Distinct' stomach cancer identified in younger patients

Many people under 60 who develop stomach cancer have a "genetically and clinically distinct" disease, new research has found.

Compared to stomach cancer in older adults, this new, early-onset form often grows and spreads more quickly, has a worse prognosis, and is more resistant to traditional chemotherapy treatments, said the study published in the journal Surgery.

While rates of stomach cancer in older patients have been declining for decades, this early onset of cancer is increasing and now makes up more than 30 per cent of stomach cancer diagnoses.

"I think this is an alarming trend, as stomach cancer is a devastating disease," said senior author Travis Grotz, a surgical oncologist at Mayo Clinic in the US.

The research team studied 75,225 cases using several cancer databases to review stomach cancer statistics from 1973 to 2015.

Today, the average age of someone diagnosed with stomach cancer is 68, but people in their 30s, 40s and 50s are more at risk than they used to be.

"Typically, we see stomach cancer being diagnosed in patients in their 70s, but increasingly we are seeing 30- to 50-year-old patients being diagnosed," Grotz said.

The increased rate of the early onset disease is not from earlier detection or screening, Grotz added.
"There is no universal screening for stomach cancer, and the younger patients actually presented with later-stage disease than the older patients," he said.

In addition to being more deadly, early onset stomach cancer is also genetically and molecularly distinct, researchers found.

Furthermore, traditional risk factors for developing stomach cancer among older people, such as smoking tobacco, did not appear to correlate with its early onset counterpart.

"Hopefully, studies like this will raise awareness and increase physician suspicion of stomach cancer, particularly in younger patients," Grotz said.

Younger patients who feel full before finishing a meal, or have reflux, abdominal pain, unintentional weight loss and difficulty eating should see their health care provider, he added.

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Aerosol chemotherapy, ray new of hope for treating stomach cancer

"Classic chemotherapy was awful... but with this treatment, I feel hope," says French pensioner who is undergoing treatment for stomach cancer with a new form of therapy dispersed by aerosol.

Several hours before going into theatre, he is waiting in his room, looking surprisingly relaxed with a book in hand. This is a place he has been before. At the age of 76, he is about to face his second bout of chemotherapy after the cancer in his stomach spread to two other organs. But this time it is different.

He is being treated at one of seven hospitals in France that are trialling pressurised intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy, or PIPAC, a technique developed in Germany in 2013.

Although is it still being tested, chemotherapy by aerosol has shown promising results against certain cancers, in a treatment with fewer side effects that offers hope to some of the weakest patients. Unlike traditional chemotherapy, the drugs are not injected into the bloodstream.

Instead, the patient is put under general anaesthetic and the treatment introduced by laparoscopy, by which a small incision is made in the abdominal wall and the chemotherapy is introduced into the peritoneal cavity by an aerosol spray.

It is a minimally invasive procedure without the harmful side effects normally "associated with the circulation of the treatment within the blood", says the Dr. who heads the hospital's oncological surgery department.

"So you avoid the loss of appetite, the damage to peripheral nerves or to the red and white blood cells" which often require the treatment to be stopped. "Chemo is horrendous, it destroys you," he says,  running his fingers through his short white hair that has barely grown back two months after his first bout of treatment.

"My fingers and toes are paralysed, I don't feel anything," he says, admitting it forced him to give up hiking, his passion. But with the PIPAC therapy, he has not experienced any such side effects. For now, he is receiving treatment every two to three weeks, alternating between traditional chemo and PIPAC therapy, whose use is still being studied.

As he lies in a deep sleep on the operating table, the surgeons bend over him to make two small five-centimetre (two-inch) incisions in his abdomen before inserting trocars through the two layers of the peritoneum, the membrane which wraps around the internal organs.

They then inject air to artificially create a cavity, which is a prerequisite for delivering PIPAC therapy -- and which is why it is, for now, exclusively used for gynaecological or digestive cancers. "You see, the patient has several metastases on his peritoneal wall," explains the Dr., pointing to a screen showing images from the laparoscopy.

"This membrane only has a few vessels. So it is very difficult to treat with chemotherapy which passes through the blood. Which is a further advantage of PIPAC." Once the two trocars are in place, the chemotherapy is released into the inflated cavity and left there, during which time the surgeons, anaesthetists and nurses leave the operating theatre to avoid inhalation or exposure to leaks.

