Four-Fold Increase In Worldwide Cases of Diabetes Over Past 25 Years – WHO

Approximately 18.2 million Americans have diabetes and almost approximately 5.2 million people are unaware that they have it. Worldwide, a person is actually diagnosed with the disease every 23 seconds. As yet, there is no cure, so it is important that you visit your doctor regularly as people with diabetes need to manage their disease to stay healthy.

The disease consists of problems with the insulin hormone. Normally, the pancreas releases insulin to help your body store and use the sugar and fat from the food you eat. When this normal process does not function properly diabetes. More specifically, diabetes occurs:

  • When the pancreas does not produce any insulin
  • When the pancreas produces very little insulin
  • When the body does not respond appropriately to insulin

Over the period from 1980 to 2014, “diabetes rates nearly doubled.” Currently, “one in 12 people living in the world today have the disease.” The Washington Post has reported that diabetes, “once predominantly a rich-country problem, has become one that disproportionately affects poorer countries,” the findings of a World Health Organization’s “first global report” on diabetes suggest. USA Today points out that around the globe, “diabetes killed 1.5 million people in 2012, according to the WHO report.”

According to the AP, the WHO report attributed “excess weight, obesity, aging and population growth” to the “nearly four-fold increase in worldwide cases of diabetes over the last quarter-century.”.

It is interesting to note that People Who Consume Full-Fat Dairy May Weigh Less, May Be Less Likely To Develop Diabetes Than Those Who Eat Low-Fat Dairy Products. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “people who consume full-fat dairy weigh less and are less likely to develop diabetes than those who eat low-fat dairy products,” the findings of a 3,333-adult, 15-year study published in the journal Circulation suggest. The study revealed that “people with higher levels of three different byproducts of full-fat dairy had, on average, a 46 percent lower risk of getting diabetes than those with lower levels.”

There are many organizations working on a cure for diabetes and donations can be made to American Diabetes Association, as well as many others.

Zika Eradication

A major component of Zika eradication is to produce gamma-irradiated sterile mosquitoes. Within the next fews months IAEA will send a gamma cell irradiator to Brazil’s Moscamed research center in Juazeiro. The irradiator will allow the research center to produce up to 12 million sterilized male mosquitoes per week. The mosquitos will be released in 15 areas that have been hit hard by Zika and will reach up to 750,000 people.

The process begins with using gamma rays to sterilize male mosquito pupae. The mosquitos are then raised in huge numbers and released into the wild where they compete with wild male mosquitos. If enough sterile males mate with females, the chance of producing offspring is significantly lowered, causing a crash in the mosquito population that is spreading the Zika virus.

Throughout the years, this same technique has been used in reducing other problem insects. When populations of moths and fruit flies in the US have been extremely problematic, this technique has brought their populations under control. This method also reduced the problematic and disease spreading tsetse fly problem on the island nation of Zanzibar.

Scientists are hoping this technique will help decrease the mosquito population, especially since results with mosquitoes previously have been not as successful. Gamma-irradiated male mosquitoes don’t seem to be as successful at mating with females as their wild counterparts. In the meantime, scientists are looking for alternative methods to sterilize males which includes using X-rays. The enormous amount of insects needed to keep populations in check is also staggering. A facility in Guatemala has to produce more than 2 billion sterile Medfly fruit flies per week in order to keep populations down in areas of Guatemala and California.

The IAEA admits the gamma method for reducing mosquito populations is still in its pilot stages, and long term results from Italy, Indonesia, and China have been encouraging. The next steps for Zika control is disease reduction as well as more research that verifies survival as well as early detection equipment. The IAEA is currently delivering virus detection equipment to Latin American and Caribbean countries with equipment training to be available in late March.

Long Island Prepares for Zika

Since the middle of March, nearly 480 cases of travel related Zika virus cases have been reported in the US. This is a huge increase from last month when that number was just 100. Some travelers returning from Zika affected areas are bringing the virus back with them.

This Zika Virus Podcast provides more information on the disease and it’s origion.

All over the United States, precautionary measures being taken to deal with Zika. Early this year a Zika virus testing station was set up at the Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow Long Island.

The hospital staff warns of symptoms associated with the Zika virus that should not be taken lightly for those returning from areas such as South American and the Caribbean. Symptoms include a fever, chills, headache and/or muscle aches. Symptoms including pink eye, vomiting and skin rash are also seen in those affected with Zika virus. If you or anyone you know has been traveling to Zika affected areas and is experiencing any of these symptoms they should make their way to the emergency department to be properly evaluated and treated.

