Cancer Statistics

Each year, the American Cancer Society estimates the number of new cancer cases and deaths expected in the United States in the current year and compiles the most recent data on cancer incidence, mortality, and survival based on incidence data from the National Cancer Institute, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries and mortality data from the National Center for Health Statistics. Incidence and death rates are standardized by age to the 2000 United States standard million population. A total of 1,479,350 new cancer cases and 562,340 deaths from cancer are projected to occur in the United States in 2009. Overall cancer incidence rates decreased in the most recent time period in both men (1.8% per year from 2001 to 2005) and women (0.6% per year from 1998 to 2005), largely because of decreases in the three major cancer sites in men (lung, prostate, and colon and rectum [colorectum]) and in two major cancer sites in women (breast and colorectum). Overall cancer death rates decreased in men by 19.2% between 1990 and 2005, with decreases in lung (37%), prostate (24%), and colorectal (17%) cancer rates accounting for nearly 80% of the total decrease. Among women, overall cancer death rates between 1991 and 2005 decreased by 11.4%, with decreases in breast (37%) and colorectal (24%) cancer rates accounting for 60% of the total decrease. The reduction in the overall cancer death rates has resulted in the avoidance of about 650,000 deaths from cancer over the 15-year period. This report also examines cancer incidence, mortality, and survival by site, sex, race/ethnicity, education, geographic area, and calendar year. Although progress has been made in reducing incidence and mortality rates and improving survival, cancer still accounts for more deaths than heart disease in persons younger than 85 years of age. Further progress can be accelerated by applying existing cancer control knowledge across all segments of the population and by supporting new discoveries in cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment

Causes (Cancer)

Causes

Cells are the building blocks of living things. Cancer grows out of normal cells in the body. Normal cells multiply when the body needs them, and die when the body doesn’t need them. Cancer appears to occur when the growth of cells in the body is out of control and cells divide too quickly. It can also occur when cells “forget” how to die.

There are many different kinds of cancers. Cancer can develop in almost any organ or tissue, such as the lung, colon, breast, skin, bones, or nerve tissue.

There are many causes of cancers, including:

* Benzene and other chemicals
* Certain poisonous mushrooms and a type of poison that can grow on peanut plants (aflatoxins)
* Certain viruses
* Radiation
* Sunlight
* Tobacco

However, the cause of many cancers remains unknown.

The most common cause of cancer-related death is lung cancer.

The three most common cancers in men in the United States are:

* Prostate cancer
* Lung cancer
* Colon cancer

In women in the U.S., the three most common cancers are:

* Breast cancer
* Colon cancer
* Lung cancer

Some cancers are more common in certain parts of the world. For example, in Japan, there are many cases of gastric cancer, but in the U.S. this type of cancer is pretty rare. Differences in diet may play a role.

Some other types of cancers include:

* Brain cancer
* Cervical cancer
* Hodgkin’s lymphoma
* Kidney cancer
* Leukemia
* Liver cancer
* Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
* Ovarian cancer
* Skin cancer
* Testicular cancer
* Thyroid cancer
* Uterine cancer

Symptoms of cancer depend on the type and location of the tumor. For example, lung cancer can cause coughing, shortness of breath, or chest pain. Colon cancer often causes diarrhea, constipation, and blood in the stool.

Some cancers may not have any symptoms at all. In certain cancers, such as gallbladder cancer, symptoms often do not start until the disease has reached an advanced stage.

The following symptoms can occur with most cancers:

* Chills
* Fatigue
* Fever
* Loss of appetite
* Malaise
* Night sweats
* Weight loss

Like symptoms, the signs of cancer vary based on the type and location of the tumor. Common tests include the following:

* Biopsy of the tumor
* Blood chemistries
* Bone marrow biopsy (for lymphoma or leukemia)
* Chest x-ray
* Complete blood count (CBC)
* CT scan

Most cancers are diagnosed by biopsy. Depending on the location of the tumor, the biopsy may be a simple procedure or a serious operation. Most patients with cancer have CT scans to determine the exact location and size of the tumor or tumors.

A cancer diagnosis is difficult to cope with. It is important, however, that you discuss the type, size, and location of the cancer with your doctor when you are diagnosed. You also will want to ask about treatment options, along with their benefits and risks.

It’s a good idea to have someone with you at the doctor’s office to help you get through the diagnosis. If you have trouble asking questions after hearing about your diagnosis, the person you bring with you can ask them for you.

Treatment also varies based on the type of cancer and its stage. The stage of a cancer refers to how much it has grown and whether the tumor has spread from its original location.

