Cancer Book

3 Steps on Cancer Prevention

2012-01-19T23:32:00.000-08:00

Cancer prevention is a popular topic that people wish me to write more. This is the best possible way to reduce the death rate of cancer worldwide. According to "Fundamentals of Cancer Prevention," written by David S. A. and Lisa M. H., cancer prevention research can be divided to 3 approaches to target different aspects in order to reduce cancer morbidity and mortality: Primary, Secondary and Tertiary prevention.

Cancer Prevention

Primary Cancer Prevention

Primary prevention is an approach to reduce the impact of carcinogens. We can do this through administration of a chemopreventive agent or remove the environmental carcinogens. The main aim of primary prevention is to prevent a cancer from the very beginning to the developing by reducing individual risk.

There are many primary prevention methods which include the lifestyle modification or interventions that modify risk. These methods will become more effective if those cancers in which causes are known.

Below are some of the factors that can help to reduce overall cancer incidence:
i. Minimize the exposure to carcinogens. For example, we should avoid from consuming tobacco which contains carcinogen.

ii. Dietary modification. For example, we should take balanced meal and reduce the consuming of salt, sugar and high cholesterol foods.

iii. Increasing physical activity. For example, we should do some exercises during our daily life like jogging, swimming and so on to keep our body fit.

As we all know, unhealthy diet and tobacco use are the leading risk factors for cancer. Smoking cessation is the best way to avoid ourselves from cancer developing. Benefits of quitting smoking begin within the first year of stopping and continue to increase. If you wish to know more about the benefits of smoking cessation, you may read the 15 Benefits of Smoking Cessation. In addition, the role of diet, nutrition and maintaining a healthy body weight is critical to lessen the cancer risk.

Secondary Cancer Prevention

Secondary prevention is an approach to detect the abnormal changes at the beginning of the development of malignancy. It involves screening and early detection methods like mammogram, pap test and so on. This can help us to identify any abnormal changes of our body before they become cancerous. Therefore, it is effective to prevent cancer from fully developing. Sometimes, secondary cancer prevention can involve the treatment of precancerous lesions in an attempt to reverse carcinogenesis so that the lesion can regress.

Tertiary Cancer Prevention

Tertiary prevention is an approach to control the cancer and prevention of disease-related complications. It involves a variety of aspects of patient care such as quality of life, adjuvant therapies, surgical intervention and palliative care.

In conclusion, we can see that the primary cancer prevention is the main role of cancer prevention. Unfortunately, the primary prevention research and efforts are largely underfunded. This lack of prioritization cause the delays in improving and delivering early detection and prevention methods that can save millions of lives.

What is Anal Cancer?

2012-01-19T23:28:00.000-08:00

Anal cancer is cancer of the anus.

The anus is the opposite of the mouth i.e. this opening is located at the end of the digestive system and is used to eject feces and other unwanted or dangerous foreign matter. It is primarily for the elimination of solid wastes in humans.

Anal Cancer

The symptoms of anal cancer are a lump or tumor near the anus, itching, bleeding and discharge from the anus and a change in bowel habits

The risk factors for this cancer are having:

1. Multiple sex partners. Promiscuity combined with anal sex.

2. Homosexuals (due to anal sex- are 17 times more likely to suffer from anal sex than heterosexual males).

3. Those having HPV infections generally referred to as Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) which is the most popular STD. People who have suffered from this disease are at a higher risk of developing anal cancer

4. Smokers stand a higher risk of contacting rectal cancer than the general population

5. Age is also a determinant. It only occurs in people older than 50 years of age.

6. H.I.V infection makes one susceptible to anal cancer due to the suppression of the immune system by the disease.

Treatment of anal cancer is usually effective if treated early. Treatments include:

1. Chemotherapy

This is the use of drugs to kill the cancerous cells. This can be in the form of an injection, drugs or pills. The injections are through a catheter. The drugs kill the cancer cells.

2. Radiation

Radiation therapy is administered along with chemotherapy. In some instances, chemotherapy is discontinued due to side effects.

3. Surgical Operation

A surgical operation can be carried out on the affected part. However, this should be recommended as a last resort.

This is because surgery leads to the permanent creation of a colostomy in the abdomen called a stoma. The stoma will now perform the task of the anus- that of excreting feces.

The best way of preventing anal cancer is to curb anal sex, reduce exposure to H.I.V, treat HPV infections and quit smoking.

If you notice any of the above symptoms of anal cancer, it is recommended you seek help fast.

Endometrial Cancer

2012-01-19T23:23:00.000-08:00

Endometrial cancer is a cancer that forms in the endometrium, which is the fine inner lining of the uterus, or the womb. The uterus is located in the pelvic area and resembles the shape of a papaya or a pear. 90% of all uterine cancers are formed in the endometrium.

Endometrial Cancer

This cancer mainly affects women who have already gone through menopause. The majority of cases are in women aged 55-70.

Medical professionals do not know what exactly causes Endometrial cancer, but it has been linked to too much estrogen, which is a female hormone. It is the ovaries which produce the estrogen, but they also produce another hormone called progesterone which helps to balance the estrogen. These two hormones need to be in balance, but if too much estrogen is produced it will cause the endometrium to grow, thus increasing the risk of endometrial cancer.

There are other factors which increase the levels of estrogen and one of them is obesity. Fatty tissues in the body also produce the hormone estrogen. A diet with a high intake of animal fats including meat, dairy, and poultry, along with processed foods and refined sugars is the number one cause of obesity. These foods should be avoided especially by those who are at risk.

Those at risk are women who have gone through menopause, have had no children, have diabetes, have had breast cancer, or are on a high fat diet.

The first sign of endometrial cancer is bleeding or spotting. Bleeding or spotting may not always be the result of cancer, but it is good idea to have it checked out just in case.

Other symptoms of endometrial cancer are weight loss, fatigue, pelvic pain, trouble urinating and pain during intercourse.

If caught in its early stages, endometrial cancer is treatable, either by conventional medicine or natural healing.

Conventional treatment requires surgery, which is known as a hysterectomy. A partial hysterectomy is where only the uterus is removed, and a total hysterectomy is where the ovaries and tubes are removed as well.

Natural treatments which have proven to be very effective are Botanical and Chinese medicines. Both of these medicines use herbs and plant extracts. Together these will help to build the immune system so that it can fight the cancer, and be healed.

Diet is also very important, by eating a raw diet and drinking freshly squeezed fruits and vegetable juices, one can help to restore the well being of the body.

Cancer Woman

2012-01-19T05:58:00.000-08:00

Cancer women are loving, compassionate and sensual. If you have your eye on one in particular, or want to attract Cancer women in general, then you'll need to practice the art of seduction. Here's your best top tips for doing that.

cancer woman

1. Silver is the colour that is most appealing to a Cancer woman. Wear something in the colour silver or some silver jewellery to catch her eye. Silver is the colour related to spirituality and intuition and Cancer women are very spiritual and intuitive. They will be mysteriously attracted to you.

2. Buy your Cancer woman a piece of silver jewellery as a surprise gift. If it is in the shape of a crescent moon then this will be even better. The Moon rules Cancer and women born under this sign have a special affinity to the mysterious moon.

3. Cancer women usually have a traditional view on romance and courtship and will want to be romanced by you. You will need to take the lead and she will invariably play hard to get. But with perseverance and gentleness you will win your Cancer girl over. A romantic walk together under a full moon is the perfect date too!

4. Cancer women are very intuitive and will sense any deceit coming from you. You will therefore need to be entirely honest and sincere with a woman born under Cancer. They are often psychic and can read a man's mind and his intentions!

5. The best flowers to buy a Cancer woman to impress, seduce and romanticise her are any white flowers. The pure and simple elegance of white flowers matches their attributes perfectly. Giving a bouquet of white flowers will impress her beyond belief. Try it and see!

6. Cancer women are both sensitive and sensuous. They like to be touched, hugged and made to feel secure. They also have their emotions close to the surface. Watch an old fashioned weepy romantic movie with her, cuddling up on the sofa and she'll love you forever.

7. A Sexual Attraction Spell, either cast by you or by a professional Spell caster or Witch will help to seduce a Cancer woman. Real Magic uses mysterious, subtle yet tried and tested methods in attraction Spells. And even if you are a little sceptical, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Basic Cancer Cure

2012-01-19T05:54:00.000-08:00

Cancer is one of the most diseases that cause millions of casualties every year and it becomes a must to understand the basic cure and underlying treatment methods for this deadly disease. Though the disease is not 100% curable, it is possible that one can get rid of it if treated at an early stage. Read on to understand how you can treat the disease with the various methodologies involved.

Chemotherapy

This is a most common cancer cure which kills the diseased cancerous cells by means of drugs. In case of chemotherapy, the drugs destroy the DNA within the tumor cell as a result of which the cell dies. The drugs are given on a particular frequency to ensure that maximum cells are killed over a period of time. As the cells die not immediately but after a period of time after the chemotherapeutic process, repeated doses are required so as to reduce their numbers. The drugs in the chemotherapeutic process are normally administered through IV or injection, though sometimes pills and creams are also used. Chemotherapy is most of the time used as a follow-up treatment mode after surgery though is used as initial treatment option in cases of advanced levels. Though it is a common method of treatment, the side effects caused by chemotherapy needs to be taken into account before proceeding with it. The treatment can create side effects like fatigue, loss of weight, hair loss, bleeding, swelling, anaemia, appetite loss, constipation, etc.

cancer cure

Biologic Therapy

The basic underlying fact that the immune system can fight the disease and prevent it from spreading is used in this kind of cancer cure. Substances that occur naturally in our body are given back to our system to improve the immune system. The different modes of therapy include stimulation of body conditions to produce more of the natural substance or man-made alterations and production of the natural substance which is then given back to the body. This method is also known as biological response modifiers or immunotherapy, etc. Though natural substances are administered to the body, this method also involves side effects which might be due to the excessive production of the substance by the body. These biologic substances are given into a patient's body by intra-venous, intra-muscular, injection or through under the skin methods.

Radiation Oncology

This cancer cure mode involves the use of high energy radiations which penetrate into the body and destroys the cancerous cells. The radiations are mostly specific to abnormal cell that rapidly reproduce though it also at times destroys normal cells. The radiations destroy the cell DNA structure thus preventing them from reproduction. Hence this method helps eliminate the abnormal cells or put a stop to their rapid growth and spread. To eliminate or diminish the effects caused by the radiation therapy, the dosages are normally spread across in small quantities over a period of time.

Radiation therapy is a kind of local therapy where in the rays are concentrated more on the diseased areas and not spread throughout the body like chemotherapy which becomes a systematic therapy. Depending on the way they are administered, the radiation therapy is of two types, external radiation therapy and the internal or Brach therapy. In the external method, the radiation is given to the patient by means of a device kept outside the patient's body. Sometimes, radioactive substances are sent inside the body and the radiations concentrated near the diseased area and such cases are known as internal radiation therapy. Substances like radioactive iodine are used as radioactive materials in cases of internal radiation therapy methods.

Surgical Oncology

This is the branch of surgery that deals with surgical management of cancer. Many times removal of cancerous tumors or areas can help prevent the spread of the disease and can bring in a cure for it. The recent branch of medicine has bought in cryosurgery methods where the extreme cold created by liquid nitrogen is used to destroy the cancer cells. The cryosurgery can be used for both external and internal tumors by different ways of administration.

Targeted Therapies

When drugs prevent the growth of cancer cells by modifying the specific molecules involved in the tumor growth, they are said to be targeted cancer therapies. They concentrate more on the molecular and cellular changes that are associated with the cancer cell thus being more effective than the other traditional methods. The focus that is bought in by these drugs also reduces the damage done to other normal cells. This is a cutting edge technology which deals with the drugs and destroys cell development. With medical advancement in full swing, more and more targeted therapies are currently in the research phase in clinical labs. These targeted therapies work in a planned manner where they focus and block cell proteins which guide the cell on cell multiplication and co-ordination. Thus without the signal on how to divide, the cells die and this process is known as apoptosis. Sometimes these drugs also improve the immune system and make the body find the cells and destroy them directly.

The above list of methods for cancer cure is just the top of the iceberg as modern medicine has introduced many more treatment options specific to each kind of cancer. Treatments like gene therapy, hormone therapy, photodynamic therapy, proton therapy and vaccine therapy are other different ways of handling the disease. You can talk to your physician about all these kinds of cancer cure methods and the side effects each pose. Your physician will be able to select the best one for you based on factors like the type and size of tumor along with the level to which the disease has spread.

Lung Cancer Symptoms

2012-01-19T05:50:00.000-08:00

The early symptoms of lung cancer resemble the symptoms of other common illnesses. As such, it can be difficult to diagnose lung cancer until it is too late. Also confounding the problem, at least 25 percent of the people that are diagnosed with lung cancer have no symptoms at all.

lung cancer symptoms

Therefore, when you get a physical exam, the doctor typically checks the potential lung cancer symptoms against the patient background and considers the age, occupational exposure, family history and smoking history to determine if the symptoms are actually the result of lung cancer.

For example, an 18 female who does not smoke probably does not have lung cancer, whereas a 60 year male who smoked for 40 years might be suffering from lung cancer.

The first symptom that most people notice is a persistent cough, and it is noted about 80 percent of the time that people have symptoms. Many people refer to this as the smokers cough. Lung cancer affects the cells lining the airways, and the nerve endings in the airways detect any foreign substance and try to dislodge it in an effort to keep the airways clean. Patients diagnosed with lung cancer who never complain of coughing most likely have tumors located in the smaller passageways that do not get as irritated.

The second most common symptom is coughing up blood. When the tumor gets larger, it tends to bleed, resulting in the patient coughing up bloody mucous. If this is noticed, then you should get a physical exam as soon as possible to determine the cause of the discharge.

The third most common symptom is wheezing. This is caused by the airways being blocked by the tumor. Sometimes the wheezing is loud enough to be heard when the patient is breathing, other times the doctor will detect the wheezing when listen to the breathing.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should inform your doctor and have it checked out as soon as possible. The earlier that lung cancer is detected the better chances are that the patient will survive.

Cancer Support

2012-01-15T12:50:00.000-08:00

If you have recently been diagnosed with cancer, you may feel overwhelmed, afraid, and alone. Coping with the challenges of a cancer diagnosis can be very difficult and hard to talk about even to your closest friends and family members. Joining a group for support may help you feel less alone and can improve your ability to deal with the challenges that a cancer diagnosis brings. Support groups give people who are affected by cancer an opportunity to meet and discuss ways to cope with the illness, emotionally and physically.

cancer support

1. How Joining a Group for Support Helps Cancer Patients

When you receive a cancer diagnosis you may need help coping with the emotional as well as the medical aspects of the disease. Support groups are designed to provide an atmosphere where cancer patients and cancer survivors can discuss the challenges of the disease with others are facing the same challenges. People gather to discuss the feelings they have experienced after being diagnosed with cancer, to exchange information about their treatments, and to learn about the disease

2. Should my Family and Friends Participate in Cancer Support Programs?

To help meet the needs of the family and friends of people with cancer, some programs are designed just for family members of people diagnosed with cancer; other groups encourage family and friends to participate along with the cancer patient or cancer survivor.

3. How Do You Find a Support Group for Newly Diagnosed Cancer Patients?

There are many programs and groups for people diagnosed with cancer and their loved ones. The NCI fact sheet lists many organizations that can provide information about support groups. This fact sheet is available at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/support/organizations; many of these organizations provide information on their web sites about contacting support groups. Your healthcare provider may also have information about support groups. Most hospitals provide information about cancer support programs.

