Childhood Leukemia from Common Infections

The Institute of Cancer Research has come out with a study that childhood leukemia may develop from just common infections. Leukemia occurs when large numbers of white blood cells take over the bone marrow, leaving the body unable to produce enough normal blood cells to balance it off. Scientist has identified a molecule, TGF, produced by the body in response to infection that stimulates development of the disease. It triggers multiplication of pre-cancerous stem cells at the expense of healthy counterparts.

The researchers have identified a genetic mutation, a fusion of two genes that actually occurring in the womb that creates pre-leukemic cells that then grow in the bone marrow of the baby that is effectively acting as a time bomb that can stay in the body for up to 15 years that may explode at any given time given the proper trigger which maybe any common infection that the child might acquire during the 15 year period. Better screening process should be developed to better detect the infection before it becomes cancerous.

Hot Drinks Linked to Oesophageal Cancer

Drinking very hot liquids have been linked with an increased risk of oesophageal cancer, Scientists have discovered that drinking soup, tea or any liquids at temperatures of 70C or higher increased the risk. Experts said the finding could explain the increased oesophageal cancer risk in some non-Western populations where tobacco and alcohol are the main factors linked to the development of oesophageal cancers in Europe and America.

Compared with drinking warm or lukewarm tea with an average temperature of 65C or less, drinking hot liquids in the range of 65 to 69C was associated with twice the risk of oesophageal cancer, and drinking very liquids at 70C or more was associated with an eight-fold increased risk. The speed with which people drank the hot liquid was also important. Drinking the hot liquid in under two minutes straight after it was poured was associated with a five-fold higher risk of cancer compared with drinking liquids four or more minutes after being poured. So next time you plan to drink hot soup, tea or coffee, make sure it gets cooled down a bit first before drinking.

Brown Rice | Cancer

Rice is the staple diet in Asia and it's in this region where many people suffer from cancer. But new scientific studies and research conducted on brown rice show that it is a concentrated source of many nutrients and minerals, especially fiber, which is essential for reducing the amount of time cancer-causing substances spend in contact with the cells of the colon.

Although brown rice contains the same amount of carbohydrates as the popular white grain, there is a significant difference in the amount of nutrients in its content. The fiber in brown rice helps reduce symptoms of diseases such as colon cancer, atherosclerosis, constipation, diarrhea, and gallstones. Brown rice’s fiber content also acts as a detoxifier, absorbing and flushing out unwanted toxins, and preventing them from being absorbed by the intestines’ cells.

In just a cup of brown rice, vital nutritional benefits can be absorbed by the body, among them manganese, phytonutrients and magnesium. It also has selenium, a trace mineral that has been shown to significantly diminish the risk of colon cancer. Although priced slightly higher than regular white rice. The health benefits far outweighs any additional expense and as the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.

Green Vegetables | Cancer

Scientists have recently discovered why a diet high in green vegetables helps to ward off cancer. Chemicals released when vegetables such as spinach or okra are chopped, processed, cooked, chewed and digested make cancer cells mortal, stopping them from proliferating indefinitely. The protection is provided by the chemical that gives the vegetables their slightly bitter taste. This anti-cancer mechanism is the same as that of some modern cancer drugs.

Sinigrin, a chemical compound found in brassicas, is converted by processing or eating into allylisothiocyanate (AITC). This interrupts the division of colon cancer cells, instead of going on dividing indefinitely, the cells float free and then go into apoptosis, the process of cell suicide.

Normal cells commit suicide at the end of their life cycles. But when this process goes wrong and cells continue dividing unchecked, the result is a tumor. One of the targets of drug scientists is to devise ways of restoring normal behavior, and it appears that AITC can do this. That a diet high in fruit and vegetables can reduce the risk of cancer has been known from studies that show eating plenty of greens can halve the risk. But exactly how it worked has, until now, been unclear.

