Childhood Cancer: A Burden Unaddressed

Childhood Cancer: A Burden Unaddressed

While the Nigerian government gives priority to communicable diseases, cancer, a non-communicable disease is currently stripping many children of their prime, dimming hopes for the country’s future. Ayodeji Ake writes on the need to tackle the growing disease

Cancer is a name used to classify a very wide-range of diseases in which cells in the body lose their normal structure and/or function and begin to grow uncontrollably. It is not one disease. There are hundreds of different types of cancers and one organ can develop dozens of different types of the mad cells.

This refers to malignant tumors which send metastases to other distant organs through blood or lymph. And could be better described as an army, that sends emissary or spy soldiers to a faraway country to set up a secret war camp. The metastases initially stay silent but will eventually cause a lot of harm if left unchecked.

Statistics show that over the last decade, Nigeria’s exponential growth in population has put immense pressure on the country’s resources and on already overstretched public services and infrastructure. With children under 15 years of age accounting for about 45 per cent of the country’s population.

According to World Health Organisation’s estimate, up to 30,000 children are diagnosed with cancer yearly; and 80 per cent of them live in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) like Nigeria. Globally, there are 160,000 new cases of cancer every year and 90,000 deaths recorded annually for children under the age of 15.

Just like adult cancer, childhood cancer is not one entity. There are many different types of cancer that can develop in a child. The same processes of cell growth, division, and replication occur in children. And just like adults, things can go wrong somewhere along these processes.

Many people don’t know that children develop cancers too. Children develop different types of cancer than adults but they often have the same types of treatments, that is chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy.

Most common cancer of children includes; Leukemia – cancer of the blood, brain and spinal cord tumors, Neuroblastoma – cancer arising in neural structure most common in the abdomen (belly area), Wilms tumor – cancer arising in kidney cells, Lymphoma (including both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin) – cancer arising in lymph nodes, Rhabdomyosarcoma – cancer arising in cells with muscle origin, Retinoblastoma – cancer of the retina of the eye, Bone cancer (most common Osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma).

An Oncologist and the founder of a non-profit organisation, Dorcas Foundation, Dr. Adedayo Joseph, who has taken a lead role in raising fund for treatment of early detected childhood cancer explained that sadly till date the causes of childhood cancer are unknown but most childhood cancers are traced to genetic aberrations which nobody can prevent.

“There are many different types of cancer in children, most of which no specific cause has been identified. Some cancers have been linked to viral causes or exposure of the parent or child to harmful ionizing radiation, or certain chemicals like Benzene. Generally speaking, children’s cancers are mostly due to genetic aberrations which nobody can prevent, and are still being understood by scientist and researchers,” she said.

Reducing the burden of childhood cancer, Joseph admitted that “it’s a difficult task. Unlike adult cancers that are linked to diet and lifestyle choices, children’s cancers are not really preventable.”

As a mother, she lamented that the expensive treatment of cancer generally is an obstacle, consequently losing lives battling cancer. “Cancer treatment is very expensive. It costs an average of N2 million to take a child through diagnosis and testing, to treatment and rehabilitation. As at today, Dorcas Foundation has funded treatment for 10 children as you can imagine, many people cannot afford this,” she said.

She noted that the foundation is actively involved in funding direct care for children with cancer. But do not begin the treatment process unless they are sure of covering it till the end of treatment.

She also noted that The Dorcas Cancer Foundation has recently launched our Childhood Cancer Handbook Series with the release of the first book in the series: Cancer in Children.

The foundation intends to translate these books into the common colloquial and vernacular languages in Nigeria, as well as continue to release more books in the series to educate families, patients, and healthcare professionals about childhood cancers.

Prof. Remi Adekingbe, an Oncologist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), has called for early detection and diagnosis.

Adekingbe urged for private and government partnerships to secure the lives of cancer patients, stating that treatment and drugs for cancer are very expensive.

“Cancer is not a respecter of anybody. When a mother notices anything unusual, she should report to the hospital immediately. Treatment and drugs for cancer are expensive. In Nigeria today, we only have about seven machines for cancer treatment when we should be having about 200. Patients cannot battle cancer on their own, they need assistance from private organisations and even the government,” he said.

According to WHO, all types of cancer arise from the transformation of normal cells into tumour cells in a multistage processthat generally progresses from a pre-cancerous lesion to a malignant tumour.

The health body says these changes are the result of the interaction between a person’s genetic factors and three categories of externalagents, including: physical carcinogens, such as ultraviolet and ionizing radiation; chemical carcinogens, such as asbestos, components of tobacco smoke, aflatoxin (a food contaminant), and arsenic (a drinking water contaminant); and biological carcinogens, such as infections from certain viruses, bacteria, or parasites.

WHO, through its cancer research agency, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), maintains a classification of cancer-causing agents. “Ageing is another fundamental factor for the development of cancer. The incidence of cancer rises dramatically with age, most likely due to a build-up of risks for specific cancers that increase with age.

The health body believes risk factors for cancer includes tobacco use, alcohol use, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity, which it described as major cancer risk factors worldwide; also representing four shared risk factors for other noncommunicable diseases. “Some chronic infections are risk factors for cancer and have major relevance in low- and middle-income countries,” it added.

“Cancer mortality can be reduced if cases are detected and treated early through early diagnosis. When identified early, cancer is more likely to respond to effective treatment and can result in greater probability of surviving, less morbidity, and less expensive treatment. Significant improvements can be made in the lives of cancer patients by detecting cancer early and avoiding delays in care,” the body says.

