Local scientists have uncovered a genetic link to mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer usually found in the lungs that kills 3,000 people in the U.S. each year.

Dr. Joseph Testa of Philly’s Fox Chase Cancer Center teamed up with a researcher at the University of Hawaii to lead a study on the mutation of a gene called BAP1. they found that carriers of the mutated gene are particularly susceptible to mesothelioma, as well as a rare melanoma of the eye.

Mesothelioma is usually associated with exposure to asbestos. the cancer’s symptoms are vague during its earliest stages, so cases often go undiagnosed until stage 3 or 4—far too late in the game to operate. Patients usually die within six to nine months of diagnosis.

The findings could help doctors screen for individuals who are at particularly high risk for mesothelioma. “a genetic test could help doctors catch the disease earlier on, when it might still be treatable,” says Testa. Understanding the BAP1 gene could also lead to more targeted therapies for treatment.

Researchers zeroed in on BAP1 by studying two families with particularly high mesothelioma rates; every family member who had developed mesothelioma or melanoma of the eye turned out to be carriers of the BAP1 mutation. they also did gene-sequencing studies of 26 individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma but with no family history of the disease, and found that 25 percent of tumors from those subjects carried mutations of the BAP1 gene.

Beyond mesothelioma, the study found evidence that the gene mutation may be linked to breast, ovarian, pancreatic and renal cancer—meaning that people with the mutation may be at a higher risk for those diseases, too.

The research was decades in the making, says Testa, who has worked with Philadelphia’s Local 14 union of insulators and asbestos workers for years. His team analyzed tissue samples from some Local 14 members as part of the study, as well as samples from partners at New York University.

“For me, this is really the first of what we hope are going to be a number of genes that might predict whether someone will be susceptible to certain cancers,” says Testa. “I’m hopeful that this research will open doors for more research and better treatments.”

EPIDEMIC: 160 is the estimated number of patients that visit ENToutpatient departmentsof each of the three alliedhospitals.

ISLAMABAD: 

A slight change in the weather, and a large number of patients suffering from seasonal flu have started pouring in the allied hospitals of Rawalpindi.

Officials of the three allied hospitals – District Headquarter Hospital (DHQ), Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH) and Holy Family Hospital (HFH) – said that the hospitals are receiving 150-160 patients daily on average in their Ear Nose Throat (ENT) outpatient departments.

Even the emergency departments of the hospitals are unusually busy, receiving around 40-60 patients every day. on normal days, the emergency departments receive around 15 to 20 patients daily, the officials added.

Talking to The Express Tribune, DHQ hospital’s ENT specialist Dr Umair Kaleem attributed the rising number of flu patients in the city to absence of necessary preventive measures.

“If one family member is suffering from the disease and does not take any precautionary measures, then most likely all other family members will also get infected.”

Dr Kaleem said that flu is a highly-contagious infection that affects the respiratory tract and people with weaker immune systems are even more vulnerable to it.

The symptoms of the infection include runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, sore throat, temperature, cough, head and body ache, he said, adding that as flu is a viral infection, antibiotics remain ineffective and the only to treat it is by improving the patient’s immunity.

He advised people to avoid having eatables from outside during Ramazan because the food might be infected if the person preparing it is suffering from flu.

He urged people to take all precautionary measure, like properly washing hands before eating and advised infected people to use separate towels and remaining indoors.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 7th, 2011.

In the beginning of the book "love in the time of cholera" a man has committed suicide because he would rather die than suffer the weakness forgetfulness and discomfort of old age ! what would you do ? i Personally would rather die than be weak one day…

I wouldn't like my loved ones to see me suffering. I would want to die before I started being unable to support myself and talk properly, before the second childhood.

If I was old and suffering, forgetful and very weak my answer would be yes.
Only if I was fit and well would I want to continue with life.

I would rather suffer. Who wants to die???? There are still many things you can do without being strong and having a perfect memory.

I am happy to suffer in old age, to a point. but I have a seen family member with demenita where they cannot feed/dress/wash themselves, don't know who they are or who anyone else is and are cared for in homes by people who don't actually care at all. so there will be a cut off point.

