Information and Resources for Cancer

Everybody loves spending time outdoor on a hot summer day. Whether it is at the local swimming pool or just trying to get that perfect tan, too much sun is bad for your skin. If you are exposed to too much of the harmful ultraviolet sunrays, you can develop not only a really bad sunburn, but it may also lead to skin cancer. Skin cancer is something most people don’t even think about because they think that it won’t ever happen to them, but the truth is that it can happen to anybody. The good thing about skin cancer is that the symptoms directly affect the skin so it is very easy to detect in the early stages. Seeking a proper skin cancer treatment at these early stages increases the prognosis of this disease.

Treatment Of Skin Cancer

There are several types of skin cancer treatment commonly used to treat skin cancer. Which treatment method used is dependent on where the cancer is and at what stages of its development. Most skin cancers can be effectively treated by the removal of the skin lesion and making sure that the edges of the lesion are free from tumor cells. This is probably the most effective treatment and cure for both the early and high-risk skin cancer patients. For a lot of low risk skin cancer patients, a mix of radiation therapy and cryotherapy (or freezing) will be used to treat and control this disease. The downside of this treatment method is that the curing rate is much lower than removal by the surgical method.

One common surgical treatment of skin cancer is a technique called the Moh’s Microsurgery. This is a technique where the cancer is removed with the least amount of surrounding tissue and then the edges are immediately checked for any remaining traces of the tumor. This technique is good because it removes the least amount of healthy tissue and is ideal for people who have developed cancer in places where there are not much tissue to spare, for example, the face. The only limitation to this technique is that there are very few of these specialists available. You may have to spend some time locating such a specialist. If the disease begins to spread into other areas, other treatment like chemotherapy might have to be implemented.

Skin cancer is one of those diseases that is not only harmful to your health but is also not very good cosmetically. There are several treatments out there that are able to remove the cancerous lesions while still keeping your skin cosmetically appealing. However, in more serious cases, keeping healthy is more important than looking good. If you suspect you may have contacted this disease, do consult your doctors immediately to seek medical advice on the proper skin cancer treatment available to treat and control the disease.

Prostate cancer survival rates indicate the chances a cancer patient has of surviving the disease for a specified length of time. The rates are by no means a definite indicator of what will happen to a patient; they can at best predict a patient’s chances of what might happen to him, if a type of treatment plan is opted for, based on what has happened to other patients in similar circumstances. They serve as a guide to a patient and his family to know what they can expect if they choose a particular type of treatment or if they should consider one at all rather than just opt for pain relievers and sedation.

Prostate cancer generally affects men over the age of 50. Many men are affected by an overgrowth of the prostate tissue as they age. Many a time this overgrown tissue is benign, but sometimes the overgrowth is characterized by abnormal cancerous cells leading to prostate cancer. The disease can be present for years without the patient being aware of it. The most common symptoms it can cause once it begins to make its presence known are pain and difficulty while urinating and erectile dysfunction.

The overall prostate cancer survival rates are very high when compared to most cancers. Currently in the United States, only 3% of patients succumb to the disease. The overall 5 year survival rate for prostate cancer in the US is 100%, the 10 year survival rate is 92% and the 15 year survival rate is 70%. The high prostate cancer survival rates are primarily because nearly 91% of cases in the United States are detected while the cancer is still localized and contained within the prostate or in nearby areas.

Prognosis and treatment is based on a grading system, generally the Gleason system which allots grades from 1-10 based on how much the cells in the cancerous tissue resemble normal prostate tissue. A score of 2-4 is considered as low grade, 5-7 as intermediate grade and 8-10 as high grade. Higher the grade, the more quickly the cancer will spread.

Prostate cancer survival rates are among the lowest for men whose cancer has breached the prostatic capsule. On an average 46% of patients with metastatic prostate disease die within 22 months of diagnosis and scarcely 32% will reach the 5 year survival mark.

