Health, Fitness, And Beauty Articles

Liver Cancer - Incidence, Symptoms, Causation, Treatment and Prognosis

2009-03-27T13:22:00.000+01:00

By : Dick Aronson

Liver cancer also known as primary or metastatic hepatic carcinoma is a fairly rare form of cancer in the western world (1% of all cancers) but much more common in Africa and parts of Asia (10% to 50% of all cancers).It is much more prevalent in men and incidence increases with age. Liver cancer is rapidly fatal, usually within 6 months from gastrointestinal hemorrhage, hepatic failure or metastasis.

TYPES OF LIVE CANCER
Most primary liver tumors are known as hepatomas (hepatocellular carcinoma and primary lower cell carcinoma). Some primary liver cancers originate in the bile duct and these are known as cholangiomas.Some rare liver cancers include Kupffer cell sarcoma and hepatoblastomas (which occur almost exclusively in children and are usually respectable and curable). Metastatic liver cancer is 20 times more common than primary liver cancer and after cirrhosis this is the leading form of liver related death.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Liver cancer does not normally cause symptoms until it is in an advanced stage.
Clinical effects of advanced liver cancers include:
1. A mass in the right upper side.
2. Tender, nodular liver on palpation
3. Severe pain in the epigastrium or upper right side
4. Weight loss, anorexia, weakness, fever
5. Occasional jaundice or ascites (fluid in the abdomen)

CAUSATION
The exact cause of liver cancer is unknown in adults but in children it may be a genetic disease. Adult liver carcinomas may result from environmental exposure to carcinogens such as mold, contrast media (no longer in use), androgens and oral estrogens, the hepatitis B virus or by damage to the liver due to cirrhosis caused by too much prolonged imbibing of alcohol.

DIAGNOSIS
Liver cancer is difficult to diagnose in the presence of cirrhosis, but several tests can help identify it: The combination of an imaging study (ultrasound, CT, or MRI scans) and an elevated blood level of alpha-fetoprotein will most effectively diagnose liver cancer, electrolyte studies may indicate increased sodium retention, a liver biopsy can make a definitive diagnosis.

TREATMENT
Treatments for primary liver cancer depend on the extent (stage) of the disease, age, overall health, feelings and personal preferences. Surgery is the most effective treatment for primary liver cancer, but this is not always possible due to the size or position of the tumor. Radiofrequency ablation is an option for people with small, unresectable hepatocellular tumors and for some types of metastatic liver cancers. During this procedure, the hepatic artery (the artery from which liver cancers derive their blood supply) is blocked, and chemotherapy drugs are injected between the blockage and the liver. Cryoablation may be an option for people with inoperable primary and metastatic liver cancers. Removing the whole liver and replacing it with a liver from another person is another possible form of treatment for primary liver cancer.

Even when treatments fail to provide much improvement in the liver cancer itself, pain and other signs and symptoms caused by liver cancer can be aggressively treated to improve quality of life. In general, the treatments available for children are the same as for adults, and the best approach depends on the stage and type of cancer as well as the child's age and overall health.

PROGNOSIS
Prognosis is poor when cancer is advanced, but for small tumors that are confined to the liver, ablative therapies are palliative and surgical resection or liver transplantation is sometimes curative.

Mesothelioma is a Deadly Cancer

2009-03-27T13:21:00.002+01:00

By : April Kerr

Mesothelioma is considered to be the most deadly type of cancer that cannot be cured easily and the person who suffers from Mesothelioma do not survive for a long time as the lining of the internal organs like the heart, the lungs and the stomach is affected. This cancer is mainly caused by the exposure to asbestos or materials that contain asbestos. This cancer cannot be detected at an early stage as the symptoms of the disease can be seen only in the developed or the last stage. It is a malignant cancer that is the result of inhaling particles of damaged asbestos in the air which start damaging the lining of the internal organs.

Symptoms of Mesothelioma

The symptoms of Mesothelioma can be detected after 20 to 50 years of exposure. If the lining of the heart or the lungs is damaged then the most common problem that develops is breathing problem. This is due to the accumulation of fluid in the chest, which is known as Pleural Mesothelioma. The symptoms are totally different if the stomach lining is affected. The patient often complains of stomach ache, loses his appetite and other problems develop like problem in the bowel, frequent fever, anemia and other problems. Most of the people take these symptoms lightly and by the time they go to the doctor it is too late. After the disease is detected in most patients survive between 6 to 12 months.

Treatment for Mesothelioma

An effective treatment of this disease depends on several factors like, in which stage the cancer has been detected, what is the age of the patient, how much the cancerous cells have circulated and the general health condition of the patient, that is whether he is suffering from some other disease or not. It has been observed that chemotherapy is the only treatment available for these patients. It uses medicines, chemicals or drugs in a systematic manner to eradicate the cancerous cells. The medicine is either injected directly in the body or administered in pill forms.

In few cases the medicine is directly injected in chest. This is called intrapleural chemotherapy. If the lining of the stomach is affected then the medicine is inserted into the abdomen which is called intra peritoneal chemotherapy. The direct insertion is done to retard the formation of the cancerous cells. Patients are advised before the surgery and after the surgery to minimize the development of the cancerous cell.

The patient has to bear the pain of chemotherapy treatment to be cured and gain longevity or has to meet his end within 6-12 months. Now it is in the hands of the patient whether he will go for chemotherapy and have full faith of recovery.

Kids Who Whip Cancer Face Heart Risks

2009-03-27T13:21:00.001+01:00

By : Gregory Smyth

It seems unfair, but it has recently been proven - children who survive cancer in early childhood go on to be at a hugely increased risk of heart disease. A 20-year study by the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study has recently been completed, and it has found that those who survived child cancer were up to 10 times more likely to have atherosclerosis, 6 times more likely to have heart failure, and 5 times more likely to have a heart attack than those who had a cancer-free childhood.

The study compared childhood cancer survivors, from as wide a variety of cancers as Hodgkin's disease, leukemia, brain tumors, kidney tumors, and lymphoma. It looked at the cancer survivors and their siblings, and found that, after 20 years, 2% of the cancer survivors had atherosclerosis, which was 10 times greater than their siblings, 4% of the survivors had congestive heart failure, which was 6 times the average in their siblings, and 5% of the survivors had a heart attack at some point, which was more than 5 times the number their siblings had. They were also found to have 6 times the number of cases of pericardial disease than their siblings, and 5 times the number of cases of valvular disease.

Even if the cancer survivors lead a healthier lifestyle, the increased risk still exists. They are said to be developing the sorts of disease that doctors normally only put on the radar for patients in their 40s and 50s. This means that cancer survivors need to be particularly aware of these risks, and let their doctors know their full medical history and the results of these findings, in order to help prevent any adverse effects from these heart diseases.

The reason that cancer survivors were fund to beat such a hugely increased risk of heart disease was because of the radiation and chemotherapy drugs used to treat the cancers. Radiation therapy kills off cancerous cells, and 'largely' leaves healthy tissue alone - but we all know that radiation can have varied and serious effects, and radiation therapy is no exception. One piece of good news with this though, is that as radiation therapy has been refined, it is now more targeted to the tumor and less likely to have adverse effects on the heart (unless, of course, the tumor is in close proximity to the heart).

Chemotherapy drugs are also touted as a cause of this increased risk of heart cancer in child cancer survivors. They have been found to damage the tissue of the heart - but unfortunately, as with radiation therapy, the techniques and drugs used today are largely the same as they were back in the 1970s, when the participants in this study were receiving their treatment.

The message of this article is not just doom and gloom for people who have already survived a great deal in their lives. It is important for these cancer survivors to realize that the impact of their childhood disease on their adult health can be reduced with regular checkups. Let your physician know that you are concerned about your heart health, and find out what tests you can regularly and safely undergo to screen you for early heart disease. You don't necessarily need to see an oncologist for the rest of your life - just keep your GP informed. Maintain your healthy diet and lifestyle, and keep in constant contact with the medical profession - they have saved you before, they can do it again!

Colon Cancer, Incidence, Causation, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prognosis

2009-03-27T13:20:00.000+01:00

By : Dick Aronson

Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine (colon), the lower part of your digestive system. Colon cancer is the second most common cancer in the USA with equal distribution between men and women. Colon cancer usually affects people over the age of 40, with the majority of people who are diagnosed with the condition being over 60 years of age. Colon cancer may affect any racial or ethnic group; however, some studies suggest that Americans of northern European heritage have a higher-than-average risk of colon cancer.

INCIDENCE
Colon cancer is more common in industrialized nations and in those societies where red meat is a major part of the diet, although evidence tends to suggest that merely changing your diet to white meat and seafood as in for instance Japan, tends to just swap stomach cancer for colon cancer. In almost all cases colon cancer is a treatable disease if caught early.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Colon cancer usually begins with the growth of benign growths such as polyps. Often there are no early symptoms. If signs and symptoms of colon cancer do appear, they may include: a change in your bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation or a change in the consistency of your stool for more than a couple of weeks, rectal bleeding or blood in your stool, persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas or pain, abdominal pain with a bowel movement, a feeling that your bowel doesn't empty completely, weakness or fatigue and unexplained weight loss.

CAUSES
Colon cancer's exact cause is unknown, but it appears to be influenced by both inherited and environmental factors. Studies show a concentration in areas of higher economic development suggesting a relationship to diet, particularly excess animal fat and low fiber. Other factors that increase the risk of developing colon cancer are: age over 40, the presence of other diseases of the digestive tract, family history and ulcerative colitis.
Development of colon cancer at an early age, or at multiple sites, or recurrent colon cancer, suggests a genetically transmitted form of the disease as opposed to the sporadic form. There also is a slight increased risk for colon cancer in the individual who smokes.
The most common colon cancer cell type is adenocarcinoma which accounts for 95% of cases.

DIAGNOSIS
The development of polyps of the colon usually precedes the development of colon cancer by five or more years. The American Gastroenterologial Association revised its screening guidelines in 2003 to recommend that people with two or more first-degree relatives with colorectal cancer or a first-degree relative with colon or rectal cancer before age 60 should have a screening colonoscopy beginning at age 40 or beginning 10 years prior to the age of the earlier colon cancer diagnosis in their family (whichever is earliest). Those with a first-degree relative diagnosed with colon cancer after age 60 or two second-degree relative with colon or rectal cancer should begin screening at age 40 with one of the methods listed above, such as annual sigmoidoscopy. The most common colon cancer screening tests are colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, and fecal occult blood test.
CT scans and Barium enemas are also routinely used for diagnosis of colon and rectal cancers.

TREATMENT
Almost all colon cancers are treated with surgery first, regardless of stage. The malignant tumor, adjacent tissues and any lymph nodes that may contain cancer cells are removed.
In colon cancer, chemotherapy after surgery is usually only given if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes (Stage III). Radiation therapy may also be used to induce tumor regression. As with other cancer treatments, the incidence of side effects varies with patient health and the exact nature of the treatment.

PREVENTION
There is not an absolute method for preventing colon cancer. Still, there are steps an individual can take to dramatically lessen the risk or to identify the precursors of colon cancer so that it does not manifest itself. People who turn age 50, and all of those with a history of colon cancer in their families, should speak with their physicians about the most recent screening recommendations from physician and cancer organizations. They should watch for symptoms and attend all recommended screenings to increase the likelihood of catching colon cancer early. Exercise is believed to reduce the risk of colon cancer. Apparently, no association exists between frequency of bowel movement or laxative use and risk of colon cancer.

PROGNOSIS
Prognosis depends on the stage of the disease and the overall health of the patient. If diagnosed early, before the tumor has spread from the bowel, these treatments are very effective, with about 90% of patients alive five years after diagnosis. If the colon cancer does not come back (recur) within 5 years, it is considered cured. Prognosis is poor in patients with liver and lung metastases.

Lung Cancer, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

2009-03-27T13:19:00.002+01:00

By : Dick Aronson

Lung cancer may be the most tragic cancer because in most cases, it might have been prevented, 87% of lung cancer cases are caused by smoking. Lung cancer has long been the most common cause of cancer death in men and since 1987 it has also become the most common cause of cancer death in women. Lung cancer is the second most commonly occurring form of cancer in most western countries and although the lung cancer incidence is less common in developing countries, the rapid increase in the popularity of smoking will see the number of lung cancer sufferers in those countries quickly catch up with the western world.

Lung cancers can arise in any part of the lung, and 90%-95% of cancers of the lung are thought to arise from the epithelial, or lining cells of the larger and smaller airways (bronchi and bronchioles); for this reason, lung cancers are sometimes called bronchogenic carcinomas or bronchogenic cancers.
The most common type of lung cancers are epidermoid carcinoma, small cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma.

Most experts agree that lung cancer is attributable to inhalation of carcinogenic pollutants by a susceptible host. Who is most susceptible? Any smoker over the age of 40, especially if they began smoking before the age of 15, have smoked 20 or more for 20 years, or worked with or near asbestos. Two other factors also increase susceptibility: exposure to carcinogenic industrial and air pollutants (asbestos, uranium, arsenic, nickel, iron oxides, chromium, radio active dust, and coal dust.) and familial susceptibility.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Because early lung cancer usually produces no symptoms, the disease is often in an advanced stage when first diagnosed. Late stage signs are: with epidermoid and small cell carcinoma; smokers cough, hoarseness, wheezing, dyspnea, hemoptysis and chest pain. With adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma; fever, weakness, weight loss, anorexia and shoulder pain. In addition, hormone production which regulates various body functions may also be affected.

DIAGNOSIS
Firm diagnosis requires chest x rays, sputum cytology, CT scanning, bronchoscopy the examination of pleural fluid and biopsies. Other tests to detect metastasis include bone scans, bone marrow biopsy and CT scans of the brain and abdomen.

METASTASES
Lung cancer most often spreads to the liver, the adrenal glands, the bones, and the brain. Lung cancer that has metastasized to the bone causes bone pain, usually in the backbone (vertebrae), the thighbones, and the ribs. Lung cancer that spreads to the brain can cause difficulties with vision and weakness on one side of the body.
Lung cancer may grow into certain nerves in the neck, causing a droopy eyelid, small pupil, sunken eye, and reduced perspiration on one side of the face; together these symptoms are called Horner's syndrome (see Autonomic Nervous System Disorders: Horner's Syndrome). Lung cancer may grow directly into the esophagus, or it may grow near it and put pressure on it, leading to difficulty in swallowing. Lung cancer may also spread through the bloodstream to the liver, brain, adrenal glands, spinal cord, and bone.

TREATMENT
Treatment for lung cancer depends on the cancer's specific cell type, how far it has spread, and the patient's performance status. If investigations confirm lung cancer, CT scan and often positron emission tomography (PET) are used to determine whether the disease is localised and amenable to surgery or whether it has spread to the point where it cannot be cured surgically. Treatment is usually a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Surgery is usually the first option. Chemotherapy can be used as a first line treatment for lung cancer or as additional treatment after surgery. Radiation therapy can be directed at your lung cancer from outside your body (external beam radiation) or it can be put inside needles, seeds or catheters and placed inside your body near the cancer (brachytherapy). Radiation therapy can be used alone or along with other lung cancer treatments. Radiation therapy can also be used to lessen side effects of lung cancer.

Treatment may not be as effective for patients with bone or liver metastases from lung cancer, excessive weight loss, ongoing cigarette use, or pre-existing medical conditions such as heart disease or emphysema. At some point, if you and your oncologist or primary care physician agree that treatment no longer is advisable, hospice care can provide comfort.

How Asbestos Can Destroy Your Life

2009-03-27T13:19:00.001+01:00

By : Joaquin Costa

Lung cancer is the fastest growing cancer in the world. In the USA we have seen many cases of asbestos that are simply destroying entire families. Not only in states with a huge history in the construction industry, have show thousands of cases of asbestos victims, but over the last 15 years, mortality from lung cancer has more than tripled.

One of the most dramatic and serious problems with lung cancer is the most common and take 15 to 20 years to develop after exposure. Asbestosis, or scarring of the lung tissue, also takes 15 to 20 years to appear. This means that when asbestos starts to reveals it's presence the people responsible of the damages based on asbestos may be already out of business or not even alive.

Althoug many companies are already aware of the dangers of asbestos, removing asbestos from older buildings is a difficult, dangerous and expensive process, and clearly not a job for amateurs. There is good reason for all these precautions. Removing asbestos from public buildings must be done by a licensed contractor who is registered with the state. Obviously this sort of rules and conditions in the law, change of each states in the USA.

So why do we still have buildings with asbestos? Well, the main reason is that depending on the extent of the work, removing or abating asbestos in a public building can run into hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars, a very, very expensive kind of work for any company to afford.

In all the parts of the US, building owners are required to perform in-depth surveys of their property and report to the construction inspectors. If asbestos qualifies for removal, the building owner must contact and hire an authorized asbestos removal company, which will take care of this dangerous quemical, including removing it, transporting it and destoying it.

In many cases if buildings are going to be destroyed, there are not allowed to to be demolished if there is friable asbestos present. Also, any sort of schools or educational center are required by AHERA, the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act, to be inspected and have a management plan prepared, which is to be maintained and available for public inspection.

Now the interesting thing is how health experts are so keen in having different points regarding asbestos. According to an university research , 2.3 of every 98,000 people living in buildings made from cement containing asbestos are liable to develop lung cancer. And it has been proved that health damage due to exposure to asbestos will certainly increase rapidly in the coming months and years. Healthcare maintenance workers and engineers can be unknowingly exposed to asbestos from many possible areas and sources.

Engineers can be exposed while working in furnace rooms where boilers are insulated with asbestos, or when making repairs to old piping or doing minor renovations.

Asbestos is commonly found in ultramafic rock, including serpentine, and near fault zones. The amount of asbestos that is typically present in these rocks can be usually less than 1% up to the high level 30%. So how really asbestos arrives to our lungs? Well, asbestos fibers can be released into the air when asbestos materials are destroyed. Objects with asbestos that remain in one piece represent little or no risk for our health.

Breast Cancer - Diagnosis,Causes, Symptoms,Treatments,Prognosis

2009-03-27T13:18:00.000+01:00

By : Dick Aronson

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women affecting one in eight women during their lives. It may develop at any time but the risk of developing it increases as women get older. It is far more common in post-menopausal women and the risk continues to increase with rising age.

CAUSE
The cause of breast cancer is not known and while it can also occur in men, the much higher occurrence in women implicates estrogen.
Today, breast cancer, like other forms of cancer, is considered to be the final outcome of multiple environmental and hereditary factors.

Breathing secondhand smoke increases breast cancer risk by 70% in younger, primarily pre-menopausal women.
A newly released study indicates a correlation between the drop in breast cancer and the drop in women taking HRT.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Breast cancer elicits so many fears, including those relating to surgery, death, loss of body image and loss of sexuality, however it is more easily treated and often curable if it is found early, therefore regular self examination and screening is essential. Breast cancer usually shows as a lump or thickening in the breast tissue, although most breast lumps are not cancerous.

Certain predisposing factors are clear.
Women at high risk are those who:
Have a family history of breast cancer.
Have long menstrual cycles, began menses early or menopause late.
Have never been pregnant
Were first pregnant after age 31.
Have had unilateral breast cancer.
Have endometrial or Ovarian cancer.
Were exposed to low level ionizing radiation.
Many other possible factors are still under investigation including, obesity, alcohol and environmental factors.

Those with lower risk include women who:
Were pregnant before age 20.
Have had multiple pregnancies.
Are native American or Asian.

Breast cancer occurs more often in the left breast and in the upper quadrant.
Indications of breast cancer other than a lump may include changes in breast size or shape, skin dimpling, nipple inversion, or spontaneous single-nipple discharge.

TYPES
When breast cancer cells invade the dermal lymphatics, small lymph vessels in the skin of the breast, its presentation can resemble skin inflammation and thus is known as inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). Symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer include pain, swelling, warmth and redness throughout the breast, as well as an orange peel texture to the skin referred to as peau d'orange.

The most common pathologic types of breast cancer are invasive ductal carcinoma, malignant cancer in the breast's ducts, and invasive lobular carcinoma, malignant cancer in the breast's lobules.
Occasionally, breast cancer presents as metastatic disease, that is, cancer that has spread beyond the original organ. Bone or joint pains can sometimes be manifestations of metastatic breast cancer, as can jaundice or neurological symptoms.

TREATMENT
Much controversy still exists over treatment of breast cancer, options include; Surgery , chemotherapy, Radiotherapy,Hormonal therapies,Herceptin and complementary treatments.

The mainstay of breast cancer treatment is surgery when the tumor is localized, with possible adjuvant hormonal therapy (with tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor), chemotherapy, and/or radiotherapy.

In February 2007, the MammaPrint test became the first breast cancer predictor to win formal approval from the Food and Drug Administration. This is a new gene test to help predict whether women with early-stage breast cancer will relapse in 5 or 10 years, this could help influence how aggressively the initial tumor is treated.

Interstitial laser thermotherapy (ILT) is an innovative method of treating breast cancer in a minimally invasive manner and without the need for surgical removal, and with the absence of any adverse effect on the health and survival of the patient during intermediate follow up.

PREVENTION
Routine (annual) mammography of women older than age 40 or 50 is recommended by numerous organizations as a screening method to diagnose early breast cancer and has demonstrated a protective effect in multiple clinical trials.
Women with one or more first-degree relatives (mother, sister, daughter) with premenopausal breast cancer should begin screening at an earlier age.

PROGNOSIS
There are many prognostic factors associated with breast cancer: staging, tumour size and location, grade, whether disease is systemic (has metastasized, or traveled to other parts of the body), recurrence of the disease, and age of patient.

With advances in screening, diagnosis, and treatment, the death rate for breast cancer has declined by about 20% over the past decade, and research is ongoing to develop even more effective screening and treatment programs.

My Full Exposure on Cancer

2009-03-27T13:17:00.000+01:00

By : Uchenna Ani-Okoye

The body is equipped to deal with cancer. Women who have their ovaries removed at an early age rarely get breast cancer. The reasons one of the reasons cancer is so feared is because it is one of the least understood diseases.

They are also 55 percent more likely to develop the most deadly form of skin cancer, malignant melanoma, which can spread into the lymph system, bones and the organs. As with any cancer, the outcome is always better if it is caught early. In the case of limited stage SCLC, radiation therapy may also be used as the cancer is still localized to the chest area where radiation can be focused.

Prostate cancer usually exhibits no symptoms and the only way it can be detected is through a rectal prostate exam or a blood PSA screening. The cancer cells are still contained within the breast duct, but they have been programmed to grow much faster because of the over expression of such oncogene.

However, on their website, the Cancer Center states that data from an observational study done in China in 1994 suggest that Lycium polysaccharides have positive effects when used with certain cancer treatments.

Smoking can also increase your risk for cancer. This tree contains most of the vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients your body needs to function properly and fight off cancer. One of the reasons that the Mediterranean diet lowers the incidence of cancer is found in the fact that the diet is rich in whole grains and dietary fibre.

Death from cancer is exceeded only by heart disease. The Block Center for Integrative Cancer Care and Optimal Health was founded in 1980 by Penny and Keith Block, M. Let's begin by reviewing the way cancer is treated in North America, the UK and most "developed" countries today.

Smoking also increases the risk of other cancers, including breast, uterine cancer, bladder and oral cancer. Again, from Lance Armstrong: What surviving cancer teaches you is the magnitude of your dependence on others, not just for self-definition, but for your mere existence. There is a direct correlation between physical activity on that home gym equipment and a lowered risk of diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, colon cancer, and muscle, bone and joint problems.

Due to the advance of science in this day & age this link can be proven, with overwhelming evidence that people who lead active lifestyles are less likely to die early or to experience major illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes & colon cancer. This year, about 1,200,000 new cancer cases will be diagnosed in the USA alone, with hundreds of thousands more in the UK and in Australia and other Western countries. Trans-fatty acids are associated with heart disease, breast cancer, and diabetes.

Beta-carotene reduces the risk of bladder, lung, breast, and stomach cancers, heart disease, and slows down the development of arthritis. Another way oolong tea may help fight cancer is through preventing cell mutation. Personalities the positive side of cancer: The Cancerian's most positive point is his understanding nature.

Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas as a Community Clinical Oncology Program (CCOP) and is also engaged in clinical cancer research with other university facilities in the United States and Israel.

Because of the latency in prostate cancer symptoms, it is important that men take preventative measures starting at around age 30. People with HIV who participated in massage studies showed an increased number of natural killer cells, which are thought to defend the body from viral and cancer cells..by the errors that can occur in the production of a lymphocyte.

Researchers in India discovered a link between the rise in carbonation consumption and esophageal cancer in America over the past two decades.

An Overview of Cancer

2009-03-27T13:16:00.000+01:00

By : Dick Aronson

Cancer is second only to cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of death in the Western world.
Although Cancer is primarily a disease of the elderly with more than 60% of deaths from cancer occurring in those over the age of 65, cancer can strike even the youngest of children.

Cancer appears to occur when the growth of cells in the body is out of control and cells divide too rapidly. Cancer can develop in almost any organ or tissue, such as the lung, colon, breast, skin, bones, or nerve tissue.

Most common sites are:
Prostrate 24%
Breast 13%
Lung 13%
Colon and Rectum 9%
Bladder 3%
Uterus 2.5%

The cause of Cancer is believed to be a combination of genetic factors and outside carcinogens such as tobacco, viruses, infection, asbestos, vinyl chloride, inappropriate diet.

Cancer often has no specific symptoms, so it is important that you limit your risk factors and undergo appropriate cancer screening. The signs and symptoms will depend on where the cancer is, the size of the cancer, and how much it affects the nearby organs or structures.

If a cancer spreads (metastasizes), then symptoms may appear in different parts of the body. As a cancer grows, it begins to push on nearby organs, blood vessels, and nerves. If the cancer is in a critical area, such as certain parts of the brain, even the smallest tumor can cause early symptoms.

But sometimes cancers start in places where it does not cause any symptoms until the cancer has grown quite large. Pancreatic cancers, for example, do not usually grow large enough to be felt from the outside of the body.
By the time a pancreatic cancer causes these signs or symptoms, it has usually reached an advanced stage.

A cancer may also cause symptoms common to many other problems, such as; fever, fatigue and weight loss. This may be because the cancer uses up much of the body s energy or it may cause the release of substances which affect metabolism.

Some lung cancers make hormone-like substances that affect blood calcium levels, affecting nerves and muscles and causing weakness and dizziness.

It is important to know what some of the general (non-specific) signs and symptoms of cancer are, but remember that having any of these does not mean that you have cancer.

Most cancers can be treated and some cured, depending on the specific type, location, and stage. The earlier the cancer is found, the better the prognosis.

A good example of the importance of finding cancer early is melanoma skin cancer. Skin cancer can be easy to remove if it has not grown deep into the skin, and the 5-year survival rate (percentage of people living at least 5 years after diagnosis) at this stage is nearly100%.

Screening for breast cancer with mammograms has been shown to reduce the average stage of diagnosis of breast cancer in a population.
Colorectal cancer can be detected through fecal occult blood testing and colonoscopy, which reduces both colon cancer incidence and mortality, presumably through the detection and removal of pre-malignant polyps.
Similarly, cervical cytology testing (using the Pap smear) leads to the identification and excision of precancerous lesions.
Testicular self-examination is recommended for men beginning at the age of 15 years to detect testicular cancer.

SIGNS and SYMPTOMS

Pain may be an early symptom with some cancers such as bone cancers or testicular cancer.

Long-term constipation, diarrhea, or a change in the size of the stool may be a sign of colon cancer.

Pain with urination, blood in the urine, or a change in bladder function (such as more frequent or less frequent urination) could be related to bladder or prostate cancer.

Skin cancers may bleed and look like sores that do not heal.

A long-lasting sore in the mouth could be an oral cancer and should be dealt with right away, especially in patients who smoke, chew tobacco, or frequently drink alcohol.

Sores on the penis or vagina may either be signs of infection or an early cancer, and should not be overlooked.

Unusual bleeding can happen in either early or advanced cancer.

Blood in the sputum (phlegm) may be a sign of lung cancer.

Blood in the stool (or a dark or black stool) could be a sign of colon or rectal cancer.

Blood in the urine may be a sign of bladder or kidney cancer.

A bloody discharge from the nipple may be a sign of breast cancer.

Many cancers can be felt through the skin, mostly in the breast, testicle, lymph nodes (glands), and the soft tissues of the body. A lump or thickening may be an early or late sign of cancer.

While they commonly have other causes, indigestion or swallowing problems may be a sign of cancer of the esophagus, stomach, or pharynx (throat).

A cough that does not go away may be a sign of lung cancer.

A cancer may be suspected for a variety of reasons, but the definitive diagnosis of most malignancies must be confirmed by histological examination of the cancerous cells by a pathologist.

TREATMENT

Once diagnosed, cancer is usually treated with a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Radiation therapy may be used to treat almost every type of solid tumor, including cancers of the brain, breast, cervix, larynx, lung, pancreas, prostate, skin, stomach, uterus, or soft tissue sarcomas.

Most forms of chemotherapy target all rapidly dividing cells and are not specific for cancer cells, although some degree of specificity may come from the inability of many cancer cells to repair DNA damage, while normal cells generally can.

Contemporary methods for generating an immune response against tumours include intravesical BCG immunotherapy for superficial bladder cancer, and use of interferons and other cytokines to induce an immune response in renal cell carcinoma and melanoma patients.

Pain medication, such as morphine and oxycodone, and anti-emetics, drugs to suppress nausea and vomiting, are very commonly used in patients with cancer-related symptoms. transmission and disease.

Advances in cancer research have made a vaccine designed to prevent cancer available. The vaccine protects against four HPV types, which together cause 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts.

The consensus on diet and cancer is that obesity increases the risk of developing cancer. The cancer-fighting components of food are also proving to be more numerous and varied than previously understood, so patients are increasingly being advised to consume fresh, unprocessed fruits and vegetables for maximal health benefits.

Prostate Health Meets Soy Health

2009-03-27T13:06:00.000+01:00

By : Dee Overly

One passage into middle age for men is the dreaded prostate exam. No it's not fun but it is necessary. Prostate cancer is men's second most frequent cancer in the United States.

But one must look at the world in order to fully understand prostate cancer and men's health, in general.

Prostate cancer is a disease that is more common in certain populations. If you're an African American male living in the United States, your chances for developing prostate cancer is greater than if you are an Asian man living in Indonesia.

Due to this phenomenon, many studies have found that prostate cancer can be directly linked to diet and food choices. In fact, it is believed that an estimated 75% of all diagnosed prostate cancers could be avoided if better eating habits and dietary changes were followed.

That's a promising note for American males, so let's dive into the particulars and see why soy is so great for prostate health.

Isoflavones are plant compounds found in soy products. Isoflavones act as hormones in the human body and can actually have great effects on several bodily functions.

For example, they can help lower your cholesterol, maintain good blood glucose levels, and even help build healthy bones. But for men, they can also act as inhibitors for prostate cancer.

It is for this reason that many studies have asked why? Why is it that Asian men are more prone to avoiding prostate cancer? Why is it that the American male tends to have larger prostates in their later years their Asian counterparts?

The best found answer to this question has been diet. It is no secret that the Asian population has been eating soy for over one thousand years. Most infants and children in the Asian population will find themselves eating the 80 to 100 mg of soy per day. After a number of years, the isoflavones in their bodies will build and their chances for prostate cancer will be reduced with each bite.

One recently conducted study focused on a group of 41 patients who were diagnosed with prostate cancer. These patients were given 100 mg of an isoflavone supplement twice a day for 6 months.

Results showed a lowering of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and ultimately a slowing of the prostate cancer growth. PSA is a protein produced by the cells of the prostate gland. The higher the PSA level, the more likely there is cancer present.

Isoflavones are found in all soy foods. One need only drink one 8 ounce glass of soymilk per day to receive 40 mg of isoflavones. Currently there is no recommended dosage of isoflavones to help lower prostate cancer risks.

However, the FDA has recommended that a person needs approximately 25 grams of soy protein per day in order to lower cholesterol levels.

