Prostate cancer as one of the most common types of cancer in men according to the American Cancer Society. Fortunately if caught early, the prognosis is good. Even better than treating it, is, of course, avoiding it altogether. The search for the cause of prostate cancer is ongoing and a recent study was recently completed.
An eight-year study of 29,361 men has just been completed. The study examined the impact of antioxidant supplements on the rate of prostate cancer. “There has been a definite interest in their use, based on a few earlier studies that have been done,” said lead researcher Richard B. Hayes, senior investigator in the division of cancer epidemiology and genetics at the U.S. National Cancer Institute.
Reporting in the Feb. 15 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Hayes’ team calculated the risk of prostate cancer for 29,361 men aged 55 to 74, all of whom were participants in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Screening Trial.
Some of the data that was analyzed included the amount of common antioxidant supplements including vitamin C, beta-carotene, and vitamin E. Some of the men had been taking these supplements for many years prior to the study.
Over the total eight-year study period, 1,338 men developed prostate cancer. The results indicate that the use of antioxidant supplements had no positive impact on the risk for prostate cancer for most nonsmokers. Beta-carotene supplements did have a positive impact on men that had the low dietary intake of beta-carotene.
Vitamin E did have a positive impact on smokers according to the research. This was consistent with previous trials.
Although the three supplements studied in this trial showed little help in preventing prostate cancer, previous trials that examined other supplements did show very encouraging results.
Fish oils, which contain EPA and DHA, were found to reduce prostate cancer by 11% in men that consumed about 470 mg./day. Selenium has been found to cut prostate cancer in half. Over five clinical trials have supported this. It is recommended that men take 200 micrograms of selenium daily.
The Facts About Mesothelioma Cancer
What is Mesothelioma Cancer?
Mesothelioma cancer is an extremely rare cancer form that is only found in the mesothelium. This form of malignancy generally affects those people who have been exposed to a situation where asbestos is present, typically those who have worked in buildings where it was used as a fire retardant.
What happens when a person has Mesothelioma Cancer?
This type of cancer directly affects the mesothelium and causes abnormal cells. These cells begin to divide rampantly. They invade and cause damage to all organs and tissues that are near the affected area. Mesothelioma cancer tends to spread fairly quickly throughout the body, as well.
Mesothelium
This is the membrane that protects and covers many of the organs within your body. The membrane is made up of cells and is in separate layers. The first layer surrounds the organ extremely close and the second creates a protective sac around the organs.
Studies show that only 2,000 people each year are diagnosed with Mesothelioma cancer in the U.S. Studies further show that men are more apt to contract this type of cancer than women. However, Mesothelioma Cancer knows no boundaries and can be found in both genders. Typically, the older the person is, the more at risk they are for developing Mesothelioma cancer.
Who is at risk for Mesothelioma Cancer?
Anyone who is exposed to asbestos in large quantities and for long periods of time are especially at risk of developing Mesothelioma cancer. It is impossible to say who exactly will develop Mesothelioma cancer because it has been found in those who had only very little exposure to asbestos and those who had no exposure at all but lived with someone who had a good deal of exposure to them. The risk to those living with someone works in asbestos filled areas is high. Asbestos is brought home by the worker as dust on his or her hair or clothing.
Mesothelioma Cancer Symptoms
Mesothelioma cancer is a slow-growing type of cancer. Some cases do not see any type of symptoms until thirty to fifty years after asbestos exposure. Some symptoms can include:
- Chest Pain
- Shortness of breath
- Sudden Weight Loss
- Pain in the abdominal region
- Abdominal swelling
- Bowel Obstruction
- Blood Clots
- Fever
- Anemia
- Trouble Swallowing
- Facial Swelling
- Neck Swelling
Treatment of Mesothelioma Cancer
There are a few different treatment options available for those diagnosed with Mesothelioma cancer. The method of treatment will depend upon many different things such as the age, overall health, where the Mesothelioma cancer is located and the stage the Mesothelioma Cancer is in. The three typical types of treatment include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery. In some cases, treatments may be combined if it proves beneficial to the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Is A Rare Type Of Cancer
That affects the lining of the abdomen. It occurs in the tissues lining the abdominal cavity that contain a fluid that enables the organs to move and work properly. It is cancer, which is associated with asbestos exposure, a mineral belonging to the amphibole group used in making fireproof articles. Asbestos exposure can cause severe health complications.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is sometimes also referred as diffuse peritoneal mesothelioma, as this is the place where cancer spreads out. Among asbestos-related diseases, peritoneal mesothelioma is the most common cancer.
