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Oncology
Global study to determine why black people have worse cancers
A global five-year, multimillion-pound investigation has been launched into why black people are more likely to develop more aggressive forms of prostate, breast and pancreatic...
Global quest to pinpoint cause of early-onset cancers
Something in the environment or our lifestyles seems to be causing a rise in early-onset cancers, which is concerning scientists worldwide. Now, a study...
Chemo regimen changes may help older patients – US analysis
Treatment modifications, like dose reductions, schedule changes, or less toxic regimens, can improve how older patients with advanced cancer and ageing-related conditions tolerate chemotherapy...
Womb cancer breakthrough drug to be rolled out in UK
A drug that could extend life expectancy for women with womb cancer and allow them more time with their families before the disease progresses...
Breast cancer screening from 40-74 – best US modelling study
A recent study – comparing various scenarios – has suggested that annual breast cancer screening from 40 to 79 shows the greatest reduction in...
Spit test could detect breast cancer – US-Taiwan study
Scientists have developed a saliva test that screens for breast cancer, which they say is showing promising results in experimental testing, and could revolutionise...
Best contender in decades in breast cancer fight – global study
For decades, hormonal treatment of breast cancer has had one aim – blocking oestrogen, but now a global study has discovered there may be...
New cancer drug quadruples mesothelioma survival rates – UK study
Scientists have welcomed what they describe as a “truly wonderful” new drug for a hard-to-treat and aggressive form of cancer, which works by cutting...
The future of precision cancer therapy: try everything
Researchers worldwide are blasting patients’ cancer cells with dozens of drugs in the hope of finding the right treatment, with some positive results motivating...
Patient-led cancer registry launched in SA
There have been significant gaps in data when it comes to understanding South Africa’s cancer burden, but improvements are on the horizon, with an...
Lowering intake, quitting alcohol, cuts oral cancer risk
Limiting or giving up alcohol completely can reduce the risk of developing oral cavity and oesophagus cancers, according to a special report from the...
SA cancer cases climb as unequal treatment causes ‘needless deaths’
As the World Health Organisation predicts that global cancer rates are likely to soar by 77% by 2050, another global report says that black...
Being fitter slashes prostate cancer risk – Swedish study
Men could reduce their risk of prostate cancer by more than a third if they improve their fitness levels by just 3% a year,...
Six cancer vaccines showing promise
Half a dozen cancer vaccines showing promise or in development since May 2023 offer a glimmer of hope to millions of people. Becker’s Hospital...
FDA adds compulsory boxed warning for CAR-T therapy
Several pharmaceutical companies have been instructed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to add a boxed warning – the agency’s strongest safety label...
HPV jab highly effective in preventing cervical cancer – Scottish study
The bivalent human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) Cervarix was highly effective in protecting women from cervical cancer when given between the ages of 12 and...
Scientists hail breakthrough cancer treatments
In what are seen as giant steps in cancer treatment, experts have hailed an inexpensive blood test which could help diagnose even inaccessible brain...
Wits study identifies pancreatic cancer risk factors in South Africa
Race, education and occupation are significant predictors of pancreatic cancer mortality in South Africa, local researchers say.
In their recent study, the team from the...
Scientists identify 900 chemicals linked to breast cancer
An analysis of official databases containing tens of thousands of common chemicals used daily in food, consumer products and other industries, has identified 900...
EU watchdog blocks GSK blood cancer drug approval
Europe’s health regulator stuck to its recommendation not to renew conditional approval for GSK’s blood cancer drug Blenrep last month, citing data that did...
New ‘life-changing’ breast cancer drug gets NHS nod
A new breast cancer drug, one of four cancer treatments approved for use by NHS Scotland, will give “life-changing hope” to breast cancer patients,...
Experts urge awareness of heart events tied to breast cancer drugs
Pharmacovigilance is needed to identify, monitor, and prevent cardiovascular adverse events (CV-AEs) associated with new agents for breast cancer and to reduce the risk...
FDA probes safety of CAR-T therapies
After reports of serious adverse events in clinical trials and post-marketing studies, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched in investigation into...
Newly-found stem cell could solve cancer mystery
Scientists have discovered a new type of stem cell in the spine that appears crucial to resolving a long-standing mystery: why far more cancer...
Lack of basic care hastens colorectal cancer deaths in Africa – global analysis
Despite the disease being potentially curable, most people with colorectal cancer in sub-Saharan Africa receive no treatment, or only inadequate treatment, and yet, the...
Another study links ultra-processed food to higher cancer risk
Eating large quantities of ultra-processed (UPF) food has been associated with a higher risk of developing cancers of the upper digestive tract, like mouth,...
Potential breakthrough for bladder cancer: Netherlands trials
After 40 years of treating metastatic bladder cancer with chemotherapy as a primary treatment, scientists now offer a new approach using immunotherapy combinations, with...
Cervical cancer can be eliminated by 2040: UK health boss
Cervical cancer can be eliminated in England by 2040, saving thousands of women’s lives, the head of NHS England said last week, the first...
Stage 4 cancer no longer a death sentence
A stage 4 cancer diagnosis need not necessarily feel like the end of the road, say experts, with scientific advances meaning patients can now...
Bread and cereal not tied to higher disease risk, suggests global UPF study
A recent study has found no link between ultra-processed foods (UPFs) – including bread and cereal – and an increased risk of suffering a...
Better use of existing drugs boosts cervical cancer survival – UK study
A recent British study has found that treatment with existing drugs before standard treatment for cervical cancer could lead to a 35% reduction in...
Researchers find 'breakthrough' to reverse prostate cancer treatment resistance
New ways to treat prostate cancer could be on the horizon after researchers worked out how to reverse the disease’s resistance to treatment in...
Chemicals from sea sponge might kill cancer cells – Mauritius study
In findings that suggest a significant first step, scientists led by the University of Mauritius have found that chemicals produced by a sea sponge...
Fear-mongering threatens benefits of radiation oncology
Since a 1913 New York Times headline read: “Marvellous cures of cancer attributed to radium”, the field of radiation oncology has developed countless innovations to...
Slashing radiotherapy doses safe for prostate cancer treatment – UK trial
Men undergoing treatment for prostate cancer could be safely given far less radiotherapy, a major trial has found, the results also showing that after...
Childhood cancer survivors face serious health hurdles later in life – US review
Researchers have warned that people who’ve had childhood cancer are highly likely to face physical and mental health challenges later in life, with 95%...
Early cancer diagnosis critical for children, say SA experts
With about 1 000 children diagnosed with cancer in South Africa every year, there is a critical need to focus on early diagnosis.
According to...
Woman who shunned chemotherapy for natural remedies dies
A US woman who fiercely resisted chemotherapy for her colon cancer died after trying to cure the disease naturally, and after releasing a string of...
Large study knocks reflux disease link to cancer
Reflux disease, which manifests as acid regurgitation and heartburn, has been known as a risk factor for oesophageal cancer, but a recent study now...
Experts urge more caution before needless mastectomies
Screening for breast cancer genes could be leading women to undergo needless mastectomies, experts have warned, recommending that detailed family histories be taken into...