LungBlog

Chemotherapy not only causes the phenomenon called “chemobrain,” there now is evidence of subtle changes in specific brain regions explaining why some patients can’t remember where they’ve placed their keys or lose their way along well traveled routes.

Despite a few past studies suggesting that chemobrain - a feeling reported by cancer patients of forgetfulness, confusion and disorientation - was more imagined than real, a team of medical investigators in Japan found the condition indeed is genuine and substantially affects cognition. Reported in the current issue of Cancer, the analysis provides concrete evidence that chemotherapy affects regions involved in thinking, reasoning and remembering.

Data from the European arm of the Synovate Healthcare Global Tandem Oncology Monitor (GTOM) reveals a rise in female lung cancer across Europe’s five largest drug-treated oncology markets: the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain. In 2006 women now comprise almost 25% of lung cancer patients – this is up from 18% in 2001, representing a 7% growth in just five years.

A Vanderbilt researcher has been awarded $450,000 to continue his lung cancer research.

Biomoda, Inc. of Albuquerque, NM, maker of early lung cancer detection testing and other cancer diagnostic technology, announced today that its common stock has begun trading on the OTC Bulletin Board under the ticker symbol “BMOD”. Biomoda’s technology is based on a patented porphyrin application that preferentially binds to cancerous or aberrant cells that are extracted from lung sputum samples. Cancerous cells glow red under fluorescent light to allow detection under a microscope. The patented technology, a non-invasive cytology based assay, is amenable to use by automated sample reading equipment platforms. This will allow large populations to be screened for cancer at a reasonable cost with high specificity and greater sensitivity and accuracy than most other types of cancer screening.

Seventh-graders at Harborside Middle School got a dose of reality Wednesday when the American Lung Association’s Breath Express Van rolled into town for a lesson in lung health, and a first-hand look at what smoking can do to healthy lungs.

Following the success of the 2006 Lung Cancer Journalism Awards, TheGlobal Lung Cancer Coalition (GLCC) is excited to launch the 2007 Lung CancerJournalism Awards during Lung Cancer Awareness Month, a global initiative torecognise excellence in lung cancer reporting.

Coping with a lung cancer diagnosis and seeking the proper treatment is no easy task. A newly-created Lung Cancer Program at Stamford’s Bennett Cancer Center aims to help patients through the process.

Written by a friend who attended the Simply the Best Gala:

Well, last night I got all fancy dressed up and attended a Black Tie party benifiting Lung Cancer research. The purpose of this event was to raise awareness and funds to eradicate lung cancer through research, screening, education, prevention and treatment.
It is a cause that is very close to me and is effecting one of my most favorite people on this planet.

When Norman Stanford found out he had lung cancer the news was devastating enough. But finding out he wouldn’t be getting the drugs he needed because he lived in the ‘wrong area’ (of the UK) has left him furious.

 A letter to an editor: November is lung cancer month. I heard this from a woman on the Today show. She said it is one of the least-funded cancer research as well as one of the deadliest. By the time it is diagnosed, it can be too late.

Why is it so poorly funded when it is so deadly? There is so much publicity and so many fundraisers for other cancers — breast, colon and prostate. They are deadly too, but there are reliable tests to detect them so they can be treated early. There are no tests or screenings to detect lung cancer in its early stages.