The Facts. Despite its name, the sweet potato, a member of the morning glory family of plants, is not related to the potato (Solanum tuberosum). There are about 400 varieties in different skin and flesh colors (white, purple, yellow, orange), some round or oblong, like a potato, others long and slender with tapered ends. Common varieties like Garnet or Japanese Purple have different textures (firm and dry or soft and moist) and degrees of sweetness. One medium sweet potato has just 103 calories, yet packs 438% DV (DV=Daily Value, based on 2,000 calories/day) of vision-protecting vitamin A, 37% DV of antioxidant vitamin C, and the powerful, health-promoting plant compounds, beta carotene and anthocyanins, that give the yellow/orange and purple varieties respectively, their color.

The Findings. Antioxidant capacity of sweet potatoes is mainly due to anthocyanin and carotenoid content, consumption of which is associated with lower risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and cognitive performance (Antioxidants, 2022). Orange-fleshed sweet potato ranked number one among all vegetables from a dietary point of view and nutritional perspective, according to a review of studies in different countries (Food Science & Nutrition, 2019), due in part to its significant vitamin A content, especially needed in countries with vitamin A deficiencies.

The Finer Points. Peak season for sweet potatoes is October through December, but they are available all year. Select small and medium sweet potatoes for a sweeter, moister flesh. Choose those with smooth, firm, and blemish-free skin.  Store in a cool, dark, well-ventilated place, but never refrigerate them. Sweet or savory, these taters will not disappoint. Bake them whole and top with yogurt, nuts, and maple syrup, mash with regular potatoes, or cut into fries and roast.

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Lymph nodes in your neck are located in front of your ear (preauricular), under your chin (submental), under your jaw (sub mandibular), down the side of your neck (anterior cervical), down the back of your neck (posterior cervical), and just above your collar bone (supraclavicular). There are many possible causes of the swollen nodes. Doctors do a history and physical, exam to determine the cause. They may also order lab tests, imaging studies, and in some cases a biopsy to determine the cause and best treatment.

What causes swollen lymph nodes in the neck?

The most common cause is an infection, usually from a virus or bacteria. White blood cell cancers and cancers of the head and neck, or cancers from other parts of the body are uncommon causes. Overall, less than one percent of lymph nodes are cancer, but after age 40 the number goes up to four percent.

The location of the node or nodes is a good clue to the cause. Preauricular lymph nodes are usually due to a scalp or ear infection. Submental and submandibular nodes may be caused by an oral infection, tonsillitis, infected tooth, mononucleosis, and rarely head and neck cancers. Supraclavicular nodes may be caused by lung or stomach cancer.

After infections, other causes can include autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus. Several medications can cause lymphadenitis including some antibiotics, seizure medications, blood pressure, and gout medications. Cancers that cause neck nodes include head and neck cancers, white blood cell cancers, and cancers that spread to lymph nodes from other parts of the body.

How to treat swollen lymph nodes in the neck naturally

You should not treat swollen lymph nodes at home unless the cause is a typical cold virus. If you are being treated by your doctor for an infection like tonsillitis or an infected tooth, home care can include a warm compress and an over-the-counter pain and fever medication like Tylenol or Advil. There are no herbal supplements or other home treatments that are recommended.

When to worry about swollen lymph nodes in the neck

Call your doctor about swollen lymph nodes in your neck if a node or nodes:

• Have no obvious cause
• Have not gone away within two weeks
• Are red, warm, and tender or draining pus or fluid
• Are painless but hard and hard to move under your skin
• Occur with other symptoms like persistent fever, night sweats, weight loss, or fatigue

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UVA in Nail Lights

According to a 2020 review published in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, UVA is used in close to 90 percent of nail salons for gel manicures. After the nail polish is put on, you need to hold your hands under a UVA nail lamp to harden the polish. How long you need to expose your hands to UVA radiation depends on the strength of the light. Being under the light for 10 minutes is about the same amount of radiation recommended as the limit for a full day of sunlight.

Gel manicures are popular because they increase the hardness, luster, and shine of nail polish. Using UVA light to cure nail polish is not new, it has been used for around 30 years. Over that time, there have been a few reported cases of squamous cell skin cancer on the back (dorsum) of the hands of women who frequently had gel manicures. These women were over age 40.

The study in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, looked at reported cases of skin cancers on the dorsum of the hands or nail beds that occurred in people who reported getting a nail gel manicure regularly. The review included women age 40 or younger. There were no cases found between 2007 and 2016. They concluded that there is little or no risk of skin cancer from gel manicures in people age 40 or younger.

A 2018 review in Dermatology Online says that UVA exposure during a gel manicure has the potential to increase the risk of skin cancer, and also increases the risk of skin aging because UVA exposure damages the DNA in the skin on the dorsum of the hands. Other studies have found that less than 3 percent of UVA radiation penetrates the fingernails.

Are UV Nail Lamps Safe?

