CAUSES
Cells are the building blocks of living things. Cancer grows out of normal cells in the body. Normal cells multiply when the body needs them, and die when the body doesn't need them. Cancer appears to occur when the growth of cells in the body is out of control and cells divide too quickly. It can also occur when cells “forget” how to die.
There are many different kinds of cancers. Cancer can develop in almost any organ or tissue, such as the lung, colon, breast, skin, bones, or nerve tissue.
There are many causes of cancers, including:
Benzene and other chemicals
Certain poisonous mushrooms and a type of poison that can grow on peanut plants (aflatoxins)
Certain viruses
Radiation
Sunlight
Tobacco
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of cancer depend on the type and location of the tumor. For example, lung cancer can cause
COUGHING
or chest pain. Colon cancer often , constipation, and blood in the stool.
Some cancers may not have any symptoms at all. In certain cancers, such as gallbladder cancer, symptoms often do not start until the disease has reached an advanced stage.
The following symptoms can occur with most cancers:
Chills
Fatigue
Fever
Loss of appetite
Malaise
Night sweats
Weight loss
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Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Stop Drinking Alcohol Now.. Links between Breast Cancer and Binge Drinking
Women who participate in the popular weekend pastime of binge drinking are increasing their risk of developing cancer according to a new study.
The study showed that women who consumed approximately two bottles of wine during a two day period more than doubled their risk of developing breast cancer.
Researchers in Denmark carried about the new study. It has just been published in the European Journal of Public Health.
During the study the effects of alcohol were observed in 17,647 nurses. What was revealed is that the women who drank approximately 22 to 27 alcoholic beverages a week had more than double the risk for breast cancer than women who only consumed 1 to 3 drinks each week. The risk for cancer reached its highest point when alcoholic drinks were consumed over a short time period.
Dr. Lina Morch, from the Denmark's Centre for Alcohol, headed up the study. Those who participated in the study were observed during an eight-year period that ended in 2001. All of the women who took part in the research were at least aged 45. When the study began each of the women was asked to fill out a questionnaire about their alcohol use and behaviors. When the study ended it was found that out of those who participated 457 developed breast cancer.
The cancer diagnoses were compared with the alcohol consumption and behaviour provided by the women in order to find out the relation between drinking alcohol and cancer.
The usage and behavior information found that 10 percent of the women who participated in the study women could be classified as weekly binge drinkers. Binge drinking is defined as having on average four drinks each day. The number of women who were considered weekend binge drinkers, those who consumed a minimum of 10 drinks over the weekend, was 13 percent of the women.
For the study one drink is considered to be a glass or wine or spirits or one bottle of beer
The study showed that women who consumed approximately two bottles of wine during a two day period more than doubled their risk of developing breast cancer.
Researchers in Denmark carried about the new study. It has just been published in the European Journal of Public Health.
During the study the effects of alcohol were observed in 17,647 nurses. What was revealed is that the women who drank approximately 22 to 27 alcoholic beverages a week had more than double the risk for breast cancer than women who only consumed 1 to 3 drinks each week. The risk for cancer reached its highest point when alcoholic drinks were consumed over a short time period.
Dr. Lina Morch, from the Denmark's Centre for Alcohol, headed up the study. Those who participated in the study were observed during an eight-year period that ended in 2001. All of the women who took part in the research were at least aged 45. When the study began each of the women was asked to fill out a questionnaire about their alcohol use and behaviors. When the study ended it was found that out of those who participated 457 developed breast cancer.
The cancer diagnoses were compared with the alcohol consumption and behaviour provided by the women in order to find out the relation between drinking alcohol and cancer.
The usage and behavior information found that 10 percent of the women who participated in the study women could be classified as weekly binge drinkers. Binge drinking is defined as having on average four drinks each day. The number of women who were considered weekend binge drinkers, those who consumed a minimum of 10 drinks over the weekend, was 13 percent of the women.
