Doctors Cancer Specialists

Trends Cancer | Breast cancer husband

2009-04-27T21:49:00.000-07:00

Region Trends Cancer

1. United States
2. Canada
3. Australia
4. United Kingdom
5. India
6. Mexico
7. Venezuela
8. Peru
9. Chile
10. Spain

Source : google

Indonesia cancer desease

2009-04-27T18:24:00.000-07:00

Indonesia cancer desease
what is cancer ?
cancer is desease

Oral Cancer - Causes, Symptoms and Treatments | breast cancer husband

2009-04-25T22:42:00.000-07:00

Oral cancer is generally described as cancer of head and neck. It can affect any part of the mouth like tongue, cheeks, lips, hard palate, soft palate, floor of the tongue, internal lining of the cheeks, gums, lymph nodes etc. the most common form of oral cancer is squamous cell carcinoma which affects the flat skin like lining of the mouth. 90% mouth cancer patients have been detected with this form of mouth cancer.
There are other types of oral cancers affecting different areas of the mouth like the salivary gland cancer affecting the saliva producing gland, lymphoma which is caused in lymph around the tonsils and base of tongue and melanoma affecting the skin pigmentation cells around the mouth and lips.
Causes:
The causes of skin cancer are many and can't be restricted to anything in particular. Few major causes of oral tumor are smoking (cigarettes, pipe, hand rolled cigarettes like bidis or the one containing canabis) , alcohol, chewing of tobacco, beetlenut, gutka or pan, UV rays from sun which affects lips or pale skin and at times previous cancer which might reoccur. Other probable causes are poor dietary habits lacking essentially zinc, vitamin A, C, E, selenium .infection from HPV (human papilloma virus) which generally infects vulva, vagina and cervix.
Symptom:
The symptoms for oral cancer are very general which might sometimes turn out to be some other disease but nevertheless it is better to go to a dentist or a general physician or ENT specialist to rule out any possibility. The few visible symptoms are: white or red patch on the lips, inside of the mouth or around mouth which has been there for long , loose teeth, bleeding from mouth, soreness of lips and tongue, swelling in mouth, swelling in throat, ulcer of mouth and lips, a lump or thickening of lips mouth or tongue.
Treatment:
After mouth cancer has been established using X- Rays, MRI scan, endoscopy, CT scan and biopsy confirms the multiplicity of cells then the medical practitioner suggests treatment based on the physical stat and age of the patient, extent of infection and location of infection. Radiotherapy is commonly used method where radiation is used to destroy the cancerous cell in the affected area. At times surgery is performed to insert radioactive pellets in or around the tumor which gradually destroys the infected cells.
Surgery is another method used to remove the tumor from the infected area. It may be performed before or after radiotherapy. Chemotherapy is another treatment used for destroying cancerous cells. Anti cancerous drugs are used to shrink the tumor and later on surgery is performed to remove the infection. Time period of treatment and the strength of the medicine are dependent on the extent of infection.
Oral cancer is very common and can be avoided by taking care of ones lifestyle. Excessive intake of alcohol and cigarettes etc should be avoided. Chewing of tobacco should be strictly avoided and nutritious food should be incorporated in daily diet. After all health is wealth.
To Your Health!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_S._Pendergraft

A to Z List of Cancers | breast cancer husband

2009-04-25T22:35:00.000-07:00

A
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, ChildhoodAcute Myeloid Leukemia, AdultAcute Myeloid Leukemia, ChildhoodAdrenocortical Carcinoma Adrenocortical Carcinoma, ChildhoodAIDS-Related CancersAIDS-Related LymphomaAnal CancerAppendix CancerAstrocytoma, Childhood CerebellarAstrocytoma, Childhood CerebralAtypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumor, Childhood, Central Nervous System

B
Basal Cell Carcinoma, see Skin Cancer (Nonmelanoma)Bile Duct Cancer, ExtrahepaticBladder CancerBladder Cancer, ChildhoodBone Cancer, Osteosarcoma and Malignant Fibrous HistiocytomaBrain Stem Glioma, ChildhoodBrain Tumor, AdultBrain Tumor, Brain Stem Glioma, ChildhoodBrain Tumor, Central Nervous System Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumor, ChildhoodBrain Tumor, Central Nervous System Embryonal Tumors, Childhood (See What Are Childhood Central Nervous System Embryonal Tumors?)Brain Tumor, Cerebellar Astrocytoma, ChildhoodBrain Tumor, Cerebral Astrocytoma/Malignant Glioma, ChildhoodBrain Tumor, Craniopharyngioma, ChildhoodBrain Tumor, Ependymoblastoma, Childhood (See What Are Childhood Central Nervous System Embryonal Tumors?)Brain Tumor, Ependymoma, ChildhoodBrain Tumor, Medulloblastoma, ChildhoodBrain Tumor, Medulloepithelioma, Childhood (See What Are Childhood Central Nervous System Embryonal Tumors?)Brain Tumor, Pineal Parenchymal Tumors of Intermediate Differentiation, Childhood (See What Are Childhood Central Nervous System Embryonal Tumors?)Brain Tumor, Supratentorial Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumors and Pineoblastoma, ChildhoodBrain Tumor, Visual Pathway and Hypothalamic Glioma, ChildhoodBrain and Spinal Cord Tumors, Childhood (Other)Breast Cancer Breast Cancer and Pregnancy Breast Cancer, ChildhoodBreast Cancer, MaleBronchial Tumors, ChildhoodBurkitt Lymphoma

C
Carcinoid Tumor, ChildhoodCarcinoid Tumor,GastrointestinalCarcinoma of Unknown PrimaryCentral Nervous System Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumor, ChildhoodCentral Nervous System Embryonal Tumors, Childhood (See What Are Childhood Central Nervous System Embryonal Tumors?)Central Nervous System Lymphoma, PrimaryCerebellar Astrocytoma, ChildhoodCerebral Astrocytoma/Malignant Glioma, ChildhoodCervical CancerCervical Cancer, ChildhoodChildhood CancersChordoma, ChildhoodChronic Lymphocytic LeukemiaChronic Myelogenous LeukemiaChronic Myeloproliferative DisordersColon CancerColorectal Cancer, ChildhoodCraniopharyngioma, ChildhoodCutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma, see Mycosis Fungoides and Sézary Syndrome

D
[No Entries]

E
Embryonal Tumors, Central Nervous System, Childhood (See What Are Childhood Central Nervous System Embryonal Tumors?)Endometrial CancerEpendymoblastoma, Childhood (See What Are Childhood Central Nervous System Embryonal Tumors?)Ependymoma, ChildhoodEsophageal CancerEsophageal Cancer, ChildhoodEwing Family of TumorsExtracranial Germ Cell Tumor, ChildhoodExtragonadal Germ Cell TumorExtrahepatic Bile Duct CancerEye Cancer, Intraocular MelanomaEye Cancer, Retinoblastoma

F
[No Entries]

G
Gallbladder CancerGastric (Stomach) CancerGastric (Stomach) Cancer, ChildhoodGastrointestinal Carcinoid TumorGastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST)Gastrointestinal Stromal Cell Tumor, ChildhoodGerm Cell Tumor, Extracranial, ChildhoodGerm Cell Tumor, ExtragonadalGerm Cell Tumor, OvarianGestational Trophoblastic TumorGlioma, AdultGlioma, Childhood Brain StemGlioma, Childhood Cerebral AstrocytomaGlioma, Childhood Visual Pathway and Hypothalamic

H
Hairy Cell LeukemiaHead and Neck CancerHepatocellular (Liver) Cancer, Adult (Primary)Hepatocellular (Liver) Cancer, Childhood (Primary)Hodgkin Lymphoma, AdultHodgkin Lymphoma, ChildhoodHypopharyngeal CancerHypothalamic and Visual Pathway Glioma, Childhood

I
Intraocular MelanomaIslet Cell Tumors (Endocrine Pancreas)

J
[No Entries]

K
Kaposi SarcomaKidney (Renal Cell) CancerKidney Cancer, Childhood

L
Laryngeal CancerLaryngeal Cancer, ChildhoodLeukemia, Acute Lymphoblastic, AdultLeukemia, Acute Lymphoblastic, ChildhoodLeukemia, Acute Myeloid, AdultLeukemia, Acute Myeloid, ChildhoodLeukemia, Chronic LymphocyticLeukemia, Chronic MyelogenousLeukemia, Hairy CellLip and Oral Cavity CancerLiver Cancer, Adult (Primary)Liver Cancer, Childhood (Primary)Lung Cancer, Non-Small CellLung Cancer, Small CellLymphoma, AIDS-RelatedLymphoma, BurkittLymphoma, Cutaneous T-Cell, see Mycosis Fungoides and Sézary SyndromeLymphoma, Hodgkin, AdultLymphoma, Hodgkin, ChildhoodLymphoma, Non-Hodgkin, AdultLymphoma, Non-Hodgkin, ChildhoodLymphoma, Primary Central Nervous System

M
Macroglobulinemia, WaldenströmMalignant Fibrous Histiocytoma of Bone and OsteosarcomaMedulloblastoma, ChildhoodMedulloepithelioma, Childhood (See What Are Childhood Central Nervous System Embryonal Tumors?)MelanomaMelanoma, Intraocular (Eye)Merkel Cell CarcinomaMesothelioma, Adult MalignantMesothelioma, ChildhoodMetastatic Squamous Neck Cancer with Occult PrimaryMouth CancerMultiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndrome, ChildhoodMultiple Myeloma/Plasma Cell NeoplasmMycosis FungoidesMyelodysplastic SyndromesMyelodysplastic/Myeloproliferative DiseasesMyelogenous Leukemia, ChronicMyeloid Leukemia, Adult AcuteMyeloid Leukemia, Childhood AcuteMyeloma, MultipleMyeloproliferative Disorders, Chronic

N
Nasal Cavity and Paranasal Sinus CancerNasopharyngeal CancerNasopharyngeal Cancer, ChildhoodNeuroblastomaNon-Hodgkin Lymphoma, AdultNon-Hodgkin Lymphoma, ChildhoodNon-Small Cell Lung Cancer

O
Oral Cancer, ChildhoodOral Cavity Cancer, Lip andOropharyngeal CancerOsteosarcoma and Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma of BoneOvarian Cancer, ChildhoodOvarian Epithelial CancerOvarian Germ Cell TumorOvarian Low Malignant Potential Tumor

P
Pancreatic CancerPancreatic Cancer, ChildhoodPancreatic Cancer, Islet Cell TumorsPapillomatosis, ChildhoodParanasal Sinus and Nasal Cavity CancerParathyroid CancerPenile CancerPharyngeal CancerPheochromocytomaPineal Parenchymal Tumors of Intermediate Differentiation, Childhood (See What Are Childhood Central Nervous System Embryonal Tumors?)Pineoblastoma and Supratentorial Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumors, ChildhoodPituitary TumorPlasma Cell Neoplasm/Multiple MyelomaPleuropulmonary BlastomaPregnancy and Breast CancerPrimary Central Nervous System LymphomaProstate Cancer

Q
[No Entries]

R
Rectal CancerRenal Cell (Kidney) CancerRenal Cell (Kidney) Cancer, ChildhoodRenal Pelvis and Ureter, Transitional Cell CancerRespiratory Tract Carcinoma Involving the NUT Gene on Chromosome 15RetinoblastomaRhabdomyosarcoma, Childhood

S
Salivary Gland CancerSalivary Gland Cancer, ChildhoodSarcoma, Ewing Family of TumorsSarcoma, KaposiSarcoma, Soft Tissue, AdultSarcoma, Soft Tissue, ChildhoodSarcoma, UterineSézary SyndromeSkin Cancer (Nonmelanoma)Skin Cancer, ChildhoodSkin Cancer (Melanoma)Skin Carcinoma, Merkel CellSmall Cell Lung CancerSmall Intestine CancerSoft Tissue Sarcoma, AdultSoft Tissue Sarcoma, ChildhoodSquamous Cell Carcinoma, see Skin Cancer (Nonmelanoma)Squamous Neck Cancer with Occult Primary, MetastaticStomach (Gastric) CancerStomach (Gastric) Cancer, ChildhoodSupratentorial Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumors, Childhood

T
T-Cell Lymphoma, Cutaneous, see Mycosis Fungoides and Sézary SyndromeTesticular CancerThroat CancerThymoma and Thymic CarcinomaThymoma and Thymic Carcinoma, ChildhoodThyroid CancerThyroid Cancer, ChildhoodTransitional Cell Cancer of the Renal Pelvis and UreterTrophoblastic Tumor, Gestational

U
Unknown Primary Site, Carcinoma of, AdultUnknown Primary Site, Cancer of, ChildhoodUnusual Cancers of ChildhoodUreter and Renal Pelvis, Transitional Cell CancerUrethral CancerUterine Cancer, EndometrialUterine Sarcoma

V
Vaginal CancerVaginal Cancer, ChildhoodVisual Pathway and Hypothalamic Glioma, ChildhoodVulvar Cancer

W
Waldenström MacroglobulinemiaWilms TumorWomen's Cancers

X
[No Entries]

Y
[No Entries]

Z
[No Entries]

source : cancer gov

What is Cancer? | breast cancer husband

2009-04-25T22:26:00.000-07:00

Cancer is not a single disease with a single cause or cure. Cancer is the result when cells divide uncontrollably and invade other nearby tissue in the body. Cancer spreads through the body by way of blood circulation or by the clear fluid that travels through the lymphatic system and carries cells that help fight infections and other diseases.
There are more than 100 types of cancers, but they are divided into the following main categories:
1. Carcinoma: Carcinoma is cancer that begins on the skin or in tissues that line or cover the internal organs.
2. Sarcoma: Sarcoma is cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective tissue.
3. Leukemia: Leukemia is cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced that then enter the bloodstream.
4. Lymphoma and myeloma: Lymphoma and myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells that make up the immune system.
The body is made up of many different types of cells. Cells grow and divide in a normal and controlled way to produce more cells as they are needed. When cells get old or are damaged, they die and then they are replaced with new cells.
When this normal process goes wrong (the genetic material - DNA - of a cell becomes damaged or changed) the body begins producing mutations that affect normal cell growth. The result is that cells don't die when they should, and new cells form when the body doesn't need them. These extra and mutated cells then can form a mass of tissue that is called a tumor.
All tumors are not cancerous. Most tumors are benign. "Benign" means that the tumor is not cancerous. Tumors that are cancerous are called "malignant" tumors.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Milos_Pesic

