How to read your medical test report: Cancer screening blood tests

All you need to know about reading your cancer screening blood tests.

Cancer is an abnormal, uncontrolled division of cells.  It is a group of over one hundred diseases and can originate in almost any tissue of the body. According to WHO, various kinds of cancers cause about 5 lakh deaths in India annually, and 4 in 10 of them can be prevented just with lifestyle changes like giving up smoking, cutting down on alcohol, eating a healthy balanced diet, etc. Most cancers are diagnosed in advanced stages leading to very poor outcomes and very high death rate. Early detection followed by appropriate treatment can help increase survival rate and improve the quality of life. 

Cancer screening blood test – what is it?
Specific proteins and circulating tumor cells are produced by the cancerous tissues. A cancer screening blood test detects cancer activity in your body by measuring these cancer markers with simple blood tests. There are various tests like fecal occult blood testing (FOBT), CA125 test, PSA test, alpha-fetoprotein blood test, etc. which screen different types of cancers. Screening for cancer is recommended once a year.

Onko-sure is a minimally invasive single blood test that screens 13 different types of cancers including lung, colon, rectum, ovary, liver, etc. at the earliest stage of the disease. The test detects the presence of protein marker called fibrinogen degradation products (FDPs). FDPs are produced when cancer breaks down its surroundings to facilitate tumor growth.

PSA test measures the blood levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA). The antigen is a tumor marker produced in elevated quantities by the prostate gland in prostate cancer.

CA 125 test measures the blood levels of cancer antigen-125. The tumor marker is raised in the case of ovarian cancer, and the test helps in early detection of the cancer.

Alpha-fetoprotein blood test can help early detection of liver cancer in high-risk people.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), usually present at very low levels in the blood, may be raised in some types of cancer like colorectal cancer, lung cancer, medullary thyroid cancer, etc. A new blood test has been developed that could help detect colorectal cancer in its early stages.

CA 15-3 and CEA are the most widely used serum-based tumor markers for breast cancer. CA 15-3 is used for predicting outcome in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients and also in monitoring therapy in patients with advanced breast cancer.

Beta-HCG can be used as a tumor marker in testis and germ cell tumors as well as to monitor osteosarcoma treatment.

When is the test recommended?
Cancer screening tests are a proactive approach towards cancer diagnosis. They are recommended to check for cancer before you have symptoms. Screening people regularly for cancers of the breast, cervix, colon, etc. is recommended. Some cancer screening tests are recommended for individuals who are at a high risk. The tests help catch cancer at an early stage where treatments have the greatest likelihood of curing the disease. These tests may also be suggested during and after the treatment of certain cancer to monitor them. Screening for PSA is advised at the age of 50; earlier, if a family member had prostate cancer.

Reading your cancer screening test
Higher than normal levels of the markers may be found in the blood if you have cancer. Some of the normal values are:
CA 125: <35 font="" ml="" u="">
PSA: < 4.0 ng/mL
CEA: < 2.5 µg/L
But these tests are not diagnostic.  Factors such as age, race, medications, some medical conditions and procedures, etc. can affect the levels. The test may be false positive or negative. Some healthy cells in the body also produce the tumor markers. Hence, you may have elevated levels even in the absence of cancer. Similarly, the blood levels of the markers may be normal even if you have cancer. Hence, these tests can be used in conjunction with other investigations like imaging and biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES. 
    
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UTI can lead to infertility in both men and women

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is a common issue among women which is caused due to the unwanted growth of bacteria (generally E. Coli) in the urine.

When the bacteria move up to the urinary tract, it may result in serious infection which is characterized by symptoms such as fever, nausea, chills, discomfort and burning sensation while passing urine.
 
The issue of urinary tract infections affects both men and women but women are more vulnerable to UTIs as the female urinary tract is smaller as compared to men. Therefore, women have to take extra care to prevent UTIs.

UTI & Infertility

Urinary tract infection affects organs such as kidney, liver, uterus, bladder that basically performs the function of waste removal while regulating the body temperature. If the infection persists or recur frequently especially affecting the upper tract (Kidney, uterus, fallopian tubes), it might affect your ability to conceive.

