Monday, September 29, 2008

3 Simple But Highly Effective Steps To Avoiding Prostate Cancer

3 Simple But Highly Effective Steps To Avoiding Prostate Cancer
By Tim Gorman

When you mention the words prostate cancer around men it can literally put fear in their hearts. This disease is a very harsh condition that can prove fatal for a large percentage of individuals that contract it unless they start to protect themselves at an early age. Before going into some things you can do to avoid prostate cancer it needs to be mentioned that there are unfortunately some obstacles that simply cant be avoided. For instance if there is a history of prostate cancer in the family or if you are at a certain age where this form of cancer seems to appear quiet frankly then the reality is the likelihood of being diagnosed with prostate cancer is higher. However, there are a few things you can do now to combat the effects of catching prostate cancer. They include a proper diet, plenty of exercise and an annual checkup or health exam.

Simply put exercise is one of the most beneficial things anyone can do to improve their overall health and quality of life. Let's be honest our bodies require enough exercise stimulation in order to stay health, strong and function properly. The fact is you really should exercise on a regular basis in order to stay in good shape. Exercise also has the benefit of helping your body stay disease free, to include cancer. By sticking to an exercise plan you significantly lower your chances of contracting prostate cancer and should you actually be diagnosed with the disease your body will be in much better shape and capable of dealing with the adverse effects of cancer in the prostate gland while you undergo treatment for the condition.

Naturally, diet is another crucial factor to leading and living a healthy lifestyle and it fits nicely with a good exercise program. In fact, medical studies show that a well balanced diet has the most effect on whether or not you lead a health life. Unhealthy foods, such as those found in fast food restaurants, are a precursor to future health related problems to include prostate cancer. Generally speaking, most medical professionals and doctors highly recommend the nutrient called lycopene as a supplement needed to help prevent all forms of cancer to include the dreaded prostate cancer. Although Lycopene is found in many different foods it is abundantly found in papaya, tomatoes, watermelons and guava. Additionally you can choose to take vitamins, nutrient supplements and minerals that contain lycopene.

All of the health eating and exercise daily routines mean nothing if you fail to schedule an annual health exam or medical checkup. Although these dont necessarily help you avoid cancer they do assist in the early detection of prostate cancer which is extremely important because in most cases early detection was the key to be able to successfully cure prostate cancer that was diagnosed in a majority of males. A yearly or annual exam is highly recommended, but if you are in a higher risk category then perhaps a semi-annual exam would prove to be better.

Prostate cancer isn't something to mess around with, but by adapting a health diet incorporated with an exercise routine used in conjunction with a regular health examination the odds of staying cancer free are higher and should you be diagnosed with prostate cancer you stand a much better chance of beating the disease.

Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Online Prostate Health Guide.com where he provides more important information on the prostate gland, prostate cancer and prostate cancer symptoms that you can research in your pajamas on his website.

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Thursday, September 25, 2008

Cancer Fifteen Warning Signs

Cancer - Fifteen Warning Signs
By Radoslaw Pilarski

1. Losing weight at a rapid rate (among people not being on a diet), gasses, discomfort, digestive disorders, anorexia, recurring diarrhoea, constipation are the symptoms occurring most frequently in case of lung, stomach, kidney and large intestine cancer. If accompanied by a feeling of weakness, it can be a sign of blood loss or lack of proper elements building it.

2. Pain of unknown cause long-lasting stomach-ache can be the symptom of large intestine cancer, lumbalgia can be the sign of kidney cancer, pain in the chest can result from lung cancer. Bone aches can be caused by metastasis.

3. Haemoptysis, long-lasting hoarseness (over 3 weeks), persistent cough or change of its character can be caused by lung or larynx cancer.

4. Change in colour of moles and warts, ulceration and itching, ulceration of open wounds, burns and scalds can be the signs of skin cancer.

5. Excessive production of urine, backlog of urine, painful urinating, slow, time-consuming flow of urine, lumbago as well as backache can be the signs of prostate cancer.

6. Pain, vertigo, nausea, sight distortions (oversensitized sight, astigmatism), hearing impediment, upset balance and mental disorders can result from brain cancer.

7. Swallowing difficulties can be a symptom of throat, larynx, oesophagus and stomach cancer.

8. Feeling of fullness in epigastrium, aches and digestive disorders may be due to stomach cancer and other kinds of alimentary canal cancer, sometimes ovary cancer.

9. Blood in faeces, black faeces, alternating diarrhoea and constipation, mucus in faeces, narrow (pencil-like) faeces are the symptoms of alimentary canal cancer, especially of large intestine and rectum.

10. Blood in urine (without the symptoms of urinary tracks inflammation), dysuria (compulsive urination, difficulties in urination) can accompany the urinary tracks cancer.

11. Improper bleeding from the genital tracks, pink or dark-red vaginal discharges, hypogastrium and lower limbs ache can be the signs of vagina, uterine cervix and uterus cancer.

12. Marks on skin and mucosus membrane (lips, oral cavity, genitals): not healing ulceration, change in marks appearance, occurrence of new skin marks of some specific features (irregular distribution of pigment, vague line between the mark and healthy skin, quick growth of the marks, bleeding, dripping).

13. Breast tumour (by approximately 15% - 25% can be impalpable), ulceration, the retraction of nipple, asymmetrical nipples, change of size or the shape of a nipple, its swelling and the marks around it, enlargement of lymphatic glands in the armpit, extension of veins in the breast skin, ulceration of breast skin, shoulder swelling, flat efflorescene in case of the so called advanced inflammation nipple cancer are often the symptoms of breast cancer.