4. What Types of Cancer Support Groups are Available?

Groups are available to help meet the individual needs of cancer patients at all stages of cancer treatment, from the initial diagnosis, during treatment and through follow up care. Some groups are general cancer support groups, while more specialized groups may be for teens, for family members, or for people affected by a particular type of cancer such as breast cancer. Support groups may be led by a professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or social worker, or by cancer patients or survivors. There are many online cancer support groups for those people who are more comfortable finding the support they need in this way.

Whatever cancer support program that you decide to attend, it is important for you to find an atmosphere that is comfortable and meets your individual needs. Whether you are just looking for information or you need a shoulder to lean on, there is a cancer support program available for you and your loved ones to be a part of.

Cancer, Patient, and Statistics

2012-01-15T12:46:00.000-08:00

"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics."

Cancer Statistics

Benjamin Disraeli

You open a book on cancer and it would more likely than not start with numbers: So many thousand were diagnosed with the disease in such a period and so many died. They will also give a prognosis as to how these numbers would look like for a period in the future. In the case of prostate cancer in particular we are told that in the coming year so many thousand men will find out that they are afflicted with the disease and another number also in thousand, will succumb to it, some of them unnecessarily. These numbers are significant in as much as they indicate the extent and trend of the disease. But how meaningful are they to an individual? Can he benefit from this knowledge? We can put the answer to these questions also in terms of numbers - fifty for yes fifty for no. There are no known precautions that a man can take to ward off the disease. One can have regular tests and examinations to insure early detection that would help in deciding the course of treatment. But early detection by itself is no guarantee for cure. As long as a person is not a confirmed patient these numbers are impersonal like the statistics on the number of people dead or likely to die in traffic accidents in a given period.

However, the situation changes as soon as the person becomes a part of the statistic. Now he moves into the realm of other numbers. For each treatment option available to him he is confronted with numbers related to the success of these options. He is told of survival rates and now we are talking not just numbers but probabilities. Not that probability is new to us. We deal with them in every day life without even being conscious of it They are wrapped up in weather forecasts, sports, in economic events, and so on. In fact probability and statistics have become an integral part of our lives, even determine the quality of life through processes ranging from mundane ones like quality control of consumer goods to highly sophisticated like space communications.

But statistics by its very nature is impersonal, it deals with a population or sample. Means and averages are meaningless when applied to a particular member of the sample. We have all watched the Dow Jones average soar during the past couple of years. It is supposed to indicate the state of the economy. On the average we would think that everyone playing the stock market would have doubled or tripled his investment. I know several persons whose portfolios shrank during that period. It does not, of course, negate the fact that many stocks soared and people made money in the market. The point is, though, that the statistical results cannot be applied directly to an individual. It is all the more so when we are using statistics in the field of medicine where the unknowns and variables are far more than in other fields.

I have a friend who recently had cataract surgery. These days it is supposed to be a routine procedure with hardly any chance of serious complications. If one insisted on getting numbers, the doctor might put the probability of things going wrong at less than one percent. A month after surgery my friend did develop a problem - for no apparent reason the implanted lens had moved and he had only peripheral vision in that eye. The doctor could not explain it; in fifteen years of his experience with this procedure it had happened only twice. That was, of course, no consolation to my friend; for him the less-than-one percent probability had changed into certainty. He had to get the procedure done again and was terrified at the prospect of things going wrong again. When it comes to personal life there are things over which no one has any control. There is an element of luck in every sphere of activity in life; some may deny its existence but denial does not negate the fact.

There is another aspect of statistics that may present problems; it is the size of the sample or the database. The larger the database, the more reliable are the results. For statisticians, of course, there is never enough data; it may be adequate but it is not the same as enough. In the case of prostate cancer the data is not extensive, at least in some respects, and the statistical inferences may therefore be viewed with caution. For a patient confronted with a decision as to the course of treatment the database for most options is small.

For the options of definitive treatment ten-year survival numbers were available only for radical surgery; for brachytherapy the data did not go that far back for any meaningful analysis. The choice becomes more difficult when the patient has to choose a particular surgeon or oncologist. Then he has to know that particular doctor's numbers and the size of the sample shrinks to an inadequate level. And then there is the question of luck also. A patient can have problems even with the most experienced and famous surgeon, while another may come out fine with another relatively unknown doctor. One can certainly attempt to obtain the best possible facility and care within his reach not worrying about things beyond his control. To that extent the numbers become less important, they should be used as general guidelines only.

How important is the statistics? If we had to base everything on experience and statistics, there would be no new approaches, no developments. For breaking new grounds it is necessary to venture into the unknown, it is true for any field of knowledge. This is not to belittle the role of accumulated knowledge and experience. To probe the unknown it is imperative to make full use of all that is known. In this process, though, it is sometimes necessary to ignore or go against the accumulated evidence or the statistics. This happens, and not infrequently, in the field of medicine where new data force a revision of opinions based on old. What is considered normal today may not remain so tomorrow.

This brings us to the all-important number for prostate cancer - the prostate specific antigen (PSA) level. This number by itself has nothing to do with statistics. It represents a test result, an observation. However, it provides the raw material for building statistics. After a series of revisions in the past the normal range of PSA is taken to be from zero to four. Without going into the mathematical definition of the word normal, this statement can be interpreted to mean the following: If the PSA is measured for a sufficiently large number of men having no prostate problem, a significant majority of them would have PSA lying between zero and four; the exact percentage will depend on the specific distribution.

Conversely if the measured PSA for a man is within this range, he most probably does not have any prostate problem. The remaining may have PSA beyond this range, i.e. greater than four, since negative values are not possible, and still be disease free. The farther the number from four, the smaller would be the percentage of men having that PSA level. Mathematically this percentage will never become zero, but for all practical purposes there must be a limit. A man having PSA higher than this limit would certainly have a prostate problem. What is this limit and where can one draw the line? I do not think anyone can answer these questions. So the mathematical aspects of the term 'normal' are ignored and a rule of thumb is applied: Any test result yielding PSA of greater than four is suspect and further tests are needed. If the additional tests do not show an obvious problem, the person is put in the wait and watch mode. He is not a patient yet but may soon be.

However, even with this 'primary' number we run into ambiguities. If the PSA level for a person is below four, it does not automatically mean that he is cancer free. About twenty percent of prostate cancer patients have PSA below four. As a corollary it may be expected that an equal number of men having PSA greater than four would not have the cancer. So PSA alone cannot unambiguously reveal the presence of the cancer.

Once the cancer has been detected there is another number that indicates the degree of activity of the tumor. It is called Gleason score and is determined from pathological analysis of the biopsy samples; it ranges from two to ten. The higher the number, the more active is the cancer. A score of seven and above usually means a highly active fast growing cancer, perhaps in an advanced stage. Gleason score plays an equally important role in the choice of a treatment but by its very nature it is no more reliable than the PSA level.

On the other hand if the tests confirm the presence of cancer, the person is faced with immediate decision. The first question that comes up - and this has to be answered by the doctor - is whether the cancer is contained within the gland or it has spread outside. Even the doctor cannot answer without recourse to surgery and with that too he can not say anything with certainty. The absence of malignant cells at the lymph node does not preclude the possibility of the cells having migrated into the areas just outside the prostate. Again a rule of thumb is applied: If the PSA is not too far out of the normal range, the cancer is assumed to be localized. Now we are stuck with the problem of defining the term 'too far'. I do not think any urologist would be willing to draw the line or even set a reasonable range. Unfortunately the survivability numbers, thrown at the patient, are affected by this uncertainty.

Cancer Cells

2012-01-13T18:51:00.000-08:00

There are many different opinions on what causes cancer to grow and spread, but the one that is not talked about very often is inflammation. How can inflammation cause the growth of cancer? To answer that, we must first understand what inflammation is and how it works.

Cancer Cells

Normally, inflammation will occur when there is an injury or because the body is being attacked by germs. Wounds heal by way of inflammation when white blood cells mobilize, stimulate new cell growth and cause new blood vessels to development. This is a process called angiogenesis. It is by these processes that also enable cancer cells to grow as well.

The signs of inflammation are heat, redness, swelling, and pain in or outside of the body. It is the body's way of getting the nourishment it needs to the wound or injury to begin the healing process and to stimulate more immune responsive blood cells and antibodies to attack invaders. Some cancer doctors refer to cancer as "the wound that never heals."

Interestingly, cancer cells require the same processes for growth as does the immune system to heal the body by inflammation. When inflammation does it's job the wound heals or the invaders die and the body goes back into a state of good health. But when inflammation continues and wounds do not heal or germs continue to proliferate, many problems can occur, one of which is cancer cell overgrowth.

Although many things can stimulate cancer angiogenesis, the most significant thing is the consumption of omega-6 fats. The omega-6 fats powerfully stimulate angiogenesis, thereby greatly increasing the likelihood of cancer cells spreading throughout the body. Omega-6 fats are unsaturated fats. The most common places you will find unhealthy Omega-6 fats is in soybean, sunflower, corn, and safflower oils. The average diet of most Americans is loaded with Omega-6 fats in the form of fast foods, fried foods, and highly processed foods. Combine those highly processed foods with processed sugar, which is another source of angiogenesis and you have a double whammy working against you.

MSG (Monosodium Glutamate ) and other glutamate additives are also known to trigger inflammation throughout the body. Glutamate additives are commonly used in processed foods, which are also usually very high in Omega-6 fats. Nearly all processed foods have several forms of glutamate additives added in high concentrations. Why? Because it makes foods taste so tasty and it serves as a preservative as well. When injected into the cancerous tumors of mice, glutamates have been shown to increase the size of the tumors. The enzyme ornithine decarboxylase which is a by product of glutamates is also related to cancer growth. It increases in activity more than 100 times in cancerous tumors. Because MSG dramatically increases the action of this enzyme it will therefore play a role in cancer growth.

Why is no one is telling cancer patients that these additives enhance the growth of tumors and even stimulate metastasis? (I personally know one oncologist who is not telling them this because they recently told my nephew with non-hodgkins lymphoma that he could "eat whatever he wanted") It's a sad, but true fact that many doctors simply do not have the time or energy to research, know and understand the devastating effects of the Standard American Diet, especially when it comes to cancer.

Inflammation also greatly increases the activity of an enzyme called tyrosine kinase. Cancer cells use tyrosine kinase for reproductive purposes. Reducing inflammation reduces tyrosine kinase activity and thus reduces the spread of cancer.

The good news is that there are many foods, nutrients, natural supplements, vitamins, and some minerals that actually help with inflammation and suppress these cancer-fueling substances. These are great cancer combaters:

o Resveratrol
o Quercetin
o Curcumin
o Ellagic acid (found most in raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, walnuts, pecans, and pomegranates)
o Hesperidin (found in citris fruits)
o Magnesium
o Selenium
o Vitamins C and E
o Grape seed extract
o Boswellia (an all natural anti-inflammatory)
o Aged garlic extract
o White tea extract
o Vitamin D-3

Vegetables also contain high concentrations of cancer-inhibiting flavonoids, minerals, and vitamins as well. Some of the most potent anticancer vegetables include:

o Broccoli
o Brussels Sprouts
o Cauliflower
o Celery
o Dark Leafy Greens (mustard, collard, and turnip)
o Garlic

By eating 8 to 10 servings of nutrient-dense vegetables everyday, your chances are very good in fighting cancer cell overgrowth.

According to Dr. Russell Blaylock, MD "Nutrients inhibit cancer development and the growth and spread of existing cancers by:

o Improving cell communication
o Turning off cancer genes
o Slowing cell division
o Inducing apoptosis (selective suicide of cancer cells)
o Inhibiting cancer-dependent enzymes
o Inhibiting inflammation
o Providing the body with antioxidants
o Inhibiting tumor invasion
o Inhibiting angiogenesis
o Promoting anti-hormone effects (hormone sensitive cancers)
o Binding iron
o Improving detoxification"

Clearly, the answer to combating cancers, even advanced cancers or preventing cancer all together is to reduce inflammation in the body. This can easily be done through diet and supplementation. Taking supplements that have proven anti inflammatory benefits and by changing one's diet from the typical American diet high in omega-6 fats, glutamates, and processed sugars, to a diet high in nutritious vegetables, select fruits, purified water, and meats high in protein, like chicken and turkey can very well be the key to preventing and curing many cancers.

Cancer Pictures

2012-01-13T18:45:00.000-08:00

Cancer Pictures

Colorectal Cancer Treatments

2012-01-13T09:31:00.000-08:00

Colorectal cancer is also known as colon or rectal cancer because it is a cancer that is found in either the colon or the rectum. In most cases colorectal cancer will begin as a polyp that develops on the lining of the colon and in most cases in benign. Even though these polyps may be benign at one point, they can turn cancerous at any time and when they do they will continue to grow and spread until detected.

Colorectal Cancer

It is important to know what puts you at risk for colorectal cancer and how you can prevent it. Even more so, regular screenings and checkups are crucial to catching colorectal cancer especially because polyps can easily be removed before they pose any danger to you. Though there are always different things that cause colorectal cancer and no one ever knows what that could be for them specifically, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is one of the most important ways to guard yourself from developing colorectal cancer.

Understanding what the symptoms are for colorectal cancer along with knowing if you are at risk at all because of your lifestyle choices or family medical history are your two best ways to measure whether you might have colon cancer, or to put yourself on guard to recognize the symptoms. Unlike other cancers which sometimes make patients very ill with the identifiable symptoms, colon cancer has very insignificant symptoms for most individuals. There are a few things to watch for though if you suspect you might have colorectal cancer including, bleeding in the stool, a change in bowel habits all of a sudden, abdominal pain, anemia and sudden weight loss.

If an individual does present with colorectal cancer there are three basic types of treatment available which sometimes may be used together to cut out the cancer entirely. The first and most often used is one of several different types of surgery, that basically seek to remove or kill the cancer where ever it may be in the colon. If the cancer is discovered early on and has not had a lot of time to grow it is easier to remove the cancer without affecting the colon entirely. In cases where the cancer is larger it may be necessary to cut out and then reattach ends of the colon or to attach a colorectal bag to a stoma in the stomach. Other types of surgery attempt to kill cancer where it is in the colon while avoiding removal of the cancer and any of the colon.

The two other types of colorectal cancer treatment which are often used in addition to surgery are radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Both of these types of treatment are very aggressive, but they also have a really good rate of success making them a standard practice by doctors. Even after treatment though, it is necessary to continue care for colorectal cancer as there is always the chance that cancer cells can develop again on any new polyps that might appear on the lining of your colon. Always be diligent in obtaining screenings and maintaining your health.

How to Avoid Colorectal Cancer

2012-01-13T09:28:00.000-08:00

Going Nuts with Rainbow of Colors

The general definition of cancer is when normal cells start to change and grow uncontrollably and form tumors. Tumors can be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Colorectal cancer is when the cells in the lining starts to change and grow rapidly and continue to multiply without dying as a result developing into polyp that can over time develop into cancerous tumor.

How to Avoid Colorectal Cancer

What are the triggers or carcinogen that makes a normal healthy cell to change into abnormal cell?

