don’t make a mountain out of a mole

A mole is simply a cluster of pigmented cells, creating a spot that can be flesh-colored, pink or very dark brown. Some moles are raised off the skin’s surface, and some sprout hairs, but neither is a bad sign in itself. Moles can usually be left alone but should be monitored for changes. If a mole appears suspicious (based on the ABCDE characteristics) or it becomes easily irritated, your dermatologist can numb the skin and remove it by cutting or shaving it off, explains Dr. Day. It will often be sent for evaluation to make sure it’s normal.

How to differentiate between melanoma & a mole

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer but it can be hard to identify. The ABCDE guide helps. If your mole fits the characteristics below, call your dermatologist pronto: 

Asymmetry—if the mole could be folded in half, the two halves wouldn’t match

Border irregularities—the mole’s borders are uneven or blurred

Color variations—the mole has mixed shades of tan, brown, black or other hues

Diameter—the spot is bigger than a pencil eraser

Evolution—its appearance has changed in some way

“Skin cancer is highly curable when it’s found early,” says  a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at New York University. “Keep an eye on your skin and look for changes.” Still, not every mole or mark is dangerous. Here are some more tips to tell the difference.

Cancer Cells May Be Able to Urge Their Own Death

New research suggests that many cancer cells are equipped with a kind of suicide pill: a protein on their surfaces that gives them the ability to send an "eat me" signal to immune cells.

The challenge now, the researchers say, is to figure out how to coax cancer cells into emitting the signal rather than a dangerous "don't eat me" signal.

A study published online Dec. 22 in Science Translational Medicine reports that the cells send out the enticing "eat me" signal by displaying the protein calreticulin. But another molecule, called CD47, allows most cancer cells to avoid destruction by sending the opposite signal: "Don't eat me."

In earlier research, Stanford University School of Medicine scientists found that an antibody that blocks CD47 -- turning off the signal -- could help fight cancer, but mysteries remained.

"Many normal cells in the body have CD47, and yet those cells are not affected by the anti-CD47 antibody," Mark Chao, a Stanford graduate student and the study's lead author, said in a university news release. "At that time, we knew that anti-CD47 antibody treatment selectively killed only cancer cells without being toxic to most normal cells, although we didn't know why."

Now, the new research has shown that calreticulin exists in a variety of cancers, including some types of leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and bladder, brain and ovarian cancers. "This research demonstrates that the reason that blocking the CD47 'don't eat me' signal works to kill cancer is that leukemias, lymphomas and many solid tumors also display a calreticulin 'eat me' signal," Dr. Irving Weissman, director of the Stanford Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine and a co-principal investigator of the study, said in the release. "The research also shows that most normal cell populations don't display calreticulin and are, therefore, not depleted when we expose them to a blocking anti-CD47 antibody."

The next step is to understand how calreticulin works. "We want to know how it contributes to the disease process and what is happening in the cell that causes the protein to move to the cell surface," Dr. Ravindra Majeti, an assistant professor of hematology and study co-principal investigator, said in the release.

"Any of these mechanisms offer potential new ways to treat the disease by interfering with those processes," Majeti said.

Hope for infertile women: Eggs can grow on forearm

When the doctor told the young woman, wife of an Army officer, that treating for cancer could destroy her chances of becoming pregnant, she refused to make a choice.

Referred to the Army Hospital Research and Referral — it does free IVF treatment for wives of armed forces personnel — the woman was told by Lt Col Pankaj Talwar, IVF specialist at the ART clinic in the hospital, that her chances of pregnancy were slim because such treatment had resulted in only six to seven successful pregnancies in the world.

But the woman was ready to take the chance.

Now, doctors have preserved her ovarian tissue and in January, when she is done with the treatment for cancer, they will graft it on the forearm and hope the new kind of transplant results in a pregnancy.

The eggs will grow in her forearm, and may lead to a successful pregnancy, giving hope to other women who become infertile post-cancer treatment as the ovaries get affected — it takes a few years to heal and by then, many of approach menopause.

Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and radical surgery, cause premature menopause and could result in infertility in women suffering from cancer, doctors said.

