Cancer
HNPCC – A Hereditary Cancer Syndrome
Jan 23rd
HNPCC stands for Hereditary Non Polyposis Colon Cancer – HNPCC is a hereditary syndrome that is caused when a person inherits a mutation in one of five different genes. HNPCC is also called Lynch Syndrome, after Dr. Henry Lynch who realized that it was a separate disorder from other hereditary colon cancers. HNPCC is not a form of cancer, rather a syndrome that puts people at high risk for colon cancer. If people born with HNPCC do not undergo regular screening beginning at an early age, they have an 80% chance of developing colon cancer. This type of cancer (HNPCC) accounts for 5-6% of all colon cancers.
How is HNPCC Inherited?
Parents with HNPCC have a 50% chance of passing the HNPCC gene to each of their children. Individuals who do not inherit the gene cannot pass it to their own children. Unfortunately, some individuals with HNPCC do not have an affected parent. These individuals, who are the first to have the condition, are referred to as having a new altered gene mutation. Once they acquire the mutated gene, they can pass this HNPCC gene to their children.
What Causes HNPCC?
The cause of HNPCC is caused by damaged genes. Specifically, there have been genetic markers identified which is reflective of micro satellite instability. The DNA mismatch repair genes have been identified as HMSH2, HMLH1, HPMS1, and HPMS2. If you have been identified as having HNPCC, then one or more of these genes will show micro satellite instability. Patients with HNPCC usually develop colon cancer at an earlier age than the general population. There is a propensity for right-sided lesions.
How is HNPCC Diagnosed?
HNPCC is diagnosed usually after one or more family members develop colon cancer. The family history is examined to see if there is cause and effect. This is usually accomplished by genetic counseling. The primary method that doctors and genetic counselors determine if you have HNPCC is by looking at the types of cancer and age at which cancer developed in you or your family.
If the genetic counselor you or your family does have HNPCC, the next step usually involves looking at tumors from people in your family (if they are available). If the tumors suggest that there is a detectable genetic error predisposing your family to HNPCC, the next step is a genetic test to try to identify the error. If someone in your family is found to have an error in one of the genes associated with HNPCC, then other family members can be tested for the same error to find out if they too have inherited the predisposition to HNPCC.
What Can I Do?
If you suspect you might have HNPCC, the best things you can do are research your family history and then meet with a genetic counselor. An ideal method is to create a flowchart of your family history going back 3 or more generations. List the relatives and determine if any of them had colon cancer, and if they had died from the disease. Then schedule an appointment with a genetic counselor to review the information. She will ask additional questions and determine if a genetic test is recommended. If someone in your family has recently been diagnosed with the cancer, then they are an ideal candidate to have the test performed. They will need to provide a tumor sample.
Colon Cancer Prevention through Screening
If your family has a history of colon cancer or you have the HNPCC gene, then you must get screenings done earlier than the general population, and more frequently. The standard method is colonoscopy. With colonoscopy, the doctor will examine the colon and small bowel with a flexible fiber optic camera. The doctor will search for small growths called polyps. If any are encountered, they will be removed during the procedure and sent for biopsy. Polyps are benign when they first develop but will eventually evolve in cancer if left undisturbed.
Final Thoughts
Depending on your family history, you could have a colonoscopy beginning at age 20. The general population is recommended to have a colonoscopy at age 50 and every 5 years thereafter if no problems or family history of cancel is evident. The frequency and age to start will need to be decided with consultation with your family and your doctor. If you have any symptoms such as dark purple colored stool, blood in the stool or rectal bleeding, consult your doctor immediately. It could mean the difference between life and death.
By: William F. Smith
Article source: http://www.goarticles.com/
About the Author
William writes articles for various topics. His family has a history of colon cancer and was tested for the HNPCC gene. His specialty is dog health but he has various other interests. You can visit his newest websites at John Deere Snow Thrower and Toro Snow Thrower.
Innovative Alternative Prostate Cancer Treatment
Jan 14th
The good news about prostate cancer which differs from almost all other forms of tumor; is that it is generally slow to metastasize and with early detection, treatment and aftercare, there is a very good chance of containing the spread and hence; treating the underlying condition.
When it comes to alternative prostate cancer treatments – thankfully there’s an extensive amount of research currently underway into certain drugs for certain forms of the condition. Alternatively, other hormonal tests, studies & research based on testosterone levels in male candidates – is also currently being pursued. It seems highly likely that like many other cancers, with prostate cancer, it is vital to catch it before it metastasizes (or spreads from the prostate gland around the body) after which point there’s little doctors or aggressive treatments can do.
This is why it is wise for patients or potential patients to become familiar with alternative treatments at every stage and all relative alternatives, as soon as any of the symptoms become known.
While a lot of work is going into establishing antibodies that will hopefully help minimise the need for radiation and surgery, there are also a lot of other established alternative methods that have proven their worth and can be explored in each individual case. Among these is a strict change in diet, where certain foodstuffs will be added, such as a higher percentage of fruit and vegetables and some will be taken away. Dairy products in particular are not good for this type of cancer and with the help of a specialist, may indeed be eliminated entirely from the diet.
