Is skin cancer deadly? Identify the symptoms early to minimize damage

Skin cancer is the most common among all the forms of cancers human beings sufffer. It causes number of deaths every year across the world. Skin cancer occurs due to the abnormal growth of skin cells. Normally, it develops around the areas that are exposed to light but sometimes abnormal cells can form in other places as well.

When these abnormal cells multiply around any part of the body, they form a mass called tumor. This tumor is often referred to as skin lesions. According to medical practitioners at AMRI Hospital, the best hospital for dermatology in Eastern India, this tumor can travel to various remote organs via bloodstream.

Skin cancers are of three types, which include BCCs (basal cell carcinoma), SCCs (squamous cell carcinoma) and melanoma. Melanoma is a very rare type of skin cancer, which often does not spread to other parts of the body. All types of cancers are mainly caused by the Ultra violet light exposure. Other causes include use of tanning booths, immunosuppression, contact with chemicals, etc.

Symptoms of skin cancer include:

· In case of BCC, small blood vessels may be visible within the tumor

· A central depression with crusting bleeding may develop

· A sore that does not heal may be due to BCC

· In case of SCC, a well-defined, red and thick patch is often formed on parts exposed to the sun

· Like BCC, SCC may also ulcerate and bleed. SCC can also develop into a large mass.

On the other hand, malignant melanomas are easy to identify. The shape, color and elevation is quite different from a usual sore part of the body. It is black, tan, brown, blue, red, or white in color.

When to see a doctor?

People who are exposed to extensive sunlight should get a body checkup from time to time. To avoid skin cancer, it is important to look for moles and spots to initiate early treatment, if needed. If the size, shape and color of the area is matching with the possible BCCs, SCCs or malignant melanomas, one must go for a check-up as soon as possible, suggest dermatologists at AMRI Hospital Kolkata.

Treatment for Skin Cancer

In case of BCCs and SCCs, a surgical removal of lesion is adequate. Malignant melanoma may require several treatments like surgery, radiation, therapy and chemotherapy.

All in all, skin cancer is a very dangerous disease, which is often ignored by most people. If one has an adequate knowledge about skin cancer, it is possible to avoid the same from turning into a deadly disease.

Bronchiolitis: Types, causes and symptoms

An inflammatory respiratory condition – bronchiolitis – is caused due to infection in the small breathing passages inside the lungs, called bronchioles. When infected, these passages tend to swell or become clogged, and block the flow of oxygen, explain experts at AMRI Hospital, one of the best hospitals in Kolkata. Although, this medical condition is quite common in children, it can also be found in some adults.

Types of bronchiolitis

There are mainly two types of bronchiolitis – Viral bronchiolitis and Bronchiolitis obliterans.

• Viral bronchiolitis affects only infants and children under the age of 1 year. It is mainly caused due to the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
• Bronchiolitis obliterans can be seen only in adults. It blocks your air passages, leading to an irreversible airway obstruction

Symptoms of bronchiolitis

• Breathlessness
• Wheezing/whistling sound while breathing
• Bluish appearance of the skin due to lack of oxygen
• Crackling or rattling sounds heard in the lungs
• Fatigue
• Ribs appear sunken during attempts to inhale (in children)
• Nasal flaring (in babies)
• Fast breathing
• Cough

What causes bronchiolitis?

• Causes of Viral bronchiolitis

Viral bronchiolitis is mainly caused due to viruses infecting your respiratory tract. Listed below are some of the most common causes of bronchiolitis:

• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

One of the most common causes of bronchiolitis, RSV mainly affects children of age 2 or less. It is a serious condition, which is contagious and leads to inflammation, mucus production and swelling in the air tract, warn experts at AMRI Hospitals, which specializes in the best treatment for bronchiolitis with a team of the best pulmonologists in Kolkata.

• Adenoviruses

Attacking the mucous membranes, adenoviruses is responsible for about 10 percent of acute respiratory tract infections in children.

