Higher Concentration of Trace Elements Found In Bone Cancer
Published: 21 July 2014
Researchers from the MedUni Vienna, the Vienna Technical University and the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute have investigated the distribution of trace elements in the tissue of bone tumors. They found out that tumor tissue contains higher concentrations of trace elements. The result could represent a starting point for the development of targeted therapies for bone cancer.
“The results show that the concentration of iron and zinc in the tumor tissue is several times higher than in healthy tissue. The tumor tissue therefore appears to create an environment in which trace elements are able to form bonds more easily. We are keen, however, to investigate the role of trace elements in more detail in further studies.” said Jochen Hofstätter of the University Department of Orthopaedics at the MedUni Vienna.
Most cases of osteosarcoma, malignant bone tumor are diagnosed in young people aged between ten and 25 years. The causes of osteosarcoma are still largely unknown. Surgical intervention is the only targeted treatment method done today and drug-based treatments is relatively narrow compared to other types of cancer.
“Compared to other methods, this investigation is the most technically challenging, but also the most accurate. The results we have achieved, made possible only through the cooperation of three institutions, demonstrate how important interdisciplinary and even cross-institution collaboration is for successful research,” said Hofstätter
The result of the study could be a new approach to bone cancer therapy. “In the field of drug-based therapy for osteosarcoma, there are still many unanswered questions: some tumors respond to chemotherapy, some don’t. These new results could offer an approach for new, targeted and personalized forms of treatment.” said Reinhard Windhager, Head of the University Department of Orthopaedics at the MedUni Vienna and Vienna General Hospital and a member of the study group.
News sourced from: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/07/140721100121.htm
One person dies of Oral Cancer every six hours in India
Published: 22 July 2014
Oral Cancer claims one life every six hours in India. The incidence of the disease is quite alarming. Many cases of the disease and deaths in the rural areas and among the poorer sections of society are hardly registered at all. Oral cancer is approximated to be 40 percent of all cancer-related disease in the country. All Northeast states are badly affected by oral cancer. States like West Bengal, Andhra, Pradesh, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu are also affected.
The high prevalence of smokers and widespread use of other chewable tobacco products has seen a steep growth in the number of oral cancer patients in the past decade. There is no other way to curb oral cancer than to have a ban on tobacco in its very form according to Dr. Dhoble.
Dentist is the first person to diagnose oral cancer since it was not limited to teeth, but mouth, tongue and integral part of pharynx and gums. Oral cancer is 100 percent curable only if it was reported on the first stage. Once it slips into the second stage the patient is left with a life span of only five years.
People are advised to visit a dentist and not to ignore any problem in the mouth. The best medicine is to stop using tobacco and all it’s by products. Indian Dental Association are conducting awareness camps and counseling to educate people about oral cancer.
News sourced from: http://www.islamicnewsdaily.com/country/asia/india/oral-cancer-claims-life-hours-india/
Ghana’s First Lady participates in Stop Cervical Cancer Conference
Published: 22 July 2014
The First Lady, Mrs Lordina Mahama participates in the eighth Stop Cervical, Breast and Prostate Cancers in Africa (SCCA) conference and exhibition. The conference theme “Moving forward to end cervical cancer by 2030: Universal access to cervical prevention,” is being attended by first ladies from across Africa, ministers of health, parliamentarians, medical experts and other stakeholders.
Reproductive system cancers are on the rise, especially in developing countries. Breast cancer is the leading cancer in women. Cervical cancer is the second leading cancer among women, killing close to about 270,000 women globally every year. Prostate cancer is common in men, among other reproductive cancers such as endometrial and ovarian, is also on the rise.
The three-day conference is being organized by the Forum of African First Ladies against Breast and Cervical Cancer. The conference will discuss the status of cancers in the context of sexual and reproductive health and rights in Africa, with particular focus on girls, adolescents, women, as well as men of the reproductive age. The reproductive systems as a step to the development of strategic actions that would help in the reduction of these cancers will also be discussed.
Mrs Mahama, who was accompanied by the Director General of the Ghana AIDS Commissions, Dr Angela El-Adas, is expected to give a speech on cervical and breast cancer during the conference.
News sourced from: http://koranewspaper.com/2014/07/22/ghana-first-lady-participates-in-cancer-conference-in-namibia/
