The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new use for the cancer medication Avastin (bevacizumab), according to biotechnology company Genentech.

Any time the word “advanced” goes before a type of cancer, that’s not good. Advanced cancers have either spread, come back or no longer respond to therapy.

Good news has been released for women whose cervical cancer has spread, returned or no longer responds to therapy. A drug used for a number of different cancers may help these women live longer.

Cancer tumors need an entire support structure of blood vessels to get the nutrients it needs to survive. A drug that goes after the support structure in metastatic breast cancer slows the progression of the disease, but doesn't prolong life.