• Influenza viruses

An infection common in both adults as well as children, influenza viruses lead to inflammation in the lungs, nose, and throat. Infants with low immunity are highly prone to influenza viruses.

• Causes of bronchiolitis obliterans

Bronchiolitis obliterans is caused due to no specific reason. It is a severe medical condition, which can also result in death, if not treated timely. Listed below are some of the identified causes of this medical condition:

• Smoke and vapours from chemicals like ammonia, bleach, and chlorine
• Respiratory infections
• Side-effects of medications

• Risk Factors:

Infants younger than 3 months of age are at greatest risk of getting bronchiolitis because their lungs & immune systems aren’t yet fully developed. Other factors that are associated with an increased risk of bronchiolitis in infants, or more severe illness due to bronchiolitis, include:

• Premature birth
• An underlying heart or lung condition
• A depressed immune system
• Exposure to tobacco smoke
• Never having been breast-fed breast-fed babies receive immune benefits from the mother
• Contact with multiple children, such as in a child care setting.

• Prevention

Because the viruses that cause bronchiolitis spread from person to person, one of the best ways to prevent it is to wash your hands frequently especially before touching your baby when you have a cold or other respiratory illness. Wearing a face mask at this time is appropriate.

• Cover coughs and sneezes. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue. Then throw away the tissue and wash your hands or use alcohol hand sanitizer.
• Use your own drinking glass. Don’t share glasses with others, especially if someone in your family is ill.
• Wash hands often. Frequently wash your own hands and those of your child. Keep an alcohol-based hand sanitizer handy for yourself and your child when you’re away from home.
• Breast-feed. Respiratory infections are significantly less common in breast-fed babies.

Suffering From Skin Disease? Here Is All You Need To Know About The Problem

Skin is the largest organ of our body. But, more often than not, we ignore the symptoms of skin problems and diseases. It is important to take care of the skin, as it protects us from bacteria and viruses, and regulates the body temperature.

There are many skin-related problems that may require a prolonged treatment and significant changes in lifestyle, suggest doctors at AMRI Hospital, one of the best dermatology hospital in Kolkata. Here are some of the common skin problems:

Acne

It’s one of the most widespread skin conditions, which affects around 80 per cent people at some or the other point in their life. Acne is a disease that damages the oil glands of the skin. The small pores in the skin connect to oil glands that are present underneath. These pores are connected to the glands through follicle, which acts as a canal between them. When the follicles of a skin gland clogs up, a pimple is formed. Topical treatments and other medicines can help unclog pores and prevent scars.

Hives

These are itchy bumps that are raised up from the normal layer of the skin. Hives can be caused by allergic reaction in the body or factors, such as stress, illness and tight clothes. They are very common and do not require any treatment. However, if the problem increases at a fast pace, it can be treated with antihistamines.

Eczema

It’s a dry and itchy skin condition, also known as atopic dermatitis. It usually occurs in childhood. A person suffering from eczema usually develops a red rash on the face, scalp, hands, elbows, knees, etc. It is a long term disease, which is common in families with asthma and allergy, explain dermatologists at AMRI Hospital Kolkata. Medicines can provide relief from itching and inflammation.

“Physical appearance has a huge impact on one’s self-image and the way one interacts socially,” says a renowned dermatologist at AMRI. According to him, it is important for a hospital to have a diverse array of skin diagnosis and treatment methods.

Warts

These are common raised bumps on the skin. They usually appear on the hands, feet, joints, etc. Usually, common warts don’t require treatment. However, if the need arises, they can be treated with liquid nitrogen or medicated creams.

Impetigo

It is a contagious infection, which is caused by bacteria. It is common among children and usually causes itching and soreness. It mostly occurs on face, arms and legs. The sores are filled with pus, and may break open after a few days. Impetigo can be treated with antibiotics. The procedure of treatment can take around a week or so.

Wrinkles

Our skin changes with age and we tend to develop wrinkles and age spots on face, hands, arms, etc. The main cause behind this is sunlight. Smoking can also cause wrinkles. There are various treatments available to soothe the skin and reduce age spots.

