Breast Cancer Awareness Month: When should a woman go for mammograms?

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death for women around the world. But there are some preventive measures that can extend their life, and regular screening is one of them.

A mammogram is a standard approach for screening breast cancer. According to a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist,  the right age for women to go for mammograms varies. According to some research, it is recommended to do it in your 30s and some others suggest it is ideal to get it done before the age of 45.

“Screening mammograms can detect breast cancer early, and it should begin at the age of 40. The findings of randomized trials involving women in their 40s and 50s show that screening mammograms reduce the risk of breast cancer deaths,” says the doctor, adding that mammogram screening is not without defects. “Another study found that even though mammogram screening has resulted in more early breast cancer diagnoses, the number of advanced breast cancers has not decreased.”

Dr.  explains that doctors are unable to predict which breast cancers will spread beyond the breast and which will remain contained. As a result, annual mammograms are considered best for detecting cancer early, increasing the chances of curing and lowering the risk of death.

“The main issue with mammograms for breast cancer screening is the possibility of a false-positive result. This means that something unusual has been detected, but further testing reveals it is not cancer. False positives are more common in 40s and 50s,” she adds.

Are women under the age of 40 at risk of breast cancer?

“Younger women, in general, do not believe they are at risk of breast cancer. Breast cancer, on the other hand, can strike at any age. Women under the age of 40 account for 5 per cent of all breast cancer cases. All women should be aware of their personal breast cancer risk factors.”

 

If breast cancer does develop, early detection and treatment can significantly improve chances of survival. 

Measures that all women can take to reduce their risk of breast cancer:

– Obtaining and maintaining a healthy body weight.
– Consuming alcohol in moderate amounts.
– Regular physical activity.
– Breastfeeding.

“If breast cancer does develop, early detection and treatment can significantly improve chances of survival. More than 90 per cent with early-stage breast cancer survive,” says the doctor.

Young women should be counseled and encouraged to report any breast changes to their healthcare provider, such as:

. Lumps
. Nipple discharge
. Pain in a specific location
. Changes in skin

And, should women under 40 have mammograms?

“In general, screening mammograms are not advised for women under the age of 40. Screening can begin at 25 for women with genetic mutations, and screening is often initiated 10 years before the first affected relative in the family with a history of breast cancer. Breast MRI is frequently recommended in addition to mammography for high-risk women,” Dr. concludes.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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Gastric Obstruction – Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

Your bowels are tasked with removing waste and toxins from your body, as well as absorbing salts, liquids, nutrients, indigestible vitamins. They do it to extract all possible nutrients that weren’t digested in the stomach and maintain the balance of electrolytes in your system.
When your bowels are not functioning well, they collect the waste and toxins they’re supposed to get rid of, resulting in various diseases and health issues. If left undiagnosed and untreated, obstructed bowels lead to kidney and liver-related health problems. In this article, you’ll learn all you need to know about bowel obstruction, symptoms that should serve as warning signals, and the natural home remedies needed to fix and prevent it.

What causes gastric obstructions?
The reasons for obstructed bowels are plentiful, such as hernias, cysts, tumors, etc. Another reason is overeating foods that are harmful to our bodies, such as food rich in preservatives and other chemicals. These chemicals lead to a buildup of mucus in the guts, which releases toxins that can damage the body. Another cause is a buildup of fecal matter or foreign bodies in the lower intestine.
Bezoars can also cause gastric obstructions. Bezoars are a fibrous lump that forms in the stomach, and the most common type is formed of undigested pieces of food. They are mainly composed out of plant cellulose, most common in unripe fruit and persimmons.
Men are in a higher risk group for contracting phytobezoars in their stomachs, with symptoms that include upper gastric pains, feeling full soon after beginning to eat, nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite and loss of weight. Symptoms only appear in 10-25% of the cases, making phytobezoars hard to diagnose, and can lead to gastric obstructions.
What happens when your gastrointestinal system is obstructed?
When the small intestine is blocked, it will begin contracting in order to move its content beyond the obstruction, which can lead to frequent diarrhea. In later stages, it will become less effective, causing a buildup of water and electrolytes that can lead to dehydration.
The obstruction will also create pressure on the intestinal walls, and if left untreated – will only get worse. This can lead to venous drainage obstruction, a rising of the diaphragm, and a suppression of the lungs’ function. The obstruction itself will aid in the bacterial buildup, in particular, E-Coli, Klebsiella, and Enterococcus Faecalis. The bacteria colonies will grow very quickly, increasing the chances of gangrene and intestinal punctures.

Patients lose their ability to pass feces and gasses along the intestine, causing swelling and increasing stomach pains. The large intestine will expand due to the buildup of bacterium, liquids, feces and gasses.

