A study from the Moffitt Cancer Centre, USA has shed more light on the risk of impaired cognitive function after starting androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). They found that intellect became significantly impaired by 6 months but was even worse at a year. Interestingly, age, cognitive reserve, depressive symptoms, fatigue, and hot flushes  did not moderate the risk. What was significant was a genetic susceptibility to dementia called GNB3 single-nucleotide polymorphism. Lifestyle tips to help your brain

A new study discovers which personality types are more likely to experience emotional distress after prostate cancer. These include men with a low confidence in cancer control, had fears of loosing their masculine identity, had low optimism or low resilience. The authors recommended referral to brief cognitive behavioral interventions, especially to help patients with these traits not only to relieve stress but improve decision making.  More about psychological support

Turmeric has a number of potential anticancer properties ranging from slowing growth, increasing apoptosis, preventing the invasion and migration. These properties are specific to cancer not normal cells. The worry among oncologist is that it also has antioxidant properties which although good for fighting carcinogens could interfere with chemotherapy. A laboratory study actually showed the opposite; A turmeric taxotere combination was more effective at killing lung cancer cells than taxotere alone and had less damage to normal cells - read more

A study presented at MASSC Copenhagen provides further reassurance for men taking the food supplement Pomi-T . In this new study, men who continued Pomi-T long term had 2 high resolution MRI images a year apart. There was a 100% correlation between disease progression on MRI with a rising PSA This data strongly suggests that the PSA effect of Pomi-t correlates with disease on MRI see full poster

Women who were exposed to higher levels of the potential carcinogen pesticide DDT in utero were nearly four times more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer as adults than women who were exposed to lower levels before birth, according to a study published  in J Clin End & Met 

  New FDA regulations classify partially-hydrogenated oils that comprise nearly all trans fat consumed in the USA as food additives sat they cannot be used unless specifically authorised. Naturally occurring trans fat in milk and other animal products wouldn't be affected. The impact will be small reductions in LDL cholesterol for an individual but the impact for a population may be significant - read more

Although the benefits of exercise are clear after chemotherapy, a trial published in JCO recently confirmed that there are major benefits during chemotherapy, with little risk. What's more, it showed that amoung the 230 patients investigated those randomised to a high intensity supervised programme had particularly less nausea, vomiting and fatigue and more power and stamina to lead a normal life - full paper