“In case there is no time, we take out one ovary, cut it into 40-odd pieces and freeze the tissue at minus 196 degrees Celsius. When the woman becomes cancer-free, we transplant the ovarian tissue,” Talwar said.

“The woman was referred to us. We counsel the patient, then decide what is to be done. Our programme is barely 18 months old. This is a medical application and she is our first patient. In January-February, we will do the transplant. We are in this world to procreate. We have no right to take away their hope. This, however, is not a guaranteed way of getting a baby. We told her it is still in the experimental stage. The woman also knows this. She has no chance after she gets radiotherapy.”

Once the woman, 26, is done with chemotherapy, doctors will transplant the tissue and wait for 2 to 3 months for her to conceive.

“She is from a village, not from a metropolitan area and we know the pressures,” Talwar said.

IVF treatment for cancer patients is new in India. According to Lt Gen Naresh Kumar, Commandant, Army Hospital Research and Referral, such a transplant is being done for the first time in the country.

It was only in the last decade that cancer patients could have their sperm or eggs collected and cryopreserved for post-recovery transplant due to of the advances in reproductive technology. For women, the procedure requires the prior administration of fertility hormones, followed by a surgical procedure for egg retrieval, an operation that is performed under anaesthesia.

In In Vitro Maturation, a woman can have her eggs harvested without undergoing prior hormonal stimulation so the delay in cancer therapy is mitigated. But it is not a guaranteed procedure.

ps- this article was published in ' The Indian Express" newspaper today, not sure if this will work & but sincerely hope so, as it will help all those women who want to have their own babies after cancer. Let us hope & wish for the best. After all, we all live on hopes, don't we ?

complications of bacterial vaginosis,Bacterial Vaginosis At A Glance

What are complications of bacterial vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis can resolve completely without complications after treatment. No special follow-up is necessary if the symptoms disappear.

In pregnancy, bacterial vaginosis can cause premature labor, premature birth, infection of the amniotic fluid, and infection of the uterus after delivery. However, treatment of asymptomatic (not producing symptoms) bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy has not been shown to decrease the incidence of premature births in most studies. For these reasons, screening and treatment for bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy is 

controversial, and research is still being conducted to determine its utility and value. Currently the routine screening of all pregnant women is not recommended. However, screening and treatment of bacterial vaginosis is sometimes recommended for women with a history of a preterm birth.

Bacterial Vaginosis At A Glance

• Bacterial vaginosis is an abnormal vaginal condition that is characterized by vaginal discharge and results from an overgrowth of normal bacteria in the vagina.
  
• Bacterial vaginosis is not dangerous, but it can cause disturbing symptoms.
  
• Symptoms of bacterial vaginosis are vaginal discharge and odor, although 85% of women with the condition experience no symptoms.
  
• In diagnosing bacterial vaginosis, it is important to exclude other serious infections, such as gonorrhea and chlamydia.
  
• Treatment options for bacterial vaginosis include oral antibiotics and vaginal gels.
  
• Serious complications of bacterial vaginosis can occur during pregnancy, and recurrence is possible even after successful treatment.

Is bacterial vaginosis contagious? Diagnosis, treatment

Is bacterial vaginosis contagious?

Although bacterial vaginosis is not considered to be a contagious condition, the role of transmissibility of bacteria among individuals is not fully understood. Since having multiple or new sexual partners increases a woman's risk of developing bacterial vaginosis, this suggests that spread of bacteria among individuals may alter the balance of bacteria in the vagina and potentially predispose to bacterial vaginosis. However, since bacterial vaginosis also occurs in celibate women, other causative factors must also play a role in its development.

How is bacterial vaginosis diagnosed?

When a woman reports an unusual vaginal discharge, the doctor will ask her a series of routine questions to help distinguish mild from more serious conditions. Additional issues that might indicate the presence of a more serious condition include fever, pelvic pain, new or multiple sexual partners (especially with unprotected intercourse), and a history of sexually-transmitted infections(STDs).

In addition to these questions, the doctor will perform a pelvic exam. During the exam, the doctor notes the appearance of the vaginal lining and cervix. The doctor will also perform a manual exam of the ovaries and uterus. The cervix is examined for tenderness, which might indicate a more serious infection. The doctor may collect samples to check for chlamydia or gonorrhea infection.

