Health Article Center

Health Article Center


What are the risk factors for prostate cancer?

Posted: 02 Mar 2011 07:14 PM PST

4024360213 d7d072bb79 m What are the risk factors for prostate cancer?

But risk factors don’t tell us everything. Many people with one or more risk factors never get cancer, while others who get cancer may have had no known risk factors.

We don’t yet completely understand the causes of prostate cancer, but researchers have found several factors that may change the risk of getting it. For some of these factors, the link to prostate cancer risk is not yet clear.

Age

Age is the strongest risk factor for prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is very rare before the age of 40, but the chance of having prostate cancer rises rapidly after age 50. Almost 2 out of 3 prostate cancers are found in men over the age of 65.

Race/ethnicity

Prostate cancer occurs more often in African-American men than in men of other races. African-American men are also more likely to be diagnosed at an advanced stage, and are more than twice as likely to die of prostate cancer as white men. Prostate cancer occurs less often in Asian-American and Hispanic/Latino men than in non-Hispanic whites. The reasons for these racial and ethnic differences are not clear.

Nationality

Prostate cancer is most common in North America, northwestern Europe, Australia, and on Caribbean islands. It is less common in Asia, Africa, Central America, and South America. The reasons for this are not clear. More intensive screening in some developed countries likely accounts for at least part of this difference, but other factors are likely to be important as well. For example, lifestyle differences (diet, etc.) may be important: men of Asian descent living in the United States have a lower risk of prostate cancer than white Americans, but their risk is higher than that of men of similar backgrounds living in Asia.

Family history

Prostate cancer seems to run in some families, which suggests that in some cases there may be an inherited or genetic factor. Having a father or brother with prostate cancer more than doubles a man’s risk of developing this disease. (The risk is higher for men with an affected brother than for those with an affected father.) The risk is much higher for men with several affected relatives, particularly if their relatives were young at the time the cancer was found.

Genes

Scientists have found several inherited genes that seem to raise prostate cancer risk, but they probably account for only a small number of cases overall. Genetic testing for most of these genes is not yet available. Recently, some common gene variations have been linked to the risk of prostate cancer. Studies to confirm these results are needed to see if testing for the gene variants will be useful in predicting prostate cancer risk.

Some inherited genes raise the risk for more than one type of cancer. For example, inherited mutations of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes are the reason that breast and ovarian cancers are much more common in some families. Mutations in these genes may also increase prostate cancer risk in some men, but they account for a very small percentage of prostate cancer cases.

Diet

The exact role of diet in prostate cancer is not clear, but several different factors have been studied.

Men who eat a lot of red meat or high-fat dairy products appear to have a slightly higher chance of getting prostate cancer. These men also tend to eat fewer fruits and vegetables. Doctors are not sure which of these factors is responsible for raising the risk.

Some studies have suggested that men who consume a lot of calcium (through food or supplements) may have a higher risk of developing advanced prostate cancer. Most studies have not found such a link with the levels of calcium found in the average diet, and it’s important to note that calcium is known to have other important health benefits.

Obesity

Most studies have not found that being obese (having a high amount of extra body fat) is linked with a higher risk of getting prostate cancer. Some studies have found that obese men have a lower risk of getting a low-grade (less dangerous) form of the disease, but a higher risk of getting more aggressive prostate cancer. The reasons for this are not clear. Studies have also found that obese men may be at greater risk for having more advanced prostate cancer and of dying from prostate cancer, but this was not seen in other studies.

Exercise

Exercise has not been shown to reduce prostate cancer risk in most studies. But some studies have found that high levels of physical activity, particularly in older men, may lower the risk of advanced prostate cancer. More research in this area is needed.

Smoking

A recent study linked smoking to a small increase in the risk of death from prostate cancer. This is a new finding, and will need to be confirmed by other studies.

Inflammation of the prostate

Some studies have suggested that prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland) may be linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer, but other studies have not found such a link. Inflammation is often seen in samples of prostate tissue that also contain cancer. The link between the two is not yet clear, but this is an active area of research.

Infection

Researchers have also looked to see if sexually transmitted infections (like gonorrhea or chlamydia) might increase the risk of prostate cancer, possibly by leading to inflammation of the prostate. So far, studies have not agreed, and no firm conclusions have been reached.

Vasectomy

Some earlier studies had suggested that men who had a vasectomy (minor surgery to make men infertile) — especially those younger than 35 at the time of the procedure — may have a slightly increased risk for prostate cancer. But most recent studies have not found any increased risk among men who have had this operation. Fear of an increased risk of prostate cancer should not be a reason to avoid a vasectomy.