Although more studies are underway to further investigate the relationship between soy isoflavones and prostate health, preliminary studies contain a hopeful future for the male population. When it comes to lowering the risks and avoiding prostate cancer, it seems that diets high in soy have been labeled a promising ally.

The Fact About Cervical Cancer

2009-03-27T13:05:00.000+01:00

By : Alisha Dhamani

Cervical cancer starts in the cells of the cervix. The cervix is the narrow, lower part of the uterus (or womb). It is the passageway that connects the uterus to the vagina.

The cervix is part of a womans reproductive system. It makes mucus that helps sperm move from the vagina into the uterus or keeps sperm from entering the uterus. Every month during your menstrual period blood flows from the uterus through the cervix into the vagina. During pregnancy, the cervix is closed to keep the baby inside the uterus. During childbirth, the cervix opens (dilates) so that the baby can pass through the vagina.

Before cervical cancer develops, the cells of the cervix start to change and become abnormal. These abnormal cells are precancerous, meaning that they are not cancer. Precancerous changes to the cervix are called dysplasia of the cervix (or cervical dysplasia).

Dysplasia of the cervix is not cancer. It is a common precancerous change that can develop into cancer if it isnt treated. It is important to know that most women with dysplasia do not develop cancer.

Most women have regular cervical screening with a smear test or liquid-based cytology. The screening is designed to find early changes in the cells of the cervix, so that treatment can be given to prevent a cancer from developing. Although the aim of cervical screening is to prevent cancer, it can also sometimes detect a cancer that has already developed, before any symptoms occur.

Cancer of the cervix can take many years to develop. Before it does, changes occur in the cells of the cervix. These abnormal cells are not cancerous, and are called cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN). Some doctors call these changes pre-cancerous. This means that the cells might develop into cancer in some women if they are not treated. It is important to know that most women with CIN do not develop cancer.

CIN is usually the result of a virus infection: the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a very common virus that can affect the cells of the cervix. It is mainly passed on during sexual intercourse. Most women who have had sexual intercourse will have the virus at some time in their life. However, in many women their immune system will get rid of the virus and they won't even know they had it.

Recently several research trials have looked at using vaccines to prevent HPV infection. The results seem to show that in future, it will be possible to vaccinate young women against the high-risk types of HPV and so prevent most cases of cervical cancer.

CIN that might develop into cancer can be treated in various ways. The aim of any treatment is to remove or destroy all of the affected cells. This can be done using surgery, where the affected area of the cervix is removed by large loop excision (LLETZ) or cone biopsy. Instead, the affected areas can be destroyed by laser therapy, or using heat (cold coagulation). These procedures are usually carried out in an outpatient clinic and may be done by doctors or specialist nurses.

Cancer Worldwide Affects! And The Natural Treatments

2009-03-27T13:04:00.000+01:00

By : Steve Davidson

There was a movie in the 1990's called 'The Medicine Man', where a scientist discovers the cure for cancer; whilst it still continues to kill people, it is not always the death sentence it once was. Think about that for a moment; can you even imagine the impact this would have on our world if the suffering of so many people could be put to an end? The causes for cancer seem to be many but despite all the knowledge we gain, it is still almost impossible to know if or when a person will contract it.

Of course many researchers belief that we are in effect born with cancer which is just waiting for something to set if off, but just what is cancer? Well, it is a disease that's characterized by a large number of cells that continue to grow and divide; they invade and destroy adjacent tissues and may even spread to other anatomical sites through a process called metastasis.

A cancerous tumor keeps growing but a benign one is self-limiting and generally won't cause any harm to the body. There are rare occasions when a benign tumor changes to a malignant one. It causes more deaths per population than any other illness and the older you get the more prone you are to contracting the disease; cancer is responsible for about 13 percent of all deaths worldwide. Nearly all cancers are caused by abnormalities in the genetic material of the transformed cells; these abnormalities may be caused by other poisons within the body from smoking, radiation, chemicals or other infectious agents.

For some people the problem lies not with any form of external poison although faults with their parents DNA or genetic makeup can result in a person being born with the diseased cells. However this does not mean you will contract it as the relationship between carcinogens and an individual's genetic makeup is a complex one.

Owing to this ongoing, worldwide research, we do actually know a considerable amount about cancer even if we are some way from finding a complete and consistent cure. Once scientists discover the reason behind why some individuals are more likely to contract a disease than others, we may be closer to creating a cure. We all want to know more about the causes of cancer what we can do to help prevent this illness from striking.

The food you eat on a regular basis will have an effect on your health, especially in the future. Some believe it may even be causing a large number of cases in certain groups of people. People are generally eating too much of the wrong things such as an excess salt intake, too much saturated fat and certain dairy produce. Studies have shown that there is a connection between dairy produced calcium and prostrate cancer.

Cancer does not have any prejudice when it comes to invading a person's body as it can strike anywhere. Some people can have cancer for several years before they have any symptoms and this does not help their chances of being cured. However, mortality rates from cancer are decreasing and although a cure may not be possible, there are treatments available to slow its spread. Cancer is not the certain death sentence it once was and although many of its various forms are incurable at this time, medical science continues to improve.

How You Can Cure Your Cancer Naturally!

2009-03-27T13:01:00.000+01:00

By : Steve Davidson

Many films about cancer have been made in recent years, the most notable features a scientist who discovers the cure in a South American rain forest, only to lose it; cancer has killed untold millions, but each year the cure for this disease gets another step closer. Although there are other more awful diseases, this one holds the crown at the moment because of how often it is diagnosed; a cure would bring a sigh of relief everywhere. Research over the years has helped our understanding of cancer but not to the point where we are able to foretell exactly when it will happen.

Even now many people do not really understand what cancer is despite growing up with it all around them. Could it be true that we are all born with it? Well, it is a disease that's characterized by a large number of cells that continue to grow and divide; they invade and destroy adjacent tissues and may even spread to other anatomical sites through a process called metastasis.

Benign tumors do not normally grow larger, metastasize or threaten the body and organs like malignant (cancerous) tumors do although it is possible for a malignant tumor to have started out as benign. Whilst it is not generally a young person's disease, it can occur at any age; cancer is responsible for around 130,000 deaths for every one million people each year. Cancer is an abnormality in the body's cells and can be caused by a number of agents including carcinogens or poisons such as smoke, infectious agents or radiation.

Just to confuse the issue more, it is possible inherit genes that may be pre-disposed to it as well as faulty genetic DNA replication. However this does not mean you will contract it as the relationship between carcinogens and an individual's genetic makeup is a complex one.

Research into the cause of cancer continues around the globe and is the disease most frequently studied on a regular basis. More knowledge is being acquired about cancer each year. More information is being gathered about all illnesses and why some people are more prone to certain conditions. We all want to know more about the causes of cancer what we can do to help prevent this illness from striking.

The food you eat on a regular basis will have an effect on your health, especially in the future. Some believe it may even be causing a large number of cases in certain groups of people. Foods that could be a problem are Salt, sugar, saturated fat and cholesterol. Recent studies have shown that calcium received from dairy products can be harmful to men and could encourage the onset of prostate cancer.

Cancer can affect any part of the body from the bones, blood, skin or organs. nowhere is safe from it. Sometimes the disease is only picked up through routine screening. Usually the cancer is at an early stage and a person may have a better chance of being cured. the number of different types of cancer that can be treated has increased dramatically in recent years with so much intensive research being carried out. All this research is gradually leading towards more effective treatments for cancer and it is not always the terminal disease it used to be.

The Effects Of Radiation In The Cause Of Cancer

2009-03-27T13:00:00.000+01:00

By : Paul Fitzgerald

Cancer is, unfortunately, spreading in the modern society. Nearly all cancer forms are increasing when it comes to incidence, i.e. new cases/year (cf. Hallberg & Johansson 2002a).

It could recently be read in the BBC News that skin cancer is rising in young adults, and Sara Hiom, head of the health information at Cancer Research UK said, when interviewed, that "Non-melanoma cancers are rising at an alarming rate".

Non-melanoma cancers are rising at an alarming rate
More and more research efforts goes into understanding the molecular mechanisms behind these various progressive cancer forms, and much more money is spent on finding new drugs to treat patients. However, oddly enough, very little is spent on understanding the actual causes for cancer.

Among such possible causative agents, more and more focus is nowadays put on modern gadgets, such as mobile telephones and computers, and their chemical and physical emissions, including flame retardants and electromagnetic non-ionising radiation.

Childhood leukemia was early connected to power-frequent magnetic fields already in the pioneering work by Wertheimer and Leeper (1979), and more recently Scandinavian scientists have identified an increased risk for acoustic neuroma (i.e., a benign tumor of the eighth cranial nerve) in cell phone users, as well as a slightly increased risk of malignant brain tumors such as astrocytoma and meningioma on the same side of the brain as the cell phone was habitually held (Hardell et al. 1999, 2004, 2005; Lonn et al. 2004).

In addition, a clear association between adult cancers and FM radio broadcasting radiation has been noticed, both in time and location (Hallberg & Johansson 2002b, 2004, 2005a). Initial studies on facial nevi indicates that nowadays also young children can have a substantial amount of these.

If it can be shown that radiofrequent radiation is not correlated with child cancers the current focus on low-frequency electromagnetic fields can continue. If there is also a radiofrequent and/or microwave correlation then this must be considered in future research as well as in today's preventive work.

Most recently, Dr. Djemal Beniashvili and other scientists at the Edith Wolfson Medical Center in Holon, Israel, have demonstrated a possible link between exposure to power-frequent electromagnetic fields and breast cancer in elderly women (Beniashvili et al. 2005).

They compared the breast cancer rates in elderly women from an earlier period (1978-1990) to a more recent period (1991-2003), which has been characterized by a much more extensive use of personal computers (more than 3 hours a day), mobile telephones, TV sets, and other household electrical appliances. They used available medical records extending over a period of 26 years, involving the analysis of more than 200,000 samples.

Most recently a possible link has been demonstrated between exposure to power-frequent electromagnetic fields and breast cancer in elderly women
Among the elderly women who developed breast cancer in the first time frame, 20 percent were regularly exposed to power-frequent fields.

But in the more modern period 51 percent were so exposed, mainly through the use of personal computers. The authors concluded: "There was a statistically significant influence of electromagnetic fields on the formation of all observed epithelial mammary tumours in the second group."

This represented a more than two-fold increase, which was considered highly significant (cf. Beniashvili et al. 2005).

Of course, many other environmental factors have changed during the period 1978-1990, but increased environmental exposure to power-frequent fields is among the more conspicuous changes to have taken place. Naturally, there are many aspects of this question that remain to be clarified, and, from a scientific point of view, it is far from conclusively settled.

The Radiation Team: The Breakdown of Roles in a Radiation Clinic

2009-03-27T12:59:00.000+01:00

By : Art Gib

A radiation oncologist is often thought of as the main role within a radiation clinic and for the most part this is true. They do help orchestrate the course of therapy, but without a full staff of professionals who know their specific role, it would be an impossible task for the oncologist alone.

The following will be a little run down on who is in the clinic helping radiation patients and what specifically they do. It will touch on points of what to expect as a patient and some background on training for radiation staff.

The Coach and Playmaker, the Radiation Oncologist

The radiation oncologist is the first point of contact for the patient when they seek or are referred to radio treatment. The radiation oncologist is the doctor that runs the show (trumped only by the patient) and plots the course for overall treatment. They've chosen to specialize in radiation treatment for their profession as opposed to a medical oncologist who normally uses chemotherapy as a preferred choice of cancer treatment.

They not only work with their immediate staff of clinicians to plot a course of therapy, but also refer to other doctors that the patient may be seeing such as their chemo doctor (chemo is often combined with radiation treatment), a surgical oncologist, other surgeons and internal medicine doctors and pharmacists to pool overall knowledge.

Training for the profession in the U.S. starts like any other doctor's course with 4 years of specialized training outside of college and 4 years of residency with internship. During residency they are drilled a great deal on general oncology and the physical aspect of ionizing radiation and its application.

The Radiation Therapist

The radiation therapist is probably the closest one to the radiation oncologist doctor when it comes to planning the application and doses of radiation therapy. The oncologist will give the instruction to the therapist regarding what needs to be done for the specific cancer type. Then much of the application procedure from there is up to the therapist as far as instructing staff on the parameters of the machines and operating software to apply the dosing. The therapist will often have a technician who will talk to the patient and position them when it comes time to go through with the treatment.

The Rest of the Staff

Although there are possibly dozens of those who help in a clinic or hospital, you'll also receive a good deal of personal contact and support from the radiation nurse. They are what most would contend as the most human part of the therapy. It will be up to them to provide you an insider's look at the experience. While the radiation oncologist and therapist will probably give you a laundry list of points that you will expect with your treatment, the nurse will give you an expectation on a more personal level. They can give you background on any side effects that can occur and also provide very professional advice on how well the radiation worked after the session.

Along with the nurse and other immediate clinicians, a patient will also be introduced to a dietician or physical therapist depending on the treatment type, treatment side effects, and severity of the cancer.

Prostate Cancer Treatment? - New Study Results - Delay Prostate Cancer Treatment! - Nurse's Report!

2009-03-27T12:58:00.002+01:00

Whether or not to treat prostate cancer conventionally is one of the major medical dilemmas we have today. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men. Approximately 222,000 cases will be diagnosed this year, however most prostate tumors tend to grow slowly. They never actually threaten lives. There is no sure way to tell which tumors will grow at a more rapid rate.

Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) tests can help find tumors many years before they cause any prostate cancer symptoms, however routine screening of men who are at average risk is currently not recommended, because there is no proof that it saves lives.

Prostate cancer treatments are particularly rugged, especially on older men. And many men end up after the treatment with sexual, bladder control or other prostate gland or prostate health problems. Many doctors instead recommend "watchful waiting" to monitor signs of prostate disease and treat it only if the signs or symptoms get worse. Smaller studies have given contrary views of the safety of this approach.

This new study looked at the natural course of the disease in the men who had chosen that option. Grace Lu-Yao of Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey was the head of the study. It's the first study involving so many older men. 50% of the men were over 75 and many of their tumors were found through the PSA tests.

As part of this study they used the U.S. government's prostate cancer database. The researchers studied 9,017 men who were diagnosed over a period of ten years, from 1992-2002, with early-stage cancer who did not get prostate surgery, radiation or hormone therapy for at least six months. Most of the men never had any treatment whatsoever.

Ten years later only 3 percent to 7 percent of those with the low-grade or moderate-grade tumors (which are rated by how aggressive the cells appear to be) had died of prostate cancer, while 23 percent of those with high-grade tumors died. Overall, prostate cancer killed only 10 percent of the patients.

It's thought that most of the patients are going to die from something else and because of this most of the older men with the early-stage tumors could delay any treatment. It's not clear what should be done, if anything - whether it's conventional prostate surgery, radiation and hormone therapy or alternative treatment. This may be true even if people are younger or have a more advanced prostate cancer. Most cases are diagnosed in men who are 68 or older, and most are in an early stage.

In any event this large study shows that a large number of men do well with no initial treatment and with no treatment long term. So this new study shows that for older men observation is a reasonable approach. Many patients do well for a long period of time with absolutely no treatment.

To sum up, older men with early-stage prostate cancer are not taking a big risk if they just keep a good eye on the progress instead of going ahead with treatment. It's the largest study to look at this issue since the PSA blood tests to detect prostate tumors became so popular in the 1990s. The study may persuade some middle-of-the-road prostate doctors that we are over-treating prostate cancer and that PSA testing may be magnifying the problem. Finally patients have the opportunity to concentrate on adopting a healthy lifestyle and most importantly adopting a healthy diet.

Breast Thermography: New Technology For Cancer Prevention and Early Detection

2009-03-27T12:58:00.001+01:00

By : Erin Elster

Breast thermography is a new, non-invasive imaging procedure that utilizes infrared heat-sensing technology to detect metabolic changes in the breast. Abnormalities can be detected long before a tumor is present. Because researchers are acknowledging the importance of prevention and early detection as the keys to long term breast health, breast thermography is fast becoming an important diagnostic test to add to health care regimens.

To perform breast thermography, a special camera equipped with heat-sensing, or infrared, technology takes pictures of the breasts and the images are sent to a computer. Multiple images are taken from several different angles in order to provide a three-dimensional result. These images are digitally processed by sophisticated equipment to create a detailed thermal map.

Because each individual has a unique 'thermal fingerprint,' the images help your doctor to establish the normal thermal state of your breasts. That way, if a change occurs, a diagnosis can be determined quickly. The images reveal to the doctor whether the two breasts have the same temperature patterns and whether any areas differ from one breast to the other. Abnormalities on the infrared images, including changes in temperature, blood flow, hormone levels, or metabolic activity, may indicate current or potential tumor growth. The necessary diagnostic steps are then taken to determine the nature of the abnormalities.

During a mammogram, the estimated compression weight on the breast, which can be uncomfortable and sometimes painful, can be several pounds to over forty pounds. In addition, radiation collects in the breast tissue during mammograms; the more radiation the breast is exposed to, the higher the risk of cancer. Unlike mammograms, thermography does not require compression of the breasts nor does the infrared scanning process involve radiation or contact with the body.

Mammograms can only detect tumors that have already developed. In comparison, breast thermography provides images of physiological changes in the breasts that could cause future tumor growth. One such abnormal thermal pattern, estrogen dominance, can be a precursor to breast cancer. If estrogen dominance is found, hormonal levels can be balanced using natural means; thereby, preventing cancer. Breast thermography can also detect small growths - those too small to be visible on mammogram or ultrasound - because these tiny masses radiate heat.

Breast thermography provides important, relevant, and necessary information about your health without exposure to radiation. This diagnostic test, which compliments clinical examination and mammography, should be added to your health care regimen. Prevention and early detection are the keys to long term breast and whole body health. By providing essential information early, breast thermography can save your life.

Brachytherapy: Radiation Therapy's Radioactive Seed Technique

2009-03-27T12:57:00.000+01:00

By : Art Gib

External beam radiation therapy has long been the standard for treating most cancer types in the world of radiation treatment. Brachytherapy, the lesser known form of radiation treatment among the general populace, has been around almost as long as particle and wave form radiation therapy. It's brought success in cancers dealing with a long range of bodily locations such as the head and neck, lung, cervix, breast and most commonly the prostate.

This article will touch on some information about what brachytherapy is along with an overview of the process and expectations one should anticipate.

Implanting Radioactive Seeds

Usually brachytherapy is slightly invasive. That is, it will probably involve breaking of the skin to insert what is known as a "seed". The seed is usually a small rod-like tube that encases a radioactive compound. The seed is inserted into the tumor in such a way that the radiation will affect the cancer cells and disrupt their cellular division to ultimately kill or stop the cancerous cell growth. Mold Brachytherapy is an exception. In this case the radiation source can go next to the tumor, set next to the skin adjacent to the cancerous mass.

The seeds are about the size of a small grain of rice and have a short range of radiation kill. The radius of the radiation field that emits from the rice that is used to kill the cancer cells is only a few millimeters. In fact, the trunk part of the word, brachy, is Greek meaning "short."

The Procedure

In this instance I'll use the example of prostate treatment as a case example to give an overview of what one may expect. So, before the radiation therapy begins, the doctor will do the preliminary check ups. Procedures like EKG, blood tests, and x-rays may be involved depending on the risks. But usually an ultrasound of the prostate will be done to make sure it's clear and to identify the tumor beforehand. With the images captured, the doctors and clinicians will know what they are up against and know how many seeds need to be implanted.

The nice thing about this sort of application is that it's an outpatient procedure. Sometimes the treatment will only last as long as an hour. The patient will usually get a local anesthetic so feeling from the waist down is numbed.

After the painkiller has set in, an ultrasound probe will be inserted into the rectum to bring up video of the prostate for easy guidance. The seeds will be planted, sent through tiny needles, after the tumor is targeted. The needles will enter through the skin between the scrotum and the rectum. Usually there are about 50 to 100 seeds sent into the cancerous portion of the prostate.

When all is said and done, the patient will usually have a catheter inserted and left in for several hours to a day. Post procedure, an ice bag will be used to prevent swelling. After all of that, life can come as it does normally, but rest and no heavy activity is typically prescribed. Four or five days are the estimated time for normalcy among most patients.

Women Who Have Been Active Early in Sexual Activity Can Have A Cervical Cancer

2009-03-27T12:55:00.001+01:00

By : Anne-Lie Karlsson

Studies reveal that cancer of the cervix occurs more often in women who become sexually active in early life. Cervix cancers may cause by a human papilloma virus (HPV). This virus is spread through sex and it can cause infection in the cervix or any part of woman sex organ. However, this virus never last long because the body can fight this virus (HPV), unlike the HIV. But if the body can't fight the virus it will affect the cervix and turns into pre- cancer cells.

As of now most cervix cancers can be prevented and can be cure if diagnosed earlier through the use of Pap smear test. During the test, if the doctor can detect the abnormal cells she will recommend directly a medication so that the women can recover easily or if the cancer its already in full bloom operation would be a good option.

Cervix cancer may not cause any symptom or symptom less in its early stage. But in time, it too usually cause abnormal bleeding or increased vaginal discharge. Women who have cervical cancer can feel moderate pain during sexual intercourse. The years of greatest risk for cancer of the cervix are when the women reached the age of forty to forty- nine years old.

To avoid the risk of cancer of the cervix physician advise the women to have a pap smear once in every two years. Pap smear is done by using the metal instrument speculum to open the vagina and examine the cervix. A cotton wool is used to rub off in the surface of the cervix to get the sample cells to be used in laboratory. The sample cells will be examine under the microscope to determine the presence of pre-cancers cells that may develop into cervix cancers.

Women who have cervix cancer may experience loss of appetite, fatigue pelvic and back pain. They also have a heavy bleeding during their monthly period.

The causes of cervix cancer may either from chlamydia infection, dietary factors, hormonal contraception, multiple pregnancies, uses the hormonal drugs diethylstilbestrol (DES). It also happen to a woman who have had many sexual partners, or whose partner with many sexual contacts. More cases of cervical cancer occur among women who use oral contraceptive than among those who rely on diaphragm.

Today Papanicolau test or pap smear for cervical cancer screening has been credited to increase the awareness of women about cervical cancer and it also reduce the incidence rate of this kind of cancer in some developed countries. Collopscope is also used to detect the cancer cells presents in the cervix it is the magnifying instrument to examine the cervix if it shows inflammatory changes or any abnormal cells.

Truth About Hyperthermia; It's Not What They Say It Is!

2009-03-27T12:54:00.000+01:00

By : Billy Staton

Hyperthermia, look it up on the Web and it will tell you that it is a process of heating [from the outside] the infected part of the body[Tumor] with infrared and or moist heat.

There are clinics in Mexico and Italy that use this method and other alternative medicines to treat AIDS and other blood related diseases with a high success rate. Both [at least two] clinics were set up based on one mans success with using heat to purify blood and enrich its ability to fight infection. This doctor was working on a cure for cancer in his own lab on his own time and money.

Doctor Kenneth Alonzo was experimenting with this procedure called hyperthermia. He actually drew the blood from the body running it through a device [that looked like a vacuum cleaner] that heated it to around 106 degrees purified it then cooled it and returned it to the body.

He was certain that his process revitalized the white cells [infection fighting cells] to the point that they could possibly cure any blood related infection. He actually lays claim to having cured an AIDS patient. His name was Carl Crawford [he was a family friend] he had Aids so bad he only had days to live. He was Doctor Alonzo's first human patient.

This procedure was filmed and immediately after the operation you could visibly see the cancer scars on Carls face begin to disappear. In two weeks time Carl went from 80 pounds back to his original 140. Doctor Alonzo was overwhelmed. He appeared on several talk shows like Phil Donahue, Tom Snider,etc with his prize patient.He even shared his notes with Doctors at the MAYO clinic. As impressed as they were it was not to be.

"They" [government, medical mafia, men in black] who ever they were quickly put an end to it. They forced Dr Alonzo out of business and discredited his practice publicly.They told Carl he never had Aids that he had Cat Scratch Fever.[I thought that was a Ted Nugent song] and he was never to talk about it again. Carl was cooperating because he was just glad to be alive. I tried to tell this story myself, but I was beat up one to many times and when they threatened my family I knew it was time to shut up.

They told us to give them 10 years and let this thing run its course. They provided us with three reasons revolving around money and population.

1}FDA makes too much money on the pills,
2}The Medical industry makes too much money treating you for life they don't want a one shot cure;
3}they think because AIDS targets the lower spectrum of life [there words I swear] it was a good way to roll-over our population [this was long before Iraq].

They don't want to cure the disease, they just want to control it.
Why did they take such violent actions against us? Why did they sweep this under the rug so fast? Doesn't this deserve a closer look?

Hyperthermia -- It's not what they want you to think it is. I know I saw what it did for Carl.

With worldly threats of deadly virus. Mosquitos carrying disease [probably Aids too] Wouldn't it be comforting to know that "possibly" there was a cure!?! It definitely deserves another look.
We can't wait any longer we need to know now whether or not this procedure works before we have a pandemic on our hands.

The Effects Of Mesothelioma From Asbestos

2009-03-27T12:53:00.000+01:00

By : Derek Both

Most people have probably heard of asbestos and the fact that people who have been exposed to it may go on to develop illnesses. Although the use of asbestos has now been banned in the European Union, people have still contracted diseases from when it was used in the past.

Mesothelioma is just one of the diseases that people can develop after prolonged asbestos exposure. It is a type of cancer that affects the mesothelial cells which cover the outer surface of most of the body's internal body organs. This is caused by the exposure to asbestos which was around quite a lot in certain areas before it was banned. It could have been contracted in a number of ways from simply breathing it in to picking it up second hand from other people's clothing, hair or skin.

Mesothelioma can take various different forms and can develop in the tissues covering the lungs or abdomen. The most common type that is diagnosed is pleural mesothelioma which affects the tissues lining the lungs called the pleura. Fortunately, it is unusual for his disease to spread to other parts of the body and even if it does, it doesn't usually cause any problematic symptoms.

Most people who develop mesothelioma will have worked in jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles. The most commonly affected trades were dockers, roofers, plumbers, electricians, shipyard workers and power station workers. However, it is possible for someone to contract the illness even if they have never had direct asbestos exposure. For example, family members may have breathed in the dust particles from the clothing of someone who worked with it.

There are various different symptoms that people can look out for if they know there is a chance they could have mesothelioma. Shortness of breath, a prolonged cough, chest pain, weight loss, abdominal swelling and fever are just some of the signs to look out for. These symptoms may not start showing until 20 to 50 years after asbestos exposure however which is why many people don't realise what it is at the time.

Diagnosing mesothelioma can be very difficult because the symptoms are similar to many other conditions. For this reason it is extremely important that doctors are made aware of any history to asbestos exposure so they know what to look out for. In order to make a proper diagnosis, a physical examination, a chest x - ray and lung function tests will be performed in order to see if there is any pleural thickening which is common amongst those who worked around asbestos. If anything suspicious has been found then a biopsy will be performed so that a diagnosis can be confirmed and treatment can begin.

Many people have enlisted the help of an asbestos lawyer in order to claim compensation against asbestos manufacturers. The first lawsuit was in 1929 and since then people have successfully won billions of pounds from these companies who neglected to implement safety measures to protect workers against exposure.

Why Is There No Change In The Method Of Collecting Urine From Stomas?

2009-03-27T12:52:00.000+01:00

By : Neil MacDonald

There have been great advances in improving the glues and wafers that help to prevent leakage.

There has been no change in the way that the urine is collected from the stoma and stored until the pouch is emptied. This surprises me. As a Urostomy patient myself, I am interested in what advances have been made in the collection method from the stoma. So far, from doing research, I have not found any alternative method.

The only method on the market, today, is to have a plastic pouch glued to the stomach with the stoma inside the pouch. Even with the great advances in adhesives and barrier rings, subjecting the skin under the pouch, therefore under the adhesive, to prolonged exposure to these chemicals does cause problems. Skin being in constant contact with these chemicals year after year does show, at least sensitivity. Human skin should not be subjected to adhesives 24/7 for years on end.

If Urostomy and Colostomy patients were polled, I think that you would find that one of there top problems was the skin underneath their pouch. Just looking at the skin can tell you that it is irritated because of the adhesives used.

The following four paragraphs I either quoted or paraphrased from an article written by Gwen B. Turnbull, RN, BS, ET.
The article title - Ostomy Wound Management
The full article is at http://www.o-wm.com/article/6240

Before 1960, only 25 companies manufactured Ostomy supplies.

In 1920, the Koenig-Rutzen rubber pouch was introduced. It took another 20 years before disposable plastic pouching systems, skin-friendly adhesives, and skin protection became available on the market.

By 1950, more companies had entered the market and innovation took flight. However, extensive use of â€œpermanentâ€ (re-usable) heavy rubber pouches, rigid faceplates, and glue remained the norm.

In the early 1970s,Vinyl re-usable pouches were introduced but were ineffective at odour management. Karayaâ€™s capabilities as a â€œskin barrier,â€ discovered in the mid-1960s, quickly moved it into a position of dominance in the US Ostomy market. Later that decade and early into the next, larger manufacturers entered the field, producing more advanced skin barriers and disposable, lightweight, odour-resistant pouching systems.

Yes, there has continued to be advances in pouch designs, adhesives and skin barrier but there have NOT been any advances in the methodology of collecting the urine from the stoma.

Why not?

Medical science has advanced a hundred fold since the 50s, 60s and 70s. However, the Medical Community has not looked into new methodology to replace the pouch system nor have the large Ostomy supply companies. Is the reason, the same old story?

I have no medical training but here is what I would like to see. A method of collection that does not require a pouch glued to your abdomen. The pouch held in place with an abdominal belt on some kind. To me, the pouch is nothing more than a zip lock bag with a few baffles inside to help keep the urine from settling around the stoma area and an output stopper for emptying. Really that is all they are.

The odd time Ostomy patients are required to either catheterize themselves or by the Ostomy Nurse. Generally, this is done when a sterile sample of urine is required to test for an infection.

When I was taking my Chemotherapy on a weekly bases there were two people who required a stint implant because their veins were in such bad shape. This was the only way that they could receive the chemotherapy. One Chemotherapy session every three weeks lasted for over 4 hours. That is a long time to have an IV dripping strong chemicals into your system. As I understand it, the stint used in most home dialysis patients.

Why cannot some variation of the stint be attached to the stoma to provide inches extending from the abdominal wall? This stint would be inserted or attached to the pouch to carry the urine from the stoma. Alternatively, the stoma made longer during surgery so that it extends outside the abdominal wall at least 4 to 6 inches. Even though, the stoma created from a section of the small bowel, it has no nerve endings. The extended portion from the abdominal wall could be kept clean and safe by a protective cover. All Ostomy patients are very aware of cleanliness. If they do not, they will have one infection after another and nobody wants that.

So, let us hear some comments back. Am I too far out in left field? If nothing else, it is food for thought for Ostomy patients.

The Advantages of Radiosurgery Over Craniotomy

2009-03-27T12:51:00.000+01:00

By : Art Gib

Although there are a few different ways of delivering radiation to destroy tumors or slow their growth, they have found a great deal of success and preference among neurosurgeons, oncologists and doctors with subspecialties in brain tumor growths.

Radiosurgery is considered a relatively "recent" technique for treating brain tumors. Its main advantage is that it is non-invasive, which means that the flesh and skull do not need to be cut, sawed or bled in any way. This will be a brief discussion on how radiosurgery gives doctors and clinicians advantages over invasive brain surgery applications and some information about how it's applied.

When a patient undergoes radiosurgery for a tumor they generally use one of two techniques to expose the growth to radiation. The two main methods of application are either through a linear accelerator or a stereotactic frame. The applications of each are through such trade names as the Lineac (linear accelerator) or the Gamma Knife (stereotactic frame). Each uses subatomic particles that can be focused on the tumor while passing through the flesh invisibly, which gives the patient and hospital advantages such as:

- Reducing the cost of staff and tools that are needed for normal surgery techniques
- Less time in the hospital (often the patient can leave the same day)
- Smaller bill to the patient and insurance company
- Better avoidance of healthy tissue damage to healthy parts of the brain

Gamma Knife: The Gamma Ray Helmet Technique

The Gamma Knife is not actually a knife at all, as explained earlier. This is a technique that uses gamma rays to bombard with the intent to disable the growth of a tumor. Its biggest advantage is that it normally only needs to be administered once, no going back into the brain, no extensive time is needed like a scalpel and saw procedure.

