Friday Cancer News, May 30, 2008

Friday. Friday. Friday is my favorite day.

Cancer Events:

Marie Curie Cancer Care is sponsoring the Skimmington Castle Bike Ride. “An exciting fun filled cycle challenge, Saturday, June 7 in the beautiful surroundings of the Surrey countryside.Cyclists will set off from the Skimmington Castle public House in Reigate, either on the 47.5 mile route, for those who fancy a challenge, or the 16.5 mile route for those who feel they’d like the day to take a more leisurely pace.

Once you have completed the bike ride you will end up back at the Skimmington Castle pub for a chance to exchange stories over a well earned drink.”

Father’s Day Ride and Stride. Sunday June 15, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.

“This Father’s Day, honor Dad and support the fight against prostate cancer. Bring your family and enjoy a morning of fun at beautiful North Park, while supporting Pittsburgh’s leading organizations in the fight to defeat prostate cancer— the Allegheny General Prostate Center and the Western Pennsylvania Prostate Cancer Foundation (WPPCF). This event will include a 25K, 50K and 100K bike ride and a 2 mile fun walk. Choose either as your weapon to fight against prostate cancer and a way to celebrate Father’s Day with loved ones. We’re taking aim against this deadly disease.”

Cancer Headline News:

ScienceDaily, May 30, 2008. Abnormalities in Gene for Melanoma Found. “Researchers have discovered that there are several different kinds of DNA abnormalities that can occur in a gene called the KIT gene. These abnormalities are associated with different kinds of acral and mucosal melanomas, which are less common, but highly malignant forms of skin cancer. Acral melanomas are found on the palms of hands, the soles of feet and under nails.”

Turkish Daily News-Reuters Health, May 30, 2008. Tea Doesn’t Raise Cancer Risk. “Results from a decades-long study may enable women to drink coffee or tea without worry that doing so will increase their risk for breast cancer, study findings suggest. “In this large cohort of women, with 22 years of follow-up, we observed no association between coffee (caffeinated or decaffeinated) and tea consumption and the risk of breast cancer,” Dr. Davaasambuu Ganmaa told Reuters Health.

Reuters, May 28, 2008. TV Stations Join Forces on Cancer Special. “ABC, CBS and NBC will air a live primetime special September 5 to raise money for cancer research. The hourlong “Stand Up to Cancer” will air commercial-free, with musical performances and appearances by actors and news anchors.”

The Times of India, May 28, 2008. Indian Makes Cancer Discovery. “A Goa-born surgeon researching and teaching at the Dundee University in Scotland has pioneered a new method for the early detection of breast cancer.”

Calgary Herald, May 27, 2008. Gum Disease Linked to Cancer. “New research is linking gum disease with a higher risk of cancer, especially cancers of the kidneys, pancreas and blood.”

Battling Books:

Five Lessons I Didn’t Learn From Breast Cancer (And One Big One I Did) by Shelley Lewis (May 2008)