Sometimes, some woman or mother rarely has time to cook because they are working. Figuring out on what to have for dinner is hard enough without having to factor in the latest news about food and cancer.
What to Eat
Fish: Fatty fish like salmon, sardines, and herring are high in omega-3 fatty acids, a healthy fat that's believed to have anticancer properties. Aim for two to three servings a week.
Cruciferous vegetables: Broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage are powerful cancer fighters and appear to contain chemicals that turn on your body's natural detox enzymes. Eat them raw or slightly steamed (cooking breaks down the protective chemicals). Shoot for five servings a week.
Berries: The more colorful, the better! These fruits are rich in antioxidants, which protect cells from damage, and strawberries and raspberries contain ellagaic acid, which has been shown to protect against breast cancer in lab studies. Sneak these in wherever you can...toss some in your smoothie or even have some with dessert.
Whole grains: Lowfat sources of fiber, such as quinoa, unbuttered popcorn and cereals like All-Bran and Fiber One, may regulate your levels of estrogen and insulin, two hormones that both have been linked to breast cancer. Aim for 25 grams per day.
What to Watch
Red meat: You don't have to forgo the occasional burger (thank goodness!), but eating more than 1.5 servings of red meat per day can nearly double the chances of developing breast cancer. Limit your intake to three servings of lean cuts (such as filet mignon, flank steak or sirloin) a week or fewer.
Alcohol: As few as two drinks a day may increase breast cancer risk by 20 percent, possibly by raising estrogen levels. There's nothing wrong with having some wine with dinner, but it's safest to average no more than one drink a day. (Savor it! I mix soda water in my white wine to make one glass last through dinner.)
BARCELONA, Spain -- All types of alcohol -- wine, beer and liquor -- add equally to the risk of women developing breast cancer, U.S. researchers said Thursday.
Mesothelioma is a rare disease caused as a result of malignant cancerous cells lining the patient's body cavities such as chest, abdominal region or the area surrounding the heart. It is typically associated with exposure to asbestos which has been documented in as many as 70-80% of all mesothelioma cases. This disease is very difficult to assess consistently due to the great variability in time before diagnosis and the rate of progression of malignant mesothelioma.
Even insignificant exposure to asbestos (commonly reported in such work environments as asbestos mills, mines, shipping yards, some older Navy ships or patients. homes) is known to result in mesothelioma, which in many cases does not occur for decades after initial exposure to this cancer-causing substance. In the recent years as many as 2000-3000 cases of have been diagnosed per year. It is also known that family members of workers exposed to asbestos can contract this disease through exposure to the worker's clothing. Smoking greatly increases the risk of contracting this disease.
Mesothelioma, this is a deadly disease that has been in the spotlight for the last decade. Sad but true, the number of under-regulation usage in years past still shows that we are paying for it today. It can be safely said that almost everyone in the world has been exposed to asbestos at one point in their life. Because of the unique nature of the disease, even those who have suffered only small exposure are at risk of contracting the disease. In effect, virtually everyone has some risk of contracting Mesothelioma.
But while this sort of statement is true, it is also open ended and up for debate. While it is certainly true that individuals who have been exposed to small amounts of asbestos for relatively short periods of time have contracted the disease, this is a rarity in most cases. In fact, the vast majority of Mesothelioma cases involve individuals who were exposed to airborne asbestos fibers for an extended period of time.
Most research shows that the industries most in danger of prolonged exposure and thus of contraction are shipbuilding trades, asbestos mining and milling, textile work, insulation work, and brake repair personnel workers. There are, however, some other similar factors which can affect the likelihood of contracting this disease. Among these is exposure to radiation. There have been causes in which individuals who were exposed to radiation have subsequently displayed signs of and contracted mesothelioma. However, the studies to attempt to verify this correlation have not proven out this claim in a strong way.
Another more certain and proven cause of the disease was the taking of the Polio vaccines. Some batches of this vaccine were contaminated with Simian Virus 40 which has been detected in a host of rare cancers including Mesothelioma. Some individuals who have been exposed to long periods and high quantities of asbestos have not contracted the disease. As a result, doctors have concluded that genetics play a major role in determining whether or not patients contract the disease. Unfortunately, the gene variability which offers some resistance to the disease also means that some are particularly vulnerable to asbestos exposure.
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, remember that time matters. The faster you consult your doctor and get professional care the better your chances will be of dealing with this dangerous cancer. There are three traditional methods of fighting cancerous mesothelioma: surgery, chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy. Please contact your doctor as soon as possible to get more information.
Article Source: Health GuidanceEdmonton, Canada (ots/PRNewswire) - Isotechnika Inc. (TSX: ISA) announced today that the Company has enrolled its first patient in a pivotal Phase III European/Canadian clinical trial for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis with its lead immunosuppressive drug, ISA247.
The Phase III European/Canadian psoriasis trial (ESSENCE trial) will be performed at thirty-six clinical centres in Canada, Germany, and Poland involving a total of 500 patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. The 24-week trial will be conducted as a randomised, orally administered placebo and cyclosporine controlled study with 300 patients receiving ISA247 (0.4 mg/kg twice daily), 100 patients receiving cyclosporine (1.5 mg/kg twice daily), and 100 patients receiving placebo. In an effort to maximise the benefit to patients randomised to the placebo group, those patients will be administered the ISA247 0.4 mg/kg twice daily dose subsequent to the first 12 weeks of the trial.
To determine successful completion of the trial, the following parameters will be measured; Static Physician's Global Assessment (SPGA) scores, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores and kidney function.
"Enrolling our first patient prior to year-end should facilitate us achieving our psoriasis development timelines," stated Dr. Randall Yatscoff, Isotechnika's President & CEO. "We are confident that ISA247 will continue to demonstrate a strong safety and efficacy profile when directly compared to cyclosporine."
About Isotechnika Inc.
Isotechnika Inc. is an international biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Drawing upon its expertise in medicinal chemistry and immunology, the Company is focused on the discovery and development of novel immunosuppressive therapeutics that are safer than currently available treatments. Its entrepreneurial management and world-class team of scientists are building a pipeline of immunosuppressive drug candidates for treatment of autoimmune diseases and for use in the prevention of organ rejection in transplantation. Isotechnika looks to become the leader in development of immunosuppressant therapies.
Isotechnika's lead compound, ISA247 has completed an extension protocol of a Canadian Phase III human clinical trial for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis and a North American Phase IIb human clinical trial for the prevention of kidney graft rejection. The Company also has an additional immunosuppressive compound in its drug pipeline, TAFA93 which successfully completed Phase I clinical trials.
Isotechnika Inc. is a publicly traded company on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ISA. More information on Isotechnika can be found at www.isotechnika.com.
Partnerships with Isotechnika Inc.
