Archive for the ‘Cancer’ Category

Choices of breast cancer fighting foods

Friday, October 28th, 2011


Learn which foods can help prevent and fight breast cancer that you should include in your diet. Breast cancer is the most common invasive cancer in women, so it’s best to take precautions. One of the ways you could start is by eating the right foods, so here are a few choices of breast cancer fighting foods.

Walnuts
Walnuts are a good part of your anti-cancer diet because research has found that walnuts contain healthy fatty acid that slows down the growth of breast cancer. It contains Phytosterols, a plant compound that appears to slow or prevent the growth of cancer. Gallic Acid, which is found in the thin skin outside the walnut kernel, is antifungal and toxic to cancer cells. Alphalinolenic acid (ALA) which is a polyunsaturated fat that helps reduce inflammation and may also be effective in preventing breast cancer.

Whole grain foods
Whole grains have natural compounds to lower your cancer risk and plant compounds that can protect your cells from damages that may lead to the development of cancer.

Ground flaxseed
Flaxseeds are a humble but powerful cancer-fighting grain. Flax is a source of lignin which has anti-cancer properties, and according to recent studies, it could help prevent breast cancer. Researchers believe this because the lignin metabolites bind estrogens receptors preventing the spread of estrogens-stimulated breast cancer

Natural Sweeteners
Natural sweeteners like honey are low on glycemic index, which means unlike refined sugar, it doesn’t raise you blood glucose levels. Cancer thrives on sugar, so using this as a substitute would be helpful.

Garlic
Garlic may help to prevent cancer by its anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties. This provides the ability to enhance genetic repair and slow down cancer cell proliferation. It can also prevent the formation of carcinogenic substances in your body which is an agent directly involved in causing cancer.

Cinnamon
Cinnamon contains a type of flavonoids called Proanthocyanidins which has a cogent antioxidant capability and may be able to prevent tumour growth by starving the cancer cells. These special flavonoids may also block the formation of nitrosamines which is a carcinogen that damages the DNA in your breast tissue

Eggs
The fat-soluble vitamins in eggs not only help absorb calcium to build strong teeth and bones, but also build protection against cancer.

Berries
Berries are rich with flavonoids which are cancer-fighting antioxidants. Try red grapes which contain anti-oxidants called Bioflavonoid and Resveratrol, which help prevent tumour growth.

Fish
Research shows that people who replace saturated fat from red meat with fish rich in PUFA omega-3 fatty acids have lower rates of breast and colon cancer. Omega-3s promote brain growth and development, and they are also important in reducing risk for inflammation and cancer

Carrots
Carrots contain a substance called Falcarinol. It has the ability to reduce the risk of cancer as isolated cancer cells grow slower when exposed to falcarinol

Pomegranates
Studies show that pomegranate juice could destroy breast cancer cells without affecting healthy cells alone. It may also prevent breast cancer cells from forming and can slow down the growth of breast cancer

Green tea
Green tea contains an anti-cancer compound called epigallocatechin gallate. Researchers have discovered that green tea also contains chemicals that have the ability to shut down one of the key molecules known as the aryl hydrocarbon (AH) receptor that can cause gene changes

Sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes contain many anti-cancer properties, including Beta-carotene, which protects the DNA in the cell nucleus from cancer-causing chemicals outside the nuclear membrane.

Seaweed
Seaweed contains important fatty acids like Beta-carotene, protein, vitamin B12, fibre, and chlorophyll and chlorophylones that may help in the fight against breast cancer

Soy products
Soy contains several types of phytoestrogens like non-steroidal estrogens that could help prevent breast cancer by blocking and suppressing cancerous changes. There are a number of isoflavone in soy products, one of it being the genistein which is the most potent prevention of the growth and spread of cancerous cells.

Number of cancer cases increasing or decreasing in the world

Wednesday, August 24th, 2011


Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and the total number of cancer cases globally is increasing. The number of global cancer deaths is projected to increase 45% from 2007 to 2030 (from 7.9 million to 11.5 million deaths), influenced in part by an increasing and aging global population. The estimated rise takes into account expected slight declines in death rates for some cancers in high resource countries. New cases of cancer in the same period are estimated to jump from 11.3 million in 2007 to 15.5 million in 2030.

