Myailments.com - risks

What tests do we really need?

Thu, 23 Aug 2007 09:00:40 +0000

Filed under: Breast Cancer , Ovarian Cancer , Lung Cancer , Prevention Wouldn't it be great if we could receive full-body scans every year to check for early signs of cancer and other disease? Even if possible and affordable -- right now, scans cost about $900 -- it still wouldn't be such a great idea. Full-body scans often result in false alarms. People with harmless abnormalities may end up facing more tests, more risks, and more worry in order to rule out illness. The scan itself can present health hazards too. It exposes patients to more radiation than a chest X-ray and could slightly increase the risk of cancer, especially for those scanned every year. How do we know, then, if something has gone awry in our bodies? Well, we can do our self-exams -- breast exams, testicular exams, skin exams -- and we can report for annual check-ups. We can respond to symptoms we experience -- if headaches are bothersome and persistent, your doctor may prescribe a head scan -- and we can pursue tests and screening that we really need for cancer prevention and early detection. Here are just a few: Breast ultrasound In addition to mammogram, women with dense breast tissue would be wise to request this test. Mammograms miss up to 50 percent of cancers in dense breasts so having both tests offers a more comprehensive check. These ultrasound exams cost between $75 and $300. Lung scan Those 50 and older who have smoked an equivalent of one pack of cigarettes per day for at least 10 years -- or two packs per day for five years, and so on -- should try this method for detecting lung cancer in its earliest stages. Once symptoms occur, the disease is usually so advanced that most don't live for five years. Lung scans cost $250-$350. Transvaginal ultrasound Women with a family history of ovarian cancer should begin receiving this test 10 years before the earliest age a relative developed the disease. Ovarian cancer cannot be detected during a routine OB/GYN exam so most patients go undiagnosed until the cancer is advanced and deadly. If caught before it spreads, the survival rate is 85 percent, in contrast to 25 percent for late diagnoses. The transvaginal ultrasound has a high rate of false positives and is advised only for those at special risk. Source: Good Housekeeping, May 2007

Cancer by the Numbers: Osteosarcoma

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 08:00:59 +0000

Filed under: Bone Cancer , Cancer by the Numbers Overview of osteosarcoma: There are about 900 new cases of osteosarcoma diagnosed in the US each year. About 400 occur in children and adolescents younger than 20 years of age. Osteosarcoma forms in the bones. It is most commonly diagnosed in those who are 15 to 25 years of age. It is also the most common type of bone cancer, and the sixth most common type of cancer in children.

Heart disease after Hodgkin's lymphoma treatment

Thu, 22 Mar 2007 18:05:43 +0000

Filed under: Chemotherapy , Hodgkin's Lymphoma , Teen Cancers , Young Adult Cancers , Radiation , Cancer Survivors Those who have been treated for Hodgkin's disease have a 3.6 fold increased risk of heart attack and a 4.9 fold increased risk of congestive heart failure than the general population.

Toxic Bust: indie film about environmental links to cancer

Sun, 29 Oct 2006 15:33:41 +0000

Filed under: Breast Cancer , Prevention , All Cancers , Research , Environment , Non-toxic alternatives , Television , Movies

Kylie Minogue: the Kylie effect leads to misunderstanding about breast cancer

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 23:30:34 +0000

Filed under: Breast Cancer , Celebrity cancer diagnosis , Cancer Survivors When Australian pop star Kylie Minogue was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, there was a sudden surge in the number of young women requesting breast cancer screening. Minogue's breast cancer diagnosis at the age of 37 raised concern among a younger population of women that breast cancer is a diagnosis that could potentially happen to them. Knowledge is power and education saves lives. The increase in breast cancer awareness became known as the Kylie Effect. However, the awareness that younger women can develop breast cancer has led some women to age-related conclusions about breast cancer that are not true, and this is also being referred to as the Kylie Effect. According to a recent survey of 2,289 women conducted by Cancer Research UK, 77 percent of the survey participants said that breast cancer risk was higher for women under the age of 70, and 33 percent said that women under the age of 50 were most at risk. The fact is cancer risk increases with age, and four out of five women diagnosed with breast cancer are over the age of 50. "Celebrities with breast cancer like Kylie Minogue and Caron Keating have attracted a lot of publicity -- especially in magazines aimed at younger women. This is very beneficial in that it raises awareness of breast cancer. But the down side is that it may also set up a chain of panic among young women, while misleading older women to think that ageing is not a relevant factor in breast cancer," stated Dr Lesley Walker of Cancer Research UK. For a retrospective of Kylie Minogue's breast cancer journey:

