Injectable birth control may double cancer risk
istockphoto
The study examined younger women, ages 20 to 44, and confirmed a link between depo-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) - the main ingredient in the contraceptive sold under the brand name Depo-Provera - and breast cancer risk. The contraceptive shot is usually injected into the buttocks or upper arm once every 3 months, or just under the skin once every 12 to 14 weeks.
16 worst birth control mistakes
Long-term hormone use ups breast cancer risk, even estrogen
The contraceptive contains progestin, the same hormone used in a menopausal therapy that has previously been found to increase risk for breast cancer. But researchers say few studies have examined the link between DMPA and breast cancer risk, and this is the first large scale U.S. study to do so.
Continue »
Cancer diagnosis increases heart attacks, suicide
istockphoto
(CBS News) A cancer diagnosis does not guarantee death from cancer. A new study shows that patients diagnosed with cancer are at higher risk of death from heart problems or suicide.
The traumatic experience of being diagnosed with cancer may trigger other health consequences beyond the effects of the disease, researchers found.
Fake cancer drug Avastin hits U.S. market for the second time
Study: Taller women may be at higher risk for ovarian cancer
What would cancer treatment for "Mad Men's" Betty Draper be like in the 1960s?
The study, led by epidemiologists at the University of Iceland in Reykjavik, involved more than 6 million Swedes. After examining 1991 to 2006 data of patients' cancer diagnoses and risk of suicide or death from cardiovascular disease, researchers found that patients who had recently been diagnosed with cancer had increased risks of both suicide and death from heart problems.
Continue »
Fake avastin hits market for the second time
The FDA is alerting healthcare professionals that 120 vials of fake Altuzan - a cancer fighting drug - have entered the U.S.
(CBS News) Another batch of counterfeit cancer drugs have been discovered in the United States.
A batch of 120 vials of fake Avastin, labeled under its Turkish name Alzutan, was shipped through the U.K. from Turkey. The pattern mimics the first time phony Avastin was found in the U.S. in February.
VIDEO: Second fake cancer drug enters U.S. supply
Following the trail of fake Avastin
Fake Avastin shipper tied to Canadadrugs.com
"What we're seeing is a pattern of this risky practice of purchasing unapproved drugs from foreign suppliers," Connie Jung, a pharmacologist with the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Office of Drug Security, Integrity and Recalls, told CBS News.
Continue »
Taller women at risk for ovarian cancer
Tall female models walk the runway at the 2012 HOSA Swimwear Trend Fashion Show during the China Fashion Week in Beijing, China, on March 29, 2012.
/ AP / Alexander F. Yuan(CBS News) Being a tall woman can have its disadvantages. Every additional 5 centimeters - or about 2 inches - of height equals a slight increase in the risk of getting ovarian cancer.
Experimental antibody drug stalls 7 kinds of cancer, study shows
Stem cells in ovaries may grow new eggs, study shows
A new study in Public of Library Science Medicine looked at 47 epidemiological studies in 14 countries involving about 25,000 women with ovarian cancer and more than 81,000 women without ovarian cancer.
They found that the taller the woman, the higher the chance she would get ovarian cancer. Each 5 centimeters of height equaled a 7 percent higher risk.
Continue »
Half of cancer survivors die of other illnesses
A patient receives cancer treatment
/ CBS(CBS News) Almost half of people who have cancer die of another disease, according to a new study presented at the American Association for Cancer Research annual meeting in Chicago, Ill.
Pictures: Is it skin cancer? 38 photos that could save your life
Continue »
"Mad Men" shines light on cancer in the 1960s
January Jones as Betty Draper on "Mad Men."
/ AMC(CBS News) - Fans of "Mad Men" were saddled with two big revelations about Betty Draper's character on the April 1 episode (SPOILERS): Not only did Mrs. Francis (formerly Draper) gain a lot of weight, she had developed a tumor on her thyroid.
"Mad Men" Season 5 debuts with "A Little Kiss"
The icy Betty cracked and revealed a softer, maternal side when she thought she was going to die, and Don Draper fretted about the future of his children and the woman he once loved (or at least strongly liked).
Continue »Mammograms tied to breast cancer "overdiagnosis"
istockphoto.com
(CBS/AP) A new study has called into question how effective mammograms are at predicting breast cancer. The study found mammograms may spot cancers far too slow-growing to ever cause a problem, resulting in "overdiagnosis" and the potential need for unnecessary chemotherapy and surgery.