With confirmed cases of Zika coming from Long Island it comes at no surprise. Nassau county has one of the biggest Latin populations on the northeast. Many residents frequent Zika affected areas, therefore local testing in this area is essential and testing stations are available. The testing stations at Nassau University Medical Center offer free blood and urine tests are sent to one of three Zika testing labs in the US located in Albany.

If a person tests positive for Zika they are advised to avoid sexual contact for at least four weeks and are advised to avoid getting pregnant for at least four weeks. Zika virus can spread to the pregnant woman’s fetus and cause a birth defect know as microcephaly. Microcephaly is a neurological condition which causes a baby to be born with a small head and brain. It’s also associated with severe developmental issues and can cause death. Pregnant women that test positive for the virus will receive obstetric counseling at the Nassau hospital.

Walk-ins at the Nassau hospital or its satellite health center are currently available for those with symptoms that have traveled to Zika affected areas. Test results are quick and will only take two to three days.

Cancer Treatment – Overview

Cancer can be a debilitating disease. It involves abnormal cell growth that can spread to other parts of the body, if not caught in time (for many cancers). There are over 100 different known cancers that affect humans.

Although, much medical advancement has been made in the treatment and early detection of cancer in the United States and elsewhere, such as Israel, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done before a cure is found. You can help by following a healthy lifestyle, but if you think you might have cancer, contact your physician at once.

Possible signs and symptoms include: a new lump, abnormal bleeding, a prolonged cough, unexplained weight loss, and a change in bowel movements among others. While these symptoms may indicate cancer, they may also occur due to other issues.

Tobacco, obesity, alcohol, not eating health, lack of physical activity and/or heredity issues can be major factors towards acquiring the disease.

Melanoma is a common form of cancer, but is also one of the most treatable if caught in time. Similarly, prostate cancer, if detected early can also be treated and cured with a high degree of certainty. In contrast, certain cancers such as pancreatic cancer is less prone to treatment and the survival rate is unfortunately high among this disease.

Prevention is paramount. Don’t smoke, maintaining a healthy weight, drink alcohol moderately or not at all,, eating plenty of vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Make sure you are vaccinated against certain infectious diseases, avoid processed red meat, and avoiding too much exposure to sunlight and go for regular check ups and follow up with preventative procedures; such as a colonoscopy and breast cancer testing.

The chance of survival depends on the type of cancer and extent of disease at the start of treatment, so make sure you visit your doctor on a consistent basis.

Read our articles on the advancements of cancer treatment to stay abreast of the latest medical technologies available.

 

Colorectal Cancer Awareness: The Importance of Screening and Prevention

Getting tested for colon cancer could prevent the disease and save someone’s life. However, colon cancer remains the third leading cause of cancer death among men and women. As a result, March has been designated National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

Individuals age 50 years and older should discuss colon cancer screening with their doctor. Unfortunately, many adults have never been screened and less than two-thirds are up to date. The importance of screening is that it can catch colon cancer before the symptoms develop. At this stage, the disease is easier to treat and survival rates are favorable.

The American Cancer Society has set a goal of increasing colon cancer screening rates to 80% by 2018. According to the Society, half of all colon cancer deaths could be prevented through regular testing.

There are a number of screening options, and which option is right for you depends on your risk. For instance, people with a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, or people who have a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease should get a colonoscopy.

Although screening is only recommended for people age 50 years and older, which is when the majority of colorectal cancers are found in people, individuals with a family history of certain cancers or medical conditions may need to begin colonoscopy earlier and should discuss with their physician.

There are risk factors that the patient cannot control, such as age, personal or family history, and genetic conditions. Other risks can be controlled. The following factors are all linked to higher incidences of colorectal cancer and can be changed by the individual.

  • Lifestyle: low physical activity, obesity, smoking, and heavy alcohol use
  • Diet: a diet high in beef, pork, and lamb, processed meats, and fats

In addition, there are some additional strategies that may be linked to a lower incidence of colorectal cancer, such as eating more foods with dietary fiber, including garlic in your diet, drinking more milk, and eating more foods with calcium.

What is the Zika Virus?


Zika MosquitoThe Zika virus is a disease that spreads to people primarily through the sting of an infected Aedes species mosquito. The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis. However, many people might not even know if they have been infected, as most people who contract the Zika virus won’t know they have the disease because they won’t have symptoms, according to the CDC. In addition, most people who have the virus, don’t get sick enough to go to the hospital, and they very rarely die of Zika.

