Sunny Health

Wait what? You might be thinking “That’s nice and all Mr Writer, but what in blazes does it have to do with me?”

Good question.

Detecting biomarkers early can significantly improve the chances of diagnosing a cancer tumour at its earliest stage. Well consider the fact that for most cancers the chances of a cure are significantly higher if found and treated early. Wouldn’t that be reason enough to find out more about biomarkers?

There are numerous types of biomarkers that have been identified to date. Examples include protein biomarkers, DNA biomarkers, pathological biomarkers and so on. So how do doctors examine you for biomarkers? Well, you walk into the doctor’s office, nurses and doctors will take samples of your blood and usually in a few weeks you will be asked to return to collect the results of your blood tests.

If you learn from your doctor that you have cancer and the only way to make sure was to perform some tests, you probably wouldn’t want to wait for a few weeks to find out what’s going on. You’d want to know right away. So some good people in the US have developed a new micro-device that cuts the waiting time of a few weeks into mere days.

All this good news comes at a price. For all its uses, proper validation for most of the cancer biomarkers has not been achieved. What this means that because it is a relatively new clinical method, not much data can be concluded from the various types of biomarkers that organs, diseases and conditions release.

Ultimately, for all the new ways used to detect cancer early, the best cure for cancer is still prevention.

We all know about the hazards of smoking, especially the smokers. Yet, they still puff away senselessly throwing away health. Why? For most, the toll on the body takes effect not now…but perhaps 10-20 years later for most and for others even longer.

By then, many will come to regret. One public figure whose testimony is etched in my memory is the late Yul Brynnar, American actor fame for his roles in the Ten Commandants, the King and I, Magnificent Seven. Before he passed on from cancer, he did a public education recording to advise young people not to smoke.

Alas like all other public messages, they fell on deaf ears.

A stick of cigarette contains over 4000 types of chemicals, of which 400 are poisonous and 40 are cancer-causing. The litany of chemicals contained in a single cigarette, given by the Health Promotion Board Singapore, includes:

Nicotine: Causes addiction and withdrawal symptoms upon cessation. It stimulates the brain so that the smoker feels alert at first but eventually, it dulls the brain and senses. Nicotine causes the release of adrenaline, which makes the heart beat faster and work harder. Nicotine also makes blood clot more readily, increasing the smoker's risk of heart attack.

Carbon monoxide: A dangerous gas found in car exhaust smoke. It replaces as much as 15% of the oxygen which would normally be carried by the red blood cells, so the smoker's heart, which needs more oxygen, gets even lesser. It also makes the smoker suffer from shortness of breath and lack of stamina. Carbon monoxide damages the inner lining of blood vessels and can lead to increased risk of heart attack.

Tar: Used to cover surface of roads. Many cancer-causing substances are found in tar. Some of these are benzo, pyrene, nitrosamine and B-napthylamine, cadmium and nickel.

Acetone: Paint stripper.
DDT: A pesticide which kills mosquitoes and ants.
Arsenic: White ant poison and used by many famous murderers.
Cadmium: A chemical found in car batteries.
Formaldehyde: Used to embalm dead bodies.
Ammonia: An active ingredient in floor cleaners.
Hydrogen cyanide: A poison used in gas chambers.
Naphthalene: A killer ingredient found in mothballs.
Polonium-210: A radioactive substance.
Vinyl chloride: Chemical used to make plastic.

As a one time heavy smoker, I find it easier to give up smoking altogether via the “cold turkey” route. I gave up smoking not once but twice in my life time. The first was when I was 21, and I stopped for some 12 years before I went back to smoking. Why? Because I went on a holiday to Paris, bought a carton as part of the holiday and got hooked again. The second time was some 20 years ago when I realised that I was smoking more than 20 sticks a day, and still urging for more.

I decided enough was enough. I took up weights and running as a motivation. Sports and smoking don’t go in tandem because you lose stamina when you smoke. In many ways I suppose I have a strong will-power. To permanently nail the old habit, I went to church and made a promise never to smoke again. Today I can empathise with those who smoke but will not touch another cigarette. I run regularly, and have no regrets giving up smoking. If I can do it, why not you?

By: Madeline Ellis
Published: Thursday, 8 October 2009
In recent years, there has been an explosion of Internet use, and it’s easy to understand why. The Internet provides affordable up-to-date information on almost any topic imaginable, around-the-clock entertainment, social networking sites that allow for both public and anonymous communication, and email or online chat that lets us keep in contact with family and friends, even if they’re in another time zone. Most people are able to integrate online time into their lives in a balanced healthy manner, but others develop a stronger dependency, often replacing work, school, friends and even family with countless hours surfing the Web, instant messaging and blogging, or playing Internet video games. In fact, it is estimated that as many as 10 percent of Internet users may be considered addicted. Experts say that people who abuse the Internet are typically struggling with other problems, like anxiety or depression, and new research lends credence to that theory.

To access the risk factors for Internet addiction, Cheng-Fang Yen, MD, PhD, of Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital in Taiwan, and colleagues conducted a prospective study of 2,293 seventh-graders, whose average age was 12, from 10 junior high schools in southern Taiwan in September of 2005. The students were asked to fill out questionnaires that assessed whether they had attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, social phobia or abnormal feelings of hostility. Then, 6, 12 and 24 months later, they were asked about their Internet usage, including the number of hours they spent on the Internet and the sorts of sites they frequented.

After two years, roughly 11 percent of the students were addicted to the Internet. Males, those who spent more than 20 hours a week on the Internet and teens who played online games were more likely to be deemed addicted. But the greatest risk factors were found to be ADHD and hostility. Boys and girls with ADHD had a 72 percent increased risk of developing unhealthy dependence on the Internet and those who exhibited significant hostility had a 67 percent increased risk. Girls with social phobias and those suffering depression were also at greater risk, though these factors did not affect boys.

Michael Gilbert, senior fellow at the Center for the Digital Future at University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication, says it makes perfect sense why the Internet would appeal to children with these issues. “If you have a child that is hyperactive, the Internet can move at their pace. If you have a child that is depressed or has social phobia, they can get in touch with other kids dealing with the same kinds of issues,” he said. “They can go into artificial worlds, like ‘Second Life,’ where they can live out fantasies or take on different personas. For kids who have anger or hostility, the Internet gives them a chance to play out their aggression there.”