Isotechnika Inc. signed a collaboration agreement with Hoffman La Roche on April 9, 2002, which licensed the worldwide rights to develop and commercialise ISA247 for all transplant indications.
On September 30, 2005, Isotechnika Inc. entered into an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with Atrium Medical Corporation for the use of ISA247 and TAFA93 specifically with drug eluting devices for the non-systemic treatment of vascular, cardiovascular, target vessel and tissue disorders.
Isotechnika Inc. and Cellgate Inc. signed an option agreement on April 25, 2006, granting Isotechnika the option to obtain an exclusive license to develop and commercialise conjugates consisting of Cellgate's patented transporter technology for the topical delivery of ISA247 in patients suffering from mild to moderate psoriasis.
On May 25, 2006, Isotechnika Inc. signed an agreement with Lux Biosciences, Inc. of Jersey City, New Jersey granting Lux Biosciences worldwide rights to develop and commercialise Isotechnika's lead drug, ISA247 for the treatment and prophylaxis of all ophthalmic diseases.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements, including the Company's belief as to the potential of its products, the Company's expectations regarding the issuance of additional patents and the Company's ability to protect its intellectual property, involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the availability of funds and resources to pursue research and development projects, the ability to economically manufacture its products, the potential of its products, the success and timely completion of clinical studies and trials, the Company's ability to successfully commercialise its products, the ability of the Company to defend its patents from infringement by third parties, and the risk that the Company's patents may be subsequently shown to be invalid or infringe the patents of others. Investors should consult the Company's quarterly and annual filings with the Canadian commissions for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to the forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against placing undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Overweight and obese women have a lower risk of breast cancer prior to menopause, researchers said on Monday in a finding they said both puzzles them and contradicts conventional wisdom.
The researchers admitted they do not know why the extra pounds (kg) may protect premenopausal women from breast cancer, but noted obesity actually greatly boosts breast cancer risk after menopause, when the disease more often is diagnosed.
“It is so puzzling. And it is not a good public health message,” said Karin Michels, associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School and lead researcher in the study.
“I don’t want women to use this as an excuse to be overweight. Therefore, it’s even more important for us to find out what the mechanisms are. I mean, the last thing we want is, in this day and age, to advise people to gain weight,” Michels said in a telephone interview.
The findings, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, were based on medical data from 113,130 premenopausal registered nurses tracked from 1989 to 2003. During that time, 1,398 cases of invasive breast cancer were diagnosed.
Women with a body mass index (a weight-for-height scale) of 30 or above — considered obese by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — had a 19 percent lower risk of premenopausal breast cancer than women in a normal weight range (body mass index between 20 and 22.4), the study found.
The lower risk was especially evident in young adults. Those with a body mass index at age 18 of 27.5 or higher, which makes them overweight or obese, had a 43 percent lower risk of breast cancer before menopause than women of normal weight at the same age.
Being overweight is linked to a broad range of health risks. The World Health Organization describes obesity as a growing problem in high-income nations as well as increasing numbers of low- and middle-income nations.
OVULATION FACTORS
Michels said some experts had suspected the reduced premenopausal breast cancer risk was the result of these women not ovulating as much due to their larger body size.
Some overweight women have irregular or long menstrual cycles, or develop a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome in which ovaries malfunction. These are linked to disruptions in ovulation that lower levels of certain hormones.
The suspicion had been that these lower hormone levels might explain the diminished breast cancer risk. But the researchers weighed these factors and concluded that they did not appear to be the cause.
“Now we’re back to square one in trying to explain with which kind of mechanisms a larger body size might protect women from breast cancer,” Michels said, adding she plans further research.
She speculated the findings might be explained by the fact that obese women are less likely to be screened for breast cancer, and that is harder to detect tumors in these women.
“If we just detect the cancer later and therefore delay the time of diagnosis of the cancer into their post-menopausal years, then that might be an explanation,” Michels said.
Michels said the link between weight and breast cancer risk varies by age. High weight at birth and then after menopause is linked to a heightened risk, while high weight in young adulthood is associated with a reduced risk, she said.
Source: Yahoo News
BOSTON -- Eleven thousand women under age 40 are diagnosed with breast cancer each year -- a small but significant percentage of the overall cancer population. One doctor is reaching out to help young patients deal with the cancer. Cynthia Shelton is enjoying a rare moment of relaxation. The 35-year-old single mom works full-time and is in the Army Reserves. Two years ago, she also found out she had breast cancer. “I had just got divorced a couple of months before I found out, so it was a bad year all around,” Shelton said. Suddenly, questions like would she date again and could she -- or should she -- have more children became more complicated. “I was afraid that breast cancer would run genetically in a female,” Shelton explained. Breast Cancer Specialist Ann Partridge, M.D., from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, helps young women like Shelton cope with their diagnosis. “Younger women, in general, have a harder time finding one another to discuss the issues related to their breast cancer and treatment,” Dr. Partridge said. Those issues include premature menopause, emotional issues, such as dating with one breast or scars, and preserving fertility. Options include freezing eggs, freezing ovarian tissue, and in-vitro fertilization. Dr. Partridge continued, “The only technique that has been actually shown to work is the IVF prior to chemotherapy.” But there is good news. “To date, there is no evidence that having a pregnancy after a diagnosis of breast cancer increases the risk that a breast cancer would return.” Dr. Partridge’s passion comes from the experience of her friend who was diagnosed with breast cancer at 30. “She was initially told, ‘Oh, you have nothing to worry about, you’re too young to get breast cancer.'” She urges young women to never tolerate such a response if they notice lumps or a skin change. Dr. Partridge works closely with the Young Survival Coalition, a network of young breast cancer survivors. The non-profit group advocates for more studies about young women and breast cancer, educates young women about detecting cancer, and brings together survivors to talk about some of their unique issues.
The wait is over. Women who want silicone breast implants can now have them -- thanks to the lifting of a 14-year ban by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The implants were taken off the market in 1992 after some women complained that they leaked silicone into their bodies and caused serious health problems. Several extensive studies have since been conducted in and outside the United States, and some doctors say claims the implants are harmful have not been proven.
"Essentially, they found through fairly exhaustive studies that the new generation silicone implants are safe for people," said Dr. Peter Butler, a plastic surgeon with Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery in Gulf Breeze. "The main factor is that leaking does not cause tissue problems —— simply put, we don't want silicone leaking into our systems."
Butler and his partner, Dr. Jocelyn Leveque, both certified plastic surgeons, have been involved in a four-year U.S. Department of Health and Human Services study, which began in 1997. The agency appointed the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences to conduct the study, which was underwritten by two California companies, Allergan Medical and Mentor Medical, manufacturers of the gel-based silicone implants.
Both doctors have enrolled some of their patients in the study, and each patient will be followed for at least 10 years.
