A national survey reveals that celebrity endorsements, specifically those advertising the importance of cancer screenings, have made a big impact on people taking action.

The government-funded survey conducted by scientists at Dartmouth Medical School, found that more than half of adults in a nationwide survey recalled celebrity endorsements for cancer screening, and more than a fourth said the pitch made them more likely to get tested

Researchers are hopeful a treatment for breast cancer will help some women live longer. Swiss drug manufacturer Roche Holding AG and biotech firm Genentech say clinical trial data indicates Avastin improves rates of survival for some cancer patients. The trial tested 722-people comparing results from patients who had cancer that had spread to other parts of the body using Avastin combined with chemotherapy to those patients who just underwent chemotherapy . Officials say they expect to convey the data to the Food and Drug Administration and hope to have Avastin approved for treatment. The drug is already approved for use in treatment of colorectal cancer that has spread. Avastin is an antibody designed to block a growth factor in the body that allows blood vessels to grow and maintain tumors