How to Prevent Lung Cancer?

Lung cancer is a disease of uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. This growth may lead to metastasis, invasion of adjacent tissue and infiltration beyond the lungs. Lung cancer can affect everyone, that is why we should try on prevent this terrible 'disease'. I will give you some ways how YOU!! can prevent lung cancer.

Lung Cancer - Prevention

The easiest way to avoid lung cancer is to stop smoking. It may be difficult to quit but it is not impossible. Millions of people have done it and those who quit lessen their chances of developing lung cancer by two-thirds.

Ninety percent of people who stop smoking do it on their own so start now before it's too late. If you find that hard to do, you can join smoking cessation classes or enroll in a clinic that offers the same service. Choose the program that makes the most sense to you and enlist the help of friends or loved ones to make things easier for you.

Taking in high amounts of beta-carotenes can also lower the risk of lung cancer in smokers. Carotenoid compounds are found in certain produce like peaches, mangoes, melon, squash, sweet potatoes, pumpkins and green leafy vegetables. Beta-carotene supplement however should be avoided. A study conducted by a Finnish group indicated that an 18 percent rise in lung cancer cases was seen in heavy smokers who were taking beta-carotene supplements. Moreover, the National Cancer Institute researchers also stopped their study on the effects of vitamin A and beta-carotene after smokers who were taking the supplements showed 28 percent more lung cancer than those taking placebos.

Stopping smoking reduces the risk of someone developing lung cancer, but the genetic damage it causes takes time to disappear - and half of all newly-diagnosed lung cancers occur in former smokers.

A cancerous tumor in the lung is usually removed surgically. It is sometimes necessary to remove an entire lobe of the lung. Because lung cancers are usually not detected until they are well advanced, surgery alone may not be able to eliminate them, and radiation and chemotherapy may be used in combination with or in place of surgery," explained the editors of Consumer Guide's “Family Health & Medical Guide.

Because the substance didn't damage the healthy cells, researchers say the agent may hold great potential for both prevention and treatment of lung cancer. They say deguelin is highly specific and seems to work by zeroing in on a particular molecular pathway associated with lung cancer.

Stop smoking. The number one cause of lung cancer is smoking. Studies show that even lifetime smokers who quit can drastically reduce their chances of getting lung cancer.

Add plenty of fruits and vegetables, like cranberries and beans, to your diet. These foods are high in antioxidants and flavonoids, which work to repair cellular damage and guard your DNA. Doctors believe adding fruits and vegetables to your diet can prevent lung cancer.

Diet

Recent studies on the connection between diet and lung cancer have shown mixed results. One study shows that eating a diet rich in nutrients called phytoestrogens may help reduce your risk of lung cancer.17 Phytoestrogens are found in a wide variety of whole grains, legumes such as chickpeas, vegetables, and soy products. Other research shows that taking supplements of beta-carotene and other vitamins may actually be harmful and increase the risk of lung cancer in people who continue to smoke.

Cancer Can be Cured ? Natural Herbal Remedies

 

Cancer Can Be Cured – Natural Herbal Remedies

Although we know more about cancer today it is still literally a growing concern. Most people have a family member or know someone who suffers from cancer. Many people have died. Death tolls and suffering are alarming. Having said that, there are many ways we are able to prevent and protect ourselves from contracting Cancer.

The causes are many and largely unknown. It is difficult to predict both onset and final outcome. However, in spite of all the doom and gloom, many people myself included; do recover fully cured of terminal cancer. It is not the death sentence it once was. Simply put, cancer is invasive and there are natural, powerful, preventions and cures.

By way of explanation; cancer cells are abnormal and are called free radicals. Free radicals attack healthy cells, divide and continue to spread throughout the body. Malignant cancers are life threatening and terminal. Benign cancers tend to be less invasive and not life threatening. They can however, become malignant in some rare cases. No one is safe from cancer. It affects people of all ages, young and aged. The elderly are most at risk given their frailty.

