Cancer is a multifaceted disease influenced by genetic mutations and environmental factors, including exposure to carcinogens. This review presents an in-depth analysis of the mechanisms driving ...cancer initiation, focusing on the roles of carcinogenic chemicals, anticancer therapies, and chemo-preventive agents. The discussion encompasses a broad spectrum of carcinogens: chemical agents like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, physical agents such as ionizing radiation, biological agents like viruses, and certain therapeutic drugs. The multistep nature of carcinogenesis—comprising initiation, promotion, and progression phases—is detailed, with an emphasis on genetic and epigenetic alterations. Methods for testing carcinogenicity, including in vitro and in vivo studies and epidemiological approaches, are highlighted for their significance in identifying potential carcinogens and understanding their mechanisms. To classify and regulate carcinogenic exposures, the review also looks at the risk management plans and regulatory frameworks used by agencies like the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Additionally, emerging trends in cancer treatment, such as precision oncology, immunotherapy, and early detection technologies, are explored, alongside ongoing challenges like health disparities and ethical issues. The review emphasizes the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach, involving collaboration among researchers, clinicians, regulatory bodies, and public health organizations, to translate scientific findings into effective cancer prevention, detection, and treatment strategies.
HIV/AIDS is a global problem, South Asia and Africa bearing the maximum burden. The incidence is reported to be rising in Pakistan. It is important to document the prevalence of various risk factors ...in our population so that appropriate measures could be taken for preventing emergence of new cases. Objectives were to identify the possible etiological factors/high risk behaviour in cases diagnosed as HIV/AIDS presenting at a tertiary care referral centre.
Prospective observational case series carried out over a one year period at HIV/AIDS referral centre at Allama Iqbal Medical College Lahore. Five hundred patients were included who were positive for HIV on screening devices and then confirmed by ELISA. All these patients were referrals from Punjab AIDS control programme (PACP). A detailed history was taken on a pre-designed Performa specially targeted to identify the known risk factors for HIV infection.
Five hundred HIV positive subjects diagnosed by screening device and confirmed on ELISA were included in the present study. Three hundred and fourteen (63%) were males and 186 (37%) were females. Mean age was 35 +/- 12 years. Most prevalent risk factor among these patients was sexual transmission followed by intravenous drug abuse, injections from substandard health facilities, and transmission from infected spouse.
HIV/AIDS is a preventable disease if the risk factors are avoided. Community awareness for unsafe homo and heterosexual practices and discouraging visits to non qualified health practitioners should be the top priority by PACP apart from controlling the IDUs menace.
