HEALTH / SPIRITUALITY

Austria’s Comprehensive Cancer Center: Cervical acid peels prevent cancer

OHMYGOSSIP – Cervical acid peels may sound like something you get done at the salon, but scientists claim they could prevent cancer. Many beauty fans already know the benefits of a facial peel, which targets problems like acne and aging, by separating outer layers of skin. A similar treatment used in the cervix has now been found to rid the area of precancerous cells, caused by HPV (human papilloma virus).

Scientists from Austria’s Comprehensive Cancer Center have trialled a chemical peel they developed, which uses 85 per cent trichloroacetic acid on the cervix in women with HPV. Trichloroacetic acid is what is commonly found in beauty chemical peels.

The team found 82 per cent of the patients using the peel went into complete remission.

“The results are extremely promising, since the procedure can be performed very easily by experts in the field of HPV-induced mutations of the cervix,” lead study author Dr Paul Speiser said.

“Very little training is needed to perform the procedure, it does not require any special equipment or other operating theatre infrastructure and the acid itself is very inexpensive. This means that we now have a real alternative for treating this condition and one that would also be very attractive to poorer countries.”

About 14 million people become newly infected each year with HPV, and it’s so common that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calculate that most sexually-active men and women will get at least one type of HPV at some point in their lives. In women it can lead to a pre-cancerous condition, and ultimately cervical cancer.

The precancerous cells are detected during a smear test, and can be removed from a surgical procedure called cervical conization. Freezing via liquid nitrogen, heating with an electrical generator and lasers are also ways to remove them.

However the new treatment is much less painful, using a gentle acid peel that is dabbed on to the affected area. Few side effects have been found, and other than mild discomfort, patients only reported a mild discharge that lasted for roughly two weeks.

While the news is promising, Dr Speiser adds more research needs to be done.

“We are going to conduct another study to investigate whether the success of the treatment can be increased by a second application,” he said. “Preliminary data suggest that a second treatment could increase the success rate to more than 90 per cent.”

The results have been published in journal Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Featured image:  PantherMedia/Wavebreakmedia ltd/Scanpix

Can you spot the early signs of bowel cancer?

OHMYGOSSIP – Bowel cancer is one of the most common types of cancer diagnosed in the United Kingdom, with around 40,000 new cases detected every year. Early diagnosis and treatment is essential for helping people survive the cancer – and that means making sure people are aware of the symptoms so they can identify them and seek help. As April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, here’s a breakdown of the symptoms of the disease.

What is bowel cancer?
Bowel cancer is also called colorectal cancer and includes large bowel cancer (colon cancer) and cancer of the back passage (rectal cancer).

What are the symptoms?
While the survival rate of this form of cancer is higher than others, bowel cancer shares symptoms with many other common health ailments and thus can be missed. Alarmingly, the deadly disease is often mistaken for hemorrhoids, also known as piles. Health experts advise that the main symptoms of bowel cancer are blood in the stools (faeces) and changes in bowel habit – such as more frequent, looser stools – and abdominal pain. Symptoms of bowel cancer can also include bleeding from the bottom and unexplained weight loss and abdominal pain. A persistent change in bowel habits including constipation and diarrhoea and unexplained tiredness, dizziness or breathlessness can also be a warning sign of the deadly disease – however subtle they may be.

Who’s at risk?
While it’s not known exactly what causes bowel cancer, but there are a number of things that can increase your risk. The NHS advises that people aged over 60, those who eat a diet high in red meat, people who are overweight or obese, smokers or those who have a family history of the disease should be vigilant. However younger people can also be affected, so don’t shrug the cancer form off as an older person’s disease.

What is the screening process?
Bowel cancer is treatable and curable especially if diagnosed early. Nearly everyone diagnosed at the earliest stage will survive bowel cancer. However, this drops significantly as the disease develops. Taking part in bowel cancer screening is the best way to get diagnosed early, with a test offered called a “flexible sigmoidoscopy” used to look for any polyps or growths that could be cancerous, and in some cases they will take a biopsy or remove them.

Experts urge that you seek advice from your doctor if you note any symptoms or if your body does not respond to the treatment prescribed.

Featured image: PantherMedia/Lev Dolgachov/Scanpix

What does the science say about multivitamins? Do they actually work? The Surprising Truth!

OHMYGOSSIP — Multivitamins are the most commonly used supplements in the world. Their popularity has increased rapidly in the past few decades. Some people believe that multivitamins can improve health, make up for poor eating habits or even reduce the risk of chronic diseases. But what does the science say about multivitamins? Do they actually work?

Air pollution linked to ADHD, reduced IQ in kids

NordenBladet – Pregnant women exposed to air pollution are five times more likely to have children who develop behavior problems related to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, a new study reports.

Shocking news! Scientists: Less exercise leads to small brain

OHMYGOSSIP — It’s a well-known fact that being a couch potato is no good for your health, but new research has discovered lack of exercise may even shrink your brain.

Problems with overweight? Read how drinking water can help you lose weight!

OHMYGOSSIP — For a long time, drinking water has been thought to help with weight loss. In fact, 30–59% of US adults who try to lose weight increase their water intake. Many studies show that drinking more water may benefit weight loss and maintenance.

11 Healthy foods to help you feel full longer

OHMYGOSSIP — One of the reasons why people end up overeating or gain excessive weight quickly is because whatever they consume does not satisfy their hunger. Hence, they start eating more. Since it’s a human tendency to keep eating till the time the stomach does not feel full, we mostly focus on the quantity of the food, and not on the quality of it.

Increasing dietary fiber can help reduce risk of diabetes

OHMYGOSSIP — Increasing dietary fiber may reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, in addition to reducing BMI and helping to keep weight down, according to a new study.

What is Oligospermia and how to increase your sperm count

OHMYGOSSIP — Many couples are not sure why it is difficult for them to conceive a child. There could be many reasons, but low sperm count is one of those reasons.

13 Benefits of pineapple for better health

OHMYGOSSIP — The pineapple is native to southern Brazil and Paraguay, the modern fruit having been developed by native peoples from an almost inedible wild species. The most significant nutritional elements of pineapple are high quantities of vitamin C, manganese and the enzyme bromelain. We’ve researched and collected a significant amount of information about pineapple health benefits and presented them on this page!