Animals can detect cancer in humans???
Dogs can detect cancer in humans!
By Adam Anderson Anderson
Dogs can detect cancer in humans!
Yes the title says it all. Seem a little far fetched(no pun intended) for you? More and more stories of dogs sniffing out cancer in their owners are coming to light. Take for instance Steve Werner's story back in 2006. Steve had suspected his health was in trouble even before Wrigley, his golden retriever, started sniffing and sniffing around him. Steve had symptoms of ringing in his ears but his doctor couldn't find anything and all of the tests came back negative. Back at home Wrigley would curl up to Steve as she always did but this time she would constantly turn and begin sniffing at his right ear over and over. Steve thought nothing more then just a friendly little sniff but after 5 straight days of Wrigley sniffing at his right ear he thought something might be going on. One night while watching TV, a news story came on about cancer sniffing dogs caught his attention. Could it be that Wrigley could smell trouble with Steve? Taking no chances, Steve went back to his doctor where an MRI of his head revealed a golf ball sized tumor in the inner canal of his right ear. Steve had a rare nonmalignant tumor called acoustic schwannoma. If not caught in time, it could have caused a stroke or permanent facial paralysis. He underwent surgery in February and is recovering at home.
Because of their keen sense of smell, dogs have long been used to sniff out cadavers, bombs, guns and illegal drugs, among other things. In the medical world, dogs have been used to detect impending epileptic seizures or identify tuberculosis in undiagnosed patients. With the success that they are seeing with dogs, researchers have moved on to cancer. “A couple preliminary studies suggest that a dog’s nose is extremely
sensitive at detecting certain chemicals that make up the constituents of a cancer cell,” said Dr. Ted Gansler, director of medical content in health information for the American Cancer Society. “New research suggests that cancerous cells emit chemicals not found in otherwise healthy tissue. Certain types of solid tumors of the prostate, breast, lung and bladder have been found to discharge volatile or aerosolized compounds such as formaldehyde, benzene and alkanes. A study in the British Medical Journal in 2004 concluded that dogs could be trained to detect bladder cancer on the basis of urine odor alone. Different breeds have been used to be trained for these studies including labs,poodles,beagles,cocker spaniels and mutts. Nicholas Broffman, executive director of the Pine Street Foundation in California, which published a study on cancer-detecting dogs last month, found the Wrigley tale intriguing. “That’s a very common story,” he said. “That’s one of the reasons we did this research, because we've heard all these stories and we wanted to do a double-blind study to test the idea. In its study published in a cancer journal, researchers collected breath samples in plastic tubes from 83 healthy volunteers, 55 lung cancer patients and 31 breast cancer patients. The tubes were numbered and placed in plastic boxes and presented to the dogs, five at a time. If the dog detected cancer, it was trained to sit or lie down. Researchers determined that the dogs were accurate 99 percent of the time in detecting lung cancer and 88 percent of the time in detecting breast cancer. “We set out to see if cancer has a smell and if people with cancer have a different smell than people without cancer,” Broffman said. “We were impressed with how well the dogs did.”
While it's unclear if dog's really have the capability to detect cancer, it's not hard to imagine the possibility. It is said that dogs have more then 5 times the capability of smell compared to humans so is it really that hard to believe that they are smelling something we can't? With the new possibilities and promise, dogs are proving to us on a daily basis, they are solidifying their spot as man's best friends.
pets
Article Source: http://www.free-articles-zone.com/
By Adam Anderson Anderson
Dogs can detect cancer in humans!