Even though the risk is very low, any exposure to ultraviolet light is best avoided. Neither study concludes that UVA from nail lights is completely without risk, and even though the risk is low for cancer, there is still the risk of skin aging. The researchers in both studies offer these tips:

• Ask your nail salon if they have LED-based nail lights. These lights emit less radiation.
• 20 minutes before you get your manicure, cover your hands with a broad-spectrum sun-blocking lotion.
• For maximum safety, use a pair of nitrile disposable gloves with the ends cut off for your fingertips.

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How Does Alcohol Affect your Digestive System?

A substance that can cause cancer is called a carcinogen. For example, the many carcinogens found in tobacco smoke. A molecule of alcohol is also a carcinogen. Alcohol can cause damage to the cells of your digestive system because alcohol interferes with the ability of cell DNA to repair cell damage. Damaged cells are more likely to become cancer cells.

If you smoke and drink alcohol, alcohol acts as a solvent and allows more of the carcinogens in tobacco smoke to enter the cells of your mouth and throat. That is why these cancers are highest in people who both smoke and drink alcohol.

Alcohol has its worst effects on your liver. When your liver breaks down alcohol, a carcinogen called acetaldehyde is formed. This carcinogen directly damages cells of the liver. Liver damage leads to liver scarring called cirrhosis. About 30 percent of liver cancers occur in people with cirrhosis.

How Risky Is Alcohol for Cancer of Your Digestive System?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the 2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, if you chose to drink alcohol, you should drink in moderation. Moderate drinking is no more than two drinks in a day for men or one drink in a day for women. One drink could be 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or one shot of vodka, gin, whisky, or rum.

However, according to the WHO study, even one drink of alcohol per day may raise your risk for digestive cancer significantly. The findings of their study are published in the medical journal Lancet. These were some of the key findings on alcohol and digestive cancer:

• Cancers were highest in men, close to 80 percent were in men.
• The most common cancers were of the esophagus and liver.
• One in seven cancers were linked to one or two drinks per day.
• Having one or two drinks per day was estimated to cause more than 100,000 cancers in 2020.

A 2021 study that reviewed the effects of alcohol on digestive health was published in the journal Nutrients. This study found that alcohol caused 2.8 million deaths in 2016, and was the leading cause of death in people under age 50 worldwide.

A growing amount of evidence is showing that no amount of alcohol is safe. For women, alcohol is strongly linked to breast cancer. Alcohol use is also a cause of alcohol addiction, malnutrition, heart disease, and accidental deaths. In fact, the CDC is now saying drinking in moderation should not be considered safe drinking. CDC also says that older studies suggesting that moderate drinking is good for heart health have not been supported by more recent studies.

What Are the Long Term Effects of Alcohol?

Drinking one to two drinks of alcohol in a day may increase your risk of death, mainly from heart disease or cancer. The researchers from the WHO say that it is time for public policy to catch up to recent research. They suggest ways to lower alcohol use like banning advertising, increasing alcohol taxes, and putting warning labels on alcohol. In other words, they suggest starting to treat alcohol more like cigarettes. You can still choose to drink but you need to know the risk.

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How to Identify Age Spots

If you’re 50 or older, you’re likely to notice new age spots developing on your hands, face, and other areas of your skin that have received the most sun exposure. “Solar lentigines” is the medical term for these areas of skin discoloration that are commonly called “age spots” or “liver spots.”

“Lentigines are sharply defined patches that are tan or light brown in color. Benign (non-cancerous) moles are typically brown to darker brown, and they may be flat or raised. Melanomas may be larger and darker than moles,” explains Shari Lipner, MD, PhD, a dermatologist at Weill Cornell Medicine. (See sidebar below for more guidance on identifying melanomas.)

Dr. Lipner says that lentigines may form due to a genetic disposition or as a result of sun exposure. Lentigines are not cancerous or dangerous, but people who have significant past sun exposure are more likely to have them, as well as an increased risk of developing skin cancer.

Signs of Skin Cancer: The Importance of Screening

Age spot or liver spot.

If you’re at risk of skin cancer, it’s wise to have a full-body exam by a dermatologist every one to two years. A melanoma may not look very threatening, but the longer it goes undetected and untreated, the more likely the cancer will spread to other areas of your body.

“A board-certified dermatologist is best equipped to diagnose skin cancers. In addition to rigorous training, we also have special lighting and devices called dermatoscopes that help differentiate between lentigines, moles, and skin cancers,” says Dr. Lipner.

Between visits to your dermatologist, do a monthly self-check of your skin to monitor your moles, brown spots, and freckles, as well as any new spots or growths that appear. Perform your self-exam under a bright light, using a full-length mirror as well as a hand mirror. And, make sure to check your lips, mouth, ears, scalp, under your breasts, fingernails, and toenails, between your fingers and toes, the soles of your feet, and your genitals.

Know Your Risk of Skin Cancer

Non-cancerous mole.

