YB Dato’ Haji Hasan Bin Malek

Iktiraf ayam serama ikon negara

KUALA LUMPUR 3 Dis. - Kerajaan disaran supaya mengangkat dan mengiktiraf ayam serama Malaysia sebagai ikon unggas negara kerana secara eksklusif ia hanya boleh didapati di negara ini sahaja. Timbalan Menteri Luar Bandar dan Wilayah, YB Dato' Hasan Malek berkata, ayam serama Malaysia merupakan unggas yang istimewa kerana ciri fizikalnya yang cantik berbeza dengan unggas dalam kategori yang sama dan tidak wujud di negara lain.

"Ayam serama Malaysia bukan sahaja diminati oleh orang Melayu malah turut mendapat perhatian kaum lain kerana bentuknya yang berlainan dan istimewa berbanding ayam biasa. "Selain itu, ayam serama Malaysia juga harus dipromosikan dengan lebih giat lagi kerana ia menampilkan konsep 1Malaysia apabila semua bangsa mula meminati unggas tersebut," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian dalam sidang akhbar selepas merasmikan Kempen Sejuta Tandatangan Rakyat Malaysia dan pelancaran Buku Serama Malaysia Ayam Terkecil Dunia pada Pameran Antarabangsa Pertanian, Hortikultur dan Agro Pelancongan Malaysia (MAHA) 2010 di Tapak Ekspo Pertanian Malaysia Serdang (Maeps) di sini hari ini. Turut hadir Presiden Persekutuan Ayam Serama Sedunia Malaysia, Ahmad Fauzi Mohamed. Kempen itu bermatlamat untuk mendapatkan sebanyak satu juta tandatangan rakyat sebagai tanda sokongan supaya ayam serama Malaysia diiktiraf sebagai ikon unggas warisan negara dan sesiapa yang menurunkan tanda tangan akan menjadi ahli persatuan itu secara rasmi.

Mereka yang berminat untuk menurunkan tanda tangan boleh mengunjungi lokasi yang dikhaskan iaitu di Galeri Serama Malaysia dan Kedai Serama Malaysia di Ampang, Pusat Kraf Serama Malaysia di Jalan Conlay dan Galeri Seni Kraf Serama Malaysia di Damansara selain di Dewan B, Maeps sempena MAHA 2010. Mengulas lanjut, Hasan berkata, ayam serama turut mempunyai khasiat dalam bidang perubatan tradisional selain mampu menghasilkan 25 biji telur setiap bulan. "Petua orang tua-tua di Kelantan dan Terengganu akan memakan ayam serama terutamanya pada setiap malam Jumaat kerana percaya pada khasiatnya yang tersendiri," jelasnya.

Esophageal Cancer Treatments

The esophagus is a muscular tube that carries food and liquid from the mouth to the stomach. The esophagus is usually between 10 and 13 inches long. The normal adult esophagus is roughly three fourths of an inch across at its smallest point.

The wall of the esophagus has several layers. Cancer of the esophagus -- also referred to as esophageal cancer -- starts from its inner layer and grows outward. The layer that lines the inside of the esophagus is called the mucosa. The mucosa has 2 parts: the epithelium and the lamina propria. The epithelium forms the lining of the esophagus and is made up of flat, thin cells called squamous cells. The lamina propria is a thin layer of connective tissue right under the epithelium.

The next layer is the sub mucosa. Some parts of the esophagus have mucus-secreting glands in this layer. The layer under the sub mucosa is a thick band of muscle called the muscular is propria. This layer of muscle contracts in a coordinated, rhythmic way to force food along the esophagus from the throat to the stomach. The outermost layer of the esophagus is formed by connective tissue. It is called the adventitia

Below the detail about esophageal cancer:

Types
The main forms of esophageal cancer are:

• Squamous cell carcinoma -- occurs in the squamous cells lining the esophagus
• Adenocarcinoma -- occurs in glandular tissue, most often in the lower part of the esophagus near the stomach. An estimated nine out of 10 malignant stomach tumors are adenocarcinomas.

