Posts Tagged ‘cancer’
Is there a relationship between coffee and cancer of the endometrium?
If you are one of those people who love coffee and take a cup all the time, you may be tired of you remember every moment that coffee is bad. A new finding gives a good argument in defense of your habit: daily consume more than four cups of this tea can help reduce the risk of developing endometrial cancer.
Coffee is one of the most consumed beverage worldwide, among other things because it contains caffeine, a substance that stimulates the nervous system, makes you feel more alert, more energetic, and helps your body to eliminate fluids, acting as a natural diuretic.
Too much caffeine can cause insomnia, irritability, headaches and stomach problems. In fact, some studies related to the development of rheumatoid arthritis, a form of arthritis that causes pain, swelling, stiffness and decreased joint function. So in general, you should not abuse the coffee or caffeine, which is also present in chocolate and other beverages like tea and some soft drinks (or sodas).
However, other studies have also shown that coffee may have positive effects on health. Some, for example, have assessed how coffee affects the heart and found that moderate consumption of coffee and tea may reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
Other studies linking coffee consumption with a lower risk of developing breast cancer and uterine cancer, and some also show that women could help to combat depression.
Now add one more benefit. A study conducted by specialists of the Faculty of Public Health, Harvard University, published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, found that participants who consumed four cups of coffee daily developed fewer endometrial cancer, up to 25 % less than the rest of the women who participated in the study.
Endometrial cancer affects the lining of the uterus or womb, which is where a baby grows during pregnancy, and is one of the most affecting women.
In reaching this conclusion, the researchers analyzed the coffee consumption habits of 67,500 women from around 30 to 55 years of age who participated in the Survey of Nurses’ Health which began in 1976. They were surveyed every two years, for 26 years, for the detection of endometrial cancer, and assessed the dietary habits by other surveys, which were completed once every four years between 1980 and 2002.
After accounting for other factors such as smoking habits, body mass index and alcohol consumption, researchers found that four or more cups of caffeinated coffee was associated “significantly” with a 25 percent reduction in the risk of developing endometrial cancer.
However, do not recommend increasing coffee consumption and that this benefit may be nullified if it is routinely added cream and sugar.
In addition, the researchers caution that while there may be a relationship between these two factors, there is no causality, ie that does not mean that if you increase your daily consumption of coffee will prevent cancer from developing.
There are still more research to discover exactly how caffeine impacts health.
While we receive specific news, remember that all excesses are bad. It is considered that an average or moderate amount of caffeine daily is what you get when you take three cups of coffee 8 ounces (about 250 milligrams of caffeine) and 5 servings of beverages “tails” with caffeine or tea.
Cancer control in men
Men tend to “skip” the evidence of cancer control. Do not you! It may cost you your life
Alarmingly large number of men who receive a diagnosis of cancer daily. And it’s very sad to hear that studies and statistics show that cancer causes them to die at higher rates than women, because men do not do tests or controls necessary to detect the disease and prevent complications health with the same frequency than them. How long ago did not visit the doctor? Read on and discover why you should not have you fear of the white coat.
This week Nelida not take any more and sought psychiatric help to overcome the Great Depression in which he has fallen a few months ago. Is that in just over a year had to face the death of her husband and her eldest son, due to prostate cancer in one lung and in the other. So much suffering could have been avoided if both had gone to the doctor on time.
And is that men tend not to complain or get checked, a kind of cultural issue, because we’re used to that men are strong and “do not cry”, as we tell you in this other article vidaysalud.com, although this idea is already outdated.
Another factor that may discourage men to take studies is the lack of information, because in general there are many campaigns for women, such as warning about breast cancer, but does not spread as much information about the different types of cancer that affect men, including prostate, lung, colon and stomach are at the top of the list.
A study published late last year in the American Journal of Men’s Health reveals that men are less willing than women to get screening tests for cancer, although they have cancer death rates higher.
In parallel, the study also found that when men receive details of cancer screening procedures, have a little more likely to participate in the opposite sex.
To reach these results, the researchers conducted a telephone survey of nearly 1,150 adults, most of whom had 30 to 59 years old and 35 percent were men in the cities of New York and Baltimore (USA) and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Another study published in a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research (American Association for Cancer Research) called Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention details the types of cancer that show the greatest difference in mortality rates of men compared with women. In particular, for every woman who dies of each of these cancers, dying about:
5 men of lip cancer
5 men for laryngeal cancer
4 men hypopharynx cancer
4 men with esophageal cancer
3 men with bladder cancer.