Cancer has been linked to Carcinogens. Through toxic poisons introduced into the body, or contact made with infectious agents. Smoking is a direct cause. Over 4,000 carcinogens and poisons have been identified in tobacco. These include Formaldehyde, Cyanide, tar, nicotine and many other poisons. Contact with Radiation, Asbestos, Motor oil, other chemicals and agents are also main causes. Many causes of Cancer remain undetected and unknown.

Cancer also has the ability to alter genetic blueprints. Indeed it is hereditary in some people. Therefore, some are more susceptible to Cancer than others, through exposure to toxic elements and/or genetic reproduction.

Ongoing Research has taught us much about Cancer. We are therefore better equipped to deal with both prevention and cure. A complete cure-all is still some ways off, given the complexity of the disease. Lack of data is also a barrier.

Diet is vital. Food intake serves as a major cause of Cancer. Food products are known to include minute traces of poisons introduced in the manufacturing process. Chemicals, additives and preservatives are also a high risk factor. Regular food intake has therefore a cumulative effect. This increases the amount of poisons found in the system.

High amounts of toxins and chemicals introduced in this manner, cause severe illness and mortality rates. Other harmful factors in diet are overtly high amounts of saturated fats and extreme bad Cholesterol levels. Very high sodium levels through salt intake are also contributing factors. Although not conclusive, causes are linked to high instances of prostrate cancer in males.

Smoking cessation and limiting the amounts of additives, preservatives and toxicity in the body, prevent and cure cancer. As is complete abstinence from manufactured and processed food. Fresh green vegetables, plants, fruits and juices are high in anti-oxidants that both prevent and cure cancer.

Again diet is vital. Green foods produce antioxidants that attack and replace free radical cells in the body. Free radical cells are morphed into healthy cells through the aggressive work of antioxidants. Asparagus, Kale and Spinach are examples high in antioxidants. Organic foods are best. Noni juice, Goju and Xango juices are also very high in antioxidants.

 

All prevent and cure Cancer. In my case the abstinence of poisons and chemicals and the introduction of all organic foods, fruits, juices, and herbal medicines have restored me to full health. I have experienced a miraculous cure from Cancer and certain death. I know many other people who also have been spared certain death from Cancer by these methods.

Cancer can affect anyone. The good news is; life expectancy for cancer victims has increased. Mortality rates are decreasing markedly. Many Cancers can be cured. Simply put, Herbal and natural cures together with organic diets rich in antioxidants reduce, prevent and cure Cancer. In addition, complete abstinence from ingesting toxic poisons into the body, prevent and cure most Cancers. I have heard many people say; they do not like to eat vegetables and certain foods. This begs the question: what are you prepared to do to live.

 

Do not be limited by your own negativity. Find the things you do like. All that is needed is to take action.

 

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Philip Randall is a Researcher. Copyright 2008

 

Breast Cancer Prevention - Learn How to Prevent Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is two words that no one wants to hear in their life. While many believe this comes on out of nowhere, there are some things that you can do to work toward breast cancer prevention. Not that this will completely remove the possibility of contacting this deadly disease but it can drastically reduce your chances of getting it.

Among the easiest things you have control over is your diet and exercise regimen. A strong link to breast cancer is alcohol.  While it really does not matter what type of alcohol you drink, it is essential you take care of your body and limit your alcohol consumption to less than one drink a day.

In addition to your diet and exercise, try to stay as physically active as possible. By maintaining a healthy weight through a healthy diet and staying active, you can lower your risk of breast cancer. Try to get in at least 30 minutes of exercise three to four times a week. 

The next thing to look at with breast cancer prevention is hormone therapy. Long-term use can undermine preventing breast cancer, which makes it vital for you take the time to talk with your doctor about discontinuing long-term hormone therapy. Long-term treatment with estrogen-progestin combinations can also be detrimental toward preventing breast cancer.

