The fact that dogs have a unique flair was always known, but the fact that these animals are able to detect the presence of cancer cells in an organism of its host, surprised even the researchers themselves.
Scientists have long suspected that the cancer may produce a specific odor, which is unavailable to the human nose, in contrast to the dog. However, more guesswork is not passed. Now, this fact was confirmed by the results of research conducted in a British hospital, in Buckinghamshire.
As early as 1989 in the medical journal "The Lancet" has an article which tells about a woman turning to surgeons with a request to remove a birthmark from her feet. A woman complained that her dog is constantly trying to lick or bite it. The analysis showed that the mole was a mortal danger to women - it was melanoma - a form of skin cancer. Fortunately, the diagnosis was on time, and the owner "smart" dogs have been saved.
There are stories of such unusual behavior of the dog owners, who had been ill with cancer of internal organs.
Caroline Willis, together with colleagues from the hospital Amershama decided to test the hypothesis that a dog really capable of "diagnose" cancer.
Researchers have tried a group of dogs trained to determine the urine of patients with bladder cancer from healthy individuals.
The course lasted seven months. The experiment involved six dogs of various breeds. At the end of the seventh month the dogs were able to diagnose in 22 cases out of 54. This ratio represents 41% of success, that is many times more than an accidental coincidence (approximately 14%).
During the experiment, was an unusual story. All dogs unanimously pointed to the urine sample of a patient who had no bladder cancer. Doctors decided to examine it more carefully. And indeed, after further analysis, it turned out that the patient was sick with kidney cancer.
According to scientists, the best "diagnostician" showed a spaniel.
"Dogs can detect the smell of cancer, which is very difficult to catch all of today's existing chemical methods", - said scientist.
Researchers hope to create a chemical "map" of cancer which, in future, will be used to create special equipment for the diagnosis of the disease.
The work of scientists was published in the British medical journal.
The next stage in the work of scientists will study the ability of dogs in the diagnosis of other types of cancer, including skin cancer and testicular cancer.
To learn about testicular cancer and how to examine yourself for testicular cancer visit our site: http://testicularcancersymptoms.org/
Showing posts with label diagnosis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label diagnosis. Show all posts
Monday, May 18, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Early Detection of Cancer Through Thermography
Breast cancer is the second most dangerous cancer that women are at risk for. Because of this, breast cancer prevention became one of the top priorities of health conscious women. They watch their daily diet, lifestyle practices, as well as avoid several cancer risk factors. These means of cancer prevention decrease the percentage of acquiring breast cancer but sometimes there are still a few loopholes that can manifest breast lumps and other symptoms of breast cancer.
Did you know that the earliest symptoms of breast cancer wont be appearing in about eight to ten years? Yes, it is sad to say that breast cancer has a long dormancy period. However, because of long enduring years of research for better breast cancer early detection, Thermography has been born. This is a promising new method to detect breast cancer early, even much better than mammography, according to experts.
Thermography, sometimes called thermal imaging, shows a heat map of your body. This heat map shows which part of your body, particularly your breasts, is emitting the most heat patterns. Even before breast lumps or tumors appear, the presence of possible cancer can be detected on the breast when it emanates abnormal heat pattern. The more heat you have on your breast, the more risk of cancer development. It has been said that cancer rapidly grows more veins in a particular area thus emitting more heat in the process.
However, you shouldnt always rely on the thermography mapping. You should pair this cancer detection with mammography as well because there had been some cases of wrong diagnosis. Some women who have more heat on their breasts didn't mean that they were always at risk of breast cancer and other women who didn't have the appearance of heat on their thermography test actually have cancer cells developing inside them. These are just samples of the wrong diagnosis of thermography tests. It may be caused by our differences in molecular structure or perhaps our differences in hormone production.
When we really want to be wary of breast cancer through early detection, it would be best to have two tests done at the same time, thermography and mammography, in order to ensure that we won't belong to the wrongly diagnosed women.
Did you know that the earliest symptoms of breast cancer wont be appearing in about eight to ten years? Yes, it is sad to say that breast cancer has a long dormancy period. However, because of long enduring years of research for better breast cancer early detection, Thermography has been born. This is a promising new method to detect breast cancer early, even much better than mammography, according to experts.
Thermography, sometimes called thermal imaging, shows a heat map of your body. This heat map shows which part of your body, particularly your breasts, is emitting the most heat patterns. Even before breast lumps or tumors appear, the presence of possible cancer can be detected on the breast when it emanates abnormal heat pattern. The more heat you have on your breast, the more risk of cancer development. It has been said that cancer rapidly grows more veins in a particular area thus emitting more heat in the process.
