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This article is from the WebMD Feature Archive
50 Years of Milestones in the Fight Against Cancer
For every milestone in cancer research, there are countless men and women to thank. Through their creativity and dogged determination, people have hope in preventing, living with, even curing some forms of cancer.
Here are just a few of the milestones in the war on cancer, and some of the researchers who made them:
1954
Study shows first link between smoking and lung cancer.
1955
Researcher finds that the male hormone testosterone and the female hormone
estrogen drive the growth of prostate and breast cancers, respectively.
Research receives the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1966. Learn more
about the causes of prostateand breastcancer.
1958
Scientist develops 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), a
chemotherapy drug used to treat many cancers. It is a first-line treatment for
colon cancer.
1959
Scientist discovers growth factors; substances that can help tumors grow.
Research wins Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1986.
Cancer Prevention Study I begins. Study will eventually be the first to link cigarette smoking to early death from lung cancer.
1960
American Cancer Society advocates widespread use of the Pap smear. This
simple test results in more than a 70% decrease in deaths from cervical and
uterine cancers.
1961
Judah Folkman, MD, of Harvard University discovers that tumors create a network of blood vessels to bring them oxygen so they can grow. He calls this process angiogenesis.
1966
Henry Lynch, MD, describes the first hereditary cancer family
syndrome.
1970
Surgeon General announces that cigarette smoking is definitely linked to
cancer.
The first cancer-causing gene, or oncogene, is discovered.
Also during the '70s:
A handful of forward-thinking surgeons say that simple mastectomy-- removal of only the breast itself -- is just as effective as a
radical mastectomy.
Surgeons begin studying lumpectomy followed by radiation therapy as an alternative to radical mastectomy.
Among those visionary breast cancer researchers: Bernard Fisher, MD, director of the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project, and Umberto Veronesi, MD, researcher with the European Institute of Oncology in Milan, Italy. Both launched long-term studies of these techniques.
1971
President Richard Nixon declares a national war on cancer. The National
Cancer Act is signed by President Nixon, establishing a national program to
search for a cancer cure.
1972
Scientist pioneers the technique of bone marrow transplantation to treat
cancer. Researchers receive the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in
1990.
1973
Paul Berg, PhD, clones the first gene. He receives Nobel Prize in Chemistry
in 1980.
1974
Scientist V. Craig Jordan, PhD, shows that the drug tamoxifen prevents
breast cancer in rats by binding to the estrogen receptor. Learn more
about tamoxifen.
1975
Researchers develop technology that leads to the development of a
monoclonal antibody that can enhance the immune system. This research leads to
the development of several promising cancer drugs in the late 1990s and early
2000s. The researchers receive the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in
1984.
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Indication
Uroxatral® (alfuzosin HCl 10 mg extended-release tablets) is an alpha1-blocker for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of BPH.
Important Safety Information
Do not take UROXATRAL if you have liver problems or if you are taking antifungal drugs like ketoconazole or itraconazole, or HIV drugs like ritonavir.
UROXATRAL can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, especially when starting treatment. This may lead to fainting, dizziness, and lightheadedness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do any dangerous activity until you know how UROXATRAL will affect you. This is especially important if you already have a problem with low blood pressure or take medicines to treat high blood pressure. There may be an increased risk of low blood pressure and fainting when taking UROXATRAL in combination with blood pressure medication or nitrates, or erectile dysfunction medication.
If considering cataract surgery (clouding of the eyes), tell your eye surgeon that you are currently taking UROXATRAL or have previously been treated with an alpha-blocker.
Before taking UROXATRAL, tell your doctor if you have kidney problems.
Also, tell your doctor if you or any family member(s) have or take medications for a rare heart condition known as congenital prolongation of the QT interval.
BPH and prostate cancer can cause the same symptoms. However, UROXATRAL is not a treatment for prostate cancer.
The most common side effects with UROXATRAL are dizziness, upper respiratory tract infection, headache, and tiredness.
Please see UROXATRAL full prescribing information.
Symptoms of an Enlarged Prostate
Sheldon Marks, MD, explains nearly everything you need to know about an enlarged prostate but were afraid to ask.
