Cancer Awareness !!!

Chemotherapy for Ovarian Cancer - How Does it Work?

2008-01-14T21:47:00.000-08:00

There are three main treatments for ovarian cancer, once a diagnosis is made. These are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. In some cases it will be recommended to have two or even all three of these treatments. When chemotherapy is recommended, it is usually given after the surgery in 6 doses spaced 3 weeks apart. This is called "first line" because it is the first time chemo is administered.

The chemotherapy drugs are injected intravenously, often by way of a port which your oncologist will place in your chest or arm. Sometimes intraperitoneal chemo is used which injects the drugs directly into the abdomen.

The standard initial therapy suggested by doctors uses a combination of a platinum-based drug such as carboplatin or cisplatin along with a taxane such as paclitaxel or docetaxel.

Chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells that are left in your body after surgery, but they also damage normal cells, as the drugs do not differentiate between normal and diseased. The simple explanation is that they work by destroying rapidly-dividing cells which is a description of cancer cells. Unfortunately, other cells in the body also fall under this category and are also damaged in the process. The hair follicles are an example, which is why most patients experience hair loss. It is only a temporary condition though and the hair will begin to grow back almost immediately after the chemo is stopped, although in some cases it will look different at first. Other healthy cells that are damaged include red and white blood cells, platelets (which are needed for clotting), and cells that line the gastrointestinal tract. This can often cause the nausea which is so common with the treatment.

Because the chemo drugs can damage the bone marrow that normally produce cells, patients can experience low blood cell counts and often must take yet another medication to encourage the bone marrow to begin producing cells again. The combination of all of these drugs sometimes causes people to have mild forgetfulness and memory loss often referred to as "chemo brain." This should go away once treatments end.

Mesotheliomas Health Dangers

2008-01-13T06:59:00.000-08:00

Mesothelioma is most common in white males who are over fifty years old and have worked as asbestos miners, shipbuilders, railroad workers, automotive construction or repair, workers in the heating or construction industries, and certain types of factory work such as insulation manufacturing.

Mesothelioma is an incredibly rare form of cancer. Mesothelioma is regarded as having a long latentinterval from exposure to death. Malignant mesothelioma is a very dangerous disease a cancer of the membranes that surrounds various types of vital organs.

Once inhaled, asbestos particles imbed themselves in the pulmonary tissue causing lung problems and even a cancer known as mesothelioma. Mesothelioma cancer usually starts from long term exposure to asbestos. It usually takes between twenty and forty years after first exposure to become cancerous although adverse health effects such as a diseases known as Asbestosis can display itself much earlier.

Pleural Mesothelioma is cancer of the Pleura, a sac that lines the lungs. Ultimately, the cancer known as Mesothelioma forms as a result of the damage caused by the asbestos material. Any cancer related illness is naturally a frightening one to have to deal with but this one is almost always incurable.

Asbestos is used in building-construction materials, textiles, missile and jet parts, tar compounds, paints and in friction products such as brake linings. It has been used it for insulation, fireproofing, gardening, strengthening cements and plastics, and for sound absorption while the automotive industry uses asbestos in gaskets, brake linings, and other friction points such as clutch pads.

But while asbestos has been useful in a wide range of applications, its use is not without major risk. Asbestos has been known to be dangerous and even fatal for quite some time. Asbestos has been established as the primary cause of mesothelioma, a type of cancer found rarely in the general population. Asbestos exposure is more prevalent in certain industries (particularly those that involve heavy production) and include mining,construction,and shipyard, etc.

Asbestos also has been found as a contaminant in lawn and garden products. Scientists believe that asbestos material reach the peritoneal membrane either by being swallowed or migrating from the pleura. Eventually, the cancer known as Mesothelioma forms as a result of the damage caused by the asbestos fibers. Often fast progressing mesthelioma is an energy driven process and is almost always incurable.

A Short Classification Of Leukemia Cells

2008-01-13T06:56:00.000-08:00

In the bone marrow are produced the leukemia cells which are abnormal and immature.These cells are classified in two types:lymphoid leukemia cells and myeloid leukemia cells.The abnormal, immature cells called leukemia cells are produced by blood-forming tissue and these are named after the lymphoid or myeloid cells.

It is better to know about the normal blood cells and about the form of these.So,in the bone marrow,which is the soft material in the center of most bones, are formed the blood cells.The immature blood cells called stem cells and blasts are produced by the marrow.

These blood cells become mature,they can be formed into one of three types of mature blood cells like:red blood that carry oxygen and other materials to all tissues of the body,white blood cells that fight infection and disease,platelets that help prevent bleeding by causing blood clots to form.

One of two types of stem cells are created by mature blood cells like lymphoid stem cells or myeloid stem cells.As they grow they become lymphoid blasts, they transform in lymphocytes and then passes into white blood cells.In the same way myeloid cells grow,passes into myeloid blasts, then myelocytes and finally they become either white blood cells, red blood cells or platelets.

Abnormal cells are produced in the bone marrow and they can be either abnormal lymphoid cells or myeloid cells;appears only at people with leukemia.Lymphocytic leukemia is formed by the abnormal lymphoid cells and the myeloid leukemia is created by the abnormal myeloid cells.The types of leukemia based on the leukemia cells are four and they are the following:chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL),chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML),acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Too many stem cells develops into either abnormal lymphoblasts or lynphocytes conduct to the appearance of lymphoid leukemia cells.Unfortunatelly lymphoblastic and lymphocytic are not abble to fight infection because of the number of lymphocytes arrises in the blood and bone marrow,there is less space for healty white blood cells,red blood cells and platelets, which can cause infection anemia and easy bleeding.

At people with leukemia there are three types of lymphocytes they became abnormal:B lymphocytes that make antibodies to help fight infection,T lymphocytes that help B lymphocytes make the antibodies that help fight infection and natural killer cells that attack cancer cells and viruses.It is important for as to know the classification of these cells and their role.

How Deadly is Mesothelioma Cancer?

2008-01-09T22:33:00.000-08:00

Mesothelioma cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer today, with a mortality rate so high that eight out of ten of those diagnosed pass away within a year of their diagnosis. Today, asbestos is banned in at least 60 countries, so the cancer is most often found in those who worked with asbestos mainly from the 1950s to the 1970s.

Asbestos is the name for the group of six different fibrous minerals, which occur naturally in the environment. It does not dissolve in water nor evaporate, and they have no detectable odor and taste.

It has a tendency to separate in to microscopic size particles that will remain in the air, and easily inhaled. Most people develop the cancer on a job where they inhaled asbestos particle, or have been exposed to dust fibre.

Once asbestos is inhaled, it comes through the respiratory passage. These fibre lodge themselves in the mesothelial cell around the lungs. It can cause direct damage to the lungs traveling to the end of their small passage reaching pleural are surrounding the lungs.

There are many different names of Mesothelioma cancer such as pleural, peritoneal, and pericardial because of the different location of the cancer on the body's internal organ.

Being positive from Mesothelioma cancer need much attention. In common cases, the patient or victim is diagnosed and it was too late to do anything, to save one's life.

A worker must take necessary precautions when dealing with asbestos fibers to minimize some health problems.

Tips to Prevent Mesothelioma cancer:

-Always wear a protected suit before doing your job. Asbestos particles need not to be able to enter inside your suit.

-Bring extra clothes after work. Change your clothes before going home to avoid the possibilities of inhaling it together with your loved ones.

-Always wear a high-quality dust mask inside the facility.

Mesothelioma cancer is particularly difficult to diagnose, as the symptoms do not tend to become evident until the final stages of the disease. A very important characteristic of asbestos cancer is the long delay, or latency period, between exposure and the beginning of the disease.

