Cancer

Oakley Glasses are Life Style Today

2012-01-25T11:43:00.000-08:00

Glasses should not make you hesitate to dress up. Whether it clears glasses or sunglasses, goggles are currently one of the accessories included in the supporting performances. Therefore choose the form of glasses must conform to the shape of the face and desire. Oakley Glasses are well known brand that can be used both men and women around the world. Oakley is an eyewear art made from high quality materials and are manufactured from the latest technology. Oakley sunglasses have been considered as a fashion trend. These glasses have optical excellence that you can wear with any style. Spectacles in recent years have become more of fashion than ever before. Everyone wants to dress up with clothes and accessories that make them look more attractive. Sunlight is one cause of premature aging. Now an innovation from Oakley can help you to avoid. Oakley as a leading manufacturer of sunglasses created specialized women’s sunglasses. Lenses specially designed sunglasses that too so it can withstand sunlight that strikes the eye area. Realizing that eye cream is the most expensive skin care products in the series of female beauty treatments. Oakley made an innovation on the lens. Lenses used in eyeglasses are not only equipped with the latest by ordinary UV protector, but can withstand all UVA, UVB, and UVC rays are most damaging. With this latest lenses, Oakley can guarantee total protection for the skin around the eyes are super sensitive.

Oakley Glasses are sold to all ages and has a wide range of colors, styles and designs. Oakley also offers several other types of eyewear for sports such as skiing and snowboarding that will make sports fans get a clearer vision, while engaged in sports. For most women Oakley sunglasses are often considered as a fashion trend. The reasons why Oakley sunglasses so fashionable? It’s because they have the functionality and fashion all in one. The majority of us will feel that Oakley sunglasses are too expensive, but you'll never be disappointed if you had bought one. There are various models of Oakley sunglasses for you to choose. One is the Oakley Frog Skins. This sunglass has a very cool design. You definitely will not be disappointed when bought. No matter how expensive Oakley sunglasses, you will definitely invest in a high-quality sunglasses that provides excellent protection of your eyes. These sunglasses are shaped for comfort and functionality and it is suitable for those of you who are aware of fashion.

Lets go to the EZUnsecured to get unsecured loans

2012-01-04T00:00:00.000-08:00

Enterprises are increasingly developed a dream of all people. With the success of the business that pioneered, makes us more easily to meet the target of our lives. Everyone wishes is having financial freedom in old age. But this will not happen if your business does not run, let alone a big factor that greatly hinder the development of your business is capital. A business that is not backed by sufficient capital to make the effort to not develop or fail to thrive. Capital sources can be derived from its own capital investment by the owner of the company or can also be derived from Business Loans from third parties. But keep in mind is the provider of personal loans, you should choose a company that really bona fide so not to be a boomerang for your efforts.

Every entrepreneur needs capital for their business, and the easiest way is to utilize the line of credit are widely spread on the internet. But in the filed of business lines of credit, we must be careful and choose only a trusted lender companies only. If many people asked about this, maybe the company deemed reliable is EZUnsecured.com. For over 5 years they built a good reputation as one of the best giver Unsecured Loans.

EZUnsecured.com has experience as a company owned by the lender for the Small Business Line of Credit with a reputation sufficient to guarantee a satisfying many customers. Many people said that EZUnsecured.com is a reliable company. They work in earnest to satisfy their customer. Even some other people said did not need to waste your time to looking for commercial loans if you need to business financing. If you need a loan without collateral, you can trust EZUnsecured.com as a place. So with a reputation like this, do not be surprised if this company can be a place to get your business capital.

Turn Your Passion Sex With Sex Toys

2011-12-05T09:22:00.000-08:00

When the relationship is already underway for some time usually decreased sex desire and seem not to be as hot as before. This is very worrying for the relationship. To create a relationship that has been sprawl by time, you must begin by turning on your sex desire. Using a new style that you've probably never done or you can also try to making love using a walker to get laid. Sex toys are the tools that used to help get sexual pleasure and reach sexual climax. Through women's sex toys is easy to get orgasm compared to other methods. Sex toys need to involved in your sex and your partner. Vibrator for example, the object is to teach you about how to satisfy her to orgasm. Various ways can be done to provoke passion, by hand or tongue. But there's nothing wrong with receiving assistance from the sex-toy. Using sex toys will also lessen your worries in action. You are more confident in satisfying your partner.

Manly men are who can satisfy his wife. Sometimes masculinity is often questioned when his partner started using vibrators as sex aids. But in reality, men do not think the vibrator as a rival and instead support their partners to use these tools. Because vibrators are also helping them to deliver exceptional service. For the women, a vibrator is considered a positive benefit in sexual life because of lubrication or lubrication tends to increase so that sex was more excited. If you really want to give some new things to revive your sex desire, sex toys become attractive options to try. You can also buy it by online if you are not comfortable buying directly at the store. Now, many online shop that provide sex toys. If you want to shop, try shopping at HotGVibe sex shops. Not only vibrators, dildos and cock rings all shapes and uses available here. You can see and read it, if interested can directly buy it.

Almost All Men Doing A Masturbate

2011-12-05T08:54:00.000-08:00

Masturbation is a form of experience of sexual orgasm resulting from self-stimulation. Perhaps most men (especially) as well as women ever do. Moreover the man who was single.
Sexual orgasm can occur because of sexual imagination on mind. When finished looking at porn videos at Bang You Later, I am sure you will do masturbate or you get masturbate when seeing the action of Eva Angelina in the video and imagine you are playing with her.

Sensation of orgasm depend on things or images that exist in your minds. Therefore, to be able to masturbate, there is need for an erotic picture or thought on your mind. This can be done by simply imagining directly or with the aid of pictures or photos or movies or erotic story or picture of a real person. These figures are always made women as sexual objects.
Most young men get masturbate. The activity of masturbation is usually done while bathing. At the time of the penis clean with soap shower slippery. When rubbing the penis will usually arise feelings of pleasure and the penis becomes erect. Sights to see his penis becomes hard and erect and large, plus the feeling of pleasure, becomes a special experience for young adolescents. His curiosity arose and the penis was rubbed back and pleasure will increase and penile erection hard. When the penis is rubbed on, finally ejaculate at once with the big of pleasure. This is the beginning of masturbation in young men.

Since a young, masturbate that occurs naturally. Because it feels, masturbation is repeated again. At a young teenager who has a lot of time alone with no activity, masturbation usually often repeated. Until one time there is information that masturbation can cause various diseases such as erectile dysfunction, it is difficult to have children or masturbation is a sin, then trying to stop masturbating. But the ability to stop masturbation lasts only 2-3 days. Afterward libido or desire and penile erection comes back. Without realizing it, or because a big desire after seeing eva angelina in http://www.bangyoulater.com/pornstars/eva-angelina/, immediately want to get a delicious penis is touched again as before until ejaculation. If you believe that sexual behavior can cause illness or sin, then why do arise regret masturbation. When information is obtained to explain that masturbation does not cause disease, and also not feel guilty, masturbation will likely reoccur. However, some young men, still repeating masturbate despite the fear of the future occurrence of disease, or a sense of sin.

Give him some surprise when making love

2011-11-30T04:20:00.000-08:00

From the time of Adam and Eve, people knew how and what is sex.Sex was necessary to continue the descent, sex necessary for health, sex is also useful for sports, and sex for pleasure. They said that sex is heaven on the earth. Sex is very important for human. So why we should be ashamed to admit that we need a sex. No doubt that activity on the bed have a great affect for relationship. If it becomes too monotonous and you just do that's all, after a long time, your husband can be bored. You do not want your husband get cheating, do you? Well, let's give sexy surprise for your husband tonight. If you have a few surprises for your husband, just make sure you and your husband will enjoy it. Sometimes small changes can make a big impact. One of them is trying a sexy lingeri. If you are not comfortable with the clothes that are too open, choose a closed thin or show your curves a little pampering his eyes. You can also invite your husband to try a style in porn movies. Try some of the scenes in porn sites such as porn xchange. You do not need to be ashamed to make changes on the bed. Every man secretly wanna wild action from his partner. If you want to give some bold moves, but you do not have a guide, you can find several styles of making love video in the bang you later. It must be really nice to deliver a shock that is never suspected by your husband. Of course the bang you later reviews will be able to learn to satisfy your husband and become women who take more initiative in making love. On the bed, you do not be ashamed to be a bitch for him. It’s just suprise.

Opening A Business Is So Easy Now

2011-11-25T08:59:00.000-08:00

Development of technology makes all the jobs getting easier. Not only in technology, education, health, the economy has also run into rapid development. Especially in the economic field, the economy is spinning rapidly indicating that the country have a rapid process of life. Advanced economy that allows many jobs available to people. Many opportunities to open a business make a people more able to develop his skill by opening several new types of job. To get this all, they must have possessed the courage and enough capital to get started. Usually they are propose the capital with going to the bank. After going through some procedures are required, they can raise capital and could run to the business.

Developed countries has a lot to offer facilities for entrepreneurs to develop their business by providing loans that can be easy and without take a long time. This facility is expected to be able to make more daring entrepreneurs competing to develop all of their creativity. One of the facilities have been provided to assist entrepreneurs in obtaining loans is the same day cash advance program. This program can help you to raise capital quickly, so you can develop your job without having time to wait longer. Even now there are already some companies that offer same day cash advance which can be accessed by online. So when you desperately need capital but there is no time to deal with some of documents that are usually proposed as a condition of the loan, you can access it by online networks wherever you are. With this simplicity, you can get a loan and your dream to get same day cash advance is very possible to get.

Brain Cancer Survival Rate - Dare to Know Your Chances

2011-11-12T09:59:00.003-08:00

A brain cancer survival rate refers to the percentage of people who were reported still living after being diagnosed with the cancer about 5 yrs ago.

Basically, brain tumor is the abnormal growth of cells in the brain and we commonly refer to it as cancer cells. There are different ways in which a tumor may spread. One is that it can be a cause of the spread of cancerous cells originating from another body part or the cancer cells are really coming from the brain itself.

It is true that exposure to harmful chemicals leads to abnormal growth of brain tumor. It was statistically confirmed that about 80% of brain cancer patients are suffering from oligodendroglioma.

Cancer of the brain remains one of the most incurable cancers with an average survival period of one to two years.

Factors Affecting Survival

A five-year brain cancer survival rate may be influenced by several factors including the size of the tumor, at which part of the brain, the severity of the cancer and the stage. In most occasions, the general health of the patient is also an indicative factor of survival.

How do you calculate the rate of survival?

Survival statistics are based on a large number of people, and should not be used to predict the survival of an individual or patient.

Healthline.com reported that children at the age of 14 have around 73 percent chance of surviving cancer of the brain and live until five years of more, while the rate drops to 55 percent with young adults between 15 and 44. Middle-aged patients between 45 and 64 have a rate of 16 percent, and older people have a survival rate of only 5 percent.

Other facts

Statistical facts show that with the proper combination and usage of radiotherapy and chemotherapeutic drugs, the lives of those with brain cancer may be prolonged. In some patients, the quality of live may even be improved but there are those who easily give up and were not luckily able to live more than 2 years.

The brain cancer survival rate presented here is based on a relative result. The total 5-year brain cancer survival rate from the years 1995-2001 was more than 33%. The relative survival rates at 5 years for brain cancer by race and sex were:

• 32.1 percent of Caucasian men
• 37.7 percent for African-American men
• 33.5 percent of Caucasian women
• 37.5 percent for African-American women.

Brain cancer survival rate statistics reveals that about 85% of physical disorders were affected by the negative mental and emotional stress at the fourth/metastatic stage of the disease.

Many patients could attest to the fact that negative emotion and mental stress weaken the immune system despite the fact that there is no such direct connection between negative emotion and cancer, medically speaking. This is one thing we should remember when dealing with patients suffering from cancer, in general.

Loss and Bereavement: The Support Services for Families With Children With Brain Tumors

2011-11-12T09:59:00.001-08:00

There are many thoughts that run through a person's mind when they learn that their child or sibling has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. What will my child's life and my life be like now? How will this affect me? How will our family survive such a trauma? These and a million other questions come to mind when your child is diagnosed with a brain tumor. Many parents and children feel grief towards a life that was lost and these feelings can occur whether or not there was a death. The life you were planning for yourself or your child may no longer be possible and you have to cope with all of these new feelings while still managing day to day life, a daunting task.

Perhaps more devastating is the actual loss of a child. This experience is heart breaking and life altering for parents, siblings, other family members and friends, as it does not follow the proper course of life. The process of grief differs from person to person. Grief is a very subjective emotion and depending on the age and the relationship a person had with the child, their reaction to the loss will take on a variety of forms. For many, however, it is a long and painful journey, and it causes some to feel alone and forgotten by others who go on with their lives.

There are many new emotions and unexpected feelings that accompany the loss of a child such as, anger, guilt, abandonment, depression, etc. Though there is no way to completely quell all the feelings that occur with losing a child, there are support services and networks of other parents to help you cope with such a tragic loss. The support you can receive from others also dealing with a loss helps you understand that you are not alone and many, if not all, of the feelings you may be having are normal, in a way and this type of support is immeasurable.

Many are not aware of the different avenues you can take when seeking support. The social workers at many organizations are available to help you determine what services will be the most appropriate in helping you and your family manage all of the psychological and emotional difficulties that are associated with losing a child.

"The feeling of connecting to other parents is that sense of knowing that you are not alone." -quote from a bereaved parent

These organizations typically offer many programs including a Loss, Grief and Bereavement Program for families who have lost a child. Their goal is to support families through this difficult experience by connecting them to other bereaved families, providing supportive services, and offering therapeutic and educational information. We know everyone has his or her own unique way of grieving. It is for this reason that we offer different forms of support to address varying needs and ages.