14. Fever, tiredness, bones and joints ache, inclination to temporary anaemia and bleeding, impalpable tumour of abdominal cavity, as a result of spleen enlargement, that can be detected in gastro-bowel test.

15. Pain and pressure in the upper right part of stomach, tiredness, anorexia and at a further stage of rhe disease a palpable tumour in the upper right part of stomach, inclination to jaundice and bleeding can be the signs of liver cancer.

Copyright 2006 Radoslaw Pilarski

Radoslaw Pilarski is a PhD candidate working on anticancer properties of Uncaria tomentosa - http://www.uncariatomentosa.com - at PAS, Poland. mLingua Worldwide Translations, Ltd. - http://mlingua.pl - provides professional language translations.

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Monday, September 22, 2008

Types of Skin Cancer

Types of Skin Cancer
By John Grimes

Although there are several types of skin cancer, the most common are melanoma, basal call carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma.

Although melanoma is not found as often as other skin cancers, it is one of the most well known because it causes the most deaths related to skin cancer. Melanoma is hard to treat, with the most effective option being simply removing the part of the skin that is affected. However, this has to be done early in order to be at all successful. There are approximately 160,000 new cases of melanoma each year. Approximately 48,000 people die of melanoma each year. Melanoma can be caused by exposure to the sun. This is particularly significant if a person has had a bad sunburn during childhood. White males usually get melanoma more than any other group, and people living in sunny climates are at higher risk. There is also a genetic risk factor.

Melanomas are usually noticed by detecting a change in skin moles. If there is any change to the mole, this might mean that a melanoma is present. Individuals should check their moles to see if the size, color or shape has changed. They should also alert their doctor if a mole becomes itchy or starts to bleed. If a patient has a family history of melanoma, they should be examined by a doctor at least once a year as part of a preventative plan.

Squamous cell carcinoma is a tumor of the epithelium cells. It occurs in many areas of the body besides the skin including the mouth, lungs and cervix. Squamous cell carcinomas make up about 20% of all skin cancer cases. It is most often caused by continuous exposure to sunlight over a long period of time. If an area is suspected to be cancerous, a biopsy will be done. If cancer is found, surgery will be done to remove the area.

The most common form of skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma. In the United States, there are approximately 800,000 new cases per year. It occurs most commonly in individuals who have fair skin and have been exposed to the sun. There is also a genetic component, as this cancer also occurs in areas which are not exposed to the sun. Luckily, basal cell carcinomas rarely cause death and can be treated successfully in most cases. They can cause disfiguration when the cancer is on the nose, lips, ears, or eyes.

If you suspect that you might have skin cancer, you should contact your doctor or a dermatologist to have the area examined. It is also a good idea to have your doctor check out your skin during your yearly physical.

John Grimes is with AllTerrainco.com - makers of natural sanitizer products for skin care.

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http://EzineArticles.com/?Types-of-Skin-Cancer&id=680369

Sunday, September 21, 2008

12 Tips to Help You Protect Your Body after Breast Cancer Surgery

12 Tips to Help You Protect Your Body after Breast Cancer Surgery
By Patricia Wagner

If you are facing breast cancer surgery or have had a mastectomy or partial mastectomy, there are certain activities you can avoid to bypass extra suffering after your surgery. Here are some tips to help yourself be more comfortable:

1. As you are probably aware, emotional and psychological pain can sometimes hurt even worse than physical pain. With that in mind, you will want to have a support group standing behind you before surgery and after as well. For example, there may be a friend that you have in mind right now who has already gone through breast surgery. She will probably be a great comfort to you at this time in your life.

2. After breast cancer surgery you may experience a sense of imbalance in your body. In time your body will adjust. A physical therapist can help you regain as much movement as possible. He or she can suggest special exercises to help work out the stiffness and help you to feel better physically after surgery.

3. If you have lymph nodes removed, the affected arm may swell from time to time. So avoid wearing tight clothing or bracelets.

4. Use the arm that has not been involved in your mastectomy or partial mastectomy to carry heavy items.

5. After surgery you will want any medical procedures to be done on your stronger arm. For example, receive injections and have your blood pressure taken on the arm that has not been involved in your surgery.

6. For heavy-duty cleaning or gardening use protective gloves. If your arm is swelling, you'll feel worse having it scratched by thorns from your rose bushes.

7. Protect your skin against sunburn. A swollen sunburned arm can cause a great deal of misery!

8. Be especially careful not to cut yourself when you trim your nails or cuticles.

9. Purchase an elastic sleeve to wear on your arm if it swells.

10. Protect yourself from being bit by mosquitoes and other insects.

11. Your arm may bother you if you have lymph nodes removed, so be sure to consult with your doctor if your arm should bother you.

12. Be very careful to avoid junk foods and eat healthy foods to give your body the nourishment it needs.

By putting these 12 tips into practice after you have had breast cancer surgery, you will help yourself feel better and avoid needless extra suffering.

Learn how to take care of yourself or ease the suffering of a loved one after breast cancer surgery. Patricia Wagner writes about a variety of health tips to help you be healthier.

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http://EzineArticles.com/?12-Tips-to-Help-You-Protect-Your-Body-after-Breast-Cancer-Surgery&id=318192

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Breast Cancer When Chemotherapy Is Necessary

Breast Cancer - When Chemotherapy Is Necessary
By Chris Teo, Ph.D.