In most developed countries, cancer is the second largest cause of death after cardiovascular disease, and epidemiological evidence points to this trend emerging in the less developed world. This is particularly true in countries in “transition” or middle-income countries, such as in South America and Asia. Already more than half of all cancer cases occur in developing countries.

Lung cancer kills more people than any other cancer – a trend that is expected to continue until 2030, unless efforts for global tobacco control are greatly intensified. Some cancers are more common in developed countries: prostate, breast and colon. Liver, stomach and cervical cancer are more common in developing countries.

A number of common risk factors have been linked to the development of cancer: an unhealthy lifestyle (including tobacco and alcohol use, inadequate diet, physical inactivity), and exposure to occupational (e.g. asbestos) or environmental carcinogens, (e.g. indoor air pollution), radiation (e.g. ultraviolet and ionizing radiation), and some infections (such as hepatitis B or human papilloma virus infection).

Key risk factors for cancer that can be avoided are:

*tobacco use – responsible for 1.8 million cancer deaths per year (60% of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries);
*being overweight, obese or physically inactive – together responsible for 274 000 cancer deaths per year;
*harmful alcohol use – responsible for 351 000 cancer deaths per year;
*sexually transmitted human papilloma virus (HPV) infection – responsible for 235 000 cancer deaths per year; and
*occupational carcinogens – responsible for at least 152 000 cancer deaths per year.

Cancer prevention is an essential component of all cancer control plans because about 40% of all cancer deaths can be prevented

Above cancer information is provided by World Health Organization (WHO).

Symptoms and signs of cancer

Sunday, August 21st, 2011


As with the general symptoms and signs of cancer, the following may not indicate that cancer is present, but if you experience these symptoms and signs, should be brought to a your doctor attention. So, personal health care information is play important part to detect the symptoms and signs of cancer.

1.Sores that don’t heal
2.A lump in breast or other parts of the body
3.Unusual bleeding
4.Change in bowel habits or bladder function
5.Recent change in a wart or mole
6.Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing
7.Nagging cough or hoarseness
8.Unexplained weight loss of fever

1.Sores that don’t heal

Skin cancers may bleed and resemble sores that don’t heal. A persistent sore in the mouth could be an oral cancer and should be dealt with promptly, especially in patients who smoke or drink alcohol. Sores on the penis or vagina may either be signs of infection or an early cancer, and shouldn’t be overlooked.

A lump in breast or other parts of the body

Many cancers can be felt through the skin, particularly in the breast, testicle, lymph nodes and the soft tissues of the body. A lump or thickening may be an early or late sign of cancer, and should be reported to a doctor, especially if you’ve just discovered it or noticed it has grown in size. You may be feeling a lump that is an early cancer that could be treated successfully.

3. Unusual bleeding

This can occur in early or advanced cancer. Blood in the phlegm may be a sign of lung cancer. Blood in the stool (or a dark or black stool) could be a sign of colon or rectal cancer. Cancer of the cervix or the endometrium (lining of the uterus) can cause vaginal bleeding. Blood in the urine is a sign of possible bladder or kidney cancer. A bloody discharge from the nipple may be a sign of breast cancer.

4. Change in bowel habits or bladder function

Chronic constipation, diarrhoea or a change in the size of the stool may indicate colon cancer. Pain with urination, blood in the urine or a change in bladder function (such as more frequent or less frequent urination) can be related to bladder or prostate cancer. Any changes in bladder or bowel function should be reported to a doctor.

5. Recent change in a wart or mole

Any change in colour or shape, loss of definite borders or an increase in size should be reported to your doctor without delay. The skin lesion may be a melanoma which, if diagnosed early, can be treated successfully.

6. Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing

While they commonly have other causes, these symptoms may indicate cancer of the oesophagus, stomach or pharynx (throat).

7. Nagging cough or hoarseness

A persistent cough may be a sign of lung cancer. Hoarseness can be a sign of cancer of larynx (voice box) or thyroid.

