Testicular cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the tissues of one or both testes. It has been found that testicular cancer originates in the germ cells; these cells produce sperms. Almost 90% of these cases originate in the germ cells. Causes and risk factors The exact cause of testicular cancer is still not known. Having an undescended testicle has been found to be a risk factor for testicular cancer even if the testes are relocated to its proper place through surgical methods. An abnormal development of the testes caused by conditions, such as Klinefelter syndrome, might increase the risk of developing testicular cancer. This type of cancer is found to be more common in Caucasian men and also to be more prevalent in young men aged between 15 and 49. Types of testicular cancer There are two main classifications of germ cell testicular cancer. They are seminomas and non-seminomas. Seminomas are the most common type of testicular cancer. Non-seminomas include teratomas, embryonal carcinomas, choriocarcinomas, and yolk sac tumors. The less common types of testicular cancer are Leydig cell tumors, Sertoli cell tumors, and lymphoma. Symptoms Some of the common symptoms of testicular cancer include a painless swelling or lump on either testicle or a sensation of pain, discomfort, or numbness in the testicle or scrotum.

The perception that smoking is the major cause of lung cancer has rightly sunk into the mind of people all over the world. 90% of lung cancer patients are smokers. The risk factors that result in primary lung cancer are: Tobacco Higher the number of cigarettes per day, higher the risk of lung cancer. The risk is calculated based on their smoking history – the number of pack of cigarettes per day multiplied by the years of smoking. Nitrosamines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are the two major carcinogens in cigarettes among about 7000 chemical compounds found in cigarettes, cause the maximum damage. People who have been smoking for more than 30 years are at the highest risk. Radon Gas exposure A colorless radioactive naturally occurring gas is found in soil and rocks. It can mix with water and also rise to the air. All of us can be exposed to Radon in your homes. Some places have more radon than others. Exposure to Radon gas is the second highest cause of lung cancer causing about 12,000 deaths a year. Second hand or passive smoking People who inhale the smoke from cigarettes even though they themselves are non-smokers are at high risk.

If you are obese, smoke and drink a lot, your chances of contracting pancreatic cancer are high. Pancreatic cancer is formed in the pancreatic gland that produces hormones and chemical substances for digestion and also for regulating blood sugar. It affects the pancreas and is responsible for a large number of deaths each year. Most forms of pancreatic cancers develop in the exocrine cells that secrete the digestive hormones. In the country, it is the fourth most common form of death from cancer. Causes of pancreatic cancer While the exact cause for Pancreatic Cancer is yet to be clearly established, inherited and acquired gene mutations are widely believed to be the most common causes. The genes of the parents are passed on to their children, which increases the risks of occurrence of pancreatic cancer. These changes in genes are also responsible for bringing about an increased risk for other diseases too. Anyone closest relatives either a mother, father, and siblings have had pancreatic cancer are also categorized as high risk. If a person has more than one person with pancreatic cancer in the family, the risk is higher. For instance, a person who is a non-smoker, yet has a first degree relative with pancreatic cancer in the family runs probably the same risk as a smoker.

The influenza virus is responsible for causing the flu. It is highly contagious and has can lead to dry cough, sneezing, fatigue, muscle ache, fever, chills, dehydration, headaches, sore throat, and nasal congestion. It is best to prevent the flu before it begins to avoid these symptoms altogether. You must observe certain precautions to prevent the flu from attacking your body or spreading to others around you. Six ways to prevent the flu: Flu shots: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that you get a flu vaccination annually. Anyone over the age of six months can receive this shot on a yearly basis. But make sure you get it just before the peak flu season, between October and May. Remember that while the flu vaccine is not a foolproof method of preventing this condition, it certainly helps in reducing the risk of being infected by the influenza virus. It can also help in ensuring that you don’t develop a severe form of the flu. Avoid physical contact: Avoid close interaction with others. If you are suffering from the flu, act responsibly and stay at home. Do not attend school or work, and you should also avoid social gatherings, parties or other crowded places where you have a high chance of infecting others.

Eating disorders are largely caused due to lifestyle and psychological issues. Individuals suffering from these disorders often have a misplaced attitude towards food. These disorders are given different names based on their psychology. Anorexia nervosa is an illness where an individual has a distorted image of his/her body. People who indulge in overeating and purge with guilt are said to be ill with bulimia nervosa. On the other hand, binge eating disorder causes people to eat enormous amounts of food in a very short time period. Each of these illnesses denotes unique psychology problems. The causes may be genetic, environmental, biological or psychological: Causes of anorexia nervosa Being thin is considered to be fit by many; however, that is not true. People suffering from this disorder want to look thin. They either restrict their food intake or purge after a meal. Additionally, the culture of being thin has taken over the media. People fancy being thin, not comprehending what the effects of a lack of calories can do to the body. Some of the causes of this reversible disorder are: Compulsions of the professions like acting, modeling, and ballet keep people on their toes to find ways to remain thin.