Although once responsible for the large majority of esophageal cancer cases, squamous cell carcinoma now ranks second to adenocarcinoma, which studies have confirmed is now the predominant type of esophageal tumor in the western hemisphere. The two types of cancer affect various populations differently. Squamous cell carcinoma is more likely among African Americans, while adenocarcinoma is more likely among Caucasians, according to the American Cancer Society

Risk Factors
Perhaps the greatest risk factor for esophageal cancer is long-term smoking and alcohol use, especially when the two habits are combined.
Other risk factors include:

• Barrett's Esophagus -- a condition in which chronic acid reflux causes changes in the cells lining the lower esophagus, increasing the risk of adenocarcinoma
• Achalasia -- a disease in which the esophagus fails to move food into the stomach properly
• Tylosis -- a rare, inherited disorder that causes excess skin to grow on the soles of the feet and palms and has a near 100% chance of developing into esophageal cancer
• Esophageal webs -- flaps of tissue that protrude into the esophagus, making swallowing difficult
• Lye or other caustic substances -- when ingested, such substances can cause scarring that may progress to cancer years later

Symptoms

Symptoms of esophageal cancer may not be evident during its early stages of development, making early diagnosis less likely. Although a cancer diagnosis may be unlikely for individuals suffering the following symptoms, people should consider contacting a doctor when experiencing:

• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
• Pain, pressure or burning in the throat or chest
• Weight loss
• Vomiting
• Hoarseness
• Hiccups
• Chronic cough

Diagnosis

Patients who experience symptoms of esophageal cancer should contact a doctor, who will likely take several steps to determine the cause of the symptoms. These steps may include:

• Consulting with the patient to determine the individual’s medical history
• Taking X-rays of the gastrointestinal tract
• Performing various tests, including endoscopic examination, or esophagoscopy

Esophagoscopy is performed using a thin tube inserted via the mouth to examine the inside of one’s esophagus. The instrument can illuminate the interior of the esophagus and provide images that can be analyzed by doctors. It can also collect cell samples from the stomach for lab analysis.

If a patient is diagnosed with esophageal cancer, doctors next will work to determine whether the cancer has spread using additional methods such as CT scans. Treatment will be largely dependent on the cancer’s stage, or level of involvement.

Treatment

As with any cancer diagnosis, a treatment plan will depend on a variety of factors and will be specific to the individual patient. Doctors rely on medical tests to determine the extent of the cancer and whether it has spread beyond the stomach, a process called staging. By ascertaining the cancer’s current state and considering the myriad factors relating to an individual patient, appropriate treatment can be planned by the doctor and discussed with the patient.

Common treatment options include:

• Surgery
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Photodynamic therapy

The most common treatment method, surgery, may involve removal of the cancerous portions of the esophagus and neighboring lymph nodes (esophagectomy) or complete removal of the esophagus and the top portion of the stomach (radical esophagectomy). The second most common treatment is the combination of chemotherapy, which aims to shrink tumors and eliminate cancer cells, and radiation therapy, which targets cancer cells with radiation. Photodynamic therapy, which involves use of laser-activated chemicals to destroy tumors, is also implemented.

Asbestos and cancer : Frequently Ask Question

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is the term used for the fibrous forms of several naturally occurring minerals. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that takes the form of hollow, microscopic fibers which are nearly indestructible. It can be densely packed into a tough, flexible and very useful material, which has been used for hundreds of years as an insulation, fireproofing, and building material.

The three main types of asbestos which have been commercially used are:

• Crocidolite (blue asbestos);
• Amosite (brown asbestos);
• Chrysotile (white asbestos).

Asbestos was, and still is commercially mined in Canada, South Africa and Russia. The other three types of asbestos are Tremolite, Actinolite and Anthophyllite.About 95% of all asbestos used in the U.S. has been chrysotile, the least toxic form of asbestos.

Where is asbestos found?
Asbestos is often a component in the following materials:

• Fireproofing
• Thermal insulation
• Boilers
• Building ventilation systems
• Ceiling tiles
• Vinyl floor tiles
• Dry wall, dry wall tape and plaster
• Texturized paints
• Roofing shingles, felt, tar, flashing
• Decorative building materials
• Sheathing on electronics and power cables
• Automotive brake pads and clutches

Why is it dangerous?

If you inhale asbestos fibres (which are long and thin) they can become lodged in the tissue of your chest and your body’s natural defences may not be able to easily break them down. This can lead to lung diseases (mainly cancers), particularly if you are repeatedly exposed to fibres over a number of years.