PICTURES: Busted! 8 mammogram truths every woman must know
For years, women have been urged to get screened for breast cancer because the earlier it's found, the better chances for treatment and survival. Now researchers have found more evidence suggesting that's not always true.
Continue »Melanoma on rise in young women: Why?
istockphoto
(CBS News) Melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, is on the rise - especially among young women, a new study shows.
PICTURES - Is it skin cancer? 38 photos that could save your life
The study, published in the April 2012 edition of the Mayo Clinic Proceedings, looked at the incidence of melanoma in patients ages 18 to 39 years, who had been diagnosed with the cancer between 1970 and 2009.
Continue »
Mattel to manufacture bald Barbie doll
Image from the "Beautiful and Bald Barbie! Let's see if we can get it made" Facebook page
/ Facebook(CBS News) - Big news for the campaign for a bald Barbie: Mattel has agreed to manufacture a hairless doll.
Mattel company spokesman Alan Hilowitz told HealthPop that the company will produce a friend of Barbie that will have wigs, hats, scarves and other accessories to give children "a traditional fashion play experience." The kids will have the option to remove the wigs and head coverings.
Friends connected by cancer campaign for bald Barbie
Continue »
UV photos may scare some into skin protection
A UV photograph of a 19-year-old subject shows damage the sun has had on her skin.
/ American Academy of Dermatology/University of Colorado Cancer CenterA study published in the March issue of the Journal of the America Academy of Dermatology reveals that UV photography may show pertinent information about the skin cancer risks that can't be seen just by looking at someone's face.
U.S. cancer rates fall, but cases caused by obesity and tanning rise
VIDEO: Congress: Most tanning salons lie about dangers
FDA approves Erivedge for most common type of skin cancer
"The major thing about this study is we now have a tool that can be used to counsel people," study author Dr. Robert Dellavalle, associate professor of dermatology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Denver, Colorado, tells HealthPop. "We can use UV photography as a public effort to get kids to stop using tanning beds or staying out in the sun too long that they burn."
Continue »
One drink a day can raise breast cancer risk
PIERRE ANDRIEU/AFP/Getty Images
(CBS News) Research suggests women who have one drink each day are less likely to have a stroke and more likely to age healthily. But a new study of women shows just one drink a day might increase risk for breast cancer by 5 percent.
The risk goes up to 50 percent for women who drink heavily, defined as three or more drinks a day, the study found.
Alcoholic beverage study shows daily drink may benefit women
PICTURE: 25 breast cancer myths busted
PICTURES: 10 ways to tumor proof your breasts
Cancer rates down, obesity and tanning are issues
istockphoto
(CBS/AP) Fewer Americans are getting cancer, according to the latest report that looked at three decades worth of U.S. cancer rates. The new report, released Wednesday, found the overall cancer death rate has dropped by 1.5 percent annually in adults and 1.7 percent in children.
Fewer Americans dying of cancer, American Cancer Society says
American Cancer Society report shows disparity in cancer rates: Who's being left behind?
PICTURES: Cancer in the 1800s: 23 rare photos (GRAPHIC)
"This is good news," said Dr. Marcus Plescia of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one of four organizations that worked on the report. "There has been positive momentum for several years now and that continues."
Continue »Experimental drug shrinks tumors for 7 cancers
istockphoto
(CBS News) A new study shows one single drug can stack up against seven types of deadly cancer, shrinking tumors and stopping them from spreading.
How does it work?
Prostate cancer cured in mice: Are humans next?
Antibody could help predict ovarian cancer
PICTURES: Cancer: 25 Deadliest States
Supercomputer Watson takes on cancer care
This photo provided by IBM shows the IBM computer system known as Watson at IBM's T.J. Watson research center in Yorktown Heights, N.Y. Supercomputer Watson will team up with Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City to learn the latest in cancer care.
/ APIBM Watson supercomputer turns to medicine
IBM's Watson supercomputer to tackle health insurance claims
What's Watson up to now? The genius computer is in New York City at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, absorbing the latest knowledge in oncology research from one of the top cancer hospitals in the country.
Continue »
Studies: Daily aspirin protects against cancer
istockphoto
(CBS News) Many doctors recommend that patients take a daily dose of aspirin to reduce their risk for a future heart attack or stroke. Now three new studies suggest taking the cheap powdery pill every day can also reduce a person's risk for cancer, or prevent the disease from getting worse in patients who already have it.
PICTURES: Cancer: 25 Deadliest States
The studies, all led by Professor Peter M. Rothwell, a professor of clinical neurology at the University of Oxford in the U.K. are published in the March 20 issue of The Lancet and The Lancet Oncology.
Continue »