Palmetto Parent reports: Radon can be a silent killer

Health official encourages families across the state to test their homes for deadly radon - free

By Michael Burns - Staff Writer

Monica Pryor of Greenville, SC believes the killer crept into her home from under ground — unseen, unheard and unknown. The odorless, colorless, tasteless gas poisoned the air. She developed terminal lung cancer at age 36. Her husband and three young children are now preparing for life on their own. “My surgeon says that my cancer either came from smoking, asbestos or chemicals, or radon,” Pryor said. “The other two are not possible. Most likely it is cancer from radon.”

The State reports: SC Supreme Court upholds local ban on public smoking

Cities and towns have the power to ban indoor smoking in public places, the state Supreme Court ruled Monday in a decision that anti-smoking advocates predicted will spawn more rules against where people may light up in South Carolina.The ruling upheld a ban against indoor, public smoking that the city of Greenville imposed last year. Dozens of bars and restaurants had sued, claiming their business would suffer. A judge then quashed the ban, ruling that local governments had to let the state lead the way when it comes to smoking bans.In the justices' unanimous decision Monday, the high court said local governments can impose more stringent regulations.

The State reports: Senate panel approves increasing cigarette tax by 50 cents a pack

COLUMBIA, S.C. --South Carolina's cigarette tax would increase to 57 cents a pack under a bill heading to the Senate Finance Committee.
The legislation is a hike from the current 7 cent-a-pack tax that has been the nation's lowest.
Senator Thomas Alexander chaired the subcommittee handling the bill. He says it will generate nearly $160 million. The money would be used for tax credits to help the state's poorest residents buy health insurance.

The State: Jury awards $20 million to SF couple in asbestos case

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A San Francisco jury has awarded $20 million to a couple who was exposed to asbestos by construction materials sold by Atlanta-based Georgia Pacific Corp.
Joan and Daniel Mahoney filed the suit in 2006, after 69-year-old Joan developed a form of lung cancer, mesothelioma, commonly associated with asbestos exposure.

The New York Times: Five Amateurs Picked to Take on U.S. Open Course

Will it be a hedge fund trader with a degree from M.I.T. and a penchant for comedy? A former Navy pilot who flew missions over Iraq? A former college soccer player who took up golf seven years ago? A 38-year-old medical supplies salesman who beat lung cancer? A Los Angeles police officer who passed the department physical while on crutches? by: Larry Dorman

The New York Times: Cigarette Company Paid for Lung Cancer Study

Dr. Claudia Henschke has been criticized for using grants from a cigarette company in conducting a lung cancer study...“If you’re using blood money, you need to tell people you’re using blood money,” said Dr. Otis Brawley, chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society. The society gave Dr. Henschke more than $100,000 in grants from 2004 to 2007, money it would not have provided had it known of Liggett’s grants, Dr. Brawley said. article by: Gardiner Harris photo by: Michael Christopher Brown

South Carolina's first ever Tobacco Summit will be held April 4th

The first South Carolina Tobacco Summit will be held at the River Center at the beautiful Saluda Shoals Park on April 4, 2008. The theme, “Deal or No Deal? Negotiating for Positive Public Health Policy,” will provide educational opportunities for tobacco advocates and will highlight emerging tobacco cessation trends through a healthcare provider training. The agenda will include renowned keynote speakers, interactive roundtable discussions, breakout and poster sessions, as well as networking opportunities. This event’s primary sponsors include the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and the South Carolina Tobacco Collaborative.

Kick Butts 5K in Columbia is this weekend...

Join the South Carolina Tobacco Collaborative on Saturday, March 29th
TIME: Race Begins at 8:30AM
PLACE: Start / Finish Line on Devine Street in Shandon (in front of Earth Fare)
COST: $20 before March 27th, $25 on race day
The 2008 Kick Butts 5K is being held in memory of Christopher Conner.

The State reports Bill banning smoking in public places likely dead for year

By SEANNA ADCOX - Associated Press Writer
COLUMBIA, S.C. --A bill that would ban smoking in restaurants and bars across South Carolina is essentially dead until the state Supreme Court rules on whether cities and towns can impose local bans, legislators said Tuesday.

The State reports Beatles' friend Neil Aspinall dies at 66

Neill Aspinall, a longtime friend of the Beatles who managed their business enterprises and helped make the group a moneymaking phenomenon decades after they split up has died of lung cancer at the age of 66.

The State reports on golfer/lung disease survivor Greg Kraft's 1st PGA tournament win

Kraft had closed in on the tour's top 50 money winners a decade agao and looked to be entering the prime of his career. However, he contracted an illness, Valley fever, during the 2002 Tucson Open. The disease is caused by a fungus that get stirred up in soil and attack the lungs.

Low Exposure to Asbestos-like Mineral From Montana Vermiculite May Up Lung Disease Risk as reported in ScienceDaily

Workers exposed to low levels of an asbestos-like mineral from Montana more than two decades ago are at an increased risk for lung disease today, according to research from the University of Cincinnati (UC).

The New York Times reports that Rafael Tufiño, Artist, Is Dead at 85

Rafael Tufiño, a painter and printmaker considered one of Puerto Rico’s most prominent cultural figures, died on Thursday in San Juan. He was 85 and lived in Old San Juan.

Science Daily reports "Genetic Markers Found For Lung Cancers Most Likely To Recur"

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center have uncovered clearly recognizable genetic alterations in tumors and tissue removed from patients with early-stage lung cancers that look like good predictors of which of these cancers are more likely to recur.

More great news from LCA!

