June 2022 Notable News
This month innovative technology and research has enabled doctors and scientists to look at reasons for increasing numbers of cancer cases, leading to preventative measures. United States Veterans are at a higher risk for getting a deadly skin cancer, melanoma. Research shows that the causes of liver cancer are changing, it is the third deadliest cancer. And finally, a team of scientists using a new genomic technique have found some causes of upper gastrointestinal cancers.
U.S. Veterans at Higher Risk for Deadly Skin Cancer Melanoma
U.S. veterans are at higher risk for melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, than most Americans, and new research finds they are also more likely to have advanced-stage disease when it is detected reports UPINews.com . When the cancer is found, it has typically spread to the lymph nodes or other areas of the body through the bloodstream. Of all the skin cancers, melanoma has the highest mortality rate. Older white males are at higher risk for developing skin cancer, which are a higher percentage of veterans. Many veterans service took place outside in high UV environments, and it is less likely that sunscreen was worn. Melanoma is now preventable by wearing protective clothing and using 30 SPF or higher sunscreen. Early screening and diagnosis increase the chances of survival. Find more information here.
Causes of Liver Cancer are Changing, Study Finds
The primary causes of liver cancer are well known, viral (hepatitis B and C), alcohol and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a condition in which fat builds up in the liver, resulting in chronic inflammation and damage reports Knowridge.com . The hepatitis B vaccine and use of antiviral medications have caused a decrease in Hepatitis B liver cancer. Liver cancer is the third leading cause of all cancer deaths. The causes of the rise in liver cancer are now shifting with an increase in alcohol consumption and an increase in obesity. Simple lifestyle changes can lower the risk of getting liver cancer, such as decreasing alcohol intake and making dietary changes to help prevent getting a fatty liver. Find more information here.
New Genomic Technique Identifies Roots of Upper GI Cancers
A team of scientists at Van Andel Institute findings reveal that, in upper GI cancers, the oxidative stress caused by inflammation damages specific parts of the DNA, causing guanine to be replaced with oxidized guanine. These errors prevent DNA from being copied accurately- a key hallmark of cancer reports Technologynetworks.com . Upper GI cancers are preceded by inflammatory conditions such as H. pylori bacteria, this bacterium causes stomach ulcers. Another inflammatory condition is Barrett’s esophagus, this is caused from acid reflux. This team uses circle damage sequencing to determine where mutations occur in DNA sequencing. Circle damage sequencing has also been used to study the mutations that cause melanoma. Find more information here.
Dana Kaiser is a professional writer and a strong patient advocate, learning from experience during her 22-year career as a nurse.
