BASAL CELL CARCINONA

The skin is the largest organ of your body. It acts as a barrier between invaders (pathogens) and your body. Skin forms a waterproof mechanical barrier. Microorganisms that live all over your skin can’t get through your skin unless it’s broken.  The skin and mucous membranes act as a physical barrier preventing penetration by microbes. If the skin is cut then the blood produces a clot which seals the wound and prevents microbes from entering.

There are layers of skin and the first five layers form the epidermis, which is the outermost, thick layer of the skin and is listed above in the pictures.  Notice in the second picture on the Rt. shows all blood vessels below epidermis.

All seven layers vary significantly in their anatomy and function.

It is made up of three main layers, the epidermis, dermis, and the hypodermis, all three varying significantly in their anatomy and function. The skin’s structure is made up of an intricate network which serves as many functions for the body’s initial barrier against pathogens, UV light, and chemicals, and mechanical injury. It also maintains body temperature and prevents water loss from the body.

Of all the organs in the human body, few take the pounding your skin does. Yes, your skin is an organ, your body’s largest, in fact, and among your most important, considering you cannot live without it.

Your skin is a biological marvel capable of performing remarkable functions every day. It protects your muscles and organs from outside threats. It endures bumps and bruises, cuts and scratches, the sun’s burning rays and the grime left by dirt and dust. It moves and stretches when you do and mostly bounces back to form when you’re still.

Even when your body is at rest, your skin is a bustle of cellular activity. Basal cells change shape as they move to the surface to replace dying squamous cells. Merkel cells help your nerves sense the touch of another. Melanocytes produce melanin, the skin-darkening pigment that protects your skin from the sun.

And like other organs, your skin may develop cancer.

Skin cancer:

Skin cancer is the abnormal growth of skin cells — most often develops on skin exposed to the sun. But this common form of cancer can also occur on areas of your skin not ordinarily exposed to sunlight.

There are three major types of skin cancer — basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.

You can reduce your risk of skin cancer by limiting or avoiding exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Checking your skin for suspicious changes can help detect skin cancer at its earliest stages. Early detection of skin cancer gives you the greatest chance for successful skin cancer treatment.

The first 2 types of skin cancer, which are:

1.Basal Cell Carcinoma  

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer and the most frequently occurring form of all cancers. In the U.S. alone, an estimated 3.6 million cases are diagnosed each year. BCCs arise from abnormal, uncontrolled growth of basal cells.  Basal Cell Carcinoma grows slowly, most are curable and cause minimal damage when caught and treated early.

Knowing the causes, risk factors and warning signs can help you detect them early, when they are easiest to treat and cure.

The risk factors of BCC are:

–UV exposure from the sun or indoor tanning.

-History of skin cancer, including squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) or melanoma

– Age over 50: Most BCCs appear in people over age 50.

-Fair skin: People with fair skin have an increased risk.

-Male gender: Men are more likely to develop BCC.

-Chronic infections and skin inflammation from burns, scars and other conditions.

Warning Signs can help with early detection and treatment, almost all basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) can be successfully removed without complications. Look out for any new, changing or unusual skin growths, so you can spot skin cancers like BCC when they are easiest to treat and cure.

IT’S A FACT 90% of nonmelanoma skin cancers (mainly BCCs and SCCs) are associated with exposure to UV radiation from the sun.

Treatments for BCC:

2. Melanoma – worst cancer the deepest in skin  

Melanoma is a type of cancer that usually begins in the skin. Specifically, it begins in cells called melanocytes. These are cells that produce melanin. Melanin is the pigment that gives skin, hair, and eyes their color.

Melanoma is among the most serious forms of skin cancer. 

Melanoma is the deadliest type of skin cancer. It can be “in situ” which means that the cancer is confined to the top layer of skin, thus being highly curable. It can also be “malignant” which means that the cancer can spread to other parts of the body which significantly decreases the survivability rate. Melanoma in situ can grow to be malignant melanoma if not treated. The key to surviving melanoma is early detection, and especially before it becomes malignant. Melanoma caught in the early stages of its development is highly curable with a 97% survival rate.