Vulvar Cancer - Information On Vulvar Cancer | breast cancer husband

2009-04-25T22:10:00.000-07:00

Vulvar cancer is a relatively rare diagnosis, representing about 5% of all gynecologic cancers, and only about 1% of all female cancers in general. There are about 3,500 new cases reported annually in the US and approximately 900 death a year attributed to this disease. The incidence of vulvar cancers has remained stable over the past two decades but the rates of precancerous lesions has more than doubled over the same period of time. The cause for the growing number of cases is not well-understood.
Vulvar cancer is most common in women over 50 years of age. Additional risk factors for vulvar cancer include having multiple sexual partners, cervical cancer, and the presence of chronic vaginal and vulvar inflammations. This typeof cancer is often associated with sexually transmitted diseases.
The vulva is the skin and fatty tissue between the upper thighs of women, from the area of the anus to about an inch below the pubic hairline. Cancer of the vulva most often affects the two skin folds (or lips) around the vagina, known as the labia.
Vulvar cancer is a rare type of cancer. It forms in a woman's external genitals, called the vulva. The cancer usually develops slowly over several years. First, precancerous cells grow on vulvar skin. This is called vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN), or dysplasia. Not all VIN cases turn into cancer, but it is best to treat it early.
Vulvar cancer forms in a woman's external genitalia. The vulva includes the inner and outer lips of the vagina, the clitoris (sensitive tissue between the lips), and the opening of the vagina and its glands. Vulvar cancer is a rare disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the vulva.
At the front of the vagina, the labia minora meet to form a fold or small hood of skin called the prepuce. Beneath it lies the clitoris, an approximately ¾-inch structure of highly sensitive tissue that becomes swollen with blood during sexual stimulation. At the lower end, just beneath the vaginal opening, is the fourchette, where the labia minora meet. Beyond the fourchette is the anus, the opening to the rectum. The space between the vagina and the anus is called the perineum.
Most women with cancer of the vulva are over age 50. However, it is becoming more common in women under age 40. Women who have constant itching and changes in the color and the way the vulva looks are at a high risk to get cancer of the vulva. A doctor should be seen if there is bleeding or discharge not related to menstruation (periods), severe burning/itching or pain in the vulva, or if the skin of the vulva looks white and feels rough.
Vulvar cancer is usually treated with surgery. The type of surgery depends on the size, depth and spread of the cancer. Your doctor will review all the options for surgery and the pros and cons of each option. Some people may also need radiation therapy.
It is best treated by excision or sometimes by laser evaporation. If a large area is involved and must be removed, then a skin graft can be applied. These premalignant conditions are likely to recur after treatment so continued follow up is a necessity. Another condition that can occur on the vulva and also cause itching and soreness is called lichen sclerosis. It is not a premalignant change, but an atrophy of the skin. It will not be improved by anti-yeast medications either. It can be diagnosed by biopsy.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Corwin_Brown

What is Vaginal Cancer? | breast cancer husband

2009-04-25T22:06:00.000-07:00

Vaginal cancer is not a common cancer. Vaginal cancer is cancer that begins in the vagina. There are two basic types of vaginal cancer:
* Squamous cell carcinoma is cancer that forms in squamous cells. Squamous cell vaginal cancer spreads slowly and usually stays near the vagina without spreading, but it is possible for it to spread to the lungs and liver. This is the most common type of vaginal cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma is usually found in women that are 60 years old or older.
* Adenocarcinoma is cancer that begins in glandular cells. Adenocarcinoma is much more likely than squamous cell cancer to spread to the lungs and lymph nodes. Adenocarcinoma is usually diagnosed in women who are 30 years old or younger.
The most serious and significant risk factor for developing either type of vaginal cancer is exposure to the drug DES (Diethylstilbestrol). DES is a synthetic hormone that was given to pregnant women between 1940 and 1971. It was believed that DES would prevent miscarriages. It is possible (maybe probable) that DES will increase the risk of uterine, ovarian, or breast cancer in women who took it, and DES has also has been linked to an increased risk of clear cell carcinoma of the vagina or cervix in daughters exposed to DES before birth.
We also know that exposure to the human papilloma virus (HPV) or having an HPV infection is a real risk factor for developing vaginal cancer. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) recently approved the use of the vaccine, Gardisil, for girls and women between the ages of 9 and 26. This vaccine is administered in the form of three shots given over a six-month period. Gardisil has proven very effective and perfectly safe.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Milos_Pesic

Lung Cancer Through the Quad Transfer | trachea cancer | breast cancer husband

2009-04-25T22:01:00.000-07:00

Lung cancer, not only in the primary site continue to grow and spread, but also often through the lymphatic and Xuelu transferred to the local lymph nodes and other body organs. The incidence of lung cancer more often concealed, early often no obvious symptoms, easily overlooked, and even some long-distance transfer of patients has occurred, is still not confirmed, the understanding of the characteristics of the transfer of lung cancer, lung cancer diagnosis and treatment will also be Helpful.
Direct spread
Lung cancer from bronchial occurred along the infiltration of bronchial wall, directly to the proliferation of proximal or distal end, to be invaded trachea eminence plane, or air to the lungs through bronchial wall infiltration growth in real terms, and further up to mediastinal pleura . The latter can lead to the cultivation of the two pleural proliferation, pleural thickening, as if the corpus callosum. Could be worse transgression and chest wall and diaphragmatic, or to the esophagus and the pericardium.
Lymphatic metastasis
Lung cancer at an early stage is likely to occur lymphatic metastasis. General small cell carcinoma of the transfer earlier than squamous cell carcinoma and. First found in lymphatic metastasis of the lung lymph nodes, hilar lymph nodes, trachea and bronchi adjacent lymph nodes. This may be to mediastinal lymph nodes (which is the guideline for long-distance transfer) autopsy cases of lung cancer about half that peritoneal metastasis.
Xuelu transfer
Xuelu transfer of common lung cancer, often caused systemic result of extensive transfer of death, the mortality rate was 92%. Especially those that are not differentiated small cell lung cancer such as cancer, the cancer cells may occur early Xuelu transfer, and then later adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Lung cancer transferred to remote organs, not from lung cancer is often the primary site Xuelu transfer, but through the mediastinum into the metastasis venous circulation Yan returned to the lungs. Therefore, in general there is no transfer of early lung cancer, lung metastasis is not uncommon. According to the autopsy materials and lung cancer of the lung metastases found only 10 percent of the cases, but to make sure it is transferred from the Xuelu mediastinal lymph nodes from, or from the more common internal organs to shift from the Xuelu, it is difficult.
Cultivation of transfer
Body cavity of the organ tumors spread to the organ surface, the tumor cells can be exfoliated and, like sowing, planting in the body cavity and body cavity of the organ on the surface, forming the majority of the transfer. This method known as the transfer of duty of the transfer or sowing, more than occurred in the abdominal or thoracic organ cancer. Organs of cancer, such as the invasion of gastric cancer and gastric damage serosa, Ke Zhongzhi to the omentum, peritoneal, abdominal organs in the face of even the surface of ovarian, etc.. Lung cancer is often in the chest with a wide range of cultivation of the transfer. Serous cavity of the cultivation of each shift with serous bloody fluid, it is because subserosal lymphatic or vascular thrombosis was resistance, resistance to cancer or serous stimulus to the permeability of capillary A result of increased leakage increased, and because blood vessels were small cell carcinoma of the destruction it caused bleeding. Suction fluid for cytology see often available on the cancer cells. It is worth noting that surgery could also result in cultivation.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robin_Zhao

Thyroid Cancer - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prognosis | breast cancer husband

2009-04-25T21:56:00.000-07:00

Thyroid cancer is a fairly common malignancy which can occur in any age group especially in people who have had radiation therapy in the neck area, although it is most common after age 30 and its aggressiveness increases significantly in older patients. Thyroid cancer develops in your thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck, just below your Adam's apple.
Types of Thyroid Cancer Thyroid cancers are divided into papillary carcinomas, follicular carcinomas, medullary thyroid carcinomas (MTCs), anaplastic carcinomas, primary thyroid lymphomas, and primary thyroid sarcomas.
Papillary tumours account for half of all thyroid cancers in adults, it is most common in young adult females. Follicular carcinomas are less common but more likely to recur and metastasize to the regional nodes and through blood vessels into the bones, liver and lungs. Medullary carcinoma is a rare familial cancer which is completely curable if detected before it causes symptoms. The least common type of thyroid cancer is anaplastic which has a very poor prognosis. Anaplastic thyroid cancer tends to be found after it has spread and is not cured in most cases
Causes of Thyroid Cancer Predisposing factors include; radiation exposure, prolonged thyroid stimulating hormone exposure, familial predisposition and chronic goiter.
Signs and Symptoms The primary signs of thyroid tumors are: a painless nodule, a lump or swelling in the neck sometimes growing rapidly, a pain in the front of the neck sometimes going up to the ears, hoarseness or other voice changes that do not go away, trouble swallowing, breathing problems, a cough that continues and is not due to a cold.
Diagnosis The first clue is usually an enlarged palpable nodule in the thyroid gland, neck, lymph nodes of the neck, or vocal chords. Tests must rule out non malignant thyroid enlargements which are much more common. Thyroid scans measure the ability of the nodules to trap isotopes in comparison to the rest of the thyroid. Other tests include CT scans, biopsy and ultrasonic scans.
Treatment Treatment options may include surgery to remove the thyroid gland and nearby lymph nodes, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and hormone therapy. Anaplastic cancer patients often require a tracheostomy during the treatment and treatment is much more aggressive than for other types of thyroid cancer.
Radioactive Iodine is given to the patient with thyroid cancer after their cancer has been removed because if there are any thyroid cancer cells remaining in the body then these cells will absorb and concentrate the radioactive poisonous iodine.
Prognosis The survival rate for patients with papillary tumors which have not spread is excellent. Medullary cancer of the thyroid is significantly less common, but has a worse prognosis.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dick_Aronson

Holistic Medicines To Treat Cancer | thymus cancer | breast cancer husband

2009-04-25T21:50:00.000-07:00

What is cancer?
Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by the growth of abnormal cells that divide uncontrollably, and destroy body tissue. Cancer can spread throughout your body. Sometimes, however, normal cells lose the ability to direct and to limit their growth. They divide and grow without any order and form excess cells which we call tumors.
Is cancer an epidemic?Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. Half of all men and one third of all women in the United States will develop cancer during their lifetimes. Today, millions of people are living with cancer or at risk of developing the disease. The dramatic increase in cancer incidence is of great concern to anyone who has looked at the statistics. For instance, In 1996 more Americans died of cancer than died in World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam combined, with 550,000 Americans dying of cancer. In 2002, 1.25 million Americans will was diagnosed with cancer. Someone dies of cancer every single minute. Cancer today has become pandemic throughout the world, and whatever the conventional therapy propaganda machines keep telling us, the "war on cancer" being waged by the medical establishment and the drugs companies is unquestionably being lost.
In the U.S, billions of dollars has been spent on cancer research and the only result has been a frustrated citizenry and a sharp increase in the number of deaths from cancer and conventional cancer treatments that is evasive, toxic and extremely unpleasant. This increase in cancer incidence has been 1% every year, which means the cancer incidence in the population of the world, has increased by 40% since 1955!
What are the conventional therapies?In the first instance, the oncologist will test the patient to determine what stage the cancer has spread from the starting point. There are usually 4 stages of cancer. Once the oncologist has identified the stage the cancer is at, they can plan to use the approved treatment for the particular cancer.
In The US, there are three legal ways to treat cancer-surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. In other words, they either carve the cancer out, burn it or poison it. Conventional medicine is very rigid in its control of how cancer is treated. This sounds pretty crude but unfortunately, these are the only approved conventional treatments for cancer!
It is a shame that despite the multi billions spent conventional cancer treatment has made no substantial improvement in cancer cures in the past several decades.
What are the Holistic medicine alternatives?Cancer tumors can spread rapidly and threaten life; the treatments therefore used against this powerful disease must equally be powerful. The methods must be safe for the patient but effective in killing cancer cells. Using conventional treatment, It is rarely possible to limit the effects of cancer treatment so that only cancer cells are destroyed. Normal, healthy cells are usually damaged at the same time. For this reason, cancer patients receiving traditional treatments must suffer through a variety of unpleasant and often extremely painful side-effects. The fact also remains that these traditional methods not effective in dealing with cancer on the long term. As a result more and more people are turning to alternative, natural, holistic answers to this health challenge. Some of the therapies used to effectively treat cancer are:
ZeoliteThis is a powerful mineral substance with the ability to kill cancer cells within days! They are powerful detoxifiers and improve the alkalinity of your body and activate the P21 gene which tells a cancer cell to die, and because they can literally destroy the nucleus of cancerous cells. Liquid zeolite is a MUST for detox.
Oxygen therapy:Oxygen therapy is a form of holistic treatment based upon the premise that all harmful bacteria, viruses, germs and fungi (e.g. flu, colds, AIDs, candida albicans and cancerous cells) are anaerobic. In otherwords they cannot thrive in high oxygen environments. Thus, to maintain good health and vitality, the human body requires a rich supply of oxygen. This therapy is based on the work of Dr Otto Warburg, twice Nobel laureate.
Bio magnetic therapy:Bio-magnetic therapy is simple and natural and its application is similar to acupuncture. It has brought health benefits to people around the world. Today there is a booming interest in the use of magnets to control pain. Some holistic medical practitioners believe that magnetic energy can help to reorient the polarity of the cancer cell and help induce differentiation which would make the cell non-cancerous.
Nutritional therapy
Nutritional therapy is a holistic medicine, using food, juicing and supplements to encourage the body’s natural healing. It does this by: Detoxifying the body, correcting nutritional deficiencies, creating an appropriate PH Level and help develop a positive mental attitude. There are thousands of research articles which clearly link the lack of nutritional components to the occurrence of cancer. Thus the optimal intake of nutrients can help reverse cancer. Some of the nutrients studies have shown in that help fight cancer and other degenerative diseases are vitamins A, C, D and E, bioflavonoids and Co Q-10. Other reports indicate great benefit from the usage of selenium, germanium and other trace minerals to control cancer.
Thymus therapy: The thymus, a gland in the chest that shrinks as one grows older, has been recognized as the seat of the immune system. The thymus produces various hormone-like substances that influence the maturation and growth of T-cells which are crucial in the body’s defense against cancer and AIDS. whole thymus extract plus a number of specific extracts; such as, thymosin and thymopoietin, have been used to build up the immune system to an incredible extent to defend us against cancer and assist in treating almost any disease.
These therapies are utilized in a hospital in Mexico that has been treating various types of cancer for two decades with the one of the highest cancer treatment rate in the world.
It it best in addition to the above therapies to undergo therapies that can help combat this deadly disease.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bolaji_Alli

Testicular Cancer - Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prognosis | breast cancer husband

