What is Pancreatic Cancer?

   First, the good news - research is being done and scientists are learning more every day about the causes of pancreatic cancer. Progress IS being made, and research has already led to better treatment for the diasease, a better quality of life for patients, and a decrease in deaths from pancreatic cancer.

The pancreas is a little organ only about 6 inches long that is located between the stomach and the spine. It is responsible for producing insulin as well as other hormones. Additionally, it makes pancreatic juices containing enzymes that help in digesting food.

Most cases of cancer starts in the ducts that carry pancreatic juices. Cancer of the pancreas is also called carcinoma of the pancreas. The terms are used interchangeably.

*Note: There is a rare cases that start in the cells that make insulin and other hormones. Cancer that starts in these cells is called islet cell cancer.

There are, of course, certain risk factors that scientists say increase the chances of a person developing the disease. It is important to note, however, that many people with all of the risk factors do not get pancreatic cancer and that people who have none of the risk factors do get it.

The risk factors that scientists have identified are:

1. Smoking: Smoking increases the risk of developing all kinds of cancer, according to scientists.

2. Age: Most cases if this type of cancer are diagnosed in patients over the age of 60.

3. Race: African Americans have a greater risk of developing the disease than other ethnic groups.

4. Sex: Males more often develop pancreatic cancer than females.

5. Family History: If there is a history of pancreatic cancer in the family, there is a greater risk for a patient to develop it.

For More Information:

CANCER TREATMENT 

 

Blood Cancer - Causes and Treatment

Blood is a part of the body. Blood has different components sch as red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma. The red blood cells (RBC), platelets also called monocytes because it is belong to the "myeloid" group and other white blood cells belong to the "lymphoid" group. Lymphoid cells are affected. Disease progresses quickly. This is most common among children. Blood cancer or Leukemia is actually a group of diseases, each of which impede with the normal functioning of blood cells and progressively weaken the system. Leukemia is classified as either Acute or Chronic. Blood and urine samples may also be tested for various substances, called tumor markers, which may indicate cancer.

Causes

A weakened immune system - this may be a result of drugs that suppress the immune system (such as those used for organ transplants), high doses of radiation (such as in radiotherapy for another cancer), or diseases that affect the immune system (such as HIV).

Contact with a chemical called benzene, one of the chemicals in petrol and a solvent used in the rubber and plastics industry.

Genetic disorders like Fanconi anemia, Schwachman-Diamond syndrome and Down syndrome.

Treatment

In radio immunotherapy, an immunotoxin--a hybrid molecule formed by coupling an antibody molecule to a toxin--is injected into the patient. The antibody locks onto a signature protein the cancerous cells express and delivers the toxic dose to the cancer cells. Because the treatment is precision-guided, adverse effects to the rest of the body are minimized. Preliminary results with the new drug are extremely promising--completely eradicating the human cancer cells grafted to mice.

Your doctor may prescribe medications, sometimes called "growth factors," that encourage your body to produce more blood cells. Medications are also used to prevent low blood cell counts in people who have a high probability of experiencing complications of cancer treatment. Medications have benefits and risks, so talk to your doctor about the possible side effects of drugs used to boost blood cell counts.

Most people feel confused and overwhelmed when they are told they have leukaemia. It's a very distressing time both for them and their families. An important part of cancer treatment is learning how to talk about how you are feeling, and getting support with the physical and emotional symptoms you are experiencing.

For more advanced cancer, you can receive extra support, known as palliative care. Doctors and nurses based in hospitals, hospices and pain clinics specialize in providing the support you need, and can also visit you at home.

Many everyday activities put you at risk of cuts and scrapes. A low platelet count makes even minor abrasions serious. A low white blood cell count can turn a small cut into a starting point for a serious infection. Use an electric shaver rather than a razor to avoid nicks. Ask someone else to cut up food in the kitchen. Be gentle when brushing your teeth and blowing your nose.

Biological therapy uses special immune system cells and proteins to stimulate the body's immune system to kill cancer cells. Biological agents such as interferons, interleukins, monoclonal antibodies, tumor necrosis factors and colony-stimulating factors are natural substances found in the body that help alter the way the immune system reacts to cancer. Researchers are now able to create reproductions of some of these biological agents in laboratories, imitating the natural immune agents. These agents are used to augment the anti-tumor immune response of the patient.