The study authors say that because computer use is a way of life in the United States, the potential exists for childhood computer addiction to become a major public health problem, a sentiment echoed by the authors of an editorial accompanying the study in the October Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. “Woven as it is into the fabric of today’s society, the potential for Internet use to lead to overuse and ultimately to addiction is concerning,” wrote Drs. Dimitri A. Christakis and Megan A. Moreno of the University of Washington in Seattle.

As the Internet becomes more intertwined in everyday life, eliminating its use is unrealistic, making prevention all the more critical. Experts say parents of teens should monitor the time their children spend on the Internet and the sites they visit and pediatricians and mental health professionals should ask their teenage patients about their Internet usage. This is especially important for children with mental health conditions.

Internet addiction is not currently recognized as a separate disorder by the American Psychiatric Association. There is debate about whether to include Internet addiction as a separate illness in the next edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, due in 2012, which determines which mental illnesses are covered by insurance.

http://www.healthnews.com/family-health/mental-health/teens-with-psychosocial-disorders-prone-internet-addiction-3751.html

Indeed. It seems that teens nowadays are more and more affected by the Internet. They don’t watch television anymore and spend less time outside.

These actions can have dangerous effects on an impressionable youth. But with such large usage of the internet it is difficult for teens to cut down their usage. In order to keep up with the rest of the world, one must be able to have great knowledge of the internet.

Perhaps the right thing to do would be to talk to your child about the evils on the internet. Some parents condemn the internet as a diabolical plaything and restrict their children to certain hours on the net, and only use at certain times of the day. I personally think that these restrictions would spur a child further to rebel and try to get to the internet through negative means.

Talk to your child about his or her feelings about the internet. Share with your child interesting pieces of news that you see on the net that could be beneficial to your child. Look at the internet in a positive light. There is no running away from the net because its here to stay, so we might as well embrace it.

There have been many rumours tarnishing the good name of the H1N1 shots. There are those that claim that the H1N1 shots maybe bad for you and may cause you to get sick.

By getting vaccinated, those around you will be less at risk of getting the virus.

The target group of people who are most wanted for H1N1 shots include pregnant women as well as babysitters who care for young children, healthcare and emergency personnel, persons between 6months and 24 years old, and people ages of 25 through 64 years of age who are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.

Other people recommended for the vaccine include:
• Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday
• Pregnant women
• People 50 years of age and older
• People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
• People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
• People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
o Health care workers
o Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
o Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)

That makes up almost about everyone doesn’t it?

If you do not fall into any of these categories, it is still beneficial to get yourself vaccinated.

The only people that might hold some risk when getting their shots are those allergic to eggs. Also to consider are those who have the following:

• hives or swelling of the lips or tongue
• acute respiratory distress (trouble breathing) after eating eggs
• documented hypersensitivity to eggs, including those who have had asthma related to egg exposure at their workplace or other allergic responses to egg protein

People with the above conditions should go to their doctors for advice on whether to take the H1N1 flu shot.

Children with severe asthma are at high risk of the influenza. Children who suffer from this and hypersensitivity to eggs will receive their vaccines from a regimen

Other ways of protecting yourself include:

• Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throwing the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Washing your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.*
• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Staying home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

If you are looking to get yourself vaccinated, please call your nearest polyclinics to make an appointment.


All National Healthcare Group (NHG) Polyclinics 6355-3000 Mondays to Fridays
8:00am to 1:00pm
2:00pm to 4:30pm (registration ends 4.15pm)

Saturdays
8:00am to 12:30pm (registration ends 12.15pm)

Closed on Sundays & Public Holidays
Bedok Polyclinic (Singhealth) 6243-6741 Mondays to Fridays
8:00am to 1:00pm
2:00pm to 4:30pm (last registration at 4.15pm)

Saturdays
8:00am to 12:30pm (mainly for patients with appointments)

Closed on Sundays & Public Holidays
Bukit Merah Polyclinic (Singhealth) 6271-3911
Geylang Polyclinic (Singhealth) 6842-2440
Marine Parade Polyclinic (Singhealth) 6342-5024
Outram Polyclinic (Singhealth) 6435-3980
Pasir Ris Polyclinic (Singhealth) 6585-5406
Queenstown Polyclinic (Singhealth) 6471-9530
Sengkang Polyclinic (Singhealth) 6315-3500
Tampines Polyclinic (Singhealth) 6786-8516

Prevention is better than cure, they say. What should women do to stop a dangerous monster like Cervical cancer. Cervical cancer has held the number one place in gynaecological cancers in Singapore in the last 30 years. It has declined steadily since, however the rates here remain higher then those in Europe and USA.

In Singapore, Malays have an average of 10 -20 % higher rate then Chinese Singaporeans. CervicalScreen Singapore was launched by the Health Promotion Board in 2004. Its goal was to screen all women aged 25-65 years every 3 years. It is the 5th most cancer in Singapore.

This could be due largely to the lack of prevention such as doing a Pap smear test. Cervical Cancer can be easily prevented, but one should get tested as early as possible.

Prevention
The key to preventing invasive cervical cancer is to detect any cell changes early, before they become cancerous. Regular pelvic examinations and Pap smears are the best way to do this. How often you should have a pelvic exam and Pap smear depends on your individual situation.
1. You should have your first Pap smear when you become sexually active, no matter how old you are.
2. If you are not sexually active, you should have your first Pap smear at age 18 years or earlier.
3. In both cases, you should have a Pap smear every year for at least 3 years.
4. If these Pap smears reveal no abnormal cells and you have few risk factors for cervical cancer, the US Guide to Clinical Preventive Services recommends a repeat Pap smear at least every 3 years.
5. Because a woman's risk factors may change with her lifestyle, many medical professionals prefer that you have a Pap smear yearly through age 65 years and older, regardless of the number of negative tests you have had in the past.
6. If you have had precancerous changes or cancer of the cervix, your gynecologist will recommend a schedule of follow-up examinations and tests.
Avoidance of human papillomavirus infection is becoming increasingly important in the prevention of precancerous and cancerous changes of the cervix.
Early age at first intercourse is associated with increased risk. Abstinence is recommended as one way to prevent the transmission of HPV.
Likewise, barrier protection, such as condom use, may prevent HPV infection, although this has not yet been fully studied.
A vaccine to protect women from cervical cancer may be available in 5 years. Early tests found an experimental vaccine to be effective against the virus responsible for half of all cases of cervical cancer. The vaccine targets a strain of HPV. The vaccine would not be effective for women who already have HPV.
Cigarette smoking is another risk factor for cervical cancer that can be prevented. Quitting smoking may decrease your chances of developing cervical cancer.