Peritoneal mesothelioma can prove fatal in many circumstances if proper diagnosis and treatment are not done. The latency period is very long [ten to fifty years] and most of the time it is diagnosed when the disease is well spread into the body. Mesothelioma can affect any part and organ of the body if not detected on time.
Asbestos is the main cause for people developing peritoneal mesothelioma. Asbestos is a material used in shipyards and industries. Asbestos adds to the durability and fire resistance quality and gives strength to products and protects them against corrosion. Inhalation of asbestos can be serious and fatal in many cases. It causes the scar tissues to develop on lower lobes of both lungs, leading to minor cuts and lacerations in tissue. It can impair lung elasticity and the lung's ability to sufficiently exchange gases.
The diagnosis may be based on X-ray or CT scan. In both these methods of diagnosis, detailed images of the body are taken in which the complete picture of the body becomes clear and the doctor is able to identify where the cancerous cells are located.
Sometimes, an exploratory surgery is also performed based on the doctor's recommendation. Also, a biopsy is carried out in which a sample of the cells is taken from the affected portion of the body, and it tested under the microscope to check for abnormal growth. A blood test is also done to rule out possibilities of other diseases and ailments.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is sometimes also referred as diffuse peritoneal mesothelioma, as this is the place where cancer spreads out. Among asbestos-related diseases, peritoneal mesothelioma is the most common cancer.
Peritoneal mesothelioma can prove fatal in many circumstances if proper diagnosis and treatment are not done. The latency period is very long [ten to fifty years] and most of the time it is diagnosed when the disease is well spread into the body. Mesothelioma can affect any part and organ of the body if not detected on time.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms
The symptoms may not appear soon after exposure to asbestos. It may take a long latency period and symptoms may be clear after a long time.- Most of the symptoms resemble that of flu
- Stomach pains and fever
- Abdominal swelling may occur
- Due to swelling of the abdomen, extreme pain in the internal organs may take place
- Shortness of breath accompanied by a persistent cough due to building up of fluid between the lining of the lungs and the chest cavity known as pleural effusion.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma origins
Asbestos is the main cause for people developing peritoneal mesothelioma. Asbestos is a material used in shipyards and industries. Asbestos adds to the durability and fire resistance quality and gives strength to products and protects them against corrosion. Inhalation of asbestos can be serious and fatal in many cases. It causes the scar tissues to develop on lower lobes of both lungs, leading to minor cuts and lacerations in tissue. It can impair lung elasticity and the lung's ability to sufficiently exchange gases.Diagnosis – Peritoneal mesothelioma
One of the major obstacles in diagnosing peritoneal mesothelioma lies in its symptoms resembling flu with fever and other symptoms. Many patients and doctors are unable to recognize the disease unless the tumors of peritoneal mesothelioma cause severe adnominal swelling and pain.The diagnosis may be based on X-ray or CT scan. In both these methods of diagnosis, detailed images of the body are taken in which the complete picture of the body becomes clear and the doctor is able to identify where the cancerous cells are located.
Sometimes, an exploratory surgery is also performed based on the doctor's recommendation. Also, a biopsy is carried out in which a sample of the cells is taken from the affected portion of the body, and it tested under the microscope to check for abnormal growth. A blood test is also done to rule out possibilities of other diseases and ailments.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)