For More Information:

free cancer information 

Bladder Cancer Prognosis - Stage by Stage

The bladder is basically a bag that holds the urine until such time the urine can be emptied. It is made of many cell layers, where the inner layer (bladder lining) expands and contracts as the bladder either fills or empties. Like most other organs in the body, the bladder is susceptible to developing cancer.
Symptoms - The early signs of bladder cancer can easily be missed due to being similar to those of other cancers, where symptoms of urinary tract infections, pelvic discomfort, and back pains are quite common. Another symptom may include a painless hematuria (blood in the urine), although blood in the urine does not always mean cancer is present.
Diagnosis - Routine tests are usually carried out, such as: physical examinations, urinalysis; also known as routine and microscopy (R&M) which are an array of tests preformed on the urine, computerized axial tomography (CAT) scans, magnet resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and intravenous pyelogram ([IVP] an X-ray of the urinary tract) tests. The CAT scan and IVP scan provide vital information about the size and position of the tumor, where as the MRI scan gives an indication as to whether the cancer has metastasized, either to regional (nearby) or distant organs.
Tests/Biopsy - Sometimes there may exist questionable cells during the diagnosis process which need a closer look at, and where more invasive procedures may need to be used. These may include either a cystoscopy, where a thin tube is inserted through the urethra that allows for a doctor to look inside the bladder, or a urine cytology, which allows for the cells in the urine that have been shed from the bladder to be examined for possible cancer, as well as looking for tumor indicators, or tumors that may also be found in the urine. While the cystoscopy is being used, a small tissue sample may also be taken for laboratory examination.
Prognosis Stages
Stage 0 - Cancerous cells are contained within the bladder lining where the tumor is still small, and has not yet affected any regional organs. Survival rate is high at around 80 - 90%.
Stage I - The tumor has begun to show signs of metastasis (spread) to other tissues. Survival rate is still high at around 70 - 80%, however if not treated soon will soon become stage II.
Stage II - The tumor has metastasized (spread) through the connective tissue and into the muscle lining, although no metastasis has taken place outside this area. Survival rate has now dropped to around 60%.
Stage III - The tumor has metastasized through the connective tissue and muscle, and into the tissue outside the bladder, and/or the prostate gland (male), and/or the uterus/vagina (female), although no metastasis has occurred in the lymph nodes. Classed as deep or invasive bladder cancer where the survival rate has dropped considerable from that of stage II.
Stage IV - The tumor has metastasized through the bladder lining and into the pelvis, and/or the abdominal wall, and/or the lymph nodes, and/or any distant organs. Classed as metastatic bladder cancer, where little hope of curing it can be expected.

Philip Albert Edmonds-Hunt was born in the County of Oxfordshire in the United Kingdom. A well travelled man who today lives in Mexico with his family. He works as a Freelance Writer, Researcher and English Teacher, spending much of his time researching and writing about cancer with the hope that his writings may benefit other cancer sufferers. If you feel that you have benefited from reading one of his articles; please recommend them to other cancer sufferers who may also benefit. If you are interested in reading more about cancer, check out:
Free cancer Information 