Examining the vaginal discharge under the microscope can help distinguish bacterial vaginosis from yeast vaginitis (vaginal yeast infection, Candidiasis) and trichomoniasis(a type of sexually-transmitted infection). A sign of bacterial vaginosis under the microscope is a vaginal cell called a clue cell. Clue cells are vaginal cells covered with bacteria and are believed to be the most reliable diagnostic sign of bacterial vaginosis. In addition to clue cells, women with bacterial vaginosis have fewer of the normal vaginal bacteria, called lactobacilli. A vaginal pH greater than 4.5 is also suggestive of bacterial vaginosis. Cultures of bacteria are generally not useful in establishing the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis.

Finally, the doctor may perform a "whiff test" with potassium hydroxide (KOH) liquid. When a drop of KOH testing liquid used in the "whiff test" contacts a drop of the discharge from a woman with bacterial vaginosis, a certain fishy odor can result.

What is the treatment for bacterial vaginosis?

Treatment for bacterial vaginosis consists of antibiotics. A few antibiotic remedies are routinely used. Metronidazole (Flagyl) taken by either oral (pill) form or by vaginalmetronidazole gel (Metrogel) is an effective cure. Also available is the vaginal clindamycin cream (Cleocin). The oral metronidazole can cause some minor but unpleasant side effects, but is believed to be the most effective treatment. The gels do not typically cause side effects, although yeast vaginitis can occur as a side effect of the medication.

Tinidazole (Tindamax) is an antibiotic that appears to have fewer side effects than metronidazole and is also effective in treating bacterial vaginosis.

Recurrence of bacterial vaginosis is possible even after successful treatment. More than half of those treated experience recurrent symptoms within 12 months. It is unclear why so many recurrent infections develop. With recurrent symptoms, a second course of antibiotics is generally prescribed

The symptoms, causes of bacterial vaginosis

What are the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis?

Many women (about 85% of those affected) with bacterial vaginosis actually have no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, vaginal discharge and odor are the predominant symptoms. Usually, there are no other symptoms. The amount of vaginal discharge that is considered normal varies from woman to woman. Therefore, any degree of vaginal discharge that is abnormal for a particular woman should be evaluated.

Some women may experience an unpleasant fishy odor with vaginal discharge. The discharge is usually thin and grayish white. The discharge is often more noticeable after sexual intercourse.

What causes bacterial vaginosis?

Researchers have had difficulty determining exactly what causes bacterial vaginosis. At present, it seems to be that a combination of multiple bacteria must be present together for the problem to develop. Bacterial vaginosis typically features a reduction in the number of the normal hydrogen peroxide-producing lactobacilli in the vagina. Simultaneously, there is an increase in concentration of other types of bacteria, especially anaerobic bacteria (bacteria that grow in the absence of oxygen). As a result, the diagnosis and treatment are not as simple as identifying and eradicating a single type of bacteria. Why the bacteria combine to cause the infection is unknown.

Certain factors have been identified that increase the chances of developing bacterial vaginosis. These include multiple or new sexual partners, intrauterine devices for contraception, recent antibiotic use, vaginal douching, and cigarette smoking. However, the role of sexual activity in the development of the condition is not fully understood, and bacterial vaginosis can still develop in women who have not had sexual intercourse.

What is bacterial vaginosis?

What is bacterial vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis is vaginal condition that can produce vaginal dischargeand results from an overgrowth of normal bacteria in the vagina. In the past, the condition was calledGardnerella vaginitis, after the bacteria that were thought to cause the condition. However, the newer name, bacterial vaginosis, reflects the fact that there are a number of species of bacteria that naturally live in the vaginal area and may grow to excess. TheGardnerella organism is not the sole culprit causing the symptoms. When these multiple species of bacteria become imbalanced, a woman can have a vaginal discharge with a foul odor.

Bacterial vaginosis is not dangerous, but it can cause disturbing symptoms. Any woman with an unusual discharge should be evaluated so that more serious infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, can be excluded. Symptoms may also mimic those found in yeast infections of the vagina and trichomoniasis (a sexually-transmitted infection), and these conditions must also be excluded in women with vaginal symptoms.