Culled from ThisDay

Regular breast examination is important –Oncologist

Regular breast examination is important –Oncologist

Motunrayo Joel

A Consultant Oncologist and Radiotherapist, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Anthonia Sowunmi, has said breast cancer is on the increase because people neglect breast examination.

She said about 70 per cent of persons with breast cancer only visit the hospital when their case has already reached the advanced stage.

Sowunmi made this known at a donation of drugs and other materials to cancer patients, organised by the Built for God Foundation, in partnership with the D-Mastectomy Incorporated, Canada, recently.

“At the Department of Oncology, the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, we see at least 10 new cases of breast cancer.

“You can imagine this is only at our centre. I believe with better awareness and campaigns in favour of breast examination, people will be better sensitised,” she said.

Also speaking, the founder, B4G Foundation, Mr. Bosun Rufai, identified counselling as an integral part of cancer treatment.

Rufai, a cancer survivor, advised people to always go for routine check-ups, which he said would lead to early detection and treatment before the disease reaches an advanced stage.

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Health benefits of raspberries

Eat Me: Reduces wrinkles, low in calories… six reasons to love raspberries

BY IJEOMA ONYEMAECHI

Apart from being rich in vitamins and fibre, raspberry is a delicious fruit with various health benefits.

It contains a high concentration of ellagic acid which prevents cancer and stops the growth of cancer cells.

Furthermore, it helps to lose weight and also has anti-ageing properties.

Raspberry is easy to include in your diet. You can either include it in some recipes, eat it raw, or add to drinks.

Here are six reasons raspberry is good for your health.

Weight loss

If you are looking for a delicious and effective way to lose weight, raspberry can be the best natural option. Raspberry contains fibre which aids in slowing down the digestive process, keeps your metabolic rate high, and thereby burns fat.

Reduces wrinkles

Raspberries work like magic on wrinkles. The vitamin C content effectively reduces the age spots and discolouration. By filling in minor wrinkles, they can help you restore your youthful appearance.

They can be made into great facial masks for glowing skin; just mix 1 cup of plain yogurt and 2 cups of fresh raspberries, then blend the mixture until it becomes completely smooth.

Apply the mixture to your entire face and keep it on for 15 minutes before washing it off with water.

Boosts immune system

Raspberries are rich in effective antioxidants as well phytonutrients. These elements proficiently reinforce your immune system and help your body fight diseases.

Prevents cancer

Cancer prevention is one of the many health benefits of raspberries. Raspberries are well known for the ability to fight cancer. They are high in vitamin C and carotene, which help to fight the damage caused to cells by free radicals.

Full of nutrients

Raspberries are a powerhouse of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Apart from the fibre, they contain vitamin C, magnesium, manganese, copper, zinc, calcium, potassium, iron and they are also a good source of vitamins E, A, B-complex, C and K.

Low-calorie fruit

Raspberries have only 65 calories per cupful. Snacking on low calories fruit leads to a slimmer waistline, which has a compound effect in improving your health.

​Early symptoms of prostate cancer

​Early symptoms of prostate cancer (1)

Oladapo Ashiru

Did you know that every hour one man dies from prostate cancer – that is more than 10,000 every year. Over 40,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year. It means that more than 100 men are diagnosed every day.

It is estimated that by 2030, prostate cancer will be the most common cancer in the world. One in eight men will be afflicted with prostate cancer.

It was reported in 2014 that in the United Kingdom about one in eight men will develop it at some point in their lives, with older men and those with a family history of prostate cancer most at risk.

In Nigeria, every now and then you hear of someone who just died of prostate cancer. This disease occurs most frequently in elderly men of 72 years and above.

Although we are not keeping statistics for the number of new cases and deaths in Nigeria for this preventable disease, the American example is relevant for us because there are significant racial differences that are negative for the African male.

For example, for the African American male aged between 50 and 54 years, the incidence of prostate cancer is two times as high as the Caucasian American and it is one third higher for the African American of all ages.

For all Asian men, the incidence of this type of cancer is relatively low. It is not known what causes this racial difference, but genetics must surely play a part.

Diet is another factor that cannot be ruled out as African American food closely mimics many Nigerian diets of pork, beans and greens cooked with plenty of oil and fat. This is, therefore, a Black man’s disease that Nigerian men should be concerned about.

The prostate gland is a walnut-sized organ located under the bladder, surrounding the urinary tract of men. It secretes a fluid that forms part of the seminal fluid, which is part of the semen produced at ejaculation after intercourse.

Prostate cancer is primarily a disease of the aged. So as men age, they should take note of the following symptoms and if they have them, they should definitely pay a visit to a doctor.

Slow urination: Men should take this symptom seriously, especially when the last few drops do not expel easily. You should also let the doctor check you out if you notice any change in urination as described below:

Frequent urination is another symptom of prostate cancer. Other symptoms include:

Nocturia, which is passing urine in the night.

Difficulty in passing urine, termed Hesitancy.

Reduced force of urination.

Reduced projectile pressure of urine (ejaculatory pressure).

Blood in the urine.

What causes the prostate to enlarge

Aging, stress, chemical toxins that may be from the use of chemical products like dye, polluted water, and contaminated food, especially with heavy metals; genetics and infection have been identified as some of the factors that can lead to the enlargement of the prostate gland. With aging, there are hormonal changes associated with getting older, such as decreased production of the male testosterone, prolactin ad stress- related hormone will increase with age.

High prolactin level in the blood will lead to an increase in the uptake of testosterone in the prostate gland, which will result in the production of another male hormone called Di-Hydro-testoterone.

High levels of DHT in the prostate gland will enlarge the prostate. A stressful lifestyle also does not help the prostate. This will usually cause an increase in the level of circulating prolactin hormone.