Treatment Options for Prostate Cancer

Prostate-related Cancer Cure
Effective prostate cancer treatment depends on several factors. Depending on how advanced the cancer is or how quickly it is spreading, your treatment options could range from simply monitoring the problem to undergoing aggressive radiation treatment.
Each treatment has its advantages and disadvantages, and what proves effective for one cancer patient may not work at all for someone else. As always, it's best for anybody who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer to find a treatment that works best for them, something that may be easier said than done.
Monitoring the Cancer
Some men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer may not need immediate treatment, or in fact any treatment at all. Benign prostate tumors can develop, and when they do many doctors recommend watchful waiting or active surveillance. This involves monitoring the lump through blood tests, rectal examinations or biopsies. This is frequently an option for prostate cancer that has yet to spread or could never spread out, but it is additionally utilized for men that have other health and wellness disorders that could be intensified by the negative effects of more vigorous cancer procedures.
Radiation Therapy
If a patient's prostate cancer is indeed spreading, it will require some form of treatment. One option for prostate cancer treatment that has proven effective for many patients is radiation therapy. Radiation therapy entails using high-powered radiation to kill cancer cells and it can be delivered to the person's physical body in either methods. The very first is external beam radiation during which the sick person lays down on a desk while a device points high-powered energy beams to the prostate-related cancer. The other form of radiation therapy is delivered through a process called brachytherapy. In brachytherapy, rice-sized radioactive seeds are implanted into the prostate tissue using an ultrasound-guided needle. Because the seeds eventually decay and stop giving off radiation, they don't need to be removed.
Some of the side effects of radiation therapy include painful or frequent urination, loose stools and erectile dysfunction. There is also the little opportunity that the radiation can create cancer cells in the anus, bladder or various other parts of the physique.
Hormone Therapy
Another option for treating prostate cancer involves using therapy to stop the body's production of testosterone. Because prostate cancer cells need testosterone to increase, reducing off their supply of androgen hormone or testosterone can frequently be an effective therapy for prostate cancer. This type of treatment is often used for advanced cases of prostate cancer to shrink tumors and slow down their growth or in early stages of the disease as a preparation for radiation therapy.
Hormone therapy typically involves the use of drugs to either stop the patient's testicles from producing testosterone or prevent testosterone from reaching the cancerous cells. In extreme cases, the testicles can be surgically removed in a procedure called an orchiectomy. This lowers the patient's testosterone levels much more quickly than most medications.
Some of the side effects of hormone therapy include erectile dysfunction, loss of bone mass, hot flashes, weight gain and a reduced sex drive. It may likewise boost the threat of heart problem and cardiovascular disease.
Surgery
Prostate cancer can also be treated through the surgical removal of the prostate and the surrounding tissue. This is a very invasive procedure that can be performed in a number of different ways. Your doctor will be able to help you decide what method is best for you should you require this treatment. Adverse effects could consist of urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction.
For More Information:
Cancer Information

Cancer Treatment

Cancer is a class of animal disease, medically know as malignant neoplasm, wherein a cluster of cells show unrestrained growth i.e. division beyond the normal limit, intrusion and damage of tissues adjacent to them and spread (via blood or lymph) to other places. This malady is not restricted to just homosapiens but can even affect animals.

Reportedly, 7.6 million people died from cancer in the previous year.

In most of the cases, cancer is identified due to symptoms and its diagnosis is usually confirmed by a pathologist, who is a type of physician specializing in diagnosis of cancer. Suspected people are usually investigated with medical tests like blood test, X-rays, CT scan and endoscopy.

There are various methods for Cancer treatments such as surgery, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and various other methods. The type of method employed depends on the patient's general health and the location and the stage of the tumour spread.
Complete surgical excision is possible in very few cases since the cancerous tissues usually metastasizes to other places in the patient's body before the surgery. Masectomy is the surgical treatment used for treating breast cancer while for prostate cancer, prostatectomy is used. The aim of carrying out the surgery is to remove the tumour or if required the entire affected organ, which is however unfortunately limited to very few cases of small cancer.

Radiation therapy is also known as radiotherapy. It uses ionizing radiation for killing cancerous cells and shrinking the tumors. It damages the genetic material of the cells thereby preventing them from replicating further. The drawback of this methodology of remedial is that it often damages the normal cells in addition to the harmful ones. Though, in most cases the normal ones recover and re-function properly, it leads to permanent damage in some. It is used in treating brain cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer and also cancer of the skin, prostate, uterus, stomach, or pancreas. Even lymphoma and leukemia can be treated by radiation.

Cancer can also be treated by Chemotherapy which involves use of drugs which destroy rapidly dividing cells. It interferes in various ways with division of cells and has the potential of harming healthy tissues. However after Chemotherapy these healthy cells repair themselves. High dose Chemotherapy is used for treatment of certain lymphomas and leukaemias.

