acne-cancer-diabetics

noreply@blogger.com (BASIL) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 05:16:00 +0000

DOES SUN EXPOSURE CAUSE SKIN CANCER?
There are a lot of tales told about skin health. One of the most damaging is that sun exposure causes skin cancer. As you’ll see in a moment, this is simply not true.

Melanoma is the form of skin cancer the media likes to refer to when they want to scare the dickens out of the public about the dangers of sun exposure. There are a number of reports of the fact that melanoma has been steadily increasing over the last 20 years. Most dermatologists will say this increase is due to the fact that more people are getting far too much sun exposure in their younger years.

A closer look at the matter, however, reveals a far different story. Skin cancer awareness programs have been effective at increasing the number of people undergoing full-body screening exams, and the result is a huge increase in the number of skin biopsies being performed. It seems that even with biopsies there is still considerable confusion and disagreement among pathologists when it comes to identifying melanoma. It’s apparently not a cut-and-dried diagnosis.

Looking at the same tissue, one pathologist will see a benign lesion while another will see it as melanoma. Thus, the dramatic increase in biopsies has led to more melanoma diagnoses, many of which are false, as a new study shows.

The study, conducted by doctors at Dartmouth Medical School, found that there has been a 250% increase in skin biopsies since 1986-which just happens to be roughly the same percentage increase in the number of people diagnosed with early-stage melanoma. These researchers became skeptical about the rise in melanoma after they noticed that over that time there hasn’t been any increase in deaths from melanoma or any increase in the number of advanced cases of the disease. (BM] 05;331(7518):698)

Plain and simple, there has not been an actual increase in the overall incidence of melanoma. The apparent increase is due merely to improved detection because of the increased number of screening procedures and subsequent biopsies, which by the way, hasn’t led to any increase in survival or cure rates.

Much like cancers of the prostate, breast, and lung, the more doctors look for cancer, the more likely they will find it and the number of false diagnoses will also increase.

If you or someone you know is diagnosed with melanoma, I would definitely suggest getting a second or possibly even a third opinion.

Obviously, excessive exposure that results in sunburn isn’t a benefit at all. However, moderate amounts of sunlight, along with a varied diet containing nature’s natural protective anti- oxidants, vitamins, and fatty acids (omega-3s) is actually beneficial and has been shown to help prevent many forms of cancer-including skin cancer.

Lifetime sun exposure was actually shown to result in a lower risk of developing melanoma. (I Invest Dermatol 03;120(6) Past studies have shown that individuals who utilize sun exposure reasonably have a lower incidence of colon and breast cancer, prostate cancer, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, hip and vertebra fractures, et cetera.

Over 20 years ago it was discovered that vitamin D has an “anti-proliferative” effect on cells. In other words, vitamin D can stop cells from multiplying out of control (i.e., from developing into cancer). The body has only two sources for vitamin D. The first is from oily foods (vitamin D is fat-soluble) such as oily fish, organ meats, and eggs. The second is from your own skin cells, which use the same “cancer-causing” UV rays from the sun to convert a form of cholesterol into vitamin D.

Not surprisingly, those who consume more fish and omega- 3 foods have a reduced incidence of melanoma, while those consuming more of the omega-6 oils (the vegetable oils that are now so pervasive throughout our food supply) have increased rates of melanoma and other skin cancers.

A couple of other chemicals that your skin makes when it has adequate exposure to the UV rays of the sun. The function of these two vitamin D-related compounds, lumisterol and tachysterol, isn’t yet fully understood. It’s possible that they’re associated with helping prevent blood sugar problems and obesity.

Avoiding sunlight puts you at a far greater health risk than exposing yourself moderately. Dr. William Grant, one of the top researchers on this subject, has studied the relationship between sunlight and health for years. He’s found that every year 47,000 individuals in this country die from 16 different types of cancer due to insufficient vitamin D, whereas 8,000 die of melanoma and another 2,000 die from other skin cancers.

Furthermore, pale skin, numerous moles, smoking, a diet high in fat and low in fruits and veg- etables, and frequent sunburns are all stronger predictors of later skin cancer than UV exposure. As with most things, moderation is the watchword. Enjoy your time in the sun every day and prepare your body with an adequate intake of the right fatty acids.