The Swine Flu frenzy has gone down, but this does not mean it as any less dangerous. Swine Flu can, and will kill.

In the world of technology, many children today are educated by the Internet. Thankfully for many parents, there is a site online available for children to visit: http://kidshealth.org/kid/h1n1_center/h1n1_school.html

Kids health a website filled with cute pictures and easy language that is kid friendly. The website is easy to browse with interesting information and



There is interesting info on this website including the latest about SWINE FLU. And if you don’t know how to say certain words, not to fear, they even teach you how to say it right. Difficult words such as etiquette are broken down into syllabus to teach you how to say it. It tells you what to do if you suspect you have the flu. Also, it tells you how to get protected.

It also give tips to children about Flu shots. Advising the kids, the blog says to 'loosen your hand like spaghetti' so that you won't feel pain.

There’s even an interesting rap video by a ‘Dr John Clarke’ who does the ‘Health Hop’ to educate your kids about SWINE FLU.



An interesting site with loads of info and interesting insights to spur your child's interest,this is one website your child should spend his or her time on.

The Skinny: How to Fit into your Little Black Dress Forever
Bikini Bootcamp: Two weeks to your ultimate body

Why are these books your famously popular? Well, you want to skinny and fit into that bikini don’t you? Skeptics will sniff at these cheesy headlines, however when it comes down to the real deal, these tips that the books give actually can be really practical, take a look:

1. Cut Calories: Eat What you wantAuthors of The Skinny recommend you eat what you want and enjoy it. Just eat less of it. Or eat salads to satiate you hunger.
2. Keep your portions smallMeasure your food, make sure they can satisfy you but not overload you with food. Pour out your food, start out with one handful first, that way you will know what you’ve been eating.
3. Eat when you’re hungry
Be honest with yourself and eat only when you are really hungry. Don’t cheat yourself or starve yourself. Be good to your body, and your body will return the flavour. If you starve yourself now, you will only overeat later.
4. Eat Fresh, Real Food Instead of Processed Junk It’s a well known fact that Processed junk will lead you to pack on more calories.
5. Eat mindfullyDon’t eat meals in front of your television, understand what you are eating. Truly enjoy your meal.
6. Low fat, non fat
Feed yourself well, be sure that you are getting the right nutrients. Eat nuts or flax seeds to keep you satisfied till your next meal.
7. Focus on FibreFibre, as this blog has before mentioned, has many benefits. Besides filling you up, it also aids digestion.
8. Start with Soup to suppress appetiteDrink soup to fill you up help you to not overeat.
9. Spice things upSpices are free of calories so remember to add them generously to your next meal. They add lots of flavour, so you have nothing to lose, but everything to gain! Add spices to a simple vegetable ragout, and there you have it, a hearty yet low calorie meal
10. Remember your Next and Last MealThink of what you had for Breakfast and think about what you are going to eat for dinner. If the other meals you are going to have are going to be high calorie ones, ensure that the current meal you are going to have is low calorie. This way you can match up the meals. You are therefore indulging yourself yet not over spoiling yourself. Keeping yourself in check.
11. Reduce your calories by keeping track of drinks
Everybody knows that soft drinks can pack on lots of sugars. But did you know fruit drinks can pack in lots of calories as well? Yes, fruit sugars can and will harm you. Beware..
12. Burn Calories with exerciseFor many, exercising can be a pain. But for many, they cannot deny the joys of exercising. The great release after a workout is something many go for.

So you see, these books really recommend what we’ve known but not put to good use. These are easy to follow rules.

Here are recipes from the Books:

The SkinnyChicken Curry with Veggies on Whole-Grain Couscous

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon peeled and chopped ginger
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tablespoon turmeric
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 2 (5- to 6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breasts, sliced into 1-inch pieces
• 1 floret broccoli, chopped
• 1 small floret of cauliflower, chopped
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 1 cup whole-grain couscous, prepared according to instructions on the box
1. Combine the oil, onion, ginger, garlic, turmeric, curry powder, and brown sugar in a large skillet and cook over medium heat until onions turn clear and smell sweet, about 5 minutes.
2. Add the sliced chicken breasts and cook until the meat is done, about 5–7 minutes.
3. Add 1 cup of water along with the broccoli, cauliflower, and carrot. Cook for about 15 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender. Add water as needed to maintain a saucy consistency.
4. Serve over hot, freshly cooked couscous.

Bikini Bootcamp
Chicken Salad with Roasted Red Peppers

• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon white wine or sherry vinegar
• 1/2 garlic clove, minced
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus extra, if desired
• 1/2 roasted chicken, skinned, meat removed from the bone, and roughly chopped (about 1 1/2 cups meat)
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 3 tablespoons chopped roasted red bell peppers
• 1 tablespoon chopped chives
• Coarse sea salt or kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Whole wheat bread or crusty white bread, for serving, optional
• Mixed salad greens, for serving, optional
1. To make the vinaigrette, in a small bowl whisk together the mustard, vinegar, and garlic. Whisking constantly, slowly add the olive oil until fully incorporated.
2. In a medium bowl combine the chicken, celery, red peppers, and chives. Fold in the vinaigrette. Season with salt and black pepper and serve, either made into a sandwich or over salad greens tossed with a little more olive oil and sprinkled with salt.
Brown-bag it with: grapes

Running is one of the easiest forms of exercises around. You can do it anywhere and its definitely cheap. All you really need is a good pair of jogging shoes, a planned route of where to run and you’re ready to go.

In recent years however, running or jogging for women has received a bad rap.

I even read online, some months back of a woman whose menstrual cycle stopped completely after continuous running for 23 weeks, every day. The truth is any sort of exercise when performed too rigorously can cause a change in a woman’s menstrual cycle. A woman’s menstrual cycle can be affected by both physical activities and psychological effects. Jogging can cause both since it is both tiring and can be slightly stressful if you’re hoping to reach a target.

Jogging can also hurt your joints. When your feet hit the ground with every step, there is an impact that can cause harm to your joints. Therefore, joggers/runners who do not invest in a good pair of running shoes are subjecting themselves to more risk than those who do have a good pair.

