Category: skin cancer

Low hemoglobin and cancer : How often is anemia a symptom of cancer?

Anemia is usually a simple symptom to cure. It may, however, conceal cancers of the large intestine, stomach, ovary, kidney, lung, prostate, cervix, and other organs; thus, medical diagnostics should be especially comprehensive in this situation.

A complete blood count is one of the most fundamental preventive exams, and its results might raise the possibility of a variety of health problems, including cancer. Hemoglobin (Hb) is one of the most crucial metrics to pay close attention to.

Low hemoglobin and cancer

Low levels of hemoglobin (Hb), the oxygen-carrying protein present in red blood cells, are a sign of anemia. Anemia is a typical symptom of cancer development in the body and can occur as a side effect of cancer treatment. It is estimated that more than 40% of patients will experience it.

Of course, there are many other possible reasons for anemia (such as a poor diet or pregnancy), so additional diagnosis is required if blood test results are unsatisfactory. Adult men should have hemoglobin levels above 14 g/dl, while women should have levels above 12 g/dl.

What cancers can low hemoglobin indicate?

Low hemoglobin, indicative of anemia, is most common in  cancers such as:

  • colorectal cancer ,
  • cervical cancer ,
  • stomach cancer ,
  • lung cancer ,
  • kidney cancer ,
  • ovarian cancer ,
  • prostate cancer,
  • melanoma ,
  • leukemias ,
  • lymphomas .

It is believed that, in fact, all types of cancer can cause anemia. However, some increase this risk.

Anemia associated with cancer may result from various causes, such as:

  • bleeding (e.g. cancer in the reproductive tract, digestive or respiratory system),
  • iron, folic acid or vitamin B 12 deficiency , but also protein or vitamin B 6 deficiency – e.g. due to malabsorption or nutritional disorders, 
  • bone marrow damage during oncological treatment,
  • bone marrow infiltration or metastases,
  • hemolysis , i.e.  the passage of hemoglobin into the blood plasma caused by damage to the erythrocytes  (e.g. in lymphoma),
  • impaired erythropoiesis , i.e. the formation and multiplication of red blood cells (in various cancers)

Low hemoglobin and cancer. What does the MCV tell us?

Low hemoglobin indicates anemia, and the red blood cell volume (MCV) is an important parameter that can help identify the source of the condition. Microcytosis is typical of iron deficiency anemia, while macrocytosis occurs when there is a lack of folic acid or vitamin B12. Normally sized blood cells are found in chronic diseases.

Low iron levels and cancer

Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia, accounting for 80% of all cases. A study published in PLOS ONE suggests that people with iron deficiency anemia have a higher risk of developing cancer, particularly pancreatic, kidney, liver and bladder cancer. Low iron levels can also indicate the presence of cancer. Bleeding can occur from the gastrointestinal tract, reproductive tract, kidneys and lungs.

What cancers cause low iron levels?

Low iron levels can indicate the development of cancers such as:

  • gastrointestinal cancers (e.g. colon cancer, stomach cancer, esophageal cancer),
  • pancreatic cancer,
  • cancers of the genitourinary system (e.g. cervical cancer),
  • respiratory cancer (e.g. lung cancer),
  • blood cancers.

Oncological treatment may also contribute to iron deficiency, which is often the result of a weakened appetite or damage to the gastrointestinal mucosa.

Anemia and cancer : What tests to do?

To begin, stool tests are performed numerous times to check for the presence of occult blood (which cannot be seen) and endoscopic examinations, which show the anatomy of nearly the whole digestive tract from the inside (except for the small intestine, which fortunately is rarely the site of tumor development). 

Urinalysis to detect the presence of red blood cells in the urine is recommended, and a gynecological examination is also recommended in women. Only after diagnosing the cause can suitable treatment, such as iron preparations, be implemented.

Myths about melanoma. This knowledge can save your life.

Can stress cause melanoma? Melanoma can’t always be seen on the skin. Can dark-skinned people get it? Is melanoma incurable? We set the record straight about one of the most dangerous types of cancer.

Melanoma is a kind of skin cancer that arises from melanocytes, which produce pigment. Melanoma can develop anywhere on the body, although it is most frequent on sun-exposed skin, such as the face, neck, and back. (Google Bard)

learn more at : Melanoma is a type of skin cancer caused by excessive exposure to UV radiation from the sun or tanning beds

Melanoma is the deadliest kind of skin cancer because it can spread to other regions of the body, including the liver, lungs, and brain. Melanoma, on the other hand, is the most treatable type of skin cancer if detected early.(Google Bard)

Melanoma is one of the most dangerous cancers, causing over 1,000 deaths every year. It is not always visible, and only fair-skinned people and the elderly are at risk. There are myths that can cause it to be diagnosed too late.

It is better to avoid removing moles because cancer could develop

The most important details are that removing a mole does not cause cancer, and that it should be removed with an appropriate tissue margin and subjected to a histopathological examination. It is not allowed to take a biopsy from a mole, and if melanoma metastases are detected after removal, surgery is only needed.

Melanoma develops only on the skin.

Most melanomas start out as a dark spot on the skin called a nevus, but the tumor can also form on the mucous membranes and the eyeball. Melanoma can also grow under the nail (more: nail melanoma ). That’s why it’s important to keep an eye on your whole body, including the skin under your hair, and see a dermatologist if you notice any changes that worry you.

Melanoma can only develop from a visible mole

Melanoma can be both colored and not colored, which means it can be hard to see. Melanoma starts out flat, then grows vertically. Over time, it spreads through lymph and blood vessels. Melanoma can also be deep in the skin or look like the skin is getting thicker.

Melanoma is a disease of the elderly

Melanoma is a skin cancer that affects people of all ages, most often in the fifth and sixth decades. In recent years, the incidence of the disease in young people and children has been increasing. Older people are more likely to develop malignant lentigo, a type of skin melanoma with photoaging features. The lesion appears on the face and has good prognosis.

Melanoma is an incurable cancer.

If melanoma is found early, before it has spread, it can almost always be cured. In this group, almost everyone lives for at least 5 years. But the problem with melanoma is that it is hard to find and it grows quickly, which makes the prognosis bad.

Tanning indoors in a tanning bed is risk-free and does not result in melanoma.

This is not true. There is growing evidence that tanning in a tanning bed may increase the risk of developing melanoma .

Melanoma is not a result of stress.

According to research, extreme stress is linked to the development of melanoma. Scientists have discovered that more cases are identified among persons who work in high-stress environments and have decreased immunity as a result. Stress hormones raise the production of cytokines, which are molecules associated with inflammation in the body but can hasten the development of cancer.

Furthermore, it should be emphasized that a variety of factors, including genetic predisposition, sun exposure, frequent irritation of the lesion, and fair skin, can all play a role in the development of melanoma.

Melanoma does not threaten people with dark skin who do not tan red.

Tanning, regardless of skin color, causes damage to it and can lead to the development of skin cancer over time. This also applies to people who tan and brown readily. Although those with dark skin are less likely to get melanoma than those with fair complexion,

Melanoma hurts

Melanoma does not cause pain in the initial stages, but as it grows, it can cause metastases or ulcers. Symptoms of concern include dynamic changes in an existing mole, irregular shape, rapid growth, large size, asymmetry, and itching or bleeding from the mole.

Melanoma metastasizes late.

Sadly, melanoma is an extremely aggressive cancer that can cause distant metastases (to the bones, brain, and lungs) even in the early stages of development. Avoiding excessive sun exposure, wearing sunscreen, and having a dermatologist examine moles are all ways to prevent it.