Risk Factors of Melanoma are:

-Ultraviolet light exposure

-Moles

-Fair skin, freckling, light hair

-Family history of melanoma

-Personal history of melanoma or skin cancers

-Having a weakened immune response

-Being older

-Being male

-Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP): This is a rare, inherited condition that affects skin cells’ ability to repair damage to their DNA. People with XP have a high risk of developing melanoma and other skin cancers when they are young, especially on sun-exposed areas of their skin.

Again warning signs can count help with early detection and treatment this can be successfully removed without complications. Look out for any new, changing or unusual skin growths, so you can spot skin cancers like BCC when they are easiest to treat and cure.

IT’S A FACT Only 20-30% of melanomas are found in existing moles.  While 70-80% arise on normal-looking skin.

Treatments vary depending on the stage its in:

Stage I melanoma:

Stage I melanomas have grown into deeper layers of the skin, but they haven’t grown beyond the area where they started.

These cancers are typically treated by wide excision (surgery to remove the tumor as well as a margin of normal skin around it). The width of the margin depends on the thickness and location of the melanoma. Most often, no other treatment is needed.

Some doctors may recommend a sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) to look for cancer in nearby lymph nodes, especially if the melanoma is stage IB or has other traits that make it more likely to have spread. You and your doctor should discuss this option.

If the SLNB does not find cancer cells in the lymph nodes, then no further treatment is needed, although close follow-up is still important.

If cancer cells are found on the SLNB (which changes the cancer stage to stage III – see below), a lymph node dissection (removal of all lymph nodes near the cancer) might be recommended. Another option might be to watch the lymph nodes closely by getting an imaging test such as ultrasound of the nodes every few months.

If the SLNB found cancer, adjuvant (additional) treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors or targeted therapy drugs (if the melanoma has a BRAF gene mutation) might be recommended to try to lower the chance the melanoma will come back. Other drugs or perhaps vaccines might also be options as part of a clinical trial.

Stage II melanoma:

This stage II skin melanoma have grown deeper into the skin than stage I melanomas, but they still haven’t grown beyond the area in the skin where they started.

Wide excision (surgery to remove the melanoma and a margin of normal skin around it) is the standard treatment for these cancers. The width of the margin depends on the thickness and location of the melanoma.

Because the melanoma may have spread to nearby lymph nodes, many doctors recommend a sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) as well. This is an option that you and your doctor should discuss.

If a SLNB is done and does not find cancer cells in the lymph nodes, then sometimes no further treatment is needed, but close follow-up is still important.

For certain stage II melanomas, the immune checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab (Keytruda) might be given after surgery to help reduce the risk of the cancer returning. Radiation therapy to the area might be another option, especially if the melanoma has features that make it more likely to come back.

If the SLNB finds that the sentinel node contains cancer cells (which changes the cancer stage to stage III – see below), then a lymph node dissection (where all the lymph nodes in that area are surgically removed) might be recommended. Another option might be to watch the lymph nodes closely with an imaging test such as ultrasound of the nodes every few months.

Whether or not the lymph nodes are removed, adjuvant (additional) treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors or targeted therapy drugs (if the melanoma has a BRAF gene mutation) might be recommended to try to lower the chance the melanoma will come back. Other drugs or perhaps vaccines might also be options as well as part of a clinical trial.

Your doctor will discuss the best options with you depending on the details of your situation.

Stage III Melanoma:

These cancers have spread to nearby areas in the skin or lymph vessels, or they have reached the nearby lymph nodes.

Surgical treatment for stage III melanoma usually requires wide excision of the primary tumor as in earlier stages, along with a lymph node dissection (where all the nearby lymph nodes are surgically removed).

After surgery, (additional) adjuvant treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors or with targeted therapy drugs (for cancers with BRAF gene changes) may help lower the risk of the melanoma coming back. Other drugs or perhaps vaccines may also be recommended as part of a clinical trial to try to reduce the chance the melanoma will come back. Another option is to give radiation therapy to the areas where the lymph nodes were removed, especially if many of the nodes contain cancer.

If melanoma tumors are found in nearby lymph vessels in or just under the skin (known as in-transit tumors), they are removed, if possible. Other options might include injections of the T-VEC vaccine (Imlygic), interleukin-2 (IL-2), or Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine directly into the melanoma; radiation therapy; or applying imiquimod cream. For melanomas on an arm or leg, another option might be isolated limb perfusion or isolated limb infusion (infusing just the limb with chemotherapy). Other possible treatments might include targeted therapy drugs (for melanomas with a BRAF or C-KIT gene change), immunotherapy, or chemotherapy.

