Irregular Periods? You May Want to Get an Early Screening

Irregular periods can cause a lot of problems for women, but a new study suggests that they may also indicate an increased risk for ovarian cancer. An article from WebMD.com explains that women will irregular periods, including those with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCS), may benefit from early screening for ovarian cancer.

According to lead study author Barbara Cohn, director of child health and development studies at the Public Health Institute in Berkeley, California, "Ninety percent of women who get ovarian cancer don't have risk factors for it. Our study findings help to narrow the search. If we can confirm what we have here and can learn more about the mechanism behind ovarian cancer, then we might be able to do something as simple as recommend birth control pills for women with irregular periods, provided they have no other risk factors against birth control pill use.”

Cohn’s study involved more than 14,000 women who were part of the Kaiser Permanente Health Plan in Alameda, Califorinia, between the years of 1959 and 1967. Researchers tracked the women's health over the next 50 years or until death, whichever came first. All of the women had at least one child, and none of them used fertility drugs to conceive. Researchers concluded that women with irregular cycles had an increased risk of ovarian cancer death that was 2.4 times higher than women who had normal cycles.

Unfortunately, the study design wasn't able to show that irregular periods caused either ovarian cancer itself or an increased risk for it, only that the two were associated.

Read the full article at WebMD.com.

Prostate and Ovarian Cancer Combated By…Ginger?

Many cultures across many places and times have considered a diet rich in ginger to have health benefits and to cure ails such as flu, hangover, colds, and more.

"Now science has an answer why. According to the research team of the University of Michigan, ginger may be an answer for prostate and ovarian cancer. Ginger contains bioactive phenolic compounds and non-volatile pungent compounds – gingerols, paradols, shogaols and gingerones. The gingerols and phytochemicals are available compounds in abundance in the fresh ginger root. The researchers add in their study that the ginger displays a role of an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer. They mention that fruits and vegetables must be eaten along with ginger every day in order to help reducing the risk of cancer.

The study procedure was by feeding mice with tumors for 8 weeks. The tumors were significantly reduced during that period of time, by having a tumor ‘cell suicide’ when came in contact with the compound. Natural Society adds that this kind of ‘suicide’ happens when cancer cells react to the ginger, they attack each other. The experiment was repeated three times and the results were always the same. In the study, it was also measured body toxicity, and the results were that ginger doesn’t display any toxic behavior, even if taken in high doses.

According to Natural Society, the results of the study were presented in a session with the American Association for Cancer Research, stating that in just eight weeks 56% of the prostate cancer cells were killed, leaving the healthy prostate cells alone. The American Cancer Society admitted – more than 15% of men, and more than 20,000 American women will be diagnosed with cancer this year. But ginger may be an answer for prostate and ovarian cancer, and expensive chemo treatments may not be needed in the future."

The verdict is still out on exactly if and how an increased intake of ginger can combat cancerous cells in humans, but the possibility holds serious potential.