Through interaction with bereaved parents, as well as siblings, we have developed a variety of services within our Loss, Grief, and Bereavement program that will attend to a wide range of families all coping in their own way.

Services include a parent mentor program, online support groups and discussions for parents and caregivers, bereaved sibling support, counseling, and referrals to a variety of grief and bereavement resources. The families who participate in our programs provide us with vital information so we can better assist future families. It is a horrible thing to lose a child and there is no way to ever heal such a wound but the goal of many organizations is to provide the best support possible for families.

What Is an Oligodendroglioma?

2011-11-12T09:58:00.002-08:00

At the age of 6, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. It is most commonly found in adults, so perhaps that means I am mature, but likely it only indicates a lack of fortune.

Oligodendroglioma is a type of tumor that is thought to originate the oligodendrocytes in the brain. Most of the time oligodendrogliomas occur in adults; only four percent of them occur in children. On average, patients diagnosed with them are about 35 years old.

Oligodendrogliomas originate from an unknown source at this time. Some studies have shown a link to a viral cause while others have found a genetic cause. More than likely, both are causes.

There is no way to tell if a tumor is an oligodendroglioma aside from taking a biopsy. They often take a shape similar to a fried egg and sort of wrap around healthy cells. This can lead to headaches, dizziness, and seizures. Since oligodendrogliomas can occur anywhere in the brain, they can ultimately have a number of different symptoms associated with them. For instance, visual loss, motor problems, and even cognitive difficulties can result depending on the location of the tumor.

Many experts believe that oligodendrogliomas are ultimately incurable. They tend to be slow growing and are difficult to remove completely and so recurrence is almost certain. Depending on the "grade" of the tumor, victims typically live anywhere from 3-12 years (although I have made it almost 30). Of course this range is only semi-accurate as severity of the tumor, type of treatment, general health at the time of diagnosis, etc., all have a significant impact on the survival rate of oligodendrogliomas and any type of cancer for that matter.

There are a number of different approaches to dealing with oligodendrogliomas including:

1. Surgery- obviously one way to remove any tumor is to surgically excise it. This may be a particularly important approach when the tumor is directly affecting particular brain structures.

2. Radiation therapy- this may be done in addition to surgery or as a standalone treatment to destroy the tumor cells. However, it can also damage healthy tissue.

3. Chemotherapy- this is a natural approach to any tumor because it can be effective at killing off tumor cells, but it often also brings harsh side effects.

4. Stereotactic Surgery- this is a relatively recent approach that allows doctors to "target" cells three dimensionally and essentially "shoot" them with radiation. That way only the bad cells are affected, unlike with radiation.

Returning to School After a Cancer Diagnosis

2011-11-12T09:58:00.000-08:00

"Back to normal" means "back to school" for most children who have been treated for a brain or spinal tumor. When your child returns to school, you want him or her to be treated as normally as possible and it will take the cooperation of both the school and the health care professionals working with your child to make this happen.. To make the transition back to school an easy one the teachers and school nurse should be encouraged to prepare classmates by providing them with information about the disease and treatment and answering any questions they may have. Let the teachers and classmates know what to expect and give them an opportunity to express their concerns and feelings. It is important for teachers to communicate to other students that cancer cannot be caught and that radiation treatments do not make a child who has them "radioactive." These types of open conversations may eliminate children's curiosity and make it easier for them to accept your child back into the class and help them to accept the differences in their classmates and make them more empathetic and willing to help. Some medical centers provide an education team consisting of a child life worker and health care practitioner who can help prepare the class for your child's return, which in some cases may be helpful.

In order to make the re-entry into the scholastic environment less abrupt for your child, the students and the teachers, a slow, transitional approach to reentering school can be helpful, perhaps only having lunch, attending specific classes, or going on a field trip with the class prior to a full-time return to school. It is important to update your child's teachers and the school nurse with whatever medical information will help them help your child in school. The more knowledgeable and familiar the teachers are with how your child functions, the more the classroom environment can be adapted to your child's special needs, no matter what level of school they may be returning.

Before your child returns to school, set up a meeting with the teacher, school nurse, and principal. This meeting will give you an opportunity to discuss any special requests or concerns you might have. Suggest that the meeting also include health care professionals such as neuropsychologists familiar with brain tumor treatments, including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and shunts and give your child's teacher a copy of Cancervive Teacher's Guide for Kids with Cancer. You might want to meet or speak with the teacher on a weekly basis to monitor your child's progress; it might also be helpful to connect with your other children's teachers as well. Remember to keep an open line of communication with your child's school. The role the teacher plays is very significant to your child's developmental adjustment and recovery. The teacher and/or school nurse must inform you of any communicable diseases, such as chickenpox, that any class member has contracted. If your child is still in treatment and has not had chickenpox, exposure to this virus can be dangerous, and you should contact your physician immediately. (Chickenpox is worrisome primarily after chemotherapy; doctors rarely worry after radiation therapy.) If informed, teachers can deal successfully with problems concerning your child's self-image and relationships with peers as they arise.

Holding a meeting prior to your child's return to school can be helpful in determining any accommodations that may be needed to meet your child's special needs. Check to see if your school has wheelchair accessibility for both the classrooms and toilet facilities, as special bathroom privileges may be needed. Your child may need playground or gym exemptions, if he or she is easily fatigued or has coordination problems. Seating arrangements in the classroom may need to be adapted if your child has suffered permanent or temporary hearing or visual impairment. You may want to discuss modifying homework assignments with the classroom teacher. If your child needs to take medications during the day, it is very important that you inform the teacher and the school's principal and nurse what the medications are for and what their side effects may be. All of these procedures, if reviewed beforehand, will make a child's return to school much smoother.

The level of parental involvement wanted by a child varies by age, gender, and individual personality. It is important to discuss returning to school with children no matter what age to be sure everyone is on the same page and children are allowed to have a voice in the involvement of their parents in their school. For older children, such as those entering high school, autonomy and a sense of independence is viewed as a necessity for many and for this reason the teacher-parent relationship is very important, because although parents may not be wanted by children in their scholastic environment, teachers have a unique view and can not only watch out for a child but do so in a way that is not considered intrusive. In this way, parents can stayed updated on their child's progress without infringing on their child's world that they are more assuredly desperate to reenter.

Late Effects: Cognitive Changes That Can Result From Cancer Treatment

2011-11-12T09:57:00.001-08:00

Interviews with families and patients show that a cancer diagnosis and treatment is unbelievably stressful and draining, and it feels as though a child who survives surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and any other issues and complications that come their way has certainly dealt with enough. Unfortunately, survivors of childhood brain tumors frequently develop problems after the initial battle is won, in the areas of intellectual ability, academic achievement, memory, and attention. Cognitive changes are not uncommon among brain tumor survivors, however, the extent to which any one change will take effect depends on many different factors, including tumor location and surgery, age at diagnosis and treatment with radiation therapy.

Neurological problems such as seizures and muscle coordination problems are relatively common among childhood brain tumor survivors. These sorts of disabilities often develop around the time of diagnosis or after initial surgery, but sometimes they may first appear months to years after diagnosis. Radiation injury to the brain may, on rare occasions, cause delayed neurological problems that may become not become apparent until 10 or more years after treatment.

Neurosensory problems such as impaired vision and hearing may also develop, both early in the course of diagnosis and treatment and years after treatments are finished. Radiation can cause delayed visual problems through several different mechanisms. Direct damage to the eye nerves (optic nerves) can infrequently result in visual changes years after treatment. In rare instances, previous radiation can produce cataracts in the eyes that can interfere with normal vision. If your child has had surgery near the eye or eye nerves or has had radiation to the head, regular visits to an eye specialist (ophthalmologist) are highly recommended. Hearing difficulties are also common after treatment for brain tumors and, in general, remain stable or even decrease in severity over time. Under certain circumstances, though, hearing problems have been shown to get worse or appear for the first time months to years after treatment ends. Children who receive treatment with the combination of the drug cisplatin and radiation to the brain appear to be at the greatest risk for developing delayed hearing problems. Periodic hearing tests should be performed for all children at risk for hearing problems as well as for any child who is experiencing academic or learning difficulties.

Learning disabilities are particularly common among brain tumor survivors and are difficult and frustrating. Many children with learning disabilities require special education services at school. Moreover, one may observe deterioration in function over time, particularly in children who were treated with radiation to the brain at a young age. Like any other problematic issue, early detection of a problem is the best way to combat it, and this assessment is best accomplished by working closely with a pediatric neuropsychologist who has experience working with children with brain tumors. As symptoms may develop over time, it is extremely important to reassess cognitive functioning periodically in all survivors who are at high risk, as well as in survivors who are experiencing academic difficulties. This is done by administering a battery of tests known as psychometric or neuropsychological tests.

Most major medical centers will have trained neuropsychologists on staff, as will many schools, who can administer these exams. It is critical at the time of testing that you have available to you a detailed history of your child's previous therapy. This should include the exact diagnosis and date of diagnosis, the names, modalities and total doses of all chemotherapy drugs, the doses and sites of all previous radiation therapy, the sites of all surgeries, and the start and stop dates for each treatment. This information can usually be obtained from the team supervising your child's cancer therapy. At the end of treatment, it's a good idea for you to ask your child's neuro-oncology team to review with you the treatments your child received as well as any late effects that might occur as a result of these therapies. If appropriate, this may be the time to begin to make arrangements for follow-up treatment with specific specialists (for example, a neuropsychologist or pediatric endocrinologist), as preparing for your child's follow-up care early, at the end of planned therapy, helps ensure a smooth transition from treatment to life after treatment.

"We created a medical data sheet to hand over to all new medical professionals we came into contact with. It was helpful that we maintained our journal even after treatment ended, for over the years, it is a quick and easy resource to rely on."
-Parent of Brain Tumor Survivor

If problems are identified, then the school must provide your child with appropriate services. Although this is now mandated by federal law, you and the members of the medical team may need to advocate for your child to get all the services to which he or she is entitled.

Late effects are new problems that can occur months to years after therapy has ended. Whether or not a child will develop a late effect depends on a number of factors. The most important of these factors include the type and amount of treatment an individual received (for example, radiation therapy, specific chemotherapy drugs) and the child's age at the time of treatment. Other factors include the type of tumor and its location within the brain. In general, children who are treated at a young age (younger than 7 years) and those who receive the most intensive therapy (for example, high doses of radiation combined with high doses of several chemotherapy drugs) are more likely to develop late effects.

However, it is important to remember that everyone is unique and that no two people react in exactly the same way to a given treatment. Equally important is that being at risk for a given problem does not necessarily mean a child will develop the problem. Clearly, knowing the details of your child's cancer treatments is essential and will help your child's health care providers, both current and future, determine which late effects your child may develop over time. Knowledge is power and it can only help you to combat cognitive problems that may arise.

Adult Brain Tumor Risks, Diagnosis, and Treatment

2011-11-12T09:56:00.000-08:00

A brain tumor is a mass or growth of abnormal cells that have multiplied out of control. There are many different types of brain tumors. Some are benign, or non-cancerous, while others are classified as malignant, or cancerous. Symptoms you experience and treatment options depend largely on the type of tumor as well as its size and location.

Primary brain tumors are those that originate in the brain or tissues surrounding it. These tumors are much less common than secondary tumors, which occur when cancer from another part of the body metastasizes or spreads to the brain. While any type of cancer may do this, melanoma and cancers of the breast, colon, kidney, and lung are the most common to metastasize to the brain.

Researchers have not been able to determine exactly what causes brain tumors to form. Only a few risk factors have been documented. Exposure to radiation therapy of the head may put you at a higher risk for developing brain tumors. Certain genetic syndromes may increase your risk as well. Typically, there is not a clear indication of what caused the tumor to form. Research continues to determine if cell phones may contribute to the formation of brain tumors. At this time, no clear conclusions have been made linking the two.

There are no reliable screenings that detect brain tumors before symptoms appear. Patients may suffer from a variety of symptoms before visiting their physician for diagnosis. The size, location, and rate of growth of the tumor often determine what symptoms occur. Some of the most common symptoms may include:

    * Headaches that occur more often and become more severe over time
    * Blurred or double vision
    * Hearing loss
    * Unexplained nausea and vomiting
    * Changes in personality
    * Confusion
    * Seizures
    * Weakness or loss of movement in an arm or leg

If you experience any of these symptoms, visit your physician for a diagnosis. He or she will recommend a variety of tests to determine whether or not a brain tumor is the problem. Checking your vision, hearing, coordination, and reflexes with a neurological exam may indicate which part of brain is affected. An MRI allows the physician to scan your brain and evaluate the situation. A CT scan may be administered to determine if there is cancer in another part of your body that may have spread. If a tumor is found, the patient may undergo a biopsy to diagnose the tumor as benign or malignant.

Benign tumors are less aggressive than malignant ones and do not normally spread to surrounding tissue or other parts of the body. Even though they are not cancerous, benign tumors can still be very serious and possibly life threatening. If they are located in a vital area of the brain, exert pressure on sensitive nerve tissue, or increase pressure in the brain, these tumors may pose a serious risk to the patient. Benign tumors are often successfully treated with surgery, reducing the patient's risk of disability or death.

There are three standard types of treatment for malignant tumors: surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. New treatments are constantly being researched and used in clinical trials throughout the world. For some patients, clinical trials are the best choice of treatment. Your cancer care team will make recommendations for the treatment options that best suit your particular situation.

It is important that those patients who are dealing with a brain tumor not only get the best treatment available, but also find support to cope with their diagnosis. Talk with your physician or oncologist about support options in your area.

