Cure for some cancers found in an Oak Ridge National Lab waste container

An ORNL isotope is saving the lives of cancer patients in medical trials, and is on its way to helping more Americans as the president prepares to sign new legislation that would allow more patients to try experimental medical treatments. Actinium-225, an isotope of the element actinium, which is usually found in uranium ores, is proving effective in curing - not just treating - myeloid leukemia. 

Myeloid leukemia is a rare and rapidly progressing blood and bone marrow cancer that interferes with the body's production of platelets and normal white and red blood cells. 

The cancer is treatable in young patients, but often fatal for people over 60 years of age. That's particularly problematic because the American Cancer Society says 67 is the average age of diagnosis. Read more.