Jonathan Bell has many years of extensive study in the area of natural cancer prevention and treatment. He has numerous success stories of people being diagnosed living cancer free with use of alternative methods.

noreply@blogger.com (BASIL) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 22:20:00 +0000

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Understanding Skin Cancer

noreply@blogger.com (BASIL) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 22:07:00 +0000

What Is Skin Cancer?

skin cancers involve abnormal cell changes in the outer layer of skin called the epidermis.It is by far the most common cancer in the world. Most cases are cured, but the disease is a major health concern because it affects so many people. The incidence of skin cancer is rising, even though most cases could be prevented by limiting the skin's exposure to ultraviolet radiation.Skin cancer is about three times more common in men than in women, and the risk increases with age. Most people diagnosed with skin cancer are between ages 40 and 60, although all forms of the disease are appearing more often in younger people. If you or any close relatives have had skin cancer, you are more likely to get the disease.Every malignant skin tumor in time becomes visible on the skin's surface, making skin cancer the only type of cancer that is almost always detectable in its early, curable stages. Prompt detection and treatment of skin cancer is equivalent to cure.Types of Skin CancerSkin cancers fall into two major categories: melanoma and non-melanoma.Melanoma can start in heavily pigmented tissue, such as a mole or birthmark, as well as in normally pigmented skin. Melanoma usually appears first on the torso or back, although it can arise on the palm of the hand; on the sole of the foot; under a fingernail or toenail; in the mucous linings of the mouth, vagina, or anus; and even in the eye.Melanoma is an extremely virulent, life-threatening cancer. It is readily detectable and usually curable if treated early, but it progresses faster than other types of skin cancer and tends to spread beyond the skin to affect the bones or brain. Once this occurs, melanoma becomes very difficult to treat and cure.The two most common skin cancers, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, are non-melanomas, which are rarely life-threatening. They progress slowly, seldom spread beyond the skin, are detected easily, and usually are curable. Basal cell carcinoma, which accounts for nearly 3 out of 4 skin cancers, is the slowest growing. Squamous cell carcinoma is somewhat more aggressive and more inclined to spread. In addition, there are a few rare non-melanomas, such as Kaposi's sarcoma, a potentially life-threatening disease characterized by purple growths and associated with a suppressed immune system and almost always seen in patients with AIDS.Some technically noncancerous skin growths have the potential to become cancerous. The most common are actinic keratoses - crusty reddish lesions that may scratch off but grow back on sun-exposed skin. Another precancerous skin growth, cutaneous horns, appears as funnel-shaped growths that extend from a red base on the skin.

Who Is at Highest Risk?

Skin cancer tends to strike people of light skin color. Dark-skinned people are rarely affected, and then only on light areas of the body such as the soles of the feet or under fingernails or toenails. An estimated 40% to 50% of fair-skinned people who live to be 65 will develop at least one skin cancer. The incidence of skin cancer is predictably higher in places with intense sunshine, such as Arizona and Hawaii. It is most common in Australia, which was settled largely by fair-skinned people of Irish and English descent.

What Causes It?

Excessive exposure to sunlight is the main cause of skin cancer. Sunlight contains ultraviolet (UV) rays that can alter the genetic material in skin cells, causing mutations. Sunlamps, tanning booths, and X-rays also generate UV rays that can damage skin and cause malignant cell mutations. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma have been linked to chronic sun exposure, typically in fair-skinned people who work outside. Melanoma is associated with infrequent but excessive sunbathing that causes scorching sunburn. One blistering sunburn during childhood appears to double a person's risk for developing melanoma later in life.
Fair-skinned people are most susceptible because they are born with the least amount of protective melanin. Redheads, blue-eyed blonds, and people with pigment disorders such as albinism are at the greatest risk. But people with many freckles or moles, particularly abnormal-looking ones, may also be vulnerable to melanoma. Workers regularly exposed to coal tar, radium, inorganic arsenic compounds in insecticides, and certain other carcinogens are at slightly higher than normal risk for non-melanoma skin cancer.

