Diacor News and Opinion

Adding radiation therapy to treatment with women with early breast cancer who have had breast conserving surgery lessens the chance of the cancer recurring. At the end of the five year study, patients having radiation therapy in addition to the breast lumpectomy had a 41% lower rate of recurrence in the breast and a 36% lower rate of recurrence in the rest of the body. The results of the study have been announced at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. For more information, please visit their website at asco.org.

The American Society of Clinical Oncology has launched a new website, showing forty years of research for cancer treatment. The site provides the history of advances against major types of cancer and advances in patient care, from cancer therapies to patient quality of life. ASCO's website launch marks the 40th anniversary of the National Cancer Act of 1971, which supported major new investments in cancer research. To see the website, please visit cancerprogress.net.

Researchers at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, will present a poster at this year's American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting noting that from their observations, breast and prostate cancer patients who regularly exercise during and after cancer treatment report having a better quality of life and being less fatigued.  According to Dr. Walker, Division Director of Breast Services in the Department of Radiation Oncology, "using exercise as an approach to cancer care has the potential to benefit patients both physically and psychologically, as well as mitigate treatment side effects." 

The abstract of the study is available online at http://www.ASCO.org.