Environment
Poor nutritional diet
Alcohol consumption
Lack of exercise
Obesity

How to avoid colorectal cancer by at least 80% by:
Eating less red and processed meat, fried food, and high in saturated fat.
Avoid being over weight, especially around your waist has about 45% avoidance rate.
Try and exercise 30 minutes a day either by going to gym or at work. According to American cancer society, active people have 24% less likely to get cancer.
Low fat diet that includes plenty of fiber and at least five servings of fruits and vegetables day. Eating fat stimulates bile production which is needed to digest fat. When access bile is produced and is allowed to stagnate in intestine for a long period of time it converts to apcholic acid, which is proven carcinogen for colorectal cancer.
Not smoking or if you are a smoker should think about stopping. Recent studies have shown that smokers are more likely to die from colorectal cancer than non smokers.
Cut back on alcohol consumption. Scientific reasoning is it reduces the natural level of B vitamin (folic). Folate is considered major player in protection against cancerous cell growth. In order to boost the natural levels of folate, you should eat vegetable such as asparagus, beans, peas, and spinach or supplements.
Going nuts with rainbow of colors in your every day diet will help avoid colorectal cancer. Peanuts are not a nut it is a lagoon. Peanuts have 30 essential nutrients and phytonutrients and have more protein than nuts. It has 7 grams per once and contains high level of arginine and resveratrol, which studies show it lowers the risk of cancer. Other nutrients peanuts have are Vitamin E, folate, niacin, magnesium, copper, and phosphorus. Macadamia Nuts contain significant amount of calcium, potassium, iron, phosphorus, vitamine E, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, panothenic acid and folate. Cashew nut also contains folate which protects against cancerous cell. Generally speaking nuts are high in fiber and good for digestive health and promoting the feeling of being full. It is a good source of protein which is essential for body's growth and repair and immune function, and production of enzymes and hormones. Iron gives energy, better metabolism, and healthy blood cell activity. The B vitamins promote energy, metabolism, and new cell synthesis which support healthy nervous system function. 1-2 ounces of nuts a day either by eating raw nuts or by using nut butter such as peanut butter, cashew, and almonds which is good alternative to cheese and meat. This is one of the best of source protein. Daily nutrition consisting rainbows of color in vegetables and fruits such as Asparagus, beans, peas, and spinach or supplements will help avoid colorectal cancer. A fruit, such as Acai berry that is found in Amazon Rain Forest, is rich in antioxidants, amino acids (cell building blocks), essential fatty acids (good fats), fiber for digestive health, phytosterol's (immune support), and trace minerals.

Helps defend the body from radical damage.
Lower cholesterol and boost energy
Help reduce inflammation
Enhances immune defense
Promotes the health of our skin, muscle, heart, and digestive system
Half a cup of Wild Blue Berries can provide up to five times the antioxidant than other common fruits and vegetables, such as peas, apples, and broccoli etc....

Antioxidant in the form of anthocyanins and other polyphenols are thought to help body from free radicals which damage our bodies and contribute to the aging process. They are 25 to 30 different types of anthocyanins. USDA recommends 3 to 5 servings of vegetables and 2 to 4 servings of fruits a day. A survey conducted by National Cancer Institute in 1991 found that 42% of American eats less than two servings per day. Vitamin D is important in regulating the balance between calcium and phosphorus in our body tissues, including the kidneys, intestines, parathyroid, and bones. One recent study concluded that women taking calcium and vitamin D supplement had 60% lower incidence of all cancers than women not taking the supplement. The foods contain vitamin D are: Tuna, mackerels, cod liver oil, sardines, smaller amounts are available in eggs, beef liver, and Swiss cheese. Only significant food source of a vitamin D is in fortified milk. It's important to recognize that the vitamin D requires adequate calcium and phosphorus in take as well. Most of your vitamin D is produce by sunlight absorption by your skin. Because of fear of skin cancer, we protect our skin by lathering on sunscreen. The sunscreen blocks the vitamin D which causes our deficiency. So in order to get enough we have to take supplements. According to Anthony Norman, international expert on vitamin D, published a paper in August 2008, he listed 36 organs tissues that respond biologically to vitamin D and which may affect negatively to the decencies. The list includes bone marrow breast, colon, intestine, kidney, lung, prostate, retina, skin, stomach, and uterus.

Colorectal Cancer Survival Rate

2012-01-13T09:25:00.000-08:00

In the United States, the colorectal cancer survival rate is more agreeable amongs female patients than males. Whether the female patient is from Caucasian or African decent, the colorectal cancer survival rate is around 65%, a tad ten percent higher than their male counterparts whose rate of survival ranges from 53-55% only.

Colorectal Cancer Survival Rate

A 5 year colorectal cancer survival rate refers to the number or percentage of people who remain living 5 years after the disease was determined and treated. What most researchers do is go through all the records of cancer patients diagnosed with this type of cancer 5 years ago and count the ratio of those who are alive now to those who have been deceased as a result of the cancer.

According to the relative report released by emedtv for the research they conducted from the year 1996-2002, the colorectal cancer survival rate at:

• Stage 1 is around 90%. The main reason behind this is the same as the reason why most patients during this stage have good prognosis - the disease has not yet spread and is easily controlled by removing the affected part. In the case of cancer of the colon and rectum, the patient will undergo resection of the colon to remove the segment affected with the disease and reconnect the cut ends afterwards.

• Stage 2 and 3 is around 68%. Despite treatment, the rate is still pretty low because the disease has proliferated at this time. The basic fact about cancer is - the wider the spread, the more difficult to eradicate it. Common treatments at this stage are surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Although they may help in detaining or slowing the progression of the disease, it may still develop.

• Stage 4 is around 10%. Around 20 percent of all colorectal cancer patients are diagnosed at the last stage. This is a concern of many medical practitioners thus frequent campaigns to increase cancer awareness have become a mission of most cancer societies. Once the cancer cells metastasize, it may heavily affect the most vital organs in our body including the kidneys, liver and spinal cord.

Colorectal cancer sure is a killer disease. Like any types of cancer, it will affect the richest and the poorest and will disregard your position or status in society. Healthy living is what medical practitioners always advise to combat this disease. With colorectal cancer, change in the diet plan is imperative.

Understanding Colorectal Cancer

2012-01-13T09:22:00.000-08:00

Colorectal cancer is one of the most comon cancers in the Unites States Today. It is also one of the biggest killers. The problem with all cancer is that it is such a horrific illness that we consider it one of those things that "happens to somebody else". Unfortunately we are all at risk of cancer but, if we take a little time to understand it, then we can reduce the risk of becoming a statistic.

Colorectal Cancer

One common misunderstanding with colon cancer is it's name. It is often referred to as colon cancer, or bowel cancer but these are actually all the same disease. This type of cancer affects the wall of the colon or rectum. This wall is split into different layers. The cancer starts at the innermost layer and works it's way through until it reaches the outer layer and spreads to nearby organs and lymph nodes. Eventually, (if left untreated) it will spread to other areas of the body and will, in effect take over the body.

When caught early, colorectal cancer has a good cure rate. This is why it's so important to recognise the symptoms. Some things to look for include a change in how often you go to the bathroom. You may find that you are going more frequently, or less frequently than normal. Also, as the cancer grows it can be obstructive and therefore cause consitpation or a bloated feeling. Back pain is another symptom that is common in colon cancer. Other symptoms may be unexplained weight loss, tiredness, your stools may be thin, watery or have blood in them. Some people experience nausea, vomiting, and even anaemia.

Ideally. you will remember that prevention is better than cure. Although cancer of the colon can be hereditary, it is often avoidable by taking some sensible, healthy precautions. Of course the most obvious, (although not directly associated with this cancer) is to give up smoking. By doing this you will dramatically reduce the risks of not only cancer, but heart disease and a whole host of nasty illnesses. It is no secret that we are a nation of junk food addicts. There is nothing wrong with a treat now and again but people don't seem to understand how important it is to eat good wholesome food. Try and eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and also give these to your children from an early age. This way you will not face such tough meal times as they get older. Fibre is also very important in the porevention of colorectal cancer. By keeping natural and healthy bowel movements, you colon can get rid of waste effectively and this in turn will help not only to reduce the risk of colon cancer, but will also help your general well-being. You will have more energy and feel healthier overall. There are some foods now that have been labelled as "super foods". This means that they are particularly high in one type of nutrient. Although it is great to eat these foods if you can, some of them can be expensive and if your on a budget, you will find it hard to fit them into your weekly shop. I would suggest just to be sensible. Include at least some vegetables with every meal, and snack on fruit instead of chocolate or crisps.

Here's a great tip. Remember the old saying, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away". Well there is some real truth to this one. Apples are considered one of the foods that help to combat cancer. The skin of an apple contains fibre, and the apple itself contains short-chain fatty acids which are known to help prevent harmful bacteria growing.

You can take vitamin supplements to replace what you are not getting in your diet, but this should be a last resort. It is always better to eat healthy and get your vitamins and minerals from real foods as they are far more effective. Of course on top of eating healthily you should also take regular exercise. I won't dwell on this as we all know already how important exercise is for our bodies in general, not just cancer prevention.

You can never be sure that you won't become a victim to colorectal cancer or any other type of cancer for that matter, but by keeping fit and healthy you will keep your immune system in good order and your body will have a good chance of fighting off any illness, disease and harmful bacteria. If all this seems a little daunting, just do things in baby steps. Introduce your new healthy lifestyle one step at a time. start with more fruit. Swap some of your chocolate bars for apples. Try and get your heart rate going for 15 minutes a day. Gradually, you will start to find things easier and introducing healthier living will become more natural with every step.

Colorectal Cancer

2012-01-13T09:19:00.000-08:00

Cancer of the colon and/or rectum is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Fortunately, colon cancer is usually slow-growing and screening tests can detect it before it spreads.

Colorectal Cancer

There are several main risk factors for colorectal cancer, including:

History of the disease in a close family member
Previous occurrence of the disease or a history of precancerous colon polyps
Personal history of inflammatory bowel disease
Rare genetic mutations
Race: Blacks have a higher incidence of colon cancer than other racial groups and a lower survival rate
What are the symptoms of colon cancer? The main symptoms include:

A change in bowel habits
Narrow, pencil-thin stools
Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool
Persistent abdominal discomfort
A feeling that your bowel doesn't empty completely
Unexplained weight loss
The American Cancer Society recommends colonoscopy beginning at the age of 50 for people at average risk of the disease. If you have a personal or family history of the disease, or if you are African-American, your doctor may recommend earlier and/or more frequent screenings. There are a number of screening tools available, including barium enema, sigmoidoscopy, fecal occult blood test (which detects hidden blood in the stool), colonoscopy and virtual colonoscopy.

Colonoscopy is currently the test of choice for colon cancer screening. It allows the doctor to view the entire colon and remove polyps or take tissue samples from suspicious areas.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take in your everyday life to reduce your risk of colorectal cancer. Make sure you:

Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods. These foods contain nutrients, fiber and antioxidants that may play a role in cancer prevention. Aim for five or more servings of fruits and vegetables every day and include a variety of them in your diet.
Limit fat consumption, especially saturated fat. Saturated fats are mainly from animal sources, although the tropical oils - coconut, palm and palm kernel - are highly saturated fats.
Eat a varied diet. While studies haven't proven conclusively that you can totally prevent colon cancer, there is evidence that certain vitamins and minerals reduce the risk. Vitamins and minerals linked to lower incidence of colon cancer are vitamin-B6, calcium, folic acid and magnesium. It certainly makes sense to enhance your diet with a wide variety of nutritious, low-fat foods.
Limit alcohol consumption. Men should have no more than two drinks per day, women no more than one drink a day. A drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor.
Stop smoking. If you're struggling with quitting, talk to your doctor. There are effective medications that can assist you in your efforts.
Stay physically active and maintain a healthy weight. Talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program. The current recommendations call for at least 30 minutes of moderate activity at least 5 days a week.

There is some evidence that certain medications can reduce risk of colon cancer. However, there is currently not enough evidence to recommend these medications for people who have an average risk of colon cancer. If you have an increased risk of the disease, you might discuss the benefits vs. risks of these medications, including:
Aspirin. There is some evidence linking reduced risk of colon polyps and cancer to regular aspirin use. However, it seems that this isn't true for low-dose aspirin or short-term use. It may be that it would take large doses over a prolonged period to have a beneficial effect, but using aspirin in this manner may cause other problems, such as gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcers.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs other than aspirin. These drugs include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin and others) and naproxen (Aleve, others). Some studies have indicated NSAIDs may reduce the risk of polyps and cancer, but side effects include ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding. Some NSAIDs have been linked to increased risk of heart problems.
Celecoxib (Celebrex). These drugs are known as COX-2 inhibitors and they work similarly to the NSAIDs for pain relief. Some evidence suggests they may reduce the risk of precancerous polyps in people who have been diagnosed with these polyps in the past. However, COX-2 drugs carry a risk of heart problems and two COX-2 inhibitor drugs were removed from the market because of this.
Many people are embarrassed about the screening required for colorectal cancer or worried about discomfort from the procedure. Don't let this stop you from undergoing these tests - it might just save your life.

Cancer Institutes

2012-01-13T07:34:00.000-08:00

Many centers are working across the world. A few major of them are briefly discussed here:

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Cancer Institutes

Established under the National Cancer Institute Act of 1937, it is the major agency of the Federal government, for research and training. It works in harmony with National Cancer Program which implements and supports:

Research
Training
health information
Diagnosis
prevention
Effective treatment
Rehabilitation facilities
Long-term health care
Family counseling and care
To achieve the goals, this institute supports the projects for cancer research carried out by universities, foundations, hospitals and various research leaders in this field. Besides, it has its own state-of-the-art laboratories where it conducts research on advanced level.

Cancer Institute NSW

It was formed in July 2003 through Cancer Institute (NSW) Act2003 to reduce the incidence of cancer in New South Wales (NSW). Its aim is to work for the complete eradication of cancer through partnership with:

The government
Health experts
Cancer advocacy groups
Researchers
Charity foundations
Affected people
It has well attained all its aims and made considerable achievements such as:

Doubled the number of clinical trials participants between 2004 and 2009. Previously these were 1,054 and now 2,007.
A five percent decrease in smoking that is 22.3 per cent to 17.2 per cent since 2003.
Over 63,000 additional women now get breast screening tests since 2005.
About 75 percent increase in the funding amount for cancer research from 2004 to 2009, with an investment of over $236 million in during 2007 to 2009.
It released NSW Cancer Plan 2011-15 in November 2010. This is a highly considered document which will help design cancer control program in the coming five years.
Institute for Cancer Research (ICR)

It was initially established as a small research department of the Royal Marsden Hospital in 1909. Today it stands out to be one of the world's oldest leading independent cancer research forces. Their mission is to completely liberate the society of cancer, a malignant fatal disease of all times. They are striving hard to soothe distressed humanity by eradicating this serious problem through:

Research about diagnosis, prevention, causes and the treatment procedures for cancer.
Care and cure of excellent quality to all suffering individuals
Education and training to all members of relevant medical group (oncologists) and scientists to make more advancement to treat the disease with hundred percent results
They follow a set of values and moral behavior to fulfill the aim.

UCL Cancer Institute

Located in the heart of UCL (University of Central London) campus, it has one of the most eminent biomedical faculties in the entire Europe. Their aim is:

To conduct cancer research of international standards for the purpose of discovering new strategies to diagnose, prevent, cure and monitor human cancer.
To establish and promote links with partner hospitals and do further genetic studies.
Train oncologists, cancer researchers, experts and scientists to make more advancement is this field
Create awareness about cancer management and prevention in local community within Central London.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

It was founded in 1947 and is committed to provide cancer patients with the best treatment available to have a higher survival rate. Their mission is:

To provide excellent quality of care and treatment for Children as well as adults affected with tumors and related malignancies
Understanding the best options for diagnosis, treatment, prevention and side-effects of the disease
Creating the safest oncology care in the world and maintain it by reducing errors and injury rate in patients
They are running Mission Possible: a campaign to conquer cancer as they say it. So far, it has been the most successful of all programs in the history of the institute. In seven years, they raised $1.8 billion from their lavish donors that helped a great deal in making important scientific discoveries.

Brain Cancer

2012-01-13T07:29:00.000-08:00

We all know the function of brain. It is the main control center of our body that monitors/instructs everything thing in our body. Any disease that affects this central control system is really a big problem. And the worst thing to happen is brain cancer. Brain cancer is the development of brain tumors i.e. tumors in the brain. These could either be benign or malignant; the latter being the really harmful one.