This is not a miracle cancer cure, but it does show that preventive dietary measures can be discovered and exploited in the same way as drugs. It is for many years that sinigrin breakdown products kill cancer cells. But by uncovering a previously unknown part of the process working in a similar way to some anti-cancer drugs, this hopes to show how important diet can be in your personal anti-cancer armory. It is also important to note that the shorter the cooking time and the less water used to prepare the vegetables, the greater the preventive effect is, is it's best if possible to eat the vegetables raw or just cook it in the least possible time.

Colorectal Cancer

Cancer ranks third as the worlds most common cause of death. Among the many types of cancer, colorectal cancer is the third most common and the number steadily increases because less focus is given to it compared to that of lung and breast cancer.

The good news is that it can be prevented. Here are some useful prevention tips to combat the disease:

• A balanced diet - Diets high in fat and cholesterol, especially those coming from animal sources, as well as low fiber diets have been linked to an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Even if one can eat steak and liver at every meal and stay trim, it can still increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer by virtue of what one is eating. So cut down on these types of food and you will lower your risks dramatically.

• Lose those excess fats - Do you weigh more than you want? Obesity, defined as having a BMI (Body Mass Index) greater than 30, increases the risk of developing colorectal cancer. An by reducing your body's excess fats, you will bring down the risk of developing colorectal cancer.

• Exercise - An unhealthy lifestyle of just sitting around and doing nothing increases the risk of developing colorectal cancer. The longer waste sits in the colon or rectum, the longer toxic materials have to leach out of the solidifying stool and back into tissues. Exercise gets things moving, not just the body, but also the waste in the body.

• Avoid smoking - Researches indicate that 12 percent of fatal colorectal cancers may be attributable to smoking. Smoking increases the risk of developing colorectal cancer for two main reasons: First, inhaled or swallowed tobacco smoke transports carcinogens to the colon. Second, tobacco use appears to increase polyp size.

• Take your vitamins daily - Some research suggests that taking a daily multivitamin containing folic acid can lower colorectal cancer risk. Taking calcium and Vitamin D may also work together to reduce colorectal cancer risk, as Vitamin D aids in the body’s absorption of calcium. In addition, a recent study suggested that a diet high in magnesium may also reduce colorectal cancer risk in women.

• Screening - One of the most powerful weapons in preventing colorectal cancer is regular colorectal cancer screening or testing. More than 90 percent of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer are 50 or older and the average age of diagnosis is 64. Research indicates that by age 50, one in four people has polyps. Most people have an excellent chance of preventing colorectal cancer if they get regular colon cancer screening. So visit your doctor regularly as detecting the cancer earlier makes it easier to cure.

• Talk to your doctor about your personal medical history - Research indicates that women who’ve had breast, uterine, or ovarian cancer are at increased risk for developing colorectal cancer. Chronic inflammation of the bowel also increases the risk of developing colorectal cancer. Be sure to talk to your doctor about these as well as other important health ailments you might have developed.

Cure for Lymphoma

Have you ever felt a painful bean shaped mass under your armpit or somewhere whenever you have a fever or wound? That's most probably an enlarged lymph node.

Lymph nodes are specialized organs of the body that process infectious agents such as bacteria and virus. Whenever a lymph node increases size, it is palpable and feels like a mass. Other areas where enlarged lymph nodes can be felt are at the neck, under the jaw and chin, and back of the head.

When there is an infectious process, the lymph nodes try to ward it off from spreading, but when the infection overwhelms it, the lymph node itself becomes inflamed and increases in size a condition called lymphadenitis.

Lymph nodes become enlarged not only during infection but also when its cells transform cancer. Cancer of the lymph node is called lymphoma. Lymphoma can develop anywhere in the body where lymph nodes are distributed. Lymphomas can be seen and felt under the skin because there are numerous minute lymph nodes under the skin.

Tonsils are lymph nodes. Hence, an enlarged tonsil can either be an inflammation called tonsillitis or cancer like lymphoma. Lymphoma can also occur deep inside the body such as in the lymph tissues of the thymus, stomach, intestines, liver, spleen, bone marrow and brain.