However, you shouldnt always rely on the thermography mapping. You should pair this cancer detection with mammography as well because there had been some cases of wrong diagnosis. Some women who have more heat on their breasts didn't mean that they were always at risk of breast cancer and other women who didn't have the appearance of heat on their thermography test actually have cancer cells developing inside them. These are just samples of the wrong diagnosis of thermography tests. It may be caused by our differences in molecular structure or perhaps our differences in hormone production.
When we really want to be wary of breast cancer through early detection, it would be best to have two tests done at the same time, thermography and mammography, in order to ensure that we won't belong to the wrongly diagnosed women.
About the Author:
If you have been diagnosed with cancer or have a reoccurring cancer visit us at www.thewordisHOPE.com and find the hope for healing. Make a leap of faith from Cancer victim to Cancer Survivor by reading the stories of Hope and Encouragement from simple people like you that fought and believed and recovered. If you are a cancer survivor, we need your story with all the details you are willing to provide.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
3 Popular Mesothelioma (Asbestos Cancer) Tests
Mesothelioma is one of the rarer forms of cancer with approximately 2000 cases reported in the UK each year. There are two types of mesothelioma; pleural mesothelioma (which causes the lining of the lungs to become thicker) and peritoneal mesothelioma (which causes the lining of the abdomen to become thicker). Both of these forms of cancer are almost always caused by asbestos exposure hence the nickname asbestos cancer. Despite it being one of the less common types of cancer there are still a number of tests out there which I will be outlining in this article.
1) X-RAY:- One of the first tests your doctor is likely to recommend is an x-ray of the chest, the abdomen or both. This will allow them to see a number of things. First, it may reveal the presence of asbestos in or around the lungs or the stomach. Secondly, it will reveal any build up of fluid either around the lungs (which could turn out to be pleural effusion) or around the abdomen (which could turn out to be ascites). Finally, it will allow your doctor to see any thickening, swelling, lumps or tumours around the lungs and abdomen which could turn out to be mesothelioma. If the x-ray does reveal any of the above abnormalities your doctor is likely to recommend further testing.
2) FINE NEEDLE ASPIRATION CYTOLOGY (FNAC):- If the x-ray reveals a build up of fluid in the lining of the lungs or the abdomen your doctor is likely to suggest FNAC. This test involves using a fine needle to take a sample of fluid from either the pleura (the lining of the lungs) or the peritoneum (the lining of the abdomen). The fluid can then be tested in a lab for the presence of cancerous mesothelioma cells. If the FNAC reveals that the fluid contains mesothelioma cells your doctor will be able to discuss treatment options with you.
3) BIOPSY:- If the x-ray reveals any abnormalities in the shape of the pleura or the peritoneum your doctor is likely to recommend a biopsy. This normally involves using a special type of needle to take a sample of cells from the affected areas. These cells can then be analysed in a lab for the presence of cancerous mesothelioma cells. If cancerous cells are discovered your doctor will then be able to talk you through the treatment options available.
Although mesothelioma is one of the rarest types of cancer that does not mean you should neglect the available tests. If you have previously been exposed to asbestos or have any reason to believe you may have contracted this type of cancer go speak with your doctor immediately. Mesothelioma is much more treatable when it is identified early and that can only be achieved through proper testing.
Whilst every intention has been made to make this article accurate and informative, it is intended for general information only. Mesothelioma is a very serious, life threatening condition and you should discuss any concerns, treatments or lifestyle changes fully with your doctor.
Tom Parker owns and operates a number of useful fitness resources and websites. You can learn more about mesothelioma by visiting http://blog.freefitnesstips.co.uk/mesothelioma-explained.html
1) X-RAY:- One of the first tests your doctor is likely to recommend is an x-ray of the chest, the abdomen or both. This will allow them to see a number of things. First, it may reveal the presence of asbestos in or around the lungs or the stomach. Secondly, it will reveal any build up of fluid either around the lungs (which could turn out to be pleural effusion) or around the abdomen (which could turn out to be ascites). Finally, it will allow your doctor to see any thickening, swelling, lumps or tumours around the lungs and abdomen which could turn out to be mesothelioma. If the x-ray does reveal any of the above abnormalities your doctor is likely to recommend further testing.
2) FINE NEEDLE ASPIRATION CYTOLOGY (FNAC):- If the x-ray reveals a build up of fluid in the lining of the lungs or the abdomen your doctor is likely to suggest FNAC. This test involves using a fine needle to take a sample of fluid from either the pleura (the lining of the lungs) or the peritoneum (the lining of the abdomen). The fluid can then be tested in a lab for the presence of cancerous mesothelioma cells. If the FNAC reveals that the fluid contains mesothelioma cells your doctor will be able to discuss treatment options with you.