Anna /M241, is a 50-year-old female from Acheh, Indonesia. She had a lump in her right breast sometime in 2000. She refused medical treatment. Instead she went to Jakarta to seek alternative treatments. These did not help her. The breast lump grew bigger and in December 2004, it developed into a lacerated wound and bled. She went back to Acheh and enlisted the help of a medical doctor to take care of her wound. At the same time she continued with other alternative treatments. Unfortunately, this doctor had been swept away by the tsunami that struck the city not long ago.

In February 2007, Anna came to Penang to seek medical treatment. Due to the advanced stage of the disease, no radiotherapy or surgery was indicated. Anna was asked to undergo chemotherapy. She underwent four cycles of chemotherapy at a private hospital. She suffered total hair loss but no other adverse side effects. Each cycle of chemotherapy, given at three-weekly interval, costs RM 3,000. However, each trip to Penang for this treatment would come to about RM 7,000. It is indeed difficult to imagine such financial burden endured by a family who had lost their home to the tsunami. Because of this, Annas husband explained that they could NOT effort further chemotherapy and asked if they could turn to our therapy instead.

Anna came to see us on 5 August 2007. She appeared healthy and did not have any problem. The chemotherapy had helped her. Her lacerated wound had dried up and the tumor had shrunk significantly. The pains that she suffered earlier had subsided. She had gain weight and felt much better than before the chemotherapy.

A CT scan done on 9 May 2007, however, was most disappointing. It showed extensive metastasis to the pectoralis muscles and ribs. There were numerous well defined 4 to 25 mm nodules scattered in both lungs. The cancer had also spread to the lymph nodes. I asked Anna if the oncologist had told her the results of the scan. Her husband replied: No. The hospital gave us the films and we went home. We did not understand what it was all about.

I asked them: What did you expect when you came to the hospital for chemotherapy? Both of them replied: I expected to be cured.

Comment

It took me a while to regain my composure after looking at her scan. I was unsure if I should explain the results. I did not want to make her life miserable by telling her the bad news after all, is this not the responsibility of her oncologist? I hesitated but her husband probed me to tell them the truth, which I did. The metastases in Annas lungs were too numerous to count. While chemotherapy had helped her with the lacerated wounds, it was obvious that the treatment did not help her lung metastases.

Chemotherapy had helped make Annas life better. The lump has also shrunk. If four cycles were good for her, does it mean that more chemotherapy (up to eight cycles) would be better? Indeed this is debatable more does not necessarily mean better! While chemotherapy did not hurt Anna, it certainly hurt the pocket I would not say bank balance because I am not sure if there was any bank left after the tsunami.

I pointed out to Anna that it was a mistake not to remove the lump (or her breast) when she first detected it. Surgery could have saved her all the miseries that followed. In this regard, I would advise women to have the lumps in their breasts removed if possible. I asked Annas husband why they still continued with the ineffective treatments after knowing that the lump had gone bigger. Why wait for so long? Common sense should tell us that if after trying an alternative therapy for a month or two and it does not work or the condition deteriorates, patients should reevaluate their strategies move on to something that is more effective or evidence-based.

However, I also highlighted the good side of what she did. I know of numerous patients who died within two to three years after doing what their doctors told them to do -- mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Some even suffered severe pains and had bloated stomach before their death. So, undergoing medical treatment would not guarantee that everything would be fine.

Anna had breast tumor in 2000 and it is now 2007 and she is still alive and did not suffer any difficulties. She ought to be grateful for this blessing. I am reminded by what I have read. At a lecture at the American Cancer Society Conference in New Orleans on 3 July 1969, Professor Hardin Jones, University of California, Berkeley, was supposed to have said: My studies have proved conclusively that untreated cancer victims live up to four times longer than treated individuals. If one has cancer and opts to do nothing at all, he will live longer and feel better than if he undergoes radiation, chemotherapy or surgery.

In Malaysia, like elsewhere too, doctors often blame the herbs when things go wrong. Doctors want to have the first shot at cancer using their chemotherapy or radiotherapy. And if these fail they advise patients to go home and seek hospice help or go for herbs. Over the past decade, CA Care is the recipients of these terminally ill and medically give-up cases. I began to have the impression that going for invasive treatments at the first sign of cancer need not be a wise move. Sometimes, patients die because of the treatment rather than the cancer. Anna took the less traveled road. She sought alternative treatments and when these failed she turned to the invasive, toxic medical intervention perhaps dealing out her last card. It has been seven years and she is still alive. I repeat, many who took the well-trodden road barely manage to live three to four years. So, Annas adventure is not wrong, no matter how foolish doctors may think it is.

For more information about complementary cancer therapy visit: http://www.cacare.com, http://www.NaturalHealingForYou.com, http://www.BookOnCancer.com

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Tuesday, September 16, 2008

There Is More Than One Kind Of Breast Cancer: The Silent Killer (IBC)

There Is More Than One Kind Of Breast Cancer: The Silent Killer (IBC)
By Alfred Jones

The more you understand about any subject, the more interesting it becomes. As you read this article you'll find that the subject of IBC is certainly no exception.

Ladies have been told and frequently reminded by advertisements, Doctors, Women's Magazines and so on, that they should regularly check their breasts for a lump or lumps.If anything is found they should immediately seek medical advice. This is still true, see your doctor as soon as possible.

There is another kind of breast cancer, it is called Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC), it is an accelerated type of breast cancer, and it usually does not show on a mammogram or ultrasound.It is a rare form of breast cancer, but it accounts for approximately 1% to 3% of all breast cancers.

