FDA has approved a new colon and rectal cancer drug, Vectibix, and the manufacturer, Amgen has promised to cap the cost for patients who need the drug but cannot afford it.

Men who eat more fruits and vegetables are more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. This finding from a large Los Angeles study to be published next month in the journal Cancer Causes Control suggests that well-nourished, health-conscious men are more likely to take PSA tests for early detection of this cancer. At the same time, diet did not protect them from developing this cancer nor did it affect the cancer grade.

Women who eat fatty fish, but not other fish, may cut their risk of kidney cancer by about half according to a Swedish study.

The same Swedish hospital studied men for a period of 30 years and found eating fatty fish could reduce prostate cancer risk by one third.

“Retail giant Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said today it will begin selling nearly 300 generic prescription drugs for just $4 for up to a 30-day supply, for both the insured and uninsured.

The test program will begin Friday in Tampa and expand by January to the rest of the Florida, which includes a growing market of Baby Boomers and retirees who benefit from the new Medicare drug benefit for the elderly and disabled. The company will then aim to take the program nationally, serving customers, employees and the nation’s burgeoning population of uninsured Americans.

The company said it plans to take the program to as many states as possible next year in what will reduce drug costs for people with health insurance to $4 from between $10 and $30 for a 30-day prescription.

While the move is considered good for consumers, it was also believed to be an effort by Wal-Mart to improve its public image as a company. It has been criticized for the level of benefits, particularly health insurance, it provides to workers.”
Full story ChicagoTribune, By Bruce Japsen, September 21, 2006, 11:17 AM CDT

See also Wal-Mart cuts generic drug prices in Florida, Reuters Sept 21, 2006.

Wal-Mart to Offer $4 Generic Prescriptions, New York Times (registration necessary, free)
Wal-Mart Tests Lower Drug Prices, Houston Chronicle, Sept. 21, 2006, By ANNE D’INNOCENZIO AP Business Writer

So far 146 people in 23 states are reported ill from the E. Coli outbreak. One person has died.

Natural Selection Foods has recalled all packages of its fresh spinach and any salad with spinach in a blend because they are possibly contaminated with E. coli. The affected packages have “Best if Used by Dates” of August 17 through October 1. Consumers with questions can contact the company at 800-690-3200.

The recalled brands are:

• Bellissima
• Cheney Brothers
• Coastline
• Compliments
• Cross Valley
• D’Arrigo Brothers
• Dole
• Earthbound Farm
• Emeril
• Farmers Market
• Fresh and Easy
• Fresh Point
• Green Harvest
• Hy Vee
• Jansal Valley
• Mann
• Mills Family Farm
• Natural Selection Foods
• Nature’s Basket
• O Organic
• Premium Fresh
• President’s Choice
• Pride of San Juan
• Pro-Mark
• Rave Spinach
• Ready Pac
• River Ranch
• Riverside Farms
• Snoboy
• Superior
• Sysco
• Tanimura & Antle
• The Farmer’s Market
• Trader Joe’s
Source: Natural Selection Foods LLC

“Two battling cancer sufferers have left their sick beds to join forces in a demand for better treatment for cancer patients in Wales.

Grandfather Dave Powell and mother-of-two Jayne Sullivan, who are still receiving treatment for their cancers, are taking their protest to the National Assembly with a claim that Welsh patients are being victimised.

Both are urging that cancer treatments and the drugs involved should be available to all patients who need them.

Earlier this year, breast cancer victim Mrs Sullivan, 45, highlighted the NHS restrictions on the use of the breast cancer drug herceptin by staging a seven-day sit-in protest at the assembly.

Grandfather Mr Powell, 54, of Barry, had been fighting since March for treatment for his prostate cancer and finally received help from a hospital in England last month.

But the couple say other prostate cancer sufferers who have been recommended for similar therapy, which is not available in Wales, have been told they will only receive in exceptional circumstances. This has been confirmed in a letter to doctors

Mr Powell said: ‘I eventually received treatment but only after a five-month battle with NHS officials in the National Assembly.

‘This form of treatment – brachytherapy – is a low-dose form of radiotherapy and has been available for years in the UK but not in Wales. They are now telling other Welsh men in my situation they will not pay for prostate cancer patients to receive help in England – that’s a disgrace.’

by Greg Tindle, South Wales Echo, Sept 19 2006
icwales.co.uk

Don’t eat your packaged spinach! Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises consumers not to eat bagged fresh spinach in view of a serious E. coli outbreak reported since Aug. 23 in more than twenty states starting with Connecticut, Idaho, Utah, Indiana, New Mexico, Michigan, Oregon, and Wisconsin, which reported the most cases and the one death. Reports of confirmed cases have spread rapidly.