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Cancer-related brain fog may improve with 2 simple treatments, scientists say

Fri, 15 May 2026 07:00:51 -0400

A common over-the-counter medication combined with a home exercise program could help ease cognitive issues for cancer patients.

That’s according to a study from the University of Rochester, which tested the effects of physical activity and low-dose ibuprofen on patients receiving chemotherapy treatment.

"Chemo brain" (also called chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment, or CRCI) is a known side effect of cancer treatment that can affect memory, concentration and multitasking ability. Up to 80% of people who receive chemo experience some degree of cognitive impairment, previous studies have shown.

BRAIN AGING MAY ACCELERATE AFTER CANCER TREATMENT, STUDY SUGGESTS

Rochester’s phase 2 trial studied 86 adult cancer patients in New York undergoing chemotherapy who were experiencing cognitive problems. The average age was 53 and nearly 89% of participants were women, according to a university press release.

Patients were randomly assigned to one of four groups. One group participated in home exercise designed specifically for cancer patients, a second group combined the exercises with ibuprofen (200 milligrams, or one pill, twice a day), the third group took ibuprofen alone and a fourth took a placebo alone.

The exercise program consisted of low to moderate-intensity activity, including progressive walking and training with resistance bands.

"This is one of the first studies specifically designed to assess these interventions for cancer-related cognitive impairment during chemotherapy in patients with multiple diseases using both performance-based cognitive assessments and patient-reported outcomes," said lead author Michelle C. Janelsins, Ph.D., MPH, of the University of Rochester and the Wilmot Cancer Institute, in the press release.

After six weeks, exercise was linked to the clearest improvements in attention and cognitive function, according to input from family and friends. Those in the group who combined exercise and placebo showed better attention levels compared to those who took just a placebo.

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Participants who took only ibuprofen also showed greater cognitive improvements than the placebo group.

The findings suggest that ibuprofen may provide some improvement in cognitive function, although the benefits appeared to be smaller and less consistent than those seen with exercise.

This suggests that inflammation may contribute to cancer-related cognitive impairment, and that anti-inflammatory medications could be an effective therapeutic approach.

"We are encouraged by the findings of this trial that suggest possible benefits of both interventions for some cognitive domains," Janelsins said. "Clearly, we saw a more pronounced effect with exercise, which is notable considering the multiple health benefits of exercise for cancer survivors."

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No adverse side effects were reported during the trial.

The findings were published in Cancer, the peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society.

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There were some limitations of the study, the researchers noted, including the small sample size and short duration. The effects were also not consistent across every measure of cognitive function.

As the majority of participants were women, the findings may not be generalized to broader populations.

Researchers are planning larger phase 3 trials to confirm whether ibuprofen and exercise can effectively improve chemo-related cognitive impairment.

"Since we saw cognitive benefits in some domains and not others, we will also consider additional doses and longer durations in future research trials," said Janelsins.

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Investigators emphasized that patients should speak with their oncology team before starting ibuprofen or exercise interventions during chemotherapy, as certain treatments or medical conditions could increase the risk of side effects and complications.

New cancer tech sends chemo straight to tumors

Thu, 14 May 2026 09:20:17 -0400

Chemotherapy can save lives, but anyone who has watched a loved one go through it knows how hard it can be. The nausea. The exhaustion. The infections. The days when even getting off the couch feels like too much.

That happens because standard chemotherapy travels through the bloodstream. It attacks cancer cells but can also harm healthy cells along the way. For some pancreatic cancer patients, that approach may be changing.

A targeted drug-delivery system from RenovoRx is designed to send chemotherapy directly near the tumor instead of through the entire body. The system, called Trans-Arterial Micro-Perfusion, or TAMP, is being studied in a Phase III clinical trial for locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

For 83-year-old Hernando Salcedo, who had been left weak, nauseous and overwhelmed by standard chemotherapy, the trial offered something he desperately needed: a reason to hope. He enrolled at Miami Cancer Institute and soon began to feel the shift in his own body. His appetite started coming back. His energy improved. He felt more like himself. "The difference was tremendous," Hernando said. "I completed eight sessions, one every 15 days, and I felt dramatically better than I did with the original chemotherapy."

HIDDEN FACTOR IN CANCER TREATMENT TIMING MAY AFFECT SURVIVAL, RESEARCHERS SAY

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How the RenovoRx drug-delivery device works

RenovoRx's platform uses the FDA-cleared RenovoCath device to deliver chemotherapy through a catheter placed in an artery near the tumor. A physician guides the catheter into position using X-ray imaging.

Shaun Bagai, CEO of RenovoRx, said the platform is designed to localize chemotherapy delivery near the tumor instead of relying on the drug to travel through the whole body.

"Once in position, two small balloons on the catheter are inflated, and the system is adjusted to isolate a targeted segment of artery adjacent to a tumor," Bagai said. "The chemotherapy drug is then infused between the balloons, creating pressure to push the drug across the vessel wall and near the tumor, directly bathing the target tumor."

That setup allows doctors to focus treatment in a specific area rather than exposing more of the body to chemotherapy. "The procedure itself is minimally invasive and is typically performed in an outpatient setting without the need for patients to be put under general anesthesia," Bagai said.

For patients already dealing with pain, fatigue and fear, that outpatient approach may feel less overwhelming than a major hospital procedure.

How targeted chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer works

To understand why this approach matters, it helps to start with the problem doctors are trying to solve. Dr. Ripal Gandhi, a vascular interventional radiologist and interventional oncologist at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute and Miami Cancer Institute, explained why standard chemotherapy can be so hard on the body.

"With IV chemotherapy, the drug travels through the bloodstream, affecting both cancerous and healthy cells, which can lead to side effects," Dr. Gandhi said. TAMP takes a more targeted route. A doctor places a catheter in an artery near the tumor, then delivers chemotherapy into that area instead of relying on the drug to circulate throughout the body.

Dr. Gandhi compared it to "a drip irrigation system for individual plants instead of watering an entire lawn." For patients, that means doctors are trying to focus more of the treatment near the cancer while reducing how much chemotherapy reaches the rest of the body.

Why pancreatic cancer is so difficult to treat

Pancreatic cancer has a reputation for being one of the hardest cancers to fight, partly because the tumor itself can block treatment from working the way doctors want it to.

Dr. Gandhi said that creates a major challenge for standard IV chemotherapy. "Studies have shown that less than 10% of chemotherapy administered intravenously actually reaches tumor cells due to the few blood vessels in the tumor as well as dense fibrous stroma, which serves as a physical barrier in the tumor microenvironment," Dr. Gandhi said.

That helps explain why targeted delivery could play an important role. TAMP sends the drug closer to the tumor rather than depending on the bloodstream to do all the work.

"This targeted approach via TAMP does not rely on chemotherapy circulating through the body to carry the drug to the tumor via tumor feeder vessels," Dr. Gandhi said. "Trans-arterial micro-perfusion is a drug-delivery platform that delivers chemotherapy directly near the target tumor where it is needed most."

NEW CANCER THERAPY HUNTS AND DESTROYS DEADLY TUMORS IN MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH STUDY

Patient says targeted chemotherapy gave him hope

Hernando's cancer journey began after he went to the doctor with a swollen stomach and hip pain. Doctors diagnosed him with locally advanced pancreatic cancer. When he started standard chemotherapy in August 2025, the side effects hit hard. "My body was going through an incredible amount of stress," Hernando said. "My stomach was inflamed, I had persistent pain in my head, and I had almost no energy."

He was also receiving chemotherapy and radiation at the same time. "It was a very difficult period, both physically and emotionally," he said. "I remember feeling exhausted, overwhelmed and unsure of what the future would look like."

When doctors presented the targeted treatment option, Hernando saw it as more than another medical procedure. "To me, it felt like a new opportunity to live," he said. "It gave me hope at a time when my family and I really needed it."

He credits Dr. Gandhi and the team at Miami Cancer Institute with helping him through it all. "From the beginning, he was honest, supportive and clear with my wife, my family and me," Hernando said. "That meant everything."

Fewer chemotherapy side effects changed daily life

"Before, I was losing weight, had no appetite and felt drained," Hernando said. "After switching treatments, things began to change. I stopped losing weight, my appetite came back, my color improved and I had more energy."

Cancer treatment can sometimes take over everyday life. When side effects ease, patients can get pieces of their normal life back. "After about eight weeks, we could see real progress," Hernando said. "I was eating more, moving more and feeling excited about life again."

One moment still stands out. Hernando was able to attend a family wedding and dance the entire night. "That moment meant everything to me," he said. "After everything I had been through, being able to celebrate with my family in that way felt like a gift." For Hernando, it was a chance to feel like himself again. "That night at the wedding, I was not thinking only about cancer or treatment," Hernando said. "I was living."

Early trial results show survival and quality-of-life signals

The early data from RenovoRx's Phase III TIGeR-PaC trial suggest the targeted approach may offer both survival and tolerability benefits for some patients.

Dr. Gandhi said completed clinical studies with TAMP in pancreatic cancer showed "a potential for better outcomes and less side effects for patients."

"In the initial interim analysis of the TIGeR-PaC clinical trial, there was a trend towards improved overall survival by 6 months and improvement in the progression free survival by 8.1 months with 65% fewer adverse events in the TAMP arm of the study," Dr. Gandhi said.

Who may benefit from targeted chemotherapy delivery?

This approach isn’t for every pancreatic cancer patient. Doctors still need to look at the cancer stage, tumor location, treatment history and whether the cancer has spread.

Dr. Gandhi said Hernando was the kind of patient who could be a strong fit. "He is precisely the type of patient who would benefit best from this approach because he has a tumor which is too far advanced to be treated surgically, but it has not spread to other organs," Dr. Gandhi said.

He also pointed to clinical trials as an important option for pancreatic cancer patients."I discussed with him that the recommendation of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network is that the best management for pancreatic cancer patients is participation in a clinical trial whenever possible and he was an ideal candidate," Dr. Gandhi said.

He went on to say that TAMP may be an option for patients who are not candidates for surgery, patients who have failed chemotherapy or patients who no longer want to continue IV chemotherapy because of side effects.

"TAMP can be used at any point within the treatment landscape, before, during or after other treatment modalities such as IV chemotherapy or radiation," he said.

PANCREATIC CANCER PATIENT SURVIVAL DOUBLED WITH HIGH DOSE OF COMMON VITAMIN, STUDY FINDS

What comes next for RenovoRx's cancer treatment platform

RenovoRx says the RenovoCath catheter is already FDA-cleared for general therapy and chemotherapy delivery. The company is also nearing the end of enrollment in its Phase III TIGeR-PaC trial.

That trial is evaluating intra-arterial gemcitabine (IAG) delivered through RenovoCath for locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Bagai said enrollment is expected to be completed in mid-2026, with final results expected in 2027.

"If positive, data generated from this trial could potentially support a new drug application for this combination product to the FDA for IAG," Bagai said. RenovoRx also sees potential beyond pancreatic cancer. "The challenge we are addressing is not unique to pancreatic cancer," Bagai said.