LUNG CANCER ALLIANCE COMMENDS NCCN ON SCREENING GUIDELINES

Washington, D.C. [March 14, 2008]--Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA) called the new screening guidelines announced by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) “a positive step in the right direction that will encourage those at high risk for lung cancer to fully investigate their option of getting a CT scan.”

Great News from LCA - Lung Cancer Alliance Commends Leadership of MA State Senate

Washington, D.C. [March 13, 2008]--Today, Lung Cancer Alliance praised the efforts of State Senator Susan Fargo for helping shepherd first – ever lung cancer research funding bill through the Massachusetts State Senate Committee on Revenue. Senate Bill #2454 would establish a “trust fund”, known as the Commonwealth Lung Cancer Early Detection and Treatment Research Fund, which would be funded by a percentage of the cigarette tax and would support research grants for early detection and treatment.

Study shows way to predict lung cancer recurrence

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - It may be possible to predict whose lung cancer is likely to come back after surgery has apparently cured it, U.S. researchers reported on Wednesday.

The New York Times reports: "$250 Million Settlement Over Asbestos Is Announced"

If you're recently diagnosed, these are important questions to ask.

Questions to Ask Your Medical Team About Diagnosis

* What type of lung cancer do I have?

* What stage is my lung cancer?

* Has the cancer spread to other parts of my body?

* What types of physical symptoms will I experience now?

* Do I need more tests?

About Treatments

* What are my treatment options?

* What type of treatment do you recommend for me? Why?

* What are the side effects from my treatments?

* When do I start treatment? How long will it last? How often will I get it?

* Do I qualify for any clinical trials? If so, how do I enroll?

* Which treatments are covered by my insurance?

About Support Services

* Are there any support groups available for me and/or my family and friends?

* Where can I get more information about lung cancer?

* Where can I get financial assistance?

* Where can I get treatment related assistance? Transportation to appointments?

* Do you have oncology social workers available for me to talk to?

Science Daily reports "Quitting Smoking: It's Never Too Late"

Many people spend a lifetime trying to give up smoking, but there is good news for older smokers from research carried out at the Peninsula Medical School in South West England.

Support The Christopher Conner Foundation and honor his memory

Saturday, March 15 is the St. Patty’s Day Festival in Five Points. There will be a toast to musician, Chris Conner at 3:30 at the Rock 93.5 Stage. Please plan to be a part of this and stay to hear Villanova @ 3:45 on the same stage. For more info, check out: www.stpatsinfivepoints.com
The Christopher Conner Foundation needs volunteers for upcoming events! If you would like to volunteer please visit: www.connerfoundation.org.

On Saturday March 29, the South Carolina Tobacco Collaborative will team up with The Christopher Conner Foundation to host the 2nd Annual Kick Butts Walk/Run. For more information, go to: www.kickbutts5k.org

Last year was a lot of fun. Individuals, clubs, organizations, businesses welcome! There are still Team Conner t-shirts for sale. If you have one already, wear it and be a part of his team!

Also, the 2nd annual Golf for Conner event is coming up the end of March. That information will be available very soon. People often ask what they can do to help. Come participate in these events or be a volunteer!

Richard J. Durrell, First Publisher of People Magazine, Dies at 82 by: Julie Creswell of The New York Times

Richard J. Durrell, the founding publisher of People magazine, died on Friday at his home in Fairfield, Conn after battling lung cancer. He was 82.

Barbara Seaman, 72, Dies; Cited Risks of the Pill by: Margalit Fox of New York Times

Barbara Seaman, a writer and patients’ rights advocate who was one of the first people to bring the issue of women’s reproductive health to wide public attention, died on Wednesday at her home in Manhattan after a battle with lung cancer.

WIS10 reports: Health Alert: Cancer survival rates improving

However, lung cancer continues to be one of the top three cancers found in both men and women.

NY Times: Jeff Healey, Guitarist and Singer, Dies at 41

How Cigarette Smoke Causes Cancer: Study Points To New Treatments, Safer Tobacco

ScienceDaily (Mar. 1, 2008) — Everyone has known for decades that that smoking can kill, but until now no one really understood how cigarette smoke causes healthy lung cells to become cancerous. Researchers from the University of California, Davis, show that hydrogen peroxide (or similar oxidants) in cigarette smoke is the culprit. This finding may help the tobacco industry develop "safer" cigarettes by eliminating such substances in the smoke, while giving medical researchers a new avenue to developing lung cancer treatments.

Teen isn't letting cancer get her down By: Phyllis Britt w/ North Augusta Star

Mary-Louise Pawlowski, an extremely brave 13 year old from North Augusta, has been diagnosed with a Primal Neural Ectodermal Tumor (PNET) in her chest wall, after her pediatrician spotted a mass on her right lung from an X-ray and CT scan. She began experiencing upper back pain in November of 2007, and everyone thought she may have had pneumonia. However, another X-ray shed a different light.
Read more about this brave little girl's fight, and please consider supporting her foundation. The MLP Foundation supports cancer research and helps defray medical related expenses. Each year during the Christmas Holiday Season, Mary-Louise will designate a Cancer Center, Hospital, or Research Center that will receive the proceeds from the donations and gifts that have been contributed. Every dollar counts and it can make a difference.
We R Praying 4 MLP!

Honoring Mr. Caine Halter of the Greenville Area

The real estate firm Coldwell Banker Commercial recently named an annual, national industry leadership award after Mr. Caine Halter, a prominent Greenville real estate executive who was president of Coldwell Banker Commercial Caine. Halter passed away in August of 2007 after valiantly battling lung cancer.