be treated
cancer
Prostate Cancer Diagnosis Increases Sucide Risk
Posted Feb 11th 2010 8:00AM by Amber Greviskes
Filed under: Research
Prostate cancer can increase a man's odds for either suicide of fatal heart attack, according to a research group at Harvard Medical School.
A cancer diagnosis is stressful, and that stress can cause a number of changes in cardiovascular risk factors. Those, coupled with underlying health conditions, may be more likely to drive someone to suicide.
Although doctors focused on those recently diagnosed with prostate cancer, they believe that the results will be similar for patients with other types of cancer. The researchers plan to do a similar study of breast and colon cancer patients.
The researchers started with prostate cancer because they wanted to test whether the widespread use of screening using the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test has made a difference.
Men diagnosed with prostate cancer had a 40 percent higher risk of suicide in the year after the diagnosis than those in the general population between 1979 and 2004.
The risk of heart attack and heart disease in men diagnosed with prostate cancer was only 9 percent higher in the first year after diagnosis. However, the risk of hear attack and heart disease more than doubled during the first month after diagnosis.
Posted Feb 11th 2010 8:00AM by Amber Greviskes
Filed under: Research
Prostate cancer can increase a man's odds for either suicide of fatal heart attack, according to a research group at Harvard Medical School.
A cancer diagnosis is stressful, and that stress can cause a number of changes in cardiovascular risk factors. Those, coupled with underlying health conditions, may be more likely to drive someone to suicide.
Although doctors focused on those recently diagnosed with prostate cancer, they believe that the results will be similar for patients with other types of cancer. The researchers plan to do a similar study of breast and colon cancer patients.
The researchers started with prostate cancer because they wanted to test whether the widespread use of screening using the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test has made a difference.
Men diagnosed with prostate cancer had a 40 percent higher risk of suicide in the year after the diagnosis than those in the general population between 1979 and 2004.
The risk of heart attack and heart disease in men diagnosed with prostate cancer was only 9 percent higher in the first year after diagnosis. However, the risk of hear attack and heart disease more than doubled during the first month after diagnosis.
no cancer
Patients, their families and caregivers face depression, anxiety and fear whenever a cancer diagnosis is handed out. These feelings are normal.
Once diagnosed with cancer, there are often questions about how you'll fill your work or family roles. You'll also be concerned with the loss of control over life events.
As your health situation changes, you'll have various stressors and your feelings will change. People with advanced cancer have different concerns than those with early-stage cancer. There are physical symptoms that can cause emotional distress.
Symptoms of anxiety and fear can include anxious facial expression, uncontrolled worry, trouble solving problems, muscle tension, trembling, shaking, dry mouth, angry outbursts and irritability.
Mental health professionals can encourage those who have cancer to share their feelings and help relieve these feelings of stress and anxiety. If you're uncomfortable speaking with a therapist, try speaking with a friend or join a support group. You can use prayers and spiritual support if it helps. Meditation and relaxation exercises also help.
As always, your doctor has experience dealing with these problems and can help you cope. Anti-anxiety and anti-depressants often help.
Check out AOL Health for more information on cancer management.
Once diagnosed with cancer, there are often questions about how you'll fill your work or family roles. You'll also be concerned with the loss of control over life events.
As your health situation changes, you'll have various stressors and your feelings will change. People with advanced cancer have different concerns than those with early-stage cancer. There are physical symptoms that can cause emotional distress.
Symptoms of anxiety and fear can include anxious facial expression, uncontrolled worry, trouble solving problems, muscle tension, trembling, shaking, dry mouth, angry outbursts and irritability.
Mental health professionals can encourage those who have cancer to share their feelings and help relieve these feelings of stress and anxiety. If you're uncomfortable speaking with a therapist, try speaking with a friend or join a support group. You can use prayers and spiritual support if it helps. Meditation and relaxation exercises also help.
As always, your doctor has experience dealing with these problems and can help you cope. Anti-anxiety and anti-depressants often help.
Check out AOL Health for more information on cancer management.
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