Skin cancer

It is one of the most common form of human cancer, says an experienced dermatologist at Kolkata-based AMRI Hospital. It usually forms on the head, face, neck, hands and arms. Basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer are very dangerous skin cancers. Treatment can vary, depending on the type and severity of the disease. Some methods of treatment include radiation, surgery and chemotherapy.

Skin diseases can be very dangerous, and it’s better not to take the problem lightly. If the treatment is initiated at the right time, almost all the skin diseases can be cured.

SOURCE: Bluetreeweb.com

Kolkata’s air quality index worse than Delhi: How did it become the most polluted city in India?

In the past 72 hours, Kolkata surpassed Delhi in becoming the most polluted metropolitan city in India.

fter Diwali, Delhi’s air quality got worse as the air quality index (AQI) dipped from ‘very poor’ to ‘severe.’ But it turns out, Delhi is not the most polluted city after all.

In the past 72 hours, Kolkata surpassed Delhi in becoming the most polluted metropolitan city.

What is the air quality index?

The AQI is an index for reporting daily air quality. It tells how clean or polluted the air is and focuses on health effects one may experience within a few hours or days after breathing polluted air.

Environmental protection agency (EPA) calculates the AQI for five major air pollutants regulated by the Clean Air Act: ground-level ozone, particle pollution (also known as particulate matter), carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide.

For each of these pollutants, EPA has established national air quality standards to protect public health.

Ground-level ozone and airborne particles are the two pollutants that pose the greatest threat to human health in this country.

How does the AQI work?

The AQI is divided into six categories.(Image: airnow.gov)

• Think of the AQI as a yardstick that runs from 0 to 500. The higher the AQI value, the greater the level of air pollution and the greater the health concern
• For example, an AQI value of 50 represents good air quality with little potential to affect public health, while an AQI value over 300 represents hazardous air quality
• An AQI value of 100 generally corresponds to the national air quality standard for the pollutant, which is the level EPA has set to protect public health. AQI values below 100 are generally thought of as satisfactory
• When AQI values are above 100, air quality is considered to be unhealthy

AQI notings over the past week

Two stations of Kolkata were compared to Ashok Vihar, Delhi’s most polluted area which showed that Kolkata’s AQI has been the same as Delhi’s. There are 19 automatic stations in Delhi to monitor the city’s air quality against only two in Kolkata.

On November 15, 2018

Kolkata’s Rabindra Bharti University (RBU) stood at 381 (very poor), Victoria Memorial’s AQI was noted at 310.75 whereas Ashok Vihar’s AQI was recorded at 292.25.

On November 16, 2018

The average AQI at RBU stood at 359.75 while Ashok Vihar’s AQI was recorded at 292.25. An AQI of 288 was registered at Victoria Memorial.

On November 17, 2018

The average AQI at RBU stood at 330.25 when compared to Ashok Vihar, where the AQI was recorded at 293. Victoria Memorial noted an AQI of 242.5.

On November 18, 2018

Kolkata’s air quality improved on Saturday as the AQI at RBU was noted at 355 and 246 at Victoria Memorial. At Ashok Vihar, the AQI was registered at 369.

Air quality in winters

Every year pollution levels in Kolkata rise rapidly in winters due to low wind speed, low temperature, and inversion trap pollution. In winters, particulate levels can be as high as four times the standards.

Application of National Air Quality Standards shows that November onwards, more days fall in the air quality categories of poor, very poor and severe. This enhances public health risk which requires a pollution emergency measure Delhi has started to enforce.

Increase in diesel cars

A study carried out by researchers of the University of Kolkata in 2013 shows that in contrast to the national trend, new diesel cars are 65 per cent of new car sales in Kolkata.

About 99 per cent of commercial vehicles in Kolkata are diesel driven. This is a very serious concern as the world health organisation (WHO) had classified diesel emissions as class 1 carcinogen for its strong link with lung cancer — putting it in the same class as tobacco smoking.

