Young Cancer Survivors at Risk for 2nd Cancers

Children and young adults who successfully battle cancer may find a need to keep up with more watchful health screenings down the road. New research indicates that those who fight cancer prior to the age of 40 are more likely to witness the development of a second form of cancer during some point of their lives.

The latest research indicating a higher incidence rate of second cancers in younger patients was conducted by the University of California’s Benioff Children’s Hospital. There researchers looked at data from the U.S. National Cancer Institute to determine their findings. They discovered that over the course of 30 years, about 14 percent of young cancer patients developed another, different form of cancer. The second cancer occurrences most typically happened within 15 years of the first. Those treated for cancer between the ages of 15 and 39, in fact, were about 60 percent more likely to develop a second cancer. That is compared with cancer patients age 40 and up who were 10 percent more likely to develop a second cancer.

The findings indicate the old advice that once the five-year mark is reached the need to watch patients closely may not be entirely accurate. The researchers stress the findings show that there is a need for lifelong follow-up and regular medical screenings to detect second cancers should they form. This is especially so in patients who underwent radiation therapy. They were about 17 percent more likely to develop a second cancer than patients who did not receive radiation.

People who have fought cancer and won are urged to discuss follow-up care closely with their healthcare providers. While the odds of developing a second cancer increase for younger patients, this does not mean that a second cancer is inevitable. Patients, however, should be mindful and give themselves and their doctors every opportunity to detect a second cancer early to enable a greater chance for successful treatment. 

Family Building Options Exist for Cancer Survivors

It’s a simple reality for many cancer survivors that fertility is lost in process of saving their lives. While many patients find they cannot conceive personally after treatments, the dream of having a family does not have to be given up entirely. There are ways for cancer patients to sometimes preserve fertility or seek alternatives. The issues, however, are important to consider and sometimes address as treatments are ongoing.

Here are a few things that people facing cancer treatments might want to consider in regard to future family planning:

·         Fertility sparing treatments – The use of these may depend on the type of cancer involved and the location and extent of the tumor. When possible, doctors may be able to spare a person’s fertility while still treating the cancer effectively.

·         Fertility planning – If treatments are likely to damage a person’s fertility, it is sometimes possible to bank and freeze eggs, embryos or sperm for future use. This preserves healthy cells for future use one cancer has been appropriately addressed.

·         Adoption – Some cancer patients find that adoption is a viable option that enables them to enjoy a family. Patients, however, need to be mindful that many adoption agencies will require health records and some will request a doctor’s letter that indicates the five-year mark, for example, has been attained. Adoptions can also prove to be rather expensive, giving rise to the need to save for them. Some patients will find financial obstacles are less challenging if an adoption involves an older child who desperately needs a family.

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Cancer can take its toll on a person’s ability to create a family. Options do exist, however, to make the dream reality once treatments have proven successful. Patients who are concerned about future fertility are urged to discuss all their options carefully with their healthcare providers. 

Aspirin May Lower Obesity-Related Cancer Risks

Scientists have long understood that obesity and certain types of cancer go hand-in-hand. Aside from strongly recommending people lose weight, however, they have been at somewhat of a loss on how to help them decrease those cancer risks. In regard to colorectal cancer, it seems, aspirin might make a big difference.

Researchers at Newcastle University in the United Kingdom recently dove into the topic. The study focused on those with Lynch syndrome, a potential hereditary link to colorectal cancer. To find out what role aspirin played, they enrolled some 937 patients that had been diagnosed with Lynch syndrome. About half the group received 600 mg of aspirin a day and the other half a placebo. The overall results showed that cancer risk was about 2.5 times higher for overweight participants than those of normal weight. The findings also showed that those who took aspirin could counteract the risk by doing so. The study concluded the risk for developing cancer in the aspirin group was roughly the same regardless of weight.

Those involved in the study say the findings add more evidence to an already growing body that links the inflammatory process to increased risks for cancer. Since aspirin is an anti-inflammatory agent, it is believed this simple medication can help stave off cancer in many cases. The findings, researchers also say, demonstrate the importance of maintaining a healthy weight. In addition, they show that a regular dose of aspirin may very well help safeguard those without Lynch syndrome from develop colorectal cancers.

People who suffer from Lynch syndrome or other risks for colorectal cancer are urged to discuss screening with their healthcare providers. Colorectal cancer strikes men and women by the thousands each year, but often can be successfully treated if it is caught early. The key is understanding personal risk and undergoing screening when it is recommended.

Gene Research is Shedding Light on Breast, Ovarian Cancer Risk

While there’s no crystal ball that can definitively predict if a woman will develop breast or ovarian cancer, genetic researchers have uncovered more clues that can help doctors and their patients better understand risks. In fact, mutations in two particular genes can serve as a marker to help identify those who may need to be monitored a bit more closely for these diseases.