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Finding Out More About The American Cancer Society

Posted: 02 Mar 2011 10:49 AM PST

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Cancer is a devastating disease that has changed the lives of millions around the world. With continued research and more effective treatments, deaths from cancer have been decreasing, and the length of time survivors are able to live in remission is increasing. While a true cure for cancer has yet to be found, current treatment interventions and strategies have proven to successful in many cases. The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering among those most affected by this devastating disease. The American Cancer Society tracks cancer occurrence, including the number of deaths, cases, and how long people survive after diagnosis, in addition to data regarding risk factors for developing cancer and the use of screening results.

Present facts and figures for 2007 for cancer incidence, mortality, survival, cancer risk factors, and annual estimates of expected new cases and deaths by cancer for the general population, Hispanics, African Americans, breast cancer, global cancer statistics, and annual updates for cancer prevention and early detection can be found in various online reports available for immediate download. Read about the latest in cancer research, how cancer affects your life, and the latest happenings at the American Cancer Society at the Cancer Survivors Network at www.acscsn.org. This is a great place to go to find strength and inspiration from a vibrant community of people whose lives have been affected by cancer. Members share their personal stories with a renewed sense of hope that good things are yet to come.

Information and resources for cancer can be found online at the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org, the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem. Find lots of great information fast, including a guide to quitting smoking, stories of hope, treatment decision tools, bookstore, and employment and volunteer opportunities. Relay for Life.org is an American Cancer Society sponsored event that celebrates survivors, and those lives lost to cancer, and raises awareness about cancer and funds for continuing research and clinical trials, so that one day cancer will be eliminated. Invite a friend to join with you against the fight against cancer. Get information on current research, clinical trials, research grants, public health advertising campaigns, organizing events, fund allocation, and access to links about cancer facts from the American Cancer Society. Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back!

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Which type of Complications Caused by Lung Cancer?

Posted: 02 Mar 2011 09:54 AM PST

4305863929 21fa853009 m Which type of Complications Caused by Lung Cancer?

Lung cancer, like all cancers, results from an abnormality in the body is the basic unit of life cell. Normally, the body maintains a system of checks and balances on cell growth so that cells divide to produce new cells only when new cells are needed.

Lungs is also very common site for metastasis from tumors in other parts of the body. Tumor metastases are made from the same cell type as the original (primary) tumor. For example, if prostate cancer spreads to the blood vessels in the lungs is metastatic prostate cancer in the lung is not lung cancer and specifically for any location like we can say Lung Cancer Treatment Florida. We found services from there also with any of location with are specialists in lung cancer.

There are different types of lung cancer which are like this:

small lung cancer (SCLC)
non-small lung cancer (NSCLC)

Lung, also known as bronchogenic carcinoma. This classification is based on the microscopic appearance of the tumor cells themselves. These two types of cancer grow and spread in different ways and may have different treatment options, so the difference between the two types is important. People find out treatment of lung cancer when they founded any causes in cancer.

What causes lung cancer?

Tobacco smoke is a major cause of lung cancer. Although nonsmokers can get lung cancer, the risk is about 10 times greater for smokers and also to increase the number of cigarettes smoked daily.

If you are a heavy smoker consuming more than 20 cigarettes daily, the risk of causing lung cancer is about 30 to 40 times higher than if you smoke.

Symptoms of lung cancer include:

Chronic cough.
Worsening shortness of breath.
Weight loss.
Excessive fatigue.
Persistent chest pain or elsewhere, (possibly from the cancer spreads to the bone).
symptoms may be due to the original tumor in the lung or the effects of secondary tumors elsewhere in the body
One of the major symptoms of lung cancer is coughing up blood or haemoptysis. This can sometimes occur as an early warning sign of cancer that can be cured. Any person who coughs in the blood should see their GP for advice on how urgently lung cancer must be considered, especially if that person is a smoker over 40 years.

Causes ,effects symptoms and treatments of ovarian cancer

Posted: 02 Mar 2011 09:29 AM PST

1468127510 3fe45664c3 m Causes ,effects symptoms and treatments of ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer: Ovaries belongs to the woman's reproductive system. They are located in the pelvis region. Ovaries are useful in producing female hormones like estrogen and progesterone. Ovaries play the main role in releasing the egg to the womb (uterus). Ovaries will stop producing eggs when woman goes through menopause by decreasing the hormone levels in the body.