Adverse effects on people

According to the Comprehensive Mobility Plan, around 70 per cent of Kolkata’s 18 million inhabitants suffer from respiratory problems such as asthma and lung cancer, which are caused by pollution from the city’s chaotic transport sector.

Studies carried out by Chittaranjan National Cancer Research Institute have found that more than 60 per cent children in Kolkata were diagnosed with lung function impairments as compared to 24 per cent in cleaner areas.

Healthy individuals and non-smokers have also shown respiratory symptoms and lung function impairment.

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Cancer rate doubles in India: Facts, stats, cure and treatment of the most deadly disease in the world

Cancer burden in India has more than doubled over the last 26 years. The highest increase among all therapy areas, with breast cancer being the most common among Indian women, according to a recent report.

As per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) data, India had 14 lakh cancer patients in 2016 and this number is expected to increase.

The government has laid down four priority cancers — breast cancer, cervical cancer, oral cancer, and lung cancer which together constitute 41 per cent of cancer burden, the report mentioned.

Oral Cancer is among the top three cancers in India, number one among all cancers in men and number three among female cancers.

“Breast cancer is currently the most common cancer among Indian women, both in terms of incidence as well as mortality, with proportional prevalence in younger age-groups being higher than the global average.”

“The age standardised rate is approximately 25.8 per one lakh women and is expected to rise to 35 per one lakh women in 2026,” the report stated.

Nearly 60 per cent patients with breast cancers are diagnosed in advanced stages. Breast cancer burden is not only limited to disease burden and mortality but also leads to an economic loss for the nation.

India lost nearly 6.7 billion USD in 2012 due to cancer, amounting to 0.36 per cent of the total GDP.

Fact sheet

1. There are more than 100 types of cancers; almost any part of the body can be affected.

2. The five most frequent cancers (ranking defined by the total number of cases) in India between men and women are breast, cervical, oral cavity, lung, and colorectal. These top five account for 47.2 per cent of all cancers

3. Cancer is the second most common cause of death in India (after cardiovascular disease).

4. Use of tobacco products (eg smoking cigarettes) is the single most preventable cause of death worldwide. As many as 2,500 persons die every day due to tobacco-related diseases in India.

Tobacco (smoked and smokeless) use accounted for 3,17,928 deaths (approx) in men and women in 2018.

5. More women in India die from cervical cancer than in any other country. Rural women are at higher risk of developing cervical cancer as compared to their urban counterparts.

6. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in India and accounts for about a quarter of all cancers in women in Indian cities.

7. The average age for breast cancer in India is almost a decade lower than that in the west.

8. Cancers of major public health relevance such as breast, oral, cervical, gastric, lung, and colorectal cancer can be cured if detected early and treated adequately. One woman dies of cervical cancer every 8 minutes in India

Busting myths that revolve around cancer

1. Cancer is contagious – No, cancer is not contagious.

However, some cancers are caused by viruses and bacteria, for example, Human Papillomavirus (cervical cancer), Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C (liver cancer), Epstein Barr virus (lymphomas, nasopharyngeal cancers and stomach cancer) or Helicobacter pylori bacteria (stomach cancer).

2. If there’s no family history of cancer, you will also not suffer from it – If no one in your family has ever suffered from cancer it does not guarantee that you will not get cancer.

Only five-10 per cent of the cancer cases are hereditary. The rest are caused by genetic changes that occur throughout a person’s lifetime by chance, natural results of ageing, and exposure to environmental factors, such as tobacco, smoke, and radiation.

3. Herbal products can cure cancer – Although some studies suggest that alternative or complementary therapies, including some herbs, may help patients cope with the side effects of cancer treatment, no herbal products have been scientifically proven to be effective in the treatment of cancer.

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Doctors blame rise in lung cancer fatalities on late diagnos .

The incidence of lung cancer, which today accounts for a higher number of fatalities than colorectal, prostrate and breast cancers, is on the rise in Bengaluru, oncologists and onco-surgeons said, citing Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) data.