According to this study, which considered the SEER database for 36 types of cancer, taking into account sex and age, cancers with higher mortality rate also showed a higher risk of death in men than in women.
In particular, for every woman at risk of dying from lung cancer and bronchi is 2.31 men at risk of suffering from it, for every woman at risk of dying from colorectal cancer is 1.42 men per woman at risk of dying from cancer of the pancreas are 1.37 men, the number rises to 1.75 men at risk of dying of leukemia for each woman with this risk, and is even higher, at 2.23, in the case of cancer of the liver and intrahepatic bile ducts.
Both men and women can adopt healthy habits to prevent cancer, exercise and healthy eating, among other things, and in both cases the most important is early detection. The sooner you discover that something is wrong with your body, the more likely you are to fight and get better results. It is important also that you be testing your control of cancer (prostate or colorectal cancer, for example). Your doctor can guide you during your annual physical and indicártelas according to your age and your risk factors.
Still not convinced of the importance of care? Cheer up! A brave man is not exactly the most enduring pain, but he who does everything possible to avoid them not to suffer and for their loved ones will not suffer either.
New genetic clues are detected on breast cancer
Breast cancer is the cancer most often affects women (in fact, one in eight women in the world), and is the second leading cause of death among women worldwide. The risk of contracting it increases with age and is 2 to 4 times higher in women with a family history. The study of genetic predisposition is critical to identify gene mutations that increase the risk, either to take the necessary preventive measures, or adopt a more aggressive treatment for newly diagnosed cancer. To those already identified by scientists, just join three other genomic regions associated with breast cancer. Find it here. Saved at the core of each of our cells is the code that identifies us as a species and as individuals. Are our genes, inherited from our ancestors. We owe them our features, from height and eye color and skin to hair texture. They also owe susceptibility to certain diseases, including cancer. Thus, the study of our genetic map is a useful tool in the medical field, especially in the area of prevention. As scientists gain more information about our genes, the more effective the treatments to prevent and combat diseases that claim many lives as breast cancer, as we said, is the most common among women and reported that around 1 million new cases per year and causes about 400 000 deaths worldwide.
Although most breast cancers are of a sporadic (not related to inheritance), about 10% of cases, especially in women under 40 years, yes there is a genetic or hereditary predisposition (in these cases, the mother, daughter or sister of the patient has had breast cancer). Two thirds of these cancers are due to inherited mutations (or changes) of two specific genes called BRCA1 and BRCA2.
Fortunately, the genetic map is still revealing its secrets. Research conducted at the University of Cambridge, England recently discovered three new areas in the genome (ie, in our DNA sequence accumulated on chromosomes where genes are concentrated) that may increase the risk of developing cancer breast. Had previously identified 22 loci of susceptibility to breast cancer. A locus (means place or location, in Latin and its plural is loci). With the discovery of three new loci that number rises to 25 points of susceptibility that could explain about 9% of familial risk of breast cancer. Although the researchers admit that the impact on number of cases is relatively low, the contribution remains important in understanding the complex mechanism behind cancer and improve treatment and patient care.
For example, an area or locus has been identified is related to breast cancer estrogen receptor positive (estrogen needed for growth) and also in estrogen receptor negative. Another variant was found in a gene which plays a role in the development of mammary glands and bone. The study authors point out that it was known that the development of the mammary gland at puberty is an important step in determining the subsequent risk of cancer, but the first time it is shown that these specific genes are related to the process. These and many more details about the research are published in the January issue of the journal Nature Genetics.
The complicated and fascinating story of the genome is opening up its doors, offering new options for testing and therapy and new drugs to attack cancer more effectively.
The goal, of course, remains disposal. But until that day comes, learn and take care. Learn how to perform breast self-exams, get mammograms recommended for your age, know your risk factors and takes an active and healthy.
Foods that help prevent and fight cancer
If you knew that you can prevent cancer by changing your diet a little, you prove at least? Read on and discover what foods can help ward off the danger of this disease and make your meals are much healthier.
