American Cancer Society recommended two new screening tests for Colon cancer i.e. Virtual Colonoscopy (CTC) and Simple stool examination along with existing tests like Sigmoidoscopy. These new guidelines were released after extensive research and discussions among various medical departments like Oncology, Radiology and Gastroenterology. These new tests are mainly to detect precancerous lesions like polyps. Doctors’ recommendations for screening: These tests are useful for detection of polyps and cancer. 1. Colonoscopy - every 10 years. 2. Sigmoidoscopy - every 5 years. 3. Double-contrast barium enema or virtual colonoscopy - every five years. 4. Faecal occult blood test – every year. 5. Stool DNA testing. 6. Faecal immunochemical test – every year. Who are at risk? 1. Those who have a family history of colon cancer.2. Above 50 years. Colon cancer statistics: Colon cancer kills around 50,000 Americans per year and it is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in United States. Around 0.15 million colon cancer cases are detected a year. Click here to know more about these Colon Cancer guidelines. … [Read more...]
Overuse of CT scans can cause cancer
Overuse of CT scans will increase risk of cancer due to excessive exposure to radiation. According to a research article in the "New England Journal of Medicine", this cancer risk is very high in children due to sensitive tissues in them. According to Columbia University scientists, 2% of cancers are due to this excessive exposure to radiation in the coming days. As per researchers, 30% of diagnostic tests recommended by doctors are unnecessary. But due to increase in legal suits by patients, physicians are not wanting to take undue risks and recommending as many tests as possible. According to a study, 20 million adults and 1 million children are undergoing unnecessary CT scans annually. 62 million scans were done on US citizens in 2006 of which 4 million were on children. 30% of these scans are unnecessary which is alarming. MRI and ultrasound are comparatively safer than CT scans as they have less radiation exposure. But CT scans are the best diagnostic method to detect cancer as they produce 3-dimensional images of the organs. Physicians should be extra cautious in recommending CT scans for children. They should evaluate other diagnostic options before recommending CT scan. You can read more information on this research report in the November issue of New England Journal of Medicine. … [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...]
Cervical cancer: New visual Diagnosis technique
Cervical cancer accounts for 40% of cancer deaths amongst Indian women. It is the third top killer of Indian rural women in the 15-44 age groups (Suicide occupies the topmost position, followed by tuberculosis, causing the deaths in the above age group women). Pap smear, a routine medical test, used as diagnostic test to detect cervical cancer, was beyond the reach of illiterate women in the villages. New method of testing for Cervical Cancer is as given below: Cervical cancer can be screened by a mere visual examination, preceded by a swab with fresh acetic acid. By this procedure the disease can be detected at an early stage, and treatment can be initiated at a very early stage of the disease and the cure rate is much more, when compared to the previous testing procedures. Already about 1600 health workers 160 doctors were trained. It is found that the women were interested and 94% even agreed to cooperate when contacted at home. Dr.Elizabeth Vallikad hopes that “they are trying to light the fire from the bottom, and interacting with women and the other functionaries in the village administration.” The voluntary organizations are also being roped in to create awareness among village women to demand visual examination as a matter of right, as the issue cannot be left to the choice of health functionaries. Source: Sreelatha Menon. … [Read more...]
Must Read : Cancer Vixen
Time Magazine selected this book as an inspiring and must read book. Cancer Vixen becomes a lesson on how staying fabulous can help save your life. This book was wriiten by MARISA ACOCELLA MARCHETTO who was once a breast cancer patient. This book is a funny, eye opening and moving memoir. Visit website. About the book: What happens when a shoe-crazy, lipstick-obsessed, wine-swilling, pasta-slurping, fashion-fanatic, single-forever, about-to-get-married big-city girl cartoonist with a fabulous life finds . . . a lump in her breast?” That’s the question that sets this powerful, funny, and poignant graphic memoir in motion. In vivid color and with a taboo-breaking sense of humor, Marisa Acocella Marchetto tells the story of her eleven-month, ultimately triumphant bout with breast cancer—from diagnosis to cure, and every challenging step in between. But Cancer Vixen is about more than surviving an illness. It is a portrait of one woman’s supercharged life in Manhattan, and a wonderful love story. Marisa, self-described “terminal bachelorette,” meets her Prince Charming in Silvano, owner of the chic downtown restaurant Da Silvano. Three weeks before their wedding, she receives her diagnosis. She wonders: How will he react to this news? How will my world change? Will I even survive? And . . . what about my hair? Please comment on this Cancer book. … [Read more...]