"To date, Dr. Leveque has used silicone implants in 99 of her patients; I have used the implants in 73 cases in Pensacola," Butler said. Before then, Butler practiced in North Carolina. So far, he said none of their patients has experienced any problems.
When the implants were taken off the market, women were concerned that leaking silicon implants were causing a number of diseases. At the time, the doctors said, there was no research to disprove the claims. But new studies have found that the gel implants are much more cohesive and are safe for use.
This is good news for Jan Carlo, one of Butler's patients, who is also part of the study. Four months ago, Carlo, 50, was fitted with the implants following gastric bypass surgery. But not before doing some personal research.
"When you have surgery, you lose a lot of breast volume," said Carlo, a registered nurse. "I knew the silicone implants were more natural feeling and looking. I feel comfortable making the decision to have them."
Still, the FDA will continue to monitor the products and is requiring each company to conduct follow-up studies. Both companies are expected to track about 40,000 women for 10 years after they receive implants. The agency said package labeling should alert women who opt for the silicone implant to consider these factors as well:
· Breast implants are not lifetime devices, and a woman will likely need additional surgeries on her breast at least once over her lifetime.
· Many of the changes to a woman's breast following implementation are irreversible.
· Rupture of a silicone gel-filled breast implant is most often silent, which means that usually neither the woman nor her surgeon will know that her implants have ruptured.
· A woman will need regular screening MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) exams over her lifetime to determine if a rupture has occurred; a woman should have her first MRI three years after the initial implant surgery and every two years thereafter. The cost of MRI screening over a women's lifetime may exceed the cost of her initial surgery and may not be covered by medical insurance. And if the implant rupture is noted on an MRI, the implant should be removed and replaced, if needed.
"FDA has reviewed an extensive amount of data from clinical trials of women studied for up to four years, as well as a wealth of other information, to determine the benefits and risks of these products," said Dr. Daniel Schultz, FDA director, Center for Devices and Radiological Health. "The extensive body of scientific evidence provides reasonable assurance of the benefits and risks of these devices. This information is available in the product labeling and will enable women and their physicians to make informed decisions."
by: Pensacola News Journal
There was a time when Breast Cancer was termed to be as a dreaded disease. But things have changed now. If detected earlier, this could be easily treated. Removal of your breast during the treatment of breast cancer can be one of the painful things you would have to go through. It may not be the same case for all patients. With the increasing knowledge about the cures and treatment breast cancer can be treated very easily.
Breast cancer occurs when cell in our breasts known as tumor grow out of control causing damage to the nearby tissues and spreads throughout. These tumors which are cancerous are known as malignant tumors and cause lot of damage to your body. As it takes lot of time for a tumor to grow, it may not be easy to detect the tumor during self exam. But these can be detected with mammograms.
Breast cancers best treatment - early detection. Once, cancer is detected it becomes easier for the doctors and yourself to fight it out. By the age of 20 all women should start doing Breast Self Examination (BSE) it is one of most easiest and earliest ways of detecting cancer. These check ups should be done few days after your periods. You should do this check up at least once a month. A clinical breast exam should be done at least once a year.
Some of the signs to look for, while doing BSE
- A lump found in and around the nipple or underarm
- Change in size or shape
- Nipple discharge or nipple turning inward
- Redness of skin or warmth
- Formation of dimple or change in skin texture
Some of the causes of having breast cancer
Gender: Being a woman is one of the common reasons for suffering from breast cancer. Event though men suffer from this disease too, just being a woman puts you in lot of danger.
Age: As you grow older your chances of having breast cancer increases.
Family history: If somebody in the family has suffered from breast cancer your chances of having breast cancer increases.
Being overweight or obese: If you are an overweight women your chances of breast cancer increases after menopause.
Lack of exercise: Being lethargic and lack of any physical activity leads you towards increasing weight and chances of breast cancer.
Alcohol: Drinking alcohol becomes very risky as it increases your chances of breast cancer.
Methods to Prevent Breast Cancer
- Turn into a vegetarian
- Have plenty of organic food and vegetables
- Avoid red meat and any processed foods
- Avoid alcohol and colas
- You can have something sweet by having Stevia, an herb which is a substitute to any other toxic artificial sweetener
- Having whole grains is very good such as Oatmeal, Kamut and Psyllium, which are a good source of fiber and enters directly into your bloodstream
- Your diet must include wheat, bran and Cabbage as they are very nutritious food which helps to prevent breast cancer
- Garlic, Ginger, carrots, celery, cilantro, parsley and parsnip has some of the highest cancer fighting nutrients. Include them in your daily diet
Breast cancer statistics show that over 1. 2 million persons will be diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide this year, according to the World Health Organization. For breast cancer and prevention, it has long been known that regular physical activity has been shown to decrease the likelihood of having breast cancer. What has not been known or studied has been the effect of regular physical activity on the breast cancer survival rates or likelihood of death in women that already have breast cancer. That is, until now.
The breast cancer statistics and findings as reported by the American Medical Associations Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in May 2005 were astounding! Certain participants in the study of women with Stage I, II or III breast cancer achieved a 50% reduction in the death rate from breast cancer.
Here are these breast cancer statistics: the journal reported that in the study 2, 987 female registered nurses had been diagnosed with breast cancer during the years 1984-1998. What the study found was that the women who had physical activity equivalent to walking at a steady pace of 2. 0-2. 9 miles per hour for 3-5 hours a week had a death rate of only 50% of the death rate of women who had physical activity equivalent to walking less than one hour a week. The conclusion of the breast cancer statistics in the study was that physical activity after breast cancer has been diagnosed may reduce the risk of death from breast cancer. The study found that there was little evidence of any relation between increased physical activity and increased benefit.
It's time to dust off those walking shoes!
As a physical activity, walking can be done almost anytime by anyone anywhere. All that is needed is a good pair of walking shoes. Walking is fun and reduces stress. As for injuries, walking has the lowest injury rate of all the various kinds of exercise.
You can walk with a partner, friend, family member or dog, maybe even a neighbors dog. Or you can walk with your favorite headset and music. If you are walking outdoors with a headset, keep one ear open to hear the sounds around you.
As for basic walking tips:
· As you begin regular walking, take it easy. Standard advice is to check with your physician before starting any exercise program. If it has been years or decades since you walked regularly, perhaps you can begin with 5 minutes of walking and slowly increase your time and distance.
· Walking at a pace of 75-95 steps a minute will have you walking at a speed of about 2-3 miles per hour.
· Walk with your head up, looking out in front of you. Do not walk looking down right in front of you except to navigate any obstacles.
· Really take it easy the first 5 minutes of walking to warm up. Afterwards, gently stretch for 5-10 minutes while your muscles are warm.