The thyroid gland is a small two-lobe endocrine gland in the shape of a butterfly that is located in the front, lower portion of the neck, below the larynx (the voice box or Adam’s apple). The thyroid gland is made up of three parts, the follicles, follicular cells, and the parafollicular cells. Follicles are tiny, spherical groups of cells that contain the proteins used to create the thyroid hormone. The follicles are surrounded by a single layer of follicular cells. Parafollicular cells are randomly distributed among the follicular cells and the spaces between the spherical follicles. The gland secretes three hormones – calcitonin (or thyrocalcitonin) from the parafollicular cells (also known as C-cells, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). While calcitonin plays a significant role in reducing excess calcium in the blood, the two thyroid hormones affect three functions in the body. They increase the metabolic rate, thereby affecting appetite, food absorption in the stomach, nutrient uptake in the cells, the breakdown of fats, and glucose breakdown. These hormones trigger the increase in heart and breathing rate, thereby increasing blood flow and the body’s temperature. They also play an important part in the development of the brain in the fetus and the early part of a child’s life.

Stomach cancer or gastric cancer occurs in the lining of the stomach. The cancer cells form and grow into a tumor. The tumor grows slowly over time. Cases of stomach cancer have been declining in the country over the past 60 years. In the 1930s, stomach cancer caused the highest number of cancer deaths in the U.S. The mortality rate has significantly reduced over time. Further statistics show that the incidence of adenocarcinoma, the cancer that occurs in the mucosal lining of the stomach, has been decreasing. But the cancer of the cardia (the junction of the esophagus and the upper part of the stomach that contain the cardiac glands) has become more common. In 2018, about 1.5% of all cancer cases were of stomach cancer. The mortality rate was about 1.8% of all cancer deaths. Compared to Central and South America, Southern and Eastern Europe, China and Japan, North America has a lesser incidence of the disease. As in most cases of cancer, the exact cause is not known. In the case of stomach cancer, there are factors that are known to raise the risk: Gastritis – inflammation of the stomach Pernicious Anemia – a specific type of anemia that is long-lasting H.

Abnormal cell growth is the cause of all cancers and breast cancer is no different. When mutant cells grow and multiply in the breasts, they can quickly find their way to the lymph nodes in the armpit. They then spread to the other parts of the body in a matter of time. Among the elderly, their physical condition and the presence of other illnesses could be obstacles in the treatment process. With more women than men in general, and especially women over the age of 65 being the primary population affected by breast cancer, it is indeed a challenge to provide the most appropriate medical care. Hence, a combination of various treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and hormonal therapy enables them to lead a disease-free life with better survival outcomes. Being one of the fastest growing fields of medicine, geriatric oncology delves into the treatment methods of breast cancer in the elderly and the many risks involved in it. Every senior person with breast cancer is different because each one has their own set of coexisting physical ailments that come with age. Additionally, they have to be treated for breast cancer, either the non-invasive ductal carcinoma in situ or any of the 4 stages of invasive breast cancer.

Psoriasis is a disease of the immune system that affects the skin. The disease is long-lasting and appears as abnormal patches on the skin. Psoriasis is associated with stress, arthritis, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Psoriasis is non-contagious. Psoriasis shows up as red, scaly, dry and itchy patches on different parts of the body based the type of psoriasis is present. The disease can be localized to a very small part of the body or can spread across the entire body. There are many different types of psoriasis that affect different parts of the body. Some of the more common forms are: Plaque psoriasis Usually, the body takes about 28 to 30 days to shed old skin cells and replace them with new skin cells. Psoriasis sets in when the immune system overreacts and speeds up the production of new cells. These new cells are pushed to the surface of the skin in about 3 to 4 days. The body cannot shed skin cells at this fast pace and these skin cells pile up, as the new skin cells push up from beneath the outer skin layer. These piled up skin cells form scaly patches on the skin, known as plaques.

If your skin is fair then chances are you might develop rosacea as you grow older. A common skin condition that causes redness and visible blood vessels on the face, Rosacea is characterized by the presence of its small, red-colored bumps filled with pus. An estimated 15 million people in the United States are affected by rosacea. It is commonly mistaken for acne – an entirely different skin condition caused by an allergic reaction. The small pus-filled red colored bumps can last for a few weeks or even several months. Although rosacea can affect anyone, middle-aged women are at high risk. The best one can do is work toward keeping the signs and symptoms in check as there is no clear and proven research on what exactly causes rosacea. It is linked to family history and it is often seen as a reaction to certain problems in the blood vessel. Problems are worsened by the impact caused by sun exposure, causing these bumps to become wider and making them more prominent. Doctors also believe that secretion of the digestive hormone gastrin, released by a specific type of bacteria called H.Pylori can increase the risk of rosacea. When the level of gastrin increases, it results in the appearance of skin to appear flushed.