Disease

Nearly 50% of cancers get diagnosed late: Study

A new study has found that nearly half of cancers are diagnosed only when the disease is at an advanced stage, meaning treatment is both more expensive and less likely to succeed.

Cancers, Cancer treatment, Cancer diagnosis, Cancer Research UK, disease

Cancer Research UK said that tens of thousands of patients could have their survival chances improved if doctors were able to catch cancer before it spreads around the body, adding that early detection would also save the NHS nearly 210 million pounds, the Independent reported.

Cancer Research UK’s chief executive Harpal Kumar said that their report “provides a compelling case for substantial investment in efforts to achieve earlier diagnosis” and not to invest in earlier diagnosis is to fail cancer patients.

He said that earlier diagnosis saves lives and it could save critical NHS funds. And in the face of an overstretched NHS and a projected growing number of cancers diagnosed in the years ahead, we need to do everything we can to ensure that all patients have access to the best treatment as early as possible.

Source: zee news

Lifestyle change, stress management can reduce Alzheimer’s risk

Change in lifestyle accompanied by proper stress management and indulgence in cognitive activities and socialising can help manage and reduce the risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease, experts said.

Lifestyle change, stress management can reduce Alzheimer's risk

Though Alzheimer’s is not curable, but lifestyle modifications like engaging in physical activity, eating the right diet and socialising can delay the onset of the disease, they said.

“Alzheimer’s though is not curable as yet, being involved in activities that keep the brain active is the best way to mitigate the risks associated with Alzheimer’s,” said Manjari Tripathi, professor of neurology at AIIMS.

Tripathi was speaking to reporters at a conference on “How to reduce risks of Alzheimer’s and the new innovations in its treatment”, organised by the Delhi chapter of the Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India (ARDSI). ARDSI in collaboration with the Netherlands embassy will Sep 19 host a discussion on Alzheimer’s and also release the World Alzheimer’s Report 2014.

She said physical activity, regular check-ups and abstaining from smoking and drinking were very important for every human to avoid Alzheimer’s. “It is important, as in the initial stages, the patients themselves do not realise that they are suffering from memory loss and very often consider it a minor problem,” she said.

According to scientific estimates published worldwide, a new case of Alzheimer’s arises every four seconds in the world, with the number of people with it set to double every 20 years. The studies also say that by 2040, over 82 million elderly people are expected to have Alzheimer’s if the current numbers hold and no preventive treatment become available.

Renu Vohra, member secretary of ARDSI’s Delhi chapter, said: “A brain-healthy diet is one that reduces the risk of heart disorders and keeps a check on diabetes. The intake of fish oils and folate reduces the dementia risk.” “Miling with friends and family members and having a large social network boost the emotional quotient. Stress clogs the mind and makes it virtually inactive, while the support system provides the healing and keeps one upbeat, at individual one should train the mind to stay calm and positive,” Vohra said.

Source: business standard

Leprosy the world’s oldest infectious disease?

lep

Researchers have found two leprosy-causing bacteria from a last common bacterial ancestor around 10 million years ago.

“Leprosy is a strict human disease that stretches back millions of years,” said Professor Han from University of Texas’ MD Anderson Cancer Centre.

He found that two leprosy-causing bacteria, including Mycobacterium leprae, were pinpointed to come from a last common bacterial ancestor around 10 million years ago – meaning that ancient humans suffered from the disease.

Human beings carried the leprosy bacteria when departing Africa around 100,000 years ago to populate the rest of the world, said the study.

“Tracing the ultimate origin of leprosy through the parasitic adaptive evolution of the leprosy bacteria is rather insightful – not only for this single disease but also for our better understanding of the mechanism behind other human infections,” explained Han.

Together with Francisco Silva, of the University of Valencia’s Evolutionary Genetics Unit, Han concluded that leprosy can be viewed as a natural consequence of a long parasitism.

The study was published in the journal PLOS Neglected

Source: Business standard