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Cancer Survival Rates: The Complex Meaning of the 'Five-Year Mark' in Oncology

Cancer Survival Rates: The Complex Meaning of the 'Five-Year Mark' in Oncology

The 'five-year survival' statistic in cancer treatment is a benchmark used by doctors and researchers, but it does not equate to a 'five-year cure.' While over 10 million cancer survivors in the U.S. have lived beyond five years, and more than 1.4 million beyond 20 years, the meaning of this milestone varies significantly depending on the type of cancer. For solid tumors like breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers, which have longer cellular doubling times, microscopic cells can hide and evade detection, making long-term behavior harder to predict. In contrast, cancers with short doubling times, such as testicular cancer, may be considered cured after a few years if no recurrence is detected. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) emphasizes that while five years is an important landmark, it does not guarantee a cure and patients may still face long-term effects or secondary cancers.

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Melissa Olsen faced breast cancer during the pandemic

Melissa Olsen faced breast cancer during the pandemic

Melissa Olsen was diagnosed with breast cancer as the pandemic began. She shares her story of early detection.

Mississippian Advocates for Increased Federal Cancer Research Funding to Congressional Delegation

Mississippian Advocates for Increased Federal Cancer Research Funding to Congressional Delegation

Casey Rinewalt, a Mississippian and volunteer for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), recently lobbied federal lawmakers in Washington, D.C., to prioritize funding for cancer research and prevention programs. Rinewalt, who lost her mother to adrenal carcinoma at a young age, joined over 750 cancer patients, survivors, and those who have lost loved ones at ACS CAN’s annual Leadership Summit and Lobby Day. During her visit, she met with Mississippi’s congressional delegation, including U.S. Senators Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith, and Representatives Trent Kelly, Bennie Thompson, Michael Guest, and Mike Ezell. Rinewalt reported that the elected officials expressed seriousness about cancer research, with many having personal connections to the disease. She emphasized that cancer is an indiscriminate issue, fostering bipartisan support for research funding.

Life Insurers Label Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer as 'Untreated Cancer,' Impacting Coverage

Life Insurers Label Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer as 'Untreated Cancer,' Impacting Coverage

Individuals undergoing active surveillance for low-risk prostate cancer are facing significant challenges in securing life insurance, as insurers often categorize their condition as 'untreated cancer.' This issue, highlighted by a medical journalist who experienced rejections from eight insurers in 2013, persists today. Despite medical recommendations for active surveillance—close monitoring with PSA blood tests, biopsies, and MRIs for low-risk cases like Gleason 6 (Grade Group 1)—insurance underwriters view this approach differently. A hypothetical case of a 64-year-old man with a new Gleason 6 diagnosis and a past heart attack, referred to as 'Young Howard,' revealed that insurers might postpone decisions for three to five years, requiring stable PSA results and no upgrading. This delay, coupled with potential higher rates due to age and other health factors like a heart attack, creates substantial financial penalties for patients following their doctors' advice.

Asian Health Coalition Addresses Breast Cancer Disparities in Underserved Communities

Asian Health Coalition Addresses Breast Cancer Disparities in Underserved Communities

The Asian Health Coalition (AHC), an organization with roots in Chicago, has been working for nearly 30 years to address health disparities in underserved communities, particularly among Asian American, Pacific Islander, and African American populations. Their SCREEN program provides vital breast cancer prevention and education to community members in need. According to Alia Southworth, Senior Program Director of Health Promotions at the AHC, a lack of preventative care and cancer education in these communities often leads to delayed diagnosis and treatment, higher rates of cancer, and lower participation in health research. The AHC focuses on increasing cancer research for communities of color and expanding education and preventative care. They emphasize the need for disaggregated data to reveal disparities often hidden when grouping diverse Asian American ethnicities. The AHC's SCREEN program, an acronym for Screening Cancer, Reducing Inequality, and Engaging Our Neighborhoods, was developed through list...