Unlike what you may have heard, there is no concrete evidence to support the link that birth control pill causes breast cancer risk.  Many study have identified a very weak link between these pills and the occurrence of breast cancer. As a matter of fact, the incidences of breast cancer from the use of birth control pills is about 4.7 women out of 10,000 at the most. Therefore, women should not worry themselves too much in the use of birth control pills for contraceptive purposes.

The last thing you want to be aware of is the link between breast cancer and exposure to pesticides and unnecessary antibiotics.  Although research is not conclusive, you should be aware of the link between the two. The molecular structure of some pesticides resembles that of estrogen.  In addition, scientists have found a link between antibiotic use and breast cancer. The longer antibiotics are used, the greater the risk is of getting breast cancer.

Paying attention to the different breast cancer prevention methods is vital to avoid having to face this devastating disease down the road.  Taking control of your health and lifestyle can have positive effects on your life. Take note of the tips listed in this article to help you prevent getting breast cancer.

70% Decrease in the Risk of Advanced Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is often devastating to men, not only because of the effect on their health, but also because the treatments can result in sexual dysfunction and bladder control problems. Prostate cancer (an abnormal, uncontrolled growth of cells originating in the prostate gland) is the most common cancer, and the third-leading cause of cancer deaths, among American men.

Prostate cancer prevention is one of the most important health issues facing men today. There are currently no pharmaceutical drugs that have been proven effective in preventing prostate cancer. In contrast, two natural agents, selenium and vitamin E, have been found effective in prostate cancer prevention.

Selenium

Selenium is an antioxidant that can be found in most plant foods and in some meats and shellfish. Years of nutrition research have suggested that daily doses of the mineral selenium, vitamin E or both may help to prevent prostate cancer. At least five major clinical trials have concluded that higher levels of selenium (in blood or toenail clippings) are associated with a sharply reduced risk of prostate cancer. The researchers also observed a trend for a lower incidence of localized prostate cancer with high selenium levels, but this trend was not statistically significant. For these men a high selenium level corresponded to a 70% decrease in the risk of advanced prostate cancer.

Vitamin

Micronutrients such as selenium and vitamin E may help decrease the risk of prostate cancer by enhancing the immune system and decreasing the production of testosterone. Men with high vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) levels were found to have a lower incidence of aggressive prostate cancer. Vitamin E, which comprises a mixture of tocopherols, is a lipid-soluble antioxidant that is found in vegetable oils, nuts, whole grains, and other foods. Soybean products (soy milk or tofu) have been found to have a preventive effect as has a high intake of tomato products, lycopene, selenium, and vitamin E. Tomatoes contain many bioactive components including vitamins C, K, E, as well as fiber, folate, and polyphenols such as quercetin. Broccoli also contains numerous bioactive components, including folate, potassium, selenium, vitamins A, C, E, carotenoids, and polyphenols.

Exercise

Cancer is a devastating disease, finding ways to prevent it through healthy eating and exercise will save lives in the future. Thus, the potential public health impact of ongoing efforts to promote dietary improvements and exercise is significant. Healthy diet and regular exercise are important ways to reduce the risk of cancer and other diseases. In fact the more aerobic the exercise the better; walking, hiking, swimming and bike riding were some of the examples given in a study by Harvard Medical School. Strive to achieve one hour each day of moderately intense exercise, and one hour each week of vigorous activity.

Supplements

Men should be wary of quick fixes like lycopene supplements, vegetable-juice powders or other agents promoted for prostate-cancer prevention. Prevention may be as simple as eating better, exercising more and taking a few key supplements. So adopting certain changes of diet, ensuring you take supplements and keeping your emotions positive can all help in the prevention of prostate or indeed any other form of cancer. Vitamin supplements cannot replace the benefits obtained from eating a diethigh in fruit and vegetables, nor can they reverse the damage caused by alow-fiber, high-fat diet.