It is a breast cancer that many ladies have never heard of, but it can be so serious that everyone should learn about it and what signs or symptoms to look for in its early stage of development.

Inflammatory breast cancer causes the breast to appear swollen and inflamed. This inflammation occurs, not because of an infection, but because the cancer cells block the lymphatic vessels in the skin of the breast, this blocks the lymph flow, which usually causes a red inflamed condition of the breast.

Truthfully, the only difference between you and IBC experts is time. If you'll invest a little more time in reading, you'll be that much nearer to expert status when it comes to IBC.

Some ladies have IBC even when they are seeing their doctor regularly, and they may remain undiagnosed for quite some time, which can be very unfortunate. The symptoms are very often similar to mastitis, a breast infection and doctors frequently fail to recognise that it is IBC, and will often prescribe antibiotics, if it has not cleared or showing signs of clearing within a week of taking the antibiotics, it is time to take further action, by seeing a specialist.

It appears that IBC can happen at a reasonably young age, in fact some ladies had the first symptoms during pregnancy or lactation. It is important to be aware of this disease, as younger ladies are thought to be at a lower risk for breast cancer, remember that IBC is the most aggressive form of breast cancer, and ignorance can result in metastases.

Typical Symptoms Of IBC

Swelling, quite sudden, as large as a cup in a few days. Itching. Pink, Red, or dark colored area sometimes with a texture similar to orange skin. Ridges and thickened area of the skin. Looks like bruising, but does not go away. Nipple retraction, or inverted. Discharge from the nipple.Breast is warmer than usual when touched. Pain in the breast. Color or a change in texture of the areola. One breast larger than the other. Rash. Swollen lymph nodes under the armpit. Swollen lymph nodes in the neck.

Because IBC progresses rapidly, it is so important that ladies seek medical advice as soon as possible, don't ignore things in the hope that it will go away. Time is of the essence with this disease.

More information is available through the search engines, and I will add a link in the box below, where you can see a short video, or you can email me through my websites, and I will send you the video by email, so you can see the seriousness of this disease yourself. Tell all the ladies you know, because in this case knowledge is king.

Now you can understand why there ought to be more interest in IBC. When people start looking for more information about IBC, you'll be in a position to meet their needs.

Article by Alfred Jones, Information Advisor for Health Related websites http://www.sugarsr4u.com and http://www.rusweetenuf.com

Article may be freely used without permission as long as it is shown in its entirety.

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Sunday, September 14, 2008

The Value Of Radiation Therapy And Chemotherapy After Surgery For Pancreatic Cancer

The Value Of Radiation Therapy And Chemotherapy After Surgery For Pancreatic Cancer
By Carol Kornmehl

Pancreatic cancer, which generally has a very poor prognosis, is the fourth most common cause of cancer-related deaths. It killed greater than 32,000 Americans last year. Therefore, researchers are investigating methods to improve the outlook.

A large study recently demonstrated that patients who underwent surgical removal of the pancreas, who were given both radiation therapy and chemotherapy afterwards, derived improved survival.

When radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy are administered to a person who has undergone an operation to remove all the visible cancer, it is termed adjuvant therapy. An example of the routine use of adjuvant radiation therapy and chemotherapy is that of a woman who has had a lumpectomy to remove a malignant breast tumor.

Investigators reviewed the records of 472 people who had complete surgical removal of the pancreas. All had negative margins, meaning a rim of normal tissue surrounded the cancer cells. Patients whose disease spread beyond the pancreas or whose disease could not be removed entirely were excluded from the study. Also excluded were patients who had a slow growing variant of pancreatic cancer.

At the end of the review, the records of 454 patients were eligible for analysis. A comparison was then made of those who received adjuvant radiation therapy and chemotherapy concurrently after surgery versus those who did not.

Over half of the patients received adjuvant radiation therapy and chemotherapy (274 out of 454 patients). 50 percent of these survived two years and 28 percent went on to live at least five years.

This data was in stark contrast to one-third (180 out of 454 patients) who received no additional therapy after surgery and whose survival was significantly less; 39 percent at two years and 17 percent at five years, respectively.

In addition, patients who received further chemotherapy after their course of adjuvant concomitant radiation therapy and chemotherapy seemed to have even better survival; 61 percent and 31 percent at two and five years, respectively. However, only 28 of 454 patients received this regimen, so it is premature to draw conclusions from this limited sized population.

Nonetheless, the findings of this study suggest a significant improvement in survival rates for those who undergo adjuvant radiation therapy and chemotherapy after complete removal of pancreatic cancer. More good news is that the incidence of pancreatic cancer has decreased over the past few years.

Dr. Kornmehl is a board certified radiation oncologist at Passaic Beth Israel Regional Medical Center, Passaic, NJ and author of the critically acclaimed consumer health book, The Best News About Radiation Therapy (M. Evans, 2004). Her website is http://www.RTSupportDoc.com

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Friday, September 12, 2008

Risk Factors for Kidney Cancer

Risk Factors for Kidney Cancer
By Michael Russell

There are many risk factors for kidney cancer. Among a few of the top risks are smoking, an inactive life style, exposure to chemicals at home or where you work, being overweight and family history. There are other risk factors that can lead to kidney cancer also, such as, high blood pressure, taking diuretics, race, gender and certain medications. The thing to remember is just because risk factors are present does not mean the disease will form. Risk factors give the physician a better idea on how to assess symptoms and how closely to watch a patient. A patient with a higher amount of risk factors will be watched more closely when symptoms of the disease arise than those without risk factors.