2009-04-25T21:43:00.000-07:00

Testicular cancer occurs most often in men between the ages of 20 and 39, and is the most common form of solid tumour in men between the ages of 15 and 34. It may also occur in young boys, but only about 3% of all testicular cancer is found in this group. Tumors usually occur in one testicle, however, 2-3% of tumors can occur in both testicles, either simultaneously or at a later date. Tumors can also spread to the lymph nodes, the lungs or other organs. It is more common among Caucasians than among men of African and Asian descent.
Causes Although the exact cause of testicular cancer is unknown, several factors seem to increase risk. These include a past medical history of undescended testicle(s), abnormal testicular development, Klinefelter's syndrome (a sex chromosome disorder that may be characterized by low levels of male hormones, sterility, development of breasts, and small testes), men whose mothers used diethylstilbestrol during pregnancy, or men who have had previous testicular cancer. There is no link between vasectomy and elevated risk of testicular cancer.
Signs and Symptoms The first sign is usually a firm, painless, smooth testicular mass which is sometimes accompanied by a feeling of heaviness in the testicles. Other symptoms of testicular cancer include: a feeling of swelling in the scrotum, discomfort or pain in the scrotum, ache in the lower back, pelvis or groin area, collection of fluid in the scrotum, gynecomastia and nipple tenderness. In advanced stages symptoms include: ureteral obstruction, abdominal mass, coughing, shortness of breath, weight loss, fatigue, pallor and lethargy.
Treatment Testicular carcinoma can be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, surveillance, or a combination of these treatments. Testicular cancer may be more difficult to treat if it has spread to the liver, bones, or brain, but even in those cases, men can often be cured. If the cancer is a recurrence of a previous tumour, the treatment usually consists of chemotherapy using combinations of different medications, such as ifosfamide, cisplatin, etoposide, or vinblastine, sometimes followed by an autologous bone marrow or peripheral stem-cell transplant.
While it may be possible, in some cases, to remove testicular cancer tumors from a testis while leaving the testis functional, this is almost never done, as more than 95% of testicular tumors are malignant. Usually the scrotum is not removed so that prosthesis can be put in place. Hormone replacement therapy may be needed after bilateral orchiectomy (removal of both testes). Treatment for this condition does not normally affect sexuality, masculinity or erectile function.
Prognosis Testicular cancer has one of the highest cure rates of all cancers: in excess of 90%; essentially 100% if it has not metastasized. Less than five percent of those who have testicular cancer will have it again in the remaining testis.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dick_Aronson

Stomach Cancer - The Basics | breast cancer husband

2009-04-25T21:37:00.000-07:00

Stomach cancer is a disease in which tumors are found in the stomach. If it is not diagnosed quickly, it may spread to other parts of your stomach as well as to other organs. Research indicates that more than 25,000 Americans are diagnosed with stomach cancer every year. Also, more than 13,000 Americans die from this disease annually. There are twice as many males with this disease than females. The majority of people with stomach cancer are between fifty and seventy years old. It is more prevalent in Japan, Korea, Great Britain, South America and Iceland than in the United States.
There are ten times as many cases in Japan than in the United States. Contrary to these other countries, the number of cases in the United States has decreased over time. The precise cause of stomach cancer has so far eluded researchers. But risk factors have been identified that will increase your chances of developing this disease. Research has shown that diets high in salt and nitrites can increase your chances of developing stomach cancer. There are a smaller number of cases among native Japanese people who moved to the United States and adopted the diets of Americans in comparison to those who stayed in Japan and continued with the Japanese diet. There are a high number of cases among people who work as coal miners or who work processing timber, nickel and rubber. People who are exposed to the bacterium Helicobacter pylori have developed lymphomas in the stomach.
Polyps (benign growths) that develop in your stomach have the potential to become cancerous. Other risk factors include a family history of the disease, stomach surgery for ulcers and pernicious anemia. If you want to lower your chances of developing this disease, you can try avoiding some of these risk factors. You can also try adding fruits and vegetables to your diet. The American Cancer Society recommends that you eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day.
During the early stages of stomach cancer, you should expect to see either no symptoms at all or very nonspecific symptoms. Some of these symptoms include indigestion, heartburn, mild discomfort and mild nausea. In the early stages, the tumor is small and has not spread (metastasized). In the late stages, the symptoms are more distinct and include abdominal pain, constipation, nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue and blood in the stool. By the time these distinct symptoms occur, the cancer can metastasize to other organs in the body, such as the esophagus, lungs, lymph nodes, liver, small intestine or colon. Unfortunately, this occurs to eight to ninety percent of stomach cancer patients.
This is one of the reasons for its poor prognosis. Patients who are diagnosed in the early stages have a seventy five percent chance of surviving for at least five years and those who are diagnosed in the late stages have a less than thirty percent chance. A stomach virus or ulcer can also cause some of these symptoms. If you think that you have might have some of these symptoms, you should see a gastroenterologist or an oncologist immediately to get the correct diagnosis.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

Pain Control And Cancer Sufferers | spinal cord cancer | breast cancer husband

2009-04-25T21:32:00.000-07:00

Pain control is a common issue when you are dealing with cancer patients. Most of the time the pain is caused from a tumor, but there is the chance pain begins somewhere other than the cancer itself. Surviving cancer and the treatments needed beat cancer can be extremely difficult, especially when excruciating pain accompanies the situation. Finding a way to manage the pain of cancer can help an individual persevere through the ordeal.
Pain can be acute or chronic. Acute pain is severe, but short-lived and chronic is pain that lasts for longer periods of time, and can range from mild to severe. Sometimes patients will experience breakthrough pain, which is pain that breaks through medications prescribed to the patient.
According to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network's (NCCN) August 2005 pain prevention report, one-third of cancer patients experience pain with their treatments. The NCCN also reports that nearly two-thirds of patients with recurring cancer or advanced stages of cancer experience pain.
Pain control is possible, even for those suffering from cancer, and it can give a patient a better quality of life. Pain in cancer patients is most often a result of the cancer itself, but sometimes it can result from a specific treatment, such as radiation therapy.
Pain can be relieved through several ways. For example, pain control can be through medications, relaxation methods, acupuncture or mental therapy sessions. Each patient is unique and pain can be evaluated through a cancer team made up of specialists such as an oncologist, anesthesiologist, pain specialists and your physician.
It is important for you to discuss any pain you experience with your doctor or medical professional so they can figure out what methods would work best for you. The earlier pain is ministered to, the easier it will be to handle it during your cancer treatments.
If you experience pain that is unrelated to your cancer diagnosis, it is important to find the best method to stop the pain before beginning your treatment. For example, arthritis pain prevention can be found through physical therapy sessions, water therapy or oral medications.
If a patient suffers from cancer in the spinal cord, he or she may need to learn about back and neck pain control. This type of pain occurs because the cancer causes the spinal cord to compress, causing sharp pains in the back and neck regions.
Pain control means finding a way for you to live a functional life, especially when you are trying to battle cancer. There are several methods used today to help alleviate pain in patients. The National Cancer Institute's (NCI) web site discusses medicines used to alleviate pain, such as antidepressants, morphine or over-the-counter pain relievers.
The NCI also mention certain treatments that don't involve medications. These methods use massages, acupuncture treatments, rhythmic breathing and biofeedback to find a solution for a patient's pain. All of these treatments can assist with treating swelling or severe aches often associated with cancer.
Every individual is different, and their bodies are going to react differently to medication and therapy. You should always inform your doctor of recurring pain so he or she can give you advice given on finding a pain-relieving treatment that fits your particular situation.
Your doctor can find a means to administer pain control when you are taking treatments for cancer. All that is needed is some basic information from you about where the pain is and how long it lasts. Fighting cancer does not have to be a never ending uphill battle. Instead, it can be made a more manageable experience thanks to proper medications and therapies administered by a physician.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andi_Michaels

How You CAN Prevent Prostate Cancer | breast cancer husband

2009-04-25T21:26:00.000-07:00

While there's no 100% proof that prostate cancer can be prevented, there are strong probabilities that engaging in certain health habits and eating certain healthy foods can help greatly in preventing lots of diseases, including prostate cancer and other forms of cancer.
In life, there are good and healthy habits and good and healthy foods. There are also bad and unhealthy habits and bad and unhealthy foods. If you want to improve your chances of good health, including keep prostate or any other type of cancer away from your life, then it connotes that by engaging mostly in good and healthy habits and eating mostly good and healthy foods, you can.
Instead of just eating any kind of food you find, it's best to learn all you can about those healthy foods that are good for the body and try to eat only those. Like I said, there's no 100% proof that these will prevent this disease, but they can help.
If you smoke constantly and drink alcohol constantly, then it's a good idea to desist from them, if you want to prevent prostate or other types of cancer. As you already know by now, smoking is a dangerous habit that has disastrous consequences for lots of people and has some links with cancer. Excessive drinking of alcohol is also a dangerous habit that can affect your health negatively.
Finally, you will be surprised that just staying away from unhealthy habits and unhealthy foods and instead engaging in healthy habits and eating healthy foods can help you prevent prostate cancer and other forms of cancer.
If you want to learn about Prostate Cancer or specific information on Prostrate Cancer Symptoms and other helpful tips and hints about Natural Prostate Cancer Cures from the highly helpful website
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=King_J._For

Penile Cancer - The Smokeless Tobacco Connection | breast cancer husband

2009-04-25T21:19:00.000-07:00

Cancer - the very word cancer gives some people a weak feeling in the knees. Why? The survival rates for most cancer is not very good. Most people today are more than aware of this and thus the fear associated with the term cancer.
Penile cancer is the topic of this article. Cancer of the penis is something that most men do not wish to think about much less discuss. Unfortunately, it does exist and there are specific causes that lead to it. If the reader wishes to investigate the several causes of penile cancer they can enter the term into any search engine of their choice.
The causative factor for penile cancer that we are concentrating on for this article is smokeless tobacco. Tobacco plays a very important role in squamous cell cancer of the penis. Chewing tobacco or using dry or moist snuff.
Just how important a role does smokeless tobacco play in the development of penile cancer? One study has shown that 34% of tobacco chewers as compared to those who do not use tobacco in a controlled study developed penile cancer. This percentage was over twice the percentage for those who do not use tobacco.
All forms of tobacco use have been shown to significantly increase the incidence of penile cancer [BRITISH JOURNAL OF UROLOGY (London), Volume 75, Number 3: Pages 375-377, March 1995].
Let us cover a general examination of the role tobacco use in any form contributes to the susceptibility to penile cancer. Penile cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the penis. Anything that increases your chance of getting a disease is called a risk factor.
Risk factors of tobacco use in any form in developing penile cancer.
The penis is a rod-shaped male reproductive organ. Sperm and urine pass from the body through the penis. It contains two types of erectile tissue (spongy tissue with blood vessels that fill with blood to make an erection):
1) Corpora cavernosa: The two columns of erectile tissue that form most of the penis.
2) Corpus spongiosum: The single column of erectile tissue that forms a small portion of the penis. The corpus spongiosum surrounds the urethra (the tube through which urine and sperm pass from the body).
The erectile tissue is wrapped in connective tissue and covered with skin. The glans (head of the penis) is covered with loose skin called the foreskin.
There are several factors that can cause penile cancer but the focus of this article is that of tobacco use in any form.
Possible signs of penile cancer include:
!) sores
2) discharge
3) bleeding.
These and other symptoms may be caused by penile cancer. Other conditions may cause the same symptoms. A doctor should be consulted if any of the following problems occur:
1) Redness
2) irritation
3) a sore on the penis.
4) a lump on the penis
The following tests that examine the penis are used to detect and diagnose penile cancer:
1) Physical exam and history: An exam of the body to check general signs of health, including checking the penis for signs of disease, such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual.
2) A history of the patient’s health habits and past illnesses and treatments will also be taken.
3) Biopsy: The removal of cells or tissues so they can be viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs of cancer
The chance of recovery and treatment options depend on the following:
1) The stage of the cancer.
2) The location and size of the tumor.
3) Whether the cancer has just been diagnosed or has come back.
Anyone who desires further information of the dangers of smokeless tobacco and the effects it has on the human body can review a FREE eBook on the subject at the following link:
"Stop Using Smokeless Tobacco Now!"
In summary, the use of tobacco in any form is a risk factor for penile carcinoma. Tobacco may exert its action through its metabolites, or directly after systemic absorption. Use of more than one form of tobacco multiplies the risk of development of penile carcinoma.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Zachary_Malott

Pancreatic Cancer - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment | breast cancer husband

2009-04-25T21:14:00.000-07:00

Pancreatic cancer is a relatively rare disorder, accounting for about 3 in 100 cases of all cancer in the US. However, the disease, which mainly affects people over 50, is becoming more common in the US as life expectancy increases. Pancreatic cancer occurs almost twice as frequently in men as in women and the disease is slightly more common in African-Americans and Polynesians. People with pancreatic cancer usually have few symptoms until the disorder reaches an advanced stage and often not until it has spread to other parts of the body, typically the lymph nodes in the abdomen and the liver. The disease is nearly always fatal and is the fourth most common cause of death from cancer in the US. Little is known about the causes of pancreatic cancer, but it has been linked with diet, in particular with fatty foods and high alcohol consumption. A higher incidence of the cancer in certain ethnic groups indicates that genetic factors may be involved. The risk of the disease is greater in people who smoke and in those with chronic pancreatitis.
The pancreas is an organ involved in endocrine functions, such as the secretion of insulin and exocrine functions, such as the secretion of insulin and exocrine functions, such as the secretion of enzymes involved in digestion. It is located underneath the stomach and liver and adjacent to the duodenum (the first section of the small intestine).
Causes: The cause of this cancer remains unknown. The most established risk factor for the development of this cancer is cigarette smoking. Other less common risk factors are:
• A high fat diet
• Diabetes
• Chronic pancreatitis, generally related to high alcohol intake
• Workers in contact with organic chemicals
Symptoms: when the cancer originates in the head of the pancreas, which is the closest area to the duodenum, patients suffer from jaundice and generalized itching. If, on the other hand, the tumor originates in the area of the tail of the pancreas, which is furthest from the duodenum, the tumor can grow to larger sizes before causing symptoms. This condition can result in the obstruction of bile excretion leading to the development of
• Jaundice
• Pale-colored stools
• Generalized itching
• Abdominal pain
• Weight loss
• A palpable mass.
Many patients with pancreatic cancer also have symptoms of cancer that has spread to other organs.
Diagnosis: Cancer of the pancreas can be easily seen with computed tomography or ultrasound of the abdomen. The diagnosis needs to be confirmed by obtaining a biopsy.
Complications: Complications arise from the spread (metastasis) of the cancer to other organs or from the physical size of the tumor causing obstruction of the bile duct or other internal structures.
Treatment:
Self Treatment: An overall healthy lifestyle with a well balanced diet is essential to maintain general health during the treatment for pancreatic cancer.
Medical Treatment: Although treatment with chemotherapy has not been very encouraging, promising new chemotherapy agents are always being investigated. Combinations of treatment with chemotherapy and radiation therapy may help control symptoms in some cases of advanced cancer. Surgical Treatment: Removal of the tumor offers the only chance for cure of this type of cancer. Unfortunately, only about 15 percent of patients can have their tumor fully removed. The rest of the patients have cancers that have grown too extensive to remove completely.
Prevention: the only well established risk for the development of pancreatic cancer is cigarette smoking. Smoking cessation should, therefore, result in a decreased chance of development this type of cancer.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

