New Cancer Link Not a Tall Story

It always amazes me how, in medicine we link disease to nutrients, genes, exercise, no exercise, weight – supplements, etc.  

Now being tall all of a sudden may not be the best thing.  

There was recently a new study of 21,000 post menopausal women. It was found that for every 4 inches of increased height, the risk of certain cancers (skin, breast, colon) increased by 13%. Worse yet kidney and blood (leukemia) cancers increased by 29%.  

This may be due to genes, ie: tall people “grow” more and cancers are overgrowths or excessive uncontrolled growth of cell lines.  There may be a link.  

Unfortunately our genetic makeup is something we are born with and can’t change. 

When it comes to cosmetic surgery, there are many things we can change - and for the better.

How aspirin works to reduce cancer risk

ASA is short for aspirin.  

This has been around for decades and has been a true miracle drug.  It has been shown to reduce our risk of cancer but for unexplained reasons.

Researchers now believe they have unlocked the mystery.  

A study I was reading about in my Fort Myers cosmetic surgery practice suggests these drugs slow the accumulation of a certain type of DNA change called somatic genome abnormalities or S.G.A. for short.  These lead to uncontrolled cell growth.  

The study was conducted over 12 years in patients who had Barrett’s esophagus with acid reflux.  They did serial biopsies of the diseased tissue.  

Overall, the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs was associated with a 90% reduction in the rate of mutations.

Obesity Woes Increase

We all know the damaging effects of obesity on our health. Or, at least, we should. New dangers are being identified everyday.  

For example, obese mice tend to have decreases in their sense of smell.  Mice with super senses of smell are more resistant to obesity. 

Obese people tend to be more drowsy during the day – lose the weight and feel less drowsy. 

Also obese people have higher rates of cancer. And obesity aids in the progression of certain types of cancer. Cancer cells recruit fat cells to help them grow.  

The moral from this Fort Myers plastic surgeon is "cut the calories – lose the weight and feel better!"

What is lycopene and why should you care?

As a board certified cosmetic surgeon in Fort Myers and Cape Coral, FL, I have always supported the idea of good health through the use of natural foods.
I also personally always have enjoyed big, ripe, red, juicy tomatoes. 

Now, I have learned they may lower my risk of stroke. Increasing levels of lycopene  by eating more tomatoes can lower the incidence or risk of strokes by a whopping 55%!  

In addition, according to the Mayo Clinic, high consumption of lycopene-containing foods, such as tomatoes, or the presence of high lycopene levels in the blood, have correlated with lower incidences of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and macular degeneration. Tomatoes also are sources of other nutrients such as vitamin C, folate, and potassium, all of which may contribute to positive health results. 

So, slice them, dice them, put them in a salad and eat up. If you don't like tomatoes (or they don't like you), Lycopene is also found in grapefruit, watermelon, papaya and mango. 

By the way, everything I write in these blogs is general health information. It is not intended as specific medical advice.