Breast Cancer Risks

Despite progress of medical science, breast cancer continues its destructive effects in all social class, poor and rich, black and white. It is estimated that breast cancer will affects one woman in eight will develop cancer during their lifetime. With around 42 000 new cases each year, this disease is a real trouble in the feminine world; cancer is the most feared disease in the 21st century. However, if curing breast cancer is hypothetic, its prevention can be different; there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of its development or its reoccurrence (if you are already a victim):

Avoid Hormone therapy for menopause symptoms - menopause itself is not a disease, it is a natural hormonal change in your body that often occurs after age 45; but some hormonal treatment against the symptoms of menopause can have serious effects on your health. Long-term use of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) may lead to breast cancer. According to WHO (world Health Organization), MHT is a risk factor for breast cancer especially when taken for more than 5 years. In addition, Studies show that hormone therapy can also increase the risk of colorectal cancer.

Practice Prolonged Breastfeeding - it can sound old fashion, but studies have showed that prolonged breastfeeding reduces considerably the risk of developing breast cancer. Breastfeeding provides many benefits in the physical and mental development of the infant. By breastfeeding you increase the chance of your infant to be healthy, and decrease your risk of developing breast cancer. It’s not archaic to breastfeed; if times have changed, the causes leading to breast cancer remain the same, reduce your risk of breast cancer by breastfeeding your child.

Avoid contraceptive containing estrogen - as far as possible, use birth control (contraceptive) medications that do not contain synthetic estrogen hormones. In some women, estrogen tends to block the ovarian activity, and involves in the development of breast cancer or cancer of the uterus.

Treat Obesity – obesity (being overweight) increase the risk of breast cancer. Being overweight, especially after menopause, is associated with carcinogenesis of the normal cells of the breast. This risk is higher among women with high levels of estrogen (hormone). It is estimated that the fight against obesity could prevent more than 10,000 new cases of breast cancer per year. Therefore, eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly.

Practice regular physical exercise - physical inactivity may be relaxing, but its consequence is disease. Practicing 30 minutes of physical activity for at least 5 days a week can reduce 30% to 40% breast cancer risk. In addition, exercise fight against the signs of aging. Not only exercise can prevent formation of new cancer cells, but it can also kill cancer cells in their genesis. Whether you are a breast cancer victim, at risk or feel concerned, exercise is beneficial for you.

Avoid alcohol and tobacco use - The risk of breast cancer is higher with consumption of alcohol and tobacco. Even moderate consumption of alcohol and second hand smoking can increase the risk of breast cancer 20% to 30%. In addition to breast cancer, tobacco is the number one cause of oral and lung cancer.

Avoid Trans fat foods - Eat less fatty foods is important to be in good health. Many clinical studies have shown that trans fatty acids in the blood increase 50% the risk of breast cancer in women. Trans fatty acids are used in the food industry such as industrial rolls and biscuits, pastries, chips, pizza. The most common of trans fatty foods include french fries (8 grams in 1 medium piece), doughnuts (5 grams in 1), pound cake (4.5 grams in 1 slice), candy bar (40 grams in 1 bar), margarine (3 grams in 1 tablespoon), potato chips (43 grams in 1 bag), cookies (30 grams in 3), etc. Reduce these foods in your diet and increase your intake of omega-3, soybean products, fruits and cruciferous vegetables.

If breast cancer is raging, researchers do not remain idly. Currently, there are support centers and medications aiming at eradicate the disease. Important for you is to be in good hands. Would you like to know more about breast cancer? Are you a victim of breast cancer and needs support? Visit the America’s top recognized and respected breast cancer centers and physicians; click ofbreastcancer.com, or click on the link in the resource box below.

What you Need to Know about Skin Cancer Prevention

Skin cancer prevention is preached by medical professionals all over the United States. This is no surprise given that the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation reported more than one million Americans were diagnosed with some form of skin cancer in 2005. Despite the medical evidence available on skin cancer, our society remains focused on tanning beds and sunbathing without using the proper protection.