Targeted Therapy is another medium for cure which employs certain agents which are specific for the cancer cells' deregulated protein. It also involves small peptides which bind to the surface cell receptors surrounding the tumour.

Some cancer growth can be checked by either injecting or obstructing certain hormones. Some hormone sensitive cancers are breast and prostate cancer. Removing estrogen or testosterone is also often used as an additional treatment.

Controlling cancer symptoms is not a stereotypical form of treatment aimed at cancer, but it also determines the standard of life of the victims of cancer, and plays a pivotal role in deciding whether the person would be able to undertake other treatments.

For mere information:
cancer information

Cancer Infromation

Though we have all heard the term "Cancer" through many sources, the exact facts and details of the disease is not very widely known. Cancer is one of the world's deadliest diseases and is a completely curable if detected at an early age. It is therefore a must to possess awareness about it and this article is a consolidation of the facts and details related to this disease.

What is Cancer?

Cancer is not a single disease but a class of diseases which are typically characterized by random and out-of-control growth in the human body cells. These random cell growth leads to invasion of other normal cells around them leading to their destruction. The cancerous cells divide in an uncontrollable fashion and form lumps or tissue masses known as tumors. These tumors affect the body part where they grow and disrupt their normal functioning. The cancerous cells also spread to other parts of the body through blood or lymph and cause further cell destruction.

Oncologists are physicians or researchers who study about the diagnosis, treatment and sure of cancer. The study of cancer is by itself known as oncology.

Types of Cancer

Cancer can typically affect every organ of the body and spread the disease by destroying the neighbouring cells. The various cancers are named typically after the place where they originate in the body. For example, Breast cancer is cancer that originates in the cells of the breast. With about more than 100 types of cancer, this class of diseases is divided into five broad categories.

* Cancer that originates in the skin or in the tissues that cover the internal organs is known as Carcinoma.
* Cancer that starts in the bone, fat muscle, cartilage or blood vessels are known as Sarcoma.
* Cancer in the blood forming tissues like the bone marrow is known as Leukaemia. This type of cancer enters the blood stream and spreads to all the parts of the body.
* Cancer that begins in the immune system of the body is known as Lymphoma and Myeloma.
* Cancer in the cells of the brain and spinal cord are known as Central nervous system cancer.

Symptoms of Cancer

The symptoms of cancer are an important factor in the early detection, though some types of cancer do not exhibit any symptoms at all unless they are in the advanced state. Though each type of cancer exhibits different types of symptoms there are few symptoms that are common to most of the cancers. The patient can exhibit a broad spectrum of symptoms which might not be very specific to the type of cancer like fatigue, unintentional weight loss, fever, bowel changes and chronic cough. Pain is most of the times a symptom of cancer in the advanced form. Pain in the lower back can be symptoms of colon or ovarian cancer while shoulder pain can be a symptom of lung cancer. Though stomach pain can be normally caused by many reasons, stomach cancer is also associated with acute stomach pain.

How harmful is the cancer?

The disease cancer claims the lives of millions of people around the world every year. It is dangerous and life-threatening when it develops as tumors and starts spreading around. The cells may move through the body through lymph systems or the blood and can destroy the other healthy cells in the body. Such a process is known invasion and affects other internal organs other than its place of cancerous origin. Such a tumor that grows, invades and spreads destroying other tissues is known as a metastasized tumor and is a very serious condition which is at times beyond treatment levels.

How is Cancer caused?

The disease cancer is majorly an environmental disease where about 90-95% of the scenarios are caused due to factors like lifestyle and environmental conditions. Only about 5-10% of the cases are caused by genetic disorders. The common factors that lead to environmental causes of cancer are tobacco, obesity, infections, radiation and environmental pollutants. These factors affect the basic underlying genetic cell material leading to the disease.

Treatment course of Cancer

The definitive diagnosis of cancer requires clinical examination of the biopsy specimen. Sometimes initial indication of the malignancy can be through symptomatic or by radiographic imaging abnormalities. Once diagnosed, cancer is normally treated by chemotherapy, surgery or radiation or a mixture of two or more methods. Treatment also depends on the types of cancer and the stage in which the disease has progressed. There are many specific treatment methods that are followed based on the type of cancer and medical advancement has bought in many new types of targeted therapies for the specific kind of cancer. The targeted therapy also works on cancerous cells showcasing abnormal behaviour and reduces the damage caused to normal cells.

