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 can prevent 50% of breast cancer cases. Women should not use Hormone replacement Therapy for more than 8 years. Prevention will play vital role than treatment for breast cancer in the coming days. … [Read more...]
New Lung cancer guidelines by ACCP
American college of chest physicians (ACCP) issued new guidelines on screening, preventing, staging and coping with cancer. These guidelines were published as a supplement to the special edition of the journal “Chest”, reviewed journal of ACCP. The recommendations were rigorously developed and reviewed by 100 multidisciplinary panel members, including pulmonologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, thoracic surgeons, integrative medicine specialists, oncology nurses, pathologists, health-care researchers, and epidemiologists. The guidelines were further reviewed and approved by the ACCP Thoracic Oncology Network, the Health and Science Policy Committee, the Board of Regents, and external reviewers from the journal Chest. The guidelines have been endorsed by the American Association for Bronchology, American Association for Thoracic Surgery, American College of Surgeons Oncology Group, American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, Asian Pacific Society of Respirology, Oncology Nurses Society, Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and the World Association of Bronchology. Lung cancer statistics: Lung cancer continues to be the leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women in United States. All the other 4 major cancers, colon, breast, pancreas and prostate, are causing less number of deaths than lung cancer. Lung cancer is responsible for 30% cancer deaths in men while it is at 26% in women. Tobacco use is the major cause for lung cancer. New Lung Cancer Guidelines: 1. Lung cancer screening: The ACCP advises against low-dose Computed Tomography (CT) scanning or chest X-rays to screen for lung cancer. Nodules are commonly found during screening. But to determine whether these nodules are cancerous or not requires additional testing which is invasive and expensive. This may cause risk for patient both physiologically and psychologically. Population screening for lung cancer may put patient at risk for further complications. 2. Lung cancer prevention: People at risk for lung cancer aren't advised to take beta-carotene supplements, vitamin E supplements, retinoids (vitamin A), N-acetylcysteine, selenium, or aspirin for lung cancer prevention. They have no preventive effects on the lung cancer. Vitamin A use may increase mortality among current smokers. Complementary therapies for Lung Cancer: For the first time, the ACCP has issued guidelines on the use of complementary therapies for lung cancer patients. The guidelines support the use of massage for lung cancer patients experiencing anxiety, mood disturbances, or chronic pain. The guidelines also recommend acupuncture for lung cancer patients experiencing nausea, vomiting, pain, or fatigue from their lung cancer treatment, and for those who haven't been able to quit smoking through other methods. Lung cancer patients should tell their doctors about any complementary therapies they use and avoid treatments that claim to replace conventional medical care, according to the ACCP. Electro stimulation wristbands are not recommended for managing chemo-induced nausea/vomiting, as studies show that they do little to delay nausea/vomiting compared with placebo. … [Read more...]
