cancer Archives - TalkAfrique

May 24, 2015

African Healthcare: Diabetes, Cancer, Other NCDs Catch up with Malaria

It is no longer malaria and tuberculosis.

In the past, the two diseases dominated any healthcare conversation when the subject was about Africa. Times have changed. Today, diabetes, cancer, and heart and respiratory diseases are emerging as the top killers in Africa. Though infectious diseases remain a threat, the trendline is changing due to the rise of non communicable diseases (NCD). These used to be called the diseases of the rich but urbanization, smoking and the intrusion of western diets have broken the insulation African used to enjoy against these diseases. What is alarming is that African healthcare infrastructure are not currently able to manage these non communicable diseases.

In the weeks ahead, I will be delving into the issues of non-communicable diseases in Africa, the case for more funding of research to understand the rise NCDs and what governments need to do to avoid NCDs becoming the next malaria and TB.

October 28, 2011

Daily Aspirin Blocks Bowel Cancer

By James Gallagher Health reporter, BBC News

A daily dose of aspirin should be given to people at high risk of bowel cancer, say scientists.

Two pills a day for two years reduced the incidence of bowel cancer by 63% in a group of 861 at-risk patients, a study reported in The Lancet said.

Newcastle University’s Prof Sir John Burn, who led the study, said the evidence “seems overwhelmingly strong”.

Other experts said the findings added to a growing body of proof that aspirin could be used in the fight on cancer.

The study was conducted on 861 patients with Lynch syndrome, which affects one in every 1,000 people.

They struggle to detect and repair damaged DNA which means they are more likely to develop a range of cancers including those of the bowel, womb and stomach.

‘Good deal’

When looking at all patients in the trial, those in the group given 600 milligrams of aspirin every day developed 19 tumours compared to 34 tumours in the other “control” group, a reduction of 44%.

When the researchers looked at just those patients who took the medication for at least two years the reduction was 63%.

There was also an effect on other cancers linked to Lynch syndrome, which fell by half in the treatment group.

Prof Sir John Burn, from Newcastle University, said there were 30,000 adults in the UK with Lynch syndrome.

If all were given the treatment he said it would prevent 10,000 cancers over 30 years and he speculated that this could possibly prevent 1,000 deaths from the disease.

However, there would also be side effects.

“If we can prevent 10,000 cancers in return for 1,000 ulcers and 100 strokes, in most people’s minds that’s a good deal,” he said.

“People who’ve got a clear family history of, particularly, bowel cancer should seriously consider adding low dose aspirin to their routine and particularly those people who’ve got a genetic predisposition.”

Aspirin is already well known to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in high risk patients.

Other studies over the past two decades have suggested the pain killer reduced cancer risk, but this was the first randomised control trial, specifically for aspirin in cancer, to prove it.

In 2010, a study suggested patients given aspirin had a 25% lower risk of death during that trial.

Prof Peter Rothwell, from Oxford University, who conducted that study said the latest research “certainly helps to build a consistent picture, all pointing in the same direction that there is a link with cancer”.

Cancer Research UK’s Prof Chris Paraskeva said: “This adds to the growing body of evidence showing the importance of aspirin, and aspirin-like drugs, in the fight against cancer.”

‘Balanced argument’

One of the questions asked by the research into aspirin was whether healthy people with no family risks should take the drug.

The lower the risk of heart attack or cancer, the lower the benefit of taking aspirin, yet there are still potentially deadly side effects.

Sir John said that it was a “finely balanced argument” and that he decided the risks were worth it for him.

“I think where we’re headed for is people that are in their 50s and 60s would look very seriously at adding a low dose aspirin to their daily routine because it’s giving protection against cancer, heart attack and stroke.

“But if they do that they’ve got to have their eyes wide open. They will increase their risk of ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeds and very rarely they will have a stroke caused by the aspirin.”

October 7, 2011October 7, 2011

Cause of Hypoglycaemia Found, Say Researchers

The cause of a rare and severe form of hypoglycaemia – or very low levels of sugar in the blood – is genetic, say researchers.

The life-threatening condition means the body does not have enough energy to function.

Scientists at the University of Cambridge say mutations in the AKT2 gene are to blame.

Writing in the journal Science, they say there are already cancer drugs which target a similar process.

Hypoglycaemia can be caused by a disruption in the balance between the hormone insulin and sugar. Insulin lowers the level of sugar in the blood.

The condition is commonly associated with Type 1 diabetes, when the patients inject too much insulin, miss a meal or drink alcohol.

August 8, 2011August 8, 2011

Lighting Up in the Morning and Cancer

People who smoke soon after getting up in the morning are more likely to develop cancer than those who light up later in the day, say US researchers.

A study of 7,610 smokers, published in the journal Cancer, said the effect was independent of other smoking habits.

Smoking in the first 30 minutes after waking nearly doubled the, already high, risk of lung cancer.

May 31, 2011May 31, 2011

Mobiles ‘May Cause Brain Cancer’, WHO

The World Health Organization’s cancer research agency says mobile phones are “possibly carcinogenic”.

