Dr. Omar Eissa Habo (DBA-FRCGP)’s Post

November is Pancreatic Cancer awareness month and we at Unhurry® are committed to spreading awareness about it. Regular screening of people at high risk for pancreatic cancer pays off. Surveillance programs for people at high risk of developing pancreatic cancers can help detect precancerous conditions and cancers early, when they are most treatable, according to a new multicenter study directed by experts at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center. A total of 1,461 individuals at high risk of developing pancreatic cancer were enrolled in the Cancer of Pancreas Screening-5 (CAPS5) study at Johns Hopkins Medicine and seven other medical centers, and underwent annual pancreatic imaging tests. Of these participants, 10 were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, including one participant who was diagnosed four years after dropping out of recommended surveillance. Seven of the remaining nine patients (77.8%) were diagnosed with stage I disease, and the other two had progressed to higher stage cancer (one had stage IIB, and one had stage III disease). Seven of these patients were alive after a median follow-up of 2.6 years. "A clear majority of patients in the CAPS program who were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer were detected at the first stage of the disease if they maintained their surveillance,” says senior study author Michael Goggins, M.B.B.Ch., M.D., Sol Goldman Professor of Pancreatic Cancer Research and director of the Pancreatic Cancer Early Detection Laboratory. In general, Goggins says, most patients presenting with symptoms already have later-stage pancreatic cancer; very few have their disease detected at stage I. Rachna Chhachhi RachnaRestores®️ Kindness Practice Foundation To read the complete article, please click on the link below. https://lnkd.in/d3akCyNW For more such articles on mental health, well-being and sustainability, don't forget to follow us. #unhurry #mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthsupport #cancer #cancerawareness #pancreaticcancer #pancreaticcancerawareness #cancerpatient #cancerpatients #caregiver #screening #cancerscreening

Cancer screening needs a refresh. Yes, I said it. And I have my reasons. 🤔 Before I explain, you might be wondering, "But didn't they *just* lower the starting age for breast cancer screening? It was all over the news." You're right and I'm incredibly thankful for the ongoing research that drives these updates. But we need to remain nimble when it comes to #cancerscreening protocols. Here's why: 👂 For those who haven't heard, colon cancer rates are on the rise ⬆ among young adults in their 20s, 30s and 40s. And with delays in diagnosis, we're unfortunately seeing them present with advanced disease that's harder to treat. In recent years, medical societies have lowered ⬇ the starting age for colorectal and breast cancer screening for people who have no symptoms and no family history. However, younger adults are now being diagnosed with these and other cancers, irrespective of family history or traditional risk factors. This underscores the importance of continuing to investigate ALL potential risk factors and taking ⚠ warning signs VERY seriously. 🚨 If you experience symptoms like #blood in your stool or unexplained #weightloss, it's vital not to ignore them. Here's what to do: 1) Understand your family history and discuss it with your relatives (first- and second-degree family members). 2) Tell your healthcare provider about your symptoms and family history to determine if earlier colorectal (CRC) screening is necessary. If you're experiencing significant blood loss or are feeling unwell, don't wait and go to the hospital ASAP. 3) Follow through with recommended screening - doing so will significantly mitigate your risk of developing CRC. In fact, regular screening and removal of polyps reduces your risk of developing CRC by up to 90% with colonoscopy. To learn more about the evolving landscape of CRC screening and warning signs, explore this insightful update from The New York Times: https://lnkd.in/ej5UbEpT Stay safe and stay informed.