How can your effectively prevent cancer?

Cancer prevention is easier than cancer treatment. Though there are many factors that can cause cancer, a few simple changes to your lifestyle can help you prevent them. The below are few methods that you can accommodate or follow to ensure prevention or early detection of cancer.

* Avoid direct or indirect form of smoking
* Look out for skin changes and take care to avoid harmful exposure to the sun
* Maintain a healthy diet of natural fruits and vegetables and limit fat contents
* Keep your alcohol intake within limits
* Remember a healthy exercised body keeps out cancer better
* Learn about any genetic disorders in the family and take necessary screenings
* Beware of harmful substances in your work environment
* Follow safe sexual methods
* Obtain regular cancer screening to detect at early stage

Cancer Research is one of the major scientific efforts that is being undertaken to understand the disease better and find possible therapies. There are many national and international cancer institutes that have been established for this purpose. Since 1971, major advancements have been made in the field of molecular biology and cellular biology leading to many new and advanced treatment modes for cancer.

For More Information:
Free Cancer Information

Cancer Therapeutics

Research into cancer signalling has paved the way for the development of numerous cancer therapeutics, which act at different stages/sites in the cell-cycle to arrest/suppress signalling in cancer cells and induce cell death. Molecularly targeted drugs based on rational drug design have been developed to target and inhibit isolated genes or pathways crucial to the disease mechanism. Many of the earlier targeted therapeutics utilised cancer vaccines, siRNA and antisense oligonucleotides, however, novel therapies now employ monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) and small-molecule protein-kinase inhibitors (SMPKIs), and have been more successful. MoAbs are bulky and target membrane-bound receptors and act through interfering with ligand-receptor interactions, complement-mediated cytotoxicity, immune modulation and antibody-dependent cellular toxicity. SMPKIs are dual specific and target both membrane-bound and internal targets via binding catalytic domains, allosteric binders, inactive kinase binding ligands, and ATP analogues. Because of the structural homology shared by many protein kinases, a single SMPKI can inhibit multiple protein kinases, which is quite advantageous in anticancer therapy.

Molecularly targeted drugs can be placed into several categories based on their mode of action and the specific disease mechanism targeted. Some of the major categories include (i) Aromatase inhibitors, block aromatase in oestrogen-sensitive breast cancer (Drugs: Anastrozole/Arimidex®, exemestane/Aromasin®). (ii) Signal transduction inhibitors; e.g. HER receptor inhibitors, protein kinase inhibitors (scr inhibitors e.g. Dasatinib/Spryce®, Bosutinib), aurora kinase inhibitors (AZD-1152), MAPK inhibitors (Tipifarnib/Zarnestral, Sorafenib/Nexavar, ARRY-142886), PI3k/Akt/mTOR inhibitors (Temsirolimus/Torisel, Rapamycin/Rapamune, Perifosine), etc. (iii) Gene expression modifiers/epigenetic modulators; e.g. histone deacetylases (HDACs) inhibitors and DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (Vorinostat/Zolinza®, Romidepsin (Istodax®), which increase gene expression leading to the induction of tumour cell differentiation, cell-cycle arrest, and apoptosis (Rountree et al., 2000). (iv) Cell death enhancers; these interfere with the action of proteasomes and DNA synthesis thus triggering cell death (Bortezomib/Velcade®, Pralatrexate/Folotyn®) (v) Angiogenesis blockers, which block the growth of blood vessels to tumours, integrin agents that inhibit metastasis (Volociximab), and anti-VEGF/VEGFR (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) agents (Bevacizumab/Avastin®, Sorafenib/Nexavar®, Sunitinib/Sutent®).