Speaking at an event organized in the city on Friday as part of the
ongoing lung cancer awareness month, doctors pointed out how late
diagnosis continues to be one of the primary reasons for the high number
of fatalities associated with the disease.

“ICMR data shows incidence of lung cancer is growing in Bengaluru,
which stands third in the country in terms of the number of cases.
Smoking is the single largest contributor to lung cancer. Passive smoking,
exposure to carcinogenic toxins like asbestos and radon, radiation and air pollutants are the other causes, besides a small percentage of genetic cancer. In addition to smoking, exposure to pollutants like PM 2.5 is a high-risk factor for lung cancer.”
According to Doctors of Amri Hospital , only 15% of lung cancer cases are curable at the time of diagnosis.
“Patients come for diagnosis at a much later stage than other cancers due to the nature of the disease. In its early stages,
people with lung cancer have no symptoms or show only vague ones. In fact, by the time lung cancer is detected through chest

x-rays, it becomes too late for the patient. The only effective method for screening lung cancer in early stages is the low-dose helical lung CT where high-resolution images pick up early lung lesions,” she added. As per data gathered by the National Cancer Institute in the US, if one quits smoking at the age of 30, the risk of contracting
smoking-related illnesses is reduced by 90%. Similarly, quitting smoking at the age of 50 reduces the risk by 50%, doctors pointed out. “Two out of every three patients with lung cancer are over 65 years old. So, one gets enough time to take steps to
avoid this high-mortality disease.”

What to know about lung cancer

Lung cancer is a condition that causes cells to divide in the lungs uncontrollably. This causes the growth of tumors that reduce a person’s ability to breathe.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 218,527 people in the United States received a lung cancer diagnosis in 2015. Early diagnosis can help a person seek treatment, as early as possible, in the disease’s course.

Identifying lung cancer in its earliest stages can be difficult, however, because the symptoms may be similar to those of a respiratory infection, or there may be no symptoms at all.

In this article, we explain the nature of lung cancer, how to recognize the symptoms, and the ways doctors treat lung cancer before it becomes life-threatening.

What is lung cancer?

Lung cancer causes mutations in cells.

Cancer causes certain mutations in otherwise healthy cells.

Typically, the body programs cells to die at a certain stage in their life cycle to avoid overgrowth. Cancer overrides this instruction, causing cells to grow and multiply when they should not.

The overgrowth of cells leads to the development of tumors and the harmful effects of cancer.

In lung cancer, this pattern of cell overgrowth occurs in the lungs, which are vital organs for breathing and gas exchange.

Doctors typically diagnose two lung cancer types, small cell and non-small cell, depending on how they appear under a microscope. A person is more likely to have non-small cell lung cancer than small cell.

While anyone can develop lung cancer, cigarette smoking and exposure to smoke can increase the likelihood that a person will experience the condition. Lung cancer can develop if a person has a history of exposure to inhaled chemicals or other toxins.

Even if this exposure to chemicals and other toxins was a long time ago, it could cause changes in lung cells that lead to cancer.

Symptoms

In people with lung cancer, symptoms do not always occur until the condition has reached a later stage.

However, some people may notice symptoms, which they may think are related to a less serious, acute illness.

Examples of these symptoms include:

• appetite loss
• changes to a person’s voice, such as hoarseness
• frequent chest infections, such as bronchitis or pneumonia
• lingering cough that may start to get worse
• shortness of breath
• unexplained headaches
• weight loss
• wheezing

A person may also experience more severe symptoms associated with lung cancer. These include severe chest or bone pain or coughing up blood.

Diagnosis

If a doctor identifies a suspicious lesion on a lung cancer screening, or a person is experiencing symptoms that could indicate lung cancer, several diagnostic tests are available to confirm the next steps.

Examples of these include:

Imaging studies: Computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET) scans might reveal areas of lung tissue with cancer. Bone scans can also indicate cancerous growths. Doctors may also use these scans to track the progress of treatment or to ensure cancer has not returned, following a course of treatment.