🎀— It’s October…GOT PINK???—🎀 “Breast cancer changes you, and the change can be beautiful!” -Jane Cook (breast cancer survivor) Breast cancer is extremely common and we all know family, and friends that have been affected by this disease. If you aren’t wearing your 🎀PINK🎀 yet… Still have plenty of days left and October to get it out and support it! Background: Breast cancer is a type of cancer that develops from the breast tissue, primarily affecting women, although men can also be diagnosed with the disease. It arises when cells in the breast begin to grow uncontrollably, leading to the formation of a tumor that can be detected through various means, including physical examinations and imaging tests. The risk factors for breast cancer include age, family history, genetic mutations (such as BRCA1 and BRCA2), hormonal factors, and lifestyle choices. Early detection plays a crucial role in improving treatment outcomes and survival rates, making awareness and education about breast cancer essential. Regular screening tools, such as mammograms, clinical breast exams, and self-examinations, are vital in identifying breast cancer at its earliest stages when it is most treatable. Mammograms, which are X-ray images of the breast, can detect tumors that may not be palpable, while clinical exams performed by healthcare professionals can identify abnormalities. Self-examinations empower individuals to become familiar with their own bodies and recognize any changes that may require further investigation. The combination of these screening methods significantly enhances the chances of early detection, leading to timely intervention and better prognosis. To emphasize the importance of regular checkups and early detection, consider the following points: - **Regular Checkups**: Routine visits to healthcare providers can help monitor breast health and identify any changes early. - **Early Detection**: Catching breast cancer in its early stages can lead to a higher survival rate and more treatment options. - **Timely Treatment**: Early diagnosis allows for prompt intervention, which can include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or targeted therapies. - **Awareness and Education**: Understanding risk factors and symptoms can encourage proactive health management and reduce stigma around breast cancer. - **Support Systems**: Engaging in regular screenings fosters a community of support, where individuals can share experiences and encourage one another in their health journeys. By prioritizing regular screenings and checkups, individuals can take significant steps towards safeguarding their breast health and improving outcomes for themselves and others. 🎀 WEAR PINK to PROMOTE AWARENESS🎀 #wholehealth #wearpink #regularscreenings #earlydetection

endometriosis.org: 'Behind the headlines: endometriosis and ovarian cancer' Thank you for posting this, Lone Hummelshoj and peers, with permission from Endometriosis UK. Source: https://lnkd.in/e6NMTyRW You may have seen endometriosis in the news this week regarding research on 'Endometriosis and Ovarian Cancer' published by JAMA, Journal of the American Medical Association [1]. Some news articles have claimed that the research highlights an 'increased risk' of ovarian cancer for those with endometriosis. However, associate professor Karen Schliep from the University of Utah, the senior author of the study, clarifies that given the rarity of ovarian cancer, the excess risk is relatively small. Previous research indicates a small excess risk of ovarian cancer for those with endometriosis: 1.3% in the general population versus 1.8% for those with endometriosis [2]. The new JAMA paper suggests a higher figure, but this may not necessarily be the case. Experts in the UK and USA have raised questions about the study’s methods and the data used. 🔑 Key Takeaway: Ovarian cancers are rare; if you have endometriosis there is a slight increased risk of ovarian cancer and it is good to be aware of symptoms of ovarian cancer. Always consult with your doctor if you have any concerns! Stay informed and prioritize your health! 💪 #Endometriosis #OvarianCancer #HealthAwareness #JAMA - References 1: Barnard M, et al. Endometriosis typology and ovarian cancer risk. JAMA 2024 online ahead of print. https://lnkd.in/e-kHZ9K8. 2: Kvaskoff M, et al. Informing women with endometriosis about ovarian cancer risk. The Lancet 2017;390:2433-34. https://lnkd.in/eQurfWQu.

