| – are we prepared? (part 2)By Dr Carl NiamataliDieting is a key factor in controlling obesity. Portion size and wise choices of food are very important together with exercise is the cornerstone to prevent and reduce obesity.Whole grains, nuts, fruits and vegetables with small amounts of lean white meat,Cheap NFL Football Jerseys, more cold water fish high in omega acid and good quality oils, such as olive or canola are all very healthy. Some foods that should be avoided are red and processed meats and margarine, with the latter containing hydrogenated and trans- fats.A Mediterranean type diet is the best,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, with a plate of colourful vegetables rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals can reduce the risk of heart disease,Stitched Jerseys, diabetes and cancer. Avoid charred and grilled BBQ food which may contain toxic chemicals produced in the cooking process.SUNLIGHT Exposure to excessive ultraviolet light significantly increases the risk of certain types of skin cancer, squamous cell cancer and basal cell carcinoma, which is the most common skin cancer and the highly malignant melanoma. People who have a fair or light complexion have a higher risk of skin cancer. Exposure to sunlight from 9am to 4pm is the danger period. Adequate nontransparent clothes and sunblock with SPF 30, and UVA protection using hats and parasols are all helpful.Children and teens are at higher risk and in their annual checkup, their skin should be examined for moles which have grown in size, have irregular margins,Wholesale NHL Jerseys 2020, change in colour and have a diameter of greater than 6 mm.Ulcers and bleeding represent more advanced lesions. Sunburn and tanning beds should be avoided. All suspicious lesions should be biopsied. People with a dark complexion brown also run a risk of skin cancer, especially malignant melanoma which occurs more commonly in people of colour, on the palms, soles of the feet and on the mucosal surface of the oral cavity and rarely in the eye.INFECTIONSViral infections are a major risk factor for certain cancers. HIV is the most well known virus. Certain cancers such as Non Hodgkin-Lymphomas, Kaposi sarcoma, and invasive cervical cancer are recognised as AIDS defining cancers, i.e. has a high association with AIDS. These cancers should be included as part of the screening and management of HIV –AIDS.Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) types 16, 18, 31, 33 and 35 are associated major risk factor for cervical cancer, which is the most common cancer found in women in LMIC. Infection with these viruses and immune suppression facilitates cervical cancer, which,Air Max Scontate Donne, if diagnosed late,Asics Kayano 23 Homme, can result in increased morbidity, suffering and poor quality life and death, despite treatment.HPV increases the risk of vaginal and anal cancer in women. Men too are at increased risk for penile and anal cancer as a result of HPV. Both men and women are at increased risk of head and neck cancers with HPV infection caused by oral sex and associated with an increased risk with alcohol and smoking.Women with an increased risk of cervical infection are those who engage in unprotected sexual intercourse at an early age, had multiple sex partners, and sexually transmitted infections. Regular Pap smears can detect cervical cancer early and, if treated, there is a high chance of cure.THE SOLUTION TO PREVENT HIV AND OTHER SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED VIRUSES IS SIMPLE:SAFE SEX OR NO SEX ………………YOUR CHOICE …… YOUR LIFEAll of these cancers can be caused by exposure to the HPV, which is passed on by unsafe and unprotected sex. There is, a vaccine now available Giardasil – MERCK which can prevent cervical cancers if given to young girls before they are sexually active. This is a major advance in preventing this cancer which is so common in women in LMIC where access to screening and treatment may not be as readily available.HIV, HTLV-1, HPV, and Hepatitis B and C are all caused by sexually transmitted viruses, and all can lead to different cancers. HTLV-1 can give rise to an aggressive type of lymphoma which has a very high mortality even with treatment and is especially common among people of African descent from the Caribbean, a certain part of central Brazil and northern Japan.Hepatitis B and C can cause cancer of the liver. With advanced liver cancer, although treatment is available, there is a high mortality. Fortunately, there is a vaccine for Hepatitis B and everyone should be vaccinated to prevent this type of liver infection and cancer. In Guyana this is one of many free vaccines made available by the Government of Guyana and other Caribbean countries.All Blood is now screened for Hepatitis B, C, HTLV1, and HIV1-2 before transfused. With all the funds spent on the HIV–AIDS programme, it is regrettable that the opportunity is missed to educate the public that there are several other sexually transmitted viruses which can cause cancer.One may argue that if we did, we would be getting more bangs for the bucks spent.Every HIV-AIDS patient should be screened for Hepatitis B and C, HTLV-1 and HPV infection using HPV genetic screening for viral types 16,18,31,45, according to a recent published study is more accurate and expensive but may be superior to conventional pap smear. However, the pap smear is a very good and reliable screening test to detect early cervical cancer.Helicobacter Pylori HP is a bacterial infection in the stomach that is quite prevalent in LMIC which can cause stomach cancer, there is a blood test which can detect this infection, and triple combination medications can clear this infection.A liver fluke infection picked up by swimming in infected water in certain countries can also cause liver and bladder cancer. (to be continued) |