He said the platform could apply to other solid tumors with limited blood supply, including bile duct cancer, certain lung cancers and sarcomas. "The platform is designed to work with different types of therapies, not just one drug," Bagai said. "That opens the door to future combinations and potential partnerships, with the goal of expanding options for patients who have limited treatment choices."

What this means to you

If you or someone you love has pancreatic cancer, this story is worth paying attention to. Clinical trials can open up options when standard treatment feels too hard to tolerate or stops working.

Drug delivery matters, too. The medicine itself is only part of the story. Where it goes inside the body can affect side effects, energy levels and quality of life. Targeted chemotherapy delivery remains a specialized treatment approach. Some cancer centers may not offer it, and every diagnosis will not be a fit. Your care team can review imaging, staging, prior treatments and overall health to see whether it makes sense.

Start with direct questions. Ask whether a clinical trial makes sense. You can also ask about targeted delivery options or a second opinion from a pancreatic cancer specialist. Hernando's advice to other patients is simple. "I would tell them not to lose hope and not to wait to ask questions," he said.

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Kurt's key takeaways

Pancreatic cancer has a way of turning normal life upside down fast. One day, a family is making plans. The next, they are trying to understand scans, treatment choices and side effects that no one feels ready for. That is what makes Hernando's story so powerful. The part that stays with you isn’t only the technology. It is the fact that he started eating again. He had more energy. He felt more like himself. And he got to dance at a wedding after wondering what the future would look like. The final Phase III trial results will be important. Doctors still need to see how widely this approach could help patients. But the promise is easy to understand. If chemotherapy can get closer to the tumor while taking less of a toll on the rest of the body, patients may get something that matters just as much as treatment itself: more good days.

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If you or someone you loved needed chemo, would targeted delivery change how you think about treatment? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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Joe Rogan podcast appearance tied to rise in demand for alternative cancer treatment

Wed, 13 May 2026 16:24:47 -0400

Prescriptions for an antiparasitic drug spiked for cancer patients after a celebrity endorsed the medication during a recent episode of Joe Rogan’s podcast.

Ivermectin–benzimidazole, a combination of antiparasitic medications, was touted as an off-label cancer treatment during actor Mel Gibson’s January 2025 appearance.

Gibson spoke about three of his friends who had stage 4 cancer, noting that "all three of them don’t have cancer right now at all."

When Rogan asked what treatments they used, Gibson replied, "Ivermectin, fenbendazole."

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Ivermectin is an antiparasitic medication used in humans and animals to treat infections caused by certain worms and parasites.

Fenbendazole, a veterinary antiparasitic drug used to treat worms in animals, belongs to the benzimidazole class of medications, according to medical sources.

"I don’t believe that there is anything that can afflict mankind that hasn’t got a natural cure for it," Gibson added.

HIDDEN VIRUS INSIDE GUT BACTERIA LINKED TO DOUBLED COLORECTAL CANCER RISK, STUDY FINDS

Researchers from the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, UCLA and the University of Michigan analyzed the health records of over 68 million patients in ambulatory care settings.

They checked for increases in same-day prescribing of ivermectin, plus a benzimidazole — albendazole, fenbendazole, mebendazole or thiabendazole — with the goal of determining whether Gibson’s endorsement resulted in a spike.

After the episode, which was viewed 60 million times in the month after airing, overall prescribing rates nearly doubled, rising 2½ times among cancer patients.

Among those patients, larger increases were seen in men, White patients, people 18-64 and those who lived in southern states, the researchers found.

The study, published in JAMA Network Open Tuesday, did not measure any safety outcomes of the drug combination.

No clinical trials have supported the safety or effectiveness of ivermectin–benzimidazole for treating cancer, experts noted.

"Clinicians talk about how difficult it is when the patient demands or asks for a medication that they really feel passionately might help," lead author Michelle Rockwell, a health services researcher at Virginia Tech, said in a press release. "And that's where I think these celebrity influencers really play a big role."

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While some laboratory and animal studies have shown that these drugs can promote anti-cancer activity, the required dose for even a small effect would "typically be considered toxic for humans," according to Dr. Skyler B. Johnson of the University of Utah Huntsman Cancer Institute.

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Johnson, who was not involved in the research, shared with CIDRAP News his concerns about ivermectin’s effect on how the body processes cancer treatments and other medications.

The study did have some limitations, including that it was observational in design and could not prove that Gibson’s appearance led to the increase in prescriptions. Also, the fact that prescriptions were ordered does not necessarily mean that they were filled or used.

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It is also possible some patients sought out ivermectin without a prescription, perhaps from agricultural retailers who sell it for livestock.

There is also the potential that cancer status was misclassified, the researchers noted.

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The study also did not assess whether patients were taking ivermectin alongside conventional treatment or if they used it as a substitute.

Patients should consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical guidance before making treatment decisions, doctors say.

Former South Carolina QB Stephen Garcia changes his approach on mental health amid cancer battle

Fri, 08 May 2026 13:26:53 -0400

Former South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia is currently battling for his life after being diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer.

The diagnosis came after noticing certain abnormalities, but the hard-nosed former athlete thought he could figure out the issues on his own without a visit to the doctors. His wife wasn’t comfortable with that plan from the quarterback, who used to take snaps for a Steve Spurrier-led offense led offense in Columbia.

Reluctantly, Garcia went in for a colonoscopy where doctors discovered the cancer, and that it had been growing for a number of years.

Unfortunately, Stephen wasn’t fully grasping the news when first given, due to him still being somewhat groggy from sedation.

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But, when it was finally explained to him how serious this situation was, reality set in pretty quickly.

Obviously, there's nothing simple about hearing the word 'cancer,' no matter which stage or form you are dealing with. It will humble you quickly, with the grim outlook overtaking the mind.

And while this process to fight the disease will be tough, filled with many obstacles, Garcia was most worried about his family.

While his older son understands the magnitude, he has yet to fully inform his youngest daughter, which led to the former Gamecock shedding a few tears while discussing the situation with OutKick on Friday morning.

Former Gamecock has changed his tune amid battle with cancer

In the past, Stephen Garcia was not one to jump aboard the mental health awareness train, looking at it as someone who was not strong enough to handle the circumstances surrounding whatever battle they were facing.

But, that's the football side of Garcia, and he was the first to admit that his mindset had changed because of the stigma surrounding people, most importantly men, not feeling comfortable enough to discuss their struggles.

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This problem has led to many downfalls, or problems that arise by not talking to others about what they are going through in the moments of trials and tribulations.

For Stephen, that has all changed.

"In years past, I thought mental health was an absolute joke, just to be completely frank with you," Garcia told OutKick. "I was like, if you gotta have some mental toughness, I played for Coach Spurrier so I had to have some mental toughness to deal with him. But, I was also extremely hard headed. It is huge. There’s gonna be days when you’re not gonna walk to talk with anybody, days you wanna give up, you gotta stay mentally tough. This whole process has opened my eyes to a whole different deal.

"People can change. I was against the whole mental health thing, I thought it was stupid. But, it’s changed my opinion, my outlook on life in general, and I encourage everyone to speak it up. I’ve had so many people reach out to say if you need to talk, reach out to me. Everyone said the same thing that you have to be mentally in it. If you are positive mentally, you’re going to get through it. If you’re feeling down in the dumps, figure out a way to get positive. It’s no joke, you are where your minds at."

Outreach has been overwhelming, with a long battle ahead

After going through his first round of chemotherapy this week, Garcia is coming to terms with the battle he faces, though he's keeping a positive outlook for the sake of himself and his family. He will continue training athletes, when his body allows, and using his platform to encourage others to take their health seriously.

If it weren’t for his wife pushing him into getting examined, who knows how long this could’ve gone before his cancer was noticed. In the meantime, the support system has been overwhelming, as Garcia described while choking back tears.

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Whether it's the Clemson football team, or Dabo Swinney himself, and the thousands of people who have reached out over the past few days, it's not lost on the former quarterback how much the support has meant for his own sanity during uncertain times.

For now, Stephen Garcia is taking his battle with cancer one day at a time. But, he's also got college football fans rooting for him to beat this terrible disease.

Trump praises Susie Wiles’ cancer fight in surprise gala video: ‘Winning it decisively’

Thu, 07 May 2026 22:32:19 -0400

President Donald Trump praised White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles as "winning it decisively" in her battle with cancer after she revealed she was diagnosed nine weeks ago while accepting a major award Thursday night.

"It’s been especially inspiring to see her courage and toughness in recent weeks, and she’s been winning a battle with cancer and winning it decisively," Trump said in a pre-recorded video message. "It was an early diagnosis, so she’s going to be in great shape."

Wiles said during an onstage conversation that she would continue to work following the diagnosis.

"I come to work every day. I do my job, I don’t complain, and I think that sets an example, too, for the people I work with," Wiles said.

WH CHIEF OF STAFF SUSIE WILES DIAGNOSED WITH EARLY STAGE BREAST CANCER, PROGNOSIS 'EXCELLENT,' TRUMP SAYS

Trump surprised Wiles with the video as she accepted the Independent Women’s Forum Barbara K. Olson Woman of Valor Award at a gala in Washington, D.C.

He praised her as "the first female chief of staff in American history" and "one of the best White House chiefs of staff ever in history."

"I say the best, actually," Trump said, adding that he was "tremendously grateful" for her "friendship, loyalty and support every single day."

TRUMP CHIEF OF STAFF PLEDGES NO 'DRAMA' OR SECOND-GUESSING IN WHITE HOUSE

Wiles said she did not know the video was intended for the gala, despite briefly walking in while Trump was recording it.

"I walked in when he was filming it, but I didn’t know what it was for, and I kind of ducked out the back door," she said.

Trump credited Wiles with playing a key role in each of his presidential campaigns, "especially in 2024," and said his administration’s accomplishments have come with "her help and her leadership."

TRUMP CHIEF OF STAFF SUSIE WILES RECOUNTS BUTLER ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT, THOUGHT PRESIDENT WAS DEAD AT FIRST

"Susie, we have a problem. I say go to Susie," Trump said. "We owe her a tremendous debt and what she’s done is just incredible for our country."

Wiles, who described herself as a lifelong Republican, said her decision to back Trump in 2016 was one of the biggest risks of her career.

"I wanted a disrupter," Wiles said. "I looked around at the disrupters in the field and said, I think Donald Trump’s the one."

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Asked about her role now, Wiles said, "This is the path God chose for me. And I’m here, and I’m doing the best I can every day."

The gala was held Thursday at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, D.C.

Fox News Digital's Ashley Carnahan and Alex Nitzberg contributed to this reporting.

'Full House' star Dave Coulier reveals 45-pound weight loss, grueling side effects from cancer fights

Thu, 07 May 2026 17:07:30 -0400

Three months after revealing he's in remission from two separate cancer diagnoses, Dave Coulier is sharing a startling health update.