In older people, it can also be difficult to jog or run since they their joints are not as strong as those of younger people. People aged 60 and above are advised not to over exercise. Jogging may not be a suitable activity in some cases.

The debate however, continues. Jogging/running loyalists swear by the benefits of running. Exercises such as jogging/running help you release happy hormones (Endorphins) into your system. Taking a jog early in the morning can mean a difference in your mood for the rest of the day. Jogging/Running also has helps a person burn unwanted calories in huge amounts.

As I always say to my friends, ‘balance is key’. Jogging is a great exercise and the benefits can be seen by everyone. However, we should never over estimate ourselves and jog more than we really should. I think a 3-5 times of jogging weekly is sufficient for each person. Jog in the mornings from Monday till Friday. Let your body recuperate over the weekends. Jogging can be a strenuous exercise and the body needs time to recover and repair the muscles used during jogging. You will find that the weekend rest will do you good.

Here are some tips to help you ease into your running regiment:

1. Wear a good pair of shoes (and tie them up!)Jogging can be a pain if your laces keep falling out because you did not tie them properly. Your momentum would then be interrupted and this can have an effect on how well you perform.

2. Eat/ Drink something before jogging
Eat something light before going jogging. Make sure you are well hydrated before your run. Having a dry throat while you run can be annoying. You want to have enough energy so that you can perform better during your run.

3. Progress slowly
Injuries are sometimes the result of people taking things too fast. When you are jogging, set a realistic goal. If you are tired, don’t be afraid to stop. Even if you did not reach your goal this time round, you can aim to do better the next time

4. Jog on the spotBefore you run, it is important to warm up your body system so that it can prepare itself for this gruelling activity. Jog on the spot for about a few minutes or so and you will be ready to go.

5. Choose softer surfaces
When jogging, choose dirt paths instead of concrete paths. Concrete paths can be harsh to our joints. Concrete and asphalt reflect landing forces back up your leg. However, when jogging off the beaten path watch out for twigs or holes that you could trip over.

You can reap the benefits of jogging if you perform it the right way.

If jogging is not your thing, perhaps consider walking, which can give the same results.

In cities such as Singapore, we are often too busy to have the time to work out. A typical morning can start as early as 5.30am. We wake our kids up, send them to school. After which, we rush down to work gulping down our breakfasts. This is then followed by a hectic schedule of meeting after meeting. We barely even have time to have lunch. Many nights, we spend time in the office, working over our limits just to finish our project. When we finally reach home, we are just happy that we can sleep in our beds. Day after day passes, we can barely have time for ourselves, let alone go to a gym?

Fret not, now you can exercise the comfort of your office space. These exercises take up minimal time and are easy to do:



lick on the pictures for closer look
Five Key Stretches
(do stretches for 15-30 seconds)

1) Neck Stretches - Slowly tilt your head toward your shoulder and hold for ten seconds each side. Keep this one slow and easy, the neck is very easy to injure.

2) Arm Shoulders - Pull your arm across your chest, hook your other arm around it to pull the tension out of your upperback and rear shoulders.

3) Back / Legs - Lean forward at the waist either from the standing position or sitting and bring your chest toward your thighs. Slowly try to straighten your legs - stretching your hamstrings.

4) Thigh Stretch - Sit on left edge of your chair or stand. Grab your left ankle and pull it upward toward your buttocks. Switch sides.

5) Calves Stretch - Stand and lean into your desk with your heels on the floor. Bend your knees slightly to stretch your achilles tendons.

Five Key Exercises

1) Legs - Squats - Stand in front of your chair and repeat sitting down and standing up 10 times three times a day.

2) Shoulder Shrugs - Just pull your shoulders as high as you can and roll them forward ten times and backward ten times throughout the day.

3) Dumbbell Curls - While on the phone, you can grab a dumbbell and do bicep curls for 20 repetitions three times a day. Straighten your arms by your side and bring your hand (dumbbell) to your shoulder. Keep your palms up. Do one at a time if on the phone.

4) Bench Dips - Using your chair or sturdy table, place your hands on the edge of the object and bend your arms to slowly lower yourself about six inches lower than the seat. Raise yourself by straightening your arms. Repeat this three times a day for 10 repetitions.

5) Assisted Push-up - In the office, lean up against your desk and push yourself away from the desk while in a leaning position. Repeat this three times a day for 10 repetitions

Sometimes simply taking in deep breaths and holding your stomach in is a good exercise. It also helps revive you mentally so that you are more alert when you start working.

LONDON : Children who eat sweets every day are more likely to be violent as adults, possibly because they want instant gratification, a British psychological study suggested Thursday.

The research, by researchers at Cardiff University in Wales, took around 17,000 babies born in 1970 and monitored them at age five, 10, and 34 years old to see if there was a correlation.

It found that 69 per cent of those who had been found guilty of offences involving violence reported they had eaten confectionery nearly every day during childhood, compared to 42 per cent of those who were non-violent.

"Our favoured explanation is that giving children sweets and chocolate regularly may stop them learning how to wait to obtain something they want," lead researcher Simon Moore said.

"Not being able to defer gratification may push them towards more impulsive behaviour, which is strongly associated with delinquency," he added in the study, published in the October issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry.

But the study was condemned as "utter nonsense" by the Food and Drink Federation, which represents Britain's food and drink industry.

"Anti-social behaviour stems from deep-rooted social and environmental factors such as poor parenting and a deprived upbringing and is not linked to whether or not you ate sweeties as a kid," said its director of communications Julian Hunt.

"How anyone could leap to such a conclusion is beyond me."
I think the key in this article is that we learn to ration the amount of sweets we give to our children. It’s all about balance. Balance helps to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
We also learn to train children’s tolerance levels by restricting some of their habits.

In recent years there have been countless researches on the effect of sugar and children, that itself should be a cause for worry.

Healthy dieting should begin when one is a child. If your child is on an unhealthy diet, start weaning him or her on healthier foods. However, this does not mean you should restrict your child completely off unhealthy foods. Try to instil in your child the values of healthy living.

Start off by introducing a large amount of fibre into your child’s diet. Include lots of colours to keep him or her interested.