The latest research into the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes was published recently in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Researchers used data from the Consortium of Investigators of Modifiers of BRCA to gain their insights. A total of 19,581 women with BRCA1 mutations and 11,900 women with BRCA2 mutations were included in the study. Researchers took into account a variety of different types of mutations found in these genes to gauge their connection between the development of breast and ovarian cancer.

The results are eye-opening. Among study participants with BRCA1 mutations:

• 9,052 women, or 46 percent, developed breast cancer

 • 2,317, or 12 percent, developed ovarian cancer

• 1,041, or 5 percent, developed both breast and ovarian cancer

Among women with BRCA2 mutations:

• 6,180, or 52 percent, developed breast cancer

 • 682, or 6 percent, developed ovarian cancer

• 272, or 2 percent, developed both breast and ovarian cancer

While more research is needed to better understand the connection between mutations in these two genes and the development of ovarian and breast cancers, current studies are showing that these two markers can help identify those at higher risk for development. Genetic testing isn’t quite a crystal ball that can predict the future with absolute certainty, but it can help women better understand their risks and assist with better monitoring that may help lead to earlier detection and intervention.

Women who are concerns about their risks of breast or ovarian cancer should speak directly with their healthcare provider for more information about risk assessments, including genetic testing.

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Why Are Lymph Nodes Removed in Breast Cancer Staging?

Women who have tested positive for breast cancer may find themselves wondering just why their surgeon is recommending the removal of lymph nodes for further testing. This can seem like an unnecessary and overly invasive extra step with a cancer that already tends to require rather invasive treatment.

Lymph node biopsies, however, are not performed lightly and they can, in fact, prove critical for helping doctors not only stage cancer, but better understand its spread if that has indeed occurred. Lymph node biopsies are simply a critical part of the diagnostic process for localized breast cancer. This procedure can also better help physicians determine treatment and management strategies while offering prognostic insights, as well.

The American Joint Committee on Cancer and the Union for International Cancer Control recently published guidelines for lymph node staging. In most cases, staging recommendations only involve sentinel node dissection, but the best management for patients who have detectable axillary disease remains under review.

Women who have clinically node-negative breast cancers will find a sentinel lymph node biopsy will generally be performed as the standard of care. For those with node-positive cancers, axillary dissection will also likely be performed. Sentinel nodes for breast cancer patients are generally located under the armpit. Once the sentinel nodes are found using a radioactive dye, a few of will be removed and examined to look for signs of cancer. This can help with staging while also enabling doctors to determine if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. If axillary lymph node dissection is required, most of the lymph nodes under the arm will be removed for study to help seek out signs of cancer’s spread.

While lymph node biopsies might seem like an added burden for a woman undergoing breast cancer treatment, they serve a vital purpose. This examination can help ensure doctors have a clearer picture of the cancer while arming them with the facts needed to help direct the battle against it. Visit here for more information.

End Your Lease on a Pleasant Note by Hiring Professional House Cleaners

When your lease ends and it is time to move out, you need to make sure that the house is clean and ready for its next occupants. Cleaning the house can make the landlord or the owner happy, too, allowing you to end your lease on a pleasant note.

Professional cleaning at the end of lease is important not only to ensure a clean home for the next occupants, but also to make sure that you can pack your things in an organized manner. Moving out can be exhausting and daunting, especially if you are alone. Aside from all the manual labour, you also have to spend money to buy cleaning supplies and equipment. Vacate and end of lease cleaning services can spare you from the trouble of buying cleaning equipment and cleaning the house all by yourself. You can leave everything to the cleaning specialists and they will get the job done on time.

Vacate cleaning services can remove all cobwebs and extensively dust your home. You can leave the thorough mopping and vacuuming of all floors to professionals—and you can rely on them to clean and disinfect the bathrooms and exhaust systems. Expert cleaners make sure that they do not miss a spot, so you can expect them to clean and polish mirrors, too. Moreover, they can clean the kitchen and its appliances, such as the oven, dishwasher, and burners.

Professional cleaners extend their cleaning expertise beyond the house. They can sweep the garage and wipe the skirting boards and window seals, door handles, doors, and switches. They can even deodorize and freshen the air of the house for free after they have completed the cleaning. These may seem like small tasks, but when done right, they can certainly improve the quality of the house, impressing your landlord and the next occupants.