On Thursday, the "Full House" alum took to social media to reveal the grueling effects of ongoing cancer treatments — including a 45-pound weight loss.

"I haven't posted in quite a while, and the last time I did some of you said that I look differently and I sound differently, and I do," said Coulier, who was initially diagnosed with stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2024, then with HPV-related oropharyngeal tongue cancer a year later. "What you're seeing is the side effects of extensive radiation that I went through carcinoma in my throat."

'FULL HOUSE' STAR DAVE COULIER BATTLING SECOND CANCER DIAGNOSIS WITHIN MONTHS OF BEING DECLARED CANCER-FREE

"I haven't been able to eat solid food in months, and so I've lost 45 pounds. That's what you're seeing, and it's affected my ability to speak," he continued. "Some of you said that I sound differently. So yeah, you're right on with what you are seeing and what you hearing."

"But just to recap, a year and a half ago I had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and I went through chemotherapy, and my hair is kind of growing back. And we got our PET scans back, and the prognosis looks good for both the carcinoma in my throat and the lymphoma. So we're very pleased with all of that," he added.

During Coulier's six-month checkup and PET scans after his first diagnosis, doctors discovered a flare-up had returned as an enlarged tumor. The actor believed the tumor was caused by his lymphoma, but later found out the two cancers were unrelated.

'FULL HOUSE' STAR DAVE COULIER UNDERGOES CHEMO TREATMENT AS HE BATTLES ‘VERY AGGRESSIVE’ CANCER

In February, Coulier revealed he was in remission after battling two cancer diagnoses in the last two years. The beloved TV star underwent 35 rounds of targeted radiation in December to battle the disease.

During an appearance on an episode of "The Kelly Clarkson Show," in April, the "Full House" alum, 66, opened up about discovering the many toxicities in his life and explained how he managed to make life changes one step at a time.

"I wanted to know, ‘Why did my lymphatic system crash?’ And I realized as I went down the rabbit hole, everything in my life was toxic," Coulier admitted. "My toothpaste, my shampoo, the garbage bags, the toilet paper, everything, skin cream, everything."

CAMERON MATHISON SAYS NOTICING SUBTLE BODY CHANGES ‘SAVED MY LIFE’ AFTER CANCER DIAGNOSIS

"I said, 'I need to change this, but how do I do it?' It's a pretty daunting task to change your lifestyle like that," he continued. "So I changed one thing. I replaced my toothpaste. And I thought, 'I put that in my mouth every day, I'm gonna start there.'"

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During an interview with Fox News Digital that same month, Coulier said paying attention to subtle changes in his body made all the difference in his cancer battle while talking about his new business venture – AWEAR Market.

"Listen to your body. Your body will tell you things," Coulier said. "And my body was telling me something's going on. I wasn't feeling right, and I didn't have a lot of energy. And then I was taking a shower one morning and felt a lump in my groin area. And had I just thought, 'Ah, I haven't been feeling very well. It's maybe a cold or something. My body is just naturally fighting this off.' Had I not taken the step to call my doctor, at the urging of my wife, Melissa – she said, 'We're calling now, and making that appointment' – things would have been much different. We caught it early."

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"Your body will really send you some signals," he added. "And I think for a lot of us, we procrastinate, and we say, 'Oh, no, let this go and we'll see how it goes.' And when you get to that point with cancer – cancer is working out in the background every day. It's getting stronger and stronger, and it's a fight. So you have to be willing to put your pride aside and be a little vulnerable and go in and talk to someone who is an expert and those are your doctors. So I encourage everybody, talk to your doctors."

Fox News Digital's Lauryn Overhultz contributed to this post.

Shift in cancer screening guidance has experts clashing over new guidance

Wed, 06 May 2026 14:21:37 -0400

Most women gear up for their first annual mammogram at age 40 to screen for breast cancer, but some experts are questioning whether this is too soon and too frequent.

The American College of Physicians (ACP) recently released new guidance for breast cancer screening based on risk, which was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

The updated guidance suggests that all average-risk, asymptomatic females between 50 and 74 years old should undergo mammograms every two years.

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Those who are between 40 and 49 years of age are encouraged to discuss their risk of breast cancer with a doctor, weighing the potential benefits and harms of screening.

The ACP cautioned that unnecessary screening can produce false positive results, psychological distress, over-diagnosis, over-treatment, additional testing and radiation exposure.

Women 75 and older who are asymptomatic and at average risk, as well as those with limited life expectancy, can discuss halting screening with their doctors, the ACP added.

"This is because the benefits of screening beyond age 74 are reduced or uncertain, while potential harms, such as over-diagnosis, become more likely with increasing age," it said.

For patients who have dense breasts, the ACP encourages doctors to consider supplemental digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), often called 3D mammography.

STEALTH BREAST CANCER THAT HIDES FROM SCANS TARGETED IN BREAKTHROUGH TECH

"Decisions should consider potential benefits and harms, radiation exposure, availability, patient values and preferences, and cost," the group wrote. "However, ACP advises against using supplemental MRI or ultrasound for screening in this population."

This guidance was backed by ACP’s Clinical Guidelines Committee, which defined "average-risk" as women who do not have a personal breast cancer history or diagnosis of a high-risk breast lesion, BRCA 1 or 2 genetic mutation, another familial breast cancer risk syndrome or history of high-dose radiation therapy to the chest at a young age.

Dr. Jason M. Goldman, president of ACP, commented in a statement that screening for breast cancer is "essential and should be guided by the best available evidence."

"ACP developed this guidance to provide physicians and females with the information they need to make breast cancer screening decisions, including when to start and discontinue, how often to screen and which methods to use for screening," he said.

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In an interview with Fox News Digital, Lauren Carcas, a medical oncologist with the Miami Cancer Institute, part of Baptist Health South Florida, scrutinized these new guidelines, saying they "add to the confusion of screening recommendations."

"Generally, this recommendation is based on a risk-based screening approach to determine who needs more frequent and/or aggressive screening versus who could safely space out screening frequency," she said.

WHERE YOU LIVE COULD SHAPE YOUR RISK OF CANCER MORTALITY, STUDY SUGGESTS

"Doing so implies that all women have equal access to individualized discussions and nuanced risk-assessment through either their primary care or gynecologic physicians."

These biennial screening recommendations could "potentially widen disparities and increase the likelihood of missing cancer in the populations that are already impacted by barriers to care," according to Carcas.

The new recommendation differs from other institutes like the American Society of Breast Surgeons and the American College of Radiology/Society of Breast Imaging, which call for annual mammography screenings, typically starting at age 40.

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The screening interval "remains the most consequential disagreement between all of the medical societies and the screening task force," Carcas noted.

"All major U.S. societies agree that mammography screening should be available starting at age 40," she said. "However, by age 25, all women should undergo a formal breast cancer risk assessment in order to direct their ongoing screening."

Carcas also challenged ACP’s recommendation against supplemental MRI and ultrasounds for women with dense breast tissue, in favor of only using DBT.

"The radiologic societies very strongly recommend the addition and consideration of breast ultrasound and/or MRI for more complete and accurate imaging," she said.

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Women who have a 20% or higher lifetime risk of developing breast cancer are considered high-risk, according to Carcas, and should undergo annual screening with supplemental ultrasound and MRI consideration.

"For the average-risk woman, the conversation will be more nuanced between the patient and her physician," she said. "Depending on the individual's preference and the recommendation of her gynecologist or primary care, the patient would screen with mammogram on an annual basis or biennially, per shared-decision making."

Carcas pointed to a "gap in evidence" regarding mortality risk between annual and biennial screening, as there has not been a randomized controlled trial investigating the difference between the two.

"Most women who are diagnosed with breast cancer would certainly be grateful to have it diagnosed at an earlier stage, when there is less likely need for chemotherapy and other aggressive modalities of treatment," she said.

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The doctor said she still plans to recommend annual screenings to her patients and to offer ultrasounds and MRIs to those who require it.

"I remain hopeful that this new recommendation from ACP will not alter insurance coverage for patients undergoing screening, particularly in light of the differing recommendations among medical societies," Carcas added.

DOJ sentences pair in $522M DNA testing fraud scheme after suspect tried to flee US

Mon, 04 May 2026 17:43:08 -0400

FIRST ON FOX: Two men were sentenced Monday for charges related to orchestrating a sprawling $522 million fraud scheme that targeted Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers — using kickbacks, fake medical orders and DNA samples collected from patients across the country.

Reyad Salahaldeen, 57, of Buford, Georgia, was sentenced to 12 years and 7 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud. Mohamad Mustafa, 28, of Duluth, Georgia, was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to paying illegal health care kickbacks, according to the Justice Department.

"Under the guise of health care, these two fraudsters attempted to steal more than half a billion dollars from taxpayers," the Justice Department said.

Federal prosecutors said the scheme led to roughly $84 million in payouts from Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers, highlighting the scale of fraud authorities say is draining taxpayer-funded health programs and driving a broader federal crackdown.

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The scheme relied on a network of marketers who targeted individuals — many covered by Medicare — and persuaded them to take genetic tests by promoting them as free or medically important screenings, including for cancer risk.

Prosecutors said the tests were often not medically necessary and were ordered by medical providers who had not treated the patients and did not use the results in their care.

That allowed the laboratories to bill government health programs for costly tests that would not otherwise have been approved, officials said.

Both men were also ordered to pay substantial restitution. Salahaldeen was ordered to repay more than $84.5 million, while Mustafa must pay more than $64.3 million.

Salahaldeen also was ordered to forfeit more than $3 million from bank accounts, along with a 2019 GMC Yukon and properties in Texas and Georgia.

Mustafa was born in the United States, while Salahaldeen is a Palestinian national who became a lawful permanent resident in 2004, according to officials.

The scheme ran from 2018 through August 2020 and used a network of marketers making telemarketing calls, door-to-door outreach and health fairs to collect DNA samples and insurance information from patients.

Court documents say Salahaldeen controlled multiple laboratories across New Jersey, Georgia and Texas, including Express Diagnostics and BioConfirm Laboratories.

Prosecutors said marketers were paid illegal kickbacks to obtain genetic testing orders from medical providers who had not treated the patients and did not use the results in care.

Authorities said Salahaldeen falsified requisition forms, letters of medical necessity and other records to make the tests appear legitimate.

MAN CHARGED IN $90M MEDICARE FRAUD SCHEME; DOJ SAYS SUSPECT MAY HAVE ENTERED US ILLEGALLY

Mustafa, who co-controlled some of the laboratories, helped carry out the scheme by paying kickbacks and creating sham contracts and invoices to disguise illegal payments as legitimate marketing services.

In total, the labs billed roughly $522 million in fraudulent claims. Government health programs and private insurers paid out approximately $84 million, officials said.

Authorities said Salahaldeen attempted to evade arrest after learning of the charges, traveling from North Carolina to Texas and attempting to cross into Mexico using another person’s identification before being apprehended at the border.

