Cancer | smithsonianmag.comhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/cancer/RSS feed for CancerenMon, 21 Sep 2026 15:32:39 +0000Alcohol-Related Cancer Deaths Have More Than Doubled in the United States Over the Past 30 Years, Study Suggestshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/alcohol-related-cancer-deaths-have-more-than-doubled-in-the-united-states-over-the-past-30-years-study-suggests-180989531/While scientists say their findings don't necessarily mean you need to cut alcohol from your life entirely, knowing the potential risks—especially if you're already at an elevated risk of developing cancer—can help guide your decisionsMon, 21 Sep 2026 15:32:39 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/alcohol-related-cancer-deaths-have-more-than-doubled-in-the-united-states-over-the-past-30-years-study-suggests-180989531/A Psychedelic Compound Found in 'Magic' Mushrooms Might Prevent Debilitating Nerve Damage and Pain Caused by Chemotherapyhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-psychedelic-compound-found-in-magic-mushrooms-might-prevent-debilitating-nerve-damage-and-pain-caused-by-chemotherapy-180989457/A study in mice and human tissue suggests psilocybin protects against peripheral neuropathy, a common side effect of chemotherapy. The findings are so promising that researchers are starting a mid-stage clinical trial this yearThu, 10 Sep 2026 15:48:24 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-psychedelic-compound-found-in-magic-mushrooms-might-prevent-debilitating-nerve-damage-and-pain-caused-by-chemotherapy-180989457/World War II Sugar Rationing Data Hints That Limiting Intake of the Sweet Stuff Early in Life Lowers the Risk of Dementia and Cancerhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/world-war-ii-sugar-rationing-data-hints-that-limiting-intake-of-the-sweet-stuff-early-in-life-lowers-the-risk-of-dementia-and-cancer-180989431/For roughly a decade leading up to September 1953, the United Kingdom limited sugar purchases. Scientists studied health outcomes in people born during the ration and right afterWed, 02 Sep 2026 15:48:22 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/world-war-ii-sugar-rationing-data-hints-that-limiting-intake-of-the-sweet-stuff-early-in-life-lowers-the-risk-of-dementia-and-cancer-180989431/This 15-Foot Python Is the First Known Snake to Receive Electrochemotherapy for Cancer. Now, She's Officially Free of the Diseasehttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-15-foot-python-is-the-first-known-snake-to-receive-electrochemotherapy-for-cancer-now-shes-officially-free-of-the-disease-180989385/The pioneering treatment makes it easier for traditional chemotherapy drugs to penetrate cancer cells. After the procedure, the reptile, named Jodie Foster, made a speedy recoveryMon, 24 Aug 2026 17:31:22 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-15-foot-python-is-the-first-known-snake-to-receive-electrochemotherapy-for-cancer-now-shes-officially-free-of-the-disease-180989385/A New Personalized Cancer Vaccine Could Keep Skin Cancer From Coming Back, Drugmakers Sayhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/new-personalized-cancer-vaccine-could-keep-skin-cancer-from-coming-back-drugmakers-say-180989382/The results, announced this week by Moderna and Merck, could pave the way for a new generation of treatments tailored to individual tumorsFri, 21 Aug 2026 18:16:21 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/new-personalized-cancer-vaccine-could-keep-skin-cancer-from-coming-back-drugmakers-say-180989382/Spinal Deformities in Saber-Toothed Cat Fossils Reveal How the Now-Extinct Felines May Have Spent Their Final Dayshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/spinal-deformities-in-saber-toothed-cat-fossils-reveal-how-the-now-extinct-felines-may-have-spent-their-final-days-180989237/Researchers studied saber-toothed cat vertebrae found in the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles. They identified a surprisingly high number of deformations, including signs of spinal nerve tumors, hinting at a dwindling population suffering the consequences of inbreedingMon, 10 Aug 2026 15:36:44 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/spinal-deformities-in-saber-toothed-cat-fossils-reveal-how-the-now-extinct-felines-may-have-spent-their-final-days-180989237/