Disparidades de salud vinculadas al cáncer

Las disparidades de salud son las diferencias en la incidencia, la prevalencia, la mortalidad y la carga de una enfermedad y sus efectos adversos en la salud entre grupos específicos de la población. Las disparidades afectan a muchas poblaciones, incluidas las minorías raciales y étnicas, los habitantes de las zonas rurales, mujeres, niños y adolescentes, los ancianos y las personas con discapacidades. Según la Oficina de Salud de las Minorías y Disparidades de Salud, la expectativa de vida y de salud en general de la mayoría de la población estadounidense han mejorado en los últimos años, pero no todos los estadounidenses se han beneficiado por igual. Los CDC y sus socios monitorean las tendencias en la incidencia (diagnósticos) y mortalidad (defunciones) vinculadas al cáncer para identificar qué grupos de la población se ven afectados de manera desproporcionada. Para reducir la desigualdad del cáncer en grupos de mayor riesgo, debemos: mejorar y aumentar la detección temprana del cáncer, promover estilos de vida saludables y ampliar el acceso una mejor atención sanitaria. Tasas de cáncer por raza y grupo étnico Para todos los tipos de cáncer en los hombres estadounidenses: Las tasas de nuevos casos de cáncer es mayor entre los hombres negros y luego, en forma descendiente, entre los hombres blancos, hispanos*, asiáticos/nativos de las islas del Pacífico y los indoamericanos/nativos de Alaska. Las tasas de mortalidad más altas se registran entre los hombres negros, seguidos por los hombres blancos, los hispanos*, los indoamericanos/nativos de Alaska, los hispanos* y los de origen asiático/nativos de las islas del Pacífico. Para todos los tipos de cáncer en las mujeres estadounidenses: La tasa de nuevos casos de cáncer es mayor entre las mujeres blancas y luego, en forma descendiente, entre las mujeres negras, hispanas, asiáticas/nativas de las islas del Pacífico e indoamericanas/nativas de Alaska. Las tasas de mortalidad más altas se registran entre las mujeres negras, seguidas por las mujeres blancas, las indoamericanas/nativas de Alaska, las hispanas* y las de origen asiático/de las islas del Pacífico. *El origen hispano no es mutuamente excluyente de la raza blanca, negra, asiática/nativa de las Islas del Pacífico e indoamericana/nativa de Alaska. Qué están haciendo los CDC Investigaciones Los investigadores de los CDC han estudiado cuáles son los grupos de personas que no se han beneficiado por igual de las recientes mejoras en la atención de la salud. La División de Prevención y Control del Cáncer de los CDC patrocinó una edición complementaria de la revista American Journal of Public Health sobre las principales causas de muerte en los indoamericanos y nativos de Alaska. Los autores son expertos de muchos campos de especialización diferentes. AMIGAS(http://www.cdc.gov/spanish/cancer/gynecologic/what_cdc_is_doing/amigas.htm) El acrónimo AMIGAS significa ‘Ayudando a las Mujeres con Información, Guía y Amor para su Salud’. AMIGAS es un programa de intervención comunitario educativo y bilingüe, que fue diseñado con el fin de ayudar tanto a las promotoras (las trabajadoras de salud comunitaria) como a otros educadores de salud no profesionales a aumentar las pruebas de detección del cáncer de cuello uterino entre las hispanas que rara vez o nunca se habían hecho una prueba de Papanicoláu. Campaña de los medios de comunicación dirigida a las mujeres afroamericanas(http://www.cdc.gov/spanish/cancer/breast/what_cdc_is_doing/aamm.htm) La campaña utiliza la radio y la prensa escrita para lograr una mayor concientización de las mujeres sobre la importancia de realizarse las mamografías para detectar el cáncer de mama en las etapas iniciales. La campaña también busca aumentar el uso de los servicios de detección del Programa Nacional de Detección Temprana del Cáncer de Mama y de Cuello Uterino en las mujeres afroamericanas de 40 a 64 años de edad. El programa piloto de la campaña se está llevando a cabo en Savannah y Macon, Georgia. Actividades de concientización El Programa Nacional de Detección Temprana del Cáncer de Mama y de Cuello Uterino(http://www.cdc.gov/spanish/cancer/dcpc/about/nbccedp.htm) de los CDC proporciona mamografías, pruebas de Papanicolaou y tratamientos para el cáncer de mama y de cuello uterino a las mujeres de bajos recursos, médicamente subatendidas y con poca cobertura de seguro médico en diferentes estados, tribus y territorios. El Programa Nacional de Control Integral del Cáncer(http://www.cdc.gov/spanish/cancer/dcpc/about/ncccp.htm) de los CDC brinda el capital inicial, la estructura y el apoyo para los planes del Control Integral del Cáncer en todos los 50 estados, el Distrito de Columbia, 7 tribus y 7 islas del Pacífico y territorios asociados de los Estados Unidos. Muchos planes incluyen estrategias para reducir las disparidades vinculadas con el cáncer. El Programa para el Control del Cáncer Colorrectal(http://www.cdc.gov/spanish/cancer/dcpc/about/crccp.htm) proporciona fondos a 25 estados y cuatro tribus de los Estados Unidos por un periodo de cinco años. El programa apoya los esfuerzos de detección en la población y brinda servicios de detección del cáncer colorrectal para hombres y mujeres de bajos recursos de 50 a 64 años de edad que no tienen médico o su seguro médico es limitado, cuando no hay otros seguros médicos disponibles. Los CDC financian la red Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network, la cual trabaja con comunidades y asociaciones para encontrar maneras de incrementar la detección del cáncer y disminuir las disparidades de salud asociadas a esta enfermedad.

