Cancer Center at Wise Regional

Recent vital discoveries have been made in colon cancer research. Scientists have discovered a link between retinoic acid (RA) and the Wingless-related integration site (WNT) signaling pathways, vital for tumors to grow. Abnormality in WNT signaling has been associated with the development of many cancers and is possibly a contributing factor in drug resistance and the reoccurrence of tumors. Dysregulation of RA and WNT signaling is vital to the development of colorectal cancer by scientists at the Cawley Center for Translational Cancer Research at the Graham Cancer Center.  The APC tumor suppressor gene regulates the renewal of stem cells and their numbers. Therefore, mutations or malfunctions in this or other normal genes lead to the development of tumors. Previous research had revealed that the RA signaling pathway spurred the maturation and differentiation of the colon stem cells. A more recent study linked the malformation and excessive growth of colon stem cells to de...

Involuntary weight loss is evident in most cancer patients. Unfortunately, cancer treatment and symptoms lead to weight loss . Also, nausea, difficulty in swallowing due to radiation therapy, mouth sores because of chemotherapy, and growing tumors all lead to involuntary weight loss.   Involuntary weight loss is common in pancreatic cancers, gastrointestinal cancers, and advanced cancers.   Low-Calorie Intake   The body releases tumor necrosis factor (TNF), which leads to a decline in appetite in cancer patients. Cancer patients have trouble swallowing, and the food develops a metallic taste. Therefore, they do not eat as well, and this affects their weight.   The body uses lots of energy to fight cancer. Considering that the patient doesn’t eat well and uses massive energy to fight the disease, it explains the involuntary weight loss. The high metabolism, pain, and low food intake contribute to unintended weight loss.   Also, patients experience anxie...

The fear of your breast cancer recurring after treatment can impact yours and your loved ones' quality of life. Breakthroughs in breast cancer screening, early diagnosis, and treatment have helped to increase patient survival rates across the world. But still, survivors continue to worry about their disease recurrence. An interdisciplinary team of researchers are examining how the fear of breast cancer recurrence can affect the overall well-being and relationships between patients and their loved ones. The research focuses on three health behaviors influenced by breast cancer recurrence fears and how they can also protect the patient from any future recurrence. The behaviors include quality sleep, physical activity, and taking of therapeutic hormonal medicines. The team is also going to study the sleep quality and physical activity of the patient’s spouse since they are also affected when their loved ones have cancer. According to one of the researchers, the fea...

A study has observed that many young people born in the 1990s are developing colorectal cancer at alarming rates. Furthermore, millennials are likely to develop the disease twice as much compared to the young adults born in the 1950s. As for older generations, it was found that colorectal cancer incidents have dropped tremendously.   The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations state that people to start screening for colorectal cancer at age 50. But with the new developments, this could change soon. What could really be the reason behind the increasing risks in millennials? Some oncologists attribute it to the rising cultural and lifestyle shifts that have taken place during the last century. Before, people had an active and healthy lifestyle. A diet full of freshly prepared foods from the farm. Today there is less activity and a more health-threatening sedentary lifestyle that leads to obesity in the younger generation. The rates of obesity keep increa...

Chemotherapy comes with side effects, mostly bad. But there are ways you can reduce this side effects with these helpful tips. 1. Listen to your body Your body before and after chemotherapy is different. You may experience the following symptoms after chemotherapy : • Nausea and vomiting • Fatigue • Hair loss • Skin changes, such as dryness or swelling • Loss of appetite • Weakened immune system The best treatment can be prescribed if you know exactly what you want to cure. 2. Slow Exercise I know this is a lot given that you have just come from chemo, but walking or swimming are great ways to curb such symptoms. Swimming especially relaxes the body and you sleep better. Just wading in water is enough. 3. Medication Medications can be prescribed to you to help you manage these symptoms better, especially nausea and vomiting. Although, avoid taking many at once as they may worsen your symptoms and general mood. 4. Stay Away from The Sun After chemo, y...

New data from the National Cancer Institute shows that colorectal cancer cases are getting more prevalent in young adults today . Experts think it’s due to the modern sugary diet, sedentary lifestyles or gut microbiome changes. But these are just speculations. The causes of this rise are not clear yet. Digestive issues, feeling bloated, low energy levels, rectal bleeding, feeling nauseous and much more are all symptoms of colorectal cancer. According to statistics, more young adults are affected by rectal cancer than colon cancer. Rectal cancer requires complex treatment compared to colon cancer. Factors Contributing to the Rise ·          A few cases of colorectal cancer are caused by hereditary factors such as Lynch Syndrome, family history, sedentary lifestyles and gut microbiome changes. ·          General factors for colorectal cancer among young adults include heavy alcohol consumpti...

Experts from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute carried out research to show how low-intensity exercises affect survivability among cancer patients. Published in the Journal of Oncology, the study shows that even low-intensity exercises like walking for at least four hours a week could lead to almost 20% reduction in the progression of cancer or death. Metastatic colorectal cancer patients who exercised moderately  while on going through chemotherapy had a delayed progression of the cancer. The treatment side effects were also less severe in such patients. About the Study ·           The study showed that physically active patients had better tolerance towards chemotherapy. ·           At least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity daily was associated with 27% decline in severe toxicities related to treatment. ·           Previou...