Some stage III melanomas might be hard to cure with current treatments, so taking part in a clinical trial of newer treatments might be a good option.

Treating stage IV melanoma:

Stage IV melanomas have already spread (metastasized) to other parts of the body, such as distant lymph nodes, areas of skin, or other organs.

Skin tumors or enlarged lymph nodes causing symptoms can often be removed by surgery or treated with radiation therapy.

If there are only a few metastases, surgery to remove them might sometimes be an option, depending on where they are and how likely they are to cause symptoms. Metastases that can’t be removed may be treated with radiation or with injections of the T-VEC vaccine (Imlygic) directly into the tumors. In either case, this is often followed by adjuvant treatment with medicines such as immunotherapy or targeted therapy drugs.

The treatment of widespread melanomas has changed in recent years as newer forms of immunotherapy and targeted drugs have been shown to be more effective than chemotherapy.

Immunotherapy drugs called checkpoint inhibitors are often the first treatment. These drugs can shrink tumors for long periods of time in some people. Options might include:

• Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) or nivolumab (Opdivo) alone
• Nivolumab combined with relatlimab (Opdualag)
• Nivolumab or pembrolizumab, plus ipilimumab (Yervoy)

Combinations of checkpoint inhibitors seem to be more effective, although they’re also more likely to result in serious side effects, especially if they contain ipilimumab.

People who get any of these drugs need to be watched closely for serious side effects.

In about half of all melanomas, the cancer cells have BRAF gene changes. These melanomas often respond to treatment with targeted therapy drugs – typically a combination of a BRAF inhibitor and a MEK inhibitor. However, the immune checkpoint inhibitors mentioned above are often tried first, as this seems to be more likely to help for longer periods of time. Another option might be a combination of targeted drugs plus the immune checkpoint inhibitor atezolizumab (Tecentriq).

While immunotherapy is often used before targeted therapy, there might be situations where it makes sense to use targeted therapy first. For example, the targeted drugs are more likely to shrink tumors quickly, so they might be preferred in cases where this is important. In either case, if one type of treatment isn’t working, the other can be tried.

A small portion of melanomas have changes in the C-KIT gene. These melanomas might be helped by targeted drugs such as imatinib (Gleevec) and nilotinib (Tasigna), although these drugs often stop working eventually.

Rarely, melanomas might have changes in other genes such as NRAS, ROS1, ALK, or the NTRK genes, which can be treated with targeted drugs.

Immunotherapy using other medicines might be an option if immune checkpoint inhibitors or other treatments aren’t working. Options might include:

• Interleukin-2 (IL-2) (also known as aldesleukin)
• Lifileucel (Amtagvi), a type of tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy

These treatments can cause serious side effects in some people, so they are usually given in the hospital.

Chemotherapy (chemo) can help some people with stage IV melanoma, but other treatments are usually tried first. Dacarbazine (DTIC) and temozolomide (Temodar) are the chemo drugs used most often, either by themselves or combined with other drugs. Even when chemo shrinks these cancers, the cancer usually starts growing again over time.

It’s important to carefully consider the possible benefits and side effects of any recommended treatment before starting it.

Because stage IV melanoma is often hard to cure with current treatments, people may want to think about taking part in a clinical trial. Many studies are now looking at new targeted drugs, immunotherapies, and combinations of different types of treatments. (See What’s New in Melanoma Skin Cancer Research?)

“With over 54 million Americans affected by osteoporosis and low bone density, the need for education and community has never been greater. This May we invite you to start new conversations, share vital resources, and encourage those around you to take charge of their bone health.”

Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation (Osteoporosis Awareness & Prevention Month)

How the neck of the foramen breaks due to Osteo.

Its a progressive bone disease that is characterised by a decrease in bone mass and density and that leads to an increased risk of fracture.  In osteoporosis, the bone mineral density (BMD) is reduced, bone microarchitecture deteriorates, and the amount and variety of proteins in bone are altered.