A lot of cancer treatments will heavily depend on age. For example, doctors and oncologists may be willing to try aggressive forms of treatment on young middle age men, whereas, the same condition on a person over seventy for instance, will be dramatically different. The biggest concern with prostate cancer is keeping it contained within the prostate tissue, and if this can be done successfully, the chances of survival will be greatly increased, as again, it is a slow tumor to develop.
For a full list of information and details about the different kinds of treatments available for prostate cancer sufferers, patients are advised to first visit their GP, as well as perhaps checking online for the best alternative solutions and advice, thus; maximizing every potential for cure.
Importance of Early Detection
As prostate cancer is very much a condition under the current spotlight, the dangers, as well as other forms of cancer, are that once it has spread from the tissue in the prostate gland, there is very little doctors can do, and so, your doctor may want to begin trials immediately after a full screening. The bigger options of course, for any kind of cancer are chemotherapy and surgery; however, these are not looked upon for this kind of cancer as a first option. The best advice perhaps is to look around for as many alternatives as you can find initially, while you begin consulting with your GP.
It is also worth noting that there are dedicated doctors and specialists that can be found online to help answer any questions you may have prior to beginning any form of traditional or alternative prostate cancer treatment, but please be aware that early detection and treatment is always the best route.
By: Ty Daniel
Article source: http://www.goarticles.com/
About the Author
Learn more about alternative prostate cancer treatment options at CancerCureOptions.com.
How To Slash Your Prostate Cancer Risk – With Sunlight!
Dec 23rd
According to a study published in the British Journal of Cancer 2009; 100: 450-454, men with prostate cancer are as much as seven times LESS likely to die if they have high levels of vitamin D – the “sunshine vitamin”.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in Australian men. Each year close to 3,300 men die of prostate cancer annually and around 20,000 new cases are diagnosed in Australia each year. So, for all you male readers, if you want to prevent prostate cancer, and protect your health, getting regular sun exposure to optimize your vitamin D levels is an absolute must.
Prostate cancer is typically slow growing, and the five-year survival rate for all stages of prostate cancer combined is 99%. So it is very much a disease that can be managed…if you make the appropriate lifestyle changes.
Why Sunlight Is An Important Cancer-Fighting Tool?
A previous study found men with higher levels of vitamin D in their blood were half as likely to develop aggressive forms of prostate cancer as those with lower amounts. Numerous other studies also confirm the link between vitamin D deficiency and multiple types of cancer. The “sunshine vitamin” has a protective effect against cancer in many ways including:
* Increasing the self-destruction of mutated cells (they can lead to cancer if allowed to replicate)
* Reducing the spread and reproduction of cancer cells
* Causing cells to become differentiated (cancer cells often cannot be differentiated by the body)
* Reducing the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones (which is a step in the transition of dormant tumors turning cancerous)
What Is The Optimal Vitamin D Level For You?
Vitamin D3 is produced by our bodies when UV radiation from sunlight hits our skin and reacts with a compound called 7-dehydrocholesterol. Ever since I was a child growing up in Australia we have been told to protect against UV radiation. But UV levels vary according to season, geographic latitude, smog, cloud cover and time of day. A UV level of 3 or higher, which usually occurs between 10am to 3pm daily in the tropics and during spring and summer in temperate regions, requires most people to apply sun protection. Either side of those times up to 10-15 minutes of sunlight at least twice a week is adequate for Vitamin D synthesis. During winter take advantage of sunny periods but usually 2-3 hours of sun exposure spread over a week is adequate.
Your doctor can measure your serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D to determine your vitamin D status. Your vitamin D level should always be above 32 ng/ml (nanograms per millilitre), and anything below 20 ng/ml is considered a serious deficiency state, which would increase your risk of prostate cancer.
The optimal level is 45-52 ng/ml but previous research has suggested that maintaining a slightly higher level of 55 ng/ml is optimal for cancer prevention. Optimizing your vitamin D levels is an important part of prostate cancer prevention, but it is far from the only method. Another sensible strategy is eating a healthy diet including natural lycopene foods such as tomatoes, raspberries, watermelon and broccoli.
In addition, supplementation with important micro-nutrients is also essential in preventing and fighting cancer. Research has shown that a group of saccarides called glyconutrients are essential for a healthy immune system. Recent studies in numerous scientific journals have shown that glyconutrients not only retarded human prostate cancer cell growth, but also encouraged their destruction.
If you would like to know more about glyconutrients and their importance in maintaining a healthy immune system and fighting cancer then click on the link below.
By: Richard Webster
Article source: http://www.goarticles.com/
About the Author
Click on… http://www.DiseaseFightingReport.com for natural ways to fight prostate cancer and improve the quality of your health.
Richard and Ruth Webster are Health and Wellness Consultants who help people struggling against major health issues. They have a successful Health and Wellness business offering natural solutions and Free Consultations for people looking to improve their health through natural or alternative means.
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