Bacterial vaginosis is a common condition, and studies have shown that approximately 29% of women in the US are affected. Bacterial vaginosis is found in about 16% of pregnant women and approximately 60% of women who have a sexually-transmitted disease (STD).

Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Ovarian Cancer

Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Ovarian Cancer


How far has my ovarian cancer spread?

Do I have to have both of my ovaries removed? If so, will I have hot flashes?

How confident are you that all of the cancer has been removed?

Which chemotherapy drugs do you recommend? Do I have any other treatment options?

How long will I have to undergo chemotherapy?

What side effects should I look for? Are there ways to minimize these side effects?

Will I need any additional surgery?

Should I be tested for the BRCA-1 mutation? What should I do if the test is positive?

What signs should I look for that might indicate the ovarian cancer has come back?

How often should I come in for follow-up visits?

Ovarian Cancer: Two Diseases

Ovarian Cancer: Two Diseases

Five-year survival when the cancer is found before it has spread beyond the ovaries is more than 90%, but less than 20% of ovarian cancers are detected in the early stage before it has spread outside the ovary.

Ovarian cancer has long been thought of as a single disease, but researchers have recently learned that it has different subtypes, including a relatively slow-growing form and a more aggressive form that takes about half the time to progress to advanced stages.

Using this knowledge, doctors have developed a computer-based model to predict the impact of currently used screening methods on ovarian cancer deaths.

These methods include testing for elevated levels of the protein CA-125 in the blood and pelvic imaging using ultrasound.

CA-125 levels rise in women with ovarian cancer, but they can also be elevated in women who are pregnant, who have other cancers, or non-cancerous conditions such as uterine fibroids.

The Duke researchers modified an established model of the progression of ovarian cancer to reflect the fast-growing and slower-growing forms of the disease.

They tested their model using early data from a large screening trial now under way in the U.K.

Instead of the 15% to 20% reduction in ovarian cancer deaths attributed to early screening based on the ‘one cancer’ model, the new model found that the death rate could be expected to fall by about 11% if annual screening using current strategies were routinely recommended for all postmenopausal women.

Havrilesky says this is because screening is more likely to pick up slow-growing cancers that are not as lethal.

The study appears online today in the online edition of the journal Cancer.

UK Trial Should Provide Some Answers

In the U.S., screening is generally reserved for women with a close family history of ovarian cancer or a genetic mutation that greatly increases their cancer risk.

Routine screening is not recommended for average-risk women.

Patricia Hartge, ScD, of the National Cancer Institute, tells WebMD that the Duke research adds to the evidence that more sensitive screening tests or strategies will be needed to significantly reduce deaths from ovarian cancer.

She says the U.K. study -- the largest ovarian cancer screening trial ever conducted -- should provide more answers when mortality data become available in 2014.

Instead of referring women for biopsy when CA-125 rises beyond a specific threshold, as researchers in a large U.S. trial did, investigators in the U.K. trial are watching to see how fast CA-125 levels rise.

“This approach involves fewer ultrasounds and fewer (exploratory) surgeries,” Hartge says. “We will know in a few years if it impacts survival.”

Havrilesky says she is cautiously optimistic that efforts to recognize ovarian cancer in its very early stages will help identify women who would benefit from prevention efforts such as surgical removal of the ovaries.

Until then, American Cancer Society Director of Cancer Screening Robert A. Smith, PhD says women should know the  symptoms that might be early warning signs of ovarian cancer, including:

Abdominal, pelvic, and back pain

Bloating and swelling

Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly

Urinary symptoms

Of course, these symptoms are also commonly associated with other, far less serious conditions. But Smith says women with daily symptoms lasting more than a few weeks should see their doctor.

Exams and Tests for ovarian cancer

Exams and Tests
There are no reliable screening tests for ovarian cancer.

