Archive for the ‘Cancer’ Category

BRAC analysis

Thursday, January 15th, 2009

Breast and ovarian cancer are great fears for most women today. Regardless of family history, it is still possible to get one or both of these cancers. There are 25,000 cases of ovarian cancer and 200,000 cases of breast cancer diagnosed each year in the U.S. While most are not caused by hereditary risk factors, at least 10 percent of them are.

Today there are tests that will uncover the specific gene mutations that are known to cause breast and ovarian cancers. Many people are unaware of the cancer history in their families. Whether you have had cancer, or have a family history of cancer, these tests might be a life saving decision for you.

The test itself detects a mutation of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes in particular. Any alteration of these genes makes a person more susceptible to breast or ovarian cancer.  These genes can be inheirant from our parents.

If either of these mutations appear in your test results, here are a few things you can do to aid in prevention of the disease.

Increase awareness of the breasts.

* Perform monthly breast self-exams starting between ages 18-21
* Annual or semiannual breast exams performed by a doctor starting between ages 25-35
* Annual mammogram screening starting between ages 25-35
* annual MRI screening of the breast tissue

Increase awareness of the ovaries.

* Annual or semiannual transvaginal ultrasound (TVU) starting between ages 25-35
* Annual or semiannual check-up on serum CA-125 levels (request this with your gynecologist)

Preventive Drug Therapies for Breast Cancer
There are new preventive drug therapies that can also be implemented along with increased surveillance and awareness of the breast tissue. Most commonly, tamoxifen is used.  It is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), which has been proven to cut the  risk  by 50% for women with BRCA mutations.

Preventive Drug Therapies for Ovarian Cancer
Oral contraceptives are known to reduce the chances of ovarian cancer in women with BRCA mutations, as well as those without. Research shows a 60% reduction in women with BRCA mutations who took oral contraceptives.

Prophylactic Mastectomy
This may seem extreme to some women, but it is proven effective. Prophylactic bilateral mastectomy has been shown to reduce breast cancer risk by greater than 90 percent in women with a BRCA mutation or a family history of the disease.

Prophylactic Oophorectomy
While not quite as extreme as Mastectomy it is more effective and has multiple benefits. Prophylactic bilateral oophorectomy has been shown to reduce ovarian cancer risk by a staggering 96 % in  those women with a BRCA mutation. It is recommended usually for those over 35 years of age and after childbearing is completed. If this procedure is performed pre-menopausally, it is also proven to reduce the risk of breast cancer by about 50 percent.

BRAC analysis gives the patients power against the disease.  It informs you or your risk and allows you to make decisions now that will help in prevention and treatment of these two diseases.

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Oral Hygiene and Overall Health

Friday, November 28th, 2008

Oral health and hygiene may be a sign of your heart health. Research shows that a way to a healthy heart may be through the health of your gums and teeth. The evidence proves that in many cases, the healthier they are the stronger and less disease prone the heart is. Signs of gum disease may be an early warning.  Some conditions such as diabetes, osteoporosis, preterm labor, kidney disease, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease and some cancers have been linked to poor oral hygiene.

There is even some research that suggests a possible link between oral infection and systemic disorders. Many studies show a startling correlation between gum health and atherosclerosis, which is an underlying, condition in most forms of heart disease.  Those patients with the worst cases of gum disease showed the narrowest arteries due to plaque buildup.

The New England Journal of Medicine reported last year that patients who underwent an intensive six-month treatment program for gum disease showed vast improvements in not only oral health but also better function of the blood vessels afterward.

Gum disease may also be included in a significant increase in cancer in men. The researchers of these recent studies linked gum disease to a higher chance of lung, kidney, pancreatic and blood cancers, and a very similar pattern was detected for kidney disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

Oral hygiene and oral health are overlooked and neglected by a staggering number of Americans. Given the recent research studies and their results I believe it is time we all take a look inside our mouths and possibly diagnose or prevent a problem before it is too late.  With the cost of dental insurance being relatively low, and a dentist on every corner there is no reason to neglect our mouths any longer.  It should now be considered preventive medicine.

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HPV and Oral Sex

Monday, November 17th, 2008

We’ve all heard about STD’s and the risks associated with unprotected sex. But the latest thing I’ve learned about STD’s is mind blowing.  Somewhat recently a vaccine for HPV has become available.  HPV (human papillomavirus) is the virus that can cause cervical cancer in women.  But here’s interesting, scary fact I have recently been made aware of; Throat or oral cancer can be caused from oral sex. This was quite shocking to me when I saw a story about it on the national “morning show.”

Another startling fact is that teenagers today is having more unprotected oral sex.  They truly believe that oral sex is not “sex” and since you can’t get pregnant from it, it is not dangerous.  Now we as parents and educators we must educate them on all of the risks and downfalls of oral sex as well as intercourse.