It is also important to know risk factors to help aid in preventing the disease from occurring. If there are risk factors you can prevent such as smoking or increasing vitamin intake, you maybe able to help lower your chance of getting the disease. If you stop smoking, the chances of you contracting kidney cancer are greatly reduced by as much as 40%.

Some risk factors can not be avoided; such as genetic factors. As with many forms of kidney cancer, losing weight and maintaining daily exercise will definitely help your cause. Obesity is the most common reason for adult onset diabetes and juvenile diabetes, causing the need for dialysis or kidney failure. Dialysis is inevitable in most patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Among these common risk factors are also Tuberous Sclerosis, Von Hippel Lindau disease and low vitamin E intake. Von Hippel-Lindau disease is a disease of tumors, which cause complications in the nervous system. It causes continuous growth of tumors in the brain; causing problems with common things like walking, vision loss and retinal problems. It also causes tumors in the kidneys and pancreas. Von Hippel Lindau disease in very rare and is found in only 1 of 36,000 cases and commonly diagnosed in the mid to upper twenties. Symptoms of the disease are mostly finding multiple tumors in common areas, or one tumor in named areas and a definite family history of the disease.

Tuberous Sclerosis, also known as TSC, is a complex; which causes irregular development of benign tumors in the central nervous system. TSC can cause seizures, behavioral problems and skin abnormalities. The tumors often form in the heart, kidneys and lungs. TSC can be mild or severe and one can live a normal life, if it is treated properly.

The most important thing that you need to do is to consult with your physician regularly if you have any of these risk factors. Prevention is important by taking actions on those things that you can control or stop. However, do not stop taking medications. Remember, these are risk factors and though having them does not guarantee that you will contract kidney cancer it does mean you should educate yourself and get regular checkups to aid in early detection. The earlier the cancer is found the better the prognosis.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Kidney Cancer

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Wednesday, September 10, 2008

12 Cancercausing 'Elements' in our Home? How to Fight Them

12 Cancer-causing 'Elements' in our Home? How to Fight Them
By Lucy Wong Moi

Fight smart! Look out for natural, safe, easy ways to reduce or solve the 12 cancer-causing 'elements' I posted a few days ago. Here are some suggested ways to counteract those 12 cancer-causing 'elements'! They should be referred as corresponding to its numbering of the previous article.

[1 Bring into the new home plentiful of green non-toxic plants to be placed outside your home and some at your verandah, [only one or two inside your rooms. Keep your rooms airy and open. Fresh air comes from the plants during the day.

When night falls, use quality air purifiers that really works inside your home. A good air purifier will remove odour, airborne harmful contaminants and pollutants from the air at the same time keep the room clean with fresh air.

Good air purifiers will effectively removes pollen, dust, tobacco smoke, airborne bacteria and viruses, mold, fungi, dust mites, radon decay products, asbestos and dioxins..

[2 Electrical appliances should be kept at a safe distance

When using a computer, place two pots of green plants at each side so as to reduce radiation. These living plants will be the 'scrapgoat'. It will minimize our problem, but it is still best to stay in a safe distance from all electrical appliances especially when it is on.

Beware of our main switch when the household electric comes into our house. Work or stay far from the main switch or just any electrical switches. Be smart to arrange your working table away from them. It pays in the long run.

Try not to work in the evening. Evenings are time for us to rest and rejuvenate and be revitalized. A normal healthy person should go to bed before eleven for best total body rest.

[3 Use water purifiers

When bathing, throw in some natural flowers or natural green leaves to minimize and neutralizing of the unseen contaminants in the water. It works. Or have a pre-treat filter installed outside our home to filter dirt, chlorine and bigger contaminants.

But for drinking and cooking, one should use a reputed, safe, branded filter that emphasizes on filtering the contaminants and leaving behind valuable minerals. We call that water treatment systems.

[4 Use biodegradable shampoos, detergents and safe toothpaste that are proven to be safe.

Use biodegradable and safe products that will not pollute our environment. Fresh, clean water and air now is getting scarcer now. The importance of using biodegradable products that have quality control should be emphasized. Safe products means safe to hands, safe in the sense that they are made from plant origins instead of petroleum distillates or other chemicals.

Though we need to pay more for those biodegradable products, it will be comparatively 'cheaper' in the sense of toxicity and poisoning or cancer-causing problems . If we don't heed them, one day we will pay dearly for this ignorance.

[5 Use traps, boiling water to rid off those insects

Keeping our home clean and hygiene really means to clean it thoroughly. A clean house is detestable to flies and other insects. It is the filth and dirtiness that attract more unwanted pests into our home.

One can also use traps, boiling water to rid off those crawling insects. Mosquitoes nets can be a built-in for homes in humid and equatorial areas.

[6 Use good vacuum and quality air purifiers, it helps!

Poor ventilation in enclosed bedrooms should be regularly aired and to let sunlight into Use of good vacuum and quality air purifiers is a must to keep our rooms clean and green.

[7 Use stainless steels pots

Avoid using aluminium pots, non-stick pots that cannot withstand scratches and abrasive cleansing. Buy pots made of stainless steel. Or utensils made from iron can do too, but there is a need to keep it clean and non-rusty.

[8 Use safe food containers

Proper and safe food storage would stand in advantage where health and hygiene is concerned. Get acquainted with proper food storage.