A TIMELINE OF THE ‘LARGEST COVID-19 FRAUD SCHEME' IN THE UNITED STATE

Federal officials say many of the largest schemes are no longer isolated — but driven by organized networks coordinating across multiple states.

Authorities have pointed to major cases in recent years, including a COVID-19 pandemic-era fraud scheme in Minnesota that prosecutors allege siphoned more than $240 million in federal funds meant to feed children.

That case, known as Feeding Our Future, has led to dozens of charges and sentences of up to 28 years in prison.

Prosecutors say the scheme relied on shell nonprofits, fake meal counts and falsified records — tactics similar to those used in the genetic testing fraud case.

The case is part of a broader federal crackdown on health care fraud. Eleven additional co-conspirators — including marketers, nurse practitioners and doctors — already have been sentenced, receiving penalties ranging from probation to nearly four years in prison.

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Justice Department officials said the case reflects an intensified push to combat fraud under Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, chaired by Vice President JD Vance.

Since 2007, the DOJ’s Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program has charged more than 6,200 defendants responsible for over $45 billion in fraudulent billing, according to the department.

Attorney information for Salahaldeen and Mustafa was not immediately available.

Patients remain cancer-free nearly 3 years after receiving experimental immunotherapy

Mon, 04 May 2026 17:02:08 -0400

All participants in a trial of bowel cancer patients remained cancer-free nearly three years after receiving an experimental treatment.

Led by researchers at University College London and UCL Hospitals, the study suggests that a short course of immunotherapy before surgery could produce better results than the current standard of care for certain patients.

The trial focused on 32 patients with stage 2 or 3 bowel cancer. These patients had tumors with a specific genetic profile called MMR-deficient or MSI-high, according to a press release.

EATING MORE OF CERTAIN TYPE OF FOOD COULD SHORTEN CANCER SURVIVORS' LIVES, STUDY FINDS

This profile, which is found in about 10% to 15% of bowel cancer cases, indicates a faulty DNA repair system in the body, the researchers noted. However, scientists hypothesized, that could make it easier for immunotherapy drugs to find and attack the tumors.

Instead of receiving standard chemotherapy after surgery, these patients were given a drug called pembrolizumab before their operations. The treatment lasted up to nine weeks.

Early data showed that the drug shrank tumors so effectively that 59% of patients had no signs of cancer left by the time they went in for surgery.

The latest data confirms that 33 months later, none of those patients have seen a return of the disease, including those who still had small traces of cancer remaining after surgery that never grew or spread again.

PROSTATE CANCER DRUG NOW AVAILABLE TO MORE PATIENTS WITH AGGRESSIVE FORM OF DISEASE

"Seeing that no patients have experienced a cancer recurrence after almost three years of follow-up is extremely encouraging, and strengthens our confidence that pembrolizumab is a safe and highly effective treatment to improve outcomes in patients with high-risk bowel cancers," said chief investigator Dr. Kai-Keen Shiu, a consultant medical oncologist at UCLH and associate professor at UCL, in the release.

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With the traditional approach of surgery followed by chemotherapy, about 25% of patients with this genetic profile would see their cancer return within three years, according to the study.

The research team also used personalized blood tests to monitor the patients. These tests look for tiny fragments of tumor DNA in the bloodstream, allowing doctors to determine whether the treatment was working before the surgery.

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"When tumor DNA disappeared from the blood, patients were much more likely to have no cancer remaining, and this matched the long-term results we’re now seeing," said first author Yanrong Jiang, a clinical PhD student at the UCL Cancer Institute, in the release.

The study did have limitations, the researchers noted. It was a small trial with only 32 people and only looked at a specific genetic subset of patients, which means the results may not apply to everyone with bowel cancer.

Doctors also need to follow the patients for a longer period to ensure that the cancer doesn't return, they added.

Even so, the researchers shared their optimism about the future of personalized care.

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"What is particularly exciting is that we now may be able to predict who will respond to the treatment using personalized blood tests and immune profiling," Shiu said.

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"These tools could help us tailor our approach, identifying patients who are doing well and may need less therapy before and after surgery."

The results were presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2026 in San Diego last month.

Vision problem leads to man's stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis, new drug extends survival

Mon, 04 May 2026 07:00:16 -0400

A former Ironman triathlete was stunned to learn that his vision problems were actually the first sign of stage 4 lung cancer.

Dave Nitsche, 57, was initially given just 12 to 24 months to live – but a newly approved drug has helped him surpass that timeframe by several years.

"In 2019, I noticed that I was having trouble seeing with my left eye," the Canadian man shared during an interview with Fox News Digital. "I went to the optometrist, and they said it was probably a detached retina."

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After scans revealed fluid buildup and rising pressure, doctors determined that Nitsche had lost vision in the eye — and ultimately removed it. A biopsy of the fluid revealed that it was cancerous.

Next, Nitsche saw more specialists, who extracted fluid from his lungs for more testing. "The next day, the oncologist told me that I had stage 4 lung cancer," he said.

Nitsche said his doctors were "very shocked" to find that his initial eye issues had stemmed from lung cancer – particularly because he had never been a smoker.

Azam J. Farooqui, M.D., a hematology and oncology physician at Ironwood Cancer & Research Centers in Chandler, Arizona, agreed that Nitsche’s case was "very surprising."

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"Cancer can find its way to some very odd locations, but the eye is a very, very rare one," Farooqui, who did not treat Nitsche, told Fox News Digital. "Usually cancer will get there via a nerve channel or blood vessel, but it’s very uncommon."

Nitsche, an ex-triathlete who has done multiple Ironman races, hadn’t experienced any other symptoms other than the eye issues. "I was running quite a bit at the time," he shared. "I had a little bit of back pain here and there, but lung cancer definitely wasn’t on my radar."

His first treatment was a targeted therapy called afatinib, which lasted about three months. When doctors found that the cancer had spread to Nitsche’s brain, he began taking another medication called Tagrisso (osimertinib), which crosses the blood-brain barrier.

HIDDEN FACTOR IN CANCER TREATMENT TIMING MAY AFFECT SURVIVAL, RESEARCHERS SAY

After six years, when those drugs stopped working, Nitsche started taking Rybrevant (amivantamab), a chemo-free drug that he receives via IV infusion every three weeks in a supervised medical setting. After a year on the drug, which is developed by Johnson & Johnson, his scans are looking "very, very good," he said.

"Science is catching up to me perfectly with all these drugs that I'm on," Nitsche said. "Now, we'll just wait for the next thing to come along, and we'll jump onto that. But for now, the Rybrevant is working perfectly."

Nitsche has experienced a few side effects, primarily skin irritation and fingernail infections, but said for the most part, the drug is "very tolerable."

Compared to the full-dose chemo and other lung cancer treatments, Farooqui agreed that Rybrevant is "very manageable."

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Other common side effects can include infusion reactions, muscle and joint pain, mouth sores, swelling, fatigue, nausea, bowel changes, vomiting, cough, shortness of breath and low appetite, according to FDA prescribing information.

In rare cases, serious effects can include lung inflammation, blood clots, severe skin reactions and eye problems. Pregnant women should not take the drug due to fetal risks.

"If somebody is having too many side effects, or if it is feeling too aggressive, we can do dose reductions," Farooqui noted. "In my experience, we've had patients do really well on it, and we've been able to manage their side effects without any major concerns."

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Rybrevant has now been approved to treat certain types of non-small cell lung cancer in the U.S. and Canada, and Nitsche said a few of his friends are also taking the drug.

"Doctors gave me a year to two years – they told me to get my affairs in order. And it's been seven years now," he said. "I’ll take it."

Nitsche is now preparing for a 600-mile biking expedition in June to raise awareness for lung cancer. He credits his endurance training and high fitness level with helping to extend his survival.

"There are days that you feel strong and there are days that you’re a little weaker, but you just adjust accordingly," he said.

Embracing his role as an advocate, Nitsche now speaks openly about his experience and what others should know.

"If you have lungs, you can get lung cancer – but at this point, for almost any type of cancer, a diagnosis is not a death sentence," he said. "They're doing so much research on it, especially with lung cancer… I've known people who have lasted 12 to 18 years, so for me, seven years is great. So I'll just keep going."

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Farooqui echoed the importance of patients "advocating for themselves and getting the most up-to-date therapy there is."

Barry Manilow, 82, gives update on his cancer battle as he cancels more tour dates

Sun, 03 May 2026 15:05:58 -0400

Despite a slew of show cancellations and postponements, Barry Manilow has his heart set on a June stage return amid his ongoing cancer treatments.

On Friday, the 82-year-old singer-songwriter announced that while he has to cancel his "Hits Come Home" residency dates in May at Westgate Resort in Las Vegas, he's "making great progress" with his lung cancer treatment and plans to return to the stage sooner rather than later.

"Good news! I went to the doctor yesterday and he said I’m making great progress and look great! Well of course I do! Thank you very much!" he wrote on X. "All the training and exercising I’ve put in is paying off."

"He did say, however, that I’m not quite ready for Vegas. That means I won’t be able to return for our May shows at @WestgateVegas. But the good news is he said I will be ready for my June arena shows in the UK. It’s going to be great to see you all in the UK. Westgate Las Vegas is my home away from home… and I’ll see you all in July. In the meantime… come to the UK! We’ll be there in June and hope you will be too! See you then… Barry."

In December, Manilow revealed he had been diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer after doctors discovered a cancerous spot on his left lung following a bout of bronchitis.

"As many of you know I recently went through six weeks of bronchitis followed by a relapse of another five weeks," Manilow wrote on Instagram at the time. "Even though I was over the bronchitis and back on stage at the Westgate Las Vegas, my wonderful doctor ordered an MRI just to make sure that everything was OK. The MRI discovered a cancerous spot on my left lung that needs to be removed. It's pure luck (and a great doctor) that it was found so early. That's the good news."

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"The bad news is that now that the Christmas A Gift of Love concerts are over I'm going into surgery to have the spot removed," he continued. "The doctors do not believe it has spread and I'm taking tests to confirm the diagnosis. So, that's it. No chemo. No radiation. Just chicken soup and I Love Lucy reruns."

ROD STEWART 'DEVASTATED' OVER MULTIPLE CONCERT CANCELLATIONS AS ILLNESS THREATENS TOUR DATES

In February, Manilow announced he was rescheduling additional February and March dates on the tour after a "very depressing visit" with his surgeon.

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That same month, the "Copacabana" singer detailed a tough conversation he had with his doctor.

"He said, ‘Barry, you won’t be ready to do a 90-minute show. Your lungs aren’t ready yet,’" Manilow continued.

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"You’re in great shape considering what you’ve been through, but your body isn’t ready. You shouldn’t do the first arena shows. You won’t make it through."

Manilow continued, "I had a feeling he’d say that. Deep down… my body knew what my heart didn’t want to admit: I wasn’t ready... When I do come back, I will COME BACK!!!"

Fox News Digital's Ashley Hume contributed to this post.

