Author Leah Hager Cohen says her blog is inspired by her mother, for at least two reasons. One: it is because of her mom that she's a writer. "She has seen me for a writer my whole life, ever since I could make up stories and dictate them to her," says Cohen. Two: her mom is fighting ovarian cancer, has been since April 2006 when she was 62. Cohen's blog -- Love As a Found Object -- is for her mom and about her mom. It is quite a blog.

In an entry written in September 2006, Cohen shares:

My mother is perhaps the most energetic person I know, and my children, who collectively run a close second, have grown accustomed to having her set the pace when she is around. She's the one who persuaded me, six years ago, that the kids and I did not need a dining room nearly so much as we needed a "project room." She usually arrives for visits bearing the raw materials and mental blueprint for some art or engineering project into which she and the kids then plunge together. Even though we've all had months to get used to her cancer, her tiredness still seems strange, as does the chemo-haze from which she regards us more quietly than is her wont. She seems almost an imposter in this muffled state, so accustomed are we to having her lead us on capers and jaunts through real and metaphorical woods.

A new study of mice implanted with human breast cancer cells shows the spread of the disease to the lungs -- a common metastasis site -- is caused by the abnormal activation of four specific genes working together.

The study, published in the journal Nature, indicates that shutting off the genes one by one can slow the growth and spread of this cancer. But turning off all four at one time almost completely stops the process. In mice anyway.

These genes are no strangers to researchers who have known for some time about their existence and functions. They just know more about them now.

The four genes work together at every step of the metastatic process to allow a breast tumor to develop blood vessels, let tumor cells enter the vessel walls and lungs, and permit them to pass out of the lung vessels and resume growth. New analysis shows that blocking these genes significantly reduces the tangle of blood vessels, making it harder for cancer cells to escape.

Researchers, who say the four genes are among 18 they associate with breast cancer metastasis, report that one implication of this study is clear: combined use of drug therapy may be more effective at inhibiting the activity of multiple gene targets.

I heard the statistic twice this past weekend -- once from a friend who is a drug rep for a prostate cancer drug and once from a friend with a family member struggling with prostate issues.

I had never before heard what hit my ears a few days ago, and I was quite shocked to learn this new cancer tidbit -- so shocked I did some research and discovered that what my friends told me is sadly accurate.

The good news is that the death rate for prostate cancer is going down, and the disease is being found earlier than ever before. The startling news is what I present today as my Thought for the Day.

Think about this:

Nearly 80 percent of men in their 70s develop prostate cancer.

A few days ago I posted about Cathy's EC Cafe. It's a webpage designed to help those diagnosed with esophageal cancer. In that post I mentioned one of the stories I liked on the webpage written by a six year esophageal cancer survivor named Barry Bokhaut. I decided to email Barry and talk to him about his experience and any advice he might have for those diagnosed.

I think Barry's story is inspirational and can help others newly diagnosed know that survival is possible even though the statistics look grim. According to the American Cancer Society 13,770 of the 14,550 estimated cases of esophageal cancer in 2006 will die of their disease. At the current time only less than 20 percent of patients survive five years.

Barry answered the question as to why esphageal cancer is so hard to cure. "Esophageal cancer's low survival rates is in a large part due to the fact that the symptoms are very benign, and the disease is often very advanced before doctors properly diagnose it. Far too many people are told by their doctors that they are suffering from heart burn or indigestion, and are given antacids. By the time the difficultly in swallowing manifests, and the doctors get around to a full diagnostic workup, the disease is very established and extremely difficult to deal with, as it spreads quickly."

By virtue of his profession as a cancer research specialist, Joseph Harris, 26, a doctor of molecular biology, faced a moral dilemma and his solution found him guilty of breaking the law.