For the study one drink is considered to be a glass or wine or spirits or one bottle of beer
Cancer-fighting bacteria
The role of intestinal bacteria in health is not really new. Russian scientist and Nobel Prize winner Elie Metchnikoff believed that the aging process is controlled mainly by the presence of harmful substances in the intestines which interfere with the body's immune system.
Metchnikoff said that longevity can be achieved by taking lactobacilli, a bacteria found in yogurt which is regularly consumed by long-lived people in a certain Bulgarian region. His theory, however, was criticized by other scientists who said that the lactobacillus in yogurt, L. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus, are killed in the intestines and could not colonize there nor exert beneficial effects.
"The idea that the bacteria in live yogurt can flourish in the human intestines and that they are beneficial is very questionable,'" said Arnold Bender, vice president of the International Union of Food Science and Technology, in Health or Hoax?
Metchnikoff died at the age of 71 and his theory was dismissed. But Japanese scientists at the Yakult Institute have since come up with a special strain of lactobacillus which they claim can survive in the human intestine and check the growth of harmful substances there.
Lactobacilli casei-Shirota strain was originally isolated and cultivated by Dr. Minoru Shirota of Kyoto University Medical School in 1929. Shirota believed that by incorporating this helpful strain of intestinal bacteria in fermented milk products, he could improve the drink's nutritional value and, at the same time, prevent intestinal infections due to the effects of the beneficial bacteria. This idea led to the development of Yakult, a fermented milk drink popular in Japan and in other countries.
Shiroia's theory was recently confirmed by other Japanese researchers. Animal experiments carried out by the National Cancer Institute and the Yakult Institute in Japan showed that L. casei could enhance the body's immunity and fight cancer.
They arrived at this conclusion after studying the effects of L. casei on two groups of mice. Both groups were injected with a cancer-causing agent but those who received oral doses of L. casei had a lower incidence of cancer compared to those who didn't.
How does L. casei work against cancer? Scientists don't know for sure but they think that these beneficial bacteria stimulate the disease-fighting abilities of macrophages, white blood cells that devour bacteria and other foreign matter in the body.
Immediately after the macrophages recognize the cancer cell, they approach to mount an attack and at the same lime signal for help from the helper T-cells, killer T-cells, natural killer cells and B cells. Thus, the whole immune mechanism is mobilized to act on the cancer cell," said Dr. Yomotari Mitsuoka in "Microbes in the Intestine: Our Lifelong Partners."
Administration of bifidobacteria to children and infants has also been shown to control diarrhea caused mainly by the use of antibiotics. Children are given antibiotics to fight infections but this often results in diarrhea which can be fatal. Fortunately, this can be corrected with the administration of bifidobacteria.
Although Japanese researchers think that these and other diseases can be prevented by regularly taking fermented milk products containing lactobacilli and bifidobacteria which supposedly increase the amount of good bacteria in the intestine, other scientists remain skeptical of this simplistic approach pending the results of more extensive clinical trials.
"There is little agreement about what then becomes of the bacteria after they are eaten though it is clear that they live long enough to help digest the lactose they accompany into your mouth. Some promoters of yogurt-related products claim that they colonize the gut, crowd out undesirable bacteria and thereby digestion and alleviate intestinal disorders. Other promoters say no, only their special strain of X-ophilus survives and improves intestinal ecology and health. No one knows for sure; no one has ever proven that the expensive yogurt products people take to treat chronic digestive disorders, skin problems and allergies are not a complete waste of money," said Kurt Butler and Dr. Lynn Rayner of the John A. Bums School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, in "The Best Medicine."
Metchnikoff said that longevity can be achieved by taking lactobacilli, a bacteria found in yogurt which is regularly consumed by long-lived people in a certain Bulgarian region. His theory, however, was criticized by other scientists who said that the lactobacillus in yogurt, L. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus, are killed in the intestines and could not colonize there nor exert beneficial effects.