Pancreatic cancer patient Ben Sasse sees 'massive' tumor reduction with experimental new drug

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 07:00:47 -0400

Months after revealing his stage 4 cancer diagnosis, former U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse is speaking out about an experimental therapy that could extend his life.

Sasse, a Republican who represented Nebraska between 2015 and 2023, shared in December 2025 that he has metastatic pancreatic cancer, which has spread to multiple organs — including his liver and lungs.

After initially being given three to four months to live, Sasse, 54, entered a clinical trial for a drug called daraxonrasib, an oral therapy (pill) that is designed to block the defective gene that triggers uncontrolled cellular growth.

CANCER SURVIVAL APPEARS TO DOUBLE WITH COMMON VACCINE, RESEARCHERS SAY

The California-based drugmaker, Revolution Medicines, recently shared data from a phase 3 clinical trial of people with metastatic pancreatic cancer who did not respond to standard chemotherapy.

Patients on the treatment lived a median of 13 months, compared to around six months for those who continued with chemo.

"I have much, much less pain than I had four months ago when I was diagnosed, and I have a massive 76% reduction in tumor volume over the last four months," Sasse told "60 Minutes" in a recent interview.

Daraxonrasib works by going after a key growth "switch" in many cancers called RAS, according to Sarbajit Mukherjee, M.D., chief of gastrointestinal medical oncology at Miami Cancer Institute, part of Baptist Health South Florida.

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"In pancreatic cancer, that switch is stuck in the ‘on’ position in the vast majority of tumors, constantly telling the cancer cells to grow and spread," the doctor, who was not involved in the trial and did not treat Sasse, told Fox News Digital.

"Daraxonrasib is designed to bind to RAS in its active state and turn down that signal, which can slow or shrink the cancer."

Pancreatic cancer is difficult to diagnose early because there are generally no symptoms — or only subtle gastrointestinal symptoms — until it is already widespread, according to Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst.

"This is the first-of-its-kind targeted therapy for pancreatic cancer," Siegel, who also was not involved in the research or the senator’s treatment, told Fox News Digital. "The drug is in the final stages of clinical trials, where it has been shown to double the survival of those previously treated for metastatic pancreatic cancer."

Mukherjee noted that the survival boost seen in the trial is a "big difference" for a disease that typically has much shorter survival times.

"From my perspective, as someone who treats pancreatic cancer every day, daraxonrasib is the first targeted pill in this disease that truly feels like a step change rather than a small incremental improvement," he said.

"It opens the door to much more personalized strategies going forward. For a cancer where progress has been painfully slow, it could reshape how we care for patients with advanced disease."

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While current chemotherapy options can shrink pancreatic tumors and help people live longer, they are "tough," Mukherjee noted — "and once they stop working, our options are limited and survival is usually measured in just a few more months."

Early data also suggest that when daraxonrasib is combined with standard chemotherapy as the first treatment, there is more shrinkage of tumors and more patients doing well at six months than they typically would only with chemotherapy.

If the drug is approved, it will likely become an important option for patients when standard chemotherapy stops working, Mukherjee suggested.

"Ongoing trials are now asking whether it should also be used as part of the very first treatment plan," he added.

NEW CANCER VACCINE SHOWS PROMISING RESULTS FOR CERTAIN PATIENTS

Although the drug is described as "well-tolerated" compared to chemotherapy, the doctor noted that, like any strong cancer drug, daraxonrasib has side effects.

"The ones we see most often include rash, diarrhea, mouth sores and fatigue, with patients needing regular blood tests and close follow‑up while on treatment," Mukherjee said.

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In the clinical trials, most of these problems have been managed by adjusting the dose or adding supportive medications.

"The limitations are important to be transparent about — it is still not yet FDA‑approved, and it is not a cure," Mukherjee noted.

"Over time, most cancers will eventually find ways to grow around the drug."

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In addition to daraxonrasib, which he calls a "miracle" drug, Sasse credits his faith for helping him beat his original prognosis.

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"It's weird to be in your early 50s and get a terminal diagnosis, and people all of a sudden act like you're 93 or 94, and you have a lot of wisdom," he said.

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"I don't know that I have a lot of wisdom, but I have a lot of things that I think we should be reflecting on together."

Fox News Digital reached out to Sasse for further comment, and to the head of the clinical trial as well.

Rectal cancer deaths rising up to three times faster in specific age group, study finds

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 16:31:06 -0400

Rectal cancer deaths are rising at a significantly faster rate than colon cancer among younger Americans, a trend that researchers warn will continue to escalate without a shift in treatment.

Mortality rates for rectal cancer are growing two to three times faster than those for colon cancer among adults aged 20 to 44, according to a study to be presented at Digestive Disease Week 2026 in Chicago.

The data suggests that for older millennials, specifically those between the ages of 35 and 44, rectal cancer mortality is projected to escalate through 2035.

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"Colorectal cancer is no longer considered predominantly a disease of older adults," said lead author Mythili Menon Pathiyil, a gastroenterology fellow at SUNY Upstate Medical University. "Rectal cancer, especially, is becoming a growing problem in younger individuals."

The researchers analyzed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) death records from 1999 to 2023.

Using a machine learning model to project future trends, the team found that the mortality gap between the two types of cancer is widening across every demographic.

Hispanic adults and residents of Western states experienced the steepest increases in rectal cancer deaths, the study found.

MORE AMERICANS MAY BE CLASSIFIED AS OBESE UNDER NEW DEFINITION, STUDY SUGGESTS

A primary concern raised by the research is the diagnostic delay often experienced by younger patients.

"Young people are being diagnosed with rectal cancers at increasingly younger ages — and often at more advanced, aggressive stages of disease," Rachel Gordon, M.D., a New York-based colorectal and general surgeon at Episcopal Health Services, told Fox News Digital.

"We’re seeing a combination of lifestyle and environmental exposures, including diet and changes in the gut microbiome, potentially playing a role," said Gordon, who was not involved in the study.

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Older adults tend to begin treatment within a month of symptoms starting — but young adults face an average seven-month delay before getting care.

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Pathiyil noted that primary care providers often dismiss red-flag symptoms in young people — such as rectal bleeding or changes in bowel habits — as benign conditions like hemorrhoids.

"If something doesn’t feel right, or if you experience symptoms such as rectal bleeding (bright red or dark), persistent changes in bowel habits (including diarrhea or constipation), narrow stools, a feeling of incomplete bowel emptying, abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss or fatigue, it’s important to see your doctor promptly," Gordon advised.

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The findings suggest that current screening strategies may need to be reevaluated, according to Pathiyil.

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"Our study shows that rectal cancer is driving much of the increase in colorectal cancers," she added.

"It’s likely to worsen over time if we don’t change what we are doing right now."

Bacteria in your mouth may travel to the gut and trigger stomach cancer, research finds

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 07:00:58 -0400

New research is suggesting a strong association between mouth bacteria and gastric cancer.

The study, published in the journal Cell Reports Medicine, examined the gut microbiome in stool and the oral microbiome from saliva and the tongue.

The scientists, from Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and BGI Genomics, analyzed 404 samples from Chinese patients to compare gastric cancer and chronic gastritis.

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Gut microbes were different in gastric cancer, the researchers found, unveiling 28 varying gut species.

Most were oral bacteria, including Streptococcus — bacteria that can sometimes cause strep throat — lactobacillus and other lactic acid bacteria.

Twenty oral-gut species were found in both saliva and stool and were more common in the gut of gastric cancer patients.

The findings suggest the transmission of these bacteria from mouth to gut, after finding that the oral bacteria matched closely to the gut bacteria in the same person, according to genetic comparisons.

The researchers suggest that saliva and stool samples could help indicate patterns that are linked to stomach cancer, although more research is required before testing is ready for clinical use.

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"Collectively, these findings underscore the critical role of the oral-gut microbiome axis in [gastric cancer]," the researchers concluded in the study publication.

Since this is a cross-sectional analysis, the results cannot prove that these bacteria cause cancer, but they do suggest a strong association.

Dr. Brian Slomovitz, director of gynecologic oncology and co-chair of the Cancer Research Committee at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Florida, talked about the "initiator-promoter" model of this study in an interview with Fox News Digital.

"[The study] demonstrates how the microbiome of one area of the body can migrate and affect the ability of cancers to develop in another part of the body," said Slomovitz, who was not involved in the new study.

"The initiator in gastric cancers is usually inflammatory, such as H.pylori infection," he continued.

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"This inflammation leads to damaged mucosal cells where the lactic acid-producing bacteria can colonize. This helps to explain why cancers still develop even after treating H. pylori infection."

The new findings could be applied to using the saliva for early cancer detection, Slomovitz suggested, which may help identify the disease even in pre-cancer states.

"Perhaps we will learn that by altering the microbiome, we can help better treat cancers (in combination with immunotherapy or chemotherapy) or even prevent cancer," he said.

"These results will build a foundation for future research. However, we are not ready to incorporate this into clinical practice."

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Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel also weighed in separately on the study, noting that awareness around the importance of the gut microbiome on overall health has been growing.

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"There is a correlation between the bacteria found in the gut and neurogenerative disease and increased cancer risk," he told Fox News Digital.

"It is very important that we work toward a healthy microbiome in the gut to decrease the risk of inflammation and cancer."

Healthy diets spark lung cancer risk in non-smokers as pesticides loom

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 06:00:50 -0400

Eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables was found to have a surprising link to lung cancer among younger non-smokers, early research suggests.

The observational study, led by Jorge Nieva, M.D., of the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center at Keck Medicine, was presented this month at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) annual meeting in San Diego. It has not yet been peer-reviewed.

Researchers looked at dietary, smoking and demographic data for 187 patients who were diagnosed with lung cancer at age 50 or younger.

PANCREATIC CANCER PATIENT SURVIVAL DOUBLED WITH HIGH DOSE OF COMMON VITAMIN, STUDY FINDS

They found that among non-smokers, there was a link between healthier-than-average diets – rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains – and the chance of lung cancer development.

Young lung cancer patients ate more servings of dark green vegetables, legumes and whole grains compared to the average U.S. adult, the researchers found.

The researchers hypothesized that pesticides applied to conventionally grown produce could be a possible factor in the disease association.

"Commercially produced (non-organic) fruits, vegetables and whole grains are more likely to be associated with a higher residue of pesticides than dairy, meat and many processed foods," according to Nieva. He also noted that agricultural workers exposed to pesticides tend to have higher rates of lung cancer.

HIDDEN VIRUS INSIDE GUT BACTERIA LINKED TO DOUBLED COLORECTAL CANCER RISK, STUDY FINDS

"There is a large subset of lung cancer patients whose disease is not caused by smoking," Nieva told Fox News Digital.

The disease is becoming more common in non-smokers 50 and younger, especially women – despite the fact that smoking rates have been falling for decades, the researcher noted.

"These patients tend to have eaten much healthier diets before their diagnosis than the average American," he went on. "We need to support research into understanding why Americans – and women in particular – who no longer smoke very much are still having lung cancer," he said.

