by medicaltechont | Jul 12, 2024 | Cancer, Diet
Recent research has underscored the significant benefits of adopting the Mediterranean diet as a means to potentially lower the risk of developing cancer. This dietary regimen, renowned for its emphasis on abundant fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats such as olive oil and nuts, has demonstrated compelling associations with reduced incidences of various types of cancer. The Mediterranean diet’s notable content of antioxidants and its inherent anti-inflammatory properties are believed to contribute significantly to its protective effects against cancer.
Studies have consistently shown that individuals adhering to the Mediterranean diet tend to experience lower rates of cancers affecting different organs and systems, including breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers. These findings suggest a compelling correlation between dietary choices and cancer prevention outcomes.
For more detailed insights into the impact of the Mediterranean diet on cancer prevention, you can explore further reading at https://www.cancercenter.com/community/blog/2023/10/mediterranean-diet-and-cancer.
As ongoing research delves deeper into these associations, the Mediterranean diet continues to emerge as a promising dietary approach not only for enhancing overall health but also potentially mitigating the risk of cancer.
by medicaltechont | Feb 12, 2017 | Cancer, Toronto
Liver cancer is to blame for more than a thousand deaths every year in Ontario — and most of these occur in the Greater Toronto Area. In fact, the epidemic level of liver cancer in this city often goes unrecognized, as it’s diluted by provincial and national statistics.
So what is it about Toronto that makes it such a hot spot for this type of cancer?
Most of the cases occur in patients with chronic liver disease, typically due to chronic blood-borne infections with the hepatitis B or C viruses.
The transmission of hepatitis B occurs mainly from mother to child and is prevalent in several regions of the world. Immigrants from East Asian and African communities are at an especially elevated risk of carrying hepatitis B, and of developing liver cancer. Hepatitis C is found throughout the world and mainly spread through sharing and inadequate sterilization of needles and syringes. Those who’ve been exposed to infected blood are also at a higher risk — and adults born between 1945 and 1975 are much more likely to have been exposed to hepatitis C. Both infections are silent, with no symptoms until it is too late.
Read more at https://www.thestar.com/life/health_wellness/2017/02/06/doctors-notes-why-toronto-is-a-liver-cancer-hot-spot.html
by medicaltechont | Apr 24, 2016 | Technology
The list of cancers being taken down by immunotherapy keeps growing.
NEW ORLEANS – New immunotherapy drugs are showing significant and extended effectiveness against a broadening range of cancers, including rare and intractable tumours often caused by viruses. Researchers say these advances suggest the treatment approach is poised to become a critical part of the nation’s anti-cancer strategy.
Read more at http://news.nationalpost.com/health/the-list-of-cancers-being-taken-down-by-immunotherapy-keeps-growing.
by medicaltechont | Apr 16, 2016 | Healthcare, Technology
Long-term use of proton pump inhibitors – popular drugs commonly used to treated heartburn, acid reflux and ulcers – could lead to kidney damage and severe kidney disease.
The researchers conclude long-term use of PPIs may cause harm to the kidneys and should be avoided.
This was the conclusion researchers came to after analyzing large collections of patient data held in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national databases. They report their findings in theJournal of the American Society of Nephrology.
Read more at http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/309122.php
by medicaltechont | Oct 27, 2012 | lasers, Technology
DERMATOLOGISTS are good at spotting unusual bits of skin that might or might not be cancers. Testing whether they actually are, though, is quite literally a bloody pain. For a piece of skin to be identified as malignant or benign it must be cut out and sent to a laboratory for examination under a microscope. But a team of researchers led by Rainer Leitgeb, a physicist at the Medical University of Vienna, hope to change that. As they describe in Biomedical Optics Express, Dr Leitgeb and his colleagues are exploring a technique called optical coherence tomography (OCT), which they think will allow skin cancer to be diagnosed in situ.
OCT is a form of optical echolocation. It works by sending infra-red light into tissues and analysing what bounces back. The behaviour of the reflected rays yields information on the structures that they collided with. That, Dr Leitgeb hoped, could be used to generate a map of features just beneath the surface of the skin. Similar technology has been employed for nearly two decades by eye doctors and Dr Leitgeb felt that, with a bit of tinkering, it should work for skin as well.
Read more