* If the cancer is confined to one location and has not spread, the most common goals for treatment are surgery and cure. This is often the case with skin cancers, as well as cancers of the lung, breast, and colon.
* If the tumor has spread to local lymph nodes only, sometimes these can also be removed.
* If surgery cannot remove all of the cancer, the options for treatment include radiation, chemotherapy, or both. Some cancers require a combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.

Although treatment for cancer can be difficult, there are many ways to keep up your strength.

If you have radiation treatment, know that:

* Radiation treatment is painless.
* Treatment is usually scheduled every weekday.
* You should allow 30 minutes for each treatment session, although the treatment itself usually takes only a few minutes.
* You should get plenty of rest and eat a well-balanced diet during the course of your radiation therapy.
* Skin in the treated area may become sensitive and easily irritated.
* Side effects of radiation treatment are usually temporary. They vary depending on the area of the body that is being treated.

If you are going through chemotherapy, you should eat right. Chemotherapy causes your immune system to weaken, so you should avoid people with colds or the flu. You should also get plenty of rest, and don’t feel as though you have to accomplish tasks all at once.

It will help you to talk with family, friends, or a support group about your feelings. Work with your health care providers throughout your treatment. Helping yourself can make you feel more in control.

A cancer diagnosis often causes a lot of anxiety and can affect your entire quality of life. Several support groups for cancer patients can help you cope.

The outlook depends on the type of cancer. Even among people with one type of cancer, the outcome varies depending on the stage of the tumor when they are diagnosed.

Some cancers can be cured. Some cancers that are not curable can still be treated well. And some patients can live for many years with their cancer. Other tumors are quickly life-threatening.

One complication is that the cancer may spread. Other complications vary with the type and stage of the tumor.

Contact your health care provider if you develop symptoms of cancer.

One of the best ways to prevent cancer is to not smoke or chew tobacco. Many cancers can be prevented by avoiding risk factors such as excessive exposure to sunlight and heavy drinking.

Cancer screenings, such as mammography and breast examination for breast cancer and colonoscopy for colon cancer, may help catch these cancers at their early stages when they are most treatable. Some people at high risk for developing certain cancers can take medication to reduce their risk.

High Blood Pressure Linked to Mental Decline for Young and Old

Researchers from the University of Maine reported in a journal published by the American Heart Association, Hypertension, that mental function is measurably affected by high blood pressure in otherwise healthy adults between the ages of 18 and 83. The study was begun in 1974 by Merrill Elias and David Streeten, Professor of Medicine, of the Health Sciences Center, State University of New York at Syracuse and spanned 20 years.

In the same issue of Hypertension an editorial from medical researchers in Belgium and the Netherlands said the Maine-Syracuse Longitudinal Study (MSLS) of the last 20 years breaks new ground and has far reaching public health implications. Other studies have measured high blood pressure, hypertension and high pulse pressure in older adults and found worse cognitive performance than those having normal readings, but none had examined both younger and older individuals over an extended time period.

A more recent study conducted on participants over the age of 45 underscores the association between high blood pressure and reduced mental ability. For every 10-point increase in diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number in a blood pressure reading), the odds of mental impairment increase by 7 percent, though it’s not clear why.

In the August 25th issue of Neurology, the official journal of the American Academy of Neurology, results of the study were reported by a team including George Howard, chairman of the department of biostatistics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health. He says other studies have found such a relationship, but this particular one carries significant weight because of its size and efficacy. Dr. David Knopman, a professor of neurology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, says this new study supports a large body of literature that shows hypertension has an impact on cognition.

Dr. Georgios Tsivgoulis, the neurologist who compiled the data and spends his time between Greece and the University of Alabama, believes more research is needed to confirm the findings. He states, “It is possible that by preventing or treating high blood pressure, we could potentially prevent cognitive impairment, which can be a precursor to dementia. That`s an important possibility considering the world’s population is aging with a forecast of increased dementia for 100 million people by the year 2050.

Deputy director of the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Dr. Walter J. Koroshetz, agrees with Dr. Tsivgoulis’s statement and says the National Institute of Health will organize a large clinical trial to further evaluate the association between lowering blood pressure and health issues including cognitive decline.

Whether you are young or older, if lowering high blood pressure can keep your mind sharp and prevent dementia, here are a few ways to do so without medication.

Drink plenty of pure, unadulterated water. Chronic dehydration is often the cause of high blood pressure. The body tries to hold on to water reserves by constricting blood vessels, raising your blood pressure. Soft drinks or fruit juices won’t have the same effect as clean filtered water.

