| J. Timothy DiPiero
So, my family doctor sent me to a urologist who ordered a biopsy of the prostate. You're asleep for the biopsy, which causes some slight bleeding for a few days. Again, no big deal. The test results showed I had a few cancer cells, but the doctor thought we had caught it very early. I did some research and talked to some doctors about my options, and to some patients who have had the prostatectomy and who have had what's called "radiation seeds." Both methods are considered effective, and physicians have different opinions on which is better. I opted for the prostatectomy by robotic surgery. The preparation for surgery was similar to other preps, which I did on a Thursday night. I had the surgery Friday morning and was released on Saturday morning. The post-op pain was not severe; Tylenol was all that I required.
Former POW celebrates 90th birthday with card from 'tormentor'
Lillian died after losing her fight with cancer in 1982, aged 62, and John has since remained in the family home. Yesterday, he released an e-book which charts his incredible story from conscription to eventual freedom four years later. In 2005, John marched down Whitehall to lay a wreath of white orchids at the Cenotaph to celebrate the 60th anniversary of VJ Day. He followed a line of dignitaries, led by the Prince of Wales and John Prescott, the Deputy Prime Minister, at the memorial service focusing on those who fought there. In the book, entitled The Diary of a Japanese POW, he tells of the ongoing struggle to sabotage vehicles to prevent the Japanese using them. Other highlights include fly catching sessions instigated by the Japanese to combat the plagues of the insects with the reward of five cigarettes for 50 catches.
Three Possible Biotech Breakouts
The only product that really matters in this story is Provenge for the treatment of prostate cancer. The company is set to release the final analysis of its trial data on April 30, 2009. The company achieved a 20% reduction in the risk of death compared to placebo in an interim analysis that was announced in October 2008 for data collected up to May 2008. However, for approval the company needs to announce a 22% reduction. We believe that the extra eight months data between May 2008 and January 2009 would allow the needed 2%. In each of the above special situations we have a powerful catalyst that has a high likelihood of success. All three belong to our aggressive risk portfolio and you should only get involved with money that you can afford to throw away. If things work out as expected the rewards could be stellar.
Research and Markets: Chinese Markets for Prostate Cancer
Chinas demand for Prostate Cancer Treatment Drugs has grown at a fast pace in the past decade. In the next five years, both production and demand will continue to grow. This new study examines China's economic trends, investment environment, industry development, supply and demand, industry capacity, industry structure, marketing channels and major industry participants. Historical data (1998, 2003 and 2008) and long-term forecasts through to 2013 and 2018 are presented. Major producers in China are profiled. Key Topics Covered: I. INTRODUCTION II. BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT III. PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENT DRUGS INDUSTRY ASSESSMENTS IV. PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENT DRUGS PRODUCTION AND DEMAND V. PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENT DRUGS MARKET OUTLOOK VI. MARKETING STRATEGIES VII.
Poniard Pharmaceuticals Announces New Efficacy and Safety Data
Results showed that the combination is active as first-line therapy for metastatic CRPC (also known as hormone-refractory prostate cancer) as demonstrated by prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels, time to PSA progression and radiologic response rates. Results also continue to show that picoplatin can be safely administered with full-doses of docetaxel and prednisone, the standard treatment for CRPC. "The time to PSA progression data along with high rates of PSA response in this ongoing Phase 2 trial are encouraging and suggest potential clinical benefit when picoplatin is combined with docetaxel and prednisone as a first-line therapy for patients with CRPC," said William K. Oh, M.D., clinical director of the Lank Center for Genitourinary Oncology at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and associate professor, Harvard Medical School.
Low-key Gokey has a lighter side
SPINNING THE DIAL: Money talker Clark Howard told listeners this week that he's facing prostate cancer. "Caught early, it's not too big of a deal, and I have virtually a 100 percent chance of survival," he said. He airs at 2 p.m. weekdays on WTMJ-AM (620), and his TV show runs various times Saturdays and Sundays on CNN's HLN. • Sirius XM Satellite radio airs an Oscar-timed marathon of in-depth interviews with directors Ron Howard, Darren Aronofsky and Danny Boyle starting at 11:30 a.m. Sunday on Sirius Channel 102/XM Channel 155. • There's talk of another round of firings, as early as today, by Clear Channel Communications that could affect the company's six stations in Milwaukee: WOKY-AM (920), WISN-AM (1130), WRIT-FM (95.7), WQBW-FM (97.3), WKKV-FM (100.7) and WMIL-FM (106.1).
Ferring wins European approval for prostate cancer drug
Testosterone plays a major role in the growth and spread of prostate cancer cells. The data show that degarelix provided an extremely fast effect on testosterone levels, close to the immediate effect achieved with surgery. The European Commission approval for Firmagon (degarelix) follows approval from the FDA in the US in December 2008. Ferring plans to communicate a range of information about the treatment at the European Academy of Urology (EAU) congress in Stockholm in March. Pascal Danglas, executive vice president of clinical and product development at Ferring Pharmaceuticals, said: "We are delighted with the approval of Firmagon, which demonstrated in clinical trials both an immediate onset of action and a profound long-term suppression of testosterone and prostate specific antigen.
AP Political NewsBrief at 6:11 am EST
How to help patients make wiser health choices WASHINGTON (AP) _ It's one of medicine's uncomfortable truths: That blood test for prostate cancer is far from perfect. Would as many men take a PSA test if they knew? Or consider treatment for early breast cancer: Is saving the breast worth all the extra doctor visits for radiation or would you prefer the whole breast removed in one trip? This is a news service of Thomson Business Intelligence Service ©2006. This content is for your personal use only, subject to Terms and Conditions. No redistribution allowed.
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No smoking, light drinking good for health
Refraining from smoking and consuming small quantities of alcohol work more effectively than weight loss to prevent cancer and heart disease, according to recent research by a Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry study group. The group, led by Shoichiro Tsugane, chief of the National Cancer Center's Epidemiology and Prevention Division, studied about 96,000 people aged 40 to 69 over a period ranging from 10 to 13 years. The researchers monitored three lifestyle-related factors--smoking, drinking and obesity--and studied their links to cancer and circulatory diseases, including those of the heart. According to the research, refraining from smoking and consuming small amounts of alcohol helped prevent cancer, heart disease and other diseases at every age. But improving body-mass index did not have the same effects.
New Way to Predict Prostate Cancer Risk
For the study, Roobol and colleagues examined the value of PSA combined with digital rectal exam findings, prostate size, previous prostate biopsy results, family history of prostate cancer, and age at diagnosis in predicting the future risk of prostate cancer among 5,176 men in the Netherlands. The men had an initial screening to assess all of these risk factors and a second screening four years later. The researchers found that PSA level was the strongest predictor of future prostate cancer risk. Men with PSA levels of 1.5 or higher were seven times more likely to develop prostate cancer over the next four years than those men whose PSA scores were below that level. Importantly, for any given PSA level, the other factors further modified this risk, Roobol says.
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