Diabetic nerve pain:Foot care tips for protection.

noreply@blogger.com (BASIL) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 04:06:00 +0000

Diabetes can mean double trouble for your feet. First, diabetes can reduce blood flow to your feet, depriving your feet of oxygen and nutrients. This makes it more difficult for blisters, sores, and cuts to heal. And second, the diabetic nerve damage called peripheral neuropathy can cause numbness in your feet. When you can't feel cuts and blisters, you're more likely to get sores and infections.
If you don't notice or treat the sores, they can become deeply infected, and lead to amputation. A sad reality: having a toe, foot, or lower leg surgically removed is 10 times more likely in people with diabetes.
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy can also cause sharp pain in your feet. You may become excruciatingly sensitive to the lightest touch, like the sheets on your bed.
Fortunately, a little TLC goes a long way in preventing foot problems from diabetes.
Tips to Protect Your Feet
Foot Care Tip

1. Check both feet daily. Look over both feet carefully every day, and be sure you check between all of your toes. Blisters and infections can start between your toes, and with diabetic neuropathy, you may not feel them until they've become irritated or infected. If a physical challenge keeps you from checking your own feet, ask a family member to help.

Foot Care Tip 2. Wash with warm - not hot - water. Wash both of your feet briefly each day with warm - not hot - water. You may not be able to feel heat with your feet, so test the water with your hands first. Avoid soaking too long in water, since waterlogged sores have a harder time healing. Dry your feet right away, and remember to dry gently between all of your toes.

Foot Care Tip 3.
Make sure your shoes fit well. It's an investment worth making. Even the slightest rubbing or misfit shoe can cause a blister that turns into a sore that becomes infected and never heals. Buy better-fitting shoes, or try different socks, even at the most minor signs of redness or irritation, since you may not be able to feel when it's getting worse. Before buying or putting on the shoes check your shoes for rough seams, sharp edges or other objects that could hurt your feet. And break your shoes in gradually.
Foot Care Tip 4.
Skip the barefoot look. Always we
ar shoes or slippers. Always wear socks with your shoes, since leather, plastics, and manmade shoe materials can irritate your skin and quickly bring on blisters. While you might prefer the look of hose, nylon knee-highs, or thin socks, you may find that these don't give your toes or heels enough protection. Wear thicker socks to pad your feet and cushion any calluses or sore spots.
Foot Care Tip 5.
Speak up. Nerve damage can be unpredictable. Tell your doctor about any changes in sensation in your toes, feet, or legs. Speak up if you notice pain, tingling, a pins-and-needles feeling, numbness, or any other unusual signs - even if it seems trivial to you. There's nothing small-potatoes about a potential foot amputation.
Foot Care Tip 6. Stay soft - but dry. Your skin may be dry and cracked because of high glucose levels, and cracked skin means it's easier for bacteria to get under your skin and harder for infections to heal. Use a small amount of skin lotion daily, but be sure your feet feel dry - not damp or sticky - afterwards. Try not to get the lotion in between your toes. Keep your toenails trimmed and filed smooth to avoid ingrown toenails. You may find it easier to trim your nails after using lotion, when your cuticles are softer. Use a pumice stone after showering or bathing to softly file corns or calluses.
Foot Care Tip 7.
Try non-impact exercise. Swimming, cycling, yoga, and tai chi are increasingly popular ways to exercise - with minimal impact on your feet. Talk with your doctor before starting an exercise program.
Foot Care Tip 8.
Fix bunions, corns, and hammertoes. If your big toe slants sharply in toward your other toes, with a big bump on the knuckle of your big toe, you've got a classic bunion. Corns are spots of thick, rough skin, where the tissue builds up on toes constantly barraged by too much rubbing or pressure. A buckled-under toe, called a hammertoe, can result from muscle weakness caused by diabetic nerve damage. All of these make it hard to fit shoes comfortably. But a good podiatrist can help you fix these problems and take better care of your feet.
Foot Care Tip 9.
Consider fitted orthotics. A podiatrist can also fit you with shoe inserts called orthotics to support your feet if your have diabetic nerve pain or the muscles have become weak from nerve damage. If pain or weakness is so severe that it's too painful or even impossible to walk, a foot brace or orthopedic shoes might help. A podiatrist is your best source for these devices.
Foot Care Tip 10.
Control your blood sugar. The best treatment for nerve pain, ultimately, is to manage your diabetes well. In fact, a major study by the American Diabetes Association in 2006 showed that strict blood glucose control with intensive insulin therapy lowered the chances of having symptoms of peripheral neuropathy - tingling, burning, and pain - by 64%. While you can't control whether or not you get diabetic nerve pain, you can help control your glucose levels with diet, exercise, and mediations if you need them.