· Practice good walking form. Your arms should swing naturally in the direction you are walking, not from side to side across your body. Your foot should strike the ground on your heel, then a rolling motion forward toward the ball of your foot, then pushing off with your toes.
And here are some basic walking shoes tips:
· Buy your walking shoes from a sporting shoes store with large selections. Doing so will give you plenty of choices. And buy your walking shoes later in the day when your feet will be larger.
· Buy cushioned, supportive walking shoes. To see if a shoe is supportive, do this test: take a shoe and turn it upside down. Holding each end of the shoe, try to fold it. If you find the shoe bends in the middle, then that shoe is not a supportive shoe. A supportive shoe should bend where your foot normally bends, near your toes.
· You should allow the width of your index finger between the end of your shoe and the end of your longest toe, or about one-half inch.
· Buy two pairs of walking shoes, one for home and one for the car or workplace. And if one pair gets wet, you can use the other pair that day.
Walking is the closest thing to the perfect exercise. In today's fast-paced society, regular walking can be a welcomed break from the stress of the day. Maybe you will get to know your neighborhood or neighbors better. There may be walking trails you have never seen but wanted to.
Wherever and however you choose to walk, not only can the experience be fun, you will know you are being good to your body in a variety of ways. Besides the incredible breast cancer statistics and findings of the breast cancer study, walking helps with weight control and bone strength, elevates mood, helps build and maintain healthy muscles, joints and heart. With so many great health benefits, why not get started walking today!
By Olinda RolaChances are you know someone - a family member, colleague, or friend who has been affected by cancer. You'll want to learn more about prevention especially if you have a history of cancer in your family. There are over two hundred different types of cancer and the most common one for women is breast cancer. The lifetime probability of a woman developing breast cancer is 1 in 9. The good news is that it is possible for women to protect themselves from breast cancer. When breast cancer is discovered and treated early, the chances for recovery are better.
Every woman should know their own breasts so that any changes are noticed soon and can be reported to a physician. Knowing your breasts includes having a mammogram every two years if you are between the ages of 50 and 69 and getting a clinical breast exam by a doctor or trained health professional at least every two years from the age of 40. Regardless of age, all women should do their own monthly breast self-examination a few days after her period. When doing breast self-examination, things to look for include: puckering of the skin, the appearance of what is sometimes called 'orange peel skin', any place in your breasts that feels lumpy or harder than the rest and bleeding from the nipples or crusting.
It is important to note that most breast problems are not breast cancer and most lumps are not cancerous. When a lump is not cancerous it is referred to as 'benign'. A cancerous lump is called 'malignant'.
While there are no cures yet, researchers have discovered that a healthy lifestyle is the best way to prevent cancer. Since cancer is a disease that starts in our cells, everything we eat and are exposed to can affect them. Choose to be a non-smoker and avoid second-hand smoke. In regards to diet, choose a variety of lower fat, high fiber foods. Studies have shown that intake of total fat, saturated fat and meat are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Maintain a healthy body weight and limit alcohol consumption. Protect yourself from the sun. At home and at work, follow health and safety instructions when using hazardous materials. The link between an active lifestyle and breast cancer prevention is as yet unclear but general health is improved when regular exercise is an integral part of a person's lifestyle.
Taking care of ourselves is an ongoing commitment that requires self-discipline and knowledge. It is well worth the effort and you'll feel much better for it.
Article Source: Health GuidanceOverweight women’s breast cancer risk lower: study
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Overweight and obese women have a lower risk of breast cancer prior to menopause, researchers said on Monday in a finding they said both puzzles them and contradicts conventional wisdom.
The researchers admitted they do not know why the extra pounds (kg) may protect premenopausal women from breast cancer, but noted obesity actually greatly boosts breast cancer risk after menopause, when the disease more often is diagnosed.
“It is so puzzling. And it is not a good public health message,” said Karin Michels, associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School and lead researcher in the study.
“I don’t want women to use this as an excuse to be overweight. Therefore, it’s even more important for us to find out what the mechanisms are. I mean, the last thing we want is, in this day and age, to advise people to gain weight,” Michels said in a telephone interview.
The findings, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, were based on medical data from 113,130 premenopausal registered nurses tracked from 1989 to 2003. During that time, 1,398 cases of invasive breast cancer were diagnosed.
Women with a body mass index (a weight-for-height scale) of 30 or above — considered obese by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — had a 19 percent lower risk of premenopausal breast cancer than women in a normal weight range (body mass index between 20 and 22.4), the study found.
The lower risk was especially evident in young adults. Those with a body mass index at age 18 of 27.5 or higher, which makes them overweight or obese, had a 43 percent lower risk of breast cancer before menopause than women of normal weight at the same age.
Being overweight is linked to a broad range of health risks. The World Health Organization describes obesity as a growing problem in high-income nations as well as increasing numbers of low- and middle-income nations.
OVULATION FACTORS
Michels said some experts had suspected the reduced premenopausal breast cancer risk was the result of these women not ovulating as much due to their larger body size.
Some overweight women have irregular or long menstrual cycles, or develop a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome in which ovaries malfunction. These are linked to disruptions in ovulation that lower levels of certain hormones.
The suspicion had been that these lower hormone levels might explain the diminished breast cancer risk. But the researchers weighed these factors and concluded that they did not appear to be the cause.
“Now we’re back to square one in trying to explain with which kind of mechanisms a larger body size might protect women from breast cancer,” Michels said, adding she plans further research.
She speculated the findings might be explained by the fact that obese women are less likely to be screened for breast cancer, and that is harder to detect tumors in these women.
“If we just detect the cancer later and therefore delay the time of diagnosis of the cancer into their post-menopausal years, then that might be an explanation,” Michels said.
Michels said the link between weight and breast cancer risk varies by age. High weight at birth and then after menopause is linked to a heightened risk, while high weight in young adulthood is associated with a reduced risk, she said.
Source: Yahoo News
BOSTON -- Eleven thousand women under age 40 are diagnosed with breast cancer each year -- a small but significant percentage of the overall cancer population. One doctor is reaching out to help young patients deal with the cancer. Cynthia Shelton is enjoying a rare moment of relaxation. The 35-year-old single mom works full-time and is in the Army Reserves. Two years ago, she also found out she had breast cancer. “I had just got divorced a couple of months before I found out, so it was a bad year all around,” Shelton said. Suddenly, questions like would she date again and could she -- or should she -- have more children became more complicated. “I was afraid that breast cancer would run genetically in a female,” Shelton explained. Breast Cancer Specialist Ann Partridge, M.D., from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, helps young women like Shelton cope with their diagnosis. “Younger women, in general, have a harder time finding one another to discuss the issues related to their breast cancer and treatment,” Dr. Partridge said. Those issues include premature menopause, emotional issues, such as dating with one breast or scars, and preserving fertility. Options include freezing eggs, freezing ovarian tissue, and in-vitro fertilization. Dr. Partridge continued, “The only technique that has been actually shown to work is the IVF prior to chemotherapy.” But there is good news. “To date, there is no evidence that having a pregnancy after a diagnosis of breast cancer increases the risk that a breast cancer would return.” Dr. Partridge’s passion comes from the experience of her friend who was diagnosed with breast cancer at 30. “She was initially told, ‘Oh, you have nothing to worry about, you’re too young to get breast cancer.'” She urges young women to never tolerate such a response if they notice lumps or a skin change. Dr. Partridge works closely with the Young Survival Coalition, a network of young breast cancer survivors. The non-profit group advocates for more studies about young women and breast cancer, educates young women about detecting cancer, and brings together survivors to talk about some of their unique issues.
cancer in women at high risk for the disease.