Lung cancer is the fastest killing cancer disease. Cancer screening is essential for patients who are 55 to 74 years of age and who did not quit smoking 15 years ago. Continuous testing among patients has many morbidity benefits. Over 15,000 patients enrolled in the NELSON trial. Half of the patients received CT screening while the other half did not receive the scan. Ten years down the trial, results showed that screening reduced lung cancer mortality by 26% and the risk of diagnosis with lung cancer was reduced by 39% to 61% during the years of follow up. What you need to know about lung cancer screening : ·          Primary considerations for screening - Patients of ages of 55 to 74 who have smoked at least a pack of cigarette each day for 30 years are eligible for cancer standard procedures and screening.   Your primary care doctor can recommend you for cancer screening, but if the patient is severely ill, screening is postpon...

Breast cancer continues to affect an increasing number of women , with about one in eight American women encountering it some time in their lives. It leaves its victims battling for life and having to redefine themselves and their femininity, often causing a huge blow to their self esteem as well. Like with every disease, the best approach is prevention. With breast cancer, prevention entails making lifestyle adjustments. These include: ·          Regular exercise Exercise has been proven to reduce the risk of breast cancer especially in women past menopause. Any exercise that raises your heart rate and makes you breathe faster for about half an hour a day, at least four to five times a week. Regular exercise helps keep weight in check and this is important since obesity is a risk factor for breast cancer. ·          Healthy eating A balanced diet is important because the nutrients in heal...

Breast cancer is among the common diseases that affect women’s health. Studies reveal that breast cancer affects about one in eight women in the U.S. The good news is women have an opportunity to prevent this disease. Lifestyle changes are the most effective way for women to reduce the breast cancer risk . 1. Feed on a healthy diet Women ought to maintain a balanced and healthy diet, which includes fruits, whole grains, vegetables as well as lean proteins. Vegetables and fruits have phytochemicals that protect cells against damage that may cause cancer. On the other hand, while grains can help to reduce inflammation, which may destroy healthy tissues and cells or weaken the immune system. A healthy diet is also a good source of energy for staying active. 2. Exercise often Exercising has been proved to lower breast cancer among postmenopausal women. It’s recommended you exercise for 30 minutes minimum a day and repeat it four or five times a week. The exercise may i...

Colon cancer starts in the last portion of the digestive tract , known as the colon. It usually occurs in older adults but can occur at any age. Colon cancer, sometimes referred to as colorectal cancer, is the third most commo n cancer in both men and women in the United States, excluding skin cancers. Colon cancer begins with small noncancerous cell clumps, known as polyps, in the colon. Some polyps can become cancerous with time. Polyps cause very few and unrecognizable symptoms, if at all. Some of the symptoms and risk factors include: ·          Blood in the stool, persistent changes in bowel consistency including constipation or diarrhea, fatigue or weakness, persistent abdominal discomfort, inexplicable weight loss, and feeling like the bowel doesn’t completely empty. Many of these symptoms will appear later and will most likely be varied depending on the size of the cancer and where it is located in the large intestine. · ...

Breast cancer continues to affect many women but treatment has also improved, providing better outcomes. Chemotherapy destroys any remaining cancer cells and usually comes in after surgery, known as adjuvant chemotherapy, to reduce the risk of recurrence. Treatment seems like the most logical approach to any kind of cancer but is it always required? Can some cases do without it and still be okay? A recent research trial tried to figure out whether it was possible for some breast cancer cases to improve without any intervention. The trial dubbed Trial Assigning Individualized Options for Treatment (TAILORx) involved over 10,200 women with breast cancer in its early stages over more than ten years. The findings were as follows: • Women with HER2-negative, hormone receptor-positive, axillary node-negative early-stage breast cancer may not require chemotherapy. This type of breast cancer is the most common meaning many women will be affected. • Results showed that adjuvant hormon...

The number of smokers has reduced in the United States but people who have never smoked are increasingly developing lung cancer. This may be puzzling because smoking tobacco has been identified as the top factor predisposing people to lung cancer. Statistics show that one out of five people diagnosed with lung cancer have never smoked. Lung cancer can be caused by environmental factors including exposure to cancer-causing items such as asbestos, radon gas trapped inside a room or air pollution. There is, however, no specific cause that ‘never smokers’ can pinpoint. It is important to note that people that have never smoked usually get a particular type of non-small cell lung cancer known as adenocarcinoma. More useful information about this disease includes: There are studies that suggest that non-smokers have a better overall survival and especially if the lung cancer is caught early. Symptoms may present but may be misdiagnosed as a respiratory infection or allergies since a...