How can you differentiate infection from cancerous process in an enlarged lymph node?

An enlarged lymph node due to infection is soft or doughy, and painful even at early onset. Fever may occur and is always accompanied by an obvious infection.

An enlarged lymph node due to cancer progressively enlarges and affects other lymph nodes. It is hard and not painful at early onset, but becomes painful when it is quite large, immovable, and pressing a nerve. Lymphoma or cancer may also be accompanied by fever, as well as unexplained weight loss of at least 10 percent over a short period of time, lack of energy, general fatigue, and drenching night sweats.

Consult your physician if you are afraid that your "kulani is a lymphoma. Your physician will look for the cause of the enlarged lymph node. If it is infection, infection control and antibiotic will be administered. Otherwise, he will refer you to a surgeon who will get a biopsy sample of the enlarged lymph node for pathology analysis.

Unlike other forms of cancer, lymphoma is very responsive to treatment. The primary treatment surgery is drugs, with radiotherapy adjunct. Responsiveness to drug treatment is somehow dictated by the histological and immunological type of the lymphoma, which would also dictate which of the cytotoxic drugs, so patients whi are suffering from this should not worry because it's very uch treatable with todays advances in medicine.

Gum Disease | Cancer

Gum disease, both in smokers and non-smokers, may be a warning sign of an increased risk of cancer. Researches found gum disease was linked to a higher chance of lung, kidney, pancreatic and blood cancers. An immune system weakness may cause both illnesses so the need to conduct regular checkups. Although the risk is higher on people who smoke, even in those who have never smoked, the presence of gum disease means a bigger risk of cancer. While there was no rise in lung cancer chances among those with gum disease who had never smoked, there was a slightly higher increase in the overall risk of any cancer, and a similar rise in the rate of blood cancers.

There are a number of theories as to why the presence of gum disease might be linked to other illnesses. People with gum infections have been found to have chemical signs that the inflammation there may be mirrored in other parts of the body - there have also been suggestions that bacteria linked to gum disease could cause problems elsewhere. The increase in blood cancers pointed to an immune system link. The persistent presence of gum disease might be a sign of weakness in the immune system which could also allow cancer to develop. But doctors are advising people with gums problems should seek first dental rather than medical help first. Dentists are trained to spot cancers in the mouth, they were becoming increasingly aware of the implications of gum disease for overall health, and were prepared to refer patients on in cases of unexpectedly serious gum disease in otherwise healthy patients.

Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. It begins in the cells that line the colon. Cancer cells may spread or metastasize through the blood or lymphatic system or directly grow into tissues adjacent to the original cancer. The National Cancer Institute estimates that about half of all colon cancer patients will develop liver metastases found either at first diagnosis or recurrence after treatment.

According to the World Health Organization, about one million new cases of colon cancer are diagnosed yearly worldwide. The diagnosis of colon cancer may sound like a death sentence but the disease can actually be treated, especially when it is caught in the early stages. Depending on what stages the disease a patient is diagnosed at, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery could be done. There are a lot of studies currently being conducted to determine new ways of treating the disease. It is hoped that the results of these studies will provide new treatment modalities, which will help oncologist and patients in their battle against colon cancer.

Nanoshells | Cancer Tumors

Tumors are a threat that affects everyone regardless of gender, race and social status. Cancer tumors ravage both body and soul. Current tumor treatments are an ordeal itself. It is tedious, costly and leaves trails of unpleasant side effects. A quick one time, inexpensive, non-toxic and painless treatment with a 100% reduction could be one of the most dreamt about fantasy for the afflicted and their love ones. But scientist is developing cures based from nanotechnology called nanoshells. A single nanoshell is a 100-nanometer non-toxic gold metal sphere, bigger than an atom but much smaller than a cell. Such dimension is critical for effective interaction with biological system at the cell level.

