Female Care

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is quite a rare form of cancer affecting the external lining of the lungs and the lower digestive tract. It’s around four times more likely to be found in men than women.

Why are cases more common in men?

Unlike most cancers, the medical profession know that the cause of the majority of Mesothelioma cases is an exposure to asbestos. Between 70%-80% of people diagnosed with this type of cancer say they have been in contact with asbestos.
It affects more men than women due to the exposure many men may have had during their working lives. Continue reading »

Asbestos seemed like a miracle substance when it began to be used in building materials.  It was a good insulator and made materials fireproof.  From the 1950′s to the early 1980′s, asbestos containing materials (ACMs) were used extensively in UK buildings.  Unfortunately, asbestos, as it ages, gives off dust made up of tiny fibers that enter and lodge in the lungs of those who are exposed to it.  These fibers have been proven to cause a type of lung cancer called mesothelioma.  There are two major types of mesothelioma.

Pleural mesothelioma affects the lungs and chest.  The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include pain in the chest, pain in the lower back, coughing, hoarseness, and breathing problems.  The patient may have a fever, anemia, and weight loss.  They may lose muscle strength and their senses may be affected.  The arms and face swell, and the patient coughs up blood.

Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the abdominal cavity, including the stomach, liver, spleen, and bowel.  The patient will have fluid accumulating in the abdominal cavity which, causing bloating.  Other symptoms include swollen feet, nausea, vomiting, and bowel problems.  The patient may run a fever. Continue reading »

Scientists have found new gene variants linked with the age at which females experience their first menstrual period and the onset of menopause, which can even help in preventing breast and endometrial cancer and osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease.

In the collaborative study led by Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH), the researchers have identified 10 genetic variants in two chromosomal regions associated with age at menarche (the first menstrual period), and 13 genetic variants in four chromosomal regions associated with age at natural menopause.

Menarche and natural menopause are two important physiological events in a woman’s life.

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Skin cancer is the most common of all cancer types. More than 1 million skin cancers are diagnosed each year in the United States. That’s more than cancers of the prostate, breast, lung, colon, uterus, ovaries, and pancreas combined. The number of skin cancer cases has been on the rise for the past few decades.

The good news is that there is a lot you can do to protect yourself and your family from skin cancer, or to catch it early enough so that it can be treated effectively. Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. Much of this exposure comes from the sun, but some may come from manmade sources, such as tanning beds.

This document discusses how skin cancer develops and some simple steps you can take to help protect yourself from getting it. It also describes how to look for signs of skin cancer on your body. Finding possible skin cancers doesn’t require any x-rays or blood tests – just your eyes and a mirror. If skin cancer does develop, finding it early is the best way to ensure it can be treated effectively.

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