The net result is elevated DHT and subsequent prostate enlargement. Prostate cancer is highly related to genetic factors, if one of the families has had prostate cancer, it is highly likely that other male members of the family will get it.

Frequent exposure to pesticides used on food crops and those used in our homes can expose men to cancer.

We also eat crops which contain pesticide that contain the chemical polychlorinated hydrocarbon, which accumulates in organs like the adrenals, the liver and the prostate and then, become diseased.

Cancerous toxins also exist in some food products, such as fruits and vegetables, large fish and stock fish from polluted fish farms.

Apart from narrowing the urethral passage and reducing sperm count, frequent sexually transmitted diseases from sexually active men may lead to prostate enlargement or cancer.

Eating a diet full of saturated fats and red meat is said to be bad for the prostate as is smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol.

Tobacco contains cadmium, which is a heavy metal that increases the activities of 5-alpha reductase enzyme. The enzyme converts testosterone to the active form called DHT, which is responsible for the abnormal enlargement of the prostate gland.

Alcohol increases the level of the prolactin hormone. This will increase the level of testosterone intake by the prostate gland, which eventually leads to its enlargement.

How to prevent prostate problems

Early diagnosis by rectal examination at the doctor’s clinic can be very helpful in detecting prostate enlargement. More recently, a very sensitive test has been put in place for early detection of prostate enlargement by checking the level of a substance called Prostate Specific Antigen, which can give an indication of an overactive prostate.

High PSA levels might give a clue to likely prostate problems. It is recommended that one should have a medical examination annually to rule out prostate enlargement.

Men are advised to take multivitamins that contain extra zinc along with Vitamins C, D and E, which are rich in antioxidants. Zinc is good for the prostrate because it is required in the normal functioning of the gland. Prostate secretion contains a high quantity of zinc.
Culled from The Punch 

Tackling prostate issues in men

Key Points on Prostate Issues with Men

​The prostate is an important part of the male reproductive organs. It is so vital that it does not only affect one’s ability to reproduce, it has a great effect on one’s sexual life. A defective prostate can turn one from hero to zero husband.

The worse part if it is that most men suffering from the condition hide it from their spouses and close family members.

Certainly your private areas are your private issues. But the key thing is the boldness to speak out early and seek medical help.

What is the prostate?

It’s true that prostate problems are common after age 50. The good news is there are many things you can do.

The prostate is a small gland in men that helps make semen. Located just below the bladder in front of the rectum, it wraps around the tube that carries urine and semen out of the body. It tends to grow larger as you get older. If your prostate gets too large, it can cause a number of health issues.

About 17% of men over the age of 60 experience some form of urinary incontinence. In many cases, urinary incontinence in men is caused by prostate problems, or the methods used to treat prostate problems.In some cases, men can experience the same types of incontinence as women, and for the same reasons. However, one of the major contributing causes to incontinence in men is prostate problems. According to the National Institutes of Health, “The prostate is a male gland about the size and shape of a walnut. It surrounds the urethra just below the bladder, where it adds fluid to semen before ejaculation.”

The prostate grows naturally with age, usually without problems. In some men, the enlarged prostate compresses the urethra, making urination difficult and causing benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH symptoms include: Urinating frequently, especially at night.

Symptoms of Prostate Problems to act quickly: See your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms:

• Frequent urge to urinate

• Need to get up many times during the night to urinate

• Blood in urine or semen

• Pain or burning urination

• Painful ejaculation

• Frequent pain or stiffness in lower back, hips, pelvic or rectal area, or upper thighs

• Dribbling of urine.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is common among American men. Your chance of getting prostate cancer may be affected by your:

• Age. Men age 50 and older run a greater risk.

• Race. Prostate cancer is most common among African-American men, followed by Hispanic and Native-American men. Asian-American men have the lowest rates of prostate cancer.

• Family history. If your father or brother had prostate cancer, you are more likely to have it, too.

• Diet. The risk of prostate cancer may be higher for men who eat high-fat diets.

Diagnosing Prostate Cancer

To find out if prostate symptoms are caused by cancer, your doctor will ask about your past medical problems and your family’s medical history. Your doctor also will perform a physical exam. During the exam, your doctor will put a gloved finger into your rectum to examine your prostate to check for:

• The size, firmness, and texture of the prostate

• Any hard areas, lumps, or growth spreading beyond the prostate

• Any pain caused by touching or pressing on the prostate

• You may be asked to give a urine sample for testing. Your doctor also may do a blood test to check the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level. PSA levels can be high in men with an enlarged prostate gland or with prostate cancer. You may also need an ultrasound exam that takes computer pictures of the prostate.

If tests show that you might have cancer, your doctor will refer you to a specialist (a urologist) for a prostate biopsy. The doctor will take small tissue samples from several areas of the prostate gland to look for cancer cells.

• Treating Prostate Cancer

Treatment for prostate cancer depends on whether cancer is in part or all of the prostate, or if it has spread to other parts of the body. It also depends on your age and overall health. Talk with your doctor about the best treatment choice for you and the possible side effects of treatment. You may want to ask another doctor for a second opinion.

Options

• Watchful waiting, also called active surveillance. If the cancer is not causing problems, you may decide not to get treated right away. Instead, your doctor will check regularly for changes in your condition. Treatment will start if the cancer begins to grow.

• Surgery. The most common type of surgery removes the whole prostate and some nearby tissue.

• Radiation therapy. This treatment uses radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. The radiation may come from an x-ray machine or from tiny radioactive pellets placed inside or near the tumor.