"The idea that the bacteria in live yogurt can flourish in the human intestines and that they are beneficial is very questionable,'" said Arnold Bender, vice president of the International Union of Food Science and Technology, in Health or Hoax?
Metchnikoff died at the age of 71 and his theory was dismissed. But Japanese scientists at the Yakult Institute have since come up with a special strain of lactobacillus which they claim can survive in the human intestine and check the growth of harmful substances there.
Lactobacilli casei-Shirota strain was originally isolated and cultivated by Dr. Minoru Shirota of Kyoto University Medical School in 1929. Shirota believed that by incorporating this helpful strain of intestinal bacteria in fermented milk products, he could improve the drink's nutritional value and, at the same time, prevent intestinal infections due to the effects of the beneficial bacteria. This idea led to the development of Yakult, a fermented milk drink popular in Japan and in other countries.
Shiroia's theory was recently confirmed by other Japanese researchers. Animal experiments carried out by the National Cancer Institute and the Yakult Institute in Japan showed that L. casei could enhance the body's immunity and fight cancer.
They arrived at this conclusion after studying the effects of L. casei on two groups of mice. Both groups were injected with a cancer-causing agent but those who received oral doses of L. casei had a lower incidence of cancer compared to those who didn't.
How does L. casei work against cancer? Scientists don't know for sure but they think that these beneficial bacteria stimulate the disease-fighting abilities of macrophages, white blood cells that devour bacteria and other foreign matter in the body.
Immediately after the macrophages recognize the cancer cell, they approach to mount an attack and at the same lime signal for help from the helper T-cells, killer T-cells, natural killer cells and B cells. Thus, the whole immune mechanism is mobilized to act on the cancer cell," said Dr. Yomotari Mitsuoka in "Microbes in the Intestine: Our Lifelong Partners."
Administration of bifidobacteria to children and infants has also been shown to control diarrhea caused mainly by the use of antibiotics. Children are given antibiotics to fight infections but this often results in diarrhea which can be fatal. Fortunately, this can be corrected with the administration of bifidobacteria.
Although Japanese researchers think that these and other diseases can be prevented by regularly taking fermented milk products containing lactobacilli and bifidobacteria which supposedly increase the amount of good bacteria in the intestine, other scientists remain skeptical of this simplistic approach pending the results of more extensive clinical trials.
"There is little agreement about what then becomes of the bacteria after they are eaten though it is clear that they live long enough to help digest the lactose they accompany into your mouth. Some promoters of yogurt-related products claim that they colonize the gut, crowd out undesirable bacteria and thereby digestion and alleviate intestinal disorders. Other promoters say no, only their special strain of X-ophilus survives and improves intestinal ecology and health. No one knows for sure; no one has ever proven that the expensive yogurt products people take to treat chronic digestive disorders, skin problems and allergies are not a complete waste of money," said Kurt Butler and Dr. Lynn Rayner of the John A. Bums School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, in "The Best Medicine."
Monday, December 8, 2008
Warning Symptoms of Breast Cancer Progression
Over 90 percent of breast cancer cases are diagnosed during the earlier stages of the disease. Early spotting is beneficial for the patient as it typically means better treatment and a stronger prognosis.
Nonetheless, early diagnosis is only a fraction of the whole medical picture. Other disease characteristics, like hormone receptors and lymph nodes, can aid in prognosing results and help doctors and patients choose the right treatment.
Though breast cancer rates are increasing in North America and the United Kingdom, the fatality rate is falling. This declining death rate is accredited to more women getting mammograms, better evaluation processes, and more potent secondary treatments.
Thus if the majority of diagnosed breast cancer cases are discovered during the preliminary stages, what effect does that have on patients and what are the best treatment courses?
The Early Stages of Breast Cancer
Earlier breast cancer stages are called TNM stages 1, 2 and 3a. This scoring system approximates how far the carcinoma has advanced. It's also based on whether any present tumors are operable.
The majority of early breast cancer cases are cured through either surgery, radiation therapy, systemic therapy or a combination of the three, resulting in a much greater survival rate.