Some initial exams and tests are done before surgery if ovarian cancer is suspected. These tests include:

Your medical history, to check what symptoms you have and what your chance of developing ovarian cancer is.
A physical exam, including a pelvic exam and Pap test. An ovarian lump may be felt during a pelvic exam. A rectovaginal exam may also be done to feel the pelvic organs.
A complete blood count (CBC), to check for anemia and other abnormal blood values.
A chemistry screen, to check for liver and kidney problems.
A human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) level, which may be done to rule out pregnancy or an ectopic pregnancy.
A cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) level, to measure a protein found on the surface of many ovarian cancer cells.
A pelvic and transvaginal ultrasound, to look for an ovarian lump.
More tests may be done before surgery to determine if other areas of the body are involved. These tests include:

A pelvic or abdominal CT scan or MRI to check for the spread of cancer.
A chest X-ray to check for the spread of cancer.
Surgery, usually a laparotomy, is done to confirm that cancer is present, to provide initial treatment, and to stage the cancer.

Early Detection
For most women, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) does not recommend having a CA-125 blood test or a transvaginal ultrasound to find ovarian cancer early.11 There is no proof that having regular tests helps women live longer by finding ovarian cancer early. Still, experts recommend that women who have inherited a BRCA gene change and have not had their ovaries removed have a transvaginal ultrasound and a CA-125 blood test at least once a year, starting at age 35. Women who have inherited a BRCA1 gene change (not a BRCA2 gene change) may want to start having these regular tests as early as age 25.12

Should I've a gene test done for breast & ovarian cancer?

Should I've a gene test done for breast & ovarian cancer


A breast cancer gene test can help women find out if they have inherited a gene change that can make them much more likely to get breast or ovarian cancer. The test looks for changes, or mutations, in two genes that are related to breast and ovarian cancer. The two genes are called BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BRCA stands for BReast CAncer). Changes in these BRCA (say "BRAH-kuh") genes are rare, but having one greatly increases your chances of getting breast and ovarian cancer.

Most women do not need this test. It is only recommended for women who have a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer. You need to find out if you have a strong family history before you think about having a gene test.

Consider the following when making your decision:
Most women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer-even a strong family history-do not have BRCA gene changes. But if you have a gene change, your risk is even higher than if you had a family history without gene changes.1

Not everyone who inherits a BRCA gene change will get cancer.

Both men and women can inherit a BRCA gene change and pass it on to their children.

A BRCA gene test can be one thing you consider when deciding what steps you need to take to lower your chances of getting cancer. Depending on how high your chances of getting cancer are, those steps may include having checkups more often, taking medicine, or having your breasts and/or ovaries removed.
The test itself is simple. It involves taking a small sample of your blood and sending it to a special lab. But the results-whether positive or negative-could have a big effect on your life. So before you have the test, your doctor will have you talk to an expert called a genetic counselor. This expert can help you understand your chances of getting breast cancer and ovarian cancer, help you decide whether to be tested, and help you make good decisions after the test.

Genetic testing can cost thousands of dollars. Your health insurance may not cover the cost.

The early warning signs of ovarian cancer

 The early warning signs of ovarian cancer, includes

Abdominal, pelvic, and back pain

Bloating and swelling

Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly

Urinary symptoms

Of course, these symptoms are also commonly associated with other, far less serious conditions. But doctors says women with daily symptoms lasting more than a few weeks should see their doctor.

What Increases Your Risk of ovarian cancer?

Risk factors for ovarian cancer include:

A family history. Between 10% and 20% of women with ovarian cancer have a close female relative who had ovarian or breast cancer.1 Women with a family history may develop ovarian cancer at an earlier age, such as in their 40s, rather than at the more typical age of postmenopausal women in their 50s. Women who have BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations have between a 16% and 60% chance of developing ovarian cancer during their lifetimes.6

Increasing age. Ovarian cancer most often affects postmenopausal women.

Never having a baby.

Starting menstrual cycles before age 12 and going through menopause at an older age. The more menstrual cycles you have, the more risk you have for ovarian cancer.

Being unable to become pregnant (infertility). Women who do not use birth control and are sexually active but who are unable to become pregnant may have a higher chance for ovarian cancer.

Use of estrogen or hormone replacement therapy. Some studies have shown that some women who use these hormones have a slightly increased risk of developing ovarian cancer, and other studies have shown no increased risk.7, 8, 9 In general, experts advise women considering hormone replacement therapy for symptoms of menopause to take the smallest dose possible to control symptoms, and to take the medicine for the shortest time that they can.

