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October 17th Marks Beginning of National Radon Awareness Week

Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer. In an effort to raise awareness about the hazards of radon, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated October 17th through October 24th as National Radon Awareness Week. According to James Gelina, President of the Air Quality Control Agency, “Radon is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas formed [...]

Altered Versions of DNA Could Serve as Biomarker for Cancer

In the past few years, new technologies and techniques have become available that allow researchers to quickly sequence large strands of DNA at a fairly affordable cost. Recently, this breakthrough has allowed researchers at Johns Hopkins University to look at DNA mutations as a possible biomarker for cancer. As cancer cells grow and divide, they [...]

10 Years in, Human Genome Mapping Yields No ‘Major Breakthroughs’

Ten years ago, scientists completed the first draft of the human genome project – a highly publicized effort that was supposed to lead to significant breakthroughs in our understanding – and subsequent treatment – of cancer. However, after a decade of study, many scientists are expressing their disappointment in the level of payoff earned from [...]

Everything related to cancer is stressful

Coping with the side effects of cancer treatment, for instance hair loss, tiredness (fatigue), changes in weight, along with how disrupted your life may appear – all contribute to the stress. Everything related to cancer can be stressful. It is normal to be worried and upset about it, and as such some amount of distress [...]

Is Cancer Coverage Too Optimistic?

Newspaper and magazine stories related to cancer are biased towards optimism, according to a research study conducted at the University of Pennsylvania. The study, which was reported in the March 22 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, involved the review of 436 cancer-related stories that were published in national magazines and large-scale newspapers from 2005 [...]

Exercise for the cancer patient

Exercise is not only safe for most people receiving cancer treatment, but it may also allow you to feel a lot better. It has been noticed that moderate exercise helps with a variety of problems including anxiety, fatigue, heart and blood vessel fitness and muscle strength. Most cancer patients can do some kind of exercise. [...]

How to know whether your stress levels are normal or more severe

It is difficult to answer this question because a certain amount of stress is “normal” (expected) when you are diagnosed with cancer. But specific signs and symptoms may serve as warning signals that your distress levels have exceeded normal levels and are becoming serious. These include: Feeling extremely overwhelmed, similar to a panic state Being [...]

Colorado Man Indicted for Posing as Asbestos Inspector

A Colorado man accused of impersonating a licensed asbestos technician has been indicted for setting off an emergency asbestos incident.  A grand jury voted to indict Michael Merit of Parker, Colorado, after he took on a job from a local firm in charge of demolishing trailer homes in the nearby town of Elizabeth.  Resource Center, [...]

A certain amount of distress is normal

If you or one of your loved one has cancer, it is normal to experience some amount of distress. To some extent, cancer-related distress is because of the fears and attitudes people generally have about cancer. For instance, one of the greatest fears people have is that a cancer diagnosis implies death. But it is [...]

April 1-7 was National Asbestos Awareness Week

Over the last thirty years, scientists and researchers have conclusively determined that exposure to asbestos can lead to severe respiratory diseases.  The most dangerous and prevalent of these diseases is mesothelioma, a form of cancer that attacks the soft tissue surrounding the lungs.  A study by the Centers for Disease Control estimated that as many [...]