Can Green Tea Prevent Lung Cancer?

Lung cancer is the leading cause of death among men and women today. It is a disease that afflicts the elderly though adults are also prone to developing it. Over the years, the number of people suffering from lung cancer has increased which can be attributed to the changing lifestyle of the populace.

The most common cause of the development of lung cancer is directly related to cigarette smoking. Studies show that the risk of developing lung cancer increases with the number of cigarettes smoked over time. Pipe and cigar smoking also causes lung cancer but the risk is not the same as with cigarette smoking.

Cigarettes are primarily to be blamed for lung cancer because tobacco smoke contains over 4,000 chemical compounds with a majority of these chemicals known to be cancer-causing. The two primary cancer-causing chemicals found in tobacco smoke are called nitrosamine and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Once a person quits smoking however, the risk of developing lung cancer decreases.

Non-smokers can also develop lung cancer if they are exposed to second-hand smoke from smokers. About 3,000 deaths every year are caused by passive smoking. Another cause of lung cancer is the susceptibility of one to developing it. Genetics play an important factor to determine if one is at risk of cancer.

The presence of lung diseases and having a prior history of lung cancer are other reasons why an individual will have a slightly increased risk of developing the cancer. Aside from this, environmental factors such as air pollution are major contributors of lung cancer.

Since the disease is so prevalent nowadays, various treatment methods have been developed to combat it. These treatments include surgery and radiation therapy. But there is a recent development that involving a natural way of treating lung cancer and that is through the consumption of green tea.

A laboratory experiment has been done that tested green tea extracts to human lung cancer cells in a controlled and artificial environment. The cancer cells were placed in test tubes and were exposed to decaffeinated green tea extract. The cells were marinated in the extract for a maximum of three days. The result of this experiment shows that the green tea extract has altered a certain protein in the cancer cells making it stick together and move less. Scientists working on the experiment were not able to tell exactly what in the green tea extract worked to achieve the mentioned result.

And while the study is still not conclusive as to the consumption of green tea to be an effective treatment against lung cancer, it serves as the first step of developing drugs which will simulate the effects of exposing green tea extracts to the cancer cells. Through this breakthrough experiment, there is still hope for a lung cancer cure.

Nevertheless, one will not lose anything in believing that a certain natural remedy works for him. Besides, green tea is one herb that is very rich in antioxidants vital to the well-being of a person and known to combat other diseases as well.

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Mesothelioma – A Type of Cancer Affecting the Internal Organs

Cancer is the name given to a sizeable group of diseases, all of which have one thing in common, that is cells that are, growing at an uncontrollable rate. There are several major types of cancers. One of the most common and known types of cancer is mesothelioma. This type of cancer is, known for affecting internal organs. Mesothelioma is, also referred to as malignant mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer that develops cancerous cells in the mesothelium. The tissue that outlines the lungs, stomach, heart and other organs is, called mesothelium. Mesothelioma is, basically a cancer of that tissue. It is an uncommon but life -threatening type of cancer. It usually originates in the lungs, but can also start in the abdomen or other internal organs. Most people who develop mesothelioma have occupations, where they have inhaled asbestos particles. It can take a long time about 30 to 50 years of exposure to between asbestos before getting the disease.

Mesothelioma first and foremost attacks the outer lining of the lungs called pleura, the internal chest wall, the lining of the abdominal cavity, the heart, the sac that covers the heart, and tunica vaginails. This cancer builds up more in those people who are exposed to asbestos. Not only the work related exposure to asbestos but also cleansing the clothes of a family member who was exposed to asbestos can put a person at danger for developing mesothelioma. Even though smoking is not a prime cause of mesothelioma, it can increase the severity of the disease.

The symptoms of mesothelioma may remain unknown even for 50 years. There are basically two types of mesothelioma. The pleural mesothelioma which damages the lung region whereas the peritoneal mesothelioma attacks the abdominal region.

Dyspnea commonly known as shortness of breath, cough, and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space are often signs of pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma consist of weight loss, fatigue, weakness, significant loss in appetite, abdominal swelling and pain due to peritoneal fluid excess, obstruction in bowel movements, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever.

Diagnosing mesothelioma is often a difficult task, because the symptoms are similar to those of a number of other illnesses. Considering the patient’s medical history, tests can be conducted. These tests include chest x-ray, lung function tests, biopsy and laparoscopy. The doctors can decide on the way of treatment depending on the seriousness of the cancer spread.

The usual treatment for mesothelioma includes traditional therapies in combination with radiation and chemotherapy. While surgery itself hs not led to very good results, disappointing, pleurectomy/decortications is a recommended treatment, in which the lining of the chest is removed.

All mesotheliomas are now thought to be malignant or cancerous. They start as a normal tumor and spread rapidly to include most of the surrounding tissues and organs. Initially, fibrous cists and other non-cancerous growths that appeared in the serous membranes were considered to be mesotheliomas and were given the name "benign fibrous mesothelioma" and "multicystic mesothelioma."

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