Kylie Minogue: voted favorite traveling companion of men.
Kylie Minogue: world exclusive interview with Sky One.
Kylie Minogue loses close friend and personal chauffeur to cancer.
Kylie Minogue: back on stage as a breast cancer survivor.
Kylie Minogue: laughter is the best medicine for cancer cure.
Dannii Minogue: sings under pressure about sister Kylie.
Kylie Minogue breast cancer survivor glows in health.
Kylie Minogue: cancer survivor writes children's book.
Kylie Minogue joins women in fight for Herceptin.
Kylie Minogue in breast cancer remission.

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Lance Armstrong: promoting healthy lifestyles in cancer prevention

Sat, 21 Oct 2006 13:23:10 +0000

Filed under: Prevention , Cancer events , All Cancers , Research , Politics , Smoking , Cancer Survivors

Study: eating lots of bread pasta and rice increases kidney cancer risk

Fri, 20 Oct 2006 14:36:27 +0000

Filed under: Kidney Cancer , Prevention , Research , Diets , Cancer prevention foods According to a study published in the International Journal of Cancer, a significant link between a diet high in bread and kidney cancer has been found. A diet high in pasta and rice might also contribute to an increase in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) a common form of kidney cancer. 2301 Italians particpated in the study conducted by researchers from the Institute of Pharmacological Research Mario Negri in Milan. Researchers found that diets high in bread, pasta and rice, which cause a rise in insulin-like growth factors might play a role in the increase in cancer. Diets high in poultry, processed meat, and all vegetables, both raw and cooked appear to decrease the risk. For more information on the glycemic diet and the glycemic index, visit Fifty 50 . Read Permalink Email this Linking Blogs Comments

Vitamin D slows breast cancer

Tue, 17 Oct 2006 10:33:37 +0000

Filed under: Breast Cancer , Prevention , Vitamins and nutrients Women with advanced breast cancer were found to have lower levels of vitamin D when compared to women with early-stage breast cancer, leading researchers to conclude that vitamin D might play a role in slowing the progression of breast cancer. Imperial College London researchers are not certain if the lower level of vitamin D found in women with advanced breast cancer is the result of the cancer, or one of the factors promoting the progression of the breast cancer, only that there appears to be a connection. This adds to the body of knowledge that women living in northern climates, where there is less year-round sun exposure, are more prone to developing breast cancer. One of the natural ways to get vitamin D is from exposure to sunlight. Also, women can get vitamin D from fortified milk and dairy products, cod liver oil and fatty fish, such as salmon. Previous research has indicated that vitamin D might play a role in the prevention in a number of cancers. For related information into research conclusions regarding vitamin D:

Fatty fish offers women cancer prevention
Vitamin D: supplement aids in reducing risk of cancer
Vitamin D: lack of summer sun increases risk for 16 cancers

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Women who are four times more likely to get breast cancer

Mon, 16 Oct 2006 11:30:28 +0000

Filed under: Breast Cancer , Prevention , Research , Environment Women who work on farms are three times more likely to develop breast cancer as a result of exposure to pesticides, and women who grew up and worked on farms are four times more likely to develop breast cancer, according to occupational and environmental health scientist James Brophy. Brophy conducted a study of 564 women diagnosed with breast cancer at the Windsor Regional Cancer Centre, and after he took genetics, smoking, age, number of children and hormone replacement therapies into account, working on a farm appeared to be a notable factor in a number of women diagnosed with breast cancer. Brophy theorizes that childhood and occupational exposure to cancer-causing agents such as pesticides might be a factor in the increase of breast cancer. "I'm not saying we have the smoking gun on breast cancer . We don't,'' stated Brophy. "What I think we do have is a study that shows the importance of looking at occupation as a potential risk factor.'' Read Permalink Email this Linking Blogs Comments