Artificial photosynthesis breakthrough turns CO2 emissions into plastics and biofuel

 

Researchers have developed an artificial photosynthesis technology that could be a win/win for the environment (Photo: Shutterstock) Scientists at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the University of California, Berkeley have created a hybrid system of bacteria and semiconducting nanowires that mimics photosynthesis. According to the researchers, their versatile, high-yield system can take water, sunlight and carbon dioxide and turn them into the building blocks of biodegradable plastics, pharmaceutical drugs and even biofuel. Although renewable energy is making up a growing portion of the world’s energy production, scientists have suggested that the current trends of CO2 buildup in our atmosphere are still likely to lead to serious consequences, and do so sooner than we had anticipated. One way to keep harmful emissions under control could be to trap the CO2 coming out of smokestacks using materials like polymers or sponges. Some scientists are even going one step further, working on technology that can convert carbon dioxide into useful byproducts like calcium carbonate or biofuels such as methanol and isobutanol. However, these systems are still either very low-yield or in an early experimental phase. Taking inspiration from Mother Nature, scientists have now devised a system that uses sunlight and water to convert carbon dioxide into a wide range of useful chemicals. Artificial photosynthesis is not a new concept  –  it’s been used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen and synthesize formic acid  –  but this new approach could be a game changer because of its versatility and the high yields it produces. "Our system has the potential to fundamentally change the chemical and oil industry in that we can produce chemicals and fuels in a totally renewable way, rather than extracting them from deep below the ground," says Peidong Yang, who led the study along with Christopher and Michelle Chang. Their invention uses two different types of bacteria interspersed within arrays of silicon and titanium nanowires. The silicon nanowires act like a miniature solar cell, capturing incoming light and releasing electrons. These electrons are then absorbed by Sporomusa ovata, an anaerobic bacterium that combines them with water and turns carbon dioxide into acetate, a versatile chemical precursor. Meanwhile, the titanium portion of the structure takes the positive charge left in place of the electron and uses it to extract oxygen from water. The oxygen is used by genetically engineered E. Coli bacteria to synthesize the desired chemicals. The nanowire array also acts as a layer of protection for the bacteria, burying them in something akin to tall grass so that these usually-oxygen sensitive organisms can survive in adverse environmental conditions like flue gases. As a proof of principle, the scientists showed that their system can reduce CO2 to chemicals including fuels, polymers and pharmaceutical precursors. The yields were up to 26 percent for butanol, 25 percent for amorphadiene, a precursor to the antimalarial drug artemisinin, and 52 percent for PHB, a renewable and biodegradable plastic, although these figures could rise even further with future optimizations. Solar energy conversion efficiency was at 0.38 percent after 200 hours under simulated sunlight, which the researchers say is about the same as an actual leaf. But the team is already working to improve on this. "We are currently working on our second generation system which has a solar-to-chemical conversion efficiency of three-percent," says Yang. "Once we can reach a conversion efficiency of 10 percent in a cost effective manner, the technology should be commercially viable." The team's research appears on the latest issue of the journal Nano Letters. Source: LBNL

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Sodium: How to tame your salt habit

 