Metastatic Colon Cancer - A Few Plain Truths

2008-01-09T00:27:00.000-08:00

It is estimated that over 100,000 Americans discover that they have colon cancer annually. Many of these cases include those who have been diagnosed with cancer that has metastasized (metastatic colon cancer). Most of us already know that at this stage, treatment may become more complicated and difficult. Some cases though still have some hope for a few years' survival.

Once colon or colorectal cancer has metastasized, it is no longer restricted to the tissues of the colon. It has already moved beyond to other organs of the body. The lymphatic system may be affected first. The cancer cells can then be transported through this same system to other organ cells in the lungs and liver. Other organs may ultimately be affected too.

Those who have been diagnosed metastasized cancer should still consider undergoing treatment. Proper treatment can improve one's chances of extended survival compared to those who do not undergo treatment. Most patients treated for metastatic colon cancer have a 20% to 30% chance of surviving for five more years after diagnosis. Those who do not have cancer cells that have spread to the lungs or liver, have an even higher rate of survival.

Preventing Cancer

It is unfortunate that many people have very mild or no symptoms at the initial stages of cancer during which treatment is most effective. A number of people therefore do not find out about their condition until it is at an advanced stage. The best way to save yourself from the possibility of developing this kind of cancer is to simply prevent it. Although it can strike anybody, you can take precautions against it.

The first aspect that you should check is your lifestyle. There are some lifestyle habits and preferences that could increase a person's chance of developing colon cancer. This includes smoking, eating a lot of fatty foods, not eating enough fibrous and nutrient rich foods and being overweight - all are considered cancer risk factors.

You can also help prevent the advancement to metastatic colon cancer by regularly scheduling yourself for screening. You should always consider this if you have any of the above-mentioned risk factors. Regular screening is also usually advisable for people over 50 years old.

What to Look For

Aside from modifying your lifestyle and regular screening, you can help ensure proper and prompt treatment by watching out for the signs and symptoms of possible colon cancer.

Clear colon cancer symptoms often appear only when the disease is at an advanced stage. There may be some clues though in the initial stages that may tell you that a visit to the doctor should already be scheduled. Consider asking for a doctor's opinion if you have increasingly irregular bowel movements, blood in the stools, and abdominal pains. You can have some other digestive problem but it is better to be sure.

If the cancer cells have metastasized, you could experience a variety of symptoms that will depend on the area that is affected. If the metastatic colon cancer cells move to the lungs, a patient will have evident breathing problems. At this point, stomach bloating and various bodily pains may also emerge.

Sunscreens - Do They Work?

2008-01-08T09:19:00.000-08:00

Are sunscreens, effective in protecting your skin against the damaging rays of the sun?

Study after study by dermatologist has proven the most effective way to protect the damaging effects of ultraviolet rays on our skin is simply to stay out of the sun whenever possible.

Since staying out of the sun is not a practical choice for most of us or even one that we would like to make. The next best precaution is to use a sunscreen.

One thing to keep in mind is that a sunscreen, although each active in helping protect the skin does not give one a license to abuse the time spent in the sun.

Sunscreens come in two varieties, inorganic and organic.

The inorganic sunscreens basically work by scattering the UV light using a zinc or titanium oxides to achieve this. They form a reflective shield on the skin.

The organic version of sunscreens work quite differently, they actually absorb the UV rays, by way of complex organic molecules that they are made up of. These molecules are photo protective, which means they actually block the UV rays from penetrating the skin to a degree.

Most dermatologists recommended using a sunscreen of the SPF 30 or greater achieve maximum protection.

Another fact to keep in mind is while sunscreens have been proven effective for limited time in the sun to protect against acute UV skin damage and non-melanoma skin cancers. It's not clear whether or not they do help protect against melanoma, which is the most dangerous form of skin cancer.

As most sun worshipers already know, different times of the day represent different health risk for your skin as far as the degree of the intensity of the sun's rays.

I came across a neat little rule for determining when the sun's rays are the most dangerous for your skin it goes like this… “The shorter your shadows, the more dangerous, the rays of the sun are for your skin”.

The example of this would be, at noon when the sun is at its highest point you will have a very little shadow or no shadow at all. This would be the best time to stay out of direct sunlight, if at all possible.

Melanoma and non-melanoma malignancies are the most common of all cancers as a matter of fact, they account for about half of all cancers.

With what we now know about the damaging effects of the sun on our skin it is more important than ever to take proper precautions whenever exposure to the sun is unavoidable.

Sunscreens though effective are limited in their ability to keep your skin protected and healthy. Keep in mind that the use of sunscreen is merely a tool and is not meant as a free pass to spend unlimited hours baking in the sun without suffering the consequences.

One last point... The diminishing ozone layer of our atmosphere results in an increase of the harmful UV rays from the sun. What your grandparents may have gotten away with as far as safe time spent in the sun is not relevant to the conditions of today.

Be skin smart! You will look younger and have healthier skin for years to come.

Prostate Cancer Symptoms

2008-01-06T22:45:00.000-08:00

Many men, in their lifetime, will experience symptoms that could indicate the presence of prostate cancer. Because prostate cancer symptoms can look like other diseases or disorders, men who experience any of these symptoms should undergo a thorough work-up to determine the underlying cause of their symptoms. The need to urinate frequently, especially at night is a common symptom of prostate cancer and other prostate problems like BPH (benign prostatic hypertrophy), in other words an enlarged prostate.

Men have always been less likely to get medical attention than women, especially for minor problems which often serve as warning signs for a more serious underlying illness. You may have prostate symptoms right now that mimic prostate cancer symptoms. If you do get diagnosed with prostate cancer it's important to know that many men, especially those later in life, have made the decision with their doctors to simply watch and wait rather than undergo conventional cancer treatment. Many men decide to make dietary changes and work on approaching it with natural treatment.

To state it simply, cancer that grows in the prostate gland is called prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is characterized by the 'grade' and 'stage'. The grade is given to indicate how quickly a cancer is growing - the higher the grade, the more likely it's that the cancer will grow and spread rapidly and the size and extent of the tumor will determine its stage. It's estimated that approximately 234,460 men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, and approximately 27,350 will eventually die of the disease. And the most common cancer in American men, except for skin cancer, is prostate cancer.

For natural treatment options for the prostate make an appointment with a naturopathic doctor, called a naturopath; ask around for referrals, or find an M.D. with a natural medicine practice.

For part of a dietary approach no matter what treatment you decide on, if possible eliminate all hormone-containing foods like meat and dairy from your diet. Drink plenty of pure filtered water, at least a quart a day, to remain hydrated and help your body eliminate toxins.

Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction With Perforator Flaps

2008-01-05T18:20:00.000-08:00

So what is a "perforator flap"?

Pioneered in the early 1990's, perforator flap breast reconstruction represents the state of the art in breast reconstruction surgery after mastectomy. The tissue removed at the time of mastectomy may be replaced with the patient's own warm, soft, living tissue to recreate a "natural" breast.

Skin, fatty tissue, and the tiny blood vessels that supply nutrients to the tissue ("perforators") can be taken from the patient's abdomen (SIEA flap or DIEP flap procedures) or buttocks (GAP flap).

Unlike conventional tissue reconstruction techniques (like the TRAM flap), these perforator flap techniques carefully preserve the patient's underlying musculature. The tissue is then transplanted to the patient's chest and reconnected using microsurgery.

Preserving underlying muscles lessens postoperative discomfort making the recovery easier and shorter, and also enables the patient to maintain muscle strength long-term. This is particularly important for active women.

While these procedures offer many advantages to the patient, the surgeries are very complex and time-consuming and specialized training is required. Before choosing a surgeon ensure that he/she is a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has extensive experience with microsurgery and perforator flap breast reconstruction. Ask about the success rate of the procedure in their hands (most specialists boast a flap survival rate of at least 97%) and how many they have performed.