Types of brain cancer

As most other types of cancer, brain cancer is also classified as primary brain cancer and secondary brain cancer. Primary brain cancer is the one that originates from the brain itself i.e. that originates in the brain cells. Secondary brain cancers is the one that doesn't originate from the brain cells but is instead passed on from another organ/ part of the body

Brain Cancer

Causes of brain cancer

As is the case with many other types of cancer, the causes of brain cancer is a big topic for researchers. However, certain genetic conditions and exposure of head to radiation (as received during radiotherapy as part of treatment of other conditions) are known to be causes of cancer. There are a number of other theories that keep coming up time and again, each suggesting different possible causes of brain tumor (one famous one is about mobile phones causing brain cancer). However, there really isn't a very convincing theory about what causes brain cancer.

Symptoms of brain cancer

Some very common symptoms of brain cancer are headaches and nausea; but these can really be caused by something else. So, headache and nausea shouldn't really be taken as brain cancer. Some other symptoms of brain cancer are related to incorrect working of some of the basic senses (that are mainly governed by brain) e.g. speech, vision and smell etc. Again, there is no point in getting worried all by yourself; you should, in any case, consult a qualified doctor and let them know clearly about the various symptoms that you have observed. The doctor can then diagnose whether it is brain cancer. You might be referred to a neurologist for further examination (if brain cancer is suspected).

Symptoms of Brain Cancer

Diagnosis and treatment of brain cancer

The diagnosis of brain cancer will include tests that are based on the working of the nervous system. So, testing of basic human senses like vision, speech, hearing, mental capability, reflexes is taken up for diagnosis of brain cancer. The treatment of brain cancer is done through surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy (and the combination of these).

Bone Cancer - Causes and Treatment

2012-01-12T10:41:00.000-08:00

Our body is comprised of 206 bones. The flesh covers the outer part of the bone. Without bones our body won't get any shape. It is the rigidity of the bone that designs the structure of our body. The sudden and fast improper growth of cells in the bones results in the bone cancer.

Bone Cancer - Causes and Treatment

There are no specific causes for this cancer. But a few factors may result in bone cancer; the effect of radiation or chemotherapy performed earlier, genetic or may be hereditary.

The most common symptom in the case of this cancer is the pain prevailing over the body. The pain increases immensely with increase in the size of the tumors. The bones even get weak by the tumors and may even lead to fracture, heavy sweating in night time and fever are also seen.

The bone cancer can be identified with the help of CT scan and MRI scans.

The most common bone tumors are Osteosarchoma, Ewing's sarcoma, Chondrosarchoma, Histiocytoma, Fibrosarcoma, Chorodoma

Most of the time surgery is the best way to treat the this cancer. During surgery, the whole tumor part is removed completely. After the surgery gets over, the pathologist checks whether the normal bone is present or still there is some signs of the cancer. If the remains of the cancer are traced then amputations are used to cure the bone cancer.

The other two methods are chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Chemotherapy is employed before the surgery to reduce the size of the tumor so that it will be easy to perform the surgery. Also if traces are left behind after the surgery the same method can be used to remove the cancer cells permanently. Also radiation therapy is preferred.

Radiation therapy employs high energy X-rays for this purpose. The x- ray radiations exposed into the body kill the cancer cells.

Some of the most used alternative methods of bone cancer are; acupuncture, massage therapy, herbal products, vitamins and special diet, meditation and spiritual healing.

Types of Bone Cancer

2012-01-12T10:35:00.002-08:00

Bone cancer is caused by a problem with the bone cells. More than 2,000 people are diagnosed in the United States each year with a bone tumor. Bone tumors in children are common and most adolescents are less common in older adults. Cancer that affects bones in older adults is more the result of metastasis from another tumor.

Types of Bone Cancer

There are Many Different types of bone cancer. Most common primary tumors include bone osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, chondrosarcoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, fibrosarcoma, and chordoma.

The osteosarcoma is the primary malignant bone most common cancer. Most commonly it affects men of 10 and 25 years old, but can affect frequently less adults more. Often occurs in the long bones in the arms and legs rapidly growing areas around the knees and shoulders of children. This type of cancer is very aggressive with the risk of spread to the lungs. The survival rate at five years is around 65%.

Sarcoma of bone tumor, Ewing is more aggressive and affects young people 4-15 years of age entree. It is more common in men and is rare in people 30 years or more than age. Often it occurs in the center most of the bone lengths of the arms and legs. The survival rate of three years is approximately 65%, this is much lower percentage if you spread it to the lungs or other body tissues.

Chondrosarcoma is the second MOST common bone tumor, Representing Approximately 25% of malignant bone tumors. These cells originate in the cartilage and are very aggressive dog or relatively slow growth. Bone unlikable tumors many other, more common in chondrosarcoma is people older than 40 years of age. Slightly more common is men and dog in spread to the lungs potentially lymph nodes and. most commonly Chondrosarcoma affects the pelvis and bones of the hips. The five-year survival in an aggressive way is about 30% survival rate for But the slow-growing Tumors is 90%.

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) Affects the Soft Tissue, Including muscles, ligaments, tendons and fat. It is the MOST common cancer of Soft Tissue in adult life, Usually Occurs in people 50-60 years of age. MOST commonly it affects the extremities and is twice as common in evils and female. Also have a wide HFM range of severity. The survival rate at five overalls years is approximately 35% -60%.

Fibrosarcoma is much rarer than other bone tumors is more common in people 35 -55 years of age. MOST commonly it affects the soft tissue of the leg behind the knee. It is more common in men slightly than in women.

Chordoma is a very rare tumor, with a median survival of about six years later diagnosis. It occurs in adults 30 years of older than age and is twice as common in evils and female. MOST commonly it affects either top or bottom of the spine the cord.

In Addition to bone cancer, types of benign there several bone tumors. These include osteo osteoma, osteoblastoma, osteochondroma, enchondroma, chondromyxoid fibroma, aneurysmal bone cyst, unicameral bone cyst, and tumor cells giants (Which Has the Potential to become malignant). Like with other types of benign tumors, they are not cancerous.

Two other common types of relative cancers that develop in the bones, lymphoma and multiple myeloma. Lymphoma, a cancer in the cells originate that of the immune system, so lymph nodes usually starts in, but can start in the bone. Multiple myeloma in the bones begins, but generally is not considered bone tumor, since it is a bone marrow tumor cells of the bone and cell.

Symptoms of Bone Cancer

2012-01-12T10:35:00.000-08:00

Bone cancer is one of the least common types of cancer. The long bones of the arms and the legs are the most commonly affected by this disease. Let's have a look at the types, causes, and risk factors of this cancer, before we go on to the symptoms and treatment. Types, causes, and risk factors of bone cancer There are mainly three types of bone cancer and they differ in terms of the types of cells the cancer begins in.

Symptoms of Bone Cancer

Osteosarcoma - This begins in the bone cells and is mostly found in children and young adults.
Chondrosarcoma - This begins in the cartilage cells and mostly affects older adults.
Ewing's sarcoma - Although no one knows for sure where this type of bone cancer begins, it is generally believed that it may begin in the nerve tissue within the bone and mostly affects children and young adults.
The causes of bone cancer are not clearly known, however, there are certain factors which increase an individual's risk of getting this type of bone cancer. Following are some of these risk factors:

There are certain genetic defects that can be passed through families and which increase the risk
Paget's disease of bone is a condition in which the bones become too large and weak making them prone to pain and fractures. This condition, which mostly affects older adults, increases the risk of bone cancer.
Exposure to large doses of radiation, for example, during radiation therapy for a previous cancer, may increase your risk of getting this type of cancer.
General risk factors associated with unhealthy living such as excessive alcohol consumption and drug abuse.
Symptoms

Pain is felt in the bone with the cancer
There is swelling in the area and it may feel tender to the touch
The bones may become weak causing fractures
Fatigue or excessive tiredness even though you are sleeping well
Weight loss that happens without trying
Diagnosis and treatment

If your physician suspects that you have bone cancer, he/she may recommend imaging tests such as scan, X-ray, or a CT scan. A biopsy may also be done in which the sample of a tissue is taken from the cancer-affected area and tested in the lab. The physician will also carry out certain tests to find out the stage of your cancer.

Your treatment will depend on the type and stage of your cancer, and your overall health condition. Surgery may be required to remove a limb, remove the cancer, or remove the bone or the surrounding tissue. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy may also be used for treatment of the bone cancer.

Bone cancer may lead to complications such as pain, reduced function of the bone, and spread of the cancer to nearby tissues. If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above, consult a physician immediately. If caught early, treatment can be successful.

Bone Cancer

2012-01-12T10:32:00.000-08:00

Bones form the core structure of our body. In total, there are 200 bones in a human body that support us and provide protection to our body organs. Though bone cancer is not as common as most other types of cancer, it is quite dangerous like most cancers.

Bone Cancer

Types of bone cancer

There are mainly 2 categories in which we can classify bone cancer - primary bnne cancer and secondary bone cancer. When the bone cancer originates in the bone itself, it is categorised as primary bone cancer and when it spreads from a cancer elsewhere in the body it is known as secondary bone cancer. Though there are quite a few different kinds of bone cancer, the most common one is Osteosarcoma. This type of bone cancer occurs primarily in younger adults and affects knee joints the most.

Cause and symptoms of bone cancer

The exact causes of bone cancer still seem to be a matter of research and study. The symptoms of bone cancer are linked to the position of the cancer-affected bone in the body. One of the symptoms of bone cancer is incidence of swelling or tenderness or pain in the area affected by bone cancer. The formation of a lump is another indication of bone cancer. Though the detection of a bone cancer related lump is a bit difficult in the initial stages of bone cancer, the lump can sometimes be felt (due to the restriction in movement that it causes) when the bone cancer occurs at joints (e.g. knee joints). However, none of these symptoms are prominent indicators of bone cancer.

Diagnosis of bone cancer

If you experience a lump or any of the bone cancer symptoms, you must not neglect them and seek advice of a qualified doctor. Remember that early diagnosis of any type of cancer (not just bone cancer) can help in getting a cure and reducing the threat to life.

Treatment of bone cancer

Removal of bone tumour through surgical procedures is one the most common ways of treating bone cancer. Radiotherapy and chemo therapy are other ways of treating bone cancer. A combination of different techniques is sometimes used to form a more effective bone cancer treatment. The kind of treatment to be administered is dependent on the stage of bone cancer and the place of its occurrence.

Bowel Cancer

2012-01-12T10:29:00.000-08:00

Bowel cancer may also be called rectal, colorectal or colon cancer. However, once the cancer has spread beyond the wall of the bowel, it becomes harder to treat. The bowel cancer statistics on these pages are designed for use by health professionals. If you are looking for information because you or someone you know has been affected by bowel cancer, then the Cancer Help UK pages on bowel cancer may be more useful and relevant. Cancer Help UK also includes a straightforward guide to understanding statistics.

Bowel Cancer

The large bowel, also called the colon, is the last section of your digestive system. Food passes through your small bowel (the longer, thinner part of your bowel) where nutrients are absorbed. Food waste then travels through your colon (large bowel) where it becomes more solid faces. Your colon has three sections - the ascending, transverse and descending colon. The rectum, at the end of your colon, is where faces collect before passing through your anus as a bowel movement.

The cancer develops when one of the cells in the colon develops a series of changes (mutations) in some of the genes that control how the cell divides and survives. As a result, the cell divides uncontrollably to form a clump of malignant (cancerous) cells. Initially, these cell changes commonly produce a polyp (a clump of abnormal cells the size of a pea on the end of a stalk of normal cells) called an adenoma.

The bowel is the long 'tube' that absorbs water and nutrients from food and processes waste products into faces. It includes the small bowel, colon and rectum. Bowel cancer is diagnosed in more than 3,400 Victorians and over 12,500 Australians every year. It mostly affects people over 50 years of age but it can happen in younger people. Cancer of the bowel is also known as colorectal cancer.

Bowel cancer is caused by the abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells in the lining of the bowel. Usually, large bowel cancers develop from small, non-cancerous (benign) growths of tissue called polyps that can extend from the lining of the bowel wall. Sometimes these can become cancerous (malignant). If the cancer is left untreated, it can grow through the wall of your bowel and spread to other parts of your body.

Once food has been swallowed, it passes down the gullet (oesophagus) to the stomach, where digestion begins. It then passes through the small bowel, where essential nutrients are taken into the body. The digested food then moves into the large bowel, and water is absorbed by the colon. The colon starts at the bottom, right-hand side of the abdomen. The first part goes up and is known as the ascending colon. It then goes across to the left side of the abdomen. This part is called the transverse colon. It then goes down to the bottom of the abdomen: this part is called the descending colon, and ends in the sigmoid colon, rectum and anus.

Although the exact cause of bowel cancer isn't understood, it's known genetics can play a part. Specific genetic mutations can cause bowel cancer or inherited diseases known to predispose to the condition. For example, familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) accounts for about one per cent of all cancers of the colon and rectum. It causes widespread development of polyps throughout the bowel from the teenage years onwards, many of which rapidly become cancerous.

Stomach Cancer

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Stomach is a body organ that is responsible for breaking down the food into semi-solid state. The glands within the stomach produce several chemicals/enzymes that help in the digestion of the food. Formation of cancerous tissue within the stomach is known as stomach cancer.

Stomach Cancer

Types of stomach cancer

There are a few different types of stomach cancers. However, the most well known stomach cancer is the one that occurs in the glandular cells of the stomach. This type of stomach cancer is also known as adenocarcinomas. Then there are other types of stomach cancer (based on the cells that are affected by cancer).

Causes of stomach cancer

There is a lot of research going on for ascertaining the exact causes of the stomach cancer. As of now, stomach cancer is known to happen more in older people i.e. people above 60 years of age. Some theories also suggest that certain conditions of stomach (including some types of stomach infections) could also increase the risk of stomach cancer. There are also suggestions of stomach cancer being linked to genes.

Symptoms of stomach cancer

The currently known symptoms of stomach cancer cannot really point to stomach cancer. As you would have imagined, the stomach cancer symptoms include things like indigestion, nausea, pain, tiredness etc. In case you feel that you are displaying some or all symptoms, you should consult a qualified doctor and get a check-up done. This can help in not only allaying your fears of stomach cancer but also help in early detection of stomach cancer (and thus facilitate treatment of stomach cancer).

Diagnosis of stomach cancer

You should make a note of and narrate the symptoms to the doctor as best as you can. This can really be helpful to the doctor doing the diagnosis. The diagnosis of stomach cancer will generally start with blood test and stool test. Endoscopy could be the next test in line for stomach cancer. In fact, endoscopy is quite effective in detecting stomach cancer. The cells collected from stomach are taken up for biopsy for further ascertaining the presence of stomach cancer. Couples of other stomach cancer detection techniques are used too but endoscopy seems to be the most common one.

Treatment of stomach cancer

Like most other cancer types, stomach cancer treatment is also carried out mostly through surgery. However, chemotherapy could also form part of your treatment. Depending on the need, the doctor might also advise radiotherapy for treatment of stomach cancer.

What Should Cancer Patients Eat?

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Persons who are in the process of being treated for cancer needs a well-balanced diet for fast recovery. Doing so can make the body strong and enable it to help in the fight to rid itself of cancer cells. It is necessary to look at the scientific evidence in determining diets, supplements and other advice regarding nutrition. Be cautious in taking vitamins that will only cause distortion in the body's nutritional balance. Consider a cure that is based on a specific diet.

What Should Cancer Patients Eat?

A cancer patient can add protein to his diet. For instance, add skim milk powder to the regular milk used in recipes. Two tablespoons can give added protein. He can also add diced or ground meat to soups and casseroles. Select also dessert recipes that contain eggs like sponge and angel food cake, egg custard and bread pudding. Calories can also be added by trying sour cream or yogurt on vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, squash or beans. One can also add raisins, dates or chopped nuts and brown sugar to his cereals.