Food is the fuel that allows each part of the body to function properly. Therefore it is very important to select them well. Just as there are foods that if not chosen and prepared in the proper way increase the chances that you have high blood pressure or diabetes when you have the predisposition to them, there are others that, on the contrary, help you stay younger longer, to lose excess weight and even fight cancer.
While each food alone is not enough to fight cancer, experts believe that a good combination is a diet based on fruits and vegetables, in the long term can achieve positive results and important. The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR for short) recommends that two thirds of your plate should be filled with fruits, vegetables, whole grains and vegetables, which combined together multiplying their individual properties in what experts called synergy , or the joining of forces or energies. This is what in common parlance is called teamwork.
Best of all is that the choices are varied and tasty: tomato, garlic, soy (soy), vegetables, grapes and strawberries, whole grains, cabbage and cabbage and green leafy vegetables such as spinach and romaine lettuce are just some examples of foods that have a history anticarcinogenic.
Meanwhile, fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains are lower in calories and help prevent excess weight, which has also been associated with the development of certain cancers such as colorectal, esophagus, pancreas, kidney and breast in postmenopausal women.
Many of these foods, such as legumes, whole grains, green leafy vegetables and strawberries (strawberries), are also high in fiber, which helps prevent colon cancer.
In particular, each of these options has different nutrients that work with health. Legumes such as peas (peas, peas), beans (beans, beans) and lentils have active ingredients that play an important role in cancer prevention and saponins, protease inhibitors and phytic acid, which are phytochemicals that occur naturally in plants and protect cells from damage that can lead to cancer.
In particular, saponins have been shown to inhibit the reproduction of cancer cells and slow the growth of tumors in many different tissues, while protease inhibitors have been shown to help prevent some cancers. Phytic acid, in turn, has the ability to delay tumor progression.
Among the legumes also enter soy (soy), which is particularly good for cancer prevention because it also has other active components as the isoflavonoids, phenolic acid and protein kinase inhibitors, which also help in this task. Also, some substances in soy (soy) are similar to natural hormones in the body. That could be one reason why products made with it (such as tofu, milk and soy burgers and miso) are associated with a reduction in the development of prostate cancer and breast cancer, whose hormones involved appearance. However, if you’re receiving an anti-estrogen, tamoxifen, for example, you minimize the consumption of soy foods and avoid isoflavone supplements.
Other foods that are saponins and flavonoids are green leafy vegetables like spinach, romaine lettuce, mustard greens and chicory. They are an excellent source of folate and contain a wide range of carotenoids that act as antioxidants and thus help protect against cancer.
Meanwhile, broccoli, cauliflower, sprouts (or kale), Brussels, cabbage (cabbage) and all vegetables that are in the cabbage family may help regulate the complex system of enzymes that defend the body against cancer and have a stronger protective effect against cancer of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus and stomach cancer.
Another food that contains a powerful antioxidant called lycopene here is the tomato. In animal studies, lycopene and its compounds (known as the “red family)”, tend to concentrate in the tissues of the prostate and are proven to reduce the risk of prostate cancer. There is even evidence that tomato anticancer power is greater when consumed as sauce, juice or paste, as these methods allow the preparation of lycopene is released more easily and better absorbed.
And to go over this list, which is just a sample, we can mention the grapes (such as natural fruit juice form). Both forms are a rich source of resveratrol, a phytochemical that is more concentrated in the rind (skin or skin) of this fruit, especially when they are red or purple (rather than green). In this regard, one study suggests that the polyphenols in general and particularly resveratrol, have antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties.
Like I said, this list could go on but it would be almost endless. The important thing is do not forget to include fruits and vegetables of all kinds in your diet: your plate full of colors and flavors! It is a first step in maintaining a healthy diet and a healthier life.
Questions and answers about childhood leukemia
in the United States, leukemia affects about 2,200 children and young people each year. It is a disease that can progress to be slow or fast, but fortunately is likely to be cured. In Life and Health we explain about childhood leukemia, types of leukemia, some risk factors and treatment.
What is childhood leukemia?