Osteoporosis causes bones to become weak and brittle —- so brittle that a fall or even mild stresses like bending over or coughing can cause a fracture. Osteoporosis-related fractures most commonly occur in the hip, wrist or spine. Bone is living tissue, which is constantly being absorbed and replaced. Osteoporosis occurs when the creation of new bone doesn’t keep up with the removal of old bone. Osteoporosis affects men and women of all races; but white and Asian women–especially after menopause–are at highest risk. Medications, healthy diet and weight bearing exercise can help prevent bone loss or strengthen already weak bones.

A weight bearing exercise is any exercise that has your legs and feet holding all of your weight. An example of this would be walking, yoga or even dancing.

The form of osteoporosis most common in women after menopause is referred to as primary type 1 or postmenopausal osteoporosis. Primary type 2 osteoporosis or senile osteoporosis occurs after age 75 and is seen in both females and males at a ratio of 2:1. Secondary osteoporosis may arise at any age and affect men and women equally. This form results from chronic predisposing medical problems or disease, or prolonged use of medications such as glucocorticoids, when the disease is called steroid- or glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.

The risk of osteoporosis fractures can be reduced with lifestyle changes and in those with previous osteoporosis related fractures medications. Lifestyle change includes diet, exercise, and preventing falls. The utility of calcium and vitamin D is questionable in most. Bisphosphonates are useful in those with previous fractures from osteoporosis but are of minimal benefit in those who have osteoporosis but no previous fractures. Osteoporosis is a component of the frailty syndrome.

Take the problem of Astronauts with osteoporosis:

Space travel has made it widely known that a stay outside the atmosphere – and thus outside the earth’s gravitational influence – disturbs the metabolism irreparably: the human body does not need any hard bones in zero-gravity, which leads to decalcification. A four year study of the ‘International Space Station’ showed that the bones of astronauts did not regenerate after even one year past their return to earth.

Anti-gravitational training is the key to osteoporosis if you can handle it (like jumping on a trampeline) Actual studies show that physical anti-gravitational activity helps the effected patients to regain their mobility and lessen the risk of bone fractures .

Osteoporosis in the U.S.A.

The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) today released updated prevalence data estimating that a total of 54 million U.S. adults age 50 and older are affected by osteoporosis and low bone mass. Recently published online by the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, the study, “The Recent Prevalence of Osteoporosis and Low Bone Mass in the United States Based on Bone Mineral Density at the Femoral Neck or Lumbar Spine,” includes the number of adults age 50 and over from the institutionalized and non-institutionalized population affected by osteoporosis and low bone mass and is an update to the prevalence data NOF released in 2013. Revealing that 10.2 million adults have osteoporosis and another 43.4 million have low bone mass, more than one-half of the total U.S. adult population is currently affected.

Assuming osteoporosis and low bone mass prevalence remain unchanged, the study projects that by 2020, the number of adults over age 50 with osteoporosis or low bone mass will grow from approximately 54 million to 64.4 million and by 2030, the number will increase to 71.2 million (a 29% increase from 2010); and it is anticipated that the number of fractures will grow proportionally.

“This disease causes an estimated two million broken bones each year and often results in immobility, pain, placement in a nursing home, isolation and other health problems, said Amy Porter, executive director and CEO of NOF. “Medicare (our tax dollars) pays for the cost for repair of 80 percent of broken bones that occur because of osteoporosis; these costs make osteoporosis the 10th ranked major illness among the top 5% highest cost Medicare beneficiaries (12% of all beneficiaries and 18% of high costs beneficiaries). We have to continue our efforts to eradicate this disease.”

The data is one of the first to look at the burden of osteoporosis using NOF’s criteria for diagnosing osteoporosis based on bone mineral density (BMD) at the hip or spine. Prior to 2005, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) only measured BMD at the hip. Spine BMD was added in 2005, providing the opportunity to estimate the burden of osteoporosis using BMD at either the hip or spine. The study estimates that among adults age 50 years and older, 10.2 million have osteoporosis at the femoral neck or lumbar spine and an additional 43.4 million have low bone mass at either skeletal site, placing them at increased risk for osteoporosis and broken bones.