It is because fibres can remain in the lungs for so long that small, but repeated, exposures on different jobs over the years can lead to the development of an asbestos-related disease. This is why it is important to prevent or control exposure on every single job.All three main types are dangerous, but blue and brown asbestos are known to be more dangerous than white. The different types cannot usually be identified by their colour alone. The body naturally gets rid of any asbestos fibres taken in with food and water. Asbestos fibres cannot be absorbed through the skin.

What factors affect the risk of developing an asbestos-related disease?
Several factors can help to determine how asbestos exposure affects an individual.

• Dose (how much asbestos an individual was exposed to).
• Duration (how long an individual was exposed).
• Size, shape, and chemical makeup of asbestos fibers.
• Source of exposure.
• Individual risk factors, such as smoking and pre-existing lung disease.

Although all forms of asbestos are considered hazardous, different types of asbestos fibers may be associated with different health risks. For example, results of several studies suggest that amphibole forms of asbestos may be more harmful than chrysotile, particularly for mesothelioma risk, because they tend to stay in the lungs for a longer period of time . All common commercial types of asbestos have been associated with lung cancer .

When is asbestos a potential health hazard?

Asbestos that is "friable" may be crumbled, pulverized or reduced to powder in your hand when dry. Friable asbestos has the potential to release asbestos fibers that can become airborne, and potentially create a health hazard. Asbestos that is bonded, coated, painted, covered, or otherwise protected so that it doesn't release airborne fibers does not present a health hazard.

What can you do to limit your exposure to asbestos?

Most buildings, especially older ones, contain some amount of asbestos. But remember, asbestos is only a potential hazard if it is damaged and friable, releasing fibers into the air we breathe. If you come across something that appears to be friable asbestos, such as damaged insulation on a pipe, assume that it is asbestos, and notify your supervisor. Do not damage or disturb the area. A sample of the material will be taken and analyzed. If it is determined to be asbestos, it will either be removed or repaired so that it is protected and no longer releasing fibers.

If your job involves stripping or buffing floors that could be vinyl asbestos tile, this should be done infrequently, using a wet method. A soft, non-abrasive pad should be used, and the machine should be run at low speed (below 300 rpm). Do not burnish or dry-buff flooring unless it has sufficient finish so that the pad can't contact the bare floor.

Prostate Cancer

Epidemiology:

The second most deadly male cancer with a very variable worldwide distribution: in the US , the Afro-American affliction rate reaches 25%, while in Asia the rate lies between 3-5%. The incidence varies from 1 to 100: there are 100 times more prostate cancers among Californians than among Shangai Chinese (but the Los Angeles Chinese demonstrate a much higher rate). Thus there are genetic factors and environment factors that remain to be discovered. This cancer is nevertheless decreasing, 180 000 cases per year, they were double 10 years ago, with a mortality of 40 000.Prostate cancer has also a very long latency: after autopsy, cancer damage is discovered in 45% of men.The "true" cancer, with clinical signs, is found at about age 70: this is a disease of the elderly. The evolution is slow, the tumor volume doubles every 4 years.

The cancer growth

this is a cancer from a gland. Born in one or several points of this gland, it develops in the fat surrounding the prostate: capsular invasion, then the bladder, seminal passages, and bordering nodes. The metastases are bone in 90% cases.

The symptoms

• hesitancy in urinating, urgency, especially during night, incomplete voiding, stream weakness; sometimes blood in urine or sperm.
• bone pains; signalling extension to skeleton; pains in legs, hips, backbone.

The diagnosis

• clinical examination: digital palpation of rectum by trained professional;
• the tumor markers: the PSA assay: the cut-off is 4.0 ng/ml. When level is between 4 and 10 ng/ml, there is doubt: there can be a benign prostatic hyperplasia (adenoma). The difference between cancer or benign condition can be greatly helped by measuring the FPSA (free PSA ) and ratio FPSA/ PSA : normally, it is higher than 0,25: the lower the ratio, the higher the risk for cancer.]
• transrectal ultrasound.
• instrument biopsies, for evaluation of the location and size of the tumor. Since they are not without risk, these biopsies often can be avoided with the FPSA assay.

The treatment
it depends on the tumor stage when discovered: whether localised (limited to capsular invasion), or enlarged. Some medical teams advise just a simple surveillance for limited forms; this does not mean exemption from treatment, and in particular, hormone therapy.