Harris, convicted under the Serious and Organized Crime Act, will be spending the next three years in jail. The Times Online, in Brilliant cancer scientist had double life as animal rights sab, features the clandestine life of Harris, whose work in discovering treatments and potential cures for gastro-intestinal and pancreatic cancers collided with his compassion as an animal rights activist and his passion for a girlfriend who dumped him because she disapproved of where his research would eventually lead -- to animal testing.

Harris pleaded guilty to causing damage to the premises of three companies connected to animal testing, and painting ALF (Animal Liberation Front) on walls, windows and vans belonging to the companies. He got caught in the act at the third facility.

When the Northampton Crown Court judge spoke to Harris he said, "I am sorry that your conviction and the sentence I impose will seriously damage what was a very promising career. It causes me great discomfort in seeing you before the court having thrown so much away."

Harris claimed he found information about the animal abuse at the Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty website.

It would certainly be better to identify those who are at a higher risk for developing melanoma so that they can be thoroughly screened. This is exactly what might be possible says the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

A study was done that showed if patients were given a questionnaire and a brief examination they could identify who was at a higher risk for melanoma to develop. This information can lead to these individuals getting further interventions such as a complete skin evaluation and counseling to avoid sun exposure.

The researchers stress that this is not a way to identify current melanoma cases but to identify who should have a more thorough exam. Finding melanoma early can lead to 100 percent cure. If you see anything that is about the size of a pencil eraser, is not uniform in color and does not have rounded edges you should see a Dermatologist.

Dr. Fears of the National Cancer Institute in Maryland says "Such interventions in high risk individuals may lead to detection of early, curable disease or to a decrease in their risk of developing melanoma."

Screenings for colorectal cancer offer more than a chance for early treatment -- they offer the chance to avoid cancer completely. The disease usually starts with growths called polyps that can take a decade to turn cancerous. If polyps are found and removed, cancer can be avoided altogether. Yet many are avoiding the screening. And polyps that go undetected can turn to a cancer that can lurk silently in anyone -- especially during middle age and beyond. And black Americans are especially at risk.

Almost 42 million Americans over the age of 50 are not getting checked for colorectal cancer -- the nation's No. 2 cancer killer. Perhaps it's the financial burden that comes with the life-saving procedure. Now in five states, a government-funded program is offering free testing for the poor. But still, many will fall through the cracks in many states. And while Medicare pays for screenings, this federal program is for people 65 and older -- a long wait for someone at age 50 who needs the test but does not have insurance.

Perhaps it's the part of the body under study that steers people away. Perhaps it's the manner in which the test is performed -- a long, flexible tube is used to visually inspect the colon -- that turns heads in the wrong direction. While the financial burden is a valid deterrent, other worries or fears should be put to rest. The test is not all that bad, says one doctor who had a colonoscopy himself. The worst part of the whole experience may be the liquid mixture that is consumed prior to the test that cleans out the system -- minor discomfort really in the scope of the alternative. Cancer.

Colonocopies are recommended just once every 10 years. And nearly 60 percent of deaths from colorectal cancer can be prevented if each person over the age of 50 finds some way to make this screening happen. And if not this screening, there are other options -- like a fecal test that is done annually but is more more affordable and can be quite effective too. So consider your options. And make a choice.

Olivia Newton-John, breast cancer survivor, and strong advocate for raising breast cancer awareness, recently released a CD dedicated to anyone who has been touched by cancer.

The CD features performances by some of her closest friends including Delta Goodrem, Patti Labelle, Diahann Carroll and Amy Sky. One of the ten songs on the CD includes Can I Trust Your Arms, written by Olivia's daughter Chloe, as a special Christmas gift for her mother.

Olivia Newton-John shares her feelings about the CD by saying, "I believe the songs I have chosen reflect the many emotions of such a journey. By way of this CD I am grateful to be able to pass on that torch with these songs of inspiration, encouragement and understanding to all of those facing breast cancer or any other challenging journey." Part of the proceeds from Stronger than Before are going to help build a comprehensive cancer center to treat all cancers at the Austin Hospital in Melborne, Australia.