I was recently at the grocery store with my fiance, doing a quick shopping run. As we traversed through the grocery section of our local Stop & Shop, I kept reminding her that we needed to buy more tomatoes. After about the fourth reminder, she finally turned to me and asked what the big deal was about tomatoes, and why it was so important that we buy them. I told her it was because of their known cancer-fighting properties, due in large part to their richness in lycopene. After offering the quip, "You're lyc-o-pain in the ass," she ultimately did acquiesce and we did end up purchasing this antioxidant rich vegetable. Or fruit. Whatever it is.

Anecdotes aside, I just yesterday came across research (from a 2007 Ohio State study) involving a certain variety of orange tomato called a Tangerine Tomato. Evidently, people are able to better absorb the antioxidant lycopene from this particular type of tomato than from the more typical red tomatoes.

If you have trouble finding Tangerine Tomatoes at your grocery store, try other kinds of orange tomatoes or gold heirloom varieties. But, whatever kind, color, brand, or type of tomato you choose, always be sure to cook your tomatoes in order to receive the greatest absorption of lycopene.

Lyc-o-pain in the ass...I'll admit it, that was a pretty good one.

Situated almost right next to each other in Boston, helping the lives of so many who need it, are the Joslin Diabetes Center and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Patients from around the globe visit this particular area of Beantown, receiving some of the best treatment available for their respective illness. Now, scientists have found that there is much more of a connection between diabetes and cancer than the zip code of these research centers.

Plans are already being drawn up for initial human trials for the use of a diabetes drug that has been shown to dramatically increase the efficacy of platinum-based chemotherapy. Researchers from Dana-Farber found that when the diabetes drug Rosizitaglone (more popularly known by its brand name of Avandia) was administered in conjunction with a platinum chemotherapy agent, the synergistic result was three times as effective at shrinking tumors (in mice) than the platinum chemotherapy agent alone.

Researchers hope that the use of this treatment could improve control of ovarian, lung and other cancers that are typically treated with platinum chemotherapy, particularly since these types of cancer can become resistant to the chemotherapy alone over time. In addition, they are examining whether the use of Rosizitaglone - which itself was designed to enhance the sensitivity of insulin receptors in people with type 2 diabetes - could also be used for treating types of cancer that platinum chemotherapy alone had not previously been shown to be effective.

Chronic Lympocytic Leukemia (CLC) unfortunately remains an incurable disease, but thanks to scientists from the Mayo Clinic -- working in conjunction with the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center -- it is becoming increasingly more manageable with the help of new chemotherapy tools.

Using a drug cocktail consisting of Pentostatin, Cyclophosphamide and Rituximab, patients experienced a positive clinical response, meaning that they experienced improvement in their condition. To measure the success of this three-drug approach (which was implemented as a means of increasing the efficacy of using the antibiotic Penostatin by itself), the researchers found that 91percent of the patients had positive results to the treatment based on the National Cancer Institute's Working Group criteria for responses. Of that 91percent, forty-one percent achieved complete response, twenty-two percent experienced nodular partial response and twenty-eight percent had partial response. Additionally, the researchers discovered that the treatment also had an effect on the suppression of bone marrow and/or infections.

It appears as though patients of all ages can benefit from this treatment, as the data suggests that it was equally as effective for the young and the elderly (people over 70).

An issue of great debate for quite some time, scientists seem to have finally put an end to the cell phone/cancer connection argument. According to a study in the December issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, scientists from the Danish Institute of Cancer Epidemiology have determined that short and long-term cell phone use is not associated with the increased risk of cancer.'

The question of cell phones' safety -- especially as it was supposedly related to its causing certain types of cancer -- is one that consumers and scientists have been hoping to have answered for quite some time. Because cell phones emit electromagnetic fields that can penetrate into the human brain, it's been speculated that this could potentially cause tumors in the head or neck. However, based on this new information, it appears as though this is not the case.

Studying just over 420,000 cell phone users who first starting using their "celly" between the years 1982 and 1995, the researchers tracked these individuals' health until 2002. The researchers did not find any connection between short or long-term cell phone use and brain tumors, eye tumors, salivary gland tumors, or leukemia.