Benefits of exercise

Women who have been physically active throughout their lives generally have stronger bones than do women who have led more sedentary lives. But it’s never too late to start exercising. For postmenopausal women, regular physical activity can:

• Increase your muscle strength
• Improve your balance
• Make you better able to carry out daily tasks and activities
• Maintain or improve your posture
• Relieve or decrease pain
• Improve your sense of well-being Before you start having osteoporosis.
• Consult your doctor before starting any exercise program for osteoporosis. You may need some tests first, including:
• Exercising if you have osteoporosis means finding the safest, most enjoyable activities for you given your overall health and amount of bone loss. There’s no one-size-fits-all prescription.
• Bone density measurement
• Fitness assessment

In the meantime, think about what kind of activities you enjoy most. If you choose an exercise you enjoy, you’re more likely to stick with it over time.

“Breast cancer is a kind of cancer that begins as a growth of cells in the breast tissue.  After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in the United States. But breast cancer doesn’t just happen in women. Everyone is born with some breast tissue, so anyone can get breast cancer.

Breast cancer survival rates have been increasing. And the number of people dying of breast cancer is steadily going down. Much of this is due to the widespread support for breast cancer awareness and funding for research.

Advances in breast cancer screening allow healthcare professionals to diagnose breast cancer earlier.”

MAYO CLINIC (Breast cancer – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic)

Breast cancer is cancer that forms in the cells of the breasts.

After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in the United States. Breast cancer can occur in both men and women, but it’s far more common in women.

Public support for breast cancer awareness and research funding has helped improve the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Breast cancer survival rates have increased, and the number of deaths has been declining, thanks to a number of factors such as earlier detection, new treatments and a better understanding of the disease.

Breast cancer prevention starts with healthy habits — such as limiting alcohol and staying physically active. Understand what you can do to reduce your breast cancer risk.

If you’re concerned about breast cancer, you may be wondering if there are steps you can take toward breast cancer prevention. Some risk factors, such as family history, can’t be changed. However, there are lifestyle changes you can make to lower your risk.

What can I do to reduce my risk of breast cancer?

Lifestyle changes have been shown in studies to decrease breast cancer risk even in high-risk women.  The following are steps you can take to lower your risk:

• Limit alcohol. The more alcohol you drink, the greater your risk of developing breast cancer. If you choose to drink alcohol — including beer, wine or liquor — limit yourself to no more than one drink a day.
• Don’t smoke. Accumulating evidence suggests a link between smoking and breast cancer risk, particularly in premenopausal women. In addition, not smoking is one of the best things you can do for your overall health.
• Control your weight. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of breast cancer. This is especially true if obesity occurs later in life, particularly after menopause.
• Be physically active. Physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight, which, in turn, helps prevent breast cancer. For most healthy adults, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity weekly, plus strength training at least twice a week.
• Breast-feed. Breast-feeding may play a role in breast cancer prevention. The longer you breast-feed, the greater the protective effect.
• Limit dose and duration of hormone therapy. Combination hormone therapy for more than three to five years increases the risk of breast cancer. If you’re taking hormone therapy for menopausal symptoms, ask your doctor about other options. You may be able to manage your symptoms with nonhormonal therapies, such as physical activity. If you decide that the benefits of short-term hormone therapy outweigh the risks, use the lowest dose that works for you.
• Avoid exposure to radiation and environmental pollution. Medical-imaging methods, such as computerized tomography, use high doses of radiation, which have been linked with breast cancer risk. Reduce your exposure by having such tests only when absolutely necessary. While more studies are needed, some research suggests a link between breast cancer and exposure to the chemicals found in some workplaces, gasoline fumes and vehicle exhaust.

Can a healthy diet prevent breast cancer?

Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables hasn’t been consistently shown to offer protection from breast cancer. In addition, a low-fat diet appears to offer only a slight reduction in the risk of breast cancer.

However, eating a healthy diet may decrease your risk of other types of cancer, as well as diabetes, heart disease and stroke. A healthy diet can also help you maintain a healthy weight — a key factor in breast cancer prevention.

Is there a link between birth control pills and breast cancer?

A number of older studies suggested that birth control pills slightly increased the risk of breast cancer, especially among younger women. In these studies, however, 10 years after discontinuing birth control pills women’s risk of breast cancer returned to the same level as that of women who never used oral contraceptives. Current evidence does not support an increase in breast cancer with birth control pills.

Be vigilant about breast cancer detection. If you notice any changes in your breasts, such as a new lump or skin changes, consult your doctor. Also, ask your doctor when to begin mammograms and other screenings.