In general, prostate cancer is a very slow growing cancer with a higher incidence in the developed countries. It is believed that this may because most men in the developing world succumb to other illnesses long before the prostate cancer has a chance to grow to the magnitude where it will cause mortality.

Evidence exists that suggests that ovarian cysts may be inherited. Heredity may play a big role in why ovarian cysts are formed in certain women. If a woman has ovarian cysts, more than like her mother, sister and aunts may have or suffered from them too.

Although ovarian cysts may be inherited, it is not guaranteed that all the women in a family line will get them. You can not change your genes but you can change your environment and the way you eat. Nutrition and environment do play a big part in why some women get ovarian cysts so if these areas are improved, so are the chances for not getting cysts.

There are literally thousands of women who suffer from ovarian cysts and the number of ovarian cysts cases that are reported has been on the increase for the past 40 years. Medical research has not been able to specifically pinpoint the cause of ovarian cyst but they do know that the predisposition toward developing ovarian cysts may be inherited.

An ovarian cyst is a small fluid like sac that can grow either on the ovary or just out side of it. They can increase and grow rapidly if not treated. Just doing nothing about an ovarian cyst is not going to make it go away. You can however find nutritional programs that will prevent ovarian cyst from continuing to grow. The pituitary gland may hold the key as to why they are formed. If you are careful to get proper and necessary nutrition to keep that gland working, the chances of the ovarian cyst to disappear all together is great.

A lot of women have been successful in getting ovarian cyst to shrivel up and disappear. If you have been diagnosed with ovarian cysts, then you should know that there is hope for you to find away to treat it so that you do not have to undergo surgery. However, cancerous ovarian cysts absolutely should be treated by a medical doctor.

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that is believed to affect around 2000 people in the UK each year. It develops when the cells of the mesothelium (a thin membrane that covers the chest and abdomen) start to multiply in a rapid and uncontrollable way and can take up to 60 years to fully develop. In this article I will be discussing this type of cancer in greater detail.

As I already said asbestos cancer develops in the mesothelium. The mesothelium is actually divided into two parts. The first is the pleura which lines the lungs. The pleura is comprised of an inner layer and an outer layer which slide over each other as you breath. If it develops in this area it is known as pleural mesothelioma and it causes the two layers to become thicker. The second is the peritoneum which lines the abdomen and it also has an inner layer and an outer layer. If it affects this area it is known as peritoneal mesothelioma and it also causes these layers to become thicker.

Both types can be very painful and lead to a number of undesirable symptoms. Pleural mesothelioma can cause breathlessness, coughing and chest pain. It can also lead to pleural effusion where lubricating fluid in the lungs becomes trapped between the inner and outer layers of the pleura. Peritoneal mesothelioma can lead to abdominal pain, bowel problems and it swelling in the abdomen.

Almost every asbestos cancer diagnosis is caused by exposure to that very substance. In the past asbestos was a very popular construction material in the UK. However, as people became more knowledgeable they learnt about the dangers associated with this material. In particular they discovered that the very fine fibres that make up asbestos are easily released when the material is handled. This led to a complete ban on the importing and use of asbestos being imposed in the UK in 1999.

Asbesos cancer is a very rare type of cancer and is believed to affect one person in every million. However, it can be deadly. If you have previously been exposed to asbestos you should go see your doctor right away and explain your concerns. Even if it turns out that you do not have this type of cancer it is better to be safe than sorry.

Whilst every intention has been made to make this article accurate and informative, it is intended for general information only. Mesothelioma is a very serious, life threatening condition and you should discuss any concerns, treatments or lifestyle changes fully with your doctor.

I won’t be able to change the nomenclature of the medical profession but I refer to myself as a client, not a patient. By definition, a patient is “One who receives medical attention or treatment.” The archaic meaning was “One who suffers,” from the Latin verb meaning “to endure.” A client on the other hand is “The party for which professional services are rendered.”

Catch the nuance? A patient is the object of medical care; a client is the subject of medical services. In language as in life, an object is passive, a subject is active.