💉 Could a Cancer Drug Curb the Organ Damage of Severe COVID? 🦠 An experimental cancer drug, eganelisib, might help prevent organ damage caused by severe COVID-19 infections, according to a new study. Eganelisib inhibits the immune system enzyme PI3K gamma, which boosts damaging inflammation in cancerous tumors. Lab studies in mice and human tissue revealed that eganelisib could also suppress organ-damaging inflammation triggered by COVID-19. Severe COVID can damage the heart, gastrointestinal system, kidneys, brain, and nervous system, contributing to Long COVID, a condition with symptoms lasting months or years beyond the initial infection. The findings were published on July 3 in Science Translational Medicine. #COVID19 #CancerResearch #LongCOVID #MedicalBreakthrough https://lnkd.in/dQRAd4uS

📣 Beyond the Cigarette: Lung Cancer Can Strike Anyone 🫁 Lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, has seen remarkable treatment progress and improved survival rates in the last decade. NICE's 48 positive treatment recommendations since 2015—a six-fold increase—reflect this progress, bringing innovative therapies like targeted treatments and immunotherapies to patients faster. Jules Fielder's case, diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer at 37 despite being a non-smoker with no typical symptoms, highlights the disease's indiscriminate nature and the power of targeted therapies like osimertinib. Her experience underscores that lung cancer can affect anyone, regardless of smoking history, and often presents with subtle symptoms. 🫁 Approximately 95 people die from lung cancer daily in the UK, exceeding breast and ovarian cancer deaths combined. Experts dispel the myth that only smokers get lung cancer (15% of patients are non-smokers) and emphasize that a diagnosis isn't a death sentence. Early diagnosis, when surgery and radiotherapy can be curative, is crucial. Stage 4 prognosis has improved dramatically: from 6-9 months survival a decade ago to 6-7 years now, thanks to targeted therapies and immunotherapies. NICE's increased positive recommendations facilitate faster access to these treatments. 🫁 Late diagnosis due to absent or overlooked symptoms, as in Fielder's case (back pain misdiagnosed as sciatica, a hoarse voice), remains a challenge. This highlights the need for greater awareness of less common symptoms. While five-year survival rates have improved (from 8.6% in 2005 to 19.8% in 2016), the UK still lags behind other countries. The NHS's lung health checks and the national lung cancer screening program are vital steps toward early detection. The future of lung cancer treatment looks promising, with anticipated advancements in targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and vaccines, though more effective and longer-lasting treatments are still needed. https://lnkd.in/erEBKrrU #lungcancer #NICE #targetedtherapy #earlydetectionsaveslives #cancerinnovation

Low-dose chest CT scans intended to screen for lung cancer can also spot coronary artery calcium, a key risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD), even in patients with no heart symptoms, according to new research published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ December 02, 2024 196 (41) E1362-E1369; DOI: https://lnkd.in/emEeZztc). "Lung cancer screening, although primarily geared towards reducing deaths from lung cancer, also has an opportunity to help tackle the second most common cause of premature death in middle-aged adults, through the identification and risk stratification of coronary atherosclerosis," remarked study author Gary Small. Researchers reviewed CT scans from 1,486 participants screened for lung cancer between March 2017 and November 2018 as part of the Ontario Health Lung Cancer Screening Pilot for People at High Risk. Among participants, coronary artery calcium was found in 83% (1,232) of patients, with high levels in 30% (439). “We present data from a large consecutive cohort from a Canadian lung cancer screening program and report cardiovascular and cancer outcomes. We confirmed a high prevalence of asymptomatic coronary atherosclerosis in this population and found that the risk of death and nonfatal cardiovascular events was highest in people with extensive coronary artery calcium. Estimated Agatston scores of more than 400 predicted the primary outcome of death and nonfatal cardiovascular events. Extensive coronary artery calcium was predictive of the primary outcome and all-cause death despite increased cancer risk and noncardiovascular death in this population with an extensive smoking history.” In the latter group, high levels of coronary artery calcium was found to independently predict a higher risk of death from any cause and heart-related events, even after accounting for deaths from other causes. Read more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eRYqiwh8 and https://lnkd.in/eqskQ-2B #chestCTscan #lungcancerscreening #cancerscreening #cad #cardiovasculardisease