Nanoshells are the future weapons in the battle against cancer. They are designed for specific annihilation of tumor cells. To enhance precise targeting, nanoshells may be designed to attack like smart missiles that seek and lock on targets by attaching proteins called antibodies on their surfaces, which naturally stick to proteins uniquely produced by cancer cells. This much awaited approaching of destroying cancer cells is also similar to how a high-rise structure demolition squad operates. Demolition engineers can blast away with amazing precision a tall building without crashing it down on the surrounding buildings. This is the best approach unlike the traditional chemotherapy where it damages the surrounding healthy cells.

Effects Of Breast Cancer Treatments

Women who are breast cancer survivors are at risk for two kinds of side effects from treatments: long term effects which begin and persists after it is completed and late effects which arise months or even years after treatment has ended. Here are the most common long-term effects experienced by the cancer survivors.

1.) Fatigue – 30 percent of cancer survivors are fatigued for five years or more after successful treatment. Any number of physical factors, including anemia and inflammation resulting from radiation or chemotherapy and loss of muscle mass, can account for fatigue during and after treatment.

2.) Weight gain – Women undergoing breast cancer chemotherapy gain an average of five to eight pounds, and the excess pounds are all fat rather than a combination of fat and lean tissue.

3.)Nerve damage – Surgery can damage nerves in the treated breast and chest, resulting in numbness or pain. Chemotherapy can also affect the peripheral nerves, particularly in the hands or feet.

Here are some of the more common late effects:

1.) Lymphedema – Up to 25 percent of breast cancer survivors experience some degree of arm swelling following the removal of underarm lymph nodes, which is essential in evaluating the extent of the disease. Lymph node excision can damage the lymphatic drainage system, causing fluid to build up in the arm on the affected side. Lymphedema can appear weeks or months after surgery and is exacerbated if the arm is injured or infected.

2.) Osteoporosis – Women who undergo menopause following chemotherapy have a higher rate of bone loss than women who have a natural menopause. Aromatase inhibitors block the production of estrogen in fat and other tissues.

3.) Menopause – After breast cancer treatment, many women take tamoxifen, a selective estrogen blocker for five years to prevent recurrence. One positive side of tamoxifen increases bone density and decreases cholesterol levels but it also produces menopause symptoms like hot flashes and dryness.

4.) Subsequent cancer – Breast cancer survivors have an increased risk of developing cancer in the other breast. Also some treatments increase the probability of developing certain forms of cancer, although the risk is low.

5.) Lung damage – Lung tissue can be damaged if the radiation to the chest cavity reaches the lung. In about one percent of survivors, it leads to radiation pneumonitis, an inflammation condition that usually occurs two to three months after treatment.

6.) Congestive heart failure – Cardiac damage is increasingly becoming rare as chemotherapy doses decline, but women who received high doses of doxorubin may sustain damage to the heart muscle.

Various Breast Cancer Treatments

There are various methods in treating breast cancer; here are some of the most common and popular treatments available.

1.) Surgery – Most woman will have surgery with our without radiation and there are two primary surgical options available. Mastectomy, where in the entire breast is removed and a less extensive procedure called lumpectomy where the surgeon removes only the lump surrounding the normal tissues. The piece of tissue removed during the lumpectomy is then closely examined to determine whether its margins are free from cancer cells.

2.) Radiation therapy – Usually taken after a lumpectomy to eradicate any more cancer cells that may remain in the affected breast or nearby lymph nodes. Radiation is delivered to the whole breast once a day, five days a week for about six weeks.

3.) Chemotherapy – Women who have the harder to treat ER-negative breast tumors will benefit more from chemotherapy compared to women who has ER-positive tumors. Chemotherapy regimens that incorporate more drugs, higher doses and more frequent admission produced dramatic improvements on the women cancer patients.

4.) Hormonal therapy – A hormonal therapy such as tamoxifen are very effective and is typically given for five years after surgery to reduce the risk of recurrence. Tamoxifen therapy is associated with a higher rate of blood clots and uterine cancer.