Skin cancer comes in two forms, melanomas and non-melanomas. Melanomas usually account for only four percent of diagnosed skin cancers, but they are considered to be the most deadly. Melanomas occur in the epidermis, the skin's outer layer, usually appearing as a dark mole with uneven edges.


If detected early through skin cancer prevention, melanomas can be eliminated without causing harm. If ignored, these cancers can break away and spread to other parts of the body. Non-melanomas, on the other hand, are comprised of two different cell types, basal cells and squamous cells. Both of these cells are caused from sun exposure, but basal cells form in the lower epidermis while squamous cells form in the upper epidermis.


Preventing skin cancer is often associated with older generations, but today you see more teenagers and young adults spending excessive amounts of time in the sun. Without the proper protection, our society could see a surge in skin cancer diagnosis. Tanning beds are another cause of skin cancer and are often used throughout the year, not just during the summer months.


Proper prevention begins with knowing what you need to be sun safe any time of the year. If you have light colored hair and fair skin, you should be weary of exposing yourself to over indulge in the sun's rays. You should also be aware if anyone in your family has been diagnosed with skin cancer because this could increase your chances of developing the disease.


Sunscreen is recommended as a form of protection against the sun. The American Cancer Society urges the use of waterproof sunscreen that has an SPF15 or more of both UVA and UVB protection. You should also apply at least an ounce of sunscreen for your body twenty minutes before going out into the sun.


Too often, individuals forget to re-apply their sunscreen after being exposed to harmful UVA and UVB rays. Also be sure to avoid the sun during 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. because this is when the sun's rays are most intense. Staying unprotected in the sun during this time is when you put yourself in the danger zone for damaging healthy skin cells.


Proper skin cancer prevention should be practiced by everyone in your family, even babies. Doctors recommend babies that are six months or younger stay out of the sun. Teaching your children to be sun smart is important for their health too.


Find shady areas when you take them outside to play and be sure they have the proper protection on. Clothing is another way to protect yourself and your family from harmful rays. Wear hats that have wide brims to cover all areas of your neck, ears, eyes and scalp.


Skin cancer prevention does not mean you have to avoid the sun altogether. It just means you should be smart when you do go outside. Remembering to use a protective sunscreen all year is a great way to start your cancer prevention routine.


Know your skin and any marks or freckles so you can recognize abnormalities that may develop. The sooner you start guarding yourself from harmful rays, the better you raise your chance of avoiding skin cancer.

Strategies for Prevention of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is a very common disease among males in the United State. If



skin cancer is excluded, prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer



among men living in the United States. Prostate cancer may have much



variation in the stage and extend of disease at presentation and in many



people the cancer might linger for a long period of time without causing any



significant problems to the person. Because of this reason, number of men



who would die from prostate cancer is much smaller than the number of men



who would be diagnosed with prostate cancer.



There are several factors that might increase the risk of developing



prostate cancer and by modifying some of these factors it might be possible



to decrease the risk of this disease in some people. Also some attempts at



modification of the external environment may also reduce the risk of



developing prostate cancer.



Chemoprevention: The term chemoprevention is generally referred to the use



of synthetic drugs, vitamins, or other agents to prevent the development of



a cancer. Several drugs have shown potential benefits as prostate cancer



prevention agents. These drugs are still in early stages of clinical trials



and much more studies are required to authoritative state that these drugs



indeed prevent the development of prostate cancer. Some of the drugs which



are in active clinical trial for prevention of prostate cancer include,



difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), isoflavonoids, selinum, vitamin D, vitamin E



and lycopene.



Changes in diet and life-style: Diets rich in animal fats might increase the



risk of developing prostate cancer, so theoretically decreasing the amount



of animal fat in the diet might decrease the risk of developing prostate



cancer. Active clinical trials are ongoing focusing on the issues of dietary



modification as a way of prostate cancer prevention. Some of the ongoing



studies might answer the question if food low in animal fats and high in



fruits and vegetables would ultimately decrease the risk of prostate cancer.