Yes the title says it all. Seem a little far fetched(no pun intended) for you? More and more stories of dogs sniffing out cancer in their owners are coming to light. Take for instance Steve Werner's story back in 2006. Steve had suspected his health was in trouble even before Wrigley, his golden retriever, started sniffing and sniffing around him. Steve had symptoms of ringing in his ears but his doctor couldn't find anything and all of the tests came back negative. Back at home Wrigley would curl up to Steve as she always did but this time she would constantly turn and begin sniffing at his right ear over and over. Steve thought nothing more then just a friendly little sniff but after 5 straight days of Wrigley sniffing at his right ear he thought something might be going on. One night while watching TV, a news story came on about cancer sniffing dogs caught his attention. Could it be that Wrigley could smell trouble with Steve? Taking no chances, Steve went back to his doctor where an MRI of his head revealed a golf ball sized tumor in the inner canal of his right ear. Steve had a rare nonmalignant tumor called acoustic schwannoma. If not caught in time, it could have caused a stroke or permanent facial paralysis. He underwent surgery in February and is recovering at home.
Because of their keen sense of smell, dogs have long been used to sniff out cadavers, bombs, guns and illegal drugs, among other things. In the medical world, dogs have been used to detect impending epileptic seizures or identify tuberculosis in undiagnosed patients. With the success that they are seeing with dogs, researchers have moved on to cancer. “A couple preliminary studies suggest that a dog’s nose is extremely
sensitive at detecting certain chemicals that make up the constituents of a cancer cell,” said Dr. Ted Gansler, director of medical content in health information for the American Cancer Society. “New research suggests that cancerous cells emit chemicals not found in otherwise healthy tissue. Certain types of solid tumors of the prostate, breast, lung and bladder have been found to discharge volatile or aerosolized compounds such as formaldehyde, benzene and alkanes. A study in the British Medical Journal in 2004 concluded that dogs could be trained to detect bladder cancer on the basis of urine odor alone. Different breeds have been used to be trained for these studies including labs,poodles,beagles,cocker spaniels and mutts. Nicholas Broffman, executive director of the Pine Street Foundation in California, which published a study on cancer-detecting dogs last month, found the Wrigley tale intriguing. “That’s a very common story,” he said. “That’s one of the reasons we did this research, because we've heard all these stories and we wanted to do a double-blind study to test the idea. In its study published in a cancer journal, researchers collected breath samples in plastic tubes from 83 healthy volunteers, 55 lung cancer patients and 31 breast cancer patients. The tubes were numbered and placed in plastic boxes and presented to the dogs, five at a time. If the dog detected cancer, it was trained to sit or lie down. Researchers determined that the dogs were accurate 99 percent of the time in detecting lung cancer and 88 percent of the time in detecting breast cancer. “We set out to see if cancer has a smell and if people with cancer have a different smell than people without cancer,” Broffman said. “We were impressed with how well the dogs did.”
While it's unclear if dog's really have the capability to detect cancer, it's not hard to imagine the possibility. It is said that dogs have more then 5 times the capability of smell compared to humans so is it really that hard to believe that they are smelling something we can't? With the new possibilities and promise, dogs are proving to us on a daily basis, they are solidifying their spot as man's best friends.
pets
Article Source: http://www.free-articles-zone.com/
bladder cancer free book
Monday, 24 March 2008 , Polymorphisms in the H19 Gene and the Risk of Bladder Cancer - AbstractDepartment of Urology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Nijmegen Centre for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
H19 is an imprinted gene coding for an oncofetal RNA that is down-regulated postnatally. Reactivation of the H19 gene has been observed in bladder tumors, and H19 expression has been associated with early recurrence of disease. In this study we examined whether sequence variants within the H19 gene are associated with the risk of developing bladder cancer.
Five tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (tagSNPs) covering the H19 gene and its promoter region were selected with the use of Haploview software. One hundred and seventy-seven bladder cancer patients who were referred to our university hospital were genotyped for these tagSNPs. The genotypes were compared with those of a random sample of 204 controls of the general population.
A significantly decreased risk of bladder cancer was found for the rs2839698 TC genotype (odds ratio [OR], 0.60; 95% confidence interval (95%CI), 0.36-0.99), but not for CC homozygotes. The rs2839698 TC genotype was especially associated with a reduced risk of developing non-muscle-invasive disease (OR, 0.52; 95%CI, 0.28-0.94). Borderline significantly decreased risks of bladder cancer were found for the rs2107425 CT genotype (OR, 0.66; 95%CI, 0.43-1.00), but not for TT homozygotes or for T allele carriers of rs217727 (OR, 0.74; 95%CI, 0.51-1.06). Haplotype analysis did not result in stronger associations with bladder cancer compared with the single-locus analyses.