5.) Targeted drugs – Trastuzumab is highly effective in treating breast tumors that produce too much HER2, a protein that spurs the growth of cancer cells. Only 20 to 30 recent of the women have HER2-positive tumors and are thus potential candidates for this therapy.

Treating Breast Cancer

The fight against breast cancer has had some major improvements over the years, thanks to the improvements of early detection and advances in treatments. Many tumors are being caught at an early stage; the rise in the incidence of this disease has slowed and the death rate has dropped. But this type of cancer is still the most prevalent cancer in women and is likely to take their lives. Breast cancer looms large in our health concerns because many have experienced it personally or most know a particular relative or friend who has had it. One particular unsettling is the randomness of this cancer, so far medical science has still no answers on why one woman develops breast cancer and another doesn’t. However, family history and certain gene mutation can substantially increase the risk.

Researchers have found the associations between nutritional factors and cancer risk, although not all associations have resulted in risk reducing strategies. Certain test for foods that seem promising at first like eating soy or taking supplements like vitamin e, vitamin c or selenium. Researchers have found little support for the common assumptions that dietary fat increases the cancer risk and the evidence that fruits and vegetables are protective is weaker than once thought. But many studies have shown that weight gain is a risk factor for breast cancer after menopause. Women who gained 20 to 30 pounds during their adulthood were 40 percent more likely to develop cancer. So slimming down can help prevent the disease.

Taking Vitamins During Pregnancy

There's a research going on at Toronto Hospital for sick children in Canada that mothers who are taking prenatal multivitamins that are fortified with folic acid reduces the risk of three types of common childhood cancers like leukemia, brain tumors and neuroblastoma. The research found out that prenatal supplements of these type of multivitamins is associated with an outstanding 47 percent protective effect for neuroblastoma, 39 percent for leukemia and 27 percent for brain tumors. This review is the very first systematic research and meta-analysis on the use of prenatal multivitamins before and during early pregnancy and their protective effect for several types of pediatric cancer. Leukemia being the most common childhood cancer, accounts for about 50 percent of new pediatric cases in most countries. Brain and spinal cancers are the second most common type of cancer in paediatrics cancer cases.

In North America, neuroblastoma is the most prevalent solid tumor that occurs outside of the brain in children under the age of five and affects one in very six thousand to seven thousand children. Additional research has still yet to be undertaken to determine which components in prenatal multivitamins provide protective effects for paediatrics cancers and whether any of these effects can be attributed to folic acid. And in the future, scientist and doctors hope that with this new and exciting research most of the common types of cancer in children like Wilm's tumor, Retinoblastoma, Lymphoma, Bone tumors, Germ cell tumors and most cancers will finally be eradicated.

Red Meat And Colorectal Cancer

The consumption of red meat has been linked to colorectal cancer in a study published by the American Cancer society. In their released guidelines, they recommend the limitation of eating red meat in favor of other sources of protein like fish and beans. Another study conducted by the European prospective investigation into cancer (EPIC) has also cited the increased cancer incidence of men and women who has consumed the most red meat in contract with those who has consumed the least.

The study was published in the Journal of the Cancer Institute found that those who ate the most red mead or processed meat more 35 percent likely to develop colorectal cancer. This study does not mean that we have to take red meat off the menu entirely, since it is still an excellent source of proteins and minerals. The study suggest that switching or skipping red meat several times a week in favor of fish will make us healthier and cancer free. Eating more fish has been proven to significantly reduce the risk of acquiring colorectal cancer by as much as 31 percent.

Bacteria also reside in the meat. And certain bacteria also pose a greater risk than colorectal cancer, so it is best to properly cook the meat before eating. Here are some safety tips to avoid the presence of dangerous bacteria in the meat:

• Scrutinize properly the packaging of the meat in the store by making sure it is not torn.
• Refrigerate or freeze as soon as possible the meat upon purchase.
• If the meat is to be stored for a longer period of time prior to consumption, wrap it in heavy duty plastic.
• Never reuse the packaging material the meat came with.
• Do not partially cook the meat to be consumed later. This allows potentially dangerous bacteria to thrive and multiply to the point of subsequent cooking cant eliminate them.
  