Leukemia refers to cancer that affects blood leukocytes (white blood cells). Blood is produced in the bone marrow. The role of bone marrow to produce white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. Red blood cells distribute oxygen in the blood, white blood cells defend the body, fight infection and platelets help with healing. When bone marrow is an overproduction of cells, the body begins to have problems. These abnormal cells and deformed not do their job well. Instead, they stick to each other and travel through the bloodstream and reach other organs affect them. This overpopulation of white blood cells also affects the production of red blood cells and platelets in children, in this case these cells may decrease.
What is the cause of childhood leukemia?
Leukemia is not contagious. Occurs due to a mutation (change) in the DNA of blood cells. Although several studies have attempted to determine the origin of childhood leukemia, scientists have failed to define the exact reasons for this disease. Some argue that the causes are genetic, while others claim that they can be either external or environmental or perhaps a combination of both.
What it has been proved is that when blood cells take on some kind of mutation in the DNA, the information carried by these cells is impaired and disproportionate growth triggers.
It is considered that these mutations have no apparent explanation, tend to occur at random, so the task of prevention is even more complicated. What is known is that women who are pregnant or believe to be, should avoid exposure to X-rays (ie, avoid being X-rays).
Are there different types of childhood leukemia?
Yes Childhood leukemia is a general classification according to the speed with which it develops. On one side is chronic leukemia is a slow (takes years) and the other is acute leukemia, including 98% of cases of children with leukemia and develops more rapidly.
Acute leukemia is divided into two categories. This classification depends on whether the cells are affected. Lymphocytes are white blood cells that are responsible for being on the front line in combating diseases. If we talk in terms of football, they would play as defense, and you could call it the “immune defense” (go name for a football team!). When lymphocytes are involved, leukemia is called acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). It affects 6 out of 10 children with leukemia. The other type of leukemia known as acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
Another category is chronic myeloid leukemia. It is not common in the United States, and is estimated to affect less than 50 children in the country each year.
Finally chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) that not only is most common in adults over 55, but is almost exclusively on them, since it is rare to see in children.
What are the symptoms of childhood leukemia?
The difficulty in identifying the symptoms of childhood leukemia is that they can be confused with flu symptoms, since they are not very specific. It is therefore important that parents pay attention to medical conditions in which it appears:
Disease testicular cancer in young
In young men between 15 and 34 is the most common type of cancer. You can also occur in men with other ages, so everyone should be alert for symptoms that may arise.
The testicles (also called testes) are a pair of male sex glands. They produce and store sperm and are also the main source of male hormones in the body.
These hormones control the development of reproductive organs and male characteristics. The testicles are located under the penis in a sac-like pouch called the scrotum.
Testicular cancer can be broadly classified into two types
Seminoma tumors, comprising about 30% of all testicular cancers. The seminomatous tumors tumors: are a group of cancers that include choriocarcinoma, embryonal carcinomas, teratomas and yolk sac tumors.
A testicular cancer may have a combination of both.
Causes
Do not know what causes testicular cancer. Studies show that several factors increase the likelihood that a man will develop testicular cancer.
- Undescended testicle ( cryptorchidism )
- Abnormal development of the testes.
- Klinefelter syndrome .
- History of testicular cancer: If you have previously had testicular cancer have an increased risk of developing cancer in the other testicle.
Symptoms
- A painless lump or swelling in either testicle
- Pain or discomfort in a testicle or scrotum
- Any enlargement of a testicle or change in how you feel
- A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum
- A dull ache in the lower abdomen, back or groin (the area where the thigh meets the abdomen)
- A sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum.
Treatment
• During surgery, the affected testicle is removed.
• After examining the tumor under a microscope: it determines the exact type of tumor and type of complementary treatment necessary to apply after the surgery.
• Surgery: just as long as the cancer is isolated, confined in the testis, with a wrap intact and after an early diagnosis.
• Sometimes it is necessary to resort to chemotherapy or to radiotherapy after surgery.
Worms to cure skin cancer
An international investigation has discovered one of the mechanisms involved in the renovation of the cuticle of the worm Caenorhabditis elegans, opening new lines of study in the field of anti aging skin in humans and in healing and healing wounds.
The study noted that the molting process in this worm is associated with changes in the oxidation state of proteins present in the cuticle.
By blocking the activity of these proteins, the old cuticle is not weakened enough to break the animal, and just dying inside.
It could also help in treating skin cancers and the development of treatments for nematodiasis, parasitic diseases caused by nematodes (a type of worm as studied in this research) and widespread in the developing countries.
