Dana-Farber in the News
April-June 2006
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Healthier Cookouts WCVB-5 (2:03)
Dana-Farber nutritionist Stephanie Vangsness provides tips on safe and healthy grilling this summer. (June 29, 2006)
New vaccine shows promise in preventing cervical cancer Here and Now, WBUR (4:48)
Dr. Ursula Matulonis speaks about the link between certain strains of HPV and cervical cancer and the promise of a recently FDA-approved HPV vaccine. (June 13, 2006)
Black women prone to deadlier breast cancer Associated Press
A Journal of the American Medical Association study found that younger black women who get breast cancer are far more likely to be afflicted with a particularly aggressive and lethal form. Dr. Eric Winer says that it is unclear why this occurs, but disparities in access to treatment still probably account for much of the higher mortality rate among young black women. (June 7, 2006)
Promising new drug Today Show (1:19)
Eric Winer, MD, discusses Tykerb, a new drug that shows promise in the fight against breast cancer. (June 5, 2006)
Sanofi drug adds to survival in head, neck cancer Reuters
(June 5, 2006)
Sanofi blockbuster found effective in other cancer CNN
(June 5, 2006)
New drugs that are being used to fight kidney cancer were discussed the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting. Among the drugs is Taxotere, which has shown to increase survival for patients with head and neck cancers, according to Dr. Marshall Posner. (June 5, 2006)
Vaccine's promise grows Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
(June 5, 2006)
More weapons for fighting cancer Business Week
An experimental drug called Lapatinib - which GlaxoSmithKline will sell under the name Tykerb - promises to help women whose breast cancer continues to grow despite taking the drug Herceptin. Dr. Eric Winer says that the drug's results are more impressive than anyone would have expected. (June 5, 2006)
Targeted cancer drugs gain backers Wall Street Journal (subscription required)
(June 5, 2006)
Cancer drugs like Herceptin and Gleevec have proven to exceed expectations over the past few years. Overall survival rate for chronic myelogenous leukemia patients on Gleevec over five years was 89 percent, a fact that Dr. Robert Mayer calls "really remarkable." (June 5, 2006)
Sanofi blockbuster found effective in other cancer CNN Money
Sanofi-Aventis SA, the world's third-largest drug maker, announced today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the use of a supplemental Taxotere-based treatment for head and neck cancer that has shown to significantly increase survival rates. According to Dr. Marshall Posner, survival rates for advanced head and neck cancers have been historically low. (June 4, 2006)
Drugs hold promise in kidney cancer fight Associated Press
(June 4, 2006)
Researchers at this week's ASCO conference found that Gardasil is useful in preventing not only gynecological cancers but also some incidences of tumors in the head and neck. Dr. Marshall Posner says that if everyone in the U.S. is vaccinated, it would probably impact head and neck cancer in approximately 20 years. (June 4, 2006)
New drug holds promise for type of breast cancer New York Times
(June 4, 2006)
New cancer unit to open at Faulkner Hospital Boston Globe
Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center will open a $5 million cancer unit next month at Faulkner Hospital. (May 29, 2006)
Study: Hope alive for AIDS vaccine Harvard Gazette
Researchers prompted human immune cells to attack HIV protein fragments, showing that an AIDS vaccine is still a possibility. (May 25, 2006)
Chemotherapy debate ABC World News Tonight (2:36)
Dr. Eric Winer says that recent studies that suggest that some breast cancer patients receive little or no benefit from chemotherapy are changing the way some doctors treat the disease. (May 15, 2006)
Docs eye new treatments for breast cancer Boston Herald
(May 15, 2006)
Shift in treating breast cancer is under debate New York Times
Studies have found that benefits of chemotherapy vary among breast cancer patients. Dr. Eric Winer says tumor type and size should be factored into the treatment plans. (May 12, 2006)
Long-term estrogen use raises risk, study finds Associated Press