Metastatic cancer is caused by cells that have breached their containment in the affected organ and spread to other body parts through the blood vessels or the lymph nodes. Metastatic cancer can spread to organs such as the liver, lung, brain or bones. High grade cancer is the most aggressive of all cancers because of its rapid spreading. Here are some of the facts about metastatic cancer: In metastatic cancer, the cancer cells usually break away from their original location and travel through the bloodstream and lymph nodes to create new metastatic tumors in other body parts. It’s not easy to self-diagnose metastatic cancer, but the disease presents certain symptoms that can help physicians to recognize the disease. Its symptoms are based on the location and size of the metastatic tumor. Recovery from metastatic cancer may not be possible for all patients. With better treatments available, doctors try to treat the disease even if it's not curable. Instead, doctors can imp...

A recent study shows that individuals with many cases of a skin cancer type, face a high risk of developing other cancers.  Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer , and there are many types, with the most common being the basal cell carcinoma. Millions of diagnoses are carried out every year in the United States. Ultra violet light constantly bombards our skin, which damages DNA and may ultimately lead to cancer. The cells contain proteins that repair this damage. Compared to other cancer types, it’s important to catch skin cancer at an early stage. A new study at Stanford University School of Medicine in CA shows that basal cell carcinoma can help doctors tell who faces a higher risk of developing other cancer types: The researchers followed 61 persons who’d experienced a high number of basal cell carcinoma and were treated at Stanford Health Care. On average, the participants had 11 incidences within 10 years. The scientists found that approximately 20...

Both radiation therapy and radiology are essential components of most cancer treatments and diagnoses. The similarity in names can get a patient confused by what each one means or does for them. Cancer care requires a multidisciplinary system with various procedures to address the unique needs of each patient. Radiation therapy and radiology use distinct technologies and techniques to serve different purposes in cancer care as explained below: • Radiology – In cancer care, radiology is a procedure that utilizes medical imaging to diagnose and treat various forms of cancer. One or more imaging tests can be performed on a patient to identify the precise location of the cancer cells or confirm a cancer diagnosis and determine the appropriate treatment plan. Radiologic technologists or radiologists are experts who conduct radiology tests, read and interpret the results. Interventional radiologists can diagnose and treat cancer using minimally invasive procedures such as image-guid...

It is essential to find the best doctor and treatment facility if you’ve been diagnosed with cancer. This is an important step that will help you receive the best treatment there is. Choosing a doctor for your cancer care requires a lot of consideration and deliberation. You have to be comfortable with the specialist you select because that is the person you’ll be working closely with to make important decisions about your cancer treatment. Cancer treatment requires specialist care . Therefore, when choosing a doctor for your cancer care, you have to know that the physician is qualified, licensed, board certified and experienced in treating your specific type of cancer. Once you confirm that they meet these requirements, you can then arrange for a meeting to get to know your doctor. Here’s how to find a doctor who specializes in cancer care: • Ask your primary care doctor – Your primary care doctor is in a better position to suggest one of the best cancer care doctors they kno...

After receiving your diagnosis for breast cancer, you’ll be referred to breast cancer specialists to treat your disease . Depending on your treatment plan and option, you may be required to choose a breast cancer surgeon as part of a medical team. Your preferred surgeon should be able to give you outstanding surgical treatment. It's essential that you vet your potential surgeons for experience and expertise before selecting the one who'll treat you. After receiving a diagnosis of breast cancer diagnosis learn all the details of your specific type and stage of breast cancer to help you select the right medical team for your treatments. When looking for the best breast cancer surgeon, there are certain qualities you should focus on. Here's how to find the best breast cancer surgeon in North Texas: • Check the American Society of Breast Surgeons membership directory and analyze the listed breast surgeons and their credentials. • Get referrals from people who work in...

Colorectal cancer is a common type of cancer across the world . However, it has been determined that incidences of this disease are low in India due to high intake of fiber and a balanced amount of fat, carbs, and proteins. The influence of western culture has led many people to consume junk food. Many people are prone to colon cancer risks due to lack of healthy diets. Colon cancer risks include smoking, diet, obesity, age, family history, alcohol consumption, lack of exercise, racial background, having type 2 diabetes, and more. However, one can reduce the risks of colorectal cancer with the following tips: • Regular screening – Regular screening, especially for people at a high risk of the disease, helps to detect the cancer early enough to have it treated. Early detection allows for better prognosis as well as helping in averting the consequences before it spreads. • Consume more vitamin D and calcium – Foods rich in vitamin D and calcium can lower colorectal cancer risk...

When lung cancer is in its early stages, spotting its symptoms can be difficult. However, the undisputable signs of lung cancer include chest pain or coughing. And when you experience unexplained weight loss, don’t ignore it as it can be another symptom, experts warn. Lung cancer is among the most common cancer types in the United Kingdom. While the disease mainly affects individuals over 40 years old, those who are commonly diagnosed with it are people aged 70 to 74 years. The symptoms of lung cancer can be hard to spot in its initial stages , but as the illness develops, there are tell-tale signs. Which include unexplained weight loss. Loss of appetite can cause weight loss. Approximately 60 percent of patients have considerable weight loss during diagnosis. Medically, loss of appetite is referred to as anorexia. And the weakness resulting from malnutrition and ill health is referred to as cachexia. The cancer anorexia-cachexia syndrome can cause more complications to those wi...