September 8, 2020

No Link Found Between Blood Pressure Meds and Cancer: Study

MONDAY, Sept. 7, 2020 -- Blood pressure drugs don't increase the risk of cancer, according to the largest study to examine the issue.

A possible link between blood pressure drugs and cancer has been the subject of debate for decades, but evidence has been inconsistent and conflicting.

September 2, 2020

Many Thyroid Cancer Ultrasound Scans Unnecessary

TUESDAY, Aug. 25, 2020 -- As many as one-third of doctors may be sending patients for a thyroid ultrasound for reasons not supported by guidelines, a new study finds.

The use of ultrasound to detect thyroid cancer has led to a large increase in thyroid cancer cases, but many of these cancers are low-risk and won't cause serious harm, the study authors explained.

September 2, 2020

Cancer Radiation Can Safely Proceed During COVID-19 Pandemic: Study

THURSDAY, Aug. 27, 2020 -- Cancer patients who need radiation therapy shouldn't let fear of COVID-19 delay their treatment, one hospital study suggests.

Over six days in May, during the height of the pandemic in New Jersey, surfaces in the radiation oncology department at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, N.J., were tested for COVID-19 before cleaning.

August 9, 2020

Many Older Americans Getting Cancer Screens They Don't Need: Study

THURSDAY, Aug. 6, 2020 -- Contrary to recommendations set by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, many Americans are getting screened for cancer even when old age or poor health would likely render such screenings risky and pointless, new research finds.

The task force notes that screening always entails some degree of risk, and cancer treatment can be harsh. So the reasoning is that neither the risk nor the ordeal are worth it for those who don't have long to live anyway.

August 3, 2020

Blood Test Might Spot Cancer Years Earlier

THURSDAY, July 23, 2020 -- Scientists are working on a blood test that may catch five common cancers years sooner than current methods.

The blood test, which is still experimental, hunts for certain genetic "signatures" associated with tumors. Researchers found that it can detect five types of cancer -- colon, esophageal, liver, lung and stomach -- up to four years earlier, compared to routine medical care.

August 3, 2020

How Streetlights Might Affect Your Colon Cancer Risk

FRIDAY, July 31, 2020 -- Cities around the world are increasingly turning to streetlights emitting so-called "blue light," and it's also common in smartphones, laptops and tablets. Now, a study hints that excess exposure to blue-spectrum light might raise a person's odds for colon cancer.

As a team of Spanish researchers noted, prior studies have suggested that blue light emitted by most white LEDs (light-emitting diodes) and many tablets and phones was linked to ailments such as sleep disorders, obesity and an increased risk of various cancers, especially among night-shift workers.