So, with that cell phone issue now taken care of, I suppose that all that remains is dealing with the whole talking-and-driving thing. Oh yeah, and also doing my best to stop picturing a piece of danish dressed in a lab coat.

This makes two in one week:

In yet another example of contradictory research, some scientists now believe that beta carotene does not offer any benefit in the fight against cancer. Prior to some of these new findings, all previous data I came across (and still continue to come across) posits just the opposite.

Beta carotene, an antioxidant found in such foods as squash and carrots, was -- and still is, in some circles -- considered a powerful cancer fighter and a combatant against free-radical damage. While the evidence regarding the latter still, at least ostensibly, holds true, some new research suggests that beta-carotene is completely ineffective as a cancer fighter (of course, it can be argued that by helping to fight against free-radical damage, beta carotene is also battling against the increased risk of developing cancer). Just the same, what is perhaps the even more shocking discovery is that beta carotene may actually increase the chances of lung cancers in smokers (note: beta carotene, although not effective in battling cancer, demonstrated signs of increasing lung cancer risk in smokers only. There was no evidence to suggest that beta carotene could increase one's risk of developing any other type of cancer. Simply, it just won't help fight it against it, though.).

Too many studies, too many dissenting opinions. All we want is accurate, well-researched information. Is that too much to ask?

The African country of Rwanda continues to experience an increase in the number of deaths arising from communicable and non-communicable diseases, with cancer being one of the major killers in the latter category.

While battling such communicable diseases as malaria, tuberculosis, and leprosy, the Rwandan government and citizens have for the past 12 years also struggled against the rising rate of cancer deaths. Doing so with such a scarcity of resources, the government has been able to lower the number of reported communicable disease related deaths, but this has come at the expense of a marked development in the number of non-communicable diseases and associated deaths. Sadly, these statistics are also representative of the continent on the whole.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the continent of Africa saw 530,000 new cases of cancer in 2002 alone. This number is expected to rise to approximately 804,000 new cases by the year 2020. During that same year, 2002, there were a reported 412,000 deaths stemming from cancer related illnesses reported in Africa, a number that may rise to as high as 626,000 by the year 2020.

It's extremely sad to think that one of the major reasons why non-communicable diseases, which also include diabetes, cardiovascular disease an many others, in Africa are on the rise because an economic choice had to be made.

It's sometimes a bit disconcerting when researchers seems to be at war. First you will come across information that suggests one thing, only to then come across information somewhere else saying the exact opposite. Which of the two (or two hundred, depending upon on the amount of research and number of different conclusions) do you believe? I wish I knew, but I don't. What I do know, however, is that I just came across yet another example of this very problem.

Cooking with nonstick pans -- cancer causing? Well, according to research that I came across a while back, it seemed clear as though it was. That study pointed to perfluorooctanoic acids (PFOAs) as being the component found in Teflon pans that has been linked to certain forms of cancer. But just yesterday I happened to read a statement from the Center for Science in the Public Interest: Studies do not show any evidence of Teflon-based PFOAs seeping into the foods we eat or the air we breath.

Okay -- I'm already unsure who to believe. And just then, I found another research contradiction --

Microwaving food in plastic wrap releases carcinogenic dioxins. I mean, that's what I read before. Is that the truth? I mean, I remember even getting an email from a friend, warning about the dangers of cooking plastic wrapped food in the microwave. But, a few days ago I found a statement made by a professor from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health: "Dioxins are not present in plastics used for microwavable food containers or plastic wrap." And, I found information to support these findings through a number of other sources. Um, okay. So now what do I do?

The best solution -- as best I can tell, anyway -- would be to err on the side of caution and not use Teflon pans or plastic wrap when nuking food. The solution to the bigger problem, and that being the welter of conflicting academic research, will clearly be a much more difficult problem to solve.

Bed, Bath & Beyond!!!

To me it sounds more like the tag line of a '70s Sci-Fi TV show, but after a recent visit to pick-up a futon cover to this store, I have a new found respect for BB&B. First I noticed a great deal of signage prominently posted on their glass entryway -- all in support of breast cancer awareness. Then, I noticed that they were selling books to raise money for breast cancer awareness. And then -- oh yes, and then -- I saw something that I had written about a little while back, but until this trip to BB&B had not actually seen in person: The Pink Boxing Gloves.