A patient complies with the experts. A client consults the experts, then follows what seems the best advice.

A patient might complain but would never contradict an authority. A client will ask questions and weigh alternatives before deciding.

A patient goes where sent and does not change doctors or clinics. A client tries to find the best physicians and facilities realistically available.

A patient asks “What?” A client asks “Why?”

Being a client takes a lot more work. I have to educate myself about my condition and treatment options. It’s a daunting but doable task thanks to the Internet. There are plenty of reputable sites with reliable information the average person can understand.

Oncologists know a shipload more about lymphoma than do its sufferers, but they don’t know everything. It’s impossible to keep up with the ocean of new information. A dialogue with a well-informed client could suggest new possibilities to a thoughtful physician.

When I see Dr. Kurbegov, my oncologist, I’ll ask if radioimmunotherapy is an option for my type of lymphoma based on an article I read in the New York Times. I’ll ask about any clinical trials for which I might be a candidate, especially those sponsored by the MD Anderson Cancer Center where Dr. Kurbegov was a Chief Fellow.

I’m not trying to play doctor or impress anyone with my research skills. I’m just trying to understand my cancer and to be proactive in eradicating it. After all, it’s my life.

Colorectal cancer can be cured in most cases, when it’s diagnosed in early stages. It is the medical oncologists, gastroenterologists, radiation oncologists and surgeons, who specialize in treating such cancers in women.

Colorectal cancer may be treated depending upon the exact location of the tumour present, its stage and size. Although surgery and chemotherapy (radiation therapy) are the most common treatment methods, many women receive a combined treatment of both these methods. However, recent studies show that there are many side effects of radiation for colorectal cancer.

Radiation Therapy for Colorectal Cancer

Radiation therapy uses high energy rays for killing cancer cells. In fact, it affects the cancer cells lying only in the affected area. Two types of radiation therapies, namely the internal radiation and external radiation, are used for treating colorectal cancer.

Side-effects of Using Radiation Therapy

Although radiation therapy has been mostly successful in the treatment of colorectal cancer, there are many side effects of this technique. These side effects usually depend on the part of the body and the dose of radiation given to the patient. Some common side effects of radiation for colorectal cancer treatment are vomiting, hair loss, extreme tiredness, bleeding, easy bruising and increased susceptibility to different infections.

Women undertaking radiation therapy may experience symptoms like vomiting, nausea, bloody stools, urinary discomfort and diarrhea. The skin where radiation is given may even become tender, dry or red.

Radiation therapy may also cause alopecia (hair loss) in the area, where treatment is carried out. It may result in partial or full loss of hair on your scalp.

Many women have experienced the side effect of having low white blood cell counts when they have undergone radiation therapy for colorectal cancer. However, this side effect of having low levels of WBC due to radiation is comparatively rare. These cells prevent bleeding and fight your body infection. Radiation therapy can even affect your ability to have children (the same is in the case of your part, if he undergoes the therapy). Hence if you notice this side effect, it is recommended to delay the therapy for about a week.

Some of the other possible side effects resulting from radiation therapy may include discomfort or pressure in the excretory region, burning sensation during urination, fatigue, skin irritation, abdominal cramping, frequent bowel movements and nausea. However, these side effects are temporary, as they tend to resolve after the termination of radiation therapy for colorectal cancer.

Measures for Controlling Side Effects of Radiation Therapy

Although these side effects vary with different patients, they can be controlled by using different medications and inflicting changes in your diet. Try to give plenty of rest to your body during this treatment, as you are more likely to get fatigue and feel tired. Do not wear tight clothes and avoid scrubbing, rubbing and putting adhesive tapes on the skin where treatment is done.

Take special care to protect your treated skin from direct sunlight. Since your skin becomes very sensitive during this time, cover it with a dark cloth if possible before going out.