Insurance companies are federally mandated to pay for the cost of breast reconstruction. Unfortunately, some patients will still face difficulties in gaining access to microsurgeons specializing in procedures. Here again it pays to seek out plastic surgeons who specialize in these techniques as typically an insurance specialist is available to help patients with insurance issues.

All About Cancer

2008-01-05T07:07:00.000-08:00

CANCER is a disease in which certain body cells go out of control and start multiplying rapidly of their own accord. This uncontrolled growth becomes a tumor and eventually, if unchecked, will interfere with the working of a vital organ or organs and cause death.

It is not an infection (although in a few cases it can be caused by a viral infection) but the result, in all probability, inherited weakness in the genetic makeup, with poor living habits and surroundings. Unhealthy diet, smoking, prolonged stress, and industrial pollution, for example, are either known to be, or are strongly suspected of being, main contributory or risk factors in CANCER.

The human body contains more than of some coupled 200 different types of cell, which means there are more than 200 different types of CANCER. An abnormal growth may be called a tumor or a neoplasm (neo simply means "new" and plasm means "form"). A resulting illness is known as a neoplastic disorder.

If the tumor or growth is purely local and not invasive it will be described as benign. A benign growth does not spread, so is less damaging. Examples are warts, cysts, and polyps. A growth that cannot be contained and continues to spread unchecked is known as a malignant growth. This is CANCER.

Medical terms given to the different sorts of cali relate to where they are growing in the body:

Carcinoma is CANCER of the skin covering the outside of the body and the mucous membrane lining the cavities within (epithelial tissue). This is by far them common type of CANCER and includes CANCERs of the, breast, lung, colon, prostate, and skin. The most serious form of skin CANCER is melanoma.

Sarcoma is CANCER of the bones, tendons, muscles.

Lymphoma is CANCER of the glands (or nodes) or other parts of the lymphatic system

Leukemia is CANCER of the blood.

CANCER differs from country to country and from region to region. Some types of CANCER are more communi Western countries, such as North America and Europe, than in Eastern countries, such as Japan, or so-called developing countries such as Africa. In Japan, for example, there are many more cases of stomach CANCER than there are in the West, and in Africa liver CANCER is much more widespread than elsewhere. Overall, the ten most common CANCERs found worldwide are of the lung, stomach, breast, lower bowel, cervix, mouth, lymphatic system, liver, throat, and prostate gland. None of the therapies described offers a cure for CANCER but they can alleviate symptoms and support the immune system.

Skin Cancer Symptoms and Prevention

2008-01-04T05:40:00.000-08:00

Despite the medical evidence available on skin cancer, our society insists on tanning beds and sunbathing without using the proper protection, as we can find many youth and teenagers spending long times in the harmful and burning sun rays that what makes them the suffer a lot from Skin Cancer. But the good news is that Skin Cancer is considered the easiest form of cancer and you can overcome it by spotting it in time.

There are two forms of Skin Cancer, melanomas and non-melanomas. Melanomas usually account for only four percent of diagnosed skin cancers, and it occurs in the epidermis, the skin's outer layer, usually appearing as a dark mole with uneven edges but they are considered to be the most deadly. Non-melanomas, on the other hand, are comprised of two different cell types, basal cells and squamous cells. Both of these cells are caused from sun exposure.

Skin cancer symptoms vary from individual to individual as to which chemical, or substance causes allergic reactions. The tumor in the epidermis, caused by skin cancer, is always clearly visible, making diagnosis slightly easier than in other cases of cancer. Skin Cancer patient may encounter Rough and scaly patches on the skin, A sore or spot that bleeds or become crusty, a small lump that is shiny, waxy, pale in color, and smooth in texture.

Skin protection is very important and easy; off course there is no excuse not to prevent it. You have to protect every member in your family even young babies, try to find shady areas when you take them outside to play and be sure they have the proper protection on.

Children and people with fair skin need to be using a higher protection factor than other people Skin protection doesn't mean to avoid sun forever, but you have to be reasonable and be careful while dealing with the sun. Sensitive areas like lips, nose, palms, and the back of your hand should be sufficiently protected while exposure to sun.

When out in the sun do not forget to protect your face. Applying lotion to the ears, nose and neck will help to protect those sensitive areas from the sun.

Sunscreen is recommended as a form of protection against the sun. Of course, your self-examinations should be in addition to an annual doctors exam; doctors trained eyes often spot skin cancer even quicker than you do. Surgery is the most common form of treatment and it is usually done as an outpatient procedure.

From time to time examine your head and face using one or two mirrors. Move your hair to examine your scalp. Have a look at your hands, including your nails. Check your elbows, arms and underarms. Look closely on your neck and chest.

Finally, if you notice or encounter any changes in your skin such as moles, lesions or sores, which do not heal, it is always better to consult your doctor immediately. If caught early, most skin cancer can be cured.

Detecting Prostate Cancer Symptoms Early

2008-01-04T05:39:00.000-08:00

It is still unknown what really causes prostate cancer but several risk factors have been discovered like family history, race, age or high fat diet.

Having a screening examination at fixed intervals is important to detect the cancer early. Looking for symptoms yourself is not enough because you can not detect it early enough. Once you have prostate cancer symptoms already, it is (too) late already. After the disease has broken out already, you could have symptoms like weak or interrupted urine flow, blood in the urine or a pain in the back, thighs or hips. There could also be a burning sensation.

It could be a matter of life or dead to detect the cancer as early as possible. The earlier the treatment starts the greater the chances of survival. This can be cured but only when it hasn't spread too much already.

The doctor will also put his digit into the rectum to feel any lumps in the prostate. If he finds any abnormalities, the doctor will order an blood test to find out if a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is in the blood. While low amounts of PSA are ok, a high amount of PSA is a strong sign for cancer. A trans rectal ultrasound examination is another option. This painless method gives a good picture of the gland within 20 minutes.

A biopsy is needed once the above tests indicate the occurrence of cancer. That means that the doctor must take a small sample of the tissue by using a needle. The sample is then checked under a microscope and if the sample is cancerous it is an exact diagnosis. The biopsy itself is a quick and rather painless method to diagnose prostate cancer.

Once it is detected, the doctor must find out how much it has spread already. An x-ray can show if the cancer has reached the lungs already. A computer tomography or magnetic resonance imaging can also make internal organs visible. Once it is diagnosed the treatment must start immediately. There are several different treatment options but still the surgery is the most effective way to totally remove the cancer. The treatment will need a team of doctors, an urologist, a surgeon and an oncologist. The surgery is not without risks and side effects so that some prefer alternative ways.

A good prognosis with a high survival rate of 95% can be given when it was detected very early and the surgery was successful. However, the later the cancer was diagnosed, the worse the statistics get. Less than 30% survive the next five years after the cancer was detected very late.

Ovarian Cancer - An Overview of Ovarian Cancer Treatment

2008-01-04T05:35:00.000-08:00

Basically there are three major types of treatments for ovarian cancer. They are radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery. The treatment processes may also be various combinations of these basic treatments.

Radiotherapy treatment is used to destroy the cancer cells by high energy radiation exposure.
Chemotherapy is a form of treatment used to treat it to destroy cancer cells using strong cancer fighting drugs.
Treatment with surgery is used to remove tissue affected by the cancer. Surgery is most often required when treating ovarian cancer.

Although not commonly used, radiotherapy must include all cancer cells within the radiation field and abdominal organs to be effective. Many women are diagnosed when the cancer is in the later stages, and then when treatment for ovarian cancer is sought the abdominal organs may not be able to withstand the doses of radiation required to destroy all tumorous tissue. If the cancer is confined to one or both ovaries and has not spread to the abdominal organs, radiotherapy can be an effective option for treating this cancer.

Another treatment option for it is chemotherapy. This involves using powerful drugs to destroy cancerous cells. While these drugs stop cancer cells from dividing rapidly and growing they can also damage normal cells.

