Health News

Drug

Gcmaf a universal cancer cure?

A comment piece citing studies by Nobuto Yamamoto that report GcMAF, a vitamin D3-binding protein tied to macrophage activation, cured all 16 metastatic prostate cancer patients in a Translational Oncology paper with no recurrence for seven years. It argues immunotherapy avoids drug resistance.

2 min read

Lifestyle

Fasting protects cancer patients against chemotherapy

A report on nature.com says cancer patients can fast to cut calories and protein and protect themselves against chemotherapy's toxicity, with five days of fasting followed by normal eating avoiding weight loss. The American Cancer Society advises the opposite, the report notes.

1 min read

Miscellaneous

Reinstatement of HRAs Good News for Small Businesses

Small Business Majority's John Arensmeyer welcomed Senate passage of the 21st Century Cures Act, which lets small employers offer Health Reimbursement Arrangements so insured workers can put pre-tax dollars toward premiums and out-of-pocket costs. He also urged keeping the ACA intact.

2 min read

Environment

PAHs raise breast cancer risk

A study in Cancer Research found long-term exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was associated with higher breast cancer risk: 20% for a spouse's tobacco smoke, 30% for synthetic firelogs, 45% for ingesting PAHs and 46% across all sources combined.

1 min read

Drug

Raritan Pharmaceuticals Recalls Products Containing Belladonna Extract

Raritan Pharmaceuticals is recalling homeopathic products it makes for Homeolab USA, including CVS infants' teething tablets and two children's ear relief liquids, because FDA testing found belladonna extract at levels that varied from the label. Consumers should stop using the listed lots.

1 min read

Lifestyle

Induced abortion raises breast cancer risk

A meta-analysis of 36 Chinese studies in Cancer Causes Control found women with at least one induced abortion were 44% more likely to develop breast cancer, rising to 76% and 89% after two or three. The studies were observational, so the association is not necessarily causal.

1 min read

Environment

Mt. Hood Meadows Poised for Limited Opening Friday

Mt. Hood Meadows expects to run at least one lift Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with Buttercup scheduled to operate after snow harvesting built the base to a foot. Officials say a forecast 12 to 18 inches could open more lifts and terrain.

2 min read

Drug

FDA approves Daratumumab (DARZALEX) for multiple myeloma

The FDA approved daratumumab (Darzalex) with lenalidomide and dexamethasone, or bortezomib and dexamethasone, for multiple myeloma after at least one prior therapy. Adding it cut the risk of progression or death by 63 percent in POLLUX and 61 percent in CASTOR.

2 min read

Drug

Cox-2 inhibitors may help Desmoid tumor

A case report in the World Journal of Surgical Oncology describes a 57-year-old woman whose pancreatic-head desmoid tumor was removed and who then took celecoxib, with complete remission and no recurrence within two years. The authors say more research is needed.

1 min read