May 11th, 2009 by Peter
The drug has been in the sights of researchers for quite sometime now and was previously being targeted for melanomas, breast and colon cancer. New studies from Shanghai China are studying the possibility of the drug’s use in treating small-cell lung cancers through comparative study of its effects on both healthy and cancerous lung tissue. Studies in the lab on mice have been successful and they are awaiting approval for human studies to study the possibility of it’s use as treatment for lung cancer that continues to be one of the most deadliest forms of cancer the world over. Continue reading ‘Putative Tumor Suppressor TIP30′
April 11th, 2009 by Peter
Researchers in the University of Nottingham, have discovered a gene that has stong counter lung cancer abilities named LIMD1 which is responsible for preventing lung and even other forms of cancer from taking hold. The mechanisms of healthy cells turning into cancerous ones is still quite muddled due to the many forms and shapes of the said disease. They have also discovered that the absence of the said gene is responsible for the manifestation of the disease in human lung tissue. The gene was found missing in lab mouse that had lung cancer present and quite abundant in those that didn’t, which means it can be used to devise effective ways of determining the absence or presence of the disease. Continue reading ‘Anti-Cancer Gene Identified’
March 11th, 2009 by Peter
It used to be a widely accepted fact that smoking is a more than sure way of diagnosing lung cancer but that has been proven to be a very inaccurate way of judging the disease’s existence. Urine is the waste product of the body containing liquid waste as well as hormones and other by-products of the human body’s normal functions. A certain metabolite of hormone named NNAL has been found to be a very accurate way of determining the existence of lung cancer which is produced by the body when the disease is present. Continue reading ‘Urine Test to Detect Lung Cancer’
February 25th, 2009 by editor
Cigarette smoking is a major cause of lung cancer. It also poses a threat to non smokers who inhale the so-called second hand smoke.
If you want to prevent having lung cancer (and other types like mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus), do not smoke-quit smoking cigarettes or tobaccos. If you quit smoking, you will reduce your chances of having cancer. If you are a non-smoker, stay away from smokers so as not to be exposed to the harmful secondhand smoke.
If you suspect that you might have or at risk of having lung cancer, consult your doctor. He can schedule you for a series of screenings and examinations like chest x-rays, blood and sputum tests, CT scans, and tissue biopsy.
Your doctor or health care team can explain whatever the results and the possible treatments and medications available for you.
January 30th, 2009 by Peter
Marine researchers have found a bacteria which lives in the mud of our oceans to have cancer fighting properties off the shores of the Bahamas. Salinispora tropica, which lives in sea sediment has shown promise as treatment for bone marrow cancer called multiple myeloma and solid tumors. The researchers were thrilled at the results of preliminary tests that show the bacteria to be very potent against cancer cells. Discovered in 1991, it was only recently that the bacteria was tested for its possible use as a cancer cure which didn’t prove them wrong. This year alone, an additional 50,000 Americans will be diagnosed with cancer and this gives hope to those who are suffering as the promise of better and more potent treatment options are always welcome. The bacterium was subjected to a battery of dna tests that isolated the workings of the organism, enough for them to isolate and understand better the cancer fighting trait. It is currently under clinical trials for bone marrow cancer and will surely be under testing for the many other forms of the disease that afflicts so many people around the world.
December 30th, 2008 by editor
A cancer cell or two that is, which researchers have found to be the case, what’s interesting is that there is a gene that prevents it from spreading an it’s been found. All of us have some cancer cells that are dormant which is possible with a gene called LIMD1. This gene tells these isolated cancer cells to stay dormant , an absence of which sends them all over the lung or other parts of the body spreading the disease. Studies are now focusing on supplementing the said gene as a form of treatment that might just work to save the many people who die of lung cancer the world over. Screening tests are also being formulated for a deficiency of the gene which adds to the battery of tests that can be done increasing the chances of early detection.
November 29th, 2008 by Peter
Image Source: topnews.in
The kind of treatment used for management and also the amount of time given to a lung cancer patient has numerous and different side effects. These vary for each patient, and it also depends on things like fitness level, age, health, and a range of other factors. After surgery to the lungs, a patient experience one of the usual problems associated is the accumulation of air and liquid deep in the chest. It’s very important that patients who have under gone this kind of surgery have help of a physiotherapist to educate them in deep breathing exercises and help in turning repeatedly. These are aids in expanding the lungs and preventing infection. Other things associated with this surgery that are difficult to deal with are discomfort on breathing, weakness to the chest and legs, and shortness of breath.
October 8th, 2008 by Peter
Image Source: biotech-weblog.com
Researchers from the Duke University Comprehensive Cancer Center found a new study to be able to predict which tumors would be most likely to respond to traditional therapy or standard first line therapy administration of what is called platinum-based chemotherapy, which works by damaging DNA and interrupting the chain of cellular events that leads to cancer proliferation. The genetic profile of a particular lung tumor can help clinicians make the crucial decision about which treatment to try first. They were able to draw conclusions about which genes were turned on and which were turned off in these samples, and subsequently created a genomic map for cisplatin sensitivity a most commomly used agent in lung cancer treatment.
Most of these patients gain the most benefit from their initial treatment strategy. It could also make a huge difference in the treatment of patients with late-stage lung cancer. This represents a big step in the move toward individualized medicine.
September 29th, 2008 by Peter
Image Source: embryology.med.unsw.edu.au
My work is managing a band who plays in bars, hotel’s and event’s. Many find it weird because I don’t drink or even smoke. I normally compensate by talking a lot and listening a lot to other people. Most of the places we work at are filled with smokers and many of us breathe their fumes whether we like it or not. While cigarette smoking is an undisputed cause of lung cancer, approximately ten per cent of lung cancers occur in non-smokers like me. Although not every non-smoker suffering from lung cancer will have an identifiable risk factor for development of the disease, a number of conditions and circumstances have been identified that will increase our chance of developing lung cancer.
Passive smoking or the inhalation of tobacco smoke from other smokers is an established risk factor for the development of lung cancer. This is what smokers don’t know and apparently don’t care is that some of the chemicals found in second hand smoking include: carbon monoxide (found in car fumes), ammonia (found in window cleaner), cadium (found in batteries), and arsenic (found in rat poison).
Aside from our polluted air, people who are exposed to second hand smoke would likely to develop and die from heart problems, breathing problems and lung cancer.
In this case, I am making sure that my insurance is worth all the smoke I get from other people.
August 12th, 2008 by Peter
Image Source: www.topnews.in
Lung cancer kills more men and women than any other cancer does. It occurs most often in people over age 50 who smoked for many years. Lung cancer can develop when the lungs are damaged by repeatedly inhaling smoke (including second hand smoke which is even worst) or other harmful substances including asbestos, radioactive dust, and radon.
Having a combination of risk factors, such as being a smoker who works with asbestos, greatly increases you risks of developing lung cancer. Symptoms of lung cancer are similar to those of other chest and lung problems: chronic cough; shortness of breath; wheezing; hoarseness; repeated lung infections or pneumonia; pain in the chest wass, shoulders, or back; or coughing uppus- filled of bloody sputum. So beware because there may be no symptoms during the early stages. If you smoke, see your physician about any chronic respiratory symptoms and your risks in getting lung cancer.