Ovarian cancer occurs in the reproductive system cells, these cells are the building blocks of tissues and organs. Basically these cells grow and divide into multiple cells and they die when they grow, and new cells take their place. But due to some causes these basic life cycle of the cells gets damage and began to grow rapidly without any controlling limit. These cells form a huge mass of tissue which is called as tumor.

Ovarian tumors are of two types they are
:
Benign tumor: These tumors are not life threatening tumors. This cancer can be removed easily by surgery process.  These tumors grow in single site. They do not spread and invade other tissues around them. The benign tumor cells doesn't contain metastatic characteristics( spreading nature to other parts of the body)
Malignant tumor: These tumors are cancerous tumors. They spread to other parts of the body. These tumors can be removed but sometimes they grow back. Malignant tumors invade nearby tissues and organs. These tumors contain metastatic characters.

Ovarian cancer has three main characteristics they are:
Invasion: malignant tumors invade other nearby tissues life fallopian tube and uterus.
Shed (Break off): Ovarian cancer cells can creak off from the ovarian tumor. Breaking into abdomen can cause gastrointestinal Cancer.
Spread: These cancer cells spread to lymph nodes of pelvis, chest and abdomen by lymphatic system. These cancer cells can also spread to organs like lungs and kidneys.

When the ovarian cancer cells spreads to the other parts will form a new tumor which has the same characteristic features of the primary tumor. For example, if the ovarian cancer spreads to the lungs, the cancer cells in the lungs are actually belonging to the ovarian cancer cells. Then this disease is called as metastatic ovarian cancer.

Causes of Ovarian cancer: The exact causes for this cancer are not found but the risk factors for this ovarian cancer are identified. Here is the list of risk factors.

Risk factors for ovarian cancer:
No pregnancy: Lack of pregnancy in woman can have 2 to 3 times of higher risk in facing ovarian cancer that pregnant woman.
Obesity: Woman who weight more than 50 pounds have 10 times of higher risk in facing ovarian cancer.
Early puberty: Woman who faces early puberty before 12 years of age have more risk factors for ovarian cancer.
Late menopause: Woman who goes for menopause after 50 years of age have more chances of causing ovarian cancer.
Family history: Family history also can be factor in causing ovarian cancer. So please be sure in taking screening tests for diagnosing of ovarian cancer.
High estrogen level: Women who intakes high level of unopposed estrogen will increase the risk factor of causing ovarian cancer
Using of breast cancer drugs: Tamoxifen is a kind of anti-cancer drug mostly useful in curing breast cancer. If the usage of this drug is in excess mode, then there will be increase in chances of having ovarian cancer.
• Cancers like endometrial and colon increases the chances of having ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer symptoms and signs:
• Abnormal bleeding of vagina
• Weight loss
• Pelvic pain
• Swelling in pelvic pain
• Pain in pelvis, abdomen and legs
• Swollen abdomen
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Fatigue
• Unusual menopause
• Urinate often
• Shortness of breath

These are the symptoms found during the developing stage of the ovarian cancer. Please be sure in taking screening test for diagnosing the severity of the disease.

Treatment methods for ovarian cancer
: Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are best treatment methods available for treating this ovarian cancer. Depending on the severity of the cancer, your doctor describes the treatment choices.

Surgery: Surgery is the main therapy for  curing of ovarian cancer in the early stage. This surgery process is carried by identifying the first staging of the ovarian cancer. Surgery is carried by making a long incision in the abdomen area to remove the ovarian cancer tumor. Surgery will be taken place only if the ovarian tumor located in only one part of the body. During this surgery process the damaged fallopian tubes, uterus, omentum, and lymph nodes and nearby tissues are also removed along with the ovaries.  During some cases, the major portion of other infected organs will be removed for avoiding spreading of the disease throughout the body.

Radiotherapy: This treatment is based on the extent of the disease.  Radiotherapy is a process of removing cancer cells by using high intensity x-rays. These high energy x-rays are aimed at the ovarian tumor to destroy the cancer cells .This process also causes damage to the normal cells for its side effects.

There are two types of radiotherapy treatments they are.
External radiations: External radiation process is carried out from outside the body. The powerful x-ray beams are aimed at the effected area from outside the body. This process destroys the cancer causing cells permanently.

Internal radiations: X-ray beams are passed into the body by making some small incisions in the endometruim area. This treatment gives better results than the external radiation therapy.

Chemotherapy
: Chemotherapy is one of the treatments useful in killing ovarian cancer causing cells by the usage of drugs. This treatment process is carried by either pills or through intravascular injections. This anti-cancer drug enters into the bloodstream and travels towards the damaged tissues and destroys the cancer cells.

