Recent studies involving the use of radiofrequency ablation in treating liver cancer have yielded positive results. Radiofrequency ablation is the removal of unwanted tissue from the body using radiofrequency energy. This method is also used in treating coronary diseases, varicose veins and in somnoplasty.
Although the study was limited to tumors less than four centimeters, the application of radiofrequency ablation was effective on patients with liver cancer where surgery was not possible.
In the said study conducted in Charité, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany complete destruction of tumors occurred in 66 out of 67 cases where multipolar radiofrequency ablation was used to treat liver cancer. Fifty-two percent of the patients are tumor free, while seventy-eight percent are still living after four years. Only in eight cases that reablation was needed from the 67 cases.
Vitamin D is significant when it comes to the development of our organs. This vitamin is the regulator of calcium and phosphorous which is essential for the development of our bones. Vitamin D is also been said to be able to play a role in preventing diabetes and coronary diseases. The most recent findings on the benefits of vitamin D, though not yet extensively identified, is its ability to prevent the development of cancerous cells.
Calcitriol, a hormone of vitamin D is said to cause the death of cancerous cells. Several studies show that regular intake of vitamin D can deter the development of colon, breast, ovarian cancer and even prostate cancer. The link between vitamin D and colon cancer has produced the most interest among scientists and those in the medical field because it has shown a great potential.
Lung cancer is hard to detect. Only 15 percent of lung cancer cases are detected in their early stages. Because of late detection, survival from this disease is a low percentage situation. By the time of discovery, the cancer has already spread making it hard to cure.
But there is a new method that can supplement the detection of lung cancer on its early stages. It is called LC Detect. It is a novel blood test which measures the HAAH in serum. Although this method is not conclusive if taken alone, the diagnostic information it provides when taken together with the results of imaging technology procedures can be an effective method of determining the presence of lung cancer.
Male infants born prematurely are twice as likely to die as female infants within their first three days. This fact has puzzled medical experts for years, until recent results of research done in the UK revealed the cause: male infants are more vulnerable to cardiovascular complications. Specifically, male babies born prematurely and with low blood pressure and small blood vessels were less able to regulate their blood flow than the female babies, even if the female premature babies exhibited the same symptoms.
Further research will hopefully reveal the best way to help the male infants control their small vessel blood flow.
Stem cells are behind some of the most promising research being done today for a variety of diseases. When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the potential to become another type of cell with a more specialized function, such as a muscle cell, a red blood cell, or a brain cell.
The source of the controversy? They are usually retrieved from human embryos as a product of in-vitro fertilization in a lab or fertility clinic, and until recently, starting a stem cell line required the destruction of an embryo. The protests from pro-life supporters may be quieted, though, by the success of this technique that shows that it is possible to derive a single cell from an embryo without destroying the embryo.
The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) of the United States approved the new birth control drug, Lybrel last 2007. It is different from the traditional pills because placebos need not be taken for this drug. The placebos are replaced with hormones. This is a low dose drug which can suppress menstruation and could be taken continuously all year long.
A side effect of this drug is that women taking it might experience unscheduled bleeding or spotting. This is common for all extended cycle combined oral contraceptive pills (COCPs) but it tends to decrease over time. Concern for women’s long term health has also been raised with regard to the suppression of menstruation but so far, there is no conclusive study as regards this matter. The manufacturer of this drug is Wyeth Pharmaceuticals.
A Harvard Medical School study indicate that it may be possible to stop type 1 diabetes and renew the insulin-producing beta cells that are destroyed by the disease. The scientists used a mix of three drugs designed to tame the out-of-control immune response attacking the pancreas, and an enzyme called alpha 1 anti-trypsin, which is normally produced by the body to ease inflammation.. This has only been tested on mice so far but trials with human patients will be run soon.
At the same time, progress is also being done towards a cure for type 1 diabetes in Sydney, Australia. Scientists from Westmead Hospital transplanted islet cells from a donor’s pancreas into patients’ livers, where the new cells began to produce insulin. This procedure was successfully done on eight patients and the results were very promising: the patients’ need for insulin shots dropped dramatically, to zero in some cases.
The Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica. Sardinia, Italy. Okinawa, Japan. Loma Linda, California.
What do these places have in common?
These are where the people with the longest, healthiest lives on earth live.
Author Dan Buettner has written a book called The Blue Zone that reveals the secrets of these centenarians. They are:
- 80% Rule (stop eating when you’re 80% full)
- Plant-Power (more veggies, less protein and processed foods)
- Red Wine (consistency and moderation)
- Plan de Vida (know your purpose in life)
- Beliefs (spiritual or religious participation)
- Down Shift (work less, slow down, rest, take vacation)
- Move (find ways to move mindlessly, make moving unavoidable)
- Belong (create a healthy social network)
- Your Tribe (make family a priority)’
Read more at his site, BlueZones.com.
Colon cancer, also called colorectal or large bowel cancer, is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Canada. Encouragingly, Dr. Dilip Patel, a gastroenterologist at The Ottawa Hospital states that if colon cancer is detected early, there is a 90% chance of cure. However, most people are too embarrassed about the prospect of getting a colonoscopy to undergo the tests as a regular procedure.
According to this article, fetal occult blood tests are now being pushed by the Ottawa government and an ad campaign has been launched to help people realize the importance of getting themselves tested for this deadly disease.
5.2 million people in the United States have Alzheimer’s disease, the Alzheimer’s Association states in a new report. It is the 5th leading cause of death for people aged 65 and up, and the 7th leading cause of death overall.
Most sobering is the news that 10 million baby boomers - 1/8 of the people born between 1946-1964 - will develop it during the course of their lifetimes. The financial impact to their families will be huge; caregivers will have to be hired, or one member of the family will have to quit his or her job in order to care for their ill parents full-time.