Well, I am a scrap off the 80 mark, but as long as I can maintain my independence I am OK. less energy than I used to have, tire more quickly, can't do all the things I used to do and have less resilience – ie life's knocks knock harder and it takes longer to get them into perspective.
Three dear friends have died fighting diseases and two of us have seen offspring die (at 34 and 51 years of age).
I don't feel wise, but I can now prioritise – the important and non-important,

The world is still a place full of wonder and I consider myself lucky in spite of life's knocks. Love to see the children going to and from the school at the end of the street, envy them their energy. Love the changing seasons. Love the freedom from the stresses of youth.

So no, the weakness is starting, eyesight not that good, but I'm not inclined to opt out yet!
What I would do if in great pain or if I was becoming physically incapable I do not know. Would I find the resources to cope? I don't know.

Have thought of having "do not Resuscitate" tattooed across my chest (!) and have put a note in with my patient records to say no heroic treatment, just keep me comfortable.

Pancreatic cancer is frequently a diagnosis which wealth the survival of the unwearied is all the rage months before a pair of years. the tumours which originate commencing the pancreas are locally progressive via the time it is equal detected next to the routine clinical methods. the tumour may possibly in addition daub headed for cold organs popular well along cases. the symptoms of pancreatic cancer are self-same not many in addition to they are seen solitary at what time the cancer is locally advanced. this makes the pancreatic cancer survival time a great deal a lesser amount of for example compared headed for additional cancers. according headed for the American Cancer Society, representing altogether stages of pancreatic cancer combined, the one-year family member survival rank is 20%, plus the five-year rank is 5%. equal representing persons together with restricted disease the 5-year relation survival rank is solitary 16%.

Overall, smaller amount than 5% of every one of patients are immobile buzzing 5 living in imitation of first diagnosis. the collective mean survival time of each and every one patients is 4-6 months. the greatest predictors of long-term survival subsequent to surgery are a tumour diameter of a lesser amount of than 3 cm, thumbs down nodal involvement, after that refusal resection margins. the production of pancreatic cancer is the greatest indicator of survival of a patient. the pancreatic cancer survival time depends taking place the boundary headed for which the cancer has invaded the body. regional before resectable cancer which comprises something like ten percent of entirely hand baggage has the greatest cancer survival time. clothed in this defense the disease is confined solitary headed for the pancreas afterward is evidently separated commencing the surrounding blood vessels. the dealing options are surgery, in addition to chemotherapy afterward radiation place of duty operative. the mean survival time clothed in this period is 17 months.

When the unwearied is all the rage the subsequent period the cancer is frequently as a result locally cutting edge with the intention of it cannot be present indifferent next to surgery. this wealth the cancer encases before compresses blood vessels which compose surgery impossible. the cancer may possibly furthermore invade next terminate the surrounding organs. this period makes positive all but 30% of entirely pancreatic cancer cases. the dealing all the rage this defense is frequently chemotherapy which is a large amount usually gemcitabine-based also may possibly be real pooled by radiation. this manner of multi – modality therapy is connected together with outshine survival rates. all the rage self-same red instances, cancers with the intention of counter thriving headed for first dealing may possibly subsequently ensue surgically resected. the pancreatic cancer survival time all the rage this defense is eight before nine months.

The keep on period has the the pits pancreatic cancer survival time. this is called the metastatic period everyplace the cancer is not restricted headed for the surrounding organs except as well affects cold ones. the liver is a large amount usually concerned clothed in this period with the likelihood of survival all the rage this period are self-same bleak. unfortunately, a large amount gear of pancreatic cancer are diagnosed popular this period only. Approximately 60% of entirely pancreatic cancer hand baggage are popular the metastatic period everyplace chemotherapy is the solitary modality available. Gemcitabine based chemotherapy is the prevailing dealing clothed in this period everyplace the mean survival time is 4 headed for 6 months. the therapy additionally aims at relieving unwearied symptoms comparable jaundice before bowel barrier together with surgery as well as medicine headed for relieve pain.