Breast density important tool in breast cancer risk assessment

Sat, 30 Sep 2006 09:00:56 +0000

Filed under: Breast Cancer , Prevention , Research , Daily news Breast density has something to do with breast cancer. This is not really news. It's clear there is some kind of link, some kind of relationship, some kind of risk related to breast density for both pre- and post-menopausal women. It's just not clear how exactly breast density -- how much fat tissue fills the breast compared to other tissue -- contributes to breast cancer risk. But once it is clear, medical professionals will have a whole new arsenal of power in the fight against this deadly disease. Cancer News in Context, a regular series of podcast commentaries produced by the Harvard Center for Cancer Prevention, highlights two recent studies that add weight to the fact that breast density is an important tool in breast cancer prediction and identifies two areas that with futher study might help determine why breasts that are very dense are associated with higher risks for breast cancer -- and why density may be as important a factor as age in determining risk. Currently, mammograms are the chosen method for measuring breast density. But measurement is not required, and there are no national standards for how to measure. Once federal groups issue requirements and direction on how to classify density, women will receive more accurate assessments of their personal risk. There is also speculation that altering breast density through hormonal therapy may lower risk. Perhaps genetics are the strongest indicator of risk, making short-term solutions ineffective, but perhaps certain interventions can override genetics, helping women protect themselves from breast cancer. There are many issues that must be ironed out before we really understand how breast density affects breast cancer. There is no doubt that density, when added to other risk factors, will surely help improve the accuracy of prediction. It's one tool, among many, that is poised to open all sorts of doors. Read Permalink Email this Linking Blogs Comments

Prostate cancer treatment diabetes and heart health dangers

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 13:30:47 +0000

Filed under: Prostate Cancer , Drug , Research One of the commonly-prescribed drug treatments for men with prostate cancer, gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH), might put them at risk for the development of diabetes or heart disease, according to a large observational study conducted by Harvard Medical School researchers. Given by injection, this drug blocks the production of testosterone, a hormone that fuels prostate cancer. Because this treatment can be given for a prolonged period of time, researchers feel that doctors and prostate cancer patients should be made aware of the potential risks and weigh those against the benefit of treatment. "Men with prostate cancer have high five-year survival rates, but they also have higher rates of non-cancer mortality than healthy men," says study author Dr Nancy Keating. For more information regarding this study, read Prostate Cancer Treatment Increases Risk of Diabetes and Heart Disease . Read Permalink Email this Linking Blogs Comments

Prostate cancer treatment diabetes and heart health dangers

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 13:30:43 +0000

A state of perpetual low light and light pollution cancer risks

Thu, 07 Sep 2006 10:30:31 +0000

Filed under: Breast Cancer , Prevention , All Cancers , Research The fortunes and ills of modern society. Without argument, the advent of artificial light has provided a new way of life, a freedom from the dictates of the light of day and the darkness of night. However, it appears, we are not getting enough light during the day and we are getting too much light at night. As a result, it is creating an internal hormone imbalance and we might be paying the price of progress in increased rates of breast cancer and other cancers as well. It's called light pollution at night and energy conservation by day. To save on energy, we dimmed the indoor lighting. Many of us spend most of our days exposed to a quality of indoor lighting that is insuffcient for our health needs. At night, we are exposed to too much light when the body needs darkness. The trouble stems from the interaction between melatonin and light. At night, when melatonin should be most active in our bodies, artificial light shuts it down. According to researchers, one of the functions of melatonin is in its ability to shut down cancer cells. At a conference in Ottawa, Canada, more than 100 psychologists, biologists, medical researchers, engineers and lighting designers are attending a conference to address the research and to explore possible solutions. As one of the researchers suggested, "we tend to live in a state of perpetual low light." Read Permalink Email this Linking Blogs Comments