If you'll recall, I recently mentioned a fight that I watched on TV between Monte Barrett and his 7' plus opponent from Russia. And, if you'll also recall, I pointed out that Monte Barrett was wearing pink boxing gloves in support of breast cancer awareness month. After looking into this further, I discovered that the popular boxing outfitter, Everlast, had created these pink gloves as a means of raising money to battle breast cancer. Target was mentioned as a retailer, BB&B very well may have been (I don't remember, but it would make sense that is was being that I found the gloves there) -- but, still, I had not seen the gloves anywhere else than on the Everlast website and on Monte Barrett's hands (and occasionally on his opponent's face, but not nearly enough to win the fight). And here they were, in BB&B of all places. I didn't even know that they carried anything but Bed, Bath and Beyond (Beyond, as far as I knew, basically included more bed and more bath stuff) in this store, so finding sporting goods of any kind was a bit of shock. But, these weren't just your average, everyday sporting goods -- these were symbolic of something much greater. They represented a much bigger fight than any ring could ever hold.

Needless to say, I picked up a pair. I'm not sure what the hell I'm going to do with them (maybe my girlfriend will take up boxing), but I'm happy to have made the contribution, just the same. Thank you Bed, Bath...and Beyond!!!

A recent study based on data collected by the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey shows that women with subsidized health plans, women who are elderly, and women who do not regularly visit an obstetrician and gynecologist are less likely than others to get a clinical breast exam and a recommendation for a mammogram.

The research reviewed records from 1996 to 2004, and focused exclusively on women 40 and older. It was discovered that women who see an ob-gyn for a routine exam were far more likely to receive a clinical breast exam than women who visited only with any other kind of physician. Also, ob-gyns were 13 times more likely to recommend that their patients undergo a mammogram.

It was also found that women who had public health insurance were up to 30% less likely to receive a clinical breast exam. Furthermore, women with public health insurance were 55% less likely to receive a recommendation for a mammogram by their doctor. Is there some sort of strange bias going on here? Or snobbery? Or perhaps a blatant example of the problems with our Medicare and Medicaid system in this country? You tell me, because I'm still a bit shocked to be certain how to feel about this information.

I have heard differing stories over the years regarding the safety of artificial sweeteners. In most cases, the arguments center around one that has been around for quite some time now: aspartame. Is it harmful? Is it safe? Has it been shown to cause certain types of cancer (leukemia, lymphoma, brain cancer)? Are the results conclusive? So on and so forth. I actually even remember once hearing that aspartame was harmful for lab mice, but not for humans. Huh?

The confusion, at least it seems, may finally be cleared up, thanks to a study conducted by the National Cancer Institute. After surveying over 340,000 men and 225,000 women from 1995 to 2000, researchers found that the development of any of the three above-mentioned cancers was not any higher in people who regularly consumed aspartame than those who reportedly did not. While survey studies can sometimes produce slightly inaccurate results (due to several factors, including the "testing effect"), these findings appear to be solid.

This past weekend I visited the Quonset Air Museum with my father and girlfriend, anxious to do so but finding it strange as I watched myself shape into the taciturn young boy I once was. At least, I was this way when I used to visit his house. My grandfather; Elwin (Al) Sparling, retired U.S. Navy pilot and to me -- from my childhood, up until his death about a year ago -- a strong, proud man known only as Bompa. I think I realized even as a child how ridiculous of a grandpa alternative name Bompa was, and I definitely know that it sounded strange when I had my last conversation with him in the hospital. Still, the moniker always seemed to carry an air of reverence in my mind, although in hindsight he probably couldn't stand having his now twenty-something and thirty-something year old grandchildren calling him that. But, he never complained about it. Not even once. That wasn't his way.