After 30 minutes, the product is extracted through a powerful miniature pump and the incisions closed. After six small sutures, the operation is over. It took just two hours. By the evening, he is back in his room and eating dinner, although he needs to stay another two nights in hospital due to the risks linked to a general anaesthetic.

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/                                                                               FOR CROCHET DESIGNS                                                                                                                                                                                         https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com

Heartburn Medication May Increase the Risk of Death

Common over-the-counter and prescription drugs used to treat heartburn, acid reflux, and ulcers can do more harm than good. These medications are meant to normalize the acidity of your stomach, but by doing so, they also increase your risks of suffering from heart and kidney failure, as well as stomach cancer. We write more on these drugs and their effect on your health below.

What Kinds of Heartburn Medications are Dangerous?

There are two main groups of medications that treat high acidity in the stomach, but only one type of these drugs is associated with an increased death risk. These are the so-called PPIs (proton pump inhibitors), which are considered to be more potent than H2 inhibitors that are also used to treat heartburn and acid reflux.

PPIs are among the most common and often-prescribed medications ever, with one of these medications, omeprazole, being on the Model List of Essential Medicines of the World Health Organization. An estimated 15 million people in the U.S. alone take prescription PPIs, but even more people could be taking over-the-counter PPIs. Apart from omeprazole, which is over-the-counter in the U.S., other PPIs are:

• Rabeprazole
• Pantoprazole
• Ilaprazole
• Dexlansoprazole
• Esomeprazole (OTC in the U.S.)
• Lansoprazole (OTC in the U.S.).

Some of the common trade names for PPIs include Zegerid, Nexium, Aciphex, Prevacid, Dexilant, Prilosec, and Protonix.

What are the Health Risks of PPIs?

These heartburn medications have a known history or affecting the heart and kidneys, but, according to a recent study, taking PPIs can also cause stomach cancer. The study looked at over 157 000 participants who took prescription PPIs. After 10 years, they followed up on the participants and found that these subjects were, on average, 17% more likely to suffer a premature death than those who took H2 inhibitors.

More specifically, taking PPIs increased the patients’ risks of suffering from cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, and stomach cancer. Apart from being dangerous, PPIs are also overprescribed, with the study estimating that around half of their participants had no indication to take them and took them much longer than they had to.
This is very alarming, especially when you take into account that the duration of the treatment with PPIs proportionally increases one’s risks of death.

How to Protect Yourself from Adverse Effects

Since PPIs are prescribed so often and some of them are easily accessible over the counter, there should be more awareness about the dangers these medications pose to one's health. You should be especially careful about over-the-counter PPIs:

• Don’t take more than instructed.
• Don’t continue the treatment for more than 2 weeks. If your symptoms persist after 2 weeks, see a doctor.
• Ask your doctor for less invasive alternatives.

The findings of this study don’t mean that you shouldn’t seek treatment for acid reflux or heartburn altogether, as, apart from being painful, these conditions can develop into peptic ulcers that are very dangerous to your health. At the same time, it’s best if you avoid long-term PPI treatments and seek out a safer treatment with your doctor, especially if you have to take it long term.

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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The healing powers of onion

The onion is a staple ingredient of a whole variety of dishes around the world. It also offers a wealth of health benefits that most people don't know about. Its medicinal qualities have been recognized for centuries and it has been used for its healing powers by a number of cultures and civilizations.


There are many good reasons why onions should be used as part of your diet. Studies on its nutritional value have concluded that they have a number of health benefits and are effective in:

    Lowering your susceptibility to Colon Cancer
    Lowering your susceptibility to Prostrate Cancer
    Lowering your susceptibility to Stomach Cancer
    Helping your sleep patterns and improving your mood
    Providing strength and structure to your skin and hair

Onions can easily be incorporated into a wide variety of dishes. Eating onions just two or three times a week can make a big difference. However, including them in your diet is not the only way you can use onions to positively affect your health. They have a number of medicinal and healing properties that can be used to fight various ailments. We fully expect some of them to surprise you!


Which Properties of an Onion Make It Such an Effective Healer?

Onions contain a compound called Quercetin which has both strong anti-bacterial properties and the ability to fight harmful toxins. It is a powerful antihistamine, anti-inflammatory and can lower cholesterol levels. The densest concentration of Quercetin is found in the outer rings nearest to the bulb's skin as well as the part of the onion that is closest to the root. This goodness is found in both red and white onions, and both types can be used as part of these natural remedies.