The Dietary Guidelines are intended for healthy adult Singaporeans between the age of 18 to 65 years and are meant to be applied to the total diet. Here’s how you can follow the guidelines whilst enjoying your delicious bowl of Singaporean food.

1. Eat a Variety of Foods using the Healthy Diet Pyramid as a Guide.
How to do this: There’s so much variety available in our hawker centres and restaurants. Looking for something cheap? Try Fish Ball Soup with Bee Hoon. The deliciously savoury fish broth will warm not just your stomach but your soul. Looking for more variety? How about Poh piah? The light snack can be eaten as a meal if you take two or three rolls. What about a light snack after dinner? Try a yoghurt. These days, yoghurt stalls are scattered all around the nation, almost as easily available as McD’s!

2. Achieve and Maintain Body Weight Within the Normal Range.
How to do this: First, calculate your BMI using Body Mass Index. If you find that you are overweight, you are more prone to disease. Hence, you should work towards achieving a weight in the normal range. Gradually cut back on fatty or unhealthy foods and increase the amount of exercise you do everyday, or start exercising if you have not already.

3. Eat Sufficient Amounts of Grains, especially Whole Grains.
How to do this: Choose rice or bread with more fibre. These include Whole grain, brown rice or rolled oats. There is wide selection of the kind of grains you can get these days. Incorporating this into your daily diet is easy, enjoying it first thing in the morning with a bowl of oats and honey is suffice to keep you full till your next meal a few hours later. Replace white rice and white bread with whole meal grains in your next meals.

4. Eat More Fruit and Vegetables Every Day
How to do this: Include a fruit in all your meals. Replace unhealthy snacks like potato chips and ice cream with a delicious bowl of fruit. Note that fruit drinks do not have the same nutrition value as that of a fruit. It is still better to have a whole slice of fruit. Eating an apple alone does not keep the doctor away, you have to have more, and have a variety, so your taste buds do not get bored.

5. Choose and Prepare Food with Less Fat, especially Saturated Fat
How to do this: In Singapore, it is virtually impossible to ignore food. There is food everywhere. Many are served especially with too much oil, salt and sugar. There are many ways of incorporating more flavour without the use of oils and others. Use what nature has given us. Carrots and fruits can provide much flavour to a dish. Herbs are a good option too, considering that they are free of calories. Olive oil is another great option compared to canola oil or peanut oil.

6. Choose and Prepare Food with Less Salt and Sauces.
How to do this: As mentioned above, the use of many natural ingredients can greatly enhance the flavour of a dish. Try learning to appreciate the natural flavours of a dish. Choose fresh ingredients like fish and vegetables. You can achieve maximum flavour by using simple cooking methods.

7. Choose Beverages and Food with Less Sugar.
How to do this: Water should be your number one choice when it comes to choices for thirst quenchers. You can easily increase the taste of water by drinking tea (without additional sugar), putting lemons into ice water. Should you require a sweet drink, I recommend the use of iced honey drink. It is both healthy and nutrition, although it could help pile on the calories if over consumed.

8. If You Drink Alcoholic Beverages, Do So in Moderation.
How to do this: There is no way around this, one should not over consume alcohol. We know all to well the disadvantages of alcohol. Go for healthier drinks, there are other ways to get the kind of high you can get from alcohol such as doing sports. Drinking alcohol only during social events, and do so in moderation.

Source:
Dietary Guidelines 2003: For Adult Singaporeans (18 - 65 years) - Health Promotion Board, Singapore

As you can see, much of following the guidelines can be easily achieved by tweaking your lifestyle here and there. We should all aim for a healthier lifestyle so that we can carry out daily activities with better ease, and as an insurance against disease and illness.

Liver Cancer is the 7th most common cancer worldwide and ranks 4th most common in Singapore. Our lifestyles of having Char Kway Teow, Chicken rice and excessive consumption of soft drinks have not made it easy for our livers.

Fatty Liver is a condition where fat is being accumulated in liver cells. The consumption of drugs and alcohol are common causes of this disease. It can lead to inflammation and later scarring if left undetected. Therefore, early detection is essential to ensure that Liver Cancer Patients do not receive treatment too late. The danger is that, by the time Liver Cancer is detected, it will usually have spread to beyond the liver. Early cancers can only be treated by surgical removal (resection), destruction of the individual tumours, or liver transplantation.

To date, Singaporean research scientists and clinicians at the NCCS have been able to make a significant breakthrough in testing the effectiveness of drugs usable for certain patients. The NCCS team is now able to predict the outcomes of certain drugs when used by patients. The NCCS team does this by taking an extract of the tumour and testing it on a mouse till they get the desired result to give to patient. NCCS has found that two drugs from two giant pharmaceutical companies are more effective then the use of just one of these drugs. This has in turn led to the Phase I clinical trial testing this 2-drug combination in liver cancer patients as well as a shrinkage in tumour for some patients.

Through NCCS’ success, drug companies are using their testing Model as a platform to improve their own drug combinations.

NCCS will hold its 2nd campaign for Liver Cancer Awareness this year. The campaign will focus on how to avoid fatty liver, the risk of hepatitis and talk about the latest liver cancer treatments available.

In a bid to reach further into the heartlands, this year's public forums will be held at the Paya Lebar Kovan Community Centre in Hougang Street 21 on 12 and 13 September 2009. The forums will be held in both English and Mandarin. Attendees will receive free goodie bags as well as vouchers for free Hepatitis screening at the SingHealth Polyclinics.

Attendees will be able to gain more information about Liver Cancer through this campaign. Admission is free.