Find out how much sodium you really need, what high-sodium foods to avoid, and ways to prepare and serve foods without adding sodium. By Mayo Clinic Staff If you're like many people, you're getting far more sodium than is recommended, and that could lead to serious health problems. You probably aren't even aware of just how much sodium is in your diet. Consider that a single teaspoon of table salt, which is a combination of sodium and chloride, has 2,325 milligrams (mg) of sodium. And it's not just table salt you have to worry about. Many processed and prepared foods contain sodium. See how sodium sneaks into your diet and ways you can shake the habit. Sodium: Essential in small amounts Your body needs some sodium to function properly because it: Helps maintain the right balance of fluids in your body Helps transmit nerve impulses Influences the contraction and relaxation of muscles Your kidneys naturally balance the amount of sodium stored in your body for optimal health. When your body sodium is low, your kidneys essentially hold on to the sodium. When body sodium is high, your kidneys excrete the excess in urine. But if for some reason your kidneys can't eliminate enough sodium, the sodium starts to build up in your blood. Because sodium attracts and holds water, your blood volume increases, which makes your heart work harder and increases pressure in your arteries. Such diseases as congestive heart failure, cirrhosis and chronic kidney disease can make it hard for your kidneys to keep sodium levels balanced. Some people's bodies are more sensitive to the effects of sodium than are others. If you're sodium sensitive, you retain sodium more easily, leading to fluid retention and increased blood pressure. If this becomes chronic, it can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and congestive heart failure. Sodium: How much do you need? The Dietary Guidelines  recommend limiting sodium to less than 2,300 mg a day — or 1,500 mg if you're age 51 or older, or if you are black, or if you have high blood pressure, diabetes or chronic kidney disease. Keep in mind that these are upper limits, and less is usually best, especially if you're sensitive to the effects of sodium. If you aren't sure how much sodium your diet should include, talk to your doctor or dietitian. Sodium: What are the major dietary sources? The average people in the US gets about 3,400 mg of sodium a day — much more than recommended. Here are the main sources of sodium in a typical diet: Processed and prepared foods. The vast majority of sodium in the typical diet comes from foods that are processed and prepared. These foods are typically high in salt and additives that contain sodium. Processed foods include bread, prepared dinners like pasta, meat and egg dishes, pizza, cold cuts and bacon, cheese, soups, and fast foods. Natural sources. Some foods naturally contain sodium. These include all vegetables and dairy products, meat, and shellfish. While they don't have an abundance of sodium, eating these foods does add to your overall body sodium content. For example, 1 cup (237 milliliters) of low-fat milk has about 100 mg of sodium. In the kitchen and at the table. Many recipes call for salt, and many people also salt their food at the table. Condiments also may contain sodium. One tablespoon (15 milliliters) of soy sauce, for example, has about 1,000 mg of sodium. References See more In-depth

Bizarre Google Streetview findings

Google streetview is wellknown, it’s an easy tool to explore unknown area’s etc.. But there are also some weird and accidental captures by Google’s Streetview car. Check out some bizarre Google Streetview findings.. Check out Part 2 of these Bizarre Google Streetview Findings.. Also view Google Streetview Animals via 9-eyes.com

Intense Anger Can Increase MI Rates, Study Finds

 

It suggests physicians can help reduce this risk A newly published study confirms what physicians and patients have suspected for years – that getting very angry is bad for a person’s heart. The study, published in February in the European Heart Journal: Acute Cardiovascular Care, a journal of the European Society of Cardiology, found that extreme anger can be a trigger for myocardial infarction (MI). The study encourages physicians to look for ways to help patients who are at risk of having an MI to find ways to control stress and anger, along with other risk factors. Cleveland Clinic cardiologist Curtis Rimmerman, MD, MBA, who was not involved in the study, commented on its importance in an interview with Time magazine. “This study is very helpful in many ways because it’s validating to what we already know,” Dr. Rimmerman says. “Anger is not what we would call a traditional risk factor because it’s so hard to measure. It highlights the importance of paying attention to a patient’s well-being.” Study details The study was an investigation of patients suspected of MI and admitted for primary angioplasty at a hospital in Sydney, Australia, between 2006 and 2012, and assessed by coronary angiography. Of 687 patients initially assessed, 313 were confirmed with occluded coronary blood flow by angiography and were enrolled in the study. Anger levels were determined by having patients answer a questionnaire that had a seven-point scale, with 1 being “calm,” and 7 being “enraged, out of control, throwing objects, hurting yourself or others.” The study considered a 5 (“very angry, body tense, maybe fists clenched, ready to burst”) as acute anger. The results showed that patients have an 8.5 times higher risk of MI in the two hours after an acute episode of anger than during the “usual frequency” patterns of anger. It found that the patients’ levels of anger or anxiety preceding the heart attack were significantly higher at hospitalization for MI than at the same time the day before. In the study’s primary analysis, anger exposures within 2 hours and 2 to 4 hours prior to symptom onset were compared with subjects’ own usual yearly exposures to anger using case-crossover methodology. Anger level of ≥5 was reported by seven (2.2%) participants within 2 hours of the MI. Compared with usual frequency, the relative risk of onset of MI symptoms occurring within 2 hour of anger level ≥5 was 8.5 (95% confidence interval 4.1-17.6). Anger level Arguments with family members or others topped the list of events that prompted the subjects’ anger-triggered MIs, followed by anger arising from work or while driving. Use for prevention The authors concluded that more study, including on ways for physicians to help their patients handle their stress and anger better, could “provide insight into prevention of MI during acute emotional episodes.” The investigators also said the findings coincide with an “increased acceptance of the role of psychological factors, both acute and chronic, in the onset of acute MI, sudden cardiac death and stroke,” and “are consistent with previous reports in other populations.” Unlike most other studies, however, this one could confirm angiographically that the subjects had indeed suffered an MI.

