Cancer Genetic Testing - How relevant is it?
Friday, May 31, 2013 - Posted by SunnyHealth - 0 comments
Mutated genes or disease carriers are hereditary and they increase the probability of one contracting cancer

Hollywood star Angelina Jolie shines the spotlight on Cancer Genetic Testing for Breast Cancer when she underwent a double Mastectomy (the surgical removal of both breasts) after a cancer genetic test revealed that she had high risk of contracting breast cancer. While the necessity of her decision was fiercely debated worldwide, her aunt dies of breast cancer two weeks after her mastectomy made headlines, seemingly reinforcing the importance of a Cancer Genetic Testing.

However, is it really worth the expenses of doing such tests, even acting on the results? Some health experts think that Jolie was being rash, rather than brave and decisive, for a few good reasons.

What is Cancer Genetic Testing?

In some cancers, the risk of obtaining it increases when the body carries genes with some specific properties or mutations. In the case of breast cancer, women with mutations in the genes BRCA1 or BRCA2 are five times more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer and up to 28 times more likely to be diagnosed with ovarian cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI). A Cancer Genetic Test helps to identify whether one is a carrier of the mutation. Nevertheless, it should be emphasized that a carrier of the mutation may not necessarily be struck with the cancer in his/her lifetime. The risk is simply higher.

Why some health professionals don’t recommend jumping into it.

Tests are not infallible, and a false positive result, which in the first place, does not confirm the possibility of a cancer regardless of its accuracy, may cause needless surgery, surgery risks, medical expenses and psychological stress. Furthermore, surgery simply reduces, but does not eliminate cancer risk.

Evaluating your personal and family medical history before attempting further tests or action is a more reliable and economical alternative.

The National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) has a specialised Cancer Genetics Service, which includes evaluation of personal medical history and family background, physical examination, specific genetic tests if necessary, education and health planning. The services can also be extended to at-risk family members.

Monitor your condition

 Surgery is not the only viable option to reduce your risk of getting cancer. If you are in the high risk group, understand the symptoms, and monitor your health condition. Attend regular health screenings and check ups. Cancer, if any, when detected early, can be treated more easily and at less cost. Some health insurance plans cover medical screenings. AIA’s Wisdom for Women for example, offers free medical check-ups once every 2 years from the 3rd year of the policy.

Above all, lead a healthy lifestyle and keep your spirits up. With today’s medical advances, cancer is no longer an end to life. For some, it may even be a beginning of a new journey!

Sources:
http://techcrunch.com/2013/05/19/how-cheap-genetic-testing-complicates-cancer-screening-for-us-all/
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2013/05/27/angelina-jolie-loses-aunt-to-breast-cancer-should-you-get-brca-gene-testing/
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/geneticsandcancer/genetictesting/genetic-testing-what-you-need-to-know-toc


Posting pictures of meals online? It may be good for health
Friday, May 17, 2013 - Posted by SunnyHealth - 0 comments

At least no one has gone to this extent yet

Who knew that an innocent picture of dinner could imply that its photographer may need psychological help?

At the Canadian Obesity Summit in Vancouver on 1 May, Dr. Valerie Taylor had said that taking pictures of food may suggest that the photographer values food, perhaps a bit too much.

"You don't take pictures of who you're with, you take pictures of what you're eating," she said.

Personally, I think that more than suggesting that the photographer is unhealthily obsessed with food, constantly showing off what one eats on social media would suggest self-centredness, but that’s another story. On the other hand, there are people who genuinely wish to capture the beauty of their meal, or share a food review with fellow foodies.

Netizens and various health commentary websites are in general agreement that Dr Taylor is either making a mountain out of a molehill, or simply not keeping up with social media trends. Nonetheless, food photos do give an insight to the lifestyle and health of the photographer and constant sharing of food photos should not be laughed off as frivolous, or jeered at for being annoying. They can be invaluable information for evaluating a loved one’s health condition, and in providing information about his/her eating habits to a dietician. The next time you see a friend post a third helping of oily char kway teow in spite of his health, instead of clicking the "x" and screaming inwardly about how you’re going to kick him off your friend’s list if he posts another food picture, send him a well-meaning message about how fattening and bad for health it is.

Food pictures aren’t always bad news. Check out these blogs featuring attracting looking pictures of healthy food:
http://beautifulpicturesofhealthyfood.tumblr.com/
http://pinterest.com/zjuliez/healthy-pretty-food/

  
Top image from Project LunchBox
Bottom image from Yummies

If one were on a diet or lacking inspiration for healthy recipes, these blogs are certainly encouraging. It is after all human nature to be drawn to beautiful things, and someone who associates healthy food with blandness is likely to change his mindset, if not completely, by a little. The next time you feel hungry for something delicious yet unhealthy, try looking at these healthy food blogs, and set your mind and tastebuds on something delicious yet healthy!


Brain boosters for the exams
Friday, May 10, 2013 - Posted by SunnyHealth - 0 comments

Don't let this happen in the exams.

In late April, a research indicated that you can boost your memory by the simple act ofclenching your fists. This comes as timely good news as May is a month where many students in Singapore are having exams.

Clench your right fist just before you need to commit things to memory (i.e. when studying), and your left when you want to remember it (during the exams). This is believed to work on the basis that clenching your hands activates the side of the brain that handles the function; in right-handed people, the left brain encodes information, and the right brain recalls it. For left-handed people, the reverse applies. The study says that further research will have to be done for remembering more complicated knowledge (as in the case of studying for exams), but it certainly doesn’t hurt to try. Just don’t get too caught up with remembering which side to clench that you forget what you’re supposed to remember for the exams!

Here are a few quick and surer tips to clear your mind and boost your scores:

Go to bed early and enjoy a good night’s rest everyday during exam period. When your brain is well-rested, you’ll be able to focus better and recall facts more easily.

Rise early and have a hearty breakfast. Not having breakfast results in lethargy and less ability to concentrate.

Do some exercise before heading for school. Exercise helps to improve blood flow to regions at the front of the brain whose functions are mostly centered on intellectual tasks, including taking exams of course. A good work out also helps to reduce stress, consequently improving your memory under stressful situations. Consider doing a brisk walk to school if it is near your house, or get down one bus stop earlier so you can walk. Of course, make sure you plan your time carefully so that you don’t end up reaching class late!

Indulge in fun exercise for your brain. Mind-challenging games like Sudoku and Candy Crush Saga help to stimulate your brain and in turn, your memory. Consider having a game or two before your exams to take your mind off the stressful things.

Have a coffee before your paper. Caffeine reportedly enhances mental and memory performance as it’s a stimulator affecting parts of the brain that regulates wakefulness, arousal, mood and concentration.
However, if you don’t usually drink coffee, or have experienced unpleasant side-effects (i.e. anxiety, impaired concentration, shakiness), don’t count on coffee to help.

Chew gum
Japanese researches discovered that activity in the hippocampus, the part of the brain largely responsible for memories, increases while you chew. The act of chewing could lead to increase the heart rate, thus generating greater delivery of oxygen to the brain and enhancing its functions. This would explain why some people feel more alert when snacking while studying or doing something that they consider tedious. If you haven’t got gum, you can consider bringing a packet of sweets into your exam room.

Stay calm and good luck for the exams!

Additional sources: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-107014/10-ways-boost-memory.html