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Therapeutic cancer vaccines show promise

They wouldn't prevent the disease, but might help people who are already fighting it.

It's a deceptively simple idea: What if doctors could recruit the body's own immune system to fight cancer? The complexities of the immune system have kept this from becoming reality, until now. Three cancer vaccines -- for prostate cancer, melanoma and lymphoma -- have achieved positive results in so-called Phase 3 clinical trials -- the kind of studies that the Food and Drug Administration requires for a medicine to gain approval.

Vaccine cocktail might be more effective against certain cancers

Researchers are giving vaccines in combination with other drugs either to help boost the immune response or to attack the cancer on multiple fronts.

Even if a vaccine produces an appropriate cancer-attacking immune response, it still may not be enough to achieve clinical benefit, especially in patients with very advanced disease.

Cancer update 2009

The American Cancer Society projects cancer statistics and trends for the year.

Cancer death rates have declined steadily in the United States over the last 15 years and are expected to do so again this year. Estimated new cases, however, are expected to tick up slightly from 2008 -- because of the increased use of screening, experts say, not necessarily a surge in risk.

Cancer, by the numbers

Screening, diagnosis and treatment of common cancers.

Increased screening and improved treatments are the predominant reasons for the reductions in deaths in many types of cancer.

For a cancer survivor, living (well or not) is the best revenge

Somewhere along the way in our News You Can Use culture, good health has taken on the patina of virtue. Like good grades and job promotion, health is seen as bestowed upon those who work for it. There's no excuse for not doing everything you can, not with all the lists of necessary practices in popular magazines, not with all the attention to disease prevention.

Whose side are health advocacy groups on?

The names might sound impressive -- but when parsing their message, you'll want to know who they serve.

Obesity is a national health crisis -- or it isn't. Vaccines cause autism -- or they don't. Think of any current health controversy, and you can be sure that plenty of experts have already taken opposite sides.

For children, embrace the average

A 'normal' kid used to be, well, normal. But now a lot of parents, sadly, don't think that's good enough.

When my son's preschool teachers recommended that we send him to speech therapy, I can't say that my husband and I were completely surprised. Clay wasn't entirely easy to understand; his "r" sounded like a "w," his "th" was indistinguishable from an "s," and his "l" was essentially nonexistent. But he was only 3 years old.

How are 'normal' ranges for kids determined?

A common-sense approach for kids Whether it's social skills, intelligence or athleticism that's under consideration, children run the gamut. In many situations, determining the cut-off points for "normal" can be exceedingly difficult. But there are general rules that can help.

Dr. William Meller talks about his book 'Evolution Rx'

Diet, stretching, cancer and more.

When it comes to our health, you might think that medicine has evolved to a point where we, as a species, no longer need to listen to cues from days of old.

Tart cherry juice: A lip-puckering pain remedy?

Some athletes tout its effects on post-workout aches, but so far, there's little research to back such claims.

Some athletes are turning to a lip-puckering remedy for post-workout pain and weakness: tart cherry juice. The juice can be hard to swallow, but the claim is that it diminishes muscle pain and soreness as well as, or better than, many over-the-counter medications.

When it comes to kids, embrace the average

A 'normal' child used to be, well, normal. But now a lot of parents, sadly, don't think that's good enough.

When my son's preschool teachers recommended that we send him to speech therapy, I can't say that my husband and I were completely surprised. Clay wasn't entirely easy to understand; his "r" sounded like a "w," his "th" was indistinguishable from an "s," and his "l" was essentially nonexistent. But he was only 3 years old.

11 Structures that Define America

The United States has numerous buildings and other structures that represent the freedom and opportunity expressed in the American dream. Here are a few of those defining monuments.

10 Unsuccessful Senate Confirmations

Although the arduous Senate confirmation process can break even the strongest candidates, the vast majority of presidential appointees are ultimately confirmed. We present the cases of 10 unfortunate exceptions to that rule.

Street Racing: Street Racing Tires

A Japanese street drifter describes the tires used for drifting in this clip from "Street Racing: A Night on Earth" on Discovery Channel.

How Harley-Davidson Works

It could be the distinctive body styling, or maybe it's the recognizable rumble. But there's just something about Harley-Davidson motorcycles that can be irresistible.

How Fireworks Work

Some people associate the 4th of July with hamburgers, hot dogs, apple pie and an aerial fireworks show. But have you ever wondered how these sparklers make such incredible colors and designs?

4 Green Ways to Keep Your House Fresh

We all want a fresh-smelling house, but at what cost? Check out these 4 green ways to keep your house fresh in a natural, green way.

Tech May Have Exposed Thousands to Hep C

Woman Faces Criminal Charges for Swapping Her Own Dirty Syringes for Ones With Narcotic

Our Amazing Families Have Moved

New night! Spend every Thursday with our Amazing Families.

Breaking Headache News!

Visit the Headache Center for news on the FDA's acetaminophen warning.

Deliver Me

Tune in Tuesdays @ 10pm for an all-new season of Deliver Me.

Cholesterol Check

Visit the Cholesterol Center for tools and support to manage your cholesterol.

Dr. G: Medical Examiner

Tune in starting @ 8pm Sunday for a night of Dr. G's best cases.

Try on Anne's On-Screen Look

See how you'd look in the platinum locks Hathaway wears in Alice in Wonderland.

TV Fashionistas

See the most stylish looks of your favorite small-screen stars like Blair Waldorf and Betty Draper.