8. Unexplained weight loss or fever

Most people with cancer will lose weight during some period of their illness.  An unexplained weight loss of about 5 kg may be the first sign of cancer, particularly cancers of the pancreas, stomach, oesophagus or lung.

Fever is common with cancer, but is more often seen in advanced stages of the disease.  Almost all patients with cancer will have fever at some time, particularly if the cancer or its treatment affects the immune system and reduces resistance to infection

How does cancer of the cervix develop

Saturday, August 20th, 2011


Cancer of the cervix can take many years to develop. Before it does, early changes take place on the cervix. The smear test is designed to detect changes in the cells so that treatment can be given before cancer develops.

Abnormal cells in the cervix which are not cancerous but may lead to cancer is called CIN (cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia). Some doctors call these changes precancer, meaning that the cells may develop into cancer if left untreated.

The abnormal cells are usually the result of a virus infection, usually by the human papilloma virus, which was probably acquired some years before it was detected by the smear test.

Many women have heard of risk factors for cancer of the cervix, such as having sex at an early age and having many sexual partners. They may be distressed that friends and families may think they fall into these categories. If you are in this situation, you should know there is no reason to blame yourself.

These factors do increase the chances of catching the virus infection, but many women without these factors in their life can also acquire the human papilloma virus and get cervical cancer. In fact, the majority of women with these risk factors never develop cervical cancer, so there are many other factors at work here, most of which are unknown.

What is Liver Cancer

Wednesday, August 17th, 2011


The liver is a large organ occupying the upper right portion of the abdomen. It is an important organ with many functions, production of bile which is needed for the digestion of fat in the intestines, protein synthesis, Storage of glucose and fat and also breakdown of toxic substances such as alcohol.

Liver cancer also known as hepatocellular cancer, arises from hepatocytes. hepatocellular cancer often develops only in liver that is severely damaged by longstanding diseases or chemicals. The liver becomes hardened and shrunken – a condition called liver cirrhosis. 

When the liver cancer is small (less than 5 cm diameter), it often does not present symptoms as the liver is a large organ. When bigger and more advanced, a liver cancer can infiltrate the liver capsule or obstruct the bile ducts. At this stage, it causes symptoms. 

Liver cancer can form many nodules within the liver and also spread into the blood vessels. These features make it difficult to surgically remove them.

The liver is also the seat of another type of cancer called secondary or metastatic cancer. The main cancer forms elsewhere in the body and secondary deposits are formed in the liver. A common example is colorectal cancer spreading to the liver via the bloodstream.

As well as mixed tumors, rarer forms of liver cancer include:

*mesenchymal tissue
*Sarcoma
*Hepatoblastoma, a rare malignant tumor, primarily developing in children. Most of these tumors form in the right lobe.
*Cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancers), which account for 1 or 2 out of every 10 cases of liver cancer. These cancers start in the small tubes (called bile ducts) that carry bile to the intestine.
*Angiosarcoma and hemangiosarcoma: These are rare forms of cancer that start in the blood vessels of the liver. These tumors grow quickly. Often by the time they are found they are too widespread to be removed. Most patients do not live more than a year after diagnosis.
*Lymphoma of liver: A rare form of lymphoma that usually have diffuse infiltration to liver. It may also form a liver mass in rare occasions.

Brain Tumors In Children

Sunday, May 8th, 2011


Brain tumors are the most common solid tumors that occur in children. Children of any age can be affected by this tumour.Today, more than half of all children diagnosed with a brain tumor will be cured of the disease. However, because of their location, the treatment for brain tumors is particularly complex. Furthermore, many children who are treated for brain tumors experience significant long-term problems, such as changes in intellectual and motor function. Consequently, these children require ongoing assessment and specialized care to help them function at school and throughout life as best as possible.

Anatomy of the brain

The central nervous system (CNS) consists of the brain and spinal cord .Together they control all our body functions.

Between the brain and the skull are three layers of membrane called meninges which completely covers the brain and spinal cord. A fluid called the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is contained between two of these layers and cushions the brain. This fluid is made in small hollows within the brain, called ventricles. The brain is connected to the face by twelve specific cranial nerves that control most eye, face and tongue movements.