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This Woman Drinks 3 Litres Of Water Every Day And The Results Are Shocking!

 

By Gourav Gola - 42 year old, Sarah Smith is a British mother of two who was suffering from migraines. The suggested cure by her doctor, turned out to be the secret to her youth fountain. The doctor suggested she stops taking caffeine and increase her water intake. The picture on the left shows Sarah as an average 42 year old. During this time she was always sluggish and suffered from constant migraines. The picture on the right shows her as a woman in her low to mid thirties. The fountain of our youth is clearly right within our reach. Image Source: www.dailymail.co.uk The amount of water she drank drastically made a change to her appearance. Her daily routine was normal during the photo on the left. “Usually I start my day with a cup of tea, then I might have a glass of water with my lunch and one with dinner – that’s about a litre of liquid in 24 hours. It feels like plenty, but apparently it’s not nearly enough.” She said in an article on Daily Mail. She read a survey that said that one in five women usually consumes less than the recommended amount of water in the UK. This is what led to her experiment. The photo on the left was taken the day she started the trial. It clearly indicates what dehydration can do to a face. “I am 42, but have to admit I look more like 52 in this picture, which is shocking. There are dark shadows under and around my eyes, which make me look exhausted, a profusion of wrinkles and strange reddish blotches, and my skin lacks any lustre. It looks dead,” She says. Most of our body functions and systems depend on water. It helps carry nutrients to cells, flash out toxins from our vital organs, eliminate waste and ensure a moist environment for our nose, ear and throat tissues. Not drinking enough water impairs most of these functions. For 28 days, Sarah took 3 litres of water daily and these are the results: Week One: Waist 28in, Weight 8st 7lb Sarah inquired from her local GP on whether taking all that water (three litres sounds like a lot) will affect her health. “I suggest you have a big jug of water in the morning, then another in the afternoon and another in the evening,” he says. “Your kidneys, which filter waste products from the blood before turning it to urine, will quickly feel the benefit, as they will be getting a good flush through.” Image Source: www.whydontyoutrythis.com Her migraines began to go away and her flexibility improved. Water, according to Gemma Critchley, (British Dietetic Association) helps lubricate joints. Week Two: Waist 28in, Weight 8st 6lb She lost a pound.  “My complexion is improving and my skin tone is more even. I still have wrinkles under my eyes, but they look less creepy and shadowy than before. The blotches on my face are diminishing, and the shadows around my eyes are less pronounced,” she says. She also had stopped having headaches. Image Source: www.dailymail.co.uk “Our brain is 73 percent water, so poor hydration can affect how it functions. Dehydration can reduce our ability to concentrate as well as our cognitive performance,” says nutritional physiology senior lecturer at Metropolitan University, Dr Emma Derbyshire. Critchely advises on water being the best choice because it doesn’t have calories and will provide the much needed hydration. She also warns against taking juice since it will provide you with excess energy than you need. Week Three: Waist 27.5in, Weight 8st 6lb She lost half an inch on her waist. “The dark rings and wrinkles under my eyes have virtually disappeared, and my skin looks plumper and more nourished,” she says. She also stopped rubbing her eyes in the morning, which meant the extra water was keeping them moist. She ate less since water made her fuller. Studies show that 37% of people usually mistake being thirsty for hunger. Image Source: www.dailymail.co.uk Week Four:  Waist 27in, Weight 8st 5lb She lost another 1lb and half an inch on the waist. “I genuinely can’t believe the difference in my face. I look like a different woman. The dark shadows around my eyes have all but disappeared and the blotches have gone. My skin is almost as dewy as it was when I was a child. The transformation is nothing short of remarkable.” Image Source: www.dailymail.co.uk That’s the difference drinking lots of water can bring to your life. “I feel fitter, leaner and healthier, and my husband and friends tell me I look ten years younger. Who in their right mind would not want to try something which gets such incredible results?” she asks. [Source: www.dailymail.co.uk]