For longer than I had been alive, my grandfather had been undergoing a project of mammoth proportions; literally rebuilding, by hand, an exact replica of the plane that he flew in World War II, the F6F-3 Hellcat. If a kit of some kind existed for building this plane, he clearly opted against using it. Instead, he fashioned every last piece of this aircraft, and wired every inch of its electronics, with the help of only his blueprints and his memory. Before this project even started, he had fathered eight children and after the construction commenced, became "Bompa" to a number of grandchildren and, years later, great-grandchildren. For over thirty years, he toiled in an old barn during the little spare time that he had, determined to see his plane fly someday.

I can vaguely remember visiting him one idle Sunday morning with my father, probably close to twenty years ago. Even then, being as young as I was, I marveled at the site of the craft. Though at this point it was skeletal and clearly years away from completion, the plane was remarkable. Strewn about the barn were enormous sheets of metal, arcane control mechanisms, and a welter of odd-looking tools -- leading me to wonder, even to this day, how one man can build a plane in a barn. Or anywhere, for that matter. Clearly, he had no such doubt, for he forged on for years in that barn -- not playing the role of hobbyist, rather that of the impassioned builder.

Diabetes became the first enemy to strike Airman Sparling. What hundreds, if not thousands, of Japanese planes could not do while battling with my grandfather over the South Pacific, this disease was able to do with relative ease. First to be effected was his eyesight, rendering him unable to meet the requisite pilot licensure measures. As a result, his pilot license was revoked, and it immediately became clear that my grandfather would never again have the opportunity to operate an aircraft. Only a few years later, the neuropathy in his left leg had worsened to the point where it required amputation, making everyday life that much more difficult. Be this all as it may, he never once stopped going to the barn. Although in his 80s by this point, he still had a job to finish.

Cancer does not run in everyone's family, but it all too often still ends up being an unwelcome guest. This was the case for my grandfather, whose lineage did not foretell this part of the story. He was always a strong man, both in terms of his physicality and in sheer presence. But, a chink in his armor was formed when he lost his leg, when he was forced to hobble instead of walking tall. Cancer further ravaged him, from the inside out. He grew smaller, slower, older -- right before our eyes. The irony is that he finally started to look like someone that you would call Bompa, rather than someone who just let you get away with it. He knew that his time on earth was almost up, and quite honestly, so did everyone else. But, that stubborn old man refused to go without a fight. He refused to go without his plane.

I honestly forget the exact timeline, but I believe it was less than a month before he was admitted to the hospital that my uncle and a few other people brought my grandfather to the barn. They rolled the plane onto the expanse of grass that surrounded the wooden, makeshift hanger, and allowed my grandfather to see something that he had been waiting to see for over thirty years. The F6F-3 Hellcat. A World War II relic. Resurrected by the hands of a man whose own life was now nearing its end. Nothing had been changed or added; only the last bit of the engine's wiring had been circuited, based completely on my grandfather's notes. And then, it started. The engine roared as the propeller spun faster than the speed of time. The embodiment of an entire life's devotion to country, family, and personal achievement, spinning into infinity right before his eyes.

Memories of my grandfather are still quite vivid, something that I hope remains that way for the rest of my own life. But, being at the museum, staring at his plane and all the news clippings, it reminded me of things that I didn't realize I had already forgotten. Nothing tangible, like his family-famous turkey soup or his nickname for my sister, but more of the intangible feelings -- like how it felt to be in the room with him, and especially how it felt to be in a room with him and my father. Three generations sitting next to each other, each their own men but each a distinct part of the other. That exact feeling was brought back to me last Sunday, when my father and I stood before my grandfather's plane, as if it were the three of us in the room again. It made me sad that I had not spent more time with him when he was alive. It made me happy that his years of hard work and honorable military service were being properly recognized. And, above all, it made me proud to be part of his family.

When I think Consumer Reports, I think of where I would turn to find out which kind of car to buy, the satisfactory rating on certain running shoes, and what cell phones are the smartest buy. But, after reading a small article about carcinogenic ingredients that have been found in some beverages, I realized that this publication contains some interesting health-related information.