Cancer Starts From Replication Defects

2011-11-12T09:55:00.001-08:00

The recent completion of the Saccharomyces pombe genome revealed an impressive number of fission yeast genes with human homologs implicated in cancers. Interestingly, many of these genes have known or implied functions in DNA replication in yeast. Current evidence suggests that multiple pathways of control of eukaryotic DNA replication can be disrupted to result in genome instability and predisposition to cancer. Thus, deregulation of CDK activity, impaired origin firing, changes in the timing of firing, loss of control in the order of S phase and M phase, and inability to limit replication to once per cell cycle are all mechanisms that may lead to changes in chromosome structure and gene function. In addition, defects in the checkpoint response to replication blocks, and the inability to respond appropriately to stalled replication forks, also contribute to genome instability. Ultimately, the gain or loss of genetic information may lead to inappropriate expression of proto-oncogenes or loss of tumor-suppressor function.

When the normal timing of origin firing is disrupted, cells are susceptible to deregulated cell cycle progression. This could result either through refiring of origins in a single cell cycle, or through firing late origins of replication under conditions where they are normally prevented from firing. Treatment of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells with the antitumor drug adozelesin changes the normal pattern of replication such that active replication forks are cations of mammalian chromosomes also may alter replication timing of a particular sequence. Conversely, uncontrolled cell proliferation may result in deregulation of replication timing. This is observed both in checkpoint mutants in S. pombe and in human cancers. Thus, disruption of the timing and coordination of replication is one pathwaytoward genome instability.

Cells extend multiple, overlapping control mechanisms to restrict DNA replication to once per cell cycle. In S. pombe, this is accomplished by regulation of CDK kinase activity, phosphorylation, and destruction of Cdc18, and phosphorylation of STET. In human cells, the Cdc18 equivalent Cdc6 is also negatively regulated by CDK phosphorylation, suggesting that regulation of human Cdc6 likewise contributes to prevention of re-replication. The MCM proteins are another CDK target, at least in some organisms. There are several examples of deregulated CDK activity associated with cancers.

Overexpression of certain replication proteins, such as Cdt1, can promote tumor formation in mammals. In addition, many replication proteins are specifically upregulated in cancer cells. Human Cdc7 (the homolog of the S. pombe Hsk1 kinase) is overexpressed in certain tumor cells. Furthermore, human MCM proteins are specifically expressed (or overexpressed) in cycling cells and are not detectable in quiescent cells. An important consequence of these findings is that the presence of the MCM proteins in cells provides a sensitive diagnostic marker for proliferating cells. MCM proteins are detected in cells that have exited quiescence and reentered the cell cycle; thus, MCM proteins are detected in precancerous cells as well as in tumor cells. MCM transcription is further upregulated by activated oncogenes. Interestingly, human BM28/CDCL1 (the homolog of Mcm2), maps to a chromosomal locus associated with acute myeloid leukemia, suggesting BM28/CDCL1 as a candidate oncogene. Damage tolerance and repair mechanisms are also essential to prevent genome instability. In S. pombe, Rqh1 is needed for recovery from replication blocks. Human cells have at least five Rqh1 homologs, three of which are linked with cancer susceptibility syndromes. Mutations in BLM are associated with Bloom's syndrome, mutations in WRN lead to Werner's syndrome, and mutation of RecQL4 results in Rothmund-Thomson syndrome. Hyperrecombination and cancer susceptibility are characteristic of both Bloom's and Werner's syndromes. Inappropriate recombination due to the loss of other S-phase functions may generate deletions or expansions in the genetic information, as has been demonstrated in S. cerevisiae. Polymerase slippage may contribute to the formation of triplet repeat sequences, which are associated with several disorders including Huntington's disease.

Checkpoint genes are important gatekeepers of genome stability. Mutations in the ATM checkpoint kinase are linked to ataxia telangiectasia, and mutations in the checkpoint kinase Cds1 (also called CHK2) are found in a subset of patients with Li-Fraumeni syndrome. In addition, Rad17 (one of the checkpoint rad proteins) is overexpressed in certain types of human cancers. The corresponding S. pombe proteins (Rad3, Cds1, and Rad17) are all involved in the cellular response to replication blocks. The S. pombe Rad4/Cut5 protein, which also has a role in cellular checkpoints, contains a BRCT motif that is also present in the human BRCA1 tumor suppressor and the XRCC1 DNA repair protein. Thus, mutations that disrupt function of the replication checkpoint are also implicated in predisposition to cancer. Genomic instability leading to cancers may also result from chromosome structure defects caused by errors in S-phase processes linked to DNA replication. In S. pombe, the Eso1 protein is needed to activate cohesion so that sisterchromatids are held together until mitosis. Part of the Eso1 protein is homologous to DNA polymerase η (Rad30), which is defective in the xeroderma pigmentosum variant syndrome characterized by predisposition to skin cancers. In addition, human securin, normally prevents premature sister-chromatid separation, can induce cell transformation and tumorigenesis when overexpressed. Expression of the Rad21 cohesin is downregulated in certain tumors. In addition, HP1 is downregulated in breast cancer cells that are metastatic or invasive. The S. pombe homolog of HP1, Swi6, recruits Rad21 to centromeres and other regions of heterochromatin. Recently, phosphorylation of another cohesin subunit, Smc1, has been shown to be required for the S-phase checkpoint in human cells. Taken together, these connections suggest a direct role for chromatin structure in maintenance of genome stability.

DNA Replication During Yeast Fission Meiosis

2011-11-12T09:54:00.001-08:00

Meiosis is a specialized cell cycle that generates recombinant, haploid progeny cells from a diploid cell. The meiotic cell cycle differs from the vegetative cell cycle in two outstanding respects. First, the S phase that occurs prior to meiosis (premeiotic S) is followed by two successive rounds of chromosome segregation, rather than alternating between S phase and mitosis. Second, the first meiotic division is reductional, resulting in the maintenance of cohesion between sister chromatids but the separation and segregation of homologous chromosomes. The preparation for this modified cell division cycle involves lengthy interaction between homologous chromosomes during the prophase stage of meiosis I but is likely to initiate as early as premeiotic S phase. Premeiotic S phase is longer than S phase in vegetative cells in most organisms. The cause of this difference is unclear, since experiments in budding yeast suggest that the same replication origins are active in vegetative and meiotic cells. However, other experiments in S. cerevisiae suggest that meiosis-specific chromosomal factors required during prophase might assemble during premitotic STET.

Recent studies in Saccharomyces pombe have addressed the question of whether the replication machinery that functions during premeiotic S phase is the same as that utilized in the vegetative cell cycle. S. pombe proteins required for the actual synthesis of the DNA in vegetative cells, such as DNA polymerase α and ribonucleotide reductase, also are essential for premeiotic S phase. In contrast, mutants defective in initiation of DNA replication, such as the mcm mutants and cdc18, display different phenotypes in meiosis and mitosis. In mitosis, conditional alleles of these mutants allow bulk DNA replication but cause cells to arrest in late S phase. In contrast, in similar conditions these mutants can proceed through the meiotic divisions and sporulate. With more extreme conditions, these mutants delay replication and the subsequent meiotic divisions. This may reflect a quantitative difference: meiotic cells may tolerate a lower amount of certain replication proteins than that needed during the vegetative cell cycle. It is also possible that other meiotic factors, perhaps recombination proteins, can contribute to premeiotic replication.

The Basics About Kidney Cancer

2011-11-12T09:53:00.001-08:00

Kidney cancer is one of the types of cancers that are not very common. It only compromises about 2% of the types of cancers being diagnosed yearly. There are several types of cancer that are known to affect the kidneys. The most frequently occurring type of kidney cancer is a form of renal cell carcinoma, known as renal adenocarcinoma or renal hypernephroma. It's believed to compromise 9 out of 10 kidney cancer cases. Other types of kidney cancer are the transitional cell carcinoma, renal sarcoma and Wilms tumor. Wilms' tumor can be common on children with kidney cancer. And like most cancers, when kidney cancer becomes malignant, it metastasizes into the nearby lymph nodes and to other areas of the body.

The exact risk factors that predispose an individual to kidney cancer is not totally known. However, several factors are being considered. One is smoking. Smoking is thought to increase the risk of acquiring cancer because of its toxic byproducts like tar and nicotine. Obesity is another factor being looked upon because it may cause an increase in the blood pressure of the individual. This increase will result to kidney damage since they kidneys are the ones that directly filter the waste products on the blood. Genetics can also be a factor and so as exposure to carcinogens. Persons with Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) Syndrome can also increase the risk for kidney cancer. VHL is a type of genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on different areas of the body. Whether a smoker is at risk for developing kidney cancer or not, it is important that he or she should quit smoking because smoking is associated with so many diseases. And the same goes for obesity, that is why maintaining a healthy weight is very important.

There are no definite signs and symptoms for cancer of the kidneys, and unfortunately, most cases of kidney cancer are diagnosed in the later stages of the disease. There are times when they can also be discovered early, but mostly in an accidental basis. The common signs and symptoms that may occur are flank or back pain, blood in the urine and an abdominal mass. But since these are common signs and symptoms of other diseases, diagnosis is still very difficult.

The diagnostic tools used for cancer of the kidneys is similar to those being used with other cancers. X-rays, ultrasound imaging, computerized tomography scans and magnetic resonance imaging are some of the tools that are used to look for the cancer. An intravenous pyelogram is also sometimes used as a diagnostic tool. Blood tests and urine exams can also be used to augment the diagnostic tools. Fine needle aspiration biopsy is done after the preliminary diagnostics are done. This will yield results that can determine if the cancer is truly present or not.

And like most cancers, cancer of the kidneys can be diagnosed in 4 stages. Stage I is the earliest stage of the cancer. The tumor's size is only about 7 cm or less. Metastasis has not yet started and the average tumor size is approximately that of a tennis ball. Stage II has a bigger tumor, approximately 8-9cm or more and still mo metastasis. Stage III has a bit of seeding on the lymph nodes, nearby tissue or the nearby blood vessel. And the last stage, stage IV has the tumor metastasize beyond the surrounding tissue, lymphatic system and/or nearby organs. This is the most common stage wherein kidney cancer is discovered. Although there are available treatment modalities for those who have late stage cancer of the kidneys, it is imperative that a second opinion must be sought. This is done to confirm the diagnosis of the disease so that proper treatment can be started with the patient.

Spontaneous Remission of Cancer - A Personal Story Part One

2011-11-12T09:52:00.003-08:00

Spontaneous remission of cancer occurs when a person recovers either temporarily or fully from the disease of cancer (or other condition) in a way that cannot be solely attributed to medical care. The power of belief is so strong, but can it really help to halt the growth of destructive tumours?

Sometimes NLP practitioners and clinical hypnotherapists have the experience of spontaneous remission in their patients. One practitioner's mother was admitted to hospital suffering serious symptoms of cancer. The doctors didn't expect her to live as she was in a coma which would likely result in brain damage. She recalls that it was hard to treat someone so close to her with hypnosis, however, she persisted and kept talking to her using special techniques and telling her that if it was her time to come back, she could do so and recover. If it was her time to leave, then she could pass away comfortably and peacefully as they would always be together.

Knowing the healing value of something for patients to look forward to, she repainted her mother's bathroom and kitchen telling her she could return home to her own house or come and live with her. She had taken some before-and-after photos and noticed an 'after' photo had captured a strange phenomenon on the bathroom mirror. Somehow the Christian symbol of the fish had appeared on the mirror which wasn't there before. How ever it manifested, this provided a source of hope especially because the mirror had belonged to her grandfather who had recovered from his terminal cancer and was kept in the room where he convalesced. It seemed to be a sign that everything would be fine.

Through her mother's coma, she told her about the auspicious symbol on the mirror describing in detail as at this time she couldn't speak,or even see the photos. Sure enough, slowly but surely, her mother recovered, inspired by the appearance of the auspicious symbol and greatly helped by the regular NLP and hypnotherapy treatments from her daughter.

After nine days, she awoke from her coma which had served as a complete rest, giving the body a chance to heal and repair itself. She did suffer from a variety of other illnesses,including diabetes,angina,high blood pressure, ulcerated colitis and crones disease but had survived the cancer and experienced spontaneous remission which her daughter believes was due to her belief, her hope and the NLP and hypnotherapy treatments.

The Challenge of Cancer Immunotherapy

2011-11-12T09:52:00.001-08:00

Effective cancer immunotherapy induces the killing of tumor cells by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), resulting in tumor regression and a survival benefit for patients. Malignant tumors are often characterized by an intense proliferative capacity, and local to systemic invasiveness, and these lethal characteristics have rendered surgical resection, radiation treatment, and chemotherapy ineffective for many cancer patients. Tumors are also replete with antigens, resulting in immune recognition and significant immune-cell infiltrates, but tumor cells create microenvironments (e.g., production of immunosuppressive cytokines) that suppress anticancer activity. The potential for the innate immune system to react specifically and systemically against local and metastatic lesions, and to obtain memory that may prevent tumor recurrence has inspired the development of immunotherapies that seek to reprogram anticancer responses. A key challenge is to formulate treatment modalities that provide specific and persistent immunostimulation to sustain immune attack against tumor cells (predominantly by CTLs) until patients' tumors are completely cleared

Current immunotherapeutic approaches are of two main types: cancer vaccines and adoptive T cell transfer. Cancer vaccines introduce tumor-associated antigens at the vaccine site and seek to cause tumor regression by relying on a cascade of events that are orchestrated by dendritic cells (DCs). Innate antigen recognition and processing is the responsibility of DCs, which, upon activation, have a potent ability to present tumor-antigens processed onto major histocompatibility complexes (MHC), and to translate pathogenic danger signals (e.g., lipopolysaccharides and bacterial DNA) into the expression of specific stimulatory molecules and cytokines. Activated DCs then migrate to lymphoid tissues to interact with nave T cells by presenting MHC-antigen peptides and immunostimulatory cytokines, which signal and propagate antigen-specific T cell differentiation and expansion The type and potency of the T cell response elicited by activated DCs, and, by extrapolation, cancer vaccines, depends on several factors: the type of antigen (endogenous versus exogenous), the microenvironment of the DC-antigen encounter, the extent of DC activation and the number of DCs that stimulate CTL differentiation and expansion. In contrast to vaccines, adoptive T cell transfer bypasses antigen delivery and mediators of T cell activation, by transfusing autologous or allogenic T cells that have been modified in ex vivo cultures and selected to target specific cancer antigens.