[9 Don't stock up canned foods, just don't buy in excess, use low heat cooking

Most foods are perishable within days of harvest, cooking or storing. One must be advised as not to eat moldy nor burnt foods. Especially those foods that contain fats cannot be kept long.

[10 Wear silk or cotton light clothing

Fabrics made from plant fibers and origins are safer than synthetic fibers. Be careful with its dying processes too. Dark colored materials for internal wear should be out.

[11 Take food supplements instead of medicines

Go for preventive measures, nutritional cures, natural food cures, reflexology, massage or detox programmes which are much safer and effective. Understand the meaning of total health and happiness achievable through the 4 dimensions of health.

[12 Make sure you use 'proven-to-be-safe' products, for our skin, eyes and overall health.

There might be cancer-causing agents hidden in some skin care or cosmetics. Buy only from reputed sources.

Since all of us fear the overloading of contaminants in our body, special care should be taken to prevent instead of waiting for it to happen. Prevention is much better than cure. Don't overload our body system with toxemia and acidosis that cause all kinds of cancer!

Lucy Wong is a health and nutrition consultant. She is keen in sharing the 4 dimensions of health, aiming at attaining total health and happiness for all. She has written many articles on health related issues in her personal column at http://articlesubmission.info Read more about alternative approach of maintaining good health at Health Article Directory where you will discover the secrets of maintaining good health in men, women and teens. Read more from her personal blog too.

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Monday, September 8, 2008

Breast Cancer Risk Factors And Symptoms

Breast Cancer - Risk Factors And Symptoms
By Michael Russell

Breast Cancer. For most women it is something they dread hearing, but it is something more and more will hear in their lifetime. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women, but also occurs in a small number of men. It is most commonly associated with those above the age of 50. It can be contracted by those in younger age groups, but the risk is not as high as for those in the older age range.

There is currently no defined cause for breast cancer, although there are factors which can put someone at a higher risk. Some risk factors are unavoidable, while some are not.

Unavoidable risk factors include;

- Gender: Women are more susceptible to contracting breast cancer than men.

- Age: The older a person gets, the greater the risk factor.

- Family history: If a family member has previously contracted the disease, the chances of another family member contracting it rises considerably.

- Genetic predisposition: If the body carries a gene associated with the disease, the odds can increase greatly. This gene can be passed down through generations. If a parent is known to carry a genetic predisposition, it is also possible for their children to carry the gene as well.

- Race: White women are much more susceptible to contracting breast cancer than black or Hispanic women.

- Prolonged exposure to estrogen: Those who enter the menopause at a more advanced age than normal (55+) are believed to have a higher risk factor. Estrogen is believed to play a part in causing breast cancer to form.

Factors which can be controlled include;

- Weight: As in most cancers, those who are overweight place themselves at a higher risk of cancer. Anyone overweight would be advised to begin an exercise program and improve their diet as soon as possible. Especially if coupled with age factors. Always be sure to consult with a doctor before beginning a rigorous exercise program.

- Smoking: Again, as with other cancers, those who smoke are putting themselves at a higher risk for cancer. Quit smoking as soon as possible to reduce the risk of cancer.

- Drinking: Those who drink more than one alcoholic beverage per day are thought to be at greater risk of breast cancer. If you struggle with alcohol, seek help to quit and cut the risk. If that is not possible, try to limit yourself to only one alcoholic beverage per day.

There are many symptoms, which may point to breast cancer. Finding a lump or hardening of the breast, or areas near the breast, is the most common symptom. Other symptoms can include a change in breast size, discharge from the nipple itself, tenderness and even a change in how the breast feels. If you experience any of these symptoms, you are advised to visit a doctor as soon as possible.

If caught in the early stages, breast cancer is much easier to combat and in most cases can be beaten. If allowed to reach an advanced stage, the survival rates are much worse. That means screening and preventative measure are essential. If you are over the age of 50, a mammogram is an essential tool in breast cancer prevention. Have your doctor schedule one at appropriate intervals. If you find a lump, have it checked. A little prevention can go a long way in avoiding an unnecessary battle with the advanced stages of this dreaded disease.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Breast Cancer

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http://EzineArticles.com/?Breast-Cancer---Risk-Factors-And-Symptoms&id=314877

Cancer Prevention Keeping Most Cancer At Bay

Cancer Prevention - Keeping Most Cancer At Bay
By Lucy Wong Moi

Cancer prevention - tips on cancer prevention

I have lived with cancer patients, have seen and understood their ailing conditions, felt the pain, the fear, the stress, the hopeless feelings and realized how much it affected their loved ones. I have surveyed a location where there were 10 homes at a small corner of my stay where 10 families resided. From my survey, I came to know that there were 8 cases of cancer, ranging from 2 leukemia, breast cancer, 2 uterus cancer, bone cancer and colon cancer. Out of the 8 cancer cases, left only 2 who are still living until now. The rest of them didn't survive the clutch of death, most of them suffering and dying a miserable death.

I guess I was in my twenties when I did that survey. I saw them affected, suffered and died. They were short-lived from the day they were affected. No one lived more than 5 years, some as early as within a year. Nothing is ever seen or talked of them any more. Moreover, the 10 families include several diabetes cases, few strokes and many families that are also affected by B Hepatitis. Most of them have high blood pressure and are dependent on pills and medicines to maintain their health condition.