Dr. Bettina Drake Honored by Washington University for Reducing Cancer Disparities

Dr. Bettina Drake Honored by Washington University for Reducing Cancer Disparities

Dr. Bettina Drake, a cancer epidemiologist at Washington University (WashU) Medicine and Siteman Cancer Center, has been installed as the Michael F. Neidorff Professor. This recognition honors her extensive work in addressing cancer disparities and improving outcomes for underserved communities. Dr. Drake has led initiatives that have significantly reduced breast cancer disparities and improved outcomes for African American women in the region, lowered colon cancer fatality rates, and expanded smoking cessation programs. Her approach emphasizes community engagement, moving beyond merely identifying health problems to actively implementing interventions. She also co-leads the Prostate Cancer Community Partnership, which is part of the Program for the Elimination of Cancer Disparities, focusing on reducing prostate cancer disparities in the area. Dr. Drake developed 'Health on the Move,' a program that deploys community health workers with mobile mammography and lung cancer screening services across an 82-co...

These infections are behind 1 in 8 cancer cases worldwide, study finds

These infections are behind 1 in 8 cancer cases worldwide, study finds

Roughly 2.2 million new cancer cases worldwide could be traced back to these two very common infections, a new study found.

Study Links High Polyphenol Intake, Especially from Coffee, to Lower Breast Cancer Mortality

Study Links High Polyphenol Intake, Especially from Coffee, to Lower Breast Cancer Mortality

A new observational study has found an association between higher polyphenol intake, particularly from coffee, and lower rates of breast cancer-related death among women diagnosed with the disease. The study followed 95 women with breast cancer for approximately 11 years, evaluating their consumption of polyphenols, which are naturally occurring plant compounds found in foods like coffee, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts. Women with the highest polyphenol intake showed an approximately 80% lower risk of dying from breast cancer compared to those with the lowest intake. Coffee emerged as the primary source of polyphenols in the participants' diets. Surgical oncologist Nadia Nocera Zachariah, M.D., with Baptist Health Cancer Care, emphasized that while the findings are encouraging, the study is observational and does not prove that polyphenols or coffee directly cause the reduction in mortality. She cautioned against over-interpretation, stating that coffee is not a substitute for standard medical ...

New York declares first US measles disaster emergency since 2025 surge

New York declares first US measles disaster emergency since 2025 surge

Oct 5 (Reuters) - New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a statewide disaster emergency on Monday over a measles outbreak, the first such declaration by a U.S. state since cases began surging in 2025.

H5N5 Bird Flu Confirmed in Scottish Backyard Flock, Prompting Control Zones

H5N5 Bird Flu Confirmed in Scottish Backyard Flock, Prompting Control Zones

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N5 has been confirmed in a small backyard flock of chickens in Ness, Isle of Lewis, Scotland. This marks the first confirmed H5N5 HPAI outbreak in the UK since October 1. Following the confirmation, a 3km Protection Zone and a 10km Surveillance Zone were immediately declared around the affected premises on October 2. The British Egg Industry Council (BEIC) has stated that these disease control zones will remain in effect until all control and surveillance activities are completed and no further suspect cases are under investigation. The risk of H5 HPAI in wild birds in Great Britain is currently assessed as medium, while the risk to poultry is considered low, provided that stringent biosecurity measures are consistently applied. Poultry keepers are being urged to maintain high standards of biosecurity, including strict separation between different animal types on mixed farms and accurate recording of feed and water consumption to detect potential health issues ear...

Meet the Candidate: Veronica Escobar seeks U.S. Representative, 16 seat

Meet the Candidate: Veronica Escobar seeks U.S. Representative, 16 seat

The El Paso Times sent questionnaires to candidates in the 2026 Nov. 3 General Election. Here are answers from U.S. Representative, 16 candidate, Veronica Escobar.

Night-Shift Work Linked to Changes in Body-Clock Genes Among Female Healthcare Workers

Night-Shift Work Linked to Changes in Body-Clock Genes Among Female Healthcare Workers

A recent study published in Frontiers in Endocrinology has found that female healthcare workers (HCWs) engaged in long-term night-shift work exhibit distinct changes in the activity of key body-clock genes. Researchers examined peripheral circadian gene expression and transcriptional network changes in 93 female HCWs, comparing 47 day-shift workers (DSWs) with 46 night-shift workers (NSWs). The study revealed significantly lower expression of circadian genes CLOCK, TEF, and PER1 in NSWs compared to DSWs. Additionally, the Clock Gene Expression Score (CGES) was lower in NSWs. The study also noted that 54% of NSWs reported poor or very poor sleep satisfaction, and sleep duration was slightly lower among them. These findings suggest that chronic night-shift exposure is associated with altered peripheral expression of several circadian genes and changes in their coordination.