Once you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, your doctor works to find out the specifics of your tumor. Using a tissue sample from your breast biopsy or using your tumor if you’ve already undergone surgery, your medical team determines your breast cancer type. This information helps your doctor decide which treatment options are most appropriate for you.

Here’s what’s used to determine your breast cancer type.

Is your cancer invasive or noninvasive?

Whether your cancer is invasive or noninvasive helps your doctor determine whether your cancer may have spread beyond your breast, which treatments are more appropriate for you, and your risk of developing cancer in the same breast or your other breast.

• Noninvasive (in situ) breast cancer. In situ breast cancer refers to cancer in which the cells have remained within their place of origin — they haven’t spread to breast tissue around the duct or lobule. One type of noninvasive cancer called ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is considered a precancerous lesion. This means that if it were left in the body, DCIS could eventually develop into an invasive cancer. Another type of noninvasive cancer called lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) isn’t considered precancerous because it won’t eventually evolve into invasive cancer. LCIS does, however, increase the risk of cancer in both breasts.
• Invasive breast cancer. Invasive (infiltrating) breast cancers spread outside the membrane that lines a duct or lobule, invading the surrounding tissues. The cancer cells can then travel to other parts of your body, such as the lymph nodes. If your breast cancer is stage I, II, III or IV, you have invasive breast cancer.

In what part of the breast did your cancer begin?

The type of tissue where your breast cancer arises determines how the cancer behaves and what treatments are most effective. Parts of the breast where cancer begins include:

• Milk ducts. Ductal carcinoma is the most common type of breast cancer. This type of cancer forms in the lining of a milk duct within your breast. The ducts carry breast milk from the lobules, where it’s made, to the nipple.
• Milk-producing lobules. Lobular carcinoma starts in the lobules of the breast, where breast milk is produced. The lobules are connected to the ducts, which carry breast milk to the nipple.
• Connective tissues. Rarely breast cancer can begin in the connective tissue that’s made up of muscles, fat and blood vessels. Cancer that begins in the connective tissue is called sarcoma. Examples of sarcomas that can occur in the breast include phyllodes tumor and angiosarcoma.

FYI a complication that can occur with advanced cancer that many of you may be unaware of. Bone metastasis occurs when cancer cells spread from their original site to a location in the bone. The most common types of cancer more likely to spread to bone include breast, prostate and lung cancers.

Bone metastasis can occur in any bone, but more commonly occurs in the pelvis and spine. Bone metastasis may be the first sign that you have cancer, or it may occur years after your cancer treatment is completed, ex. Hodgkins Disease.

Signs and symptoms of bone metastasis may include the following:

• Bone pain (back and pelvic pain are most common)
• Unexplained broken bones
• Loss of urine and/or bowel function
• Weakness in the legs
• High levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia), which can cause nausea, vomiting and confusion

The most common problem with metastatic bone cancer is pain and fractures. Metastatic bone cancer usually can’t be cured, but instead the goal is to provide pain relief and control further spread. Treatment can make a big difference and may include the following:

• Medications to repair and build new bone — These medications are similar to those used by people with osteoporosis and can help in building and strengthening your bone.
• Chemotherapy — Given as a pill or through a vein, used to control and treat cancer that has spread to the bone.
• Traditional radiation therapy — Radiation is given as external beam therapy to treat the cancer in the bone.
• Hormone therapy — Medications are used to block hormones (for breast and prostate cancers) that help control the spread of cancer to the bone.
• Surgery — Used to fix a fracture and stabilize a break from the cancer in the bone.
• Cryoablation — A special technique that freezes the cancer cells.
• Radiofrequency ablation — A special technique that heats the cancer cells.
• Chemoradiation — A form of internal radiation that is given through the vein and travels to the site of bone metastasis and targets the cancer cells.
• Pain medications — Medications provided with the goal of relieving and controlling pain from bone metastasis.
• Physical therapy — Exercises may be prescribed to assist in strengthening muscles and providing any assistive devices that may help you (cane, walker, crutches, etc.).

If you’re living with metastatic bone cancer, you may find help and resources from a website called Bone Health in Focus. It was established with partners including BreastCancer.org, the National Lung Cancer Partnership and Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education & Support Network to offer resources that help patients and caregivers understand more about cancer that has spread to the bone (find the site at www.bonehealthinfocus.com).