Zika Symptoms

Transferring the Disease

Zika is mainly spread by mosquitoes, but there have been reported cases of the virus being spread through sexual intercourse. In addition, the Zika virus may be spread through blood transfusions.

Active Locations of the Virus

Currently, there are 39 countries and territories with reported active local transmission of the virus, including Puerto Rico. While there has yet to be any local transmission of the virus in the continental United States, experts expect that to change as the weather warms up.

The virus has been around for many decades, but suddenly, it is now increasing in the human population at an alarming rate. In May 2015, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert regarding the first confirmed Zika virus infection in Brazil and on Feb 1, 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Zika virus a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).

The following video illustrates the the sudden increase of the Zika virus

As Zika virus continues to spread worldwide, the urgent need for assistance in the countries affected grows. The International Atomic Energy Agency has recently announced a plan to help the 26 countries and territories reporting Zika virus infections.

Zike Virus World Map
The map above depicts the probability of occurrence (blue=none, red=highest occurrence).

Zika Risks to Humans

While the spread Zika virus is not on par with the deadly Ebola outbreak from 2014 that began in West Africa, the reason why Zika is causing such concern is because of the potential link to microcephaly. Women who are pregnant and develop a fever, rash, joint pain, or red eyes within 2 weeks of traveling to a country where Zika has been reported should see a doctor.

There has been a link between women infected with Zika and babies born with microcephaly, a birth defect that affects brain development, resulting in babies being born with much smaller heads than expected. Typically, microcephaly is not a common condition, and normally affects between 2 and 12 babies per 10,000.

Additional information can be found in Five Facts About the Zika Virus.

Donate Now! Help the children of the Zika virus!

World Cancer Day

World Cancer Day happens on February 4th. It is an international day to spread awareness of cancer and to help encourage the prevention of cancer. The day was founded by the Union for International Cancer Control. UICC is a non governmental organization that is membership based and was founded in 1933. Based in Geneva, Switzerland, the organization, which is a parent organization of World Health Organization, is striving to help the global health community accelerate the fight against cancer.

Part of UICC’s mission is to bring together the global cancer control community. A World Cancer Congress is held every two years for members and partners to learn, share, and discuss. A group of key meetings is also scheduled for Europe, Latin America and Asia with the Global Roundtable Series. A World Cancer Leaders’ Summit is also held every year dedicated exclusively to increasing global cancer control. Health leaders as well as leaders of international business take part. World Cancer Day is part of this mission in order to promote and raise awareness and education about cancer. This day helps unite the world and puts pressure on governments and people around the world to take action and do everything they can to increase research and funding towards curing cancer.

From 2016 until 2018, World Cancer Day’s tag line is “We Can. I Can.” The goal in these next two years is to explore how individuals as well as a collective of people can contribute to reduce the global burden of cancer. Cancer affects us all in different ways, and because of this we each have the power to take different actions in order to reduce the impact this terrible disease has on families and communities.


Support World Cancer Day

One way to help is to reduce the risk of cancer in oneself. It’s important to make healthy lifestyle choices and understand that early detection saves lives. This can help prevent an individual by decreasing their chances of cancer as well as inspire those around them to do the same. Challenging perception and creating healthy environments educates and benefits all. Improved access to cancer care is extremely important and along with shaping policy changes and mobilizing our networks to drive progress will definitely make a difference. It is also important to share your story which can help inspire others and give those that are experiencing similar concerns some support. We have to all make a case for investing in cancer control and research. Working together for increased impact is a goal of World Cancer Day. Together, we can reshape the future and develop a cure for each and every cancer affecting millions worldwide.

A “Moonshot,” Immunotherapy, and Progress on Cancer Treatment

On February 4, the world comes together in the fight against cancer with World Cancer Day, a global event aimed at savings millions by raising awareness and education of the disease, while pressing the government to take action.

In the United States, 2016 kicked off with President Obama announcing that during his last year in office, Vice President Joe Biden would be heading up the cancer “moonshot” initiative. The cause is personal for the vice president, who lost his son, Beau Biden, to brain cancer in May 2015.

In a memorandum, the president pointed out that while cancer is already a leading cause of death, cancer incidence is only expected to increase in the coming decades. The moonshot initiative aims to accelerate progress toward prevention, treatment, and, eventually, a cure for cancer.