• surgery: radical prostatectomy, or partial prostatectomy;
• radiation: huge advances in machines and protocols;
• hormone therapy: aimed at lowering the testosterone level: this is hormonal ablation. Meaning impotence and hot flashes;
• chemotherapy: rarely used.

The post-treatment follow-up

• clinical exams;
• ultrasound;
• PSA and FPSA assays. After prostatectomy, the PSA level comes to 0. Any PSA increase signals recurrence.

Prevention
much controversial, this is a choice for each individual and his Doctor: this is your concern.
It means regular rectal exams, and PSA /FPSA dosages.

WARNING : should you have any ANTI-AGING treatment, using in particular the DHEA, you should MAKE SURE there is no underlying prostate cancer. "No one should take DHEA except under the supervision of a physician, who should routinely check steroid and cholesterol levels, glucose tolerance, and prostate health in men," says John Nestle, MD, professor of endocrinology and metabolism at Virginia Commonwealth University , who studies DHEA's effects on diabetes and blood clotting.

Mesothelioma

Introduction to What is Mesothelioma?

Beware with Mesothelioma . Mesothelioma is the term used to describe a cancerous tumor found in the mesothelial cells of an organ. The organs where this form of cancer is most commonly found are the lungs, heart and abdominal organs. Pleural Mesothelioma is cancer of the lung lining and is the most common form of Mesothelioma.

Did you know causes of Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is often found in building materials used before the mid 1970's. In addition, materials such as pipes, boiler insulation, floor, ceiling and roof tiles may contain asbestos.

How much asbestos exposure will cause Mesothelioma?

Generally, the probability of developing this form of cancer is in accordance with the length of time you are exposed to asbestos. Also, your health is at risk if your exposure to asbestos is intense. It should be noted that Mesothelioma has a latency period of 20 to 50 years. This means that you may develop the disease long after your exposure to asbestos. On average, people tend to develop Mesothelioma somewhere between 35 and 40 years after exposure.

Mesothelioma progress slow or fast?

The onset of Mesothelioma is quite slow. Patients will begin to experience symptoms such as lower back pain and chest pain. These symptoms may also be accompanied by weight loss, fever and difficulty breathing. Unfortunately, once Mesothelioma develops, it quickly becomes aggressive and treatment must be sought immediately.

Can Mesothelioma be treated and will be normally?

Doctors are able to use several traditional methods of cancer treatment for Mesothelioma, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Like all forms of cancer, detecting the disease at the earliest stage possible greatly increases the patient's chances for survival. If you have worked in an industry such as construction or suspect that you may have been exposed to asbestos, be alert for symptoms and contact your doctor immediately.

What legal courses of action can be taken?

Anyone suffering from Mesothelioma is entitled to compensation from asbestos manufacturers. Additionally, if you are the spouse or child of someone who has died from Mesothelioma, you are entitled to file a claim and seek compensation.

Asbestos can cause serious illness

For this topic I will share with you about Asbestos. Asbestos has been shown to cause a number of serious diseases, its very-very serious .These include cancers, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer, and other non-malignant lung diseases such as asbestosis, pleural plaques and pleural thickening.

Did you know what in asbestos. Asbestos was a common building material. Asbestos is the name given to a number of naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals. It is strong and heat resistant, which is why it has been widely used in a range of products.

Asbestos has been used in roofing, asbestos cement sheets and pipes, clutch and brake linings, insulation, building materials, boilers, electrical fittings, gaskets, floor tiles, plastics, textiles and other products.

Asbestos fibers can cause health problems if they are breathed in. The body will remove most fibers that are breathed in, but some may get trapped in the lungs and cause disease many years later. Breathing in asbestos fibers can sometimes lead to:

1. Asbestosis
2. Lung cancer
3. Pleural disorders
4. Malignant mesothelioma.

Asbestosis

Asbestosis is not a cancer. It is a chronic and progressive lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers over a long period of time. It may take five to 20 years before symptoms develop. The accumulated, inhaled asbestos fibers produce scarring (fibrosis) of the lung. The lung develops a ‘honeycomb’ appearance. The scar tissue, or ‘fibrosis’, is hard and inflexible; this makes the lungs stiffen and stops them working properly.

Asbestosis causes breathlessness, tightness in the chest, persistent coughing and the skin may have a bluish tinge from lack of oxygen. Getting enough oxygen from each breath needs a much greater effort. Asbestosis usually worsens over time. It can lead to respiratory failure and death. There is no cure for this disease.