• Hormone therapy. Men having other treatments, like radiation therapy, also may be treated with drugs to stop the body from making testosterone. This is done if it seems likely that the cancer will come back. Hormone therapy also can be used for prostate cancer that has spread beyond the prostate.

PSA Testing

Until recently, many doctors encouraged yearly PSA testing for all men beginning at age 50, or even earlier for men at high risk of prostate cancer. As doctors have learned more about the benefits and harms of prostate cancer screening, they have begun to caution against annual PSA testing. Talk with your doctor about what is best for you.

Yearly PSA testing in men without symptoms is generally not recommended. However, in men who report prostate symptoms, PSA testing (along with digital rectal examination) can help doctors determine the nature of the problem. In men who have been treated for prostate cancer, the PSA test may be used to see if the cancer has come back.

Non-cancerous problems

Here are some examples of non-cancer prostate problems:

1. Benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, is very common in older men. It means your prostate is enlarged but not cancerous. Treatments for BPH include:

Watchful waiting, also called active surveillance. If your symptoms are not too bad, your doctor may tell you to wait to see if they get worse before starting treatment. Your doctor will tell you how often to return for checkups.

Medications. Medicines can help shrink the prostate or relax muscles near your prostate to ease symptoms.

Surgery. If nothing else has worked, your doctor may suggest surgery to help urine flow.

Other treatments. Sometimes radio waves, microwaves, or lasers are used to treat urinary problems caused by BPH. These methods use different kinds of heat to reduce extra prostate tissue.

2. . Acute bacterial prostatitis usually starts suddenly from a bacterial infection. See your doctor right away if you have fever, chills, or pain in addition to prostate symptoms. Most cases can be cured with antibiotics. You also may need medication to help with pain or discomfort.

3. Chronic bacterial prostatitis is an infection that comes back again and again. This rare problem can be hard to treat. Sometimes, taking antibiotics for a long time may work. Talk with your doctor about other things you can do to help you feel better.

4. . Chronic prostatitis, also called chronic pelvic pain syndrome, is a common prostate problem. It can cause pain in the lower back, in the groin, or at the tip of the penis. Treatment may require a combination of medicines, surgery, and lifestyle changes.

It is quite clear that if you value your life and need fulfilment, seeking early. medical interventuon would save you a lot of pain.

What to look out for

1. Symptoms of enlarged prostate can include:

2. A weak or slow urinary stream.

3. A feeling of incomplete bladder emptying.

4. Difficulty starting urination.

5. Frequent urination.

6. Urgency to urinate.

7. Getting up frequently at night to urinate.

8. A urinary stream that starts and stops.

9. Straining to urinate…
Culled from ThisDay

Causes, detection, treatment of prostate cancer

High fibre diet can prevent prostate cancer — Expert

Image courtesy Mayo Clinic

A senior registrar in urology at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching hospital , Osogbo , Osun State , Dr . Ayomide Olajide , tells

ARUKAINO UMUKORO about the causes and prevention of prostate cancer

What causes prostate cancer?

It is the cancer of the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system which is located around the neck of the bladder where urine is passed . There are several diseases that can affect the prostate , cancer is one of them. And cancer of the prostate is the second commonest type of cancer in men .

Are there available statistics on the number of males with prostate cancer in Nigeria ?

The incidence of prostate cancer is higher in black males , and , of course , Nigerians are black people . It affects a lot of Nigerians . But there are no exact statistics of the number of Nigerian males with prostate cancer .

What are the risk factors ?

Many diseases have specific causes , but generally , cancer , including that of the prostate , does not have most times . Having said that , some of the risk factors include the non -modifiable ones such as one ’ s age –the risk of getting it increases with age . Generally , prostate cancer is rare in men that are below 40 , but the risk factor increases with age . The older a man gets , the higher the risk of having prostate cancer . Thus , the incidence is higher in older men , mostly above 50 years , than younger ones . Another risk factor is one ’ s race ; black men have a higher risk of prostate cancer than white men ; and presentation of the cancer is more aggressive in black men than white men . One ’ s family history is a factor too ; someone with a family member that had prostate cancer has a higher risk of getting it than one who does not have . It is documented that about five per cent of cancer of the prostate are inherited . The other factors are modifiable factors from one ’ s day – to -day lifestyle such as smoking , which is generally a risk factor for many types of cancer ; high intake of alcohol , and excessive consumption of fats and red meat in one ’ s diet.

What are the symptoms ?

Most of the times , there are no symptoms until it is at an advanced stage. Because of the location of the prostate gland , in the pelvis below the bladder , it does not give early symptoms . When it is at an advanced stage, the symptoms begin to show. Some of the symptoms are similar to other disease conditions , so one needs to be careful . There is what is called lower urinary tract symptom , which originates from the lower urinary tract . This includes frequency of urination , which occur several times in a couple of hours, and urgency of urination , where one feels the sudden urge to urinate and can ’ t help it. A normal person should not wake up more than once or twice to urinate at night . But for one with prostate cancer , the frequency is more at night . There is also what is called the poor stream of urine , where the person ’ s urine does not flow well, so much so that after urination , the person still feels like there is still some urine in the bladder that was not passed out. This is also called incomplete emptying of the bladder . Also , the person may experience some difficulty in passing out urine because there is an obstruction at the outlet of the passage . Also , the person may see particles of blood while passing out urine . However , these symptoms are not specific only to prostate cancer ; any disease of the lower urinary tract can cause any of those symptoms .