Your feet are your source of independence - or at least its foundation. Give your feet a little tenderness, a little loving care, each day. And be sure to have your doctor take a good look at your feet during each of your diabetes checkups, in case you missed anything. click here for complete cure

Dermatologists and skin care.

noreply@blogger.com (BASIL) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 03:46:00 +0000

Skin Care and Dermatologists
Dermatologists, or skin care doctors, have expertise in the care of normal skin as well as in the prevention and treatment of a wide variety of skin conditions, including skin cancers.
Dermatologists also diagnose and treat people with disorders affecting the hair and nails. In addition, dermatologists are knowledgeable in the management of cosmetic disorders of the skin (for example, hair loss and scars).

Where Can I Find a Dermatologist?
If you are looking for a dermatologist, start by asking your general practitioner which dermatologists he or she would recommend. You also may want to check with the American Academy of Dermatology, which maintains lists of board-certified doctors. Another resource may be the medical school at a university near you. Many faculty members also have private practices in your area.
Tips to Consider When Choosing a Dermatologist
When considering a dermatologist, here are some questions to ask:
Does your office accept my insurance?
If I notice a problem, how quickly can I get an appointment?
Do you have patient references available?
Do you have evening or weekend hours?
Does the doctor have a particular area of interest?
How many times have you performed this specific procedure?

Why do some people get acne and others do not?

noreply@blogger.com (BASIL) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 03:35:00 +0000

It is not clear why some people are more prone to acne than others. The exact cause of acne is not known, but one important factor is an increase in male sex hormones called androgens. Androgens increase in both boys and girls during puberty. Androgens cause the sebaceous glands (oil glands) to get larger and produce more sebum. Androgens also can increase because of hormonal changes related to pregnancy or starting or stopping birth control pills.
Another factor in the cause of acne is genetics. Researchers believe that the tendency to develop acne can be inherited from parents. In addition, some drugs (for example, anti-epilepsy medication, prednisone, androgens and lithium) are known to cause acne. Cosmetics that have a greasy consistency may change the cells of the follicles, causing them to stick together and resulting in a plugged pore. Water-based products are less likely to cause acne.
Things that can make acne worse include:
Friction caused by leaning on or rubbing the skin; harsh scrubbing
Picking or squeezing blemishes
Pressure from bike helmets, backpacks, or tight collars
Changing hormone levels in adolescent girls and adult women two to seven days before the start of the menstrual period
Stress
Other factors that were previously thought to make acne worse do not seem to have an effect on the development of acne. These factors include chocolate, greasy foods, and dirty skin. click here for total treatment.

Prevent acne this way.

noreply@blogger.com (BASIL) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 03:08:00 +0000