The brain, like every other organ in the body is made up of cells. There are about 40 billion nerve cells, called neurons in the brain. These cells communicate with each other and with other parts of the body by sending messages or nerve impulse via a system of nerve pathways or network.

The main parts of the brain are :-

*Cerebrum – Largest area of the brain. Consist of two halves or hemispheres. The right hemisphere controls movement of the left side of the body and vice versa. The cerebrum is mainly concerned with higher mental functions such as thinking, memory, speech, hearing and vision
*Cerebellum – Situated at the back of the brain and concerned with balance and coordination.
*Brain stem – Controls basic function that are essential for maintaining life including breathing, heart beat and blood pressure.

Brain Cancer Symptoms: Beware Of Theses 7 Signs

Sunday, March 6th, 2011


brain cancer symptomsBrain cancer is a frightening prospect for anyone. It seems impossible that you should get it, and at first you excluded it from the possibilities that explain sudden tunnel vision, a rushing sound you hear inside your head, and the headaches that aspirin just doesn’t seem to work against.

What Are Common Types of Brain Cancer Symptoms?

1) Seizure: Not until you experience your first seizure are you certain there’s something more serious here than the stress of daily life. A seizure is one of the highly suggestive brain cancer symptoms, but it’s not the only one.

2) Unusual Headache: Unusual headaches are typically the first of brain cancer symptoms to appear. This is a painful headache that sometimes throbs and isn’t alleviated by aspirin or other over-the-counter headache relieving drugs. If it’s brain cancer, then it’s the tumor growing in your brain that’s causing the pain.

3) Vision Problem: As you might expect, brain cancer symptoms express some problem with brain function. The brain is the central processor for the body, intricately related to sensation and perception. An incipient brain tumor may cause vision problems, auditory obfuscations, and even smelling and tasting difficulties. A common vision problem caused by brain tumors is called hemianopia. In this condition, fifty percent of your field of vision is lost. The visual world appears tunnel-like.

4) Loss Of Memory: The human brain is the seat of reason, thinking, and perception. Brain cancer symptoms will show up in these functions. You might find yourself not being able to remember something you just experienced; short term memory may be hampered by a cancerous brain tumor. You may have trouble solving problems in areas you previously had no problem at all. The disruption in normal thought will be confusing to you. Any thinking problem should send you immediately to the doctors, but many people are afraid they may be losing their minds and not seek immediate aid. Elderly people tend to think their befuddlement is a natural development of old age, and accept the condition as inevitable. Even if the problem were related to age, you should not hesitate to see a doctor. (There are treatments for Alzheimer’s too.)

5) Speech Problem: If you’re having trouble thinking straight, you shouldn’t be surprised if you’re having trouble putting your thoughts into words. Speech problems are one of the typical brain cancer symptoms.

6) Partial Paralysis: The brain relates to the whole body, and if you have a cancerous brain tumor, your body will express it, perhaps as a general weakness, as a mobility and balance problem, and even partial paralysis.

7) Unusually Moody: Although we tend to think of emotions as proceeding from the heart or the belly, the brain plays a significant part in our emotions. A cancer brain tumor affects our emotions, our moods, our sex drive. If your find yourself being unusually moody, volatile, or depressed, the problem may not be psychological – a brain tumor can be the cause. Don’t exclude the possibility that you are experiencing brain cancer symptoms.

Not All These Symptoms Appear With A Brain Tumor Cancer

Brain cancer symptoms depend on where the tumor is. The brain works as a whole, but it also has parts that specialize. We have centers for thinking, for sensing, visual centers, emotional centers, movement, coordination and balance, body awareness, speech, hearing, memory, pressure and touch, and breathing. A cancerous brain tumor might appear in any one of these regions and, by virtue of the pressure it exerts, affect that region’s function.

