According to an article on Yahoo News, a group of Ecuadoreans with Laron syndrome have helped scientists learn of a mutation that has kept them relatively free of diabetes and cancer. According to the study, it seems that those afflicted with Laron syndrome have low levels of an insulin-like growth factor (IFG1). The participants in the study were followed for 22 years and none of the study members developed diabetes and only one developed cancer.
According to Valter Longo, one of the study's authors, if the deficiencies in IFG1 are extendable to everyone else, "then you could, with a drug that was already available, reduce the incidence of cancer and diabetes". While this might sound good, Felipe Sierra, director of the Division of Aging Biology at the National Institute on Aging, cautions against getting one's hopes up. He warns that everything is inter-related in our bodies and that changing these complex insulin-growth pathways may result in additional complications.
You can read more about the study results in the February 16th issue of Science Translational Medicine
Showing posts with label cancer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cancer. Show all posts
Monday, February 21, 2011
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Documentary of Interest: Denied
The short film follows cancer patient, Sheila Wessenberg, as she tries to fight her cancer while having no insurance. As a cancer patient, Sheila finds herself with no insurance as insurance plans are reluctant to take her due to her preexisting condition. At the beginning of her illness, she was covered under her husband's medical insurance, but as a contract worker, his contract was not renewed. They were under COBRA for awhile, but could no longer pay the premiums.
Sheila ultimately had to drop out of chemotherapy and was told by her doctor to go to the county hospital. She went in for another checkup and was told the cancer had spread but the nurse on the phone told her that they could not help her as she did not have insurance.
I highly recommend this video to those interested in learning more about the serious barriers uninsured patients face.
Sheila ultimately had to drop out of chemotherapy and was told by her doctor to go to the county hospital. She went in for another checkup and was told the cancer had spread but the nurse on the phone told her that they could not help her as she did not have insurance.
I highly recommend this video to those interested in learning more about the serious barriers uninsured patients face.
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