A review of evidence suggests an increased risk of a malignant type of brain cancer cannot be ruled out.

However, any link is not certain – they concluded that it was “not clearly established that it does cause cancer in humans”.

A cancer charity said the evidence was too weak to draw strong conclusions from.

A group of 31 experts has been meeting in Lyon, France, to review human evidence coming from epidemiological studies.

They said they looked at all relevant human studies of people using mobile phones and exposure to electromagnetic fields in their workplace.

The WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) can give mobile phones one of five scientific labels: carcinogenic, probably carcinogenic, possibly carcinogenic, not classifiable or not carcinogenic.

It concluded that mobiles should be rated as “possibly carcinogenic” because of a possible link with a type of brain cancer – glioma.

Ed Yong, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, said: “The WHO’s verdict means that there is some evidence linking mobile phones to cancer but it is too weak to draw strong conclusions from.

What else is labelled possibly carcinogenic?

Car exhausts
Lead
Coffee
Dry cleaning

IARC classifications

“The vast majority of existing studies have not found a link between phones and cancer, and if such a link exists, it is unlikely to be a large one.

“The risk of brain cancer is similar in people who use mobile phones compared to those who don’t, and rates of this cancer have not gone up in recent years despite a dramatic rise in phone use during the 1980s.

“However, not enough is known to totally rule out a risk, and there has been very little research on the long-term effects of using phones.”

The WHO estimated that there are five billion mobile phone subscriptions globally.

Christopher Wild, director of the IARC, said: “Given the potential consequences for public health of this classification and findings it is important that additional research be conducted into the long term, heavy use of mobile phones.

“Pending the availability of such information, it is important to take pragmatic measures to reduce exposure such as hands free devices or texting.”

By James Gallagher Health reporter, BBC News

May 18, 2011

Coffee Cuts Cancer in Men, Shut up and Sip Your Thing

Coffee has been linked to a reduced risk of dying from prostate cancer in a study of nearly 50,000 US men.

Those who drank six or more cups a day were found to be 20% less likely to develop any form of the disease – which is the most common cancer in men.

They were also 60% less likely to develop an aggressive form which can spread to other parts of the body.

But charities say the evidence, reported in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, is still unclear.

They do not recommend that men take up coffee drinking in the hope of preventing prostate cancer.

Unknown compounds

The study looked at about 48,000 men in the US who work as health professionals.

Every four years between 1986 and 2006, they were asked to report their average daily intake of coffee.

During this 20-year period, 5,035 of the men were diagnosed with prostate cancer, including 642 fatal cases.

Prostate cancer

Each year about 37,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK
Some 10,000 die from the disease
Symptoms include problems passing urine but they may be mild or non-existent

No difference was seen between caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee, suggesting caffeine itself was not the cause.

But even relatively small amounts of coffee – one to three cups per day – were found to lower the risk of lethal prostate cancer by 30%.

The researchers think there may be unknown compounds in coffee that protect against the disease.

Lead researcher Dr Kathryn Wilson, from the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, said: “At present we lack an understanding of risk factors that can be changed or controlled to lower the risk of lethal prostate cancer.

“If our findings are validated, coffee could represent one modifiable factor that may lower the risk of developing the most harmful form of prostate cancer.”

Commenting on the study, Dr Helen Rippon of The Prostate Cancer Charity, said other studies had not shown the link and the research evidence was still unclear.

She added: “Although this study is a welcome addition to our knowledge, it is far from definitive and we would not recommend men who are not already habitual coffee drinkers to become so in the hope of preventing prostate cancer.

The data

Previous studies have shown no clear link between coffee and prostate cancer risk
Men who drank six or more cups of coffee per day had a slightly lower risk of any form of prostate cancer and a substantially lower risk of lethal prostate cancer compared with non-coffee drinkers, according to the researchers
Both caff and decaff were associated with similar risks

“Heavy caffeine intake is associated with other health problems and men with benign prostate problems might well make urinary symptoms worse.”

Yinka Ebo, senior health information officer at Cancer Research UK, said: “There’s no need for men to start drinking gallons of coffee in an attempt to lower their prostate cancer risk.

“A number of other studies looking at coffee and prostate cancer have found that drinking coffee does not affect the risk of the disease, and this study only found a lower risk of advanced prostate cancer in men who drank more than six cups a day.

“We would need to see these results repeated in other large studies before we can be sure whether coffee consumption affects the risk of prostate cancer.”

March 3, 2011

Smart Steps to Healthy Living

Whether rich or poor, many people fail to see the link between their habits and their health. They may regard enjoying good health as a matter of chance or something over which they have little control. Such a fatalistic view holds many back from improving their health and leading a more productive life.

In reality, whatever one’s financial situation, there are basic steps that can be taken to protect and improve ones health and those of close associates. Some common healthy habits are provided below:

EAT WISELY– Concentrate on eating ‘real’ food- whole, fresh foods that people have been enjoying for millenniums- rather than modern processed foods. Commercially prepackaged foods and fast food from chain restaurants usually contain high levels of sugar, salt, and fat which are associated with heart disease, stroke, cancer and other serious ailments. When cooking, try steaming, baking, and broiling instead of frying. Try using more herbs and spices to cut down on salt. Make sure meats are properly cooked, and never eat spoiled foods.