Although cancer vaccines and adoptive T cell transfers have induced CTL responses to specific tumor-associated antigens, and tumor regression in a subset of cancer patients, these treatments have failed to confer reproducible survival benefit. Clinical tests of cancer vaccines have utilized a variety of methods to deliver antigen, including delivery of bulk antigen in the form of tumor lysates and irradiated tumor cells or patient-derived DCs pulsated with tumor antigen in ex vivo cultures. Adjuvants and toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists are often mixed into vaccines to provide danger signals (factors associated with infectious microenvironments) in order to enhance DC maturation and amplify effector responses. However, the limitations of current approaches include short term antigen presentation and immunostimulation due to short, in vivo half-lives (within tissues and immune cells), and in the case of DC or T cell transplantation therapies, there is a rapid loss in cell viability and no control over cell function upon transplantation. The indiscriminate targeting and rapid loss of bioavailability and bioactivity in relation to current therapies likely reduces their efficiency, which limits DC and CTL activation resulting in transient to ineffective tumor attack. Intuitively, persistent induction of antitumor CTL activity is required to mediate tumor regression, and to clear large tumor burdens.

The development and application of immunologically active biomaterials that specifically target DCs and T cells, and regulate their responses to antigens and tumors are interest of study in present day Immunotechnology, which involves two biomaterial approaches that enable specific and sustained regulation of immune activity, and controlled immunostimulation: drug delivery and three-dimensional cell niches. Biopolymers of many different types have been formulated into particulate systems that control the bioavailability, the pharmacokinetics and the localization of proteins and nucleic acids, and we will discuss work to develop material vectors Immunologically for antigen and adjuvants with DC targeting ability. Moreover, as an alternative to approaches that utilize ex vivo cell manipulation (e.g., DC-based vaccines and Adoptive T cell transfer), biomaterials have been fashioned into biofunctional, three-dimensional matrices that create distinct, immunostimulatory microenvironments and regulate DC and T cell trafficking and activation in situ.

We also highlight the use of these delivery systems and niches to prime DC and T cell responses to tumors in animal models, and the prospects for their clinical impact in cancer immunotherapy. Sources and Inspiration for Biomaterials Biomaterials are derived from various combinations of natural or synthetic components, and, by definition, are intended to interact with biological systems. Biomaterials have historically been designed to augment cellular behavior that promotes tissue regeneration e.g., skin grafts or to replace tissue function [e.g., stents and prosthetics]; traditionally, these materials were fabricated to minimize host inflammatory and immune responses, due to their potentially destructive affects. However, our understanding of immunological regulation has progressed tremendously alongside the development of materials science, and at their intersection emerges the possibility to employ immunologically active biomaterials for cancer immunotherapy. In this section we discuss the sources and raw materials for the fabrication of biomaterial systems and the inspiration underlying their design as drug delivery agents and synthetic extracellular matrices to control cell processes.

Raw Materials

Nature provides numerous sources of structural proteins and polysaccharides, derived from plants and animals, that may be modified into immuno-active biomaterials. Natural materials, including collagen protein derived from the connective tissue of animals, chitosan polysaccharides extracted from the exoskeleton of crustaceans and alginate polysaccharides isolated from seaweed, have been fashioned into gels and utilized as drug delivery devices or as depots for cell transplantation. These materials have been utilized in the clinic for cosmetic and wound care applications with established biocompatibility. Further, the concentrations, molecular weight and crosslinking density of collagen, chitosan and alginate macromolecules can be modified to develop gels with defined degradation rates, stiffness, and functional groups, which can influence the release kinetics or binding of immunostimulatory biomolecules for drug delivery, or the viability and activation state of cells interacting with the material matrix.

Biodegradable devices may also be fabricated from a variety of synthetic polymers, and are frequently used as drug delivery vehicles. Polyglycolide (PGA), polylactide (PLA), and their copolymers polylactide-co-glycolide (PLG) which degrade, by hydrolysis, into the natural metabolites, lactic and glycolic acid, have been widely used in the clinic setting as biodegradable sutures, and are commonly fabricated into particulate systems for the controlled delivery of biomolecules. Polyanhydrides are another class of biodegradable materials that have been utilized as drug delivery vehicles, such as wafers for the clinical delivery of chemotherapeutic agents at the site of glioblastoma resection and as investigative vaccine carriers. In addition, liposome particles (phospholipid bilayers) and block copolymers with hydrophobic and hydrophilic domains are assembled into vesicles or micelle carriers that encapsulate proteins and nucleic acids to protect them from in vivo degradation and for their controlled release.

Controlled Delivery and Cell Targeting

Engineering solutions are needed for delivering therapeutic biomolecules to specific sites of treatment with controlled kinetics, which has inspired the development of biomaterials as delivery vehicles. Molecular therapeutics form the basis for the prevention and treatment of many human diseases; however, their use is limited by short in vivo half-lives which limits their bioavailability to target cells and tissues. Therefore, in some cases, multiple, systemic administrations of therapeutic molecules are utilized to prolong therapeutic stimulation but this increases nonspecific cell/tissue exposure and may cause severe adverse reactions, which limits the time-course and benefit of treatment.

Biomaterials are now tailored with defined physical properties such as degradation mechanisms and rates, and specialized surface characteristics, that protect encapsulated bioactive molecules against degradation in vivo, control their release kinetics and allow for specific cellular targeting in vivo. To efficiently target therapeutic agents (e.g., immunostimulatory cytokines), researchers are developing sophisticated micro- and nano-particulate systems that carry particular surface molecules (e.g., antibodies) Immunologically to recognize and bind to specific cells. The size and surface properties of these particulate systems are also modified to control particle localization within specified tissues and body compartments (e.g., lymphoid tissues). Material carriers are not only designed to encapsulate and protect proteins and nucleic acids from degradation in vivo, but they may also be designed with specific degradation properties allowing the delivery of its bioactive load at specific tissue locations or, for intercellular delivery, at defined intervals within the cell-internalization pathway.

Synthetic ECMs

The natural extracellular matrix (ECM), in structure and function, has inspired the development and application of three-dimensional biomaterial systems that produce distinct microenvironments that transmit chemical and mechanical cues to cells in situ. The interstitial space of tissues contains fibrous ECM proteins (for example, collagens and laminins), and gels of polysaccharides like glycosaminoglycan and heparin sulfate.

The ECM presents a variety of cell adhesion ligands, provides support and anchorage for cells, regulates cellular communication/migration, and sequesters a wide range of cellular growth factors - to act as a local depot. The ECM components and the corresponding degradative enzymes are produced by resident cells in response to local stimuli (e.g., inflammation), which may cause ECM remodeling and a redistribution of cell signals until homeostasis is reachieved between cells and matrix. Thus, the ECM interacts dynamically with cells to regulate their processes, and this ability may be translated to biomaterial systems.

Three-dimensional biomaterial constructs are now engineered to provide the necessary structural support as synthetic ECMs for cell transplantation and delivery, as long-term depots for the controlled presentation of bioactive molecules, and as niches with controlled microenvironments that regulate cell function. The porosity and degradation rate of these materials may be optimized to provide a residence for cells, and to regulate host cell infiltration or cell deployment for therapy. Adhesion ligands may be patterned onto biomaterial surfaces to orient the spatial distribution of cells and cell-cell communication like immune synapes.

How to Increase Your Odds of Success With Cancer

2011-11-12T09:51:00.001-08:00

Cancer today is well understood, there is no mystery to the disease and all cancers appear for a reason. It is not caused by bad genes or something beyond our control. It appeared because of a weakened immune system, our built in repair system that keeps us healthy, which didn't stop normal body cells from mutating and becoming cancerous. There are many changes you can make to help rid the body of any of these unwanted growths and especially to stop it spreading. To survive cancer it's important to make these changes.

It is well known that what you eat can have a profound effect on strengthening the immune system. I know people don't want to change the food they eat, they just want to take a pill but unfortunately that approach doesn't work with degenerative diseases such as cancer. There are many changes you can make to the way you live and especially the food you choose to eat which will increase your odds of success in overcoming the disease.

How did we ever believe that when someone is diagnosed with cancer, there are only three ways to treat it? Not only are these ways toxic to the human body and causing harm, they are not even effective. The cancer industry is built on the foundation of just treating the symptoms while doing virtually nothing to treat the actual cause of the problem which is far more important.

Our orthodox medical system is extremely powerful, has virtually no competition which is dangerous for the user, and because of the vast amounts of money spends on advertising their drugs, has a huge control over the media. Today we are being educated about cancer from television and newspapers so be wary. Many of the facts about the disease we hear or read are not true and we are paying the price with our lives.

For instance dealing with only the symptom which is the cancer growths themselves is often of little help if it's only going to return again. The growth is only a symptom and not the problem and the only way to fix the problem is to deal with the initial cause or the reason why cancer first appeared. To do this, all you need is knowledge and it does make a difference.

Healthy people don't get cancer because healthy people eat mainly fresh food including raw food; they drink water to hydrate the body. They get adequate amounts of sunshine for the important vitamin D we need and they get plenty of exercise, rest and fresh air. These are called the necessities of life and will solve any problem caused by a degenerative disease. Remember the human body has amazing powers of restoration but it needs your help.

Another fact you won't be told, it is vitally important for cancer patients to limit their refined sugar intake as cancer cells create energy to grow and spread by fermenting sugar. This fact has been known for over 80 years yet our doctors today are ignorant of this. Also the chemicals that are in circulation nowadays are not well regulated and many of them are causing us harm.

The solution is to change the factors that led to the cancer in the first place. In the long term it's the only thing that really works.

11 Ways to Skip the PSA Test

2011-09-08T10:26:00.000-07:00

The United States Preventative Services Task Force has done it again. They have made the absurd claim that men should not be checking routine PSA levels. This recommendation is on the heels of recommendation against mammography for under 50s. What's up? Doesn't routine PSA testing save lives?

I think I need to start this with a quick story. Last week I had a 52 year old patient who confided in me that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer 2 months ago. They plan on doing the daVinci robotic surgery in the next 6 or 7 months. The outcomes for these are generally good, but impotence is on the list of potential side effects.

Here's the problem. He was completely unaware that prostate cancer was anything but luck of the draw. He's not alone. Luckily, there are many things he can begin to implement in his lifestyle to change his trajectory. Who knows--maybe if his PSA changes in the next 6 months the surgery can be avoided.

Back to the USPSTF PSA screening recommendations.

Over 5 years ago we already had research strongly suggesting that PSA and DRE testing does not save lives. Obviously this research was brushed under the rug because and actually seems to have fueled an opposite reaction--I hear more of a push for men to get screened for prostate cancer then ever before. I don't remember large POP (prostate on-site project) events or billboards promoting DREs a few years ago.

The problems with prostate PSA screening are much the same as those with mammography.

First, prostate specific antigen (PSA), is not actually specific to cancer. Other factors like heavy exercise, prostatitis, BPH, age, large prostate volume and sexual activity can lead to elevated PSA. Some temporary, some permanent. Because of this, there is a heavy variation in what "normal" is. To confuse this issue, a little over 1/3 of prostate cancers have PSA levels within the "normal" range. This means that setting a value as "elevated" is going to catch a percentage of men who do not have prostate cancer and miss a large number of cases of prostate cancer. This weakens the value of the testing.

Next, prostate cancer, by its nature, has a tendency to be slow growing. Because of this, many die with prostate cancer, not of prostate cancer. Many procedures are done as a result of PSA testing. These include surgery, biopsies, chemotherapy and radiation implants. So what happens when these procedures are done because of an elevated PSA due to non-cancer causes or procedures are done on slow growing cancers that would not have caused significant problems? The society costs are dramatic and result in no true life extension. If sure is easy to make it look like treatment is powerful at saving lives when the life was not at risk in the first place.

Third, and most importantly, PSA testing does not seem to trigger an educational process for the patient to lower their risk of progression. The factors that play a role in prostate cancer prevention are the same that can help with treatment. These include:

1) Increase your intake of non-GMO, unprocessed soy products (tofu, miso, soy milk, edemame)
2) Increase your intake of the omega-3 fatty acid ALA (pumpkin, flax, walnuts)
3) Avoid dairy products
4) If you drink juice, stick with darker juices like pomegranate and cherry
5) Increase your intake of cruciferous veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, radish, bok choy, brussels sprouts)
6) Add Vitamin E in the mixed tocopherol form (NOT just alpha-tocopherol)
7) Increase intake of the red carotenoid lycopene (tomotoes, grapefruit, watermelon)
8) Cut back on your calories
9) Avoid BPA in plastic water bottles and many canned goods
10) Maintain an anti-diabetic lifestyle and maintain an ideal body weight
11) Take a vitamin D supplement

So overall, there are many things we can do to lower our risk of prostate cancer. As always, I am not against cancer screening. I am, however, very strongly against using cancer screening as prevention. With all this knowledge about how to prevent prostate cancer, we should not rely on an uncertain test like the PSA to save our lives. Makes these changes to lower your risk of prostate cancer.