DEATHS FROM ONE TYPE OF CANCER ARE SURGING AMONG YOUNGER ADULTS WITHOUT COLLEGE DEGREES

The study did have some limitations, Nieva acknowledged, primarily that it relied on survey data and was limited by the participants’ memories of their food intake.

"Also, the survey participants were self-selected, and this could have biased the findings," he told Fox News Digital.

The researchers did not test specific foods for pesticides, relying instead on average pesticide levels for certain types of food. Looking ahead, they plan to test patients’ blood and urine samples to directly measure pesticide levels, Nieva said.

Although the study shows only an association and does not prove that pesticides caused lung cancer, Nieva recommends that people wash their produce before eating and choose organic foods whenever possible.

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"This work represents a critical step toward identifying modifiable environmental factors that may contribute to lung cancer in young adults," said Nieva. "Our hope is that these insights can guide both public health recommendations and future investigation into lung cancer prevention."

Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, said the study is "interesting," but that it "raises far more questions than it answers."

"It is a small study (around 150) and observational, so no proof," the doctor, who was not involved in the research, told Fox News Digital.

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"It is possible that the increased lung cancer risk could be due to pesticide exposure in whole farmed foods, but it is by no means certain," Siegel went on. "How much exposure is needed? How much of it gets into food and in which areas? This requires much further study."

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Kayla Nichols, communications director for Pesticide Action & Agroecology Network, a distributed global network, said the organization agrees with the study's conclusion that more research should be done on the rise in lung cancer, particularly in individuals eating diets higher in produce and fiber.

"There is a bounty of existing research that already links pesticide exposure to increased risk of multiple types of cancers," Nichols, who was also not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital. She called for more research on chronic, low-level exposures to pesticides, as well as more effective policies to protect the public from pesticide residues on food.

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The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute, as well as industry partners including AstraZeneca and Genentech, among others.

Fox News Digital reached out to several pesticide companies and trade groups for comment.

Deaths from one type of cancer are surging among younger adults without college degrees

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 16:17:38 -0400

Colorectal cancer, once considered a disease of older age, is becoming a crisis for younger adults. New research shows one group getting hit the hardest – those without a college degree.

A recent study from the American Cancer Society analyzed data from over 101,000 adults aged 25 to 49 who died from colorectal cancer between 1994 and 2023.

While death rates remained stable for college graduates, they climbed significantly for those without a bachelor’s degree, the findings showed.

WIDESPREAD HABIT MAY RAISE COLORECTAL CANCER RISK MORE THAN YOU THINK

For young adults with a high school education or less, the mortality rate rose from 4.0 to 5.2 per 100,000 people, while the rate for those with at least a bachelor’s degree stayed flat, at approximately 2.7 per 100,000.

This does not mean that a degree offers some kind of biological protection, researchers cautioned.

The difference is likely driven by the conditions in which people live and work, which often correlate with education levels, the researchers noted.

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The study suggests that the higher death rates are likely driven by differences in the prevalence of risk factors, including obesity, physical inactivity, smoking and diet, which are "known to be elevated among children and young adults with lower [socioeconomic status]."

Because the study relied on death certificates, researchers couldn't say exactly why college graduates had better outcomes.

Certificates typically list the cause of death, age, race and education level, but they do not include a person’s full medical history.

RED FLAGS FOR COLORECTAL CANCER THAT WARRANT SCREENINGS BEFORE 45 YEARS OF AGE

Because the researchers didn't have the patients' actual medical records, they couldn't see things like frequency of screenings or treatment options, which would impact survival outcomes.

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Colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death for men under 50 and the second leading cause for women in the same age group, according to recent statistics.

Because the disease is highly treatable when caught early, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) lowered the recommended screening age from 50 to 45 in 2021.

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Common signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer can include a change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation or narrowing of the stool, that lasts for more than a few days, according to the American Cancer Society.

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Other signs that warrant seeing a doctor include blood in the stool or a persistent feeling of needing to go to the bathroom but being unable to go.

The research was published in JAMA Oncology.

Cancer tied to woman's vaping habit since age 15 as she's now given just months to live

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 09:00:04 -0400

A young woman who started vaping at the age of 15 has been given just 18 months to live — after being diagnosed with lung cancer in her early 20s.

Kayley Boda, 22, of Manchester, in the United Kingdom, was engaging in heavy vaping on a regular basis when she started coughing up a brown substance with "grainy bits" in it in January 2025, news agency SWNS reported.

The retail assistant said doctors turned her away eight times, telling her she had a chest infection — until she began coughing up blood.

SMOKING AND VAPING MAY BE BANNED AT ONE STATE'S MOST POPULAR BEACHES AND PARKS: HERE'S WHY

After seven biopsies, Boda was diagnosed with lung cancer. She underwent surgery to remove the lower lobe of her right lung, as well as chemotherapy — and in February 2026, got the all-clear, the same source reported.

Two months later, though, doctors said the cancer had come back in the pleural lining. Now she's been given 18 months to live.

The young woman has now issued a warning to others to be aware of the dangers of vaping.

Boda said she smoked a bit as a young teenager. She took up vaping after that.

Then, "a few months after I switched from reusable vapes to disposable ones, I started coughing up brown, grainy mucus," as SWNS reported.

TOURISTS MAY FACE STEEP FINES AND JAIL TIME FOR VAPES AT THIS VACATION HOT SPOT

"Doctors turned me away eight times with a chest infection.... Then I started coughing up blood, so they did an X-ray and found a shadow on my lung," she added.

"They told me they were 99% sure, [since I was] so young, that it wasn't cancer, so not to worry about it. When I got the results back, and they told me it was lung cancer, it felt so surreal."

Boda said she was "very naive" before her diagnosis and thought that "something like this would never happen to me."

She said that she had surgery to remove half of her right lung.

"After the surgery, I started chemo and I had a terrible reaction to it. I couldn't lift my head up. I was throwing up blood. I was urinating blood. I couldn’t eat. I couldn't sleep."

VACATION HOT SPOT CRACKS DOWN ON VAPING WITH JAIL THREATS AND HEFTY FINES

She said that when she got the "all clear [in Feb. 2026], it felt amazing, but just two months later I was told the cancer had come back, and I have 18 months to live."

She added, "I’m 22. This isn’t meant to happen to somebody my age."

She blames her cancer on vaping, she said.

"My symptoms started a few months after I started disposable vapes, and there’s no lung cancer in my family," she said. "I haven’t vaped for three months, I’ve made my partner stop, I’ve made my mom stop, I’m urging all my friends to stop. Stay off the vapes," she continued, "because they will catch up with you."

She said she'd been using reusable vapes since the age of 15 and began using disposable vapes a few months before her cancer symptoms started.

DISPOSABLE VAPES MORE TOXIC AND CARCINOGENIC THAN CIGARETTES, STUDY SHOWS

In November 2024, when she developed a rash all over her body, doctors said it could have been due to shingles, chicken pox or scabies, she told SWNS.

‘Nothing worked’

"I got treated for all three, and nothing worked," Boda said. "It got to the point where I was cutting myself from scratching so hard."

A few months after that, she began coughing up a dark brown mucus, with "grainy bits, the consistency of sugar, in it," she said. When the coughing continued, she visited the doctor's office, but was told it could be scarring from pneumonia or a chest infection, she also said.

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It wasn't until March 2025 that she began coughing up bright red blood. At that point, doctors gave her a chest X-ray and told her they'd found a shadow on her lower right lung.

Over the next four months, she had seven biopsies as doctors took samples from the "shadow." In August, when she went to get the results, she was told she had stage one lung cancer.

In September 2025, she had surgery to remove the lower lobe of her right lung, and the surrounding lymph nodes. During the surgery, doctors upstaged her cancer from stage one to stage three after finding cancer in six surrounding lymph nodes, she said.

Following the surgery, Boda was unable to breathe properly and had to learn to walk all over again.

After finishing chemotherapy in February 2026, Kayley was given the all clear, leaving her feeling elated.

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However, just a month after that, she began experiencing extreme chest pains and was told by doctors she had a pleural effusion — a build-up of fluid in the lungs. She had the fluid removed, but when doctors tested it, they discovered her cancer had returned to the pleural lining of her lungs, giving her 18 months to live.

"The oncologist said this is so rare, and usually something they see in patients that are 80 years old," she said, as SWNS reported.

Boda claimed that doctors were unable to pin her cancer to a specific cause — but told her that smoking and vaping definitely didn’t help.

Since her diagnosis, she has stopped and is urging others to stop, too.

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She's hoping to raise the thousands of dollars needed for treatment to try to prolong her life, she said.

Last year, Fox News Digital reported on the case of a Pennsylvania woman, 26, who said she vaped for just one year before her lungs collapsed. She was 22 when she took up the habit, she said in an interview.

"Everybody warned me about it, but I didn't listen — I wish that I did," she said.

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Dr. David Campbell, clinical director and program director at Recover Together Bend in Oregon, told Fox News Digital at that time that signs of collapsed lungs include sharp chest or shoulder pain, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing.

Lung issues are just one of the many health issues linked to vaping, he warned. The habit can also increase the risk of heart disease and stroke, as well as exposure to harmful heavy metals.

Melissa Rudy of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.

Woman’s cancer battle takes unbelievable turn when her dog gets same diagnosis

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 11:24:02 -0400

A woman who got a dog to support her through a breast cancer diagnosis was later shocked when the pet was diagnosed with the same disease years later.

Vickie Doogan, 52, from England, said her dog Dolly, a poochon, became her constant companion during recovery from her second cancer diagnosis, news agency SWNS reported.

Doogan was first diagnosed with breast cancer at age 39 after noticing a dull pain and a lump under her arm, which doctors later confirmed was invasive breast cancer that had spread.

COMMON FRUIT FOUND IN AMERICAN KITCHENS MAY SLOW DEADLY FORM OF BREAST CANCER, STUDY SAYS

She underwent chemotherapy, surgery and radiation and was eventually declared cancer-free following an intensive course of treatment.

At 44, she was diagnosed again and underwent another round of treatment before opting for a double mastectomy after learning she carried a BRCA2 gene mutation, which increases the risk of breast cancer.

She got Dolly in 2018 while recovering at home, saying the dog provided comfort and companionship during a difficult period in her life.

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"She’s like my shadow," Doogan said. "She’s the most perfect little dog."

In February 2026, Doogan took Dolly to the vet for what she believed was an upset stomach, where a lump was unexpectedly discovered under one of the dog’s nipples.

"The vet said she needed to have a mastectomy. I was so shocked," Doogan said. "I didn’t even know dogs could have mastectomies."

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Dolly underwent surgery to remove the cancer, which was determined to be low-grade and did not require additional treatment, allowing her to recover relatively quickly.

"She bounced back just as well as I did," Doogan said. "People said it’s like she’s mirroring how I dealt with it."

Both Doogan and her dog are now cancer-free and focusing on moving forward after their shared experiences with the disease, SWNS noted.

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Doogan said she hopes their story offers encouragement to others facing a diagnosis and shows that recovery is possible.