One million people age 65 and older develop some type of skin cancer each year, and they also have the highest death rate from melanoma. Cumulative exposure to the sun is the main contributor to older adults’ higher risk.

You’re also at higher risk of skin cancer if you have:

• Fair skin
• Red or blond hair
• A history of blistering sunburns and/or outdoor summer jobs for three or more years as a teenager
• A large number of moles
• A history of actinic keratoses (scaly pink or brown patches that are considered to be precursors to skin cancer)
• Marked freckling of the upper back
• A personal or family history of the disease

Protect Yourself From Melanoma

Melanoma.

Reducing your exposure to the sun’s UV rays is the only action you can take to lower your risk of skin cancer. (See also “On the Lookout for Basal Cell Carcinoma Symptoms.”)

If you spend time in the sun, even in the winter, use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher that is labeled “broad-spectrum;” this means that it protects against both UVA and UVB light. Use sunscreen even on cloudy days—about 80 percent of the sun’s rays can filter through clouds.

Apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes prior to sun exposure. Cover any exposed skin, including your ears, lips, back of your neck, and your scalp if your hair is thinning. For added protection, stay out of direct sunlight between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

• Signs of Melanoma Skin Cancer
• Battle of the Sexes: Skin Cancer Edition
• Performing Self-Exams Can Aid In Early Detection of Skin Cancer

The post How to Tell the Difference Between Age Spots and Skin Cancer appeared first on University Health News.

Causes | Symptoms | Treatment

Types of Throat Cancer

Three types of cancer can occur in your pharynx, which is the upper area of your swallowing tube:

• Nasopharyngeal cancer occurs in the area from the back of your nose down to the back of your mouth.
• Oropharyngeal cancer can occur in the back of your mouth, tonsils, soft palate, or on the back of your tongue. This is the most common type of throat cancer.
• Hypopharyngeal cancer can occur from the lower back of your throat down to your voice box, called your larynx. [1-3]

Your larynx is the firm area in the middle of your throat, where your Adam’s apple is felt. The larynx is the structure where your vocal cords are located. Your larynx also acts as a valve to channel food and drink into your swallowing tube (esophagus) instead of into your lungs. There are three types of laryngeal cancer:

• Supraglottic laryngeal cancer occurs above your vocal cords
• Glottic laryngeal cancer occurs on your vocal cords
• Subglottic laryngeal cancer occurs below your vocal cords [1-3]

Most throat cancers start in cells that line of the surface of your throat. These cells are called squamous cells, therefore most types of throat cancer are squamous cell cancers. [1-3]

Identifying the type of throat cancer you have depends on its location. © solar22 | iStock / GettyImages

What Causes Throat Cancer?

Throat cancer – like other cancers – occurs when cells in your throat develop genetic changes that cause them to grow uncontrollably. As they grow, they can form into a tumor and crowd out normal and healthy cells. The cause of these mutations is not clear but there are factors that can increase your risk. [2] The risk factors for throat cancer include:

• Smoking
• Drinking alcohol
• Human papilloma virus infection
• A diet with very little fruits or vegetables
• Long-term acid indigestion, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) [1-3]

Throat cancer is five times more common in men. Most cases occur in people over age 60. Smoking and drinking together are a bigger risk than smoking or drinking alone. People who have HPV infection may get throat cancer at a younger age. HPV is a sexually transmitted disease spread through sexual contact and oral sex. [1] More than 70 percent of oropharyngeal cancer may be linked to HPV infection. [3]

Throat Cancer Signs and Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of throat cancer depend on where the cancer is located and how far advanced it is. These signs and symptoms are common complaints that often come and go, and may not be related to cancer. However, always let your doctor know if you notice any of these warning signs that are worsening or persistent:

• Hoarseness or another change in your voice
• Trouble swallowing or feeling like something is stuck in your throat
• Sore throat, ear, or jaw pain
• A lump in your neck
• Cough
• Noisy or difficult breathing
• Weight loss [1-3]

Other possible warning signs include trouble opening your mouth or moving your tongue, nose bleeds, stuffy nose, coughing up blood, and headaches. [3]

Making the Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and any history of smoking, drinking, or HPV risk. You may need to be examined with a long, thin scope inserted through your nose or mouth (endoscopic exam). Imaging studies may be important as well. The only sure way to diagnose throat cancer is with a biopsy, which may include:

• Incisional biopsy, to remove part of the cancer growth
• Excisional biopsy, to remove most or all of the cancer growth
• Aspiration biopsy, to remove a core of cancer growth or cells through a thin needle [1-3]

How Is Throat Cancer Treated?

