The Peanut Butter Equation Factoring in Breast Cancer

Do you love to have the occasional peanut butter and jelly sandwich? Everyone loves a little peanut butter in just about anything. If you like m&m’s candy, try the peanut butter ones, same with anything else. Peanut butter is like life’s answer to all those difficult days we go through. So, how exactly does peanut butter fit into the breast cancer equation?

Let’s clear up what peanut butter doesn't do. Peanut butter is not used in mammograms, chemotherapy, or any manner of radiation therapy. Peanut butter is not pink, and it’s also not a medication prescribed by doctors. There is something about peanut butter that we all know and are fully aware of, it’s natural. Like the grapes that make red wine, considered an aide in the fight, peanut butter is made up of natural components.

According to an article published on usnews.com “Eating peanut butter regularly as a preteen and teen girl appears to decrease the risk of developing benign breast disease as an adult, new research has found.” While this is not a statement of fact on the effective nature of peanut butter, it is incredibly positive as far as developments go. As far as the study goes, 9000 females were followed over a 14 year period. The end result was a 39% reduction in the possibility of developing cancer. One thing that does need to be

According to the article it may well be the protein in foods that possesses the X factor. A big part of this study is to drive the point of giving teens peanuts and peanut butter as opposes to cookies and jaw breakers. Of course there is that particularly difficult subject of allergies. People with allergies to peanuts and nuts in general may not see this as an option. This is good where benign tumors are concerned, but avoiding any tumor benign or advanced, is always a great thing.

If you have any questions about diagnostic imaging procedures please feel free to give us a call. Our dedicated team of professionals here at Clermont Radiology looks forward to answering your questions and aiding you in your diagnostic imaging needs.

Charla Hurst General
Operations Manager

Charla@ClermontRadiology.com  
352-241-6100 

www.ClermontRadiology.com  

References: http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2013/09/27/can-eating-peanut-butter-cut-breast-cancer-risk-in-later-life

Screenings for Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is a lot like breast cancer in that it actually has a high incidence and mortality. By comparison to breast cancer, lung cancer is still a far more aggressive killer and often times far more difficult to control. A big question among patients and a big concern is whether or not screening can help.

The fact is that screening does help, the problem beyond that is the patient’s concern with the level of radiation used in the diagnostic imaging process and the frequency of the screening that’s done. It doesn’t matter the process, if it’s an X-Ray, MRI, or CT scan, radiology is always a part of the equation.

Currently there is a broad movement aimed at using less radiation and helping lower associated risks as well as still creating a good image. So your obvious question may be: “How does all of this valuable information relate to lung cancer and lung cancer screening?”  The answer to that is simple, it relates in two very important ways.

In order to battle lung cancer screening is very important, being able to uncover a tumor in its infancy and being able to battle it effectively is a major component of the equation. While screening has become synonymous with breast cancer, lung cancer still has a bit of a ways to in terms of having that type of association with screening. A patient at risk of lung cancer, or feeling like they may be at risk for any number of factors should be screened twice every year. A question that may be raised is “What about the radiation?”

Radiation is a concern in screening but low dosage CT scans performed twice every year increase early detection and decrease late stage diagnosis. A trial conducted with over 500,000 participants and conducted during a period of nearly two years reveals that incidences for high risk patients diminished with this type of frequent screening. This is a hugely promising development when you consider what it means in terms of such a strong manner of cancer.

While these developments do not really man that the battle has been won it’s good to know that a significant stride has been made. It may well be years before another significant hit is made against lung cancer. Until any new developments take place make sure to educate yourself on lung cancer and effective screening practices.

If you have any questions about diagnostic imaging procedures please feel free to give us a call. Our dedicated team of professionals here at Clermont Radiology is eager to answer any questions you may have and aide you in all your diagnostic imaging needs.

Charla Hurst General
Operations Manager

Charla@ClermontRadiology.com  
352-241-6100 

www.ClermontRadiology.com  

References: http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1208962?query=oncology-hematology#t=article

http://www.diagnosticimaging.com/low-dose/two-low-dose-ct-annual-screenings-may-detect-early-lung-cancer

Did you Know What DIM Could Do?

DIM is a compound found in vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli. It’s fair to assume that you are thinking “Wonderful.” Well considering some recently discovered information about the DIM compound this may well be something that you actually feel.

DIM compound has been proven to have properties that help prevent cancer. One very interesting thing is that now it may actually protect people from radiotherapy side effects. In a recent article published by www.medimaging.net the recent discovery was discussed at length. Considering the side effects of radiotherapy in cancer patients it’s good to know that there is something that can help deter some of those effects.

Considering the major concern that exists in terms of radiation in diagnostic imaging this is a major breakthrough, even though the experiment has been conducted in lab rats only. It was stated in the article that “The scientists irradiated rats in the study with lethal doses of gamma ray radiation. The animals were then treated with a daily injection of DIM for two weeks, starting 10 minutes after the radiation exposure.” It seems like the animals that were treated survived where the untreated ones died.

Concerns over radiation have been big for years in diagnostic imaging because without the right dosage there is concern over image quality. If there is a high dosage used there is concern over negative side effects. The more that there is available to combat radiation concern, the more confidence that a patient will have.

It was stated in the article that “DIM could protect normal tissues in patients receiving radiation therapy for cancer, but could also protect individuals from the lethal consequences of a nuclear disaster.” The fact that a compound that’s easily found can have this much of an impact is a great thing. The ultimate result will be a major success in terms being able to treat patients.

If you have any questions about diagnostic imaging procedures please feel free to give us a call. Our team of dedicated imaging professionals looks forward to answering all your questions and aiding you in all your diagnostic imaging needs.

Charla Hurst General
Operations Manager

Charla@ClermontRadiology.com  
352-241-6100 

www.ClermontRadiology.com  

References: http://www.medimaging.net/radiography/articles/294748809/vegetable_compound_found_to_protect_against_radiation.html