Cancer Headlines Drug company GlaxoSmithKline says that it's updated vaccine against the human papillomavirus (HPV), has produced a stronger immune response, than the original formula of the vaccine. The new vaccine apparently provides a stronger, more sustainable response to the virus, and it seems the benefits with the new vaccination in women were sustained over 3.5 years.
Apparently the results were based on three separate methods used to evaluate the ability of the vaccine.
Cervical cancer is a major global health problem, with nearly 500,000 new cases occurring each year worldwide.
It is the second most common cancer, and the third leading cause of cancer deaths in women worldwide.
In the U.S. alone approximately 10,000 women will develop cervical cancer this year, and nearly 4,000 will die from the disease.
HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer., and although there are many types of HPV, however, most cervical cancer cases are associated with only two types, HPV 16 and HPV 18.
It is estimated that as many as 20 million people in the U.S. are currently infected with genital HPV, which is very common among sexually active people.
There are around 5.5 million new infections occurring every year in the U.S. and experts believe that by the age of 50, approximately 80 percent of women will have been infected with HPV.
The infection is especially common in women under the age of 25 and is usually transient and with no symptoms.
However persistent infection with the two cancerous types of HPV may lead to cervical cancer.
Although screening for abnormal cervical cells using the Pap smear has significantly reduced the number of cervical cancer cases in the U.S. there are however as many as three million abnormal Pap smears each year, which require additional follow-up and treatment.
The total healthcare cost to evaluate and treat women with abnormal Pap smears in the U.S. has been estimated at $6 billion annually, along with the immeasurable personal and social costs, and emotional distress and anxiety.
The data was presented at the AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research.
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Breast Cancer
Early Breast Cancer DetectionBy Brenda Witt Most women are familiar with mammography as our "gold standard" for breast cancer screening. However, there are additional tools available that women can add to their arsenal. One of the most effective tools in breast cancer screening is breast self-exam (BSE). However, BSE works best when women are appropriately trained in the procedure, and then followed-up with annual clinical breast exams (CBE) from their physicians. In a 2000 University of Toronto study, approximately 20,000 women were screened for breast cancer with BSE and annual CBE, and 20,000 were screened with BSE and mammograms. After more than 10 years, the BSE and annual CBE reported 610 cases of invasive breast cancer, and 105 deaths. In the BSE and mammogram group, there were 622 cases of invasive breast cancer and 107 deaths. Without question, the first line of defense against breast cancer begins with diligent BSE. Other tools that are available to women include the AMAS (anti-malignan antibody screen) test and the NMP Nuclear matrix protein) test. Both these are blood tests that measure a certain protein in the blood that may indicate cancer. The AMAS test has been around for several years while the NMP test has not been available until only recently. Clinical trials continue in this area. One additional tool that may detect an issue early is digital infrared thermal imaging or DITI. In 1982, the FDA approved thermography as an adjunctive tool for breast cancer screening. DITI measures heat emitted from the body and is accurate to 1/100th of a degree. DITI examines physiology, NOT structure. It is in this capacity that DITI can monitor breast HEALTH over time and alert a patient or physician to a developing problem; possibly before a lump can be seen on X-ray or palpated clinically. There are no test limitations such as breast density. DITI is a non-invasive test that does not emit radiation. The unique characteristics of cancer allow DITI to detect breast cancer at an earlier stage of growth. As cancer is developing, it builds its own blood supply which is then reflected as increased heat in that particular region of the breast. DITI has a specificity of 83%; which reflects a problem in its early stages of development not late-stage cancer as in mammography. An abnormal thermogram carries a 10-times greater risk for cancer and a persistently abnormal thermogram carries a 22-times greater risk for cancer. Clinical research studies continue to support thermography’s role as an adjunctive tool in breast cancer screening and the ONLY tool that measures breast health over time. There are now more than 800 publications on over 300,000 women in clinical trials. A recent finding published in the American Journal of Radiology in 2003 showed that thermography has 99% sensitivity in identifying breast cancer with single examinations and limited views. Scientists concluded that a negative thermogram is powerful evidence that cancer is not present. Thermographic screening is not covered by most insurance companies but is surprisingly affordable for most people. For more information or to find a certified clinic in your area, go to www.proactivehealthonline.com. Brenda Witt is co-owner of Proactive Health Solutions in Southern California. She is an American College of Clinical Thermology (ACCT) certified thermographer in the Orange County area. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
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