Throat cancer may be successfully treated if caught at an early stage. Doctors stage throat cancer as stage I, II, III, or IV. Stage I is the earliest and stage IV is the most advanced. Fortunately, there are many treatment options. The best throat cancer treatment depends on the type, stage, location, and your general health and preference. [1-3]

Options may include one or a combination of these treatments:

• Surgical removal
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Immunotherapy, treatments that strengthen your body’s natural defense system
• Targeted therapy, treatments that target specific aspects of the cancer’s biology [1-3]

There is no way to completely prevent throat cancer, but you can lower your risk by not smoking, not drinking, eating lots of fruits and vegetables, practicing safe sex, and getting the HPV vaccine, which is available for boys, girls, young men, and young women. [2]

1. MD Anderson, Throat Cancer
2. Mayo Clinic, Throat Cancer
3. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Throat Cancer

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Lymphoma is not just one disease, but rather two distinctive forms of cancer with many subtypes. As such, the answer to the question of “What is lymphoma?” can differ from person to person, depending on the type of lymphoma that person has.

What Is Lymphoma? Two Main Types to Consider

In general, lymphoma is cancer that affects disease-fighting white blood cells known as lymphocytes. Experts have identified two broad categories of lymphoma: non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and Hodgkin lymphoma (Hodgkin disease).

NHL, the most common form of lymphoma, originates in B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes (B-cells and T-cells) as well as natural killer (NK) cells. These cells play direct and indirect roles in helping the immune system attack and destroy bacteria, viruses, and other germs.

B-Cell Lymphoma

Overall, about 60 non-Hodgkin lymphoma subtypes have been identified. And around 85 percent of NHLs in the United States are B-cell lymphomas. NHLs are also categorized based on how quickly they progress:

• • High-grade, or aggressive, NHL makes up about 60 percent of NHL cases in the United States, according to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The most common form is diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, which accounts for about 30 percent of all NHL cases.
  • Low-grade, or indolent, NHL comprises about 40 percent of NHL cases in the United States. The most common form, follicular lymphoma, accounts for about 20 percent of all NHLs.
  • Intermediate-grade NHL progresses at a rate between high-grade and low-grade forms and may transform into high-grade NHL.

Each year, NHL is newly diagnosed in more than 71,000 Americans, and nearly 20,000 die from it, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). NHL can develop at any age, but 95 percent of cases occur in adults; about half of people with the disease are over age 66.

The prognosis for NHL can vary depending on the subtype, how rapidly the cancer has progressed, and how quickly the disease is diagnosed and treated. Overall, 69 percent of NHL patients survive at least five years after their diagnosis, while 59 percent survive at least 10 years, the ACS notes.
Hodgkin disease is less common than NHL, resulting in about 9,050 new diagnoses and 1,150 deaths each year in the United States, the ACS estimates. The disease is most prevalent among people in their 20s and adults over age 55.

Nearly all cases of Hodgkin disease originate in B-cells. Most commonly, Hodgkin disease begins in lymph nodes in the chest, neck, or under the arms, and usually spreads systematically from lymph node to lymph node. In later stages, it can enter the bloodstream and travel to the liver, lungs, and elsewhere in the body.

Classic Hodgkin disease comprises about 95 percent of Hodgkin cases, according to the ACS. This type of Hodgkin lymphoma, which encompasses four subtypes, features large B-cells (Reed-Sternberg cells) that are significantly larger than normal lymphocytes and differ from NHL cells. Nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin disease accounts for the remaining 5 percent of Hodgkin disease cases. This form is characterized by large, popcorn-like cells, and is more common in men than in women.

With advances in diagnosis and treatment, survival rates for people with Hodgkin disease have improved significantly, to the point that the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society now considers Hodgkin disease one of the most curable forms of cancer.

But, as with NHL, the stage of the cancer when it’s diagnosed and other factors help determine a Hodgkin patient’s outlook. For instance, about 90 percent of people diagnosed with early-stage (Stage 1 or 2) Hodgkin disease survive at least five years, but that rate drops to about 80 percent for people diagnosed with Stage 3 and 65 percent for those with Stage 4, the ACS notes.

Symptoms of Lymphoma

No screening tests are recommended for any type of lymphoma, so paying attention to signs and symptoms of the disease is crucial for early detection.

The most common symptom of early lymphoma is persistent swelling of lymph nodes in the armpit, neck, or groin (although this symptom more commonly signals a noncancerous condition, such as an infection.) These swollen lymph nodes usually are painless but sometimes may become painful after you consume alcohol.

Aside from lymph node abnormalities, lymphoma may cause what are known as B symptoms, which include fever, severe night sweats, and unintentional weight loss (especially a loss of 10 percent or more of body weight over six months). Other potential lymphoma symptoms include fatigue, loss of appetite, persistent cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, abdominal discomfort, and itchy skin or skin rashes.

See your doctor if you’re troubled by any of these lymphoma symptoms.

Originally published in May 2016 and updated.

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As a former chemotherapy infusion nurse, I’ve seen firsthand the effects cancer has on individuals and families. As I daily mixed preparations of chemo drugs, I often thought about how wonderful it would be to find a cure and even prevent this disease. In fact, it was seeing the disease, day in and day out, that drove me to study nutrition and other alternative methods of cancer prevention. And so, having spent years studying and researching effective strategies for fighting cancer, the most successful approaches I’ve discovered can be found herein.