The aging in living organisms is caused by the reduced ability of cells to repair oxidative damage that accumulates throughout life.
The molting process in this worm is associated with changes in the oxidation state of proteins present in the cuticle.
The application of glutathione, a molecule present in all living organisms and regulates cellular oxidation balance favors the move and moving to the next larval stage, as it helps the worm to degrade the old cuticle and leave her.
If we discover what other cuticle proteins are involved in oxidation processes, we could come up with new ways to treat these diseases.
Oral cavity cancer and smoking
Oral cancer is a destructive disease in the region of the head and neck can infiltrate and invade tissues and spread to other areas via the lymphatic and blood, resulting in distant metastases.
Each puff of smoke fills the mouth before being sucked into the lungs. The largest concentration of toxic substances is evidently in the mouth and attacks the mucous membranes.
Smoking snuff causes oral cavity cancer in men and women. The risk increases when consumed smokeless snuff or smoking and drinking alcohol.
here is a strong relationship between cancer risk and how many cigarettes are smoked and for how long. The risk tends to decrease once you stop smoking.
Most cancers of the buccal cavity birth caught flat cells that line the interior of the mouth.
Mouth cancer is manifested by a tumor can be placed on the lips, tongue, inner walls of the cheeks, gums and palate.
Causes
The main causes of oral cancer include:
- Consumption of snuff (90% of oral cancer due to smoking cigarettes, cigars or pipes, chewing snuff and snuff powder rubbed on the gums).
- The consumption of alcohol.
- Leukoplakia – a condition characterized by a whitish patch that develops inside the mouth or throat.
- Erythroplakia – a condition characterized by red, raised patch that develops inside the mouth.
- Excessive sun exposure as anywhere in the body, can cause lip cancer.
- Red or white patches velvety texture
- Ulcers or sores that fail to heal
- Plate-like sores or warts on the lips
- Persistent sore throat
- Lump on the lip, on the tongue or neck
- Difficulty chewing, swallowing or talking
- Descrecimiento not painful in the lip, forming a dry scab that bleeds when removed
- Pain in the ear or jaw
Pap Test
Cell samples are placed in a holder (glass) and fixed with a standard solution hair spray, to be preserved and sent to a laboratory expert in cellular assays (histologist) that by means of staining and microscopic examination determines the hormonal of the cells received, the components (inflammatory cells, some cells infectious, etc.) and whether any cellular alteration in the smear analysis.
The primary objective of the Pap test is the early diagnosis of cellular alterations that lead to cervical cancer , which will allow us to take preventive action to avoid the development and consequences of gynecological cancer second (the first is that of the breast).
According to this analysis gives a summary report that after many attempts to rank for all doctors, gynecologists and histologists the world mean the same thing (not easy), is as follows:
1. SMEAR NORMAL: no phones or inflammatory disorders.
2. ASCUS: atypical cell changes but undefined (not cancer cells, but they are not normal).
3. LSIL (low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion grade), bone, cells sense altered in cancer, but low grade.
4. HSIL (high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion grade). bone, cancer cells still localized and not visible to the naked eye.
5. CARCINOMA: cancer cells, and possibly macroscopically visible (the eye)
Who and when to do Pap smear?
All women from the start of their sex should be done systematically at least once a year (sometimes at 2 years, even after menopause within three years) a smear of control. The test frequency is decided by the gynecologist as the patient’s personal history (infections, history, etc)
The cost of cancer
Let’s take a moment to consider the cost of therapies which can often save lives.
It’s no secret that he or treatments for cancer are expensive. Even assuming no changes in cancer trends, except for an increase of patients due to the aging population, the National Cancer Institute estimates that medical costs will reach $ 158 billion in 2020 and could rise to $ 207 billion taking on new therapies and diagnostic costs further.
Two highlight news: Doctors say that the market for cancer drugs, ie, targeted therapies, treatments, may increase the total cost of cancer drugs and 15% annually through 2013. This is partly due to greater use of them, especially because the cost of therapies is rising.
The cost of cancer: high-cost drugs, prescriptions abandoned
Many new drugs are not given by infusion in a hospital or clinic that can be self administered, often in pill form, without medical supervision. That’s more convenient for patients, but there may be advantages and disadvantages.