Fiber promotes regular bowel movement and healthy digestive system. A diet high in fiber and low in fat may reduce the risk of colon and rectum cancers. To get sufficient fiber, concentrate on foods made with whole grains. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Apples, peaches, pears, potatoes, strawberries and raspberries are good sources of fiber. In order to lower the amount of fat in the body, season vegetables with herbs, spices and lemon juice rather than with fats and salt. Select a low-fat margarine and dairy products.

Bladder Cancer

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Bladder is another important part of our body that helps in disposal of wastes from our body. Bladder is responsible for collecting and storing urine till it is finally disposed off from our body. The occurrence of cancer in bladder is known as bladder cancer.

Bladder Cancer

Types of bladder cancer

Depending on what cells are affected by bladder cancer, the bladder cancer is known as urothelial cell cancer or squamous cell cancer. There are other types of bladder cancer too and sometimes the same kind of bladder cancer might be known by two or more different names too.

Cause of bladder cancer

Exposure to chemicals (as used in certain types of factories) and smoke (tobacco smoke) can lead to a greater risk of bladder cancer. So, the risk of bladder cancer is higher in smokers (and this is besides the fact that smoking can really increase the risk of lung cancer). However, not many smokers pay heed to the advice about quitting smoking. Like a number of other types of cancer, the bladder cancer too occurs mostly in older people i.e. people who are above the age of 50. The exact causes of bladder cancer are, however, a matter of research and the researchers are continuously working towards getting an answer to this.

Symptoms of bladder cancer

As you would have thought, the symptoms of blood cancer are associated with the process of urination. Pain in the bladder or frequent urge for urinating are other symptoms which might indicate bladder cancer. However, none of these symptoms can be conclusively related to bladder cancer. These symptoms could very well be caused by other conditions or infections. Getting worried about bladder cancer without having gone through proper diagnosis can do nothing but harm your peace of mind. So, if you feel that you have such symptoms you must immediately consult a qualified doctor.

Diagnosis of bladder cancer

The diagnosis of bladder cancer starts with urine tests. The doctor may perform/ prescribe other tests in order to diagnose bladder cancer. X-rays, blood test, intravenous urogram and biopsies could also be used for testing bladder cancer. Again, catching bladder cancer in early stages can really help in combating this dreaded condition.

Treatment of bladder cancer

Based on how bad the bladder cancer is (and also the type of bladder cancer), the doctor will draw out your treatment plan. The treatment can range from surgery to radiotherapy or chemotherapy. There are a few other treatments for bladder cancer but really it all depends on the type of cancer, the stage of cancer etc.

Breast Cancer Awareness

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Breast cancer is one of the most serious diseases that can strike women of almost any age. Cancer awareness is important to help women find the first signs of cancer. The survival rate for cancer that was found early is almost 96%. However, over 40,000 women die per year due to cancer. This means that these women did not detect their breast cancer in the early stages. Statistics like this show that there is not enough breast cancer awareness among women of the world.

Breast Cancer Awareness

There are many simple ways to raise cancer awareness. There are many cancer products such as tee shirts, bracelets, and tote bags that when purchased, provide much needed money to cancer research projects. Some online sites have partnered with sponsors to fund cancer research when certain links or advertisements are clicked on. Visitors to these sites do not even have to pay anything.

The Susan G. Komen race for the cure is another great way to help raise cancer awareness. Most people will sponsor someone participating in a charitable race like that one. In addition to the money gathered for the race, they often give tee shirts to participants. Just wearing a shirt that mentions breast cancer is a way to raise breast cancer awareness.

Many women in the United States know about breast cancer and the devastating effect that it can have on both a woman's life and her family's life. However, many women ignore the procedures that they should be doing to help catch any signs of possible cancer. Women over 40 should have a mammogram every year. However, many women do not even go to the doctor at all once a year. This is negligence that can cause serious problems. The best thing to do in this situation is to encourage every female you know to get periodic breast exams. This is especially important if the woman is over 40. However, younger women should get checked as well.

There are some breast examinations that can be preformed at home. Many doctors recommend that a woman periodically check her own breasts for any possible lumps or irregularities. This can easily be done in the shower. It is important that women take the time to care for themselves. Cancer can be very deadly if ignored. Considering that the chances of survival is close to 100% if the cancer is caught early, it is irresponsible to not check for breast cancer on a regular basis.

Testicular Cancer

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Cancer can attack any part of the body; lungs, stomach, reproductory organs and many other parts. A common form of cancer in men is testicular cancer. This is a cancer that occurs in the male sex glands in the scrotum. Testicles produce and store sperms while producing male hormones.

Testicular cancer

Testicular cancer is also known as germ cell tumor and is of two kinds - seminoma or nonseminoma. About 40% of testicular cancer are seminoma type and the other are divided into four sub-types; choriocarcinoma, teratoma, embryonal carcinoma and yolk sac tumors. The cancer can sometimes also be a combination of both cancers, and are called mixed germ-cell tumors.

Testicular cancer is prevalent in men aged between 15 and 35 and is more common in white men than Asians and blacks. The exact causes are still unknown, but there are various risk factors that can induce testicular cancer. Underdevelopment of testicles, Klinefelter's syndrome where the man experiences sterility, small testes, breast enlargement and lesser male hormones and those who have had testicular cancer are all prone developing cancer on the other testicle in the 25 years after the attack.

There is nothing that can be done to prevent testicular cancer; the most that could be done is its early detection. Testicular self-exam is a great means of diagnosing testicular cancer; it is always better to test testicles immediately after bathing as this is when the scrotal sac is relaxed. The testicles have to be rolled between the forefinger and thumb for any signs of lumps.

Besides a lump, swelling in the testicles or some changes in the feel of the testicle are symptoms for testicular cancer. Accumulation of fluid in the scrotum or pain in the scrotum is also considered as symptoms of testicular cancer. Though these symptoms may signify other conditions, it is always better to have a physician evaluate the condition. Testicular cancer can also be diagnosed through ultrasound of the scrotum or a biopsy. Once testicular cancer is detected, treatment is rendered according to the extent of the condition.

Depending on whether testicular cancer is seminoma or nonseminoma, and its stage, is its treatment determined. All treatments involve the removal of the affected testicle. However, as this can affect fertility and sexuality, this has to be discussed with the family. With the removal of a testicle, the other testicle is capable of producing sperms and an erection so that it is possible to father a child.

However, any other surgery, radiation and chemotherapy also affect sperm production and ejaculation. So the treatment should be discussed before adapting it. In nonseminomas, the lymph nodes are also removed to find out the extent of tumor spread. However, this is not necessary in seminomas as CT scans provide sufficient information.

Radiation is preferable for seminomas, and not for nonseminomas as they are not sensitive to radiation. When giving radiation, the remaining testicle is usually shielded to prevent radiation reaching it as this may hamper its ability in producing sperms. Though sperm count may reduce after radiation, it returns to normal in a few years of treatment.

Chemotherapy is administered after surgery through injections or orally to kill any tumor cells there may be in the body. Whatever the treatment adapted, it is necessary to have follow up testing because there is always the chance of a recurrence of a second tumor. There are different follow up testing routines to be adapted; it all depends on the case.

Thyroid Cancer

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Thyroid cancer develops as a result of the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the thyroid gland, resulting in a tumor. Some of these tumors are benign or non cancerous while some are malignant or cancerous. The malignant tumors spread to the nearby tissues and other parts of the body causing severe complications. Since the thyroid gland is close to the skin, tumors often appear as lumps called thyroid nodules in the neck. Thyroid cancer is more widespread among women than men; however, the reason for this is not clear. About 20,000 cases of thyroid cancer are reported each year in the United States.

Thyroid Cancer

The precise causes of thyroid cancer remain vague. Some studies reveal that people who are exposed to large amounts of radiation or those who have undergone radiation treatments for medical purposes, especially on the head and neck, face an increased risk of developing thyroid cancer. The occurrence of thyroid cancer is high in countries where people follow a low iodine diet. People with certain medical conditions or a family history of thyroid disease have a higher risk of developing thyroid cancer. Incidents of thyroid cancer arise mainly in the age group of 25 to 65 years.

Thyroid cancer may be papillary, follicular, medullary, or anaplastic. A fine needle aspiration (FNA) test is an ideal test for thyroid cancer. Papillary is the most usual type, while Follicular is a less common one usually found in older people. Medullary and anaplastic are rare types, the former often hereditary and the latter fast-growing one seen more among older people. The anaplastic type is difficult to treat. Thyroid cancers tend to develop at a slow pace, and it may take some time before any symptoms appear. Most types of thyroid cancer can be treated successfully with early detection and appropriate surgical procedures.

Throat Cancer

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Smokers are at the Highest Risk of Developing Throat Cancer
If you are a smoker, consume alcohol on a frequent basis, or if you use chewing tobacco, you are at an increased risk of developing throat cancer. If you fall into any of these categories, (and even if you don't), you may have developed throat cancer if you have any of the following symptoms: a sore throat, head or neck, feeling like there is a lump in your throat or neck, having a hard time swallowing, constantly clearing your throat and sounding like your voice is hoarse, and/or noticing a change in the sound of your voice.

Throat Cancer

Being a smoker puts you at the greatest risk for developing throat cancer. Most (up to 95 percent) of throat cancer patients are or were smokers, and the more years you smoke the greater your risk.

Most cases of throat cancer can be prevented. Prevention is much more pleasant than undergoing the treatments, and advice and suggestions on how to prevent throat cancer are available from the American Cancer Society.

Other Throat Cancer Symptoms

There are other symptoms that may indicate you have throat cancer. Less obvious symptoms of throat, head and neck cancer can include feeling like your headache never goes away, having a hard time taking a deep breath, noticing that your nose bleeds all the time, tooth pain, and unexplained swelling in general throat area.

Throat Cancer Treatments

Throat cancer can be treated in a number of ways. Depending on the severity of the throat cancer, any combination of the following may be used to treat it:

Surgery - The surgery complexity will depend on the severity and extent of damage caused by the throat cancer.

Radiation - The radiation dose will vary depending on the size of the throat cancer tumor.

Chemotherapy - Chemotherapy will attack the throat cancer cells and (hopefully) eliminate them. Side effects from chemotherapy are generally extremely unpleasant.

Throat Cancer Can be Prevented

There are many factors that contribute to the risk of developing throat cancer. If you do everything you possibly can to avoid smoking or breathing in second-hand smoke, and if you limit your alcoholic beverage intake, you will greatly reduce your risk of developing throat cancer.

Get Help from the American Cancer Society

If you suspect that you may have throat cancer, the American Cancer Society can be a good resource for you. The Society can provide you with more information regarding throat cancer - symptoms, treatment, after-care, and general support. Remember, if you are a throat cancer patient, there is help available.

Liver Cancer

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Liver is an important organ that performs a number of different functions like maintaining fluid balance in the body, handling toxic substances etc. It also produces bile that is instrumental in breaking down fat. Occurrence of cancer in the liver is termed as liver cancer.

Liver Cancer

Types of Liver cancer

On a broad basis, we can classify liver cancer as primary liver cancer and secondary cancer. When cancer originates in the liver itself, it is called as primary liver cancer. Liver cancer is known as secondary liver cancer when it originates in some other part of the body and then spreads to liver (e.g. due to proximity of liver to the place where cancer originated in the body). Hepatoma and bile duct cancer are the two main types of liver cancer.

Causes of Liver cancer

The two main causes of Liver cancer are: Excessive consumption of alcoholic drinks and occurrence of infections like Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. It's unfortunate to note that though a number of people know that alcohol can increase the risk of Liver cancer, they still don't cut down on alcohol.

Symptoms of Liver cancer

Liver cancer can lead to enlargement of Liver which can result in discomfort e.g. pain in the upper abdomen or pain in the right shoulder. There are some other common symptoms of Liver cancer (none of them are too conclusive though) like nausea, weakness, loss of weight etc. Other symptoms of liver cancer include jaundice and fluid disbalance in the body (e.g. building up of fluid in the abdomen). However, these too are just mildly indicative of liver cancer and are in no way conclusive symptoms.

Diagnosis of Liver cancer

Recognizing the symptoms and seeking professional help (from qualified doctors) can help early diagnosis of liver cancer. So, consult your doctor and let him/her know all the symptoms that you have been experiencing. The doctor might do a physical examination and prescribe certain tests as the need may be. The physical examination is basically to check the enlargement of liver. Other tests include liver ultrasound scan, abdominal CT scan, liver biopsy etc.

Treatment of liver cancer

Based on the type of liver cancer, the stage of liver cancer and your general health etc, the doctor might prescribe one or more liver cancer treatment techniques. Surgical procedure to remove the affected part of liver is one of the treatments for liver cancer (especially if it has not spread elsewhere). Besides surgery there are other techniques that use laser and other procedure for removal or destruction of tumor/ liver cancer. Chemotherapy is also one of the liver cancer treatments.

Cancer Awareness

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Cancer has been a huge drain on the health care system. Up until now, no cure has been found and all research and studies are aimed at lengthening the lives of Cancer patients. There is always hope and that is what everyone aims for.

Cancer Awareness

I'm sure this isn't the first time you've read or heard of cancer. It could even be that some one you know or a friend of someone you know has cancer. Cancer is a group of related diseases that start in the cells. These cells are classified into two: benign and malignant. Benign aren't cancerous and may be easily removed. These do not spread throughout the body and aren't a threat to life. On the other hand, malignant tumors are cancerous and are definitely a threat to a person who has it. These cells travel and destroy the tissues.

Cancer is mainly caused by changes in genes which control the growth and the death of cells. A lot of environmental factors and lifestyle factors affect the change of normal genes that cause them to become cancerous. Environmental factors, such as the exposure to UV rays and carcinogens are cancer causing substances. that exist in many environments. Lifestyle factors that lead to cancer would be smoking or an unhealthy diet.

There isn't a sure way to prevent the occurrence of cancer no matter how healthy a person you are but you may increase your chances of having cancer by avoiding tobacco products, eating a diet that is low in fats and higher n fruits and vegetables, getting regular exercise, avoiding ultraviolet rays and regular check ups with your primary physician. Although inherited conditions of cancer are unavoidable, it would still be best to have yourself checked regularly for early screening and treatment. Knowing this, what are the signs that you've got cancer?

Change in bladder or bowel habits
A sore or wound that doesn't heal
Unusual discharge or bleeding
Thickening or a lump over the body or breast
Indigestion
observable change in a mole or wart
Nagging hoarseness or cough
Unexplained anemia
Sudden loss of weight
Cancer is treated in a number of ways depending on the classification of cancer you are diagnosed with. Treatment would include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, hormone therapy and biological therapy. A combination of methods may be utilized by the doctor depending on the type of cancer and where it would be located. Age and severity of the spread of cancer cells is assessed before treatment is done. Cancer is a preventable disease as long as one practices a healthy lifestyle and if you notice two symptoms it would be best to have yourself checked by your doctor immediately.

A lot of organizations have been put up to aid in the treatment of cancer patients and help them see that they are not alone in their trials. Even cancer ribbons have been spread out to raise cancer awareness in individuals. So the next time you hear or read about cancer you would have a general idea about what it is and how to avoid having it. A healthy lifestyle and healthy diet is the best way to go

Cancer Society

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Every country has it's a cancer society that basically is a health organization with a sole aim to bring awareness about the fatal disease, prevention, treatment and social impact. A few of these are:

Cancer Society

American cancer society (ACS)

It is a nationwide organization where dedicated individuals work on voluntary basis for the purpose of eradicating cancer. They are helping the community through:

Research
Education
Medical aid
Advocacy
Related services
Initially named American Society for the control of cancer (ASCC), it was founded in 1913 by fifteen eminent physicians. Currently, it has thirteen divisions with over 3,400 offices all over U.S, whereas the head department is in Atlanta, Georgia. It provides grants to meet its goals.

