View the full post PM Mitchell: Vision 75 is a plan on NOW Grenada.

IN MANY ways, our memories shape who we are. They make up our internal biographies, the stories we tell ourselves about what we have done with our lives. They tell us who we are connected to, who we have touched during our lives, and who have...

THE CARIBBEAN Neurological Association, in partnership with the Department of Surgery, Radiology, Anesthesia, Intensive Care, and the University Hospital of the West Indies, announces the 22nd Caribbean Neurosciences Symposium, taking place at the...

CEPI and PAHO collaborate to boost regional preparedness against diseases with epidemic or pandemic potential

Cristina Mitchell

6 Feb 2024

Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control and start forming a lesion. It can involve any part of the body.

Though signs of cancer depend on the organ of origin, generally, one should be alert if he or she notices a sore that does not heal with normal treatment, unusual bleeding or discharge, thickening or lump anywhere in the body, indigestion or difficulty in swallowing, obvious change in colour or texture of wart or mole, nagging cough or hoarseness of voice. These features usually represent the initial presenting features of a cancer.

5 early signs that could hold the key to early intervention for a variety of cancers:

• Unwanted weight loss: Sudden weight loss, especially when not done along with dietary changes or increased exercise, is a sign of danger. It could be a sign your body is using its tissues for energy, a hallmark of many cancers.
• Persistent fatigue: Continued tiredness that stays even after taking complete rest and sleep is another sign of underlying diseases and problems. Cancer leaves your body completely drained, leaving you feeling tired and weak.
• Lumps or skin changes: Keep an eye on any new lumps or changes in the skin. New or growing lumps and changes in texture, especially painless and persistent ones, need medical attention. These generally indicate an underlying skin cancer problem.
• Random pain: Always pay attention to any pain that you feel. Persistent pain that doesn't go away with remedies worsens at any part of the day or interferes with daily activities and needs a doctor's attention. It could be a tumour pressing on nerves, causing pain, and obstructing your daily functioning.
• Unusual body changes: unusual bleeding or discharge, difficulty swallowing, persistent hoarseness, or changes in bowel habits could be signs of various cancers. Therefore, paying attention to your body's signal is significantly important.

These signs point out many types of cancer affecting the lungs, stomach, breasts, liver, kidneys, and other parts of the body as well. Therefore, early detection and immediate medical attention are important for successful treatment.

Treatment options:

While a cancer diagnosis is difficult for patients, advancements in diagnosis and treatment offer comfort and hope. Depending on the cancer type and stage, different surgical procedures can be recommended, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy.

Preventive measures:

Early diagnosis means less invasive and more effective treatment options, so while treatment options offer a cancer cure, it is important to practice preventive measures as well. Some practices that can help prevent cancer include:

• Various kinds of cancer have been associated with the condition of obesity. As a result, people are encouraged to manage body weight through proper, balanced diets and constant exercise.
• Consumption of a balanced diet is loaded with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Avoiding manufactured foods, high-sugar drinks, and excess red meat.
• Exercise has always been and will continue to be a beneficial habit for any health risk, regardless of the type of cancer. Thus, get at least a thirty-minute exercise for most days of the week.
• Quit smoking and cut back on alcohol to reduce your cancer risk. Both substances contain cancer-causing elements, making it essential to take these steps for prevention.
• Various cancer screening methods are available for different cancers, like mammography for breast cancer, Pap smear for cervical cancer and colonoscopy for colon cancer. A person should follow screening methods as per their age for the detection of cancer in the early stage when it is maximally curable.
• Vaccines are available for some cancers, like the HPV vaccine for cervical cancer and the HBV vaccine for Liver cancer. Persons should be vaccinated for these.
• Long-term stress weakens the immunity of your body and makes you vulnerable to cancer. Often, relaxation techniques like yoga and meditation, as well as almost any activity that reduces your stress, are instrumental remedies to this problem.

Early detection saves lives. Take action when you feel like your body is trying to give any signal and don't hesitate to seek medical help. While some cancers might require surgery to remove tumours, early detection often allows for less invasive procedures like targeted therapy or medication.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are of the author and not of Medical Dialogues. The Editorial/Content team of Medical Dialogues has not contributed to the writing/editing/packaging of this article.

WASHINGTON — Two Republican lawmakers who introduced legislation to water down the Inflation Reduction Act’s Medicare drug price negotiation program managed to find themselves a Democratic co-sponsor — even though every single Democrat in Congress in 2022 voted for the legislation.

They found their perfect candidate in Rep. Don Davis, a Democrat representing a North Carolina district that includes parts of the state’s Research Triangle. He came to Washington in 2023, so didn’t vote on the original law. He received donations in 2023 from the political action committees for Gilead, Astellas, Genentech, Bayer, Pfizer, Novo Nordisk, GSK, Bristol Myers Squibb, BIO, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Merck, AbbVie, and Eli Lilly.

“We must support the development of critical, life-sustaining medical treatments and cures,” Davis said in a written statement, and a spokesperson declined to elaborate. He is joined on the bill by Rep. Greg Murphy (R-N.C.) and Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.), the Energy and Commerce health subcommittee chairman.

Continue to STAT+ to read the full story…

The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation’s (GPHC) new, sophisticated Pathology Laboratory will reduce the time persons wait on cancer test results, and the service will also be available to sister Caribbean Community, officials said at the official opening of the multi-million dollar facility. “We want here to be the go-to center in the Caribbean and I ...