Breast Cancer Prevention Tip #1—Exercise Regularly

If you want to cut your risk of developing breast cancer by as much as 30 percent, start exercising regularly. According to research from the University of North Carolina, women who regularly exercise have a significantly decreased risk of developing the disease._[1] The intensity of the workout does not matter, but the quantity does. This means you don’t have to run a marathon or buy hundreds of dollars’ worth of workout equipment; you can simply walk around the block with a friend or play a game with your kids. But, you do have to be consistent. At least 30 to 60 minutes of activity per day, five days per week is recommended to achieve the best results.

Why is exercise so effective? Exercise helps reduce abdominal fat. Since estrogen is stored in fat, the larger a person is, the more circulating estrogen will be stored in the body. Losing excess weight, and particularly abdominal fat, can help lower breast cancer risk by 25 to 30 percent, which leads to tip #2…

Breast Cancer Prevention Tip #2—Eat a Healthy Diet High in Fruits and Vegetables

Aside from helping with weight loss, there are a number of naturally occurring compounds found in fruits and vegetables that have been proven by scientific research to prevent breast cancer. As you read over this list, think about which foods you can incorporate into your diet.

• Broccoli contains the phytonutrient sulforaphane; treating breast cancer stem cells with sulforaphane inhibits their growth and halts tumor progression._[2]
• Carrots contain the antioxidant falcarinol, which delays the growth of breast and other cancerous tumors._[3]
• Cabbage and other cruciferous vegetables contain the phytochemical Indole-3-carbinol (I3C), which influences estrogen metabolism. In one study, researchers at the University of California at Berkeley injected I3C directly into human breast cancer cells; it halted the cell cycle process, inhibiting the growth of the cancer cells and preventing cell division._[4]
• Pomegranates contain ellagitannins. These phytochemicals inhibit aromatase, an enzyme that converts androgen to estrogen. Aromatase plays a key role in breast cancer development; therefore, consuming pomegranates inhibits the growth of hormone-dependent breast cancer._[5]
• Raspberries contain the powerful phytonutrient ellagic acid.  Specifically, ellagic acid has been found to cause cell death in cancer cells, and it reduces estrogen’s effect in the promotion of breast cancer._[6]

Besides eating fruits and vegetables, it’s also critically important to consume organic proteins and “good” fats and to avoid processed, sugary, and carbohydrate-laden foods.

Breast Cancer Prevention Tip #3—Get Enough Sleep

The key to a good night’s sleep is determined by the amount of melatonin produced in our body. This hormone is produced by the pineal gland in the brain and is best known for its role in regulating circadian rhythm, or the sleep-wake cycle. Yet researchers also have found that decreased melatonin levels can stimulate the growth of estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer cells._[7] In fact, women who mostly work at night and have very little exposure to sunlight have increased breast cancer rates by as much as 60 percent. Why? Exposure to light alters the total amount of melatonin produced in the body (which is a good reason to make sure your bedroom during sleep time is completely dark—no TVs, computers, cell phones or lights left on).

For women who have difficulty falling or staying asleep and for women who work nightshifts, taking 3 mg of melatonin one hour before bedtime can help adjust the body’s circadian rhythm in order to get the 7 to 8 hours of rest needed each day.

Breast Cancer Prevention Tip #4—Take Targeted Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamin D: Aside from the lack of sleep associated with working the nightshift, a lack of sunlight exposure can prevent the body from manufacturing the important vitamin D3, an essential nutrient that helps prevent breast cancer. According to one study, breast cancer patients with low vitamin D levels have a 73 percent higher risk of death than women who are vitamin D sufficient. The risk of developing breast cancer can be reduced by as much as 50 percent when vitamin D levels in the blood are above 52 nanograms per milliliter._[8]

Most men and women find it difficult, if not impossible, to get enough safe sunlight to keep their vitamin D blood levels this high. The answer for most is to take a nutritional supplement at levels of 2,000 to 5,000 IU of vitamin D3 per day. It’s safe and easy and pays huge dividends.

Magnesium: In addition to vitamin D, a deficiency of magnesium has been linked to breast cancer. When you consider that magnesium plays a vital role in health, participating in more than 300 enzymatic reactions, it’s no surprise that a deficiency of this mineral can wreak havoc on the body. Magnesium is required for insulin regulation, energy production, blood pressure control, heart health, pH balance and… cancer prevention. On top of this, many pharmaceutical drugs prescribed to women cause a deficiency of this vital mineral. In particular, oral contraceptives (birth control) cause a decrease in magnesium, which is why it’s no surprise that women with a history of birth control use are at increased risk for developing breast cancer.

B Complex: Last, but certainly not least, a lack of the important B vitamins can also influence breast cancer risk. One study found that women with higher dietary intakes of vitamin B12 and folate were associated with lower breast cancer risk, particularly among postmenopausal women._[9]

So, how can you know if you’re getting an adequate amount of these vitamins and minerals in your food or supplements?  For each nutrient, specific testing is available and can be easily performed by your doctor or an integrative physician.