3) BIOPSY:- If the x-ray reveals any abnormalities in the shape of the pleura or the peritoneum your doctor is likely to recommend a biopsy. This normally involves using a special type of needle to take a sample of cells from the affected areas. These cells can then be analysed in a lab for the presence of cancerous mesothelioma cells. If cancerous cells are discovered your doctor will then be able to talk you through the treatment options available.
Although mesothelioma is one of the rarest types of cancer that does not mean you should neglect the available tests. If you have previously been exposed to asbestos or have any reason to believe you may have contracted this type of cancer go speak with your doctor immediately. Mesothelioma is much more treatable when it is identified early and that can only be achieved through proper testing.
Whilst every intention has been made to make this article accurate and informative, it is intended for general information only. Mesothelioma is a very serious, life threatening condition and you should discuss any concerns, treatments or lifestyle changes fully with your doctor.
Tom Parker owns and operates a number of useful fitness resources and websites. You can learn more about mesothelioma by visiting http://blog.freefitnesstips.co.uk/mesothelioma-explained.html
Sunday, October 12, 2008
How To Prepare For the Colonoscopy Prep.
Colonoscopy, We may not know exactly what it is but we know we don't want one!
Many of the reasons your doctor will recommend a colonoscopy is because of persistent abdominal pain, blood in stool, changes in bowel habits or anyone over the age of 50.
50 is the age when the risk for colon problems increases. Due to this it is recommended to have a colonoscopy every 10 years after the age of 50. However, if your family has a history of cancer you may need to have more frequent exams before the age of 50.
For most procedures you will be given a sedative or pain killers. I want a pain killer for the anticipation of pain. Something to keep me from worrying about the procedure.
Asking a friend or relative to come with you is a smart thing to do and it required. You will not be allowed to drive after the procedure due to the sedatives you will receive.
The doctors that you may talk to are the Proctologist and the Gastroenterologist. A Gastroenterologist is a doctor of the gastrointestinal tract. The gastrointestinal tract is the study of the path food takes when it enters and leaves the body. A proctologist is a doctor of the rectum or anus.
One of the more difficult recommendations to follow is drinking enough water before, during and after the procedure. A large amount of water is needed by the body to clean the colon.
The colonoscopy prep included being on a liquid diet in the days before the colonoscopy. You may be able to drink plain coffee, plain tea, fat-free bouillon or broth, strained fruit juice or diet soda. No sugar or fat or food coloring is allowed.
One option available to some patients is a new pill. This pill helps prepare for the colonoscopy by cleaning the colon and reducing the days needed for colonoscopy prep. Only your doctor can determine if this method is right for you.
Let's hope that we can develop a pill that we can take that's like a Russian space station. Take the pill and it setup a command post and relays data about our colon the hospital. I don't have to leave my house. I can only hope.
Many of the reasons your doctor will recommend a colonoscopy is because of persistent abdominal pain, blood in stool, changes in bowel habits or anyone over the age of 50.
50 is the age when the risk for colon problems increases. Due to this it is recommended to have a colonoscopy every 10 years after the age of 50. However, if your family has a history of cancer you may need to have more frequent exams before the age of 50.
For most procedures you will be given a sedative or pain killers. I want a pain killer for the anticipation of pain. Something to keep me from worrying about the procedure.
Asking a friend or relative to come with you is a smart thing to do and it required. You will not be allowed to drive after the procedure due to the sedatives you will receive.
The doctors that you may talk to are the Proctologist and the Gastroenterologist. A Gastroenterologist is a doctor of the gastrointestinal tract. The gastrointestinal tract is the study of the path food takes when it enters and leaves the body. A proctologist is a doctor of the rectum or anus.
One of the more difficult recommendations to follow is drinking enough water before, during and after the procedure. A large amount of water is needed by the body to clean the colon.
The colonoscopy prep included being on a liquid diet in the days before the colonoscopy. You may be able to drink plain coffee, plain tea, fat-free bouillon or broth, strained fruit juice or diet soda. No sugar or fat or food coloring is allowed.
One option available to some patients is a new pill. This pill helps prepare for the colonoscopy by cleaning the colon and reducing the days needed for colonoscopy prep. Only your doctor can determine if this method is right for you.
Let's hope that we can develop a pill that we can take that's like a Russian space station. Take the pill and it setup a command post and relays data about our colon the hospital. I don't have to leave my house. I can only hope.
About the Author:
Colonoscopy Prep should be handled at our website on Colitis
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