Some recent studies have shown that dietary products and diets rich in



calcium might increase the risk of developing prostate cancer. Future



studies may answer the question with regard to benefit of dietary



modification in the context of prostate cancer.



Hormonal prevention: Prostate cancer is treated with suppression of male



hormone testosterone. In theory drugs that would cause a decrease in the



testosterone levels might decrease the risk of prostate cancer development.



Studies are undergoing using some of the male hormone blocking drugs to see



if this strategy would be effective in prostate cancer prevention. An



example of one such drug is finasteride, which causes a decrease in the



amount of male hormone (testosterone) produced by the body.



In summary there are several strategies that might be effectively used to



prevent the development of prostate cancer. Some of these strategies are



more promising than other ones and only more work and research would



ultimately show us, which of these strategies are better and if so if these



strategies could be used in combination.

The Best Way to Prevent Colorectal Cancer

Most colorectal cancer is considered sporadic, meaning it occurs in people with no family history of the disease. So, we can blame a lot of things on our family, but usually colorectal cancer isn't one of them. It is more likely to occur as people get older. In general, both men and women at average risk of colorectal cancer should begin screening tests at age 50.



Beginning at 50 years of age, persons at average risk for colorectal cancer should be screened with fecal occult blood testing annually and or flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years, colono scopy every 10 years or double-contrast barium enema every five to 10 years. Testing stool samples for genetic alterations that occur in colorectal cancer cells may help doctors find evidence of cancer or precancerous polyps. In some patients, genetic testing can guide screening and may be cost-effective. Genetic testing should be considered, especially in large families with many at-risk members; in such situations, genotyping may be more cost-effective than repeated endoscopy.



Approximately 25% of cases are attributed to two types of colorectal cancers: familial and hereditary. Familial colorectal cancer accounts for about 20% of cases and hereditary colorectal cancer accounts for the remaining five percent. You should discuss beginning earlier screening if you have a personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps, a strong family history of either, a personal history of chronic inflammatory bowel disease or a family history of a hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome. Genetic counseling and genetic testing for families who may have a hereditary form of colon cancer, such as


hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).



Since most colon polyps and early cancers are silent (produce no symptoms), it is important to do screening and surveillance for colon cancer in patients without symptoms or signs of the polyps or cancers. Screening tests are used to look for disease in people who do not have any symptoms. Although there are good colorectal cancer screening tests, not enough people have them done. The majority of colorectal cancers would likely have been avoided if the people had only undergone regular and appropriate screenings.



Cancer prevention is action taken to lower the chance of getting cancer. Some cancer prevention trials are conducted with healthy people who have not had cancer but who have an increased risk for cancer. Although the exact cause of colorectal cancer is not known, it is possible to prevent many colon cancers with the following:diet and exercise. It is important to manage the risk factors you can control, such as diet and


exercise. Nevertheless, it appears that increasing the fiber content in the Western diet would be useful in the primary prevention of colorectal cancer. You can start today to train children in cancer prevention habits, remembering that it’s never too late to make healthy lifestyle changes for yourself as


well.

Hpv Vaccine and Cervical Cancer: is it Worth Vaccinating?

Over the past two years, the O-N-E L-E-S-S campaign for Gardasil, the new HPV vaccine to protect against cervical cancer, has brought discussion about the human papilloma virus to the forefront, shining new light not only on the vaccine itself, but also on the issues that surround it.

HPV is ubiquitous. Nearly 50% of sexually active people will have HPV at some point in their lives. There are around 20 million people with HPV infections in the U.S., with 6.2 million new cases occurring every year. The most serious consequence of HPV infections is cervical cancer, yet public knowledge about HPV is poor -- less than 50% of women have heard about HPV and its link to cervical cancer.

