But only 37 percent of the 131,000 Americans who will be diagnosed with the disease will be in the early stages. While the initial screening test does not confirm cancer, it does signal the need for further testing using one of several more sophisticated methods to find either polyps or tumors. In addition to releasing the guidelines, the cancer society and several groups representing digestive disease experts meeting here this week endorsed legislation pending in Congress that would expand Medicare coverage to include screening for colon cancer, as well as several other preventive medical tests. Tens of thousands of Americans, many of them in the military, were given nasal radium treatments years ago, a treatment that may increase their risk of developing cancer and other medical problems today. One scientist's quest to bring this to light has finally led to government promises to investigate and help those affected.
Anxiety disorders can wreak havoc with family life, but help is available.
Molecular biologists at the University of Colorado have developed the first map of human chromosome 18, including genes associated with several forms of cancer. There's new evidence about the harm of second-hand smoke. In the near future, stitches for most wounds could be a thing of the past. Doctors find an adhesive closes wounds more quickly and helps them heal as well. Researchers identify a defect in heart cells that may explain why the muscle loses its ability to pump blood in people suffering from hypertension and perhaps other types of heart failure.