"When I was first diagnosed, I was absolutely floored," she said. "Chemo was brutal, but thankfully I responded well."

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"Now I’m living my best life again," she added. "I want people to know that although breast cancer is scary, you can still live a really full life."

Where you live could shape your risk of cancer mortality, study suggests

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 07:00:02 -0400

While U.S. cancer deaths have been falling over the past couple of decades, certain parts of the country are seeing less improvement in those numbers.

New research published in the British Journal of Cancer assessed the differences in cancer mortality improvements across the country.

Researchers at Mississippi State's Social Science Research Center, along with scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, analyzed death certificates between 1981 and 2019 across nearly 3,000 U.S. counties.

EATING MORE OF CERTAIN TYPE OF FOOD COULD SHORTEN CANCER SURVIVORS' LIVES, STUDY FINDS

The data was drawn from Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (WONDER), which is operated by the CDC. More than 21.3 million cancer deaths were included in the records.

Overall, U.S. cancer mortality has declined by about 32% between 1991 and 2019, but not all areas experienced that level of improvement.

The highest rates of mortality decline and the biggest drop in excess deaths were seen in urban, coastal and higher-income counties, according to the study. Rural and lower-income counties had smaller declines in mortality.

"In a complex nation such as the U.S., we should not be too surprised that there are large differences in health outcomes shaped by the diversity and variety of local regions and groups," Arthur G. Cosby, the study's lead author, told Fox News Digital. He is a Giles Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Mississippi State.

RED FLAGS FOR COLORECTAL CANCER THAT WARRANT SCREENINGS BEFORE 45 YEARS OF AGE

"Cancer improvement over the last few decades certainly aligns with this perspective," he said.

The gap appeared to widen over time, researchers noted. By 2019, the top 10% highest-income counties had a roughly seven times greater mortality improvement than the lowest-income counties.

The large urban centers along both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts consistently had among the highest rates of cancer improvement, according to Cosby. Rural and smaller cities in the interior of the U.S. often had much lower rates.

"The magnitude of the mortality differences between coastal and inland regions, [and] the large differences between places with different income levels and rural/urban places, were larger than I anticipated," Cosby said.

CANCER SURVIVAL RATES REACH RECORD HIGH, BUT DEADLIEST TYPES STILL PUT AMERICANS AT RISK

"The link between improving health and increasing disparities is poorly understood. I am pursuing that question now," he added.

The researchers pointed to several factors that could contribute to the declines in cancer mortality. These included a decline in tobacco use and improved cancer screenings and treatments.

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"Wealthy, metropolitan New York City has been aggressive in instituting tobacco control measures, and the results show," Cosby noted. "Manhattan had a lung cancer rate of 49 per 100,000 in 1991. By 2019, it cut its rate to 19.6 — a 60% reduction."

Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, agreed that more aggressive preventive measures targeting smoking and alcohol use likely played a role in the sharper mortality decline in urban, affluent areas.

"More aggressive screening campaigns, including at major medical centers, can diagnose pre-cancers or cancers earlier," Siegel, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.

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A focus on improved lifestyle habits and less exposure to environmental toxins could also play a role, he added.

The study had some limitations, as noted by the authors.

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Because the research was conducted at the county level, the results may not apply at the individual level.

Also, unmeasured factors such as lifestyle behaviors and access to healthcare could impact mortality.

"There are many limitations associated with the use of death certificates in research, such as accuracy of cause of death, possible multiple causes and changes in medical explanation for death over time," Cosby told Fox News Digital.

Based on the findings, the researchers are calling for more studies that take into account the significant variations that exist across the country.

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"The varying speed of adoption of life-saving interventions between geographic places may produce increasing disparities," Cosby said. "It is possible to have a situation where nearly all places are improving their cancer mortality, but at much different rates."

Dick Vitale announces fifth cancer diagnosis as biopsy confirms melanoma in his lung and liver cavity

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 20:30:23 -0400

College basketball legendary broadcaster Dick Vitale announced he is battling cancer yet again.

The 86-year-old announced Monday that a biopsy confirmed he has melanoma in his lung and liver cavity, and he is immediately beginning immunotherapy to combat it.

This is the fifth time Vitale has been diagnosed with cancer, and melanoma is one he has had before.

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"I’ve beaten melanoma," Vitale said in a statement released by ESPN. "I’ve beaten lymphoma. I’ve beaten vocal-cord cancer. I’ve beaten lymph-node cancer. I’m 4 for 4 and I’m fully confident I’m going to make it 5 for 5."

Vitale made a separate social media post on Monday, where he said he had gone through days of testing, which included scans, MRIs, bloodwork and the biopsy to confirm what doctors believed was cancer yet again.

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"I obviously did not get the report today that I was hoping for when my oncologist called," Vitale said. "Now at least I know what I face."

"Dickie V" is one of the most established broadcasters in American sports, providing countless memorable calls through his natural enthusiasm for the game and moments on the hardwood.

Vitale’s impact on college basketball dates to ESPN’s launch in 1979, and he’s close to five decades in the sport with a contract with the "Worldwide Leader" going through the 2027-28 season.

However, health issues arose in 2021 when he was diagnosed with melanoma for the first time. Lymphoma followed, and then he needed chemotherapy and radiation treatments for his vocal cord cancer.

In 2024, he required surgery to remove cancerous lymph nodes from his neck, and Vitale’s iconic voice could not be heard as he was unable to speak for a time after the vocal cord surgery.

But like the other four diagnoses, Vitale remains optimistic and in good spirits, saying he feels "fantastic" and ready to take on yet another battle.

"At 86 years young, I’ve lived a hell of a life, and I’m more motivated than ever to raise money for kids battling cancer," Vitale said.

The New Jersey native spent time coaching at Garfield High School before taking over his alma mater, East Rutherford High School, where he led teams to two New Jersey state titles.

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Vitale went on to coach as an assistant at Rutgers before heading to the University of Detroit as their head coach. He remained in the Michigan city to coach its Pistons from 1978-79.

Once he was done coaching the Pistons, Vitale joined ESPN, calling its first-ever college basketball game in 1979, a game where DePaul beat Wisconsin.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Cancer risk linked to common blood-related condition, research reveals

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 17:20:52 -0400

Anemia, a common blood disorder, may be a major risk factor for developing cancer.

That's according to new research from Sweden, which sought to discover whether newly developed anemia is an early warning sign of cancer or death from any cause.

The study, published in BMJ Journals, looked at registry data from more than 380,000 Swedish adults – half were people with new-onset anemia and the other half were the same age and gender, but did not have anemia.

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All participants were over 18 years old and cancer-free at the start of the study.

The results showed that people with incident anemia – new cases occurring over a specific period – had a significantly higher chance of being diagnosed with cancer, especially in the first three months, according to a press release. This included 6.2% of men and 2.8% of women.

Individuals with anemia also had a much higher chance of death during the 18-month follow-up.

Specific types of anemia were individually linked to disease progression and mortality, the researchers discovered.

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Microcytic anemia – where the red blood cells are smaller than normal – was more frequently linked to cancer, especially types of disease that impact the digestive system and the blood.

Macrocytic anemia, a type of anemia where the red blood cells are larger than normal, was more strongly linked to overall mortality than cancer.

The researchers concluded in the study that new-onset anemia is a "strong and sustained risk marker" for both incident cancer and all-cause mortality.

Lead study author Elinor Nemlander, researcher at the Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society at the Karolinska Institutet, commented on the findings in a press release from the Swedish medical university.

"We found that both the risk of cancer and the risk of death are highest during the first months after anemia is detected, but that the increased risk persists later during follow-up as well," she said. "Our findings suggest that anemia may be a sign of underlying disease rather than a condition in its own right."

Speaking with Fox News Digital, Nemlander noted that measures like red blood cell size are already "routinely available" in primary care, and that the study highlights how this existing data can be used to identify early risk.

"At the same time, the elevated risks persist over time, underscoring the need for structured follow-up and clear plans for continued evaluation, even when cancer is not initially identified," she said.

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As the study was observational, it shows an association, but does not prove that anemia causes cancer or death.

The research also did not measure for all causes of anemia, including alcohol use, malnutrition, chronic liver disease, inflammatory conditions and gynecological blood loss.

"Some of the results may also be influenced by who gets tested, underlying illnesses and differences in how anemia is evaluated in different healthcare settings," Nemlander added.

In a separate interview with Fox News Digital, Dr. Brian Slomovitz, director of gynecologic oncology and co-chair of the Cancer Research Committee at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Florida, commented on this being "one of the largest" studies of its kind.

"One interesting observation is that the cancer risk increases early, within the first three months," he said. "This suggests that there were [hidden] or early identification of cancers, not necessarily a causation."

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The expert suggested that since this is a Swedish study, the results are not likely to be transferable to the U.S. population.

Slomovitz added that the follow-up is "relatively short" at 18 months, so it "really doesn’t address any long-term risk."

"I think the main take-home point here is that in those patients who are identified as being anemic, their healthcare provider should look a little bit closer to see if there’s an underlying malignancy, and perhaps this early detection can improve outcomes in the long-term."

'Miracle fruit' may help cancer patients overcome chemo side effect that can lead to dangerous weight loss

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 06:00:06 -0400

A small, red "miracle fruit" is gaining attention for its ability to make lemons taste like lemonade — and for helping some cancer patients cope with an unpleasant side effect of treatment.

For many chemotherapy patients, "chemo mouth" can make food taste metallic, bland or spoiled — leading to weight loss, poor nutrition and reduced motivation to eat.

But a small red berry scientifically known as Synsepalum dulcificum — commonly called "miracle fruit" — is drawing attention for helping patients better tolerate food and, in turn, reclaim a sense of normalcy.

CANCER DOCTOR SAYS AMERICANS SHOULD EAT MORE OF 5 KEY PROTECTIVE FOODS

"A lot of side effects from cancer treatments are underreported," Dr. Mike Cusnir, a board-certified medical oncologist and co-director of gastrointestinal malignancies at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Florida, told Fox News Digital.

He noted that taste changes can become more than a minor inconvenience over time.

"The alteration in taste will end up giving the patient the sensation that everything is absolutely bland," Cusnir said.

"And we may think that that's negligible, that it's not that important — but with time it becomes bothersome to the point where the patient doesn't eat, then there's weight loss."

5 ULTRA-PROCESSED FOODS THAT MAY BE WORSE FOR YOUR HEALTH THAN YOU THINK, EXPERT SAYS

The experience varies widely from person to person, but the impact can be significant. In some cases, poor nutrition and weight loss may complicate ongoing treatment, he added.

In his research, he found that common workarounds such as using plastic utensils, adjusting food temperature or adding spices offered little relief for chemo mouth.

Cusnir remembers the first time he encountered miracle fruit — a West African berry that looks like a cranberry and contains miraculin, which temporarily alters taste perception.

A patient brought it to his office and told him to try it with a lemon.