It's crucial that the public gains more knowledge about HPV and cervical cancer, particularly in the present climate where the merits of the vaccine have been clouded by a political rhetoric. Information on the link between HPV and cervical cancer, how common the disease is and who gets it, detection methods, other effects of the disease, and the role and effectiveness of the vaccine have to be addressed. Examining these topics will help guide decisions as medical professionals recommend this vaccination to a whole generation of 11-12 year old girls, and perhaps boys in the future.

The relationship between HPV and cervical cancer: There are over 100 types of HPV. About 15 of them are "high-risk" types that cause cervical cancer. HPV infections are more common in the younger population, with nearly 75% occurring in the 15-25 age group. Most HPV infections are "silent" -- people who carry the virus don't  know they have it and transmit it freely to their sexual partners. The good news, however, is that most of these infections are self-limiting, meaning that nearly 90% of them resolve on their own within 24 months without causing any problems. In a minority of people, however, the infections persist, either as a result of high-risk sexual behavior (such as multiple partners and unprotected sex), or weakened immunity because of smoking, stress, and long term use of certain medications like steroids. These factors can propel HPV infections to cause precancerous and cancerous lesions of the cervix. Over 99% of cervical cancers are caused by HPV. HPV infections are necessary, but not sufficient on their own to cause cervical cancer.

Pap tests and cervical cancer: A Pap test detects early changes in the cells of the cervix due to HPV or other effects, which if left untreated, may progress to cervical cancer. Fortunately, due to a well organized Pap test program in the U.S., the incidence of cervical cancer has dropped by 75% over the past 50 years. Therefore, for women who get regular Pap smears, the incidence of cervical cancer is low. Currently in the U.S., about 11,000 new cases of cervical cancer develop each year, and around 4,000 deaths occur from it. Even though one would wish that there were no cases of cervical cancers to reckon with, when compared to the number of HPV infections that occur each year, the ratio between HPV infections to cervical cancer is low. According to the American Cancer Society, four out of five women who died of cervical cancer did not have a Pap test in the previous five years. These numbers show that the Pap smear has been very successful in curtailing the incidence of cervical cancer in this country.


Role of the HPV vaccines in preventing cervical cancer: There are now two HPV vaccines available worldwide to protect against two major types of cancer-causing HPV. Gardasil, manufactured by Merck, has been available in the U.S. since June 2006. Cervarix, manufactured by Glaxo Smith Kline, is planned to be introduced in the U.S in late 2008 or early 2009. Both vaccines target HPV types 16 and 18, which cause the majority of cervical cancers. HPV type 16 causes nearly 50% of cervical cancers and HPV type 18 causes about 20% of cervical cancers. Clinical trials have shown that both vaccines prevent 70% of cervical cancers with almost 100% effectiveness. However, this only true when the person has been vaccinated prior to exposure to the virus types 16 and 18. The efficacy of the vaccine drops once these virus types gain access to the body. This is why the CDC recommends administering the vaccine to young girls, ages 11-12, before their sexual debut to obtain maximum benefit.

Pap test versus HPV Vaccine: Both Pap tests and the HPV vaccine prevent cervical cancer, but they do so in different ways. The vaccines produce antibodies to fight against the HPV virus well before it can invade the cervix. Therefore the vaccine prevents the development of any HPV related pathology on the cervix. On the other hand, the Pap test, detects abnormal changes in the cervix as a result of HPV, many of which require follow up visits and procedures in order to prevent these abnormalities from progressing to cancer. Most people would agree that prevention is better than detection or treatment. Managing abnormal Pap smears alone costs $2-3 billion a year in this country. But as the vaccine only provides protection against 70% of cervical cancers, Pap tests should be continued to detect the remaining 30% of cervical cancers that are not covered by the vaccine. It is important to note that apart from cervical cancer prevention, the vaccine has also been found to be beneficial against many other HPV related diseases, and it could eventually help in reducing the medical and emotional toll that such diseases take on people.