Which symptoms can indicate an obstruction?
Symptoms can be evidence of obstruction caused be stomach cramping or phytobezoars. Once you notice these symptoms, it is recommended that you pay a visit to your family doctor, to evaluate the nature of the obstruction. Not all symptoms may appear, but they will appear in these general groups:

• Constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, lethargy and swelling.
• Headaches, memory loss, blurred vision.
• Burning sensation in the upper digestive system.
• Weight gain, lack of energy and indigestion.
• Ulcers in the stomach and Duodenum, ulcerative colitis and stomach inflammation.
• Urinary tract infections and inflammation of the kidneys.
• Constant colds, allergies, joint pains and chronic diseases                                       Treatments:
  The most basic treatment is hooking the patient up to an IV, which can only be performed by a doctor. In some cases, the obstructions can be relieved by using a nasogastric tube, and in severe cases, an operation will be required. An enema may help in some cases, but if performed incorrectly – can lead to internal bleeding.
  The simplest, natural treatment for intestinal obstruction is eating 1-3 tablespoons of flax seeds, combined with 100-15ml of Kefir (a type of fermented milk drink) for three days. Flax seeds help the body dispose of fecal matter, mucus and parasites. Additionally, flax seeds can help prevent several forms of cancer, heart diseases, diabetes, and even help lower cholesterol levels. Kefir contains many probiotic bacteria, enzymes, vitamin B12 and proteins, all of which are good for your body. Kefir also helps in restoring the gastric biome and is lactose-free.
  To clear your intestines from obstructions, add kefir and flax seeds to your breakfast in this manner:
  
  • 1st week: 100ml of kefir and one tablespoon of flax seeds
  • 2nd week: 100ml of kefir and two tablespoons of flax seeds
  • 3rd week: 150ml of kefir and three tablespoons of flax seeds
  Additionally, drink at least two liters of water every day.
  
  
  Prevention:
  The best way to unblock a phytobezoar obstruction is by eating food that is high in protein and low in fiber. Once the blockage is gone, follow these dietary tips to heal and prevent reoccurrences.
  
• Beverages: It is advised that you keep your body well hydrated. Drink fruit-shakes, water, and sports drinks that are rich in electrolytes. Avoid high-fat dairy.
• Dairy: Stick to low-fat or fat-free products.
• Grains and bread: Fiber from whole grain tends to slow down the digestive process. Focus on plain white bread, pasta, and regular grain.
• Fruits and vegetables: Boiled or canned fruits and vegetables are the way to go. Avoid eating the skin. Watermelon, melons, and bananas can be consumed fresh. Avoid high-fiber fruits and vegetables.
• Meat and meat substitutes: Protein is essential to the healing process. Stick to skinless chicken or turkey meat. Other kinds of lean meat, such as fish, eggs and tofu are also good.
• Other: Avoid fried foods and use as little butter as possible. Boiled or steamed foods are the most recommended. Minimize the use of seasoning and fatty sauces and dressings.
   
  THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                    PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/    
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Five Lesser Known Cancers That Every Man Should Be Aware About

The five widely ignored cancers among men are prostate, bladder, kidney, testicular and penis (penile) cancer. It is therefore important to be aware of the causes, symptoms and treatment for each of these for timely detection and treatment.

While prostate cancer is the most commonly spoken about, the others are equally significant.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer occurs in the gland cells of the prostate, the gland surrounding the neck of the bladder. According to doctors, prostate cancer is the second leading cancer among males in India with the highest incidence among those who are more than 50 years of age.

Prostate cancer does not have significant symptoms initially but in the advanced stages, it can lead to obstruction in passage of urine and/or show blood in urine.

Common treatment methods include Radical Prostatectomy, Radical Radiotherapy, Hormonal Treatment or Chemotherapy.

Prostate cancer can be prevented by adopting lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, avoiding consumption of red meat, quitting smoking and consumption of alcohol and maintaining a healthy body weight.

Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer occurs due to abnormal growth of the urinary bladder. While bladder cancer is primarily known to affect the elderly, there is a rising incidence among the younger population. Smoking is responsible for up to 66% of bladder cancers.

The most common symptoms are blood in urine, dark coloured urine, frequent urination or pain during urination. Please avoid smoking, drink enough fluids and eat a well-balanced diet.

Renal Cancer

Kidney cancer is a condition in which the kidney cells become malignant and form tumours.

Renal cancer is a condition in which the kidney cells become malignant and form tumours. It appears in the lining of tiny tubes inside the kidney.

While this disease has primarily affected the elderly over decades, there is a growing incidence among younger people.

Initial symptoms are blood in urine, persistent nagging pain or heaviness on the side of the back, unexplained fever, loss of appetite, anaemia, unexplained weight loss and swelling in ankles or legs.

Renal cancer can be prevented by eating a healthy diet, keeping blood pressure levels in control, exercising regularly and quitting smoking and consumption of alcohol.

Testicular Cancer

Testicular cancer is cancer of testicles, which are male reproductive organs. Testicular tumours are most common in young men aged between 15-34 years. The warning signs for this cancer include painless enlargement of the testes, heaviness of the scrotal sac and lumps in the testicles.

Testicular cancer is best treated through a multi-modality therapy including chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy.

Penile Cancer

Penile cancers develop in the penis. This is one of the few cancers, which can be prevented by maintaining good hygiene especially in the glans penis (bell end of the penis).

The incidence of penile cancer is more in developing countries such as India and it is more common in rural areas as compared to the urban population.

The cancer starts spreading from the foreskin or the glans penis. The early signs include red discoloration of the glans or foreskin, presence of painless or painful ulcers or any kind of abnormal growth.

 

 THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                    PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/       
                                                                                                                                                                      FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                  https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/           
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