New research finds the chemical compound in RU486 prevented tumors from growing in mice that were genetically engineered to carry the BRCA1 breast cancer gene.
RU486, or mifepristone, blocks the production of the hormone progesterone, and this anti-progesterone effect could have prevented the growth of tumors in these mice, the authors speculated. RU486 aborts a pregnancy via the same mechanism.
Still, all this is a far cry from recommending RU486 as breast cancer therapy in people, experts cautioned.
"It's an interesting observation," said Dr. Jay Brooks, chairman of hematology/oncology at Ochsner Health System, in Baton Rouge, La. "It's basically showing that this particular agent can change some of the mammary function, but it's a real leap to say that it may be useful in cancer prevention."
The study appears in the Dec. 1 issue of Science.
Genes can greatly influence breast cancer risk. Experts have long known that women with mutations in the BRCA1 gene are at a much higher risk of developing both breast and ovarian cancer. The mutations mainly affect hormone-responsive tissues, although experts have been unclear as to why.
For this study, researchers studied mice that carried the mutated form of BRCA1, causing them to be highly susceptible to breast cancer.
As it turned out, the mice's mammary epithelial cells accumulated high levels of progesterone receptors and then divided and proliferated at an abnormally rapid rate.
However, Mice treated with RU486 did not develop breast tumors by the time they reached 1 year of age. On the other hand, untreated mice developed tumors by eight months.
Progesterone may encourage the proliferation of mammary cells that carry a breast cancer gene, the researchers said.
Although the study was done in mice, the same mechanism occurs in human cells, said study author Eva Lee, a professor of developmental and cell biology and biological chemistry at the University of California, Irvine.
She speculated that clinicians may one day be able to use progesterone-blocking compounds to prevent breast cancer in women with a genetic predisposition.
But RU486 may not be the best candidate, however.
"It is the most widely available anti-progesterone drug," Lee said. "We are currently testing a more specific anti-progesterone drug to see whether it has the same effect and if that's proven, we'll go to a small clinical trial to see if that anti-progesterone is effective in a high-risk population."
by: HealthDay .Watching what you eat and getting regular exercise are important to your health. And this advice is especially important if you're a cancer survivor according to a new report.
If you're a cancer survivor, living a healthy lifestyle should be a top priority.
"Our message to cancer survivors, absolutely, is eating well, being active is really important to get you through cancer treatment and certainly as you look forward to that life beyond cancer," Colleen Doyle of the American Cancer Society said.
The American Cancer Society's new report finds that a healthy lifestyle will help patients feel better during treatment, and could reduce their risk of cancer coming back.
"There is much more evidence that being overweight, as a cancer survivor, has some really bad effects," Doyle said. "In particular for breast cancer survivors, breast cancer survivors who are overweight at diagnosis or have gained weight after diagnosis are more likely to have cancer occurrence and also are more likely to die of that cancer."
The cancer society's best advice:
"Eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, eat a lot of whole grains, breads, cereals, pastas, cut back on high-fat meat, high-fat dairy products," Doyle said. "Watch the amount of saturated fats you eat. These are the same type of things we tell anybody that is trying to improve their health and reduce their risk of chronic disease."
Other than skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women. Breast cancer mostly occurs in women over the age of 50, and the risk is especially high for women over age 60. Breast cancer is also found to occur more often in white women than African American or Asian women.
Each breast has 15 to 20 sections called lobes. Within each lobe are many smaller lobules (milk producing glands). Lobules end in dozens of tiny bulbs that can produce milk. The lobes, lobules and bulbs are all linked by thin tubes called ducts (milk passages that connect the lobules and the nipple). Fat surrounds the lobules and ducts. These ducts lead to the nipple in the center of a dark area of skin called the areola. There are no muscles in the breast, but muscles lie under each breast and cover the ribs.
Each breast also contains blood vessels and lymph vessels. The lymph vessels carry colorless fluid called lymph, and lead to small bean-shaped organs called lymph nodes. Clusters of lymph nodes are found near the breast in the axilla (under the arm), above the collarbone, and in the chest. Lymph nodes are also found in many other parts of the body.
Fashion show designed to heighten breast cancer awareness among tee
The trio is joining with Nordstrom in the Gardens Mall to host a fashion show, from 8 to 10 a.m.
Martin, who has been accepted into the fashion merchandising program at Florida State University, said the idea for the came from the three members of DECA wanted to merge fashion with a cause.
"We wanted to do a fashion show, but at the same time to help bring awareness to other teens about breast cancer," said Martin. "We went to the Gardens Mall because our original idea was to have the fashion show in the center court, but they don't do that with outside groups. Nordstrom loved the idea, so we are doing it there."
In October, the three teens held modeling auditions at Jupiter High School, where 40 potential models entered the competition. From that number, they chose 15 girls who have spent that past week trying on the cosmetics and going to Nordstrom to have a clothes fitting. Nordstrom is providing all the fashions for the show.
"We like to reach back to the community and help girls who are trying to build their personalities and help their schools at the same time," said Rhonda Yasin, manager of the BP department at Nordstrom. "Our BP department, which is the juniors department, carries most of the clothing trends, and this is where the clothes come from that the girls will be modeling on Saturday." In addition, Craig Martin, Lindsey's father, who is vice president and general manager of Jupiter Ritz-Carlton, will provide the food and beverages and one of the silent auction baskets. Other businesses have helped as well, providing the red carpet for the runways, and, in the case of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation donated information and brochures regarding the disease to distribute at the fashion show.
The show will take place inside Nordstrom, with access from the Gardens Mall inside entrance on the second floor. It is free.
What: Fashion show, featuring teen and adult misses apparel.
When: From 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2.
Where: Second floor, Nordstrom, entry from the Gardens Mall interior to the store.
Who: Hosted by three Jupiter High School DECA Club members, together with Nordstrom, which is providing the fashions for the 15 JHS models.
Why: To help raise awareness of breast cancer among teens.