Understanding Ovarian Cancer | breast husband cancer

2009-04-25T21:10:00.000-07:00

Ovarian Cancer is a women's disease and it is on the rise. We as women have to take care of ourselves every single day. Even though no matter how much health food we eat and how much we exercise unfortunately, sometimes it's not enough.
Ovaries are reproductive glands that produce the egg. There is one ovary on each side of the uterus in the pelvis. The egg travels through the fallopian tube and fertilizes into a baby. Ovarian Cancer begins in the ovaries. Many tumors can develop in the ovaries. Most of these are non cancerous, they can be removed by removing part of the ovary, the tumor or the ovary itself. If it is a cancerous tumor it can spread throughout the body and can be more complicated.
Your ovaries have three kinds of tissue:
-Epithelial cells that cover the ovary. -Germs cells which are found in the ovary and develop into eggs that are released into the fallopian tube that are released every month. -Stromal cells which develops most of the female's hormones estrogen and progesterone.
Tumors are named depending on which cells the tumor came from. It could be benign (no cancerous) and cancerous. There three ways to tell what kind of tumor it is by checking all three of tissues.
-The Epithelial tumor covers most of the ovary. Most tumors that are found turn out to be this tumor. -The Germ cell tumor comes from part where the eggs develop in the ovary. -Stromal cell tumor comes from the connective tissue that holds the ovaries together.
Epithelial tumors usually do not spread and or lead to serious illness. Malignant tumors are cancerous and can spread to certain parts of the body. Noncanerous tumors are different from malignant cancer they do not grow into the connective tissue and to the stomach. The benign tumor can develop at a young age and even though it can be life-threatening, in most cases it is not. Epithelial ovarian cancer is called carcinomas. 85%-90% of ovarian cancer is epithelial. Here are the different types of ovarian cancer.
Fallopian tube cancer- Is very rare; it usually carries the same symptoms as ovarian cancer. It starts in the tube which carries the egg from the ovary to the uterus. The survival rate is about the same also.
Germ Cell Tumor- The germ cells form the eggs. Some tumors of this sort can be benign. Sometimes it can be life-threatening, only 5% of germ cell tumors are ovarian cancer.
Teratoma- Are germ cell cancers, they are the most common cancers. They usually affect women in their forties and teens, it is called a dermoid cyst, because it looks like skin. It can have different types of tissues like bones, hair and teeth. It can be removed by surgery.
Dysgerminoma- Is a common cancer as well. It affects women in their twenties and teens. It usually is cancerous; some do not grow or grow to fast. About 75% of patients have surgery to remove the ovary if it has spread.
Stromal Tumors- Are mostly found in women in their fifties. These tumors make up about 5%-7% of ovarian cancer. 5% of young girls develop this tumor. The symptoms are abnormal vagina bleeding, something like a period occurring after menopause. This happens because the tumor may cause female hormones; it can also cause breast development and early menstruation in girls.
Ovarian Cysts- Are a build up of fluid in the ovaries. They are usually not life-threatening in women that are ovulating and not going through menopause. If it produces while you are going through menopause and in a girl who has not started having her periods being concerned maybe an option. Your doctor will want to do a check-up after your cycle if you have a cyst. The doctor might want to wait a few months to see if it will go away. The only way to tell if the cyst is malignant, they will have to take it out and examine it. Some cancers can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and medications.
Be healthy, know your body and get regular check-ups.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lorna_Darden

Melanoma - Cancer of the Skin | breast cancer husband

2009-04-25T21:02:00.000-07:00

Melanoma is a cancer of the skin that is malignant and can be found prominently on the skin but can also be found in the bowel and even the eye. Melanoma is the rarest of skin cancers but it causes the most skin cancer related deaths. Melanoma is caused by the uncontrolled growth of pigment cells known as melanocytes. The only cure for melanoma is to surgically remove the tumor before it grows to a size of 1mm. There are close to 160,000 new cases of melanoma worldwide each and every year and according to the World Health Organization there are approximately 48,000 deaths related to melanoma each year as well. 75 percent of all deaths from skin cancer are associated to malignant melanoma. Treatment for melanoma includes the aforementioned surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and even radiation therapy. It is recommended by doctors that anyone who has a family history of melanoma should see a dermatologist at least once a year to make sure they are not developing melanoma themselves.
The first case of melanoma did not come until the 1960s; at least the oldest known case was discovered until the 1960s. Scientists were working on a group of mummies when they noticed deformities in their skin. It was determined that these mummies did have some type of malignant melanoma. The mummies dated back at least 2,400 years. The first operation related to melanoma occurred in 1787 by a man named John Hunter. The tumor that was removed from the skin was preserved in the Hunterian Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. The mass was not examined until the year of 1968. Upon examination and testing it was concluded that the mass was in fact a form of metastatic melanoma.
There is a mnemonic device to best remember the signs and symptoms of melanoma. It is "ABCDE."
A: asymmetrical skin lesion B: border of the lesion is irregular C: color: melanomas usually have multiple colors D: diameter: moles greater than 5mm are more likely to be melanomas than smaller ones E: evolution: the evolution or change of a mole or lesion may be a hint that the lesion is becoming malignant. Elevation: the mole is raised or elevated above the skin.
There are seven types of melanoma. They are superficial spreading melanoma, nodular melanoma, acral lentiginous melanoma, lentigo maligna melanoma, clear cell sarcoma, mucosal melanoma and uveal melanoma. As with all types of cancers, especially malignant ones, there are four stages of the disease that melanoma can be active in. The stages are Stage I, Stage II, Stage III and Stage IV. Each different stage has sublevels that the melanoma can develop in.
Patients suffering from melanoma can feel a loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, an uncomfortable feeling and a general weakness throughout the body. Melanoma, like all other cancers, cannot be completely cured but it can be kept under control with radiation, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. As with all chemotherapy treatments a feeling of fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, bowel problems and weight loss can occur.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brenda_Williams

Lymphoma - Is it a Cancer of the Lymph Nodes? | breast cancer husband

2009-04-25T20:58:00.000-07:00

Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system. The lymph nodes are found in various places around the body. There are multiple areas of the lymphatic system that can become cancerous. The area of the lymphatic system that is primarily affected will determine to a great extent, both the treatment and survival rate are determined by where in the body the cancerous cells are located and if they will be able to spread to other areas of the body.
The lymphatic system is made up of lymph nodes, lymphocyte cells, bone marrow of the thymus and long bones, the spleen, tonsils and adenoids as well as the lymph.
Other cancers can also start within the lymph nodes such as breast cancer. However breast cancer symptoms are not the same as lymphoma blood cancers.
The most common of blood cancer types is lymphoma. Many people confused lymphoma with leukemia, another type of blood cancer. Although they are both blood cancer diseases, they are not the same. About 56% of all patients affected with blood cancer have lymphoma
Hodgkin's lymphoma is named after Thomas Hodgkin. Mr. Hodgkin discovered this disease in 1832. There are two types of lymphoma named after Thomas Hodgkin. Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Lymphoma starts when the white blood cells, called lymphocytes, progressively multiply as a result of malignant changes within the lymph nodes and other areas in the body. They begin to grow in large numbers, pushing out healthy cells. This is what leads to the formation of tumors in the lymph nodes. Other areas affected can be the spleen and thymus and so forth.
Lymphoma can originate in the blood and bone marrow as well as the lymph nodes or lymphatic tissues, which are present in the stomach or intestines. From the bone marrow it can spread to many other parts of the body. While it is true that leukemia can spread from the bone marrow to the blood and lymph nodes, lymphoma is very different from leukemia. Lymphoma is the sixth most common cancer in men and the fifth most prevalent caner among women in the US.
There are two major types of Leukemia: myelogenous and lymphocytic. There are acute and chronic forms of each of these types. Although a great deal of information can be found both on-line and offline about lymphoma, it is always best to seek out medical care if you have any suspicious symptoms. Sadly, there are many different types of cancers. There are several types that affect the blood. Blood cancers that in the bone marrow are not to be confused with bone cancer.
It is always best for anyone that may suspect they have some type of health issues, regardless of the type, to discuss it with their doctor.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kimberly_Shannon

What Is Liver Cancer? | breast cancer husband

2009-04-25T20:54:00.000-07:00

Liver cancer is to be feared being the eighth most common cancer in the world. Your liver plays an important detoxification role for your body. If your liver breaks down, digestion of your fats via bile cannot take place. Filtering of your blood to remove drugs, waste and toxins can also be severely affected. Getting liver damage or liver cancer would be disastrous as it means that all these important functions cannot be performed. In the worst case scenerio, liver cancer can result in death.
Liver cancer develops when liver cells multiply at abnormal rates. They then attack healthy parts of the same organ or neighbouring cells. Cancer cells soon spread beyond their original location to other parts and organs to establish new tumours, in a process known as metastasis.
Your liver, including every organ in your body, is comprised of cells. Cells are living things. Hence, they are born and they die. Your body is always making new cells to replace the old and dead ones. This process has to be tightly regulated. If not, there will be chaos. Cancer cells interefere with the normal functioning of this process.
Your liver, at approximately 1.5 kilograms in weight, is the biggest organ inside your body. You may not even realise the presence of a liver inside of you as it is hidden in your right upper abdomen, underneath and protected by your right rib cage. Your liver is perhaps the busiest organ in your body, tasked with numerous functions.
The liver makes the different proteins that your body needs, which include enzymes, hormones, antibodies, and other substances necessary for the proper functioning of your body. It is the power plant of your body since it is the primary source of energy. It also filters your blood to remove toxins and produces bile to help in the digestion of fat. It is the most parsimonious organ in the body, extracting anything that can be used from your blood and storing it for future use.
There are two types of liver cancer, primary and secondary. Primary liver cancer means the tumour starts from the the liver. Hepatocellular cancer (abbreviated HCC) is the most common form (90 percent) of primary liver cancer. HCC originates from hepatocytes, the liver cells responsible for most of its functions. Other types of primary liver cancer are rare. They include cholangiocarcinoma, a cancer arising from bile ducts within the liver and hepatoblastoma, which occurs in children, and gallbladder cancer.
Secondary liver cancer means the cancer started somewhere else and spread (metastasised) to the liver. In secondary liver cancer, patients do not have "liver cancer" technically. Patients are actually experiencing metastases to their liver.
Risk to developing liver cancer depends on various factors. Sex and age plays a part, as with diet and lifestyle habits. In terms of sex, men are 2.8 times more likely to be affected than women. Your risk also increases after the age of 40. High rates have been noted in China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, and the Philippines. Studies also show that rates are high among Chinese and Koreans in Los Angeles and among Chinese in the San Francisco Bay area, although those rates are about half of mainland China rates. A diet that comprises of processed and highly preserved foods is generally considered toxic to the liver.
The most important risk factor for liver cancer is hepatitis B virus (HBV). Patients who are located in areas with high rates of hepatitis also have high rates of HCC; conversely, HCC patients are far more likely to be hepatitis B carriers. Studies also show that men are twice or thrice more likely to develop HCC. On the other hand, women demonstrate greater survival rates than men at any stage of liver cancer.
Aflatoxins are the most potent carcinogens on liver cells per unit weight. Aflatoxins are toxins produced by an Aspergillus funcgus that grows on many crops. They have been suspected to be agents for human HCC. While nothing conclusive has yet been established, you should avoid foods that are positive for aflatoxin. Many types of commercial crops or even commercial peanut butter contain minute quantities of aflatoxin, but they are usually below the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) recommended safe level.
There are no specific symptoms for liver cancer. One sign that you can look out for is pain in the right upper quadrant of your body. Another common indicator for liver cancer is unexplained sudden weight loss. Hence, you should always take preventative measures to protect your liver on a regular basis. You should reduce your intake of foods that are hard to digest, toxic and drugs. Also, perform regular liver cleansing for optimal liver health.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sandra_Kim_Leong

Laryngeal Cancer and Asbestos- Does Asbestos Exposure Lead to Laryngeal Cancer? | breast cancer husband

2009-04-25T20:48:00.000-07:00

A very rare disease, laryngeal cancer or cancer of the larynx is believed to have been caused by exposure to asbestos. However, recent medical literature suggests that asbestos exposure is a possible risk factor but no substantial data that can prove the exact relation of asbestos with laryngeal cancer. But this still does not change the fact that in the future, certain data could establish the possibility that asbestos could really lead to laryngeal cancer.
There are a number of asbestos-related diseases that might develop once an individual is exposed sufficiently to high degrees of asbestos fiber. This is because exposure to asbestos works on the dosage-response principle where only a certain quantity must be met before one's health reaches the hazard point. Otherwise, the person is safe, at least for a while. But continuous exposure even to low levels of asbestos fiber might still end up developing diseases.
The latency period of most asbestos cancer, including laryngeal cancer, is somewhere between 20 to 50 years. The minimum length of time is 5 years. So this means that symptoms of laryngeal cancer or any cancer, will only surface after several years of the first infliction. This is the main reason why most patients of asbestos-related cancers are not aware of their diseases in the early stages of it.
Everyone who has close contact with asbestos may possibly inhale asbestos fiber. But those who are most exposed will likely develop diseases faster. However, exposure alone is not reason enough for a person to contract a disease. As we have earlier said, one should be exposed to a relatively high level of asbestos fiber before his or her body begins to react. With continuous exposure one's at a greater risk of being ill 20 to 50 years ahead. Even families of the person who were directly in contact with asbestos fiber might suffer from risk factors.
Laryngeal cancer begins from the infection of the larynx. This is the passageway of both air and food during breathing and swallowing. Anyone who is exposed to asbestos-filled air runs the risk of taking in asbestos fiber which might be trapped in the larynx and the succeeding passages of the air or the food. Unfortunately, there is no way to remove the asbestos fiber from the body of the victim once it has entered.
Asbestos kills some thousands of people every year. Most of these have worked in mines, shipyards, factories, and construction sites and many come from people who have family embers working in these industries. Every year, however, there are around 10,000 people diagnosed with laryngeal cancer and almost half of them die due to the cancer. Because laryngeal cancer and asbestos are considered as occupational diseases, men are likely to develop the disease more than women since nearly all occupations using asbestos are dominated by men.
The average age of individuals diagnosed with laryngeal cancer is somewhere around 50 years old to 70 years old and above. This further establishes the relationship between asbestos and laryngeal cancer since both require nearly the same period of latency. Period of latency is the length of time for the full maturation of the disease. Also, it has been noted that asbestos can also increase the risk of developing lung cancer alongside the more dominating ill effects of smoking.
Further, other asbestos diseases and larynx cancer have the same symptoms such as hoarseness of the voice, lumps in the affected areas due to tumors, observed development of cancerous cells, ear pain, difficulty of swallowing and breathing, persistent coughing and sore throat.
Several treatment options for laryngeal cancer and asbestos are chemotherapy for more aggravated diseases, radiation therapy that removes immature cancer cells and small tumors, surgery for both small and large tumors, combination of CAMS or Complementary and Alternative Medicines, and life modification practices.
To know more of your options for treatment it is wisest to seek more comprehensive medical advice. Seek a specialist in asbestos or laryngeal cancer to know more about your disease.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nathalie_Fiset