The urinary tract is divided into upper and lower sections. The upper section is from the kidney , urethra to the bladder , while the lower tract is from the bladder and urethra . Bladder and urethra are prostate, but in females , it is only the bladder and urethra , because they don ’ t have prostate .

A patient may have one , two or any of the combinations . Other symptoms will start showing if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body . One of these symptoms is weight loss which can be caused by any form of cancer . If the cancer of the prostate spreads to the backbone very early, the patient starts experiencing low back pain . It is important that an elderly man with back pain go for a medical evaluation to be sure. That , however , does not mean that every elderly man with back pain has prostate cancer . Other symptoms will now depend on how the cancer has spread to other parts of the body , for example , features of kidney problems such as the swelling of the legs, persistent hiccups and so on .

What helps to detect it early for proper check?

The early detection of prostate cancer is possible through regular screening and examination. Like I said before , many men may not see the symptoms at the early stage. One of the types of screening we do for men is called the Prostate – Specific Antigen test . There is a chemical secreted by the prostate gland in the blood stream which is expected to be at a normal level . But if the PSA test shows it is higher than normal , the patient needs to be further evaluated . Although it is not in all cases of abnormal levels that the patient is deemed to have prostate cancer , but there are further tests that need to be done to diagnose if the person has prostate cancer or not . The ultimate step will depend on the tissue diagnosis , where the blood specimen from the person ’ s gland is taken for further examination.

How is it treated ?

The treatment depends on if the disease is at an early or advanced stage. It could be a surgical operation , radiotherapy, medication and some other supportive, palliative or curative treatment . For those that have the advanced stage of the disease , where palliative care is given , a multi -disciplinary approach is employed to tackle the disease such as radiotherapy, surgery. After curative treatment , for those who discovered it early, patients have to continue follow up with their neurologists or specialists to avoid a recurrence .

Do you think there are enough specialists in the country for the treatment of prostate cancer?

No , I don ’ t think we have enough of them. Also , there are not enough facilities in the hospitals. However , a lot of patients also cause delay and refuse to get treatment on time. They only go to the hospitals when they develop complications .

How would you advise the general public on preventing it ?

It has been found that a high intake of fibres and vegetables serve as protective measures against prostate cancer . It is important to eat a healthy diet. Also , one must avoid a sedentary lifestyle which could cause obesity . Regular exercise is important, while regular screening for men about the age of 50 and above, especially for those with a family history of prostate cancer , is advised. With regular screening , prostate cancer can be detected early enough , and if it is detected early, we can offer curative treatment .

Source: The Punch

Leukaemia: Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

​Leukaemia: Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

What is leukaemia?
Leukaemia is cancer of the blood causing too many white blood cells to be produced and affecting the bone marrow.

Around 9,500 are diagnosed with leukaemia each year in the UK.

The main types of leukaemia are acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL).

Symptoms of leukaemia: How do I know if I have leukaemia?
Many types of leukaemia produce no obvious symptoms in the early stages. Eventually, symptoms may include any of the following:

Anaemia and related symptoms, such as fatigue, pallor and a general feeling of illness.
A tendency to bruise or bleed easily, including bleeding from the gums or nose, or blood in the stool or urine.
Susceptibility to infections such as sore throat or bronchial pneumonia, which may be accompanied by headache, low-grade fever, mouth sores or skin rash.
Swollen lymph nodes, typically in the neck, armpits or groin.
Loss of appetite and weight.
Discomfort under the left lower ribs (caused by a swollen spleen).
In advanced stages, symptoms may include sudden high temperature, confusion, seizures, inability to talk or move limbs, and an altered state of consciousness.

Scientists discover vaccine for prostate cancer

Jab for prostate cancer, tomato cure for stomach tumour?

By Chukwuma Muanya, Assistant Editor | 

TOMATOES… A new study shows that whole tomato extracts from two different Southern Italy cultivars inhibit gastric cancer cell growth and malignant features, paving the way for future studies aimed at implementing lifestyle habits not only for prevention, but also potentially as a support to conventional therapies.

*Breast milk contains substance nicknamed Hamlet that can kill disease cells

Scientists have unveiled a vaccine that could stop prostate cancer in its tracks. The vaccine treats the disease by stimulating the immune system to kill cancer cells.

The scientists found the jab, stopped tumours from spreading for 77 per cent of cancer patients in a clinical trial. And 45 per cent of patients experienced tumour shrinkage after receiving the vaccine, according to the new research.

The research was published in Cancer Immunology.

The scientists from the Norwegian Radium Hospital said in a research paper: “At the end of the nine-month reporting period for the study, 17 patients had clinically stable disease.”

As part of the study, 22 men with prostate cancer were recruited to take part in a Phase I clinical trial. Phase I trails are the first step in developing a new treatment and are undertaken to find out if drugs can cause cancers to shrink, according to Cancer Research UK.

The new vaccine works by stimulating the body’s own immune system to fight cancer, in a type of treatment known as immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy has offered promise for new treatments because it does not carry the harsh side effects of traditional therapies such as chemo and radiotherapy.

It is not yet known when the vaccine could be available to the public, but it typically takes 10 to 15 years for drugs to pass through all clinical trial phases.

Also, researchers suggest in a new report that the use of tomato should be explored to develop supportive strategies against gastric cancer.

A new study shows that whole tomato extracts from two different Southern Italy cultivars inhibit gastric cancer cell growth and malignant features, paving the way for future studies aimed at implementing lifestyle habits not only for prevention, but also potentially as a support to conventional therapies.

“Their antitumoral effect seem not related to specific components, such as lycopene, but rather suggest that tomatoes should be considered in their entirety,” says Daniela Barone, researcher at the Oncology Research Center of Mercogliano (CROM), and one of the authors of the study.