Canadian cancer society (CCS/SCC)

This is another charitable community, striving hard to reduce the incidences of cancer as much as possible. This is the largest national charity for cancer in Canada with:

10 divisions at provisional and territorial level
Offices in Ottawa and Toronto
1700 active volunteers, approximately.
1200 staff members working full-time.
A board of director chaired by a president operates each division in collaboration with one another, throughout the country. They provide:

Accommodation with transport facility in a few areas
Cancer connection which is a peer support program to connect people having the same disease troubles.
Toll-free cancer information service via phone (in two languages). Their contact number is 1 888 939 3333.
Norwegian cancer society

An NGO in Norway founded in 1938, it is promoting awareness as well as funding for research on cancer. Previously it was known as Norsk Forening til Kreftens Bekjempelse and then after ten years, in 1948 it merged with Landsforeningen mot Kreft.

Irish cancer society

The charity organization of Ireland focuses on cancer elimination programs on national level. It was established in 1963 and is completely financed by public donators and not the local government. It has the honor of being the largest fund provider for cancer research in the country. The services offered here are:

Patient care
Research
Education through publications, advertisement campaigns and media
The only fund raising activity carried out by them is Daffodil Day which collected 22 percent of their annual revenue that is about 4 million Euro in 2008, which is a huge success and shows the high standard and hard work by the members.

European cancer organization (ECCO)

It has 50,000 oncologists to promote the treatment and prevention of the cancer in the entire Europe. It connects all cancer societies of the continent together to help educate them and create awareness in collaboration with policymakers and other professionals of oncology field. It came into being in 2007, when Federation of European Cancer Societies (FECS) was disbanded and replace by it. The 'European Journal of Cancer' is published by ECCO to fulfill the aim of eliminating this deadly disease a distinction this organization is well-known is in Europe and internationally.

National children's cancer society (NCCS)

It was founded back in 1987 to provide funding for the newly started procedures for bone marrow transplantation among children. The main office is located in St. Louis, Missouri (U.S).It supports cancer programs nationally and all over the world. As far as the donation is concerned, so far, it has contributed a hefty amount that is $47 million to about 25,000 children besides assisting in other wellness programs. In 2008, it has an annual budget of $36.3 million and had assets of only $3.7 million.

Cancer Research

2012-01-11T07:40:00.000-08:00

"Fight cancer", "Beat cancer" are very popular expressions these days, and it is good so. Although October, the Breast Cancer Awareness Month is over, one can still see many people wearing pink ribbons on their jackets, which is a demonstration of their will to help those women who suffer from this disease. And this is very much appreciated and should be acknowledged. Fundraising and information events, websites, donations, merchandise, advertisements all over the media, groups on social networking sites, individuals spreading the word - attention is certainly given to the subject and considerable amount of money is collected.

Cancer Research

However, looking a little bit closer, as a cancer survivor myself who studied the subject from the most various resources available for public, I personally have some questions, doubts and reservations about these research programs and might be a bad person, but I did not donate one single cent and not intend to do so. Tell you why.

Fight. A key word when talking about cancer.

How do you best fight so that you win? You know your enemy.

A problem - any problem - can be only handled if one knows the exact cause of it. This should be clear - how else do you solve a situation, if you don't know what is it exactly?

Let's take breast cancer, it looks like this: each year $ millions are spent to find out the causes of cancer AND more importantly, develop new treatments. Let me suggest: treatments can be only effective when they target the root of the problem... "The exact causes of breast cancer are not known." In fact, according to the publicly available statements, causes of cancer are a mystery for the medical profession.

The theory of changed or damaged genes is wide spread, and an information video on the Medical News Today site gives a little hint on why does it occur: "Damage or change in the genetic material of cells by environmental of internal factors sometimes results in cells that do not die and continue to multiply until a massive cancer cell or tumor develops."

Excellent. The next step would be then to investigate these environmental or internal factors that damage or change the genetic material of cells, wouldn't it?

The environmental factors are pretty much known for the scientists and for the public: bad nutrition, tobacco, certain chemicals that we use, etc. Cancer research should go then in the direction of eliminating these factors: educating the population on correct eating habits, cutting back the use of harmful chemicals, and so on. And cancer treatment would primarily consist of targeting the cause of cancer, the reason why those genes got changed or damaged: increasing certain vitamins and other nutrition supplements, cleansing and physical exercise that helps the body push out the accumulated toxins, boosting the own self defense of the body, the immune system and so on.

But this is not how it goes. Cancer researches deal mostly with developing the standard therapies by official medicine: new drugs, radiation, hormones and surgery. And cancer treatments available in hospitals are mainly about giving chemotherapy and such to the patients. Can anyone see how adding extra chemicals into the already overwhelmed and weakened system would help the body to recover? Because it will not.

So why then chemotherapy is a preferred and highly promoted method, when it has very many known harmful side effects? The answer is easy: pharmaceutical companies have vast interests in introducing and marketing drugs. As Clinical Study Results.org openly admits: "Clinical studies designed for approval of a new drug are sponsored primarily by pharmaceutical and biotech companies." Surprise, surprise! One can predict the outcome of a clinical study on breast cancer treatment, if one-fifth of the Swedish Cancer Society researches are financed by Pfizer - can you guess from what pharma company will they recommend medicine to the patients? (Latest news: Pfizer Hid Evidence That HRT Causes Cancer)

Another suggested treatment is hormonal therapy. About that, only one word: "Hormonal therapy can cause a variety of side effects including:... Increased risk for cancer of the uterus" - from the information video on the National Breast Cancer.org site. Pardon me??? Treating one cancer by increasing the risk for another one??? Someone must be kidding here and it's a very ugly joke.

Same for radiation therapy.

So what's the solution? To invest more money in research? The above mentioned Swedish Cancer Society (Cancerfonden) held a nice event in Stockholm in October where people bought ten thousand candles or so and contributed to the funding. This organization alone has a target to spend more then 400 million SEK each year on research. That's a nice sum of money ($57M approx. and it's only in one country), one can imagine to do great things with it. I wonder though why does cancer research need so much money to find out for example that tobacco or alcohol is not good for your health and there are certain vitamins that are vital for the normal operation of cells, when this has been already known for a good while.

I am more inclined to listen to what the so-called alternative methods recommend, because I believe that by well-balanced nutrition with supplements if needed and a general good care of the body physically and mentally, one does not need to be afraid of even such a threatening disease as cancer. Therefore I intentionally didn't referred here to alternative practices, natural remedies, viewpoints or products, only mentioned information provided by the standard medicine, which is adopted and promoted by governments of the developed countries.

Cancer Treatment

2012-01-11T07:36:00.000-08:00

Just the mention of cancer sends a chill down your spine. And when it comes to talking about cancer treatment (complete cure), one is just left looking around for answers. Yes, it's a well known fact that there is no fail-proof or definitive cancer treatment for most types of cancer. Unavailability of cancer treatment is what makes cancer so dreaded. Well, it's not just the unavailability of cancer treatment that makes the things so grim but also the difficulty in detection of cancer.

Cancer Treatment

Cancer treatment and research

Though a lot of research has been going on in the field of cancer treatment, the solution (i.e. fail-proof cancer treatment) has been evading the researchers till now. It's not that all the research has been unsuccessful. There have been improvements in cancer treatment techniques that are being used and some new cancer treatment techniques have yielded good results; however, there is nothing like a complete cure for most types of cancer. A lot of effort is also being put into developing cancer diagnosis procedures in order to ensure correct and timely diagnosis of various types of cancer. After all, successful diagnosis is the first step towards cancer treatment.

Cancer treatment - old and new methods

The old methods of cancer treatment include things like surgical procedures for removal of malignant tissue and use of radiation and chemotherapy to get rid of the malignant cells and prevent their growth. Apart from these cancer treatment methods, there are other cancer treatment procedures that are being put to use quite effectively - one such cancer treatment is the use of Tamoxifen in hormone based cancer treatment. A number of other new cancer treatment procedures are being developed and tested all the time in an effort to find a cancer treatment that is fully curative and fail-proof.

Cancer treatment, prevention and detection

Since there is no definitive cancer treatment available, the best way to tackle this monster is to take measures for protection against cancer and to device ways of early detection of cancer. The main recommendations for cancer prevention include things like refraining from tobacco, reducing intake of alcoholic drinks, engaging in physical activity / exercise and avoiding exposure to direct sunlight (i.e. UV rays). With regards to cancer detection, the most important thing is to increase your knowledge about cancer, cancer symptoms, cancer treatment etc. It's important to know that there are many cancer screening tests that you can undergo to help detect cancer in early stages and hence get cancer treatment whilst the things are still controllable.

Symptoms of Cervical Cancer

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The symptoms of cervical cancer depend largely upon which stage of progression the cancer has reached. In the early stages of cervical cancer, for instance, very few symptoms can be observed and many individuals experience no symptoms whatsoever. This is one of the reasons that it's vital to get regularly screened for cervical cancer and other types of health issues because an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, particularly with something as potent as cancer of the cervix.

Symptoms of Cervical Cancer

The reason there are typically no early symptoms of cervical cancer is due to the way in which this disease grows. It's a disease that is rather slow to develop and the location does not lend itself to particular sensitivity or visibility. Even though the cells of the cervix are undergoing changes (technically known as dysplasia), the direct effects may not be obvious. Some malignancies that develop close to a strong blood supply, for instance, may chip off and produce a bloody appearance. In the early stages of cervical cancer this does not occur.

As the disease progresses, there may be several symptoms that appear which are discussed below. It's important to note, however, that even in later stages of cervical cancer, many women are completely asymptomatic and only prevention, regularly screenings and pap smears will catch it early enough to be treated with maximum efficacy.

Some of the symptoms of cervical cancer in women who have had the disease for a while are:

• Vaginal Bleeding - Most women will experience somewhat unusual and seemingly random vaginal bleeding following various routine occurrences. For instance, vaginal bleeding can be observed after having sex, in between periods of menstruation and after a woman reaches menopause.

• Vaginal Discharge - Most women are quite in tune with their bodies and notice minute changes in odor, color and appearance of their vaginal secretions even if they are only paying attention passively. A bloody, watery vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor and a somewhat heavy consistency may be an indication of the disruption of a woman's normal functioning.

• Pain During Sex - This is another potential indicator that a woman may have cancer of the cervix. You might also notice pelvic pain where there was none before.

Some of the advanced symptoms of cervical cancer may include:

• Back Pain - The various parts of the body are intimately connected and it's possible that problems in the cervix can manifest as back pain.

• Bone Fractures - This is typically a sign of advanced cervical cancer and indicates a general weakness of the body.

• Swollen lymph nodes - The lymph nodes are stations of immunity that swell up any time the body is facing some sort of microscopic threat. Swollen lymph nodes are a quintessential symptom of many types of disease, not just cancer, but they're excellent indicators of health problems that should be taken seriously.

• Fatigue - This is another advanced symptom and occurs when the body is so occupied with trying to fight off the threat and the cancer cells drain so many resources from the body, that the patient simply lacks their usual quantities of energy.

• Loss of appetite - This is a pretty serious symptom and points to a severe disruption of homeostasis within the body.

• Weight loss - This is also a rather generic symptom and should be considered in combination with other symptoms that may occur.

• Urine and/or feces coming from the vagina - This is a very severe symptom that should prompt you to seek immediate medical attention. Feces in the vagina are very dangerous for reasons of infection and their presence indicates a severe problem.

• Leg pain/swollen leg - This may seem like a disconnected symptom but like the others, should be thought of as only potentially indicative unless it is seen in conjunction with several others.

If you observe any of these indicators, be calm. Here's why: all of the signs and symptoms of cervical cancer have to be taken into account in the context of everything else. For instance, many women experience pain during sex because their partner is too rough or too large. Additionally, many women may have an unusual vaginal discharge that can be due to a yeast infection or an STD or any number of other non-cancer factors!

If, on the other hand, you experience several of these symptoms and the onset is rather sudden and unexpected, then it's certainly a good idea to go see you physician and have the appropriate tests conducted as soon as possible.

There is also a connection between HPV and cervical cancer that women should be aware of because it's been shown that up to 70% of all cervical cancer can be attributed to 2 specific types of HPV (16 and 18). The reason for this is that HPV causes abnormal cell changes and growth in the cervix. For this reason women who carry HPV should be especially vigilant for any symptoms and signs of cervical cancer.

It's important for women to begin seeing a gynecologist in their teenage years, which is the default recommendation by the American Congress Of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. This will help young women understand how to avoid risky behaviors that can lead to HPV infection (a major player in cervical cancer cases) and also make them aware of the symptoms associated with this disease.

Symptoms of cervical cancer after menopause are typically the same as for pre-menopausal women but would most noticeably include vaginal bleeding where it had largely stopped.

Every woman should certainly be on the lookout for the symptoms of cervical cancer and should be getting screened with pap smears and other diagnostic tools regularly to catch any abnormalities before the become a serious problem.

Cervical Cancer

2012-01-09T21:53:00.001-08:00

Cervical cancer іѕ a type of cancer that affects woman. The mоst common victims of cervical cancer arе older woman (i.e. 40+). Cervical cancer iѕ generally caused by HPV (human papilloma virus) whіch getѕ transmitted through sexual contact аnd оver а period of time (which can lаѕt fоr years) leads to cancerous cervix cells.

Cervical Cancer

Prevention agaіnst cervical cancer

Since HPV gеts sexually transmitted, hаvіng multiple sex partners cаn increase the chances of occurrence оf cervical cancer. The anti-bodies produced bу our body аre thе bеѕt guard аgаinѕt HPV аnd anything that cаuѕеѕ our immune system tо weaken сan also aid іn development оf cervical cancer. In that sense, taking good care оf yоur health tоo іѕ а preventive measure for cervical cancer.

Symptoms оf cervical cancer

The mоst common symptoms оf cervical cancer include pelvic pain or pain during intercourse, unexpected vaginal discharge оr bleeding, increase in the frequency оf urination etc. However, the occurrence of thesе symptoms doeѕn't necessarily imply cervical cancer. These symptoms јust suggest thаt cervical cancer сould bе a possibility аnd hеnсe point tо thе need оf undergoing other cervical cancer tests.

Detecting cervical cancer

One оf the beѕt ways оf detecting cervical cancer іѕ to undergo routine/ regular cervical cancer screening tests. The cervical cancer screening test (i.e. the pap test or the pap smear test) іѕ оne оf the beѕt ways of catching cervical cancer in early stages. This test is not аt all painful аnd јuѕt involves brushing оff of cells from your cervix fоr microscopic examination. The pap test results arе generally gіven аs а rating оn а scale оf 1 to 5 wherе іn 1 іndicаtеѕ normal cervix cells аnd 5 indіcаteѕ ѕеrious cancer signs. Though medical research is constantly tryіng tо create new and bеtter ways of detecting cervical cancer, Pap tests are thе beѕt technique thаt we hаve avаilablе today for early detection оf cervical cancer. However, pap tests аre nоt alwауѕ accurate and if оthеr symptoms strongly suggest cervical cancer, а sеcond round of cervical tests might bе recommended bу the doctor.

