Pancreatic Cancer Is Rare but Almost Always Fatal Recently, pancreatic cancer seems to have made a very public uprising, afflicting Patrick Swayze, Steve Jobs (who may have a recurrence) and, most recently, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Although relatively rare, pancreatic cancer is rising in incidence. This almost-always-fatal illness is currently the fourth-leading cause of all cancer deaths. Last year, 37,680 new cases of and 34,290 deaths from pancreatic cancer were reported in the United States.To understand the…

Early detection critical in breast cancer, Regular mammograms are best for early detection During National Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, the American Cancer Society reminds women that early detection is the key to surviving breast cancer. If caught early, the breast cancer survival rate is 98 percent. If diagnosed late, the survival rate drops to 27 percent. The best way to detect breast cancer early is through regular mammograms, according to ACS.Despite continuing advances in breast cancer detection, treatment and survival rates, breast cancer is still a major…

Fighting cancer with exercise The standard weapons in the fight against cancer – surgery, chemotherapy and radiation – may soon be joined by something far simpler: exercise.New research shows that regular physical activity helps reduce the risk of recurrence of breast cancer and slows the advance of prostate cancer.In a few years, exercise will probably be prescribed regularly for cancer rehabilitation, said Melinda Irwin, an expert on cancer and exercise at Yale University School of Medicine.

SOME BREAST CANCER STATISTICS Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States.As women age, their risk for breast cancer increases. Three-quarters of all breast cancers occur in women over age 50.The most common sign or symptom of breast cancer is a lump or thickening that does not go away or seem to change. Most lumps in the breast are not cancerous – four out of five are from other causes.Early detection of breast cancer gives a woman her best chances for survival.

STEADY PROGRESS AGAINST BREAST CANCER The American Cancer Society, Illinois Division, applauds the Tribune`s recent coverage of issues surrounding breast cancer. Barbara Brotman`s March 3 story raises important questions about progress against the disease. Fortunately, we do have some of the answers. U.S. breast cancer incidence has been increasing at a rate of 3 percent per year over the last decade. While a portion of this increase is due to progress in detecting tumors in earlier stages, early