Experiments analyzed whole tomato lipophilic extracts for their ability to tackle various neoplastic features of gastric cancer cell lines. Extracts of both the San Marzano and Corbarino tomato varieties were able to inhibit the growth and cloning behavior of malignant cells. Treatment with the whole tomato extracts affected key processes within the cells hindering their migration ability, arresting cell cycle through the modulation of retinoblastoma family proteins and specific cell cycle inhibitors, and ultimately inducing cancer cell death through apoptosis.

The study, published in the Journal of Cellular Physiology, details findings by Daniela Barone and Letizia Cito, from the research group directed by Prof. Antonio Giordano at the National Cancer Institute of Naples, Pascale Foundation, CROM.

Also, breast milk is being used to fight cancer after scientists accidentally discovered it contains a substance that kills tumour cells.

Trials in patients with bladder cancer have already yielded promising results and researchers believe the compound breast milk contains – nicknamed Hamlet – will also help tackle bowel cancer and cervical cancer.

They also say it homes in on cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed – so it has none of the debilitating side effects of chemotherapy.

Professor Catharina Svanborg, who made the initial discovery, said last night: “There’s something magical about Hamlet’s ability to target tumour cells and kill them.”

She said human breast milk contained a protein called alpha-lactalbumin, which is transformed into a cancer-fighting agent when in the gut.

Svanborg, an immunologist at Lund University in Sweden, made the chance discovery that the substance kills tumour cells when working on antibiotics.

The substance attacks cancer cells in numerous ways – first evading the cell’s outer defences, then targeting the ‘power station’ mitochondria and the ‘instruction manual’ nucleus. These actions cut off the cell’s energy source and ‘programme’ it to commit suicide, in a process called apoptosis.

Early trials in patients with bladder cancer show those injected with Hamlet start shedding dead tumour cells in their urine within days.

A full-scale trial-pitting Hamlet against a placebo ‘dummy drug’ is now planned.

Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer among males, affecting one in eight men in the United Kingdom (UK) and one in seven in the United States (US).

Prostate cancer usually develops slowly and often produces no signs for many years. The prostate is a small gland in the pelvis that is only in men. It helps to produce semen. Symptoms tend to appear when the gland becomes so large that it affects the tube that carries urine to the penis. This may cause an increased need to urinate, straining while urinating or feeling the bladder is not empty. The risk increases with age and those with family members who have suffered.

Leukaemia : Causes , symptoms, and treatment

​Leukaemia : Causes , symptoms, and treatment

Courtesy: Medgurus

Written by Christian Nordqvist

Leukaemia is cancer of the blood or bone marrow ( which produces blood cells ). A person who has leukaemia suffers from an abnormal production of blood cells , generally leukocytes (white blood cells ).
People sometimes confuse leukaemia and
lymphoma. Leukaemia is a cancer of the blood; lymphoma is cancer of the lymphatic system (lymph glands). The word Leukaemia comes from the Greek leukos, which means “white”, and aima, which means “blood”.
The DNA of immature blood cells, mainly white cells, becomes damaged in some way. This abnormality causes the blood cells to grow and divide continuously. Healthy blood cells die after a while and are replaced by new cells, which are produced in the bone marrow .
The abnormal blood cells do not die when they should, and accumulate, occupying more space. As more cancer cells are produced, they impede the function and growth of healthy white blood cells by crowding out space in the blood. Essentially, the bad cells crowd out the good cells in the blood.

Fast facts on leukaemia
Here are some key points about leukaemia. • According to the Leukaemia and Lymphoma Society, 60,140 people were expected to be diagnosed with leukaemia in 2016.
• There are about 54,270 new cases of leukaemia in the United States each year.
• Although leukaemia is among the most common childhood cancers, it most often occurs in older adults.
• Leukaemia is slightly more common in men than women.
• People with leukaemia have many treatment options, and treatment for leukaemia can often control the disease and its symptoms.

Leukaemia symptoms
Blood clotting is poor – As immature white blood cells crowd out blood platelets, which are crucial for blood clotting, the patient may bruise or bleed easily and heal slowly – he may also develop petechiae (a small red to purple spot on the body, caused by a minor haemorrhage).

Affected immune system – The patient’s white blood cells, which are crucial for fighting off infection, may be suppressed or not working properly. The patient may experience frequent infections, or his immune system may attack other good body cells.

Anaemia – As the shortage of good red blood cells grows the patient may suffer from anaemia – this may lead to difficult or laboured respiration (dyspnea) and pallor (skin has a pale colour caused by illness).
Other symptoms – Patients may also experience nausea, fever, chills, night sweats, flu-like symptoms, weight loss, bone pain, and tiredness . If the liver or spleen becomes enlarged the patient may feel full and will eat less, resulting in weight loss.
Weight loss can also occur independent of hepatomegaly (enlarged liver) or splenomegaly (enlarged spleen). Headache is more common among patients whose cancerous cells have invaded the CNS (central nervous system).
As all these symptoms could be due to other illnesses, a diagnosis of leukaemia can only be confirmed after medical tests are carried out.