Skin Cancer - Do You Know What To Look For?

2011-09-08T10:23:00.000-07:00

Skin cancer is on the rise and approximately 20% of North Americans will experience some form of it in their lifetimes.

What are the reasons behind these findings? Ozone depletion and people refusing to use sunscreen are factors. But, more people are now submitting to screening, so more cases are being detected than ever before.

More than one member of my family have dealt with mild cases, so my doctor is trying hard to keep me vigilant when it comes to my skin.

A self-examination is easy to do, and an important key in early detection. Start with the areas that are always exposed, such as the head and neck. Bald men should also look carefully at their scalps. Everyone is at risk, no matter what your skin color is, but fair-haired people with light-colored eyes are a higher risk group.

The most common forms of skin cancer are basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. When treated early, they seldom create further problems. Melanoma is the more serious form of the disease. Often found on skin newly exposed with the arrival of warmer weather, such as backs and legs as people shed heavier clothing for shorts and sundresses.

Tanning beds continue to be a huge factor in contracting melanoma. Regular users of this practice are 75% more likely to contract this, the most dangerous form of the disease. In the United States alone, over a million people regularly use tanning beds and the number is on the rise. Prompting congress to add a 10% percent tax, that will yield billions in tax dollars, and hopefully make people think twice about using them.

If you find any kind of abnormality on your skin that doesn't go away within 30 days, have a doctor take a look at it.

Check your skin regularly. Look for moles with irregular shapes. Do they have indentations or "cauliflower" like borders? Has a mole changed color, or is it uneven in its color? Look for any new changes, such as a mole that has grown in size.

Remember to put on sunscreen, at least half an hour before going outside. The Cancer Society suggests an SPF of 30 or greater. The sun's UVA rays cause wrinkling and UVB rays cause burning, both cause cancer. Look for a sunscreen that will protect you from both, and apply about as much as it would take to fill up an egg cup on yourself, and more on a child. Once applied remember to reapply it every two hours while enjoying the outdoor weather.

Skin Cancer Prevention - Ten Ways to Protects Yourself From UV Rays

2011-09-08T10:22:00.000-07:00

Skin cancer is considered one of the most widespread form of cancers accounting for about 50% of all cancers. It is associated with life-time exposure to ultraviolet radiation, therefore most skin cancers appear after age 50. It is actually more widespread than you may think, one in every 5 Americans will develop it during their life time. It is the leading cancer in the United States, which affects two million people each year.

According to recent reports, 40 to 50 percent of US citizens who survive until age 65 are going to have skin cancer at one time or another. High-risk groups consist of farm owners, laborers, mariners, campers, athletes, individuals going through military training, beach lovers, and picnickers. Research indicates that extreme sunburns during childhood maximize the chance of developing skin cancer later on in life.

The most effective method to prevent developing cancer of the skin will be to protect your skin by keeping yourself away from afternoon sunlight, applying sun screens when out under the sun and also to stay away from sun tanning beds. But besides early diagnosis, you can and really should try everything within your capacity to protect against cancer of the skin from ever happening to begin with.

Top Ten Ways to Protect Yourself From UV Rays

1. Use sun screen lotion that has a Sun-protection Factor (SPF) that is at least 15. Ensure it is water-resistant and re-apply every 2 hours, specially right after swimming or excessive sweating.

2. Apply sun screen lotion 30 minutes prior to going outdoors so that your skin has a chance to absorb it.

3. Be generous in use of sun screen lotion. One ounce of sun screen lotion ought to cover the face, neck, legs and arms of the average adult.

4. Dress in protective clothing, like hats, sun glasses, pants and long-sleeved shirts

5. Look for shade whenever possible, specially during the hours of 10:00 am to 4:00 pm when the sun rays are strongest.

6. Steer clear of sun tanning beds as ultra-violet light can result in skin cancer and wrinkles. Use a self-tanning product but also use sun screen lotion with it.

7. Safeguard small children by reapplying sun screen lotion frequently with an SPF that is at least 15, having them play in the shade and dress in protective clothing.

8. Children younger than 6 months should never ever be in direct sunlight and should always dress in a hat and clothes that safeguards them from ultra violet rays.

9. Adults ought to perform regular self-exams. It's a good way to detect abnormalities

10. Consult with your dermatologist and have a full body scan once per year.

Skin Cancer - Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) and Solar Keratoses

2011-09-04T10:25:00.000-07:00

SCC is the second most common form of skin cancer. It primarily affects fair-skinned, blue-eyed people and particularly the elderly.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma - Description

SCC is a malignant tumour of squamous cells and can be found in many parts of the body. SCC of the skin develops from keratinocytes, the type of squamous cells that synthesise the protective keratin of the epidermis.

Squamous cell carcinomas usually occur in areas of previously sun-damaged skin and at sites of sun-induced actinic keratoses or (sun spots). Its appearance is more varied than Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC), it grows faster and can metastasize (spread to other tissues of the body) if left untreated, making it more dangerous than BCC.

SCC is usually a red, scaling, well-defined plaque. It can eventually spread into the deeper surrounding tissues.

Invasive SCCs involve the lower dermis and subcutaneous fat and can vary in size from a few millimetres to several centimetres in diameter. Sometimes they grow quickly, but more commonly grow slowly over months or years. Unlike BCCs, they may be tender. Some SCCs have the appearance of sores that don't heal.

Many SCC's develop from solar keratoses, small scaly patches often found on the face, bald scalp, ears, hands and forearms of fair-skinned people.

SCC may also develop in burn scars and longstanding leg ulcers. Oral SCCs are often due to cigarette smoking.

Diagnosis of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Skin

As with all skin cancers, allopathic medical practice is to confirm SCC by biopsy.

Treatment of Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Treatment of squamous cell carcinoma depends on the size of the tumour, its location, and other factors such as if it has metastasized.

Treatment options include:

    * curettage (scraping off tissue with an instrument), with or without electrodessication. (Electrodessication uses an electric spark to destroy tissue)
    * cryosurgery (freeze burning with liquid nitrogen)
    * surgery (excision)
    * Moh's micrographic surgery
    * radiation treatment
    * chemotherapy

ACTINIC KERATOSES (or SOLAR KERATOSES)

Solar keratoses are premalignant disorders of the epidermis and are increasingly common. They are small, dry, scaly lesions commonly found on the parts of the body most often exposed to the sun - the face, head, backs of hands, and sometimes the lip (actinic cheilitis).

As with BCC and SCC, chronic sun exposure is the cause of actinic keratoses.

What happens if solar keratoses are left untreated? Approximately 2 to 5% of actinic keratoses may develop malignant cells and become skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma.

Treatment

Conventional treatment is freeze burning with liquid nitrogen. For widespread areas a topically applied cream containing 5-fluorouracil (trade name Efudex) may be used for several weeks. Fluorouracil is a chemotherapy drug that is applied to the skin. It works by interfering with DNA synthesis.

The unpleasant side-effects of fluorourcil which are reddening and flaking of the skin with burning and itching symptoms may outweigh the benefits as this cream can be effective in clearing up widespread solar keratoses.

However it is worth being aware that it is a chemo drug that affects your DNA. Rarely questioned by doctors, Efudex should not be used by people with a deficiency of the enzyme dihyropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD). Current research shows that 8% of people have at least a partial deficiency in this enzyme. Potential for DNA damage is the concern.

But did you know there are other methods of treatment that can help? There are other tested and proven natural substances that can remove SCC and other skin cancer.

For example, bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis). This is the root of a plant that is used as a topical application. Many practitioners do not know how it works. I have even read articles from experts who claim that the mode of action is unknown. However, research shows that it works by disabling the mitochondria which is the power house of the cancer cell. This effect is profound on the cancer cell, but does not have the same result on healthy tissue. Regardless of how it works, bloodroot most certainly, and quickly, breaks down a skin cancer tumor. You can heal skin cancer such as squamous cell carcinoma safely using this substance and the correct method.

What happens is very quick; little 'dots' of dead white tissue appear, literally overnight. Then an area of necrosed tissue forms over the following few days. Once applications are stopped, this area dries up, forms a scab and falls off, leaving pink, healthy, new tissue underneath. All that then needs to be done is to encourage healing as with any minor wound.

Skin Cancer - Melanoma

2011-09-04T10:24:00.000-07:00

Malignant melanoma is the rarest and most deadly form of skin cancer. It affects the melanocytes (the cells that produce melanin, the skin's pigment) and seems to be more prevalent among city-dwellers than among those who work outside. This seeming paradox is because scientific data indicates that episodic sun exposure resulting in burn is linked to melanoma, but constant exposure is not.

Melanoma does not necessarily occur in sun-exposed areas of the body which contributes to the belief that it is linked to brief, intense periods of sun exposure and a history of severe sunburn in childhood or adolescence.

Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that metastasizes easily making it often fatal if not treated early enough. Bear in mind, however, that all statistics of melanoma come from tissue that has been examined after some form of excisional treatment or biopsy. Melanoma becomes more common with increasing age but it still appears in younger people.

A melanoma can develop in any area of the skin or from an existing mole. A typical melanoma appears as a small darkened area of skin similar in appearance to a mole. It is recognisable as being different to a mole in four different ways known as the ABCDE of melanoma: Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, Evolving.

Asymmetry: Most early melanomas are asymmetrical: a line through the middle would not create matching halves. Common moles are round and symmetrical.

Border: The edges of melanomas are often uneven and may have scalloped, notched, or blurred edges. A mole has a smooth, well-defined edge.

Color: The pigmentation of a melanoma is often not uniform, with more than one shade of brown, tan, or black. Moles are usually a single shade of brown

Diameter: A melanoma is usually larger than a mole, continues to grow and is often at least the size of a pencil eraser (about 6mm, or 1/4 inch, in diameter).

Evolving: Change in size, shape and color shade.

Types of Melanoma

Melanomas are described according to their appearance and behavior. Those that start off as flat patches (i.e. have a horizontal growth phase) include:

    * Superficial spreading melanoma (SSM)
    * Lentigo malignant melanoma (sun damaged skin of face, scalp and neck)
    * Acral lentiginous melanoma (on soles of feet, palms of hands or under the nails - under the nails is called subungual melanoma)

Melanoma skin cancers tend to grow slowly, but at any time, they may begin to thicken or develop a nodule. When this happens they progress to a vertical growth phase.

Melanomas that grow quickly, involving deeper tissues, include:

    * Nodular melanoma (presenting as a rapidly enlarging lump)
    * Mucosal melanoma (arising on lips, eyelids, vulva, penis, anus)
    * Desmoplastic melanoma (fibrous tumour with a tendency to grow down nerves) Melanoma may present in combinations e.g. nodular melanoma developing within a superficial spreading melanoma.

Treatment of Melanoma

Usual protocol for the treatment of melanoma is:

Biopsy to confirm.

Surgical removal with wide margins encompassing healthy tissue to ensure complete removal.

Surgical removal of lymph nodes if their involvement is suspected.

There are natural options. I have used them and seen them used on many people. The natural treatment of melanoma and other skin cancer is viable and effective. I have written a book outlining my experiences of using a herbal paste with bloodroot as one of the main ingredients. I do not sell a product, I merely present the information so that people have a source of information and can be self-informed enough to have the confidence to make their own decision.

Determining Skin Cancer Moles

2011-09-04T10:22:00.000-07:00

People nowadays are likely to develop skin cancer moles because of long exposure to sunlight. The good news is that this type of cancer is the most curable if detected at the early stage. But if it is not treated, can result to death.

Moles are growth on the skin that is clustered and often brown, black or flesh-color and appears anywhere on the skin. The normal average of moles is from 10 to 40. However, an individual who have more than 100 moles are at risk to acquire melanoma.

Listed below are types of mole cancer:

• Basal cell carcinoma that is developed on skin that is sun-damaged which is likely to affect Caucasian.

• Melanoma which is the rarest form of skin cancer and if not treated will spread to the other parts of the body and will then lead to fatality and is blue in color.

• Squamous cell carcinoma is targeting fair skinned people but affects men than women.it can destroy tissues and is invasive. Causing health problems and if untreated will lead to death.

• Actinic Keratosis can lead to squamous cell carcinoma if not cured early. It affects fair skinned people, eyes that are blue, hazel and green and individuals who have blonde and red hair. People who have weak immune system are also susceptible to acquire this type of skin cancer. This mole is typically rough, pink or red patches and.5 inch in size.

• Actinic cheilitis or commonly known as "sailors lip" or "farmers lip". The lower lip is affected and can lead to squamous cell carcinoma. People that are fair skinned, elderly, men and those that use tobacco are affected. The growth of this skin cancer is accompanied by cracking on the lips and dryness.

Here are the guides to be able to identify if the mole on your skin is cancerous. The ABCDE are vital in enabling you characterize the risky moles.

• A - Asymmetry. If the other half of the mole is not the same in size, color, thickness and shape.
• B - Borders. The edges are irregular, blurred, poorly defined and rough.
• C - Color. Uneven shades of brown and black or the mole has added colors of brown, red, black, blue and white
• D - Diameter. A mole that is greater than 6mm or the size of a pencil eraser.
• E - Elevation. Part of the mole is raised.

If you are suspecting that you have skin cancer moles, it is important to consult a dermatologist. They are the ones who are capable of examining the mole if it can cause health problems.

There procedures that can remove the moles that pose risk to your health. Don't get sun exposure when the sun is shining at its hottest (10am-3pm) and apply sunscreen. Be aware of the changes and have a skin check regularly.

Is There a Cure for Skin Cancer?