The Gamma Knife is a form of radiosurgery that uses a helmet type of radiation applicator. Radioactive isotopes of cobalt within the helmet emit gamma rays. They can be fashioned onto the head of the patient and aimed at the tumor with superb accuracy. The gamma wave forms are positioned so that they pass through all the healthy tissue harmless as can be and converge upon the tumor in an attempt to disable the tumor's ability to subdivide and perpetuate its destructive behavior of branching out.

The Gamma ray is one of many particles used in radiotherapy; protons, neutrons and x-rays are also used in various techniques.

Lung Cancer Caused By Asbestos

2009-03-27T12:50:00.000+01:00

By : Derek Both

Asbestos exposure can lead to a number of lung diseases including asbestosis, pleural fibrosis and lung cancer. Asbestosis results in widespread scarring of the lungs and can leave victims short of breath and more likely to develop lung cancer. Pleural fibrosis causes inflammation, hardening and thickening of the lining of the lung tissue but has a number of symptoms so can be fairly straightforward to diagnose.

The other type of lung disease that can develop after asbestos exposure is asbestos lung cancer. This can affect either the internal portions of the lungs or the outer lining. Although it is impossible to determine the exact figure for the number of people who develop the disease because of asbestos, it is thought that there are around as many asbestos lung cancer deaths in Great Britain annually as there are mesothelioma deaths.

The reason why it can't be said how many lung cancer related deaths are down to this is because there are many other factors which can lead to the illness developing. Tobacco smoke is just one of these so it wouldn't be possible to say whether a person got cancer because of asbestos exposure or because they smoked.

Asbestos lung cancer can be hard to detect because in the early stages there may be no symptoms at all. There are a few such as having a cough, chest pain and weight loss but this can also indicate other illnesses which is what makes it so hard to diagnose.

If it is thought that someone may be suffering from asbestos lung cancer then a number of steps will be taken in order to confirm this. A full physical examination will be conducted and more than likely a sample of phlegm (spit) will be tested for any cancer cells. If any cancerous cells are found then either a tissue sample will be taken or a biopsy will be performed to get an accurate result.

The people who are most likely to suffer from asbestos lung cancer are those who were exposed to it during their working life. The majority of patients who have been diagnosed with the disease once worked in mines, mills or factories. However, others who have suffered high levels of asbestos exposure include construction, boilermaking and automotive repair.

More and more people who are suffering from illnesses such as asbestos lung cancer are claiming compensation from companies who failed to implement safety precautions to prevent heavy exposure. If you are looking for an asbestos lawyer then there are companies out there who can help claim payments for various things such as the cost of care you have accrued.

A Cancer Survivor Story: Meeting Other Cancer People

2009-03-27T12:49:00.002+01:00

By : Gregory Drambour

You meet a stranger and for some reason in that moment you mention you are cancer survivor and find out they're also a survivor or presently going thru treatment. Cancer survivors and patients have a way of running into each other. I would encourage you to focus on conveying hope in those moments. And also, to be careful not to judge their treatment options or push them with your ideas of post-treatment choices. If they are doing something that is different than your approach, let it be; be grateful that you found each other.

Let them talk about their experience. You can get so excited about meeting another cancer person that you want to talk and talk! They want to be heard and identify with you just as much you do with them! If they are in the middle of treatment offer them all the encouragement you can give them. If they inquire if you got sick and you did, I would say, "Yes, but you know people who didn't, that every one has a different experience with chemo or radiation." Don't put in their head they are going to get sick. This is important.

Ask them questions about how they are feeling. Remember there are questions as cancer survivor that you would only know to ask. And there are answers you can give that only a cancer survivor can offer.

Remember to keep listening, feeling their heart. There is unspoken language between cancer people. The most powerful communication is always non-verbal. At the end of your talk, if it feels right, give them a hug. And if it feels appropriate give them some pamphlet or phone number on a referral to other modalities. Give them your email in case they need any support. Email is always a good option; it's easier to contact someone this way.

When its time to say goodbye to another cancer survivor sometimes I hear myself saying, "We made it, brother/We made it, sister!" And then I think that's right, I did! If they are in treatment I say, "When I get up in the mountains on my next hike, I will say a big prayer for you." Then without intending it, I find myself holding their eyes with mine for a long moment. I think in that split second, I am conveying to them,"You can do it. Don't give up. Be tough. You're not alone. I understand. I understand."

Radiation Therapy's Tumor Curative Objective and Tools

2009-03-27T12:49:00.001+01:00

By : Art Gib

The field of radiation therapy is, in its most basic definition, the field of treating cancers by using ionized subatomic particle radiation aimed at tumors to control and disable the growth of malignant cells. The use of radiation for cancer control can be used for curative, palliative (non-curable symptomatic relief) and in combination with other treatments (like chemo).

The use of radiation in the field of oncology creates a new subset practice called radiation oncology (strangely enough). Radiation oncology has its own specific tools and means of delivering radiation into the patient's body.

The use of radiation to treat cancer has been around for nearly 100 years. The beginnings of this practice were spotty at best, and often left the patient with secondary cancers from the treatment itself. It was quite a dicey measure at the time.

However, the next 80 years computer software imaging such as the MRI and the digital linear accelerator have made mapping and targeting the tumor much more safe and accurate.

Modern Radiation Oncology Hardware

The linear accelerator (device that shoots the subatomic beam at the tumor) is the main tool at a clinician's disposal. The device made it easy to apply the particles in a targeted direction, but the biggest hurdle to develop better radiation application was to avoid harming healthy cells as much as possible. The particle beam had to be refined delicately enough to stay within the boundary of the tumor's body, staying within the lines so to speak.

The computer age advanced radiation oncology's scope by introducing new software to help enable a three dimensional x-ray look at a tumor. Coupled with the mapping means of new internal scanning technology and radiotherapy, the Intensity-modulated radiation therapy or IMRT machine came to fruition in the radiation oncology field.

The IMRT uses the mapping information from what is called Computed Tomography (CT) scans. This produces a 3-D image of the tumor. The image data is then fed into the x-ray beam linac system to target the contours of the tumor.

A recent specific form of IMRT is the TomoTherapy system, which is a commercial patented process that uses the CT guided IMRT technology which can direct the radiation source spiraling around the patient. This makes the 3-D contours of a tumor more easily traced by the beam from the linac. TomoTherapy is quite new, which just started it first clinical use in 2003.

Radiation Surgery and the Technology Behind It

2009-03-27T12:48:00.000+01:00

By : Art Gib

Radiation surgery is a cancer treatment designed to deliver radiation directly to the cancer within a patient while sparing the healthy tissue surrounding the cancer. It utilizes radiation to target the cancer rather than knives or scalpels to physically remove tissue during a surgery, but the precision and effectiveness of the treatment have earned it the name of "radiation surgery."

Although radiation surgery does not remove tumors or lesions for the body, it does lead to tumor and lesion shrinkage over time and can consequently be an attractive alternative for patients with inoperable tumors or aversions to open surgery. The treatment is also referred to as radiosurgery or external beam irradiation.

There are several different kinds of machines designed to perform radiation surgery. Each machine is suited to target specific cancer growths based on their size, location, and type of cancer cells. Three different kinds of radiation that they employ are proton, photon, and linac radiation.

Machines using a particle, or proton, beam are the newest and most expensive way to treat brain and body cancers. Consequently, there are only a few centers across the United States that offer this type of treatment and there is very little research accumulated on the effects it produces.

Linear accelerator machines are much more affordable than particle-based machine and are manufactured by several different companies. The Cyber Knife is just one of the many brands available, but they are all particularly useful when treating larger tumors with volumes of 3.5 cm or more and can be used to treat cancer throughout the body as well as the head and the neck.

The Gamma Knife is the most well-known and well-tested photon-based machine used in radiation surgery. In the past 40 years, over 350,000 people have already been treated with this machine. The Gamma Knife is one of the most precise radiation tools available because of way that it limits patient movement during treatment and the way that it delivers radiation to very specific areas. It is used primarily to treat cancer or tumors in the neck and brain though because those areas of the body are most easily immobilized.

IGRT, or Image-guided Radiation Therapy, uses imaging technology to locate a tumor immediately before radiation treatment which allows a physician to target the cancer with more precision than was traditionally possible. This method of treatment is not quite as precise as using a Gamma Knife, but IGRT can treat tumors in more locations throughout the body.

IMRT, or Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy, hones in the cancerous tissue rather than healthy tissue by emitting several doses of radiation that varies in shape as well as intensity. The shape of the radiation waves are the key to sparing healthy tissue undesirable radiation exposure. This method is only used to treat stationary, small tumors.

A trained oncologist can help patients decide whether radiation surgery is the best treatment to pursue and which method will be the most effective.

A Cancer Survivor Story: The Energy Of Your Home

2009-03-27T12:47:00.000+01:00

By : Gregory Drambour

My understanding and knowledge of how important the energy of your home is has deepened in the last six years since the cure. You want to get the energy flowing in your home and office environment in a way that's beneficial for your healing.

These are few steps to accomplishing this:

One, find someone who knows how to read the possible toxins that may be lurking in your home. I am referring to a healer that works on a subtler energy level. For example, the lead may have been removed from the house but the energy still exists at a deeper level. There are individuals who are experts at removing this. And, of course, a conventional toxin evaluation would also be wise.

Two, seek out a Feng Shui consultant; I would strongly recommend a person who is fluent in "Form or Compass Feng Shui", which calculates your birth date and the Chinese calendar into the evaluation and recommendations. I find this style much more powerful than westernized Feng Shui or what is called "Black Hat Feng Shui." On my property there were three dead trees that were literally in a straight line from one end of the house to the other. They were situated in the Health Section of my property; this was not good! I had them removed right away. I certainly did not want the energy blocked in that area. Whether you believe in this philosophy or not, I would do it anyway; it can't hurt!

Thirdly, I would smudge or use aromatherapy in the house daily and open the windows. Lemon is what I use in my house and office. Get a state-of-the-art air cleaner. Keep the house clean, make it a priority, it will help you keep moving forward, feeling constructive. Remember the powerful words from the great book, Tuesdays With Morrie--"when you're in bed you're dead!"

Fourth, there are powerful people who can support you in removing any bad energy in the house. They specialize in extractions of entities or negatives energy forms that don't serve you. Seek them out; the right one will show up. You're on the path to wellness. God will provide.

Fifth, make sure the polarity on the north and south sides of the house are positive as well as the ley lines. There are specialist out there that can assist you in this.

Soon after I got the big news that I was well, I rented a room in house for a few months. The first day there I woke up sick and remained sick literally to the day I moved out two months later. The woman who owned it was a bit lacking on cleaning; the house was very moldy and dusty but the reason I got sick was that place was full of old pine needles from the Xmas tree she had up. My holistic doctor discovered that I was ultra-sensitive to old pine needles! Go figure!

Make your home a sanctuary. It doesn't cost a lot of money. Go haunt garage sales or Good Will; this is always fun. Surround yourself with things that make you feel good, that inspire you. Don't overlook the importance of a healthy environment. Let your environment reflect how you want to look inside. Model to your disease how you want it to look. Healed!

Understanding What Mesothelioma Is

2009-03-27T12:45:00.002+01:00

By : Derek Both

Most people have probably heard of asbestos and the fact that people who have been exposed to it may go on to develop illnesses. Although the use of asbestos has been banned now in the European Union, people have still contracted diseases from when it was used in the past.

One of these illnesses is mesothelioma which is a rare form of cancer which affects the lining of the lung, lining of the abdominal cavity or lining around the heart. This is caused by the exposure to asbestos which was around quite a lot in certain areas before it was banned. It could have been contracted in a number of ways from simply breathing it in to picking it up second hand from other people's clothing, hair or skin.

People who are most at risk of developing mesothelioma are those who have worked directly with asbestos or asbestos products in the past. However, it has been known that even people who have had limited exposure to it have contracted it due to contamination from friends or family who have been around it.

There are particular trades who are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma than others. For this reason if you worked in any of the following professions when asbestos was still being used it could be an idea to go to the doctor for tests. Metal plate workers including shipbuilding, vehicle body builders including rail vehicles, plumbers, gas fitters, carpenters, electricians and construction workers are just some of the trades where individuals may have been affected.

Other trades that are at high risk from developing mesothelioma are plasterers, builders, handymen, steel erectors, painters, sheet metal workers and welders. The reason why people who worked in these jobs are at a higher risk than others is because of the products that contain asbestos. For example, it was present in Bitumen roofing material and therefore anyone working with it would have been exposed to it.

There are symptoms that you can look out for with mesothelioma. Generally shortness of breath, chest pain, a persistent cough and pain in the shoulder blade or lower back are common symptoms. Other symptoms may include abdominal pain and swelling, nausea and vomiting, bowel obstruction and weight loss.

However, there are various other illnesses linked to these symptoms to it does not necessarily mean that you have mesothelioma. If you have any questions or worries the best thing to do is get evaluated by a qualified physician.

Mesothelioma Diagnosis: What You Need To Know

2009-03-27T12:45:00.001+01:00

By : Shellaine Enfesta

If the chest x-ray is suggestive of malignant mesothelioma, it is likely that further investigations will be ordered, especially if compensation may be sought.

These investigations may include additional imaging studies, blood tests, bone scans, and lung-function tests, as well as more invasive procedures such as thoracentesis, thoracoscopy, pleuroscopy or a lung biopsy. This is a typical mesothelioma diagnosis

Mesothelioma diagnosis can be done through chest x-ray. The typical abnormalities seen on chest x-ray in patients with malignant mesohtelioma are pleural effusion (a collection of fluid in the space between the 2 layers of the pleura), or it is called pleural thickening.

Unlike lung cancer, there is no association between mesothelioma and smoking Malignancies involving mesothelial cells in these spread cavities are known as malignant mesothelioma, which may be localized or diffuse. Mesothelioma is the word used to describe a cancerous tumor that involves the mesothelial cells of an organ, often the lungs, heart, or abdominal organs.

Mesothelioma diagnosis in this disease, malignant cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers transcendently of the spread's internal organs. Greatest malignant mesothelioma set up complex karyotypes, with extensive aneuploidy and rearrangement of tons chromosomes.

Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma diagnosis is often difficult, because the symptoms are similar to those of a number of other conditions. A history of exposure to asbestos may increase clinical suspicion for mesothelioma.

A physical examination is performed, followed by chest X-ray and often lung function tests. The X-ray may reveal pleural thickening commonly seen after asbestos exposure if mesothelioma diagnosis is done.

If the cancer has length beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the size, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or engage.
Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and cachexia, abdominal swelling and suffering due to ascites (a buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity).

Exposure to airborne asbestos particles increases one's risk of developing malignant mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma has a peak incidence 35-45 years after asbestos exposure. Malignant mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer in which malignant cells are found in the sac lining the chest or abdomen. Most people with malignant mesothelioma have on worked on jobs where they breathed asbestos.

It can also occur in children; however, these cases are not thought to be associated with asbestos exposure.

Most people who develop mesothelioma get worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, or have been exposed to asbestos dust and fiber in other ways, such as by washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos, or by home renovation using asbestos cement products.

Treatment options a mesothelioma diagnosis for the management of malignant mesothelioma includes surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and multimodality treatment. Surgery in victims with disease confined to the pleural space is reasonable.

Extrapleural pneumonectomy is a more extensive procedure and has a higher mortality rate. Recently, the mortality rate has been lowered to 3.8%. It involves dissection of the parietal pleura; division of the pulmonary vessels; and en bloc resection of the lung, pleura, pericardium, and diaphragm followed by reconstruction. It provides the greatest local control because it removes the entire pleural sac along with the lung parenchyma.

The 2 surgical procedures used are pleurectomy with decortication and extrapleural pneumonectomy.
Surgical resection has been relied upon because radiation and chemotherapy get hold of been ineffective unequivocal treatments. There are now a number of cancer treatment options open to mesothelioma patients. Extrapleural pneumonectomy for selected victims with very early stage disease may expand recurrence-free survival, but the impact it has on overall survival is unknown at this time.

Mesothelioma diagnosis can be intimidating and can scare a lot of people, but mesothelioma diagnosis may give you a fighting chance if can be diagnose early. So do yourself a favor if you think that what you are suffering from and had worked in an asbestos related workplace.

The purpose of such investigations in mesothelioma diagnosis is to confirm and to determine the type of mesothelioma, to 'stage' the disease (measure how severe it is), and so to assess whether the disease is operable.

Early lung cancer detection needed

2009-03-27T12:44:00.001+01:00

By : Ruth Bird

When Dana Reeve, widow of actor Christopher Reeve, died of lung cancer, the stories of her death pointed out that she didn't smoke. She was young, only 44; she had nursed her paralyzed husband for eight years; she left a

13-year-old son an orphan. And how could she have gotten lung cancer? She had never smoked.Lung cancer is often preventable, and it is usually fatal.

Unfortunately I will also become a victim of this disease. Not for myself, but a victim because I am a friend of a lung cancer person. One of my very dearest friends will undergo a lung operation this coming Tuesday.

Be cautious of any information or claims obtained from unmonitored sources, in particular the Internet. The Internet can be an empowering source of information, but a healthcare professional should be consulted before making medical decisions.

What is cancer?

Cancer is a disease that starts in our cells. Our bodies are made up of millions of cells, grouped together to form tissues or organs. Genes inside each cell order it to grow, work, reproduce and die.

Normally, our cells remain healthy. Sometimes a cell's instructions get mixed up and it behaves abnormally. After a while, groups of abnormal cells can circulate in the blood or immune system, or they can form lumps or tumours.

Tumours can be either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Benign tumour cells stay in one place in the body and are not usually life-threatening.

Malignant tumour cells are able to invade the tissues around them and spread to other parts of the body. Cancerous cells that spread to other parts of the body are called metastases. The first sign that a malignant tumour has spread is often swelling of nearby lymph nodes, but cancer can metastasize to almost any part of the body. It is important to find malignant tumours early and treat them.

Cancers are named after the part of the body where they start. For example, cancer that starts in the colon but spreads to the liver is called colon cancer with liver metastases.

There are four main types of lung cancer: small cell lung cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, large cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Tobacco smoking is strongly linked to the first three but only weakly linked to adenocarcinoma. However, this type of lung cancer has been linked to the use of low-tar cigarettes.

The best means of prevention is to never start smoking or using chewing tobacco, or to stop using tobacco products. A healthy diet is an important part of prevention.

The outlook varies by cell type and stage of the disease. In general, the prognosis is better for squamous cell cancers than for adenocarcinomas. Early detection is key to better chances of survival.

According to the American Lung Association, 87 percent of lung cancer cases are caused by smoking. Another 12 percent are linked to radon exposure.

Only 15 percent of people diagnosed with the disease will still be alive five years after the diagnosis; 60 percent die within the first year. What is Chemoprevention? For individuals who demonstrate the greatest risk, researchers are currently conducting several new trials to test the use of natural and synthetic substances to prevent development of the disease. This new research has been coined, chemoprevention.

The National Cancer Institute's (NCI) chemoprevention research effort started in the early 1980s and has grown considerably since that time. Currently, approximately 400 compounds are being studied as potential chemopreventive agents, mainly in laboratory research. Over 40 of these compounds are being studied in clinical trials (research studies with people). Some of these agents are being investigated as single agents; others are being tested in combinations of two drugs. Chemoprevention trials look at possible ways to prevent cancer with interventions that include drugs, vitamins, diet, hormone therapy, or other agents.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) has set aggressive challenge goals for the nation to decrease cancer incidence and mortality--and to improve the quality of life of cancer survivors--by the year 2015. To address these critical goals, the ACS publishes the Nutrition and Physical Activity Guidelines to serve as a foundation for its communication, policy, and community strategies and ultimately, to affect dietary and physical activity patterns among Americans.

These guidelines, published every five years, are developed by a national panel of experts in cancer research, prevention, epidemiology, public health, and policy, and as such, they represent the most current scientific evidence related to dietary and activity patterns and cancer risk.

The ACS guidelines are consistent with guidelines from the American Heart Association for the prevention of coronary heart disease as well as for general health promotion, as defined by the Department of Health and Human Services' 2000 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

In 2006 there will be an estimated 174,470 new cases of lung cancer and an estimated 162,460 Americans will die from the disease.

The American Cancer Society offers support and hope for people diagnosed with lung cancer and their families as well as resources to help smokers quit 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including its own Quitline, which since its launch in May 2000 has provided services to more than 150,000 callers. For more information, call 800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

Lung cancer chemoprevention - Why does it not work?From the National Cancer Center.

Common wisdom is that vitamin in fruits and vegetables prevent cancer. However, trials of supplementing vitamins like vitamin A analogues (retinoids: beta-carotene, retinol, retinyl palmitate, or isotretinoin) or vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), did not prevent lung cancer in smokers. Randomised trials in all the three settings: primary (healthy high-risk e.g. smokers), secondary (pre-malignant lesions), and tertiary (prevention of second primary tumours in previously treated patients), have produced negative results (either neutral or harmful).

Chemoprevention trials were prompted by relationship between diet and lung cancer. Diet rich in foliage vitamins was protective against lung cancer - as demonstrated in a recent Dutch study of 939 patients. Similarly, higher blood level of ÃŸ-carotene is linked to a lower risk of lung cancer. Nonetheless, intervention trials failed to show a reduced risk in lung cancer by consuming ÃŸ-carotene. A phase III trial, the Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene (ATBC) [beta-carotene (20 mg/d), alpha-tocopherol (50mg/d)] indicated significant increases in lung cancer incidence (18%) and no effect on lung cancer mortality (risk ratio, 0.99).

Another study, CARET, had a 28% increase in lung cancer with vitamin treatment. Similarly, in both Euro-scan and the US-Lung Intergroup Trial (both testing retinoids in tertiary prevention), results were neutral.

Disclaimer: please. Any information is for general entertainment and educational purposes only, and should not be construed as medical advice, medical opinion, diagnosis or treatment. Any information provided by this web site is not a substitute for actual medical attention. Always promptly consult your licensed health-care professional for medical advice and treatment.

Advancements in External Beam Technology: Targeting the Tumor

2009-03-27T12:43:00.002+01:00

By : Art Gib

Radiation therapy takes on several forms. Beam application, which is the most common one, involves targeting and bombarding a tumor with subatomic particles. The particles will simply pass through the skin invisibly and into the tumor, disrupting and often destroying the malignant cells

The trick is to be as accurate and precise with the beam as possible, not only with where it's targeted, but by regulation the strength of the beam particles sent through. Radiation beam tools used by the radiation oncologist of yesteryear were unwieldy. They would often find success in controlling or stopping some cancer, but also they would discover destroyed surrounding tissue, which sometimes caused secondary cancer development created by the treatment.

With the culmination of targeting tools and software, as well and refining the actual beam application, radiation oncology has become more effective and more sought by future radiation oncologist MDs.

IMRT and IGRT Beam Technology

The intensity-modulated radiation treatment uses electron beam accelerators that regulate their strengths when passing through the patient's body, concentrating the power of the beam on the tumor while avoiding most healthy tissue surrounding. The radiation oncologist will normally use a CT scanner to get a 3-D image of the tumor and input that software so the machine can plan its road map.

Since the particle beams go through healthy tissue to get to the tumor normally, the healthy tissue it passes through has to be as unharmed as possible. To help avoid this, the IMRT machine will come at the tumor from multiple angles at once. Each beam is described as pencil-thin beams of light that converge on the tumor. They will converge as they meet the tumor which will concentrate the particle's power on the mass.

The Image Guided Radiation Therapy technique (IGRT) is basically a step up from the IMRT. It is currently filling many clinical offices and the popularity is gaining among the radiation oncology field. It's big right now because it has technology that can feed the computer real-time information gathered from the CT scanner, ultrasound machine or x-ray.

The reason real-time information is needed is because often, when a tumor is targeted and mapped in the doctor's office and sent to the IMRT machine to go to work, the organs and internals within the patient do shift a little. This can create some margin of error when the work is performed.

With IGRT the radiation oncologist or other clinician can run an imaging scan while having the particle accelerator follow that scan's live image. This leaves more healthy tissue that can stay unscathed in the process.

Brain Surgery and the Application of Radiation

2009-03-27T12:43:00.001+01:00

By : Art Gib

Generally speaking, tumors that grow in the brain are often good candidates for radiosurgery. This involves an application of radiation that goes through the skull and tissue and concentrates on the targeted mass. The whole process is bloodless, so skin and skull do not have to be opened to apply.

Radiosurgery is the common term for a type of radiation therapy that is usually done on the brain. Also known as stereotactic surgery, it usually involves one application of strong radiation concentrated on the tumor, yet saving the healthy normal tissue. The patient will receive radiation via linear accelerator or some radiation source directed by a collator. There will be many small beams sent through the skull into the brain converging on the mass. Radiation therapy will work both for malignant and non-malignant tumors.

Types of Radiation Brain Surgery

Radiation therapy has been a great boost for the field of brain surgery. This is a technique that will not only mean less invasive methods, but the patient's cost and recovery time is greatly reduced.

Radiation particles come in many forms, for example the company Elekta's radiosurgery tool, the "Gamma Knife," uses doses of gamma rays that bombard the cancer growth. This uses 201 beams of small focused radiation to converge onto the cancer tumor. The source of radiation comes from an isotope of cobalt. The concept was created more that 30 years ago by a scientist named Lars Leksel, Professor of Neurosurgery at Karolinsk Institute in Stockholm, Sweden.

Another radiosurgery tool, with the trade name Cyberknife, sends out tumor killing x-rays instead of Gamma ones. The beam is controlled by a robotic arm that uses data from mapping software to target the mass. The software that is used, called 6D, maps the tumor in an unusual way. It will compensate for patient movement as well as use the x-ray data to pinpoint the targeted area while compensating for projected error. They claim to bring the accuracy to 0.5 mm of error. Like the Gammaknife, it can be used for both malignant and non-malignant matter. However, one main different between the two is that Gammaknife is designed only for cranial radiation therapy.

Patient Expectations with Radiosurgery

Because the radiation therapy is done non-invasively, patients will spend less time recovering, often not even needing to recover by rest at all. In the example of using the Gamma Knife procedure, the patient can resume normal activity a day after the procedure.

The Gamma Knife does take long to administer either. It can take 15 minutes to an hour of set up. There are some surgical procedures that are done on the cranium to fit the headset where the beamlets are to be sent through.

A Cancer Survivor Story: Increase Your Probability Of Success

2009-03-27T12:42:00.000+01:00

By : Gregory Drambour

In my work with clients who are struggling with serious illness, I have come to see what works and what doesn't work. Another way I describe it:Do you have a strategy in place that will give you the highest probability for a successful healing? Or do you have a strategy for a possible disaster? Most of the time that disaster is slow coming; actions you are taking now in the present may mount up to an outcome you don't want.

Remember prediction/prophecy is a specific outcome in the future based on thoughts and feelings you are having in the present and actions you are taking in the present. This principle is science now. But the powerful part of this principle is if you make minor shifts in the present, it creates a dramatic shift in the future; this is the "Butterfly Effect".

What follows is a list highlighting the connection between strategy and probability. All actions that you see suggested are a win-win; truly.

1. If you are diagnosed with cancer or any serious illness and initiate emotional work right away or at anytime, you have a much higher probability of curing that illness. And usually this emotional work has to do with forgiveness of yourself or others.
2. If you do a detoxification program at an appropriate time after chemo or radiation with a highly qualified professional you have a lower probability of the illness coming back.
3. If you combine an alternative protocol with your conventional protocol under the supervision of highly qualified professional, you have higher probability of success with less side-effects and any permanent damage.
4. If you look at your illness as a gift and learning experience you have a much higher probability of many things: less pain, better decision making, successful cure, growth spiritually, better relationships with those around you.
5. If you quiet your thoughts around fear and allow your wisdom to rise up in you have a higher probability of success.
6. If you eat well and exercise, the probability of success is higher.

The list could go on but I am sure you see the principle.

I was shopping in a cookware store a few weeks back and got talking to the manager. I was driving her crazy about finding non-aluminum cookware! She was very helpful and we had a good time exploring which cookware is totally aluminum-free. For some reason after my second trip to the store, I said the reason I was little kooky about this aluminum issue was because I am cancer survivor. It turns out she is too!

Cancer survivors have a way finding each other. She told me she has survived cancer twice. I told her about my work and asked her very gently if she had explored any of the emotional issues that might have led to the cancer? She said, "No, she knows where it came from, it's all genetic with her." I said, "That certainly may be part of it but the reasons are sometimes multi-dimensional." She seemed receptive to that idea. In that moment, I was grateful that I am getting the word out there.

Many people who have been thru cancer have not thought about the emotional issues. I only hope that my writing and other's work will educate them to the emotional dynamic behind illness. For me it is a mission, one that I am honored to be given.

Detect Your Cervical Cancer With Pap Test!

2009-03-27T12:40:00.001+01:00

By : Neelima Reddy

Cervical cancer is the cancer of the cervix. It is a disease caused by the abnormal growth and division of cells that forms in the lining of the cervix. It is the second common form of cancer that affects women today. It is very common in middle age women and older.

The statistics of cervical cancer in the United States, according to American Cancer Society (ACS), shows that about 11,150 women are diagnosing with this cancer and approximately 3,670 women die from this cancer every year.

To understand more about cervical cancer, it is important to note what a cervix is first. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus (womb) that connects the uterus to the vagina (birth canal) in a woman's body.

Usually, cervical cancer exhibits no symptoms to detect the presence of cancer in your body. It is known as a slow growing form of cancer. When cancer develops in your body, the healthy cells in the cervix begin to change into abnormal cells, which then turn into pre-cancerous cells. If left untreated, these pre-cancerous cells will turn into cancer.
Risk factors of cervical cancer:
Although the cause of cervical cancer is not known there are certain risk factors that increase the risk of developing this cancer. Risk factors are the things that will affect the chances of developing a disease greater.

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), a sexual transmitted disease is highly associated with invasive cervical cancer.

Sexual transmitted diseases occur due to sexual contacts with an infected person. Chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, genital herpes, HIV/AIDS are some of he examples of sexual transmitted diseases.

Other risk factors that increase your chances of developing cervical cancer are: a history of sexual transmitted diseases, having sexual intercourse with multiple partners, having sexual activities in very young age (without using contraceptives).

Smoking doubles your risk of having cancer of the cervix. Weakened immune system, regular usage of birth control pills, age, giving birth to many children, and irregular pap tests increases your risk of developing cervical cancer.

As the cause of cervical cancer is unknown, it can be detected with regular Pap tests or pap smears. It is very important for you to have regular Pap tests to identify the condition early to take appropriate treatment and prevent cervical cancer from developing.
Pap test to detect cervical cancer:
With Pap tests, you can detect the cancer in the early stages before it spreads to other parts of the body. Pap smear is a procedure where scraped cells from the cervix are examined under a microscope to check for the changes in the cells of your cervix that leads to cervical cancer.

The rate of cervical cancer in women has greatly decreased in recent years in the United States due to regular pap smears.

As cervical cancer is a malignant tumor, it is very important for you to have Pap tests done annually. Remember, it is not a good idea to wait for signs to consult a doctor as early detection is the key to being treated successfully.

A Cancer Survivor Story: Choose One Doctor

2009-03-27T12:39:00.002+01:00

By : Gregory Drambour

Dr. Nicholas Gonzales is an immunologist trained at Sloane Kettering; he is one is one of the few doctors having success with pancreatic cancer and other zero percent survival cases. One of the rules I got from Dr. Nicholas Gonzales was to stay with one treatment protocol and doctor for a specific amount of time and be careful of jumping from one doctor to the next.

When it comes to cancer you can get panicked if you think something isn't working instead of drawing no conclusions. If you are going to do an alternative protocol or even a conventional one, set a certain goal as to how long you are going to give it and what you except to achieve. For instance, "I will give this herbal protocol 6 weeks and I want to see at least a fifty percent reduction of the tumor." Then when that goal is met you set a new one and if it's not met-then you re-evaluate and explore other options.