Most women, in addition to other treatment, will undergo surgery as part of their treatment plan. It is not uncommon for surgery to be used in combination with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Removal of cancerous tissue is connected with improved survival rates so surgery is particularly significant in the treatment of ovarian cancer. It also enables the physician to accurately make a diagnosis, stage the tumor as well as remove as much of the tumor mass as possible.

These are the basic treatments commonly used for treatment of ovarian cancer. They may be used alone or in combination with one another. The stage of cancer, histopathologic type, and grade of disease, patient's health and age are all factored in when a decision for treatment is made. Before undergoing a certain treatment program it is normally advisable to get a second opinion.

Can Mesothelioma Be Treated?

2008-01-04T05:05:00.000-08:00

Mesothelioma cancer is a very dangerous disease that can attack some vital organs in the human body, it can attack the lungs, "not the lungs itself but the layer that surround the lungs". It can also attack the abdomen especially the layers surround the organs of the abdominal cavity. It can attack the sac of heart "the pericardium" and cause malignant tumors in those areas.

The diagnosis process would be very difficult for two facts, the first fact is the very long time of tumors to appear, the tumors take from 25 to 5 years to be appeared and recognized. After diagnosis has been achieved, doctor can begin the treatment plan instantly. The second fact is the high similarities between the symptoms of mesothelioma and other diseases.

The treatment plan of mesothelioma cancer can be divided to three options, the first and the most effective option is the surgery in which doctors will remove the tumors from the affected area. With pleural mesothelioma "lung membrane cancer", doctors may remove one of the two lung as a result from the high prevalence of tumors.

The chemotherapy treatment can be a very effective option, it can be a very strong treatment after the surgery to finish all remain cancer cells. So, doctors will use this option in a combination with the surgery to make a good treatment plan.

The radiation therapy is also can destroy the cancer cells, it can also be a secondary treatment after the surgery. Doctors can use the available options to make a good mix and help the patient get an effective treatment for his/her meothelioma case.

Anemia - Do You Have it?

2008-01-03T18:09:00.000-08:00

Anemia goes undetected in many people, and symptoms can be vague. Anemia can be caused by a deficiency in folate, iron and/or vitamins and can take months to years to develop. It is more a process of a disease, rather than a disease itself. In menstruating women and young mothers, dietary iron deficiency is a common cause of deficient red blood cell production. Some of the more common symptoms of nutritional deficiency anemia are fatigue, chest pain, trouble breathing, weight loss, weakness, dizziness, pale skin. Anemia can make you feel weak, cold, dizzy and irritable. Pale skin and nail beds are often a useful diagnostic sign in moderate or severe anemia, but it is not always apparent.

You are 'anemic' when there is not enough oxygen in the blood. This happens when there are not enough red blood cells being produced. Oxygenated blood helps give your body its energy and your skin a healthy glow. Red Blood Cells carry the oxygen from your lungs to your brain and the rest of your body and each blood cell only lives for about 100 days. Therefore, the body is constantly needing to replace them.

The production of the cells is a function of the bone marrow. Folate (Vitamin B9), iron, Vitamins C and B12 are required to produce healthy red blood cells. If there is a deficiency of Vitamin C which assists in the absorption of dietary iron, the bone marrow produces smaller and fewer cells. A deficiency of Folate and Vitamin B12 results in the bone marrow producing large underdeveloped red blood cells resulting in a shortage of cells.

Fortunately, these deficiencies can usually be corrected through a balanced diet containing green leafy vegetables and citrus fruit and juices for Folate, red and white meat and dairy products for vitamin B12, citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes, green peppers, cantaloupe and potatoes for vitamin C. Smoking interferes with the absorption of nutrients, especially vitamin C which helps your body absorb iron, an important building block of red blood cells. Alcohol also effects your ability to absorb nutrients. Some drugs can cause a vitamin deficiency as well.

There may also be another reason for the deficiency of vitamin B12 other than diet. As the liver stores large quantities of B12, it can take a period of time before a deficiency becomes apparent. If there has been an operation on the stomach such as a gastric bypass, vitamin B12 may not be able to be broken down from the food eaten and therefore not absorbed into the body. If this is the case, there are Vitamin B12 shots available to replenish the levels.

Different types of anemia have different causes. However, generally when feelings of constant fatigue, dizziness, pale skin and lack of energy occur, it is advisable to consult a doctor and have blood tests to determine if the blood count is normal. If not, the doctor can then investigate the reasons.

Most people do not realize they are anemic and many complain of weakness or fatigue blaming it on stress, depression, lifestyle etc.. Quite often it is due to a prolonged lack of proper nutrition. A busy and hectic lifestyle can lead to developing a habit of fast foods which lacks the necessary fruit and vegetables in the diet. The effects of a low nutritional diet can take months to years to have a noticeable effect and produce anemia. Altering this habit and changing to a nutritional diet is probably the best prevention.

There is also a new product available as a support to balancing the blood by providing vitamins and iron through absorption through the skin - meaning no tablets necessary. You can read more about it at the Bio Health Chip Store. Always see a doctor if you suspect you have anemia as there are more serious causes that may be present.

Colon Cancer Symptoms That You Should Know

2008-01-03T18:08:00.000-08:00

Numerous people find out every year that they have colon or colorectal cancer. This is why it is important to always know the significant signs and symptoms, especially if you are at high risk of developing the condition. Although the colon cancer symptoms may not always be obvious, these may be the crucial signs that may help prolong your life. The sooner they are detected, the bigger are your chances for survival.

Who is At Risk

Anyone can develop colon cancer. Both men and women are equally possible candidates contracting this disease. There are however a couple of people who are particularly more at risk than others.

Although young people can also develop this cancer, those who are 50 years old and above are at a greater risk. This is why people at this age bracket are often recommended by their doctors to undergo colon cancer screening at regular intervals.

It is also quite possible that the condition may run in the family. Those who have relatives or family members who have had this disease may also be at risk of developing the condition.

Sometimes though, the risk of cancer of the colon may be increased by certain lifestyle factors. Smoking for example is a number one culprit that has been implicated in a number of other cancer conditions. Aside from smoking, leading a largely sedentary life and eating too many foods that are high in trans and saturated fats may also lead you closer to colon cancer.

Some people also have a higher risk if they have been diagnosed with certain conditions. Obese people and those who have diabetes for example are considered 'at risk' people. Those who have had polyps and certain bowel diseases or disorders may also be at risk.

The above-mentioned risk factors are not absolute. Even people who may not have them may still develop colon cancer. This is why it pays to know what colon cancer symptoms can manifest with the condition.

Signs and Symptoms Of Colon Cancer

There are times when people show only very slight symptoms. Sometimes the colon cancer symptoms may be so indistinguishable that it seems like there are no symptoms at all. This is why some people may be diagnosed with cancer of the colon only at an advanced stage. In any case, being sensitive to even slight symptoms may already provide a clue to the condition. Paying attention is important if colon cancer is to be detected early and treated.

A person who has a developing colon or colorectal cancer condition may frequently feel tired. They may also experience increased stomach cramping, gassiness or even some slight abdominal pain. Stool consistency and bowel movement frequency may also eventually change. Sometimes, blood may appear in the stools although this can also be a sign of some other condition.

You can never be too sure with yourself. You should always consider seeing a specialist if the symptoms appear and if you are particularly at risk. At the age of 50, regular screenings should be performed on you even if you are not at risk and have no symptoms. Colon cancer is most easily treated at the early stages so the sooner you find out if you have it, and can recognise any of the colon cancer symptoms, the better for you.

Breast Cancer and Your Subconscious Mind

2008-01-03T18:06:00.000-08:00

The nature of our subconscious mind is to be more Positive, Playful, and Visual. The Creative, Intuitive Mind is less discriminating. It absorbs information without questions or analysis. It simply does not have the capacity of calculation.

