Alcohol and cancer

Alcoholic beverages are especially popular around the holidays, so it’s a good time to remember that alcohol is known to have the potential to cause 6 types of cancer: mouth and throat cancer, larynx (voice box) cancer, esophageal cancer, colon and rectal cancer, liver cancer, and breast cancer in women. In fact, research has shown that approximately 4% of all new cancer cases diagnosed throughout the world are attributable to alcohol consumption. You may be surprised that even moderate drinking contributes to cancer, and heavy drinking is defined differently than you might think: for men it is 4 drinks in a single day OR more than 14 drinks per week. For women, heavy drinking is defined as more than 3 drinks in a day OR more than 7 drinks per week.  See how a drink is defined and learn more at here.

Is DCIS actually breast cancer, and does it require radiation treatment?



Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) has become one of the most commonly diagnosed breast conditions. It is often referred to as “stage zero breast cancer” or a “pre-cancer.” It is a non-invasive breast condition that is usually diagnosed on a mammogram when it is so small that it has not formed a lump. DCIS is not painful or dangerous, but it sometimes develops into breast cancer in the future if it is not treated. Our updated article explains that women with DCIS almost never die of breast cancer if they have a lumpectomy, and they usually live a long life even if they don’t undergo radiation therapy. Read more here.

Consumer and public health groups support FDA proposal to ensure accuracy of lab-developed medical tests

For years, lab-developed diagnostic tests (LDTs), including many tests for cancer, have not had to prove that they are accurate before they can be sold in the U.S. As a result, some of these tests are dangerously inaccurate. Whether erroneously telling someone with cancer that they don’t have it or telling someone who doesn’t have cancer that they do have it or are likely to develop it in the future, patients are being seriously harmed. We are actively supporting a new rule proposed by the FDA that will require better evidence to make sure that these tests from Quest Labs or medical centers are as accurate as diagnostic tests made by companies. Read more here.

Experts fear FDA push to get drugs to market faster is shortchanging patients

The FDA has granted accelerated approval for many cancer drugs and several neurological drugs since 2016, but many of these expensive drugs have not been proven to work. Patients who have been struggling with potentially deadly diseases want hope that there will be a new treatment that will help, but many experts believe that accelerated approval has led to these drugs are being approved too quickly. Dr. Zuckerman told Politico that too often this means patients face serious complications or financial devastation from drugs that are unlikely to work. Read more here.

PFAS, artificial turf, and success in a NJ community and for veterans!

PFAS, or ‘Forever Chemicals’, are still being widely used in thousands of products despite evidence showing that they can lead to cancer and other serious diseases. They are found in stain-resistant clothes, food packaging, playground surfaces, floor tiles made from recycled rubber, and artificial turf, and they do not degrade easily, hence the nickname. We have reviewed the research and found how you can best avoid exposure to these chemicals; you can read about that here.

We want to share two recent success stories in the fight against PFAS and similar chemicals. Last Fall, we wrote a letter explaining why artificial turf was a bad idea for a local elementary school to the Westfield, NJ town council in response to residents’ request for our help. On election day this month, the people of Westfield overwhelmingly voted against installing the turf field. This is a huge victory and we are glad to see community residents are listening to the science and trying to keep their kids safe. You can read the election results here. Meanwhile, the U.S. Veterans Administration has awarded 100% disability to a veteran suffering from colon cancer attributed to dangerous levels of PFAS contamination of groundwater at his military base. That's important for Veterans everywhere. You can read about that here.

NCHR’s comments on proposed guidance chronic hazard



The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) requested comments about their proposed hazard guidelines, and NCHR was glad to suggest improvements. The guidelines had not been updated since they were drafted in 2008 (15 years ago!) and we pointed out several key problems. Our goal is for CPSC to make sure that products are not dangerous, and especially not carcinogenic. Read more here.

Our testimony at FDA advisory panel on blood devices

When cancer patients undergo surgery, their blood is sometimes irradiated during the procedure to make sure it has no cancer cells, and then recirculated back into the patient. These radiation devices have been used for almost 50 years but the FDA has never required them to be proven safe or effective! At a recent FDA Advisory Committee meeting, FDA pointed out the risks of the radiation from these devices, and stated that there is no evidence that they benefit patients. Dr. Zuckerman was the only public speaker at this meeting on November 7, and she let them know that these devices should not be allowed to be used unless they are proven to work. We were pleased that the panel agreed that clinical trials are needed. Read more here.

FDA announces probe into CAR-T therapies due to increased risk of developing new cancer

The FDA is investigating whether patients undergoing CAR-T therapies are more likely to develop T-cell malignancies, after reports of CAR-T patients developing new cancers that resulted in hospitalizations and deaths. CAR-T is a type of immunotherapy that uses a person's own immune cells to attack cancer cells. All six CAR-T therapies on the market are under investigation, but in the FDA’s press release, they stated that at this time, they believe that the benefits of CAR-T therapy outweigh the risks. Find out more here.

Trump's attack on Obamacare

Over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, Former President Donald Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social, that if he were to be re-elected, he would roll back "Obamacare" (also known as the Affordable Care Act). He also criticized Republicans who voted against gutting the law in 2017. Nearly 1 out of 10 Americans (40 million individuals) rely on Obamacare for health insurance. Would Congress agree to eliminate the program that so many Americans rely on for healthcare? Read more about it here.

Cancer Prevention and Treatment Fund

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Today is the last day to have your donation to the Cancer Prevention and Treatment Fund doubled in honor of Giving Tuesday!