In my healing journey this was the exact approach I created. I decided to give the herbal program 3 months with Donnie Yance. As long as I didn't see any dramatic change for the worse. Of course, in certain protocols this can happen-things gets worse before they get better-but they are usually short-lived. I questioned Donnie very candidly about his belief that he could cure my cancer-he felt he could.

I have seen clients with seriousness illnesses jump from one protocol to the other and this really doesn't serve you. But when it comes to a life threatening illness you, of course, get scared-you don't want to die, you don't want to be in more pain so you get caught up in your fears. And sometimes those fears can be sparked or fueled by people who are close to you, who might not believe totally in what you are doing, who are naturally scared of losing you. Take this as an oprtunitity to work on your boundaries with friends and family and examine if you are really communicating your needs to them without making them wrong.

When you decide to undertake a protocol, do it 100%! Alternative protocols in general have certain diet requirements-follow them as best you can to the letter. In retrospect, despite my diligence around diet, I think I could have done better. I could have ratcheted it up another notch. Like going on all juice and raw food diet. But there are many different approaches to diet. I would strongly suggest finding an alternative doctor that has specific ideas about diet and specific written diet plans they want you to follow. If they don't you might question their thoroughness.

And also, a note on diet, even if you buy organic food, I would go the extra step and clean it with hydrogen peroxide or Clorox. Organic food can become contamaintated on its way to market. You will find more about this cleaning protocol in the book, Living Better Longer, about the work of Dr. Hazel Parcels.

In conclusion, stay with one doctor for a set amount of time, set goals and when they are met or not met, then re-evaluate. Don't get caught up in the conversation of how you are doing. Written goals can support this not happening. Of course, if the cancer takes a dramatic wrong turn, then that's time to re-evaluate.

Stay objective but always in your intuition. And learn to know when it's your intuition and not your fears. This is part of the healing. Every small or large challenge emotionally is another chance to heal. How you are going about healing is a healing in of itself.

Filing Your Mesothelioma Law Suit - Frequently Asked Questions

2009-03-27T12:39:00.001+01:00

By : Alan Haburchak

It's a disastrous diagnosis - mesothelioma contracted from occupational exposure. It is well known that the symptoms of mesothelioma can appear years, even decades, after occupational exposure, and its effects can be life-changing at best, life-threatening at worst. As soon as you have found competent medical care for your mesothelioma, you should consider filing a mesothelioma lawsuit with an experienced attorney. But what does mesothelioma litigation entail? This article will answer some frequently asked questions about filing your mesothelioma lawsuit.

What does "occupational exposure" mean?

"Occupational exposure" means that you were exposed to the agent that caused your mesothelioma - usually the toxic mineral asbestos in its insulation and fireproofing forms - in the usual course of business. If you worked with asbestos and then contracted mesothelioma, even if it was years after the exposure, you experienced occupational exposure.

What does a mesothelioma lawsuit entail?

Litigation is a long and often confusing process. When you contact a lawyer about a potential mesothelioma claim, you will typically present your medical records and diagnosis for his assessment before he can tell you if you have a chance in court. If the lawyer determines that your case is sound and will probably recover some monetary compensation and damages, he will take on your case, usually with a retainer or fee agreement. The lawyer will then file a complaint and summons suing the appropriate parties for the exposure leading up to mesothelioma.
The court will set a series of dates for discovery and trial and, if the case does not settle, both parties will begin to work towards building a case. Since mesothelioma is a disease, an Independent Medical Examiner (IME) will probably be involved in your case.

An IME conducts an unbiased medical investigation into your mesothelioma and examines your medical records. The other side will probably request your medical records, as well, in order to determine if you had a pre-existing condition or other medical problems that may relieve them of responsibility for your occupational mesothelioma. Be prepared to sign waivers releasing this medical information to the requesting parties. Your attorney will advise you which documents to sign and which releases to give.

During the discovery process, your attorney may also consult with medical and other experts, who perform a variety of services such as document review and reports, medical examinations and detailed expert testimony on issues related to asbestos exposure, mesothelioma and employment.

If your case goes to trial, expect your lawyer to consult with other experts such as trial preparation specialists, who conduct mock trials and coordinate convincing exhibits, multimedia experts who can help present the evidence at trial in the most convincing manner, and witnesses who can bolster your own testimony in your mesothelioma trial. In an effort to avoid the cost and expense of a lengthy jury trial, many states require a mandatory settlement conference (MSC) or arbitration at which both parties sit down for a last-ditch attempt to resolve your complaints.

This may or may not result in a monetary settlement. If a jury finds in your favor, you may be eligible for damages above and beyond just your medical treatment; pain and suffering, loss of employment, and other damages may apply.

Do Patients Win Mesothelioma Law Suits?

It may seem like a daunting process, but patients do effectively fight and win against employers who have caused them to be exposed to toxic asbestos and its devastating health effects. Often, employers knew of the health dangers of asbestos but did not warn their workers or enable them to work in safe conditions. This negligence, both willful and accidental, means that employers bear some responsibility for the health damages of asbestos exposure incurred during occupational work. Patients can and do win mesothelioma lawsuits, and many multi-million dollar payouts have been recorded for the victims of mesothelioma and their families. If you have mesothelioma, it is vital to contact an experienced and competent mesothelioma lawyer in order to recover your rightful compensation.

Radiation Oncology and Advancements in Cancer Research

2009-03-27T12:38:00.001+01:00

By : Art Gib

As medical breakthroughs are discovered every day and preventions, cures and treatments become available for hundreds of diseases, cancer remains the number two cause of death for men and women in the United States behind heart disease.

This does not mean that cancer research is void of major breakthroughs or that it is not coming along as fast as advancements in other fields. It simply indicates that while new treatment technologies, such as radiation therapy are being developed and researched, they are not being accomplished at the same rate as diabetes, influenza, and cardiovascular disease treatment and preventions.

One of the problems with cancer treatment is that it is difficult to establish prevention techniques, to some degree. While doctors and scientists have learned that tobacco, asbestos, and other carcinogens can cause the disease; there are no strict guidelines that can guarantee a person will be free from cancer.

Some people have even argued that cancer is not a disease, but a "condition" and that, while avoiding tobacco and cancer causing agents can help, there is really nothing that can be done to reduce your chances of developing cancer beyond that.

Radiation Oncology -- Advanced Treatments

Though the number of diagnosed cases of cancer may not be lowering quite as much as hoped, the number of deaths per diagnosed case has fallen dramatically in the past few years. As a matter of fact, cancer mortality rates have dropped dramatically since 1993, and a report by the New York Times states that in 2007, 12,000 fewer cancer patients died than did in 1993. Also stated in the article is that much of the progress comes from "early detection and treatment of some of the leading causes of cancer death -- lung, colorectal, breast, and prostate tumors."

One area in which the most improvement has come is radiation therapy. Radiation Therapy is -- just as it seems it would be -- the process of treating cancerous tumors via radiation. Radiation Oncology, the practice of physicians who use radiation therapy, involves dozens of different specialized treatment methods, which implement highly sophisticated technologies and equipment to deliver precise beams of radiation to the affected area without coming into contact with the surrounding tissues. A radiation oncologist can use a multitude of specific radiation therapy methods, only a couple of which are IMRT, or Intense Modulated Radiation Therapy, and TomoTherapy - each of which has its advantages and both of which are effective for issuing precise doses of radiation.

Only a radiation oncologist can help you decide exactly which form of radiation therapy might work best for a particular type of cancer, but overall advancements in radiation oncology gives new hope to cancer patients across the world. As science continues to develop new tools and treatment methods, society can inch closer to a world that is cancer-free.

TomoTherapy: New Technology in the Fight Against Cancer

2009-03-27T12:37:00.000+01:00

By : Art Gib

Recent data from the National Cancer Institute shows amazing progress in several vital cancer-related areas. As cancer-related mortality is falling, so are actual diagnoses of the disease.

What this means is that the United States has now successfully identified some causes of cancer and we are making progress towards cancer prevention.

Additionally, the nation is making huge strides in cancer treatment, utilizing years of research and new technology to develop state of the art radiation therapies and treatments.

One relatively new form of radiation therapy, first used clinically in 2003, is called TomoTherapy, an innovative form of CT guided IMRT (or Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy).

The primary advantage to using TomoTherapy is its precise delivery of radiation to a cancerous tumor, while sparing the healthy tissue around it. The radiation sources encircle the patient and use a multi-leaf collimator, which allows the tumor to be targeted more precisely.

Because of this innovative technology, a radiation oncologist can treat areas that are difficult or impossible for other machines to reach, such as treating just the lining of the lung and not the lung itself, or taking on tumors on the edge of the spinal cord without risking damage to the spinal cord itself.

For more simple cases, such as breast cancer that has not metastasized, TomoTherapy may not be the best solution, because other methods can deliver the radiation safely while using much less time.

TomoTherapy's primary benefit is for the most complicated tumor placements where the treatment time is a reasonable trade-off for precision and preserving of healthy tissue.

TomoTherapy Planning

Before beginning any TomoTherapy treatment, the radiation oncologist will determine the precise topography of the tumor using complex, three dimensional imaging software. Using this image, he will determine the contours and intricacies of the tumor, which will help him determine the surface area, and thus allowing him to calculate the amount of radiation that is needed for each TomoTherapy session as well as the acceptable levels for the surrounding areas.

The TomoTherapy planning station is then used to calculate the pattern, position, and intensity for the radiation to be delivered to the affected area. Precise positioning is imperative for effective radiation therapy, and because a patient's position can change slightly from session to session it is necessary to take CT images of the patient before each session.

As times continue to change, there will probably be new and updated techniques available for radiation oncologists to use, many of them, perhaps, based on the TomoTherapy solutions that have been developed and continue to be useful tools in the fight against cancer.

Doctors and scientists are confident that there will be a cure for cancer in the coming years, but until then it is a comfort to know that advances, such as TomoTherapy, are making it a battle that is easier to fight.

Radiation Therapy: Surgical Methods that Don't Break the Skin

2009-03-27T12:36:00.002+01:00

By : Art Gib

Cancer is nearly the leading cause of death in the U.S., and more and more people need help in treatment. Luckily in recent years there has been a good deal of technological headway that has come about. From identifying and treating the tumors in the body, new radiation technology and techniques have already come into use with a lot of promise.

New technologies include IMRT, IGRT, radio surgery, and TomoTherapy.

The field of radiation therapy employs several means to irradiate tumors and cancer masses within a patient. For the most part, beams of x-rays or other atomic or sub-atomic particles are the most common used means to disable the cancer cells within the body, which enter the body in wave-form so it's non-invasive.

This field of application is also known as external beam radiotherapy. There are several other techniques in radiation therapy, such as sealed source radiotherapy and unsealed source radiotherapy where application can be done through injection or ingestion.

External Beam Radiotherapy

The external beam technology uses charged particles, mostly x-rays, and sends these wave forms through the skin to the affected area. Linear accelerator machines are used in these therapy types to emit the beams. The major advancements have been more in the planning stage of the therapy.

The patient's tumor mass is the trickiest part. Computers and software have come along to help map out and plan the route where the beams are directed. 3-D mapping software and hardware, such as the multileaf collimator which alters the beam's shape with varying metal leaves near the laser eye, have made this process easier.

Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy, or IMRT, was a recent advancement in external beam technology. This incorporates the use of the linear accelerator beam and the 3-D mapping software. The IMRT uses software to map and find the tumor, as well as generate different doses of radiation to the tumor to reduce the harmful affect of radiation on good tissue that surrounds the cancer.

The IMRT process uses CT scans for much of the mapping and planning, however CT scans need to be constantly made for each session, making the process quite lengthy for the patient and therapy workers.
Image Guiding Beam Technology

The next step in external beam radiotherapy is the release of the Image Guided Radiation Therapy, or IGRT. This new process has only been actively used within the past several years by clinicians.

The IGRT technology will use real time CT or x-ray imaging while using a linear accelerator's beam to do the work. This not only saves much time for patient, but also becomes more accurate. While the IMRT technology would have to compensate for any shifting of the mass within the body by firing a wider area beam typically to mass, the IGRT methods can calculate any shifting so when the beam is emitted less healthy tissue is affected. This helps bring down side-effect problems in the long run, such as deadly secondary cancers from radiation.

Targeting Brain Cancer

Radio therapy has proven effective to many deadly brain cancer masses. This again is a non-invasive means to treat abnormalities and tumors. Radio surgery is often the term used for many radiation treatments for the brain. The linear accelerator is used to treat the brain in radio surgery, as well as photo beam accelerators and the new proton beam accelerator technology.

One form of hardware and suite software that is used to treat brain cancer that uses the x-ray linear accelerator is TomoTherapy. This is quite new as well. This incorporates IMRT beam use; however it also will operate in a full circular "helical" manner around the patient.

The beam can be applied in a full 360 degree manner. The ring "gantry" holds both the beam eyelets as well as the CT scanning imagery, so the 3-D mapping of the skull in brain surgery can be done. The helical application that TomoTherapy can deliver makes it powerfully accurate in all many different cancer treatments, especially those of the brain.

How to Prevent Cancer with Proper Diet and Supplements

2009-03-27T12:36:00.001+01:00

By : Knut Holt

By epidemiological studies and by direct trials, much evidence has by now been gathered about the cancer prevention effects of certain diet measures, of specific food sources and of specific supplements of natural substances.

GENERAL DIET ADVICES

A diet with the aim of preventing cancer is generally the same as a diet to prevent heart disease and other diseases. Here are the general diet advices

- Avoid or reduce the amount of food that are industrially processed, artificially made or heavily fried.

- Eat fish at least every second day. Fay fish is especially useful. Also eat seafood and fouls.

- Do not eat very much red meat.

- Eat 5 fruits or vegetables each day. Each piece should be of the size of an apple or carrot. They should be raw or carefully boiled so that the nutrients are not washed out.

- Eat full corn bread, full corn cereals, peas, beans and potatoes.

- Eat just a moderate amount of fat.

- Ideally most fat you eat, should be of the type mono-unsaturated. You also need some poly-unsaturated fat of the types omega-3, and omega 6, but not too much of omega-6. The consumption of saturated fat should be moderate.

- In order to achieve right fat balance, much of the fat supply should come from a blending of sources like olive, olive oil, canola oil, nuts, nut oil, sunflower, sunflower oil, fish and fish oil.

- Use only a moderate amount of soy oil and corn oil in the diet. Only using such oil types will give you too much poly-unsaturated fat of the omega-6-type.

- Use just a very moderate amount of fat sources like butter, coconut oil and palm oil. A high consumption of these fat sources gives you too much saturated fat.

- Avoid altogether fat that has been chemically altered, giving so-called trans-fat. This type of fat is often found in margarine, cookies, snacks, fast food and other pre-made food.

- Consume just a very moderate amount of sugar, refined flour or refined cereals.

- Have just a moderate consumption of tranquilizers and stimulants like alcohol and caffeine, but do not stop using these stimulatnts, as moderate amounts of alcohol or caffeine helps prevent disease..

- Use just a moderate amount of salt in the food. However, in warm weather and by hard physical work, you will need more salt.

SPECIFIC FOODS AND DRINKS TO USE

Generally plants, fruits and spices with a strong colour or a strong taste have cancer preventing effects because of the contents of bioflavonoid and other anti-oxidants.

Broccoli, cabbage, mustard, kale, and cauliflower are vegetables with proven strong cancer preventing effects, probably due to the content of indole-3-carbinole.

Onion and garlic are also thought to help prevent cancer.

Whole grain and bread made of whole grain will help prevent colon cancer because of the fibre content and possibly also because of the vitamins and minerals contained.

Red peppers give a protecting effect against prostate cancer.

Eating fish, and especially fat fish, some times each week also have a protecting effect against prostate cancer.

Evidence points to the conclusion that green tea can help prevent cancer. However studies so far undertaken do not sort out all other variables that may give the same result.

Some studies have indicated that drinking coffee reduces the incidence of cancer, but others studies have thrown doubt upon these results.

SUPPLEMENTS OF VITAMINS AND OTHER SUBSTANCES

Her are listed the most important cancer preventing effects suggested by results from recent projects. However, research is going on, and these results are not yet complete or absolutely certain.

These substances give general cancer prevention effects: Sulforaphanes found in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables.

Colo-rectal cancer: These substances help protect against colo-rectal cancer: Vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), Folic acid / folate in combination with other B-vitamins, Selenium, Indol-3-carbinol from cruciferous vegetables, Genistein from soy and vitamin D. Alfa-tocoferol (a kind of Vitamin E) may help, but project results are not conclusive jet.

Gastric cancer: Substances that may help prevent gastric cancer, and even help cure changes that can evolve into gastric cancer are: Vitamin C, Beta-carotene, (a precursor of vitamin A), Alfa-tocoferol (a kind of Vitamin E), Indol-3-carbinol from cruciferous vegetables, Genistein from soy.

Breast Cancer: The incidence of breast cancer can be lowered by: Folic acid / folate, Vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), Selenium and vitamin D.

Prostate Cancer: These substances may help protect against Prostate cancer: Selenium and Alfa-tocoferol (a kind of Vitamin E). A long study is under way, but the results from the study are not conclusive yet.

Bladder cancer: The chance of getting bladder cancer is possibly lowered by alfa-tocoferol (a kind of Vitamin E).

Lung cancer: Substances that gives protection against Lung Cancer are: Isoflavones from soy. Indol-3-carbinol from broccoli and other crusiferous vegetables, Genistein from soy and possibly Vitamin D.

Results from research projects suggest that supplements added to the diet to prevent cancer should contain many working substances derived from natural sources, and that it is not wise to use heavy doses of just one substance.

NUTRIENTS THAT MAY HAVE THE OPPOSITE EFFECT

Beta-carotene and vitamin A supplements may increase the chance for heavy smokers of getting lung cancer and other cancers caused by smoking, according to results from epidemiologic studies.

However, these vitamins in the food do not increase this risk. It is not clear what effect beta-carotene have on lung cancer in combination with other supplements or by non-smokers. The results from these studies are also controversial.

Vitamin E supplements seem to protect against cancer, but heavy vitamin E amounts may in fact increase the chance of getting heart problems and stroke.

Radiation Treatment: A Brief Overview

2009-03-27T12:35:00.000+01:00

By : Art Gib

Cancer treatment is mainly administered by two methods, chemotherapy and radiation. Unlike chemotherapy that uses a chemical to circulate the body and kill cancer cells, radiation uses concentrated beams on specific areas of the body to destroy these types of cells.

A radiation oncologist is a doctor specializing in radiation therapy who prescribes the application of radiation to combat cancer cell growth.

Radiation therapy, which is also referred to as radiotherapy, x-ray therapy or irradiation, uses energy called ionizing radiation to destroy cancer cells with the intention of shrinking tumors. The idea is to damage the cancer cells enough so that they are unable to pass on their DNA material on to grow tumor masses.

This will inevitably harm surrounding healthy cells, but with the guidance of a good radiation oncologist, this is minimized and the healthy cells recover while cancer cells deplete. It is often used in conjunction with chemotherapy, surgery and hormone therapy.

Duties of a Radiation Oncologist

Radiation oncologists are doctors who oversee patients undergoing radiation treatment for their cancer. They create the treatment plan for their patient and make sure that the proper tools and proper doses of therapy are given.

These doctors also monitor and ease any side effects of the radiation treatment. The radiation oncologist works closely with all involved in the radiation oncology team such as nurses and radiation therapists.

A good radiation oncologist will have extensive training and certification like all professional MDs. They will have to have four years of college, four years of medical school, a year of general medical training with another four years of residency training in radiation oncology.

In addition to that, the doctor would also need to pass the exam to become certified by the American Board of Radiology. As a safeguard, all patients should make sure to ask that their doctor is board certified.

The Field of Radiation Oncology

Radiation oncology is the field of medical study that focuses on how radiation therapy is best used and understood to combat and treat cancer. This is a niche field in medicine that has grown in popularity among medical students seeking a residency. It's a competitive field that yields top-notch radiation oncologists.

Radiation oncology had its beginning in the early 20th century where x-rays were being used to treat cancer and other conditions. Radium therapy came a few decades afterward, and in the late 60s and early 70s this field became a department of medical study all to itself.

History of Radiation Therapy

2009-03-27T12:34:00.002+01:00

By : Art Gib

The discoveries of x-rays and radiation by scientists Becquerel and Rontgen in the late 1800s got the ball rolling in radiation application. Marie Curie's Nobel Prize winning work with radioactive elements also helped set the stage at the turn of the century.

Scientists and doctors, out of happenstance, discovered that radiation regressed or slowed some tumors according to some studies on record. They were ignorant of the specific reasons why, but the first radiation oncologists cured, from historical record, the first cancer case in 1898.

They were mostly cures of superficial cancers and the reoccurrence of tumors in treated patients were high due to the unrefined nature of the radiation application methods and the massive doses or radiation given.

Through the late thirties until after World War II some hardware advances were made to help propel charged particles through a vacuum tunnel called a linac, or linear accelerator. This was used to make a more concentrated penetrable means to send x-rays to cancerous areas deeper in the body while not affecting the skin as much.

Two scientists from Stanford, Dr. Henry Kaplan and Edward Ginzton, worked together to bring this up to a standard where it could be used in a clinical setting. By 1960 the work done by these two researchers spawned the first publically launched rotational radiotherapy linac called the "Clinac 6."

By the time the Clinac 6 came out in the early 1960s, a radiation oncologist had a high powered x-ray delivery machine system. However, the accuracy of locating the tumor and directing the charged particles still had a ways to go.

Modern Hardware Advances

The biggest hurdle to develop better radiation therapy hardware was to avoid affecting the healthy cells as much as possible. The tumor had to be targeted better and the charged particles needed to basically stay in line of the tumor's shape.

The computer age helped enable a three dimensional x-ray look at a tumor. Coupled with the mapping means of new internal scanning technology and radiotherapy, the Intensity-modulated radiation therapy or IMRT machine came to fruition.

The IMRT uses the mapping information from what is called Computed Tomography (CT) scans. This produces a 3-D image of the tumor. The image data is then fed into the x-ray beam linac system to target the contours of the tumor.

A recent specific form of IMRT is the TomoTherapy system, which is a commercial patented process that uses the CT guided IMRT technology which can direct the radiation source spiraling around the patient. This makes the 3-D contours of a tumor more easily traced by the beam from the linac.

TomoTherapy is quite new, having just started its first clinical use in 2003.

The latest advancement in scanning technology within the radiation therapy world is a system called Image Guided Radiation Treatment. The IGRT machine is a delivery system that uses dynamic CT images of the body that actually compensates for any movement the tumor may have.

The big problem with scanning and targeting tumors is that the target moves within the body. The IGRT technology compensates for degrees of movement to make targeting the tumor much more accurate. This is the bleeding edge of radiation therapy today.

Studying and Treating Cancerous Tumors: About Radiation Oncologists

2009-03-27T12:34:00.001+01:00

By : Art Gib

Oncology is the study of cancerous tumors, while an oncologist is a doctor that treats cancer. Though different countries and schools of medicine might divide oncologists into several different categories and specialties, in America, there are two main types of oncologists. A radiation oncologist is a doctor that specializes in radiation treatment of cancer, known as radiation therapy, or more simply, radiotherapy.

Radiation oncology does not include chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is handled by a medical oncologist.

In some countries, a clinical oncologist handles both radiation therapy as well as chemotherapy. Surgical oncology deals with the surgical treatment of tumors. Surgical oncologists are split into several specialties that focus on cancers infecting particular areas of the body.

Today, thanks to improving technology in the field of radiation oncology, about 70 percent of all cancer treatment plans include radiation therapy. Some of these involve strictly radiation treatment while some, more severe cases of cancer call for a combination of radiation and chemotherapy treatment.

Choosing a radiation oncologist

As can be expected, the more experience a doctor has in oncology the higher their success record becomes in successful treatment of their patients. Choosing a radiation oncologist then becomes a potentially vital part of your treatment. You may be literally putting your life in the hands of the doctor you choose.

In addition to experience in treating patients, training and experience with the latest technologies is also important since newer technologies are capable of providing better treatment of cancer. IMRT, for example, is a relatively new method of radiation therapy that allows for higher doses of radiation to be delivered to a tumor while sparing surrounding healthy tissue.

Some radiation oncologists don't even have access to new technologies such as IMRT. In cases where access is available, doctors may have little or no training and little or no experience.

To receive the best treatment possible, as a patient it would be beneficial to seek out a radiation oncologist that is both experienced with the latest technologies as well as practices at a facility that has access to these technologies.

Bedside manner is important as well. A person can generally tell whether they'll get along with within a few minutes of meeting them. You're under enough stress just from the discovery that you have or may have cancer. Having to put up with an oncologist you don't get along with can be detrimental to your health, especially if your relationship with your doctor is so bad that you loathe going to see him or her.

However, a radiation oncologist's ability to give you the best treatment possible may trump all else. Choose wisely.

Increased Cancer Risks Associated With Working The Graveyard Shift

2009-03-27T12:33:00.000+01:00

By : Brenda Skidmore

You may have heard some alarming health news recently, about how working the 'graveyard shift' may increase your odds for developing breast or prostate cancer. This story is based on recent research, over the last 20 years, that does, indeed, find an increased rate of breast cancer among women who work at night. But, please keep in mind that high cancer rates, that have been newly discovered in night workers, does not prove that nighttime work, alone, causes one to get cancer.

It is estimated that about 20 percent of the work force in technologically developed countries work the night shift. One of the first people to spot the night shift-cancer connection was Richard Stevens, a cancer epidemiologist and professor at the University of Connecticut Health Center. In 1987 he published a paper suggesting that there may be a a direct correlation to light at night and breast cancer.

Stevens says, "suspiciously, the incidence of breast cancer rates shot up, starting in the 1930's, where industrialized cultures considered it advantageous to progressively increase one's income".

At the time of Steven's first observations, most medical research scientists considered the link, between light at night to increased breast cancer rates, to be pretty weird and wacky. However, over the last 20 years, ongoing research on this disturbing news has continued. There is some compelling evidence that indicates that men working the night shift may also have an increased risk of developing prostate cancer.

It is also interesting to note, that in laboratory research studies with test animals, evidence of the light at night theory, supported Steven's original idea. When light/dark schedules were purposely disrupted, the animals developed more cancerous tumors and died prematurely.

Since the 1980's, the cancer connection to artificial light at night has received quite a bit of attention. There seems to be enough evidence to support the notion that there is a questionable pattern of increased cancer rates in night, and rotational, shift workers.

If you are a night worker do not panic, and determine that you simply must abandon your current job for personal health safety reasons. Also, consider that these ongoing studies are only one small piece of evidence to a very large puzzle. There are many other risk factors involved in developing cancer. In all fairness, other known cancer risks should also be evaluated into this equation as well, like:

1.Lifestyle choices such as exercise habits, substance abuse problems, or drug addictions
2.Daily dietary food and beverage intakes.
3.Sleep deprivation problems such as insomnia and depression.
4.Amount of exposure time that bare skin has a chance to connect with UV sunlight rays, and vitamin D levels.
5.Amount of emotional stress levels in relation to unresolved personal issues.

All of those key factor risks, and many others, as well as a wider variety of test subjects need to be extensively studied. Most of the current, light at night research studies, so far, have only been performed on the nursing profession and airline crews.

What researchers are suggesting, though, is that there seems to be a rather complicated system, of some sort, to lower levels of melatonin and serotonin in correlation to rotational, and night, shift workers. Melatonin is a endocrine system hormone produced by the pineal gland that helps induce sleep, and is gradually released after dark. The pineal gland is located deep in the center of the brain behind the center point in the forehead between the eyes, and is known to have a reaction to sunlight exposure. It is believed that sunlight exposure coming in through the eyes for approximately 20 minutes a day, without contacts, eyeglasses, or sunglasses appears to play an important role in the releasing of melatonin.

Clearly, when normal sleep/wake (also called circadian rhythm) cycles are interrupted with artificial lighting at night there may be a steep health price to pay, for the sake of earning a living. Long-term supplementation with melatonin is not advisable, either, as it may eventually interfere with your body's ability to produce it on its own. Use, instead, one of melatonin's safer precursors like L-tryptophan or 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). Be advised , that L-tryptophan is only obtainable by presription, however, do not let that intimidate you as it is only a simple amino acid.

As an employer you may consider it financially necessary to use night shifts to voluntarily maximize your company's profits. But, you may also want to consider employee medical health insurance liabilities, and productivity, too. There might just possibly be lower health insurance rate incentives offered for installing healthier, natural spectrum lighting systems in work station areas, This may help you save even more money, by lowering your energy costs as well.

If you are a rotational, or night, shift worker, sleeping in a darkened room is a must. Do whatever it takes to eliminate, or reduce, light from entering your sleeping environment. You can also improve the quality of your sleep by learning how to practice better sleep hygiene habits. Visit the mercola natural health website and type in the search box, '33 secrets to a good nights sleep'.

Above all, listen to your body, if working after dark is causing you various health problems, pay close attention! Treat your symptoms with care, put in for a shift change, or find another job.

A Cancer Survivor Story: Moments Of Being Alone

2009-03-27T12:30:00.000+01:00

By : Gregory Drambour

There are going to come moments when you're alone with the cancer or illness. They are inevitable. You wake up in pain and don't want to bother anyone and you feel yourself wanting to give up: "It's just too much, I've had enough, God."

First and foremost, don't' be hard on yourself if these feelings arise. These feelings are truly natural. The first action that will help in this moment is to let go of judgment of your self. Maybe it was judgment of your self, which was one of the characteristics that led to the cancer. So guess what! Let's stop judging yourself now!

Why are you judging yourself? Ponder this. Get out of piece a paper and do some detective work. I will give you a hint on the first place to start looking: your childhood! Were your father and mother hard on you? If this doesn't feel immediately apparent, remember that delusion and denial are powerful forces and most of us forget parts our childhood. Be in a place of inquiry about your parent's messages to you. You've opened a door, see what comes through.

It's difficult to take a look at our childhood. You might say, "It's over and what difference does it make?" That's right, what difference does it make! So do it! Might as well do something! If we can approach every act if it is our last act and thus give it our all-this is the attitude of a warrior.

It is in these lonesome moments when we lose hope that prayer reaches out to us. I encourage you to take its gentle hand. Maybe this is one of the gifts for you in your journey with cancer: a closer relationship with your Creator. I also encourage you to believe the hundreds of stories you have heard about how faith and prayers came to the rescue when pain and hopelessness seemed to overwhelm people. Those stories are true and you can be one of them.

Remember it can be as simple as: "God, I give over to you all this pain, this hopelessness. I ask for you take it from me right now. I am ready for you to receive it. Thank you, amen." And then believe with certainty that your heart-felt prayer will be answered. I want you to know that this moment will pass; I have experienced this many times myself.

You are in that moment of prayer modeling a way of being in your power and the healing energy inside you is listening. These moments alone can be gifts, chances for us to deepen our faith.

Every moment you are faced with adversary in your journey with cancer or illness is a chance to move forward. Take it! God never gives you more than you can handle. You are so much stronger than you think-let yourself believe it. I believe in you!

A Cancer Survivor Story: Forgiving Yourself

2009-03-24T16:00:00.000+01:00

By : Gregory Drambour

When I design cancer/illness-healing strategies, my first intention is to discover what emotional issues may have led to manifesting the cancer or illness. In my work with cancer patients and survivors I have found that 95% of the time there are blockages with forgiving oneself or forgiving someone else. This was certainly the case in my journey. When the phone rang that day and I learned that I had cancer, it made perfect sense to me. I had been a dark place for a few years around resenting someone; someone who really didn't deserve my resentment.

I have come far in the last four years with my understanding of healing cancer or any illness. I knew during the 4 year cancer journey that emotions played a big part in manifesting illness but nothing to the extent I now understand it.

I encourage you to approach this part of your healing with unbending determination. Get in there and figure out what the issues are and if you are a survivor and not the done the emotional work, GET IT DONE!! No one wants to be hooked up to another chemo bottle. All emotional work is a win-win, you can lose nothing by trying.

