Environmental factors inducing human cancers

An explosion of research has been done in discovering how human health is affected by environmental factors. I will discuss the impacts of environmental cancer causing factors and how they continue to cause multiple disruptions in cellular networking. Some risk factors may not cause cancer. Other factors initiate consecutive genetic mutations that would eventually alter the normal pathway of cellular proliferations and differentiation. Genetic mutations in four groups of genes; [Oncogenes, Tumor suppressor genes, Apoptosis genes and DNA repairing genes] play a vital role in altering the normal cell division. In recent years, molecular genetics have greatly increased our understanding of the basic mechanisms in cancer development and utilizing these molecular techniques for cancer screening, diagnosis, prognosis and therapies. Inhibition of carcinogenic exposures wherever possible should be the goal of cancer prevention programs to reduce exposures from all environmental carcinogens

Factors associated with breast self-examination among Malaysian women teachers

The purpose of this study was to examine factors related to breast self-examination [BSE] among teachers in Selangor, Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 425 female teachers in 20 randomly selected secondary schools. A self-administered questionnaire based on the health belief model was used, including sociodemographic background and knowledge, beliefs and practices about breast cancer and BSE. Only 19% of the women performed BSE on a regular basis. Higher knowledge about breast cancer, greater confidence in performing BSE and regular visits to a physician were significant predictors for practising BSE. To promote BSE practice among Malaysian women, tailored health education and health promotion programmes should be developed based on a specific understanding of women's health beliefs

[Epidemiological study of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Aran and Bidgol city from April to September 2009]

Leishmaniasis caused by leishmania protozoa can be considered as a zoonotic disease. This disease caused major health problems in some parts of Iran. Aran and Bidgol city [Isfahan province, Iran] is considered as one of the endemic foci of cutaneous leishmaniasis [Salak]. For success in controlling the disease and to provide the necessary training for high-risk groups, the epidemiological data of disease in the region is required. This cross-sectional study was carried out on 94 patients admitted to the health center of Aran and Bidgol from April to September 2009. The demographic and epidemiologic data were collected and analyzed. Thirty percent [30.8%] of patients were in the age group of 1-9 years. The number of patients in urban areas was more than that of rural areas and in men more than women. Most of these cases were seen in Aran and Bidgol city [52.1%] and then in Abuzeydabad city [22.3%], respectively. Moreover, most cases of disease were found in July [37.2%] and 54.3% and 45.7% of cases were dry and wet cutaneous sores, respectively. It seems that the high incidence of disease in age group of 1-9 years is due to the susceptibility of this age group to leishmaniasis. Therefore, regulating the control training programs in this group is suggested