Articles on Cancer

Articles on Cancer

Cancer is a class of diseases in which a group of cells grow uncontrollably, invade and destroy adjacent tissues and sometimes spread to other locations in the body via lymph or blood (metastasize).  These three malignant properties differentiate them from benign tumors, which are self-limited, and do not invade or metastasize.  Most cancers form a tumor but some, like leukemia, do not.

Cancer can be the result of DNA mutations, exposure to carcinogens or radiation, viral infections, hormonal imbalances, immune system dysfunction or a hereditary predisposition to certain syndromes.
 

03/15/2010 - Articles

Smoking cessation helps lung cancer patients

Smoking cessation is generally recommended to prevent people from getting lung cancer or heart disease. Like keeping to a healthy weight, taking regular exercise and eating fruit and vegetables, smoking cessation is part of a healthy lifestyle. But what of those who have already succumbed to lung cancer, most likely because of smoking? Is there any benefit to smoking cessation at this late stage? Should the doctor even try to encourage the patient to quit or should they assume that it will never happen and it is cruel to deny the comfort of smoking to a patient who may well be dying? Read more

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03/09/2010 - Articles

Radiotherapy update

Radiotherapy is the mainstay of treatment for many cancers, because high energy x-rays or gamma rays can deliver an intense punch of energy into a tumor, killing off its cells. But many patients fear radiotherapy, because when the rays hit healthy tissue they can cause severe and long-lasting side effects. However, there are many new tools and technologies in radiotherapy which deliver an increasingly precise dose to a tumor, while sparing healthy surrounding tissue.  And, increasingly, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are used together in a well-planned treatment strategy that relies on the drugs making cancer cells even more sensitive to radiation. Read more

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03/01/2010 - Articles

How to prevent lymphoedema after breast cancer surgery

Lymphoedema is the most common chronic complication after breast cancer surgery or radiotherapy. It is a painful swelling of the arm caused by damage to the lymphatic system during treatment. Around 70% of women experience lymphoedema after breast cancer surgery and it is a significant cause of cosmetic disfigurement, anxiety and depression. Read more

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01/11/2010 - Articles

Alcohol decreases chance of breast cancer survival

Alcohol is already known to be a risk factor for developing breast cancer.  But there has been little research into the impact of alcohol on the health of women already diagnosed with breast cancer.  A new study by Dr Marilyn Kwan and her team at  Kaiser Pemanente Research and colleagues at the University of Utah now reveals that even moderate alcohol consumption can lower the chance of survival in breast cancer.  Read more

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01/05/2010 - Articles

Watercress might prevent breast cancer

Watercress contains a number of compounds that have anti-cancer activity. But most research on watercress has been done on cancer cells in test tubes. Read more

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12/22/2009 - Articles

Secondhand Smoke is Also Lethal

Passive smoking - secondhand smoke - is associated with an increased death rate, and probably with an increased rate of heart attack, as shown by two recent studies. Read more

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12/21/2009 - Articles

Chronic pain often follows breast cancer surgery

Around 50% of women experience chronic pain after they have had a breast operation. The chronic pain is not just pain - it often involves sensory disturbances like numbness or a burning feeling. Modern breast cancer surgery may be accompanied by axillary node dissection, radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. It may also be done in such a way as to conserve the breast by reconstruction after mastectomy. It is important to get an idea of how these developments are affecting the risk of chronic pain after breast cancer surgery. Read more

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12/16/2009 - Articles

Childhood cancer survivors begin to pay the price

Childhood cancer survivors are increasing in number thanks to advances in drug and radiation therapies. For this, they and their families will always be grateful. However, there is a downside for childhood cancer survivors. Previous research has shown how childhood cancer survivors are at increased risk of further cancers and also of hormone abnormalities and growth and developmental delays. A new study now shows that childhood cancer survivors also have a higher than expected risk of various kinds of heart disease. Read more

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11/17/2009 - Articles

Green tea could prevent oral cancer

Green tea is rich in polyphenols, which appear to have anti-cancer properties. Green tea, and its extracts, have already been shown to prevent cancer in a number of animal and lab studies, although clinical evidence is still lacking. In the first trial of its kind, researchers at the University of Texas M.D.Anderson Cancer Center show that green tea extract may help prevent oral cancer. According to the American Cancer Society oral cancer has a five year survival rate of less than 50%. Smoking and heavy drinking are potent risk factors for oral cancer. Read more

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11/09/2009 - Articles

Cervical screening methods compared

Cervical screening undoubtedly saves lives. In countries where cervical screening is routine, death rates from cervical cancer have fallen dramatically. Practice varies from country to country, but a woman should generally have cervical screening till she is 60. Read more

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