Treatment of cervical cancer

The treatment оf cervical cancer іѕ effective mostlу whеn thе cervical cancer is detected whіlе it iѕ ѕtill іn itѕ early stages. The treatment involves surgical procedures (including removal of uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries), chemotherapy and radiation. The earlier yоu are аble tо detect cervical cancer, thе bettеr аre yоur chances of cure. In fact, pap tests сan еvеn detect pre-cancerous stage and henсе make the treatment of cervical cancer еvеn more effective.

pancreatic cancer

2012-01-08T22:46:00.000-08:00

Pancreas is responsible for producing insulin which regulates the sugar level in the body. All those who know what diabetes is would know the importance of insulin in body (and hence the importance of pancreas). Pancreas also produces pancreatic juice which helps in digestion of food. When abnormal growth of cells (malignant cells) occurs in the pancreas, it is called pancreatic cancer. Like other types of cancer, pancreatic cancer too is life threatening.

pancreatic cancer

Cause of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is again one of those that happen to older people (generally those above the age of 60). Chronic pancreatitis, which is caused by consumption of large amounts of alcohol, can act as a predecessor of pancreatic cancer. Some people tend to associate pancreatic cancer to genes and family history but there doesn't seem any concrete evidence to suggest one or the other. Generally speaking, pancreatic cancer doesn't seem to have a relation to family history.

Symptoms and diagnosis of pancreatic cancer

Again, none of the symptoms of pancreatic cancer are such so as to give confirmatory indications of pancreatic cancer. Pain in the abdomen, tiredness and loss of appetite are said to be symptoms of pancreatic cancer but these can really be caused by so many other things that it might not even occur to you that this could be caused by pancreatic cancer. However, if you are skeptical and want to make sure that everything is ok, you can always consult a qualified doctor to vet out your fears. Jaundice is another symptom of pancreatic cancer but this too can be caused by other things. So, really, it comes to proper tests and diagnosis to detect pancreatic cancer. The doctors would generally go for a urine test (for bile) and a blood test as the first screening tests for pancreatic cancer. In case these tests suggest pancreatic cancer, there could be need for x-rays and other tests (as deemed fit by the doctor).

Treatment of pancreatic cancer

As is the case with any type of cancer, the chances of survival with pancreatic cancer is governed by how early you are able to catch the symptoms and diagnose pancreatic cancer. The treatment for pancreatic cancer is dependent on the size of the cancer, the stage of cancer and your general health. A major consideration is the size of the cancer and whether it has spread around or is localized. For pancreatic cancer too, the best treatment is removal of the cancer through surgical procedure (and it's a major surgery). Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are other ways of treating pancreatic cancer.

Stages of Ovarian Cancer

2012-01-08T12:58:00.000-08:00

There are four stages of ovarian cancer. When you get diagnosed, your doctor will try to determine which of the stages you belong to. If you are diagnosed in the earlier stages then you have a greater chance of survival. On the other hand, diagnosis in the latter stages could mean that your disease has progressed too much to be cured by conventional means. Either way, you should be aware of these stages so you can know what to expect as your ovarian cancer progresses. Each of these stages are described in greater detail below.

stages of ovarian cancer

Stage 1 - Stage 1 is the first stage that a women will go through. Stage one is the most treatable stage and where you ideally want to find out you have ovarian cancer. The only issue is going to be detecting the cancer at such an early stage. Anyway, with Stage 1 ovarian cancer, a person has cancer inside one or both of the ovaries, though in Stage 1c it is possible they could have spread into a woman's abdominal fluid. Stage 1c ovarian cancer could also involve rupture of the affected ovary due to the presence of the tumors.

Stage 2 - Stage 2 indicates that the tumors have spread from the ovaries. However, it has not gone beyond the pelvic region. Organs that could be affected by the metastasized ovarian cancer include the bladder or the rectum. And, like Stage 1, it is possible for the tumors to result in a ruptured ovary.

Stage 3 - With Stage 3 ovarian cancer, the tumors have spread into the abdominal cavity. They can attack the lymph nodes, the groin area or the area that is behind the womb. The cancer is visible from the tissues of the abdomen, (not the abdominal fluid like Stage 1 and 2). The tumors start at 2 centimeters and grow from there.

Stage 4 - Stage 4 is the deadliest of the stage. At this stage the cancer has escaped the pelvic region and the abdominal cavity. Any organ is game for attack, though the most common will be the liver or the lungs. It should be noted that when the tumors attack these organs, the doctors will still offer ovarian cancer treatment instead of liver cancer treatment or lung cancer treatment. This is because the origin of the problem is in the ovaries, so in order to try and treat the condition, the tumors will need to be attacked there.

All in all when it comes to the stages of ovarian cancer, you will want to avoid getting diagnosed at any stage further than 1. You can increase your chances of getting diagnosed at this stage by going to the doctor when you have abdominal pain and/or urinary incontinence, as these are the very early signs of ovarian cancer. Also, if you are at high risk for the condition, press your doctor for ovarian cancer screening. Granted, you might get misdiagnosed, but if you do have the condition, the screening can help save your life.

Ovarian Cancer Treatment

2012-01-08T12:52:00.000-08:00

Ovarian cancer, a condition characterized by an overgrowth of malignant cells in one or both of the ovaries, is one of the deadliest and under-recognized cancers affecting women. Every year, there are more than 25,000 women that suffer from this deadly disease. Half of them are most likely to die within a period of five years.

Ovarian Cancer Treatment

Early Detection: Improves Ovarian Cancer Treatment

The sad thing about ovarian cancer is that during the early stage, there are usually no signs and symptoms that tell you about this disorder. Symptoms start to show up when the cancer is already widespread, making ovarian cancer treatment too difficult.

However, there are women who are lucky enough to detect the symptoms early on; hence, diagnosis is hastened up and ovarian cancer treatment is given immediately. Tests such as pelvic and rectal screening, ultrasound, x-ray and laparoscopy may help a doctor detect tumors in the ovaries.

At present, almost 75 percent of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer are not treated immediately due to late detection of the cancer. Experts say that when detection of the cancer is made early and when ovarian cancer treatment is given immediately, women diagnosed with the disease have 90% survival rate since the cancer can be easily treated in its early stage.

Diagnosis and Ovarian Cancer Treatment

When symptoms finally show up and the doctor suspects that a patient may have ovarian cancer, laparoscopy is conducted to confirm diagnosis. It is a direct visual examination of the abdominal cavity, the ovaries, the exterior of the fallopian tubes and the uterus using an instrument that is inserted just underneath the navel.

Upon confirmation of ovarian cancer, the doctor explores the extent of the cancer and submits the patient for surgery. The surgeon removes the growth or much of the malignant tissue. In most cases, the whole ovary or both of the ovaries and the fallopian tubes are removed as they the malignant cancer cells have already affected these areas. This kind of surgery is called salpingooophorectomy. If the malignant cells affect the uterus, hysterectomy is conducted (surgical removal of the uterus).

Surgery is usually ensued by radiotherapy, which is the use of high energy radiation to destroy malignant cancer cells in the body and shrink remaining tumors, which may later on become malignant. This procedure may be done using an external machine or a radioactive material put inside the body near the malignant cells.

The patient also undergoes chemotherapy, whereby the patient is given anti-cancer drugs to help hasten up ovarian cancer treatment. Drugs may be administered orally (through the mouth), intravenously (through the veins) or through the muscles (by means of injection of a needle.

Most anticancer drugs given to the patient have chemical compounds that are toxic to the malignant cells; thus, growth of the cancer cells is reduced or stopped. These anticancer drugs are called cytotoxic drugs. Other anticancer drugs used are synthetic forms of sex hormones such as androgen drugs and progesterone drugs.

In most instances, different kinds of anticancer drugs are prescribed in combination in order to speed up ovarian cancer treatment. However, not all ovarian cancer patients are given with the same anticancer drugs. The drugs given to a patient depends on the extent or stage of development of the ovarian cancer and her general health condition.

The symptoms of ovarian cancer

2012-01-08T12:45:00.000-08:00

The symptoms of ovarian cancer can appear months before the cancer is found. Unless a woman is getting the tests that would reveal the cancer these symptoms many times wont be diagnosed. This alone is one of the problems with detecting ovarian cancer in its early stages. The symptoms of ovarian cancer are quite often dismissed due to the fact that they can be rather benign.

The symptoms of ovarian cancer

Stomach swelling and digestive problems for instance which are common symptoms of the presence of ovarian can be easily dismissed and ignored. Stomach problems are something everyone experiences at various times in their life. Ovarian cancer afflicts more than twenty-two- thousand women annually in the U.S. If caught in the early stages this cancer is treatable as goes for many other cancers.

If detected in its early stages, before it has spread from the ovaries a woman has a ninety percent chance of living for at least another five years. Unfortunately, less than twenty percent of ovarian cancer is detected in its early stage, Due to the fact that the symptoms of ovarian cancer don't involve the ovaries themselves the cancer many times can be overlooked as tests like stomach imaging can overlook the ovaries.

This is not to say that every time a woman gets a stomach ache or pelvic pain she should dash off to be tested for ovarian cancer. In cases where problems are persistent though researchers have concluded that ovarian cancer should be considered. If tests have ruled out other causes than tests for ovarian cancer should be performed. Ovarian cancer is a relatively rare cancer in women, it afflicts a small part of the general population and makes up a small percentage of the cancers afflicting women in general.

For the woman stricken with this form of cancer the statistics mean nothing though. So it appears from research findings that women have to take a greater part in the detection of this disease due to the nature of the symptoms and the elusive nature of this disease and with early detection so imperative in determining the survival rate of women afflicted with ovarian cancer.

If tests have ruled out other causes for the symptoms than tests for ovarian cancer should be performed earlier in the diagnosis process. A womans early response to the persistent symptoms related to ovarian cancer can be the key to her survival. New research has discovered that ultrasound and the CA125 test were many times not effective in detecting ovarian cancer in its early stages even in women already at high risk for developing the disease.

Women at high risk include women with a family history of the disease and women predisposed to it due to genetic mutations that can make ovarian cancer more likely. Of the two tests the blood test has shown to be more effective in finding ovarian cancer but it can sometimes give false positive results. Statistics are not good for the early detection of the cancer so other means must be developed it seems.

Experts agree that more research is needed in the area of detection of the disease as this seems to be so critical in determining the survival rate for ovarian cancer. The symptoms will always be the same though so for their part women must make themselves more aware of this cancer and its early detection. Tracking the symptoms can only be of help. Keeping an accurate record of your early symptoms and being persistent during the evaluation process can be the difference between surviving and not surviving ovarian cancer.

Ovarian Cancer

2012-01-08T12:38:00.000-08:00

Ovarian cancer is named after the development of cancerous tissues/ cells in ovaries (an organ that is found in women and is an important part of the female reproductive system). Like any type of cancer, the thought of ovarian cancer is very frightful for every woman. If ovarian cancer is not detected in its initial stages, it can really become life threatening. In some cases, ovarian cancer can lead to removal of ovaries.

Ovarian cancer

Reducing the risk of ovarian cancer - the theories

Numerous studies and research are being carried out around the globe in order to find ways of reducing the risk of ovarian cancer and for developing a complete cure for ovarian cancer. If you look around for advice or if you go through books and newspaper articles, you will find that a number of different things are suggested for reducing the risk of ovarian cancer. So, you will find that there are suggestions on using oral contraceptives for reduction of ovarian cancer. Some other methodologies suggest tying up of fallopian tubes as an effective way of reducing the risk of ovarian cancer (of course, you should go for this option only when you are sure that you won't be looking to have more children). There are others who suggest removal of ovaries (near menopause or just during menopause) through a surgical procedure as an effective way of reducing the risk of ovarian cancer. There are other theories that are related to how long a woman has breast fed her babies and the age at which she had her last baby.

Framing an approach for tackling the risk of ovarian cancer

So, all those newspaper articles and research studies seem to suggest a lot of different things for preventing ovarian cancer (or at least reducing the risk of ovarian cancer). However, they also make it difficult for you to decide on what your approach should be towards tackling the risk of ovarian cancer. The best thing to do is to contact an expert and seek their advice on what approach would be best suited to you for tackling the risk of ovarian cancer. Since the doctors/ consultants (who work in the field of ovarian cancer) know much more about ovarian cancer and ways of tackling the risk, they would be able to guide you much better than you forming an approach all by yourself (by reading those articles etc). However, do not get overly worried about the risks of ovarian cancer lest you end messing up your life with the thoughts and fears of ovarian cancer overwhelming you.

Colon Cancer

2012-01-08T12:28:00.000-08:00

Colon is one of the important parts of our digestive system. Growth of malignant tissue in colon is termed as colon cancer. Colon cancer can really harm our digestive system and colon cancer is one of the more dreaded cancers.

Colon Cancer

Causes of colon cancer

Colon related diseases and incorrect eating habits are said to increase the risk of colon cancer. High fiber diet (i.e. vegetables and fruits) can help in reducing the risk of colon cancer. Colon cancer is also linked to genes and there are theories that suggest that people with family history of colon cancer are at greater risk of developing colon cancer. However, colon cancer is generally found in older people i.e. people who are above the age of 50. Frankly speaking, the exact and specific causes of colon cancer are still not known and there is a lot of research underway to find the same.

Symptoms and diagnosis of colon cancer

Abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, blood spots in stool or any unusual bowel related activity/uneasiness can be a symptom of colon cancer. However, these are not conclusive symptoms of colon cancer since these could be just normal digestion related problems. In any case, you should get the advice of a qualified doctor and tell him all the symptoms properly in order to facilitate fast and correct diagnosis. The doctor may prescribe certain tests/ examinations for proper diagnosis of colon cancer. Most colon cancer tests require empty bowel, so you need to do a bit of preparation before going for the tests. Special kind of x-ray tests and colonoscopy (that uses a fiber-optic camera or colon scope) is used to diagnose colon cancer. These tests can be a bit painful since they require insertion of instruments/ substances through your anus to your colon. Biopsy is also used as a technique for detecting colon cancer.

Treatment of colon cancer

Effectiveness of the treatment of colon cancer is governed by how early it is detected/ diagnosed. There are various ways of treating colon cancer and researchers are always looking for newer and better ways of treating colon cancer. However, as of now, surgical procedures are one of the prime treatments for colon cancer. The objective is to remove all the cancerous tissues and hence prevent the cancer from spreading. Other treatments of cancer include application of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Warren and Karen have been involved in the internet for a number of years and run several websites. They are most interested in providing opportunities for people to connect with information relating to business, health and creativity.

Skin Cancer Treatment

2012-01-08T12:17:00.000-08:00

Skin cancer can be a terrible disease depending on the type it is and the severity and location of the disease. It is the most common form of cancer that is being diagnosed today and over 1 million Americans get it each year. Most skin cancer is highly curable if diagnosed early and treated quickly. There are three standard methods of treatment that are used in hospitals today. These hospitals have medical, radiation and surgical specialists providing excellent care to skin cancer patients. They provide the latest in treatment regimens, medical equipment, cancer-fighting drugs and pain-control programs. Physicians direct the patient's overall care and are always available for consultation and assistance.

skin cancer treatment

Skin cancer falls into two categories - melanoma and non-melanoma. Skin cancer generally starts out in the epidermis (top layer) of the skin and becomes one of three types of cancer. These three types are Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma (both non-melanoma) and Melanoma. The most dangerous and aggressive of the three types is melanoma.

Some cancer clinics are now using a technique known as Mohs surgery in which tissue is removed in thin layers and examined thoroughly under a microscope to determine if any cancerous cells are present. These same cancer clinics use other surgical techniques, chemotherapy and radiation in their fight against the disease. For most skin cancers they use curettage and electrodesiccation, cryosurgery (which is commonly known as freezing), laser beam surgery and traditional surgery.

Most skin cancer treatment can be done in a physician's office or in a medical clinic and requires no hospital stay. Tumors that are large, being re-treated or are located on or close to the face are usually more complicated and are routinely treated using Mohs surgery. Reconstruction of the surrounding tissue is often necessary to restore normal functioning of the tumor site. This more complicated treatment option sometimes requires a hospital stay. Treatment options are determined by the tumor's type and size, its location and depth

Skin Cancer Symptoms

2012-01-08T08:13:00.000-08:00

There are many types of skin cancers. The types of cancers depend upon the area affected and the severity of the disease. A skin cancer can damage any part of the body. The symptoms also differ from the type of cancer developed.