The most common cancer of the bladder is known as transitional cell carcinoma. The transitional cell is the cell that lines the bladder and is supposed to normally be there. Thus it stands to reason that sometimes something can go wrong with this particular cell and cause cancer. other types of bladder cancer are adenocarcinoma which is a type of cancer that can occur in other parts of the body as well. It occurs in tissue that usually release mucus. The third type of bladder cancer is known as a squamous cell carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinomas can occur in other parts of the body as well. The most common site for a squamous cell carcinoma is the skin.

It is known that tobacco is one of the leading causes of bladder cancer.

Thus to prevent bladder cancer, a person should stop smoking. other causes of bladder cancer can be chemicals such as dyes, rubber, and chemicals that are used in leather industries. These chemicals can also be found in printers, hairdressers, and painters. a family history of bladder cancer can indicate that a family member may have more of a risk than average.

The leading symptoms in bladder cancer are:

Finding blood in the urine. many times this blood cannot even be seen by the naked eye but can be picked up when a person sees their doctor and a urinalysis is done.

Feeling the need to empty the urinary bladder without results.

There are nonspecific kinds of symptoms. In fact, these symptoms can appear in many different conditions of the bladder besides cancer. they include an urge to empty the bladder, urinary frequency which is having to urinate more than usual, straining to urinate, and pain when urinating.

Once the diagnosis of bladder cancer is made, there are a number of very effective treatments. If a person is having any symptoms especially if they are a smoker, they should see their family doctor for a complete evaluation.

Dr. Gordon J. Rafool is a specialist in Family Practice and Geriatrics at Gessler Clinic, Winter Haven, FL.

I was thinking of writing a story set in the early 1900's where a bratty, rich girl and a bitter, sarcastic stable boy who takes care of her Appaloosa horse have an affair but the girl is arranged to marry an older, creeper guy. Then the stable boy starts to get symptoms of Cholera. Since he is bound to die soon, he swaps blood with the girl so she can die with him and will not have to marry the older guy. I REALLY didn't want it to be a cliche so give me your honest thoughts.

it seems alright, the early 1900's adds to it, i love stories set back in time.
i dont think the guy the girls falls for (no the arranged marrige guy) shouldnt be bitter though, maybe some sarcastic lower class guy (cliche is always good in my opinion)

and your going to need alot of filler, some family conflicts when a family member finds out about the affair would be good in my opinion,

but the story seems decent, and i think cliche is good, … so dont worry about that

I would have the boy die, the girl escaping to europe so she doesn't marry the older guy. She settles down live happily in Paris or Rome and even tough she married another guy she loves and has children with him she is still in very much in love with the dead stable boy.

I understand what you mean about cliche, but my problem is the fact that he wants to kill the girl not to marry the guy. Maybe work around a different situation of how it will end, but the storyline itself sounds interesting. Good luck.

If you would be so kind, please check out my self-published book and please let your friends/family know. thanks!
blurb.com/user/baybeedawl98

Okay. I totally understand the cliche part, but here are my suggestions:

1) the Bratty, Rich Girl part is kind of obvious if you do something like that. Maybe to add somewhat of a twist where maybe the boy and girl's personalities are switched such as the girl being this sharp tongue, bitter, sarcastic rich girl yet doesn't like to show she has a soft and sensitive heart. And the boy could be happy and nice, but never gets to express his true feelings (I'll talk about this one later)

2) the old creepy guy is kind of cliche, also. She has to marry but doesn't want to… blah blah blah… same thing over and over again. Maybe instead, the creepy man is who she later finds out, is her uncle. It would definitely give a small twist onto it.

3) the whole love thingy, the way you come at it, is cliche. It's been used too many times. You can still have the whole love thing, just come at it in a different way. I was also just thinking, if you were to take Romeo and Juliet and turn it into a somewhat modern novel/story, it would definitely give a twist. I would also read the book and then twist parts of it and also take out parts. It would definitely have a good twist on a love story because the girl doesn't want to marry the guy, she is in love with someone else, and they feel like they can never be together. I would take the death scene and have the girl die first through maybe (on purpose) an accident… do you get what I mean?