2011-09-04T10:21:00.000-07:00

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in humans, and it affects millions of people across the globe every year. This cancer is caused by over-exposure to the sun, radiation, carcinogens, and aging. There are three types: basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. All three pose a serious risk to your health, but melanoma is the most dangerous. Skin cancer is relatively easy to detect because it comes in the form of skin discoloration and abnormally colored or shaped moles; indeed, most skin cancer victims discover their condition on their own just by examining their skin (however, a diagnosis can only be made by a doctor).

Since many people are desperate to maintain their golden brown tans year in and year out, skin cancer remains a potent threat to public health because most people are not willing to take the link between sun exposure and UV rays and the development of skin cancer seriously-tanning is in and trendy, and people don't like going against the aesthetic curve. However, being an avid sun bather does not automatically lead to skin cancer, and it isn't the only cause. Skin cancer can also be caused by damaging free radicals from carcinogens and the unavoidable effects of ageing. Still, the best method of avoidance is to stay out of the sun or use only a strong sunscreen when out in the sun. Keep in mind that the decreasing ozone layer makes it more and more dangerous to soak up UV rays on the beach.

As with all forms of cancer, everyone wants to know: Is there a cure for skin cancer? Last year, a study conducted in the UK by researchers from Rush University Medical School in Chicago showed that a vaccine developed was able to completely cure 16% of those who used it and who were infected with advanced melanoma; for the rest of the group, the vaccine greatly improved the user's chance of remission. This does not definitively prove that skin cancer can always be cured, but it makes curing it an option. In addition to pharmaceutical cancers medication, there are many topical ointments that have been shown to relieve skins cancer. Cymilium, an over the counter insect bite remedy, has been shown to improve it's symptoms, and a variety of natural remedies such as aloe vera and vitamin D are also used. If you have skin cancer, any course of treatment you undertake should be at least discussed if not approved by a doctor, but whether you are interested in natural medicine or pharmaceutical-driven medicine, the chances of completely curing your cancer are slim, so in that sense, both sides of the medical aisle are worth a try.

Scientists Zero in on Prostate Cancer Cause

2011-08-23T10:19:00.000-07:00

The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system. Prostate cancer occurs when cells in the prostate mutate and begin to multiply out of control. The peripheral zone of the prostate usually develops cancer first. These small clumps of cancer cells attach to an otherwise healthy prostate. When and if the cells begin to multiply, they can spread to the surrounding prostate tissue. Eventually a tumor may invade nearby organs, such as the seminal vesicles, bladder or rectum. Or tumor cells may travel into the lymphatic system and the bloodstream. Often those with prostate cancer have no symptoms. Others experience similar symptoms to those found with BPH, including trouble with sexual function.

When looking for a cure for prostate cancer, scientists have focused on "androgen receptors." Androgens are hormones (such as testosterone) that are important for normal male sexual development before birth and during puberty. Androgen receptors allow the body to respond appropriately to these hormones. Typical cancer treatments involve drugs that slow production of androgen. But, according to researchers, this type of treatment generally becomes less effective over time, as cancer cell resistance strengthens and multiplies.

It's exciting news then, to read about some cutting-edge research being done at the Michigan Center for Translational Pathology. There, scientists believe they have uncovered the primary cause of prostate cancer - and it has very little to do with androgen receptors. The main cause of cancer could, in fact, be the fusion of two genes. When these two genes fuse, it sets the stage for abnormal prostate cell growth.

The research team likens gene fusion to an on switch for prostate cancer development. The cancer is set in motion with the initial fusion of a prostate gene with a cancer-causing gene. The researchers were able to use high-tech genetic mapping techniques to discover that, once fusion takes place, androgen receptors get blocked, in turn cutting off normal prostate cell growth while allowing cancer to spread.

The research team concludes that their study shows the underlying problem in prostate cancer is the presence of gene fusion, not the androgen receptor. In some contexts, androgen signaling is actually a good thing, but the presence of the gene fusion blocks androgen receptor signaling. This in turn alters normal prostate cell development.

It will be interesting to see if scientists can use this discovery to press forward and find a cure for prostate cancer. Perhaps there will be a way to stop gene fusion from happening, thereby protecting healthy prostate genes from cancer-causing genes. And if this could be figured out for cancer, perhaps it might provide clues about how to prevent other types of cancer as well.

Prostate Cancer Stages and Treatments

2011-08-20T10:19:00.000-07:00

The prostate is a chestnut shaped gland located in men under the bladder in front of the rectum. Prostate cancer occurs when cells within the prostate grow out of control, creating tumors. It is the leading cause of cancer in American men. The risk of getting prostate cancer increases with age. Over 700,000 cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed worldwide each year. For early stages of prostate cancer, signs and symptoms are usually not evident. Prostate cancer is rare in men under 50, but those with a family history should get checked regularly.

In order to confirm cancer stages in the prostate, a biopsy must be performed. If the biopsy confirms that cancer exists, the next step is to know what stage the cancer is in. The prostate cancer stage will help determine the best course of treatment to take. Various tests are done to determine if the cancer has spread, including imaging and blood tests. The clinical stage uses results fro the digital rectal exam, trans-rectal ultrasound or needle biopsy.

A common staging system used for prostate cancer is the TNM system. This means T-Tumor, N-Nodes and M-Metastasize. First, the size and extent of the primary tumor is described/measured. Then checks are done to see of the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes or metastasized elsewhere.

In the T stages (T1-T4) the cancer is rated from 0 to 4 depending on evidence of the cancer being localized in the prostate gland and surrounding areas. For T-0, there is no evidence of a primary tumor in the prostate. T-1 (a, b, or c) shows a tumor in the prostate, with a less than 5%, b greater than 5% and c -there is evidence of a tumor as identified by a needle biopsy. For T-2 stages, the tumor is confined within the prostate. In the T2a stag, the tumor affects one-half or less of one lobe, In the T2b stage, the tumor affects more than half of one lobe but not both lobes. For T2c, the tumor affects both lobes. When the tumors are confined to the prostate in stages T1-T2, the disease usually has cure rates of 90% or higher.

T3a stage indicates the tumor has extended beyond the prostate capsule. Stage T3b, the tumor has invaded the seminal vesicle. For stage T4, the tumor has invaded surrounding areas.

One of the best treatments for prostate cancer (T1 and T2 stages and some T3 cases) is High Intensity Focused Ultrasound, since the cure rate is very high, but it is non-surgical and non-invasive, so side effects are minimal. Speak to your urologist about HIFU and other forms of treatment if you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. HIFU is particularly suited to younger men (50-75) who don't want the risk of impotency and incontinence generally associated with prostate cancer surgery. For more information, you can view the Hifu.ca website, as they are the oldest and most popular HIFU clinic in North America, and provide a wealth of information on options, stages and research.

11 Ways to Skip the PSA Test

2011-08-19T10:18:00.000-07:00

Symptoms of Leukemia: Spotting Them Before It's Too Late

2011-08-19T10:15:00.000-07:00

Leukemia is a type of cancer that is very common nowadays. It does not choose who it attacks: men, women, children, adults, Caucasian, African-American, Asian, Hispanic - we are all at risk. According to the latest survey conducted, almost 44,000 people will be diagnosed with leukemia by 2010. It is now 2011. However, with developments that we have had in the aspect of health and medicine, the outcome of leukemia is looking bright. There is now a significant increase in the survival rate - a little over 50 per cent. That might not be a very big number for you, but compared to the 1970s when they only had a 14 per cent chance of survival, 50 per cent is almost like being disease-free. Won't you agree?

Surviving leukemia would largely depend on the severity of the disease by the time it gets diagnosed. As you could deduce, an earlier diagnosis of leukemia would give a better prognosis as compared to a late detection. Knowing which symptoms to look out for would be a great help in getting the earliest treatment possible. The following would be the most common symptoms of leukemia:

• Fever and recurrent infections. The reason behind this is that in leukemia, you do not have mature white blood cells to combat foreign bodies. You do not have a good defense system to protect you from invading viruses.

• Fatigue. Leukemia is a condition where there is a massive production of abnormal white blood cells. These cells would take up a lot of space, thus impeding the production of other types of cells. Since the production of red blood cells is decreased in the process, oxygen delivery to your various systems would also be decreased. This is what's causing fatigue.

• Bleeding and/or easy bruising. Bleeding, when associated with cancer, is painless. The same goes with bruising. A normal bruise would be tender when touched. Bruising, as related to leukemia, does not have any pain at all. Platelets, the ones responsible for clotting, are decreased in leukemia. This causes the bleeding and the bruising.

• Petechiae. They are tiny, rash-like spots found on the skin. Unlike rashes, though, petechiae are not itchy. This is caused by the rupture of capillaries and a decrease in platelet count.

• Pain. All types of cancer have pain. In the case of leukemia, it is bone or joint pain. This should not be confused with symptoms of bone cancer, though. The pain in bone cancer is caused by the compression of nerves due to tumor growth. In leukemia, the pain is caused by the overcrowding of blood cells in the bone marrow.

There are many other symptoms of leukemia, but the aforementioned would be the most common of the lot. If you experience any of those mentioned above, consult with your doctor immediately. If you get treatment early in the disease, there is a chance that the cancer cells might be eradicated and you would be one of the few survivors who would live to tell your story about battling with death.

What Are Some Of The Blood Cancer Types?

2011-08-19T10:14:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, there are many people who get cancer each year and have to deal with these types of illnesses. One type of cancer is blood cancer. Many people wonder what are some of the blood cancer types that people become sick with. Find out what some of the blood cancer types are.

One of the first common types of blood cancer is Leukemia. This unfortunately targets parts of your body that help you form your blood. There are a variety of types of Leukemia but all of them hurt your ability to produce healthy white blood cells. Because people with Leukemia lack white blood cells, typically the complications come from an inability to fight infection versus the cancer itself. Unfortunately, this is one of the more common cancers in children.

Lymphoma is another type of cancer that people get. This is a cancer of the lymph system which sometimes is referred to as Hodgkin's lymphoma or Hodgkin's disease. What happens is that the cells within the lymphatic system start to not form correctly. Eventually it's difficult to fight infections making the person very sick. There are also forms of lymphoma that are called non-Hodgkin's lymphoma which effects the while blood cells instead.

A third type of cancer is Multiple Myeloma. This type of cancer is very dangerous simply because it will effect the plasma cells in the blood. Generally the signs of this type of cancer is difficult to spot until someone has already had some serious infections because the body can't fight them off too well.

You need to be aware that there are multiple versions of each type of these cancers. Some are acute as they appear and harm the body quickly while others will not be so severe and gradually build up unless dealt with. If you need more information on a specific type of cancer, you can talk to your doctor getting all the information you need about a very specific type of cancer.

No matter what, the best advice we can give you is to start treating your cancer as soon as possible. The more time you give the cancer in your blood to evolve, the harder it will be to get rid of it in the end. Blood cancer is not a terminal disease per say, but if you do not start treating it immediately, it may very well be!
We wish you the best of luck with treating the cancer in your blood or avoiding same.

Cell Phones and Brain Cancer: Is There a Link?

2011-08-19T10:00:00.000-07:00

With the recent announcement by WHO (world health organisation) about the potential dangers of cell phone radiation, we are all naturally concerned, especially those of us who use cell phones regularly and/or who have kids with cell phones. What is safe, we wonder, in terms of use, cell phone type and exposure? Are some cell phones safer than others, and are there ways in which we can limit the dangers by changing our usage patterns?

While the answers are still coming in, there are things we can do to help protect ourselves. These tips come from a variety of sources, including a brain scientist who has recovered from brain cancer (Dr. David Servan-Schreiber - if you have not yet read his book, Anticancer, A New Way of Life go get it! It's an excellent read for anyone wishing to prevent cancer, or already dealing with the health challenges cancer presents). Simultaneously, we are all terrified of cancer but somehow in denial that it will ever touch us personally. It's time we look clearly at the rampart cancer rates of the last decade and take as many steps as we can personally to protect our health.

When it comes to this health issue, we are all exposed to radiation in varying degrees, even those of us who do not have a cell phone. In North America, unless you live in the remote wilds and are completely off the grid, you're likely affected, even if from cell towers and criss-crossing signals in the air. Experts are telling us that cordless phones pose similar risks, and it s only as more studies come to completion that the alarming statistics are becoming available. Nonetheless, mobile phones and smart phones are here to stay, so let's do what we can given that reality.

For one thing, most mobile phone manufacturers now offer a protection rating on their phones, as consumers become increasingly aware and concerned. Ask your provider about your specific phone and be sure to check the rating of any phone you buy. Other tips include using a headset rather than putting the phone directly to your ear when talking, and leaving the phone away from your wear until someone answers; according to experts the signal is stronger when the phone is ringing, before it connects. The signal is also stronger when you are between cell towers, so if the connection is bad hang up and try later when it's safer. For children and teens with developing brains, limit cell phone use and if anything, encourage texting over speaking (who ever thought anyone would say that?).

What Boomer Women Should Know About Breast Cancer

2011-08-08T10:03:00.000-07:00

The American Cancer Society expects that 230,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in 2011, 57,650 new cases of CIS (the non-invasive form of breast cancer), and that about 39,520 women will die from breast cancer. That's too many! What should Boomer women know about prevention?

There has been much publicity about Vitamin D of late. Now studies have shown that the mighty vitamin D can also help protect all of us Baby Boomer women against breast cancer.

I encourage every woman to check her vitamin D level regularly and keep it in the optimal range. Based upon the outdated requirements for this important vitamin, which have recently been increased, "normal" is not the same as optimal. Many of us have been told by our physician for years that our vitamin D levels are normal. It's time to get them checked against the newer "optimal" standards.

