Temperature-Regulating Nanoparticles Can Treat Cancer; Dietary Tweaks May Cut the Risk of Cancer

Hyperthermic-thermotherapy can be used to treat cancer patients. The therapy may soon involve self-regulating nanoparticles that are capable of heating up to an extent to kill cancerous cells at the same time regulate themselves to cool down before harming the healthier cells. Tumour cells can be weakened or killed without affecting normal tissue if temperatures can be controlled accurately within a range of 42 degree Celsius to 45 degree Celsius. "This could potentially be a game changer in the way we treat people who have cancer. If we can keep cancer treatment set at a temperature level high enough to kill the cancer, while low enough to stop harming healthy tissue, it will prevent some of the serious side effects of vital treatment," said Ravi Silva, Professor at UK's University of Surrey.

According to Cancer Research, UK, close to 8.2 million died of cancer in the year 2012. The number of cancer cases reported in a year is expected to go up to a whopping 23.6 million in the year 2030 as compared to 14.1 million reported in the year 2012.

Can your diet cut the risk of cancer?

Undeniably, our diets and lifestyle have undergone a huge change over the past few years. Fruits and veggies are rapidly vanishing from our plates while processed items, fast food, refined ingredients constitute most of our meals. "An inactive lifestyle and obesity are some of the major factors behind the development of most non-communicable diseases. Your risk of developing cancer automatically reduces to some extent if you monitor your alcohol intake, keep a check on junk food consumption, avoid smoking, exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet. Fruits, veggies, lentils, beans, legumes, cereals, fish and chicken must be a part of your diet with little consumption of red meat," noted Dr. Devavrat Arya, Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology, Max Super Specialty, Saket, New Delhi.

Inputs from IANS