Regular brisk walking can not only decrease heart disease and diabetes risk, but also cancer risk. Exercise also prevents infection and cold. Moderate exercise like brisk walking for 45 minutes a day, five times a week, will prevent breast cancer in post menopausal women. According to the researchers, exercise enhances the immune system and decreases the risk of breast and prostate cancers. This research study was published in the journal of the “Archives of Internal Medicine”. Vigorous exercise reduces prostate cancer diagnosis risk by 67% and lowers prostate cancer deaths by 74%. Exercise reduces colon cancer risk by 35%. Patients should consult doctor before starting exercise regimen. Obesity increases prostate cancer death risk: Obesity increases death risk from prostate cancer, according to a research study. This research report was published in the journal “Cancer”, a publication of American Cancer Society (ACS). Obese men twice likely die from advanced prostate cancer than normal patients. Overweight increases death risk by 52% and obesity raises this risk by 64%. Body Mass Index (BMI) in between 18-25 is considered normal. BMI in between 25-30 is considered as overweight while BMI>30 is Obese. According to researchers, prostate cancer treatments are less effective in obese men. Obese men generally suffer from other chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension which further raises death risk. … [Read more...]
How to prevent cancer?
American Institute for Cancer Research has done extensive studies on the prevention of cancer. The researchers did 7,000 extensive studies over 5 years to find the methods to prevent cancer. Tips to prevent Cancer: 1. Stay away from soft drinks and junk foods. These empty high calorie foods are not only responsible for cancer but also for chronic diseases like diabetes and obesity. People should try to maintain their Body-Mass-Index (BMI) in between 21-23. 2. Obesity is the number one cause of cancer in non-smokers. Reduce your weight by exercise and healthy diet. Obese people are at high risk for cancers of Pancreas, Colon, Uterus and kidney. Obesity increases breast cancer risk in post-menopausal women. 3. Daily exercise for 30-45 minutes per day is must to stay away from chronic diseases like cancer and diabetes. 4. Vegetarians have low risk of getting cancer when compared to non-vegetarians. Vegetables, fruits and grains consumption reduces cancer risk. Red meat increases cancer risk. Diet is crucial in preventing cancer incidence. 5. Smoking is the number one cause of cancer in the world especially for lung cancer. 6. Excess alcohol consumption is the major factor behind many cancers. Alcoholic women are at high risk when compared to men for same amount of alcohol consumption. 7. Junk foods not only responsible for obesity but also for cancer especially for cancers of gastro-intestinal tract. 8. Increased incidence of breast cancer in women of western countries is mainly due to Alcoholism and absence of breast feeding. 9. Reduce your salt intake. Spicy foods and pickles consumption raises your cancer risk. 10. People who are at risk by birth (genes) should … [Read more...]
Cancer Diet: low fat foods reduce ovarian cancer risk
Health foods like fruits and vegetables which are low in fat and high in fiber will help postmenopausal women in reducing ovarian cancer risk, according to Women’s Health Initiative dietary study. Women who reduced fat content in their diet have reduced ovarian cancer risk by 40%. This is a complete contrary finding to the WHEL trial (published in the Journal of American medical Association) which found no relation between no relation between diet and breast cancer. This randomized control study was done on 48,835 postmenopausal women over 8 years. The research study was published in the Journal of National Cancer Institute. Low-fat diet reduces ovarian cancer risk by decreasing estrogen production. Ovarian cancer statistics:Ovarian cancer is a rare one which affects 1 in 60 women but it is very difficult to diagnose in the early stage. It is a very serious disease which kills 55% of patients within 5 years. According to American Cancer Society estimates, 22,430 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2007 of which 15,280 women will die of it. Ovarian cancer prevention: Currently, use of birth control pills is the only way to reduce ovarian cancer risk and removal of ovaries is the major treatment. Birth control pills will reduce cancer of ovaries by 60%. Pills and fiber diet combination will reduce ovarian cancer risk by more than 80%. Genetic mutation is another major ovarian cancer cause. If women can take these simple modifications in their diet, they can be free of this deadly disease. … [Read more...]