Let's go back to the concept of the thought being a seed, because it is imperative to clearly understand the importance of what actually transpires.

Does it mean that your breast cancer is a result of seeds that were planted in your subconscious mind through your thoughts?

Every thought is a seed at the conceptual level. When a seed is planted in fertile soil (feelings already established) this seed (thought/feeling) will then - depending upon prior programming and the intensity of the feeling --- create a re-action to that thought/feeling, or create the physical expression of that thought/feeling.

If so, is your breast cancer the physical expression of that thought/feeling in the paragraph above.

Now we have, as it commonly known, an emotion. This emotion then becomes a living vibration, which fertilizes that seed/soil (thought/feeling), and we begin to grow our crop of effects (conditions in our life). In other words, thoughts and feelings create an emotion that causes effects.

Are you with me?

Now, I am thinking maybe my breast cancer is the cause of the seed that fertilized through my thoughts and feelings, way before it manifested in my life physically.

Any word or piece of data chosen by our conscious mind establishes images within our subconscious mind. If we think in a positive manner, visualize what we want, and dare to dream we will get whatever we want.

"The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift."
--Albert Einstein

It is that simple!

With much Love and Laughter

Natural Cancer Treatments

2008-01-03T18:03:00.000-08:00

cannot survive in the presence of pure oxygen as they are anaerobic. Treatments such as ozone therapy can therefore be very effective in killing off cancer cells while providing many other benefits for the body as well. Speak to your doctor about what type of ozone therapy would be beneficial for you and how you can include it in your cancer treatment.

Anti Cancer Diets

Anti cancer diets are particularly useful in preventing, rather than actually treating cancer. However, if you currently suffer from cancer then it is not too late to use the anti cancer diet principles to help improve your health and hopefully hinder the spread of the cancer.

The advantage with many natural cancer treatments is that there are usually no adverse side effects as there are with other treatments but these should still not be followed unwisely to the exclusion of other treatments. Combine these natural treatments with traditional treatments and improve your chances of conquering cancer.

Skin Cancer - 5 Things You May Not Know About Protecting Your Children From Skin Cancer

2008-01-03T11:46:00.000-08:00

1. Babies: Cases of pediatric melanoma have increased 100% in the last 20 years! (Michigan State Medical Society)

Almost everytime I'm outdoors, I see babies or small children in their strollers with their faces and heads unprotected from the sun. And while I do notice more small children than ever with hats on their heads, there seem to be triple that amount without.

All it takes is a little awareness to keep a hat on and to make sure the back of the stroller is to the sun. When 80% of the sun's damaging UV rays happens in the first 18 years of life, parents can give the gift of life twice ... once giving birth, and the second protecting their skin.

2. Teens: 2.3 million teenagers (part of 30 million Americans) use tanning beds. Ultraviolet rays are the primary factor in developing skin cancer and are 15 times greater in a tanning booth than outdoors. Up until now, there have been very few warnings about health risks in tanning salons.

Finally, legislators are trying to change that. 25 states across the country want to restrict youth access to indoor tanning facilities. In addition, if passed, this legislation would require parental consent for anyone under 18, along with the listing of potential health consequences in these salons, and licensing by the state.

This is a potentially life-saving public issue and any help parents can give both at home with their children and in their support of their representatives can only help save lives.

3. Women ages 20-29: They're adults but they're still somebody's children. Melanoma is now the second most common cancer in this age group.

While it is best to get kids started early on the habit of using sun protection, better late than never. you know how to talk to your children best, but if you see a tan on your daughter, you might ask how she came to it...beach? tanning salon? Or, fake tanning lotion which of course would be Choice No. 1 other than, perhaps, no tan at all.

4. African-American or Asian children: The risk for melanoma isn't as high as with Caucasian children, but it can be more deadly because a lesion or irregular mole can't be seen as easily.

Talking with them at all ages about sun protection and teaching them what to look for is and examining them regularly is vital.

5. The perfect tan. For years, the perfect tan was looked at as the way to look healthy, attractive, thinner (believe it or not), and possibly even rich (if you have time to lounge in the sun, you really must be well off). And the warmth of the sun feels good. There's no doubting that.

The perfect tan is still sought today. Lines form around some of the more popular tanning salons, grown women included.

But now we have information we didn't have. Irrefutable information. It's hard to ignore it and worse, later on, if we're one of the unlucky ones, what do we say to ourselves - and our families? It's just a little extra effort for potentially a longer and healthier life. Is the perfect tan worth losing all that?

Lynn Rosenberg lost her husband to skin cancer and has made it her mission to educate and inform consumers about sun protection. She has also created a line of UV Umbrellas and Hats. For more information, visit:

LYNN ROSE is the founder of Soleil Chic UV Umbrellas. After a long career as a pianist-vocalist-composer and award-winning screenwriter, Lynn changed her career after losing her husband to malignant melanoma. SOLEIL CHIC umbrellas have been seen on THE TODAY SHOW as well as in the hands of celebrities like Cate Blanchett. Soleil Chic umbrellas are endorsed by top doctors including a dermatologist, rheumatologist, plastic surgeon and professor of anatomy and neurobiology. The Mayo Clinc recommends Lynn Rose's umbrellas as well. Top resort/spas such as the Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas, and The Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui, carry her products. Soleil Chic's worldwide customer base continues to increase every day.

Are You Worried About An Enlarged Prostate Or Other Prostate Problem?

2008-01-03T11:45:00.000-08:00

In older men, the inner part of the prostate around the urethra may continue to grow, a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) - also referred to as an enlarged or swollen prostate. Perhaps a fourth of men have some degree of hyperplasia by the time they reach their fifties. By the eighth decade, over 90% of males will have prostatic hyperplasia (according to the American Urological Association).

However, in only a small number of cases (about 10%) will this hyperplasia be symptomatic and severe enough to require any surgical or medical therapy. The mechanism for hyperplasia may be related to an accumulation of dihydrotestosterone in the prostate, which then binds to nuclear hormone receptors which then trigger the growth. The normal prostate gland weighs 20 to 30 gm, but most with nodular hyperplasia can weigh as much as 50 to 100 gm. And nodular hyperplasia is NOT a precursor to cancer. A mildly increased PSA (4 to 10 ng/mL) in a patient with a very large prostate can be due to either nodular hyperplasia, or to prostatitis, rather than cancer.

It's good to know that BPH is a non-cancerous enlargement that is very common in men as they age. While this can cause problems with urinating because it can press on the urethra (the tube that carries the urine), BPH is not cancer.

The class of drugs usually used to conventionally treat BPH are the alpha 1-adrenoreceptors, including prazosin, alfuzosin, indoramin, terazosin, doxazosin, and tamsulosin.

Both BPH and prostate cancer, however, can cause similar problems in older men. The "free PSA test" may help determine the difference between BPH and prostate cancer. Prostatitis, BPH, prostate cancer and metastasis are all very common ailments. Many of these symptoms, however, can also be caused by other conditions, such as a urinary tract infection (UTI), acute prostatitis, or even a sexually transmitted disease.

Doctors must determine if a patient's symptoms are due to prostate cancer, BPH, or to a number of other non-cancer-related conditions. Your doctor conducts a digital rectal exam in order to diagnose BPH. Treatment choices for BPH also include an ever watchful waiting.

Also regular checkups are important even for men who have had surgery for BPH. Learn all you can about the treatment options for these disorders if you're having symptoms that are keeping you up at night or keeping you up at night with worry. To understand your symptoms more take one of the free self tests for symptoms that are found online.

However, with so many treatment choices now available, men with BPH or prostate cancer sometimes have difficulty deciding on which is the right treatment, and the long-term lifestyle effects that each of the disease treatments may cause, especially if conventional or standard treatment is chosen where there is more risk. Other ways to relieve the symptoms of BPH use radiowaves, microwaves, or electrical current.

