Facts

• Approximately 83% of liver cancer cases are diagnosed in developing regions of the world.
• 1 year survival rate of patients with liver cancer is 44% while the 5-year survival rate is 17%.
• 1 in 105 men and 1 in 195 women will present liver cancer during their lifetime.

The first step towards finding the right care for liver cancer is to have a better understanding of the disease. Liver cancer awareness month is observed to spread awareness among the general population and a bright emerald-green color ribbon is used to imply this objective.

Liver is the second most important organ in our body, weighing about three pound and located under the rib cage on the right side. It plays a major role in metabolism, hormone production, plasma protein synthesis, glycogen storage, bile secretion and detoxification. Liver cancer or hepatic cancer begins with the tissue of the liver and is the sixth most common cancer in the world.

Risk factors

• Chronic hepatic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV)
• Cirrhosis
• Aflatoxins
• Alcohol consumption
• Male gender
• Family history
• Old age

Types

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of primary liver cancer accounting of almost 75% of all liver cancer cases. Some other types of liver cancer are bile duct cancer, angiosarcoma, fibrolamellar carcinoma, hepatoblastoma etc. There is even a secondary type of liver cancer (liver metastasis) which develops when another primary cancer spreads to the liver (most commonly from colorectal cancer).

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms are not very specific and may include the following

Diagnosis

Treatment

Treatment generally depends on the number, size and location of the tumor. Also, the metastatic spread and the overall hepatic functionality determines the treatment course.

Liver transplantation, tumor ablation, embolization, targeted therapy, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are the current treatment options for liver cancer patients.

Prevention

The American Cancer Society mentions that reducing exposure to known risk factors can prevent some incidences of liver cancer cases. Some of the listed measures are:

• Proper vaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV)
• Treatment of hepatitis infection
• Maintaining a healthy body weight
• Limiting tobacco use and alcohol consumption
• Avoiding exposure to cancer-causing chemicals
• Treatment of diseases like cirrhosis, which increase the  risk of liver cancer

Liver cancer is the second most common cause of death due to cancer, and in 2012 it was estimated to be responsible for nearly 746,000 cancer related deaths worldwide. People having some form of liver disease, are infected with HBV or HCV, and don’t even know it. Turacoz Healthcare Solutions supports the cause of Liver Cancer Awareness Month and urges everybody to become more conscious about their liver health and get screened for liver infections. Our accelerated efforts can help in preventing and treating liver cancer.

“Love Your Bones and Protect Your Future”

World Osteoporosis Day is observed every year on October 20, with a year-long campaign to raise global awareness on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and metabolic bone diseases. Organized by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) every year, the campaign aims to promote awareness about the disease and its associated risk factors. It encourages high-risk individuals to become proactive about their own bone health and advocate for a worldwide preventive care.

Osteoporosis: The Disease

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by decreased bone mass and deterioration of the bone tissue, leading to an increased risk of fracture. It causes a net loss of bone strength; as a result, even a slight bump or fall can lead to a broken bone (referred to as a fragility fracture). Osteoporosis affects all bones in the body; however, fractures occur most frequently in the vertebrae (spine), wrist, and hip. Osteoporotic fractures may also occur in the pelvis, upper arm and lower leg. Osteoporosis itself is not painful but the broken bones can result in severe pain,major physical disability and sometimes, complete immobility.

Signs and Symptoms

• Bone pain or tenderness
• Fractures with minimum or no trauma
• Loss of height with time and age
• Neck or lower back pain
• Stooped posture

Risk Factors

Treatment Options for Osteoporosis

Goals of osteoporosis treatment includes pain management, stopping or slowing down bone loss, preventing bone fractures, and minimizing the risk of falls.

Treatment

Preventive Measures

Proper nutrition with regular weight-bearing and resistance exercises are very crucial in protecting bone and muscle health, irrespective of age. Every individual must proactively try to identify their personal risk factors and seek early diagnosis and treatment. Lifestyle modification and medical assistance together could significantly reduce the likelihood for future fractures in osteoporotic patients and give them a better quality of life.