Cancer is one of many occupational hazards for firefighters

Wed, 23 Aug 2006 08:00:18 +0000

Filed under: All Cancers , Environment , Daily news Firefighters pull off heroic maneuvers all the time. Heat and smoke and fire are their constant companions. Emergency scenarios keep them perpetually challenged. Risking their lives is a top job responsibility. I can't imagine taking on this line of work, yet I am amazed by those who do -- for their eagerness to save lives while compromising their own. And to read today that cancer is another occupational hazard for firefighters makes me appreciate them even more. In Edmonton, a firefighter who was praised as a hero for saving the life of a rookie firefighter in 2003 died on Saturday of job-related cancer at the age of 47 -- just two years after doctors diagnosed him with a terminal form of multiple myeloma. Clarke Stevens was expected to live for five years. Ken Block, president of the Edmonton firefighters union said Stevens' death is a reminder of the risks these heroes take. Block says firefighters are between two and four times more likely to develop certain cancers, and Stevens is the fifth Edmonton firefighter to die of cancer since 2004. It takes a special person to make saving others' lives a priority. To risk death in so many ways -- for the benefit of strangers -- must be the true definition of selflessness. And thank goodness for these selfless individuals who help keep the rest of us safe. Read Permalink Email this Linking Blogs Comments

Breast cancer chemotherapy tougher on young women

Sat, 19 Aug 2006 11:00:19 +0000

Filed under: Breast Cancer , Chemotherapy , Research , Daily news Just before my chemotherapy for breast cancer started -- when I was fantastically frightened by the toxic drugs that were about to drip into my veins -- I was told by doctors, nurses, survivors, friends that I would be just fine. I was young and strong and tough. I would easily tolerate the beating my body was about to take. This is what I was told and actually came to believe myself. I had no other choice really than to approach chemotherapy with a fighter mentality. And so I did. And I did pretty well for my first three doses of Adriamycin and Cytoxan -- given every two weeks instead of three in a dose-dense fashion -- followed by one injection of Neulasta 24 hours later to maintain normal blood counts. And then something happened. And I did not end up tolerating the chemotherapy my gut told me was a scary endeavor. One week after my fourth dose of chemotherapy and after my shot of Neulasta, my body plummeted. My skin lost its color. My energy disappeared. My mind was foggy. My thoughts and words seemed incoherent. My temperature rose. And my white blood counts dipped to 700 -- 4,000-10,000 is normal. I landed in the hospital, spent five days on IV antibiotics to fight off infection, and received a blood transfusion to replenish my blood supply that would not recover on its own. And then for two weeks, I was better. Until my blood counts dropped again -- this time to 1,200 -- and my fever returned and new symptoms surfaced too. Like sore gums and a sore throat and a headache. It was somewhat of a mystery at the time -- why my body crashed a second time after my first hospital stay -- when I had not received any further chemotherapy. My doctor arrived at the opinion that it was delayed reaction to chemotherapy. And maybe it's just that simple. Maybe it's not a mystery after all. Maybe chemotherapy is just hard stuff and there's no real prediction for how it will affect the body -- or for how long. Maybe it's just the price I paid for consenting to a treatment that is now believed to strike harder those who are younger than 64. I was 34. A study released on Tuesday marks the first of its kind for attempting to calculate the real-world risks of chemotherapy for 35,000 breast cancer patients under age 64. Researchers studied a massive database of insurance claims to determine how often breast cancer patients under 64 were hospitalized in the year after diagnosis and how often chemotherapy side effects were blamed. They found that 16 percent of these patients needed hospital care for serious side effects -- more than previously thought. Some side effects, like infection, low blood counts, dehydration, and nausea, occurred three to four times more often than earlier research predicted. For some reason, chemotherapy strikes young women harder than older women. And in the ultimate of strikes, many women do not even need chemotherapy. Surgery, radiation, and hormone treatment may be enough. But there is no way to accurately determine who will benefit from chemotherapy so in the spirit of caution, chemotherapy is over-prescribed. And the price -- hospitalization -- is high. But if we can survive chemotherapy -- like I did -- then perhaps it will also save our lives. Read Permalink Email this Linking Blogs Comments