EGF signalling is crucial in cancer since it integrates many cascades and also that tumour cells produce EGF-related growth factors (e.g. TGF-α is a ligand for EGFR), which makes EGFR constitutively active. For this reason and the fact the EGFR was the first receptor TK directly linked to human cancers, many MoAbs and SMPKIs and been developed and approved for EGFR/HER2/ErbB targeted therapies in many cancers. However, since most signalling pathways interact through extensive cross-talk with other pathways, the use of drugs that target a single pathway has shown limited success. After initial responsiveness patient tumours then become resistant or re-occur, as seen with some ErbB-targeted drugs and Gleevec targeting of Bcr-Abl. The authors showed that after initial success, the tumour cells developed a mechanism to circumvent the actions of these drugs, either by mutations (allelic adaptive changes) such that the drugs cannot bind catalytic domains or via by-passing that route in the cascade. As a result of this, back-up inhibitors and combination therapies have been developed. These therapeutics target several receptors and/or signalling pathways, thereby reducing the chance of drug resistance. Lapatinib, which targets both EGFR and HER2/neu receptors and Sunitinib/Sutent®, which targets PDGFR, VEGFR, c-kit and Flt3 are good examples of such drugs.

The future of targeted therapeutics will be based on multi-component drugs having combination effects since oncogenesis is a multi-genic, multi-stage process. New drugs being developed induce apoptosis in cancer stem cells to arrest cancer proliferation. However, with the increase use of structural and systems biology, and knowledge of the disease process, the development of many new drugs that target several processes in cell-cycle dysfunction/dysregulation will culminate in better treatment options and eventually a cure.

For More Detail:

Free Cancer Information

Uterus Cancer Survival Rate

Given that uterine cancer is amongst those type of cancers that are easily detected, uterus cancer survival rates are also pretty agreeable for those who are treated at the earliest stage possible.

The womb or the uterus is an important part of being a woman. Some women may even tell you that having your uterus removed is like having half of your womanly essence taken off as well. Most uterine cancers arises in the endometrium or the inner lining of the uterus that's why sometimes this type is called endometrial cancer.

A 5 year uterus cancer survival rate refers to the ratio of people who are still alive 5 years after the diagnosis is confirmed to those who weren't able to survive the cancer at the same time period. Bear in mind that the patients are all treated with the cancer. Those who weren't treated may have a lower rate of survival as opposed to those who undergo treatment.

Uterine cancer may be a cause of early menopausal, therefore, most patients with cancer of the uterus detect the symptoms during the menopausal ages - around 45-50 years old. Because certain hormonal changes are affecting the emotional aspect of women at these times, some patients may prefer not hearing their uterus cancer survival rate.

But whether you want to hear it or not, the basic fact is that the earlier the cancer is detected, the higher the chance of surviving 5 more years as well. In fact, patients who had been treated starting stage 1 are likely to live 5 years. Their uterus cancer survival rate is up to 100%.

Luckily, a lot of patients are also diagnosed at stage 1, substantially increasing the over-all percentage of survival for all patients with cancer of the uterus. Patients may normally detect symptoms like unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge, some pelvic pain, dysuria or pain during sexual intercourse.

When the disease progresses into a more severe case, the rate of survival also decreases. At the time when the cancer also begins eating surrounding tissues and lymph nodes, the lower the likelihood of chemotherapy or radiation therapy to combat the progression, although it may help in slowing down the proliferation.

Patients who are diagnosed at the last stage have lower chances of making it to 5 years or more. This could be because most women, when they are diagnosed at this stage, immediately lose hope, thus making it impossible for them to have the courage to fight off the cancer. We highly discourage this because even at 25% survival rate, this is still a lot better compared to other types of cancers whose rate are as down as 4%.

For More Information:

Free cancer information

Growth Of Cancer Cells

Cancer is a broad term for the irregular development of cells. Generally a human body is a huge compilation of cells, and also all human bodies comprising 23 pairs of chromosomes. Imagine if we see each pair of chromosome, there we can find a duplicate gyrate of the DNA molecule, the hereditary design for life. DNA is the tester to verify and communicator of the heredity-designed distinctiveness in the chromosomes we acquire from our birth and transfer it to our children. Any abnormal growth of normal cells, in region of the body, or organs or in any tissues is called a cancerous growth.

Cancerous growth are of two types, such as benign and malignant. Benign type cancers are easily removable and treatable, on the other hand malignant tumors cannot be removed or cured completely. Radiation is the better method to cure cancer nowadays.

