Cancer update

Prostate radiation therapy nearly doubles rectal cancer risk

Men with prostate cancer who undergo radiation therapy could face a 70 percent higher risk of developing rectal cancer than men who opt for surgical treatment, according to a new study from the University of Minnesota Cancer Center. The study’s, from the University of Minnesota’s Medical School and Cancer Center, recommends that men who undergo prostate radiation be checked for rectal cancer beginning five years after treatment and also consult their doctors about suitable cancer screening methods. Overall changes to current prostate cancer treatment methods were not recommended. In addition, no other direct link was found between prostate radiation and higher cancer risks for other areas of the colon. The study was conducted by examining archived data of over 85,000 men with prostate cancer diagnosed from 1973 to 1994. While much of the study data date back prior to 1995, researchers caution that even after subsequent technological advances, some areas of the rectum still receive high enough doses of radiation during prostate treatment to warrant a close watch for developing rectal cancer.

Diabetes may raise risk of liver cancer

A new study warns that diabetes may triplet the risk of liver cancer. Out of 2,161 liver cancer patients examined over a five-year period, 43 percent had diabetes for three years before their diagnosis. By contrast, only 19 percent of 6,183 random individuals in a control group had diabetes during a three-year period. After factoring in other possible contributing diseases for the cancer patients, researchers concluded that diabetics were three times more likely to develop liver cancer than those without diabetes. The study also found that hepatitis C produces a 24-fold increase in liver cancer risk, while the number rises to a 37-fold increase for patients with both diabetes and hepatitis C. While liver cancer is a rare disease, the study’s, from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, advises physicians to monitor their diabetic patients’ liver health. Patients in the population-based study were identified using US Medicare data.

A new rule may help simplify your diet

The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) has issued a new rule of thumb to help dieters implement health recommendations from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005 outlines many specific, detailed suggestions for changing one’s diet and cutting health risks. The AICR’s "New American Plate" campaign recommends applying these suggestions by diving your plate into thirds: About two-thirds should consist of plant foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans. The remaining one-third or so should consist of animal protein such as fish, meat or poultry. A second, similar dietary model from the AICR suggests that "a stew, stir-fry, casserole, pilaf, frittata, chili or dinner salad" should contain the same two-thirds to one-third proportions of plant food and meat. According to AICR Nutrition Advisor, these recommendations are "a clear, direct and effective way to eat in accordance with the 2005 (USDA) guidelines at every meal.