Posts Tagged ‘Ways’

Modern Ways to Fight Leukemia

It is a well know fact that we live in the age of technology. It seems that with the help of it scientist and doctors have come up with one of the most ingenuous ways of fighting the disease. A team of people lead by Mary Laughlin has shown the world that by using an umbilical cord transplant of blood, immediately after the patient has gone through quite severe doses of chemo therapy or radiation, about one third of the people showed a remarkable recovery. This would have never been possible in other cases, with other treatments.

This was an actual alternative to the bone marrow transplant. Because of cases of mismatches between patient and possible donors, doctors thought of the idea of using cord blood for transfer which is very rich in stem cells. The success was immediate. The thins is that this is the a great alternative for patients with leukemia because the blood that is used for the transplant does not have to be an exact match to be effective ( as in the cases of the bone marrow transplant).

The actual way that this blood is collected is actually very simple and risk free for everybody. The blood is retrieved from the fresh placenta of a mother that has just given birth to a child. This way the blood is saved after this being frozen and stored for safe keeping. The stem cells that can be found in the umbilical cord are actually immature blood cells that have yet to grow in either a red blood cell a white cell or a platelet. This stem cells can be used after a case of chemo or radiation therapy. They are inserted in to the bone marrow of the patient so that the normal functions of producing normal healthy blood cells can begin again at full potential.

The fact is that the treatment was used intensively on children, because of the fact that they are not yet matured and that production of certain cells in their bodies is much more easy to do then in grown ups. For them creating a whole new immune system was actually quite easy. In the cases of older people usage of the treatment was not yet done because certainty of a good result did not exist. But, still, after trying it on grown ups too results have been found to be very impressive. By only using a small quantity like 2 ounces of cord blood, the sick body can regenerate its immune system. The best thing about it was the fact that the blood didn’t necessarily have to be a perfect match with the one of the donor.

A lot of work is still being done in this field and results are beginning to be more and more interesting.

Skin Cancer Prevention: 5 Ways To Protect Yourself From UV Rays

Skin cancer prevention measures can actively reduce your chances of developing skin cancer if you implement them in your daily routine. The most common form of cancer in the United States, tens of thousands of Americans contract skin cancer every year.

Skin cancer comes in three forms: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma. Of the three, melanoma is the most dangerous and life threatening. Skin cancer claims the lives of approximately ten thousand Americans on an annual basis.

What causes skin cancer?

Overexposure to ultraviolet sunlight (UV rays) is believed to be the dominant external factor in a person’s development of skin cancer, although genetic factors can play a role. To protect yourself from UV rays, you should take the following 5 steps for proper skin cancer prevention:

1. Avoid Direct Sun Exposure: Avoid exposing your skin to direct sunlight during midday (generally from 10am to 4pm). This is the time when UV rays are most intense. Plan your schedule to avoid outdoor activities during these hours. Also, be aware that sand and snow reflect sunlight, so if you’re at the beach or a ski resort, direct sunlight can bombard you from every direction with UV rays.

2. Cover Yourself: When out in the sun, keep your skin covered. Wear long-sleeves and long pants if possible. Wearing a hat with a 3 to 4 inch brim all around is preferable. This will guard your neck and cheeks from dangerous prolonged exposure. Also note that dry, dark-colored garments offer the best protection.

3. Use Sunscreen Properly: You should always use sunscreen when enduring prolonged exposure in the sun. Find a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor of at least 15 and read the directions for proper application. The higher the SPF, the higher the protection you will receive against dangerous sunburns. However, sunscreen does not offer “bulletproof” protection, and UV rays can penetrate water, so just because you feel “cool” in the water doesn’t mean you’re protected from sunburn.

4. Use Sunglasses That Block UV Rays: Making certain your sunglasses can block UV rays helps to guard your eyes from serious sun damage. The best constructed sunglasses should have a UV ray absorption rate of 99% to 100%. Never assume that darker lenses equal increased protection. UV rays are blocked by a chemical applied to the lenses. This chemical has nothing to do with the color of transparency of sunglass lenses.

5. Stay Away From Tanning Beds: It is a myth to believe that tanning beds and sunlamps are free of harmful UV rays. These cosmetic instruments might make your skin more attractive in the short-term, but they can significantly increase your risk of developing skin cancer in the long-term. Health professionals advise their patients to avoid them.

By implementing these 5 steps in your daily routine, you can significantly decrease your risk of developing skin cancer, while maintaining a healthy lifestyle that allows for proper exposure to the sun. Another important step in prevention of skin cancer is routine examination by a doctor. If skin cancer is detected early, then your odds of survival are markedly increased.