Normal Treatment Reactions
Treatment reaction generally hinges on lymph node engagement, the size and grade of any tumors, the age of the patient, hormone (estrogen and progesterone) receptors, and the status or condition of biologic markers like HER2/neu.
Lymph Nodes
Lymph nodes are an effective way to predict the effects of breast cancer. Essentially, the more positive lymph nodes that are present, the lower the patient's survival rate and the higher the chances of relapse.
Commonly, patients with earlier stage breast cancer are classified into either those presenting negative nodes, 1 to 3 positive lymph nodes, 4 to 9 positive nodes, or 10 and more nodes.
Tumor Size
If a patient exhibits negative lymph nodes and a tumor that is smaller than 1cm, the prognosis is often very good. Most doctors use tumor size as an effective and critical indicator during the early stages of this disease.
Tumor Grade
The lower the tumor grade, the lower the risk for relapse. Nevertheless, due to the undependability of tumor information, most pathologists don't trust this data for their medical assessment.
Estrogen and Progesterone Receptors
The status of hormone receptors in the tumor is another indicator used by doctors when prognosing early stage breast cancer. Typically, patients who experience a receptor-positive cancer have a stronger survival rate than those who do not.
HER2/neu
HER2/neu is a tumor marker that is expressed in approximately a quarter of all breast cancer cases. If its numbers are high, this is usually associated with a more aggressive form of breast cancer.
Patient Age
Concerning various breast cancer stages, normally older patients (over the age of 50) have a stronger prognosis than younger patients (under the age of 35
Nonetheless, early diagnosis is only a fraction of the whole medical picture. Other disease characteristics, like hormone receptors and lymph nodes, can aid in prognosing results and help doctors and patients choose the right treatment.
Though breast cancer rates are increasing in North America and the United Kingdom, the fatality rate is falling. This declining death rate is accredited to more women getting mammograms, better evaluation processes, and more potent secondary treatments.
Thus if the majority of diagnosed breast cancer cases are discovered during the preliminary stages, what effect does that have on patients and what are the best treatment courses?
The Early Stages of Breast Cancer
Earlier breast cancer stages are called TNM stages 1, 2 and 3a. This scoring system approximates how far the carcinoma has advanced. It's also based on whether any present tumors are operable.
The majority of early breast cancer cases are cured through either surgery, radiation therapy, systemic therapy or a combination of the three, resulting in a much greater survival rate.
Normal Treatment Reactions
Treatment reaction generally hinges on lymph node engagement, the size and grade of any tumors, the age of the patient, hormone (estrogen and progesterone) receptors, and the status or condition of biologic markers like HER2/neu.
Lymph Nodes
Lymph nodes are an effective way to predict the effects of breast cancer. Essentially, the more positive lymph nodes that are present, the lower the patient's survival rate and the higher the chances of relapse.
Commonly, patients with earlier stage breast cancer are classified into either those presenting negative nodes, 1 to 3 positive lymph nodes, 4 to 9 positive nodes, or 10 and more nodes.
Tumor Size
If a patient exhibits negative lymph nodes and a tumor that is smaller than 1cm, the prognosis is often very good. Most doctors use tumor size as an effective and critical indicator during the early stages of this disease.
Tumor Grade
The lower the tumor grade, the lower the risk for relapse. Nevertheless, due to the undependability of tumor information, most pathologists don't trust this data for their medical assessment.
Estrogen and Progesterone Receptors
The status of hormone receptors in the tumor is another indicator used by doctors when prognosing early stage breast cancer. Typically, patients who experience a receptor-positive cancer have a stronger survival rate than those who do not.
HER2/neu
HER2/neu is a tumor marker that is expressed in approximately a quarter of all breast cancer cases. If its numbers are high, this is usually associated with a more aggressive form of breast cancer.
Patient Age
Concerning various breast cancer stages, normally older patients (over the age of 50) have a stronger prognosis than younger patients (under the age of 35
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