Posts Tagged ‘Medimanage.com’

Top 10 Ways of Preventing Cancer by Medimanage.com

Cancer – either you have had it, may develop it at some point in time, or know someone who has had it or has it. Whether we like it or not, cancer affects each one of us directly or indirectly. Preventing cancer is easier than you may think. Through simple lifestyle changes, we can reduce our risk of developing many types of cancer.

Avoid smoking, whether it be active or passive smoking.
We hear at least a dozen times a day about the ills of cigarettes and the risks associated with smoking, including the risk of lung cancer. The reason for this is the fact that smoking is one such significant risk factor associated with cancer, which can easily be reduced. You would be surprised to know that smoking can increase your risk of developing a number of other cancers as well. Quitting the habit is much easier with the help of many rehabilitation centers, counsellors as well as websites providing the right kind of help that can help you give up the habit altogether.

Practice sun safety and recognize when skin changes occur.
Skin cancer is becoming more common, especially among young people. Wear sunscreen when outdoors, even if it is shady, and try to avoid going outdoors during the sun’s peak time, which is 10 am – 2 pm. Knowing your skin’s moles and spots is essential. Any changes you observe on your skin, need to be reported to your doctor as soon as possible.

Eat your fruits and veggies.
Fruits and vegetables, being rich in antioxidants, help in the repair of the damaged cells in the body. Especially, dark green leafy vegetables, and bright red and yellow coloured fruits and veggies, are your best bet. Also, as friuits and vegetables are good sources of antioxidants, they aid in the prevention of various types of cancers.

Watch the meats you eat, especially smoked foods.
Research suggests that a diet high in animal fat can lead to the development of certain types of cancers. A diet high in smoked foods, salted fish and meat, and pickled vegetables, can increase your risk to cancer to a large extent.

Limit your alcohol intake.
Drinking excessive amount of alcohol regularly, increases your risk of developing cancer. Studies suggest that men who consume two alcoholic drinks per day and women who have one alcoholic drink per day, significantly increase their risk to certain types of cancer. Hence it is recommended that you consume alcohol in moderation.

Be sure to keep up on screening tests like the Pap, mammograms, and DREs.
Make sure you regularly undergo health checkups and screening tests like the Pap smear and mammogram if you are a woman, and a DRE (digital rectal exam) if you are a man. The Pap and DRE can detect cellular changes before they become cancerous, and the mammogram may be able to detect breast cancer early.

Exercise for cancer prevention.

Being overweight greatly increases your risk factor for developing cancer. Hence, exercising to maintain your ideal weight is one of the best defenses against cancer. Exercising doesn’t have to be boring, you can get into dancing, brisk walking or simply playing your favourite sport that requires you to be on your toes, for instance, tennis or badminton. Being physically active would ensure flexibility of the body and lasting good health.

Know your personal and family history pertaining to cancer.
Research tells us that some types of cancers can be genetic. Knowing your family history pertaining to cancer can help you make more informed decisions about your healthcare. It can also aid in genetic testing and counseling, so that you can find out if you carry a mutated gene that increases your risks of developing cancer. To read more about Top 10 Ways of Preventing Cancer by Medimanage.com

Breast Cancer: Better Be Aware! by Medimanage.com

BREAST cancer is the second most common cancer in Indian women. The incidence is more in urban than rural women. It is more prevalent in the higher socio-economic groups. The average incidence rate varies from 22-28 per 100,000 women per year in urban settings to 6 per 100,000 women per year in rural areas. You must have seen that television advertisement in which where daughter writes letter to her mom, asking her mom to go for breast cancer checkup. The ad was simply amazing and had powerful impact on the audience. People now realize that even breast cancer is an equally important disease like Aids.

What is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is a kind of tumor that develops in the cells of a person’s breast. One may think that only women get breast cancer but that’s not true. Even men have breast tissues, so men too can get it, though it is very rare.

Causes of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is far more common in women than in men. Some women are at a particularly higher risk. 75% of women who develop breast cancer have no known risk factors.

With age’ risk of breast cancer increases.
Family history of breast cancer i.e. women whose mother, grandmothers, aunts or sisters have developed breast cancer, are at an increased risk.
Women, who previously had breast cancer, have a slightly higher chance of having breast cancer in the other breast.
Women who started their periods (menses) at an earlier age (before 12 years).
Delayed childbearing, women who did not breast-feed their infants, or those who never had children.
Late menopause (after 50 years)
Obesity
Diet rich in animal fat

It is very important to do breast cancer checkup after the age 40years. One can do it annually every year as part of annual health checkup

When to seek Doctor’s Help

Following are the symptoms which needs doctors help:

A lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm areas
A change in size or shape of the breast
A change in the color or feel of the skin of the breast
A discharge from the nipple
Inversion or turning in of the nipple

Some of these symptoms may also be caused by diseases that aren’t cancer, so getting it diagnosed is the only way to check what is the cause of these symptoms. Diagnosis have to be done by doctor only, you cannot ignored any of the above signs.

Ways to Check Breast Cancer at Home

Following are the ways to examine the breasts at home. You can share this with your mom and check it at home. It is always better to start early rather than being late

Use the left hand for the right breast and right hand for the left. Apply firm pressure and make small circles as you go back or forth in a pattern covering all the breast area including the nipple.
Stand in front of a mirror and look at each breast separately. Note the size, shape, color, curve and direction of your breasts and nipples. Look if there are any changes in size, change in the texture of the skin.
Raise your arms over your head and look at your breasts, as you turn slowly from side to side and also look if there is any kind of swelling around the breast.
Lean forward and examine each breast for change in outline.
Now, lying down, using the pads of your three middle fingertips feel for any lumps or bumpy areas.
Extend your examination till underarm area, feel each part carefully until you felt all the parts of the breast.
Change your hand and repeat the same procedure on the other breast.

Early detection tests for breast cancer can save thousands of lives and many more could be saved if they don’t ignore the awareness about it. To read more about Breast Cancer: Better Be Aware!