1. Keep your face clean. Whether or not you have acne, it's important to wash your face daily to remove impurities, dead skin cells, and excess oil from the skin surface. Use warm, not hot, water and a mild facial cleanser. Using a harsh soap (like deodorant body soap) can injure the already inflamed skin and cause more irritation.
Avoid scrubbing your skin harshly with a washcloth, exfoliating glove, or loofah (a coarse-textured sponge). Gently wash it with your clean hands or a very soft cloth. Always rinse well, and then dry your face with a clean towel. (Toss the towel in the laundry hamper, as dirty towels spread bacteria.)
2. Moisturize. Many topical acne products contain ingredients that dry the skin, so always use a moisturizer that minimizes dryness and skin peeling. A gel-based moisturizer usually works well for oily skin. If you have dry skin, try a moisturizing cream or lotion. Combination skin may need two products (cream or lotion for the dry section; a gel for the oily part). Always hydrate your skin with water before you moisturize it.
3. Try an over-the-counter acne product. Topical (those applied to the skin) acne products may contain ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, an antibacterial agent with a drying effect, or salicylic acid, an agent that sloughs off skin and gets rid of bacteria. Start with a small amount at first. Then increase or decrease the amount and how often you apply it, depending on how much peeling or drying you have. Use these ointments with caution if you have sensitive skin. Benzoyl peroxide can cause redness and scaling of the skin. It can also bleach your clothes, towel, and hair.
4. Use makeup sparingly. During a breakout, try to avoid wearing foundation, powder, or blush. If you do wear makeup, wash it off at the end of the day. If possible, select oil-free cosmetics without added dyes and chemicals. Water-based cosmetics are available. Read the ingredients list on the product label before buying.
5. Watch what you put on your hair. Avoid using fragrances, oils, and harsh chemicals on your hair. These ingredients can drip on the face, blocking the skin pores and irritating the skin. Stick to a gentle shampoo and conditioner. Oily hair can add to the oil on your face, so wash hair often, especially during a pimple outbreak. If your hair is long, keep it pulled off your face.
6. Keep your hands off your face. Avoid touching your face or propping your cheek or chin on your hands. Not only can you spread bacteria, you can also irritate the already infl

7. Stay out of the sun. The sun's ultraviolet rays can increase inflammation and redness. Further, some oral and topical acne medications may increase the skin's sensitivity to sunlight. Whether you have pimples or not, always apply sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher at least 20 minutes before sun exposure. Look for a non-acnegenic sunscreen to decrease the chance of new pimples. Again, always read the ingredients on the product label to know what you're putting on your skin.

8. Feed your skin. Most experts agree that certain foods, like chocolate and chips, do not trigger pimple outbreaks. Still, it makes sense to avoid greasy food and junk food and add more fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains to your diet. Some studies show that eating foods high in vitamin A and beta-carotene may boost your immunity and skin health. Carrots, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, apricots, kale, and spinach are all high in beta-carotene, the type of vitamin A produced by plants.

9.Exercise daily. Regular exercise is good for your mind and your body, including your skin -- the body's largest organ. Working out reduces anxiety and boosts blood flow throughout the body. When you exercise, avoid wearing clothing or using exercise equipment that rubs on the skin and may cause irritation. Also, avoid wearing hats, goggles, or helmets that cause you to sweat excessively, as this can irritate the skin and increase bacteria. Always shower or bathe right after exercise.

10. Chill! Experts believe that our emotional state is related to all aspects of health, including skin function. Some studies link stress with the severity of pimples or acne. Take time to understand your stress reactions. Also, try to figure out what's causing you to feel stressed. Find effective ways to deal with stress before it builds up and causes a breakout.amed facial skin. Never pick or pop pimples with your fingers, as it can result in infection and scarring. Visit this site for complete cure to acne:click here

Do alternative cancer treatments work?

noreply@blogger.com (BASIL) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 11:36:00 +0000

There are claims by both researchers and cancer survivors alike, that alternative cancer therapy really works, even in the most aggressive of cancers, such as pancreatic. Eighteen months of research by Nobel prize winners, doctors, scientists, biochemists, and Ph.D.'s state their findings uncovered over 350 natural and alternative non-specific cancer treatments.
Non-specific meaning that cancer cells no matter where they are residing in the body, react to these natural and alternative treatments by either curing the cancer completely, increasing the tumor response rate combined with chemo for more shrinkage, or in terminal or non operable cases increased survival time by 64% , and a 59% increase of survival time in patients with metastasized breast cancer using the alternative and natural treatments combined with chemo.

The researchers also claim to have found a substance being used in Japanese hospitals that reduces hair loss to "slight" as opposed to "severe." This substance is also supposed to inhibit metastasis, improve survival rates, and relieve other side effects of chemo. There is supposed documented evidence that the natural and alternative treatments work, with over 2,000 testimonials from current or recent cancer patients that have utilized the natural and alternative treatments, either exclusively or in combination with conventional medical treatment.

