SOME types of cancer may not exhibit symptoms in the early stages. This means they’re very hard to detect, making diagnosis and treatment that much more difficult. There are around 167,000 cancer death in the UK every year – that’s around 460 every day....CONTINUE READING

According to Cancer Research UK, spotting the disease as early as possible saves lives.

“Cancer that’s diagnosed at an early stage, when it isn’t too large and hasn’t spread, is more likely to be treated successfully,” a spokesperson said.

But some cancers are more easily detected than others.

For example, many skin cancers can be spotted by looking for changes to the skin – something you might notice daily.

But other forms of the disease can form and grow undetected for 10 years or more, as one study found, making treatment more difficult.

It’s not that these cancers have no symptoms at all, rather that the initial signs are similar to that of other, less serious health conditions.

Here are three cancers that are notoriously difficult to spot in the early stages.

Bowel cancer

Bowel cancer often displays little or no symptoms early on.

Doctors spot around 43,000 new cases in the UK every year, with around 268,000 Brits living with the disease today.

It is the second biggest cancer killer in the country, after lung cancer, claiming around 16,800 lives every year.

According to Bowel Cancer UK, signs of the disease include bleeding from the back passage or changes in you normal bowel habits, such as looser poo, pooing more often or constipation.

Medics can sometimes feel a lump in your rectum or tummy, usually to the right hand side.

Feeling like you need to strain to poo even after opening your bowels could also be a sign.

Rapid weight loss and pain in your tummy or back passage could also point to the disease.
Pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer has the lowest survival rate of any common cancer in the UK – with more than half of patients dying within three months of diagnosis.

The pancreas is a large gland that is part of the digestive system, located behind the stomach and under the liver.

According to the NHS, the five signs of the disease that could be mistaken for another condition, or niggle, include persistent stomach ache, backache, indigestion, unexplained weight loss and bowel habit changes.

Other symptoms that might be more obvious include jaundice, difficulty swallowing and vomiting.

Patients may also suffer the symptoms of diabetes because pancreatic disease stops the production of insulin.
Ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is one of the most common forms of the disease in the UK.

Early detection is key for beating the silent killer.

The illness is often referred to as this due to the fact that obvious symptoms often develop only when it has reached a more advanced stage, experts at Harvard Medical School say.

While we should always be aware of any new changes in our body, the NHS say there are two red flag symptoms of the illness that you might notice in the toilet.

Both constipation and diarrhoea are signs of the dreaded disease.

According to Cancer Research UK, digestive issues could be because the cancer has spread to the colon or because pressure from the cancer is pressing on the affected area.

Ovarian cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the UK, with around 7,500 new cases every year, the charity states.

The Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA) has predicted that over 1 billion people will be blind globally by 2025. The association said the over 1 billion people that will be blind globally by that next two years will affect productivity, national growth, and family life if adequate interventions were not made....CONTINUE READING

In a communiqué issued at the end of the 46th National Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Association held in Asaba, Delta State, the association identified poor out-door/prolonged near work activities like use of computers, telephones, TV, laptop, eye pads as major causes of eye and vision problems.

The Communiqué which was signed by the Association President and National Secretary, respectively, Dr. Anderson Chimeziri and Dr Victor Aliche also identified ignorance and poor accessibility are some of the major causes of vision impairment and loss.

The communiqué noted that the current State of Primary Health Care Facilities functioning in Nigeria was alarmingly low with about 80% of more than 6000 optometrists in Nigeria in the private sector leaving only about 20% in the public sector.

The Association opined that one of the primary responsibilities of government was to cater for the welfare of its citizens, just as it expressed dismay that certain equipment needed in the delivery of health care services are severely overtaxed by customs.

“The federal government should pay compelling attention to the health sector especially primary health care, for a strong and healthy nation to emerge. Government should provide necessary environment for people to access quality and efficient eye care services”.

“The over 1 billion people that will be blind globally by 2025 will affect productivity, national growth, and family life if adequate interventions are not effected. Poor out-door/prolonged near work activities like use of computers, telephones, TV, laptop, eye pads are major causes of eye and vision problems.

“Parents are encouraged to allow their children to participate in healthier out-door activities and to reduce prolonged near work like use of mobile phones, laptops, eye pads and sitting close to the TV . There should be a break of about 20 seconds and relaxation of the eyes by looking at distant object after about 20 minutes of near work”.

The Association maintained that a single comprehensive eye exam conducted by an optometrist can lead to variety of favourable outcomes which ranges from discovery of previously undetected eye and health problems like glaucoma, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other health conditions.

“Our sense of sight is one of the critical aspects of our daily life, that enables us to communicate with the world around us, perform numerous task essential to our daily life. Thus, when people have vision loss, it changes the way they live, decreases their physical and social activities which ultimately affects the brain function leading to cognitive decline.

Bleaching your skin is a popular practice that involves using chemical products to lighten or whiten the skin. While this can be a quick way to achieve a fairer complexion, it comes with a number of side effects that can be harmful to your health. Here are six side effects of bleaching your skin:...CONTINUE READING

1. Skin irritation

Many bleaching products contain harsh chemicals that can cause irritation and redness on the skin. This can lead to itching, burning, and even blistering.

2. Discoloration

Bleaching products can cause uneven skin tone, resulting in discoloration or dark patches on the skin. This can be particularly problematic for people with darker skin tones.

3. Allergic reactions

Some people may develop allergic reactions to the chemicals in bleaching products, which can include itching, redness, and hives. In rare cases, severe allergic reactions can lead to anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening condition.

4. Dryness and flaking

Bleaching products can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness and flaking. This can make the skin more prone to wrinkles and premature aging.

5. Damage to the skin barrier

The skin barrier is a protective layer that keeps out harmful bacteria and toxins. Bleaching products can damage this barrier, making the skin more vulnerable to infection and environmental toxins.

6. Increase risk of skin cancer

Some studies have suggested that long-term use of bleaching products may increase the risk of developing skin cancer. It is important to use sunscreen and cover up if you are going to be in the sun after bleaching your skin.