Time Programme

(English)
9:30-10 AM Registration

10 – 10:10PM Opening address by Guest of Honour Madam Cynthia Phua, MP for Aljunied GRC
10:10- 10:40 AM I have a fatty liver --What should I do? Can this lead to cancer? by Dr Tan Hui Hui
10:40-11:10 AM Hepatitis – The risks for me and my family by Dr Donald Poon
11:10 – 11:40 AM Liver Cancer -- The silent Killer by Dr Alexander Chung
11:40AM Refreshments & Voucher/goodie bag collection -
(Mandarin)
1:30-2 PM Registration -
2- 2:30PM I have fatty liver – What should I do? Can this lead to cancer? by A/Prof Chow Wan Cheng
2:30 -3PM Hepatitis—The risks for me & my family by A/Prof Koo Wen Hsin
3- 3:30PM Liver Cancer – The Silent Killer by Dr Cheow Peng Chung
3:30PM Refreshments & Voucher/goodie bag collection -

Public Form on 13th Sep Sunday
Time Programme
13 Sep, Sun 9:30-10AM Registration
(Mandarin) 10-10:30AM I have fatty liver – What should I do? Can this lead to cancer? A/Prof Chow WanCheng
10:30-11 AM Hepatitis—The risks for me & my family A/Prof Koo Wen Hsin
11-11:30AM Liver Cancer –The Silent Killer Dr Cheow Peng Chung
11:30AM Refreshments & Voucher/goodie bag collection
13 Sep, Sun
1:30 -2 PM Registration -
(English) 2- 2:30 PM I have fatty liver – What should I do? Can this lead to cancer? A/Prof Tan Chee Kiat
2:30-3PM Hepatitis – The risks for me & my family Dr Choo Su Pin
3-3:30PM Liver Cancer – The Silent Killer
3:30PM Refreshments & Voucher/goodie bag collection -
13 Sep, Sun
9:30 -10AM Registration
(Eng) 10 – 10:30AM I have fatty liver—What should I do? Can this lead to cancer? A/ Prof Tan Chee Kiat
2:30 -3PM Hepatitis – The risks for me & my family Dr Choo Su Pin
3- 3:30PM Liver Cancer – The Silent Killer Dr Wong Jen San
3:30PM Refreshments & Voucher/goodie bag collection

I am unsure about the success rate of alternative therapy but there are several points on this website http://www.cancure.org/AlternativeTherapy.htm which I find to be rather useful.

In case you have not heard about alternative therapy, do read the following.
Alternative Therapy, as the name suggests, refers to therapy alternative to the kind you find in a conventional hospital. A typical conventional cancer treatment would include surgery, chemotherapy (the use of drugs), and radiation. However, alternative therapy includes nutritional supplements such as enzymes, diet, detoxification and it also suggests a change in lifestyle such as stress control, prevention and biofeedback.

At cancure.org, they do not suggest that alternative therapy is better but encourages you to choose on your own, depending on the nature of the cancer. They say that alternative doctors see tumour as merely a symptom of the cancer and are more interested in the cause of the cancer.

Alternative therapy practitioners believe in self healing, or a natural way of healing. They feel that chemotherapy and radiation technologies impact the immune system and can actually cause cancer if patients do not detoxify and rebuild their immune system after going through these practices.

Some of the alternative therapies that are used include:
• Nutrition – to boost the immune system, to increase natural mechanisms for eliminating the tumour, and to prevent reoccurrences. Typically this includes nutritional supplements, intravenous protocols (such as high doses of vitamin C, anti-oxidants, and immune support nutrients), and diet (such as frequent raw vegetable juices, whole grains, legumes and elimination of foods which feed cancer and weaken the immune system).
• Enzymes – to facilitate the breakdown of the protective coating around cancer cells and to support healthy metabolic processes.
• Oxygenation – to bring vital energy to the cells, reverse tumour growth and facilitate the elimination of pathogens (fungi, bacteria and viruses) which may be weakening the immune system. This may take the form of ozone therapy, deep breathing exercises and/or oxygenation of the blood directly through intravenous protocols.
• Detoxification – to eliminate substances which may be burdening the immune system, compromising metabolic processes and blocking energy flow (e.g. heavy metals, pesticides, environmental toxins, and metabolic wastes). This may take the form of herbal and nutritional products that open up the elimination channels (liver, kidney, colon, and urinary system), colonics, detoxification diets, and IV chelation protocols.
• Emotional Healing – to eliminate toxic emotions and memories somatized in the body. This may take the form of counselling, emotional release therapies, deep breathing, reiki, homeopathy, or bodywork.
• Tumour Targeting – to aggressively reduce the tumour size. This may take the form of cancer vaccines, hyperthermia, or chemotherapy alternatives such as ukrain, amygdalin, mistletoe, and carnivora.
• Life Style Change and Stress Control – to assist the individual in making the necessary changes in their life structure and belief system to minimize stress.
• Spiritual Connection – to re-connect the individual with their purpose for being alive and to strengthen their will to live. This may take the form of prayer, meditation, or spiritual counselling.

Using stem cell therapy, doctors are able to release mature leucocytes or white blood cells. By isolating these cancer cells, doctors may be able to find a cure for cancer cells.

Cancer researchers have discovered that some tumours are the result of cancer stem cells that have similar characteristics with other kinds of stem cells.

Embryonic stem are conceived inside a microscopic, still round embryo. This conception can take place in any kind of organism, something potential researchers call ‘pluripotency’. In adults stem cells are almost unique from most other cells.

Since most cells have specific tasks assigned, they will come to a terminal stage of their development. This means that they only have a specific kind of task. They rarely divide and re- generate in the new cells. They might wear out and eventually die. However, Stem cells are usually immortal and do not wear out and die. They usually never become a specialized cell.

When tumor cells from patients are isolated and cultivated in a laboratory culture dish, only a small part of the tumour cells are capable of re- generating the tumour. There are some researchers who believe that these are cancer stem cells.

Right now the best known stem cell therapy to date is the bone marrow transplant, which is used to treat leukemia and other types of cancer as well as various blood disorders.

Besides being suspected to be the cause of many tumours, some scientists suspect that cancer stem cells are also most guilty of resistance to current cancer treatment drugs. If we are able to better understand the molecular, biochemical and functional characteristics of cancer stem cells may lead to the development of more effective precisely targeted treatments. Drugs that target most cancer cells that are unable to regenerate are less likely to be effective. However, drugs that are aimed at a tiny proportion of cancer cells with self regenerating abilities will most possibly possess long term benefits.

So how do Cancer Stem cells form? Cancer stem cells like any other stem cells cannot die. They divide and renew themselves indefinitely. However cancerous cells do not have an uncontrollable cell growth, unlike the cells that shape normally.

Some researchers suspect that cancer stem cells stem from adult stem cells that go wrong. Adult stem cells, unlike embryonic stem cells have a much more restricted type of cells they can regenerate. But unlike the bulk of fully precise and targeted tissue cells, adult stem cells can keep dividing. Therefore they renew themselves and take the part of their ancestor and in turn become specialized cells.