Chemotherapeutic drugs attacks the cancer cells by stopping their unusual growth. This nature of this cancer cells were brought to the normal condition by controlling the divisibility of the cells.

The chemotherapy drugs are given in the following form:
• In tablet or pill form(oral)
• By taking injection(Intravenous or intramuscular)
• Injection taking in the (Intrathecal)
• Injection directly in the abdomen vein.

This cancer chemotherapy drug can be given at either clinic or at home. The usage of this drug can be daily, weekly or monthly depending on the stage of the cancer and body immune system. Chemotherapy treatment is given by considering the following basis like age, gender, drug toxicity and body weight. The dosage and usability should be carried under proper supervision.

Ovarian cancer occurs due to unusual growth of cancer cells. This cancer is referred as metastatic cancer for its effects and causes. This cancer also causes endometrial and colon cancer. This cancer can be cured only in the early stage of its occurrence. Surgery and anti-cancer drugs will be useful in treating this ovarian cancer.

Cancer Treatment and Medication

Posted: 02 Mar 2011 05:57 AM PST

2721623400 ef78bb4e3e m Cancer Treatment and Medication

Cancer

Cancer is abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells in human body. The cells divide at a very faster rate and even rupture to infect other tissues. They may travel in the blood stream or the lymph fluid. There are close to 100 different types of cancer. They are named after the organ they infect or originate from. Broadly cancer can be categorized as

1.       Carcinoma

2.       Sarcoma

3.       Leukemia

4.       Lymphoma and Myeloma

5.       Central Nervous System (CNS) Cancer

Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in skin and the tissues lining internal organs. Sarcoma is cancer of the bones, cartilages, blood vessels or muscle. Leukemia is blood cancer and CNS cancer is the cancer of brain and spinal cord. Other common types of cancers are bladder cancer, breast cancer, colon and rectal cancer, endometrial cancer, renal cell cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer and thyroid cancer. Cancer can be detected by strange growth of body tissues, biopsy and other tests.

Stages in Cancer

All forms of Cancer start at the cellular level. In a normal body, whenever there is a damaged cell, it is discarded by the body. Cancer damages the genetic composition of a cell and alters the DNA coding. Once the DNA of a cell is changed by a carcinogen, the cells do not die and such cells accumulate to form a callus of dead cells called tumor. There are 2 types of tumors

1.       Benign tumor

2.       Malignant tumor

Benign tumors can be treated by surgically treating them by removal and they do not spread over to other parts of the body. However, if benign tumor starts spreading, they are termed malignant and they also infest the neighbor organs and cells. Malignant tumors are cancerous and their spreading to other organs is termed as metastasis.

Causes of Cancer

Cancer causing agents are called carcinogens. Smoking, tobacco, inheritance, exposure to radioactive substances, exposure to UV Radiations, unsafe sex, lack of physical activity, blood transfusion and environmental factors are the major causes of different forms of cancer.

1.       Smoking is responsible for one-third of all cancer fatalities. Almost all cases of lung cancer can be associated to smoking. Smoking Is also known to cause kidney, cervical and stomach cancer.

2.       Chewing tobacco causes oral cancer. Like smoking it may also triggers cancerous activity in kidney, cervical and stomach. It is also known to cause acute myeloid leukemia.

3.       If you have a family history of cancer then it is very likely that you have inherited a mutant gene. It stays in passive mode in most of the cases and in such cases you need to be extra cautious

4.       People who work at nuclear plant bear a great risk of gene mutation and this may cause various cancers.

5.       Exposure to UV Rays from sun is known to cause skin cancer.

6.       Unsafe sex causes infection by human papillioma virus or HPV. HPV increases the risk of cervical, vulvar and vaginal cancer.

7.       Exercising regularly helps fight obesity which is known to cause prostate, colon, breast, endometrial and lung cancer.

8.       If the blood donor has any form of cancer, he greatly has the chances of transferring cancerous cells through his blood to the recipient.

9.       Environmental factors like asbestos dust, exposure to benzene, gasoline or various pollutants is also known to causes cancers.

Treatment

Cancer can be treated by the following methods:

1.       Chemotherapy includes killing of micro- organisms, mutant and cancerous cells by exposure to chemicals

2.       Radio therapy or radiation therapy is used to treat certain forms of cancer by exposing the affected area or organ to ionized radiations

3.       The affected region or organ can also be surgically removed to remove and discard the cancerous cells and preventing them from spreading further

4.       Other treatment may include angiogenesis inhibitors therapy by cutting out blood supply to tumors, biological therapy, bone marrow transplant, peripheral blood stem cell transplant, gene therapy and targeted cancer therapies

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