The truth is that today, as many Americans are dying from cancer as in 1950, even after being adjusted for age. Despite this fact, it seems too many medical professionals are only concerned with treating this disease through rigorous treatments such as chemo and radiation. It is also possible that many of the medical professionals are only knowledgeable about, and can prescribe treatments regulated by the FDA. Many of the natural and alternative cancer therapy treatments contain herbs and vitamins often found in readily available natural food sources, which falls outside the jurisdiction of the FDA.

It is not unreasonable to think that natural alternative cancer therapy, and can work. Antibiotics are a perfect example. They are harvested from mold, and are given to fight bacterial infections such as pneumonia, meningitis, scarlet fever, strep throat, blood poisoning, gangrene, and a host of other bacterial infections. Here is a logical question - If a fungi combats bacterial infections, what other natural remedies are out there that we are not aware of, and what are they capable of combating?

How to get rid of stubbon pimples overnight

noreply@blogger.com (BASIL) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 10:48:00 +0000

Treaing acne isn't an easy thing to do. Pimples are stubborn and always seem to pop up at the worst possible time. I have never had a lot of patience and wanted to get rid of those ugly pimples as fast as possible. I've tried various ointments, creams and scrubs that I bought at my local drug store, but realized that some of my best home remedies could be performed with the items that you already have at your house.

For starters, I have always followed a couple of rules to keeping my skin clear. I've tried a lot of the so called miracle cleansers that are on the matrket, and always ended up disappointed with a pimple still sitting on my face. I always wondered what would help to clear my skin in a pinch and this is what I have found which works for me.

I start off by keeping my face clean by washing it multiple times a day. I wash my face with a mild soap and use warm water. I try not to scrub my face because that always made matters worse for me. I only try to wash off any surface dirt and make up when I wash my face, and remove any oil. This alone didn't cure my acne, but it helped my skin to always look it's best, which was all I wanted to do.

To get rid of the pimples, I go with a few different approaches. Whenever I have a pimple, I apply a warm compress to the affected area of my skin for 15 to 20 minutes. I make the compress as warm as I can stand it. I make sure not to burn my skin because I'm trying to soften the skin on and around the pimple to help the other methods that I use to break the pimple open.

The first method I use allows me to not have to pop or squeeze my pimples. It breaks open on it's own when I apply a dab of toothpaste to the pimple. I don't ever use gel toothpaste because it doesn't work as well. I only use the old school, most basic toothpaste I can find. I normally leave this on the affected area for 10-20 minutes and gently remove with a wet wash cloth. This normally causes my pimple to rupture, only leaving a small mark as evidence of what was once on my face. I then wash the area after removing the toothpaste and wake up with no blemishes whatsoever.

Another method I use is to apply egg white to the pimple and the surrounding area. I let this sit on my face for 20 minutes to allow enough time for the pimple to rupture. My skin normally tightens as egg white is drying on my face. I then wash the egg white off my face thoroughly and wake up without any signs of a pimple ever being on my face.These tricks work in a pinch and have left me with nearly flawless skin.

CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS OF CANCER

noreply@blogger.com (BASIL) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 17:21:00 +0000

CAUSES

Cells are the building blocks of living things. Cancer grows out of normal cells in the body. Normal cells multiply when the body needs them, and die when the body doesn't need them. Cancer appears to occur when the growth of cells in the body is out of control and cells divide too quickly. It can also occur when cells “forget” how to die.
There are many different kinds of cancers. Cancer can develop in almost any organ or tissue, such as the lung, colon, breast, skin, bones, or nerve tissue.
There are many causes of cancers, including:
Benzene and other chemicals
Certain poisonous mushrooms and a type of poison that can grow on peanut plants (aflatoxins)
Certain viruses
Radiation
Sunlight
Tobacco

SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of cancer depend on the type and location of the tumor. For example, lung cancer can cause
COUGHING
or chest pain. Colon cancer often , constipation, and blood in the stool.
Some cancers may not have any symptoms at all. In certain cancers, such as gallbladder cancer, symptoms often do not start until the disease has reached an advanced stage.
The following symptoms can occur with most cancers:
Chills
Fatigue
Fever
Loss of appetite
Malaise
Night sweats
Weight loss

Stop Drinking Alcohol Now.. Links between Breast Cancer and Binge Drinking

noreply@blogger.com (BASIL) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:44:00 +0000

Women who participate in the popular weekend pastime of binge drinking are increasing their risk of developing cancer according to a new study.
The study showed that women who consumed approximately two bottles of wine during a two day period more than doubled their risk of developing breast cancer.
Researchers in Denmark carried about the new study. It has just been published in the European Journal of Public Health.
During the study the effects of alcohol were observed in 17,647 nurses. What was revealed is that the women who drank approximately 22 to 27 alcoholic beverages a week had more than double the risk for breast cancer than women who only consumed 1 to 3 drinks each week. The risk for cancer reached its highest point when alcoholic drinks were consumed over a short time period.
Dr. Lina Morch, from the Denmark's Centre for Alcohol, headed up the study. Those who participated in the study were observed during an eight-year period that ended in 2001. All of the women who took part in the research were at least aged 45. When the study began each of the women was asked to fill out a questionnaire about their alcohol use and behaviors. When the study ended it was found that out of those who participated 457 developed breast cancer.
The cancer diagnoses were compared with the alcohol consumption and behaviour provided by the women in order to find out the relation between drinking alcohol and cancer.
The usage and behavior information found that 10 percent of the women who participated in the study women could be classified as weekly binge drinkers. Binge drinking is defined as having on average four drinks each day. The number of women who were considered weekend binge drinkers, those who consumed a minimum of 10 drinks over the weekend, was 13 percent of the women.
For the study one drink is considered to be a glass or wine or spirits or one bottle of beer

Cancer-fighting bacteria

noreply@blogger.com (BASIL) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:01:00 +0000

The role of intestinal bacteria in health is not really new. Russian scientist and Nobel Prize winner Elie Metchnikoff believed that the aging process is controlled mainly by the presence of harmful substances in the intestines which interfere with the body's immune system.

Metchnikoff said that longevity can be achieved by taking lactobacilli, a bacteria found in yogurt which is regularly consumed by long-lived people in a certain Bulgarian region. His theory, however, was criticized by other scientists who said that the lactobacillus in yogurt, L. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus, are killed in the intestines and could not colonize there nor exert beneficial effects.

"The idea that the bacteria in live yogurt can flourish in the human intestines and that they are beneficial is very questionable,'" said Arnold Bender, vice president of the International Union of Food Science and Technology, in Health or Hoax?

Metchnikoff died at the age of 71 and his theory was dismissed. But Japanese scientists at the Yakult Institute have since come up with a special strain of lactobacillus which they claim can survive in the human intestine and check the growth of harmful substances there.
Lactobacilli casei-Shirota strain was originally isolated and cultivated by Dr. Minoru Shirota of Kyoto University Medical School in 1929. Shirota believed that by incorporating this helpful strain of intestinal bacteria in fermented milk products, he could improve the drink's nutritional value and, at the same time, prevent intestinal infections due to the effects of the beneficial bacteria. This idea led to the development of Yakult, a fermented milk drink popular in Japan and in other countries.

Shiroia's theory was recently confirmed by other Japanese researchers. Animal experiments carried out by the National Cancer Institute and the Yakult Institute in Japan showed that L. casei could enhance the body's immunity and fight cancer.
They arrived at this conclusion after studying the effects of L. casei on two groups of mice. Both groups were injected with a cancer-causing agent but those who received oral doses of L. casei had a lower incidence of cancer compared to those who didn't.
How does L. casei work against cancer? Scientists don't know for sure but they think that these beneficial bacteria stimulate the disease-fighting abilities of macrophages, white blood cells that devour bacteria and other foreign matter in the body.