In reference to the above mentioned article, it was stated that in May of 2006, the FDA announced that it had discovered benzene, a known carcinogen, in some well-known beverages, including: Crush Pineapple soda, Crystal Light Sunrise Classic Orange drink, AquaCal strawberry-flavored water, Giant Light Cranberry Juice Cocktail, and Safeway Select Diet Orange soda. Evidently, federal regulations allow up to 5 parts per billion (ppb) of benzene to be contained in beverages, but these five drinks in particular proved to have more than what it is allowed.

Benzene is formed when a mixture of substances (benzoate salts, vitamin C, and erythorbic acid) are combined. In fact, it appears as though it only needs to take a combination of benzoate salts (aka sodium benzoate) and either of the aforesaid other substances. The best way to avoid benzene consumption? First, you may want to avoid the five products that were mentioned. Second, look at the ingredient labels on other beverages. If they contain sodium benzoate and either ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) or erythorbic acid, you would be wise to opt for a glass of water instead.

Torn from the pages of Life Extension magazine, scientists have discovered that curcumin and quercetin may help fight against colon cancer. Great news, that is if we knew what the heck curcumin and quercetin were. Fortunately, they included that information, as well.

It turns out that curcumin can be found in the curry spice tumeric. As for quercetin, it is an antioxidant that is in several kinds of fruits and vegetables. With regard to these two oddly spelled substances' health benefits, it was found that people with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) who took regular doses of them saw an average decrease in polyps by as much as 60 percent in as little as six months. What's more, these people also saw a decrease in the overall size of their polyps by an average of 51percent.

Previous studies have demonstrated a link between these two substances and colon cancer, but this was the first to focus exclusively on their efficacy in the battle against FAP. Interestingly, because the two substances were administered to test subjects simultaneously, doctors are unsure as to whether their synergy is what led to the results, or if one substance provided the greatest effect and the other provided none to little. But, it appears that doctors are now speculating that it may actually be the curcumin that is the key ingredient in protecting against cancer of the colon.

They were calling the bout David and Goliath, and for obvious reasons. In one corner stood Monte "Two Gunz" Barrett, a veteran heavyweight who, for all intents and purposes, is in the twilight of his career. To most, his 6'3" stature would be quite intimidating. But, when your opponent is the 7 foot tall, 320 pound Nikolai Valuev, you quickly take on the role of David to this big Russian's Goliath. Like the so many who tuned in to HBO to watch this title fight, I was unfortunately rather disappointed by the lack of action and mediocre displays of boxing talent on the part of both fighters. But, there was something about this fight that was unlike so many others.

Pink Boxing Gloves.

Yup, that's right. In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Monte Barrett wore pink boxing gloves during this title fight. How cool is that, I thought. So, I investigated further. It turns out that the well-known boxing equipment company Everlast has partnered with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) to create the Everlast Breast Cancer Awareness initiative. They plan to donate 5% from the sale of every pair of pink boxing gloves it sells through many sporting good retailers, including Dick's Sporting Goods, Target, and Modell's.

As for Monte, his gloves unfortunately made far more of an impact on the hundreds of thousands of people watching than they did on his opponent. He was felled by the giant Russian in the eleventh round after putting forth a valiant effort. But, win or lose, it bears pointing out that he was man enough to wear pink gloves in a fight. Way to go, Monte.

If it's too hot, get out of the -- no, wait -- just turn down the temperature. Doing so may also reduce your chances of developing certain types of cancer. Studies show that boiling or grilling meats over too much heat create chemicals, known as HCAs, that have shown signs of causing cancer in laboratory animals.

Some cooking tips to avoid possible risk:

~ Grill meats at a moderate temperature over embers, not fired-up coals. And flip your meats often, as this prevents charring and also kills bacteria.

~ Avoid meats that are high in fat, such as ribs or sausage, and remove skin from chicken. The added fat will drip into the flames below and cause smoke and flame flares.

~ Marinate your meats before grilling them. Studies have shown that marinating before grilling works very well to reduce the amount of potentially dangerous chemicals in meats.

~ Don't eat the charred parts. Simple enough, right? If the research is sound and charred meat may be carcinogenic, then an easy solution is to completely avoid any blackened portions while you feast on your beast.

These are just a few easy fixes against this potentially dangerous issue. More can be found at the website for the American Institute for Cancer Research.