There are many strategies to bring forgiveness into your spirit. If what I suggest in following chapters doesn't feel good then find one that does-just find one! Remember, there is nothing more powerful than intention. If you make a little effort, the Creator will come the rest of the way. I have seen this in my own life and client's lives-over and over again. Just come a few steps, my friend!

After I was finished with treatment and started to get back on my feet, I went to see someone I trusted, a mentor and coach of mine (thank you, Janis) and said, "I have to be honest with you about something, I have been on this spiritual journey for 20 years but I just cannot connect the dots around forgiving myself". She looked at me and chuckled! I said, "What are you laughing at?" "I had the same problem," she said, "until a mentor of mine said, forgiving yourself is about for giving to God. The essence of that embodied in this little prayer: "God, I give over to you all these feeling of guilt (or whatever your own feeling is) and I ask for you take them for me right now, I am ready for you to receive them. Thank You. Amen."

Like good soldier I tried this prayer right away and it was like hundreds of pounds lifted off of me. And it wasn't only guilt that I gave to God but resentment and anger and many other feelings. It was a long list! It took me a while to understand this little prayer. It was like a Zen Koan! I believe the Creator likes nothing more than when we take responsibility for our own feelings. "I give over to you", infers that we know we created these feelings. And the other part is that we are taking action to let go of these feelings by those words, we are not excepting God to do the work for us. If we take a few steps, God will come the rest of the way!

If you read The Journey by Brandon Bays, you will discover many stories how forgiveness healed cancer! Bottom line: you don't want to be carrying around these feeling of anger or resentment or guilt or what ever it is, inside you one moment longer. All healing is multi-dimensional. This is one dimension that is integral to victory and I know you will settle for nothing less than complete and total VICTORY!

Mesothelioma And Wrongful Death Lawsuits

2009-03-24T15:59:00.000+01:00

By : Alan Haburchak

A wrongful death lawsuit is one in which the plaintiff or claimant brings legal action in a civil court of law, on behalf of an individual who has died as a result of the negligence of action of another individual or party. This type of lawsuit can be coupled with mesothelioma litigation, due to the unfortunate fact that the result of many mesothelioma cases can in fact be the death of the victim. Therefore, anyone who believes they have occasion to file a mesothelioma lawsuit may need to consider the reality of filing a mesothelioma wrongful death lawsuit.

Why File A Mesothelioma Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

The death of a loved one as a result of any disease is always terrible for the family of the victim, however that pain can be made even more difficult to bear when the disease and death come as a result of the negligence or action of a third party. Fortunately, with the help of an experienced wrongful death lawyer, families of individuals who have died can seek compensation for the loss they have suffered, and the suffering that their loved one endured. In the case of mesothelioma, a particularly serious form of lung cancer that is nearly always associated with exposure to the dangerous environmental toxin asbestos, often in a workplace environment.

Because of the fact that mesothelioma is so serious a form of lung cancer, the ultimately outcome of the disease if often the death of the patient. Families of mesothelioma victims therefore should consider speaking with a qualified mesothelioma lawyer about the possibility of filing a mesothelioma wrongful death lawsuit, even in the case that the mesothelioma victim has not yet succumbed to this serious lung disease.

What Can You Expect from A Mesothelioma Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

Beginning in the twentieth century, there is a long history of mesothelioma litigation, with a lengthy precedence of the negligence and responsibility for those companies that manufactured asbestos or placed their employees in direct contact with it. Therefore, the family of any individual who has died as a result of mesothelioma cause by exposure to asbestos can expect some compensation in a mesothelioma wrongful death lawsuit. In order to properly understand what this compensation might entail, it can be in an individual's best interest to contact an expert mesothelioma wrongful death lawyer to better understand how a mesothelioma wrongful death lawsuit could provide compensation for any loss that has been suffered.

A Cancer Survivor Story: Believe In Yourself

2009-03-24T15:58:00.000+01:00

By : Gregory Drambour

You are much tougher than you think;period! When faced with prospect of chemo and radiation many of you will think:"I just don't know if I can do it. I have heard such horror stories". The human spirit will rise to the challenge. I have seen this with myself, time and time again, as well as with many cancer patients. You truly don't know what you can and can't do. Watch and see!

When you are in the middle of treatment and it feels like you can not go one more step, that's when you reach out to your Creator and He or She will come. A theme I talk about with many clients: If you come just a little ways, God will come the rest of the way. A cancer journey is an opportunity to find God or deepen your faith. That's one of the gifts that you receive with this challenge. Your faith will never be the same as it was before and you will be much closer to God for the rest of your life.

When you are diagnosed you can easily fall into the hole of "why me". But don't let it last too long, pick yourself up off the canvas. You have one more round in you. I know it! The "why me" frame of mind will only make the journey more difficult. Look for the gift no matter how small. That gift will take you up a few floors and out the basement of despair. That higher view will let you see the big picture; it will let you get more perspective. You will have many decisions to make and you always want to make them from a place of calm, not one of panic.

If you get into a low mood, wait till it shifts. I promise you it will! When you feel better, then and only then take a look at your treatment choices or any decision you are faced with this on the journey.
Sometimes illness is way your spirit is trying to get your attention. So pay attention, my friends! Listen and listen more to what your spirit is trying tell you. There is a message waiting but it might be one you don't want to hear! Does it take courage to listen? Yes, but remember you are naturally courageous! I will say it again: you have courage!

Ask the question: "What is this gift in this?" The answer is the first step to healing. I promise you the answer is inside of you. Let your wisdom offer it to you!

Cancer of the Penis the Facts, Signs, Symptoms and Diagnosis

2009-03-24T15:57:00.000+01:00

By : Holly Franklin

Cancer of the penis is quite rare. Cancer is a big worry for many people though. It is estimated now that at least 300,000 people a year are now diagnosed with every year in the UK. The most common forms of cancer are breast, lung, colon and prostate cancer. Cancer of the penis is much rarer.

In Britain around 400 men a year are diagnosed with cancer of the penis and it mostly affects men who are 60 of age or older. It is more common in South East Asia and Africa.

Causes

The research into penis cancer is not very advanced and not much is known about it. Cancer of the penis is believed to be related to general hygiene and is found to be less common in men who have been circumcised. The reason being that men who haven't had their foreskin removed will find it much harder to pull back their foreskin to clean thoroughly underneath. The human papilloma virus human (HPV) that causes penile warts also increases the risk of cancer of the penis.

Cancer of the penis is not hereditary and so other members of the family are not likely to develop it. Cancer of the penis is not contagious either.

It is vital to keep a check on penis health because some skin conditions can develop into cancer if left unchecked and untreated. Please check for white patches, red scaly patches and red moist patches of skin on your penis.

Signs and symptoms

The first signs penile cancer is most likely to be changes in the color and thickness of the skin of the penis. This may then lead to symptoms including growth or sores on the penis which will be most likely around the head the penis or on the shaft. This may lead to discharge or bleeding. Most penile cancers are painless.

It is vital as with most cancers to have an early diagnosis and therefore gain treatment quickly to bring about a positive outcome. Cancers can sometimes appear as flat growths that are blue-brownish in colour, or as a red rash, or small crusty bumps. It is vital to pull back the foreskin regularly to check because often it is the only time these symptoms are visible.

At this point that we must say that other illnesses than cancer can bring about these conditions however if you have any of these symptoms please visit you doctor or health specialist straight away.

Diagnosis

If you go to your doctor with any suspicious symptoms your doctor will examine you then if feel it is prudent will refer you to a hospital specialist for advice and treatment.

The specialist will examine the whole of the penis and the lymph nodes in your groin. If the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes they may be enlarged. To make a firm diagnosis, the doctor will take a sample of tissue (a biopsy) from any sore or abnormal areas on the penis. This will usually be done under a local anaesthetic so that the area is numb. The biopsies will be examined under a microscope.

If the biopsy comes back positive for cancer then to assess the seriousness most doctors will do more test to make sure the cancer hasn't spread into the body.

Cancer is spread through either the blood of through the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is part of he body's defence against infection and disease. It works as a network of lymph glands linked by fine ducts containing lymph fluid. Tests are done to see how best to treat a patient.

Other tests include:-

Chest x-ray
A chest x-ray is usually done to check whether or not the cancer has spread to the lungs.

CT (computerized tomography) Scan
A CT scan is a specialized type of x-ray. A series of pictures is taken and fed into a computer to build up a detailed picture of the inside of the body. The scan can show whether or not the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. It is painless and takes 10 to 30 minutes.

Lymph node biopsy
If you have any enlarged lymph nodes in the groin, your doctor may put a needle into the node to get a sample of cells. This is to see whether or not the enlargement is due to cancer. Enlarged lymph nodes are often due to infection and not cancer, so your doctor may also give you a course of antibiotics to see whether or not the swollen nodes shrink.

Once you have been diagnosed then doctors can go about treating the problem. The earlier the prognosis the more chance of survival if you feel you may have penile cancer then please visit you doctor. You are not being silly.

Cancer of the Penis the Staging, Grading and Treatment

2009-03-24T15:56:00.000+01:00

By : Holly Franklin

The staging of a cancer is a term used to describe its size and whether or not it has spread beyond its original site. Knowing the particular type and the stage of the cancer helps the doctors to decide on the best treatment for you.

* Stage 1 The cancer only affects the skin covering the penis, the head of the penis (glans) or the foreskin.

* Stage 2 The cancer has begun to spread into the shaft of the penis or into one of the lymph nodes in the groin.

* Stage 3 The cancer has spread deep into the shaft of the penis or to many lymph nodes in the groin.

* Stage 4 The cancer has spread to lymph nodes deep in the pelvis, or to other parts of the body.

If your cancer comes back after initial treatment, this is known as recurrent cancer.

Grading

Grading refers to the appearance of the cancer cells under the microscope and gives an idea of how quickly the cancer may develop. Low-grade means that the cancer cells look very like normal cells; they are usually slow-growing and are less likely to spread. In high-grade tumors, the cells look very abnormal, are likely to grow more quickly, and are more likely to spread.

Treatment

There are many types of treatment for penile cancer including surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Surgery of the penis has now advanced to a stage now where it doesn't mean the loss of the penis. It is also possible to now reconstruct a penis that has been operated on.

The type of treatment that you are given will depend on a number of things, including the position and size of the cancer, whether or not it has spread, the grade of the cancer, and your general health.

Men with cancer of the penis should be treated in a specialist cancer center.

Surgery

Small, surface cancers that have not spread are treated by removing only the affected area. The cancer can be removed with conventional surgery, using laser or by freezing (cryotherapy). Cryotherapy is carried out with a cold probe, which freezes and kills the cancer cells.

If the cancer is affecting only the foreskin, it may be possible to treat it with circumcision alone.

All the above treatments can usually be given to you as an outpatient. They may be done under local or general anesthetic, depending on individual circumstances.

Wide local excision If the cancer has spread over a wider area, you will need to have an operation known as a wide local excision. This means removing the cancer with a border of healthy tissue around it. This border of healthy tissue is important as it reduces the risk of the cancer coming back in the future. The operation is done under general anesthetic and will involve a short stay in hospital.

Removing the penis (penectomy) This may be advised if the cancer is large and is covering a large area of the penis. Amputation may be partial (where part of the penis is removed) or total (removal of the whole penis). The operation most suitable for you depends on the position of the tumor. If the tumor is near the base of the penis, total amputation may be the only option.

The surgeon may also remove lymph nodes from the groin if there is evidence that cancer cells have spread to these nodes, or a possibility that they may have.

Re constructive surgery It is often possible to have a penis reconstructed after amputation. This requires another operation. The techniques that may be used include taking skin and muscle from your arm, and using this to make a new penis. Sometimes it is also possible for surgeons to reconnect some of the nerves, to provide sensation and the necessary blood flow to allow the reconstructed penis to become erect. This type of surgery is carried out by surgeons who have specialist experience, and you may need to travel to a specialist hospital to have the surgery done.

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy treats cancer using high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells, while doing as little harm as possible to healthy cells. It can be used before or after surgery. Radiotherapy may also be given to treat symptoms, such as pain, if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, like the bones.

External radiotherapy is normally given as a series of short daily treatments in the hospital's radiotherapy department. High-energy x-rays are directed from a machine at the area of the cancer. The treatments are usually given from Monday to Friday, with a rest at the weekend. Each treatment takes 10-15 minutes. The number of treatments will depend on the type and size of the cancer, but the whole course of treatment for early cancer will usually last for up to six weeks. Your doctor will discuss the treatment and possible side effects with you.

Before each session of radiotherapy, the radiographer will position you carefully on the couch and make sure that you are comfortable. During your treatment you will be left alone in the room, but you will be able to talk to the radiographer who will be watching you carefully from the next room.

Radiotherapy is not painful, but you do have to lie still for a few minutes while your treatment is being given. The treatment will not make you radioactive and it is perfectly safe for you to be with other people, including children, after your treatment.

Radioactive implants Radiotherapy can be given using a radioactive implant. This is also known as brachytherapy. Under a general anesthetic, small radioactive wires are very carefully positioned in the affected area of the penis. The wires stay in place for about 4-5 days and are then removed. This method of treatment is usually used for smaller cancers on the end of the penis (the glans). While the implant is in place, you need to stay in an isolated room in the hospital so that other people are not exposed unnecessarily to the radiation.

Side effects of radiotherapy

There are sometimes side effects from radiotherapy treatment to the penis. Towards the end of your treatment, the skin on your penis can become sore and may break down. Long-term, radiotherapy can cause thickening and stiffening of healthy tissues (fibrosis). In some men, this can result in narrowing of the tube that carries urine through the penis (the urethra) and so can cause difficulty in passing urine. If narrowing of the urethra does develop, it can usually be relieved by an operation to stretch (dilate) the area. This is done by passing a tube into the urethra and is performed under a general anesthetic.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy cancer cells. It can be one drug or several drugs used together. It is not commonly used to treat cancer of the penis. Chemotherapy cream may sometimes be used to treat very small, early cancers that are confined to the foreskin and end of the penis (glans).

Chemotherapy may also be given as tablets, or by injection, into a vein for more advanced cancer. It may be given along with surgery or radiotherapy (or both).

Cancer of the Penis - The Support and Life After

2009-03-24T15:54:00.000+01:00

By : Holly Franklin

The need of support depends on many individual criteria from the type of treatment you received to the type of person you are. In the case of radiotherapy there are side effects that can cause problems with gaining and maintaining an erection. This can be tough and when paired with the possibility of not being able to pass urine as before can be mentally challenging. In most instances you will be informed of all possible side effects before treatment takes place.

It is vital to try and be honest about the emotions you may go through. It is a very tough time and sharing you feelings with others will help you cope. The type of emotions people feel are anger, guilt, fear and anxiety. This can lead to you feeling tearful (without knowing really why), restlessness and losing the ability to sleep. This will all be natural and is how the body reacts and tries to cope. The feeling of desperation and hopelessness will pass eventually. The only way is to talk through them however hard they maybe. It is important to remember there are many people in the same position and that there are support groups out there.

You do not have to cope with these feelings on your own; there are people available to help you. Some hospitals have their own emotional-support services with specially trained staff, and some of the nurses on the ward will have received training in counselling. You may feel more comfortable talking to a counsellor outside the hospital environment or to a religious leader.

Life after Penile Cancer

The most common question is will I ever be able to have sex again? The answer is in the majority of cases penile cancer will not affect your ability to have sex. There are some instances when though when the penis or part of the penis has been removed will affect sex life. This thought very distressing can be overcome through counselling and time.

Talking to your partner about your feelings and changes in your relationship is key to overcoming any emotional problems. This can be difficult and there is trained counselling and support out there. If there are problems then contact your doctor who can help or point your towards some place that can such as a counsellor or a nurse. Never keep your feelings or worries to yourself. You are not alone and it is time to enjoy life.

Cancer Patient Survivor's Nutrition Secrets

2009-03-24T15:53:00.000+01:00

By : Brue Baker

Cancer slowly seems to be eating away at our population. It is if everyone either knows someone who has passed from cancer or know someone who currently has cancer.

The worst part about it is that cancer is very debilitating and those that do die from it pass slowly and often painfully. However, some others are able to beat cancer naturally without having to undergo painful radiation therapy.

Most of the patients who are able to beat cancer are able to do so by eating the right organic, healthy diet, which brings their body back to a natural alkaline state. They also use the juice from these fruits and vegetables to cleanse their bodies. Cancer and disease can only thrive in an acidic body, or a body full of harmful toxins.

What is Acidic and alkaline? Think of it this way, a swamp (which is home to bugs, reptiles, dirty, muggy water) is an acidic environment, while a field of flowers (hosting bees and butterflies) is an alkaline environment.

Your body can become acidic for many reasons, and actually most people's bodies are acidic because they don't live a healthy lifestyle. Chemicals, processed food, food choices, poor air quality, and your environment all play a role in making your body acidic.

You can test yourself with acid/alkaline ph strips you can find at your local health food store. They are inexpensive and easy to use. If you would like more information on this or have any question regarding the topic of this article consult a doctor who practices natural, or eastern medicine.

How To Eat To Get Your Body Alkaline

It is important to note, however, that some cancer patients, who are very sick, or are far along with their illness should consult their doctor about what they should eat for nutrition. Sometimes being extremely sick with cancer or other illnesses can cause your body to react poorly to certain foods, even if they are healthy for you normally.

How Do Fruits and Vegetables Fend Off Cancer?

Organic fruits and vegetables are high in antioxidants, which help fight off the cancer cells and make your body alkaline. Making fresh juice from organic fruit and vegetables can be even better because they are concentrated and your body can absorb them faster. Try watermelon juice, it is very cleansing and tastes great.

Fruits that are purple or dark colored are especially recommended for a cancer patient's nutrition. Dark colored fruits contain more antioxidants. To get the maximum nutrition, you may juice up different types of fruits and vegetables to create a single concoction. Some of these fruit and vegetable juices may taste good, others not so much, but you are drinking these juices to save your life, not make your taste buds happy.

Moreover, a fiber rich diet may also help the body fight off the free radicals in its system, therefore you may want to consider taking a fiber supplement if you are a cancer patient. Also you need to stay away from sugar. This is one of the most acidic things you can put into your body and will increase any amount of pain you are having as a result of the cancer. Obviously, don't drink alcohol or smoke if you are a cancer patient.

Aside from giving a cancer patient the right nutrition, you also need to give a cancer patient plenty of liquids. A well hydrated body is better able to cope with the stress of being sick so make sure a patient drinks plenty of water. I would suggest a gallon of water a day (but not all at once) because it will help flush out your body and keep you as hydrated as you need to be.

If you have cancer and are sick and tired of being sick and tired from chemotherapy hopefully you can try some of the above recommendations to make your body alkaline and hopefully rid your body of the cancer. Just make sure that you do this with the supervision and guidance of some type of natural health doctor or expert.

And finally, think positively about beating cancer. The mind is a very powerful tool, but it can make you or break you. There are patients who claim to have gotten rid of cancer only from truly believing that they were going to get better and staying in a joyous, positive frame of mind.

FAQ's Cancer of the Penis the Staging, Grading and Treatment

2009-03-24T15:51:00.000+01:00

By : Holly Franklin

Cancer is a serious and scary prospect that with a little understnding can become a little easier to comprehend. Once it is known that you suffer from cancer the first step is staging.

Staging

The stage of a cancer is a term used to describe its size and whether or not it has spread beyond its original site. Knowing the particular type and the stage of the cancer helps the doctors to decide on the best treatment for you.

* Stage 1 The cancer only affects the skin covering the penis, the head of the penis (glans) or the foreskin.

* Stage 2 The cancer has begun to spread into the shaft of the penis or into one of the lymph nodes in the groin.

* Stage 3 The cancer has spread deep into the shaft of the penis or to many lymph nodes in the groin.

* Stage 4 The cancer has spread to lymph nodes deep in the pelvis, or to other parts of the body.

If your cancer comes back after initial treatment, this is known as recurrent cancer.

Grading

Grading refers to the appearance of the cancer cells under the microscope and gives an idea of how quickly the cancer may develop. Low-grade means that the cancer cells look very like normal cells; they are usually slow-growing and are less likely to spread. In high-grade tumors, the cells look very abnormal, are likely to grow more quickly, and are more likely to spread.

Treatment

There are many types of treatment for penile cancer including surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Surgery of the penis has now advanced to a stage now where it doesn't mean the loss of the penis. It is also possible to now reconstruct a penis that has been operated on.

The type of treatment that you are given will depend on a number of things, including the position and size of the cancer, whether or not it has spread, the grade of the cancer, and your general health.

Men with cancer of the penis should be treated in a specialist cancer center.

Surgery

Small, surface cancers that have not spread are treated by removing only the affected area. The cancer can be removed with conventional surgery, using laser or by freezing (cryotherapy). Cryotherapy is carried out with a cold probe, which freezes and kills the cancer cells.

If the cancer is affecting only the foreskin, it may be possible to treat it with circumcision alone.

All the above treatments can usually be given to you as an outpatient. They may be done under local or general anesthetic, depending on individual circumstances.

Wide local excision If the cancer has spread over a wider area, you will need to have an operation known as a wide local excision. This means removing the cancer with a border of healthy tissue around it. This border of healthy tissue is important as it reduces the risk of the cancer coming back in the future. The operation is done under general anesthetic and will involve a short stay in hospital.

Removing the penis (penectomy) This may be advised if the cancer is large and is covering a large area of the penis. Amputation may be partial (where part of the penis is removed) or total (removal of the whole penis). The operation most suitable for you depends on the position of the tumor. If the tumor is near the base of the penis, total amputation may be the only option.

The surgeon may also remove lymph nodes from the groin if there is evidence that cancer cells have spread to these nodes, or a possibility that they may have.

Re constructive surgery It is often possible to have a penis reconstructed after amputation. This requires another operation. The techniques that may be used include taking skin and muscle from your arm, and using this to make a new penis. Sometimes it is also possible for surgeons to reconnect some of the nerves, to provide sensation and the necessary blood flow to allow the reconstructed penis to become erect. This type of surgery is carried out by surgeons who have specialist experience, and you may need to travel to a specialist hospital to have the surgery done.

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy treats cancer using high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells, while doing as little harm as possible to healthy cells. It can be used before or after surgery. Radiotherapy may also be given to treat symptoms, such as pain, if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, like the bones.

External radiotherapy is normally given as a series of short daily treatments in the hospital's radiotherapy department. High-energy x-rays are directed from a machine at the area of the cancer. The treatments are usually given from Monday to Friday, with a rest at the weekend. Each treatment takes 10-15 minutes. The number of treatments will depend on the type and size of the cancer, but the whole course of treatment for early cancer will usually last for up to six weeks. Your doctor will discuss the treatment and possible side effects with you.

Before each session of radiotherapy, the radiographer will position you carefully on the couch and make sure that you are comfortable. During your treatment you will be left alone in the room, but you will be able to talk to the radiographer who will be watching you carefully from the next room.

Radiotherapy is not painful, but you do have to lie still for a few minutes while your treatment is being given. The treatment will not make you radioactive and it is perfectly safe for you to be with other people, including children, after your treatment.

Radioactive implants Radiotherapy can be given using a radioactive implant. This is also known as brachytherapy. Under a general anesthetic, small radioactive wires are very carefully positioned in the affected area of the penis. The wires stay in place for about 4 to 5 days and are then removed. This method of treatment is usually used for smaller cancers on the end of the penis (the glans). While the implant is in place, you need to stay in an isolated room in the hospital so that other people are not exposed unnecessarily to the radiation.

Side effects of radiotherapy

There are sometimes side effects from radiotherapy treatment to the penis. Towards the end of your treatment, the skin on your penis can become sore and may break down. Long-term, radiotherapy can cause thickening and stiffening of healthy tissues (fibrosis). In some men, this can result in narrowing of the tube that carries urine through the penis (the urethra) and so can cause difficulty in passing urine. If narrowing of the urethra does develop, it can usually be relieved by an operation to stretch (dilate) the area. This is done by passing a tube into the urethra and is performed under a general anesthetic.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy cancer cells. It can be one drug or several drugs used together. It is not commonly used to treat cancer of the penis. Chemotherapy cream may sometimes be used to treat very small, early cancers that are confined to the foreskin and end of the penis (glans).

Chemotherapy may also be given as tablets, or by injection, into a vein for more advanced cancer. It may be given along with surgery or radiotherapy (or both).

FAQ's - Cancer of the Penis the Facts, Signs, Symptoms and Diagnosis

2009-03-24T15:48:00.000+01:00

By : Holly Franklin

Cancer is a big worry for many people. It is estimated now that at least 300,000 people a year are now diagnosed with every year in the UK. The most common forms of cancer are breast, lung, colon and prostate cancer. Cancer of the penis is much rarer.

In Britain around 400 men a year are diagnosed with cancer of the penis and it mostly affects men who are 60 of age or older. It is more common in South East Asia and Africa.

Causes

The research into penis cancer is not very advanced and not much is known about it. Cancer of the penis is believed to be related to general hygiene and is found to be less common in men who have been circumcised. The reason being that men who haven't had their foreskin removed will find it much harder to pull back their foreskin to clean thoroughly underneath. The human papilloma virus human (HPV) that causes penile warts also increases the risk of cancer of the penis.

Cancer of the penis is not hereditary and so other members of the family are not likely to develop it. Cancer of the penis is not contagious either.

It is vital to keep a check on penis health because some skin conditions can develop into cancer if left unchecked and untreated. Please check for white patches, red scaly patches and red moist patches of skin on your penis.

Signs and symptoms

The first signs penile cancer is most likely to be changes in the color and thickness of the skin of the penis. This may then lead to symptoms including growth or sores on the penis which will be most likely around the head the penis or on the shaft. This may lead to discharge or bleeding. Most penile cancers are painless.

It is vital as with most cancers to have an early diagnosis and therefore gain treatment quickly to bring about a positive outcome. Cancers can sometimes appear as flat growths that are blue-brownish in colour, or as a red rash, or small crusty bumps. It is vital to pull back the foreskin regularly to check because often it is the only time these symptoms are visible.

At this point that we must say that other illnesses than cancer can bring about these conditions however if you have any of these symptoms please visit you doctor or health specialist straight away.

Diagnosis

If you go to your doctor with any suspicious symptoms your doctor will examine you then if feel it is prudent will refer you to a hospital specialist for advice and treatment.

The specialist will examine the whole of the penis and the lymph nodes in your groin. If the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes they may be enlarged. To make a firm diagnosis, the doctor will take a sample of tissue (a biopsy) from any sore or abnormal areas on the penis. This will usually be done under a local anesthetic so that the area is numb. The biopsies will be examined under a microscope.

If the biopsy comes back positive for cancer then to assess the seriousness most doctors will do more test to make sure the cancer hasn't spread into the body.

Cancer is spread through either the blood of through the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is part of he body's defense against infection and disease. It works as a network of lymph glands linked by fine ducts containing lymph fluid. Tests are done to see how best to treat a patient.

Other tests include:-

Chest x-ray A chest x-ray is usually done to check whether or not the cancer has spread to the lungs.

CT (computerized tomography) scan A CT scan is a specialized type of x-ray. A series of pictures is taken and fed into a computer to build up a detailed picture of the inside of the body. The scan can show whether or not the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. It is painless and takes 10-30 minutes.

Lymph node biopsy If you have any enlarged lymph nodes in the groin, your doctor may put a needle into the node to get a sample of cells. This is to see whether or not the enlargement is due to cancer. Enlarged lymph nodes are often due to infection and not cancer, so your doctor may also give you a course of antibiotics to see whether or not the swollen nodes shrink.

Traditional And Natural Cancer Treatment Options

2009-03-24T15:47:00.000+01:00

By : Adrian Adams

While there's a whole gamut of cancer treatment options available; which is the best one to use depends upon the type of cancer as well the stage that the cancer has reached. Though the prevailing trend is to resort to more traditional cancer treatment options, cancer patients are not restricted to them. There are a variety of alternative and natural options (some new, some old) for treating cancer.

Traditional Cancer Treatment Options

Traditional cancer treatment options are often referred to as cut, poison and burn (surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation).

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy, which involves the use of chemical agents or drugs to destroy cancerous cells, forms the core treatment of malignancies. These drugs work by targeting fast-growing cells and the type and combination of drugs depends upon the type of cancer. Though chemotherapy has been proven to be effective, it can give rise to a host of side-effects including hair loss, fatigue, diarrhea, loss of appetite, anemia or low red blood cell count, neutropenia or low white blood cell count, mouth sores and shortness of breath.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy involves the use of high-energy ionizing radiation from varied sources including x-rays, gamma rays, protons and neutrons to shrink tumors and kill cancerous cells. It is used almost half of all cancer patients; either by itself or in combination with other cancer treatments. External-beam radiation therapy, which involves using radiation that is emitted from a machine outside the body is more common than internal radiation therapy, in which a radioactive material is implanted in the body near the tumor or cancer cells.

Surgery

Surgery often entails a biopsy, which is done for diagnostic purposes. Surgery that is done to remove the cancerous tissues is often followed by chemotherapy or radiotherapy, which reduces the risk of the cancer recurring and also to destroy any cancer cells that may be left behind in the affected part of the body.

The kind of surgery depends on which part of the body has been affected by cancer as well as the extent of the cancer. In breast cancer patients the options could include lumpectomy, in which only the lump is removed; segmentectomy, in which part of the breast is removed or mastectomy, in which the entire breast is removed.

Alternative Cancer Treatment Options

Traditional cancer treatment options form only art of the story. An increasing number of health professionals are now exploring alternative cancer treatment options that encompass the whole individual.

Nutrition Therapy

Maintaining a healthy, well-balanced diet that includes foods rich in antioxidants and beta-carotene, is the best way to provide your body with the nourishment it needs to fight cancer. Proper nutrition helps minimize nausea and fatigue that are the main side-effects of traditional cancer treatments and are a critical component of the healing process.

Buah Merah or Red fruit, found primarily in the Indonesian island of Papua, has very high levels of anti-oxidants, beta-carotene and tocopherol and offers hope to all cancer patients. Beta-carotene and tocopherol have strong anti-carcinogenic properties and help by boosting the immune system and retarding the growth of cancer-causing cells. Buah Merah also contains Omega 3 and Omega 9 as well as linolenat, oleat, dekanoat and linoleat acids; all of which act as active medicinal compounds and also help in the prevention of diabetes mellitus, heart diseases, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, hepatitis and HIV/AIDS.

Naturopathy

Naturopathy is a system of treatment that focuses exclusively on using the healing powers of nature such as sunlight, water and air. It is supplemented with therapies such as massage as well as a wholesome diet. Naturopathy is by and large a holistic kind of treatment and includes homoeopathy, ayurveda, therapeutic nutrition, hydrotherapy or botanical medicine. It is based on the belief that the body is self-healing and will recover and repair by itself spontaneously if it is given a healthy, conducive environment.

Pain Control

Though, to a certain extent medication can be used to manage pain, Acupuncture is gaining popularity as a means to control the pain experienced by cancer sufferers. The pain could be brought on by the cancer itself or as a side-effect to the cancer treatment. Prevalence and severity of pain depend on the extent, location and type of cancer as well as pain threshold of the person afflicted by cancer.

Asbestos Litigation Facts

2009-03-24T15:46:00.000+01:00

By : Ron Wicker

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the thin lining that covers and holds in our internal organs. Asbestos is the cause of approximately 90 percent of all mesothelioma cases. Anyone who has worked in an industry or lived in an area where asbestos exposure has occurred may be entitled to damages if they've developed mesothelioma. If you or someone you know have developed mesothelioma, here are some asbestos litigation facts that might help you as you explore your own litigation options.

Because the disease may not develop for up to sixty years after asbestos exposure, asbestos litigation often doesn't take place until long after the fact. A sum of roughly $9 million was awarded in an asbestos lawsuit to a gentleman in 2005 after he developed mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure that occurred in the 1960s. Another woman was awarded $16 million in 2002 for mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure in childhood. One important asbestos litigation fact to keep in mind is that you may be suffering from asbestos-related mesothelioma even if your exposure took place decades ago. Even though a lot of time has passed, you could still have a case.

