Men who have desk jobs are more likely to develop prostate cancer, research suggests.
A study found those who spend most of their working lives sitting down are almost 30 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with the disease than those with very active jobs.
Analysis of 45,000 men aged 45 to 79 found those who had highly physical jobs were 28 per cent less likely to develop the disease than those who spent most of their working lives sitting.
In turn, those who sat for half of their working day had a 20 per cent lower risk than men who spent their entire day sitting, the British Journal of Cancer reports.
Other forms of exercise also had an impact, with men who walked or cycled for more than an hour a day having a 14 per cent lower risk than those who walked or cycled for 40 minutes or less a day.
Although regular exercise is recommended for all-round health, evidence of its protective effect against prostate cancer had been lacking until now.
The researchers, from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, said it appeared that exercise in a man's youth and middle-age affected his risk of contracting cancer.
They are not sure why exercise is protective but suspect it alters levels of certain hormones associated with the cancer, including testosterone.
They concluded: 'Findings from this study show that not sitting for most of the time during work or occupational activity and longer daily durations of the main component of active living (walking or cycling) may be associated with reduced prostate cancer incidence.
'Our findings, which may have major public health implications in the prevention of prostate cancer, require confirmation by other well-designed studies.'
Previous studies have suggested that diets rich in fruit in vegetables can cut the risk of the disease, which affects 35,000 British men a year.
Dr Helen Rippon, of the Prostate Cancer Charity, said: 'It has been known for a long time that a physically active lifestyle reduces your risk of heart disease, but it is becoming ever more apparent that it reduces the chances of developing other diseases too.
'This study recommends that men of all ages try to be active for a total of at least one hour each day.
'This doesn't mean you have to "go for the burn" at the gym every evening; walking or cycling will do perfectly well.'
Earlier this week it emerged that Andrew Lloyd Webber had his prostate removed after being diagnosed with the early stages of the disease.
Source: dailymail.co.uk
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Prevent breast cancer by getting yourself checked regularly
KANPUR :Every year, the month of October is being observed as the 'Breast Cancer Awareness Month'. Unlike the past, this year also the month
ended on a low note in the city. The hospitals registered only a few women who took an initiative to come forwarded and to get themselves checked. However, it remained a cause of concern for the doctors, whether it was the the shyness in discussing the topic or lack of awareness that prohibited them.
"Early diagnosis can help prevent breast cancer in females and during the month we only tried to create an awareness on how the deadly disease can be avoided," said Dr AK Dixit, professor of JK Cancer Institute, associated hospital of Ganesh Shanker Vidyarthi Memorial (GSVM) medical college. "Finding out that you have breast cancer causes a range of feeling-- from sadness and fear to anger and despair. Normally, these emotions make it hard for the sufferer to move ahead. At this time, there is a requirement to see a doctor and to get proper treatment, as required. However, this is not being implemented by most of the women. Shyness is keeping them back," he explained.
Informing that around 20-25 out of 1,000 women in India were prone to breast cancer, Dixit mentioned that there were many abnormal cells in the body and breast were no different. "They too have abnormal cells which grow and form a mass called as malignant tumour. The lump formed is different from the rest of the breast tissues. More than 50 per cent of the confirmed cases are identified when a women feels a lump. Apart from this, the other notable changes is the change in breast size or shape, pain and sometimes discharge from the nipples. However, pain in the breast cannot be true test for the cancer."
According to MP Mishra, director of the Cancer Institute: "Changing lifestyle has attributed to the rise in cancer. High fat diet, trend of alcohol consumption in women and obesity have led to an increase in the breast cancer cases. There are other factors like age, level of hormones and radiations. Risks are even higher if any of the close family members have cancer. Also women who are physically inactive throughout their life have an increased risk. Being active may help them."
"A female having breast cancer in one breast has an increased risk of getting cancer in the other breast as well. Sometimes unexplained weight loss, fever, chill, bone or joint pains are also symptoms, but these are nonspecific and can also be symptoms of some other disease. So, it must not be confused," he informed.
About treatment, Rajesh Agarwal, associate professor of Cancer Institute, informed that cancer was curable and it was not always necessary to remove the breast. Most women who have breast cancer undergo surgery to remove the cancer. The tumour or the lump is removed through operation. After surgery, the patient is treated with radiation therapy to destroy cancer cells. There are also chances of getting chemotherapy or hormone therapy. Radiation, chemotherapy or hormone therapy can also be done before surgery to help shrink the cancer.
However, the treatment depends upon the stage of the cancer, he said. "A breast conserving surgery or lumpectomy is done to remove the cancer from the breast. In this, radiation is continued for several weeks after surgery. While mastectomy (surgery to remove the breast) is also being done, depending upon the stage of the cancer."
Trying to clear the misconception that breast cancer means that the breast is removed, he said: "It is not necessary to remove the breast. A small incision can also be done and, through latest techniques, the incision might not be visible. Therefore, women should discard their false belief and should come forward if they trace symptoms by self-examination."
Further discussing the role of female hormones, Dr Dixit said: "At the time of menstrual cycle, the level of estrogen is high. The higher the estrogen level, more are the chances of breast cancer. Medicines which increase the level of hormones after menopause should be avoided. Breast feeding also lessens the risk. One should also strive for a healthy weight. Extra fat cells make extra estrogen which raises the chances of cancer. Even a full-term pregnancy before the age of 30 should be given preference."
