Cancer Fighting Foods

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Breast Cancer in Men

Men have the same type of tissue in their breast that women have.  Only the amount is less but the disease might be more aggressive and spreading faster in men than in women.  In America breast cancer in men constitutes only 0.2% of all malignancies while it is 26% in women.  In India approximately similar number of men suffer from it annually.  The symptoms, causes and protection against breast cancer for men are similar to women so far as they are applicable to men. 

Cervical Cancer

Cancer of the uterine cervix is the second most common cause of cancer-related disease and death among women worldwide.  Every year cervical cancer is diagnosed in more than 500,000, women globally and is responsible for more than 280,000 deaths annually.  80% of the new cervical cancer cases occur in developing countries like India which reports about one fourth of the world’s cases of cervical cancer each year.  In 98% cases the condition is caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) which is transmitted during sexual intercourse and live in the secretion under the male foreskin of penus (so it is very rare in nuns and partners of circumcised men).  In India it is fast replacing breast cancer as the most common from of female cancer.  Although 33 to 55 age group is the most vulnerable, younger and younger women are being targeted. Symptoms of Cervical Cancer  —  The most common symptoms include: unusual heavy blood-stained vaginal discharge; intermittent prolonged bleeding  between periods; bleeding or pain during/after sex; foul-smelling white or yellow vaginal discharge; pelvic pain; pain in the lower abdomen or lower back; bladder pain during urination (dysuria); bleeding in post-menopausal women; and swelling of the legs. Note: These symptoms do not conclude that someone has cancer. Other conditions may cause these symptoms, but a check-up is necessary to determine the cause.  Pap Smear Test — In the early stages of cervical cancer, there are rarely any noticeable symptoms.  So a Pap smear and pelvic examination (colposcopy) are important parts of a woman’s routine and regular healthcare because they can detect abnormalities that may lead to invasive cancer of the cervix.  The Pap smear test checks for abnormal cell changes that may arise from cervical cancer or before cancer develops in the pre-cancerous stage (cervical dysplasia).  But cell changes in the pre-cancerous stage do not mean cancer.  It just means that there are some abnormal cells, and indicate that cancer may develop 8-10 years down the road.  Note :  Most women should get a Pap smear test at least every year, especially if they are sexually active.  A more costly HPV test is also available.