Those most prone to cervical cancer in the United States are those groups of people who have no access to Pap smears or will not obtain them because of inadequate access either as a result of poor socio economic status, poor knowledge or cultural differences. These groups are overwhelmingly comprised of women from ethnic minorities and whites in the Appalachian regions. Therefore, education aimed at the public should not only include comprehensive cervical cancer prevention programs in layman's terms, but also should be culturally sensitive to meet the needs of people from various backgrounds. The HPV vaccine has the potential to save millions of young lives and families, but, unless it reaches the same group of women who are not obtaining their Pap smears today, it will miss out on keeping its "one less" promise both here at home and around the world.


©2008 Shobha S. Krishnan, M.D.

Author Bio

Shobha S. Krishnan, M.D., is a board certified gynecologist and family practice physician, at Barnard College, Columbia University. Her new book, The HPV Vaccine Controversy: Sex, Cancer, God and Politics: A Guide to parents, women, men and teenagers was published on August 30, 2008 by Greenwood Publications. The book presents the most up to date information about the vaccine without the influence of pharmaceutical companies or other interest groups.

Everyone Shuold Know About Breast Cancer Prevention

Breast menaced prevention is important for women to learn about, especially since breast tumor is the most generally occurring progress in women. The American Cancer Society's web location hearsay that over two-hundred thousand women were diagnosed with this disease in 2006 and there are over two million women in the United States who have normal cure for breast plague. With facts this staggering, preventing melanoma should be a priority for all women.

The first and easiest step in breast pest prevention knows what you are up against. This means knowledge all about the danger factors that may touch you. Family annals and genetic make-up are two danger factors women cannot direct, but must be attentive of when it comes to prevention. If your mother, grandmother or even sister has been diagnosed with breast canker, your risks go up too.

The choices you make in life also become peril factors. Women who take oral contraceptives could have a larger hazard of developing this deadly disease. Having children before the age of thirty can put women at a senior menace for breast bane. Although some expose factors are easier to charge than others, familiarizing oneself with masses of information will only make fighting scourge easier for you.

There are certain medications presented to women who reduction under high gamble factors for breast melanoma. The drug Tamoxifen has been worn in the United States for over twenty-five being to help in the wrangle for breast blight prevention. The drug is taken once daily as a pill and interferes with the female hormone estrogen, preventing it from attaching itself to cells in the breast hankie.

This medication could also be used to doctor women already diagnosed with breast scourge because it can dense down or determine the growth of cancerous cells. Tamoxifen has even been associated with serving inhibit a recurrence in women who previously suffered from breast evil.

A more mutual way to foil breast bane is through mammograms. A mammogram is a x-ray of the breast and is the most universal form of prevention. Women who are over forty existence of age should get mammograms on a yearly beginning. For women in their twenty's and thirty's, the American Cancer Society's web location recommends getting clinical breast exams at least every three years from a remedial professional.

This suffering is performed using the tips of the fingers to confirm the whole breast matter and under the arm. Besides mammograms and clinical breast exams, women should also stage breast self exams each month to identify any symbols of lumps or abnormalities in the hankie.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is able to help women who accident within the lessen poverty levels, are uninsured or underserved profit access to screenings for breast bane. This planned is called the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. The CDC's web site touts it has served more than two million women under this plan since its start in 1991.

In 2000, Congress expanded this examine by hole it up to women who are on Medicaid. This breast pest hegemony act, formally posh the Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act, is a way to help women, who may have little access to worth fitness care, have a prospect at breast and cervical growth prevention.

For everyone who has suffered from breast blight, maintaining prevention is critical. It should be just as important for those who never have experienced this disease. Breast canker prevention is about education you're genetic make-up and if somebody in your family suffered from cancer.

Prevention is also about making healthier lifestyle choices by intake right, exercising and avoiding cigarettes. Be smart and make the right decisions to ensure you will have a long and healthful life.