Cells From Umbilical Cords Offer Hope For Cancer Patients With Rare Blood
The blood cells don't need to be a perfect match, so a patient who may have previously died waiting for a donor now has a much higher chance of survival. In other news, a study finds that cancer survivors' unhealthy habits don't change with a diagnosis, and new drugs may slow the progression of ovarian cancer.
The Washington Post:
There’s New Hope For Blood Cancers, And It Comes From Umbilical Cords
Jessie Quinn of Sacramento was 36 years old when loss of appetite, weight loss, some eye issues and finally pelvic pain sent her to the emergency room in 2010. Tests quickly revealed she had acute myeloid leukemia — a type of blood cancer that progresses quickly — and doctors told her that chemotherapy would probably not be enough; she would need a bone-marrow transplant. Quinn, who has a science background, knew that finding a donor would be difficult. In college, she had donated to a bone-marrow registry after learning that people like her, with a mixed racial heritage, have a much harder time than others finding a match. (Berger, 9/5)
The Wall Street Journal:
Risky Health Behaviors Don’t Necessarily Stop With A Cancer Diagnosis
A cancer diagnosis doesn’t automatically lead to an overhaul of unhealthy habits, says a study in the Journal of Cancer Survivorship. People who had survived various cancers had similar rates of physical inactivity, unhealthy eating habits and other risky health behaviors as people not diagnosed with cancer, the study found. Some habits, such as smoking, were more prevalent among survivors, particularly women. (Lukits, 9/5)
The Wall Street Journal:
New Drugs For Ovarian Cancer Patients
A new class of drugs could be a significant step forward in the treatment of ovarian cancer, one of the most lethal forms of the disease. The drugs, known as PARP inhibitors, are thought to help the body slow the disease’s progression by helping to prevent cancer cells from repairing themselves after chemotherapy treatment, thereby shrinking tumors and delaying relapses. (Walker, 9/5)