Acrylamide in Food: Is It a Concern?

Headlines about a possible carcinogen in common foods, such as potato chips and French fries, have people emptying out their pantries in concern. While the jury remains out on acrylamide and its link to cancer, there’s likely no need to panic just yet. Smart steps, however, can reduce the potential for harm related to acrylamide exposure as researchers delve into the question more.

Acrylamide is a chemical that’s used in industrial processes, such as the creation of dyes, plastics and paper. It’s also used in the treatment of drinking water and wastewater. In consumer products, polyacrylamide and acrylamide copolymers are found in food packaging, adhesives and caulking. Trace amounts of this chemical tend to remain in these products.

Researchers have found acrylamide in some foods that were heated above 248 degrees Fahrenheit, but not in foods prepared at temperatures lower than this. The concern is that acrylamide has been identified as a risk for the development of certain cancers in rodents. Human studies remain incomplete. Now deemed as a “major concern” by the World Health Organization, acrylamide is under much research scrutiny to answer questions about its potential relation to human cancers.

While commonly used in industrial processes, acrylamide is also naturally occurring. The amino acid asparagine is found in many types of vegetables, including potatoes. When these vegetables are heated to a certain temperature in the presence of certain sugars, asparagine can form acrylamide. Cooking methods, such as baking, frying and broiling, have been shown to promote acrylamide formation. Boiling and microwaving seem to have a lowered impact.

Those interested in lowering their exposure will find that decreasing cooking time or blanching food before frying it can reduce acrylamide content. There are other steps people can take to help themselves, however. With the jury still out on acrylamide’s link to cancer, the medical community recommends people simple eat a healthy, well-balanced diet that contains a variety of foods. This variety can help lower exposure by keeping consumption of acrylamide-containing products lower by default.

Those concerned about cancer and possible risk factors should speak with their healthcare providers. The best advice for dietary and other changes will come from a doctor familiar with a person’s unique background. 

Global Proton Therapy Market Continues to Grow

When it comes to effectively killing off cancer cells, it’s hard to beat radiation therapy. Standard procedures, however, can prove problematic by also damaging nearby healthy cells during the treatment process, often leading to unwanted complications and side effects. When a life is on the line, however, the potential for side effects is often, and rightfully so, deemed worth the risk.

Even so, many wish there was a better way to gain the benefits of radiation without all the risks. As it turns out, there is for some. Proton therapy continues to rise in popularity across the globe, not only for its effectiveness but also its precision.

Proton therapy works in a similar fashion to standard radiation therapy. This treatment involves using a proton beam to irradiate cancer cells. This particular beam, however, can be highly targeted for precision. That means nearby healthy cells can be spared from damage in many cases while the cancer itself is still treated.

The rise in popularity of proton therapy is continuing across the globe. Researchers estimated that more than 80,000 people with either brain or prostate cancer have already been successfully treated using this method. In fact, the proton therapy market is on track to become a multibillion-dollar industry by 2019. By then, it is estimated that almost 330 proton therapy rooms will be made available worldwide for treatment of patients. As of 2014, there were only 141 rooms available on a global scale.

While highly effective, proton therapy has been slow to catch on because of the size room required to house equipment and the costs associated with it. The race is now on, however, to make more compact and affordable systems. This race is anticipated to result in equipment that will make proton therapy more widely available.

As the global incident rate of cancer continues to rise, new therapies are gaining ground in the battle against this disease. Proton therapy is one option that is continuing to grow in popularity courtesy of its effectiveness and ability to reduce side effect risks. Patients who are diagnosed with cancer are urged to discuss all treatment options with their healthcare providers. 

Drinking Can Increase Women’s Cancer Risks

It’s well known that bad lifestyle habits can increase a person’s cancer risks. For women, as it turns out, even tempering one particular habit a little may not help entirely. Researchers out of Boston have found, in fact, that women who are light to moderate drinkers may see their cancer risks rise. While the increase in risk is only slight, it’s a piece of the puzzle those who are searching for ways to lower risks may want to pay attention to.

The study conducted by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health involved more than 88,000 women and some 47,000 men. The research ultimately showed that women who drink even on a light basis can see their risk of cancer rise slightly. The estimated increase in risk was about 1.02 percent above non-drinkers for light consumers. It was about 1.04 percent higher in moderate drinkers. To be sure, men also saw their risks rise with alcohol consumption.

While the increase for both men and women was only slight, the link between alcohol and certain forms of cancers is an important one to note. Women – and men – who want to decrease their risks may find altering certain lifestyle habits can make a difference. Even cutting out alcohol can help push the number in a more positive direction.

People who want to take other steps to reduce cancer risks may find these measures helpful:

·         Lose weight – If weight is a concern, shedding pounds can help reduce the risks of certain forms of cancer while also improving overall health.

·         Eating healthy – A diet that is rich in vegetables, fruits and other healthy choices can help improve overall health while reducing risks for certain types of cancer.

Anyone who is concerned about cancer is urged to discuss the issue with their healthcare providers. Doctors can assist in assessing overall risk and may make further recommendations on how to address risk factors that individuals may have control over.

Regional Node Irradiation Can Boost Breast Cancer Survivability

With more than 231,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer diagnosed in the United States annually, the push is on to help those who develop this disease survive it. While mortality rates have declined tremendously over the past few decades, researchers want to see them improve even more. A new study out of Europe may offer some insights on how to make that happen.

