Cancer Prevention

Cancer occurs when there are changes in the genes responsible for cell growth and repair. These changes are the result of the interaction between genetic host factors and external agents which can be categorized as:

• Physical Carcinogens such as Ultra Violet (UV) and Ionizing Radiation
• Chemical Carcinogens such a Asbestos and Tobacco smoke
• Biological Carcinogens such as
  • Infections by Virus (Hepatitis B Virus and Liver Cancer, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and Cervical Cancer) and Bacteria (Helicobater Pylori and Gastric Cancer) and Parasites (Schistosomiasis and Bladder Cancer)
  • Contamination of food by Mycotoxins such as Aflatoxins (products of Aspergillus Fungi) causing Liver Cancer.

Tobacco use is considered one major risk factor for cancer and causes a large variety of cancers such as lung, larynx, oesophagus, stomach, bladder, oral cavity and others. Although there are still some open questions, there is credible evidence that dietary factors also contribute to causing cancer. This applies to obesity as a compound risk factor per se as well as to the composition of the diet such as lack of fruit and vegetables and high salt intake. Lack of physical activity is yet another risk factor for cancer. There is strong evidence about alcohol causing several cancer types such as oesophagus, pharynx, larynx, liver, breast, and other cancer types.
These are some measures you can take to minimise the risk of cancer;
1. Don't use tobacco
All types of tobacco can lead to cancer. Rejecting tobacco, or deciding to stop using it, is one of the most important health decisions you can make. It's also an important part of cancer prevention. Avoiding tobacco in any form significantly reduces your risk of several cancers.
2. Eat a variety of healthy foods
Though making healthy selections at the supermarket and at all meals can't guarantee you won't get cancer, it may help reduce your risk. About 30 percent of cancers are related to issues of nutrition, including obesity.
3. Stay active and maintain a healthy weight
Maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly also plays an important role in cancer prevention. Physical activity can help you avoid obesity by controlling your weight. Physical activity on its own may also lower your risk of other types of cancer, including breast cancer and colon cancer.
4. Protect yourself from the sun
Skin cancer is one of the most common kinds of cancer and one of the most preventable. Although repeated exposure to X-rays or contact with certain chemicals can play a role, sun exposure is by far the most common cause of skin cancer.
5. Get Immunized
Certain cancers are associated with viral infections that can be prevented with immunizations. Talk to your doctor about immunization against:

• Hepatitis B. Hepatitis B can increase your risk of developing liver cancer. Vaccination is recommended for all babies. Certain high-risk adults also may need to be vaccinated.
• Human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a sexually transmitted virus that can lead to cervical cancer. Talk to your doctor about whether you would benefit from immunizations to reduce your risk of cancer.

When you seek care at Parkway Cancer Centres, you have access to a wide variety of treatment options. Depending on your health, physical status, type, origin and stage of cancer, your treatment option may be surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or a combination of these, which would then be referred to as the, Multi – Disciplinary Approach.

• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Surgery

First Help for Heart Diseas

According to the theory that Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is related to a deficiency of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) was first proposed by the Canadian physician G. C. Willis in 1953. Willis found that atherosclerotic plaques form over vitamin-C-starved vascular tissues in both guinea pigs and human beings. In 1989, after the discoveries of the Lp(a) cholesterol molecule (circa 1964) and its lysine binding sites (circa 1987), Linus Pauling and his associate Matthias Rath formulated a unified theory of heart disease and invented the cure.Vitamin C and lysine (and proline) in large amounts become Lp(a) binding inhibitors that restore vascular health and destroy atherosclerotic plaques. It's suggested to that you must consume vitamin C routine everyday to prevent heart attact. But if you have had a heart attack before, or if you have several risk factors, the following steps may help prevent heart attacks and save you from severe disability or even death.

• Take a low-dose aspirin tablet (160 or 325 mg) every day. Aspirin increases the risk of bleeding in some people. Ask your health care provider before taking daily aspirin.
  
• If you smoke, quit. This is the single best lifestyle change you can make. After 3 years of not smoking, the risk of heart disease drops to the level of a nonsmoker. Your health care provider can help you quit smoking through behavioral changes, medications, or use of nicotine replacement products.
  
• Lower the cholesterol level in your blood. Lowering your cholesterol, especially the level of "bad" LDL cholesterol, keeps plaques from building up in the coronary arteries. The total cholesterol level should be kept below 200 mg/dL, and the LDL cholesterol level below 130 mg/dL (under 100 mg/dL in those with known heart disease or diabetes). Some people are able to control their cholesterol level by changing what they eat; others require medication.
  
• Keep your intake of calories from fat under 30% of your total calories. This translates to an intake of less than 60 grams of fat per day for an adult. Most diets in Western countries contain more fat than is recommended.
  
• Control blood pressure. Uncontrolled high blood pressure is one of the most common causes of heart disease.
  
• Control diabetes carefully. Uncontrolled diabetes increases your risk of heart disease, heart attacks, and circulation problems.
  
• If you take hormone replacement therapy (HRT), talk with your health care provider right away. HRT is no longer considered to protect women from heart disease and heart attacks.

Next step to handle this case, you must do medical treatment to keep your heart condition steady or healthy by doing this;

General treatment measures include the following:

• Oxygen through a tube in the nose or face mask
  
• Nitroglycerin under the tongue
  
• Pain medicines (morphine or meperidine)
  
• Aspirin: Those with allergy to aspirin may be given clopidogrel (Plavix).

Clot-dissolving medicines: The tissue plasminogen activators (tPAs) can actually dissolve clots in some circumstances.

• The earlier these drugs are given, the better the chance of opening the blocked artery and of protecting the cardiac muscle from further injury.
  
• If more than 6 hours has passed since the onset of chest pain, these drugs are less helpful.
  
• Potential risks of this therapy include bleeding.
  
• The most serious risk is a stroke (bleeding into the brain).