June 29, 2001

In This Issue:
Cancer Groups and Collaboration, Cancer War, Insurance in Clinical Trials, Colon Cancer Alliance, Fiber in Diet, New Vaccine, Summer Sun and Grilling

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THE LATEST NEWS

Cancer Groups Urged To Focus On Collaboration

Scientists Urge Global Cancer War, Target Tobacco

Insurance Companies Get Stricter on Clinical Trials

High Fiber Diet Can Cut Cancer Risk by 40 Percent

Promising Results From New Cancer Vaccine

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NONPROFIT WORTH KNOWING: PATIENT ADVOCATE FOUNDATION

The Patient Advocate Foundation is a national non-profit organization that serves as an active liaison between the patient and their insurer, employer and/or creditors to resolve insurance, job discrimination and/or debt crisis matters relative to their diagnosis through case managers, doctors and attorneys. Patient Advocate Foundation seeks to safeguard patients through effective mediation assuring access to care, maintenance of employment and preservation of their financial stability. See http://www.patientadvocate.org/mission.htm .

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SUMMER SUN AND SKIN CANCER

The American Cancer Society estimates 51,400 cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in the US in 2001.

This July 4, celebrate independence from skin cancer by avoiding sunburn. You can reduce exposure to high-intensity UV radiation, when the sun is strongest from 11am-3pm each day. If you will be in the sun, wear protective clothing and use effective sunscreen. For more info, see Melanoma Patient Information Page

http://www.mpip.org/index.html

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SUMMER PICNICS

American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) distributes a brochure called The Facts about Grilling. The brochure advises consumers on the potential health risks of grilling meat, poultry and fish – and provides advice on how to avoid or reduce those risks. According to AICR, cancer-causing substance form when fat from meat, poultry, or fish drips onto hot coals or stones and then, via smoke and flare-ups, is deposited onto the food being grilled. The types of carcinogen formed in this process are called PAHs, or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Related compounds, called HCAs (heterocyclic amines), have been shown to cause tumors in animals and possibly increase the risk of cancers of the breast, colon, stomach and prostate in humans.

Tips to avoid the problem include, for example:

--Marinating meats before grilling may significantly reduce the amount of potential carcinogens.
--Trim the fat. Choose lean, well-trimmed meats to grill; they have less fat to drip into the flames.
--Pre-cook meats, fish and poultry in the oven or microwave, then briefly grill for flavor.
--Keep meat portions small so they need only spend a brief time on the grill.
For more information see their article:
http://www.aicr.org/r051001.htm