Most docs today now recommend supplementing with 2,000 IUs of vitamin D3 per day, as well as getting as much from your diet as you can. I know it's hard to get all you need from food. Fatty fish like Salmon, herring, catfish and halibut are good sources, but if you don't like fish it can be difficult to find high levels of this important vitamin in other foods.

There is another easy way to optimize our vitamin D. Make sure you are getting plenty of regular, safe, sun exposure. Believe it or not, the sun is actually the best source of vitamin D. The sun's UVB rays help our bodies manufacture vitamin D in the fat layer under the skin. Our own body can make all the vitamin D we need from regular sun exposure. We should spend about fifteen minutes showing some skin before we put on our sunscreen; exposing the skin is good for us as long as we don't burn.

There is also evidence that Vitamin K not only helps activate proteins that are involved in the structuring of bone mass, which is good news for all of us Baby Boomer women, but recent studies show it also has an anti-cancer effect; vitamin K has been used in the treatment of several different cancers, including breast cancer. You can get your vitamin K in swiss chard, kale, parsley and spinach, broccoli and cauliflower, brussels sprouts, liver, soybean oil and wheat bran. Many more choices here than with vitamin D, however, supplements are also available if you'd prefer.

Dietand Exercise are hugely important in preventing breast cancer. A study published in the " Journal of Clinical Oncology " reinforces previous findings that women with breast cancer greatly reduce their risk of recurrence by eating a healthy, plant-based diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and exercising regularly. This study, conducted by researchers at the University of California, San Diego, tracked dietary patterns and exercise habits of nearly 1,500 women who were diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. Researchers found that the death rate for women who consumed a high-fiber diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and practiced good exercise habits, was 44% lower than the rate for women who exercised little and ate few plant-based foods. Almost half the risk, wow!

You Can Help Combat Breast Cancer

2011-08-08T10:02:00.000-07:00

Thousands of women every year all over the world start the most difficult battle they will ever encounter. These women will spend more time with doctors and in hospitals then most of us spend in an entire lifetime. They endure toxic substances pumped into their bodies on a regular basis in the slim hope it will save their lives. I am speaking of the millions of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer.

Breast cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed of all cancers in women. There has been much money contributed to research for the cure, but there remain thousands of women who will receive this devastating diagnosis. This disease not only affects the patient herself but her family and friends who will suffer along with her.

A lot of us know someone with breast cancer and know first hand how much pain it causes everyone involved. It is unbelievably difficult to stand by and watch a loved one in so much pain and be helpless to offer any relief. The hopelessness one feels is indescribable as they watch their loved one go through the physical and mental stress inherent in patients with breast cancer.

Most women are naturally fixers. It's part of their womanly makeup. So, many of us find it difficult to stand back and do nothing when someone we care for is hurting. Unfortunately, we can't wave our magic wands and make it all better. Since most of us are average people and not scientists or researchers, we'll never find the cure for cancer. But, we can support those who are searching for answers.

All of us have the ability to make a difference in the lives of women suffering from breast cancer. Donating to cancer research positively impacts efforts to create better drugs and possible cures. With enough funding, leading scientist across the country can devote their time and resources to the cause. Donating is easy and varying. You can support cancer research through monetary donations or by donating your time and talents to the more administrative aspects of fundraising. Of course, some people join Susan G. Koman's Race for the Cure, others simply send in pink Yoplait lids.

Those who donate money for research are angels. There are other ways to qualify as an angel. Women with breast cancer rack up huge medical bills which can bankrupt their families. If you know someone with breast cancer and want to help, drop off some groceries or lasagna or homemade scones. Ask them what more they need that you can help with and start a neighborhood crusade to make a positive difference to a family on their own block.

Breast cancer affects millions of women and their families. Thankfully, due to all the money and time donated to cancer research, advances have been made in the treatment of breast cancer. Yet, there are still many women who do not survive. I have known two women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. One beat it and inspires many people by telling her story. Sadly, my other friend did not make it. She left behind a beautiful three year old daughter and an amazing husband. She was one of the most amazing women I have ever had the pleasure of knowing and I support breast cancer research in honor of her. I strongly encourage others to do the same because I want to put an end to the grief. If we all team together, a permanent cure for breast cancer might be just around the corner.

Amazing Discovery in Cancer Research

2011-08-01T10:04:00.000-07:00

It is well known that Cancer is a most atrocious disease, in that it has caused the death of tens of millions of people throughout the world. Indeed, the number of death cause by the disease in the past decade is in the hundreds of millions. Too many people have died from this terrible disease and too many more have been affected. This situation is simply UNACCEPTABLE. Countries should no longer stay indifference to this dehibilitating disease that is wiping out a great number of their population. While there have been great strides and great achievements in the area of Cancer Research, it is imcomprehensible to me why there has not been a solution to this disease.

There is one area of cancer research that has produced some good results. This is in the area of helping cancer patients to reverse the disease by eliminating the cancer cells. Ironically, this same method is also very effective in helping people from developing the disease in the first place. Among the most treatable types of cancer are prostate cancer and breast cancer. This is all done without chemotherapy. Basically scientist have discovered that a compound commonly found in red wine called Resveratrol has helped patients of breast cancer and prostate cancer. Resveratrol is a natural compound that comes from fruits such as grapes, berries, nuts, and others. The source of Resveratrol is very important because it comes in different strengths. Grapes is considered to be the best source of Resveratrol, and the best liquid form of that is in Red Wine.

Another major organ of the body that is helped significantly by Resveratrol is the liver. Liver problems and liver cancer occurs mainly through toxins and chemicals that infects the liver and adversely impact the cells in the liver. This condition does cause the liver to shrink gradually. Resveratrol has been shown to be effective in treating patients with liver problems. It does this by cleaning out the toxins that infects the liver cells and flush them out of the body.

The key to cancer is in the cells, the primary question is: how do you eliminate the tumors without wiping out the entire or a significant amount of cells in the organ? Cellular therapy is therefore in this method better than traditional chemotherapy which kills a significant amount of cells. With Resveratrol, scientists and doctors specializing in the field of cancer treatment are able to produce anti-tumor activity in the affected cell area. In a research published in CANCER LETTERS in Feb 2001, Charis Eng, MD, Ph.D., Chair of the Genomic Medicine Institute of Cleveland Clinic's Lerner Research Institute, led her team to study the effect of combining resveratrol, a chemopreventive drug found in many natural compounds, with rapamycin on breast cancer cells.

Rapamycin has been in clinical trials as a drug for cancer treatment, it has had some effects as a suppresant to tumor growth, but unfortunately, after a while the cancer cells developed a resistance to the drug. So, the scientists in this study combined Resveratrol with Rapamycin in the treatment of breast cancer. The results were very interesting. This is what Dr Eng had to say about the results:

"Our findings show that resveratrol seems to mitigate rapamycin-induced drug resistance in breast cancers, at least in the laboratory. If these observations hold true in the clinic setting, then enjoying a glass of red wine or eating a bowl of boiled peanuts -- which has a higher resveratrol content than red wine -- before rapamycin treatment for cancer might be a prudent approach."

The scientific community has know for years that Resveratrol found in red wine has tremendous benefits for the heart, which explains the low rate of death from heart attacks in European countries like France and Italy, as opposed to Americans. Now, with the finding that this same compound, can help treat breast cancer patients and prostate cancer patients, doctors are now equipped with some natural ways to help reverse the illness and naturally eliminate cancer cells.

Facts You Might Not Be Aware Of About Breast Cancer

2011-08-01T10:03:00.000-07:00

Breast cancer in women has been on the decline and this is being related to more awareness and early screening. Cancer of the breast is the leading cause of death in women followed by lung cancer. More cases of this cancer have been reported in the developed counties compared to the developing countries. Out of every 36 deaths in women, one of them is likely to have died from cancer of the breast. According to the American Cancer Society, around 1.3 million women world wide are diagnosed with the cancer and 465,000 women die due to the disease.

It occurs when the damaged cells or the cells that are supposed to die off start to multiply uncontrollably causing a mass known as a tumor. The tumor can form in the ducts or the lobules in both men and women but more common in women. The best way to detect cancer of the breast early is by going for regular mammograms. This is an x ray of the breast.

Treatment of cancer will depend on the stage, rate of growth of the tumor, its size and the stage. Some of the treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. Treatment can also involve multiple therapies. Early detection of breast cancer is important because treatment will be more effective. This together with proper treatment will also reduce the chances of death from the condition.

According to statistics by the National Cancer Institute, although all women can get breast cancer, the risk is higher with not only age but also race. 77% of reported cases of cancer of the breast are usually of women over the age of 50. They also conclude that;

Cancer of the breast is likely to be detected late in African American women making their death rates higher compared to white women. However, the death rates for white women over the age of 70 are higher than those of African women of the same age.

In the United States, white, African American women and Hawaiian women have the highest incidences of developing invasive breast cancer compared to Vietnamese, Korean and American Indian women.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, white women have the highest incidences of this cancer followed by black, Hispanic, Asian and American Indians. Black women have the higher rates of death from the cancer followed by white, Hispanic, American Indians and Asian women.

Breast Cancer And How It Can Be Diagnosed

2011-07-17T10:06:00.000-07:00

The diagnosis of breast cancer is made only after all careful and thorough examinations of both breasts have been done. Usually both physical, radiographic or infra-red and laboratory examinations are carried out before arriving at a conclusive diagnosis. These have to be examined by the doctor who would decide whether the cells are normal or distorted by cancerous growth.

Physical examination
This is usually done by checking both breasts to see if there are abnormalities in their shape, size, colour, etc. They are checked for unusual rashes, lumps, dimpling, nodules, etc. The nipples may be squeezed to check for fluid discharge.

Besides, should there be any lump (whether small or big), the shape and texture is checked to be sure if it is benign or malignant cancer. Malignant lumps are likely to be hard, firmly attached and odd, whereas benign tumours are likely to be movable, soft and smooth.

Mammography
This is the radiographic or infra-red examination of the breasts to detect abnormalities. Abnormalities to look out for include lumps or precancerous cells. It is advisable for women who are already 40 years or older to have mammograms every 1 or 2 years. This usually helps to detect any strange development even before they become palpable or visible to the naked eyes.

Mammothermography
This is another way of detecting cancerous cells. It involves measuring the amount of heat given off by the breast, using infra-red photography. Usually the amount of blood supplied to the cancerous cells is higher than that supplied to the surrounding normal cells. This method can be used for the early detection of breast cancer.

Biopsy
This is the removal of some tissues of breast for special examination for the purpose of diagnosing breast cancer. This can either be aspiration, excisional, needle or punch biopsy.

Ultrasound
Ultrasound are ultrasonic waves used for the examination of interior organs of the body. This can also be used to determine whether the lump felt on palpation of the breasts is cancerous or not. The computer pictures produced would show the type of lump, if it is solid or just a cyst.

Laboratory investigations
Apart from the afore-mentioned examinations, laboratory investigations could be ordered to determine the actual cause of the cancer. Some of the tests that could be done include hormone receptor test to determine if the tumour is caused by oestrogen or progesterone or both; and HER2/neu test to determine whether the tumour is caused by HER2/neu protein.

However, diagnosis should not be made in haste until all necessary investigations are carried out. This is because some conditions of the breast may resemble cancer: to avoid wrong diagnosis and danger arising from the application of wrong therapy, thorough investigations have to be done. After the investigations, the results are interpreted by the doctor before prescription of drugs and treatments are commenced.

'Triple Negative' Breast Cancer

2011-07-16T10:05:00.000-07:00

Breast cancers are not all the same and they behave differently. To effectively target breast cancer cells with the right therapy requires that we identify the cancer subtype. By knowing the subtype and which genes the cancer expresses, we know which drugs to use, as different receptors accept different drugs.

While some subtypes lend themselves well to very specific targeted types of treatment, Triple Negative Breast Cancers (TNBCs) do not. TNBCs do, however, respond to other types of treatment. This article looks at the population that is most likely to be in the TNBC group.

Breast cancer tissue is typically tested for specific receptors to estrogen, progesterone, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (her2-neu). The presence of any of these receptors, allows for targeted therapy. Targeted therapy utilizes drugs that recognize these receptors, thereby affecting only those cancer cells.

Estrogen or progesterone receptors are treated with what is called endocrine therapy. The most recognized drug used to target either of these receptors is tamoxifen. In post-menopausal women, drugs called aromastase inhibitors (Arimidex, Femara, Aromasin) perform a similar task of essentially blocking the bodies own estrogen from binding to and stimulating cancer cells that may be circulating in the body or at the site of the original tumor.

The presence of these receptors is a favorable prognostic indicator. The presence of the HER2 receptor is actually a poor prognostic indicator, suggesting a more aggressive disease. A relatively recent breakthrough in breast cancer treatment was the discovery of Herceptin, a drug that targets this receptor. While still suggesting more aggressive disease, the use of Herceptin, along with chemotherapy, has had a remarkably positive impact on the treatment of those cancers that posses this receptor.

Triple Negative Breast Cancers (TNBC), don't have any of these receptors. Thus, there is no effective targeted therapy. 10-20% of all invasive breast cancers are 'Triple Negative'. Younger women and African American women are more likely to develop this subtype of breast cancer.

In addition, women with a BRCA1 mutation are more likely to be 'triple negative'. In fact, the diagnosis of TNBC is now an indication to consider genetic testing. In addition, these subtypes of breast cancers respond differently to therapies. TNBC's tend to respond very well to chemotherapy. Thus, the indications for chemotherapy in this subgroup tends to include even small, lymph-node-negative patients.

Ginger Eases Inflammation Linked To Colon Cancer

2011-07-15T10:10:00.000-07:00

In its long history of medicinal use, ginger is known as an antiseptic and an immune system booster with anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. It is used to relieve nausea, cold, flu, stomach discomfort, dizziness and joint pain. The therapeutic properties of ginger stem from its antioxidant effects and an ability to prevent the formation of inflammatory compounds, thanks to some of its bioactive phenolics, such as gingerols, paradols, shogaols, gingerones and zingerones.

