By Katrina Burton on May 2, 2012 8:18 AM
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Katrina Burton, MD Anderson Staff Writer
With nearly one in five teens smoking cigarettes, there is no better advocate for smoking-cessation than Breanna Jordan, a senior at Stone Mountain High, a school nestled in DeKalb County in Georgia.
As a member of the National Honor Society, varsity cheerleader squad and active participant of SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) - a student-run program that discourages students from drinking, smoking and engaging in destructive behaviors - Jordan is no stranger to peer pressure and what's popular among teens.
"Smoking is the in thing to do for those going through the cool phase," says Jordan. "There is a lot of stress that comes with being a teenager, and some think that smoking among other things helps relieve that stress."
Jordan says it is not only the hygiene problems - bad breath, bad teeth and body odor - that have made her say no to smoking, but diseases like cancer that concern her. Jordan, like most people, has either had a personal experience with cancer or knows someone whose life has been touched by the disease. Just last year her aunt died of a non-smoking related cancer - ovarian cancer.
By Megan Maisel on March 21, 2012 4:01 PM
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Results from a report released today in a leading medical journal indicate that low dose daily aspirin reduces the risk of metastasis of several cancers. According to articles in The Lancet, the protective effect occurs within 3-5 years of beginning aspirin use.
Raymond DuBois, M.D., Ph.D, MD Anderson's provost and executive vice president and a professor of cancer biology and cancer medicine, shares his insights on the study's significance and addresses questions about aspirin dose, and how cancer patients should respond to this news.
By Judy Overton on March 9, 2012 7:53 AM
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Kimberly Tripp was 12 years old when her grandmother died of gastrointestinal cancer. The loss of the person she most admired led her to a career in health care and, eventually, to MD Anderson.
"My first position here was as a post-op surgical nurse on the GI floor," says Tripp, currently administrative director of Acute Care Services. "I ended up taking care of these very same patients."
A stroll through a "colon" According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the third most common cause of cancer in men and women and the second leading cause of cancer death. However, colorectal cancer, relative to other malignancies, is a preventable cancer.
By Adelina Espat on February 10, 2012 10:07 AM
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"We'll kick cancer butt." That's what Ronald DePinho, M.D., MD Anderson's new president, said in a recent interview. And, as a Tae Kwon Do master, DePinho probably could do literally just that.
While he may not be kicking and punching his way through the research lab, DePinho does give significant credit to his martial arts training for teaching him the fundamentals to a fulfilling life. This includes the importance of taking care of one's health.
By working in at least 30 minutes of vigorous physical exercise - weight training, elliptical, or martial arts training every day, DePinho takes an active role in lowering his chances for many common cancers. And, he encourages others to do their part to maintain better health and a more balanced life.
Here's what DePinho said about how he embraces work-life balance in a recent employee blog post:
"Central to functioning on a high level is to invest in one's health. I try to exercise every day, eat properly, avoid excessive alcohol and coffee. I do admit that I often fall short on getting a good night's sleep.
On the job, I am compulsive about time management. A great source of stress derives from the feeling that you do not have control over the demands of your life. At work, I work to ensure that each meeting or activity has a goal and an impactful outcome. To do the best possible work on key tasks, it's important to prioritize and focus until the task is complete. Finally, never stop learning -- education is a lifelong process and the world is not standing still. Invest in one's development.
At home, it's simple -- the key is to ensure you spend quality time with your spouse and children. When with them, BE WITH THEM. It's important to be there mentally and communicate in a deep and meaningful manner."
By Cancerwise Blogger on January 12, 2012 7:45 AM
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By Laura Nathan-Garner, MD Anderson Staff Writer
Your pap test isn't the only reason to see your gynecologist.
Your
doctor also can address unusual symptoms that could be cancer. And, he
or she can help you decide what do about body changes that may affect
your cancer risk at different stages of life.
Here are some topics you may need to discuss with your gynecologist at your next appointment.
Unfortunately,
gynecologic cancers -- including cervical, ovarian and endometrial
cancers -- have vague symptoms. And, many women often overlook or
mistake them for less serious conditions.
Talk to your doctor if you have any of these symptoms for more than two weeks:
By Cancerwise Blogger on January 2, 2012 8:10 AM
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By Lauren Schoenemann
A growing body of research has revealed that diet is thought to account for about 30% of cancers in Western countries.
Clare McKindley, clinical dietician in MD Anderson's Department of Clinical Nutrition, says choosing the right foods comes down to knowing one's physiological needs and practicing self-respect.
"Knowing what your food behaviors are is the first step in determining the most healthful feeding frequency for a person's nutritional and health goals."
Balancing your plate The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) recommends that two-thirds of one's plate include vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans. Foods and beverages that may support a reduced risk for cancer include:
Thanks to the generosity of supporters around the world, Making Cancer History®: The Campaign to Transform Cancer Care has raised $1.215 billion. That's a remarkable accomplishment
in these challenging economic times, and extremely important during an
era of declining federal and state funding.
Even more remarkable, the
campaign closed ahead of schedule, well exceeding its original goal of
$1 billion.
