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Velammal Vidhyashram Surapet Pongal Celebrations Part 1 2015

Lung Cancer and Men

Lung cancers are cancers that begin in the lungs rather than cancers that spread to it.

According to the American Cancer Society in 2006 there there will be about 174,470 new cases of lung cancer. Of these 174,470 new cases of lung cancer 92,700 will affect men. Lung cancer will account for 28% of all cancer deaths.

Lung cancer is a killer and survival rates are poor. There are only about 330,000 long-term survivors of lung cancer.

Approximately 60% of people who are diagnosed with lung cancer die within one year                                                                         of diagnosis, 75% die within 2 years.

Early diagnosis does increase your chances of survival. If lung cancer is found before it spreads to lymph nodes or other organs, the average 5-year relative survival rate is about 49%.

Signs and Symptoms of Lung Cancer

Common signs and symptoms of lung cancer include;

A persistent cough or a change in a smoker's usual cough

Bright red or rust colored blood in sputum

Feeling unwell, tired

Poor appetite

Weight loss

shortness of breath

Hoarseness of the voice

Pain in the chest, shoulder or back pain. Pain or a dull ache can increase when breathing in deeply

Swelling in the face and neck

Repeated pneumonia or bronchitis

Risk Factors for Lung Cancer
There are a number of risk factors associated with lung cancer-
smoking, passive smoking,
exposure to carcinogens such as asbestos, uranium, chromium, radon gas and nickel
Age-lung cancer is more common in men over 40 years old. Lung cancer is most common in the elderly.

  

The average age of people diagnosed with lung cancer is 70 years old. 3% of all cases                                                                             are found in people under the age of 45.[
Genetic predisposition- Is is believed that in some families, smokers may be more likely to develop lung cancer due to an inherited faulty gene.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.

If you have been recently diagnosed with lung cancer you have a more favorable outlook because of improvements in treatment.

Article Sources:
"Lung Cancer Statistics." Lung Cancer. 7 Nov 2006. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 29 Nov 2006 <http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/lung/statistics/>.

Payne, Sarah. "Lung Cancer." Gender and Health Research. 2004. World Health Organization. 29 Nov 2006 <http://www.who.int/gender/documents/en/lungcancerlow.pdf>.

What is Cancer?

What exactly is cancer, what do the terms 'benign' and 'malignant' signify and what does the grade of tumor mean?

To understand how we get cancer you first have to know what normal cells do. The body is made up of cells which grow and reproduce themselves in a process known as cell division. The body produces about 500,000 new cells for growth and repair every day. Normal cells have certain properties to reproduce themselves exactly and they stop reproducing at the right time.

  

 

Normally cells also destroy themselves if they are damaged, they stick together in the right place and they mature.

In cancer, the cells do not obey these ‘rules’ of cell division. They do not destroy themselves if they are abnormal, they do not stick together or become mature, they do not obey signals from neighboring cells and they keep on reproducing. The result is an abnormal mass of extra cells, tissues that are called a cancer tumor, that can be made up of billions of copies of the original cancer cells.

Types of Cancer Tumor
There are two types of tumor, benign and malignant. Pathologists can tell what sort of tumor it is and what grade it is by taking a sample, known as a biopsy, and examining it under a microscope.

The cells of benign tumors reproduce in a fairly orderly way, they are encapsulated, do not invade normal tissue, do not spread to other parts of the body and are rarely fatal unless they exert pressure on other organs (i.e. brain tumors). Malignant Tumors are very different from the cells of the surrounding                                                                                     Grades of Malignant TumorThey invade and destroy tissue around them. Their growth is more rapid than the tissue around them and bits of the tumor, called metastases, can break off from the primary growth and spread to other parts of the body forming other tumors.

The grade of cancer is important to know as it can influence the planning of treatment and help estimate a patient's probable prognosis. Tumors are graded in four degrees of severity: Grades 1, 2, 3, and 4. Doctors describe and grade tumor cells in terms of differentiation. This refers to the behavior of the cell. The more normal the cancer cell looks (well differentiated), the lower the grade of the cancer and in general, the less aggressive their behavior. Grade 3 and 4 tumors are poorly differentiated, (sometimes undifferentiated) and are usually more aggressive and invasive

Drugs Approved for Different Types of Cancer

This page lists and links to NCI's pages of drugs approved for specific types of cancer. The pages are updated when new cancer drugs are approved.

• Drugs Approved for Anal Cancer
• Drugs Approved for Bladder Cancer
• Drugs Approved for Bone Cancer
• Drugs Approved for Brain Tumors 
• Drugs Approved for Breast Cancer
• Drugs Approved for Cervical Cancer
• Drugs Approved for Colon and Rectal Cancer
• Drugs Approved for Endometrial Cancer
• Drugs Approved for Esophageal Cancer
• Drugs Approved for Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors
• Drugs Approved for Gestational Trophoblastic Disease
• Drugs Approved for Head and Neck Cancer
• Drugs Approved for Hodgkin Lymphoma
• Drugs Approved for Kaposi Sarcoma
• Drugs Approved for Kidney (Renal Cell) Cancer
• Drugs Approved for Leukemia
• Drugs Approved for Liver Cancer
• Drugs Approved for Lung Cancer
• Drugs Approved for Malignant Mesothelioma
• Drugs Approved for Melanoma
• Drugs Approved for Multicentric Castleman Disease
• Drugs Approved for Multiple Myeloma and Other Plasma Cell Neoplasms
• Drugs Approved for Myeloproliferative Neoplasms
• Drugs Approved for Neuroblastoma
• Drugs Approved for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
• Drugs Approved for Ovarian Epithelial, Fallopian Tube, or Primary Peritoneal Cancer
• Drugs Approved for Pancreatic Cancer
• Drugs Approved for Penile Cancer
• Drugs Approved for Prostate Cancer
• Drugs Approved for Retinoblastoma
• Drugs Approved for Rhabdomyosarcoma
• Drugs Approved for Skin Cancer
• Drugs Approved for Soft Tissue Sarcoma
• Drugs Approved for Stomach (Gastric) Cancer
• Drugs Approved for Testicular Cancer
• Drugs Approved for Thyroid Cancer
• Drugs Approved for Vaginal Cancer
• Drugs Approved for Vulvar Cancer
• Drugs Approved for Wilms Tumor and other Childhood Kidney Cancers