Another important asbestos litigation fact to keep in mind is that the government passed the FAIR Act in 2005. The FAIR Act provides vital facts for anyone considering asbestos litigation. Included are requirements for bringing asbestos litigation and who might have a case. There is a statute of limitations on filing asbestos litigation, so it is important that you know whether or not time has run out on your case.

Because asbestos is no longer used, many of the companies against which someone might want to file a claim have gone out of business. Still, a company may exist that is partially responsible for your mesothelioma. If you're interested in finding out who may be at fault, seek the advice of legal counsel who can help you with your asbestos litigation.

Other diseases of the lungs may be caused by asbestos exposure, so you may want to explore more asbestos litigation facts pertaining to any lung disease you developed after being exposed to asbestos. Lung cancer and various respiratory diseases have also been linked to asbestos. It is important to note that smoking has not been shown to contribute to the development of mesothelioma, and this asbestos litigation fact may help you determine if you have a case.

Armed with asbestos litigation facts about the period of time between exposure and development of mesothelioma, the financial reparations typically handed out, and the governmental regulations covering asbestos litigation, you may want to find a lawyer who specializes in asbestos lawsuits. There is help available, and you don't have to go through this ordeal alone.

"Cut Them Off," Say Some. Preventative Mastectomies Offered To Texas Women Genetically Prone to Brea

2009-03-24T15:45:00.000+01:00

By : Pat Carpenter

Deciphering a blessing from a curse isn't always as clear-cut as it may seem. At least that's true for women who have been told that they carry one of the most potentially deadly genetic mutations -- one of the BRCA, or breast cancer genes, associated with an unusually high risk of the disease. While the discovery of the BRCAs are promising -- eventually leading, hopefully, to prevention as medical science advances -- deciding what to do after finding out one has tested positive can be just as difficult as wondering.

"It's taking over my mind," said Deborah Linder, 33, a medical resident at Northwestern University who tested positive.*

For many with high family incidences of breast cancer, the tendency was simply known as "the family curse." Now, at least "the curse" has a name scientists can validate with a term more specific than "family history." But treatment options are varied, and each comes with its own risks.

The majority of those who receive news that they carry the gene opt to have both ovaries removed, which reduces risks of both breast cancer and the often-associated ovarian cancer. About a third have a preventative mastectomy performed, which decreases the likelihood of the disease by ninety percent, and a few prefer to take prophylactic anti-cancer drugs. Still others opt for herbs and natural means of prevention, and even more decide vigilant surveillance is all that's necessary, which can include frequent MRIs (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), mammograms, and sonograms. Yet mammograms and ultrasounds can miss half of cancers in young women, who tend to have denser breasts.

The presence of BRCA1 raises the risk of developing breast cancer anywhere from sixty to ninety percent. An estimated 250,000 American women carry it, though only 30,000 have actually been tested. According to the American Cancer Society, twenty-six percent of new cancer diagnoses are of the breast, and in Texas alone, 2,480 women are expected to die of it this year. Many more will be diagnosed.. In the Lone Star state, breast cancer is the third leading cancer diagnosis, topped only by lung and colon/rectal. Other risk factors, such as obesity, also run high in Texas. Twenty-seven percent of state residents are obese, and new studies on children in Dallas, Austin, and Houston reveal a trend that may still further increase that number.

Such statistics, combined with an overwhelming lack of health coverage -- twenty-five percent of the state as a whole, and twenty-seven percent of its young adults are living without health insurance -- makes facing the issue that much harder for Texan women.

The majority of breast cancer cases, in fact, are not associated with the presence of a BRCA gene. Only five to ten percent are. But still is the possibility of personal risk being almost twice that of non-carriers worth finding out? Is reducing the chance of getting the disease worth losing the opportunity to have children or breastfeed, which, in itself, would decrease the cancers' likelihoods?

"I know the joy that my girls have brought to me," Deborah's mother, a breast cancer survivor, said. "If Deb misses it, she won't know what she missed. But having experienced it, I would never have wanted to miss it." Yet, she, too was torn. "Have the surgery as soon as possible," she told her daughter one day after finding out others in her family were diagnosed at the same age as Deborah.*

The question becomes even more complex when one considers that new treatment options may be just around the corner. While the chances of surviving breast cancer are good if detected early, ovarian cancer, which attacks fifty percent of BRCA1 carriers, is deadly seventy-five percent of the time. A new study, published this month in Clinical Cancer Research, revealed that a protease inhibitor used to treat HIV patients may also be useful in treating drug-resistant cancers, including breast cancer. Marketed under the brand name Viracept, nelfinavir proved to have the most powerful effect on tumor growth of six protease inhibitors in laboratory experiments. The drug is currently in Phase 1 of clinical trials for cancer treatment.

Would young women, then, who have been told they carry the genetic mutation, be wise to wait for better detection and treatment methods? It would seem that the science of detecting the presence of the disease is not nearly as advanced as the science of predicting its possibility. It's impossible to know so early on; only more time (years more) will yield the statistics necessary to determine the success rates for different prophylactic options.

If you ask Dr. Patrick I. Borgen, the director of the Brooklyn Breast Cancer Project at the Maimonides Cancer Center, who has performed several preventative mastectomies, he might advise to say goodbye to a part of the body in exchange for saving a life. "Maybe [BRCA carriers'] grandchildren will have better options, but right now a draconian operation [a preventative mastectomy] is the best thing we can do.

A Cancer Survivor Story: Working With Doctors

2009-03-24T15:44:00.000+01:00

By : Gregory Drambour

If you decide to do an alternative program either concurrently with your conventional program or solely by itself, I would take a few steps before discussing it with your oncologist.

In the last five years oncologists are becoming more open to this multi-dimensional approach. Both my chemo and radiation oncologists were very open and knew I was doing an alternative program concurrently with the treatment. And these programs were absolutely valuable. It's the general feeling by my team of doctors that it really saved me from any bone loss in the jaw and improved my salvia flow.

The alternative program can both protect you and enhance the conventional treatment. I would not immediately discuss this with your oncologist without getting a sense of his feelings about this. Hint around it. You will get a sense of their openness. Remember, oncologists are experts in their area; they are not fluent or knowledgeable about alternative supplements. It's difficult for them to keep update with new chemo agents. But make sure your alternative doctor or has extensive experience working with conventional protocols.

A good sign is if they work closely with oncologists. This was the case with my herbalist, Donnie Yance. In fact, Donnie lectures to conventional docs. There are a number of cancer centers around the world that incorporate a multi-dimensional approach.

If you solely do an alternative program your oncologist will more than likely attempt to talk you out of it. They will try and get details about what you are doing and who you are doing it with. My standard response: "I'm exploring another option right now." And their reply: "What option?" Your reply: "I prefer not going into it". They will keep pushing you but just keep smiling and saying, "I prefer not going into it." They will give up at some point.

I can vividly remember going to see a new oncologist and his nurse asking the standard questions: "When were you diagnosed? November 97? That was a year and half ago, what have you been doing since then?" "An alternative program." "What kind of alternative program?" I reply with my standard answer said firmly, "I prefer not to go into that." Remember no matter what they say, don't go into it! For example: They need it for their records, they want to see if it will interfere with their regimens.

If you have found a world-class alternative doctor, they will know if you are doing anything that will interfere with conventional therapy. You don't want to open yourself to a long lecture on why you are making a mistake, so on and so on. What you can say to them, is this: "What supplements are contra-indicated with this chemo or radiation?"

What you ideally want to do is find an oncologist who can monitor you. To put together a team who are all on the same page. How do you make this happen? First, believe that doc is out there. I assure you they are. I found them but it took some time and determination. And if one does not appear right away, enroll your present oncologist into supporting you. This can be a great lesson in of itself.

It starts with not judging them and knowing they are doing the best they can and their perspective comes out of a long educational process that had no opening for other ways of healing. If you have no judgment of them, it will help them have no judgment of you. Remember the rule: what you feel inside will be reflected back to you.

Be patient with this process and keep centered. If you can bring a friend along on your doctor visits this can be very supportive to not getting reactive or giving anyone an opening to try and talk you out of your decisions. And this will happen,so be prepared.

A Cancer Survivor Story: The Power of Will

2009-03-24T15:42:00.000+01:00

By : Gregory Drambour

I learned the power of will during my cancer journey through a very unusual process: I called it "Shower Sequencing". Since the cancer was in my neck and tonsil it was important to keep the lymph moving there. I discovered that a method of creating movement in the lymph was to first run hot water from the shower over each side of my neck for 30 seconds and then cold water for 30 seconds! For some reason I chose to do this just before I went to sleep!

I would lean my head back, exposing my neck to the shower and go thru the sequence of hot and cold 12 times. Counting in my head 30 seconds for hot and then cold. I did this for three and half years, every night. During the spring and summer it wasn't difficult but come late fall and winter, it was brutal! The water got considerably colder. And this is where I discovered the "power of will".

I can remember so many times during those cold months, standing under that cold shower late at night and being one second away from bailing out. It was just to damn cold! I would say things in my head like, "I'll just skip it tonight." Or "I'll cut it down to 15 seconds increments tonight, give it a rest". We all know the process of excuses! But I just reached down inside of myself and found a toughness I didn't know was there and hung in there and I came to understand the power of "will".

After I was done, I always felt I had accomplished something--feeling a sense of victory: "I did it!" Of course, the girlfriend was never too happy when I got into bed! Because for some reason I always finished the "sequencing" on the cold water! Maybe I enjoyed making her an unwilling partner in my suffering! "No, sweetie, my doctor said it was important to finish on the cold." (I am pretty sure he said that!).

If you're going through a journey with any kind of illness there are going to come moments when you don't want to do something. You must "cowboy or cowgirl up" and do it! It will teach you about your own strength which is so much greater than you can imagine. And learning about your strength will empower your healing. Sometimes how we heal is a healing in of itself. I not only helped my lymph to continue to move but strengthened my spirit.

As I write this and think back to those moments under the shower, I remember that I also learned about surrender. Sometimes I would let go and just surrender myself to the cold. I would disengage my thoughts. I let go of the thought that the cold water was uncomfortable and I became friends with it. The cold on my skin felt almost luxurious. The power of thought is always there to help us.

So my warrior brothers and warrior sisters, I encourage you to always try and find the gifts during your journey. It will truly change the journey.

The History of Mesothelioma

2009-03-24T15:40:00.002+01:00

By : Nick Johnson

Mesothelioma is a very uncommon form of cancer that has been proven to be almost always caused by the inhalation of asbestos particles. Mesothelioma, is extremely aggressive and usually spreads throughout a person's body very quickly once it develops. Therefore, after it is detected in a person's body, it normally spreads and aggressively invades a person's vital organs and tissues - and possibly other areas within the body - within several months. Left untreated, mesothelioma patients generally do not face a very positive long-term prognosis.

Mesothelioma shows up inside the body in the form of tumors. The tumors can appear in any place or on any organ that has a mesothelium covering. Sometimes the tumors are detected and then determined to be benign, or non-cancerous. Non-cancerous mesothelioma tumors are usually treated, but not necessarily in the same manner as cancerous ones.

Chances are, if a person with mesothelioma tumors was ever exposed to or inhaled asbestos particles at any time in their life, the tumors will be malignant, or cancerous. The only definitive way to determine if the mesothelioma is benign or malignant is to have a biopsy.

Once a malignant mesothelioma tumor has been detected, tested, and determined to be malignant, other malignant tumors are likely to appear on other internal organs. This type of "spreading" of tumors is referred to as metastasizing. If mesothelioma is discovered in the chest cavity, for example, tumors may begin appearing in places other than the original site. There is no way to determine on which organs the tumors will pop up after the original diagnosis.

There are several types of malignant mesothelioma, but three of them are the most common. The most common out of these three is called "Epithelial." Luckily, epithelial, is the type of mesothelioma that responds best to treatment. All three types are generally treated the same way in terms of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.

In most cases, malignant mesothelioma is discovered in a person's chest cavity. The second most common place for tumors to exist at time of diagnosis is the abdomen. The least common place for tumors to be found upon original discovery is in the heart.
When tumors exist in the chest cavity, they are called "Pleural Mesotheliomas," when they are found in the abdomen, they are called, "Peritoneal Mesotheliomas," and when they are discovered in the heart, they are called, "Pericardial Mesotheliomas."

The mesothelium is a two layer covering that encases the body's internal organs and allows them to sit next to other organs and tissues without them rubbing or causing friction between each other. In other words, the mesothelium membrane provides the outer layer of the organs with a lubricating fluid so that they can glide along side of each other. The heart and lungs, for example, constantly expand and contract, and the mesothelium membrane allows these organs to move without any sort of friction.

Depending on the location in the body, or the organ which it is surrounding, the mesothelium is referred to by different names. When referring to the mesothelium that covers the organs in a person's abdomen, the mesothelium is called, "The Peritoneum." The mesothelium that covers the organs in the chest or the lungs is called, "The Pleura." The mesothelium membrane that covers the heart is called "The Pericardium."

When a person develops mesothelioma, tumors begin to grow on the mesothelium. Tumors can form and appear on the peritoneum, the pleura, and/or the pericardium mesothelium. When tumors form, it is a sign that the cells that make up the mesothelium are dividing out of control and out of their normal order. Once the cancer has started, it commonly spreads to other mesothelium areas within the body, and it can also metastasize to tissues that surround the affected organs.

There Are Many Different Types of Cancer

2009-03-24T15:40:00.001+01:00

By : Nick Johnson

In its most general terms, cancer is a word used to describe the occurrence of cells in any part of the body or on the external skin to grow out of control and in a dis-ordered manner. Normal cells are able to regulate their growth and division, but cancer cells do not have this ability. There are many different types of cancer, many of which are more treatable than others, but all forms of cancer share at least one common feature: they are abnormal cells.

Sometimes, different types of cancer consist of very different types of abnormal cells. This is why different types of cancer are treated with different medications and procedures. For example, the treatment for breast cancer is completely different from the treatment a mesothelioma patient receives.

In terms of mesothelioma, a tumor begins to form when the cells on the mesothelium begin to grow abnormally and out of control. Normally, these abnormal cells do not know how to stop dividing and they grow and grow until a lump or a tumor can be seen. Eventually, the tumors begin to inhibit the functioning of the normal cells. When this occurs, a person's body does not work as it should, and the person becomes dangerously ill.

Mesothelioma is a cancer that produces tumors, and when just a few cells from the tumor break away and travel through the blood stream, they can land in another area and begin growing. This is called metastasis, and is an extremely common occurrence with malignant mesothelioma.

The general public is constantly cautioned about what causes an increased risk of developing cancer. In general, risk factors boil down to habits (i.e. smoking and drinking, excessive sun exposure), family history, health conditions, and the environment in which a person works and lives. In the case of mesothelioma, it has been determined that almost every single case is due to the unprotected exposure and inhalation of asbestos particles at any time during a person's life.

A diagnosis of any form of cancer, including mesothelioma, can only be diagnosed by way of a biopsy. For a biopsy, doctor will take a tiny sample of the cells causing a lump, tumor or suspicious group of cells, and look at it under microscope. While tests such as x-rays and other imaging scans can see masses or lumps, they can not determine the type of cells that make up abnormal growths. When a doctor looks at the cells under a microscope, it can be determined if the cells are cancerous, and usually what type of cancer is present.

What Causes Mesothelioma?

2009-03-24T15:38:00.000+01:00

By : Ron Wicker

Ninety percent of all mesothelioma cases are caused by asbestos exposure. This cancer affects the protective lining that covers many of the body's internal organs known as the mesothelium. The areas of the lining most often affected are the lungs and abdomen.

Asbestos is a natural fiber that is strong, flexible, and highly durable. It was used in insulation and household appliances for years because of it's ability to resist heat and chemical damage. The fact that asbestos causes mesothelioma and other chronic lung conditions was unknown until the 1960s.

Asbestos fibers are tiny, and when asbestos is mined or disturbed in any way, these fibers are released into the air. They then make their way into the lungs of anyone who is exposed, where they cause inflammation and the formation of scar tissue. This damage can then lead to mesothelioma, and it is this damage that is the most common cause of mesothelioma. The fibers imbed themselves into the lungs, working their way through to the membrane that surrounds the lungs and causing this specific type of cancer.

Mesothelioma in the abdomen is often caused when the fibers make their way into the mouth, are swallowed, and move through the digestive system. Asbestos can also cause other forms of chronic lung disease and respiratory problems such as difficulty breathing.

Construction workers, those who work in or live near asbestos factories, miners of asbestos, and anyone working in industries where asbestos is used are the most likely to develop mesothelioma. While asbestos is no longer widely used, mesothelioma may not show up for as long as 60 years after exposure, so anyone who thinks they may have come into contact with asbestos should regularly be checked for mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma does develop without asbestos exposure in rare cases, although the exact cause of these cases is not known. Since it was discovered that asbestos causes mesothelioma, most asbestos insulation and building materials have been removed from the market, and many buildings have been purged of their asbestos. Because asbestos is the most common cause of mesothelioma, exposure to the fiber should be avoided, and anyone who has reason to come into contact with asbestos should take extra precautions to avoid inhalation or other direct exposure.

If you believe you have been exposed to asbestos, even if you are not showing signs of Mesothelioma, please contact a qualified asbestos attorney who will protect your legal rights and maximize your interests.

Adopt A Vegetarian Detox Diet For Cancer Prevention

2009-03-24T15:37:00.000+01:00

By : Sandra Kim Leong

Cancer is a stealthy and dangerous disease that is not well understood. There have been links made between cancer and high risk behaviors, but there is no clear recipe for either the development of or the avoidance of cancer. Many naturopathic doctors, however, say that cancer prevention is possible when you adopt a detox diet.

A detox diet can help you to cleanse and remove toxins from your body. Naturopathic doctors suggests that cancer is likely to result when you have too much toxins in your body. A detox diet is primarily vegetarian. Vegetarian foods are biochemically more acceptable to your body as compared to junk food like potato chips and diet pepsi. They are fiber rich and are better able to help you cleanse waste products much better.

A vegetarian detox diet can help you with lowered risks when it comes to cancer. Whether you are looking out for your future and you have never had cancer or you are recovering from cancer, getting into a vegetarian diet may be a good consideration.

The Meat Association
Meat has been linked with the risk for developing cancer. Red meat is especially notorious for being listed among the offenders. While no one is certain why the meat is linked to cancer, there are a few theories.

When red meat is grilled or broiled , it is blackened on the outside. Charcoal is also suspected to be a carcinogen. When you eat the blackened surface of your hamburger or steak, you are actually eating charcoal.

Another theory is that the animals reared nowadays for human consumptoms are often fed with hormones to hasten growth. It could be that those hormones continue to work after the cow is dead. Instead of stimulating healthy muscle growth though, they start to affect healthy cells negatively. Chickens and pigs are also similary fed hormones nowadays. Hence, consider switching or eating more vegetarian foods for cancer prevention.

Health Benetifs Of Antioxidants
Antioxidants are chemical compounds found in many of the plant foods that you eat. They work together with your natural defenses to combat disease. They are especially useful when it comes to promoting healthy tissue growth rather than cancerous tissue growth.

Spinach as well as blueberries, apples and several other plant foods are rich in antioxidants. The great news is that these foods are highly nutritious and are also very flavorful.

Cleansing Foods
To improve your health and for cancer prevention, select a plan that emphasizes on foods that can help you to remove bowels easily and on an everyday basis. A vegetarain detox diet ought to fit the bill!

Cancer Of The Bladder

2009-03-24T15:30:00.000+01:00

By : David Cowley

Bladder cancer is a tumor within the bladder, usually starting with the cells lining the bladder walls. These abnormal cells multiply without control. The tumor may or may not be malignant depending on the invasiveness of the type of cancer involved. The cause of bladder cancer is uncertain as with most types of cancer. Studies have shown that several risk factors may contribute to the development of bladder cancer.

About 25 percent of bladder cancer can be attributed to the exposure to cancer-causing chemicals or carcinogens in the workplace. The chemicals that belong to the Arylamines and Benzidine families are considered the most responsible. Arylamines exposure used to be very high in Dye, Rubber, Aluminum, Leather industry workers along with truck drivers and pesticide applicators but most arylamines usage has been reduced in the workplace because of government regulation.

Radiation therapy for women with cervical cancer have an increased risk of developing bladder cancer. Certain drugs are known to result in a high risk factor to developing bladder cancer such as chemotherapy agent cyclophosphamide and the analgesic phenacetin. Repeated or chronic bladder infections may also lead to the type of cancer called squamous cell bladder cancer. This type of bladder cancer is very slow growing and as with all cancers, early detection can lead to a higher cure rate.

According to the TNM (tumor, lymph node, and metastases) classification system the cancer stage is classified by the location, size and aggressiveness . Recently the TNM staging system has become very popular with the medical industry to describe all types of cancer. The TNM staging system is divided into 5 main stages along with several sub stages using the following scale.

Stage 0 - Tumors limited to the bladder lining but do not extend through the bladder wall lining.

Stage 1 - Tumors involve the layer beyond the lining of the bladder and beyond but do not involve the muscles of the bladder.

Stage 2 - Tumors involve the muscles in the bladder.

Stage 3 - Tumors involve the fatty tissue surrounding the bladder, the prostate gland, the vagina or uterus.

Stage 4 - Tumors have spread into the lymph nodes or other areas of the body such as the liver, lungs and bones.

The following symptoms of bladder cancer can also be associated with non-cancerous conditions. Nerveless any symptom of a suspicious nature should be always evaluated by a trained urologist. Early detection is critical in the successful outcome of all cancer treatments.

A medical professional should always be consulted if you have blood in the urine or if the urine becomes cloudy. The color of ones urine does give great insight into the internal condition of the urinary track.

Urinary frequency, increased frequency in the need to urinate. This could also be sign of a bladder infection called cystitis, bladder irritation called interstitial cystitis, or from a kidney stone.

Painful urination could also be caused by a bladder infection, kidney stone or another serious problem.

Urinary urgency just after using the restroom and when you do you only urinate small amounts. Could be a bladder infection called cystitis, bladder irritation called interstitial cystitis, or from a kidney stone.

Urinary incontinence. Some women report this symptom after childbirth and may be caused from a weakness in the bladder due to childbirth or ageing. This weakness is called stress incontinence. Suggested reading the kegel exercise and vaginal weight training.

Common Vitamins and over the counter products can help with treating Bladder problems such as Vitamin A, Cranberry Juice, and L-cysteine.

Vitamin A deficiency may increase the risk of cancers of the lung, larynx, bladder, esophagus, stomach, colon, rectum and prostate.

Cranberry Juice may also help prevent kidney and bladder infections. If you are taking COUMADIN then check with your doctor before using cranberry.

L-cysteine is another immune system stimulant but should always be taken in conjunction with Vitamin C to reduce the risk of developing stone formation in the kidneys and bladder.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.

Helping Someone With Cancer

2009-03-24T15:29:00.002+01:00

By : Charles Kassotis

Do you know someone with cancer? A cancer diagnosis can be crippling in itself, inciting fear and anxiety over an unknown or perhaps dreaded future. Victims worry about their health, their looks, and their families when a doctor pronounces this terrible sentence. If a friend or family member is struggling with one of the many forms of cancer, your support and encouragement are likely to be most welcome.

But how do you help someone who has cancer? There are several things you can do to make your friend or loved one feel more at ease.

1. Treat the person the same as always. Don't approach her gingerly, as though she might break or fade away. Nor should you overdo it, however, by talking too much or roughhousing with children who may be physically fragile. Just treat the person the same as you would if he had not been diagnosed with this condition. Of course, if the diagnosis is grim, you need adapt your attitude accordingly and not gloss over serious implications.

2. Offer practical assistance. As you have time, run errands or bring in a home-cooked meal. Grocery shopping, letter mailing, and kid drop-offs at sporting events can save the sick person's time and energy. Depending on how well you are acquainted with the victim, you might want to come over a few hours each week to clean house, baby-sit, or cook meals for freezing.

3. Be an encouragement. Send a funny get-well card or an inspiring note. Drop off a humorous video or suggest praying together before you leave. Using discretion, you might want to let others know about the ill person's indisposition so they can possibly help out, too.

4. Be willing to listen. Sometimes those facing a serious problem like cancer, especially when a terminal diagnosis has been given, may simply want to reminisce about the past, discuss future plans, or share difficult emotions. Just being available to listen in person, by telephone, or via the Internet can provide a beautiful source of support. Don't push or pry, however. Wait until the person is ready to talk.

5. If the situation warrants, consider donating financial support. A single mother with two fatherless children may need to get connected to social service agencies. Or she may have some general support already, but lack a little extra money for holidays or birthdays. You may want to send a card with a $20 check that could help pay for special occasions or real needs, needs, like medication, above and beyond any insurance coverage.

6. Provide transportation. If the person grows weak or is unable to drive and family members work at jobs that keep them from driving the sufferer to appointments, ask if you can take the person when you are available. Getting around is one of the greatest challenges facing people who become immobile with serious illnesses.

Whatever your circumstances, chances are you can offer some kind of help to a person who is struggling with cancer. It will certainly be appreciated!

Texas Agricultural Workers May Be At A Higher Risk For Brain Cancer

2009-03-24T15:29:00.001+01:00

By : Pat Carpenter

Brain cancer risks increase with heavy exposure to pesticides, recent reports say. That's troubling news for states with large agricultural industries, like Texas, which not only employs millions of legal and illegal workers every year, but also has over 25% of its population going without health insurance.

French researcher, Dr. Isabelle Baldi, and colleagues from the University of Bordeaux compared 221 adult brain cancer patients with 442 similarly-profiled members of the general population without cancer. The study found that "agricultural workers with the highest level of exposure to pesticides (are) twice as likely to be diagnosed with brain cancer as those with no occupational pesticide exposure."

Baldi's study focused on France's famous Bordeaux region, which has one of the highest brain cancer rates in the world. Though she could not release specifics on which pesticides were used, the region, with its substantial vineyards, uses large quantities of fungicides.

According to an article released in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine, gliomas, a type of tumor associated with brain cancer, are three times as likely to occur in exposed workers as those with no pesticide work exposure.

The study was also the first to produce statistically relevant data suggesting that those who treated their houseplants with pesticides were at a higher risk for brain cancer as well. Again, the cancer risk was approximately double, as compared with those who never used pesticides. Baldi warned that further research was needed to confirm this link, as no controls were in place for pesticide levels and reporting biases.

Previous research from other scholars found that pesticide exposure among farmers was linked with adverse effects on the brain, including Parkinson's disease.

All this only fuels the debate over organic, versus conventionally-grown foods, which is as hot a topic in Texas as anywhere else in the country. Recent reports that the average conventional crop is 13% lower in nutrient content than the same crop produced a few decades ago, also seems to add to the stack of evidence in favor of organic systems.

No one in Texas is immune to the risks these products pose. The state already experiences 13 fatal injuries for every 100,000 agricultural workers, which is twice the rate of all workers in Texas. Chronic diseases and cancer, however, may take years to develop. Considering that agricultural pesticide use has skyrocketed over the last several decades, the prevalence of brain cancer -- and that of other brain disorders linked with these pesticides -- may skyrocket in years to come. Such a surge has the potential to cripple an already perilously strained state healthcare system, especially when one-quarter of all residents are uninsured. And, if Baldi's preliminary findings on the cancer risk associated with household pesticide use proves correct, then everyone, including residents of cities like Dallas, Houston, and Austin, is in danger.

Just the ripple effect in the healthcare system alone may be cause for alarm. If an already strained system administers the necessary, expensive, and time-consuming treatments for uninsured patients with brain cancer, along with treating the rest of the state -- with its usual high rates of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, and other cancers -- then those in need of care throughout the state will feel the effects of limited resources. There are only so many doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to go around; there's only so much public funding. Longer waiting periods alone for those with such serious diseases could prove deadly. And, unfortunately, this year has been a pivotal one for proving the ineffectiveness of our public system; the Commonwealth Fund confirmed only last month that lack of health insurance is linked with poorer quality of care in the United States.

So what do we do? Limit unnecessary pesticide use, first of all, whether you're a farmer, agricultural worker, or a green-thumbed city dweller. Look for alternatives, which are easily found in natural gardening and health food stores. Write pesticide companies and your Congressional representatives; state your concerns and let them know that serous investigations at this point are necessary. Information is the greatest chance we have of protecting ourselves and our children. Though Baldi's study was performed in France, many of the same, or similar, pesticides are used in several countries, including our own. If we figure out and cut off the dangers now, we may literally be able to save thousands, or even millions, of lives.

Being concerned about environmental toxins is just one part of taking care of your health. How you take care of yourself will certainly affect you as you age, and eventually your wallet, as well.

Prostate Cancer Conventional Therapy And Natural Treatment

2009-03-24T15:27:00.000+01:00

Today prostate cancer is the third most common cause of death from cancer in men of all ages and is the most common cause of death from cancer in men over 75 years old. Men who are younger than 40 are rarely ever diagnosed with prostate cancer but they should still aware it's possible. It's estimated that there are approximately 234,460 men in the U.S. who will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, and approximately 27,350 will eventually die from this disease.

Early prostate cancer is confined to the prostate gland itself. Most patients with prostate cancer can live for years without any problems. The prostate is a walnut-sized structure that makes up part of a man's reproductive system. It wraps around the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body and because of this can cause urinary problems. In most men, prostate cancer grows very slowly and most men will never know they have it.

If the cancer is caught in its earliest stages, most men will not experience any symptoms. Most prostate cancer symptoms, although associated with prostate cancer, are more then likely to be connected to non-cancerous conditions. And having one or more cancer symptoms does not mean that you have prostate cancer.

One of the most common symptoms is the inability to urinate. If this has happened to you need to get checked right away. There are a few other symptoms to be aware of. And there are other symptoms that are not be mentioned here. Your doctor will probably use either one or two of the most common tests for prostate cancer detection. Urine or prostatic fluid cytology may reveal some unusual cells. And there are several potential downsides to PSA testing. For example, a high PSA does not always mean a patient has prostate cancer and there is a lot of discussion about whether the PSA test is reliable or not.

The decision about whether to pursue a PSA test should be based on a discussion with your doctor. The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test measures the PSA enzyme in your blood for abnormalities. Also a chest x-ray may be done to see if there has been a spread (metastasis) of cancer if you have been diagnosed with it.

The standard conventional treatment of surgery, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy can interfere with libido on a temporary or permanent basis. Impotence is a potential complication after both a prostatectomy and radiation therapy. Some drugs with numerous serious side effects are being used to treat advanced prostate cancer, blocking the production of testosterone. This is called chemical castration. This has the same result as surgical removal of the testes.

Side effects of chemotherapy drugs depend on which ones you take and how often and how long they're taken for. Prostate cancer that has metastasized may be treated conventionally with drugs to reduce testosterone levels, surgery to remove the testes, chemotherapy or nothing at all. The approaches to treatment include close watching and waiting to see whether or not the cancer is growing slowly and if it isn't causing any symptoms.

OHSU (Oregon Health Sciences University) is beginning a study of acupuncture as a treatment for hot flashes for men with prostate cancer or prostate cancer survivors. Other medications used for hormonal therapy, with side effects, include the androgen-blocking agents, which prevent testosterone from attaching to the prostate cells. The conventional treatment of prostate cancer has often been controversial.

Know exactly what all your treatment options are before you begin any treatment plan. And treatment options can vary based on the stage of the tumor. Hormone manipulation is used mainly as a treatment to relieve symptoms in men whose cancer has spread.

For a dietary approach some of the supplements that help any disease or ailment include vitamin B12 -- the methylcobalamin type not cyanocobalamin, and make sure it's sub-lingual -- dissolves slowly under the tongue. Also vitamin D3 - especially if you can't get a daily dose of 15 to 20 minutes of sun on your arms and legs so you can make your own vitamin D3. Buy some lacinato kale and juice a few leaves in your juicer along with sweet carrots. For natural treatment options for the prostate make an appointment with a naturopathic doctor, called a naturopath. Ask around for referrals.

The first step in managing your prostate health is to make a serious diet change. All experts would agree on this. Use a little flaxseed oil along with olive oil in your daily dark green salad, never iceburg lettuce. Making a ginger tea, by adding a thin slice or two of fresh gingerroot to hot water seems to be helpful to many people.