10 year mobile use- 200% rise in cancer risk
If you are using mobile phone regularly for more than 10 years (1 hour daily use), you are at double the risk of getting cancer, according to a Spanish study . You will get malignant brain tumour on the side of brain where you held mobile handset. Researchers analyzed results from 11 studies before coming to conclusion. This research study was published in the Journal of Occupational Environmental Medicine. Children are at more risk of getting cancer as their skulls are thin and nervous system is in development stage. Parents should discourage children from using mobile by explaining health hazards Brain cancer of glial cells is the most common cancer that occurs from regular mobile use. Acoustic Neuroma is another form of cancer that occurs from mobile use. Those who have used their phones for at least a decade are 20 per cent more likely to contract acoustic neuromas and 30 per cent more likely to get malignant gliomas. Mobile users are also at risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease. But mobile operators and handset manufacturers are regularly dismissing these claims because of lack of concrete evidence as most mobile users are using them for less than 10 years. There are claiming the report of Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research programme report as supporting evidence which was released in September. Every mobile manufacturer should publish Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) levels on mobile handsets. Low radiation models are defined as having SAR of 0.6 or under. … [Read more...]
Yahoo launched breast cancer awareness site
Yahoo Health launched special site to create awareness on breast cancer with articles, videos, expert’s advice and survival stories. It is a must visit site for every breast cancer patient and also for others who want to know about breast cancer. It has a special section about personal stories of breast cancer patients and survivors. Yahoo Health launched new beta site with more stress on health videos and expert advice. Highlights of the Yahoo breast cancer website: 1. Experts’ advice on diet, life style changes. 2. Articles on how to prevent breast cancer? How to do breast self examination? etc. 3. Clearing doubts about most common breast cancer myths. 4. Survival stories of breast cancer patients. 5. How these patients are fighting with this disease? 6. Links to yahoo groups on breast cancer. 7. Videos on breast cancer. 8. Links to Flickr photos on breast cancer. Visit Yahoo’s breast cancer website. … [Read more...]
Taxotere approved for head and neck cancer by FDA
French Pharma Company Sanofil-Aventis’s Taxotere (Docetaxel) got US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approval for treating head and neck cancer. FDA approved Docetaxel for treating locally advanced head and neck cancer prior to chemotherapy and surgery. Taxotere is used in combination therapy along with cisplatin and 5-fluouracil for treating unresectable advanced squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck. Its usage before chemotherapy/radiotherapy and surgery improve the survival chances of patients. The drug was approved by FDA based on the TAX 324 trial results (Phase 3 randomized). Adding Taxotere to combination therapy will reduce death risk by 30%, according to trials. Side effects of Taxotere: Febrile Neutropenia is the most common side effect. Dizziness, alopecia and diarrhea are other common side effects of Taxotere therapy. Head and neck cancer statistics: More than 0.6 million people are diagnosed with head and neck cancer each year. Head and neck cancer is responsible 0.35 million deaths annually. Head and neck cancer is a group of many related Diseases that mostly begin in the cells that line the mucosal surfaces in the head and neck area such as the mouth, tongue, tonsils and throat. Taxotere is currently approved in the America and Europe for treating breast cancer, prostate cancer, head-neck cancer, gastric cancer and lung cancer. Sanofil-Aventis is the third largest drug maker in the world. … [Read more...]
Cancer deaths will rise in elderly patients
Number of cancer patients aged 65 or above would double by 2030, according to World Health Organization. New cancer cases may increase from 10.9 million in 2002 to about 16 million in 2020. Cancer deaths would rise from 6.7 million in 2002 to 10.3 million in 2020. 30% of these cancer deaths are in elder patients aged above 75. Lack of awareness about latest developments in cancer research and treatment options making elder patients are worst sufferers. Another major reason for these deaths is lack of proper treatment. Cancer patients aged above 65 generally not adhere to complex cancer regimes. Memory problems and lack of social support are the reasons behind this non-compliance. Most of these old patients live in socially isolated atmosphere. These patients can’t bear the cost of treatment especially in developing countries. Change in lifestyle habits of people from developing countries is another reason behind this cancer time bomb. Increases in smoking, alcoholism and junk food consumption are triggers for this rise in cancer cases. Governments need to allocate more budget on health expenditure and provide free treatment for patients aged above 65. People from developed countries are utilizing advanced cancer treatments in preventing cancer deaths. But people of developing nations unable to utilize these drug regimes due to lack of awareness and money. According to some reports, 30 African and Asian countries do not even have radiotherapy machines. It is waste to expect quality care in these countries. … [Read more...]