Helping Your Loved One Face Cancer

Finding out that someone you love has cancer can be worse than hearing the diagnosis yourself. After all, while you won’t be waging the battle at the very front of the line, you will have to put a brave face on and provide strength and support when it’s needed the most. Chances are you’ll be doing so while also wrestling with your own fears, doubts and fatigue. With all that in mind here are some tips that can help you provide a strong shoulder to lean on while ensuring you, too, preserve the necessary energy to face what’s to come:

•    Don’t be afraid to ask questions – If it’s your intent to attend medical appointments with your loved one, feel free to ask questions on your mind and on your love one’s behalf. Keep in mind, he or she is likely dealing with a whole lot of doubt and may not be able to fully articulate every question on the mind. If you’ve been invited in to the appointments with the oncologist, it is OK to ask away and get clarifications about the specific disease and stage, treatment plan, potential side effects and more. If you happen to be the primary caregiver during treatment, having the answers will become critical as the procedures progress.

•    Be firm, but understanding – If your loved one is undergoing chemotherapy and other more rigorous forms of treatment, chances are he or she will not be acting in typical form. Be understanding about the side effects, exercise patience with anticipated fatigue, but be firm in ensuring that doctor’s orders are followed.

•    Be kind to yourself – Do not forget to take time out for yourself. Your loved one is not likely to need you around the clock and you, too, must recharge your batteries. If you find it helpful, lean on a friend to share concerns with or look into a support group that can help you process the life-changing situation you are facing.

While cancer patients must face down the disease head on, they are often not alone in the struggle. If you are caring for a loved one facing this disease, there are ways you can help them stay on course while ensuring you’re taken care of, as well.

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BMI and Cancer Risk

Increased body weight puts us at risk for developing a variety of health conditions. This is not news to anyone. Those who are overweight or obese are more at risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, sleep apnea, diabetes, stroke, liver disease, and more. It’s also important, however, to understand that increased body mass index (BMI) - the ratio of your body’s height to weight - can also be an indicator of your potential risk for developing certain types of cancer.

In fact, the American Cancer Society estimates that about one in three cancer-related deaths in the United States are connected to body weight; making losing weight priority number one in taking control of our health. It has been shown that increased BMI is connected to cancers such as pancreatic, breast, ovarian, prostate, liver, colon/rectum, and more.

It is believed that increased weight causes inflammation in the body thus causing an imbalance in our natural immune system and hormone levels. This imbalance, in turn, can affect cell division which can result in cancer.

There is no better time to get healthy than now. To lower your risk of a variety of health conditions and potentially lower your risk of developing cancer, it’s important to eat healthy, exercise, and stay in balance.

It is recommended to lower the number of calories that we ingest on a daily basis by eating smaller portions and reducing our intake of fried foods and those foods that are high in fat and calories. Instead, we should be increasing our intake of whole fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. There is a seemingly ongoing discussion about the potential connection between sugar and cancer but regardless it’s recommended that we limit our intake of sugar as much as possible.

There will always be a good reason to lose weight and live our life at a healthy BMI. Lowering our risk of developing cancer is another fantastic reason to let go of the excuses and get healthy.

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Talking to Your Doctors

Treatment for cancer – no matter how short or relatively comfortable – can be terrifying. There is so much up in the air and so many considerations including choosing the appropriate treatment that fits with the diagnosis and interferes as little as possible with our daily activities. It’s difficult enough to wrap our own heads around what is completely a surreal experience but then there is making sure that our family and friends – essentially our support team – is comfortable with all the information. You can easily find yourself more worried about disseminating information to the appropriate people – and managing bills and paperwork - than getting through treatments and before you know it you’re overwhelmed with the “admin” of cancer care.

This is the time you draw the line in the sand and start asking for help; admittedly a very tough thing for people who are often accustomed to handling everything on their own. But now is the time to reach out to the people who love you and whom you love – and would do the absolute same for in a heartbeat – and elicit their assistance. Here’s what you need:

*Someone to manage the paperwork. No, you don’t need anything else on your plate and you certainly don’t need any more stress. Pushing through the inevitable paperwork associated with cancer treatment should not be your job right now. Your team’s practice will have someone in charge of billing that should happily walk you through what needs to be done and after that you assign someone to manage it – preferably a spouse – who can take that burden off of you.

*Someone to go with you to doctors appointments. A ride is nice but having someone by your side during appointments is also about having another set of ears to listen to what the doctor has to say. This person should be detail oriented, willing to speak up with questions, and will take notes and remind you of important items.

*Emotional support. More than anything you need someone who is a soft place for you - that will accompany you to procedures, sit with you after treatment, and provide you the emotional support you definitely need at this time. This person should be a safe place for you where you can let down and be vulnerable and someone who you will let take care of you both physically and emotionally following treatment. Visit here for more information.