News on American Cancer Society

Growing doubts over standard prostate cancer test

2010-03-13T12:15:38Z

<div><p>The most commonly used prostate cancer screening procedure, PSA, is at the center of a growing debate after its discoverer said it had become a "hugely expensive public health disaster."</p><p>In a commentary in The New York Times, Richard Ablin of the Uni...

Experts say even Obama getting too many med tests

2010-03-12T13:45:11Z

<div id="subtitle">Experts say Americans getting too many medical tests, maybe even President Obama</div><div><p>Too much cancer screening, too many heart tests, too many cesarean sections. A spate of recent reports suggests that many Americans are being overtreated. Maybe even President Barack Obama, champion of an overhaul and cost-cutting of the health care system.</p><p>Is it doctors practicing defens...

Guidelines: Do medical tests later, less often

2010-03-12T02:45:19Z

<div id="subtitle">Are some medical tests overused? Some guidelines are scaling back on frequency, timing</div><div><p>Recent reports and guideline changes suggest some medical tests should be delayed, avoided, or done less often:</p><p>_ MAMMOGRAM: Most women don't need a mammogram in their 40s and they should get one every two years starting at 50, according to the American Cancer Society casts more doubt on value of regular testing for prostate cancer</div><div><p>Months after experts discounted the importance of routine mammograms and Pap smears for many women, the American Cancer Society is warning more explicitly than ever that regular testing for prostate cancer is of questionable value too, and can do men more harm than good.</p...

Should men be tested for prostate cancer?

2010-03-03T13:46:03Z

<div id="subtitle">New advice on prostate cancer screening stresses talking about pros, cons before deciding</div><div><p>The American Cancer Society revised its guidelines for prostate cancer screening on Wednesday. The advocacy group is one of many organizations that make such recommendations. Some questions and answers:</p><p>Q: What's the advice?</p><p>A: The bottom l...

New guidelines on prostate cancer urge frank talk

2010-03-03T10:18:14Z

<div><p>CHICAGO (Reuters) - New guidelines from the American Cancer Society urge doctors to make sure their patients fully understand the risks as well as the benefits of prostate cancer screening before any blood is drawn.</p><p>The updated guidelines issued on Wednesday reflect the o...

Tips for a Healthy Prostate

2010-02-21T21:15:12Z

<div><p>According to the American Cancer Society, more than 190,000 new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed in the U.S. each year. Fortunately, there is a lot you can do to keep your prostate healthy as you age—and stay ahead of the game. Here's what Christopher Saigal, MD, an ass...

U.S. would reap billions from $1 cigarette tax hike

2010-02-22T10:14:12Z

<div><p>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Adding a $1 per pack tax to cigarettes could raise more than $9 billion a year for states, health advocates said on Wednesday, and a poll released with the study shows Americans would support such a tax.</p><p>The poll, conducted by International Communications

Mammograms may be overused in women with dementia

2010-02-22T13:29:24Z

<div><p>NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Some elderly women with severe cognitive impairment are getting mammography breast cancer screening even though they are unlikely to ever benefit from it, a new study finds.</p><p>Researchers found that among more than 2,100 U.S. women age 70 and older, 18 percent of those with advan...

What I learned from breast cancer

2010-02-22T19:17:08Z

<div><p>I never thought I’d get cancer. I ran six miles a day, and did mini-triathlons and in-line skating; I ate a sensible Mediterranean diet. I managed to take care of myself even while working 80 hours a week and traveling the globe as a successful meeting planner. I thought I was in perfect shape.</p><p>Then I felt the lump. I was 45 years old and single, living in Connecticut. It w...

Lawsuit seeks to allow Nevada convention smoking

2010-02-23T12:04:16Z

<div id="subtitle">American Cancer Society lawsuit seeks to void law allowing smoking at Nevada conventions</div><div><p>The American Cancer Society in Nevada has filed suit against the state, health officials and the American Cancer Society's Cancer Action Networ...

U.S. cancer rates continue their decline: report

2010-02-23T19:27:10Z

<div><p>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Fewer people are getting cancer and death rates continue to fall, according to the latest report on cancer in the United States, released on Monday.</p><p>New diagnoses for all types of cancer fell by almost 1 percent per year on average from 1999 to 2006 and deaths fell 1.6 percent per y...

Experts: Colon cancer deaths could make big drop

2010-02-23T19:09:44Z

<div id="subtitle">Colon cancer death rate could fall substantially by 2020, optimistic experts predict</div><div><p>Colon cancer deaths could drop dramatically in the next decade because of better screening and treatment, according to an optimistic new prediction by top researchers.</p><p>The estimate was made in an annual report that shows that, overall, the U.S. cancer death rate is continuing to decline, as i...

Ultrasound effective at spotting breast cancers

2010-02-23T22:01:59Z

<div><p>CHICAGO (Reuters) - Breast ultrasounds found 100 percent of suspicious cancers in women under 40 who found lumps or other suspicious areas of the breast, offering a cheaper, less-invasive alternative to surgery or biopsies, U.S. researchers said on Wednesday.</p><p>They said targeted ultrasound -- which examines just the a...

Health care decisions should be the peoplesÕ

2010-02-24T01:22:09Z

<div><p> Hows this for timing?</p><p>Here was Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, ready to unveil his long-awaited Senate health care bill a bill that, while it has drawn the usual complaints from the usual suspects, hasnt been dismissed as unworkable or unreasonable.</p><p>And then, unexpected, was an announcement about detection of breast cancer that suddenly ...

Group won't challenge smoking ban ruling in SD

2010-02-24T03:14:02Z

<div id="subtitle">American Cancer Society will not challenge judge's ruling in South Dakota smoking ban dispute</div><div><p>The American Cancer Society says it will not appeal a judge's decision that clears the way for South Dakota's new smoking ban to be referred to a statewide public vote.</p&g...

New U.S. guidelines: routine mammograms start at 50

2010-02-24T04:36:44Z

<div><p>CHICAGO (Reuters) - U.S. health officials distanced themselves Wednesday from controversial new breast cancer screening guidelines that recommend against routine mammograms for healthy women in their 40s and said federal policy on screening mammograms had not changed.</p><p>In a move likely to reassure American women, U.S....

U.S. official says mammograms policy unchanged

2010-02-24T04:38:16Z

Recommended Changes to Breast Cancer Screenings Cause Controversy

2010-02-24T03:59:47Z

<div id="subtitle">Analysis recommends scrapping most annual exams</div><div><p>A comprehensive analysis of various mammography screening schedules suggests that biennial (every two years) screening of average risk women between the ages of 50 and 74 achieves most of the benefits of annual screening, but with less harm.</p><p>The results, which represent a unanimous consensus of six independent research groups th...