Dr. Len's Cancer Blog
 |
J. Leonard Lichtenfeld, MD, MACP - Dr. Lichtenfeld is Deputy
Chief Medical Officer for the national office of the American Cancer Society.
He directs the Society’s Cancer Control Science Department, which produces the
Society’s widely recognized guidelines for the prevention and early detection
of cancer and guidelines for nutrition and physical activity for cancer
survivors. Additionally, Dr. Lichtenfeld is a frequent spokesperson on a
variety of cancer-related subjects and serves as a liaison for the Society with
many professional and public organizations. More >>
|
I frequently say that when I wake up in the morning, I never know what the day will hold, or what city I will be sleeping in that night.
Today is no exception.
Yesterday, I was approached by one of my Texas colleagues and asked if I could help out with some legislation currently before the Texas state senate this morning.
The bill, which would authorize $3 billion for cancer prevention and research ($300 million a year for the next ten years) had passed the Texas House of Representatives, and was currently “in process” in the state Senate. It had run into some roadblocks, and there was a hearing pending for Friday afternoon.
I indicated I would be glad to help out, and then received a phone call indicating that I would be participating in a news conference in the morning. The lead attraction: Lance Armstrong, a Texan and someone who had committed himself to support this legislation and get it passed.
Want to read more...
The information about breast cancer keeps on coming.
We have witnessed a number of new research reports over the past six months that would have anyone interested in the subject of breast cancer reeling from the various—and at times conflicting—messages contained in these reports.
Now, we have another article published in the current issue of Cancer which shows that mammography rates have fallen precipitously from 2000 to 2005.
If you are a regular reader of this blog, you might be asking, “What’s new about that?” After all, we have been discussing the various reports about the decreasing incidence of breast cancer and the decrease in screening mammography for some time.
In fact, this new study adds further strong confirming evidence that we are facing significant challenges when it comes to the early diagnosis of breast cancer.
Want to read more...
If you are interested in the topic of breast cancer, these past months have certainly provided you with a lot of information.
There have been articles on the decrease in the incidence of breast cancer, the effects of hormones on breast cancer, the decrease in the use of mammography for the early detection of breast cancer, and conflicting new recommendations on the value of screening mammography for women between the ages of 40-49.
For all the clutter and the chatter, it is nearly impossible to keep all of the information straight, and it is even harder to figure out what it all means to you or someone you love.
A new paper in the current issue of Breast Cancer Research written by my colleagues here at the American Cancer Society is not going to make the discussion any easier.
Want to read more...
|