Also there is always the natural approach to consider. A natural diet may be an alternative chosen by some men rather than risk chemo drugs or radiation. Many men live well into a much older age with various prostate conditions and suffer no ill consequences. Prostate cancer, an enlarged prostate and BPH used to be diseases of old age but not anymore.

One Less HPV Vaccine Could Up Your Chances Of Cervical Cancer By 44 Percent

2008-01-03T11:42:00.000-08:00

In case you didn't know, HPV (Human Papillomavirus) is usually found among sexually active females. It has also been found that most healthy female bodies will fight against this virus on it's own and will successfully rid itself of the virus without any medical intervention. The only danger of CERVICAL CANCER developing would be in the instance of persistent re-infection.

So why are we blasting ads on TV and in the news media, along with government mandates for young school aged children? The Journal of the American Medical Association stated in their August 2007 issue that they found no reason to implement this vaccine and that there was no reliable proof that it did what it purported to do which was prevent CERVICAL CANCER. How many physicians actually read their medical journals on a regular basis to get this information? If your's does not---perhaps you should question him on his own information as to the efficacy of this treatment.

Now add, that in the group of women who have persistent re-infection when given the vaccine, there is a 44% increased risk of preCANCERous CERVICAL lesions and there can be no clear reason why any woman or child should be given this vaccine. The FDA report supporting this information was given by the very manufacturers of the HPV vaccine - Merck.

What about the adverse affects from the vaccine? Have you read any of the statistics? Probably not as these (as far as I know) have not been all over the newspapers and in TV ads. The public interest group, Judicial Watch, released documents obtained from the FDA that reported 1,637 adverse reactions prior to May 2007. There have been numerous reports of fainting, seizures, nausea, swelling of the injection sight, etc. There is also a report related to the number of deaths. Both reports can be downloaded from links on their web site.

The FDA report from Merck , shows the statistics for those who have persistent re-infection. It should be very interesting to all those considering this vaccine that none of this information has been given the coverage that the actual vaccine promotion has been given.

Do your own research before having this vaccine given to your young daughters. What is the justification of mandating a vaccine for someone who might not ever become "sexually active"? Or someone who was sexually active but has now become celibate and her own body will take care of the problem, given the time it needs to heal itself?

Don't fall for the hype from the TV ads. They intentionally pull on your heartstrings to make you feel like you are doing the right thing. Their motives are entirely financial. A series of these vaccines (three are recommended), has a cost of $360. If they can get every young woman and female child vaccinated, what are the profits they are pulling in for the pharmaceutical that produces it? You or your daughter's ultimate health is not what they have in mind.

What is Mesothelioma?

2008-01-03T11:40:00.000-08:00

MESOTHELIOMA is a deadly CANCER that has recently become a concern amongst many people as the dangers of asbestos and its wide-spread use before the late 1970's become more well-known.

MESOTHELIOMA is a Form of CANCER Caused by Exposure to Asbestos

The first thing to realize about MESOTHELIOMA is that it is a malignant CANCER caused usually by exposure to asbestos or asbestos-containing materials. The symptoms of MESOTHELIOMA often do not show up until years after the asbestos exposure.

MESOTHELIOMA is a Malignant CANCER that Affects the Heart, LUNGs and Stomach

MESOTHELIOMA is a malignant CANCER that affects the linings of the heart, LUNGs and stomach. The symptoms experienced will therefore differ depending on the organ affected. Peritoneal MESOTHELIOMA (MESOTHELIOMA of the stomach) leads to loss of appetite, pain in the abdomen and problems with bowel functioning. Pleural MESOTHELIOMA on the other hand affects the LUNGs and chest pain, difficulty breathing, and coughing up blood. All MESOTHELIOMA is malignant and will often lead to death.

How It Is Caused

Although asbestos containing materials may be relatively harmless when contained, when they become damaged or worn asbestos particles may become airborne and these in turn may be inhaled by people who come into contact with the material. When this happens the asbestos particles travel to the LUNGs where they start to cause damage to the linings of the LUNGs leading to MESOTHELIOMA.

MESOTHELIOMA is a malignant CANCER that is very severe and affects the linings of the heart, LUNGs and stomach and although causing different symptoms initially may all eventually lead to death. This CANCER is generally caused by exposure to asbestos and the inhalation of asbestos particles.

A Good Survival of Lymphoma - Having a Good Time Anyway

2008-01-03T11:38:00.000-08:00

I couldn't believe my oncologist was telling me I had to have my chemo treatment on my 60th birthday. I didn't know what bothered me the most to tell the truth, having chemo or turning 60. I told my oncologist that this was mightily unfair, and in my usual manipulative ways, conveyed to her the logic of slicing a few days off here and there. However, she said to me, "Uma, you have a good chance of beating this and I'm not going to screw around with the dates."

So there it was. I sat crying for at least 20 minutes, railing at the unfairness of it all when suddenly I thought, "My God, I'm really hurting myself by doing this. I'm getting all upset and probably destroying what immune system I have left." So then I became defiant, and said to myself,"I'm going to have a good time anyway." And I did. My friends gathered around me the night of my 60th, a special friend created a painting for me, and we had a jolly good time. Sometimes I think it was the first time I ever really understood what surrender was. It was a time when I really was aware of not having a choice but finding my choice when I let go.

As it turned out, my chemo nurses, two very funny and compassionate ladies, brought me a birthday cake. They were hysterical at the outfits I chose to wear to chemo. Since I was nearly balding, I wore a back ski cap which young gang members doff or au courant kidnappers wear, gray pajama pants decorated with little cats, a plaid shirt worn because it was the only one that opened from the front for my port and bright azure blue cashmere socks given to me by a dear friend who also did my laundry. A few weeks later that outfit got me into trouble.

I was on my way to chemo, and it was an emotionally blustery day for me, angry and self-pitying that I had to drive myself. I didn't make a full stop at a corner before turning on to the highway. Next thing I know I am hearing the siren of a policeman. So I pull over and hear, "Get out of the car with your hands up." I thought that was pretty extreme for an illegal right turn. Eager to comply, I got out of the car with my hands up. The cutest cop stood there with his gun drawn and as soon as he saw me, he began to laugh. He said that my car was similar to one that had just held up a bank and combined with my black ski cap, I was an instant suspect. We both laughed and eager for a good time, as I always was, I asked him if he would like to escort me to the hospital, sirens blaring, etc. He demurred but since he was so cute, I considered asking him if he would like to frisk me, seeing that I hadn't been frisked in a long time. But leaving well enough alone, I got into my car and laughed all the way to the chemo room, telling the nurses that story and forever being called a criminal by them from then on. I might add, their favorite criminal.

Interestingly, I had never been vain and thought I wouldn't care if I lost my hair and in some ways, that was true, except when I saw myself without it. It wasn't the hair so much as I looked so pitiful. Always having a weight problem, when I looked into the mirror I said to myself, I look like a fat concentration camp victim. And then the sadness wore in.

I remember one night very well, 3 am in the morning, looking at myself in the mirror, shaved head, blister on my lip from the chemo, terrible inflammation in my chest, writing to my spiritual teacher, saying, "Do you remember the story about the Tibetan monk, imprisoned by the Chinese for 20 years and when asked what the worst thing that happened to him, he said, "When they nailed my feet to the floor, I almost lost my temper." And then I thought, "Screw that, I as a Jew, think that the worst thing is that I am about to lose my sense of humor." But as I wrote about it to my teacher, I started to describe my brilliant and intuitive Indian born oncologist who in her high pitched voice could ask you to pass her a chapatti and with the same cheery detachment in her voice, tell you she was recommending that your pancreas and large intestines be removed by dinner. Of course, we all know what good-natured malice does. It eventually restores one's good humor.