COMMON FRUIT FOUND IN AMERICAN KITCHENS MAY SLOW DEADLY FORM OF BREAST CANCER, STUDY SAYS

"I'm like, 'That's going to be tangy,'" Cusnir recalled. "He's like, 'OK, try it.' So I tried it. It was tangy. Then he said, 'Now, try the fruit and then squeeze it again.' And it tasted like lemonade."

The effect typically lasts about 30 to 40 minutes, though researchers are still working to better understand how it works and why it affects people differently.

In a small clinical study, Cusnir and his team compared patients using the fruit with those relying on standard, everyday ways of managing symptoms.

About half of the patients who tried miracle fruit reported improvements in taste, along with better overall quality of life, and 14% gained weight.

CHOCOLATE, CHEESE AND YOGURT LINKED TO LONGER LIFE IN DETAILED STUDY OF 3 MILLION PEOPLE

The fruit did not work for everyone, however, and the findings are considered preliminary.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center notes that while small studies have suggested possible improvements in taste among chemotherapy patients, the evidence remains limited and inconsistent.

More rigorous research is needed to determine how effective the fruit is and which patients are most likely to benefit, the experts say.

The berry itself is delicate and often sold frozen or in tablet or powder form, as it can lose potency quickly after harvest. Availability has increased in recent years, though quality and effectiveness may vary between products.

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Cusnir said the fruit has not shown clear safety concerns in limited observations to date, and there is no strong evidence of harmful interactions with cancer treatments. Still, comprehensive safety data are lacking, so patients should consult their care team before trying new supplements or therapies.

There has also been some interest in studying the fruit for people with diabetes, Cusnir said, as its taste-altering effect could make lower-sugar foods more palatable.

For patients dealing with taste changes, even modest improvements may help with day-to-day routines.

"If a meal becomes a challenge for the patient, and they just don't want to be there because they're bothered by the food, they may isolate," Cusnir said.

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That loss, he added, can compound the already difficult experience of cancer treatment.

"Patients are tired, fatigued and the time they spend with their family — if food is bothering them — it creates more isolation," he said.

Helping patients enjoy even a small part of a meal again can make a meaningful difference, Cusnir said.

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"Patients are with us maybe 15 minutes every few weeks," he said.

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"But they're at home, with their family, three meals a day."

Marriage status has surprising link to cancer risk, study suggests: 'Clear signal'

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 14:26:11 -0400

Adults who never married are significantly more likely to develop cancer, according to new research from the University of Miami.

A large study of more than 4 million Americans across 12 states found that this increased risk spans nearly every major cancer type. It is especially true for preventable cancers, such as types caused by smoking and infection.

Men who never married were found to have a 70% higher likelihood of cancer than their married counterparts. For women, that gap was even wider, with never-married individuals facing an 85% higher risk.

EATING MORE OF CERTAIN TYPE OF FOOD COULD SHORTEN CANCER SURVIVORS' LIVES, STUDY FINDS

Previous research has linked marriage to better survival rates after a diagnosis, but this is one of the first studies to show that marital status could be a major indicator of whether a person will develop cancer in the first place.

"These findings suggest that social factors such as marital status may serve as important markers of cancer risk at the population level," study co-author Paulo Pinheiro, a research professor of epidemiology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, said in a press release.

Between 2015 and 2022, the team examined cancer cases diagnosed at age 30 or older and compared the rates of various cancers to the marital status of participants. They then broke down the data by sex and race and adjusted for age.

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Adult men who were never married had approximately five times the rate of anal cancer compared to married men, the study found.

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Adult women who were never married had nearly three times the rate of cervical cancer compared to women who were or had been married.

"It’s a clear and powerful signal that some individuals are at a greater risk," Frank Penedo, director of the Sylvester Survivorship and Supportive Care Institute at the University of Miami, said in the release.

For women, being married (and often, by extension, having children) was associated with lower risks of ovarian and endometrial cancers, likely due to hormonal and biological factors associated with pregnancy, according to the researchers.

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Experts stressed that these findings do not mean marriage alone can protect against cancer.

"It means that if you’re not married, you should be paying extra attention to cancer risk factors, getting any screenings you may need, and staying up to date on healthcare," Penedo said.

The researchers also hypothesized that people who smoke less, drink less and take better care of themselves may be more likely to get married, meaning other factors could influence the findings.

More research is needed to confirm the outcome, they noted.

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The study was published in the journal Cancer Research Communications.

Ivanka Trump breaks down in emotional interview talking about her mother Ivana’s death, other challenges

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:27:29 -0400

First daughter Ivanka Trump became emotional while discussing the loss of her mother and other personal challenges during a rare video podcast appearance.

Speaking on "The Diary of a CEO" podcast, Ivanka Trump, 44, reflected on the influence of her late mother, Ivana Trump, describing her as "extraordinary" and crediting her with shaping her values and outlook on life.

"My mother taught me a lot about bringing intention to what you do," she said.

IVANKA TRUMP’S NEW WATER WORKOUT COULD PROMOTE HEALTHY AGING, EXPERT SAYS

Ivanka Trump grew visibly emotional at several points during the interview, pausing to compose herself as she reflected on her mother’s sudden death after a fall in 2022 at age 73.

"Losing a parent — it hits differently," she said, noting the impact of the loss on her and her family.

She added that her family continues to keep her mother’s memory alive through stories and shared experiences.

Ivana Trump, born in 1949, was the first wife of President Donald Trump. The couple had three children together and divorced in the early 1990s.

The former White House advisor also spoke about her grandmother, who helped raise her and now lives with her family in Florida.

'MELANIA' WORLD PREMIERE: PRESIDENT TRUMP, FIRST LADY, RFK JR, NICKI MINAJ AND MORE LIGHT UP RED CARPET

Ivanka Trump described her grandmother as "unbelievably nurturing" and said having her at her home is "a blessing."

At one point, she became tearful as she discussed her grandmother’s declining health, pausing during the interview and asking for a tissue.

"I have a lot of love for this woman," she said.

Ivanka Trump also opened up about her husband Jared Kushner’s battle with thyroid cancer, revealing she sought therapy during a particularly difficult period after leaving Washington, D.C. Kushner learned he had cancer in October 2019 but kept it private at the time, he wrote in his 2022 memoir, "Breaking History: A White House Memoir."

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She said her family was navigating multiple challenges at once, including Kushner’s diagnosis and the loss of her mother, while also adjusting to life outside of government.

Ivanka Trump has chosen not to return to Washington during her father's second term, prioritizing her children and family life.

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The interview also touched on a traumatic moment involving her father.

She recalled watching in real time as President Trump was shot during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July 2024.

She said she was at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, at the time. She was by the pool with two of her children when the frightening incident was broadcast in real time on TV.

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"I was horrified, and I was scared. And I was protective of my children," she said.

Despite the shock over the shooting, Ivanka Trump said she felt certain her father would survive the attack.

"I just knew it wasn’t his time," she said.

"I feel incredibly lucky that he was protected that day."

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Trump also said she has forgiven shooter Thomas Crooks — who was later acknowledged by the FBI to have acted alone that day in Pennsylvania — and that forgiveness can be difficult but necessary.

"My father is alive — and that is an extraordinary blessing for me as his daughter," she added.

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Reflecting on the series of personal challenges she's faced, Ivanka Trump said the experiences have reshaped her perspective on life.

"You can’t take things for granted in life, and I’ve learned that in numerous ways."

'Charlie's Angels' star Cheryl Ladd opens up for first time about ‘aggressive’ breast cancer battle

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 16:59:46 -0400

Cheryl Ladd is opening up about her breast cancer diagnosis for the first time.

On Monday, Ladd, 74, got candid about her bout with cancer during an appearance at the PaleyFest 50th anniversary celebration of "Charlie's Angels."

"Mine was an aggressive form," Ladd, who was accompanied by fellow costars Kate Jackson and Jaclyn Smith, said. "I had wonderful doctors. But I was bald for quite a while. It was a humbling experience."

"I have a wonderful husband. All through it, he was there for me at every turn, and that makes a difference," said Ladd, referring to her husband Brian Russell. "Eventually, I started to get little sprouts of hair. It was like, 'Oh, I'm getting hair!' It was a long, long, hard road. But you just get through. You just get on with it."

'CHARLIE'S ANGELS' STAR CHERYL LADD REFLECTS ON HER FRIENDSHIP WITH JACLYN SMITH, ENDURING FAITH IN GOD

Not only do the three women share an unbreakable bond through their experience on the show, but they're all three cancer survivors.

"It just connects you because you know what they’re going through," Smith, who was also diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent radiation treatment in 2002, said during an interview on the "Today Show". "And that’s when I talk about the power of girlfriends."

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When Ladd disclosed her diagnosis to her friends, Smith said she immediately empathized.

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"The first thing I did was send her my wigs," she said during the PaleyFest panel. "She was so brave. She did have a very aggressive form [of cancer]."

"It’s really important to understand and embrace not being afraid of getting a mammogram," Jackson, a two-time breast cancer survivor, added. "Early detection is key. Find it early enough and you’ll probably be all right."

Ladd, Jackson and Smith reunited on Monday to celebrate the show's milestone anniversary and pay tribute to Farrah Fawcett, who appeared as one of the main angels in the first season of the series.

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"Oh, I feel so proud. I feel appreciative. I feel we did something right," Smith told Fox News Digital ahead of the panel. "And I feel I'm still standing here. And life has been interesting. It's been a beautiful journey. Truly, I have two beautiful kids, a great husband, and three granddaughters. So I'm riding high. And you know, I think things are, 'Charlie's Angels' was meant to be. I have no regrets."

In 2021, Ladd opened up to Fox News Digital about her meaningful friendships with her former costars.

"It’s really interesting because when you do something so specific, so iconic and you are in it when it was huge – it is something you can explain to people, but until you’ve done it, it is different," she continued. "We think back often about how crazy that time was. We had to go into restaurants through the back door. We weren’t prepared for how much people would love the show. It was wonderful, but it was wild."

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In 1977, Ladd took on the role of Kris Munroe (the younger sister of Fawcett's character) in the iconic series, which aired until 1981. Ladd, who was chosen by Aaron Spelling to play Fawcett’s younger sister, initially said no to the role. But with enough convincing, she took the plunge – a decision she’s still grateful for.

"It was nerve-wracking!" Ladd admitted about appearing in "Charlie’s Angels."

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"Because the year and season was all about Farrah," she said. "When Farrah decided to leave the show [in 1980], I think it was very shocking for her fans and everyone that loved the show."

Despite achieving fame in Hollywood, Ladd said her faith in God has always played a significant role in her life.

"It has been all of it," she said. "I knew who I was as a young girl. I would climb up the top of the tree and talk to God all the time. It has been an interesting path – a lot of good, a lot of bumps, a lot of tough, learning moments. He [God] was with me the whole time. He lets us trip ourselves so we remember that he is in charge. I think that is a good thing, especially in our youth! When we aren’t exactly thinking everything through."

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Fox News Digital's Stephanie Nolasco contributed to this post.