Do remember that this is YOUR story so YOU write it however way you want!! Good luck!!

A family member has stage 4 lung cancer. He went through radiation on the brain and chemotherapy. recent scans show that the cancer has shrunk and remained stable. however, the patient has recently become very confused, thin, and weak. The doctors insist that all of his symptoms are caused by the cancer. however, we are not so convinced. He is on many medications, including several very strong pain meds. The doctors think this is the end, and that his body could shut down anytime now. Are we in denial?

u lose your hair and u feel stressed do u need to know the rest well your doctor is the best

in my sisters late stages, she ate a lot of sweets with no appetite for real food, she slept all the time, confusion

Wasting (cachexia) is one of the signs that the cancer patient is not doing well. there is some weight loss with chemotherapy and radiation, but it comes back after a while. if the weight is not going back on, then it is a sign that there is more going on.
Weakness is also related to the wasting and lack of appetite. I who have only what you tell me cant tell you any more accurately than the doctor who is there. Have you had someone from the Cancer Society come and see you and your relative? They can provide some encouragement and perspective for you.
Best wishes in this time of wondering what comes next.

Is your family member eating enough? it may be lack of nourishment that is causing these symptoms. Did the doctors do a blood work-up to test for possible infections? Symptoms sound similar to those of someone with an infection. Could also be signs that the kidneys are shutting down and not processing toxins so well anymore. there are so many variables and cancer is an unpredictable disease. His oncologist is the one who can probably give you the most reliable answer. nobody wants to hear that their family member or loved one is at the end stage of a terminal disease. I would talk to the oncologist and prepare for whatever is next in this journey. Look for cancer support groups such as the American Cancer Society. also, if the end is truly near, Hospice agencies are wonderful. They can provide support to the patient and to family members too. Good luck on this hard road.

My grandfather went through the same thing. I think the confusion could be caused by medication. my grandfather became very weak, lost a lot of weight and could barely hold his head up, little own walk on his own. When the time comes for your loved one to know, he will know. At least my grandfather did. He called for his entire family just 2 days before he died and told us all how much he loved us and that it was time for him to go home to be with his FATHER, talking about God. I know I don't know you but I will whisper a prayer for your family as soon as I finish writing this. God bless you.

Time for a metabolic profile to see if his system is being nourished enough. Some hospitals do not to metabolic profiles on cancer patients in the later stages because of the cost..but the profile can give a better clue as to what nutrients he is lacking in..possibly as simple as being dehydrated. The symptoms you described can really be due to just about anything from lack of iron due to the treatments, dehydration, lack of food, or even possibly a blockage unknown about that is holding in toxins in the system.

To be honest..a bit of denial is a good thing. it keeps hope alive.

My prayers go up for your loved one and family.

If not, and you are a ladies, you could be putting your life on the line. Many people mistakenly believe cancer won’t happen to them, and often this will be the largest mistake to create. You don’t have to have a family member that has suffered by way of this disease to go via it yourself. You usually do not must have a poor lifestyle, smoke or even work in a factory to get this variety of cancer. in fact, it targets millions of consumers just about every year with out any warning at all. Understanding the breast cancer symptoms can save your life.

Often breast cancer is really difficult to detect. not all cancers will essentially have symptoms that present themselves to you. the most effective technique to know if these cancers are present then is by means of testing. As you age, that you are much more likely to develop breast cancer, which suggests which you will need to be tested for breast cancer often once you might be at menopause and beyond. Doctors suggested the first screenings for breast cancer to come about at the age of 35 to 40, depending in your age.

Before this time, you need to nonetheless have physician examinations that could point out any lumps in the tissue or other worrisome conditions. As soon as you attain an older age, you will have to have doctors to do full screenings on you, such as tests like mammograms, which will take photos of your breast and pinpoint any problems that may well exist. even if you’ve no breast cancer symptoms, you nonetheless should have these tests performed after you reach this age to assist you improve your probabilities of detection.