The three types of cancers are BCC, SCC and melanoma. The main symptoms of BCC are:

Skin Cancer Symptoms

a. on the skin bumps develop in the form of a circle and the bumps are usually in the shape of a pear. If they swell then immediately visit should be made with the doctor. These bumps usually occur in the areas that are often exposed such as face, neck or shoulders.

b. When crusts develop on the lump, they may bleed and cause infection. If such symptoms are noticed they immediately visit the doctor because this bleeding can be the early cause of cancers.

The BCC and SCC develop in the similar form. Following are the symptoms of SCC.

a. the SCC develops in a form of patch in the skin at the initial stage. The size of the patches is usually form and appears on the face like a scale. It of course! Causes a lot of discomfort to the skin. They usually appear on those areas that are exposed to the radiations of sun most of the times.

b. Similarly like BCC they later on began to bleed and develop in the form of an ulcer. Most of the patients who develop it think that he has developed an ordinary swelling but he may not be aware that it may cause a major problem to him. But he must realize that it may lead him to cancer.

If these symptoms are neglected at an early stage then the large of these bumps obviously enlarge. Then these bumps develop cancerous cells within them.

If you develop melanoma then you notice the following symptoms:

a. in the initial stage you develop moles and when the moles develop they become cancerous. You must realize the onset of skin melanoma if you notice large moles in your adulthood or if you are feeling itchy or discomfort due to the presence of mole in the skin.

b. You must be able to identify moles. The moles are usually encircled by some peculiar elements. The color of the mole appears somewhat brown or red. You may notice lesions also.

There are many types of skin cancers as the skin is made up of many layers and each layer consists of many cells. The type of skin cancers depend upon the layer infected and the cells damaged. The skin is made up of three main layers and the three main layers consist of three main types of cells. The outer most layer is known as epidermis and it consists of three cells. The second layer is known as dermis layer and the inner most layer is known as subcutaneous layer. This innermost layer consists of fat and loose cells. When skin cancer is caused the layer that is most affected is the epidermal layer.

1. As you know there are three types of cancers ie. Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC, Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and Melanoma.

Basal cell carcinoma: the basal cells that are found in the epidermis are affected by the cancer. This cancer is mostly caused to people with fair skin. When this cancer develops the basal cells enlarged. This disease is mainly caused to people who are often exposed to sunlight. The cancer becomes malignatnt if not treated for a longer time. The cancerous cells spread due to the development.

SCC: The Squamous cells are the outermost lining cells of the epidermal layer. If these cells are affected they can affected the entire skin or the entire layer of epidermis. It should be treated at the right time or else the cells become malignant. these cells do not have the property of metastazing even if they are left untreated for a longer period but they may just spread to the nearby tissues.

Melanoma: it is the most hazardous type of cancer compared to the other types of cancers. In the lower area of the epidermal layer melanocytes are present. They are responsible for the secretion of pigment known as melanin when it is exposed to sunlight. This disease is so dangerous that it can spread to the inner organs also.

The treatment of skin cancer also depends upon the type of disease he is experiencing. There are many types of skin cancers. If a person is diagnosed with melanoma, then he must undergo very systematic form of treatment. Even the doctors should treat such patients so carefully that the cancer should not spread to the other cells. But a person who is undergo BCC or SCC can be treated with localized treatment.

Skin Cancer

2012-01-08T08:01:00.000-08:00

Skin cancer is another common type of cancer. As the name suggests, skin cancer is a cancerous condition of skin.

Skin Cancer

Types of skin cancer

There are three types of skin cancers: basal cell skin cancer, squamous cell skin cancer and the dangerous malignant melanoma. Since skin cancer is very closely associated to skin pigmentation, the fair skinned people are more at risk of developing skin cancer as compared to the dark skinned ones.

The cause of skin cancer

Prolonged contact with direct sunlight is what causes skin cancer. The main culprit in the direct rays of sunlight is the UV radiation (i.e. Ultra violet rays). Thus most of the preventive action against skin cancer is concentrated on avoidance of UV rays.

Protection against skin cancer

Protection against skin cancer is probably easier than the protection against other types of skin cancer. Still, a number of people ignore it and become target of this dreaded disease. Here is a list of things that can protect you from skin cancer:

1. Clothing: Since skin cancer is caused by prolonged contact of UV rays with your skin, the more you cover your skin with clothing, the lesser is your risk of developing skin cancer. Full sleeved clothes, long skirts and trousers, big hats/caps, high necks etc are all helpful in preventing skin cancer.

2. Sun screen lotion: There are a number of skin care products available in markets that offer effective protection against skin cancer. Sun screen lotions and creams that have a SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 15 or more are much recommended for use.

3. Avoid exposure to UV rays: This is the best protection against skin cancer. If you can time your outdoor activity during those periods when the UV rays are less intense, you are automatically protected against UV rays. Thus getting out either early in the mornings of later in the evenings is the best.

4. Diet: Carotenoid fruits and vegetables are also known to help prevent skin cancer.

Detection of skin cancer

The various techniques for protection against skin cancer can only reduce your risk of contacting skin cancer. If you are really unlucky (or if you have not taken the protective measures against skin cancer), you might still get affected by skin cancer. In such a case, early detection can make the difference between curability and non-curability. Timely consultation with a qualified doctor, regular check-ups and accurate diagnosis can prevent skin cancer from becoming really dangerous for you.

Signs Of Lung Cancer

2012-01-08T07:53:00.000-08:00

Signs of Lung Cancer, the signs and symptoms to check for. It seems as though today more and more people are having pulmonary problems which can be signs of Lung Cancer.

Signs Of Lung Cancer

Signs of lung cancer
Let us take a look at the signs of Lung Cancer and it's symptoms; suppose you are having pulmonary problems and you believe that these are the Signs of Lung Cancer, it is a good idea to go to a physician to have tests done, this is the only way of knowing you have lung cancer.

First of all, you may want to know that there are four types of Lung Cancer, these four types of Lung Cancer are: small cell lung cancer, squamous cell carcinoma lung cancer, large cell carcinoma lung cancer and adenocarcinoma lung cancer. All of these four are most likely linked to smoking or second degree smoke, but it is also known that the Signs of Lung Cancer can have an inherited component to this. There is a research being done, that maybe the signs of Lung Cancer can be linked to diet, but that is still in the research arena, but some signs of Lung Cancer can be related to diet.

The symptoms and signs of Lung Cancer are difficulty breathing, coughing up blood, chest pain, loss of appetite, weight loss and general fatigue, but there are some signs of Lung Cancers that do not have any noticeable symptoms, this is because this type is not in the advance stages yet, this type of Lung Cancer is where it has spread to other parts of the body, and therefore it is hard to see these signs of Lung Cancer.

Sometimes the signs of Lung Cancer can be detected by a simple chest x-ray but sometimes with the signs of Lung Cancer you have to have a test called bronchoscopy, this test is when a thin, flexible tube is inserted down the airways of the throat and this allows the doctors to see the inside of the lungs, sometimes they will take a biopsy to determine if the Lung Cancer has spread, they will have to take other tests depending on the type of Lung Cancer, such as a CT Scan, liver ultrasound or bone scan maybe this will determine if the Lung Cancer has spread to other areas.

Now, depending on the type of Lung Cancer depends on the treatment that is used a drug treatment maybe used for small lung cancers this is called (chemotherapy) this is the usual treatment for the signs of small lung cancer, radiotherapy is therefore used for the other types of Lung Cancer that I had mentioned earlier. Although Lung Cancer is one of the most dangerous Lung Cancers there are, remember there is still a cure and hope (we always have hope) for Lung Cancer or any type of cancer.

In Lung Cancer the drug treatments that I mentioned, cause bruising, fatigue, hair loss, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting, but the nausea and vomiting can be assisted with other medications and the hair loss? well..the hair will grow back.

If you feel that you may have Lung Cancer and have these symptoms, please see your doctor and get these tests done, Lung Cancer can spread to other parts of the body, and the sooner you find the problem, the sooner you it can be treated.

With Lung Cancer it is impairative that you get help and treated immediately. Lung Cancer can be deadly as we all know so take the tests and if you have Lung Cancer, donut let it beat you. You beat Lung Cancer.

Lung Cancer

2012-01-08T07:43:00.000-08:00

We all know about the important function that our lungs perform i.e. absorption of oxygen into our blood and the expelling out of carbon dioxide into air. Lungs are a very critical organ of our body and lung cancer (or development of malignant cells in lungs) can really be life threatening.

Lung Cancer

Causes of lung cancerMost people would know the primary cause of lung cancer (after all there is so much propaganda about what increases the risk of lung cancer the most). Yes, smoking tobacco is the main culprit behind lung cancer (or behind increasing the risk of lung cancer). Even passive smoking can slightly increase the risk of lung cancer. It's unfortunate that even with all that propaganda and people knowing that smoking can cause lung cancer, people continue to smoke tobacco. People working in industries which involve extensive use of asbestos and other chemical substances/fumes are also at a greater risk of lung cancer.

Symptoms of lung cancer

Most of the symptoms of lung cancer are related to cough conditions. However, the difference is that lung cancer may lead to prolonged cough or blood coming out with cough. Chest infections, difficulty in breathing or a pain in breathing etc. are some of the symptoms of lung cancer. But again, the occurrence of such symptoms should not lead you to concluding that you have lung cancer. Only a qualified doctor through proper examination and tests can deduce whether you have lung cancer or not.

Diagnosis of lung cancer
When there are symptoms of lung cancer, the doctor might start with getting an x-ray and a sputum test done for you. CT scans and biopsies are other specialist means of diagnosing lung cancer. The diagnosis of lung cancer can be done quite definitively.

Treatment of lung cancer

As is the case with most types of cancer, the treatment of lung cancer is pretty much planned based on the type of lung cancer, its size, the stage of lung cancer and your general health. The main treatments of lung cancer include chemotherapy and radiotherapy (and the combination of both is usually used). Surgical procedures are also used in some cases but again the suitability of surgery is determined by the doctor on the basis of a number of other factors. So, the best thing to do is avoid smoking and cut down your risk of lung cancer.

Warren and Karen have been involved in the internet for a number of years and run several websites. They are most interested in providing opportunities for people to connect with information relating to business, health and creativity. Check out their Lung Cancer [http://lung-cancer-.blogspot.com] blog for more information.

Stage 1 breast cancer

2012-01-07T14:07:00.000-08:00

A disease that has an influx of uncontrollable cellular growth in the tissues of the breast is called breast cancer. This disease is more commonly found among the elderly but there are cases reported among women as young as 20 years of age. Men also are not exempted from breast carcinoma.

Stage 1 breast cancer

Symptoms of breast carcinoma vary per level. Signs like change in size and shape of the breast and a lump are common signs of cancer of the breast. Breast examination and mammography are procedures that are commonly used to detect cancer of the breast.

Stage 1 breast cancer is the primary stage of breast carcinoma. The American Cancer Society noted that the breast cancer survival rate for this stage is at 98 to 100 percent cure possibility after medical treatments.

During this phase the tumor in the breast is less than 2 centimeters in diameter and has not spread to other tissues besides the breast. It is noted that if a tumor that is less than 2 centimeters but have spread towards the auxiliary lymph nodes is to be considered to be stage 2 breast carcinoma.

Surgery is usually required for patients having stage 1 breast cancer. The procedure is used to remove the lump or tumor in the breast as well as the surrounding tissues that could have been infected by the malignant cells. On rare cases where the entire breast needs to removed, mastectomy is done followed by a reconstructive surgery in order to fix the breast of the patient.

In order to avoid the reoccurrence of the malignant cancer cells, a patient may need to undergo radiation therapy, chemotherapy or hormone therapy after a successful surgery. Women who have successfully undergone this traumatic event in their lives will get to live a normal and productive life after.

Despite having a high stage 1 breast cancer survival rate, many women are still unable to survive this traumatic life threatening disease. There are numerous reasons to blame; poverty is one and the lack of health insurance.

Many women in the United States alone were not getting the proper treatment procedures which resulted to disastrous chains of events. These concerns should be attended if not, there will be more people in the future that will die because of this dreaded disease.

If a malignant cancer tumor spreads beyond the regions of the breast and infects other tissues and organs of the body, a patients breast cancer survival rate drops down to below 20 percent chance of survival.

Breast Cancer Symptoms

2012-01-06T14:21:00.000-08:00

What You Don't Want to Hear

"You have breast cancer" are words that can put fear into anyone's heart, and knowing breast cancer symptoms may help save your life. Women should follow their doctors recommendations regarding mammograms. Early detection of breast cancer means more treatment options and a better chance of cure.

Breast Cancer Symptoms

What to Look For

While often breast lumps aren't cancerous, the most common sign of breast cancer, for both men and women, is usually a thickening or lump in the breast. Generally, early breast cancer does not cause pain. Five warning signs include:

A change in the size or contours of your breast
Any flattening or indentation of the skin over your breast
A spontaneous clear or bloody discharge from your nipple, often associated with a breast lump
Retraction or indentation of your nipple
Redness or pitting of the skin over your breast, like the skin of an orange
A change in size or feel of your breast can be caused by a number of conditions other than breast cancer. Pregnancy and your menstrual cycle naturally changes breast tissue during that time. Fibrocystic changes, cysts, fibroadenomas, infection or injury are other possible causes of noncancerous (benign) breast changes.

What Reduces Risk

Two molecules, touted as "miracle molecules", help reduce the risk of breast cancer. These molecules are Resveratrol and Ellagic Acid. A great source of these comes from grapes (red wine) and pomegranates. Supplementing your diet with these antioxidant molecules can have a significant effect on your chances of hearing those words "you have breast cancer".

Stage 2 Breast Cancer

2012-01-06T14:13:00.000-08:00

Stage 2 cancer of the breast varies into 2 types, which are stage IIA and stage IIB respectively. The 5 year breast cancer survival rate for stage 2 breast carcinoma varies depending on the size of the tumor and whether or not the malignant cells have spread towards the lymph nodes of the breast.

Stage 2 Breast Cancer

If the tumor in the breast is smaller than 2 centimeters but have affected the auxiliary lymph nodes (the lymph nodes under the arm) it s still considered to be stage 2 breast carcinoma.The 5 year survival rate of this type of cancer is at 88 to 89 percent chance of occur.

When the tumor in the breast is between 2 to 5 centimeters but has not spread towards the lymph nodes; it is to be considered to be stage 2A cancer of the breast.

Meanwhile, when the tumor in the breast is between 2 to 5 centimeters and has spread towards the auxiliary lymph nodes; it is considered to be stage 2 - B cancer of the breast. Breast cancer survival rates for this type are at 76 to 81 percent chance of survival.

If the tumor is larger than 5 centimeters but is still confined or hasn't grown enough to affect other tissues besides the breast; this is still considered to be at stage 2 - B breast carcinoma.

In the United States alone 29% of diagnosed cancer of the breast among white women is still at stage 2 breast carcinoma while a much large 36 percent is for black women.

In an average of 62 percent, most breast tumor patients are still at the initial or localized stage. This stage is much commonly known as stage 1 breast cancer. The 5 - year breast cancer survival rate for stage 1 can go as high as 98 to 100 percent cure possibilities.

Like any other cancer types, early detection is the key to have an excellent survival rate, most especially if we are talking about breast carcinoma. If the breast tumor grows enough to affect other tissues or organs in the body, there will be a huge drop in the breast cancer survival rate of the patient.

Women are fortunate that government and private institutions have given great effort in order to provide a better way of detecting and treating this life threatening disease. The only possible threat to women who wish to be cured is the inability to take the procedures in a constant basis.

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