Prevention and detection in older persons

Article Abstract:

Some people seem to regard the elderly as having already lived through most health threats, and may even consider the prevention or early detection of cancer in the elderly to be somewhat misplaced. However, it must be remembered that the average person who reaches the age of 65 may expect to live about 15 additional years. Therefore, there is much to be gained from efforts directed at improving health, even among elders. While quitting smoking may reduce the risk of heart attack and lung cancer, it may also slow down the aging process as well, thereby providing both additional benefit and additional incentive. Older patients should also be warned to be careful about exposure to the sun, which not only increases the risk of skin cancer, but results in increased wrinkling of the skin. Reduction of exposure to sunlight is such a simple preventive measure that there is no reason not to do it. Good nutrition is also important, and older individuals should be advised to follow the guidelines of the American Cancer Society for proper diet. Many older people do not take advantage of cancer screening programs. Ironically, screening programs are most efficient and cost-effective among elders, who experience the highest rates of most cancers. Elderly women should be advised to receive regular mammography for the early detection of breast cancer, and men should be advised about the importance of screening for prostate cancer. Of course, an important aspect of improving both cancer prevention and screening among the elderly is the way in which the programs are developed and delivered to the public. Older Americans are not a homogeneous group. Programs must be made available to minority groups, the physically impaired and impoverished as well as the cognitively impaired and those who reside in nursing homes. The American Cancer Society also warns that older people are particularly susceptible to medical fraud, and efforts must be made to prevent them from falling into programs of cancer prevention, detection, and treatment that have little or no scientific merit. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Aged, Elderly, Services, Diagnosis, Prevention, Demographic aspects, Cancer, Cancer prevention, Health counseling, Cancer diagnosis

---

Prostate cancer: transrectal ultrasound and pathology comparison: a preliminary study of the outer gland (peripheral and central zones) and inner gland (transition zone) cancer

Article Abstract:

The prostate gland has three major zones, the peripheral, central, and transition zones, and cancer may arise in any of these different areas. Usually, the precise localization of prostate cancer is determined by microscopic examination, or biopsy, of tissue. However, it is now possible to obtain images of the prostate gland with an ultrasonic probe inserted into the rectum. A study of 116 men was undertaken to correlate the observations made by ultrasound imaging with determinations made later by pathological examination of the removed tissue. For ease of analysis, the peripheral and central zones were considered together as the outer gland, and the transition zone was considered the inner gland. In one case, cancer detected by palpation and confirmed by biopsy was not detected by ultrasound imaging. Of 115 patients with abnormal, hypoechoic, ultrasound images, Stage A cancer was diagnosed in 7 and an ultrasound-guided needle biopsy confirmed cancer in 108. A total of 185 tumors were identified; 108 in the outer gland and 54 in the inner gland. In 52 tumors of 108 (48 percent) arising in the outer gland, the cancer was protruding beyond the prostate. Extension beyond the prostate also occurred in 12 of 54 inner gland cancers (22 percent). The tendency for the outer gland cancers to be more aggressive was also confirmed by histological examination. Inner gland cancers also had significantly lower ''Gleason'' scores, which are a measure of prostate gland cancer prognosis based on histological staging and clinical grading; lower Gleason scores indicate cancers with a better prognosis. This observation suggests that ultrasound imaging may contribute to the determination of which prostate cancers require immediate intervention and which may be managed with a wait-and-see approach. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Methods, Evaluation, Cases, Ultrasound imaging, Prostatectomy, Prostate cancer, Cancer invasiveness

---

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Screening and detection of congenital malformation. Ultrasonographic diagnosis of congenital anomalies in twins
• Abstracts: The Cruzan decision and medical practice. A review of public policies to procure and distribute kidneys for transplantation
• Abstracts: Vulvar vestibulitis: prevalence and historic features in a general gynecologic practice population. The effect of total hysterectomy on specific sexual sensations
• Abstracts: Organ transplantation and pregnancy; a case report and review. Postpartum coronary artery dissection followed by heart transplantation
• Abstracts: Glucose challenge testing in pregnancy. Which cutoff level should be used in screening for glucose intolerance in pregnancy?

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.