News & Information

Just a few years down the road, cancer treatment may be as simple as switching on a light bulb.

In current clinical studies, scientists are exploring non-invasive gene therapy treatments that can combat cancer without surgery or chemotherapy. Essentially, the treatments activate dormant genes that fight cancer naturally.

For instance, researchers at Queen’s University Belfast have just discovered a protein that can be “switched on” to fight cancers in the throat and cervix. The protein, known as “Rb” (Retinoblastoma)is located in the non-cancerous tissue (stroma) surrounding the tumor. When it’s activated, the protein sends messages to the cancer cells that stop the tumor from spreading.

Professor Dennis McCance, the head researcher, said that this discovery could help cure other cancers as well.

“Our research has focused on cancers of the throat and cervix. But it is possible that Rb or other proteins in the healthy tissue surrounding other types of cancer, may play a similar role in regulating the spread of tumour cells,” he said. “Therefore, the implications of this discovery could go far beyond throat and cervical cancer, and that is something we plan to investigate further.”

Breakthrough cancer treatments can be expensive, and they’re often not covered by standard health insurance. If you think you may be at risk for any type of cancer, you should take out a cancer insurance policy to ensure that you have funds for future treatment. CancerPlans.com offers a wide range of supplemental insurance policies from top-rated carriers, designed to provide a lump sum benefit upon first diagnosis of a covered cancer.

(1) http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/08/120808081330.htm