Fortunately, brain tumors are relatively rare. Each year, about 22,000 people are diagnosed with a brain tumor. The tumors come in a variety of types, from tumors that may not require any treatment at all, such as the benign meningiomas tumor, to one that may require immediate surgery, such as the malignant glioblastomas. They can be identified with MRI scanning and verified with biopsy. Although many cases are fatal, treatment has improved to the point that, if caught early, fatality is not the inevitable outcome. Don’t hesitate to see your doctor if you suspect you have brain cancer symptoms. The earlier the discovery, the more likely you will survive.

More : Brain Tumor Symptoms Survey Results

Breast Self Examination – Detecting Early Breast Cancer

Thursday, March 3rd, 2011


breast self examinationThe best time to do a Breast Self Examination is 3 or 4 days after your period ends. If you no longer menstruate, pick a day, such as the first day of the month to do Breast Self Examination. Breast cancer is one of the most common form of cancers found in women.

In its early stages, it is neither painful nor causes any discomfort, usually presenting as a painless breast lump.

Examining one’s own breasts every month is the best method to detect early breast cancer. 90% of breast cancers are discovered by women themselves. Breast cancer education play important part to detect early breast cancer.

STEP 1 - Undress to the waist in front of the mirror and look for any unusual appearance of the breasts and any changes in size or shape. Look also for any dimpling or puckering of the skin, and for any changes in the outline of the breasts

STEP 2 - Rest palms on hips and press down firmly to flex your chest muscles

STEP 3 - Raise up both arms, examine your breasts from different angles. Check the nipples too for any signs of discharge or bleeding.

STEP 4 - Lie down and put a pillow under your right shoulder. Place your right arm behind your head. Start examining your right breast using your left hand

STEP 5 - Press gently but firmly, looking for any lump or thickening or anything unusual.

Move around the breast in a set way. You can choose either the circle(A), the up and down line(B). Do it the same way every time. It will help you to make sure that you have gone over the entire breast area, and to remember how your breast feels.

Note: Use the FINGER PADS of your THREE MIDDLE FINGERS on your left hand to feel for LUMPS or THICKENING. Your finger pads are the TOP THIRD of each finger.

STEP 6 - Use the flat part of your fingers to feel under your armpit. Search for lumps or swellings.

STEP 7 - Now examine your left breast using right hand finger pads.

STEP 8 - If you find any changes, see your doctor right away

More About Breast Cancer

Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011


It is the most common cancer affecting women where one in 19 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer by the age of 85. About 4,000 women are diagnosed each year, mostly between 35-60 years old with 40% affected below the age of 50. It is rare, but men can also develop breast cancer.

Breasts are made up of milk glands, which consist of lobules. Milk is made in lobules, and tubes called ducts take milk to the nipples. Cancer develops when cells in the breast grow out of control.

If cancer has not spread beyond the breasts, it is referred as pre-invasive breast cancer.  The most common types are ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). Most breast cancers are diagnosed at invasive stages which consist of several types:

•Early breast cancer: confined in the breast but may have spread to one or more lymph nodes in the armpit.
•Locally advanced breast cancer: may have spread to places near the breast (skin, muscles, and chest) but not found in other parts of the body.
•Metastatic (advanced) breast cancer: cancer cells have spread to other areas of the body like lungs, bones or liver.
What are the risks?

•Ageing.
•Previously diagnosed with breast cancer or other breast conditions like atypical ductal hyperplasia, ductal carcinoma in situ or lobular carcinoma in situ.
•Family history where a relative from either side of the family has / had breast cancer.
•Inherited genes which do not work properly. Only 1 in 20 cases are caused by faulty genes.

What are the breast cancer symptoms?

•Change in the nipple: the shape, crusting, a sore or an ulcer, redness. Nipple turning in when it used to stick out.
•Change in the skin of the breast including a dimpling, unusual redness or other colour changes.
•Changes in shape or size.
•A lump, lumpiness or thickening.
•Unusual discharge from nipple without squeezing.
•Persistent or unusual pain that is unrelated to monthly menstruation cycle that remains after some time, occurring in one breast only.
These symptoms do not necessarily mean breast cancer. They are signs that alert you to have them checked by your doctor immediately. Symptoms of male breast cancer are similar to women’s. In some cases, symptoms may not be present and breast cancer may be found on a screening mammogram