This is an important matter that must be addressed among our youth.  In many high schools today there are disturbing “oral sex clubs” and oral sex games that kids are taking part in. The kids don’t lose their virginity, they can’t get pregnant, but they’re still giving and receiving pleasure.  They are not aware of the fact they are risking their lives when they participate.

HPV is found in the mucous membranes of the genital tract.  Transmission can be from mouth to mouth kissing, intercourse or oral sex.  Oral sex is the newest culprit to hit the news media. Like other STD’s having multiple oral sex partners will greatly increase the risk of contracting HPV and developing some type of oral or throat cancer.  While the risk appears to be somewhat slight, the medical community is learning more and more on a daily basis about it’s growing risks. The prognosis of this type of throat cancer is still good, having most cases live past the five-year mark, however, the disease is still being studied and new determinations are being discovered.

Many people will be infected with HPV without ever developing cancer from it.  HPV can be easily treated if caught in time. In most cases it can be detected through a simple blood test. But really, who wants to be faced with the embarrassment of explaining the throat cancer is from oral sex?

Like many other things in life, it comes with its risks.  Abstinence is best in most cases. I’t a hard rule to follow, but here again if it’s your life depending on it, it may not be that hard to abstain.

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Preventive Scans

Wednesday, November 12th, 2008

Due to recent medical advances there are now multiple different tests available to determine your at risk level risk for a multitude of different illnesses and diseases. If you have a family history or believe that you are somehow at risk for developing a particular type of cancer or other condition, in many cases there is a scan available for testing your likelihood.

There are total body scans available now that virtually test for anything. While an annual physical is still extremely important, theses scans can help with early detection which can uncover asymptomatic and often life-threatening diseases that are not usually detectable by physical exam or standard screening tests. This will allow the patient to manage their treatment of any disease in early stages. There is some controversy about their effectiveness and the amount of radiation being exposed.  Some of the tests, like CT scans, are said to expose the patient to a high dose of radiation that causes cancer in itself. However, if you are seriously concerned about your chances of developing cancer, heart disease, or any other serious condition, a total body scan may still be right for you.

There are some things to consider once you receive the outcome of the at risk scan.  In some patients, such as women at high risk for developing breast cancer, there is a serious choice to be made. Once you know the potential for developing this or any type cancer, you can opt to remove the breast all together and have a mastectomy.  This may seem drastic and unnecessary to some, but if you have watched a loved one suffer through the disease, it may not sound so unheard of. It may be a way to protect yourself from the inevitable.

There are blood tests and multiple other tests to check for a person’s particular risk levels to each particular condition.  Working with your doctor and understanding your family history of illness is very important in diagnosing and treating any potential condition.  Some diseases are hereditary and no matter what you do, you still may not prevent them, but testing and constant awareness can greatly reduce your risk of dying from a particular disease or condition.

Your health is something to be taken very seriously.  A total body scan or any other type preventive scan is something that should be considered standard, in order to prevent and possibly diagnose a problem before it is too late.

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Skin Cancer Protection

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008

Sunscreen is something that is often overlooked.  Most people will use it if they are at the beach, but not much else.  Sun damage is the leading cause for wrinkled,freckled, prematurely aging skin and , more seriously, skin cancer.  90% of skin cancer is directly caused by sun exposure. It is important to always be protected from sun exposure while outdoors, in tanning beds, even driving in your car. The use of a daily sunscreen is highly recommended for adults and children as well.

Skin cancer accounts for more than 50% of all cancers combined. More than a million cases will be diagnosed this year, with over 8,000 deaths resulting in both men and women.  Sunscreen could possibly have saved 90%of those patients if used regularly in early years of life. It is believed that sun damage caused early in life is the leading cause for skin cancer in adults. A child who gets a bad sunburn has 50% increased likelihood of being diagnosed with skin cancer later in life.  It is vitally important to protect our children daily with sunscreen.

Caucasians are much more likely to be diagnosed with skin cancer. The 1 in 3 statistics are staggering for caucasians.  However skin cancer is more deadly in African Americans, Asians and Latinos. These groups only make up for about 1/5 of the diagnosed cases annually, but the death rate is much higher.

Men are more at risk then women for developing skin cancer. Men are actually twice as likely to be diagnosed.  Skin cancer diagnosis is more prevalent in men over 50 years of age. Skin cancer diagnosis is also more common than lung cancer, colon cancer, or prostate cancer in men over 50.

A broad spectrum sunscreen which protects against both UVA and UVB rays is recommended and at least a protection factor of 15 for daily use (preferably 30) Many daily body lotions contain SPF as well as Most women’s foundations.  There are oil free sprays for men with thinning or balding hair as well.  The scalp is often a place that is overlooked.  This is one step in your daily regime that should not be overlooked.

Protecting yourself and your precious children is a 5 minute step that could possibly save your lives later.

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