Cancer screening and prevention

January 11, 2018

Health officials are expanding their efforts to reduce the HPV virus’ link to cervical cancer with a move that may seem counterintuitive—encouraging some women to get screened for the disease less frequently.

November 28, 2017

Research has found that alcohol's negative effects harm women more than men, which is especially worrisome considering other trends that show women today are drinking more than ever.

November 2, 2017

November’s designation as National Lung Cancer Awareness Month offers a timely opportunity to continue a national conversation about the need for early detection and screening.

September 28, 2017

Prostate cancer is not an equal opportunity disease. Black men in the United States have substantially higher prostate cancer incidence and mortality rates than the general population. They are also more likely to be diagnosed with an aggressive form of the disease—which is typically treated with surgery and radiation therapy. Yet, black men are less likely than white patients to seek treatment, and when they do, their doctors are more likely to recommend a watch-and-wait approach over surgery or radiation therapy, according to recent research.

September 21, 2017

It may be hard to believe today, but in the 1980s, the public knew little about breast cancer, how it forms and how it’s treated. But thanks to annual Breast Cancer Awareness efforts launched every October, when the country is awash in pink ribbons, many women are better informed about how they may reduce their risk for developing the disease, and what they should do to screen for it. But gynecological cancers get little of that public attention

September 7, 2017

Gynecologic cancers do not get the kind of public attention other cancer types do. September is Gynecologic Cancer Month, but you’re unlikely to see many purple ribbons, fundraisers or walks to raise awareness for the cause. Compared to breast cancer and its pink takeover during its awareness month in October, gynecologic cancers—cervical, ovarian, uterine (endometrial), vaginal and vulvar— are much lesser known.

August 31, 2017

When you hear "virus," you may think of minor, temporary illnesses, like the cold or 24-hour flu. But some viruses are also linked to certain kinds of cancer. Read more.

August 3, 2017

New direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic tests, like the one approved in April by the U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA), are seen by some as tools that allow everyday Americans to learn not just about their family lineage but also their risk for diseases ranging from late-onset Alzheimer’s to Parkinson’s, all from the comfort of home. The news may sound like a welcome development to many, but experts warn that these at-home tests should be viewed with caution.

July 6, 2017

HER2 is a gene found in healthy cells, but when it mutates, the body makes too many HER2 proteins, which may lead to breast cancer. Understanding the chemical and genetic makeup of your cancer, including whether it’s HER-2 positive, may help doctors recommend a specific treatment and predict how likely the tumor will respond.