Leukaemia risk factors
Some factors put certain people at higher risk of developing leukaemia. The following are either known or suspected factors:
artificial ionizing radiation
viruses – HTLV-1 (human T-lymphotropic virus) and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)
benzene and some petrochemicals
alkylating chemotherapy agents used in previous cancers
maternal foetal transmission (rare)
hair dyes
smoking
Genetic predisposition – some studies researching family history and looking at twins have indicated that some people have a higher risk of developing leukaemia because of a single gene or multiple genes.
Down syndrome – people with Down syndrome have a significantly higher risk of developing leukaemia, compared with people who do not have Down syndrome. Experts say that because of this, people with certain chromosomal abnormalities may have a higher risk.
Electromagnetic energy – studies indicate there is not enough evidence to show that ELF magnetic (not electric) fields that exist currently might cause leukaemia. The IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) says that studies which indicate there is a risk tend to be biased and unreliable.
Leukaemia and bone marrow function
The bone marrow is found inside of bones. The marrow in the large bones of adults produces blood cells. Approximately 4 percent of our total body weight consists of bone marrow.
There are two types of bone marrow:
Red marrow, made up mainly of myeloid tissue.
Yellow marrow, made up mostly of fat cells.
Red marrow can be found in the flat bones, such as the breast bone, skull, vertebrae, shoulder blades, hip bone, and ribs. Red marrow can also be found at the ends of long bones, such as the humerus and femur.
White blood cells (lymphocytes), red blood cells, and platelets are produced in the red marrow. Red blood cells carry oxygen, white blood cells fight diseases. Platelets are essential for blood clotting. Yellow marrow can be found in the inside of the middle section of long bones.
If a person loses a lot of blood the body can convert yellow marrow to red marrow in order to raise blood cell production.
White blood cells, red blood cells and platelets exist in plasma – blood plasma is the liquid component of blood, in which the blood cells are suspended.

Leukaemia types
Experts divide leukaemia into four large groups. These groups are classified as acute vs. chronic and lymphocytic vs. myelogenous

Chronic and acute leukaemia
There are several stages of maturation in a white blood cell’s lifespan. Acute leukaemia is a rapidly progressing disease that results in the accumulation of immature, useless cells in the marrow and blood. They are squeezed out of the bone marrow too early and are not functional. Chronic progresses more slowly and allows more mature, useful cells to be made. In other words, acute leukaemia crowds out the good cells more quickly than chronic leukaemia.

Lymphocytic and myelogenous leukaemia
Leukaemia are also subdivided into the type of affected blood cell. If the cancerous transformation occurs in the type of marrow that makes lymphocytes, the disease is called lymphocytic leukaemia. A lymphocyte is a kind of white blood cell inside the vertebrae immune system. If the cancerous change occurs in the type of marrow cells that go on to produce red blood cells, other types of white cells, and platelets, the disease is called myelogenous leukaemia.
To recap, there are two groups of two groups – four main types of leukaemia, as you can see in the illustration below:

Acute lymphocytic leukaemia ( ALL)
Also known as acute lymphoblastic leukaemia – this is the most common type of leukaemia among young children, although adults can get it as well, especially those over the age of 65. The 5-year survival rate is greater than 85 percent among children.
The following are sub types of ALL: precursor B acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, precursor T acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, Burkitt’s leukaemia, and acute biphenotypic leukaemia.

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia ( CLL)
This is most common among adults over 55, although younger adults can get it as well. It is the most common type of leukaemia in adulthood. CLL hardly ever affects children. The majority of patients with CLL are men, over 60 percent. The 5 year survival rate of treated CLL patients is 82 percent. Experts say CLL is incurable. A more aggressive form of CLL is B-cell prolymphocytic leukaemia.
Acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML )
AML is more common among adults than children, and affects males significantly more often than females. Patients are treated with chemotherapy. In children diagnosed with AML, the 5-year survival rate is 60-70 percent, though the overall survival rate is 26.6 percent.
Under the WHO classification system, there are six main groups of AML: AML with recurrent genetic abnormalities, AML with myelodysplasia-related features, therapy-related AML and MDS, AML not otherwise specified, myeloid sarcoma , and myeloid proliferations related to Down Syndrome.
Chronic Myelogenous Leukaemia (CML )
The vast majority of patients are adults. According to the National Cancer Institute, the 5-year survival rate is 65.1 percent. However, many people with CML have a gene mutation that responds to targeted cancer therapy, called Gleevec. Gleevec (imatinib) is commonly used to treat CML, as well as some other drugs. For those people whose cancer is susceptible to Gleevec, their survival rate can be as high as 90 percent. Chronic monocytic leukaemia is a sub type of CML.

Leukaemia treatments
As the various types of leukaemia affect patients differently, their treatments depend on what type of leukaemia they have. The type of treatment will also depend on the patient’s age and his state of health.
In order to get the most effective treatment the patient should get treatment at a centre where doctors have experience and are well trained in treating leukaemia patients. As treatment has improved, the aim is complete remission – that the cancer goes away completely for a minimum of five years after treatment.

Acute leukaemia treatments
Treatment for patients with acute leukaemia should start as soon as possible. The mainstay of treatment is still chemotherapy, which will be tailored to the type of cancer a patient has. Sometimes, chemotherapy may be given in three phases: induction, consolidation and maintenance. In some cases, a bone marow transplant may be warranted (allogeneic stem cell transplantation).