Immediately after the macrophages recognize the cancer cell, they approach to mount an attack and at the same lime signal for help from the helper T-cells, killer T-cells, natural killer cells and B cells. Thus, the whole immune mechanism is mobilized to act on the cancer cell," said Dr. Yomotari Mitsuoka in "Microbes in the Intestine: Our Lifelong Partners."

Administration of bifidobacteria to children and infants has also been shown to control diarrhea caused mainly by the use of antibiotics. Children are given antibiotics to fight infections but this often results in diarrhea which can be fatal. Fortunately, this can be corrected with the administration of bifidobacteria.

Although Japanese researchers think that these and other diseases can be prevented by regularly taking fermented milk products containing lactobacilli and bifidobacteria which supposedly increase the amount of good bacteria in the intestine, other scientists remain skeptical of this simplistic approach pending the results of more extensive clinical trials.
"There is little agreement about what then becomes of the bacteria after they are eaten though it is clear that they live long enough to help digest the lactose they accompany into your mouth. Some promoters of yogurt-related products claim that they colonize the gut, crowd out undesirable bacteria and thereby digestion and alleviate intestinal disorders. Other promoters say no, only their special strain of X-ophilus survives and improves intestinal ecology and health. No one knows for sure; no one has ever proven that the expensive yogurt products people take to treat chronic digestive disorders, skin problems and allergies are not a complete waste of money," said Kurt Butler and Dr. Lynn Rayner of the John A. Bums School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, in "The Best Medicine."

Warning Symptoms of Breast Cancer Progression

noreply@blogger.com (BASIL) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:48:00 +0000

Over 90 percent of breast cancer cases are diagnosed during the earlier stages of the disease. Early spotting is beneficial for the patient as it typically means better treatment and a stronger prognosis.
Nonetheless, early diagnosis is only a fraction of the whole medical picture. Other disease characteristics, like hormone receptors and lymph nodes, can aid in prognosing results and help doctors and patients choose the right treatment.
Though breast cancer rates are increasing in North America and the United Kingdom, the fatality rate is falling. This declining death rate is accredited to more women getting mammograms, better evaluation processes, and more potent secondary treatments.
Thus if the majority of diagnosed breast cancer cases are discovered during the preliminary stages, what effect does that have on patients and what are the best treatment courses?
The Early Stages of Breast Cancer
Earlier breast cancer stages are called TNM stages 1, 2 and 3a. This scoring system approximates how far the carcinoma has advanced. It's also based on whether any present tumors are operable.
The majority of early breast cancer cases are cured through either surgery, radiation therapy, systemic therapy or a combination of the three, resulting in a much greater survival rate.
Normal Treatment Reactions
Treatment reaction generally hinges on lymph node engagement, the size and grade of any tumors, the age of the patient, hormone (estrogen and progesterone) receptors, and the status or condition of biologic markers like HER2/neu.
Lymph Nodes
Lymph nodes are an effective way to predict the effects of breast cancer. Essentially, the more positive lymph nodes that are present, the lower the patient's survival rate and the higher the chances of relapse.
Commonly, patients with earlier stage breast cancer are classified into either those presenting negative nodes, 1 to 3 positive lymph nodes, 4 to 9 positive nodes, or 10 and more nodes.
Tumor Size
If a patient exhibits negative lymph nodes and a tumor that is smaller than 1cm, the prognosis is often very good. Most doctors use tumor size as an effective and critical indicator during the early stages of this disease.
Tumor Grade
The lower the tumor grade, the lower the risk for relapse. Nevertheless, due to the undependability of tumor information, most pathologists don't trust this data for their medical assessment.
Estrogen and Progesterone Receptors
The status of hormone receptors in the tumor is another indicator used by doctors when prognosing early stage breast cancer. Typically, patients who experience a receptor-positive cancer have a stronger survival rate than those who do not.
HER2/neu
HER2/neu is a tumor marker that is expressed in approximately a quarter of all breast cancer cases. If its numbers are high, this is usually associated with a more aggressive form of breast cancer.
Patient Age
Concerning various breast cancer stages, normally older patients (over the age of 50) have a stronger prognosis than younger patients (under the age of 35