Sometimes in the still darkness of night, I would still feel the rush of unshed tears when I recalled those cases. Cancer was such a taboo to talk about and most people were scared stiff to hear about incurable cancer. But I was the inquisitive type that would go to just any limits in search for the answer. So, it was lucky of me when I got myself involved in this holistic approach towards treatment and preventive cures from food, herbs and natural, inexpensive and safe ways. I was glad that I managed to master all those skills.

From my over 20 years of experiences in holistic approaches in preventive cures and treatment, I hereby would like to share with all of you about cancer-prevention, hopeful that cancer can be placed far away from us. Here are 10 tips on how to prevent cancer. These are taken from my personal column on Alternative Health in http://articlesubmission.info.

[1 Consume a variety of natural foods that contains high and good antioxidants excellent in detoxifying our body system from accumulated toxemia and acidosis. Drink enough clean unpolluted air to help flush out wastes products.

[2 Eat more locally planted vegetables and fruits, 5 servings of vegetables and 3 servings of fruits per day is advisable. Best taken raw which is rich in life-enhancing enzymes. Make sure that they are organically planted.

[3 Consume more beans or legumes that can help to prevent cells mutation

[4 Be conscious of our weight, don't over eat or stuff oneself, most cancer cases comes from overeating wrong foods and drinks. [the mandarin word of cancer is made up of 3 mouths that makes up the mountain of it, meaning overeating

[5 Exercising moderately, go for stretching and proper breathing and make sure that our body cells are well irrigated with oxygen and rid off waste products.

[6 Don't eat burnt foods or stale fats. Fats easily go bad and are unstable and contains carcinogens when overheated or disturbed. [Beware of groundnuts, rich in fats but when those fats have distorted or gone stale, will taste weird, don't eat

[7 Eat meats or fish sparingly [too acidic in nature

[8 Refrain from too much alcohol drinks, refrain from smoking [don't purposely poison our body

[9 Don't eat canned, processed, preserved foods that are high in carcinogens or preservatives, artificial flavourings and colorings

[10 'Breathe in' positives like hope, love, self-affirmation of good health and exhale negatives like stress, fear, worries, sickness or destructive emotions.

There are some other reasons not included or explained. But you might have heard about this. 'Starve the cancer cells', don't feed them with animal proteins. Get acquainted with the wonder sprouts that contains high phyto-factors that will boost one's immune system. Prevention is so much better than cure. Spend our money wisely, do not buy 'troubles', do not 'invite' them..

Humans actually don't fall sick easily. Humans are extremely tough and strong and healthy provided we don't purposely poison ourselves with improper foods that causes toxemia and acidosis. Be grateful that our heart has been pumping blood into our circulatory system ever since we were born. Be grateful that our lungs, our kidneys and livers have been working for us the many years until now. Our kidney can still work even when left with 5% capability.

We should heed preventive measures. It is never too difficult nor too far away or impossible! Don't be too ignorant that the 'demon of illness' will not strike just anybody. Don't prepare a condition that welcomes it to strike us. Don't invite, but scare it off, ward it with strong immune system and again be thankful that we are endowed with plentiful of vegetables, fruits and herbs that can prevent cancer at the first place. Yes, there are cancer-preventing foods in abundance so near us.

If there are foods that can cause cancer, there are also certain foods that can prevent it, be aware of this fact.

Lucy Wong is a health and nutrition consultant. She is keen in sharing and helping and likes to talk on attaining four levels of health, aiming at attaining total health and happiness. She has written many articles on health related issues at her personal column on Alternative Health in http://articlesubmission.info.com Read more about alternative approach of maintaining good health at Health Article Directory where you will discover the secrets of maintaining good health in men, women and teens.

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http://EzineArticles.com/?Cancer-Prevention---Keeping-Most-Cancer-At-Bay&id=450987

Liver Cancer

Liver Cancer
By Karen Lavender

Liver cancer

Liver is an important organ that performs a number of different functions like maintaining fluid balance in the body, handling toxic substances etc. It also produces bile that is instrumental in breaking down fat. Occurrence of cancer in the liver is termed as liver cancer.

Types of Liver cancer

On a broad basis, we can classify liver cancer as primary liver cancer and secondary cancer. When cancer originates in the liver itself, it is called as primary liver cancer. Liver cancer is known as secondary liver cancer when it originates in some other part of the body and then spreads to liver (e.g. due to proximity of liver to the place where cancer originated in the body). Hepatoma and bile duct cancer are the two main types of liver cancer.

Causes of Liver cancer

The two main causes of Liver cancer are: Excessive consumption of alcoholic drinks and occurrence of infections like Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. Its unfortunate to note that though a number of people know that alcohol can increase the risk of Liver cancer, they still dont cut down on alcohol.

Symptoms of Liver cancer

Liver cancer can lead to enlargement of Liver which can result in discomfort e.g. pain in the upper abdomen or pain in the right shoulder. There are some other common symptoms of Liver cancer (none of them are too conclusive though) like nausea, weakness, loss of weight etc. Other symptoms of liver cancer include jaundice and fluid disbalance in the body (e.g. building up of fluid in the abdomen). However, these too are just mildly indicative of liver cancer and are in no way conclusive symptoms.

Diagnosis of Liver cancer

Recognizing the symptoms and seeking professional help (from qualified doctors) can help early diagnosis of liver cancer. So, consult your doctor and let him/her know all the symptoms that you have been experiencing. The doctor might do a physical examination and prescribe certain tests as the need may be. The physical examination is basically to check the enlargement of liver. Other tests include liver ultrasound scan, abdominal CT scan, liver biopsy etc.