Chronic leukaemia treatments
Chronic leukaemia treatment is tailored to the type of cancer a person has and what phase it is in. Types of treatment include targeted therapy, interferons, chemotherapy, radiation therapy , surgery and stem cell transplant. Targeted therapy is different than chemotherapy, because it attacks a specific part of the cancer cell. Examples of this include Gleevec (imatinib mesylate) for CML, Sprycel (dasatinib), and Tarigna (nilotinib).
In some cases of CLL, treatment isn’t necessary in the early stages. Instead, an oncologist may opt for watchful waiting with frequent doctor’s visits.
A bone marrow transplant is the only current way of curing a patient with CML. The younger the patient is the more likely the transplant will be successful.
Leukaemia prognosis and life expectancy
All leukaemia patients, regardless of what type they have or had, will need to be checked regularly by their doctors after the cancer has gone (in remission). They will undergo exams and blood tests. The doctors will occasionally test their bone marrow. As time passes and the patient continues to remain free of leukaemia the doctor may decide to lengthen the intervals between

Source: Medical News Today

Ten early symptoms of cancer in men

10 Early Symptoms Of Cancer In Men

Cancer cells

Medically Reviewed by Christina Chun, MPH on
Written by Kristeen Cherney

Bowel changes | Rectal bleeding |
Urinary changes | Blood in urine |
Back pain | Unusual coughing |
Testicular lumps | Excessive fatigue |
Weight loss | Lumps in breast | Takeaway

Early symptoms of cancer

Cancer is among the most common causes of death in adult males in the U.S. While a healthy diet can lower the risk of developing certain cancers, other factors like genes can play a larger role. Once cancer spreads, it can be difficult to treat.
Knowing early symptoms can help you seek treatment sooner to better your chances of remission. Early symptoms of cancer in men include:
bowel changes
rectal bleeding
urinary changes
blood in urine
persistent back pain
unusual coughing
testicular lumps
excessive fatigue
unexplained weight loss
lumps in breast

Continue reading about these symptoms to find out what to look out for and what you should discuss with your doctor right away.

1. Bowel changes
The occasional bowel problem is normal, but changes in your bowels may indicate either colon or rectal cancer. These are collectively called colorectal cancers . Colon cancer can develop in any part of your colon, while rectal cancer affects your rectum, which connects the colon to the anus.
Frequent diarrhoea and constipation may be symptoms of cancer, particularly if these bowel changes come on suddenly. These problems also may occur with frequent gas and abdominal pain.
A change in the calibre or size of your bowel movement may also be a symptom of cancer.

RECTAL BLEEDING
2. Rectal bleeding
Rectal bleeding may be an early sign of rectal cancer. This is especially concerning if the bleeding persists or if you’re found to have iron deficiency anaemia due to blood loss. You may also notice blood in your stools.
Although there are other more common causes of rectal bleeding like haemorrhoids, you shouldn’t try to diagnose yourself if you’re having these symptoms. Talk to your doctor about your concerns. You should get regular colon cancer screenings starting at age 50.

URINARY CHANGES
3. Urinary changes
Incontinence and other urinary changes may develop as you age. However, certain symptoms may indicate prostate cancer . Prostate cancer is most common in men ages 60 and older.
Common urinary symptoms include:
urinary leaks
incontinence
an inability to urinate despite urges to go
delayed urination
straining during urination

BLOOD IN URINE
4. Blood in your urine
If you have blood in your urine, you shouldn’t ignore it. This is a common symptom of
bladder cancer . This type of cancer is more common in current and former smokers than in people who’ve never smoked. Prostatitis, prostate cancer, and urinary tract infections can also cause blood in your urine.
Early prostate cancer can also cause blood in your semen.

BACK PAIN
5. Persistent back pain
Back pain is a common cause of disability, but few men realise that it may be a symptom of cancer. Symptoms of cancer may not show until it has spread to other parts of your body, such as the bones of your spine. For example, prostate cancer is especially prone to spread to the bones and may cause these symptoms within your hip bones and lower back.
Unlike occasional muscle pain, cancer of the bone causes tenderness and discomfort in your bones.

UNUSUAL COUGHING
6. Unusual coughing
Coughing isn’t exclusive to smokers or to people with a cold or allergies. A persistent cough is an early sign of lung cancer . If you don’t have any other related symptoms, such as a stuffy nose or fever, the cough probably isn’t due to a virus or infection.
Coughing accompanied with bloody mucus is also associated with lung cancer in men.

TESTICULAR LUMPS
7. Testicular lumps
Testicular cancers in men are less common than cancers of the prostate, lungs, and colon. Still, you shouldn’t ignore early symptoms.
Lumps in the testicles are symptoms of testicular cancer.
Doctors look for these lumps during wellness checks. For earliest detection, you should
check for lumps once per month.

EXCESSIVE FATIGUE
8. Excessive fatigue
Fatigue can be related to a number of chronic illnesses and medical disorders. Excessive fatigue is your body’s way of telling you that something just isn’t right. As cancer cells grow and reproduce, your body may start to feel run down.
Fatigue is a common symptom of various cancers. See your doctor if you have excessive tiredness that doesn’t go away after a good night’s sleep.

WEIGHT LOSS
9. Unexplained weight loss
It becomes more difficult to maintain your weight as you age, so you might consider weight loss as a positive thing. But sudden and unexplained weight loss can indicate a serious health problem, including almost any type of cancer.
If you rapidly lose weight without changing your diet or how much you exercise, discuss this with your doctor.

LUMPS IN BREAST
10. Lumps in the breast
Breast cancer isn’t exclusive to women. Men also need to be on guard and check for suspicious lumps in the breast area. This is the earliest detectable symptom of male breast cancer . Call your doctor immediately for testing if you notice a lump.
Genes can play a role in male breast cancer, but it may also occur due to exposure to radiation or high estrogen levels. Breast lumps are most commonly found in men in their 60s.

TAKEAWAY
Take charge
Many cancers are difficult to detect in the earliest stages, but some may cause noticeable differences. Knowing the most common cancer symptoms is vital to obtaining a prompt diagnosis. Still, the exact signs and symptoms of cancer can vary. As a rule of thumb, you should always see your doctor if you suspect something isn’t right.

Source: Healthline