The best known adult stem cells are those that produce red and white blood cells and platelets that aid clotting. These ‘hematopoietic’ stem cells regenerate the blood system of a bone marrow recipient. Researchers also have begun to discover rare stem cells in other adult tissues.

Some researchers are looking into the possibility that some tumours get their stem cell characteristics from stem cells themselves, others are looking into the likelihood of cancer stem cells acquiring their characteristics another way. Scientists are investigating if progenitor or full specialized cells are somehow able to avoid their assigned roles, de differentiate and acquire stem cell like potency en route to becoming cancerous.

Cancers that arise in different tissues often acquire similar genetic abnormalities. However, developmental programs are different for cells in separate tissues and may differently shape the characteristics of tumours that emerge within those tissues.

Some researchers have made it possible to differentiate individual cells from embryos and grow them into more embryonic stem cells that can multiply continually in the laboratory. One of the more popular ways, which has also been used on Dolly the sheep is somatic cell nuclear transfer, which are cell lineages created by injecting DNA from an unfertilized egg cell from which the nucleus has been removed.

Human reproductive cloning is still being highly debated (although this author feels that it is unethical). Researchers need to further explore about how and why cells at a particular time and location within the organism retain or lose the capacity to survive or replicate, and either remain uncommitted or become fated a specific role in a particular tissue. These questions also pertain to cancer.

http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/tech/stemcells/scintro/

The University of Utah’s Genetic Learning Centre presents what a stem cell is with an adorable interactive animation. The information is presented in a story form, the main character being the ‘Stem Cell Guy’. The animation also includes interaction with the audience. In a fun and friendly manner they tell the story of the stem cell.

The story begins by telling us that Stem Cells do not have jobs assigned to them. Also, every stem cell stems from another stem cell, much like an amoeba. It then likens it to a stage actor awaiting their call for a job, meanwhile dividing it into different types of stem cells. You later get to choose the role of Stem Cell Guy by dialling a number on the animation which will lead you to see the different roles of a stems cell.

With this website you and even your child can learn about stem cells in a fun and interesting manner.

The recent death of Farah Fawcett has sparked concerns and shed a spotlight on anal cancer. Farah Fawcett, once one-third of famous television trio Charlie’s Angels, has now put a face on Anal Cancer. There has been much support and push for awareness of Breast Cancer, but support for Anal and prostate cancer has been a rarity. 1 in 640 women are at the risk of being diagnosed with anal cancer.
So what is anal cancer? Symptoms of anal cancer include bloating and change in bowel habits, a lump near the anus, rectal bleeding, itching or discharge. Women may experience lower back pain due to pressure the tumor exerts on the vagina, and vaginal dryness.

Debbie Saslow a PhD, director of breast and gynecologic cancer at the American Cancer Society (ACS) in Atlanta said, in an interview with webmd.com, that there is nothing that can be done to prevent anal cancer. There has been research into what really causes anal cancer and focusing on human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. HPV is a sexually linked infection which has been linked to both cervical and anal cancer. Therefore, it is thought that if there is people take vaccinations from HPV, there will be a lower risk of anal cancer. In addition to HPV infection, other anal cancer risk contributors include smoking, multiple sex partners, and having a weakened immune system.

People considered at high risk of getting anal cancer include transplant recipients, HIV-positive people, women who have had cervical cancer or vulvar cancer, and all sexually active homosexual men. Overall, there has been evidence suggesting an increase in anal cancer.

However, anal cancer sufferers need not despair. With treatment of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, cancer sufferers have a high chance of fully recovering from the disease. Like other cancers, patients have a higher chance of recovery if the disease is caught early. A simple rectal test, which requires the doctor to insert a gloved finger into the anus to check for lumps or growths, will help one catch the disease.

There has been research conducted about the link between white bread and cancer. Well, is it really related then?

The research was carried out by the Mario Negri Institute for Pharmalogical Research in Milan. It claimed that consumers who ate a lot of bread doubled their risk of getting cancer. Experts, however, have said that this claim needs to be further explored before they can come to a more definitive conclusion.

Whether or not there is a link between white bread and cancer, it is better to look at a healthier alternative: Wholemeal Bread.

So what is the main difference between white bread and wholemeal bread?

Both white flour and wholemeal flour are the two main types wheat flour. In wholemeal flour, whole grain is used, which also means that nothing is lost during milling. White flour on the other hand, is refined. This means that the bran and nutrient packed germ are separated from the rest of the grain, resulting in a great loss of nutrients.

There are many different types of flour between these two main types of flour. Namely ‘brown flour’ which has a higher extraction rate than white flour. It contains more bran which contributes to its darker colour. The wholemeal flour contains all parts of the grain: the fibre-rich bran (outer layer), the endosperm (middle layer) and the germ (inner layer). The bran provides fibre, B vitamins, minerals, protein and other phytochemicals. The endosperm contains carbohydrates, proteins and small amounts of B vitamins. Whole grain foods are an important part of the diet because they provide many nutrients. The regular consumption of whole grain foods has been liked by researchers to a reduction of several diseases including heart disease and cancer, especially colon cancer.

Besides, its nutritional value, wholemeal bread is something that people can eat on the go. Easily affordable, it is also easy to make and ingredients can be easily found.

So why not make a wholemeal sandwich for lunch? It can be easily packed or brought around.

Here are some suggestions for wholemeal sandwich combinations you may want to consider:

- Tuna, Red Onion and Coriander

- Scrambled Egg and Watercress

- Roasted Chicken and Roaster Bell peppers

As for the dressing, a simple splash of olive oil will do the trick. If olive oil is not what you like, feel free to stir up your own dressings. You can consider using herbs such as black pepper or oregano because they are a great source of flavour. Another healthy alternative is to use tofu mayonnaise which provides

Enjoy a healthy wholemeal sandwich today!

How can we understand cancer patients? We know that they are suffering, but we will never know what it is that they are going through till we ourselves are in their shoes (something we hope will never befall on us.)

Cancer Patients’ lives are faced with such irony. They want to have knowledge, for knowledge is power. But at the same time, knowledge, can and will hurt you. The treatment is a long and torturous process; some recover, some do not. They often have to make difficult decisions.

It is hard for the patients but it is as hard for loved ones to stand by and watch helplessly as the patient deteriorates.

I guess the only way we can make things any easier is to just be there. We don’t necessarily need to ‘cheer them up’ because often, we don’t know how to.