The World Health Organization reports a dangerous worldwide increase in overweight and obesity, most of which result from overeating. One study found that in parts of Africa, ”there are more children who are overweight than malnourished”. Obese children carry both present and future health risks including diabetes. A balanced plate favors a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains over meats and starches. Once or twice a week, try substituting fish for meat. Reduce refined food such as pasta, white bread, and white rice, which are usually stripped of much of their nutritional value. Adults and children need to drink plenty of water and other unsweetened liquids every day. Drink more of this during hot weather and when doing heavy physical exercise. Such liquids aids digestion, and cleanse the body of poisons, make for healthier skin, and facilitate weight loss.

TAKE CARE OF BASIC BODY NEEDS– The demands and distractions of modern life have whittled away the time people spend sleeping. But sleep is germane to good health. Studies have shown that during sleep, our body and brain repair themselves, which benefiting memory and mood. Sleep reinforces the immune system and reduces our risk of infections, diabetes, stroke, heart disease, cancer, obesity, depression and so on. Most adults need seven to eight hours of sleep every night to feel good and perform their best. Young people need more.

KEEP YOURSELF MOVING– Leading a physically active life can help us feel happier, think more clearly, have more energy, be more productive and, along with proper diet, control our weight. Exercise needs not be painful or extreme to be effective. Regular periods of moderate exercise several weeks can be beneficial. Jogging, brisk walking, biking can help prevent heart attack and stroke. Simply using your feet instead of a car, bus or elevator is a good step. Why wait for a ride when you can walk to your destination? No matter how old you are and when you start, you can benefit from moderate physical exercise. If you are older or have health problems and have not been exercising, it is wise to consult a doctor about how to begin. But do begin! Exercise that is started gradually and not overdone can help even the oldest to maintain muscle strength and bone mass.

PROTECT YOUR HEALTH– ”Hand washing is the single most important thing that you can do to help prevent the spread of infections and stay healthy and well”, reports the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As much as 80 percent of infections are said to be passed on by unclean hands. So wash them often throughout the day. Do so especially before eating, preparing food, or dressing or even touching a wound, and do so after touching an animal, using the toilet, or changing a baby’s diaper. Washing with soap and water is more effective than using alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Bathing everyday and keeping one’s clothes and bed linens fresh and clean also contribute to better health. Avoid close physical contact or sharing of eating utensils with any who have a cold or the flu. Their saliva and nasal secretions can pass the illness to you. Avoid insect bites. Do not sit or sleep outdoors unprotected when mosquitoes or other disease-carrying insects are active. Use bed nets especially for children, and use repellents. Make whatever effort is required to keep your home clean, inside and out. If there is no toilet, build a simple latrine rather than just relieving yourself in a field. Cover the latrine to keep out flies. Obey safety laws when working, riding a bicycle or motorcycle, or driving a car. Use appropriate protective equipments such as safety glasses, headgear, and footwear, as well as seat belts and hearing protection. Avoid excessive sun exposure, which causes cancer and premature aging of the skin.

(excerpts from AWAKE journal- march, 2011)[ad#Adsense-468×60]

October 22, 2010January 14, 2011

Bothered by pain? Consider a trip to Zambia, say John Hopkins researchers

Researchers from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, U.S, have reported on a new study that will surely gladden the heart of the Zambian Ministry of Tourism. The conclusion of the study? Simply gazing at the amazing images of Victoria Falls on the Zambia-Zimbabwe border is enough to reduce the feeling of pain for many patients such as those on cancer treatment. Specifically, 120 people who are outpatients undergoing bone marrow aspiration and biopsy (BMAB) were evaluated.
BMAB is an unwanted long and painful procedure involving a large needle which is inserted into the back of the pelvic bone and bone marrow is drawn out, all using only local anesthesia. 44 patients were assigned a beautiful nature scene with accompanying calming sounds, 39 were assigned a typical city scene with city sounds and 37 were assigned standard care.
On a scale of 0 to 10, with 10 being the most painful and zero being minimum or no pain (known as the John Hopkins Instrument), patients were asked to rate their pain.
The Results
The control group, which had neither nature nor city scenes – on average marked BMAB as 5.7
While those patients exposed to the scenic nature images and calming sounds recorded an average of 3.9 on the pain scale, a very statistically significant reduction.
Patients exposed to the city scene and sound found the treatment just as painful as the control group.
The report concludes then that viewing a nature scene while listening to nature sounds is a safe, inexpensive method that may reduce pain during BMAB.

Looking at the Victoria Falls with calm music can help you deal with pain

But before the Zambian tourism industry starts popping out the champagne, it is worth nothing that the researchers say the patients do not need to leave their sick bed. Just exposing the patients to the pictures and sounds while on their sick bed is good enough as breaking your wallet to visit the Victoria.

Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (September 2010: 965-972)