Conducted by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer, the study followed a group of women who had been diagnosed with stage I, II or III breast cancers. Some of the women received regional node irradiation along with other forms of treatment and some did not. Researchers found at a slight increase in survival for patients who had undergone regional node irradiation. With an average follow-up of 10.9 years reported, women in the irradiation group had an 82.3 percent survival rate. Women in the group that forewent irradiation of regional nodes had a survival rate of about 80.7 percent courtesy of other treatments.

The results involving the 4.004 patients are just the beginning. Researchers hope to continue monitoring the outcome over a 20-year follow up to see how much of a difference regional node irradiation can make over a longer duration.

What the study points out is that sometimes in breast cancer treatment going an extra step can make a difference. Although study findings at present show only a slight increase in survivability, they are significant. This is especially so for women who may have otherwise faced mortality.

Women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer are urged to carefully review all their treatment options with their healthcare providers. The best recommendations for a course of action will be based on case-specific facts. In some instances, regional node irradiation may be indicated. Women, however, should discuss all the benefits and potential complications with their doctors.

Progress Marked in America’s Fight Against Cancer

America is making strides in its ongoing battle against cancer, but much work needs to be done. The latest numbers show a decline in the overall cancer death rate between the years of 2002 and 2011, but progress is not marked in regard to a number of specific types of the disease. The findings were published by the Journal of the National Cancer Institution and show that cancer deaths fell about 1.8 percent a year for men between the years of 2002 and 2011. For women, they fell about 1.4 percent yearly during that time. Progress in children’s cancers was also made with a decline in deaths pegged at roughly 2 percent year.

While gains are being made, researchers note that cancer is far from eradicated. And, as many types of cancer decline in diagnosis rates, others are seeing their numbers climb. Cancers such as mouth, throat and kidney are all seeing greater incidence rates. As for the decline in overall deaths, researchers point to several reasons why the movement is heading in the right direction:

• Early detection – Aggressive campaigns to get people in for early screening while better understanding of risk factors may be helping bring the numbers down. This factor sheds light on the importance for people to carefully discuss their cancer risks with their healthcare professionals and make sure to work early detection tests into their routines should they be recommended.

• Aggressive treatment – With early detection comes the ability for doctors to more aggressively treat cancer when it is in a beginning phase. Many forms of cancer can be successfully eradiated when caught early.

While deaths are down from cancer, the fight against the disease continues. People can help lower these numbers even more by making sure to understand their personal risks and take steps to lower them once they are identified. In addition, going in for early screening tests, such as mammograms, can be critical for further lowering mortality rates.

Progress Marked in America’s Fight Against Cancer

America is making strides in its ongoing battle against cancer, but much work needs to be done. The latest numbers show a decline in the overall cancer death rate between the years of 2002 and 2011, but progress is not marked in regard to a number of specific types of the disease. The findings were published by the Journal of the National Cancer Institution and show that cancer deaths fell about 1.8 percent a year for men between the years of 2002 and 2011. For women, they fell about 1.4 percent yearly during that time. Progress in children’s cancers was also made with a decline in deaths pegged at roughly 2 percent year.

While gains are being made, researchers note that cancer is far from eradicated. And, as many types of cancer decline in diagnosis rates, others are seeing their numbers climb. Cancers such as mouth, throat and kidney are all seeing greater incidence rates. As for the decline in overall deaths, researchers point to several reasons why the movement is heading in the right direction:

• Early detection – Aggressive campaigns to get people in for early screening while better understanding of risk factors may be helping bring the numbers down. This factor sheds light on the importance for people to carefully discuss their cancer risks with their healthcare professionals and make sure to work early detection tests into their routines should they be recommended. 

• Aggressive treatment – With early detection comes the ability for doctors to more aggressively treat cancer when it is in a beginning phase. Many forms of cancer can be successfully eradiated when caught early.

While deaths are down from cancer, the fight against the disease continues.

People can help lower these numbers even more by making sure to understand their personal risks and take steps to lower them once they are identified. In addition, going in for early screening tests, such as mammograms, can be critical for further lowering mortality rates.

Radiation after Prostate Cancer Surgery Can Lead to a Cure

Men who are facing prostate removal to treat a positive cancer diagnosis may find their doctors recommending immediate radiation following the procedure. While this might seem like overkill considering the offending gland has been removed from the equation, new studies are shedding light on the reality that adjuvant radiation can add up to a more effective cure without dramatically increasing side effect risks.

The studies out of the University Of Virginia School Of Medicine were conducted to shed light on the side effect risks of using adjuvant versus salvage radiation to treat any remaining cancer cells following radical prostatectomy. While many urologists have held that salvage therapy (conducted months after surgery if PSA tests indicate a need) can lower side-effect risks, oncologists have maintained that immediate radiation (adjuvant) was the wiser approach. The problem was that no real facts backed up the arguments on either side when it comes to radiation-induced side effects.

Enter the studies. Researchers looked at the medical charts of 16,000 prostate cancer patients. What they found was that there was no real benefit in waiting for radiation to ensure all cancer cells have been eradicated following prostatectomy. They also discovered that immediate radiation does not increase risks for impotence or incontinence, two of the most disconcerting side-effects of treatment. Immediate radiation can, however, offer a protective effect that can increase chances that a recurrence will not present.

The bottom line, according to researchers, is that men who are undergoing treatment for prostate cancer should discuss their options with their doctors. The best strategy will depend on a man’s individual case. If there’s a low risk for recurrence, a delay might be reasonable. If there’s evidence to support the idea that cancer will return, immediate radiation could be the best course of action and may indeed lead to a cure by killing off cells that remain following prostatectomy.Radiation Therapy is a game changing technology in the field of prostate cancer treatment. It provides effective results with minimum side effects.