Hormone therapy is a treatment option for women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Like chemotherapy, hormone therapy is a systemic therapy, meaning that is works throughout the entire body. Breast cancer hormone therapy should not be confused with hormone replacement therapy, which is used to replenish hormone levels in post-menopausal women. As the two therapies can easily be confused, let’s take a closer look at each.

What are Hormones?
Before hormone therapies can be explained, it’s important to understand hormones and they role they play. Hormones are substances produced by glands and are very powerful. Having too much or too little of a hormone can cause problems. They work as messengers and circulate through the blood carrying messages from the glands to the cells. They also control the actions of certain cells and regulate many biological functions such as:

- Growth
- Metabolism
- Sexual function
- Reproduction
- Mood

Breast Cancer Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy is a treatment option for breast cancer when cells of the breast tumor are found to be hormone receptor-positive or sensitive. This simply means that the cancer cells have a place where hormones can attach, known as receptors. A receptor is a protein on the outside of a cell where a specific hormone attaches. When diagnosing breast cancer, tests are performed that measure the amount of hormone receptors in cancer tissue. If hormone receptor levels are high, they are considered “receptor-positive,” which means that the cancer cells may use the hormones to grow. Hormone therapy removes the hormones or blocks them from acting to keep cancer cells from growing. Treatment may include drugs, surgery, or radiation. Hormone therapy is most often used to help reduce the risk of the cancer returning after surgery, but is used in cases of advanced breast cancer as well.

Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormone replacement therapy is used after menopause to replace the hormones that ovaries no longer produce. Whether it begins naturally or follows a hysterectomy, menopause can produce some very unpleasant symptoms - hot flashes, mood swings, vaginal dryness and urinary problems. To help relieve these symptoms, doctors often prescribe hormone replacement drugs.

A number of years ago, it was thought that hormone replacement therapy was the solution to the problems women encounter as they age. In addition to menopause, the medical community believed that increasing estrogen levels could also help prevent heart disease and osteoporosis. This is no longer the case.

Recently, results of a 15-year study that began in 1991 by the National Institutes of Health found a definite link between hormone replacement therapy and breast cancer. The study was initiated to determine what effects, if any, hormone replacement therapy and other factors had on breast cancer, heart disease, bone fractures, and colorectal cancer. Over 16,000 post-menopausal women were to be studied over a 15-year period however the study was stopped more than three years early in 2002, because of the link between hormone replacement therapy and breast cancer. It was found that post-menopausal women taking hormones for more than five years to relieve menopause symptoms like hot flashes have twice the risk of developing breast cancer than women not taking hormones. Fortunately, the risk declines when women stop taking the drugs and returns to normal after two years of being off the drugs.

It’s important to know that hormones can have positive effects in some therapies and negative effects in others. If you have questions about a specific type of hormone therapy, talk to your doctor.

According to statistics, one in three Americans are getting cancer! This month, global health experts announced, cancer is on pace to supplant heart disease as the No. 1 cause of death worldwide in 2010, with a growing burden in poor countries thanks to more cigarette smoking and other factors. Would you like to know how to prevent cancer? Most cancers are preventable, even with an underlying genetic predisposition.

Let me explain…

Only ten percent of cancer is caused by genetics and heredity, the remaining ninety percent is caused by diet, environmental influences, and lifestyle choices. There are over one hundred and fifty types of cancers, each with a unique distinct cause and circumstances. Many causes of cancer still remain a mystery and are unknown.

Rather than talking about all those cancers, I want to discuss how having a powerful immune system can prevent cancer. I’ve been studying human physiology and holistic medicine for over twenty years and I am convinced a healthy lifestyle is worth your time. Our healthcare system focuses on treating diseases, handling infections and emergency care, not prevention. The current philosophy is, “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.” My philosophy is, prevent the brake and then you might not have to fix anything. The old adage, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Remember, there is little profit in disease prevention.

Preventing disease and maintaining your health, is your responsibility. I’m going to give you nine, cost effective strategies, to help you prevent cancer and stay healthy.

