Can your smartphone detect skin cancer?

Believe it or not, almost every individual is addicted to his or her smartphone these days! Think about it, who can say no to a platform filled with limitless functionality and practical applicability in a compact and portable form in this fast-paced, dynamic life that we live in?! Checking messages, playing games, grabbing information and building contacts are some of the most common to-do’s we achieve using our tiny device. What is more, research studies have gone one step ahead by inventing an uncommon feature in smartphone that detects the appearance of skin cancer! 

Skin being the largest organ of the body, is quite atypically the most neglected one; but when it comes to skin cancer if neglected, can definitely prove to be fatal. Uncontrolled division of cells in the body is the characteristic feature of cancer, and based on the type of cells and cancerous growth they are categorised into various types. This diversity gives us more the reason to worry about its early and accurate diagnosis. 

The University of Texas Health Science Center of Houston (UTHealth) found a way to connect smartphone to detect skin cancer via phone-based microscopy. 

With a 90% detection accuracy as compared to a traditional light microscope, this technology may prove a highly efficient tool in detecting non-melanoma skin cancer. 

Cure for cancer is a tough battle, thus the focus lies on a feasible diagnostic approach for early detection, for example a PET-CT scan! The modern world believes in quick results, and gadgets with their alluring technology might help us acquire faster as well as better answers. This smart phone based microscopy hopefully won’t take long to nestle in a physician’s palm and bridge the gap between detecting this dreadful menace to cure it.

For more information, kindly visit Thyrocare's partner, Nueclear- a diagnostic imaging center.  http://www.nueclear.com/

Teenage Height and Weight linked to Cancer Risk

Surprised? Well, rightly read! Generally, height and weight are the first two attributes which knowingly or unknowingly, are either monitored or looked upon when we meet or interact with someone. Tall statured people are perceived to be impressive with their heights, making the ones with stunted height usually feel inferior. Also, the prevalent crisis faced by all, especially the current generation - obesity, either fuels up the chances of diseases and disorders in body or worsens the symptoms of any existing ailment. Obesity, an already known factor to increase the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases; along with excessive height, can they be responsible for development of cancers?

Sounds absurd, as how can a widely perceived societal notion of possessing a tall height and providing excessive nutrition for your kids can trigger the onset of a deadly disease with no cure? Scientists claim that excessive height and nutrition during childhood may initiate the development of cancers like Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. 

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma..what is it?

White blood cells or lymphocytes are made in the lymphatic system and being an important part of our immune system, they aid to fight any infiltrative foreign particles or pathogens, be it virus or bacteria; or any impending infection. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a cancer of lymphocytes wherein there is an abnormal growth, division and proliferation of three types of lymphocytes: B and T lymphocytes, and natural killer (NK) cells.

Usually, lymphocytes have a predictable life-cycle where old cells die and new ones are produced to replace them. In Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, old cells don’t die but keep growing and dividing, thereby creating an oversupply of lymphocytes aka ‘fighter’ cells, thus crowding the lymph nodes causing them to swell. Till date, doctors aren’t sure what causes this cancer. It is either indolent or aggressive and has many different types which are diagnosed by varied microscopic appearance and biological characterisations of malignant lymphocytes.

Obesity, Tall Height & Lymphoma: Where’s the link?

A recent study led by Dr. M. Leiba and her team at Israel’s Sheba Medical Center examined the height and weight of 2 million adolescents aged 16 to 19 years from 1967-2011; and 4000 cases of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma were found till 2012 since 1967.

It is estimated that the obese are on a 25% increased risk of acquiring Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma later in life as compared to those with normal weight. Similarly, shorter individuals were seen with 25% reduced risk of developing this condition in future, while the tallest were at 28% increased risk of acquiring the same. Researchers found that obesity and a too tall stature during adolescence affect inflammatory molecules and growth factors that support the development of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. However, an accurate mechanism of how these attributes in childhood transpire this condition requires further detailed research.

Timely diagnosis: A stitch in time saves nine!

Know the levels of biomarkers going haywire because of obesity by seeking timely medical help. Make preventive healthcare a priority today; get yourself tested for the presence or elevation of any cancer marker levels. After all, it goes without saying, an early diagnosis aids in better prognosis and treatment.

For more information, visit http://thyrocare.com/

Worried about Breast Cancer? Eat Broccoli!

For all you women out there, here’s just another reason why you should add the green headed flower in your food platter. Yes! We are talking about broccoli, yet another member of the cruciferous vegetables family which is found to aid in cancer prevention. Let’s see what it has in store for women who are suffering from or are at risk of breast cancer.

Sulforaphane 
Cruciferous vegetables show high content of one particular compound - ‘Sulforaphane’ which has antimicrobial and anti-carcinogenic properties. As an anti-carcinogen, sulforaphane helps to maintain balance in levels of antioxidants in the body. Antioxidants are essential molecules that help to combat the harmful effects of various dietary, environmental and other types of carcinogens. More to add, sulforaphane is also found to increase the anti-cancer effects of chemotherapy drug – Taxol. Broccoli sprouts are also known to harbor 50 times the anti-cancer property of broccoli.

Why broccoli over other cruciferous vegetables?
Studies have proven that broccoli among the entire cruciferous family has the highest content of sulforaphane making it yet another potent anti-cancer weapon. Next in line with high content of sulforaphane is purple cabbage and green cabbage.

Breast cancer and broccoli
Though broccoli shows anti-cancer property, it has a lot to contribute towards ceasing the development and recurrence of breast cancer among woman. Broccoli exclusively has been studied to understand its effect towards breast cancer. It is found that broccoli has a unique ability to suppress growth & division of cancerous cells and also to some extent promote the death of cancerous stem cells. 

Frequent consumption of broccoli is also known to reduce levels of a particular estrogen metabolite - ‘16alpha-hydroxyestrone’ which is capable of promoting breast cancer in females. Consumption of broccoli by premenopausal women can also contribute to lowering the risk towards breast cancer in later stages of life. However thyroid affected women need to beware as consumption of broccoli interferes with thyroid hormone formation (especially in iodine deficient females).

Breast cancer is a growing concern among woman, hence it is imperative to be aware about the various ways of preventing it. Though broccoli is found to be a good anti-cancer vegetable, complete dependence on such foods is not advised. Frequent evaluation of breasts by self for presence of any lumps and also medical consultation is essential. Also, minimizing or avoiding lifestyle habits such as smoking, that may additionally contribute in provoking the onset of the disease is important. If breast cancer has been running in family, (a close relative such as mother, grandmother, maternal aunts has been affected) genetic counseling is advisable as this helps in voiding the chances of being at risk.

A woman is filled with immense strength to meet the demands of her family and professional life. But somewhere she fails to realise that her body demands attention and care too. Tend to its little needs at proper time, so you are fit to meet your vocation’s demands.

For more information, kindly visit Thyrocare's partner, which provides the diagnostic imaging, Nueclear.  http://www.nueclear.com/