Breast Cancer Prevention Tip #5—Limit X-Ray Exposure

Unnecessary exposure to x-rays can increase the risk of breast cancer development._[10] According to a study by European cancer agencies published in the journal BMJ, x-rays, mammograms, and other types of tests involving chest radiation are particularly harmful to women who genes put them at a higher risk for the disease.

In the study, researchers followed 2,000 women with the BRCA1 or BRCA2 cancer gene mutations. The participants reported their previous chest x-rays and mammograms, including the age of their first screening and the number of procedures. Researchers found women with a history of chest radiation in their 20s had a 43 percent increased relative risk of breast cancer compared to women who had no chest radiation at that age. And, any exposure before age 20 seemed to raise the risk by 62 percent._[11] In several European naitons, including Great Britain, the Netherlands, and Spain, doctors already advise women with BRCA gene mutations to get MRIs or ultrasounds instead of mammograms before age 30.

The take-away message here is to always ask your doctor if a test is necessary; that is, just be sure that the x-rays you get are really the ones you need. And, check to see if safer alternatives such as ultrasounds or thermography might work as well.

Get Started Today!

Will these five tips provide you a 100 percent guarantee of protection from breast cancer? No, but implementing them into your life can likely decrease your risk for developing the disease by 30, 40, or even as much as 70 percent. And, if the 200,000 women last year who were newly diagnosed with the disease could have known about cutting their risk factors in half, they would have likely jumped at the opportunity. Will you?

[1] SEER Cancer Statistics Review
[2] The University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, June 25, 2012.
[3] Clinical Cancer Research, April 13, 2010.
[4] J Natl Cancer Inst 1999;91:547-56.
[5] >Mol Endocrinol. 2006 Dec;20(12):3070-82.
[6] Natural Compounds in Pomegranates May Prevent Growth of Hormone-dependent breast cancer. American Association for Cancer Research. January 5, 2010.
[7] Clin Biochem. 2009 Sep;42(13-14):1358-62.
[8] Breast Cancer Res. 2010;12(6):R107.
[9] Evidence for Need for Increasing Dietary Vitamin D. Abstract 4008—AACR Conference.
[10] Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2006 Mar;15(3):443-8.
[11] “X-Ray risk from overexposure to radiation, danger and safety, CT scan, MRI safety” by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
[12] Diagnostic chest radiation before age 30 may increase breast cancer risk in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. BMJ. September 5, 2012.

Originally published in 2012, this post is regularly updated.

The post 5 Breast Cancer Prevention Tips That Could Save Your Life appeared first on University Health News.

What Is Blue Light Therapy?

Blue light therapy works with a photosensitizing agent to destroy damaged cells (i.e. those with cancer). Therefore, blue light therapy involves two elements to work properly:

1. A photosensitizing molecule (i.e. a drug like Levulan) that is activated by exposure to light. It’s used often as an external skin cream but can also enter the bloodstream via a vein. Depending on the drug, light, and condition, the photosensitizing agent may be left on the skin (or in the bloodstream) for anywhere from a few hours to a few days before it’s properly absorbed.

2. A light source to activate the photosensitizing molecule. A chemical reaction occurs once the light meets the photosensitizing agent.

How Does Blue Light Therapy Work?

Once the blue light hits the photosensitizer, it sets off a chain reaction. Activated oxygen molecules are released into the area, destroying abnormal cells and nearby tissue. This can be particularly effective in zapping regions damaged by skin cancer as blue light therapy can target an entire area of damage, not just a visible lesion. According to an article published at www.cancer.org, photodynamic therapy may “also help by destroying the blood vessels that feed the cancer cells and by alerting the immune system to attack the cancer.”

That said, blue light therapy is only successful at treating areas where the light hits the abnormal tissue (i.e. on or just below the skin). This means it’s not good for treating larger tumors. Often, multiple blue light therapy treatments are necessary to achieve results.

What Does Blue Light Therapy Work for?

Photodynamic therapy is used by oncologists, cosmetic surgeons, optometrists, and dermatologists. It’s especially helpful at treating multiple types of cancer, especially those with tumors or growths that lie close to the skin’s surface. For blue light therapy to work, the light must be directly applied to the diseased tissue. Since the therapy can’t penetrate beyond the depth reached by the light, it’s hard to target diseased cells beyond about 1 cm of the light source.

Some doctors have found their way around this problem by delivering blue light to the affected area through tiny fiber-optic cables or endoscopes. Using these methods, they’ve been able to target tissue in the lungs, stomach, and bladder, among other areas.

