Archive for February 2012
February
February is an important month for two reasons.
ONE; it is National Cancer Prevention Month! That means you need to do your part.
- Stay away from tobacco.
- Stay at a healthy weight.
- Get moving with regular physical activity.
- Eat healthy with plenty of fruits and vegetables.
- Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
- Protect your skin.
- Know yourself, your family history, and your risks.
- Have regular check-ups and cancer screening tests.
(All of this information is available to you at cancer.org)
TWO; it is Gallbladder and Bile Duct Cancer Awareness Month
In 2011, about 9,250 new cases of gallbladder cancer were diagnosed: 3,990 in men and 5,260 in women. About 3,300 people died of these cancers: 1,230 men and 2,070 women.
About 9 out of 10 gallbladder cancers are adenocarcinomas. An adenocarcinoma is a cancer that starts in the cells with gland-like properties that line many internal and external surfaces of the body (including the inside the digestive system). A type of gallbladder adenocarcinoma that deserves special mention is called papillary adenocarcinoma or just papillary cancer. These are gallbladder cancers whose cells are arranged in finger-like projections when viewed under a microscope. In general, papillary cancers are not as likely to grow into the liver or nearby lymph nodes. They tend to have a better prognosis (outlook) than most other kinds of gallbladder adenocarcinomas. About 6% of all gallbladder cancers are papillary adenocarcinomas. There are other types of cancer that can develop in the gallbladder, such as adenosquamous carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, small cell carcinomas, and sarcomas, but these are uncommon.
About 2,000 to 3,000 people in the United States develop bile duct cancer each year. Bile duct cancer is much more common in Asia and the Middle East, mostly because of a common parasitic infection of the bile duct. Bile duct cancer can occur at younger ages, but it is seen mainly in older people. The average age at the time of diagnosis is 73. More than 2 out of 3 people with bile duct cancer are older than age 65 when it is found.
Intrahepatic bile duct cancers: These cancers develop in the smaller bile duct branches inside the liver. They can sometimes be confused with cancers that start in the liver cells, which are called hepatocellular carcinomas, and are often treated the same way. Only about 1 out of 10 bile duct cancers are intrahepatic.
Perihilar (also called hilar) bile duct cancers: These cancers develop at the hilum – where the hepatic ducts have joined and are just leaving the liver. They are also called Klatskin tumors. These are the most common type of bile duct cancer.
Distal bile duct cancers: These bile duct cancers are found further down the bile duct, closer to the small intestine. Because these bile ducts are outside of the liver, these cancers are also known as extrahepatic bile duct cancers
More than 95% of bile duct cancers are of the adenocarcinoma type. Adenocarcinomas are cancers of glandular cells that can develop in several organs of the body. Bile duct adenocarcinomas develop from the mucus glands that line the inside of the duct. Cholangiocarcinoma is another name for a bile duct adenocarcinoma.
Add a comment February 12, 2012
St. Agatha
Last Saturday, St. Adalbert, a church on Staten Island, held a mass in homage to St. Agatha, patroness of breast cancer. I learned about this mass from my friends at the American Cancer Society and decided to attend. My cousin Jessica came with me for support.
I was a little reluctant at first when I heard about it because I could not understand how this saint had come into her status. I had never heard of her before this week. After Mass I decided to research St. Agatha, determined to learn of her history.
Born in Sicily to a rich, important family, St. Agatha devoted herself to God at an early age. She decided that she wanted to be a virgin and that she did not want to marry. A man high in rank named Quintian arrested her for being a christian and imprisoned her in a brothel expecting her to give in to him. When brought before him she prayed, “Jesus Christ, Lord of all, you see my heart, you know my desires. Possess all that I am. I am your sheep: make me worthy to overcome the devil.”
After a month of assault and humiliation, Quintian sent St. Agatha to prison, but she still professed her faith in Jesus. She was continually tortured until she died after saying a final prayer: “Lord, my Creator, you have always protected me from the cradle; you have taken me from the love of the world and given me patience to suffer. Receive my soul.”
One of the tortures she supposedly suffered was to have her breasts cut off, so she was often depicted carrying her breasts on a plate. It is thought that the blessing of the bread that takes place on her feast (February 5th – Feast Day) may have come from the mistaken notion that she was carrying loaves of bread. In some versions, St. Peter appeared to St. Agatha and healed her breasts.
Because St. Agatha was also asked for help during the eruption of Mount Etna she is also considered a protector against the outbreak of fire. She is also considered the patroness of bell makers for an unknown reason. Though some speculate it may have something to do with the fact that bells were used as fire alarms.
The mass was very beautiful. The church had a 125 year old statue of St. Agatha brought over from the Netherlands. It was surrounded by flowers and people also draped donations for the American Cancer Society around her. St. Agatha prayer cards and pink ribbons were given out. I’m very happy that I attended.
Add a comment February 12, 2012
The Power of Pink 