Breast Cancer risk raises by any type of alcohol intake
All types of alcohol increases breast cancer risk, according to the research study Kaiser medical care programme, California. Researchers analyzed the drinking habits of 70,033 women of various races and asked them questions during health exams between 1978 and 1985. They looked at which types of alcohol the women drank and also their total alcohol intake. They compared that to women who had less than one drink a day. Amount of alcohol consumed is more significant than type of alcohol in causing breast cancer. There is no difference in breast cancer risk whether women drank red wine or white wine. Heavy drinkers (one or two drinks per day) have 10% raise in the risk of developing breast cancer than light drinkers (less than 1 drink a day). Women who take more than 3 drinks per day will have 30% increase in breast cancer risk. Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 US women and is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in American women, according to National Institute of Health. Globally, more than 1.2 million women are diagnosed with breast cancer and it kills 0.5 million women. Genetics, Obesity, age, Hormone Replacement Therapy and Birth control pills play crucial roles in causing breast cancer. 4% of all breast cancer cases are due to alcoholism, according to a report published in the British Journal of Cancer. But, red wine can protect against heart attacks by increasing good cholesterol (HDL Cholesterol), reducing blood clotting and reducing diabetes, according to the same researchers. Even though this research cleared some myths on the alcohol effects, controversy will continue unless major cancer organizations issue uniform guidelines on the effects of alcohol on … [Read more...]
Breast cancer: New guidelines
The Canadian cancer society issued new guidelines for breast cancer patients about examination of their breasts. They no longer need to follow monthly self examination of breasts but they should understand their breasts and alert doctors if they detect any changes. Women should need to be aware of the normal breast tissue and they seek medical advice when they find any changes. Monthly systematic examination of breasts actually does not decrease breast cancer deaths and regular self examination of breasts is associated with a high rate of false positives. Role of Mammogram: But mammogram screening is useful as it can detect a lump that is just millimeters in size. Canadian Cancer society recommends a mammogram every two years for women aged 50 to 69, while women over 40 should have a clinical breast examination by a trained medical professional at least every two years. Women aged 40-49 are urged to discuss risk factors with their doctors. Large lumps or puckering in the skin in your breast tissue when you move your arm are some common signs that identify a tumour inside a breast. Obesity increases the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer and alcohol consumption is another risk factor associates with breast cancer risk. Women who control their weight by regular exercise can decrease breast cancer risk by 40% in the below 50 age group and by 25% in the above 50 age group. Breast cancer prevention:If we can give drugs to women who are at risk of breast cancer in the above 50 age group, we can prevent 50% deaths. Eating diet rich in vetables and fruits, oily fish, less meat and junk food will decrease cancer risk.Regular exercise, healthy diet habits, staying away from Smoking and alcoholism … [Read more...]
Prostate Cancer- a new diagnostic test
Progensa (PCA3), a new genetic test which helps to diagnose prostate cancer was launched in England. It is the most specific test to diagnose prostate cancer when compared to PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen). Progensa was elevated only in cancerous prostate tissue. Progensa is a more specific test and is especially beneficial in those who have family history of prostate cancer. Current standard diagnostic test is Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test which identifies raised levels of protein in the blood that leaks out of the Prostate gland. PSA test will sometimes give misleading results. New diagnostic test measures PCA3 in urine, a genetic chemical, messenger RNA which transfers DNA from the PCA3 gene. New test will give some guidance whether or not to proceed with biopsies which are a painful process. But PCA3 is 20 times costlier than PSA. So PCA3 may not be used routinely when compared to PSA due to this cost factor. But PCA3 will save unnecessary cost by reducing the number of biopsies done. Progensa test was developed by Gen-Probe. Prostate Cancer Symptoms: 1. Need for increased urination especially at night. 2. Difficulty in passing urine. 3. Urgency to urinate. 4. Taking long time to finish. 5. A weak flow. 6. Difficulty in getting and keeping an erection. 7. A feeling that your bladder has not emptied properly. 8. Pain on passing urine. 9. Lower back pain. 10. Pain in the hips and genitals. 11. Blood in the urine or semen. Even though cost is a hindrance, Progensa is a big step in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. … [Read more...]
