Cancer News - Dangers and Breakthroughs

Several recent studies reflect improvements in diagnosing and treating cancer; as well as some concerns about some risk factors.

First some evidence of increased risks.

VIAGRA
Does VIAGRA make it more likely for you to get serious melanoma (an often fatal skin cancer)? well evidence seems to point to that relationship. In users of Viagra there was almost twice the risk of invasive melanoma. This needs to be researches further but in the meantime those at risk should avoid this drug!

TANNING
Exposure to ultraviolet light has been shown to cause skin cancers. this includes tanning booths! Now researchers have discovered that in an experimental model of melanoma, those who have had exposure to burning, or inflaming UV light have had much higher chances of spread. Another reason to stay out of the sun. Hopefully those men who use Viagra won't feel they need to get that suntan to attract women!

NEW DIAGNOSIS TOOLS
Cancer cells in the blood break up and release their DNA into the blood stream. Now researchers have developed sensitive testing that can detect the presence of certain types of DNA that are associated with cancer. The sensitivity of this test was 95-100%! If this turns out to be able to detect cancer early enough to make a difference it may one day become an effective screening test!

A NEW APPROACH TO CANCER
Cancer cells divide rapidly and produce more potentially toxic reactive oxygen molecules than normal cells. However they seem to also produce a molecule that protects them from this oxidative damage. This molecule is called MTH1. Researchers have use inhibitors of MTH1 in a mouse model to slow the growth and lifespan of cancer cells without apparent effects on normal cells. Further testing will need to be done to confirm this potentially dramatic breakthrough!