Sodium chloride, sodium, and table salt can raise blood pressure. When using salt choose a healthy salt from the ocean-sea salt (often called Himalayan or Celtic) which has important minerals and elements unlike sodium chloride.

Stress is a major contributor to high blood pressure. Research has shown physical exercise is the best tension reliever. Any exercise that gets your heart pumping will get those endorphins (stress-busters) flowing.

Train your mind to become less responsive to stress through meditation, yoga, visualization and deep breathing.

When we think of the health risks associated with high blood pressure, the first one that usually comes to mind is coronary heart disease followed by heart failure, stroke, kidney failure and a host of other insidious health problems. These are just a few of the reasons it is imperative to keep your blood pressure numbers in the optimal range of 120/80. There is certainly an added incentive now that we learn optimal control of blood pressure is vital at any age for protecting your mind.

Penicillin, Amoxicillin and Cephalosporin Allergy

What is a Penicillin Allergy?
Penicillin is perhaps the most well-known member of a group of antibiotics called beta lactams, which refers to a particular structure in their chemical makeup. The structure is also shared by semi-synthetic penicillin (amoxicillin), cephalosporins, and other antibiotics (such as imipenem). Penicillins and cephalosporins are the most commonly used antibiotics to [...]

Penicillin, Amoxicillin and Cephalosporin Allergy

What is a Penicillin Allergy? Penicillin is perhaps the most well-known member of a group of antibiotics called beta lactams, which refers to a particular structure in their chemical makeup. The structure is also shared by semi-synthetic penicillin (amoxicillin), cephalosporins, and other antibiotics (such as imipenem). Penicillins and cephalosporins are the most commonly used antibiotics to treat common infections. Penicillins and cephalosporins are also the most common causes of drug allergy. About 10% of Americans report an allergy to penicillin or a related antibiotic. While penicillin allergy most commonly occurs in young adults, reactions can occur at any age. Women appear to be at higher risk than men. Approximately 300 deaths can be attributed to penicillin allergy each year in the United States. Symptoms of an allergic reaction to penicillin may include anaphylaxis, hives, below-the-skin swelling, asthma symptoms, as well as non-allergic symptoms such as serum sickness, certain forms of anemia, and other drug rashes. How is Penicillin Allergy Diagnosed? While many people report having an allergy to penicillin, less than 10% of these actual have a true allergy to the drug. Skin testing is the best method for diagnosing a penicillin allergy. However, the commercially available extract for penicillin testing has not been available since 2004; there are plans for this extract to become commercially available again at some point in the future. In the meantime, a RAST for penicillin is available. Unfortunately, a negative RAST result does not exclude the possibility of penicillin allergy. How is Penicillin Allergy Treated? Other than the immediate treatment of drug allergy symptoms, the main treatment for penicillin allergy is avoidance of future use of penicillin and related antibiotics. Cephalosporins can cause allergic reactions in people with penicillin allergy. The overall rate of allergy to cephalosporins in people with penicillin allergy is approximately 5 to 10%, although rates may be higher for certain people. Allergic reactions to cephalosporins can be severe and even life-threatening; it is generally recommended that those allergic to penicillin avoid cephalosporins all together. There may be certain cases, however, when a person with a history of penicillin allergy absolutely needs penicillin or cephalosporin. In these situations, an allergist can perform skin testing and, if negative, give the patient a small amount of the drug under close monitoring to determine how much–if any–he can tolerate (known as an oral challenge.) If a person who is truly allergic to penicillin has an infection that requires treatment with penicillin, a desensitization process can be performed in a hospital. This entails giving initially small amounts of the drug and gradually increasing doses over a number of hours, until the person can tolerate a full therapeutic dose. What Other Medications Should a Person with Penicillin Allergy Avoid? The family of penicillin antibiotics includes: * Penicillin VK * Penicillin G * Dicloxacillin * Oxacillin * Nafcillin * Amoxicillin * Ampicillin * Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate) * Unasyn (ampicillin/sulbactam) * Zosyn (pipercillin/tazobactam) The family of cephalosporins includes: * Keflex (cephalexin) * Ancef (cefazolin) * Ceftin (cefuroxime) * Cefzil (cefprozil) * Omnicef (cefdinir) * Vantin (cefpodoxime) * Many other antibiotics beginning with “cef-“ or “ceph-“ Imipenem may also cause allergic reactions in people with penicillin allergy and should be avoided.