News from the cancer side, June 12

News from the toxicologists

Formaldehyde, pesticide increase cancer risk
Two ongoing studies indicate that exposure to certain compounds increased the risk for certain types of cancer. Formaldehyde exposure among industrial workers is associated with increased risk of cancers of the blood and lymphatic system. Pesticide use has been linked to higher risk of pre-cancerous multiple myeloma.

News from the sporty survivors

Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James recovering from five hour operation
NBA’s Most Valuable Player LeBron James is on his way to recovery after a 5-hour surgery on his right jaw. James had a tumor in the right saliva-producing parotid gland. The growth is said to be benign.

Lance Armstrong gives strong Giro d’Italia showing
Meanwhile, another sports professional and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong showed that “he is a force to be reckoned in the mountains after a strong stage in the Giro d’Italia” last month. The next race is just around the corner. Tour de France starts on July 4 and ends on July 26.

News from the legislators

California Senate Votes to Ban Bisphenol A in Baby Food and Beverage Products
California is BPA-free! The California Senate passed the Toxics-Free Babies and Toddlers Act (SB 797) aka the Pavley Bill after its initiator Sen. Fran Pavley. If it goes through the Stae Assembly, the bill will ban the use of bisphenol A in the manufacture of food and drink containers designed for children aged 3 and younger. BPA is a potential carcinogen and endocrine disruptor. It leaches out of food containers and packaging and ends up in the human body. “Millions of babies and toddlers are exposed to the toxic hormone disruptor BPA on a daily basis through their baby bottles, formula and baby food,” said Renee Sharp, director of Environmental Working Group’s California office. “If the Pavley bill becomes law, this will finally end.”

News from the advocacy groups

June Spotlight: Pediatric Patient Resources
The Dana Farber Institute’s spotlight for this month is on resources for pediatric cancer patients. It gives information about insurance and other financial issues, school and education, recreation and other social issues that young cancer patients and their families have to face.

News from the researchers

New protein centre opens
The Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Copenhagen opened a new protein research center on June 4. The center is called the Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for Protein Research, named after the foundation which donated the 80 million Euros neede to set it up. The Protein Centre opens up new opportunities for investigating the complicated progression from protein to disease.