1. Onions can Heal Cuts
Onions are effective in the treatment of cuts to the skin. If you nick yourself with a knife cutting one, apply a slice of the onion to the injured area immediately. The raw onion will prevent infection and clean the wound. Next, take a piece of the onion's skin and place it over the top of the wound, sealing it with an adhesive. You will find that the bleeding stops quickly and the wound looks clean. If you have a larger cut or graze, use gauze to fix a piece of onion over the top of it. You can keep the onion on the wound for as long as required, just make sure you change the gauze regularly.

 2. Onions Can Lower a Fever
While it may sound odd, putting an onion in a sock is a surprisingly successful means of lowering your body temperature when you are suffering from a high fever!

Chop up some potatoes and slice an onion in half. Put one half of the onion into one sock, and the other half into the other sock (and add some potato slices in each of the socks as well). Next, put the socks on your feet - ensure that the mixture is pressed against your soles. You should find that your temperature lowers in a relatively short time.
 
3. Onions Can Cure an Earache and Help Remove Wax
An onion's anti-inflammatory properties make it a powerful defense against earache and it can also be used to soften ear wax, making the wax easier to remove. If you are suffering from an earache, chop up an onion, take the inner part (that is the hard section at the 'heart' of the onion) and place it in your ear for remedial relief. You will achieve best results by implementing the procedure shortly before you got to sleep. If you are someone who suffers from regular, excessive wax build-up, then you might want to perform this trick regularly.

4. Onions can Fight the Common Cold
One of the oldest recognized uses of an onion is its employment as a weapon to fight the common cold. If you feel you are developing the tell-tale signs of a coming cold (sniffles, sore throat etc) then raid your cupboard for an onion. It is most effective when eaten raw, and you should try and eat a whole one (perhaps chop it up and mix it in a salad to make it more palatable). Alternatively, boil the onion and use it alongside ginger and honey to make a tea. It will raise your defenses and help you fight off the cold.

5. Onions Can Sooth Burns
Onions are incredibly effective in soothing small burns and the recipe for doing so could not be simpler. If you have burnt yourself in the kitchen or garage, simply take half a chopped onion and apply it directly to the wound. Hold it in place for a few minutes and the pain should quickly start to ease.

For further relief, whip up two or three egg whites in a bowl and use them to cover the affected area. Hold the mixture in place using a breathable bandage for a natural, protective layer that will quicken your recovery.

6. Onions can Provide Cough Relief
The use of onions as part of a cheap, effective cough remedy is another practice which dates back centuries. It is best employed with a few other basic ingredients and there are a couple of things you can try.
Firstly, peel a red or white onion, and cut it into large slices. Layer the slices in a sealable jar and place brown sugar on top. Close the lid of the jar and let it sit for some time (around 6 hours is optimum). A syrup will form in the jar. Take a spoonful of the syrup as regularly as needed. The brown sugar makes the syrup more palatable and the resulting mixture does not taste too bad. Re-make the syrup every couple of days, replacing the old mixture with the new.
If you want an alternative, pour honey over the sliced onion instead of the brown sugar (use both if you have a particularly sweet tooth). Add a sprinkling of grated garlic for an extra health boost. 

7. Onions Can Remove Eye Irritation
An onion's ability to remove eye irritants is derived from its most widely known feature - its ability to make our eyes water when chopped. This is a great property if you need to flush out an unwanted bit of dirt, a pesky fly or any other small irritant before it turns your whole eye red. Simply chop an onion and let nature takes its course! Make sure you don't touch your eye after chopping the onion though - that will add to your pain. Wash your hands thoroughly before you do so.

8. Onions Can Fight Insect Stings
Here is where the antihistamine properties of an onion come in handy. If you got stung by a bee or wasp, then a bit of crushed or grated onion applied directly to the skin can be extremely beneficial for pain relief.

The antihistamine will prevent an allergic reaction while the anti-inflammatory qualities of the onion will reduce any associated swelling. Keep the onion in place until the pain has subsided by using a breathable bandage that you should replace regularly.

this is only for your information, kindly consult your doctor for medications, exercises and so on.

for recipes, you're free to view my recipe blog-
 https:// gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/