In my own attempt to understand cancer patients, I came across a blogger who lost the cancer battle recently:

http://shinscancerblog.blogspot.com/

Shin Na was a South Korean Born US citizen, she was also a TV news reporter and a legal assistant. At the end of her life she lived in Singapore with her husband Tony and her tow young children. In her blog, she puts up happy pictures of her cherubic looking children. The way she and her husband writes is in a tone that accepts but at the same time, happy. It is indeed an inspiration to read. Although she is dying, her face is filled with a healthy glow and you forget for awhile that she is indeed sick.

The blog chronicles her even after her death through her husband, Tony and her good friend Michelle.

In her blog, she seems happy, in the company of her loved ones. Although, ultimately, it was a lone battle she had to fight, her loved ones were there all the way for her. It is when you see such loving photos, that you feel inspired by her and a warm, chicken soup for the soul feeling that indeed, love does exist.

In her blog, she writes with some humour. She said “This is the part in the movie where I say 'I'm dying' but it doesn't seem real and here I am carrying on as if nothing is wrong; and nothing is wrong. That's why they call it the silent killer.” She saw her life as a movie and she, the lead actress.


She faced death with courage and love, and although death did indeed conquer her, taking away her life, her love and courage shone through.

http://www.asiaone.com/Just%2BWoman/About%2BMe/Well%2BBeing/Story/A1Story20071030-33099.html

We live in a world where fast food outlets dominate every street corner. Its inescapable. The reason for this is, well, because fast food is relatively cheap, tasty and, well, fast. And so, many people nowadays fill their stomachs with such morsels.

Most, if not all nutritionists agree that fast food is bad for your health. Their views are backed by the results of many research studies. In fact, a recent study at the University of Michigan in the US, found that the risk of stroke increases with the number of fast-food restaurants in a neighborhood. While the study did not throw any additional light on the reasons behind this phenomena, it does suggest an association.

But even without these studies, we've already known since we were young that fast food isn't healthy. Parents repeatedly extoll that to their children. Teachers include that knowledge in educating their students at school. But we succumb to temptation from time to time because honestly, fast food does taste great.

So how can you negate the unhealthy effects of fast food then? Well, the bad news is that you can't. However, what you CAN do is try to make smart choices about what you put into your mouth. Here are a handful of tips on how you can do that:

1. Pay attention to your selections - If possible, opt for grilled items rather than deep-fried. Choose lean meat if possible and also items that have more vegetables.
Also, look at the amount of calories that each dish contains. Usually, potato-based items like french fries and also sweet things like ice cream contain many calories, and it would be wise to exclude them.

2. Drink plain water - Instead of gulping down that soft drink, try a little plain water or unsweetened ice tea. If it tastes bland, try adding a slice of lemon to the drink. One 32-oz sized cup of cola contains roughly 425 calories, as opposed to 0 calories were you to drink plain water.

3. Choose smaller portions - Just because you feel a craving for a burger doesn't mean you have to go for the full works.

4. Watch your salt levels - A diet high in sodium can lead to all sorts of nasty ailments. Ask for reduced salt on your french fries.

5. Make it special - People don't do this often enough. Ask for one less slice of cheese, less sauce or dressing and more vegetables when you're ordering. Although most cashiers aren't expecting such orders, that doesn't mean they can't accommodate it.

6. Throw out the sauce - Think that little packet of chili sauce or tomato ketchup is harmless? Think again. Going through the ingredient list, one usually finds that sugar and salt are primary ingredients of such sauces. If you can't go without, try to use less.

References:
http://esciencenews.com/articles/2009/02/19/number.fast.food.restaurants.neighborhood.
associated.with.stroke.risk

One of the greatest challenges we face in the fight against cancer probably lies in its detection. Simply put, if we can detect cancerous cells before they fully manifest, there is a good chance we can nip the problem in the bud.

It's easy to talk about it in this way. Implementing a system for such detection is another matter altogether. There are many obstacles we face in even attempting to do so. For one thing, it's not possible to take a one-size-fits-all approach. There are countless types of cancers out there, for which each is caused by variedly different conditions. More significantly, we have also yet to determine the cause of many cancers.

That's not to say we haven't made any headway.

For instance, research on cervical and colorectal cancer has yielded results, and we now have some insight as to how they work. Test kits for colorectal cancer have been available for some time. The Singapore Cancer Society distributes such kits every year during Colorectal Cancer Month. Also, vaccines for cervical cancer have also appeared. However, all that have been provided are the tools. We still need to take personal responsibility in screening for such diseases.

We're also still quite clueless as to how to prevent other cancers. To be fair, there are thousands of research projects concentrating on such endeavours now. From time to time, they yield useful results. Recently for example, a study at the University of Minnesota in the US showed that it could be possible to identify smokers' lung lancer risk with a simple test that screens their urine for certain biomarkers.

The study, which surveyed populations in China and Singapore, examined urine samples from subjects and found that a third of smokers who had the highest levels of a biological marker known as NNAL and a marker called cotinine, "were 8.5 times more likely to develop lung cancer than those with levels in the lowest third and similar histories of smoking."

In another unrelated study from Stanford University in California, US, researchers developed new technology which could make it possible in the future to screen people for cancer by just testing a drop of their blood. Currently, accurate cancer diagnosis requires surgical biopsies, which is used to remove lumps of tissue for lab analysis.

In this manner, cancer treatment can be enhanced as well, as the technology will allow "fast and easy monitoring of patient response to treatment." Also, despite focusing only blood cancers in the study, scientists are optimistic about its effectiveness in the technology's ability to detect solid tumors. In fact, they have already began testing it on head and neck tumours.

Hopefully, with the results of studies such as these, we'll be better equipped to help catch cancer before it has a chance to do any major damage. The ultimate goal of course would still be to prevent it from ever occuring in the first place.

Such studies underscore the urgent need for us to dedicate more resources towards cancer research. Its quite obvious that the research can move along at a faster pace when they have additional funding, better equipment and more manpower. This is why we should all try to support cancer research as much as we can, whether be it through a monetary contribution or encouraging our youth to consider a career in medical oncology.


References:

http://www.nccs.com.sg
http://news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20090419/hl_hsn/urinetestcouldgaugesmokerslungcancerrisk
http://www.healthnews.com/medical-updates/successful-cancer-detection-from-a-single-
drop-blood-2950.html