This week’s summary of notable health and cancer news:
New Drug For Prostate Cancer Gets F.D.A. Nod
The New York Times recently reported on FDA approval of a new drug for prostate cancer–Xtandi. Until recently the options for men with late-stage prostate cancer were limited, but this has started to change. Xtandi joins a growing group of new prostate cancer drugs, many which have been trialed here at SCCA. In fact, the first patient to receive Xtandi (MDV-3100) was here at SCCA. In 2008, Jim Conaty participated in a Phase I/II trial for MDV-3100 under the guidance of Dr. Celestia Higano. Read Jim’s story here.
Ovarian Cancer Screenings Not Recommended as a Routine
The Washington Post reports on another U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation, this time for ovarian cancer. The task force recommends against routine screening because of the high rate of false-positive tests that then require major surgery. Unlike other recent task force recommendations on mammograms for breast cancer and PSA testing for prostate cancer, this current recommendation seems more inline with what other groups are advising, such as American Cancer Society. Read the task force’s recommendation here.
Marijuana Use Tied to Testicular Cancer Risk
ABC News looks at a study out of the University of Southern California that found that young men who smoke pot are twice as likely to be diagnosed with testicular cancer. The study echos a 2009 study at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, which found frequent or long-term marijuana use could significantly increase the risk of developing testicular cancer.