Food for Healthy Bones

It’s very important to include adequate daily amounts of calcium, vitamin D, phosphorus, and magnesium for good bone health. These vitamins and minerals are the most important in building bones and teeth. Examples include:

• ¾ Dairy products (low-fat milk, yogurt and cheese)
• ¾ Fish
• ¾ Green vegetables
• ¾ Fruits
• ¾ Fortified foods (soy milk, rice milk, breakfast cereals, and breads)

Dietary supplements of calcium and vitamin D might be needed,if our diet does not provide us with the required minimum dose.

Though our genes are responsible for our skeletal properties like body height and bone strength, we can positively influence our bone health by incorporating certain lifestyle changes (diet and exercise) and becoming actively involved in monitoring the early signs of osteoporosis.

So much we ignore our bone health and intake of nutritious diet,that we forget that deficiency of calcium and vitamin D may lead to osteoporosis and serious fractures. The disease osteoporosis is not gender-specific; both men and women are affected by its painful consequences. Turacoz Healthcare Solutions supports the cause of healthy bones and tells you about the osteoporosis. So, learn to love your bones and protect your future. On World Osteoporosis Day, let’s join in to know more about your bone health.Include healthy food in your diet and say cheers to the healthy bones!

October is the “Breast Cancer Awareness Month”. Breast cancer is the second most common cause of death due to cancer in women, after lung cancer. Lately, there has been an increase in the incidence of breast cancer in the developing world, owing to increase in life expectancy, urbanization and adoption of western lifestyle.

Some Statistical Facts about Breast Cancer

According to the World Health Organization (WHO),

• Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, both in the developed and the less developed countries
• Over 508, 000 women died due to breast cancerin 2011
• 58% of breast cancer deaths occur in less developed countries
• Incidence rates are quite high in non-Hispanic white women
• Asian/Pacific Islander women have the lowest incidence and death rates due to breast cancer

Symptoms of Breast Cancer

There are no specific symptoms when the tumor is small. Therefore, it is very important for women to follow recommended screening guidelines for detecting breast cancer at an early stage. When breast cancer has grown to a large size, it can be felt as a painless lump.Breast cancer can spread to underarm lymph nodes and cause a lump or swelling. Less common signs and symptoms include:

• Breast pain or heaviness
• Persistent changes to the breast, such as swelling, thickening, or redness of the breast’s skin
• Abnormal discharge from nipple

Prevention of Breast Cancer

The American Cancer Society has recommended guidelines for Nutrition and Physical Activity for Cancer Prevention. They can be enlisted as:

• Achieve and maintain a healthy weight throughout life.
  • Be fit throughout life without being underweight.
  • Avoid excess weight gain at all ages.
  • Do regular physical activity and limit the intake of high-calorie foods and drinks.
• Adopt a physically active lifestyle.
  • Adults should doat least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity each week.
  • Children and adolescents should performat least 1 hour of moderate- or vigorous activity each day.
  • Limit the sedentary behavior such as sitting, lying down, watching television, and other forms of screen-based entertainment.
• Follow a healthy diet, with an emphasis on plant foods.
  • Choose foods and beverages in amounts that help achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
  • Reduce the consumption of processed meat and red meat.
  • Eat at least 2½ cups of vegetables and fruits each day.
  • Choose whole grains over refined-grain products.
• Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages.
  • Limit to no more than 1 drink (per day) for women or 2 (per day) for men.

Approximately,eight out of ten women develop malignant lumps in the breast. Therefore, don’t underestimate the importance of a monthly breast self-exam. Breast cancer can be fatal at any age. Women should therefore undergo proper counseling and screening for early detection. Turacoz Healthcare Solutions (THS) aims to raise awareness about the breast cancer. We, as a medical writing company in Delhi, consider it our corporate responsibility to share the healthcare measures for prevention of breast cancer.