Tissue sampling: If a doctor identifies a suspicious lesion on an imaging study, they may recommend taking a sample of lung tissue to test for potentially cancerous cells.

There are different ways to take a tissue sample, and the method often depends on the location of the lesion.

One example is when a doctor performs a bronchoscopy, which involves inserting a special thin, lighted scope with a camera on the end. This helps the doctor to see the lesion and then to obtain samples.

Less accessible lesions in the lungs may require a more invasive surgical procedure to remove lung tissue, such as thoracoscopy or video-assisted thoracic surgery.

Lab testing: A doctor may also order sputum testing or blood testing to check for the presence of lung cancer.

A doctor will use this information to determine what type of lung cancer may be present, and how advanced the disease has become.

The importance of early diagnosis

Early diagnosis of lung cancer can be lifesaving. This is because lung cancer cells can travel to other areas of the body before a doctor detects them in the lungs. If this spread or metastasis has taken place, it makes treating the disease much more difficult.

Sometimes, a doctor will recommend a person have lung cancer screenings. These are performed using a low-dose CT scanner. Not everyone is a candidate for this screening, but it can help doctors identify lung cancer earlier in some individuals.

According to the American Lung Association, people who may be candidates for lung cancer screenings are those who:

• are between 55 and 80 years of age
• are a 30 pack-year history of smoking, meaning they smoked one pack per day for 30 years or two packs per day for 15 years
• are a current smoker or smoker who has quit within the past 15 years

Insurance will often cover this screening if a person meets all these criteria. However, people should always check with their insurance company before signing up for lung cancer screening.

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Challenges and opportunities for India’s healthcare sector

India has witnessed a major rise in communicable and non-communicable diseases in the last decade. The figures are likely to increase, and there is no devised plan to curb the problem. The challenges are mounting for the healthcare industry. At this point, there is a need to look at all the possible opportunities to improve the same.

Indians are meeting 62 per cent of their health expenses from personal savings, explain medical practitioners at AMRI Hospitals, one of the best hospitals in Kolkata, West Bengal.

For comparison, if we look at the UK, people are only paying for 10 per cent of their health expenses, while the US and China stand at 13.4 and 54 per cent respectively. This shows the inability of the existing policies to cater to the growing demand.

The private sector is dominating the healthcare delivery system across the country. The majority of population living below the poverty line, with an ability to spend Rs 47 per day in urban areas, and Rs 32 in rural areas, is only adding fuel to the fire. These sections of the society face several problems as they rely on under-financed and short-staffed public sector for healthcare needs.

Furthermore, healthcare professionals are concentrated in urban areas due to the higher paying power of the citizens, leaving the rural areas vulnerable. Although, there are adequate physicians in the country, 74 per cent of them cater to a third of the urban population. India is 81 per cent short of specialists at rural community health centers, which speaks volumes about the challenges faced by our healthcare sector.

There are many reasons behind these challenges,a major one beinga vast population, which is more than 1.3 billion, according to the latest Census. It is not easy to cater to such a huge population. On the other hand, the infrastructure in government hospitals is also poor, forcing patients to visit private hospitals and medical practitioners.

Apart from this, the government contribution towards insurance is not helping the cause. The contribution stands at 32 per cent, which is way below similar contribution in developed countries. Furthermore, the technology used in public hospitals is not updated, making the process lengthy and complicated, say medical practitioners at AMRI Hospitals, one of the leading hospitals in Kolkata, West Bengal.

The situation also presents an opportunity to the government to alter the course of the Indian healthcare. With better initiatives and healthcare schemes, there is still a possibility of changing the current state of the industry.

SOURCE: ThePharmatimes.in

What can be the effects of dry eyes

According to a medical study, dry eyes condition in humans can significantly reduce the rate of reading and may cause disruption in daily tasks that require visual concentration for long periods. The chronic dry eye is a common disease in which natural tears fail to adequately lubricate the eyes, thus drastically affecting its functioning.