Before diagnosis is really the worst time, because you don't know what to do. It's a time of real powerlessness. In my case, it seemed I was throwing up on a whim at all times. I later found out it had nothing to do with the disease, but occurred when my stress was at an all time high, a time when I had not discovered the joys of ativan. But more likely from ingesting some very high-powered dark green Chinese herbs that an herbalist had sworn had made her very young and strong boyfriend survive his brain tumor. This of course fed into my desire to take all those peculiar and heavily touted immune stimulating items I would never have touched before, but which began to lure me to them with their siren calls. "CANCER runs from me. Take me; I will heal you."

It is also the time of looking for that vegetable juicer you gave to your hippie niece. And buying that 25-pound bag of carrots and dark green veggies. In your state of hysteria, you find yourself asking the veggies and juicer for forgiveness for having ignored them. I can't tell you how many people who upon discovering they have CANCER, start to slug down gallons of carrot juice. What they don't usually know is that carrots being as sweet as they are can contribute to your diabetes or hypoglycemia, not to mention their tendency to turn your skin orange, also contributing to the suspicion that you not only have CANCER, but hepatitis. Pre-diagnosis time is also a time when you make bargains to forever eat wheat grass and be kind to people whom you don't like.

My sister, God bless her, immediately made me an appointment with a macrobiotic counselor. He was a true healer, and what I mean by that he didn't have a ready made shtick that he would impose on me, giving me guilt about the choice I made to take chemo. Since I had been a vegetarian for many about 30 years years, was a holistic practitioner and masseuse, I subscribed to a holistic way of life and naturally considered chemo at the outset to be my worst choice. But surprisingly enough, especially to me, when I heard my diagnosis, I immediately turned to my oncologist and said, "When can the chemo start?" Knowing my background (I had given her many massages), she was as surprised as I. I had been classified as Stage Two and instinctively felt that chemo was my best chance for survival. And I didn't want to be sorry while I was drinking wheat grass and taking enemas that my CANCER was progressing. This of course was a very personal choice. My macro guy concurred with me, and said very simply to me, "You know, Uma, if you lived by the seashore or high in the mountains, you might have a chance of curing yourself naturally; but you don't and I think your decision to take chemo is a wise one." Thank you, Lino, for your wisdom, because I am still here and kicking.

I also remembered two holistic style friends, one an herbalist and the other an acupuncturist who had literally kept their heads in the sand during the early stages and as the CANCER progressed, the acupuncturist belatedly started chemo. My other friend, the herbalist, attempted to treat her breast CANCER with some red paste from Georgia. known for removing tumors from animals, and absolutely refusing to consult a doctor. I remember her calling me the last days of her life looking for some kind of pain medication and my begging her to see a physician.

As you can see keeping a sense of humor was an absolute necessity especially around the beginning of your journey. I withstood some very hysterically funny and sometimes annoying comments. In an effort to survive it all, I created my Top Ten List of the Dumbest Things People Say When you Have a Diagnosis of CANCER. Here they are:

1. I'm sorry, Uma, that you have LYMPHOMA. My boyfriend died of that last year.
2. Do you have the good kind or the bad kind?
3. Uma, I'd like you to try these treatments. They were very effective on this woman who died last year.
4. Not to worry, my dog had LYMPHOMA and after three chemo treatments, she is just bouncing around.
5. What must your karma be to have that?
6. I think you are so brave to be doing chemotherapy. I myself would die before I did it.
7. I once had a lump in my breast, but I really didn't want it, so it went away.
8. I have some vitamins I would like to sell you. We could both make a profit.
9 I have this lump on my head. Do you think it could be lumphoma?
10. They say that people who have a lot of anger get CANCER. Do you feel that's true in your case?

You know when some of your old antagonists are afraid you are going to die, because they have started sniffing around you, wondering if it was time to ask your forgiveness now or whether they should wait until you are on your deathbed. I myself never believe in deathbed forgiveness. I know that it seems wonderful, but I truly wonder whether it is true forgiveness when you are still smarting from the pain of your childhood. I know everybody is really thrilled at the open hearts expressed, but my cynicism thinks that it is a short lived reunion and you as an adult are still suffering the results of that unloved childhood. I have felt that true forgiveness comes when you yourself feel that you are no longer victimized and you heal yourself from within. It's not like somebody saying, "Dad's dying; time to forgive." I don't think forgiveness automatically kicks in.

You do find it difficult at this time to hold a grudge. A woman with whom I had a hard time when finding out I was ill came to me and said, "I hear you have CANCER." And when I looked at her face, I saw the struggle was off the table. I didn't have the time or strength to hold onto my anger with her and neither did she. Strangely enough, when I recovered, we picked up where we had left off, but this time I made a serious and successful attempt to let go of my anger with her because as Carly Simon sang, "I didn't have time for the pain."

There were other benefits at having a potentially terminal disease.

1.People cut you a lot of slack; you don't have to be so "on"all the time. When you are on chemo, you have that wonderful diagnosis of "chemo brain" It's the time when your brain is not firing on all cylinders and there are many lapses between the utterance and the thought. When things get boring, or somebody is speaking overly long, you can just look blank and mutter "chemo brain" and all is forgiven.

2.People are more inclined to offer assistance to balding women, especially if you don't wear your kerchief. That is a true and glaring statement of your physical health. Don't be afraid to go without your kerchief. You are giving people a chance to express some kindness, which is good karma for them. It's almost the closest to feeling like a monarch or at least a movie star.

3.If you are like me, never having had real time off from work, you get to sit around and watch Law and Order without feeling guilty, because the only thing that is expected of you is to survive. Nobody gives you a hard time because your only job now is to fight for your life and survive.

4.You are given an automatic, if invisible, CANCER card. This entitles you to discounts at sales even if the sale is long over. I have experienced when people noticed my bald head, they would give me the sale price even if the sale were over.

5.You can go to the head of line in most lines with people smiling at you.

6. People take you out to dinner a lot. I was convinced that they had said, "This is a good time to take Uma out because she probably won't be eating that much. " What they didn't know was that my tastes had changed and upleveled considerably. I only wanted to eat at the really nice restaurants. I had started to treat myself nicer and take better care of myself; I even bought new clothes. It had suddenly become very important to me to look good. I didn't want people to say, "Poor Uma, she doesn't look good." I wanted to be flattered. I considered one of my survival tools to be people looking at me happily instead of pityingly,remembering a friend who had CANCER for 25 years and made people happy because she always managed to look beautiful. Lastly, if I was to say what was the really great benefit of CANCER, I would say it gave me the chance to get more real, to drop a social mask we all wear. I didn't have to put a face on what was happening. If somebody inquired of my health, when I felt ill, I said so, and when I felt well, I told the truth. I was later told that because I answered matter of factly rather than self-pityingly, people were more comfortable and natural around me. Nobody wants to be around self-pity, even if it's deserved.

When a very close friend of mine learned of my diagnosis, I saw her immediately go into cheerleading mode. She said, "Uma, you'll write a book; you'll use this to its fullest and you'll become famous, etc." I looked at her quizzically and said, "Lily, I don't know if I'm going to survive." We just sat there and looked at each other. I couldn't put a face on what was happening; I couldn't pretend that I wasn't looking at impending death. I just became me and in that place I remember along with the fear, a sense of relief. As a therapist, I preferred working with people who had CANCER because they seemed the most authentic. CANCER wipes a mask off and if you survive, you hopefully retain that same authenticity in your life. That is a great gift - to be just you without a mask. Most of us don't know that we even wear ones; we become so anxious to please our family or our friends in subtle and not so subtle ways. But when you have a life threatening illness, it is time to do whatever you can to preserve that life. I didn't know that life meant as much to me as when I became fearful of dying. And as my mask wore off, I felt my true self begin to emerge. There came a richness and fullness that I will always be grateful for.