Eating Sleeping Prevents Cancer | Heart Diseases

There are some healthy foods and practices we may not tend to notice or take for granted that could actually help us prevent diseases and conditions that will harm out body. Take for example, did you know eating spinach can help fight skin cancer? We carry an umbrella outside and put sunscreen to prevent getting skin cancer when we outside our house, but eating spinach can help us fight the cancer inside our homes. A recent study has concluded that those who ate leafy green vegetables at least three times a week were 55 percent less likely to develop squamous cell skin cancer. Green leafy vegetables such as spinach were linked to a reduction in skin cancer especially for people who has a history of the disease. These foods contain nutrients that are anti carcinogenic. Spinach contains folate, vitamins A,C,E and carotenoids know to affect the skins response to sun damage.

Another type of berry, although not readily available stateside called Acai berries from the rain forest of Brazil has been found to trigger a self destruction response in up to 86 percent of human leukemia cancer cells. The berry is said to be very perishable and processed acai berries has been only available for about five years and as of today, the berry has still 75 as yet to be identified compounds that may hold the key for a permanent cure for leukemia.

Heart problems affect a significant number of people in the populations. Treatments and medications of heart diseases are not cheap and some procedures are uncomfortable to say the least. But did you know that a simple nap can help you prevent heart diseases. A recent Harvard study of health men and women tracked out a six year time period found that taking a midday nap for at least 30 minutes three times a week were 37 percent less likely to dies from heart problems. The link between stress and coronary mortality has long been well established. Napping is a stress releasing process therefore alleviating heart conditions.

Urinary Bladder Cancer

Cancer of the urinary bladder is easy to detect when there is blood in the urine or hematuria. When a person is showing this kind of symptom, he or she should take this as a sign immediately go and consult a doctor for a medical checkup. Bladder cancer is the most common form of cancer in the urinary tract. It’s even more common than testicular cancer and kidney cancer combined. If cancer of the bladder is suspected, x-ray procedures coupled with cystoscopy examination is necessary to verify if there is indeed cancer.

If cancer of the bladder is discovered, the urologist must conduct a biopsy to determine the depth of penetration into the bladder wall of the tumor. The growth of the tumor into the muscle is the single most important indicator of prognosis especially because of superficial cancer of the bladder where the cancer is confined solely on the lining can be cured by simple ablation with a cystoscope or fulguration with electricity but the use of laser has made such treatments easier.

But if the tumor is invasive into the bladder wall, if it’s already a high-grade lesion or if its superficial cancer that cannot be treated with local measures, then there is no option but to operate. The problem with the decision to operate is that it involves the removal of the entire bladder called cystectomy so that the urine has nowhere else to go and because of this patients will constantly leak urine 24 hours a day unless diverted to a bag outside the body. No drugs or combination of drugs will work on advance cancer of the bladder as of today but in the future, doctors are hoping for a medical breakthrough that will cure patients with the disease.

Head and Neck Cancers

Head and neck cancers can significantly alter a persons physical appearance since this sickness usually requires the removal of the lower jaw and requires an implant which can cause depression in patients usually loosing their will to live. When dealing with this type of disease, multidisciplinary approach is the best means of treating this cancer. Multidisciplinary approach simply means that a group of physicians decides on what treatment options to take. The treatment guidelines vary depending upon the stage of the ailment and the medication custom made for each individual. The options for the treatment are then presented to the patient, who ultimately decides on what course the oncologists, surgeons, anesthesiologist, and other specialist should take. A psychiatrist will provide emotional support for the patient.