The study was conducted on 186 adults and was published in Journal Optometry and Vision Science. Dry eye specialists at Johns Hopkins Medicine mentioned that chronic dry eye condition can slow down a person’s reading speed by as much as 10 percent and can make it difficult to read for more than an average of 30 minutes.

According to researchers, dry eye affects millions of adults, primarily those in the age group of 50 and older. It causes ocular discomfort and visual problems.

“Many of my patients have perfect vision on standard eye tests but complain they cannot drive at nighttime or in unfamiliar areas, read small print or do computer work,” said researcher Esen Akpek.

“We suspected that people with dry eye were mostly unable to sustain good reading performance because their tears can’t re-lubricate their eye surfaces fast enough,” she added.

The study revealed that the 116 participants with clinically significant dry eye read fewer words per minute as compared to those with only dry eye symptoms.

While the reading rate was 32 words per minute less in patients with clinically significant dry eye, averaging 240 words per minute compared to the controls and patients with dry eye symptoms but without clinical findings, who read at the same rate of 272 words per minute.

It was found that sustained visual functions such as reading, driving or performing surgery is hard on everyone’s eyes because it changes the blink rate, which spreads and replenishes tears over the cornea. However, the change in tempo affects people with a dry eye more severely.

At the beginning and end of the experiments, researchers collected small vials of tears from each participant for future studies that she hopes will offer clues to exact mechanisms causing this visual difficulty and possible treatments.

The diagnosis and treatment of dry eye are often complicated, in part because many conditions may cause it, including clogged oil glands and systemic inflammation from a rheumatologic disease.

According to researchers people who experience frequent dry eye symptoms such as stinging, fluctuating vision and dryness can try over the counter eye drops but will do best if they undergo professional testing and diagnosis.

Current treatments may include prescription drops, lifestyle and environmental changes, and surgical insertion of plugs or other procedures to increase tear production.

India Against Lung Cancer

What is lung cancer?

Lung cancer is a type of cancer that arises in the lungs . It may spread to lymph nodes or other organs in the body, such as the brain.

Lung cancers usually are grouped into two main types, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancers (SCLC) based on appearance of tumor cells under the microscope.  Non-small cell lung cancer (75-80 % of cases) is more common than small cell lung cancer (15-20%).

Anatomy and functions of Lungs [1]

The lungs are a pair of sponge-like cone shaped organs in the chest.  These are part of our respiratory system. The left lung is smaller because the heart occupies space on left side.  The lungs are slightly different on each side; Right lung has three lobes, whereas the left lung has two lobes. Lungs are covered by a thin covering called ‘pleura’ which   protects and helps lungs move back and forth as they expand and contract during breathing.A thin, dome-shaped muscle below the lungs called ‘diaphragm’ separates the chest from the abdomen. The diaphragm moves up and down during breathing forcing air in and out of the lungs.

Main function of the lungs is to exchange gases between the air we breathe and the blood. When we breathe in (inhale), oxygen enters into the body through the lungs and when we breathe out (exhale) carbon dioxide is sent out of the body.

Air enters the lungs through nose or mouth via windpipe (trachea) which divides into two airways going into right and left lungs. These airways are called ‘bronchi (singular, bronchus). Inside each lung the bronchus   divides into smaller tubes, the ‘secondary bronchi’ which further subdivide into smaller branches called bronchioles. At the end of the bronchioles are tiny air sacs known as ‘alveoli’. Many tiny blood vessels that run through these alveoli perform the function of exchange of gases.

Burden of diseases

Table : Lung cancer in India ( Globocan 2018)

	Incidence	Mortality
Lung cancer (Men)	48 698	45 363
Women	19 097	18 112
Both sexes	67 795	63 475

The mean age : 54.6 years

Males predominate with a M:F ration of 4.5:1 and this ratio varies with age and smoking status.

The ratio increased progressively upto 51-60 years and then remained same.

The smoker to non-smoker ratio is high up to 20:1 in various studies.

Upto 40 years of age small cell type predominates and has less association with smoking. After the age of 40 years squamous cell type is commonest in smokers and adenocarcinoma in non-smokers.

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