Act Now to Protect Progress in Treating Cancer

"Our scientific partners, the AACR (American Association for Cancer Research) have brought an emergency situation to our attention," the email states. "We need the help of the Stand Up To Cancer army to stop a grave government budget cut that will reduce government funding for cancer research and new treatment options for patients."

Pressure is mounting on Capitol Hill, according to Stand Up To Cancer, also known as SU2C.

"Biomedical research has been targeted for spending cuts and unless you act now, the NIH (National Institute of Health) could be cut by as much by $1.6 billion," SU2C states. "Congress needs to hear the message loud and clear that cuts to NIH research will slow progress and squander scientific potential to the detriment of our nation's health, our fragile economy, and our global competitiveness."

To send an email, go to http://www.capwiz.com/aacr/issues/alert/?alertid=38698501&PROCESS=Take%2BAction.

To find phone numbers to call, look up http://www.capwiz.com/aacr/callalert/index.tt?alertid=39324501.

To sign the petition with Twitter, see http://act.ly/3cv.

In unrelated cancer news, a blood test holds hope for spotting lung cancer in non-smokers according to an April 4th Health Day News article. About one in four people who develop the disease have never smoked, research shows. (http://www.cancercompass.com/cancer-news/article/36347.htm?c=NL20110405).

Monthly aspirin use has also been linked to a lower pancreatic cancer risk.

"Taking aspirin, even once per month, whether low-dose or full-strength, appears to be associated with a marked drop in the risk of developing pancreatic cancer, new research reveals," states Health Day. "Specifically taking full-strength aspirin once monthly was linked to a 26 percent reduction in the risk of pancreatic cancer."

The article went on to reveal to explore the protective potential of aspirin the investigators focused on 904 pancreatic cancer patients and just over 1,220 healthy individuals, all of whom were seen at the Mayo Clinic between 2004 and 2010.

All of the study participants were at least 55, according to the article. (http://www.cancercompass.com/cancer-news/article/36339.htm?c=NL20110405).

"Using aspirin at least once per month was linked to a significant drop in pancreatic cancer risk, the research team concluded, even after accounting for other factors that might affect the finding, such as body-mass index and smoking history," the story stated. "Those who had once smoked but kicked the habit seemed to experience an even stronger protective effect with respect to aspirin use than those who had never smoked or those who continued to smoke, the study authors noted."