Kidney Cancer - Causes, Symptoms, Risks Factors and More | breast cancer husband

2009-04-25T20:43:00.000-07:00

Kidney cancer or renal carcinoma usually occurs in older people and accounts for about 2 to 3% of cancers in adults, affecting about twice as many men as women. In adults, the most common type of kidney tumor is renal cell carcinoma, which begins in the cells that line the small tubes within your kidneys. Kidney cancer rarely strikes children and young adults; the exceptions are a pediatric kidney cancer called Wilms tumor and some forms of hereditary kidney cancer syndromes, such as von Hippel-Lindau disease.
Causes of Kidney Cancer
The causes are not known, however external factors, such as smoking and obesity, have been related to a higher incidence of kidney cancer and changing environmental factors as well as population aging has seen an increase in the presentation of this form of cancer.
Signs and Symptoms
Kidney cancer symptoms are often overlooked because tumours are usually slow growing and not suspected until the patient begins to experience symptoms such as blood in the urine, pain, tiredness and a palpable mass. Since back pain is common among people over 40 years of age, such pain is often ignored and the presence of kidney cancer can go undetected. Kidney cancer may also cause high blood pressure.
Risk Factors
The risk of developing kidney cancer is four times higher if a close relative has had kidney cancer. Being on dialysis for many years is a risk factor for kidney cancer.
People who have had bladder cancer are more likely to develop kidney cancer, and vice versa. About three per cent of kidney cancer patients have inherited a damaged gene that will make it likely the cancer will also be found in their second kidney.
Prevention
Not smoking is the most effective way to prevent kidney cancer and it is estimated that the elimination of smoking would reduce the rate of renal pelvis cancer by one-half and the rate of renal cell carcinoma by one-third.
Other factors that may decrease the risk of developing kidney cancer include: maintaining a normal body weight, a diet that is high in fruits and vegetables, especially in bananas and root vegetables such as carrots, maintaining normal blood pressure and limited exposure to environmental toxins.
Diagnosing Kidney Cancer
Cancer of the kidney is most commonly detected with either computed tomography (CT) scan, ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Cystoscopy can rule out associated bladder cancer. Kidney cancer cells may also break away from the original tumor and spread (or metastasize) to other parts of the body such as the lymph nodes, bones or lungs, with about one third of cases showing metastasis at the time of diagnosis.
Types of Kidney Cancer
Almost 85% of this tumor are renal cell carcinomas. A less common type of kidney is Papillary carcinoma. Other rare kidney cancers include: Renal sarcoma, Collecting Duct carcinoma, Medullary and Chromophobe carcinomas.
Treatment
Radical nephrectomy with or without the removal of lymph nodes offers the only cure but treatment of kidney cancer may include: surgery, arterial embolization, radiation therapy, biological therapy or chemotherapy depends upon the stage of the disease and the patient's overall health.
Nephrectomy or removal of the entire organ including the adrenal gland, adjacent lymph nodes and surrounding normal tissue has been the norm, but recent research shows that removal of just the tumor, produces similar survival rates and offers less chance of subsequent renal failure in selected cases.
Scientists have also isolated the gene responsible for VHL disease, and this discovery offers exciting future possibilities for improved diagnosis and treatment of some kidney cancers. Various combinations of interleukin-2, interferon, and other biologic agents and even vaccines developed from cells removed from the kidney cancer are also being investigated.
Survival Rates
With prompt and appropriate treatment, the kidney cancer mortality rate is fairly low, unfortunately kidney cancer has a tendency to spread early, especially to the lungs, sometimes before symptoms develop. The five year survival rate is around 90-95% for tumors less than 4 cm. For larger tumors confined to the kidney without venous invasion, survival is still relatively good at 80-85%. If it has metastasized to the lymph nodes, the 5-year survival is around 5 % to 15 %. If it has spread metastatically to other organs, the 5-year survival rate is less than 5 %.
An important factor for those with this form of cancer and for that matter with all cancers is that assertive patients who actively work to overcome cancer often increase the odds of survival, live longer, and enjoy life more.
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Kaposi's Sarcoma - Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment | breast cancer husband

2009-04-25T20:40:00.000-07:00

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a disease in which cancer cells are found in the tissues under the skin or mucous membrane, producing characteristic, flat or raised purple lesions. KS consists of nodular, infiltrating, and lymphatic lesions. KS usually occurs as a disease that accompanies AIDS. This cancer commonly affects the skin or mucous membranes lining the mouth, nose and anus, and also spreads to other organs of the body such as lungs, liver and the intestinal tract.
The Ayurvedic treatment of KS is aimed at treating the organ or system affected and boosting the immune status of the body. Medicines like Mahamanjishthadi-Qadha, Saarivadi-Churna, Arogya-Vardhini, Gandhak-Rasayan, Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu, Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), Saariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Bahava (Cassia fistula), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Nimba (Azadirachta indica), Haridra (Curcuma longa), Daruharidra (Berberis aristata), Takla (Clerodendron phomodis), Karanj (Pongamia pinnata), Khadeer (Acacia catechu) and Bhrungraj (Eclipta alba) are used to treat lesions affecting the skin and mucous membranes. Skin lesions can also be treated using local applications of ointments containing Manjishtha, Saariva, Haridra, Chandan (Santalum album) and Mandukparni (Centella asiatica).
Lesions involving the lungs can be treated using medicines like Maha-Manjishthadi-Qadha, Kanchnaar-Guggulu, Ras-Sindur, Malla-Sindur, Sameer-Pannag-Ras, Suvarna-Sameer-Pannag-Ras, Shrung-Bhasma, Abhrak-Bhasma, Pushkarmool (Inula racemosa), Kantakari (Solanum xanthocarpum), Kushtha (Saussurea lappa), Vasa (Adhatoda vasaka) and Yashtimadhuk (Glycerrhiza glabra). Lesions affecting the liver can be treated using medicines like Arogya-Vardhini, Bhunimbadi-Qadha, Punarnavadi-Qadha, Sutshekhar-Ras, Suvarna-Sutshekhar-Ras, Shankh-Vati, Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa), Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa), Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), Devdangri (Luffa echinata) and Bhumiamalaki (Phyllanthus niruri). Lesions affecting the intestinal tract can be treated using medicines like Praval-Panchamrut-Ras, Triphala (Three fruits), Trikatu (Three pungent herbs), Kutaj-Parpati, Panchamrut-Parpati and Suvarna-Parpati.
The weakened immune system of the body can be treated using medicines like Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Tulsi, Bhrungraj, Yashtimadhuk, Bala (Sida cordifolia), Naagbala (Grewia hirsuta), Suvarna-Malini-Vasant, Suvarna-Bhasma, Trivang-Bhasma and Heerak-Bhasma.
Ayurvedic medicines can be given in combination with modern treatment like chemotherapy and radiation therapy to improve the therapeutic effect, reduce side effects of modern treatment and to improve overall survival. People affected with KS can usually survive for several decades with appropriate treatment.

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Chronic Head, Facial, Or Neck Pain That Won't Go Away - Could It Be TMJ? | breast cancer husband

2009-04-25T20:34:00.000-07:00

I stumbled across TMJ when I needed treat a literal pain in the neck that would not go away. It seemed that the pain in my neck came from my jaws. “TMJ” refers to disorders of the jaw muscles and of the temporomandibular joint, the hinge at the side of the head that joins the lower jaw, mandible, to the temporal bone of the skull. TMJ expert John Taddey, D.D.S. states that one the most common symptoms of TMJ is a dull, aching pain around the ears which can radiate to the neck, shoulders, and back of the head. These symptoms may be coupled with tenderness of the jaw muscles and a headache.
While the causes of TMJ are many, the condition is usually the result of a collective malfunctioning of the chewing muscles, the teeth, and the temporomandibular joint. The face and jaw muscles may go into spasm or cramp and lead to tissue damage, pain and tenderness. The level of damage and pain varies.
Diaganosing TMJ can be elusive. Recognizing TMJ requires a thorough understanding of the two-inch area just in front of the ears that houses the temporomandibular joint, sinuses, glands, the middle and inner ears, throat tissues, brain tissue, muscles, ligaments, nerves blood vessels, lymphatic tissues, bones and teeth. TMJ can mask itself with a “referred pain”. This occurs when pain felt in one area of the body originated from another source. For example, you may visit your doctor with an earache and find your ear is healthy, while a decayed tooth or TMJ is the root cause of the earache.
TMJ can arise form trauma, whiplash, stress, teeth-grinding and clenching, misaligned teeth, missing or sore teeth, muscle abuse, infection, diseases of the joints such as arthritis, and cancer.
Your family dentist should be able to recognize TMJ. Depending on your condition, she may treat the TMJ herself or refer you to a physician, orthodontist, chiropractor, psychologist or oral surgeon for more specialized treatment.
For more information on identifying and treating TMJ yourself, read TMJ Self-Help Program: How to recognize a TMJ problem: What to do to relieve pain and restore health: When to seek professional help by John Taddely, D.D.S. with Constance Schrader and James Dillon.
Health author and Noixia campaigner Naweko San-Joyz lovingly writes from her home in San Diego. Her works include “Acne Messages: Crack the code of your zits and say goodbye to acne” (ISBN: 0974912204) and the upcoming work “Skinny Fat Chicks, Why we’re still not getting this dieting thing” (ISBN: 0974912212) for release in June of 2005.

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Throat Cancer Doesn't Exist - But Be Careful | breast cancer husband

2009-04-25T20:28:00.000-07:00

Actually there is no such medical condition called 'throat cancer', although several types of cancer can arise in the throat and neck. The correct medical term for the throat is the 'pharynx', which can be defined as the passage that ensures that food and drink go to the stomach and that air goes to and from the lungs. The pharynx is made up of three parts: the oropharynx (the back of the mouth, including the soft palate and base of the tongue); nasopharynx (connecting the back of the nose to the back of the mouth); laryngopharynx (connecting the oropharynx and nasopharynx to the start of the gullet (oesophagus) and the windpipe (trachea) via the voice box (larynx)). The laryngopharynx is sometimes called the hypopharynx. 'Throat cancer' can be cancer of any of these, although the most common form of 'throat cancer' is nasopharyngeal cancer.
Just to make the term of 'throat cancer' even more useless and confusing, some people apply it to cancer of the thyroid gland (situated at the front of the base of the neck), cancer of the voice box (larynx), cancer of the gullet or cancer of the windpipe (trachea), which actually comes in the lung cancer group.
Most head and neck cancer cells are squamous, which means they do not travel far from their origin, although they often affect the lymph nodes. In fact, the first indication of head or throat cancer is often an enlarged neck lymph node, which is also sometimes referred to as throat cancer. Another sign could be appearance of white patches or spots in the mouth that will not respond to treatment. Known as leukoplakia, 33% of them become cancerous. It is estimated that 7,000 Americans die of a throat cancer every year, often because it was detected late. Ethnicity may also play a part, since African American men are 50% more at risk of throat cancer than Caucasian men. These cancers are relatively painless in early stages and can be confused with toothache, earache, sore throat or hoarseness. Once established however, they develop very quickly, although if detected at an early stage, they can almost always be successfully removed.
There is a wide variety of reasons why someone can be at a heightened risk for a throat cancer, including smoking; chewing tobacco and other things, such as betel nut, gutkha, marijuana or pan; heavy alcohol consumption; poor diet resulting in vitamin deficiencies (worse if this is caused by heavy alcohol intake); weakened immune system; asbestos exposure; prolonged exposure to wood dust or paint fumes; exposure to petroleum industry chemicals and being over the age of 55 years. The presence of acid reflux disease (gastroesphogeal reflux disease - GERD) or larynx reflux disease can also be a major factor. In the case of acid reflux disease, stomach acids flow up into the oesophagus and damage its lining, making it more prone to throat cancer. Because successful treatment depends on early detection, regular oral examination is suggested. Your dentist will have been trained to be on the look out for early signs, making a bi-annual visit to him even more rewarding.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

Prevent Gall Bladder Cancer With Liver Cleansing And Diet Changes | breast cancer husband

2009-04-25T20:23:00.000-07:00

Gall bladder cancer is a rare type of digestive disease that can develop to be a serious form of cancer. More women get afflicted than men. In most cases, gall bladder cancer is not detected until it has developed to an advanced state. Because of the difficulty in diagnosing gall bladder cancer until it has become advanced, the treatment options can lead to a disheartening prognosis. As such, it is better to prevent gall bladder cancer in the first place before it becomes too late. Prevention can be made with liver cleansing and diet changes.
Gall bladder cancer symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, yellowing of the eyes and skin, and unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite.
There are 4 stages to cancer of the gall bladder. These include:
Stage 1: Gall bladder cancer has an affect on the wall of the gall bladder.
Stage 2: The cancer has spread through the wall of the gall bladder, but has not spread to nearby lymph nodes or organs.
Stage 3: The cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes and organs, such as the stomach, liver, colon, or the small intestines.
Stage 4: The cancer has spread into two or more organs or has spread to distant lymph nodes or the liver or lungs. This is called metastatic or secondary cancer.
There is much to be learned about the causes of gall bladder cancer. It appears that there are some indications that those with gall stones are more likely to develop this form of cancer. This being the case, liver cleansing can be of use. Liver cleansing can help remove gall stones that would otherwise be left undetected in your body. Liver cleansing can be done through herbs or using a regime of Epsom salts, cold pressed organic olive oil and lemon juice.
Drinking green tea also helps fight many types of cancer, including digestive cancers. Green tea is full of various anti-oxidants which may be the active ingredients preventing disease.
Antioxidants inhibit the oxidation of other molecules. This means that antioxidants halt chemical reactions in the body that can damage cells. Some oxidation is a natural part of body chemistry. However, it can be damaging if allowed to continue beyond a certain point. If your body does not retain a needed level of antioxidants, excessive oxidation may damage your cells producing a condition called oxidative stress. Foods that are high in anti-oxidants include berries, pomegranates, legumes, apples, black plums and prunes, pecans, potatoes, and green tea.
You have just learned about two powerful arsenals that can help prevent gall bladder cancer: liver cleansing and supporting your body with foods rich in anti-oxidants. Through diet, it is possible to build an immune system that can ward off diseases.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sandra_Kim_Leong

Retinoblastoma - Commonest Eye Tumor in Children | breast cancer husband

2009-04-25T20:17:00.000-07:00

Introduction
This is the most common primary tumor of the eye in children. It arises from the retina. .The retina is a layer of nerve tissue that coats the back of the eye, which is important for vision of person. Retinoblasts (immature cells of the retina) multiply during gestation and early life, to make enough cells to create the retina. As child grows, these cells mature & no longer differentiate. If these immature retinoblasts turn into cancer cells, retinoblastoma develops, the cause of which is unknown. The gene responsible is RB1 gene.
Incidence:
The annual incidence is one in 20000 children. It occurs most often in children under 4 years of age.
Types:
Hereditary: •Hereditary form of Retinoblastoma occurs in 40%. •May have more than one tumor •Tumor often affects both eyes •May have tumors in other parts of the body •At increased risk for other cancers later in life
Non-hereditary: •Most children with retinoblastoma (60%) do not have the genetic form. •They develop tumor in only one eye i.e. unilateral. •These children do not have an increased risk of developing other cancers. •Their offspring have the same risk of developing retinoblastoma as other children in the population.
Symptoms:
•A pupil that looks white or red instead of the usual black i.e. called as white or cat's eye reflex. •A crossed eye i.e. strabismus. •Poor vision •A red, painful eye •An enlarged pupil •Differently colored irises
Investigations:
•Examination under general anesthesia using Retcam •Ultrasound •CT (CAT) scan •MRI •CSF examination •Bone marrow studies •Bone scan in advanced disease •Chromosomal analysis (in certain cases)
Management:
1.Surgery to remove the eye, known as enucleation. This s done when there is no vision in eye to save further spread & life. Enucleation may also be recommended if the tumor does not respond to treatment.
2.Chemotherapy is used to shrink tumors in the eye. This approach is often used in children with bilateral disease (both eyes) for saving at least one eye which has less disease. It is also used in small tumors where the eye vision is present to save the eye. in combination with other measures such as
1.Photocoagulation--using laser light to destroy blood vessels supplying the tumor.
2.Thermotherapy--using heat to destroy tumor cells
3.Cryotherapy--using extreme cold to destroy tumor cells
4.Radiation Therapy-It is used for control of local disease with preservation of vision. Radiation plaque therapy and particle beam radiotherapy are used frequently.
Prognosis:
The five-year survival rate for children with retinoblastoma is more than 90%.
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Breast Cancer Chemotherapy and the Endocrine System | breast cancer husband

2009-04-25T20:11:00.000-07:00

Cancer chemotherapy affects the function of the ovaries in pre-menopause, specifically its ability to produce estrogen and progesterone. The ovaries secrete these hormones in a cyclic manner in response to trigger hormones produced by the pituitary gland. During the later part of a woman's reproductive life, during her late 40s or early 50s, the ovaries no longer produce these hormones and she is thus entering menopause. This process, where the ovaries shut down their sex hormone production, takes several months to a year or so to happen. The gradual decrease in estrogen and progesterone is usually accompanied by menopausal symptoms such as cessation of menstrual periods, hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Undergoing chemotherapy may accelerate menopause. This basically means that at the very same time a woman is handling a breast cancer diagnosis, she must deal with the changes and possible undesirable effects of the menopause. The same is true for woman on hormone replacement therapy who must abruptly stop her hormone treatment due to the diagnosis of breast cancer.
The association between breast cancer and endocrine status is complex and varies with every woman. The standard therapy for a recently diagnosed breast cancer patient is to stop hormone replacement therapy. This is because it has been found from numerous researches that estrogen increases the risk or breast cancer. In the past, women with breast cancer were advised not to resume hormone replacement therapy or begin it. Fortunately, this practice has changed and nowadays, treatment is based on each woman's individual situation. Nevertheless, you must consider the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy in relation to your disease.
Chemotherapy in younger women often produces symptoms of menopause that can be distressing and debilitating. Fortunately, women suffering from these symptoms can turn to Eastern medicine for relief. Certain herbal medicines used for many years by Eastern medical practitioners contain estrogen-like substances called phytoestrogens. Some of these herbs relieve symptoms without having any cancer promoting effects of estrogen. A few of these herbs are gotu kola and oil of evening primrose.
A lot of women have also found that through dietary modifications, they experience fewer hot flashes. Soy and soy products contain genistein, an estrogen-like substance. It is much less potent than the estrogen produced by the ovaries, but it does have the ability to improve hot flashes to varying degrees in most women.
After chemotherapy, many women will experience vaginal dryness as a result of estrogen deficiency. There are a number of effective vaginal moisturizers that can alleviate this symptom. Estrogen vaginal cream provides an excellent remedy, but in such cases, estrogen is absorbed systematically, which is usually contraindicated in the setting of breast cancer. The thinner the vaginal membranes, the more quickly estrogen is absorbed, thereby allowing large amounts to enter the body. New products are available on the market today in the form of a slow-releasing formulation estrogen vaginal inserts which may provide minimal amounts of estrogen to the body. These agents help ease the discomfort of dryness but do not provide so much estrogen as to stimulate growth in the cancer cells and interfere with treatment. You may want to discuss with your oncologist regarding treatment options when you are experiencing these adverse effects of chemotherapy on your endocrine function.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

Talking to Kids About Cancer | breast cancer husband

2009-04-25T20:00:00.000-07:00

Many people are afraid to mention the word 'cancer' to children. If someone important to your children has cancer, you may not know what to say.
If you or someone else they love has cancer, it's important to talk with your children soon after the diagnosis to help them understand what's happening and to build trust. If your children know you'll always tell them what's going on, they'll feel less afraid. Kids feel scared and alone if they are told that "everything is fine," because they know this isn't true. They notice whispering, crying, changes in meal schedules and other household activities. Children have vivid imaginations, and the things they imagine are even worse than reality.
Make sure to have frequent conversations in the days and weeks that follow diagnosis, and continually reassure your children that you love them. Invite their questions and answer them honestly.
How to tell your children about a cancer diagnosis: • Plan what you'll say and have a supportive adult there with you. • You may want to tell older children first (if there's wide difference in ages). Older kids may want to help you tell the younger ones. • Pick a calm time and use a calm tone of voice. Tears are OK-yours and theirs. • Target the conversation to the age of the child. Young kids have short attention spans. • Tell them good doctors are doing everything they can to help the person with cancer, whether it's you, your spouse, or a beloved grandparent. • Ask if they have heard anything about cancer so you can counter misinformation if necessary. • Bring up the topic frequently after the initial conversation.
Things kids need to know: • They didn't cause the cancer, and it isn't their fault (even if they were mad at mom last week or once said, "I wish you were dead.") • Cancer isn't contagious. You can't get it, no matter how much you kiss or snuggle or hug. • They can still feel happy about things like baseball season even if your mom or dad has cancer. • It is normal to wish that things were different than they are. • The doctors are doing their very best to make you better. • There will always be someone there to take care of them. • Whatever they are feeling is fine.
How to explain what cancer is
What you say about cancer will vary depending on the age of your children. With younger kids, don't get too technical. Tell them that cancer is something that grows inside the body and isn't supposed to be there. It is kind of like weeds in the garden. There are lots of ways to get rid of weeds (pulling, cutting, weed killer) and there are lots of ways to treat cancer (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, pills).
Explain that sometimes you may be too tired to snuggle or play. This doesn't mean they're upset. It's normal and natural to feel disappointed if your parent or grandparent is too tired to play.
If you're going to lose your hair, tell the children before it happens. Explain that side effects like hair loss, fatigue, and nausea show that the treatment is working.
If your children ask if you're going to die, don't offer false reassurance. Instead, respond by saying, "I have great doctors who are doing everything that they can to make me well." If your cancer is advanced, say," I have great doctors who are doing their best to treat it. I'll let you know how the treatment goes."
Tips for helping kids cope
• It's OK to bring kids to doctor visits if they'd like to go. It helps some children to see where you are going to get better. Explain what is happening to you. Consider giving younger kids a souvenir like tongue depressors or surgical gloves. • If certain days-like chemo days-are worse than others, consider having a special basket of toys/goodies that only comes out on those days. • Do your best to turn bad into good. It won't always work, but it's worth a try. For example, if you can't go to the beach to play in the sand, play with shaving cream in the bathtub instead.
What can kids do?
Letting your children help in some way builds trust and makes them feel like you're a team, working together to fight the cancer. Even though they can't fix the cancer, kids can make it easier for a loved one to cope with it. You can give children little jobs, like getting water for the patient, that make them feel helpful-but also reassure them that it isn't their job to take care of the patient. You might suggest that they: • Draw pictures. • Keep their room clean and do chores without too much fussing. • Find quiet ways to play with the cancer patient - board games, cards, and coloring. • Consider writing in a diary.
What can families do?
Regular family meetings are a good way to keep everyone informed about what is going on, answer questions, discuss schedule and chores, and build support. As a family you could also: • Share a snack and do a craft together. Perhaps you could write in a family journal or play a board game. • Pray together, if appropriate. • Maintain hope: For getting better. For having a good day. For feeling less afraid. • Make a Hope Tree. Make a tree-like tabletop structure or picture of a tree. Write a wish on a paper leaf and attach it to the tree. Keep adding wishes/leaves to the tree. • Read about cancer. A good book is The Hope Tree, by Laura Numeroff and Wendy Harpham, MD, in which children talk about cancer. • Even if you feel grumpy or tired, expend the extra energy to regularly reassure your children of your love for them.
The key to helping your children cope with a cancer diagnosis is to talk to them openly and honestly. Let them know they can always come to you for support or with questions-and that you love them enough to tell them the truth.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Delia_Chiaramonte,_M.D.

How to Prevent Skin Cancer and the Other Harmful Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation | breast cancer husband

2009-04-25T13:35:00.000-07:00

Imagine spending lazy days under the sun, no thoughts on how to prevent skin cancer, swimming in the deep blue-green crystal clear waters, strolling barefoot on powder-like sand and your skin turning golden brown. "Perfect", you might say but I say, "it's far from perfect". What's wrong with such a holiday on the beach? For one thing, the sun emits dangerous ultraviolet radiation and your skin turning golden brown is not safe. The truth hurts but being baked alive results to harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation such as your skin produces free radicals. These free radicals are poisonous molecules that damage your skin's collagen, cells and DNA.
Damage to collagen results to wrinkles and coarseness of your skin's texture. And as you stay longer under the sun without using any protection, your skin's natural defense mechanism weakens and leads to pigmentation. Over time, excessive sun exposure may cause damage to your cells and finally, skin cancer! A fun beach vacation is still possible as long as you know the 7 ways on how to prevent skin cancer and the other dangerous effects of ultraviolet radiation on you.
So how to prevent skin cancer? The single most effective way on how to prevent skin cancer is to completely stay out of the sun. But staying out of the sun is not that simple especially when you live near the equator where the sun is out almost all the time or when you love the outdoors. What to do then? There are 7 practical and effective steps on how to prevent skin cancer and in protecting yourself from the other harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation. The 7 skin cancer prevention strategies:
1. Avoid the sun between 10am to 4pm. The UV rays of the sun are very intense and very harmful within this time frame. Try to go outside before 10am and after 4pm.
2. Always apply a good sunblock or sunscreen that provides broad spectrum protection. Broad spectrum means it can protect you from deadly effects of ultraviolet radiation. For daily use (meaning you are inside a building between 10am to 4pm), a sunscreen with an spf of 15 is sufficient. However, for the climate in the philippines, a sunscreen of at least spf30 is required for everyday use. For outdoor activities, you need a sunblock with at least spf50 especially if you are in the beach or in an elevated area where the effects of ultraviolet radiation are more intense.
3. How to prevent skin cancer? Wear protective clothing. Light clothing will not give ample protection from the sun as ultraviolet radiation can penetrate light material. Clothing should be tightly woven.
4. Wear a hat with a wide brim as a wide brim provides better coverage for your face, ears and back of head and neck.
5. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes. The sun can also damage your eyes causing cataracts to form. The best types of sunglasses are those which offer 100% UV protection, wrap around your eyes from side to side and have polarized lenses. These types of sunglasses may cost more but don't scrimp. Remember, it is your precious eyes they are protecting and so, it's worth the price.
6. Follow the shadow rule. The shadow rules says, "when your shadow is short, go and seek shade". When the sun's intensity is at its peak, your shadow appears shorter. During this time, do seek shade under an awning, a tree or an umbrella. But always remember that this is not a good step on how to prevent skin cancer because you are not fully protected.
7. Finally, drink lots and lots of plain water especially when you are out in the sun for a long time. No colas or other sugary drinks, please. The effects of ultraviolet radiation are not only felt by your skin and your eyes but also by your immune system. Follow the 7 strategies on preventing skin cancer and the other damaging effects of the sun and your beach holiday will be a lot more fun and safer.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Belen_Tanghal

Uterine Cancer - Symptoms, Causes and Treatments | breast cancer husband

2009-04-25T13:28:00.000-07:00

Uterine Cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, which actually start in the lining of the cells in the uterus. The womb or the uterus is a vital part of the reproductive system in a woman.
Type of Uterine Cancer
That cancer may denote various types of cancers, which occur in a woman's uterus. Uterine sarcomas, commonly known to be leiomyosarcomas are a type of uterine cancer, which occurs in the muscular layer of a uterus. Endometrial cancer is another type of uterine cancer, which originates from the cells that are located in the glands of the uterine lining or the endometrium. Cervical cancer is a different type of uterine cancer, which is known to arise from the lower portion of a uterus. It extends to the transitional zone of a woman's cervix and connecting to the upper part of her vagina.
Symptoms
A woman having uterine cancer can notice some common symptoms. However, they may differ from person to person depending upon the disease in consideration. Commons symptoms include painful or difficult urination, unusual discharge or vagina bleeding, extreme pain during the time of having sexual intercourse, a typical pelvic lump, abnormal weight loss, pain in the pelvic region and having never breast-fed. In fact, uterine cancer occurs rarely before menopause, during which a woman have regular menstrual periods.
It generally occurs during the time when the regular menstruation cycle stops. If a woman notices reappearance of bleeding at this stage of her life, she should immediately bring it to the attention of her general physician, as there may be a possibility of uterine cancer.
The most common symptom of uterine cancer is abnormal bleeding from a woman's uterus after her menopause. The bleeding may be in the form of a blood streaked, watery discharge containing more blood. In some cases, a woman may experience lower abdominal pain too.
Causes
There are different causes of uterine cancer, which have been discovered till date. Diabetes, obesity, polycystic ovaries having prolonged anovulation, nulliparity or having borne not a single child, lack of menstruation, extended usage of tamoxifen for the treatment of breast cancers and taking unopposed estrogen without progestin are some of the valid causes of uterine cancer.
Diagnosing the Disease
The cancer can be diagnosed by endometrial and endocervical sampling. Apart from these techniques, vaginal ultrasonography is also used to detect the thickness of the endometrium because increased thickness of the uterus may determine some serious cancerous change. Apart from this, the Pap test can also be an accurate way detecting uterine cancer but cannot be termed as a reliable source.
Treatment
The treatment of this cancer is performed on the basis of grade and stage of the cancer. Abdominal hysterectomy is a standard therapy, which involves in the surgical removal of the woman's uterus along with both the ovaries and fallopian tubes, washing of the abdominal cavity to determine malignant cells and the selective removal of the aortic and pelvic lymph nodes. Many doctors prefer usage of hormone therapy that removes the possibility of metastatic cancer. Again, women also opt for radiation therapy for the treatment of their uterine cancer.
Although treatment is a possibility for Uterine Cancer, still you should take immediate action after noticing the symptoms. Don't let it reach a level from where it cannot be cured!
To Your Health!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_S._Pendergraft

General Facts on Lung Cancer - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment For Lung Cancer | breast cancer husband

2009-04-25T13:20:00.000-07:00

Educating yourself about the general facts on lung cancer is essential to help prevent acquiring the disease. As the number one cause of death among men in America and one of the major causes of death cases throughout the world, health experts are furthering their efforts in trying to unearth general facts on lung cancer, and how this disease can be so deadly.
Among the various type of cancer deaths, this illness is responsible for 29 percent of that. In fact, there are more death cases for this sickness as compared to the data of deaths for prostate, breast, and colon cancers combined. Hence, you can begin protecting yourself now by arming yourself with the general facts on lung cancer before it's too late.
Causes Of Lung Cancer
When people think of lung cancer, they often associate it with cigarette smoking. Indeed, this is one of the leading causes of the disease. But it is not the only factor.
One of the major focus of research for health experts regarding this disease is the genetic factor. Most cancerous cells develop when there is an error in the mutation of DNA cells. That error in itself can be affected by other environmental factors as well, which has led health experts to go back to examining external factors that can contribute to the formation of cancerous cells.
Too much exposure to asbestos has been cited as one crucial environmental factor causing this sickness. Asbestos is a kind of mineral that is made up of bundled up fibers and naturally occurs in the environment. These fibers, when inhaled by a person exposed to them, can be trapped in one's lungs and accumulate until it causes an inflammation on the lungs.
Another crucial factor that could elicit the development of this illness is inhaling secondhand smoke. Although cigarette smoking can increase your chances of acquiring it, those who inhale cigarette smoke are at a higher risk. Secondhand smoke consists of two types of smoke: those that are produced by the burning of the tobacco product and those exhaled by the smoker.
Please pay very close attention to these general facts on lung cancer, so you can avoid the factors that could put you at risk in acquiring the disease.
Symptoms Of Lung Cancer
Since it affects your respiratory system, common symptoms associated with this disease are related to such conditions affecting the respiratory illness.
It is a rare case for this sickness to be diagnosed early, which is why awareness of the general facts on lung cancer is of extreme importance for early diagnosis.
• Prolonged cases of cough. • Uncharacteristic wheezing. • Pain on the back, chest, or shoulder. • Coughing blood or mucus. • Constant shortness of breath. • Swollen neck or face. • Pneumonia or other respiratory infections, etc
Treatment For Lung Cancer
Before a treatment option is to be determined for lung cancer patients, it is important to diagnose its type and stage first. Here are some of the more common types of treatment:
1) Surgery - This method of treatment is best only for patients who are diagnosed early due to the possibility of the cancer cells spreading to other parts of the body despite inability to detect it via scan.
2) Chemotherapy - This treatment is best used for individuals with small cell lung cancer. Oftentimes, this treatment is accompanied by radiotherapy. This treatment is known as chemoradiation.
3) Radiotherapy - This treatment is directed on the patient's head, in order to prevent the cancer cells from spreading to the brain. It is recommended only for individuals with small cell lung cancer and those who had their tumor removed via surgery.
Equipping yourself with general facts on lung cancer is your best weapon against the disease.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Lee

Leukemia - What Are the Causes, Symptoms and Treatments? | breast cancer husband

2009-04-25T13:14:00.000-07:00

Leukemia is cancer of your body's blood-forming tissues, including your bone marrow and lymphatic system. The 3 main forms of the disease are;
1. Acute Leukemia which is a malignant proliferation of white blood cell blasts in bone marrow or lymph tissue. 2. Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia also known as granulocytic leukemia. 3. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia which is common in the elderly and accounts for about 25% of all new leukemia cases.
Acute leukemia accounts for about 20% of leukemias, it's most common forms are: 1. Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) 2. Acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) 3. Acute monoblastic leukemia ( Schilling's type )
Incidence of Acute Leukemia Leukemia can occur at any age, acute forms of leukemia can occur in children and young adults and in fact in this age group it is the most common form of cancer. It is more common in females than in males, in whites ( especially those of Jewish extraction ) and in urban and industrialized populations.
Risk Factors Several congenital conditions may increase the risk of leukemia; the most common is probably Down syndrome, which is associated with a 10 to 18 fold increase in the risk of AML.
In general, nonidentical twins and other siblings of children with leukemia have two to four times the average risk of developing the disease. Also, children who have received prior radiation or chemotherapy for other types of cancer have a higher risk of contracting leukemia.
Signs and Symptoms Signs of acute leukemia may include; high fever, abnormal bleeding, easy bruising and prolonged menses. Sometimes the onset of symptoms is more gradual with low grade fever, weakness, chills, recurrent infections or lassitude, lasting for days or months before visual symptoms occur.
In addition, all AML, ALL and Schilling's type leukemias may cause anemia, fatigue, dyspnea, palpitations and abdominal or bone pain. Specific AML symptoms include, local infections such as laryngitis, joint pain and abdominal fullness. Specific ALL symptoms include, night sweats, anorexia, weight loss and shortness of breath.
Leukemia that has spread to the brain may produce central nervous system effects, such as headaches, seizures, weakness, blurred vision, balance difficulties, or vomiting. Leukemia cells may spread to the gums, causing swelling, pain, and bleeding.
Causes of Leukemia Current research points to a combination of viruses, genetic factors, and exposure to toxic chemicals and radiation.
Treatment Medically leukemia is treated mainly with chemotherapy, although radiotherapy and biological therapy can be used in certain subtypes of leukemia.
Nutritional supplements offer help support the healthy function of the immune system, and in particular, the white blood cells in leukemia patients. In addition, some nutritional supplements are able to kill leukemia cells.
Prognosis for Acute Leukemia Untreated, acute leukemia is usually fatal, often because of complications that result from leukemic cells infiltrating into the bone marrow or vital body organs.
With treatment prognosis varies, survival rates in leukemia have risen dramatically in the last 40 years with improvements in diagnosis and treatment. Children between 2 and 8 have the best survival rate (around 50%) but overall, treatment does induce remission in about 90% of cases.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dick_Aronson

Cervical Cancer Symptoms and Signs - Lessons to Be Learned From Jade Goody | breast cancer husband

2009-04-25T13:11:00.000-07:00

Jade Goody's death from cervical cancer has taught us that we need to be careful about this killer disease. There are lessons to be learnt from the Jade Goody episode so that we keep a careful watch of possible cervical cancer symptoms, signs and possible cure.
Cervical cancer ranks first among cancers in women in most developing countries. It constitutes 34 percent of all women's cancers. The approximate global incidence of women suffering annually from cervix cancer is 500,000. Though women at all ages are at risk, cervical cancer is mostly seen in women from mid 30s to 55, with 47 being the average age.
Most people are sadly uninformed about cervical cancer. It has nothing to do with your spinal cord or your neck. It is a disease in which cancer cells are seen in the cervical tissues. The cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus, connects the vagina to the body of the uterus. The cervix is pink in color. It is covered with squamous cells, which are scale-like in appearance. The cervical canal is lined with another kind of cell, known as columnar cells The area where these two types of cells meet called T-zone or transformation zone is the likeliest area which can cause abnormal growth of cells.
How can I find out if I have cervical cancer: In the earliest stages, it is quite difficult to ascertain if you have cervical cancer, because there are no obvious symptoms. Irregular bleeding, bleeding or pain during sex or vaginal discharge, chronic low backache which are symptoms that can be linked with cervical cancer, offers appear at an advanced stage.
Who is at risk of cervical cancer?
Those who do unprotected sex: Most sexually active women have the chances of carrying an HPV virus which spreads through skin to skin contact with an HPV infected area. Sex at an early age, unprotected sex and multiple sex partners augments the chances of a woman's of getting an HPV infection. In other words, HPV infection can trigger cervical cancer. Usage of condoms for the sake of unprotected sex, may not help because the virus can be passed through skin to skin contact in the genital area, that is not covered by a condom. But that does not mean, one should not use condom, it is very important to protect yourself against AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases.
Smoking: Smoking increases the risk of the woman to contract cervical cancer. Chemical produced by tobacco smoking can damage the DNA of the cervix cells, making them cancerous.
Chlamdiya infection: Chlamydia infection which is bacterial in nature is also a cayuse, triggered through sexual contact.
Diet deficient in fruit and vegetables: Women who do not eat enough fruit or vegetables miss out on the antioxidant properties which keep cancers at bay. Phytochemicals like vitamins A, C, E and beta-carotene are known to prevent cervical cancers.
HIV infection: Women who have a weak immune system from illnesses like HIV(Human Immunodeficiency Virus) can also suffer from cervical cancer.
Long term oral contraceptives: Usage of long-term contraceptives for say 5 or more years can increase the woman's chances of suffering from cervix cancer.
Family history of cervical cancer: Women who have a family history of cervical cancer are also at risk. A person who has a family history of this disease may be less genetically equipped to fight of HPV infection better than other women.
How is cervical cancer diagnosed? As mentioned before, pain or bleeding during sex or otherwise, vaginal discharge are some signs; but they do not mean you have cervical cancer. It is better if you see a doctor who will ask you to go for a Pap test
In the Pap test, a speculum or a standard device used to examine the cervix is placed in the vagina. Cells are skimmed from the surface of cervical surface with a cotton swab and then smeared into a glass slide. Another sample is taken from the T-zone with a plastic spatula. There are new techniques known as liquid based Pap tests that gives greater degree of accuracy. The slide is dispatched to a lab where a cytotechnologist (a person who reviews the slides) and a pathologist examines the sample for any abnormalities. The pap test is usually accurate and can be used to detect cervical cancers even in the early stages. To increase the reliability of the Pap test, go to your doctor two weeks after your last menstrual period and avoid having sex, douching, using tampons or using vaginal creams,powders, suppositories, sprays etc at least 48 hours before the test.
An abnormal Pap smear report DOES NOT mean that you have cervical cancer. It just means that you have some kind of cellular change in the cells that cover the surface of the cervix. A Pap test is only a screening medium, there are other tests that are important to confirm Pap test abnormalities and diagnose the disease. You need to have some kind of follow-up, retest again after some months. Depending on the degree of the abnormality, the doctor can also recommend biopsy, colposcopy (enlarged view of the vagina and cervix) or curettage.
What should be the regularity of the Pap test:
Screening should commence three years after a woman begins to have intercourse. It is recommended to go for a Pap test every two or three years. The combination of HPV testing with a Pap test should be considered for routine screening for women older than 30. Go to my blog listed below to know about cervical cancer cure.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Arunraj_V.S.

Straight Talk About Breast Cancer | breast cancer husband

2009-04-25T12:59:00.000-07:00

If a loved one of yours has been diagnosed with breast cancer, you will need some basic information, in order to help as much as you can. This article is meant to help you learn how breast cancer usually develops, what factors may put you at higher risk, and you can also learn more about symptoms and signs to watch for.
There are many things that lead to abnormal cell growth, the main result of which is often cancer. Cancer can result from stress, obesity, alcohol use, smoking, pesticides, hormones and pollutants. Or your cells might get rerouted by genetics to produce the wrong types of cells.
Breast cancer is a growth of breast cells that is abnormal and uncontrolled. It's important to understand how cancer cells develop.
Cancer often occurs resulting from abnormal changes in the genes that are usually responsible for keeping cells healthy and for regulating their growth. The genes are found in the nucleus of the cells, and they act as control rooms for the cells. Usually, our bodies' cells replace themselves through a process of growth that is orderly. Healthy cells take over as older cells die. But sometimes, mutations will cause certain genes to turn on, and the normal cells will be turned off. The new and mutated cells have the ability to divide without order or control, and this results in the production of more abnormal cells that form a tumor.
Tumors may be either malignant, which means that they have the potential to be dangerous, or benign, which means not usually dangerous to health. Tumors that are benign aren't usually considered to be cancerous. Their cells grow slowly, they are almost normal in appearance, and they don't spread to other body parts. Malignant cells are usually cancerous, and they will often spread, if left unchecked, to other parts of the body.
Breast cancer refers to a tumor that is malignant and developed from breast cells. The cancer begins either in the ducts, which are the passages that drain the lobules, or in the cells of the lobules themselves.
Over time, the cancer cells in the breast may invade other breast tissue and affect the lymph nodes under the arms. Once there, they have an open path to other parts of the body. The cancer will then go into more advanced types.
Breast cancer is always caused by a mistake in the genetics, but only five to ten percent are caused by an inherited abnormality. Ninety percent of cancer in the breast is caused by abnormalities that happen as your body ages, due to life's natural wear and tear.
Breast cancer is never the fault of the victim - try to keep a positive attitude about your prognosis, and realize that breast cancer did not happen because of something that you did.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_J_Lee

Product Details | breast cancer husband

2009-04-25T12:32:00.000-07:00

Product Details
Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-10: 1579548334
ASIN: B000E1KPUK
Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces

source : amazon

Brain Cancer | breast cancer husband

2009-04-25T11:46:00.000-07:00

Everyone fears the word cancer. However most types of cancers can be beaten, if you catch it up soon enough, and even if you don't there are new treatments coming out by the minute everyday that will help you fight and successfully beat cancer. There are however some types of cancers that are more complex in nature than others, brain cancer is the one we're speaking of and the one we will be focusing on.
Two types of known brain cancer exist, namely: Primary brain cancer (these generally initiate in the brain), Primary brain cancer almost never moves to any other part of the body, so death is brought on by uncontrollable tumor growth within the brain cavity. Then you get metastatic brain cancer or otherwise known as secondary brain cancer (this type of cancer originates in other parts of the body and get transported or should we say it migrates to the brain thus causing the person to circum to secondary brain cancer.
In some cases the patient will not know they have brain cancer until its too late, so know what symptoms to look out for is vital when it comes to any type tumor or cancer.
However, before we go there, let's take a look at the know causes of brain cancer. The main known cause of brain cancer is the continuous contact with vinyl chloride. Then there are things like pipes, car parts, furniture, wire coatings, and other house wares that contain a substance called carcinogen. Patients who suffer from a long standing battle with melanoma, colon cancer, breast cancer, kidney cancer, and lung cancer are all at risk of being or getting secondary brain cancer.
If you think that you might have brain cancer here are some things to look out for, be sure to do a check regularly and please get yourself to a doctor for a detailed check at least once every three months (or as directed by your doctor). A brain tumor has the tendency to obstruct the flow or the brains cerebral fluids, or cerebrosinal fluid (this have the devastating result of the buildup hydrocephalus and can thus increase intercranial pressure, which leads to vomiting, nausea and sever headaches.
Brain cancer also leads to impaired judgment, memory loss, reduced mind capacity, vision loss; sever behavior changes, swelling of the optic nerve and impaired smell sense. If you suffer from any of these get yourself to a trained doctor immediately.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Darren_Dunner

Herbal Medicines for Brain Cancer | breast cancer husband

2009-04-25T11:40:00.000-07:00

Description
Brain cancer is a tumor or tumors that form on the brain itself. Most brain tumors have spread to the brain from other affected parts of the body (such as the breast or the lung) via the blood-stream. Only a small percentage of brain cancer cases originate in the brain.
In its early stages, brain cancer often produces no symptoms, or it displays symptoms that are mistaken for everyday headaches. As a result, the condition is often quite advanced before it is detected. Brain cancer is a very serious condition that can cause extensive neurological damage or death.
The exact cause of brain cancer is unknown, but heredity is suspected to play a role in its development.
Signs and Symptoms
Brain cancer is usually asymptomatic until the tumor reaches a certain size. At that point, symptoms include:
Persistent headaches
Vomiting
General weakness, or localized weakness in the arms or legs
Loss of coordination
Dizziness
Change in personality
Loss of mental abilities, including memory
Double vision, or loss of vision
Seizures
Conventional Medical Treatment
If you suspect you have a brain tumor, see a physician immediately. A CAT scan or MRI of the head can usually confirm the presence of a tumor and pinpoint its location. If a tumor is found, the physician may take a CAT scan of the chest and abdomen to make sure the cancer has not affected other areas of the body. If the tumor is localized and is situated in an area where removal is possible (on the outer surface of the brain, for example), surgery may be performed. However, some tumors-particularly those located deep within the brain tissue-cannot be operated on. In these cases, radiation and chemotherapy will be used to destroy cancerous cells. (See "Conventional Medical Treatment" in the "Bladder Cancer" entry for more information on radiation and chemotherapy.)
Complementary and Alternative Treatments
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Acupressure By pressing on certain acupressure points along the body's meridians, a practitioner may be able to reduce cancer-related pain and headaches.
Chinese Herbal Therapy Traditional Chinese Medicine considers any type of tumor formation the result of stagnant blood, so a practitioner may recommend formulas that energize blood flow and strengthen the immune system, such as Ginseng and Astragals Formula. In cases of brain cancer, an herbalist may prescribe the Chinese formula called Three Yellows.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robin_Brain

Different Foods to Prevent Colon Cancer | breast cancer husband

2009-04-25T11:35:00.000-07:00

What is a Colon Cancer?
Colon cancer, also called colorectal cancer, includes cancerous growths in the colon, rectum and appendix. With 655,000 deaths worldwide per year, it is the third most common form of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the Western world. Many colorectal cancers are thought to arise from adenomatus polyps in the colon. These mushroom-like growths are usually benign, but some may develop into cancer over time. The majority of the time, the diagnosis of localized colon cancer is through colonoscopy. Therapy is usually through surgery, which in many cases is followed by chemotherapy.
Two ways to reduce the risk of colon cancer
1. Meal Times - eating earlier will reduce the burden you put on your colon to process foods and will reduce your chances of undigested foods fermenting in your colonic area. The later you eat the better chance you food will not digest properly, this means the opportunity for more toxins to settle in your colon exists. Over time you can see how this habit can damage your insides.
2. Meal Frequencies - eat less at each meal, but eat more meals. This way you take the load off of you digestive system which lightens the load on your colon. Especially during times that you are rushed to eat and stress can disrupt your digestive process.
How to Eat to Prevent Colon Cancer?
1. Shop the periphery of your grocery store. This is where the healthiest foods are located, especially the produce.
2. Eat vegetables from the produce aisle as a regular part of your daily diet. These vegetables include green leafy vegetables, roots and bulbs, legumes such as beans and peas, and stems and flowers such as broccoli, artichokes and celery.
3. Consume blueberries every day. Some research suggests that blueberries may reduce your risk of colon cancer. Blueberries are thought to be so powerful because they contain the super antioxidant, pterostilbene.
4. Include other fruits in your diet such as a wide range of berries, tropical fruits, citrus fruits, melons and seeded fruits such as cherries and grapes.
5. Increase your overall grain consumption, especially whole grains. At a minimum, you should eat whole wheat bread instead of white bread, and brown rice instead of white.
6. Restrict your consumption of animal fats and cholesterol, as they have been linked to an increased risk of colon cancer.
The article above will quickly tell you on how to eat to prevent colon cancer. Just follow this simple guide and live a cancer free life.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Outarow_Chuong

Bone Cancer - Causes, Symptoms and Treatments | breast cancer husband

2009-04-25T11:30:00.000-07:00

Cancer having its origin in the bones is referred to as bone cancer in medical terms. Bone cancers are relatively uncommon when compared to metastatic (cancer occurring initiated in another organ and spreading to bone tissues) or secondary cancer.
Bone Cancer Causes
Underlying causes behind bone Cancer is still unclear. However, there are certain risk factors that have been identified. Most of them suggest that Estrogen, female hormone, plays an imperative role in development and progress of this cancer. It's known that women, having menstrual period for the first time before 11 or at a very later stage in their life, are more prone for developing this disease. The reason being that they remain exposed to higher levels of estrogen for a longer period of time. Again, count of menstrual cycle prior to first pregnancy is also considered significant. Experts believe that women having their first child below the age of 20 might be affected in the near future. Breastfeeding offers additional protective effect.
Bone Cancer Symptoms
Bone Cancer Symptoms are many linked to the location of the bone, which has been affected by cancer in the body. Common symptom associated with bone cancer is tenderness, swelling or pain in the affected area. Lump formation might also accompany bone cancer in a patient. Although the detection of lump associated to the cancer is difficult in the early stages, it can be felt when the disease occurs in or around the joints. Still, you cannot consider any of these symptoms as prominent signs of bone cancer.
Bone Cancer Treatment
Treatment for cancer of bone, mainly metastatic cancer, has 2 goals:
-Managing neoplasm
-Managing symptoms produced by local lesion
Prognosis is mainly affected by patient's age, primary tumor size, lymphatic & blood vessel invasion degree, symptoms duration and tumor location on arm, trunk or leg.
There are 2 methods for treating bone metastasis. Systemic Therapy is aimed for treating cancer cells spread throughout your body. It includes hormone therapy, immunotherapy and chemotherapy. Local therapy is aimed towards killing cancerous cells of a specific portion on the body. It includes surgery and radiation therapy.
Surgery:
It is often extensive and involves the removal of a wide margin of tissue surrounding the tumor. Sarcomas, which involve muscles, also require removing the entire affected group of muscles.
Radiation Therapy:
It is mainly used for preventing local recurrence of radiosensitive tumor and given either before or following the surgery.
Chemotherapy:
Several drugs have proven effective for treating bone & soft tissue sarcoma. However, required dosages for providing a great chance to cure might lead to significant side-effects. Effective agents include cyclophosphamide, etoposide, vincristine, ifosfamide, doxorubicin (Adriamycin), dactinomycin (Actinomycin D), dacarbazine and investigational agent. In some cases, even combinations of all these drugs are used.
Hormone Therapy:
It's either removal of organs producing hormones promoting growth of specific cancer types (testosterone and estrogen) or drug therapy for keeping hormones from promoting growth of cancer.
Even after completely removing bone or soft tissue sarcoma, significant risk is there that small tumors, left undetected, may spread to other regions in the body. Adjuvant Chemotherapy attempts for eliminating such tumor deposits.
Even, there are safer and effective methods for treating pain. Medications will allow people for being free of pain and continue the activities essential to them.
To Your Health!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_S._Pendergraft

Ewing's Sarcoma, A Common Form of Bone Cancer | breast cancer husband

2009-04-25T11:25:00.000-07:00

Ewing’s Sarcoma is one of three different kinds’ cases of bone cancer. It is usually diagnosed in a younger generation with the victims usually between the ages of ten to twenty years old and the most commonly diagnosed are males. There have been cases of children getting Ewing’s Sarcoma from as young as three or four years of age. It rarely is diagnosed or contracted past the age of thirty years old. It is generally diagnosed in Caucasians and not as often in African-Americans or Asians; in fact it is very rare. It is a highly malignant primary tumor in the bone and is generally found in the Upper legs, hip and pelvis of a patient, although it can occur anywhere in the body. This type of cancer is found inside of the soft tissue in the bone.
Pain radiating from the limbs can be one of the first indicators on bone cancer, especially Ewing’s Sarcoma. This pain begins small and dull and escalates quickly to a very intense feeling. Elevated LDH levels as well as weight loss and anemia also accompany the symptoms of Ewing’s Sarcoma. Tender swelling that is localized and has been apparent for several weeks or months is an indicator that you should visit your doctor for further testing. A cat scan or MRI will be able to diagnose your cancer and will be able to further tell whether or not it has spread to other parts of your body, which will decide the proper course of treatment. Generally, a surgery is performed to remove the cancerous tumor. If the tumor is extremely large, amputation may be a necessity in order to keep the cancer from spreading elsewhere. The surgery is then followed by an extensive round or rounds of radiation or chemotherapy.
Ewing’s Sarcoma is the most lethal and the second most common cancerous or malignant tumor found in a young cancer patient. There is a survival rate of 5 years that is 70%-80% if the bone cancer is found early enough and has not metastasized, or spread and has been treated with chemotherapy. If the cancer has metastasized, the long term survival rate plummets to around 10%-20%.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matt_Murren

Bladder Cancer Treatment Options | breast cancer husband

2009-04-25T11:19:00.000-07:00

There are many different treatments available for people diagnosed with bladder cancer. Treatment depends mainly on the stage of cancer. A cancer caught early enough will require less dramatic measures than more advanced cancers. The most common treatment options are surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. In certain cases, your doctor may combine two or more treatment options, most commonly combining surgery with chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Surgery may be performed with both early and advanced bladder cancers. When bladder cancer is caught early on, the tumor may be removed through the urinary opening, or urethra. This involves inserting small surgical instruments and a laparoscope through the urethra. The laparoscope is like a small telescope and is used to find the tumor and successfully remove it. This type of surgery is called a transurethral resection and rarely results in the patient requiring an external urine collecting method.
Once bladder cancer has spread, the surgical treatment usually involves complete or partial bladder removal. A partial bladder removal (cystectomy) is often reserved for patients with less invasive types of bladder cancer (usually cancers that start in cells associated with frequent infections or irritations) that occur near the top of the bladder. A complete, or radical, cystectomy may also involve removal of nearby tissues. For men, a radical cystectomy often includes removal of the prostate, the lymph nodes near the hip and the semen conducting tubes. For a woman, a radical cystectomy also includes removing the reproductive organs (uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes), part of the vagina and the urethra. If you do undergo surgery to remove your bladder cancer, you may require an opening for urine discharge (urostomy). Recent advances in surgical procedures are decreasing the number of people with urostomies.
Chemotherapy can also be used to treat bladder cancer, often in combination with surgery. Chemotherapy is a whole body treatment, meaning it affects the entire body not just the bladder. This is why many chemotherapy patients experience side effects such as nausea, bruising, headache and fatigue. Chemotherapy uses drugs (for example valrubicin, thiotepa and doxorubicin) to kill cancer cells. These drugs can be given either in the form of a pill to be swallowed or injected into a vein. If your bladder cancer is caught early enough, you may have the choice of receiving chemotherapy directly into your bladder through the urethra.
Radiation therapy can also be used to treat bladder cancer. This may be used after surgery to kill any cancer cells that may have been missed by the surgeon. There are two ways radiation therapy may be performed, you may either receive a dose of radiation from a machine, or your tumor is planted with radioactive 'seeds' that slowly release their radiation. The side effects of radiation therapy can be an inflamed rectum, inability to control your bladder muscles, rash, or impotence (in men).
Immunotherapy, also called biological therapy, is a treatment designed to boost a person's immune system so the body can rid itself of the cancer. This is accomplished by injecting a vaccine derived from the tuberculosis bacteria into the urethra. This vaccine puts the immune system on high alert and causes it to kill the cancer cells. Common side effects to this treatment option are an inflamed bladder or prostate and flu-like symptoms.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

Types of Liver Cancer | breast cancer husband

2009-04-25T11:14:00.000-07:00

Liver cancer is a very serious disease that can be fatal within a year of being diagnosed for some patients. This is because the symptoms you will notice with liver cancer won't usually appear until it has become a serious medical condition. There are two major types and they are called hepatocellular and metastatic.
Metastatic liver cancer will start in a different part of the body such as the colon, breast, stomach, lungs and pancreas. It will then spread to the liver.
There is a type of liver cancer that is most commonly found in women and it's called cholangiocarcinoma. Sometimes it's referred to as bile duct cancer because it starts in the cells that line the bile ducts.
Hepatocellular cancer is often called carcinoma or hepatoma and it is cancer that starts in the cells that are found directly in the liver. This type of liver cancer can spread to other organs but it doesn't always do so. Men are more prone to this type and anyone that suffers with cirrhosis is at high risk for this disease. Approximately ninety to ninety-five percent of liver cancer begins from liver cells.
When a person has liver cancer, doctors will classify them in terms of stages that describe the size of the cancerous tumor and how much it has spread.
There are four basic stages of liver cancer and they are listed below:
In the first stage it starts as a tumor less than two centimeters long.
In the third stage the cancer is affecting the blood vessels and there may be more than one tumor.
By the time it reaches the third stage the tumor has normally grown to about five centimeters and it has begun to spread to the blood vessels. In this stage it usually is spreading to the organs that are nearby such as the stomach and bowels. Soon it will begin to spread to the lymph nodes.
By stage four the cancer has started to spread further out in the body.
Once a doctor determines which stage it is in, they will be able to determine the best treatment options.
It's important to know that liver cancer is one of the most serious forms of cancer around partly because it has already spread so much before symptoms occur.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=George_McKenzie

Treatment For Anal Cancer | breast cancer husband

2009-04-25T10:59:00.000-07:00

The treatment for anal cancer actually depends on several factors -- the location of the cancer, the size of the tumor and the overall health of the patient. Usually the doctors work together with the patient to decide the best possible treatment plan.
There are primarily three types of treatment for anal cancer and they are surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.
Surgery: The type of surgery depends upon the stage of the cancer. Early stage cancer or in situ cancer is treated by removing the cancerous cells along with a small area of the surrounding tissue mass. Thereafter, the patient has to have regular follows ups for screening and subsequent removal of cancerous tissue.
Patients in later stages of cancer first undergo a small surgery wherein a piece of the tissue is removed for biopsy. Thereafter chemotherapy and radiation are given in combination. Patients who have combination therapy invariably are not subjected to treatment through major surgery. However, patients who cannot have chemotherapy and radiation therapy may have to undergo major surgery. Usually this happens when the cancer is still present after the initial treatment or there is a relapse after the treatment is completed. In case the cancer is recurrent, the patient may have to undergo a colostomy where the anus, rectum and part of the colon are removed; and an opening is created in the abdomen so that feces can be collected in a bag. Even lymph nodes are removed in this procedure.
Radiation Therapy: This therapy involves using high energy X-rays to kill the cancer. The most common type of radiation is known as external beam radiation therapy wherein the radiation is given through an external machine. However, at times radiation can be given through implants this type of therapy is known as internal radiation therapy or brachytherapy.
This therapy has side effects which include fatigue, stomach problems, skin reaction, anal irritation, and discomfort when passing feces. Sometimes, scar tissue can form and this can cause problems with bowel movements. However, most of the side effects disappear once the therapy is over.
Chemotherapy: Here drugs are used to kill the cancer cells. The drug is intravenously fed into the blood stream and target only cancer cells. This treatment is highly effective when combined with radiation therapy. The benefit of the combination ensures that lower doses of radiation are used and the chances of destroying the cancerous tissue completely are very high.
Patients who are HIV positive are given low doses of chemotherapy and radiation therapy but it depends on how badly the immune system is compromised by the HIV.
Side effects of chemotherapy include fatigue, possibility of infection, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and loss of appetite. However, these side effects are dependent on the overall health of the patient and usually disappear once the therapy is completed.

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