Occasionally, one can find breast cancer signs. these indicators will range widely based on the form of predicament that you are in too as the overall size of the cancer in your physique. Some symptoms of breast cancer consist of:

Lumps in the breasts which can be not usual, or are present throughout the month (your breast may perhaps have some small lumps in it at some occasions in the course of the month mainly because of your menstrual cycle.)

The skin about your breast and in your breast may swell, which is showing the indicators of inflammation too as the lumps themselves, in some instances.

Pain in the breast region which may perhaps be the outcome of the overall lump an inflammation.

If you feel which you could possibly be experiencing any of these symptoms of breast cancer, you will should speak to your physician about it as soon as potential. Doctors will perform a quantity of tests to be able to make a diagnosis. It’s not often uncomplicated to make these decisions from first exams, which is quite frustrating for a number of women. Nevertheless, you will must have the correct information in relation to breast cancer.

When a diagnosis is created and you have been told you might have breast cancer, you and your doctors will figure out the most effective treatments for this disease. these breast cancer symptoms are different in different stages. This approach can at times take some time also. Yet, through treatment you may beat the cancer and get on together with your life.

Really good information about breast cancer symptoms could also be found at this link

Talk to your physician about any signs and symptoms of breast cancer which you may possibly have. the sooner you talk to them about the situation, the sooner you can get aid for it. Finest of all, most instances of potential breast cancer are not going to really be it.

You’ve observed these breast cancer symptoms; now what ?

Give yourself self checks every single month and you will be well on your method to protecting yourself from the onset of cancer. Doctors shall be pleased to show you the appropriate strategy to give yourself these check ups and identify those breast cancer symptoms.

Tags: breast cancer symptoms, breast pain, lumps, signs of breast cancerArticle source : breastcancertreatments.co.uk/breast-cancer-symptoms-101/312/

Tags: breast cancer symptoms, breast pain, lumps, signs of breast cancer

Are You At Risk for ADHD?

Much research has been done on how you get ADHD, and it is now known that genetics is at least part of the reason. Current research demonstrates that at least 30%-40% of individuals with ADHD have a family member that is experiencing the same kinds of issues. However, this does not mean that the entire family will be affected by these issues; findings indicate that when more family members are affected, it is usually limited to one member.

There are many different theories as to what exactly causes ADHD. for many years, it was thought that ADHD was caused by some kind of brain damage; however, it is now believed to be caused by brain chemistry. Researchers have been looking specifically at neurotransmitters as the cause of ADHD. Examples of neurotransmitters that could be affected by this disorder are dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. because people in families tend to have similar brain wirings, it makes sense that ADHD would be at least partly genetic.

Other theories that have been investigated are that ADHD could also be caused by some sort of illness or accident that produced damage to the brain. possible examples include complications that had occurred during pregnancy, such as drugs used to prevent infectious diseases, consuming alcohol, overexposure to radiation or a complicated delivery.

Many have questioned whether nutritional deficiencies are linked to ADHD. although this has not been ruled out, it is doubtful that a particular deficiency would cause this disorder. While it is true that certain nutritional deficiencies will cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD, there is no proof or scientific evidence that a link exists. Research experts in autism and other behavior disorders have looked for a nutritional link as well, but have found none. However, there has been some evidence that the Feingold diet may help diminish symptoms of ADHD.

Since the diagnosis of ADHD has become so much more common in recent years, it is often that an older family member will get diagnosed while bringing their son or daughter in to get tested. This may provide some relief to individuals who weren’t sure exactly why they were the way they were, and explain some part of the individual’s life that did not make sense before. some of those diagnosed late may decide to go on medication upon diagnosis, while others may not.

If there are no other members of a family that have ADHD per se, there may be other similar disorders. although there is no formal link between autism and ADHD, there are similarities, and the two disorders tend to run together. Family background may include someone with autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, bipolar or OCD; these are mainly brain based disorders that have been loosely linked to ADHD and are sometimes co-morbid.

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