Cancer Currents: An NCI Cancer Research Blog

Two side-by-side illustrations about the colon. The top section, labeled "Proximal Colon," highlights the ascending colon, cecum, and transverse colon in purple on the left side of the body. The bottom section, labeled "Distal Colon," shows the descending colon and sigmoid colon in purple on the right side of the body. The colon is depicted within an outline of the human torso, showing its position relative to other internal organs.

Colorectal Cancer Survival Linked to Primary Tumor Location

By NCI Staff
May 27, 2016

A blog post on a study showing that in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, the location in the colon where the tumor originated appears to strongly influence how long patients live.

Collage showing sources of cancer-causing substances, including a pack of cigarettes, a sun, a bottle of herbicide, and vehicle exhaust.

Charting a Course toward Precision Cancer Prevention

By Stephen J. Chanock, M.D.
May 26, 2016

Cancer researchers are increasingly exploring how cancer risk is influenced by genetic predisposition to cancer and the effects of environmental exposures, and what this means for cancer prevention.

Healthcare provider's hands placing a medical device on a patient's back over their clothing as part of a medical examination or treatment.

Survival Disparities Identified in Young African Americans with Colorectal Cancer

By NCI Staff
May 25, 2016

African Americans younger than age 50 had significantly worse 5-year survival rates at every stage of disease compared with young white and Hispanic patients, a new study shows.

Desktop computer displaying a medical education website about "Moles to Melanoma: Recognizing the ABCDE Features" with interactive questions on the left and medical photographs on the right, shown next to a small potted plant.

Online Tool Helps Users Distinguish Moles from Melanoma

By NCI Staff
May 23, 2016

“Moles to Melanoma: Recognizing the ABCDE Features” presents photos that show changes in individual pigmented lesions over time, and describes the different appearances of moles, dysplastic nevi, and melanomas.

Improving Cancer Control in Rural Communities: An Interview with Dr. Robert Croyle

By NCI Staff
May 18, 2016

NCI’s Dr. Robert Croyle discusses some of the issues related to cancer control faced by rural communities and how NCI is approaching this important problem.

Crosstalk between Cancer Cells and Neighboring Cells May Contribute to Tumor Growth

By NCI Staff
May 16, 2016

Pancreatic cancer cells and neighboring normal cells engage in a two-way molecular conversation that helps drive malignant behavior in the cancer cells, according to new study results.

Illustration of a complex signaling pathway overlaid on a background of stained cells. It depicts the activation of the NF-kB pathway, featuring components like the CBM complex, cIAP1/2, LUBAC, and IKK, represented in various colors. Arrows indicate the flow of signaling events, highlighting the interactions that lead to NF-kB activation.

New Treatment Target Identified for Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

By NCI Staff
May 13, 2016

NCI researchers have identified new therapeutic targets for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Drugs that hit these targets are under clinical development and the researchers hope to begin testing them in clinical trials of patients with DLBCL.

Six white circular icons on a blue background displaying tobacco-related items: a cigarette, vaping device, pipe, hookah/water pipe, e-cigarette, and a calendar with a no-smoking symbol.

Improving Public Health through Increased Tobacco Regulation

By Robert T. Croyle, Ph.D.
May 10, 2016

NCI’s Dr. Robert Croyle discusses the Food and Drug Administration’s release of a rule that extends its regulatory authority over tobacco products to include cigars, e-cigarettes, hookah (waterpipe) tobacco.

A graphic illustration with the title Data Sharing. Three teal green circles are connected by a lines; inside each circle is 0s and 1s as a nod to binary computer code. Bottom text reads “Contribute your cancer research ideas for the National Cancer Moonshot Initiative.” The headline text and the text at the bottom is a dark, muted blue. In the background, other circles containing medical-based illustrations are connected by lines.

Calling on Data Enthusiasts to Help Advance Cancer Research

By Warren Kibbe, Ph.D.
May 9, 2016

Health data enthusiasts of all stripes were in Washington, D.C., today for Health Datapalooza. NCI's Dr. Warren Kibbe explains that this annual event explores a topic that is central to NCI’s efforts against cancer: creating knowledge from data.

An illustration of a thyroid (in white) along with a larynx and trachea in blue. Next to it, an unlabeled pie chart. The pie chart has a smaller, medium-blue pie slice surrounded by a larger, dark-blue slice.

After Rising for Decades, Thyroid Cancer Incidence Stabilizes

By NCI Staff
May 6, 2016

After rising steadily since the 1990s, the incidence of thyroid cancer in the United States may be leveling off, according to an analysis of data from NCI’s SEER program.