Rest a while and run a mile...!

Women in particular need to keep an eye on their physical and mental health, because if we’re scurrying to and from appointments and errands, we don’t have a lot of time to take care of ourselves. We need to do a better job of putting ourselves higher on our own ‘to do’ list.
- Michelle Obama

Women's health can be examined in terms of multiple indicators, which vary by geography, socioeconomic standing and culture. To adequately improve the health of women in world multiple dimensions of well-being must be analysed in relation to global health averages and also in comparison to men. Health is an important factor that contributes to human well-being and economic growth.Currently, women in world face a multitude of health problems, which ultimately affect the aggregate economic output. Addressing the gender, class or ethnic disparities that exist in healthcare and improving the health outcomes can contribute to economic gain through the creation of quality human capital and increased levels of savings and investment.



In recent times, Circulating Tumor Cells (CTC) have been linked with recurrence of rarly Breast Cancer.
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are cells that have shed into the vasculature from a primary tumor and circulate in the bloodstream. CTCs thus constitute seeds for subsequent growth of additional tumors (metastasis) in vital distant organs, triggering a mechanism that is responsible for the vast majority of cancer-related deaths.

Some drugs are particularly effective against cancers which fit certain requirements. For example Herceptin is very effective in patients who are Her2 positive, but much less effective in patients who are Her2 negative. Once the primary tumor is removed, biopsy of the current state of the cancer through traditional tissue typing is not possible anymore. Often tissue sections of the primary tumor, removed years prior, are used to do the typing. Further characterisation of CTC may help determining the current tumor phenotype.

Among women with early breast cancer, the presence of circulating tumor cells (cancer cells in the bloodstream) increased the risk of cancer recurrence and shortened survival. These preliminary results were presented at the 2010 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

Among women with metastatic breast cancer (cancer that has spread to other sites in the body), detection of cancer cells in the bloodstream has been linked with shorter time to cancer progression and shorter survival. Less is known about the significance of circulating tumor cells in women with early-stage breast cancer.

To evaluate the impact of circulating tumor cells among women with early breast cancer, researchers evaluated more than 2,000 patients. The test to detect circulating tumor cells was performed after surgery and before the start of chemotherapy.

Circulating tumor cells were detected in 21.5% of patients. Women with circulating tumor cells were more likely have node-positive breast cancer than women without circulating tumor cells.
Compared with women with no circulating tumor cells, women with one to four circulating tumor cells were almost twice as likely to experience cancer recurrence and death.
The presence of five or more circulating tumor cells was linked with a fourfold increase in recurrence risk and a threefold increase in risk of death.

These results suggest that detection of circulating tumor cells may provide information about recurrence risk and prognosis among women with early breast cancer. In a prepared statement, the lead researcher on the study noted, “Our study suggests testing [circulating tumor cells] may prove to be important to help individualize therapy for early-stage breast cancer…” Studies to further evaluate the role of circulating tumor cells are underway.

These results should be reviewed as preliminary by women with breast cancer and their doctors. Testing for circulating tumor cells is not indicated for women with early stage breast cancer. Other studies will have to be performed before this approach should be used in routine clinical practice.

So, here's the bottom line for women: No more excuses. Start taking your health issues seriously and follow a healthy life!

Thanks !!