Women who are of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry (Jews whose ancestors came from Eastern Europe) may have an increased risk because of changes to the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. Women with this ancestry have higher rates of these gene changes.

What Is Ovarian Cancer?

What Is Ovarian Cancer?
Ovarian cancer starts in the ovaries and can spread to other parts of the body.
Ovarian cancer is cancer of the ovaries, part of women’s reproductive system.

Causes
Scientists are hunting for the exact cause of ovarian cancer.

Prevention
Doctors haven't found a way to prevent ovarian cancer. But they have found that certain factors make ovarian cancer less likely.

Symptoms & Types
Ovarian cancer often starts silently, not showing symptoms until its later stages.

crochet scarf with button

this scarf was made specially for my daughter-in-law.

crochet sweater

crochet sweater designed & made by me, it is nice & thick.

small scarf to keep your neck warm

this scarf I finished in about 4 hours, not crocheting continuously. It has a hole towards the end, to put the other end & keep your neck real warm in winter. All the best to all those where it is already snowing now. Want the pattern, just mail me, it is very simple.

Folic Acid and Choline

Folic Acid and Choline

For women of childbearing age, getting enough folic acid and choline is crucial.

Folic acid, a B vitamin, is essential for building new cells. Falling short during pregnancy has been linked to increased risk of major birth defects of a baby’s brain and spine. Women of childbearing age need 400 micrograms of folic acid every day. There are two simple ways to make sure you get enough.

• Take a multivitamin that contains 400 micrograms.
• Eat a breakfast cereal fortified with 100 percent of the daily value (DV) for folic acid.

Adequate choline levels during pregnancy also help prevent birth defects. This essential nutrient plays a role in blood vessel growth in the brain. Surveys suggest that less than 15% of pregnant women get enough. Experts recommend that pregnant women get 450 mg a day, or 550 mg a day if they are lactating.

Although some multivitamins contain choline, many foods are rich in this essential nutrient. Leading dietary sources include eggs, liver, chicken, beef, pork, milk, and a variety of vegetables and grains.

for recipes kindly see

http://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/

Vitamin D for Women

Vitamin D for Women

The latest superstar supplement is vitamin D. There's growing evidence for its importance to good health.

Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to fatigue, joint pain, high blood pressure, certain forms of cancer, and other health problems.

Supplements seem to help. A 2010 report, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, showed a small but consistently lower risk of heart disease in people who took up to 1,000 international units (iu) of vitamin D.

The IOM is reviewing its recommendations for vitamin D. Some experts say the best amount may be 1,500 to 2,000 international units per day.

A blood test can check your vitamin D level. Several studies suggest that levels up to 50 -- on the 25-hydroxyvitamin D blood test -- may keep people healthier.

The most natural way to boost vitamin D levels is through exposure to sunlight, which triggers the skin to make vitamin D. Some doctors encourage some patients to spend a little time in the sun, without sunscreen, to make vitamin D.

Obviously, it’s very important not to get sunburned. But a moderate amount of sun exposure can have important health benefits.

Experts still recommend putting sunblock on your face at all times, since the face is at high risk for skin cancer. Sunning yourself to raise vitamin D levels is less effective for people with dark skin, and less effective for everyone as they age.

If you work indoors, avoid the sun, or live in northern latitudes where ultraviolet levels are low, consider a vitamin D supplement. Talk to your doctor about the best dose. Choose supplements that contain D3, the vitamin's most easily absorbed form.

Personalised cancer treatment on the anvil?

Thanks to a groundbreaking research, personalised cancer treatment may soon be on the anvil.

A team at Chicago University has discovered a genetic signature which can predict whether a patient will respond to cancer therapies -- it could identify those who need drugs and radiotherapy and those needed to be treated less aggressively.

In fact, in their study, researchers have found that many cancers show abnormalities in 49 genes, collectively known as IFN-related DNA damage resistance signature (IRDS), the 'New Scientist' reported.

Subsequently, they analysed 34 different cancer cell lines and several hundred primary human cancers and found that the IRDS was associated with resistance to radiotherapy among the cell lines from certain cancers.

However, in breast cancer patients, it correctly predicted which cancers would be resistant to radiotherapy and drugs that work by causing DNA damage in dividing cells -- although not other cancer drugs.