You may want to consider taking cod liver oil or fish oil supplements every day. If at all possible eliminate all hormone-containing foods like meat and dairy from your diet. Eat high-fiber snacks like raw nuts (soak them overnight in water first to release the enzyme inhibitors), raw seeds, and dried fruit, such as dates, and figs.

While the number of men diagnosed with prostate cancer remains high, survival rates are greatly improving possibly - maybe because of improvement in diet. It's important to get as informed as possible and read all the newest books, ebooks, cutting edge health newsletters, alternative health newsletters and research available. Once you are diagnosed you may want to join a local support group where members share their experiences.

Asians In Texas May Be Seven Times More Likely to Develop Cancer

2009-03-24T15:25:00.000+01:00

By : Pat Carpenter

Asian-Americans may be seven times as likely to be diagnosed with certain cancers, according to the American Cancer Society and Melissa McCracken, first author of a study focusing on cancer rates in the U.S.'s Asian population, released earlier this week in CA, a Cancer Journal for Clinicians.

While Asian-Americans have a lower overall incidence rate of cancer than other ethnic populations in the U.S., the disease is still a main cause of death for the group and accounts for more fatalities than heart disease. Stomach and liver cancers, for instance, are much more likely to occur in the United States' Asian population.

It's a serious public health issue for the country, with so many immigrants arriving every year, many of whom lack health insurance and the communication skills to effectively seek treatment, and some of whom carry bacteria and viruses -- which can cause cancers -- uncommon in the U.S. While still a small minority in Texas, at just under 4%, or approximately 850,000, the Asian-American population in the state is growing, particularly in cities like Dallas and Houston.

McCracken's study was based on cases reported in California from 2000 to 2004, and focuses on five ethnic groups -- Chinese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean, and Japanese -- all broken down into subgroups and analyzed individually, as well as in comparison to the larger population of Asians living in the U.S. The study concluded that Asian-Americans have a recognizable pattern of cancers, that newer immigrants tend to display patterns more closely aligned with their native countries, and that the longer an individual is in the U.S., the more likely he or she is to develop cancers more common here, like colorectal and breast cancers.

Koreans are five to seven times as likely to develop stomach cancer as non-Hispanic whites, and Vietnamese men are seven times more likely to be diagnosed and die from liver cancer. Filipino women have the highest death rate from breast cancer among all Asian women, and are diagnosed almost as often as Caucasians. Filipino men have the highest rate of prostate cancer among Asian men, and are on par with Filipino women's breast cancer incidence rate, about 125 per 100,000. Vietnamese and Korean women show the highest rates of cervical cancer, and the lowest rates of Pap test screenings. Japanese-Americans' rates of colorectal, stomach, prostate, and breast cancers are all increasing.

Approximately 80% of all liver cancers occur in developing countries, mostly due to untreated bacterial or viral infections. Fifty-five percent of those cases are in China alone. The stunning rates of stomach and liver cancers in the U.S.'s Vietnamese and Korean populations can be traced, in part, back to Asia, where hepatitis B is endemic. Chronic infections from the disease are a major cause of liver cancer there, and recent immigrants show similar rates as their home countries. Foods high in nitrates and nitrites, common in Korean cuisine, are also thought to be at fault.

McCracken, an epidemiologist with the Society, is warning clinicians and the public to be more aware of the problem, especially as circumstances that bring about the higher death rates associated with these cancers could be avoided. Proper screening procedures, increasing access to health insurance and health care, sensitivity to immigration issues -- including the possibility of bacterial or viral infections uncommon in the U.S. -- as well as making efforts to cut through barriers associated with language and cultural differences, would all be helpful.

"The group (the Asian-American population) is not homogenous. Clinicians need to be aware of that and to really extend their scope of attention to cancer due to infectious agents, not just typical chronic conditions."

Adopting healthier habits from Asian countries, as opposed to Asians picking up unhealthy American habits, would also appear to lower cancer incidence rates for all ethnic groups. Risks of many cancers increase with obesity, inactivity, high alcohol intake, and diets high in fat and low in whole grains, fruits and vegetables. As immigrants adapt to their surroundings, their habits, naturally, often slowly become more like their host country's. As Asian-Americans adopt more American habits, then, certain cancer rates slowly increase.

Genetics, of course, may also play a role. Dr. Regina Santella, a professor of environmental health science at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University, points to lung cancer's link with a certain gene that slightly increases the chance of smokers developing lung cancer -- a serious problem in Texas. Not all smokers develop the disease, however, even if conditions are similar, or worse, to those who smoke. But exposure levels to toxins, including cigarette smoke, are also factors not to be ignored, she warns.

With the overwhelming number of statistics available on an overwhelming number of health issues, it's difficult not to skim the morning paper and then promptly exchange it for that delicious donut, sitting, of course, next to a highly-caffeinated cup of sugary coffee. "Oh, everything causes cancer anyway," we grumble, and go about our day. But generalized information is perhaps just as important as specifics, perhaps more so to the mass population. The basic truth is that McCracken's study reveals one very important thing many others have -- that incidences of disease, including deadly cancers, increase dramatically when we don't take care of ourselves. Poor eating and exercise habits, as well as exposure to certain toxins, were the main culprits -- not life in general. So read the health section, put one less teaspoon of sugar in that cup of joe and, for goodness' sake, eat some fresh fruit.

Being aware of your genetic risks and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are important parts of watching out for your health. How you take care of yourself will certainly affect you as you age, and eventually your wallet, as well.

Important Anti-Cancer Foods

2009-03-24T15:23:00.000+01:00

By : Bruce Forciea

Many doctors and scientists believe that many cancers could be prevented with a good diet. Here are a few foods that have been shown to decrease the incidence of cancer.

Tomatoes
Tomatoes are loaded with vitamin C. They also contain lycopene, which may explain a recent popular Italian study finding that people who ate raw tomatoes at least seven times per week halved their risk of several cancers as compared to those who ate tomatoes no more than once a week.

Tomatoes are also rich in coumaric acid and chlorogenic acid, which hook onto nitric oxides in the foods we eat and drive them out of the body before they can form cancer-causing chemicals called notrosamines. Tomatoes and broccoli together have been shown to decrease the growth of tumors in prostate cancer.

Some controversy exists regarding the effects of tomatoes on reducing the risk for cancer as recent research in the May, 2007 issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention showed that lycopene did not prevent cancer of the prostate. In fact the study also showed that beta carotene was associated with more aggressive prostate cancer. So you can see there are conflicting results regarding tomatoes and cancer.

Oranges and Lemons
Oranges and lemons contain limonene which raises level of naturally occurring enzymes thought to break down carcinogens and stimulate cancer-killing immune cells. Citrus fruits also contain glucarase, which inactivates carcinogens. One study showed that limonene caused regression of tumors in breast cancer. (1)

Grapes and Raspberries
Grapes and raspberries contain ellagic acid which blocks the body's production of enzymes used by cancer cells. Apples may get prime billing in folklore, but researchers say grapes are packed with chemicals such as phenols and antioxidants that may prevent blood clots. And a natural fungicide found in grapes called reveratrol slows the buildup of LDL cholesterol.

Garlic and Onions
In China, people who eat large amounts of garlic and onions cut their risk of stomach caner by as much as 40%. A study published in the January, 1994 issue of The American Journal of Epidemiology examined the diets of more than 41,000 women in Iowa and showed that those who added garlic to their diet at least once per week reduced their risk of colon cancer by 35%. The chemical thought to be responsible for the effects of garlic and onions is allium.

Chili Peppers
Chili peppers contain capsaicin. Capsaicin may neutralize the carcinogenic effect of cancer causing nitrosamines. It may also block the carcinogens in cigarette smoke from locking onto DNA. The hotter the pepper the more capsaicin it contains.

Soybeans
Soybeans are rich in a chemical called genistein. Genistein fights cancer in several ways. One way is that it looks like estrogen and occupies the binding sites for estrogen. It also may prevent small blood vessels from forming around tumors.

Broccoli and Cabbage
These vegetables contain enzymes and indoles. Indoles affect the metabolism of estrogen, prompting the body to make benign forms of the hormone that inhibits the growth of breast cancer.

The American diet which is so high in fats, meats and dairy products is in dire need of an overhaul. Adding or increasing the amounts of these foods is an important step in reducing the risk of cancer.

1. Jill D. Haag, Mary J. Lindstrom and Michael N. Gould: Limonene-induced Regression of Mammary Carcinomas. Cancer Research

That Fizzy Goodness In Texas May Be Linked To Cancer

2009-03-24T15:22:00.000+01:00

By : Pat Carpenter

It's sweet, refreshing and fizzy, but soda pop may be doing more damage to individuals who drink it in Houston, Dallas and elsewhere in Texas, than they may think.

Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported that it had found a high level of cancer-causing benzene in five of the 100 soft drinks and beverages that were tested. The levels of benzene were more than the recommended five-parts-per-billion limit for drinking water.

The FDA reported that it had alerted the companies that make the soft drinks in which benzene was discovered to be over the prescribed limit. The companies had agreed to reformulate their drinks or have already done so. The FDA also maintained that there was no cause for concern, even though some environmental groups expressed disappointment regarding the organization's recent findings.

The five soft drinks/beverages that had excess levels of benzene were:
- Safeway Select Diet Orange -- one lot was found to have 79.2 parts per billion of benzene
- AquaCal Strawberry Flavored Water Beverage -- one lot was found to have 23.4 parts per billion
- Crystal Light Sunrise Classic Orange -- one lot was found to have 87.9 parts per billion
- Giant Light Cranberry Juice Cocktail -- one lot was found to have 10.7 parts per billion
- Crush Pineapple -- one lot was found to have 9.2 parts per billion

Benzene in soft drinks has recently become an extremely sensitive matter. The chemical is formed as a result of a reaction between Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and either sodium benzoate or potassium benzoate, both of which are contained in soft drinks and beverages. However, the reaction doesn't always occur. It takes place as an exception when the conditions are ideal for this particular reaction.

Benzene is a chemical that is linked to cancer in humans. It is found in the air as a result of automobile emissions, burning coal and oil. It is also used extensively in industries which produce chemicals, dyes, detergents, synthetic fibers, solvents, rubber and some plastics.

Employees in the chemical industry, gas stations, gasoline distribution jobs, the rubber industry, and the printing and leather industries are also at a high risk, since they are constantly exposed to benzene.

Currently, the FDA doesn't have an upper limit for benzene in soft drinks. It follows the five parts per billion (ppb) limit set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for drinking water. The FDA's website states that benzene can cause harm at "very low levels." Information on the site adds that exposure to light can trigger the formation of benzene in the soft drinks.

The FDA conducted a food-testing program called the Total Diet Study, in which it tested 24 samples of diet soda for benzene. Approximately 79% (nineteen) of the soft drinks was found to have benzene above the permitted levels.

According to recent research carried out by Sheffield University in the UK, a preservative that is commonly found in soft drinks can cause essential parts of human DNA to stop working, leading to serious health problems. Earlier this year, British officials pulled soft drinks and juices that contained benzene from the shelves.

A nice cold soda on a hot day may seem like just the thing. But there are alternatives, like water and natural fruit juice. What you put in your body when you're young will certainly affect your health when you get older. Eventually, it will also affect your wallet as well.

Treatments Focusing on Sugars May Help Cure Cancer: New Hope for Texas

2009-03-24T15:21:00.000+01:00

By : Pat Carpenter

It turns out that the key to defeating cancer just may found in sugar...well, at least in the polysaccarides, or "sugar molecules," surrounding tumors. That's good news for developed countries like the U.S., in which cancer is a leading cause of death. Texas alone endures approximately 10,000 lung-cancer related deaths every year, many of which are in high-pollutant areas like Dallas, Houston, and Austin. The implications this has for potential lifesaving treatments, and, subsequently, for the health care and health insurance industries, are profound.

According to the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, altering some of the sugars found on the surface of cancer cells can control tumor growth. Theorizing that changes in the polysaccarides surrounding tumors indicated the stages or aggressiveness of cancers, Ram Sasisekharan and colleagues from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) conducted studies in which cancer-infected mice were given doses of two enzymes and their products predicted to cut the sugar heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans in different places. Heparinase I (hep I) promoted the growth of melanoma tumors, while heparinase III (hep III) inhibited their growth, and prevented subsequent spreading.

Tumors "bind to (hence, disrupt) activity of certain signaling molecules involved in tumor activity." The implication is that cancerous tumors can be restricted or encouraged by enzymes released by the body, or, as experiments would suggest, introduced to the body through polysaccaride-based anti-cancer drugs. Though further testing is necessary, such treatments may also come with the added bonus of having relatively few side-effects.

Further research has been done on enzymes' link to cancer growth. Results of a study conducted on lung cancer, released by the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and published in the journal, Cancer Research, suggested that blocking the enzyme telomerase -- which prevents the death of cancer cells -- may also slow or halt the spread of most malignancies. Such treatments may be most effective after chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, or other treatments are administered to rid the body of most of the disease. Enzymatic treatment, then, can follow, eliminating remaining cancer cells. Such therapies may also be used during the course of treatment to slow malignant growth.

This all makes a little more sense in light of some basic cell biology. In normal cells, the tail end of the chromosomes are called telomores. As cells divide and age, they become shorter and shorter, and, at a certain length, they simply stop dividing and die. Cancer cells, on the other hand, have a certain enzyme, telomerase, that activates and keeps the chromosomes the same length, thereby preventing their death. Malignant cells are so hard to kill partly because they live so long and multiply so rapidly. Enzymatic therapy that would halt this growth would be a major breakthrough in the treatment of nearly all cancers.

Between 1995 and 2000, there were 81,132 lung cancer cases recorded in Texas alone. Ninety percent of those who were diagnosed didn't make it past five years. The rates were higher in counties with higher emissions, especially emissions containing zinc, chromium, and copper. Ominously, a report entitled An Ecological Study of the Association of Metal Air Pollutants with Lung Cancer Incidence in Texas, released by the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, concluded that "a positive relationship" between air pollution and lung cancer existed. Long-term exposure to fine particulate matter, produced from the combustion of fossil fuels (such as in power plants, incinerators and motor vehicles) also conferred lung cancer risks.

Undoubtedly, most lung cancer is associated with cigarette smoking, but around 15% of those with this horrid disease are nonsmokers. Such a significant percentage implies that other factors are to blame, such as air pollution (obviously higher in cities like Dallas and Houston), secondhand smoke, asbestos, and Radon exposure. Lung cancer rates are so significant because few people diagnosed are actually cured. If scientists can somehow find a way to treat even the toughest of cancers, there is hope for even the most desperate of patients.

What is so exciting about the possibility of enzymatic therapy for cancer patients is that it's relatively simple. Scientists are discovering the basic processes allowing cancers to exist and grow, and are attempting to cut them off before the malignancies overtake the body. Perhaps, just perhaps, we may even soon stop this often-fatal disease well before it can take hold. Now that would be something.

No one wants to be afflicted with cancer. How you take care of yourself can surely help reduce your risk, and will certainly affect you as you age -- eventually your wallet, as well.

Paraben Preservatives and Cosmetics: Controversy and Alternatives

2009-03-24T15:19:00.000+01:00

By : Kristin Adams

Increasing concern for the safety of ingredients in cosmetics has brought some widely used cosmetic preservatives by the family name 'paraben' to center stage. Paraben preservatives are listed under multiple names and are used to preserve the majority of cosmetics on the market today, not only to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi but also to promote the abnormally long shelf-life of products.

As with chemically preserved foods, paraben preserved cosmetics ensure that the cosmetic manufacturer can produce the product en masse and take comfort in a multi-year shelf life. Paraben preservatives have recently come into question with new studies that link the daily exposure of paraben preservatives to breast cancer and endocrine-disruption issues.

What Exactly are Paraben Preservatives?

Parabens are synthetic preservatives that have been in use since the 1920s as "broad-band" preservatives (anti-bacterial and anti-fungal) which means that they work within a formula to prevent the growth of multiple possible contaminants such as bacteria, yeast, mold and fungi. They can be found in approximately 75-90 percent of cosmetics such as make-up, lotion, deodorants and shampoos.

According to 'A Consumers Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients', water is the only cosmetic ingredient used more frequently than paraben preservatives. (Winter, 2005) Paraben is the family name for the following permutations of the ingredient found on a common product ingredient label:

- Butylparaben
- Ethylparaben
- Methylparaben
- Propylparaben
- Benzyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid (p-hydroxybenzoic acid)
- Methyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid (p-hydroxybenzoic acid)
- Ethyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid (p-hydroxybenzoic acid)
- Propyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid (p-hydroxybenzoic acid)
- Butyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid (p-hydroxybenzoic acid)
- Parahydroxybenzoic acid (p-hydroxybenzoic acid)
- Parahydroxybenzoate (p-hydroxybenzoate)

The Paraben Controversy

Linked to Breast Cancer: Though paraben preservatives only account for a very small percentage of a product's actual formula they are quite potent. A study published in the Journal of Applied Toxicology in 2004 expressed concern regarding the use of paraben preservatives.

In the UK, researchers found traces of it in 19 out of 20 women with breast tumors. (Winter, 2005) Though the studies did not determine if the ingredient was the cause of the breast tumors, it did establish that pervasive use of this synthetic ingredient is biocumulative.

Possible Endocrine Disruptors: Paraben preservatives have also been identified as endocrine disruptors. The endocrine system is instrumental in regulating the body's hormones. Paraben preservatives are believed to mimic the female hormone estrogen when introduced into the body.

According to recent research, more than 60 percent of topically applied chemicals via cosmetics, lotions, etc. are absorbed by the skin and dispersed throughout the body by the bloodstream. Once absorbed into the body, paraben preservatives mimic the hormone estrogen and can disrupt the body's normal hormonal balance.

In the Archives of Toxicology (2002) , Dr. S. Oishi of the Department of Toxicology, Tokyo Metropolitan Research Laboratory of Public Health, Japan, reported "that exposure of newborn male mammals to butylparaben adversely affects the secretion of testosterone and the function of the male reproductive system."

This artificial provocation and inflation of estrogen in the endocrine system has been linked to breast cancer in some women as well as the abnormal hormonal development of children including the hormonal "feminization of boys" which may influence the suspected link in decreasing testosterone levels and sperm count in the male reproductive system. It has also been hypothesized to contribute to the early maturation of girls at increasingly younger ages.

Do All Cosmetic Companies Use Paraben Preservatives?

Not all cosmetic companies use paraben preservatives and many are phasing out their use now that enough questions have been raised about their overall long term safety. New cosmetic companies, more focused on offering natural and organic products, have made their "no paraben" policy a platform issue. This means there are a wide variety of paraben-free products which are mostly now available for purchase in health food stores and on the internet.

With the increasing popularity of the natural and organic body care market more companies are jumping on the proverbial "natural" band wagon. With this additional commercial interest and the lack of FDA regulation around the word "natural" one must never rely solely on a company's marketing and advertising claims and always read the ingredient label to confirm that an ingredient is truly not being used in the formula.

Alternative Preservative Systems

There are good reasons why paraben preservatives are the defacto cosmetic preservative. They are cheap and effective. However, safer and more natural alternatives are available. With formulas that contain certain organic (living) ingredients and/or water as an ingredient, a more aggressive non-paraben preservative must be used to ensure the stability of the formula.

In general, the next best option is a synthetic preservative called Phenoxyethanol which has a synthetic chemical composition inspired by a natural anti-bacterial/anti-microbial chemical found in the sage plant. It's easier to use a natural preservative in formulas that are basically inert (like most powder mineral cosmetics) or have an oil base and no water (like lipstick or liners). In products such as these, a plant extract or essential oil with anti-microbial and anti-oxidant properties such as grapefruit seed extract, grape seed extract or tocopherol (vitamin E) is used as an effective preservative system. In any case, the manufacturer should perform proper stability testing to ensure that the product's preservative system lasts.

Resources for the Risk Adverse

Much research and observation still needs to be done to ultimately determine the true long term safety and consequences of the wide spread use of paraben preservatives as a daily part of our skin regimen and subsequent absorption diet. The current studies questioning paraben preservatives fundamental safety and the current lack of FDA testing or regulation regarding cosmetics establish a good case for avoiding these questionable ingredients all together.

An excellent resource to determine the overall safety of almost any personal care product is the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) Cosmetic Database. This database culls world-wide collective scientific ingredient and cosmetic studies as well as governmental toxicity databases from around the world (examples US, EU, Japan, Korea) and gives a toxicity ranking based on this collective data. The online interface is easy to work with. One simply types in the name of a product/brand or an ingredient and the database will return all the relevant information about that query and its safety. The EWG's database is a work in progress and is always being refined for further detail and clarity.

Conclusions

More comprehensive studies are needed to conclusively determine the true scope of the damaging effects of prolonged exposure to paraben preservatives by way of the cosmetic ingredients we use every day. A serious effort to reassess the safety of these products must be undertaken by a non-biased group of researchers. To date, among the studies that have been done world-wide, paraben preservatives have been linked to breast cancer and have been labelled as a possible endocrine disruptor that might have specific damaging consequences for young children and those with ongoing exposure.

Luckily, we have more options than ever before and can take ourselves out of the equation entirely by educating ourselves and opting for products that use different preservative systems and fewer questionable ingredients in general.

Sources and works cited:

Antczak, Dr. Stephen and Gina, (2001). Cosmetics Unmasked, Harper Collins, London. Fairley, Josephine, (2001). Organic Beauty, DK Publishing, London. Winter, Ruth M.S. (2005). A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients, Three Rivers Press, NY. Cornell University: Parabens: evidence of estrogenicity and endocrine disruption

Why Did My Child Get Cancer?

2009-03-24T15:18:00.000+01:00

By : iman ashour

Although there is accumulating evidence linking environmental factors in the development of cancer; still the answer to the above question remains unknown in this modern day and age of human science and study.

As much as a detailed history and risk factor recognition could reveal a combination of possible exposures that may explain somewhat the cause of cancers. The question of "Why my child?" is, at this stage of knowledge, more difficult to answer however.

Cancer is a disease that occurs when a complex and not completely understood process involving genetic and environmental factors interaction results in the development of an abnormal cellular response otherwise known as malignancy.

In the United States and Europe that overall rates of childhood cancer have been steadily increasing since the 1970s and continue to be on an upward trend, the commonest cancers being those of the blood (leukemia), central nervous system tumours and of the lymphatic system (Lymphomas).

The rates of childhood cancer have been noted to be higher in children younger than 5 years of age with another incidence spike in those aged between 15 to 19 years, again the answer to why this is obviously requires further study, analysis and research.

This upward trend has raised valid concern as to what the causes might be and why modern day medicine which aims at preventing and treating these illnesses has been puzzled by this cancer myth. Could it be that human progression and scientific development perhaps are counteracting our goals?

Below is a list of common risk factors that have been associated with various types of cancers:

-Ionizing radiation.
-Proximity to nuclear facilities
-Exposure to radon
-Diagnostic radiographs
-Non-ionizing radiation.
-Solar UV radiation
-Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields(electric cables)
-Viruses (e.g Hepatitis)
-Traffic-related air pollution (exposure to Formaldehyde)
-Industrial air pollution (exposure to toxic fumes)
-Environmental tobacco smoke (Exposure to carbon monoxide and formaldehyde)
-Pesticides and various chemical toxins.
-Medications, food and drugs
-Parental occupational exposures

As a result of the above information and by revising what we currently do know about cancer and its causation, thought still unsatisfactory. It is essential to take the above triggers extremely seriously and avoid the hazards that may result following exposure to them.

Learn to live life well, especially if you are planning on getting pregnant or already are.Everything you eat, drink and breathe should be a cause of concern in this day and age as we have become an overchemicalized and toxin dependant world.

Having said all that it is hard and perhaps close to impossible to control your surroundings all the time, still you need to discipline yourself and learn to be diligent in what you expose yourself, genetics and future children to.

About Pain Control For Cancer Victims

2009-03-24T15:17:00.000+01:00

By : MIKE SELVON

Pain control is usually something cancer patients have to practice when going through treatments. Pain can be generated from the cancer itself or it can be generated from an outside source, such as arthritis. Managing your pain can help you gain better control over your cancer diagnosis.

Pain can be acute or chronic. Acute pain is severe, but short-lived and chronic is pain that lasts for longer periods of time, and can range from mild to severe. Sometimes patients will experience breakthrough pain, which is pain that breaks through medications prescribed to the patient.

According to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network's (NCCN) August 2005 pain prevention report, one-third of cancer patients experience pain with their treatments. The NCCN also reports that nearly two-thirds of patients with recurring cancer or advanced stages of cancer experience pain.

Pain control is possible, even for those suffering from cancer, and it can give a patient a better quality of life. Pain in cancer patients is most often a result of the cancer itself, but sometimes it can result from a specific treatment, such as radiation therapy. Pain can be relieved through several ways.

For example, pain control can be through medications, relaxation methods, acupuncture or mental therapy sessions. Each patient is unique and pain can be evaluated through a cancer team made up of specialists such as an oncologist, anesthesiologist, pain specialists and your physician.

It is important for you to discuss any pain you experience with your doctor or medical professional so they can figure out what methods would work best for you. The earlier pain is ministered to, the easier it will be to handle it during your cancer treatments. If you experience pain that is unrelated to your cancer diagnosis, it is important to find the best method to stop the pain before beginning your treatment.

For example, arthritis pain prevention can be found through physical therapy sessions, water therapy or oral medications. If a patient suffers from cancer in the spinal cord, he or she may need to learn about back and neck pain control. This type of pain occurs because the cancer causes the spinal cord to compress, causing sharp pains in the back and neck regions.

Finding the proper method can help you with pain control, especially when you suffer from cancer. With the advancements in medical technology, a slew of medications are available to patients suffering from continual aches, twinges and throbbing. Some patients experience breakthrough pain, which can be treated with prescription-strength morphine.

Other patients experience extreme episodes of tingling and burning sensations, and doctors usually treat these symptoms with antidepressants or anti-seizure medications. There is always the possibility of experiencing vomiting, dizziness or acute fatigue with these medications. Your doctor can help find ways to handle them, such as therapy sessions with a counselor. Many times it is up to the patient to help their medical practitioner find out what is causing the pain by keeping notes each time it occurs.

Managing pain control with cancer is not a figment of one's imagination. In fact, the hurt that accompanies cancer and its treatments can be controlled with the proper medication or therapy.

Discussing any ache or soreness in your body with a physician will put you on the path to a smoother, more tolerable recovery from cancer.

Cancer Protection is About Making Smart Decisions

2009-03-24T15:16:00.000+01:00

By : MIKE SELVON

People taking action towards cancer protection by changing their diets and going to the doctor regularly have resulted in the latest statistics released by the American Cancer Society in January 2007 reporting that cancer deaths have gone down in the United States. Medical technology also offers state-of-the-art testing and screenings for various cancers, allowing patients to detect tumors in their earliest stages.

There are several ways you can protect yourself from cancer. One way is to maintain a healthy diet. Diets including plenty of fruits and vegetables allow a person to receive the necessary vitamins linked with cancer protection. It is also important to include healthy fats found in olive, canola and sunflower oils.

These are high in Omega-3 fatty acids, which have been linked to keep the heart healthy and prevent other deadly diseases. Limiting your intake of red meats is very important when it comes to a healthy diet. Instead, you should focus on including more lean proteins, such as chicken and fish.

Other ways to improve your diet are to eat hearty whole grains found in certain breads, pastas and rice dishes. Make sure to always avoid fried foods that are high in trans-fats.

Aside from a healthy diet, you can practice cancer prevention by taking certain supplements and vitamins. Vitamin E, selenium and lycopene have been connected with lowering a man's risk of developing prostate cancer.

Fish oils have also been linked with preventing cancer of the prostate. There has even been research suggesting calcium supplements could help a person prevent colorectal cancer.

Going to the doctor is important even if you are trying to lower your risk of cancer. Doctors can perform certain screenings to help protect you from a life-threatening disease. Women are recommended to start having yearly mammograms sometime after age forty.

Younger women should have regular clinical breast exams performed by a physician or do breast exams at home to watch for abnormalities. Men and women should have a colonoscopy, beginning in their fifties, every ten years to watch for colorectal cancers. Men can protect themselves from prostate cancer by using certain chemoprevention drugs.

These are man-made drugs or vitamins used specifically to suppress or prevent cancer. PSA tests or digital rectal exams are other methods available to men who are at high risk for prostate cancer. Discuss all the treatments and screenings available with your doctor to determine what you should do based on your personal and family medical history.

Lifestyle is a major factor in your efforts at cancer protection. Smoking has been linked with several cancers, such as lung, prostate, bladder and breast cancer. It is imperative for smokers to quit this unhealthy habit because it will greatly reduce their risks of developing cancer.

Doctors recommend women watch their alcohol consumption as part of breast and cervical cancer control. Other ways to improve your lifestyle is to work plenty of physical activity into your daily schedule. Whether you join a gym, buy a treadmill or play outside with your children, exercising is an important factor in cancer protection.

Cancer protection could mean small changes or complete overhauls to daily routines, depending on your current lifestyle. Lowering your risk of cancer may include joining a gym or buying vitamins and dietary supplements.

It could mean you have to quit smoking or using other tobacco products. Whatever change you make to your current situation will put you closer to living a healthy and cancer-free life.

About Pain Prevention During Cancer Treatments

2009-03-24T15:15:00.000+01:00

By : MIKE SELVON

Pain prevention is important when a patient is diagnosed with a disease. Illnesses, like cancer or arthritis, are accompanied by severe pain. This makes it extremely difficult for an individual to maintain a sense of normalcy in their daily life because they are unable to perform daily task. Doctors and medical specialists can help you find the right regiment to alleviate any pain you experience from a disease.

Debilitating diseases, such as arthritis and cancer, share a common connection when it comes to pain. Patients who suffer from arthritis, which is an inflammation of the joints, often need physical or therapeutic exercise. This type of arthritis pain control helps to increase joint flexibility and muscle mobility.

Cancer treatments often have the same affect, leaving the person feeling weak and helpless. Cancer treatment has different effects on people, depending on the type of disease. Individuals respond to treatments based on how far the cancer has advanced, and pain prevention should be individualized.

If you are diagnosed with cancer, it is important to set up a plan with your physician to develop a pain prevention plan. This will help you handle the changes your body will experience as you take treatments needed to eradicate the cancer from your body.

Therefore, when you first experience a pain in your body, you should tell your doctor where the pain is located, how severe it is, how long the pain lasted and if you experienced a recurrence of it in the same location. Providing all of this to your health care provider will allow them to set up solutions to help you manage the pain.

For individuals suffering from arthritis, there are a slew of medications available to help relieve the pain. Patients may have several different methods which make up their arthritis pain prevention plan. This could be incorporating anti-inflammatory drugs along with therapeutic exercises.

The same mindset is used when it comes to cancer prevention, and doctors have to try different medications on a person before finding the winning remedy. The National Cancer Institute suggests a three-step medication plan for pain prevention in cancer patients. The first level is for treating mild to moderate pain, and uses anti-inflammatory drugs or medications with acetaminophen.

If the pain continues to persist, doctors go to level two or level three pain medications. These could include doses or morphine to relieve severe and lasting pain. Other remedies, such as radiation therapy, can be added to pain medication treatments to help manage the cancer.

Depending on the severity of the disease, pain prevention methods may need to include physical and emotional therapies as well. Physical therapy, hot and cold massages and breathing methods are all used to help weak muscles.

Psychological support is also a method used to help cancer patients cope with the incapacitation they feel from the disease. The emotional support is important when coping with the feeling of helplessness patients feel when they can't perform simple task like dressing themselves.

Your doctor will have to help find a pain prevention method that will fit your condition. Because all cancers react differently in patients, the pain your experience will be different than other patients with the same illness.

It is important to maintain constant communication with your physician about your pain so they can help you find a treatment and provide you with a sense of normalcy.

Cancer Prevention Is Easier Than You Think

2009-03-24T15:14:00.000+01:00

By : MIKE SELVON

Cancer prevention is not like rocket science. It begins with taking a look at your lifestyle and deciding where to make changes. Change can be as simple as adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet or it can mean putting down your pack of cigarettes for good. Whatever you choose to do as a means to ward off cancer, remember to tailor your prevention methods to fit your body.

