Leukemia & Lymphoma News

Searching for the Cause of Cancer

New theories are challenging older ideas about what the root cause of cancer is. Divergent theories predict different treatment methods as most likely to be successful in the fight against cancer. Click here to read more about causes and treatments for cancer.

One CLL Patient's Story of Trials and Treatment

Andrew Schorr, a former journalist, writes of his experience with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, or CLL. Schorr decided to participate in a clinical trial in hopes of achieving a long remission. He chronicles his experience here. Click here to read more about CLL.

Living with Leukemia

More treatments are available for leukemia now than ever before, giving patients a better chance of achieving a long-term remission. Nevertheless, a cancer diagnosis usually means that health will be permanently diminished either by the disease or by the effects of treatments like chemotherapy or bone marrow transplantation. Many patients also face psychological challenges such as anxiety or depression. Click here to read more about leukemia.

FDA Approves New Drug for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Bexxar, a new drug co-marketed by GlaxoSmithKline and Corixa, was approved by the FDA for treating non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in June 2003. In clinical trials, more than 60% of patients responded well to Bexxar. Its manufacturers say Bexxar may be a good option for patients who have relapsed after chemotherapy or who have not responded to other medication. Click here to read more about lymphoma treatment.

Hair Dye May Raise Cancer Risk

Researchers at Yale have found that permanent hair dyes in dark colors may increase a person's risk of developing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Women who had used permanent dyes for over 25 years were at twice the risk of developing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma as those who had not. Semi-permanent dyes did not carry the same risks. Click here to read more...

Didi Ah Yo, an Encouraging Face for Cancer Patients

Didi Ah Yo, the voice behind Creative Holidays' springy ad, "This is Didi Ah Yo and away we go," was an inspiration for cancer patients in Hawaii. Ah Yo learned that she had leukemia in 2000. When her cancer was in remission, Ah Yo motivated people to raise funds for cancer and AIDS research and spoke for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Ah Yo died in January of 2004 after her own long battle. Click here to read more...

Medicine Co-Pays Overwhelm Cancer Patients

Co-payments for two months of lymphoma treatment may range between $5,205 and $6,940, according to statistics drawn up by the San Diego Cancer Center. With medicine costs on the rise, many patients are cutting back on much needed treatment. Many HMOs now require patients to pay 15 to 20 percent of their medication costs. Click here to read more...