This condition is also called as pelvic inflammatory disease which can damage the fallopian tubes severely. Chronic kidney disease can affect other parts of the body and may affect your health and ovulation process which may affect the process of conception.

UTI in males can also lead to infertility. Infections of genito-urinary tract may account for male infertility. The bacteria spread across the prostate gland & other reproductive structure which may result in decreased sperm count & motility.

The infection can affect sites such as testis, epididymis and male accessory sex glands. Sometimes, other health conditions such as diabetes may result in UTIs and may lead to infertility. However, this issue can be treated gradually with medication.

Tips to Control Urinary Tract Infection

Dr.  suggests simple precautions that can help you prevent UTI effectively:

1) Hydrated: Drink lots of water and take fluids that help flush out toxins from the body. Water dilutes the urine and make it less acidic and lighter in color. This way the person will not experience abdominal pain or irritation while urinating.

2)Maintain Hygiene: Maintain proper hygiene, avoid using public washrooms as the infections spread frequently in common utilities. You should wipe from front to back to prevent bacteria around the anus from entering the vagina or urethra.

3)Frequent Urination: Do not hold urine. Use washrooms whenever you feel the urge to go to the loo. This will not only release the toxins but eliminates the heaviness on the bladder and gives you relief from the abdominal pain.

4)Comfortable underwear: Do not wear tight underwear as the bacteria dwells in most & warm environment. Hence, change your undergarments regularly and maintain personal hygiene.

5)Avoid using strong soaps, antiseptic creams, feminine hygiene sprays & powders.

6)Increase the intake of Vitamin C, Zinc to reduce bacterial growth in urine.

7)Doctor prescribed Antibiotics & Medicines: In case, you are experiencing symptoms of UTI, consult your doctor immediately and take antibiotics to control the infection. Do not ignore the signs as ignorance can lead to health complications including infertility.

Quite often, other infections such as Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) may be the actual cause of conception issues which may get confused with the Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) as their symptoms are similar. Therefore, consult your doctor to have a clear idea about the infection.

Also, maintain personal hygiene especially during the rainy season to eliminate all the possibility of developing bacteria.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.   
 
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What Is Hypogonadism?

When the reproductive glands produce very less or no hormones like oestrogen or testosterone, then it is known as hypogonadism. These hormones are important for controlling secondary sex characteristics like development of breasts in women and testes in men and growth in pubic hair. Sex hormones are also required for the roles they play in menstrual cycle in women and sperm production in men.
Hypogonadism is curable with the right medicines.
Types of Hypogonadism
1. Primary hypogonadism: In this type, there are not enough sex hormones in your body because of a problem in your gonads (testis or ovary). In primary hypogonadism, the gonads do receive the message from the brain to produce sex hormones but cannot produce them, due to some reasons.
2. Central/Secondary hypogonadism: In this type, the problem lies in the brain. The pituitary gland and hypothalamus located in the brain do not work properly.
What causes Hypogonadism
The causes of hypogonadism can be classified according to their types.
In primary hypogonadism, the causes are:
1. Genetic disorders (for example, Turner syndrome in women and Klinefelter syndrome in men)
2. Autoimmune disorders
3. Infection
4. Kidney and Liver diseases
5. Radiation
6. Surgery
In central hypogonadism, the causes are:
1. Anorexia nervosa
2. Tumours
3. Bleeding in the pituitary area
4. Trauma
5. Taking certain medicines (for example, glucocorticoids and opiates)
6. Anabolic steroids (alternatives to human testosterone)
7. Surgery
8. Genetic problems (example: Kallmann syndrome- unable to start or complete puberty)
9. Radiation
10. Infections
11. Hemochromatosis (excessive iron)
12. Nutritional deficiencies
Symptoms associated with Hypogonadism
Symptoms of hypogonadism in females include
1. Lack of menstruation
2. Changes in mood and energy
3. Body hair loss
4. Lack of sex drive
5. Milky discharge from breasts
Symptoms of male hypogonadism include
1. Body hair loss
2. Loss in muscles
3. Abnormal growth in breasts
4. Low libido
5. Erectile dysfunction
6.Fatigue

Please do consult your gynecologist or your physician if you've any specific problem.  

 

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.



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