An SNP polymorphism in the non-protein-encoding H19 gene is associated with a decreased risk of developing non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. This association was found for only heterozygotes, not for homozygotes.
Written by
Verhaegh GW, Verkleij L, Vermeulen SH, den Heijer M, Witjes JA, Kiemeney LA.
cells in urine from patients with bladder cancer
Detection of telomerase activity in exfoliated cells in urine from patients with bladder cancer
H Kinoshita, O Ogawa, Y Kakehi, M Mishina, K Mitsumori, N Itoh, H Yamada, T Terachi and O Yoshida
Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Japan.
BACKGROUND: Telomeres are specific structures located at the ends of chromosomes that help maintain chromosome stability. In most tissues, telomeres become shorter as cells divide, a phenomenon thought to be associated with limitations on normal cell proliferation. Almost all types of cancer cells, including bladder cancer cells, express the enzyme telomerase, which can maintain or extend telomere length. PURPOSE: We examined telomerase activity in tumor specimens from a cohort of patients with bladder cancer and determined whether telomerase could be detected in exfoliated cancer cells present in urine from these patients. METHODS: Spontaneously voided urine specimens and bladder-washing fluids (obtained by propelling normal saline into the bladder through a catheter and then withdrawing the liquid contents) were taken from 45 patients before they underwent surgery. Telomerase activity was examined by means of the TRAP (telomeric repeat amplification protocol) assay on extracts of tumor samples from 42 patients and extracts of exfoliated cells in urine and bladder-washing fluid from 42 and 43 patients, respectively. Standard cytologic examination (Pap staining) of urine specimens was also used to detect exfoliated cancer cells. RESULTS: Telomerase activity was found in 41 (98%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 87%-100%) of the 42 tumor samples examined. In contrast, it was not detected in normal bladder tissue from two autopsied individuals who were free of bladder cancer and five of six individuals who had bladder cancer. Telomerase was detected in exfoliated cells in 23 (55%; 95% CI = 39%-70%) of the 42 spontaneously voided urine specimens and in 36 (84%; 95% CI = 69%- 93%) of the 43 bladder-washing fluids examined. Considering voided urine specimens and bladder-washing fluids together, telomerase was detected in exfoliated cells from 40 (89%; 95% CI = 76%-96%) of the 45 patients. Telomerase activity was not detected in bladder-washing fluids from 12 cancer-free individuals. Cancer cells were detected by means of standard cytologic examination in the urine of 19 (42%; 95% CI = 28%-58%) of the 45 patients. Urine cytologic examination detected cancer cells in one (8%; 95% CI = 0%-38%) of 12 patients with grade 1 tumors and in 13 (46%; 95% CI = 28%-66%) of 28 patients with grade 2 tumors. In contrast, telomerase activity was detected in exfoliated cells (in voided urine or bladder-washing fluids) from nine (75%; 95% CI = 43%-95%) of 12 patients with grade 1 tumors and from 27 (96%; 95% CI = 82%-100%) of 28 patients with grade 2 tumors. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATION: Telomerase activity can be detected in exfoliated cells in urine from patients with bladder cancer, and measurement of this activity appears to be more sensitive in detecting the presence of cancer than standard urine cytologic examination. These findings suggest that measuring telomerase activity in exfoliated cells would be useful in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with bladder cancer, a possibility that warrants further study.
H Kinoshita, O Ogawa, Y Kakehi, M Mishina, K Mitsumori, N Itoh, H Yamada, T Terachi and O Yoshida
Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Japan.
