Screening is looking for early cancer before a person has any symptoms. This can help findcancer at an early stage. When abnormal tissue or cancer is found early, it may be easier to treat.By the time symptoms appear, cancer may have begun to spread. “People aged 50 years to 74 years who had smoked at least 1 pack of cigarettes per dayfor 30 years or more. Heavy smokers who had quit smoking within the past 15 years arealso encouraged to seek counseling for screening” . Lung cancer screening with low dose CT scans is the only screening test shown to lower thechance of dying from lung cancer. Screening may be bigger if your lung cancer risk is higher.Current evidence does not support chest X-ray or sputum cytology for lung cancer screening.For perspective, the reduction in deaths from lung cancer with CT screening is larger than thereduction in deaths from the target cancers of other common screening tests, such asmammograms for breast cancer. If you choose to have CT screening, it is important to have it done at a medical center with specialexpertise in lung cancer screening and treatment. In Zahra Hospital We offer full counseling forpatients at risk of lung cancer via qualified and experienced team of Thoracic oncologist,surgeons, pulmonologists and radiologists. Health for living with Healthy LungsLungs keep us alive and well and for the most part, we don’t need to think about them. Here aresome ways to keep your lungs healthy. Don’t SmokeCigarette smoking is the major cause of lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Cigarette smoke can narrow the airpassages and make breathing more difficult. Over time cigarette smoke destroys lung tissue,and may trigger changes that grow into cancer. If you smoke, it’s never too late to benefit fromquitting. Avoid Exposure to Pollutants That Can Damage Your LungsSecondhand smoke, outdoor air pollution, chemicals in the home and workplace, and radon allcan cause or worsen lung disease. Make your home and car smoke free. Prevent InfectionWash your hands often with soap and water. Alcohol-based cleaners are a good substitute ifyou cannot wash. Avoids crowds during the cold and flu season.Get vaccinated every year against influenza. Talk to your healthcare provider to find out if thepneumonia vaccine is right for you.Regular check-ups help prevent diseases, even when you are feeling well. This is especiallytrue for lung disease, which sometimes goes undetected until it is serious. During a check-up,your healthcare provider will listen to your breathing and listen to your concerns. ExerciseAerobic exercise helps improve your lung capacity. Specific breathing exercises can also helpimprove your lung function. Exercise and breathing techniques are also great for improving yourmood and helping you relax.

What is known about the relationship between obesity and cancer?Obesity is associated with increased risks of the following cancer types, and possibly others aswell:EsophagusPancreasColon and rectumBreast (after menopause)Endometrium (lining of the uterus)KidneyThyroidGallbladderOne study, using NCI Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data, estimated thatin 2007 in the United States, about 34,000 new cases of cancer in men (4 percent) and 50,500in women (7 percent) were due to obesity. The percentage of cases attributed to obesity variedwidely for different cancer types but was as high as 40 percent for some cancers, particularlyendometrial cancer and esophageal adenocarcinoma.A projection of the future health and economic burden of obesity in 2030 estimated thatcontinuation of existing trends in obesity will lead to about 500,000 additional cases of cancer inthe United States by 2030. This analysis also found that if every adult reduced their BMI by 1percent, which would be equivalent to a weight loss of roughly 1 kg (or 2.2 lbs) for an adult ofaverage weight, this would prevent the increase in the number of cancer cases and actuallyresult in the avoidance of about 100,000 new cases of cancer.Several possible mechanisms have been suggested to explain the association of obesity withincreased risk of certain cancers:Fat tissue produces excess amounts of estrogen, high levels of which have been associatedwith the risk of breast, endometrial, and some other cancers.Obese people often have increased levels of insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) intheir blood (a condition known as hyperinsulinemia or insulin resistance), which may promotethe development of certain tumors.Fat cells produce hormones, called adipokines, that may stimulate or inhibit cell growth. Forexample, leptin, which is more abundant in obese people, seems to promote cell proliferation,whereas adiponectin, which is less abundant in obese people, may have antiproliferativeeffects.Other possible mechanisms include altered immune responses, effects on the nuclear factorkappa beta system, and oxidative stress.In Zahara hospital we are dedicated to our battle against cancer, patients who are overweightand interested in counseling for weight loss solutions can arrange an appointment in ourForegut & onco-bariatric clinic for risk assessment and counseling.

by Ali Aldameh, Consultant Thoracic Surgical Oncology For many people suffering from heartburn, watching what they eat, over-the-counter medications, and stress reduction can bring relief. But when symptoms don’t improve and start to interfere with sleep or daily life, it is time to get your doctor’s help. Your doctor will ask detailed questions about the nature and pattern of your pain. Is it worse after you eat a heavy meal or eat certain food, such as high-fat foods or dairy products? Does bending over to tie your shoelaces or lying down aggravate the symptoms? Does the pain seem linked to anxiety or stress? If your symptoms are typical for gastroesophageal reflux (GERD, or simply, reflux), the first step is usually to try a medication such as omeprazole (Prilosec) or lansoprazole (Prevacid). If symptoms improve, you can switch to a less powerful medication. That might be an H2-receptor antagonist (H2 blocker) such as cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), or famotidine (Pepcid), or an antacid like Tums. If, however, medication doesn’t seem to help, your doctor might suggest some tests to confirm reflux or rule out other possible causes for your symptoms. Be aware that reflux symptoms can be similar to heart attack symptoms. If what you feel is more like a constriction or pressure rather than burning, call your doctor. Even if you know you have reflux, always seek medical attention if you experience chest discomfort brought on by exercise. Pay attention to the severity and length of your chest pain. Severe, pressing, or squeezing discomfort, especially if it lasts a while, also warrants a call to your doctor.