The first step in the fight against cancer is to take a look at your family history. The University of Texas' MD Anderson's Cancer Center web site reports that five to ten percent of cancer cases can come from a person's genetic make-up. The flip side of this statistic is that ninety percent of cancer cases can be controlled by the individual.

If someone in your family has battled cancer, researchers are now able to perform specific tests to find out if you carry altered genes which can cause certain types of cancers. The responsibility of getting the necessary tests and screenings lies with the individual.

Part of cancer prevention comes with heeding this responsibility and not ignoring the warning signs cancer gives to its victims. Research like this will help you to know if you should focus your efforts on breast and cervical cancer prevention or arthritis cancer prevention.

Aside from genetics, the most important part of cancer prevention is eating a well-balanced diet. This means incorporating more fruits and vegetables, meats that are low in fat and plenty of heart-healthy whole grains into your diet. Certain vegetables, such as tomatoes and broccoli, carry antibodies that support cancer prevention of the prostate for men.

If you can't eat all your servings at one sitting, try to snack on them throughout the day. And because today's society is surrounded by processed foods, reading nutrition labels is important when going to the store. Avoid foods that tend to be high in saturated fats, high fructose corn syrups and hydrogenated oils of any kind.

Exercising may not be an activity you thoroughly enjoy, but it is important to find time as a way to prevent cancer. Medical research suggests doing some form of activity for at least half an hour several times a week to keep your body in good shape.

To make exercising fun, find activities you enjoy such as hiking or gardening. Even simple tasks, like shopping at a mall, can be a form of physical activity. Being creative is the best way to keep your workouts fun and entertaining, leaving you less likely to forgo a brisk walk after dinner for the couch.

Cancer prevention involves changing habits, especially the bad ones. The University of Texas' MD Anderson Cancer Research web site reports that 87 percent of lung cancer victims were smokers.

The Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation's fall 2006 newsletter conveyed that even second-hand smoke can increase a person's risk of heart disease by twenty-five to thirty percent and can increase a person's risk of developing lung cancer by twenty to thirty percent.

More and more research comes out every year about the harmful affects of smoking, and stopping this degenerative habit is a crucial part in the fight against cancer.

Cancer prevention means making significant lifestyle changes. Simple decisions, such as snacking on fresh fruit and vegetables, can help you find room for healthier food choices. Getting your family involved in exercising helps physical activity become more fun and less of a chore for your loved ones.

Taking small steps towards big transformations will aid you in the fight against cancer and provide you with the opportunity to live a long and healthy life.

About Antibodies for Cancer Prevention

2009-03-24T15:13:00.000+01:00

By : MIKE SELVON

The latest discoveries in medical technology are using certain antibodies for cancer prevention. These medical miracles are called monoclonal antibodies, or "Mabs", and can be used to help ward off all kinds of cancers. The technology to aid doctors and nurses fight cancer has only come about within the last several decades. Further research continually turns up more and more Mabs, providing hope for those who have already developed cancer and for those who are trying to protect themselves from it.

The American Cancer Society's (AMC) web site explains that monoclonal antibodies were first developed in laboratories using mice with myeloma cells, which is a kind of bone marrow cancer, and mice that produced specific antibodies for those cells. The combination of these two cells, called a hybridoma cell, forces a perpetual factory making antibodies.

The antibodies end up being identical clones of the original hybridoma cell, which is why they are called monoclonal antibodies. The problem scientists faced with this phenomenal finding was that human antibodies recognized the mouse-produced antibodies as foreign invaders and attacked them.

With hard work and dedication, scientists are continuing to develop ways to integrate human antibodies in lieu of mouse antibodies so cancer patients will be able to use the immunotherapy as a form of treatment.

Today there are two types of Mabs, naked and conjugated. The difference between these two lies in the fact that naked antibodies lack radioactive materials attached to them. Conjugated antibodies, on the other hand, are fused with a chemotherapy drug or other toxin used to fight off cancer cells.

In recent years the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several Mabs, both naked and conjugated, for cancer treatments. A list of approved Mabs is available through the ACA's web site. In 2004 and in 2006, Bevacizumab, a naked antibody, was approved for treating certain types of breast cancers.

In 2001 the FDA approved the use of Alemuzumab, a naked antibody, which acts as a form of leukemia prevention by attaching itself to both B and T cancer cells, causing the body's immune system to attack and kill them. In 2000, the FDA approved the use of a conjugated antibody, Gemtuzumab ozogamicin, which is used in the treatment of chronic leukemia.

If you have lost someone to cancer or know someone suffering from cancer, it is not hard to understand how crucial medical research is when it comes to finding antibodies for cancer prevention. The number of cancer victims continues to rise each year, hitting people of all ages.

With the prolonged use and approval of Mabs, these numbers may begin to decline, alleviating the fear everyone has about developing some form of the deadly disease. Diet and exercise will only help an individual a certain amount, leaving genetics and medical breakthroughs to do the rest.

By continuing to fine tune more variations of antibodies for cancer prevention, medicine as we know it today could be changed for the better in years to come.

Medicine has come a long way in the last fifty years thanks to the help of scientists and research laboratories. Their combined efforts have aided individuals all over the world prevent and treat life-threatening forms of cancer.

Advancements in immunotherapy treatments that use antibodies for cancer prevention, combined with other cancer-deterring methods, are just a step on the threshold for greater triumphs to help everyone live long and healthy lives.

Gaining The Edge On Cancer Control

2009-03-24T15:10:00.000+01:00

By : MIKE SELVON

Cancer control has taken America by storm. Thanks to better treatment options and earlier detection, cancer rates have declined significantly within the last couple of years, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).

Preventing any type of cancer can be accomplished through a healthy diet and healthy habits, but there is the chance none of these will help. Genetics could be the case for patients suffering from bone cancer because doctors are unsure as to what really causes this disease.

According to the ACS, there will only be a little over two thousand cases of bone cancer in the United States for 2007. Of that number, only a thousand will actually die from the disease. Bone cancer can begin in the bone, but most often the cancer started in another organ and spread.

In this instance, the cancer cells were malignant and filtered easily to other parts of the body. In these situations, patients end up receiving the same type of therapy as was used for the original cancer because the cells are the same.

Bone tumors get their name according to the region of the bone the cells are infecting. Bone tumors can be benign or malignant. If a bone tumor is benign, the patient will not see the cells spread to other parts of the body. There are several types of bone tumors, but the two most common forms are osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma.

Osteosarcoma is the most common form of bone cancer found in patients between the ages of ten and thirty. There is the possibility that individuals between the ages of sixty and seventy will develop osteosarcoma, but rarely does one see this cancer in someone who is between the ages of thirty and sixty.

Males are also more susceptible to this common form of bone cancer than women. Chondrosarcoma affects the bone cartilage and usually occurs in patients after age twenty. Risks for developing this type of bone cancer continually rise as a person gets older and men and women are at equal risk of developing this disease.

Bone cancer protection is difficult to define mainly because there is no scientific method used to prevent it. There are risk factors associated with bone cancer such as having a previous disease or receiving treatment for a specific disease, like radiation therapy.

Age can also play a role in who develops bone cancer. Because it is hard to practice cancer control when it comes to the human bone structure, everyone is at risk for developing this disease at some point in their life.

The most common diagnosis for bone cancer is pain. As the tumor grows, the pain worsens for the individual. Detecting the pain is the first part of bone cancer control. The next important step is detecting it. This can be done through x-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, bone scans or PET scans.

Once the cancer is found and defined, a patient needs to work on a treatment. Normally treatments for bone cancer are chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery. It is important when practicing any kind of cancer control that you discuss all your options with a doctor so you can find the right treatment for your body.

Cancer control may be easier when discussing breast and prostate cancer, mainly because the detection methods are better, more people are quitting smoking and treatment methods are more advanced. Researchers are constantly working on ways to prevent and treat bone cancer. As more discoveries are made, hopefully the numbers will decline too as they did for other cancers.

Cancer Information: Preparing for the Worst

2009-03-24T15:07:00.000+01:00

By : Ajeet Khurana

According to the 2007 report of the World Health Organization, the next thirty years will witness a significant global rise, in the number of deaths due to non-communicable diseases, especially cancer. This prediction is mainly due to the ageing of the population of the world.

However, even without that bit of news, we are aware of cancer being a major killer. But we do know that a cancer, when detected in its earliest stages, is generally curable. Hence, it is advisable to make sure that we are privy to various kinds of cancer information.

To begin with, it helps if you know about the different common types of cancer. Among the most common are bladder cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, skin cancer, and prostate cancer.

Leukemia is another common type, where the cancer forms in the tissues where blood is formed, such as in the bone marrow. This then leads to the production of a large number of blood cells, and these large numbers of blood cells then enter the blood stream.

If you have a suspicious looking mole, you really should have it checked, as you do not want to risk it's being cancerous. It may be nothing, but you really should not sit on it worrying that it might be melanoma. The word "melanoma" comes from "melanocytes". Melanocytes are the cells in which melanin pigment is formed. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that begins in these cells.

NHL (Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma) is yet another common form of cancer. This refers to a the growth of a large group of cancers that affect the immunity system. The symptoms of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are those of fever and weight loss, a sure sign that the immunity system has been affected. This is a cancer that can affect any age group, and its treatment is completely dependent on the stage of detection of the cancer.

Of course, these are only a few of the many kinds of cancers that afflict people all over the world. There are cancers that can be easily treated, and those that cannot. On the Internet, there are various sites that are devoted to providing cancer information. So you have the official sites, websites created by cancer specialists, and sites created and maintained by people who have either battled cancer or know people who have.

So, at least if you are looking for basic information, there are a large number of authoritative websites that provide cancer information. Prepare yourself with all the cancer information that you can, so that you will be better placed to deal with the countless problems that a cancer brings in its wake.

Some Very Effective Cancer Treatments

2009-03-24T15:06:00.000+01:00

By : Darren Dunner

More than half of patients that suffer with any form of cancer are treated with the use of radiation. It has been found to be most effective used either alone or in conjunction with other kinds of cancer treatments.

While other treatment methods are very effective in killing, stopping or otherwise disabling cancerous cells, radiation uses ionization to kill the cells and shrink tumors. The desired result of radiation treatment is to shrink tumors and relieve the symptoms associated with different kinds of cancers to save healthy tissue in the process.

Chemotherapy is another cancer treatment that works to destroy cancerous cells by preventing the cells from growing and spreading. Although some healthy sells may be harmed by the use of this method they are quite capable of repairing themselves following treatment.

Chemotherapy uses a combination of drugs that affect the hormones already present in your body. These drugs have a boosting affect on the bodys immune system that aid in fighting the foreign cancerous cells. These drugs can destroy the cells altogether or change the way the body reacts to the cells formations. Use to both control and cure the cancer chemotherapy also relieves symptoms that cancer can cause, like pain which inevitably help the patient to live more comfortably.

Surgery stands as a sometimes-necessary cancer treatment that cannot be avoided. One type of surgery used in the treatment of cancer is cryosurgery, which is a surgical technique for freezing and then killing the cancerous cells. Some cancers like liver cancer and prostate cancer benefit best from treatments that attack cancers that are contained in one area. Cervical cancer and other cancers where precancerous or non-cancerous conditions exist benefit most from this type of cancer treatment.

Other treatment methods include the process of eliminating the blood supply that feed tumor growth. Cancer treatments that use high-intensity light and still others that treat the formation of tumors with heat are less widely known by the general public but are used widely alone and in conjunction with other treatment methods.

One such treatment that uses laser light to remove cancer growths is most often for cancers on the surface of the skin or on the lining of internal organs. Laser therapy eliminates the chance of excessive bleeding and prevents damage to healthy tissue and has a lower chance of infection than other more invasive surgeries for cancer.

On the other hand, a hyperthermia treatment exposes the tissues to very high temperatures that kill cancerous cells. This form of treatment is always used with other forms of treatment such as radiation and chemo.

Cancer treatment that act as angiogenesis inhibitors are being tested and researched as they will aim to prevent the formation of blood vessels that feed the cancerous cells and allow them to continue to grow. This method of treatment is still being tested and its not yet known whether or not these inhibitors work effectively in humans.

Risk Factors and Prevention of Lung Cancer

2009-03-24T15:05:00.000+01:00

By : Darren Dunner

Lung cancer is a cancer that forms in the tissues of the lung cavity. The cancerous cells normally will form in the lining air passages.

Health professionals are not always able to determine the why or causes that a person develops cancers and others do not. But, researchers can provide insight that can lead to a very close explanation from studies performed and a general pattern of cancer in the population. Many of the habits and lifestyles that people lead daily contribute to the development of many diseases including lung cancer, virus growth, and other illnesses in a persons body. For this reason we can say that just about anything that a person does that increases the chances of contracting, developing, or spreading a disease or illness is called a risk factor. Lung cancer prevention depends on the elimination of many, if not all of the risk factors associated with the disease.

Therefore, it stands to reason that if you can eliminate the risk factors that contribute to the development of a particular illness or disease, you can greatly decrease the likelihood that the illness will develop. Outside of genes that may have been inherited from family member which may make it inevitable that a person will develop a certain disease or illness, risks factor elimination is prevention. With this said, you should be aware that just because a person avoids the risk factors associated with a particular illness or disease, that is not a guarantee that a person will not develop the illness. Avoidance of risk factors only decreases the chances and increases the chances of lung cancer prevention.

Methods of lung cancer prevention include the avoidance or elimination of smoking or contact with second hand smoke. Choosing not to smoke is the number one risk factor that should be eliminated. If you are predisposed to or have genes that may increase your likelihood of getting lung cancer, stay aware of and keep in contact with your doctor in order to assist with early detection for timely treatment if the need arises.

Proper diet including fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants and flavonoids help to protect DNA and repair damaged cells. An increased knowledge of the chemicals and agents that you are exposed to at work will assist with lung cancer prevention. Possible carcinogens contribute to the development of several types of cancers. Cancer cell development begins with the cacinogens that interrupt normal cell development and they can be found in places where certain chemicals are contained. So, know the risks factors, avoid them if possible, and pay attention to your eating habits. All will lower your risks for developing lung cancer and other deadly diseases.

Pre Tests and Brain Cancer Treatments

2009-03-24T15:04:00.000+01:00

By : Darren Dunner

Oncology teams mission in daily work is the prevention and treatment of brain cancer. They research, test, and administer brain cancer treatment. Depending on the stage, location of tumor, and age of the patient, a treatment plan for the cancer can begin. Usually involving surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and other treatment simultaneously, brain cancer treatment is an aggressive attack on the cancerous tissue masses found.

Many treatment methods are available that can be used alone, but this depends on just how advanced the brain cancer has developed.

The most interesting portion of brain cancer treatment lay in the tests that are performed before the surgery treatment option is chosen. Because the brain is of course one of the most important organs of the body many tests must first be performed to confirm the presence of a cancerous mass in the brain.

Electrocardiograms or EKG is done, chest x-rays, and other test that detect the presence of any uncontrolled disease of the body exist first. Hypertension, diabetes, coronary ischemia, and a disease that inhibits the bodys natural blood clotting mechanisms (circulating anticoagulant) determine the surgery type to be performed. Craniotomy, which is the treatment of choice for most sufferers where the skull is opened and as much of the tumor is removed as possible.

In contrast, the laser surgery option uses MRI scan to pinpoint the exact location of the tumor and the laser is used to destroy tumor masses.

Radiation treatment is used in conjunction with surgery or alone when the brain cancer cannot be surgically removed. Survival using radiation increased ten fold for patients with malignant tumors and tends to pro long life in patients with any low-grade gliomas.

External-beam radiation is the most common form of radiation treatment used in the treatment of brain cancer delivering radiation from the outside of the body. Usually initiated following surgery to remove any addition cells not removed during surgery, this treatment option is used in conjunction with all others as a final precautionary measure to ensure the elimination of all possible cancerous cell formations.

Regardless of the treatment method, the follow up is extremely important ant should not be skipped with the thought that all is well. Cancers can reoccur and proper follow-up care for patients who have undergone radiation or other treatments as there are some long-term side effects that may need constant monitoring for a while. For the brain cancer patient, neuropsychological test may also be a part of the final treatment stages to evaluate the possibility of diminished intellectual activity following brain cancer treatment.

Selecting a Mesothelioma Lawyer

2009-03-24T15:03:00.000+01:00

By : Ron Wicker

Asbestos has been proven to cause a number of health conditions, including a disease called mesothelioma. While companies that make products using asbestos have known about the negative health effects of their products for as long as 60 years, many of those who worked in their factories were in the dark.

Mesothelioma lawsuits mean big payouts, with lawyers receiving almost half of the final settlement. Suits settled out of court can bring an average of $1 million, and those that go to court often pay an average of $6 million. With that much money at stake, lawyers are jumping at the bit to handle mesothelioma lawsuits. If you're considering filing a mesothelioma lawsuit, it's important to find a lawyer with your best interest at heart and with the skills required to find you the best settlement possible.

What should you look for when shopping for a lawyer to handle your mesothelioma case? Here are some things to ask when considering someone for the job.

1. Has the lawyer ever handled a mesothelioma lawsuit before?
2. If so, what was the outcome? How much was the settlement?
3. Does their law firm specialize in mesothelioma cases?
4. Will that particular lawyer be handling your case, or will it be handed off to someone else?
5. If so, whom, and do they have experience with mesothelioma law suits?
6. What percentage of the final settlement will the lawyer receive?

While interviewing prospective lawyers, you want to get a feel for their communication style and how well you feel you'll get along. Make sure to ask about any fees or expenses that will need to be paid up-front. Generally, lawyers wait until the settlement is in place and simply take their cut.

Investigate several lawyers before making your final decision. Again, your mesothelioma is a serious condition, and you want to make sure you get the settlement you deserve. If you have a bad feeling about a lawyer or don't feel he or she has the experience necessary to make the most out of your mesothelioma lawsuit, move on to the next candidate. Find out about their reputation; don't just take their word for it. See what their former and current clients have to say about their satisfaction with that particular lawyer.

You can also find out about their track record through your local Bar Association. Don't leave your mesothelioma lawsuit in just anybody's hands. Find the best lawyer possible someone with experience and a stellar track record to make sure you get the best representation available.

More Young Adults Developing Cancer In Texas

2009-03-24T15:02:00.000+01:00

By : Pat Carpenter

According to the American Cancer Society, cancers such as colorectal, thyroid, and testicular are rising in individuals under 40 years of age in Dallas, Houston, throughout Texas, and in the rest of the nation. In addition, the National Cancer institute and the Lance Armstrong Foundation reports that cancer survival rates among that specific age group have not significantly improved in twenty years.

Dr. Karen Albritoon, director of adolescent and young adult oncology at Boston's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, asserts that research is crucial in determining why these cancers are rising among young people.

Trailing accidents, suicides, and homicides, cancer is the fourth-leading cause of death among young people. One reason that cancer may not be caught in its early stages is that neither the physician nor younger patients expects cancer to be a health problem.

In young women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, a tumor may be estrogen stimulated. In this case, physicians might recommend blocking the patient's menstruation after chemotherapy treatment or even removing the ovaries. But, because women in this age-bracket are still in child-bearing years, the decision is difficult.

In young men, testicular cancer is on the rise and research has uncovered why. Thyroid cancer is another puzzle, as the only known cause of this type cancer is radiation.

Some of the other problems arising among the under-40 age group are not health related, but are thought to be due, rather, to emotional, mental, and financial issues. This age group is more likely to be starting their family or a career.

Plus, many in this age bracket do not carry health insurance. Dealing with severe physical changes, such as losing hair and extreme weight loss, at a time when health and physical characteristics should be at their peak, and experiencing guilt feelings of becoming a burden to other family members, are depressing, and can be devastating to young individuals, especially cancer victims.

There are a number of sources, both online and in libraries, that offer information on breast, colon and lung cancer, as well as other types of cancers, including information on its signs and symptoms, including diagnosis, treatments, and prognosis. The American Cancer Society has loads of cancer resources that can guide you to other cancer information resources.

In addition, you will be able to find comprehensive guides about different types of cancer, treatment options, various cancer drugs, and learn how to get involved in groups promoting cancer awareness and education.

To find out more about ongoing research and current cancer information, check the National Institute of Health's cancer research group. They are an excellent source for cancer statistics, such as the occurrence of various forms of cancer, plus information regarding ongoing clinical trials, results of previous research, how clinical trials are performed, and how to locate a clinical trial in which you can take part.

To learn about cancer from more personal sources, join a local cancer support group or an online chat forum. Views and experiences of people with cancer or who've had cancer will be posted on their own personal websites. This is a great way to find out more about your situation and what to expect. Also talk with your primary care physician or gynecologist for information on various types of female concerns, including breast, uterine, ovarian, and cervical cancers. Just remember, if you or your loved ones get a diagnosis of cancer, there are a myriad of useful information resources that are easily available.

You'll discover that what affects your health also will eventually affect your bank account, and cancer is about as serious as it can get. With the incidence of cancer increasing, it's good to find out as much as you can about the disease.

Difference Between Pleural and Peritoneal Mesothelioma

2009-03-24T15:01:00.000+01:00

By : John Porter

Does a chill of fright hover on you when the very thought of Mesothelioma cancer comes to your mind? Mesothelioma is definitely a dangerous disease whose last word is death. It is quite obvious that you will be worried at the very thought of it.

Among the different types of Mesothelioma, the Pleural and the Peritoneal Mesothelioma hit the common list. Among them again the Pleural type of Mesothelioma cancer is the most widely spread. Around eighty percent patients suffering from Mesothelioma actually are patients of Pleural Mesothelioma.

It is nearly ten percent of the patient population coming under Peritoneal Mesothelioma. The risk factors in both these types of Mesothelioma re more or less the same. Till date no definite cure has been put forward by the Medical Science to heal these patients. There are treatments that can only be supportive for resistance.

Basic criteria of difference

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural Mesothelioma is related to the pleura region of the body. Peritoneal Mesothelioma is associated with the peritoneum of the body. Let use define both the cases in simpler terms that would become easier for all of us to understand and correlate.

Pleura is that part of the body where the Mesothelium tissue form a borderline around the lungs. When asbestos dust or fibers come in contact with this part, the lining slowly gets disrupted and starts dividing abruptly in a number of cells. This is nothing but the breaking out of cancer in that region. Fluid is deposited in the lungs cavity that worsens the condition of the patient. Gradually the fluid deposits take the shape of tumors that can be removed through surgical method. But even the surgery can heal the patient for the time being though the cancer cells still remain in the body to cause further damage.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal Mesothelioma is related to the stomach or the abdomen. The passage of asbestos into the body is mainly through your nose by the process of inhalation. Thus the asbestos coming in contact with the peritoneum of the abdominal cavity is an indirect process. The asbestos gets deposited to this region from the lungs cavity is the lymph nodes. Even in this type of cancer, the patient's life is fully at risk. Tumors are also formed around the abdominal cavity. Both radiation therapy and chemotherapy help the patients to resist the sufferings to a certain level. All these patients also lose the last hope of life.

Getting Rid of Cancer

2009-03-24T15:00:00.000+01:00

By : Darren Dunner

Cancer is considered a mysterious disease, since it is typically very difficult to detect it until it has reached an advanced stage. No test would reveal the stealthy multiplication and spreading of this deadly disease. However, the concerted clinical research developments had come out with several cancer cure programs and alternative cancer treatment methods. Traditional cancer treatment options are surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.

In the United States, it is estimated that cancer is the cause of death of one out of every 4 Americans. Cancer can affect any part of the body, though lung, breast, prostate, colon and rectum are the major body parts that succumb to cancer easily. Research data has revealed about 200 types of cancer. When a cell loses control over its reproduction ability, the cell starts dividing and multiplying in an abnormal manner. This can lead to the formation of a lump or a tumor, which becomes detectable.

The tumor could be benign or malignant. A benign tumor does not spread to other parts of the body, while the malignant tumor would easily metastasize to other places. Conventional cancer treatment of surgery removes the tumor from the organ where it had formed. Then radiation is done to cleanse the organ of any remaining cancer cells. If necessary, these are followed up with hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, or both. In certain cases, immunotherapy is also chosen.

These days, many cancer patients turn to alternative cancer treatment medicine because of the lack of success with modern treatments. Acupuncture, ayurveda, siddha, herbal, naturopathy and yoga are some of these alternative medicine treatment methods. The main reasons for such a shift are the high treatment costs, ineffective outcomes and severe side effects of traditional treatment methods. The alternative treatment methods do not attack cancer in an aggressive manner like allopathy.

The practitioners of alternative medicine view the disease as a manifestation of certain root causes of the immune system and/or dietary reasons. As such, they concentrate on rebuilding the natural immunity of the body. This process strengthens the inherent ability of the body in removing and destroying cancer cells.

Our bodies make by definition cancer cells every day but our immune system sees them and removes them. Our body will replace most all its cells in one years time, so it is imperative that we take care of it by our lifestyle. However, in these alternative methods, the cancer cells are directly attacked and destroyed by the body by using supplements, herbs, enzymes or other unique compounds.

When dealing with cancer alternative and integrative medicine is showing to be much more effective when combined with traditional cancer treatment methods. These methods are relative nontoxic.

Even though the effectiveness of alternative medicine had not been conclusively proven, it is very evident that many patients, who were labeled terminal by traditional physicians, had resorted to complimentary and alternative medicine and are still alive today and have proclaimed themselves as cured. Either way it is evident that the use of nutraceuticals is here to stay and their worldwide acceptance is growing on a daily basis.

Fight Cancer With Vitamins And Over The Counter Products

2009-03-24T14:57:00.000+01:00

By : David Cowley

No word in the English language invokes such fear and dread as the word Cancer. When the control system that governs a cell's reproduction is damaged Cancer may be the result. It is the job of the immune system to detect and then kill them.

A mutation of the cell is the first step in the development of a tumor cell and is usually a small change in the DNA, which leads to a genetic instability of the cell. During Mitosis (cell division) the cell mutation is passed on to the daughter cells. Cancer cells continue to multiply in an unregulated manner. A single cancer cell is invisible to the naked eye but can continue to divide until a tumor is formed. Cancer is, ultimately, a disease of genes.

Tumors develop when uncontrolled cell division occurs and then spreads by direct growth into adjacent tissue through invasion, or by implantation into distant sites by metastasis (where cancer cells are transported through the bloodstream or lymphatic system).

Among the distinguishing traits of tumors is a large number of dividing cells, variation in nuclear size and shape, variation in cell size and shape, loss of specialized cell features, loss of normal tissue organization, and a poorly defined tumor boundary.

Although advanced cancer may cause pain, it is often not the first symptom. A cancer may be suspected for a variety of reasons, but the definitive diagnosis of most malignancies must be confirmed by histological examination of the cancerous cells by a pathologist.

Because "cancer" refers to a class of diseases, it is unlikely that there will ever be a single "cure for cancer" any more than there will be a single treatment for all infectious diseases.

Benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the body or invade other tissues, and they are rarely a threat to life unless they affect some other vital structures of the human body.

Cancer can be treated by surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, monoclonal antibody therapy or other methods. Although radiation damages both cancer cells and normal cells, most normal cells can recover from the effects of radiation and function properly. Studies have shown that high body temperatures can affect and often kill cancer cells. Perhaps taking aspirin to reduces the body temperatures at the first sign if an illness is not the wises course of action. More studies in this area are needed.

Based on epidemiological evidence, it is now thought that avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, being physically active, and maintaining recommended body weight may all contribute to reductions in risk of certain cancers. Most cancers are thought to be linked to known lifestyle factors.

We can greatly improve the effectiveness of our immune system to detect and then destroy these cancerous cells by taking the right nutrients. The correct nutrients can both reduce our chances of getting cancer and improve our chances of recovery if we have already contracted it.

Vitamin A - Vitamin C - Vitamin E
Selenium - Soy Isoflavones - Calcium
Flaxseed Oil - Green Tea Extract - M.S.M

Vitamin A is an important immune system stimulant. DR. Nauss reported a reduced T-cell immune response in patients with a Vitamin A deficiency. Vitamin A deficiency may increase the risk of cancers of the lung, larynx, bladder, esophagus, stomach, colon, rectum and prostate. Vitamin A is stored in the liver and fat cells of the human body and can reach toxic levels. DO NOT take more than the recommended dosage of Vitamin A.

Vitamin C reduces the risk of cervical dysphasia, a precancerous condition. It is essential for defending the body against pollution and infection and enhances the immune system.

Vitamin E may have a role in reducing the risk of lung cancer, according to researchers at the Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health. It supplies oxygen to the heart and other muscles of the body and aids in the functioning of the immune system.

Areas with low Selenium in the soil and water have more deaths from cancers of the esophagus, stomach and rectum.

Selenium is a powerful antioxidant and inhibitor of cancer initiation and development.

Studies also suggest that Soy Isoflavones can help protect against cancer as well as heart disease.

In 1985 Dr. Shekelle and his co- workers reported a strong link between ample calcium intake and low risk of developing colon cancer.

Green tea extract contains natural antioxidant compounds know as polyphenols useful in fighting tumors as well as helping prevent and treat rheumatoid arthritis.

M.S.M is a natural supplement that is getting a lot of attention due to its role in tissue healing at the cellular level. It is a natural organic sulfur that comes from rain fall and is found naturally in the human body.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

This Article is nutritional in nature and not to be construed as medical advice.

Characteristics and Causes of Lung Cancer

2009-03-24T14:51:00.000+01:00

By : Ben Franklin

Lung cancer is not just one disease but rather a group of diseases. All forms of cancer cause cells in the body to change and grow out of control. Most types of cancer cells form a lump or mass called a tumor. Cells from the tumor can break away and travel to other parts of the body where they can continue to grow.

This spreading process is called metastasis. When cancer spreads, it is still named after the part of the body where it started. For example, if breast cancer spreads to the lungs, it is still breast cancer, not lung cancer.

Another word for cancerous is malignant, so a cancerous tumor is referred to as malignant. But not all tumors are cancer. A tumor that is not cancer is called benign. Benign tumors do not grow and spread the way cancer does. They are usually not a threat to life.

A few cancers, such as blood cancers (leukemia), do not form a tumor. Most cancers are named after the part of the body where the cancer first starts. Lung cancer begins in the lungs. The lungs are two sponge-like organs in the chest. The right lung has three sections, called lobes. The left lung has two lobes. It is smaller because the heart takes up more room on that side of the body.

The lungs bring air in and out of the body, taking in oxygen and getting rid of carbon dioxide gas, a waste product. The lining around the lungs, called the pleura, helps to protect the lungs and allows them to move during breathing. The windpipe (trachea) brings air down into the lungs. It divides into tubes called bronchi, which divide into smaller branches called bronchioles. At the end of these small branches are tiny air sacs known as alveoli.

Most cancers of the lungs start in the lining of the bronchi but they can also begin in other areas such as the trachea, bronchioles, or alveoli. Lung cancer often takes many years to develop. Once the cancer occurs, cancer cells can break away and spread to other parts of the body.

Cancer of the lung is a life- threatening disease because it often spreads in this way before it is found. It is the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women. During the year 2000 there will be about 164,100 new cases of lung cancer in this country. About 156,900 people will die of this disease: about 89,300 men and 67,600 women.

More people die of cancer of the lung than of colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined. Lung cancer is fairly rare in people under the age of 40. The average age of people found to have cancer of the lungs is 60. If the cancer is found and treated by surgery early, before it has spread to lymph nodes or other organs, the five-year survival rate is about 42%.

However, few cancers of the lung are found at this early stage. The five-year survival rate for all stages of lung cancer combined was 14% in 1995, the last year for which we have national data. A risk factor is something that increases a person's chance of getting a disease. Some risk factors, like smoking, can be controlled. Others, such as a person's age, can't be changed.

Smoking is by far the leading risk factor for lung cancer. More than 8 out of 10 diagnosed cancers of the lungs are thought to result from smoking. The longer a person has been smoking, and the more packs per day smoked, the greater the risk. If a person stops smoking before cancer develops, the lung tissue slowly returns to normal. Stopping smoking at any age lowers the risk of lung cancer.