Pancreatic cancer - Symptoms and causes
Little-known Form Of Cancer Surges In Young People And There's One Alarming Reason Why
The data from Cancer Research UK has shown a significant rise in cases since the early 90s.
Cancer has always been a concerning disease, and due to advancements in technology, we have gotten better at both diagnosing and treating the disease.
We're also able to pinpoint which part of the body is developing the cancer cells and highlight what actions increase and decrease the likelihood of getting this type of cancer.
However, according to research from charity Cancer Research UK, there is a form of cancer that doctors have been seeing more cases of in the country.
Not only is there an increase, but it's mainly being seen in young people.
In the UK there has been an increase of young people with gallbladder cancer (Getty Stock Image)Gallbladder cancer is rare, but there has been an 84 per cent rise in cases of the gastrointestinal cancer among Britons aged 24-49 since the early 90s.
The gallbladder is an apple-sized organ near the liver, and is primarily responsible for storing bile, a substance used by the body to break down the fats we eat.
Experts believe the reason for the increase may be in changes to the diet that have happened over the last few years among young people.
This would ultimately cause subtle changes to the bacteria in our gut, the microbiome.
Diets known to include significant ultra-processed and processed foods are believed to increase a person's chance of developing certain types of cancers.
In the UK, thankfully, gallbladder cancer cases are rare, with just over 1,000 cases diagnosed each year.
As well as this, case numbers remain small, with only about 35 new people diagnosed among the 25 to 49 group per year, on average. This is compared to hundreds among older Brits who remain the most common patients diagnosed.
Diet may be a factor in the increase in cases amongst young people(Getty Stock Image)Professor Karol Sikora, who specializes in oncology and has been described as a leading world authority on cancer, has said the increase had been clear for years, according to a Mail Online report.
In addition to noting the possibility of diet being a factor, he listed a host of other possibilities seen in modern living. He noted pollution, alcohol consumption, junk food consumption, and more stressful lives, can have knock-on impacts on a person's microbiome, and in turn influence cancer risk.
He did note that pinpointing the cause to one factor is difficult.
He said: "It's just impossible to measure...It's a complex series of things that can affect it."
This Is One Of The Most Common Signs Of Bladder Cancer, According To A Urogynecologist
Bladder cancer makes up about 4% of cancers, most commonly affecting people 55 and older. While rates for bladder cancer are dropping, it's still important to know what the most common signs of it are. As with any cancer, early treatment is key. Knowing the risk factors for bladder cancer and its earliest symptoms can lead to getting treatment earlier, making overcoming it more likely.
If you're unfamiliar with bladder cancer, here are all the facts you need to know, straight from a urogynecologist.
Related: The One Peeing Habit Urogynecologists Are Begging Women Over 50 To Stop Doing ASAP
What Is Bladder Cancer?As its name implies, bladder cancer is cancer that originates from tissues of the bladder, which is where the body stores urine. There are four different types of bladder cancer. The most common type is called urothelial cancer. This type of cancer starts in urothelial cells, which are found in the urethra, bladder and renal pelvis, among other organs. The other types of bladder cancer are rare.
"Risk factors for bladder cancer include smoking, having a family history of bladder cancer, certain environmental and occupational factors like aniline dyes and long-standing indwelling catheters in some patients," says Dr. Kathleen Kobashi, MD, MBA, FACS, a urogynecologist at Houston Methodist.
Related: Want to Improve Your Bladder Health? Stock Up On These 10 Foods
Dr. Kobashi says that heavy smokers are particularly at increased risk for bladder cancer. Scientific research shows that smoking increases the risk of bladder cancer between 50% and 65% in men and between 20% and 30% in women. That means, if you are a male who smokes, your risk of getting bladder cancer is more than double what it would be if you didn't smoke.
Fortunately, when bladder cancer is caught early, it's highly treatable. The five-year survival rate for bladder cancer is 97% if it's treated at its earliest and 71% if it's treated before it spreads beyond the bladder. But in order to treat it early, it's important to know the earliest symptoms.
Related: Suddenly Lacking Bladder Control? Here Are 7 Surprising Ways To Help Get It Back
The Most Common Symptom of Bladder CancerDr. Kobashi says that the most common symptom of bladder cancer is blood in urine. The blood can range from bright red to a rusty brown color and can make urine appear more brown than yellow. Or, it could appear in streaks in the urine as opposed to tinting it brown.
If you notice blood in your urine, it's important to see a doctor who can check to see if you have bladder cancer. Again, bladder cancer is highly treatable when caught early, so don't let the fear of possibly having it stop you from finding out.
Bladder cancer is diagnosed through a procedure called a cystoscopy. A cystoscopy allows the doctor to look inside the bladder and urethra using a small, tube-like instrument with a lens. Typically during this procedure, cells are sent to be biopsied to check for the possibility of bladder cancer.
Blood in urine is not the only symptom of bladder cancer to be aware of. Dr. Kobashi says that experiencing pain in the bladder area is also common. Having to pee more frequently, experiencing pain during urination and back pain are also all symptoms of bladder cancer.
Besides knowing the most common signs of bladder cancer, Dr. Kobashi says that another way to catch bladder cancer early is to stay on top of your annual physicals. "Urinalysis is one of the commonly assessed labs at annual physicals," she says, specifying how these doctor's appointments can help catch cancer early.
While it's natural for the color of your urine to fluctuate based on your diet and how much fluid you're drinking, experiencing blood in your urine is not normal. If this is something you are experiencing, make an appointment with your healthcare provider today. Remember, it's up to you to be proactive about your health. If something is off, tell your doctor. It just might save your life!
SourcesIdentifying Gallbladder Problems And Their Symptoms
Pain is the most common symptom of a gallbladder problem. It can be mild and intermittent or quite severe and frequent. It may begin to radiate to other areas of the body, including the back and chest.
Your gallbladder is a 4-inch, pear-shaped organ positioned under your liver in the upper right section of your abdomen. Its job is to store bile, which helps break down fat from food.
When there's a problem with your gallbladder, you're likely to experience pain, as well as other symptoms. Read on to learn more about the gallbladder and how to identify a problem.
Gallbladder-related pain usually occurs in the mid to upper-right section of your abdomen. It tends to be sudden and sharp and doesn't decrease as you move or adjust posture.
The pain may last for at least 30 minutes and be localized on the right upper side of your abdomen, often radiating to the back or right shoulder.
That said, many gallbladder problems, such as gallstones, are interconnected. This means that a lot of the signs or symptoms may be similar regardless of the underlying cause.
A doctor may discuss your medical history, symptoms, and family history. They may also ask about your diet and nutrition. Then, they typically perform a physical exam to locate pain in the abdomen and order a blood test.
Results from a blood test may indicate an infection or inflammation in the gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas, or even the liver.
Imaging tests can help identify gallstones in your gallbladder. Imaging tests can include:
Once the doctor has performed any necessary tests, they may make a diagnosis, followed by a recommended course of treatment.
That said, gallstones without symptoms do not need surgery. It's also not the only way to treat a gallbladder problem. Depending on your issue and diagnosis, your treatment may include:
You may also find pain relief with natural remedies, such as exercise and a heated compress. This may also include adjusting your diet. In addition, if you have gallbladder removal surgery, a doctor may advise dietary changes both before (pre-op) and after surgery (post-op).
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