BACKGROUND: Telomeres are specific structures located at the ends of chromosomes that help maintain chromosome stability. In most tissues, telomeres become shorter as cells divide, a phenomenon thought to be associated with limitations on normal cell proliferation. Almost all types of cancer cells, including bladder cancer cells, express the enzyme telomerase, which can maintain or extend telomere length. PURPOSE: We examined telomerase activity in tumor specimens from a cohort of patients with bladder cancer and determined whether telomerase could be detected in exfoliated cancer cells present in urine from these patients. METHODS: Spontaneously voided urine specimens and bladder-washing fluids (obtained by propelling normal saline into the bladder through a catheter and then withdrawing the liquid contents) were taken from 45 patients before they underwent surgery. Telomerase activity was examined by means of the TRAP (telomeric repeat amplification protocol) assay on extracts of tumor samples from 42 patients and extracts of exfoliated cells in urine and bladder-washing fluid from 42 and 43 patients, respectively. Standard cytologic examination (Pap staining) of urine specimens was also used to detect exfoliated cancer cells. RESULTS: Telomerase activity was found in 41 (98%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 87%-100%) of the 42 tumor samples examined. In contrast, it was not detected in normal bladder tissue from two autopsied individuals who were free of bladder cancer and five of six individuals who had bladder cancer. Telomerase was detected in exfoliated cells in 23 (55%; 95% CI = 39%-70%) of the 42 spontaneously voided urine specimens and in 36 (84%; 95% CI = 69%- 93%) of the 43 bladder-washing fluids examined. Considering voided urine specimens and bladder-washing fluids together, telomerase was detected in exfoliated cells from 40 (89%; 95% CI = 76%-96%) of the 45 patients. Telomerase activity was not detected in bladder-washing fluids from 12 cancer-free individuals. Cancer cells were detected by means of standard cytologic examination in the urine of 19 (42%; 95% CI = 28%-58%) of the 45 patients. Urine cytologic examination detected cancer cells in one (8%; 95% CI = 0%-38%) of 12 patients with grade 1 tumors and in 13 (46%; 95% CI = 28%-66%) of 28 patients with grade 2 tumors. In contrast, telomerase activity was detected in exfoliated cells (in voided urine or bladder-washing fluids) from nine (75%; 95% CI = 43%-95%) of 12 patients with grade 1 tumors and from 27 (96%; 95% CI = 82%-100%) of 28 patients with grade 2 tumors. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATION: Telomerase activity can be detected in exfoliated cells in urine from patients with bladder cancer, and measurement of this activity appears to be more sensitive in detecting the presence of cancer than standard urine cytologic examination. These findings suggest that measuring telomerase activity in exfoliated cells would be useful in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with bladder cancer, a possibility that warrants further study.
Bladder Cancer
Bladder is a part of our body to help in disposal of waste from our body. It functions to collect and store urine until it is finally disposed off from our body. The appearance of the cancer in bladder is called bladder cancer.
The bladder cancer is also known as urothelial cell cancer or squamous cancer. There are othe types of bladder cancer and sometimes the same kind of bladder cancer might be know by to or more different names too. And sometimes the name of bladder cancer depends on the cells reinfected.
The exact causes of bladder cancer are still in a research. However, smokers have the high rate to have this disease. Mostly, the bladder cancer occurs in older people, people who are above the age of 50.
The Symptoms of bladder are associated with the process of urination. Pain in the bladder or frequent urge for urinating are othe symptoms which might indicate bladder cancer. But, not all of these conditions related to he bladder cancer. If you feel these conditions you have to consult it with the doctors, in case to diagnose the cancer in early stages.
The diagnosis of bladder cancer starts with urine tests . The doctor may perform othe tests in order to diagnose bladder cancer. X-rays, blood test, intravenous urogram andbiopsies could also be used for testing bladder cancer. Like the other types of cancer, catching bladder cancer inearly stages can really help in combating this dreaded condition.
The treatment can range from surgery to radiotherapy or chemotherapy. These are a few other treatments for bladder cancer but really it all depends on the type of cancer, the stage of cancer etc.
By: Anne Ahira, Asian Brain Internet Marketing Center.
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