Oncolab News

NYT blog: Prostate Test Finding Leaves a Swirl of Confusion

2011-10-11T16:30:06Z

For men living with a diagnosis of prostate cancer, the news that the P.S.A. test does more harm than good has been unsettling and confusing.

After all, that is the test that first led to their diagnosis -- and, often, a painful and traumatic course of treatment.

And now they tell us it doesn't work?

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/10/prostate-test-finding-leaves-a-swirl-of-confusion/?ref=science

NYT article: Sreening, Increased Risks After Prostate Biopsy

2011-10-11T16:18:41Z

A prostate biopsy more than doubles the risk of being hospitalized for infections and other medical problems within the following month, a new study reports.

Researchers examined Medicare records of 17,472 men, average age 73, who had prostate biopsies and those of 134,977 matched controls selected on a random day. Then the scientists compared hospitalization rates in the two groups over the next 30 days. Among the controls, 2.9 percent were hospitalized; the rate among the biopsied patients was 6.9 percent. Excluding men hospitalized for prostate cancer treatment made no difference in the results -- it was biopsy alone, not treatment, that led to hospitalization.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/04/health/research/04screening.html?_r=2&ref=health

NYT Blog: Bladder Cancer a Growing Concern for Smokers

2011-08-24T14:11:33Z

Smokers have much higher odds of developing bladder cancer than previously believed, and the changing makeup of cigarettes may be a factor, new research shows.

While cigarettes are more typically associated with lung cancer, researchers have known for years that smoking also raises the risk of bladder cancer among both men and women. Previous studies based on people who smoked prior to the 1990s had put the risk for smokers at about three times the risk seen among nonsmokers.

But in a new study, published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, a team of scientists at the National Cancer Institute used a larger population group and more recent data, following a half million people between 1995 and 2006. They found that current smokers were four times as likely to develop bladder cancer compared with people who never smoked, and former smokers had 2.2 times the risk.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/17/bladder-cancer-a-growing-concern-for-smokers/?ref=health

BBC article: Ovarian cancer clue raises blood test hopes

2011-08-24T14:06:59Z

A chemical in the blood could one day help doctors spot early signs of ovarian cancer, research suggests.

A US team found a marker antibody in the blood of women with ovarian cancer, but not in healthy ones.

Ovarian cancer is hard to detect at an early stage, which means it can remain hidden until it is advanced and very difficult to treat.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-14555766

NYT article: Cancer's Secrets Come Into Sharper Focus

2011-08-16T15:10:59Z

For the last decade cancer research has been guided by a common vision of how a single cell, outcompeting its neighbors, evolves into a malignant tumor.

Through a series of random mutations, genes that encourage cellular division are pushed into overdrive, while genes that normally send growth-restraining signals are taken offline.

With the accelerator floored and the brake lines cut, the cell and its progeny are free to rapidly multiply. More mutations accumulate, allowing the cancer cells to elude other safeguards and to invade neighboring tissue and metastasize.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/16/health/16cancer.html?_r=1&hp

BBC article: Cancer discovery offers hope of tackling spread of disease

2011-08-16T15:08:31Z

Scientists have discovered how cancerous cells can "elbow" their way out of tumours, offering clues for new drugs to prevent cancers spreading.

They say they have identified a protein called JAK which helps cancerous cells generate the force needed to move.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-14530143

BBC article: Obesity 'leading driver' of breast cancer

2011-07-28T19:08:58Z

The BBC posted an article on July 19th about a study linking Obesity to certain types of breast cancer.

Obesity is the biggest driving force behind the most common form of breast cancer in older women, say researchers.

Alcohol and then cigarettes are the next largest culprits, according to Cancer Research UK.

One in eight women in the UK develop breast cancer in their lifetime, data shows, and the majority of these tumours are "hormone sensitive" meaning their growth is fuelled by hormones.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-14202383

BBC article: Gene link to 70% of hard-to-treat breast cancers

2011-07-15T14:27:01Z

An interesting article from the BBC about a study which made a like between a specific gene and hormone therapy resistant breast cancer:

A gene has been linked to 70% of hard-to-treat breast cancers which are resistant to hormone therapies, in US research. The study published in Nature used a new technique which tested hundreds of genes at once, rather than one at a time. Scientists said there was "a lot of potential for significant impact" if drugs could be developed. Cancer Research UK said it would be interesting to see where the study led.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-14152095

Oncolab Lab List Update

2011-05-31T18:33:28Z

To assist patients in finding labs that draw blood for the AMAS test, Oncolab maintains a lab list which is linked to a Google Map and posted to our website. Oncolab strives to keep this list as up to date and accurate as possible. As of today the list was updated with approximately eighty labs added.

