Archive - May 2012
Tuesday, May 29, 2012 - 4:00pm
New research, conducted with my colleagues at Roswell Park and the University at Buffalo, shows that many men hold misconceptions about what causes prostate cancer to metastasize — and, as a result, may decide not to have surgery to treat their disease.
Following up on earlier studies suggesting that some people believe, incorrectly, that exposure to air can cause cancer cells to multiply, we analyzed responses to a mail-in survey from 158 men with localized prostate cancer.
We found that 25 of these men, or 16.23% of participants, believe that air spreads...
Friday, May 25, 2012 - 2:57pm
May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and with summer right around the corner, it’s important to remember that exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can increase your risk of developing skin cancer.
Sunscreen, when used properly, helps decrease the amount of UV radiation to the skin. But not all sunscreens are created equal. When choosing a sunscreen, look at the SPF, or sun protection factor, number. We recommend using sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Anything under 30 is not...
Tuesday, May 22, 2012 - 8:32am
May is National Brain Tumor Awareness Month. To help you begin to understand this complex group of tumors, we have compiled some of the key facts, statistics and information below. Learn about the Neuro-oncology Center at Roswell Park or consult the links and sources below for more information.
Brain Tumor Facts and Figures
- There are approximately 120 different types of brain tumors. These tumors can be malignant or benign. In either case, they can be life threatening...
Sunday, May 6, 2012 - 8:54pm
Over the last year, we have made great progress in melanoma research. This research has provided us with a better understanding of this deadly disease and has also led to new treatments.
The drug ipilimumab, which was approved in March 2011 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is one of these research discoveries. Ipilimumab is a form of immunological therapy, meaning it helps to boost a...
Sunday, May 6, 2012 - 8:42pm
Although tremendous strides have been made in the treatment of melanoma, there is still much work to be done. At Roswell Park we offer several clinical research studies focused on the discovery and advancement of promising therapies to treat this most dangerous form of skin cancer. These studies are improving care for many of our patients, providing them new options and new hope.
In the video below, I describe some of these ongoing clinical research studies. You can also click these links to learn more:
Sunday, May 6, 2012 - 8:27pm
The skin is the largest organ in the body, and skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. There are three primary types of skin cancer - squamous cell, basal cell and melanoma. Of these, melanoma is the most dangerous, accounting for only 5% of skin cancer cases but responsible for the majority of skin cancer deaths.
The term “melanoma” is derived from the type of cell in which it affects called the melanocytes. Melanocytes produce the pigment of your skin, which is known as melanin.
Melanoma has been on the rise in the last 30 years, particularly among young...
Friday, May 4, 2012 - 3:21pm
A recent study in Cancer, a journal published by the American Cancer Society (ACS), reported a correlation between certain types of dental X-rays and a common, benign brain tumor called meningioma. In general, the study found that those with meningioma were twice as likely than those without meningioma to recall having a bitewing X-ray at some point in their lifetime. A link was also found between the brain tumor and another type of...