By: KIT BRADSHAW
Drug Fights Cancer And Tumors
Nov. 29 - When breast cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it can be deadly. But now a new drug that seems to be able to stop advanced breast cancer from progressing and even reduces the size of tumors.
About 10 years ago, Karen Pike got the news. The mother of two had breast cancer.
Karen Pike, Breast cancer survivor: "I don't have any history in my family, so at 37, it was pretty scary. Our kids are 5 and 7, and I just went numb."
Karen's faith - and family - helped her stay strong. She needed the strength when the cancer came back three more times.
Karen Pike: "I couldn't have done any of this without my family. I know that I couldn't."
Karen has also relied on a team of doctors - and is now part of a clinical trial on a drug called sutent. In a study, the pill shrank tumors by one-third or more in 15 percent of patients - significant because they had very advanced disease and didn't have any luck with other treatments.
Doctor George Sledge says Sutent could be used as a frontline treatment for breast cancer that has spread.
George Sledge, M.D., Oncologist: "This holds out so much promise that I think if you are a physician dealing with breast cancer research you can only be excited about this."
Karen's only been on the drug for a month, but the lump in her neck has already drastically gone down in size - keeping her optimistic for the future.
Karen Pike: "Seeing both of my kids graduate from college, get married, have children, live a long life and be healthy for the rest of my life."
A simple dream she hopes will come true.
Sutent is an interesting drug. It has also shown promise in treating gastrointestinal and kidney tumors when other treatments start to fail. Right now, right now, it's just under investigation but could become FDA approved for certain cancers in the next year.
Researchers say, this drug is part of an entirely new class of agents and is working through mechanisms that haven't been used before.
By :ABC7
The authors, from Imperial College London, measured the levels of vitamin D in the blood serum of 279 women with invasive breast cancer. The disease was in its early stages in 204 of the women, and advanced in the remaining 75.
The results showed that women with early stage disease had significantly higher levels of vitamin D (15 to 184 mmol/litre) than the women in the advanced stages of the disease (16 to 146 mmol/litre).
The authors say that the exact reasons for the disparity are not clear, nor is it known whether the lowered levels of vitamin D among those with advanced disease are a cause or a consequence of the cancer itself. However, the researchers' results, taken together with results from prior studies, lead them to think that lowered levels of vitamin D may promote the progression of the disease to its advanced stages.
Laboratory studies have shown that vitamin D stops cancer cells from dividing and enhances cancer cell death. Vitamin D sufficiency and exposure to sunlight has been shown to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer. The body produces its own vitamin D in the skin when it is exposed to sunlight. The vitamin is also found in certain foods, including eggs and fatty fish.........
by: Janet
There are currently about fifty million smokers in the U.S. and there are another fifty million ex-smokers. Cigarette smoking has been linked to several human malignancies. Some of these links like the relationship between smoking and lung cancer are well established. In some other cases the relationship between smoking and cancer is not very well established. However several studies have clearly shown the malignant potential of chemical substances in cigarette smoke. This article is an attempt to summarize some of the known links between cigarette smoking and caner.
Lung cancer
Lung cancer has a strong association with smoking. On average, smokers increase their risk of lung cancer between 5 and 10-fold compared to never smokers. Even though lung cancer can occur in non-smokers, it should be appreciated that more than 90 percent of all lung cancer patients are current or past smokers. Some sub types of lung cancer like small cell lung cancer is more strongly associated with smoking than others. There is plenty of research evidence in the literature linking lung cancer to smoking. A recent study published in the British Journal Of Medicine (Ref: BMJ 1997) concluded that the accumulated evidence support the fact secondhand exposure to cigarette smoke could lead to lung cancer.
Genetic research over the past decade has linked Ashkenazi Jewish ethnicity to an increased risk for hereditary breast cancer, so much so that certain gene mutations have become known as "Jewish ancestral mutations." But a new study released in the November issue of The American Journal of Public Health challenges this approach, warning that disparities in access to care and other unintended consequences can, and have, resulted. The study, by Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons researchers, notes that while three recognized breast cancer mutations are present in 2-3 percent of the Ashkenazi Jewish population, similar prevalence studies have not been carried out in other ethnic groups. In addition, the study finds that research linking the breast cancer mutations with Ashkenazi Jews has been beset by methodological problems that cast doubt on the use of ethnicity as the basis for genetic research on disease. "The linking of Ashkenazi Jews to a deadly disease raises serious scientific and social concerns," said co-author Sheila M. Rothman, PhD, Professor of Sociomedical Sciences at the Center for the Study of Society and Medicine. "Focusing genetic studies on a specific ethnic group confers disadvantages to that group and others. For Ashkenazi Jews it raises the risk of stigmatization and insurance or job discrimination. For other groups, it introduces a gap in access to testing and treatment." The report cites examples of disparities that have occurred. For instance, Ashkenazi Jewish women have access to an inexpensive test that detects the mutations at a cost of $415 compared with $2,975 for non-Ashkenazi Jewish women without known family mutations. Other studies have found that Ashkenazi Jewish women with family histories of breast cancer are more than twice as likely as other women at similar risk to undergo testing for suspect genes. Rothman and her coauthors interviewed 30 genetic researchers and conducted a review of genetic and historical literature on the Ashkenazi Jewish population. The interviews revealed how geneticists came to substitute ethnicity for family history as the most relevant indicator of risk. Serendipity played a vital role. Researchers had previously found a high prevalence of a mutation causing Tay-Sachs disease in Ashkenazi Jews. Within 20 years, one-million Jews around the world had been tested for the mutation, and scientific institutions had created large repositories of genetic samples that could then be screened for the genetic mutations associated with breast cancer--but only in Ashkenazi Jews. "The science of breast cancer genetics has been marked by methodological inconsistency in how researchers defined 'Ashkenazi Jew,'" said study coauthor Sherry Brandt-Rauf, JD, Associate Research Scholar at the Center. Most scientists relied on study participants' self-identification. Ashkenazi Jews are descended from Jews who lived in central and Eastern Europe, but a complex history of migrations, and multiple cultural and religious meanings of Ashkenazi, makes self-identification problematic. The study also illuminates how geneticists interpreted Jewish history to support the theory of Ashkenazi genetic uniqueness. This interpretation views the historic Ashkenazi Jewish population as isolated, and as having undergone extreme expansions and contractions. It attributes Ashkenazi Jewish genetic uniqueness to "founder effects," the idea that genetic mutations can take hold and spread within small, geographically isolated populations, such as a group living alone on an island. Although Ashkenazi Jews were never geographically isolated, Rothman said that "researchers made persecution--the pogroms and massacres in Jewish history--the equivalent of geographic isolation." The study noted that a number of recent genetic surveys--including among Spanish, German, Dutch, Polish and Hispanic women--have shown a high presence of the so-called "ancestral Jewish mutations" in non-Ashkenazi and non-Jewish groups. For example, a large study of Spanish women with breast cancer reported that one of the three mutations accounted for 16.7% of all mutations in the gene.