Part of the initiative is that the FDA would speed approvals of promising drug combinations. Other ideas for the moonshot: immunotherapy and increased access to clinical trials.

Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses the body’s natural defenses to fight the disease by targeting the immune system. Immuno-oncology drugs are promising and have generated impressive outcomes. The American Society of Clinical Oncology recently announced immunotherapy as the clinical cancer advance of the year.

Research in 2015 found that immunotherapies improve outcomes with reduced adverse effects for a number of cancers, including difficult-to-treat cancers and glioblastoma, the deadliest form of brain cancer.

This is not the first time the Obama administration has put the spotlight on cancer. Last year, during his State of the Union speech, the president announced his precision medicine initiative. Precision medicine is a type of customized healthcare that takes into account genes, environment and lifestyle.

Precision medicine has become important in treating cancer. Now when doctors attack the disease, they are often armed with knowledge about molecular and genetic makeup. The foundation of precision medicine is targeted therapy, which took off in the 1990s and is currently the focus of much cancer development.

Although there is still a long way to go before we find a cure for cancer, it is clear that the pace of cancer innovation has picked up speed and much progress has been made in the last decade.

January 27: International Holocaust Remembrance Day

On January 27, 1945, the Soviet army liberated the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp in Poland. The troops witnessed firsthand the brutality of the Third Reich. The ‘Final Solution, as the Nazis coined it, was their determination to exterminate the Jewish people because they were ‘not pure enough for their fictitious Aryan ‘master race.

Of course, the Nazis failed in their endeavors, but not before over 6,000,000 Jewish people and another 1,500,000 non-Jews were murdered either in one of the many concentration camps scattered across Europe, as well as outside of the camps by soldiers and roaming gangs in the European cities and towns. Indeed, it was in the earlier years of Nazism that thousands and later, millions were slaughtered in these towns before the concentration camps were fully operational.

One catalyst towards the state-sponsored onslaught of Jews was Kristallnacht (Crystal Night), a name given to reflect the shards of glass that had fallen from the mass destruction of Jewish-owned stores and synagogues in Germany. The pretext to commit these callous attacks was based on the assassination (November 9, 1938) of a Nazi diplomat by Herschel Grynszpan, a German-born Polish Jewish teenager. German police and soldiers stood aside while mobs of Germans, incited by Hitler’s state-sponsored propaganda machine, began their rampage throughout Germany.

Survivors and witnesses have accounted for the mass murder of Jews by German soldiers or groups loyal to the Nazis, who would take people from their homes and kill them without mercy. Women and children included. This slaughter is well documented in the areas of western Russia, where Jews were coldly shot in the fields that surrounded the small Russian towns.

One survivor of Auschwitz-Birkenau was Miriam Blumenthal, an author and honoree from many distinguished U.S. and European organizations. She currently spends much of her time educating the world about tolerance and the lessons of the Holocaust. 

Additional information can be found at the Simon Wiesenthal Center, which provides a large variety of information on the Holocaust and welcomes people to join in their membership for the continued fight against antisemitism.

January 27th is the date marked by the United Nations to commemorate victims of the Holocaust and we should all pause for a moment of silence to reflect on the millions of innocent lives lost during this dark period in history.

 

New Cancer Wonder Drug Approved in England

Those suffering from melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer, now have access to drug nivolumab. National Health Service in England, a publicly funded healthcare system providing free services, has approved the use of the new drug.

Nivolumab is a drug that is part of a new wave of immunotherapy treatments. These treatments work to target the body’s own immune system and attack tumors by blocking a negative regulator of T-cell activation. Nivolumab is twice as effective as chemotherapy and allows dying patients to live longer with much less side-effects. The drug is delivered by a drip IV with 73% higher survival rate in those on nivolumab versus those on chemotherapy with only a 42% survival rate.

Nivolumab is not yet approved for treating lung cancer in England since officials calculate the treatment would be less cost effective than it would be for skin cancer. In Europe, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use recommended approval of nivolumab for metastatic melanoma as a monotherapy. The Food and Drug Association here in the US has received approval for treatment of nivolumab for melanoma in December 2014 and in March 2015 it was also approved for the treatment of squamous non-small cell lung cancer.

Current clinical trials are also showing promise in the use of nivolumab for gastric cancer. These new immunotherapy treatments be the beginning of curing cancer by boosting the body’s natural defenses to fight cancer for good.