Strategy number one, scientific studies have recently stated that vitamin D prevents cancer, which we should get just by being in the sun. As you know, too much sun exposure is linked to skin cancer. So how do we know if we have enough vitamin D in our system? How do we know if we have enough vitamins, minerals and trace minerals in our diet? There is a blood test available called Spectra-cell; that lets you know your vitamin levels in your blood. Most blood tests tell you if you have something is wrong or if you have a disease, but fails to measure nutritional levels.

The Spectra cell test measures your vitamins and minerals, helping to prevent disease. The cost is covered by medicare and many insurance companies. After a year, you can retest and see if your nutritional program is working.

The second strategy is controlling your sugar-insulin levels. Science has shown that too much sugar (that’s refine sugar) is linked to pre-mature aging. That doesn’t mean you can’t have sweets, but to limit the amount you do have. Do you drink coffee or tea and add sugar or drink soda which often has five teaspoons of sugar, and each piece of chocolate has sugar added, even pasta sauce will contain refine sugar. Just about every package product in the supermarket has sugar added to it.

According to the Mario Negri Institute of Pharmacological Investigation in Milan Italy, the consumption of sugar between meals stimulates the proliferation of the epithelial cells of the intestines. This promotes the formation of cancers. Additionally, a study in Iowa involving 35,215 women found that the more sugar one eats the higher the risk of colon cancer.

The third strategy is omega 3 oils that come from fish. While fish is very healthy, you have to be careful, to get fresh, deep ocean fish, because a lot of fish contains mercury and farm fish tends to be less healthy, than deep ocean fish. Most often, easy available fish contains to many contaminants.

The fourth strategy recognizes, the body is 70% water. Imagine that! By drinking a liter of water a day - it helps to flush the body of environmental toxins and chemicals. Avoid tap water. The water they serve at most restaurants is tap water.

Tap water has chlorine and fluoride in it which causes cancer, especially to female organs. The Environmental Protection Agency confirmed tap water has over 140 types of chemicals in it. And recently, scientists have found medications in our nation’s water supply. Please avoid water provided on soda machines, it also is from the tap.

As you know, life can be stressful and from time to time, we have to handle negative situations. This often leaves feelings that seem to stick with us. These feelings can mount up and lead to illness. The CDC in Atlanta believes that many diseases are emotionally based. It has been documented that traumatic events are linked to cancer. It is important to release our feelings and not hold on to them, is the fifth strategy. There is a technique called N.E.T., that helps people to let go in their body, mind and spirit. Some patients attract cancer. N.E.T. will verify you are not attracting negativity. N.E.T. can help you to attract only positive.

The sixth strategy is about twenty-five percent of the population eating enough vegetables. It is important to eat fresh vegetables and fresh fruit daily. For more scientific data regarding diet, check out the new highly acclaim book, The Anticancer Diet by David Servan-Schreiber, MD, PhD.

Sixty percent of our population is overweight. Science has recently linked obesity to cancer and diabetes. With simple exercise, like walking, is the seventh strategy. You don’t have to do a marathon or a triathalon. Just walk. It can help maintain ideal weight.

Strategy number eight is about the greatest psychic that ever lived was, Edgar Cayce. He used to go into a trance and give people readings that would alleviate their disease. Edgar never had a medical education nor did he remember his readings. After remarkable success in helping sick people to get well, his readings were documented. He suggested, several times, that eating three raw almonds a day, would prevent cancer. For more information regarding the composition of almonds, go to wikipedia on the internet.

The ninth strategy is get enough sleep. Sleep is the most overlooked aspect to a healthy lifestyle. Sleep helps release stress and it helps to regenerate your body! Researchers reported at a meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research last week, those who slept less than seven hours nightly had a 47 percent higher risk of cancer than those who got more sleep among the physically active women.

While these nine suggestions appear very simple, they are the necessary ingredients for a healthy lifestyle. It is true, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Don’t fret about being healthy and don’t fret about getting sick. It’s okay to have chocolate or wine. The bottom line is moderation.

Think positive and get some exercise.