Mayo Clinic information on cancer that has spread to the bone can be found at http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bone-metastasis/basics/definition/con-20035450.

Are you living with cancer that has spread to the bone? Feel free to share your experiences with each other on the this blog striveforgoodhealth.com or on TheMayoclinic.org.

Make the changes in your lifestyles including diet if you want to prevent cancer, live long and have a productive life.

REFERENCE: Mayoclinic.org

“One of the first spring vegetables to poke through the soil, asparagus is worthy of celebration after a winter of frozen, canned, and imported produce. The appearance of fresh, local asparagus at newly reopened farmers markets and roadside stands alerts us to the presence of spring just as surely as blooming daffodils and budding trees. In much of the U.S., asparagus season comes into full swing around May, making it a fitting month to dedicate to the unique and delicious vegetable.”

Backyard Garden (Tips For Celebrating National Asparagus Month This May)

Why?  Here are some reasons asparagus is a health topic for May!

1- Asparagus is a low-calorie vegetable that is an excellent source of essential vitamins and minerals, especially folate and vitamins A, C and K.

2- Asparagus is a good source of antioxidants!

3- Antioxidants are compounds that help protect your cells from the harmful effects of free radicals and oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress contributes to aging, chronic inflammation and many diseases, including cancer.

Asparagus, like other green vegetables, is high in antioxidants. These include vitamin E, vitamin C and glutathione, as well as various flavonoids and polyphenols.

Asparagus is particularly high in the flavonoids quercetin, isorhamnetin and kaempferol.  These substances have been found to have blood pressure-lowering, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and anticancer effects in a number of human, test-tube and animal studies.

Purple asparagus contains powerful pigments called anthocyanins, which give the vegetable its vibrant color and have antioxidant effects in the body.  This increasing anthocyanin intake has been shown to reduce blood pressure and the risk of heart attacks and heart disease. So eating asparagus along with other fruits and vegetables can provide your body with a range of antioxidants to promote good health.

4- Dietary fiber is essential for good digestive health.

Taking a half a cup of asparagus contains 1.8 grams of fiber, which is 7% of your daily needs.

Studies suggest that a diet high in fiber-rich fruits and vegetables may help reduce the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes!

Asparagus is particularly high in insoluble fiber, which adds bulk to stool and supports regular bowel movements.

It also contains a small amount of soluble fiber, which dissolves in water and forms a gel-like substance in the digestive tract.  Soluble fiber feeds the friendly bacteria in the gut.  Examples of friendly bacteria like Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus.  Increasing the number of these beneficial bacteria plays a role in strengthening the immune system and producing essential nutrients like vitamins B12 and K2.  Eating asparagus as part of a fiber-rich diet is an excellent way to help meet your fiber needs and keep your digestive system healthy.

Endling line asparagus helps your digestive system by promoting regularity, digestive health and may aid in reducing your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.

5- It helps to support a healthy pregnancy!  How?  Asparagus is an excellent source of folate, also known as vitamin B9.  Just half a cup of asparagus provides adults with 34% of their daily folate needs and pregnant women with 22% of their daily needs.  Getting enough folate from sources like asparagus, green leafy vegetables and fruit can protect against neural tube defects, including spina bifida (both happening during fetal developement).  Folate is so vital during pre-pregnancy and early pregnancy that folate supplements are recommended to ensure women meet their requirements. Folate is an essential nutrient that helps form red blood cells and produce DNA for healthy growth and development. It’s especially important during the early stages of pregnancy to ensure the healthy development of the baby.

6- It helps lower the blood pressure!  High blood pressure affects more than 1.3 billion people worldwide and is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.  Research suggests that increasing potassium intake while reducing salt intake is an effective way to lower high blood pressure.  Potassium lowers blood pressure in two ways: by relaxing the walls of blood vessels and excreting excess salt through urine.

Asparagus is a good source of potassium, providing 6% of your daily requirement in a half-cup serving.

What’s more, research in rats with high blood pressure suggests that asparagus may have other blood pressure-lowering properties. In one study, rats were fed either a diet with 5% asparagus or a standard diet without asparagus.

After 10 weeks, the rats on the asparagus diet had 17% lower blood pressure than the rats on the standard diet.