Concerns have been raised that breast cancer screening might lead to some women undergoing unnecessary treatment. 
Researchers looked at international studies on half a million women.
They found that for every 2,000 women screened over a decade, one will have her life prolonged, but 10 will have to undergo unnecessary treatment.
UK experts said women over 50 should go for their breast checks, but a screening pioneer raised doubts about the NHS programme's future.
The report, published in the Cochrane Library, involved a review of breast cancer research papers from around the world.
Women invited to screening should be fully informed of both benefits and harm 
The scientists found mammograms did reduce the number of women dying from the disease.
But they also discovered it was diagnosing woman with breast cancer who would have survived without treatment, meaning they were undergoing unnecessary chemotherapy, radiotherapy or mastectomies.
About a fifth of cancers picked up by screening are in the milk ducts of the breast.
Some of these cancers will progress while others will not - but there is no way of predicting what will happen.
This means women and doctors have to decide whether or not to risk doing nothing, or go ahead with treatment which might be unnecessary.
They also revealed a further 200 women out of every 2,000 experienced distress and anxiety because of false positives - a result that indicated a cancer was present but was later found to be wrong.
Lead researcher Dr Peter Gotzsche, of the Nordic Cochrane Centre, said: "Women invited to screening should be fully informed of both benefits and harm.
"When screening advocates and their organisations produce information materials, they generally emphasise the benefits and omit information on the major harms.
"This needs to be corrected to ensure that women can give genuinely informed consent before joining a screening programme."
In 2001, the same authors concluded there was no convincing evidence that screening programmes reduce mortality from the disease.
NICE referral?
Michael Baum, professor of surgery at University College London who set up one of England's first screening programme in 1987, told the Daily Telegraph: "This latest evidence shifts the balance even further towards harm and away from benefits.
The benefits of breast screening far outweigh the risks
"If this report stands up, the NHS screening programme should be referred to the National Institute for health and Clinical Excellence to decide whether it should be closed down."
But a spokesman for the Department of Health said that, as mammography was an accepted, evidence-based technology, it would not be appropriate to refer the screening programme to NICE."
And Professor John Toy, medical director of Cancer Research UK, said: "Researchers in the field all agree that breast screening saves lives although they differ in their views about the balance of the pros and cons.
"Benefits need to be balanced against any disadvantages, as is the case with all medical treatments.
"Certainly women invited for screening should be made aware of both potential benefits and downsides - such as possible initial mis-diagnosis.
"But overall we continue to encourage UK women to participate in the NHS Breast Screening Programme."
Jeremy Hughes, chief executive of Breakthrough Breast Cancer said: "When early changes are picked up by screening it is not currently possible to predict whether or not they will progress and so treatment is usually offered to prevent breast cancer from developing.
"It's important women are given clear information about their treatment options. Early detection saves lives. Women over 50 should not be discouraged from taking up their screening appointments."
And Julietta Patnick director of the NHS Cancer Screening Programmes said: "The programme saves 1,400 lives every year. Women who are screened are also less likely to have a mastectomy than those who are not screened.
"For lives to be saved breast screening must detect cancers in the early stages. The benefits of breast screening far outweigh the risks and I would strongly encourage all women to make an informed choice to attend for screening when invited."Cancer occurs when cells undergo a transformation and begin to grow and multiply without normal controls. As the cells grow and multiply, they form masses called tumors. Cancer is dangerous because it overwhelms healthy cells by taking their space and the oxygen and nutrients they need to survive and function.
Ovarian cancer occurs when a tumor forms in one or both of a woman's ovaries. The ovaries are a pair of small organs that produce and release ova, or human eggs. The ovaries also produce important hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. They are located in the lower abdomen (pelvis), on either side of the womb (uterus). Ova released by the ovaries travel through the fallopian tubes to the uterus, where they may or may not be fertilized by the male sperm.
Cancerous tumors are malignant. This means they spread to other tissues and organs. Not all tumors, however, are malignant.
In a process called metastasis, malignant tumors may encroach on and invade neighboring organs or lymph nodes, or they may enter the bloodstream and spread to remote organs such as the liver or lungs. Metastatic tumors are the most aggressive and serious of all tumors.
The type of cell that originated the abnormal growth determines the class of the ovarian tumors.
- Epithelial tumors: These tumors arise from a layer of cells that surrounds the outside of the ovary called the germinal epithelium. About 70-80% of all ovarian cancers are epithelial. These are most common in women who have been through menopause (aged 45-70 years).
- Stromal tumors: Stromal tumors develop from connective-tissue cells that help form the structure of the ovary and produce hormones. Usually, only one ovary is involved. These account for 5-10% of ovarian cancers. These tumors typically occur in women aged 40-60 years. Often, surgical removal of the tumor is the only treatment needed. If the tumor has spread, though, the woman needs chemotherapy.
- Germ cell tumors: Tumors that arise from germ cells (cells that produce the egg) account for about 15% of all ovarian cancers. These tumors develop most often in young women (including teenaged girls). Although 90% of women with this type of cancer are successfully treated, many become permanently infertile.
- Metastatic tumors: Only 5% of ovarian cancers have spread from other sites. The most common sites from which they spread are the colon (52%), breast (17%), stomach (10%), and pancreas (5%).
- Within these main classes are many different subtypes of tumors.
Noncancerous (benign) ovarian masses include abscesses or infections, fibroids, cysts, polycystic ovaries, endometriosis-related masses, ectopic pregnancies, and others.
- Of markedly enlarged ovarian masses (>4 cm) found in women who are still menstruating (have not been through menopause), about 20% are cancerous.
- Of markedly enlarged masses found in women who have been through menopause, about 45-50% are cancerous.
- At least 15,000 women die each year from ovarian cancer.
- The 5-year survival rate is greater than 75% if diagnosis of the cancer occurs before it has spread to other organs. However, the 5-year survival rate drops to 20% when the tumor has spread to the upper abdomen.
- In the United States, about 1 in 56 women develops cancer of the ovary. More than 26,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.
What is the breast?
The breast is a collection of glands and fatty tissue that lies between the skin and the chest wall. The glands inside the breast produce milk after a woman has a baby. Each gland is also called a lobule, and many lobules make up a lobe. There are 15 to 20 lobes in each breast. The milk gets to the nipple from the glands by way of tubes called ducts. The glands and ducts get bigger when a breast is filled with milk, but the tissue that is most responsible for the size and shape the breast is the fatty tissue. There are also blood vessels and lymph vessels in the breast. Lymph is a clear liquid waste product that gets drained out of the breast into lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are small, pea-sized pieces of tissue that filter and clean the lymph. Most lymph nodes that drain the breast are under the arm in what is called the axilla.