Colon Cancer Prognosis And Stages

2008-01-03T11:36:00.000-08:00

The chance of survival or surviving for an extended number of years when one has COLON CANCER (also known as coloRECTAL CANCER) is generally good if the condition is detected early. Some people however who are already in higher CANCER stages may actually still have some reason to be hopeful. The right treatment is really the key to a good COLON CANCER prognosis.

Stages

COLON CANCER prognosis is often dependent on the stage in which the patient is in. Untreated and advanced CANCER may lead to only a 20% chance of surviving for five years after diagnosis. Some however may actually have a 90% chance of surviving after diagnosis if the CANCER is treated early. This is only quite natural. The worse one's condition and spread of CANCER cells are, the least likely will treatment be effective and encompassing. Given below are the different stages of COLON CANCER and possible survival chances.

Stage 0

Others also know this stage as the initial stage. At this point, the CANCER cells may restrict themselves to the rectum lining. Some cells may also already be found in the first part lining of the COLON. One of the most common ways to treat this stage is through a surgical method. Some patients may actually need no other treatment than surgery. People who are at this stage have the highest rate of survival.

Stage 1

At this stage, the CANCER cells may already be found deeper in the COLON. There is however no movement or metastasis to other external tissues and organs. The CANCER cells are therefore still restricted within the COLON. Those who are at this stage may have to undergo a procedure known as resection. They may not yet be required to undergo other supplementary CANCER treatments and procedures. Survival rate is still good at this stage.

Stage 2

Stage 2 is when other tissues other than those found in the COLON are affected. This may already be some sort of a close call for some patients because of the movement of CANCER cells. There is still great reason to be hopeful though since the cells have not yet moved into the lymph system which is a crucial system through which CANCER cells metastasize. Surgery may still be a preferred mode of treatment. Depending on the patient's condition and risk factor as determined by a specialist doctor, other common CANCER treatments may be employed simultaneously. These involve radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Stage 3

This is already considered an advanced stage since the lymphatic system is already affected by CANCER cells. All three common CANCER treatment options may be used to fight the spread of the cells. Patients at this stage have a lower COLON CANCER prognosis than those in stages 1 and 2.

Stage 4

This is the final and most severe stage. The condition can no longer be removed completely despite treatment. CANCERous cells may have already spread through the lymphatic system to other organs in the body such as the lungs and liver. Of course, treatment will still be employed but patients may only have a survival rate of around 20%.

The stage that the CANCER has reached will ultimately have an influence on any COLON CANCER prognosis. Since the CANCER can be arrested at its early stages, it is important to seek to prevent the condition. Those who are at risk of COLON CANCER and those who are 50 years old and above should always have scheduled screenings

My Breast Cancer Helped Me To Discover My Purpose in Life

2008-01-03T11:33:00.000-08:00

My BREAST CANCER motivated me to write the book "Making the Breast of It" with a subtitle "Overcoming Fear of Intimacy after Mastectomy".

The reason I wrote this book was to inspire, empower, encourage, to-give hope and heal the many wounds that BREAST CANCER survivors experience in various aspects of their lives.

Losing a breast is the most traumatic and fearsome experience a woman can face. Breasts for women are one of the symbolic of their womanhood, and when it's taken away from them, they don't feel a whole women anymore. The biggest fear is how men would react towards them after mastectomy. This fear is only on the psychological level, because women are as viable sexual being as before. They are whole women in every aspect. Unfortunately, many men feel that women with BREAST CANCER or mastectomy are not women anymore. This notion about women from the men point of view is totally false. These men are usually misinformed or have misconception about this issue.

Fortunately, not all men live with this misconception about women, and many of them are very supportive and have great understanding of the issue.

Women with BREAST CANCER can be as sexual and intimate with men as before they had to face this dreaded disease.

I feel that, it is our task as women who experienced this issue to educate those men about our condition.

So, let's roll up our sleeves and get to work of educating men!

With all my Love and Laughter,

Lea Yekutiel

Cancer Prevention - How to Reduce Your Risk of Cancer

2008-01-03T11:28:00.000-08:00

Traditional medical treatments for CANCER may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy. Many doctors use a combination of methods in an effort to increase the effectiveness and speed at which they attack the CANCER. The treatment or combination of treatments is often dependent on the type, location, and severity of the CANCER. While all of these therapies have been used with varying degrees of success - NONE OF THEM address the main problem with CANCER - TOO MANY PEOPLE GET CANCER!

What is the ultimate solution to CANCER? What should YOU be focused on?

How about not getting sick in the first place!

If given a choice, would you rather take a few simple steps to avoid CANCER or do you want to take your chances and fight it once your doctor tells you you've got it? Would you rather spend your retirement money on the latest creative treatments and expensive high-tech equipment or spend time with the ones you love doing the things you love the most?

Just how much does our CANCER crisis cost you? Consider that every man, woman and child in the U.S. contributes nearly $720 each year - that's almost $3,000 for a family of four! That number was calculated by taking the total health care cost of CANCER and dividing it by the total U.S. population. No tricks. No funny money games. What could your family do with that $3,000 today?

Why spend hard earned money on treatments that often impact our quality of life? Many of the therapies for CANCER are so physically debilitating that patients are often not able to return to work or do daily tasks around the house. People with CANCER often require family members to help with the basic necessities of life, including getting dressed, taking a bath, and going to the bathroom.

Just as with heart disease, there are VERY SIMPLE lifestyle changes that you can start doing today that can decrease you risk of developing CANCER. These same simple changes can also improve your overall quality of life. Ready? Here's the list:

1. Don't use any tobacco products. Don't smoke. Don't chew. Don't puff. Smoking is responsible for 90% of all cases of lung CANCER. Want to drop your chances of contracting lung CANCER to 10%? It's simple....don't smoke, chew or puff.

2. Protect yourself from the sun. Skin CANCER is one of the most common forms of CANCER yet it is the MOST PREVENTABLE. Avoiding peak sunlight (between 10am and 4pm), wearing sunscreen, and avoiding tanning beds and sunlamps can virtually eliminate the risk of skin CANCER.

3. Maintain a healthy weight. There is a direct relationship between excess body weight and those that die of CANCER. The American CANCER Society found that the more overweight you are, the greater your risk of dying from CANCER.

4. Keep your immune system working properly. CANCER cells appear in our body every day, but our immune system knows how to recognize an unhealthy cell and eliminate it. Our central nervous system plays a major role in the function of our immune system so anything we can do to strengthen our central nervous system will reduce our risk of CANCER. Two key ways to keep our central nervous system operating at peak performance is spinal alignment (yep, go see the chiropractor) and eating nutrient dense foods. Studies have found that this one-two punch increases the amount of antibodies within your system within minutes after a spinal adjustment or consuming a nutrient dense supplement.

5. Exercise on a regular basis. Physical activity is one of the primary methods of maintaining your ideal weight and in keeping your body's organs, tissue, muscle, ligaments, and bones strong and healthy.

6. Eat nutritionally dense meals and supplement. Eat lighter and leaner by choosing to eat fewer high-fat foods. High fat diets may increase your risk of prostate, colon, rectum and uterus CANCER. Supplement with nutrient dense supplements that are made from nutrient dense plants such as aloe vera and sea vegetables.

7. Think healthy. Studies have shown over and over again that reducing stress will reduce the risk of CANCER AND heart disease. Take time out of your day, better yet, plan each day to remove stress. Stress weakens cells, weak cells makes the body more susceptible to developing CANCER.

That's it. Seven of the easiest steps you can do today to reduce your risk of CANCER. To make them really work for you, learn a bit more about each. There is plenty of information about exercise, nutritional supplements, reducing stress, losing weight, etc. Learn more, do more, and choose to NOT be one of the million plus people diagnosed with CANCER each year.

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2000-01-09T00:24:00.000-08:00

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