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Cancer :: The leukemia & lymphoma society launches program to ease the return to school for children with cancer

Each year approximately 9,000 children and teenagers are diagnosed with cancer in the United States, with leukemia representing more than 30% of these cases. Thanks to research advances, the survival rate for the most common pediatric cancer, acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), has improved from a dismal 4 percent in the 1960s to more than 85 percent today. However, for children who survive cancer, the challenges continue long after the treatments are over.

Autism :: Risperdal for treatment of irritability associated with autistic disorder

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new use of one of the leading prescription antipsychotic medications, RISPERDAL(R) (risperidone), for the treatment of irritability associated with autistic disorder, including symptoms of aggression, deliberate self-injury, temper tantrums, and quickly changing moods, in children and adolescents aged 5 to 16 years.(1) This is the first time the FDA has approved any medication for use in children and adolescents with autism.

Breast Cancer :: Critical gaps in breast cancer patient education and communication

Results from a recent survey of European women with early breast cancer, presented for the first time at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) congress, show that the information needs of patients are not being met and that there is an unacceptably low level of patient involvement in potentially life-extending treatment decisions. The survey revealed that older women, those with a low level of education and those without Internet access are particularly uninformed.

Sleep :: Australasian sleep association, Perth – conference highlights

Snorers Cause Bed Partners to have EEG Arousals (91)Sean Tolhurst, University of Queensland and SNORE Australia – A new study has found that people with sleep apnea cause their bed-partners to have EEG arousals and sleep disturbance. Up until now there has been limited scientific information into how much a patient with Obstructive Sleep Apnea disturbs a sleeping bed partner. This study investigated the impact that snoring and sleep apnea events have on the bed-partner.

Health :: Testing athletes’ hearts saves lives – heart screening

If athletes’ hearts are tested the number of sudden cardiac deaths related to sports can go down significantly, say researchers from the University of Padua Medical School, Italy. For the last 24 years, all athletes in Italy have had to undergo an electrocardiogram (EKG) test before engaging in competitive sports. Approximately 2% of people tested were found to have hidden heart problems and are kept from taking part in competitive sports.

Health :: Prevention and treatment are leading contributors to mental health crisis

One in four U.S. adults suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder, yet they face barriers to equal access to treatment and preventive health services, public health experts said today at a forum releasing new research examining the impact of mental illness on the nation’s health from the October 2006 issue of the American Journal of Public Health.

Diabetes :: VeraLight outperforms fasting plasma glucose for diabetes screening

Researchers will report results of a follow-on study of the first non-invasive, diabetes-screening device that was able to significantly outperform the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test and the A1C test for identifying diabetes and pre-diabetes in individuals with one or more known risk factors for the disease. Presented at the 2006 Scientific Assembly of the American Academy of Family Physicians, held here, the study showed a prototype of the device was able to identify 29% more patients than the FPG test and 17% more patients than the A1C test. Both the FPG and A1C are blood tests used to screen and evaluate patients at risk for diabetes.

Lymphoma :: New indications for rituxan in patients with non-hodgkin’s lymphoma

Genentech, Inc. (NYSE: DNA) and Biogen Idec, Inc. (Nasdaq: BIIB) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved, after a Priority Review, two additional uses for Rituxan(R) (Rituximab) for patients with CD20-positive, B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). One new indication for Rituxan is for first-line treatment of previously-untreated patients with follicular NHL in combination with CVP (cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisolone) chemotherapy. The second new indication is for the treatment of low-grade NHL in patients with stable disease or who achieve a partial or complete response following first-line treatment with CVP chemotherapy.

Rheumatoid Arthritis :: Cancer drug Gleevec may be remedy for rheumatoid arthritis

The potent cancer drug Gleevec, used to combat leukemia and some gastrointestinal cancers, may be useful in treating rheumatoid arthritis, according to a team of researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine. Their findings will be published in the October issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

Cancer :: New angiogenesis finding may help fight cancer growth

A researcher at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health has discovered a new part of the complicated mechanism that governs the formation of blood vessels, or angiogenesis.