Ending line, eating more potassium-rich vegetables, such as asparagus, is a great way to help keep your blood pressure in a healthy range.

7- It can help if your dieting to lose weight.  How?  First asparagus is about 94% water. Research suggests that consuming low-calorie, water-rich foods is associated with weight loss.  It can definitely help in dieting!

8- It’s inexpensive!

“More than 106 million people in the United States have asthma and/or allergies.  Asthma and allergies aren’t managed in isolation – they’re shaped by where you live, the air you breathe, and the people around you. Keeping these conditions under control takes more than medication. It takes a community.

You have 8 million people with asthma, you have 22 million people with food allergies, and 82 million people with nasal allergies.

These numbers paint a picture of how many people in the U.S. are managing asthma and allergies. But they don’t paint a picture of the overall impact these diseases have on individuals, families, caregivers, and communities.

Since 1984, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) has designated May to be National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. It’s a time to focus on respiratory and immune health. The awareness month aims to educate the public about asthma and allergic diseases, risk factors, symptoms, and treatment.

Your community of support includes everyone who influences your health and well-being: family and friends, your health care team, school staff, employers, local neighbors, advocates, and lawmakers. When that community shows up for you, the difference is real. You can experience:

• Better day-to-day symptom management
• Healthier, more inclusive spaces at home, school, and work
• Access to more treatment options
• Stronger protections and policies that improve quality of life

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) is the nation’s oldest and largest nonprofit dedicated to saving lives and improving quality of life for people with asthma and allergic diseases.”

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (May Is Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month | AAFA)

More than 65 million Americans overall have asthma and allergies. Some people may have one or both of these conditions.  About 25 million Americans have asthma (20 million adults and 5 million children)  About 32 million Americans have food allergies (26 million adults and 6 million children).  About 24 million Americans have rhinitis (hay fever), or nasal allergies (19.2 million adults and 5.2 million children)  There is no cure for asthma or allergies.

Rates of asthma are highest among African Americans and Puerto Ricans, young boys, and people living below the poverty line. Each year, asthma leads to more than 1.6 million emergency department visits and 170,000 hospital stays. For many, the change in seasons—with more allergens in the environment—can increase wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, coughing, or severe asthma attacks.

Asthma is a chronic (long-term) condition that affects the airways in the lungs. The airways are tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. If you have asthma, the airways can become inflamed and narrowed at times. This makes it harder for air to flow out of your airways when you breathe out.  Many of those affected with Covid 19 with asthma have a harder time with dealing with it compared to those with no asthma due to the condition affecting breathing to begin with.

Normally, the body’s immune system helps fight infections. But it may also respond to other things you breathe in, such as pollen or mold.  These are things that trigger symptoms of asthma to come on.   In some people, the immune system reacts strongly by creating inflation.  Ending result is the airways narrow causing it more difficult to breath. Over time, the airway walls can become thicker again making oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange not be as effective as someone without asthma.

“According to the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 228.4 million people ages 12 and older (79.2% in this age group) reported that they drank alcohol at some point in their lifetime.^1,2 This includes:

• 113.7 million males ages 12 and older (80.6% in this age group)^1,2
• 114.7 million females ages 12 and older (77.9% in this age group)^1,2
• 934,000 American Indian or Alaska Native people ages 12 and older (68.5% in this age group)^1,2
• 11.1 million Asian people ages 12 and older (59.7% in this age group)^1,2
• 25.1 million Black or African American people ages 12 and older (71.1% in this age group)^1,2
• 145.7 million White people ages 12 and older (85.4% in this age group)^1,2
• 5.1 million people of two or more races ages 12 and older (79.2% in this age group)^1,2
• 39.6 million Hispanic or Latino people ages 12 and older (72.5% in this age group)^1,2
• Estimates for Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander people ages 12 and older were not presented because they were based on a relatively small number of respondents or had a large margin of error.^1,2

• In 2022, the total cost for alcohol-associated liver disease in the United States was $31 billion.² 
• About 178,000 (about 5% of all) yearly deaths from excessive alcohol occurred in 2020 and 2021 in the United States, an increase of approximately 29% compared to 2016 and 2017.³“

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism – NIH                      (Alcohol Use in the United States: Age Groups and Demographic Characteristics | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA))