World Cancer Report

Released by IARC (International agency for research on cancer), a part of World health organization (WHO), World cancer report is a concise informative manual that have a clear description about global cancer statistics, causes, main types, early diagnosis and effective treatment. The director-general of WHO, Dr. Gro Brundtland states 'The report provides a basis for public health action and assists us in our goal to reduce the morbidity and mortality from cancer, and to improve the quality of life of cancer patients and their families, everywhere in the world.'

Major findings

The report has published these results:

Tobacco- the most preventable cancer cause

In the last century, more than 100 million died all over the world from the diseases that are associated with tobacco consumption. These are:

* Cancer

* Chronic lung disease

* Stroke

* Cardiovascular disease

The regrettable fact is, the patients could have been prevented from such medical problem had they not used any tobacco. Lung cancer risk is 20 to 30 times more in smokers than non-smoking persons. About 90 % of all lung cancers are tobacco associated, in both men as well as women. In bladder and renal pelvis cancer, 50 per cent or more are due to smoking. For the cancer of mouth, larynx, pharynx, esophagus the RR is greater than six. For pancreatic carcinomas it is three to four. Stomach, liver, kidney, naval cavity, sinuses, esophagus (adenocarcinoma) cancer and myeloid leukemia two-three RR has been identified by the researchers. Even passive smoking can lead to lung cancer, and increases the risk by almost 20 percent. However, tobacco is not yet known to have any role in the incidence of prostate, breast and endometrial cancer of the uterine, since there is no evidence of this at present.

Infection is a great risk factor

Approximately 23 per cent of malignant diseases in developing countries occur due to the infections. These can cause:

* Liver Cancer (Hepatitis B and C virus)

* Cervical cancer (HPV, human papillomaviruses, HPV)

* Stomach cancer(Helicobacter pylori)

Whereas, in developing world, only 8 percent of all such malignancies are attributed to infectious agents.

Vaccines for prevention: These could be highly effective in treating cancers caused by infections. HBV vaccination is successfully being used to prevent liver cancer in countries where incidences are high and most probably HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination will also work within three to five years.

Diet is curing

Stomach cancer can be prevented from occurring if the intake of salt-free preserved meat and fish is avoided. In many countries of Europe, such as Switzerland and nearby places, mortality rate has decreased by 60 percent within one generation. It is hoped, in the coming 30 years, stomach cancer can become a rare type in many parts of the world. In many other countries like Japan, Korea, Brazil, and Portugal, where salted food is excessively eaten, the incidence of gastric cancer are high but fallen considerably.

According to studies, taking plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables on a regular basis can prevent or help in cancer recovery.

Strategies for cancer control

The aim of these procedures and techniques is to reduce the occurrence as well as the cancer death rate that is the ultimate consequence of the fatal disease. Post disease life improvement for the patient is also included. Treating the disorder is not enough, the care and health condition afterwards throughout one's life is considered also that is equally important. Early diagnosis is really essential to avoid further complications and off course the death of affected person.

The report has revealed information about all aspects of cancer including the statistics of incidence by each type all over the globe. Nutrition is a key factor, discussed in detail; various other facts are discovered in it.

Breast Cancer Treatment Choices

Breast cancer can be treated with a mastectomy or breast preservation surgery, lumpectomy, followed by radiation and sometimes chemotherapy. These are the best ways to prevent reoccurrence of cancer. The most common place for cancer to come back is in the same area where it was found the first time.

The determination of which treatment is best for an individual is based on the pathology of the disease. The initial biopsy, which is done when the cancer is first suspected, will tell what type of cancer is present and whether it is hormone receptive. The knowledge of hormone receptors, or not, found will be part of the decision making information for an individual's treatment. Some types of tumors are stimulated by normal hormones found in a woman's body, such as progesterone, estrogen, and HER-2. A tumor may show a positive response to one or more of these hormones. By knowing this information, a plan of treatment can be offered that will improve a woman's chances of cancer free survival.

The pathology from the surgery, done to remove the cancer tumor, will tell if the entire tumor was removed and if cancer was found in the lymph nodes. During surgery the surgeon can see the cancer tumor, but not all of the cancer cells can be visualized. So the tumor is sent to a pathologist who puts the tumor and the surrounding tissue that was removed by the surgeon under a microscope. This way cancer cells that might be outside the main tumor can be seen. The lymph nodes that were removed in surgery can also be looked at under a microscope and it can be determined if there are cancer cells found in the lymph nodes. Often a Sentinel Node can be found, if a dye is used before surgery. This dye is injected before surgery and will show which node is the main node that drains fluid from the cancer tumor site. (The lymphatic system drains non blood fluids throughout the body.)

If lymph nodes are found to have cancer cells within them the cancer has moved from the tumor site to other areas in the body. This movement of cancer cells away from the tumor indicates metastasis, or stray cancer cells that are traveling in the body. The final pathology will offer much information about the type of cancer, the location of the cancer and how best to treat the cancer to provide a cancer free life for the woman.

A woman who has been diagnosed with cancer, from a biopsy, then will see a surgeon who specializes in breast cancer. Surgery to remove the tumor is always needed, as long as the tumor is in the breast it will grow and chances are the cancer cells will travel away from the main tumor and spread throughout the body. These cells that move away from the main tumor will settle and grow into tumors in other parts of the body, not just the breast. The surgeon will ask questions about the woman's health and ask about the woman's family. If a woman has family members that have, or have had breast cancer, this information will be included in treatment decisions. The surgeon then will discuss ways to treat the cancer. A mastectomy which is a removal of the breast that has the cancer in it, with one or more lymph nodes removed is one choice. A lumpectomy which is removal of the cancer tumor and a small amount of tissue surrounding the tumor is another choice. The size of the tumor, determined by the mammogram, will influence these choices. If the tumor is large a lumpectomy may not be a good choice. The smaller the tumor, the better the chances of survival for the woman. The larger the tumor the more involved the surgery will need to be, such as a mastectomy. Sometimes chemotherapy is needed before surgery; the chemotherapy will hopefully shrink the tumor and kill cancer cells that may have moved away from the main tumor (metastasized). When this is done before the surgery, the hope is that after surgery most or all of the cancer will be gone and only radiation will be needed. Chemotherapy may be needed after surgery depending on the type and stage of the cancer.

Often the surgeon will ask a woman to see a radiation oncologist before her surgery. This consultation will allow the radiation oncologist, another cancer doctor who specializes in radiation, to review the woman's case and to offer choices of treatment. The options this doctor may offer are whole breast radiation after surgery, or partial breast radiation after surgery, or no radiation if a woman has a mastectomy and no cancer cells are found outside the breast that was removed in surgery.

One type of partial breast radiation is brachytherapy. Breast brachytherapy has been available for some time, but not all doctors are familiar with it. Brachytherapy of the breast is a good choice for some women. The size of the tumor and the location of the tumor are two of the determinations if this is a good choice. If the cancer is found out side of the breast, brachytherapy is not a choice for a woman. Brachytherapy is radiation given to the area where the cancer tumor was. This is where most cancers come back, in the same area they were to begin with. Brachytherapy can be given over five days, where as whole breast radiation if given over 6 weeks. This is an advantage for women who do not live near a cancer treatment center, women who live busy lives (most women do), or women who don't want to prolong their treatments. When a woman chooses breast brachytherapy the applicator that will allow radiation to go right into the space where the cancer was; is placed at the time of surgery. Brachy means close. It is another advantage of brachytherapy. Only the tissue around where the cancer tumor was is radiated; the normal tissue is exposed either not at all or to such a low level of radiation it is not affected by the radiation.

The brachytherapy treatments are given two times a day, at least 6 hours between treatments, for a total of ten treatments. This type of radiation requires special equipment and knowledge, many cancer centers now have both the equipment and the radiation oncologists that are specialized in this treatment.

The other type of partial breast radiation is accelerated partial breast radiation. This type of treatment also requires that the tumor is small and no cancer has been found outside the breast. This type of radiation can be given over a shortened time, days instead of weeks. The equipment to give these treatments is IMRT, which most if not all cancer centers have. This is external beam radiation that goes from the outside of the breast to the inside of the breast and radiates all of the tissue in the area. The advantages to this treatment are it takes less time, although it is also two treatments a day at least 6 hours apart, and it only radiates the portion of the breast where the cancer tumor was.

Whole breast radiation has been around for a very long time and is what all women received until the past 15 years or so. This type of radiation involves one treatment a day Monday through Friday for 6 weeks, a total of 30 treatments. It is external beam radiation that goes from the outside of the breast to the inside of the breast and radiates all of the tissue in the breast and surrounding area, not just the area where the tumor was. This type of treatment is favored when the tumor is larger or the cancer cells were found outside of the breast, such as in one or more lymph nodes. The lymph nodes can be included in the whole breast radiation. Some women will choose whole breast radiation because it has been used for so very long. Partial breast radiation has shown the same effectiveness in studies, when the woman is a candidate for brachytherapy.

Chemotherapy and biological therapy or hormone therapies are needed in specific cases. These treatment choices should be discussed with the surgeon, the radiation oncologist and a medical oncologist.

What ever choose a woman is given they need to be well understood before she makes her decision. Asking questions of her doctors and talking to her loved ones will be helpful. If a woman's decision is thought out it will probably be the best choice for her. Prayer always is beneficial.

God Bless you.
For More Detail:

Types of Skin Cancer - The Differences and The Common Ground

How Can Breast Cancer Be Treated?

Avoid Cancer - Ten Tips For the Prevention of Cancer

Cancer often strikes fear into the hearts of many. Most people have known someone who has been effected, or even died from cancer. So, is there anything that can be done to avoid cancer, or to help with the prevention of cancer?

The latest information we have on cancer deaths in the U.S. shows the rate going down an average 2.1% a year between 2002 and 2004. Important drops were seen in the three leading causes of cancer deaths for men: lung, prostate and colorectal.

In women, death rates from colorectal and breast cancer was down, while the increase in lung cancer deaths slowed quite noticeably.

Good news to be sure, and a sign that new therapies, early diagnosis and continued research are making a mark against this terrible disease.

Cancer prevention also makes a marked impact on cancer diagnosis, and is the motivation behind ten recommendations made last year by the American Institute of Cancer Research and presented at 2008's annual meeting of the American Dietetic Association.

Written by an international team of scientists, including Walter Willett, MD, DrPH, an epidemiology professor who heads the nutrition department at the Harvard School of Public Health, the ten lifestyle tips were reviewed by Karen Collins, MS, RD, CDN, the nutritional advisor for the American Institute for Cancer Research. Both Collins and Willett discussed the suggestions with attendees at the American Dietetic Association's annual meeting that's just wrapped in Chicago.

Take a look at the recommendations for yourself... common sense really, but absolutely worth including in your life, especially if you have high risk factors for cancer.

1) Be as lean as possible, but not underweight. Collins suggests not just checking the number on the scales, but also measuring your waist to get a feel for your abdominal fat. Men should have a waist measurement no larger than 37 inches; woman's waists should be 31.5 inches or less.

2) Be active for at least 30 minutes every day on most days of the week. If you're out of shape or very sedentary, talk with your doctor first. Then start slow and build gradually over time. And contrary to popular belief, you can break up your workout - 10 to 15 minute sessions, twice a day are just fine according to Collins.

3) Avoid sugary drinks and consumption of energy-dense foods. No one is saying these foods (or their additives) cause cancer, but they do add extra calories to your diet, and can sabotage your healthy weight over time. A treat now and then is fine, all the time can really blow your calorie budget.

4) Eat a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes. You'll want to try to add a lot of different colors (deep green leafy veggies, blueberries, etc.) to your meals. Most Americans, says Collins, are stuck in a rut of eating the same three vegetables over and over. Try something new, you just might like it and be helping your body at the same time!

5) If you drink at all, limit alcoholic drinks to two a day for men and one for women. To do this, you'll need to keep an eye on the bartender as according to Collins, drinks can have a higher alcohol content than expected. Willette was quick to caution that the pros and cons of moderate drinking is something that women should consider carefully, weighing the heart benefits against the increased breast cancer risk from drinking.

6) Limit red meats (beef, pork, lamb) and avoid processed meats. Good as they may taste, you'll want to keep your red meat intake to 18 ounces a week, says Collins. She suggests choosing chicken, seafood, or legumes in place of red meat, and encourages moderation rather than eliminating these meats entirely from the diet.

7) Limit consumption of salty foods and foods processed with sodium. You'll want to try and keep your sodium intake under 2,400 milligrams a day. To add flavor to food, use herbs and spices instead, says Collins. She points out that processed foods account for a large part of sodium intake today - so don't worry so much about the salt you add when cooking or eating, rather read the labels of the foods you buy.

8) Don't use supplements to protect against cancer. This is a recommendation that is likely to be reviewed, but for now the experts are cautioning against taking a supplement purely for cancer protection benefits. It's not that supplements are bad, but the science doesn't support (except in the case of vitamin D) the idea that these substances can protect against cancer.

9) Mothers should try to breastfeed babies exclusively for up to six months and then add other foods and liquids. If this is an option for you, it's a good idea and provides the baby with many healthy benefits.

10) After treatment, cancer survivors should follow the recommendations for cancer prevention. This includes patients who are currently undergoing treatment, as well as those who have finished their therapy and are being monitored. Once you've beaten your cancer back, you need to do all you can to keep your body in top form - healthy and strong enough to resist anything that comes your way.

You need to keep in mind that while these tips are sensible suggestions they are only intended to reduce (not eliminate) your risk of cancer. There are many other things (genetics and environmental factors to name a few) that contribute to cancer risk, but these lifestyle choices give you some control over the aspects you can change and help you to better avoid cancer.

3 Medical Options for Prostate Cancer Treatment

The treatment of prostate cancer is complex and depends on a multitude of issues that includes the grade and stage of the cancer along with the age, overall health and the type of treatment that the patient is comfortable with. For elderly men who may have a slow growing tumor or a low life expectancy the treatment may just be watching and waiting, along with keeping the man comfortable. There are three type of treatment for prostate cancer that includes surgery, radiation therapy, and hormone manipulation.

Surgery:

Surgery for prostate cancer includes several types of prostatectomies. For men in the early stages of the disease the cure may be as easy as having a prostatectomy. There are four types of prostatectomies.

• A radical prostatectomy involves removal of the prostate, prostatic capsule, seminal vesicles, and a portion of the bladder neck. Many men experience varying degrees of urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction.

• A retropubic prostatectomy is most often performed because it allows adequate control of bleeding, visualization of the prostate bed and bladder neck, and access to pelvic lymph nodes.

• A perineal prostatectomy is often the preferred choice for older men or men who might be poor surgical risks. This approach takes less time and there is less bleeding.

• A suprapubic prostatectomy is used if problems with the bladder are expected, but otherwise is seldom used. It is more difficult to control any bleeding because the surgical approach is through the bladder.

Radiation:

If the cancer is stage 3, or locally advanced beyond the prostatic capsule, treatment by surgery becomes somewhat controversial because of the likelihood of hidden lymph node metastasis and relapse. A prostatectomy, if performed, is used to help relieve urinary obstruction, but not to treat the cancer.

Radiation therapy may be used as a primary treatment for prostate cancer. Long term problems of impotence and urinary incontinence may be avoided and survival rates are comparable to that of surgical treatment.

Radiation may be delivered either by an external beam or interstitial implants of radioactive seeds of iodine, gold, palladium, or iridium. Interstitial radiation has a lower risk of impotence and rectal damage than external beam radiation.

Radiation has a palliative role for men with metastatic prostate cancer, reducing the size of bone metastasis, controlling pain, and restoring function, such as continence.

Hormonal Therapy:

Androgen depravation therapy is used to treat advanced prostate cancer. Many cells in the growing tumor are androgen dependent and either stop growing or die if deprived of androgen. Other cancer cells, unfortunately, thrive without androgen and are unaffected by therapy to reduce circulating androgen The treatment of prostate cancer is complex and depends on a multitude of issues that includes the grade and stage of the cancer along with the age, overall health and the type of treatment that the patient is comfortable with. For elderly men who may have a slow growing tumor or a low life expectancy the treatment may just be watching and waiting, along with keeping the man comfortable. There are three type of treatment for prostate cancer that includes surgery, radiation therapy, and hormone manipulation.

Surgery:

Surgery for prostate cancer includes several types of prostatectomies. For men in the early stages of the disease the cure may be as easy as having a prostatectomy. There are four types of prostatectomies.

• A radical prostatectomy involves removal of the prostate, prostatic capsule, seminal vesicles, and a portion of the bladder neck. Many men experience varying degrees of urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction.

• A retropubic prostatectomy is most often performed because it allows adequate control of bleeding, visualization of the prostate bed and bladder neck, and access to pelvic lymph nodes.

• A perineal prostatectomy is often the preferred choice for older men or men who might be poor surgical risks. This approach takes less time and there is less bleeding.

• A suprapubic prostatectomy is used if problems with the bladder are expected, but otherwise is seldom used. It is more difficult to control any bleeding because the surgical approach is through the bladder.

Radiation:

If the cancer is stage 3, or locally advanced beyond the prostatic capsule, treatment by surgery becomes somewhat controversial because of the likelihood of hidden lymph node metastasis and relapse. A prostatectomy, if performed, is used to help relieve urinary obstruction, but not to treat the cancer.

Radiation therapy may be used as a primary treatment for prostate cancer. Long term problems of impotence and urinary incontinence may be avoided and survival rates are comparable to that of surgical treatment.

Radiation may be delivered either by an external beam or interstitial implants of radioactive seeds of iodine, gold, palladium, or iridium. Interstitial radiation has a lower risk of impotence and rectal damage than external beam radiation.

Radiation has a palliative role for men with metastatic prostate cancer, reducing the size of bone metastasis, controlling pain, and restoring function, such as continence.

Hormonal Therapy:

Androgen depravation therapy is used to treat advanced prostate cancer. Many cells in the growing tumor are androgen dependent and either stop growing or die if deprived of androgens. Other cancer cells, unfortunately, thrive without androgen and are unaffected by therapy to reduce circulating androgens. The effects of hormone therapy can vary from complete but temporary regression of the tumor to no response at all.

The key to successful prostate cancer treatment is early detection and treatment. This is why it is so important for men in their 40s and older to go to their doctor for regular prostate exams. Cancer of the prostate can be successfully treated if caught in its early stages of development.
. The effects of hormone therapy can vary from complete but temporary regression of the tumor to no response at all.

The key to successful prostate cancer treatment is early detection and treatment. This is why it is so important for men in their 40s and older to go to their doctor for regular prostate exams. Cancer of the prostate can be successfully treated if caught in its early stages of development.
Fore More Detail:

How Can Breast Cancer Be Treated?

Types of Brain Cancer Treatment

How Can Breast Cancer Be Treated?

Did you know that each year about 216,000 women and 1,500 men are diagnosed with breast cancer? There are various risk factors of the disease like:

* Easy onset on menstruation

* History of cancer in the family

* Undergoing hormone (estrogen and progesterone) replacement therapies

* Heavy alcohol consumption

What are the types of treatments available?

There are a host of treatments for breast cancer. Even if it is possible to treat the disease with just one form of the treatment, in the advanced stages it might require to use more than one form including - surgeries, radiation therapies, antihormonal therapies, and chemotherapy.

Given below is a short discussion about each of the forms of treatment:

* Surgeries: The primary aim of this form of treatment is to dissect out the carcinogenic tissues from the affected area. There are different types of surgeries like:

- Lumpectomy or excisional biopsy - This involves removal of carcinogenic tissues as well as a portion of the surrounding breast tissue.

- Total or simple mastectomy - It is the removal of the entire affected breast.

- Radical or modified mastectomy - This is done on patients with advanced stages of breast cancer. In this surgery the oncologist removes the entire breast along with the underarm lymph nodes.

* Radiotherapy - In this treatment, intensive radiation is used for killing cancer cells invisible to the naked eye. This is generally used post-surgery to kill any carcinogenic tissue that may have been left behind after the surgery. Radiation is used to kill the carcinogenic cells and also to stop those from further multiplication.

* Chemotherapy - In this form of treatment, anti-carcinogenic drugs and chemicals are used to stop carcinogenic growths. There are different types of chemotherapy drugs that are used for the treatment of breast cancer. Oftentimes oncologists use these drugs in combinations called regimens. However, it is only possible for an experienced oncologist to determine the exact proportion and dosage for the treatment.

* Antihormonal therapy - Have you heard about estrogen-receptor-positive tumors? In some breast cancers, the hormone estrogen makes the cells grow. In this type of cancers antihormonal therapy proves effective in preventing the carcinogenic cells from growing.

Even though there are so many ways to treat breast cancer, you should consult an oncologist if you experience even the primary signs. For such critical disease you should visit a reputed clinic. Renowned centers comprise experienced specialists who will be able to provide the best possible care and treatment. If you are searching for a trusted cancer center, remember, when it comes to breast cancer, Elizabethtown is an area which comprises a few of the renowned cancer centers.

Types of Brain Cancer Treatment

There are several different types of brain cancer. It is important to know and understand that treating a brain tumor should be customized to you. While treatments are typically standardized, it is important for the treating doctor to consider your age, as well as any and all health complications that you may experience.

In addition to this, the medical professional must also consider the type of tumor that you suffer from, the location of the tumor, as well as the general size of the abnormal growth. In this health guide, you will learn a little about the different types of brain cancer treatment that you may choose from in order to treat the health complications that you suffer from.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is a common brain cancer treatment that many individuals with tumors elect to participate in after being urged by their doctor. Machines that emit rays that are filled with a high level of energy work to effectively destroy tumor based cells. This treatment is also effective in reducing the possibility that the cells will grow and continue to multiply in the body.

In most instances, radiation therapy will completely stop the growth and reproduction process of cancerous cells in the brain and other locations in the body. This is an appropriate treatment for those that are not capable of undergoing treatment. Many patients prefer this treatment as it is considered to be local. This means that it only targets cells that are cancerous and not healthy cells.

Chemotherapy

Many patients elect to engage in the brain cancer treatment of chemotherapy. This type of treatment incorporates the use of drugs in order to effectively destroy tumor cells. Many medical professionals will use a combination of several drugs, but there are many that will use only one type of medication when issuing chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy medications are typically taken by mouth, but there are some instances when a medical professional feels that it is most appropriate to issue drugs by an IV. The brain cancer treatment is typically given in what is referred to as a "cycle". This means that a person is issued the medication on an intensive level. Immediately thereafter, there is a time where no treatments are issued. This is the recovery stage.

Typically, the patients that undergo chemotherapy experience many different challenging and uncomfortable symptoms. Many individuals actually describe these symptoms as being unbearable. They include, but are not at all limited, to the following:

• It is common for many to experience nausea. In most cases, this is accompanied by vomiting.
• Sores may start to develop on, in, and around the mouth area in patients that are undergoing chemotherapy.
• Many discover that they simply have no appetite and no desire to indulge in meals while on the treatment.
• Unfortunately, many that engage in this type of brain cancer treatment discover that they lose their hair.

Types of Skin Cancer - The Differences and The Common Ground

Do a search for "the types of skin cancer" and you'll find lots of information. The 3 types of skin cancer most common, as you will find out are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma, in that order.

You can find it described in medical terms or simplified in the words of a layman. It's very useful for you to know how it appears and grows and see the photos of it.

I'll cover each one of them and tell you what I conclude to be of most importance about all of them, even the more rare types not covered here.

Starting with basal cell, it rarely spreads and grows slowly. It first appears as a small growth on your skin, often undetected at first. It doesn't usually pose a big threat, but in time it could.
Here's a little experience I recently had. I noticed a small growth on my jaw line. After a few weeks there was another little tiny one next to it. I immediately went to my dermatologist and it was biopsied as basal cell carcinoma. It was 100% removed by mohs surgery and found to have travelled about 3 inches beyond what was visible to the eye. GLAD I WENT! It had been invisibly there for quite some time.

The next is squamous cell carcinoma. It also grows slowly and can be hard to notice in the early stages. It can be more serious than basal cell in that it can spread inward to vital organs. It first appears as a growth and can be quite innocent looking. I had an experience with this back in 1990. It had progressed to a stage 3 and it took the entire conventional arsenal to destroy it,...Chemotherapy...Major surgery...and Radiation.

The third of the most common types of skin cancer is malignant melanoma, the most deadly. It can appear as a new mole growth, freckle or an existing one showing some changes. Melanoma can spread rather quickly to internal organs without being detected; therein lays the deadly danger. That is why you should see a dermatologist to have those moles checked out, especially when you see any changes. It wouldn't be a bad idea to go once a year if you're over 40 years old and definitely if you're over 50.

So you see how the three types of skin cancer differ, but pay closer attention to what they all have in common and that is GROWTH ON YOUR SKIN. You can go to the internet and learn what the different ones look like but keep in mind that they all are an unusual growth on your skin. Growth isn't limited to elevation alone; it could be a change in skin color, spreading of the discoloration or a patch of dry scaly skin,...anything unusual. It also may not match up with any description or photo you see. It's all cause for concern and warrants a visit to your health professional.

So the big message here is for you to play a big role in early detection by being aware yourself. Notice what's going on and spot it even before your doctor does.

And the good news is that they are all most highly curable when detected early.

For More Detail:
Skin Cancer - Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)

Cell Phones and Brain Cancer: Is There a Link?

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

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

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

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

Late Effects: Cognitive Changes That Can Result From Cancer Treatment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10 Steps To Handle A Diagnosis of Thyroid Cancer

Dealing with a thyroid cancer or any other disease diagnosis has to be handled like we have to handle all other situations and events in our life.

1. You need to have an objective. When diagnosed with thyroid cancer the main objective is very obvious. Get well!! Another objective would be to attain the best medical care you can get.

2. A plan has to be put into place. Appointments have to be set with an endocrinologist or an oncologist that specializes in thyroid cancer. If you have a family that needs help while you are going through treatment arrangements have to be made.

3. Once diagnosed with the cancer find all the resources you have available to help you and think about all the resources you may need. What oncologists, endocrinologists and surgeon are available in your area. You may have to contact a thyroid cancer association. Your local community family and friends are also great resources.

4. There will be challenges and obstacles that will come up. You may think you are on the road to recovery when a new test or scan will show that is not so. Challenges that may occur are having to wait a long period of time before receiving treatment, problems with calcium levels after surgery, and having to stay longer than anticipated in isolation after a radioactive treatment. Make a contingency plan for challenges or obstacles that may come up that are not obvious.

5. A feedback system will be required. Get a second opinion if you do not feel comfortable with what has been given to you. Do research whether it be from the internet or from books. Contact the cancer society for step by step guidelines explaining the protocol for the treatment of thyroid cancer.

6. Speak your thoughts clearly to your doctor, family and friends. They may want something for you that you do not want. It is your body and mind; take control.

7. Once a plan has been made be concise on your next step. It could be asking for more tests, receiving treatment, or just waiting to see how the cancer progresses.

8. Even with a good plan in place there maybe adjustments to be made. It is OK to change your mind and ask for an alternative treatment or test. Because thyroid cancer is a slow growing cancer you have the opportunity of time to make decisions.

9. Celebrate small and big victories. When you have succeeded to find the best endocrinologist, or the surgeon renown for his thyroid gland surgeries, celebrate and be happy with the success. Celebration releases endorphins in the body and makes you feel better no matter what the problem or situation.

10. When your first objective has been achieved figure out what your new objective will be. This new objective could be recuperating after surgery or a radioactive iodine treatment.

The diagnosis of thyroid cancer is not a death sentence. Breathing, meditation or quiet time, laughter, and being surrounded by positive people are critical to dealing with anything thrown your way. Taking one day at a time, one step at a time will make every hardship easier to handle.

Skin Cancer - Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)

In the United States, Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) accounts for 90 percent of all skin cancers in the southern states, and 47 percent in the northern states. Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer in Australia and New Zealand, representing 70-80% of diagnosed skin cancers. Occurrence of Basal Cell Carcinoma mainly occurs on the head and neck. It occurs less often in Asians and rarely among darker skinned races. As with all skin cancers the risk is considered to be related to sun exposure. The positive about Basal Cell Carcinoma is that it is slow-growing and rarely metastasizes throughout the body. However, it is locally destructive and can invade neighboring bone and nerve tissue.

Description - BCC is a malignant epithelial cell tumor that begins as a papule (a small, circumscribed, solid elevation of the skin) and enlarges peripherally, developing into a crater that erodes, crusts and bleeds. BCC originates in the basal layer of the epidermis, the lowest layer of skin.

Signs and Symptoms of Basal Cell Carcinoma - There are five typical characteristics of basal cell carcinoma that are quite different from each other. Two or more features are frequently present in one tumor. BCC sometimes resembles non-cancerous skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema and requires diagnosis by a trained person. The five warning signs of basal cell carcinoma are:

1. An open sore that bleeds, oozes or crusts, and remains open for three or more weeks. A persistent, non-healing sore is a very common early manifestation.
2. A reddish patch or an irritated area, frequently occurring on the chest, shoulders, arms or legs. Sometimes the patch crusts. It may also itch or hurt. At other times, it persists with no noticeable discomfort.
3. A smooth growth with an elevated, rolled border and an indentation in the centre. As the growth slowly enlarges, tiny blood vessels may develop on the surface (telangiectases).
4. A shiny bump (nodule) that is pearly or translucent and is often pink, red or white. The nodule can also be tan, black or brown, especially in dark-haired people, and can be confused with a mole or melanoma.
5. A scar-like area (white, yellow, or waxy in appearance) which often has poorly defined borders. The skin itself appears shiny or taut. Although a less frequent sign, it can indicate the presence of a more aggressive tumor.

Diagnosis of Basal Cell Carcinoma - Diagnosis is almost always by biopsy. Tissue is cut away from the site and examined under a microscope.

Medical Treatment of Basal Cell Carcinoma - Allopathic treatment depends on the size and type of tumor. There are various types of surgery or non-surgical treatments chosen from.

Non-surgical treatment of BCC - Allopathic non-surgical treatments have low success rates.

* Topical application of 5-fluorouracil for 2 to 12 weeks is only beneficial for superficial BCC. Fluorouracil is used to prevent excess cell proliferation as found in skin cancer and psoriasis. It prevents the formation of RNA which in turn prevents the formation of DNA.
* Imiquinoid cream -currently the use of Imiquinoid cream is considered experimental. It is an immune response modifier that stimulates the immune system to release cytokines that destroy cancer cells. Treatment causes significant skin irritation. Not all types of BCC are affected.
* Ionizing radiation: Superficial x-ray. It results in radiation damage, therefore it is used more with older patients. Impaired immune function and general malaise also usually results. Used for facial BCC and appears less effective for BCC occurring elsewhere.

Surgical Removal of BCC - Surgery is the most studied, and most used treatment for removal of a BCC in allopathic medicine. The effectiveness of surgery depends very much on the skill of the surgeon. Various surgical methods:

* Electrodessication and Curettage - the BCC is burned and removed with a scalpel. The main disadvantage of this method is that the tumor often tracks down hair follicles. (9)
* Cryosurgery - liquid nitrogen to freeze burn the BCC.
* Excision surgery- the BCC is cut from the skin with a scalpel. To increase the likelihood of complete removal of the tumor, a portion of normal-appearing skin surrounding the BCC is removed.
* Microscopic or MOHS surgery - the BCC is cut from the skin, along with some of the healthy surrounding tissue. This is examined under a microscope to check for any remaining cancer cells. Tissue is then taken in increments of thin layers of skin, until no more cancer cells are detected. Mohs is the most effective allopathic medical treatment (99% cure rate for primary BCC, 90-95% for recurrent BCC).
* Laser surgery. Lasers are also used as a secondary therapy when topical medications or other techniques are unsuccessful.

Recurrence of BCC - Once a basal cell carcinoma has been removed, another growth can develop in the same place or nearby area. It has been found that 36% of people who develop a basal cell carcinoma will develop a secondary primary BCC within the next 5 years. Radiotherapy can result in more aggressive and invasive cells in a recurrent BCC.

Effective Alternative Treatments - Allopathic medicine is often successful in completely removing BCC's but obviously also often fails, given the high number of recurrences suffered by many people with repeat visits to the doctor and then specialist. These treatments don't always work as well as expected or hoped.

But there are natural treatments that are worth trying and have proven to be safe and effective. You can read the full text of this article in the e-book entitled "How to Treat Skin Cancer Naturally". The book includes descriptions of different types of Basal Cell Carcinoma as well as images and additional text. It covers other types of skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma) with helpful information on various methods and herbs such as bloodroot applications. Real cases of people who have successfully used these methods are included.

About the Author:
I am a qualified medical herbalist and have studied the use of herbs for the treatment of skin cancer in depth.

My e-book "How to Treat Skin Cancer Naturally" gives you the specific herbs to use for skin cancer.

What you get in this book:

- descriptions of the main skin cancers,
- the possible risks of biopsy,
- fully referenced and supported by scientific studies
- in depth case studies, including my own personal experience with a family member
- and I outline exactly how some important herbs work to kill skin cancer.

High Intensity Focused Ultrasound for Prostate Cancer

HIFU, short for high intensity focused ultrasound, as a new, updated technology offering an acoustic ablation technique utilizing the unique power of an ultrasound to eliminate prostate cancer tissue using pinpoint accuracy. Through focused sound waves toward a targeted area, HIFU rapidly elevated the temperature in that area causing the complete breakdown of tissue.

Due to the precision and control of HIFU, the risk of common side effects associated with other prostate cancer treatments is reduced. These risks include incontinence and erectile dysfunction. The HIFU process often takes around two to three hours and can be done in one procedure. It is often considered an out-patient procedure that uses epidural or spinal anesthesia. HIFU is marked off as non-ionizing, there is no radiation meaning that the HIFU treatment can be utilized a number of times if necessary and there will be no damage done to healthy tissue. Because of this, in some cases, HIFU is used as an alternative technique if various other treatments for prostate cancer fail to work.

Possibly the most well known HIFU system to treat prostate cancer is the Sonablate 500. The Sonablate 500 is a device that is computer controlled and designed to trans rectally deliver HIFU energy directed toward the prostate to remove all diseased tissue in the area. The Sonablate 500 technology utilizes what is known as integrated biplanar ultrasound imaging to provide real-time planning, monitoring, and before and after therapy imaging of the area where the prostate is located.

HIFU works similarly to what occurs when an individual focuses sunlight through the magnifying lens. The precise focusing of this ultrasound energy throughout the duration of an HIFU therapy session increases the temperature of tissue located within the focal zone at a very rapid pace, while enabling it so that the intervening tissue located between the focal zone and transducer remain safe with no increase in temperature. The final result is a precise lesion located at the target area and monitored by the physician. All zones that are affected with the cancerous tissue or checked by the physician and a plan is created prior to commencing HIFU therapy. The technology's imaging capabilities allows for easy identification of all vital structures, including the rectal wall, seminal vesicles and neurovascular bundles, to ensure that only affected areas are targeted and no unnecessary damage is caused.

When undergoing HIFU, patients need to take two enemas approximately two hours before the commencement of the procedure. Because the patient cannot move during the procedure, a light sedation is given intravenously. During the HIFU treatment, the physician inserts a small probe into the rectum. The probe emits ultrasound waves sent to the tissue. Throughout the course of the procedure, the Sonablate 500 provides real-time images of the entire area, like the prostate and surrounding tissue, providing detailed, immediate feedback. When the treatment is over, patients often need about one or two hours to recover and then are discharged. There is minimal recovery and men find they can return to their daily life within a few days.

Ovarian Cancer - What Is It?

Ovarian cancer is a common type of cancer that consists of cancerous growths on or around the ovary. Due to the organs that are affected, the illness is only present among women and features symptoms such as bloating, pelvic pain, constant urination, and decreased hunger. It is the second most common form of gynecological cancers, with just over eighty thousand patients being diagnosed with it each year.

Because of the subtle and common nature of the condition's symptoms, they're occasionally mistaken for symptoms of other diseases. This, along with the fact that most women do not experience any significant symptoms at all, usually leads to the condition not being diagnosed quickly enough. It is common practice to advice anyone who is complaining of regular constipation, stomach pain, or bloating to visit their physician as quickly as possible. If it is not diagnosed and treated in time, the disease can lead to more drastic issues such as colon obstructions and painful fluid in the pelvic area.

Because the disease is so common and life threatening, the American Cancer Society and the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists put together some helpful pamphlets about its symptoms so women could be more informed. The statement stresses the importance of annual checkups and taking any one of the illness's four most common symptoms very seriously.

When ovarian cancer is properly diagnosed in its early stages, it is nearly ninety percent curable but that percentage drops dramatically as time goes on so it is very important for women to listen to their body.

As of now, the exact cause of the disease isn't yet known but there are a number of mitigating factors that can put you at a higher risk of contracting it. Examples of higher risk patients include women over the age of forty, those with relatives who suffer from the disease, those who have never given birth, and those who have undergone postmenopausal hormonal replacement therapies. Many of the factors such as infertility, endomorphisms, and other types of cancers can be linked to genetics.

However, those who give birth to more babies, have their babies earlier in life, take certain contraceptive pills, and undergo tubal ligation surgeries are at a much lower risk of ever getting ovarian cancer.

As with any other form of cancer, the sooner that this particular disease is caught the better off a person will be towards making a total recovery, though due to the lack of official early screening tests, the disease unfortunately has a poor long-term prognosis. Roughly sixty percent of all girls who receive a diagnosis will be in stage four or three of the condition already.

A physician with a woman who is presenting with certain symptoms will quickly check for any other signs of this condition. This includes an in-depth pelvic exam, blood tests, and abdominal ultrasounds. If they find enough signs to unveil that a cancerous growth is there, they will then do an exploratory procedure in order to confirm it.

Cervical Cancer - Surgery Treatment

Cervical cancer is one of the leading cancers in women and it is said to be preventable if it is detected early. Girls of the age 11 and 12 can be given a vaccine and a pap smear test schedule for the prevention of cancer.

Women, at the age of 21, or within three years of the starting sexual activity, should start taking the Pap smear test and it should be repeated every two till the age of 30 and every 3 years thereafter.

Early detection of cancer can lead to its surgical removal and it is usually the most preferred way of treatment but not every woman has to undergo it. The different stages for the cervical cancer surgery are - Laser surgery, conization, cryosurgery, simple hysterectomy, radical hysterectomy and radical trachelectomy.

The first alternative is loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) which includes the usage of high frequency electrical current to cut and remove the diseased tissue. This procedure is done by administering local anesthetic to numb the cervix and a wire loop is inserted in the vagina. Tissue sample is removed for examination and deeper tissues are used to evaluate the endocervical canal.

The other alternative for cervical cancer surgery is laser surgery which uses a laser beam directed through the vagina instead of a knife to burn the abnormal cells or remove the tissues for biopsy.

Colonization is also an option which is a surgical procedure which includes removal of a cone-shape tissue from the cervix and similar to LEEP, it uses a heated wire or a scalpel or laser, which is also known as cone knife cone biopsy. This one is beneficial as woman's ability for pregnancies can be preserved in major cases.

Hysterectomy is an option which involves many kinds of procedures and it aims to eliminate the cancerous tissue by uterus removal. Those who try for pregnancy can be rest assured as the ovaries are intact after the hysterectomy procedure. If the woman cannot bear children even after ovaries are retained after hysterectomy, she would not go into premature menopause.

Women with cervical cancer usually have either a total (simple) hysterectomy or a radical hysterectomy. The total hysterectomy includes the removal of uterus and cervix but it leaves intact the vagina, lymph nodes and the parametrium. Radical hysterectomy, unlike simple hysterectomy, is the removal of uterus, cervix, parametrium and the supporting ligaments, upper vagina and the local lymph nodes (with a procedure called lymphadenectomy). If the fallopian tubes and ovaries are also removed with radical hysterectomy, the procedure is known as bilateral-salpingo-oopherectomy.

One should be aware about different surgery options and discuss with their surgeons.

New Cancer Study Brings More Bad News for Asbestos Victims

The American Cancer Society recently released a new study recognizes a widening gap in the cancer death rate between those who are college educated and those with only a high school degree. This study represents what some would consider additional bad news for those who have been exposed to asbestos and may be fighting a disease like mesothelioma.

It is well documented that victims of asbestos exposure tend to be "blue collar" workers in shipyards, factories or other manufacturing jobs which generally do not require higher education such as a college degree. This trend is seemingly supported by the findings in this new study which concludes that while the overall cancer rates seem to be declining, the improvements are only for certain groups and for those with lower education they are actually getting worse.

New figures

The new figures estimate there will be 1.6 million new cancer cases in the United States this year (2011), and 571,950 deaths. Among some of the more notable individual statistics included:

• There mortality rate was almost triple for men with at last 16 years of schooling than those with 12 years of school

• The mortality rate for women was roughly double for the same circumstances

• Lung cancer is still estimated to be the leading cause of cancer deaths in both males and females

• California, New York and Florida were the top 3 states on the list for new cancer cases

Types of cancer likely a factor

In today's world, the type of cancer being diagnosed and treated can have a huge impact on the survival rate. Certain types such as melanoma have higher survival rates than others such as lung cancer or mesothelioma. In fact, there is no known successful treatment or cure for mesothelioma which adds to statistics like those in the study showing that higher education levels somehow correspond to survival rates.

Other factors to consider

Among the other factors impacting a study like this are the lifestyle implications that are associated with various education levels. Some of which have a significant bearing on your chances of getting or ultimately surviving cancer and may include:

• Likelihood to take risks either in their personal lives or the workplace

• Participation in unhealthy lifestyles that contribute to cancer such as smoking, drinking, overeating and other health factors.

• Ability to afford medical care and insurance and get treatment immediately when symptoms first arise.

Myeloid Leukemia Definitions, Classifications And Symptoms

Myeloid leukemia is a group of diseases whose characteristic changes are seen in the bone marrow and blood, where tumor cells infiltrate the blood system; sometimes these cells even spill into the circulating blood other tissues. The concept of myeloid leukemia is from the action of immature white blood cells being produced in excess and therefore inhibiting the production of the normal blood cells. These cells are called myeloid cells; they by their action in the blood disturb the function of the blood cells.

This leukemia has both tumors which are kept untreated to those that are diagnosed and treated immediately, ranging from rapid fatality to those which are slow in growing. Therefore on the basis of their treatment course they are divided into acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).

AML is seen more in men than in women and more prevalent in people older than 65 than in people of younger age. CML is also greater in men than in women but its incidence always increase slowing and the people's age increases and gets to the peak of occurrence in mid forties from where there is rapid rise in CML occurrence. Anyway the incidence of CML decreased slightly in the past two decades.

The etiology of myeloid leukemia is depended on the type, AML is related with risk factors such as hereditary (other resident blood disease in the family history; DIC) exposure to occupational chemicals, intense exposure to radiation which may be as a result of therapeutic reasons and even some drugs, but there is nothing relating the cause of ML to viral infection in any way.

While the etiology of chronic myeloid leukemia has no distinct relation with cytotoxic drug effect and there is also no evidence connecting it with any viral infection, but cigarette smoking by studies has shown to increase its progress into severe crisis, therefore living with Chronic myeloid leukemia and smoking becomes dangerous. Only large dosage of radiation has any adverse effect for CML formation.

The symptoms of ML are also depending on the type, whether it is AML or CML. For AML patients are presented with some nonspecific symptoms which begin either slowly or abruptly and the symptoms are leucopenia or leucocytosis, thrombocytopenia. These symptoms are usually due to anemia in such patients. Other symptoms of are fatigue, anorexia and weight loss and easily getting bruised with excessive bleeding.

While in CML the symptoms are at first insidious therefore it is difficult to diagnose a patient based but symptoms, such patients are usually diagnosed during normal medical checkup, or others come to the hospital with complaints fatigue, weight loss, symptoms relating to splenomegaly such as early satisfaction during eating, left upper quadrant pain, infections, thrombosis or sometimes bleeding.

When chronic myeloid leukemia progresses symptoms worsened with bone and joint pain, significant loss of weight which will require increasing the dose of the drugs used for treatment. Chemotherapy is used as treatment of myeloid leukemia but when this fails bone transplant is done.

Common Bowel Cancer Symptoms

Bowel cancer is one of the common cancer diseases all over the world. Unfortunately, very few people know about this kind of cancer and about its treatments. If you want to be able to fight against this cancer then you must know about the symptoms of this cancer too. With a little bit research work on the internet, you can find much about this disease and how you can get rid of it. It is better to adopt such life style that will help you to stay at a distance from these diseases. So, you must know about bowel cancer symptoms so that you can understand about this disease in detail and get rid of it as soon as possible.

There are many undesirable signs that you may have to face during bowel cancer. The symptoms include many unexpected things as well. Some people might feel an abdominal pain that might be frequent and sudden. Some people might suffer from diarrhea. There are certain cases in which a patient was suffering from constipation. If you are anyone in your family is going through these conditions then you should consult with a doctor right away. If you will not pay attention to this issue then the patient might suffer from interior bleeding as well. Normally, this bleeding happens in anal orifice or he/ she may experience hits of blood while passing the stool. If you feel pain during defecating then you should pay attention to it because this can be a beginning of tumor as well.

There are two other names that are normally associated with Bowel Cancer; Colon Cancer and Colorectal Cancer. These tell about the tumor growth from the stem of the colon, appendix or colon. In most of the cases, some problems are found in colon and then these problems keep on increasing. People normally ignore all these things considering it to be constipation or some other digestive problem in abdomen. Patient can suffer from sever tumor in future if these bowel cancer symptoms are not taken seriously. If you are the person who is suffering from these problems or there is anyone else in your family then you should not waste even a single second and bring that person to a hospital for proper examination.

If tumor has been found in a person then treatment has to be started immediately. Cancer is curable disease but there are certain stages that can be recovered. If you are in a stage of bowel cancer from where you have no chances to recover then you can just pray and take medication for better health. That is the only reason why we should take bowel cancer symptoms seriously and if any are found in yourself or in a person in your family then it is your responsibility to consult with a doctor and discuss whole issue in detail. Our health is not for granted thing. Although, most of the things that we get naturally are free but it doesn't mean that we should not take care of our health at all.

2 Self Tests In the Fight Against Women's Breast Cancer

Statistics already published for 2010 show that more than one and a half million women worldwide were diagnosed as having some form of cancer. Out of this number, twenty five percent have been shown to have breast cancer - a really scary and horrendous one in four women.

The remaining seventy five percent represent all the other forms of cancer, of which there are many. Some of them are well known, such as skin cancer and lung cancer, while there are also some very obscure forms of this often fatal disease. Some have high cure success rates, while others do not respond well to the various treatments available.

It is therefore of the utmost importance that we women take great care of our bodies because, as we all know, we are the backbones of our families. We are wives, mothers, friends, cooks, cleaners and more, all rolled up into one strong human being who take the best possible care of our husbands and children. Even if we do not feel 100% well, we get up and do what has to be done; and it is for this reason that we need to get to know our bodies - so that we will know at the very outset if something is not quite right. Call it women's intuition.

The 2 tests that women can do at home to check for breast cancer are:

* Test #1 is the easiest test - and one which has been proven to be highly successful - is that of self examination of one's breasts. You should do this once a month while lying on your back of a firm surface, such as a bed. Starting at your nipples and working in ever increasing circles, palpate or press your fingers into the breast tissue, almost as if you are playing the piano. Do this in the middle of your menstrual cycle, between your periods, so that any lumpy tissue associated with your period will not give you any cause for concern. By making a habit of doing this self examination every month, you will get to know your own body and all its lumps, bumps and idiosyncrasies. Should you ever feel something unusual that was not there last month, or if you think that a certain bump has grown larger, you should make an appointment with your doctor at soon as possible.

* Test #2 is to check your nipples and is just as easy as test number one. Check to see if there is any discharge which may ooze (permanently or sporadically) from your nipples. Another test which is an indicator of breast cancer is if the nipple begins to turn in and is 'absorbed' by the breast instead of standing out proudly.

Remember, breast cancer is curable if detected in its early stages and mortality rates are increasing year on year. You stand every chance of surviving this awful disease and being there for your family for many years to come - but only if you take immediate action.

The Newly Discovered Link Between The Green Lipped Mussel and Breast Cancer

Cancer, one of the deadliest diseases in the world, is one of the most frightening too. Since the number of cancer patients all over the world is constantly increasing, scientists in the medical field are sparing no expenses in looking for a cure, specifically looking at the connection between the Green Lipped Mussel and Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers right now and the number of sufferers continues to go up. Since there are few choices on cancer treatment, every little help that these people can get are valued. That is why scientists are studying the link between green lipped mussel and breast cancer.

Recently, there have been positive studies linking the beneficial relationship between green lipped mussel and breast cancer. At first, you may think this is somewhat impossible, but it is true. This kind of mussel is said to boost cancer survival rate. This is because it contains high amounts of antioxidants that can reduce the free radicals in the human body that can cause damage to our genetic structure or in other words, can cause cancer. This kind of mussel is rich in omega 3 fatty acids that hinder the appearance of cancer cells.

The mussel contains lypo-oxygenase enzymes, which are great in inhibiting breast cancer. In addition, the good thing about the mussel is that it is not painful for the patients who take it. It also does not create harsh side effects unlike other medications and treatments.

The mussel extract is very effective in preventing cancer but it is also not bad at treating the cancer as well. It is a great antioxidant, which can help the body remove bad toxins that can later become damaging to your health.

The best way to acquire all the great benefits from the mussel is to take it as fresh as possible. There are also good manufactured supplements of this mussel that you can find in the market.

Arthritis sufferers have used the green lipped mussel supplement for some time now and the mussel sure does deliver. This natural product is very good for people who prefer not to take pharmaceuticals, which can lead to all sorts of unwanted side effects.

The link between the green lipped mussel and breast cancer has still yet to be proven but if you are planning to try this supplement, make sure you ask a professional's advice first to avoid any adverse side effects. The known side effects of these products are abdominal pains, diarrhea and gout that can last up to three days.

For optimal health, we have been using a special green lipped mussel formula and for good reason, as the quality of this formula is guaranteed. We have been personally using this formula for over 3 years with excellent health results.

You can learn more about our product of choice and why we use this product above all other green lipped mussel formulas at Green Lipped Mussel Interactions.

Childhood Cancer: Why Me? Why Her? Why Us?

When your child is diagnosed with cancer, you can't help but ask yourself all sorts of practical "why" questions.

You scour your brain trying to figure out why your child got cancer when there are millions of other children that don't? Was it the fluorinated water we gave our children thinking it was good for them? Was it the fertility medications that I took while trying to conceive? Was it the predispose that the doctor told me that I had to take in order to sustain the pregnancy? Why didn't I force her to eat more fruits and vegetables?

Then I moved on to spiritual questions. Why would God allow this to happen to a child? Why would He allow a child to be diagnosed with a disease that is so painful? Why didn't we have more warning so we could have caught it earlier? Why us? We are good people. We haven't done anything bad. We have attempted to take good care of our children and be upstanding people in the community.

Colleen was diagnosed in September 2007. I continue to ask myself many of these questions to this day. The frequency at which I ask myself has slowed and I feel like I can answer some of the questions, but I continue to ask them anyway because I am not always content with the answers.

I vividly remember a conversation that I had with a close friend and spiritual adviser shortly after Colleen was diagnosed. I remember asking her "How could God allow this to happen to her?" Her answer was brief but powerful and I will never forget it.

"God is crying along with you," she said. She continued on to remind me that God has given us all free will. As a result, we sadly live in a fallen world full of pollutants and dangers that have the potential to harm us (and our children). He can't save us all. What He can do is support us on our journeys if we choose to let Him.

One of the hardest situations for me was when people told me that they were praying for Colleen to get her miracle. I am a woman of deep faith. Sadly, however, I did not have faith that the multitudes of tumors in my daughter's body were going to suddenly disappear from the scans. So those prayer offers often upset me. Prayers for comfort, peace and pain-free days were much more welcome. But how do you say that to someone?

I was speaking to a friend the other day whose son has terminal brain cancer. He was in hospice for several months, the family in a holding pattern, not quite sure how many days they had left with their precious son. When people asked her what they should pray for, she would say that she just didn't want him to suffer.

A couple of months ago, he began to gain his energy back. He started to feel better and he was happy and playful. The family excused hospice, as their services did not seem to be needed any longer. I spoke to his mom last week, she was devastated because the new scan results came back and they were "all lit up," meaning that the cancer had spread significantly. She was so confused. How can this little boy that seemed to be feeling so much better be riddled with cancer? I told her that I was very sorry to hear about the scan results. She must be horribly confused. But it sounds to me like God had answered her prayers. He wasn't suffering.

I asked her if she had peace. She said she did but that she felt guilty for having it. Boy, can I relate to that! I feel guilt every time I consider that I am happier in my career now, as a result of my newfound career (helping children with cancer and their families) than before Colleen died. But then I have to remind myself, as I did my friend on the phone that day, that this is a beautiful gift that God bestowed on me and we should never, ever feel guilty for the gifts God gives us.

So why her? Why us? Nobody can answer that question. Why anyone? What I do know is that each of us is put on a path in our lives, and we can choose to live that life triumphantly like Colleen did or choose to kick and scream the entire time. I am very proud of my daughter and the number of lives she touched through her unfortunate and painful journey. However, I found my purpose and that is an incredible gift that I will always be grateful for.

Cancer Is Curable, All You Need Is Knowledge

We all believe there are only three ways to treat cancer but that is not true. There are certainly three ways that have a limited ability to remove some of the growths but they are not necessary cures. There are other ways that are far more effective because they deal with the cause or the reasons why it first grew but unfortunately no one can profit from them.

All cancers are curable but only by natural means. Natural ways to rid the body of cancer means finding the reasons why the growths first appeared and removing those reasons. That will allow the body to self-heal through our immune system. This system works for all cancers and works for everyone because we all have an immune system. A cancer growth is only a sign that something is wrong within the body so does it makes sense to weaken the body further with harsh treatments.

The cancer industry is keeping us submissive by suppressing information about true cures and persecuting anyone who dares strays from the three big money orientated treatments of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. While they are very good at applying these treatments, these treatments won't prevent it from spreading or returning again because the growths are only the symptoms and not the problem.

I know it's a very brave choice to go against traditional medicine but true cures means dealing with the cause and that's something our medical specialists don't do. Our medical system is very good at diagnosing cancer but their treatments years ago were ineffective and they are still ineffective today.

If your cancer is serious the changes that are necessary won't be easy. Cancer is a serious disease and the treatment will need to be a full time commitment. Also there is no point in blaming a misplaced gene for a disease of modern western civilization. We have significant control over any bad genes we may have and that control is based on what we put in our mouths, exercise, sunshine, fresh air and adequate rest. That is, the way we should be living.

Of course using food and other lifestyle factors as medicine usually affects the body much more slowly that drugs. But in the end it is a much safer and more thorough option. It works by removing the causes of the illness, where as most drugs merely relieve the outer symptoms. Don't forget that your body strives to heal itself automatically every single day. What you need to do to assist it is to remove the barrier that's been stopping it from healing.

Exercise needs to be addressed as it is crucial when fighting cancer. Any cancer is a result of an immune system that didn't stop wayward cells in the body from dividing so your first priority is to strengthen the immune system and you do that with some exercise everyday. The immune system needs muscular activity to function properly and any form of exercise is beneficial. Simply walking or aerobics are both very beneficial.

Learn about cancer, search for information, and don't put your precious life in somebody else's hands. There is a wealth of information available today but you must be very selective in what you adopt. Any information on healing the body of cancer must revolve around natural living. That is consuming fresh food that's been unmolested by man, a little exercise everyday, a sensible amount of sunshine for the important vitamin D we gain from it, adequate rest and sleep and be aware of the many chemicals we unwittingly use that do cause us harm.

Knowledge Is Power For Parents Of Children With Brain Cancer Or Spinal Cord Tumors

As parents, the ultimate dream we have for our children is that their childhoods will be happy ones, and they will grow up to lead long and healthy lives. Yet, every day, across America, there will be nine families whose dreams will be shattered when they learn that their child has a spinal cord tumor or some form of brain cancer. And, by the end of the year, over 3,000 families will have faced that same moment; when time stood still, the world blurred, and their lives changed forever.

From the moment their child is diagnosed, parents embark on a journey that will challenge every aspect of their being - from intellectual and physical, to mental, emotional and spiritual. It is essential that these parents have a strong support network, with family and friends taking on a vital role in that network. Along with that key component, parents also need a structured system that can provide resources to help them navigate the many challenges they will face, and assist them in making the best possible decisions for their child's health and well-being.

Once past the initial shock of the diagnosis, parents begin searching for answers to the flood of questions rushing through their minds. Knowledge is power, and early education about this disease can provide a lifeline in these dark waters.

There are several good sources for information on pediatric brain tumors and brain cancer, all of which can provide resources for education, assistance and support--

• Family doctors and pediatricians;
• Children's hospitals and cancer treatment facilities; and
• Nonprofit organizations focused on pediatric brain cancer.

Here are just a few examples of what a parent might find within the FAQ sections of these organizations:

Q: What are the causes of pediatric brain cancer and spinal cord tumors?
A: There are many different kinds of pediatric brain cancer, and their precise causes are still unknown, although research programs are making advancements towards understanding the causes, as well as improving treatments.

Q: What is the prognosis for most young patients with this disease?
A: Current statistics show that one in three patients will survive no more than five years. However, thanks to the progress that has been made in research over the past twenty years, there has been a significant decline in the overall cancer death rates, and it is estimated that there are 25,000 brain tumor survivors in the U.S. today.

Q: What are the treatment options for a child with a brain tumor or brain cancer?
A: Treatment of brain or spinal cord tumors includes surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, depending on the type, rate of growth and location of tumors. It usually begins with surgical resection to remove all or part of the tumor. Although complete removal of the tumor (gross total resection) is often the treatment of choice, partial removal of the tumor will occasionally relieve a child's symptoms.

For parents who find themselves facing this life-altering journey, help is available in many forms, and from several well-respected organizations. Whether the need involves education about this dreadful disease, finding sources for medical or financial assistance, or simply connecting with others in similar situations, the resources are available. Reaching out to one of these organizations can often make the difference in how this journey is traveled-by the parents, and by the patient.

Brain Cancer Survival Rate - Know Your Chances

Known to be one of the most incurable types of cancer, brain cancer survival rate may not be something a patient would really want to hear. Different medical sources would tell you different results based on different aspects to consider but one thing remains true until today - brain cancer survival rate for most patients suffering from the disease is pretty low.

The average life duration of patients with this type of cancer is about 1-2 years following confirmed diagnosis. The main reasons attributing to this very low survival percentage are the nature of the disease and the lack of known treatment. This type of cancer affects the most vital part of a human body - the nervous system. Cancer cells in the brain rapidly proliferates at a speed that is dangerously faster than the proliferation speed of other cancers, therefore, the cancer can easily infect the entire nervous system within a short duration of time.

In a time period of five years, 1 out of 5 people suffering from brain cancer worldwide remains alive. This means that regardless of stage, those who suffer from this type of cancer have a general survival percentage of 20%.

In the United States, cancer of the brain is more prevalent among Caucasians and in comparison to their African American counterparts (with a rate of survival of 38%), Caucasian men and women have lower chances of surviving up to five years at 32-33%.

Expect the cancer to be already dangerous at the early stages. Even with adequate treatment like surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, Brain Cancer Survival Rate at the first stages is at 55-60%. For a cancer patient, this may be a bit gloomy because it is. But bear in mind these rates are only there for its statistical and medical purposes but this must not be a basis to predict the accuracy of a patient's life duration.

As the cancer further proceeds to its later stages, chances of survival may be significantly decrease and when the cancer starts eating up other organs in the body, hope may no longer be enough to keep the patient for long. The Brain Cancer Survival Rate may also be based on the age of a person. Children with this type of cancer have the highest rate of survival at 73%. This percentage will then move down to 50% for patients who are within 15-33 years old. And then as the age grows, the chances of survival also lower down. The main cause of this is the elder people's inability to fight off the cancer or survive the strenuous treatment regimen.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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