In the coming weeks a Google Map with Canadian labs will be added to the website.

The lab list can be found at http://www.oncolabinc.com/map.php

Prevention: Coffee Lowers Risk of Prostate Cancer, Harvard Study Says

2011-05-23T14:43:09Z

A study released last week from Harvard's School of Public Health showed a lower risk of prostate cancer for coffee drinkers.

Articles were published in a number of newspapers including the New York Times.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/24/health/research/24prevention.html?_r=1&ref=health

New AMAS Draw Sites

2011-05-05T15:31:28Z

Over the past year Oncolab has been working diligently to sign private and regional laboratories to help in the ease of running the AMAS test. We are pleased to announce that several of these agreements are moving into the final stages and will be signed in the coming months. Once they are officially announced there will be posts here on our blog and the new lab locations will be added to the lab list on our website.

AMAS Test and Renal Cell Carcinoma

2011-04-28T16:02:37Z

Oncolab occasionally receives messages from patients telling their stories about how the AMAS test has helped them. Below is one of those stories:

"What are you worried about?" the doctor said to me in his cavalier manner, "It's just a cyst." He was the head of Urology at a major LA hospital center. The CT scan, MRI and Ultrasound just presented a cyst ... but did not identify it to be cancerous. My cousin told me about the AMAS test. I called Oncolab, ordered the kit, took it to a local hospital lab and had it drawn and prepared, then I shipped it back to Oncolab. The results came back in a couple of days positive for [anti-malignin] antibodies to cancer. I saw my family doctor who sent me to a Urologist. This Urologist took me very seriously and addressed the fact that he could not tell me one way or the other from the films alone if this cyst was or was not malignant and "That is dangerous", he said. "This could very well be a malignancy". He sent me to the Cleveland Clinic where I was told to get it out as soon as possible. The cyst and the lower lobe of my left kidney were removed laparoscopically.

The AMAS test was right it was malignant. Type 1 Renal Cell Carcinoma.
(Kidney Cancer) The AMAS test saved my life. I am very grateful for this test. I have continued to take the test over the years to make sure that I am cancer free. Thank you Oncolab! All Physicians should be made aware of and use this very helpful diagnostic tool.

-Debra Armani

Shipping Samples to Oncolab

2011-03-17T15:53:54Z

Oncolab has been receiving an increasing number of calls about problems shipping samples. I wanted to address some of these issues and offer advice and information that may be helpful.

The AMAS requisition form lists the instructions on how to prepare and ship the serum sample to Oncolab. Some patients and labs have problems shipping samples for one of multiple reasons. We have worked with FedEx, UPS and USPS to find the best way to ship samples. Place three pounds of dry ice and the sample (sample in plastic Nunc tube and Nunc tube inside the supplied plastic bag) into the styrofoam box. Place the styrofoam box into the cardboard box and place paperwork on top, tape the cardboard shipping container closed. Place the supplied UN 1845 (Dry Ice) and the soon to be supplied UN 3373 (Biological Substance) labels on the outside of the shipping container. Ship the package with either FedEx Priority Overnight or UPS Next Day Air. The patient is responsible for the shipping charges.

A FedEx clinical pack is not needed. See Pointers on Shipping Clinical Samples which documents how to send a clinical sample. If you are still having issues call 1-800-GoFedEx 1-800-463-3339

Large labs that are used to shipping serum specimens to other laboratories generally have dry ice. If the lab that is drawing your blood does not have dry ice local supermarkets and ice suppliers normally have some on hand. You may also try online at www.dryicedirectory.com.

If needed, a dry ice label can be found here.

Oncolab's Holiday Schedule

2010-12-17T14:32:55Z

Oncolab will be closed on December 24th for Christmas. Samples may be sent between Monday the 20th and Tuesday the 22th. If there are any questions feel free to call us at 1-800-922-8378

Happy Holidays

Study finds that aspirin may help reduce cancer deaths.

2010-12-17T14:29:24Z

A study printed in the Lancet journal finds that aspirin may help reduce cancer deaths.

Read more here http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/07/us/07aspirin.html?_r=2&ref=health