The following ailments have been successfully treated with blue light therapy:

• Acne. According to Loknath Chen, Associate Professor, Biotechnology Department, Mingchuan University, Taiwan, “Visible blue light irradiation triggers the natural photosensitizer molecules (curcumin or Flavin derivatives) to produce the reactive oxygen species (ROS) to increase the oxidative stress at local zone in a sort time.” In other words, blue light therapy changes the composition of the skin surface to inhibit the acne. Anren Hu, professor, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Tzu Chi University adds, “Some studies also suggested that blue light phototherapy can positively alleviate inflammatory but also noninflammatory acne lesions by reducing the gene expression of nuclear factor-Kb(NF-kB) and inflammatory cytokines.”
• Actinic keratosis (rough, scaly, precancerous spots on the skin)
• Blotchy skin pigmentation
• Cancer
• Candida. A study published in the journal Lasers in Medical Science found that combining red light therapy with blue light therapy twice a day can successfully control candida).
• Chemotherapy side effects. According to Brazilian researchers, combining the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin with low power blue light emitting diode (LED) can decrease the negative side-effects of chemotherapy in breast cancer patients.
• Enlarged sebaceous glands
• Jaundice. Chinese researchers found that combining blue light therapy with a probiotic product known as bifico can significantly improve jaundice in babies and speed their recovery.
• Non-melanoma skin cancer
• Psoriasis
• Rickettsia. A bacterial infection transmitted through the bites of lice, mites, fleas, and ticks.
• Rosacea
• Sun damage
• Third-degree burns. A recent study on mice published in the journal Lasers in Medical Science found that blue light therapy can help heal this type of burn.
• Toenail fungus. Spanish researchers found that photodynamic therapy can cure onychomycosis, a fungal infection of toe or finger nails.
• Warts
• Wrinkles

Side Effects of Blue Light Therapy

Overall, Hu says, blue light therapy “is safe and well tolerated.” Most patients experience a temporary sensitivity to light following their treatment; however, this will fade within about six weeks.

That said, some photosensitizer drugs may cause a longer reaction and certain topical drugs may cause temporary sensitivity that’s limited to the treatment area. This can last anywhere between 24 and 72 hours. Therefore, it’s important to wear proper sun protection (e.g., a hat, long sleeves, sunglasses, and sunblock).

According to Hu, about one to three percent of people also experience mild skin dryness, itchiness, and redness after a treatment. Other adverse effects can include “application site pain, face edema, herpes infection, skin hyperpigmentation, and hair color lightening,” he says. Note: Always discuss your post-treatment plan (including light-avoidance tactics) with your doctor.

Where to Find Treatment

Often, a dermatologist can perform photodynamic therapy in his or her office for minor conditions such as skin cancer. Specialists such as oncologists and other types of physicians may also be trained to deliver blue light therapy.

What to Expect from Your First Appointment

Blue light therapy is so quick and easy that it can be performed in a doctor’s office. Here’s what to expect:

1. First, the doctor will apply a light-sensitizing agent (i.e. a liquid or cream) or intravenous drug (i.e. the photosensitizer mentioned above).
2. Next, you wait. As mentioned earlier, the photosensitizing drug can take minutes or even days to incubate.
3. Then, the doctor will expose the affected tissue to a light source to activate the photosensitizing agent. Once this happens, a chemical reaction occurs, which kills the diseased tissue.

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This means humans are easily exposed to this toxic metal through cosmetics, medicines, food, water, and air. There is no known role for aluminum within the body and its presence causes a number of adverse effects. Among the most concerning are aluminum’s harmful effects in breast tissue and the brain. The potential role of aluminum toxicity in Alzheimer’s disease and breast cancer is finally gaining more traction in the research world, with experts now calling for reductions in aluminum exposure and discovering ways in which natural therapies can remove aluminum from the brain and body. 

In part 1 of this special series on aluminum, we look more closely at the question: does antiperspirant cause cancer?

Aluminum Toxicity and Breast Cancer

Aluminum is present in numerous cosmetics, particularly antiperspirants, in which aluminum salts are the primary active ingredient to block the production of sweat. Research shows that aluminum appears to get absorbed through the skin, accumulate in breast tissue, and increase the risk of breast cancer._[1-5] The evidence linking aluminum to breast cancer has now grown so strong that a diverse group of European researchers recently called for the urgent reduction of this metal in antiperspirants._[1]

Research on Aluminum and Breast Health

In their published review of the research, the investigators noted how recent studies demonstrate that aluminum from antiperspirants can be absorbed through the skin and can accumulate in mammary glands, where it interferes with the functioning of certain types of breast cells, thereby promoting a cascade of cellular changes that represent the early phases of cancer. In addition, they cited several studies that suggest that the presence of aluminum in human breast tissue could influence the process of cancer growth.

Aluminum has now been measured in the human breast at higher levels than in the blood._[2] The amount of aluminum in breast tissue is high enough to interfere with normal healthy breast cell functioning, disrupt the stability of genes, cause cells to proliferate excessively, and interfere with the action of estrogen._[2] The presence of aluminum in breast tissue may also cause oxidative damage, inflammation, and alterations to cells’ ability to move around._[2]

“As a consequence, given that the toxicity of Al [aluminum] has been widely recognized and that it is not a physiological component in human tissues, reducing the concentration of this metal in antiperspirants is a matter of urgency,” concluded the study’s authors._[1]

What’s in Your Deodorant?