Phenolic compounds are plant metabolites found in abundance throughout the plant kingdom. Their natural antioxidant properties have been linked to their protective role against against oxidative damage such as coronary heart disease, stroke, and cancers. Phenolic compounds are essential for the growth and reproduction of plants, and they are produced as a response for defending injured plants against pathogens.

Modern scientific research is showing support of ginger's exhibition of healing properties which could help reduce the risk of colon cancer.

Ginger Prevents Inflammation In The Colon

Colon cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in men and women. Inflammation in the colon has been implicated in previous studies as a precursor to colon cancer. In animal studies, ginger inhibits different enzymes like LOX (lipoxygenases) and COX (cyclooxygenases) which play a role in the formation of eicosanoids enzymes (example prostaglandins) known to cause inflammation in the gut.

A research recently reported on Cancer Prevention Research found that people who consumed two grams of a ginger root supplement had their level of inflammation in the colon significantly reduced.

The study authors suggest 2 grams of ginger root in supplement form (which is equivalent to around 20 grams of raw ginger root), or about 2 tablespoons of fresh ginger with a meal.

Add Fresh Ginger To Your Food

As more people are looking for natural ways and means to prevent cancer and improve the quality of their lives without depending on drugs, whole foods like ginger will continue to remain in the spotlight as its healing activities are studied.

Just as ginger is a popular ingredient in Asian dishes, you too can incorporate it daily into your cooking. Cut or grate fresh ginger and add it to your stew, fried dishes or soups. You can also marinate meat with grated ginger. If you cook rice using a rice cooker or on the stove, put in ginger (sliced or chopped) as the rice is cooking or steaming to allow the ginger aroma to penetrate. Try a cup of ginger tea too, simply by cutting a few slices infused in hot water.

A 5-Minute Screening Test Could Stop Colon Cancer

2011-07-15T10:09:00.000-07:00

Colon cancer, also commonly referred to as colorectal or bowel cancer occurs in the colon, an area starting from the large intestine to the rectum (end of the colon). There are virtually no obvious warning signs of bowel cancer in its early stages. Around nine in ten cases of colon cancer occur in people aged 55 and above.

According to a study that spanned eleven years and involved more than 170,000 participants, UK researchers found that men and women aged between fifty-five and sixty-four who had undergone a screening with a single flexible sigmoidscopy, had their risk of colon cancer reduced, compared to those who did not receive the same screening. To date, no other colon cancer screening has shown such results.

What is The Flex-Scope Test and How Does it Work?

The screening test is called the Flexi-Scope test, and it takes about five minutes to complete. Though short, taking this could essentially reduce the occurrence of this disease by a third and the number of people dying from colon cancer.

It is a painless procedure that uses a flexible plastic or metal tube (sigmoidoscopy) to insert into the rectum to examine the lower part of the colon, known as the sigmoid. The tube has a light source and a tiny optic camera at the end to detect any polyp (or fleshy growth) or inflamed tissue found along the bowel wall.

The main objective of this screening is to find polyps early so that they can be removed as soon as possible before they get the chance to become cancerous. Polyps can remain harmless but because colon cancer can begin from a polyp so speedy removal is deemed as a preventive measure.

At present, the standard method for screening colon cancer involves the faecal blood test which looks for traces of blood in stools that naked to the eye. This blood test is still very much essential to detect areas of the colon where the Flexi-Scope is unable to reach.

Difference Between Sigmoidoscopy and Colonscopy

The Flexi-Scope does sound very similar to a colonscopy since both involves inserting a tube to view the inner lining. However the main difference lies with the scope of the view. A colonoscopy lets the doctor see the entire colon while a sigmoidoscopy focuses the view specifically on the sigmoid colon or the lower third of the colon. A sigmoidoscopy takes less time to complete and requires less preparation as compared to a colonscopy.

How to Diagnose and Treat Lymphoma Cancer?

2011-07-10T10:14:00.000-07:00

The lymph system is a tubular structure branching out to all the parts of the body and is vital to fight infections. Lymph is a colorless fluid that contains white blood cells (lymphocytes) and is carried by the lymph system.

There are various types of lymphoma cancers and hence, answering a question, how to diagnose and treat lymphoma is a great challenge. The most common type of lymphoma and the term that is used interchangeably is Hodgkins disease and the rest of the types are known as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Diagnosis:

Although, there are several symptoms of lymphoma cancer, but they may be similar to any other illness, making it difficult to suspect the diagnosis of lymphoma.

Some symptoms are:

    * Swelling of the lymph nodes
    * Fatigue feeling
    * Weight loss
    * Recurrent fever
    * Night sweats

Once a patient experiences symptoms, he/she may consult a physician, who may carry out the diagnostic procedure to confirm the disease. The diagnosis will be based upon:

    * Thorough physical examination of the patient
    * Inquiry about the complete personal and family history
    * Physically examining the lymph nodes for any abnormalities present
    * Biopsy test to confirm about the malignancy present in the lymph nodes
    * Chest x-ray to verify any enlargement of the lymph nodes in the chest
    * Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI) or Computer Tomography (CT) scan
    * Ultrasound examination

After the diagnosis is done and the lymphoma cancer is confirmed, then the patient may further undergo a few tests to detect the exact stage of the disease.

Cancer Treatment:

    * Radiation Therapy - Powerful x-rays or any such radiations may be used to treat the lymphoma cancer. The radiations are directed to kill the abnormal cancerous cells either by internal or external radiation therapy. However, pregnant women are not eligible for radiation therapy until delivery.

    * Chemotherapy - This therapy uses anti-cancer drugs to destroy the malignant cells in the lymph system. The therapy may be administered through mouth, intravenously or placing directly into the cerebrospinal fluid. Although, chemotherapy may be observed in pregnant women, close watch is required to see any danger to the fetus.

    * Vaccine Therapy - This is a new treatment technique used to treat lymphoma. This technique aims at strengthening body's immunity to fight the cancerous cells. The medications used are directed to restore the immune system and boost its defense against the malignancies.

    * High-dose chemotherapy in combination with stem cell transplant is another treatment option lately being considered. The technique is to replace the destroyed blood-forming stem cells in the patient with the donor stem cells.

Lymphoma cancer is type of cancer that affects the lymph system of the body. There are around 35 and more types of this cancer. Hence, how to diagnose and treat lymphoma cancer is a challenge for medical professionals. Like any other cancer, early detection and prompt treatment are vital.

Colon Cancer - Many Factors Contribute Greatly to the Occurrence of Colon Cancer

2011-07-10T10:12:00.000-07:00

Modern lives present many of the ease and speed in fulfilling the needs of human life, have affected change in lifestyle for some people. Fast food and high fat foods that were encountered, causing some people are less interested in eating natural foods that require a long process, but these foods contain a lot of substance that are beneficial to health.

Busyness and adequate transportation facilities to support day-to-day activities, also causes some people exercise less movement or exercising so that the processes of digestion and metabolism to go slowly.

The things mentioned above are some of the many factors that contribute to colon cancer. Thus, wrong diet such as lack of fiber diet, sedentary lifestyle / exercise, exposure to carcinogenic substances, and a history of hereditary type of disease, believed to be a risk factor for colon cancer.

One way of dealing with colon cancer is surgery with removal of colon cancer in a hospital, followed by making a hole (stoma) in the abdominal wall to remove dirt. Installation of the stoma is temporary and there is no settled for a lifetime. For those who must be installed for a lifetime, most likely will affect aspects of life patient physical, psychological, social, and spiritual. In other words, it will also impact on satisfaction, happiness, and quality of life of patients.

Installation of intestinal stoma is seen as a burden of stress that can affect quality of life in many dimensions. Initially, patients feel discomfort, embarrassment, pain, anxiety, and other problems. If the ability to adapt is insufficient, patients could not rule out the possibility of despair, depression, and falls on the poor health conditions. This will reduce the survival of patients. Colostomy (a type of stoma) has a very serious negative impact on quality of life of patients. While other studies have found that the stoma affects the limitations of daily activity and social interaction.

Some people still think that cancer makes a huge life crisis. The reactions in some people with cancer vary widely, for example shock, fear, anxiety, grief, anger, sadness, and until there is a shut down.

These reactions are very human and are the parts of life that everyone must face. Feelings of anxiety in cancer patients because they fear the impact it had, such as changes in body image and death. Feelings of anxiety are not the only complaint that most felt by the patient, stress may also be felt by them.

Feelings of anxiety can occur due to excessive stress that haunts the patient. Under conditions of suffering from cancer, the patient will feel angry in response to feelings of anxiety which he considered as a threat. Excessive anxiety of death could result in disruption of the treatment process.

How to Detect Bowel Cancer Symptoms

2011-07-10T10:11:00.000-07:00

Bowel cancer or colorectal cancer is the most common internal cancer that occurs in humans. Bowel cancer is also the second most frequent cause of death after lung cancer. Typically, bowel cancer occurs in the colon (large intestine) and the rectum (back passage). However, in some very small number of cases of this disease, it can also occur in the small intestine. Frequently, the colorectal cancer develops from polyps that grow inside the lining of the intestine wall. When the polyps become malignant, they turn into cancer. Untreated, bowel cancer can grow through the wall of the intestine and spread to other parts of the body.

While death mostly occurs in advanced stages of this disease, the chances for recovery for this cancer are very high if it is detected in its early stages. The success of the recovery can be more than 90% of all cases. Early symptoms of bowel cancer resemble minor intestinal problems such as constipation, gas, and so forth. It is very important for you to notice any changes in your bowel habits and digestion and seek medical help...

If you have any of the following symptoms for three weeks or longer, it could be a sign of colorectal cancer, and you should see your doctor immediately. These symptoms include:

- Rectal bleeding

Your back passage bleeds without any apparent reason. The blood can be found in your stool or on your toilet paper following a bowel movement. Along with that, you may also find other symptoms such as lumps, itchiness, straining and soreness around the rectum. Hemorrhoids can also cause these same symptoms. Make a habit to look into the bowl prior to flushing to watch for these symptoms.

- Changes in bowel movement habits

You may experience constant constipation or diarrhea due to the disturbance of muscles. Constipation is usually followed by a feeling of not feeling completely empty even when you already have passed the stool. Meanwhile, diarrhea causes more frequent bowel movements and often with lots of clear, jelly-like mucus.

- Pain in abdominal area

Abdominal pain can be constant or periodic. For some people, it lingers and does not go away. For some others, it comes and goes at unexpected times. When the pain becomes serious, you should contact your physician to get immediate help.

- Anemia

If you bleed often while passing a stool, there is a chance you suffer from anemia. This shows up as unexpected fatigue and breathlessness.

- A lump found in your abdomen or tummy, especially on the right side.

- Unexplained and unexpected weight loss; often along with an unexplained loss of appetite.

Let Me Get This Out Of The Way

2011-07-04T10:17:00.000-07:00

There seems to be an elephant in the room. People ask me about it, and I ignore the question most of the time just because I don' want it to be the thing that defines me. First off, let me say I have no expiration date stamped on my forehead. I have no plans to go anywhere anytime soon.

I'll try not to be too graphic when I talk about the medical aspects of this thing, but as most of my friends and relatives are doctors, nurses and cops, I'm pretty sure you can deal with it. Like me, you've all seen and experienced much worse.

I have stage 4 prostate cancer. Stage 4 means it has left the primary region and affected distant locations in the body. In my case the bone. I have a biopsied confirmation in my spine at L2/L3. There are other locations that the doctors are calling "suspicious". What suspicious means is that "we don't really have to biopsy it because we already know what we will find, so there isn't any need to poke you full of holes". Those locations are my hips, knees, shoulders and ribs. I'm not going to go into the whole "life expectancy" thing because it doesn't matter, no one knows. I have the same amount of time as you do, the "rest" of my life. You could get hit by a bus tomorrow, so anything past that is just a gift, right? There are "averages", but they are really broad. Somewhere between 2 and 10 years depending on treatment. Well, pretty much anyone at my age could say that so, what difference does it make.

I feel fine. Really! I have no pain to speak of. For about 4 days after chemo I feel like crap. I can barely leave the bedroom. Then after that for a few days, I can barely leave the bathroom. Well, except to stagger to the sofa and lay back down. After that, the worst thing is just chronic fatigue. I am tired all the time. I do something, anything for a few minutes, and I have to sit down and rest. I seem to spend a lot of time sitting in parking lots trying to catch my breath before going in or out of a building. They tell me that that feeling will go away a couple of months after chemo ends.

I can't taste salt anymore. Everything I eat seems flat and bland. It's hard to really enjoy food.

Sometimes I get this flavor in my mouth like I've been sucking on a copper penny. Metallic, not very tasty. I'm not complaining though, at least it's a flavor.

I'm not losing weight, but I am getting smaller from not eating as much. Not sure how that happens, but my weight has stayed pretty consistent, although my clothes are looser. I'm probably the only guy around who, while nauseas, thinks about what I'm going to eat when I'm no longer nauseas. The first day of chemo is okay. The negative effects don't usually start for 24 to 48 hours.

I still run errands, do chores around the house when I feel up to it and I try to keep occupied. It's important to have something to do. If I didn't, I'd spend too much time thinking about my situation. I would love to get back to work. I hate sitting around the house all the time. I miss my job. I never realized I would miss it until I wasn't going anymore. I can't wait to get back.

I read a lot. All the things that interest me. Art, statistical mathematics, computer science, medicine, philosophy, religion and history. I buy exercise books and pretend I'm actually going to use them someday.