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
ended on a low note in the city. The hospitals registered only a few women who took an initiative to come forwarded and to get themselves checked. However, it remained a cause of concern for the doctors, whether it was the the shyness in discussing the topic or lack of awareness that prohibited them.
"Early diagnosis can help prevent breast cancer in females and during the month we only tried to create an awareness on how the deadly disease can be avoided," said Dr AK Dixit, professor of JK Cancer Institute, associated hospital of Ganesh Shanker Vidyarthi Memorial (GSVM) medical college. "Finding out that you have breast cancer causes a range of feeling-- from sadness and fear to anger and despair. Normally, these emotions make it hard for the sufferer to move ahead. At this time, there is a requirement to see a doctor and to get proper treatment, as required. However, this is not being implemented by most of the women. Shyness is keeping them back," he explained.
Informing that around 20-25 out of 1,000 women in India were prone to breast cancer, Dixit mentioned that there were many abnormal cells in the body and breast were no different. "They too have abnormal cells which grow and form a mass called as malignant tumour. The lump formed is different from the rest of the breast tissues. More than 50 per cent of the confirmed cases are identified when a women feels a lump. Apart from this, the other notable changes is the change in breast size or shape, pain and sometimes discharge from the nipples. However, pain in the breast cannot be true test for the cancer."
According to MP Mishra, director of the Cancer Institute: "Changing lifestyle has attributed to the rise in cancer. High fat diet, trend of alcohol consumption in women and obesity have led to an increase in the breast cancer cases. There are other factors like age, level of hormones and radiations. Risks are even higher if any of the close family members have cancer. Also women who are physically inactive throughout their life have an increased risk. Being active may help them."
"A female having breast cancer in one breast has an increased risk of getting cancer in the other breast as well. Sometimes unexplained weight loss, fever, chill, bone or joint pains are also symptoms, but these are nonspecific and can also be symptoms of some other disease. So, it must not be confused," he informed.
About treatment, Rajesh Agarwal, associate professor of Cancer Institute, informed that cancer was curable and it was not always necessary to remove the breast. Most women who have breast cancer undergo surgery to remove the cancer. The tumour or the lump is removed through operation. After surgery, the patient is treated with radiation therapy to destroy cancer cells. There are also chances of getting chemotherapy or hormone therapy. Radiation, chemotherapy or hormone therapy can also be done before surgery to help shrink the cancer.
However, the treatment depends upon the stage of the cancer, he said. "A breast conserving surgery or lumpectomy is done to remove the cancer from the breast. In this, radiation is continued for several weeks after surgery. While mastectomy (surgery to remove the breast) is also being done, depending upon the stage of the cancer."
Trying to clear the misconception that breast cancer means that the breast is removed, he said: "It is not necessary to remove the breast. A small incision can also be done and, through latest techniques, the incision might not be visible. Therefore, women should discard their false belief and should come forward if they trace symptoms by self-examination."
Further discussing the role of female hormones, Dr Dixit said: "At the time of menstrual cycle, the level of estrogen is high. The higher the estrogen level, more are the chances of breast cancer. Medicines which increase the level of hormones after menopause should be avoided. Breast feeding also lessens the risk. One should also strive for a healthy weight. Extra fat cells make extra estrogen which raises the chances of cancer. Even a full-term pregnancy before the age of 30 should be given preference."
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Not a woman’s disease
A RECENT Fit4Life article on breast cancer in men (My breast tumours, Health at Large, Oct 11) caught my interest – and, I’m sure, the interest of many others who think that it only affects women.
I wish to share the story of male breast cancer survivor Peter Criss, formerly of the band Kiss.
I first heard the rock ‘n’ roll drummer’s story through the Kiss Army Facebook alerts. Recently, CNN broadcast an interview with him on the subject (kissarmynews.blogspot.com/2009/10/peter-criss-talks-breast-cancer.html).
Criss discovered a lump in his left nipple in December 2007. In a Reuters article featured during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the United States, Criss said men needed to get over their perception that breast cancer is a woman’s disease.
“It can happen to you, and when it does, if you don’t deal with it right away, with your ‘dude’ and your metal and your tattoos, you’ll go in the box and we’ll see you.”
True. Here’s a reminder for “macho men” out there: You’re not invincible, and breast cancer isn’t just a chick thing.
Source: thestar.com.my
I wish to share the story of male breast cancer survivor Peter Criss, formerly of the band Kiss.
I first heard the rock ‘n’ roll drummer’s story through the Kiss Army Facebook alerts. Recently, CNN broadcast an interview with him on the subject (kissarmynews.blogspot.com/2009/10/peter-criss-talks-breast-cancer.html).
Criss discovered a lump in his left nipple in December 2007. In a Reuters article featured during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the United States, Criss said men needed to get over their perception that breast cancer is a woman’s disease.
“It can happen to you, and when it does, if you don’t deal with it right away, with your ‘dude’ and your metal and your tattoos, you’ll go in the box and we’ll see you.”
True. Here’s a reminder for “macho men” out there: You’re not invincible, and breast cancer isn’t just a chick thing.
Source: thestar.com.my
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