Dr. Wendy Chen reports that a study of 29,000 nurses found that women who took estrogen pills for at least 15 years had a markedly higher risk of developing breast cancer, but no increased danger was found in those who took the hormone for less than 10. (May 9, 2006)
Lung cancer: it's not just for smokers Boston Globe
Dr. Pasi Janne and his patient, Meryl L. Bralower, call for additional funding for lung cancer research and care. (May 8, 2006)
Twins step up to the plate to raise money for Jimmy Fund Bellair Bee
Twins Cass and Tim Sapir are on a trek to raise money for Dana-Farber by visiting 180 baseball parks around the country in 180 days. (May 4, 2006)
Catastrophic losses Boston Globe (archived)
Caring for a cancer patient can cause financial hardship for families. To address this, resource specialists with the Dana-Farber pediatric oncology program counsel families on their eligibility for federal programs and secondary insurance and provide minor financial assistance. (May 1, 2006)
Does it pay to be a human guinea pig? Money
Patients who are possible candidates for clinical trials should ask themselves several questions in order to decide if a trial is right for them. One aspect of a clinical trial that may be an obstacle is the amount of time involved in participating, according to Sharon Lane, RN. (April 26, 2006)
Runner raises $8K for cancer research Rockingham News
Jenn Saucier, a local physical education teacher, raised more than $8,000 as a member of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team. (April 24, 2006)
Promising news in fight against breast cancer CBS4 Boston
(April 19, 2006)
Fighting Breast Cancer ABC World News Tonight (2:32)
(Apr. 17, 2006)
Osteoporosis drug found to cut risk of breast tumors Boston Globe (archived)
A national trial has found that Raloxifene, a drug used to treat osteoporosis, dramatically reduces the likelihood of breast tumors in high-risk women but with a lower incidence of side effects than Tamoxifen. Dr. Judy Garber calls the drug a "real alternative," and that a trial with this many participants is difficult to ignore. (April 18, 2006)
Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge Fox 25 (3:48)
Members of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team are featured in this piece by fellow Marathon Challenge runner Cara Jones. (April 16, 2006)
Studies challenge traditional breast cancer treatments New York Times
(April 12, 2006)
Study supports chemotherapy for estrogen-negative cancers National Public Radio
(April 12, 2006)
New hope in breast cancer fight Associated Press
A study led by Dr. Eric Winer found that recent advances in chemotherapy have significantly reduced the risk of disease recurrence and death in breast cancer patients whose tumors are not hormone sensitive. (April 12, 2006)
Rites of spring Boston Globe (archived)
(April 12, 2006)
Legends old and new Boston Herald (archived)
(April 12, 2006)
Ailing Dennis boy sings opener anthem Cape Cod Times
Jimmy Fund Clinic patient Jordan Leandre sang the national anthem at the Boston Red Sox home opener game at Fenway Park. (April 12, 2006)
A refined attack on breast cancer Hartford Courant (archived)
While some studies are contradictory, evidence has begun to suggest that exercising and losing weight can reduce the risk of breast cancer returning, said Dr. Jennifer Ligibel. (April 11, 2006)
Jimmy Fund Clinic patient sings National Anthem at Red Sox home opener CBS4 (2:28)
Jordan Leandre, a five-year-old patient at the Jimmy Fund Clinic, sang the National Anthem at Fenway park for the eighth time, but the first time at a season home opener. (April 10, 2006)
A nation of doctors owes Dr. Nathan for their jobs Cambridge Chronicle
Dr. David G. Nathan received the Museum of Science's prestigious Walker Prize and will be awarded the Kober Medal from the Association of American Physicians in Chicago. (April 6, 2006)
Fans fight cancer, cheer Trot Boston Herald (archived)
Businesses across New England are allowing employees who donate a minimum of $5 to the Jimmy Fund to wear Red Sox-themed clothing to work during Boston's home opener. (April 5, 2006)
A new approach to treating cancer Wall Street Journal (subscription required)
A growing number of researchers, including Dr. Bruce Johnson, feel that targeting cancer subgroups rather than searching for a one-size-fits-all cure ultimately will lead to more effective cancer treatments. (April 4, 2006)