What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer happens when cells in the breast begin to grow out of control and can then invade nearby tissues or spread throughout the body. Large collections of this out of control tissue are called tumors. However, some tumors are not really cancer because they cannot spread or threaten someone's life. These are called benign tumors. The tumors that can spread throughout the body or invade nearby tissues are considered cancer and are called malignant tumors. Theoretically, any of the types of tissue in the breast can form a cancer, but usually it comes from either the ducts or the glands. Because it may take months to years for a tumor to get large enough to feel in the breast, we screen for tumors with mammograms, which can sometimes see disease before we can feel it.
What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is cancer of the mesothelium. Like most cancers, mesothelioma involves the abnormal dividing of cells of a particular part of the body -- in this case, the mesothelium. Mesothelioma is so deadly because it remains dormant for many years and then begins to rapidly expand. The cancer then begins to invade and damage nearby tissue, including the vital organs.
What is the mesothelium?
Many of the internal organs of the body are protected by a membrane called the mesothelium. This membrane actually consists of two layers of cells. The inner layer surrounds the organs, and the second is a sac surrounding the inner layer. When organs within this membrane must move, expand or contract -- such as the heart, lungs, bladder, and so on, they are able to do so because the mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid between the two layers.
Mesothelioma most often begins in the pleura or peritoneum. The pleura surrounds the lungs and covers the chest cavity. The peritoneum covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity. Other mesothelium tissue is also vulnerable to mesothelioma. These include the pericardium that surrounds and protects the heart; the tunica vaginalis testic which surrounds the internal male reproductive organs; and the tunica serosa uteri which is the membrane covering the internal reproductive organs in women.
Who is at greatest risk to develop mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma has a very specific cause - exposure to asbestos. During the first half of the previous century, right up until the mid 1970s asbestos was an important material used to insulate buildings, machines, heavy equipment, and a broad range of commercial applications. Because it was plentiful and inexpensive to mine, asbestos was used in many building products such as home insulation, floor, ceiling and roof tiles. It was also used in commonly found commercial products such as brake linings and pipe insulation.
This meant that millions of people were coming in contact with asbestos on a daily basis. And since the effects of exposure to asbestos fibre often do not become apparent for 30 or 40 years after prolonged exposure, companies and health officials were slow to recognize the dangers of asbestos. As a result, shipyard workers, men and women working in asbestos mines and mills, workers producing asbestos products, workers in the heating and construction industries, and virtually all other tradespeople were exposed to asbestos fibres for extended periods of time.
Today it is understood that anyone working with or near asbestos has an increased risk of developing mesothelioma, so there are strictly controlled limits of exposure in the work place. But since the dormancy period of mesothelioma can often be 30 or 40 years, there are millions of workers who are at risk because of their exposure in the decades before the safety controls were put in place.
What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?
Pleural mesothelioma - cancer of the pleura or lung lining - causes shortness of breath or chronic coughing. Other symptoms of pleural mesothelioma may include chest pain, chronic coughing, shortness of breath, fatigue, wheezing, hoarseness, weight loss, or blood in the phlegm from the lungs when coughing.
Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the lining around the stomach and intestines and is usually just as dangerous. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include pain or swelling in the abdomen, weight loss, bowel obstruction, anemia, and fever.
Many of the symptoms of mesothelioma can easily be mistaken for allergies or a common cold. Mesothelioma is often discovered when patients think they have one of these other common illnesses.
How Serious is Mesothelioma?
By the time most infected people become aware they have mesothelioma, it is no longer dormant and becomes extremely aggressive. In its active phase, mesothelioma can travel quickly, and is almost impossible to stop. There are treatments used to keep the patient comfortable, but there is currently no cure for mesothelioma. As many as 75% of those who develop the disease will lose their life within one year. The remainder may last for up to an additional six months.
This makes it extremely important to detect the disease before it enters its active phase.
How is mesothelioma diagnosed?
Mesothelioma is often not diagnosed until it reaches an advanced stage. This is because of its long dormancy period, and because once it becomes active the initial symptoms are similar to much more comman and less dangerous sicknesses such as colds or the flu. If a patient has a history of exposure to asbestos, then a complete physical examination is advised. This would normally include x-rays of the chest or abdomen and lung function tests. It might also include a CT (or CAT) scan or an MRI. Both of these tests give detailed pictures of areas inside the body.
If these tests indicate the probability of mesothelioma, then it is necessary to perform a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. Doing a biopsy involves an oncology specialist taking a small sample of affected tissue and examining it under a microscope for signs of malignancy. Depending on the location of the affected tissue, doing a biopsy can be a relatively traightforward procedure. It normally involves the insertion of a small instrument into the suspect cavity. These surgical devices have both viewing and sample taking capabilities. So the oncologist or surgeon can look at the cavity from the inside, and then take tissue samples from different areas.
If mesothelioma is discovered, the initial tests are followed up with what is called "staging". This involves more tests to determine how far the disease has spread.
How is mesothelioma treated?
Standard treatments include the normal options available to cancer patients: surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Sometimes, these treatments are combined. If the mesothelioma is discovered at an early enough stage these treatments can sometimes be effective.
Among the treatments that are used in order to reduce the effects of the disease are oxygen, postural drainage and pain killers. Many alternative treatment methods are also being tested, including attempts to strengthen the body's immune system. Gene therapy is also being tested in an attempt to attack the problem at the DNA level. Other treatments being tried and tested include homeopathy, herbs and acupuncture. Unfortunately none of these have been found to be very effective once the disease reaches its aggressive stage.
As with all cancers, early detection is the best defense against mesothelioma. Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should be alert for symptoms and contact a doctor immediately. Detecting mesothelioma at the earliest stage possible greatly increases the chances of beating the disease.
Why do we shy away from the colonoscopy? It just seems like such a fun experience! Well, I'm sure it will never be that but music seems to help with anxiety and the need for higher doses of medication before the procedure. There is a 90% cure rate when colon cancer is caught in its earliest stages.
We know that music can soothe us, lift our spirits, make us sad, give us energy and many other emotional responses. Its seems like a given that it would help patients better tolerate scans and procedures. If the tests are more anxiety free then more of us might actually make those appointments we keep putting off.
A study done by the doctors at Temple University in Philadelphia showed that music played during a colonoscopy procedure made some patients able to relax enough to require less sedation, without sacrificing comfort.
According to Benjamin Krevsky, M.D., M.P.H., "Over all, colonoscopies are very, very safe and while the risk of sedatives are relatively small, in general, less medication is always better. Offering music has no down side, it may prove beneficial, and patients appear to be satisfied with the procedure."
I myself am guilty of putting off the colonoscopy. Since I was diagnosed with breast cancer my oncologist has been recommending the procedure. ok, so ..
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