University of Minnesota researcher's have developed lung cells from stem cells harvested from umbilical cord blood. It is the alveolar lung cells that are responsible for helping to repair the airway after injury. The belief is that this development in time will be of great benefit from those suffering from lung trauma or the after affects of lung surgery. Stem cells could be the answer to many lung conditions which are currently difficult to treat.
"In the future, we may be able to examine cord blood from babies who have lung diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, to do more research to understand how these diseases evolve as well as to develop better medical treatments," said David McKenna, M.D., assistant professor of lab medicine and pathology and medical director of the Clinical Cell Therapy Lab at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview.
UK LUNG CANCER
To highlight the symptoms of lung cancer UK Health Minister Rosie Winterton recently launched Lung Cancer Awareness in London. Where she heard first hand the experiences of lung cancer patients and met representatives from health professionals.
Rosie Winterton said:
"Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the UK but people don't realise that if it is caught early enough it doesn't have to be a death sentence. This is why Lung Cancer Awareness Month is so important. Working in partnership with the voluntary sector, we must ensure that people are aware of the symptoms and know to seek professional help at the earliest opportunity."
Nearly 38,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with the disease each year, and survival rates are vastly improved if the condition is caught early enough.
Lung Cancer Symptoms to look out for include:
- A cough that doesn't go away after two or three weeks
- Worsening of a long-standing cough or coughing up blood
- Persistent chest infections, breathlessness or tiredness
- Persistent weight loss and chest or shoulder pain
- More spit or phlegm, especially with blood in it
- Losing your voice but no sore throat, or
- Swelling in your face or neck.