In our body, the maroons of DNA called chromosomes carry many numerous of divergent messages that state the human body of about how it should give development, operate and perform. One of the DNA piece informs our digestive system how to create gastric juice; and some other gene determines the glands to secrete this juice when food lands in the stomach. Some different genes colorize the human eyes, influence hurt cells how to ameliorate those cells, as well as point the feminine breasts to create milk later a child is born.

Nearly all the time these genes, these sort of genes serve the right way and transfer the exact pass ons and so we can live with good enough health and all the organs perform their optimal work, despite there are an improbable number of genetic fragments called genes and they transfer numerous messages, as well as the chromosomes develop once all time if a cell splits up and there are lots of occurrences for something to go wrong. As though the immense number of "wrongs" that happen while the process of reproduction or due to the harm by outside causes are repaired e through the body, on certain occasions it is unknown that it goes wrong while cell division - an alteration process that modifies one or more of the genes. A regular type of cancer cell that has an deviant chromosome from its genetic modification or injured state. The changed gene commences to transfer the error transmissions or it may transfer a message that is distinct from what it should send.

For More Information:

Free Cancer Information

Colorectal Cancer Survival Rate

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For More Detail:

Colorectal Cancer Survival Rate

Uterine Cancer Survival Rate

A Uterine Cancer Survival Rate is measured based on a large scale of people with the same condition/disease. Patients must bear in mind that no two cases are alike and the results of the studies, although reliable, may not accurately be the same with yours.

A Uterine Cancer Survival Rate is the average percentage of the patient to extend their lives up to 5 years soon after the diagnosis is confirmed. This doesn't mean that all of those who participated in the survey had the same chances. Some of them actually lived more than 5 or 10 years despite the cancer.

The earlier the cancer is detected, the better the prognosis and the higher the Uterine Cancer Survival Rate. This is true not just for uterine cancer but to most cancers. If your doctor told you that you only have 50% chances to live, this could mean two things - in a five-year period, you may live less than 2 and a half year or more than that.

There has been a study reporting that uterine cancer is more common to African American than to Caucasian American. Uterine Cancer Survival Rate is also quite higher among the latter than the former.

In a five-year period:

Caucasian Women have about 86% survival percentage.

African American Women have about 61% survival percentage.

Although the reason isn't exactly established, the researchers believed that it has something to do with the higher number of pregnancies (gravida) of African American women compared to their Caucasian counterparts. Food choices and lifestyle preferences are also somewhat related to this issue.

In most cancer cases, the earlier the stage, the higher the survival rate. At stage 0 or 1, the cancer survival rate is at its highest at 96%. When the cancer reaches stage 2 or 3, expect a lower rate of survival at 66%. This will drastically lower at the last stage when the cancer has spread out to other organs of the body such as the ovaries, the intestines, liver and etc. At the stage 4, the survival percentage may just be as low as 25 percent which in a 5-year period is technically just around a year and some months.

Fortunately, most uterine cancer cases are detected as early as stage 1, when the cancer has not yet proliferated and it's easier to remove. Only around 16% of the patients are diagnosed when the cancer is already at its 3rd stage and a lower number is diagnosed at the 4th stage. Therefore, treatment may still be able to help the patient survive up to 5 years of more.

For More Information:

Uterine Cancer Survival Rate Of Detail

Skin Cancer - Melanoma

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Evolving: Change in size, shape and color shade.

Types of Melanoma

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

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

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

Melanomas that grow quickly, involving deeper tissues, include:

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

Treatment of Melanoma

Usual protocol for the treatment of melanoma is:

Biopsy to confirm.

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

Surgical removal of lymph nodes if their involvement is suspected.

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

From my own experiences and also from seeing the results on other people I can assure you that these herbs work and they work profoundly.

I hope the researched information as well as the personal experiences in my e-book may be of assistance to anyone searching for natural methods of treatment for skin cancer.

My e-book is called "How to treat Skin Cancer Naturally". Click on the link below to find out more about the book.

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.

For More Information:

Free Cancer Information

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.