allaboutlungcancer.net

Tobacco Smoke Carcinogens

Two active tobacco smoke carcinogens have been identified to be the most likely culprits that leads to lung cancer in heavy smokers. One is a nicotine-derivatitive and the other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)have been isolated and identified to be the damaging constituents tnat leads to lung cancer. PAH, has been identified as the component that binds to DNA in the lung cells that causes abnormalities to occur resulting in mutations. The compound has also been found to contribute to supress or damage genes that are vital for the body to fight the disease weakening the defences of the body from within.

“This is the first demonstration of this link,” says co-author Ian Blair, PhD, Professor and Vice Chair of the Department of Pharmacology . “This is a second, but indirect, way in which PAHs can cause cancer. We also know that PAHs can also cause cancer directly.”

PAH, has the ability to cause the mutations in the cells alone and its ability to influence genes is something new that it surprised researchers that have been studying the results. Lung cancer is one of the leading forms of cancers responsible for deaths in the United States and better understanding of the disease such as this one leads to better treatment and management options to help those suffering from lung cancer.

Micro RNA shows Promise as treatment for Lung Cancer

A small molecule known as let-7 MicroRNA has been found to have beneficial effects on mice by reducing the growth levels of lung cancer cells. The study shows that the molecule in question has a direct role in treating cancers as we learn more and more about the possible causes and mechanisms that would lead to a cure for the many cases of the disease. The results were exciting for cancer researchers for they have been looking for the same results for many years without much success. The said that the same molecule is an agent that causes the disease to progress but heightened levels have been seen to have a counteractive effect on cancer cells. The study highlights the vast amounts of information that is still yet to be discovered that may hold the key to prevention and treatment of the killer disease.

Chemotherapy useless in Asbestos Induced Lung Cancer

Lung cancer that has resulted from inhalation of asbestos from the environment or through work related activities are showing that using chemotherapy for treatment is not getting any positive results. Called Malignant Plural Mesothelioma (MPM), the disease is more related to asbestos exposure which causes the lungs to develop lung cancer. The material was hailed as a miracle construction material and was used widely in the West due to heat, electrical and chemical resistance. It was only later that the material was found to induce cancer that had most nations ban the substance from all new building materials, and necessitating the removal of already installed ones from all types of structures. Clean-up crews without proper protection also suffer from the disease and oncologists are finding it hard to find proper treatments of the killer disease.

Premature Babies have higher risk of developing Lung complications

Premature babies that were delivered way before their bodies have fully developed receive a myriad of drugs to augment their still weak bodies that should have developed further in the mother’s womb. Studies have shown that babies who were delivered prematurely have a higher risk of lung problems due to the inability of their lungs to work properly without the administration of surfactants that are used to prevent their lungs from collapsing. Full term babies have fully developed lungs that can function unassisted but premature babies need the administration of surfactants (substances that prevents the lung’s air sacs from sticking together preventing them from inflating properly to absorb oxygen) to their lungs to get them to function properly. Without them, their lungs would constantly collapse (due to premature development) and can cause death. Current administration methods have shown that they can cause more harm to the infant in later life where lung infections become assured. The development of better administration techniques is underway to minimize the problems associated with their use to help their lungs strengthen in time as they mature.

Meat Raises Lung Cancer Risk

Diets that are high in saturated fats such as processed meats have a higher risk of contracting cancers in its many forms and shapes. The same goes with lung cancer for it is one of the most prolific forms of cancer the world over. Many die each year from cancers and lung cancer is one of the most dreaded for without proper treatment, mortality rate is high. More associated with other forms of cancer, red and processed meats used to be connected to colorectal, pancreatic and other cancers that afflict the organs of the body. Reducing the intake of the high fat proteins can greatly reduce the risks of contracting the many forms of cancer as with the elderly and people in their late adult lives.

Lycopene Hype- Just Hype

The claims of many health food processors that suggests that a diet high in Lycopene has the ability to reduce the risks of cancer and may even have a cancer prevention effects has by far been all it has claimed to be, HYPE. Studies by the FDA and many health organizations are showing little in the truths that Lycopene does indeed prevent cancers in its many forms. Tomatoes have been promoted by food processors as the best source of the compound that they say aids and prevents the formation of cancer. No credible evidence suggests that there is any benefit from using or taking huge amounts of Lyopene and their reported benefits as a cancer fighting molecule. The claims of these manufacturers are being proven to be false and purely speculative till any quantifiable study shows otherwise that there is indeed any link between Lycopene and the formation of cancer.