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Oncology
Activists march for unused R784m to be spent on cancer patients
Despite R784m being set aside by the provincial treasury in March last year for the outsourcing of radiation treatment in Gauteng, the money has...
Unequal burden of prostate cancer for Africa
Prostate cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers among men, with a rising global incidence, but a landscape differing vastly between developed...
Personalised mRNA jab a 'game-changer' for cancer patients
The launch of patient trials involving the world’s first personalised mRNA cancer vaccine for melanoma has been welcomed by experts for its “game-changing” potential...
Drug breakthrough offers hope for deadly blood cancer – UK study
After a recent discovery, British scientists believe existing drugs could be repurposed to treat rare leukaemia and herald a “new era” for how an...
Higher risk for second breast cancer in some women – US cohort study
A recent study suggests that younger breast cancer survivors with a germline pathogenic variant or those with an initial diagnosis of in situ vs...
The missing link between junk food diets and cancer
Scientists believe they have uncovered a missing link between how eating junk food increases the risk of cancer, after a study looked at the effect of methylglyoxal...
Prostate cancer cases could double by 2040 – global analysis
A recent analysis – the largest of its kind – suggests the number of men diagnosed with prostate cancer worldwide could double to 2.9m...
Breastfeeding may lower paediatric cancer risk – Danish cohort study
Exclusive breastfeeding for longer than three months has been linked to a smaller risk of childhood leukaemia, a recent population-based cohort study showing a...
Test could save thousands from chemo overdose, experts argue
Chemotherapy treatment can be deadly for enzyme-deficient patients and yet, hardly any oncologists call for simple pre-emptive testing that could save thousands of lives...
New UK institute seeks to detect early cell changes before cancer
In research that should help design radically new ways to treat cancer, British scientists at a recently opened cancer institute at Cambridge University have...
Cancer diagnoses among younger people rising
Worldwide, cancer diagnoses are growing more common among people under 50, and it’s been estimated that by 2030, the number of these early-onset cancer...
‘Store acne cream in fridge to cut cancer risk – US experts
Some dermatologists are now recommending people refrigerate benzoyl peroxide products like Proactiv and Clearasil, after an independent lab in the United States found they...
Pros and cons of one-test cancer screenings
At least two multi-cancer detection (MCD) blood tests – one blood test that can detect 50 cancers or more before symptoms appear – are...
Cardiotoxicity risks after chemo treatment
With advances in cancer treatments, comes the risk of long-term health effects, including "cardiotoxicity".
Steven Petrow, writing in The Washington Post, says in 1984, he...
Genetic markers hold clue to meat-eating link to colon cancer
In one of the largest ever gene-environment interaction studies of red meat and colorectal cancer, researchers have identified two genetic markers that may help...
Cancer risks rise with metabolic syndrome – Chinese study
Recent research has suggested that people with worsening metabolic syndrome face a higher risk of developing all types of cancer, particularly kidney cancer.
Metabolic syndrome is...
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...