Every dollar of private philanthropy generates an
invaluable return on investment, and that Return on Investment
translates to hope for a future free of cancer.
The more than 630,000
gifts contributed to this campaign since we began just more than five
years ago add up to enormous benefits for thousands of patients, their
families and friends. Every gift, regardless of size, plays a
significant role, enabling researchers to pursue novel ideas, gather
data and successfully compete for federal funding.
Making a difference The
Board of Visitors has spearheaded five major campaign initiatives since
1993, and the Making Cancer History® campaign, led by Harry Longwell of
Dallas, was by far the most ambitious.
Along with my colleagues in the
Development Office, I'm grateful for the efforts and expertise of the
19-member campaign executive committee and for the support of each BOV
member whose personal financial commitment was an inspiration others.
By Lucy Richardson on September 23, 2011 11:00 AM
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Deciding to get the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine was a no-brainer for me. I heard about it on the news and when I did my research, I found the benefits far outweighed the risks.
I was 19 years old and finishing my senior year of high school. I remember talking about it with my girlfriends at lunch. To my surprise, not everyone was in favor of the vaccine.
One friend in particular was not shy to voice her negative opinion. She said she'd discussed the vaccine with her parents, and that they'd heard from friends that it caused mental retardation.
"Both my doctor and my parents feel strongly about the vaccine's benefits," I responded.
It was hard for me to imagine this alleged harmful effect when I listened to my parents and physician, and had done a lot of research on my own.
Vaccine benefits The consensus in the scientific literature was that the vaccine prevents cervical cancer. Each day in America, 30 women are diagnosed with the disease.
The HPV vaccine helps protect against two types of HPV that cause about 75% of cervical cancer cases.
By Megan Maisel on September 1, 2011 8:21 AM
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Ronald DePinho, M.D., begins his presidency of MD Anderson today, Thursday, Sept. 1.
"To eliminate cancer around the world - what could be a more clear and noble mission? Cancer is a daunting foe and too many people still succumb to it. Your many discoveries and extraordinary advances in care have moved the entire field forward over the past 70 years, " DePinho said Thursday in a message to MD Anderson employees. "While much work remains in the lab, the clinic, the classroom, the community and the world, MD Anderson has the people, commitment and resources to conquer this dreaded disease. We will make that happen.
I intend to focus on where the greatest new opportunities lie for us, especially in basic science, in science-driven clinical care, and in education. And I will help you build upon the expertise, compassion and quality of our immense and unmatched clinical operation. I also will not shrink from the task of preparing MD Anderson for continued achievement in a challenging economic climate and era of health care reform."
DePinho is internationally recognized for basic and translational research in cancer, aging and age-associated degenerative disorders. He's the fourth full-time president of MD Anderson.
By Katrina Burton on June 29, 2011 4:58 PM
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By Katrina Burton, MD Anderson Staff Writer
Lung
cancer is the leading cause of death for men and women in the
United States, with more than 157,000 deaths reported last year,
according to the National Cancer Institute. Most lung cancers are caused
by tobacco smoke. The longer a person is exposed to the smoke the
greater the risk for developing the disease.
For many years there have
been no accepted screening tests for lung cancer. Today there's a
new sense of hope on the horizon. It comes in the form of the spiral
computed tomography (CT) screening.
"On
average, lung cancer is typically diagnosed in the later stages of the
disease when it is extremely difficult to treat," says Reginald Munden,
M.D., a professor in the Department of Diagnostic Radiology and MD
Anderson's principal investigator on the clinical trial. In the NLST,
the low-dose spiral CT scan identified more tumors at early stages, when
they are more easily treated.
By Cancerwise Blogger on April 29, 2011 10:19 AM
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By Lindsey Garner, MD Anderson Staff Writer
Spices have been used for centuries as a preserving agent and to add flavor and color to food. Now, spices are emerging as a possible therapy to prevent and treat diseases -- even cancer.
Chile pepper, a customary spice used in Texas and the southwest, has shown anti-cancer effects in research with mice. Capsaicin, the active ingredient in chile pepper and the source of its heat, is the cancer-fighting element.
Led
by Aggarwal, research using capsaicin nutraceuticals (supplements) in
mice resulted in suppressing and blocking pro-inflammatory pathways in
cancer cells.
"Inflammation has turned out to be a common
denominator," Aggarwal says. "Symptoms common in cancer patients, such
as depression, fatigue, neuropathic pain, metastases and tumor growth,
are due to inflammation. By using capsaicin, we can inhibit these
things."
By Cancerwise Blogger on April 28, 2011 8:40 AM
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Last year, MD Anderson President John Mendelsohn, M.D., proposed 10 steps that can be taken to ensure cancer deaths decrease more rapidly, the ranks of survivors swell, and an even greater number of cancers are prevented in the first place.
In an ideal world, cancer "care" would begin with risk assessment and counseling of a person when no malignant disease is present. Risk factors include both inherited or acquired genetic abnormalities and other factors that are related to behavior, lifestyle and the environment.
With nearly one in five teens smoking cigarettes, there is no better advocate for smoking-cessation than Breanna Jordan, a senior at Stone Mountain High, a school nestled in DeKalb County in Georgia. 