Lung cancer

for the last chapter I had show you the Lung Cancer. People exposed to large amounts of asbestos fibers over a long period of time have a significant risk of developing lung cancer. The risk is many times greater in people who also smoke. The tumors, if not treated early, spreads through the lung and eventually to other parts of the body. It is usually diagnosed when someone develops a persistent cough, weight loss and coughs up blood. It usually takes 10 to 20 years for lung cancer to develop after asbestos exposure.

Pleural disorders

The pleura is the tissue that lines the chest cavity and covers the surface of the lungs. Asbestos may produce thickened patches on the pleura (pleural plaques) or a widespread fibrosis of the pleura and pleural effusions (fluid in the chest cavity). These conditions will show up on chest x-rays but they are not cancerous. They may not cause symptoms but will reduce lung capacity as shown in lung function tests.

Malignant mesothelioma

This rare cancer affects the pleura, the outer covering of the lungs. It is strongly associated with past exposure to asbestos. The tumors begins in the pleura and spreads to the lung and chest wall. There is no cure currently available. It can take 30 to 40 years after exposure to asbestos to develop and diagnose.

Australia has the highest national rate of reported mesothelioma in the world, presumably related to the large amount of asbestos used in the past. It is expected that there may be as many as 11,000 cases still to develop and be diagnosed

Risk Factors of Breast Cancer

The main causes of breast cancer still not known and trusted that more than one factor that effected by breast cancer. Researcher believe that the contraction causes of factors, including genetic factors and the environment.

Merit has been designated for individuals who have a higher risk. What are the implications to identify risk factors of breast cancer? The risk factors are already known will allow individuals who receive high risk of benefits control of the inspection which was neatly groomed clinical and mammography examination. However, women who have no risk factors can be effect by cancer. Thus, the risk factors can not give a precise prediction.

Orders for primary

1. Knowing the risk factors will decide whether you need to check filter or not.
2. If you do not have risk factors does not mean you are safe. Many women who effect by cancer not have family history or have risk factors
3. Breast cancer can not be prevented, and the main strategy is finding and early treatment before it would cancer

Factors known to be
Here are the factors that have been identified

Gender
Breast cancer disease is especially for women (95% of cases of breast cancer is among women)

Age
The higher age of increased risk. Women aged less than 25 years rarely effect by breast cancer.

The distinction geography
More breast cancer found in the western country if compared with countries in Asia or Africa.

family history and genetic factors

If a woman has a mother or sister who had breast cancer at a slightly younger age, he will risk breast cancer will be increased 2 times and double the risk will be increased 4 times the double. For men, the risk increased if, father, sister What the man or his son effect by breast cancer . There is a report that says 60% of men with breast cancer have relatives women which cancer breast. Only 5-10% of women breast cancer which have genetic factors.

The existence history of breast disease

Women in cells rather morbid hyperplasia which have atypical rate of 4 times the risk of double effect by breast cancer. Similarly fibrocystic disease or proliferate disease.

The existence of menstrual history

If a woman before the age of 12 years or menopause after 55 years, he risks by cancer increased 2 or 3 times. This phase associated with fertility and the effects of exposure to the estrogen hormone.

Number of children

A woman who does not have children or never pregnant after age 30 years have a higher risk of breast cancer. This may be related to menstrual revolution that is not disrupted.

Radiation exposure

Radiation exposure, such as X-rays during or before the age of 30 years of age can increase the risk of breast cancer but exposure such as this rarely applies Exposure to the atomic bomb explosion can increase the risk as much as 3 times.

Socioeconomic status

Socioeconomic high status will increase the risk of breast cancer. This is related to the age, you age during menopause, the age when children first pregnancy and also the food

Nutrition
Nutrition has been said to affect the rate cancer between countries. Taking alcoholic beverages have proved that increased the risk 1.4 times 2.0.

Body size

Obese women after menopause have increased the risk. This is because fat and contain estrogen in women as the levels of estrogen is higher

The pill and hormone therapy alternate (THG)

Taking the pill in the period of time is associated with increased risk 1.2 times in the environment. Estrogen dos, which is given low and the risk cancer will be increased 1.8 times after only use for 5 years. After 5 years increased the risk 2.6 times.