Paracetamol side effects

 

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to paracetamol: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• low fever with nausea, stomach pain, and loss of appetite;
• dark urine, clay-colored stools; or
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

This is not a complete list of paracetamol side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Side effects (in more detail)

Paracetamol dosing information

Usual Adult Paracetamol Dose for Fever:

General Dosing Guidelines: 325 to 650 mg every 4 to 6 hours or 1000 mg every 6 to 8 hours orally or rectally.

Paracetamol 500mg tablets: Two 500 mg tablets orally every 4 to 6 hours

Usual Adult Paracetamol Dose for Pain:

General Dosing Guidelines: 325 to 650 mg every 4 to 6 hours or 1000 mg every 6 to 8 hours orally or rectally.

Paracetamol 500mg tablets: Two 500 mg tablets orally every 4 to 6 hours

Usual Pediatric Dose for Fever:

Oral or Rectal:

<=1 month: 10 to 15 mg/kg/dose every 6 to 8 hours as needed.

>1 month to 12 years: 10 to 15 mg/kg/dose every 4 to 6 hours as needed (Maximum: 5 doses in 24 hours)

Fever: 4 months to 9 years: Initial Dose: 30 mg/kg (Reported by one study (n=121) to be more effective in reducing fever than a 15 mg/kg maintenance dose with no difference regarding clinical tolerance.)

>=12 years: 325 to 650 mg every 4 to 6 hours or 1000 mg every 6 to 8 hours.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Pain:

Oral or Rectal:

<=1 month: 10 to 15 mg/kg/dose every 6 to 8 hours as needed.

>1 month to 12 years: 10 to 15 mg/kg/dose every 4 to 6 hours as needed (Maximum: 5 doses in 24 hours)

Fever: 4 months to 9 years: Initial Dose: 30 mg/kg (Reported by one study (n=121) to be more effective in reducing fever than a 15 mg/kg maintenance dose with no difference regarding clinical tolerance.)

>=12 years: 325 to 650 mg every 4 to 6 hours or 1000 mg every 6 to 8 hours.

What other drugs will affect paracetamol ?

There may be other drugs that can interact with paracetamol . Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

How should I use paracetamol ?

How should I use paracetamol ?

Use paracetamol exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor.

Do not use more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of paracetamol can cause serious harm. The maximum amount for adults is 1 gram (1000 mg) per dose and 4 grams (4000 mg) per day. Using more paracetamol could cause damage to your liver. If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day, talk to your doctor before taking paracetamol and never use more than 2 grams (2000 mg) per day. If you are treating a child, use a pediatric form of paracetamol . Carefully follow the dosing directions on the medicine label. Do not give the medication to a child younger than 2 years old without the advice of a doctor.

Measure the liquid form of paracetamol with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one. You may need to shake the liquid before each use. Follow the directions on the medicine label.

The paracetamol chewable tablet must be chewed thoroughly before you swallow it.

Make sure your hands are dry when handling the paracetamol disintegrating tablet. Place the tablet on your tongue. It will begin to dissolve right away. Do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to dissolve in your mouth without chewing.

To use the paracetamol effervescent granules, dissolve one packet of the granules in at least 4 ounces of water. Stir this mixture and drink all of it right away. To make sure you get the entire dose, add a little more water to the same glass, swirl gently and drink right away.

Do not take a paracetamol rectal suppository by mouth. It is for use only in your rectum. Wash your hands before and after inserting the suppository.

Try to empty your bowel and bladder just before using the paracetamol suppository. Remove the outer wrapper from the suppository before inserting it. Avoid handling the suppository too long or it will melt in your hands.

For best results from the suppository, lie down and insert the suppository pointed tip first into the rectum. Hold in the suppository for a few minutes. It will melt quickly once inserted and you should feel little or no discomfort while holding it in. Avoid using the bathroom just after inserting the suppository.

Stop using paracetamol and call your doctor if:

• you still have a fever after 3 days of use;
• you still have pain after 7 days of use (or 5 days if treating a child);
• you have a skin rash, ongoing headache, or any redness or swelling; or
• if your symptoms get worse, or if you have any new symptoms.

Urine glucose tests may produce false results while you are taking paracetamol . Talk to your doctor if you are diabetic and you notice changes in your glucose levels during treatment.

Store paracetamol at room temperature away from heat and moisture. The rectal suppositories can be stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since paracetamol is often used only when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are using the medication regularly, use the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and use your next dose as directed. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

The first signs of an paracetamol overdose include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, sweating, and confusion or weakness. Later symptoms may include pain in your upper stomach, dark urine, and yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

What should I avoid?

Do not use any other over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, or pain medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Paracetamol is contained in many combination medicines. If you use certain products together you may accidentally use too much paracetamol . Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains paracetamol, acetaminophen or APAP. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication. Alcohol may increase your risk of liver damage while taking paracetamol