If you’re not using a natural “deodorant,” but instead using an antiperspirant to block the normal production of sweat, it is extremely likely that it contains a salt of aluminum as its primary, active ingredient. If you haven’t yet, consider switching to a natural deodorant that neutralizes odor without blocking sweat pores. While you may still sweat, the newer natural deodorants on the market are remarkably good at keeping body odor at bay as long as you’re also washing your armpits daily. You can still use aluminum-based antiperspirants every once in while, but you can reserve their use for special occasions.

Other Sources of Aluminum Exposure

Of course, antiperspirant isn’t the only source of aluminum exposure. To reduce your chances of aluminum accumulating in your breast tissue and in other areas of your body (like your brain), it is important to try and limit your exposure from other sources as well. In addition to antiperspirant, consider the following sources of aluminum exposure:

• Foods and cookware. Aluminum oxides are used in foods as additives, preservatives, fillers, coloring agents, anti-caking agents, emulsifiers and baking powders._[6] Cooking foods in aluminum pots and pans or in aluminum foil can increase their aluminum content. To reduce your aluminum exposure from foods, avoid using aluminum cookware and, more importantly, eat less processed/packaged foods and fewer baked goods. Also replace aluminum reusable water bottles with stainless steel.
• Medications and supplements. A number of medications and supplements contain aluminum either as an active ingredient or a contaminant._[7] Drugs that contain aluminum as an active ingredient include certain antacids, such as Mylanta, and buffered aspirin, both of which can cause aluminum toxicity when taken regularly. Drug and supplement additives that have been shown to be contaminated with aluminum include magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and talcum._[7] Some calcium, iron, and B-complex tablets have been found to contain high levels of aluminum, presumably because of these contaminated additives._[7] For this reason, it is important to purchase only high-quality supplements that are preferably hypoallergenic, additive-free, and in capsule rather than tablet form.
• Cosmetics. Aluminum is added to lipsticks to keep colors from bleeding. Almost all lipstick applied gets ingested. It has been estimated that heavy lipstick users can ingest potentially hazardous amounts of aluminum._[8] Choose your cosmetics wisely and incorporate make-up-free days into your routine.
• Vaccines. Aluminum is used in some vaccines as an adjuvant (to increase the vaccine’s effectiveness). Some experts worry that this could constitute an unacceptably high aluminum load in susceptible individuals._[9,10] Administration of aluminum to baby mice in vaccine-relevant amounts is associated with long-term nervous system and brain abnormalities._[10]
• Water. In recent years, acid rain has changed aluminum-containing minerals into a more soluble form of aluminum that has ended up in residential drinking water._[11] Despite the fact that drinking water is estimated to account for only a very small proportion of aluminum intake compared to other sources, the aluminum in water is more bioavailable and contributes to aluminum accumulation in the human body._[11] Cognitive decline and the risk of dementia, for example, are higher for people who ingest large amounts of aluminum from drinking water._[12] Reverse osmosis and distillation are two water purification methods that remove aluminum from water.

Does Antiperspirant Cause Cancer? A Summary

The potential link between aluminum and breast cancer is a very real and valid concern that researchers are only beginning to untangle. Nevertheless, a number of research groups are calling for reducing aluminum in products like antiperspirants to lower exposure and potentially decrease cancer risk. In addition to switching from conventional antiperspirant to natural deodorant, you learned of some other ways to lower your aluminum exposure with the goal of decreasing your risk not only for breast cancer, but for other diseases associated with aluminum toxicity as well.

In part 2 of this article, you will learn more about the ongoing research identifying aluminum as a cause of Alzheimer’s and other diseases of the nervous system. And in part 3 you will see all the natural products, including nutrients and herbal extracts, that have been shown to prevent and decrease aluminum toxicity. In other words, there is more you can do to reduce aluminum’s harmful effects besides just trying to avoid it.

Originally published in 2014, this post is regularly updated. 

[1] J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2014 Apr;28(2):147-50.

[2] J Inorg Biochem. 2013 Nov;128:257-61.

[3] J Inorg Biochem. 2013 Nov;128:250-6.

[4] J Inorg Biochem. 2013 Nov;128:245-9.

[5] J Appl Toxicol. 2012 Mar;32(3):233-43.

[6] J Toxicol Environ Health B Crit Rev. 2007;10(Suppl 1):1–269.

[7] Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2007;22(2):605-611.

[8] Environ Health Perspect. 2013; 121:705–710.

[9] Lupus. 2012 Feb;21(2):223-30.

[10] J Inorg Biochem. 2013 Nov;128:237-44.

[11] Toxicology. 2014 Jan 6;315:1-7.

[12] Am J Epidemiol. 2009 Feb 15;169(4):489-96.

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