A breakthrough cancer immunotherapy is now taking aim at autoimmune disease. It is a miracle: But the young woman had only mild side effects from the cells: a fever and some fatigue, which passed. Three-and-a-half years later, she is off all lupus medication and is a university student studying medical technology. “She’s a person you meet on the street and she’s completely healthy,” Schett says. One fall day in 2020, rheumatologist and immunologist Georg Schett joined three other doctors in a colleague’s spacious office, on the second floor of University Hospital Erlangen, to urge them to try something new. One of them, head of hematology/oncology Andreas Mackensen, was the gatekeeper of a treatment Schett sought to access: a pioneering, genetically engineered cell therapy. Until then, it had only been used in people with cancer. Schett saw potential for much more. The doctors settled themselves at Mackensen’s round conference table. “I have a patient,” Schett began. He told them about Vu-Thi Thu-Thao, a former hip-hop dancer and gymnast; she was 20 years old and had suffered the ravages of lupus, an autoimmune disease, for 4 years. Her joint pain was excruciating, and her lungs, heart, and kidneys were under attack. She had difficulty breathing and pain radiating throughout her chest. What Schett had in mind for his patient: chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy. The treatment involves isolating a patient’s T cells—the sentries of the immune system that strike invaders—and engineering them in a lab to destroy blood cells called B cells that have become cancerous. B cells also help power many autoimmune diseases, and Schett had seen a 2019 study describing mice with lupus restored to good health after CAR-T treatment. He wondered whether the treatment could rescue someone like Thu-Thao. “I said, ‘Why don’t we do this now?’” Schett recalls. The group sat by an expansive window overlooking the translational research building for Erlangen’s CAR-T projects. Mackensen and his colleagues, including hematologist-oncologist Dimitrios Mougiakakos and rheumatologist Gerhard Krönke, weighed the proposition. https://lnkd.in/eYHQP8cV

🌟 Say Goodbye to Cancer Pain: Discover Breakthrough Solutions for Lasting Relief! 🚀 Your Journey to Comfort Starts Here! Let’s talk about pain and cancer. Pain is something we all feel, but for those with cancer, it can be different. Scientists have learned a lot about it! Here’s what they found and how we can help. 🔬 What is Cancer Pain? Cancer pain happens because cancer cells grow and press on other parts of the body, like bones or nerves. It’s like having something heavy sit on your foot—constant and hurting. Sometimes, treatments like chemotherapy or radiation can also cause pain. 🛠️ How Can We Help? Scientists, like Chwistek and Kumar, are finding new ways to manage cancer pain. They found that using a mix of medicines can help the most! Doctors don’t just use one thing anymore. They might use opioids (strong pain medicines), anti-inflammatory drugs, or nerve blocks to block the pain. Sometimes they even use heat or cold therapy, like putting ice on a bruise to cool down the hurt. 🌟 New Discoveries! There’s been lots of progress! One big step is finding that nerve blocks can help stop pain signals from reaching the brain. Imagine if your body had a “pause” button for pain. Another great find is that medicines can now be given in different ways, not just through pills. There are patches, creams, and even pumps that give medicine right into the bloodstream. This makes it easier for patients to get relief without swallowing lots of pills. 🎯 What Should We Do? Doctors and nurses are always learning more about pain and how to stop it. They check in with patients often, asking, “How is the pain today?” They don’t just guess! They listen to how patients describe their pain and try new methods to ease it. Families should talk to doctors when pain is too much. Together, they can make a plan that works. Let’s Remember: Pain may be strong, but so is science. Scientists are working every day to discover ways to make life better. Cancer pain can feel like a mountain, but with new research, we’re finding ways to climb over it! 🌄 📚 Sources of Wisdom 📚 Chwistek M. Recent advances in understanding and managing cancer pain. F1000Research. 2017;6. Kumar SP. #ΙατρικήΈρευνα (MedicalResearch) #ΥγειονομικήΦροντίδα (Healthcare) #Επιστήμη (Science) #Φροντίδα (Care) #ΝέεςΑνακαλύψεις (NewDiscoveries) #ΑνακούφισηΠόνου (PainRelief)