Early detection of head and neck cancer is vital because late stage detection of this cancer will prove to be fatal since the outcome of survival has not improved in recent years despite the onset of new medical technology. A person must watch out for the following signs that may indicate symptoms of head and neck cancer like a lump in the neck that last more than two weeks needs to be checked. This is because cancer that begins in the head and neck region will spread to the lymph nodes in the neck. Swallowing problems and pain in the through that lingers for a long time. Mouth sores, changes in the voice, bringing up blood that may be caused by tumors in the mouth. Nasal obstructions, hearing loss, persistent earache or pain in or around the ear when you swallow and changes in the skin.

What You Need To Know About Cervical Cancer

A hundred years ago, women who develop cervical cancer were those whose husbands traveled frequently, whose previous wife had died of cervical cancer or fitted from one partner to another. Its was just 20 years ago that one of the main causes of cervical cancer was identified as a malevolent virus called the human papillomavirus or HPV.

Cervical cancer is the most common cancer of the female reproductive tract and is the second most common cancer in women next to breast cancer. It was revealed that there are more than 70 distinct site specific types of HPV, growing on one part of the body but not on another. HPV is acquired through love making and it infiltrates the lining cells of the genital organs. The virus apparently can thrive in the cells of the human body without killing them and without inducing immunological reactions. The body ignores the virus allowing it to alter the genetic code of cells. As a result cancerous cells multiply and become lethal after many years.

Test that indicate if a woman has the strains of HPV that increase the risk for cervical cancer are now invaluable. The HPV DNA test using the Hybrid Capture II System developed by a company called Digene recently became commercially available. The test has a sensitivity of more than 90 percent, and a negative predictive value of over 90 percent. The test entails taking cervical swabs much like pap smear using the brush from a Digene sampler. Pap smear collected with a broom collection device and rinsed in the ThinPrep System PreservCyt solution may also be used to provide the same specimen for HPV testing.

Getting Cancer In Our Homes

Most of us are blissfully unaware that we could be living with any number of toxic substances that can cause cancer and other insidious threats to our health. That beautiful new furniture or the freshly painted room could send dangerous chemicals into the air.

The Sick building syndrome (SBS) is a medical condition that causes a person to feel generally unwell or experience fatigue, headaches, or eye, nose and throat irritation. The symptoms become more severe the longer he or she stays in the building and are relieved or disappear when they leave it.

Here are some common household items that can cause sickness and cancer:

• Ammonia based cleaning products can irritate mucus membranes and affects the respiratory system and eyes.
• Carpet and rugs could emit volatile organic compound like formaldehyde and styrene and are breeding grounds for molds and dust mites.
• Leaded paints can lead to lead poisoning, neurodevelopmental behavioral effects among children and will also cause hematological effects.
• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) piping, siding and flooring because toxic chemical stabilizers are added in the making of PVC. These leach, flake or outgas from the PVC overtime may lead to cancer. Dioxin a potent carcinogen is a by product in the manufacture of PVC.
• Asbestos is found in many building materials like piping, lagging, ceiling and roof tiles, asbestos cement sheeting and duct insulation. When inhaled, asbestos fibers can cause cancer and fibrosis of the lung and mesothelioma - a cancer of the lining of the chest and abdomen according to London Hazards Center (LHC) .
• Radon, a decay product of uranium is present in varying amounts in the soil water can slip into building foundation cracks and finally into the indoor space is associated with cancer and damages to the reproductive organs and fetus.

Breast Cancer Can Be Caused By Antiperspirants

The news that using antiperspirants is the leading cause of breast cancer was once highly circulated in emails turns out to be a hoax and is considered one of the top 10 email health hoaxes of the decade. Citing a health seminar as the source of information, the writer alleges that antiperspirants prevent the body from eliminating toxins through sweat, resulting the accumulation of toxins in lymph nodes, which eventually leads to cancer.

Men are less likely to develop breast cancer through the use of antiperspirant, because most of the product is caught in their armpit hair and is not directly applied to the skin. On the other hand, women who apply antiperspirant after shaving their armpits are at greater risk of developing breast cancer because shaving causes almost imperceptible nicks in the skin where chemicals gain entry into the body.