Treatment of liver cancer

Based on the type of liver cancer, the stage of liver cancer and your general health etc, the doctor might prescribe one or more liver cancer treatment techniques. Surgical procedure to remove the affected part of liver is one of the treatments for liver cancer (especially if it has not spread elsewhere). Besides surgery there are other techniques that use laser and other procedure for removal or destruction of tumor/ liver cancer. Chemotherapy is also one of the liver cancer treatments.

Warren and Karen have been involved in the internet for a number of years and run several websites. They are most interested in providing opportunities for people to connect with information relating to business, health and creativity. Check out their Liver Cancer blog for more information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=KarenLavender
http://EzineArticles.com/?Liver-Cancer&id=184311

12 CancerCausing 'Elements' Found In Our Home!

12 Cancer-Causing 'Elements' Found In Our Home!
By Lucy Wong Moi

When I jokingly told my friend about 12 common categorized 'cancer causing elements' found in some homes, my friend was in disbelief! She couldn't accept these facts that there are cancer-causing elements found in our own home... Let's have a look at all those cancer-causing elements basically found in our home!

[1 Vanishes, Industrial coatings, Paints and their solvents and Glues

These are generally found in newly completed or renovated homes where most of them are freshly applied to walls, floors, ceilings in bedrooms, sitting rooms, kitchens and even our bathroom.

A very distinctive sign of all these home finishing coatings will be the unbearable odor when applied inside or outside the house. Decaying plasters after decades will also be cancerous. The worst is that we spend more time at home, thus increasing certain risks.

[2 Electrical appliances

Most electrical appliances produce small or slight radiation and is never healthy towards those who are constantly exposed to them. What are these electrical appliances? Television sets, video players, computers, hand phones and the main switch just to mention a few.

[3 Water-borne cancer-causing elements that comes from our water taps

Tap water is always chlorinated to kill germs and bacteria. We need chlorine but we need not drink the chlorine inside the water. Moreover, there are heavy metals, other contaminants, possible toxins that one is not aware of. In the process of washing, cleansing, cooking and drinking, many have unknowingly consumed dirtied water that might be cancer-causing in the long run.

[4 In your kitchen, in your bathroom..

Some toothpaste, shampoos, soaps, body shampoos, washing powder do contains unexplainable cancer-causing elements. Most of these are manufactured without scientific backup and lack of quality control. So, take great care to buy only reputed branded quality products which are backed up with scientific proofs. Read the labels outside the products, its expiry date and know the basic ingredients it is made. .

[5 Insecticides to keep away mosquitoes, cockroaches and other insects

If they can kill small insects, it can also poison people slowly too when exposed for a long period of usage of the said chemicals. Moreover, it is not safe for young kids and the aged.

[6In your bedroom

Poor ventilation in enclosed bedrooms, lacking of sunlight and fresh air will create poor quality air. Contaminated air will cause a lot of health problems. Great care should be taken as to maintain clean and fresh air in the bedroom.

There are certain contaminants in the air that will cause cancer. Free radicals from polluted air will attack our body DNA and immune system unmercifully.

[7 Improper cooking utensils

Aluminium pots, non-stick pans that gets worn out and gets thinner after constant use can cause havoc in our body when these metals and unknown chemicals are consumed with our foods cooked using them. Sad to say, it cannot be easily excreted from our body. The worst fear is that it goes into our blood streams. Cooking gas when inhaled will also cause health problems.

[8 Unsafe food containers, food storage compartment

Some housewives are ignorant about using safe food containers, when microwaving and cooking. Some food containers are not suitable for storing hot foods, especially plastic and rubber.

[9 Your supplies of canned foods, preserved foods, sauces and stale foods kept too long,

Some canned foods are full of cancer-causing elements. Moldy foods are never advisable for consumption too. Foods rich in fats that become stale is cancer-causing too. Beware of stale groundnuts! It is the fat that cause it to be cancer-causing.

[10 In your wardrobe

Dark deep colored lingerie and underwear..... Those underwear that are wore day and night, close to our sensitive body parts ... dyed by certain dyes can be cancer-causing. A word of advice, don't buy or wear dark colored lingerie or underwear, especially black.

[11 In your cardboard

You might keep some medicines, pills, cough solution in your cardboard. You might also be in some form of medication. Some drugs are only found to contain carcinogens after a period of trial and error. What a big guinea pig we have become!

[12 In your dressing room

Some skin care products and cosmetics might also contain cancer-causing elements too. Beware of some skin care products who never emphasized on safety and quality control. Be smart to opt for preventive measures which are still the best!

What all of us fear is pollution and contamination. Polluted air, water, environment and food or drinks will cause cancer in the long run when the free radicals create havoc in our body system. Too much toxemia and acidosis will ruin our normal cells. From there, cancer is born....

Lucy Wong is a health and nutrition consultant. Her interest in health related issues includes the 4 dimensions of health that talks on the body, mind, emotion and spirit. She is also keen in sharing Multiple Qs, she is also an educator and has written many articles in her personal column under alternative health in http://submitarticles.biz Read more about achieving total health and happiness. Read more from her personal blog too.

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http://EzineArticles.com/?12-Cancer-Causing-Elements-Found-In-Our-Home!&id=482473

Sunday, September 7, 2008

10 Great Tips to Win the Fight of Cancer for our Loved Ones!

10 Great Tips to Win the Fight of Cancer for our Loved Ones!
By Lucy Wong Moi

What are the things that we should do when a family member is found to have cancer?

[1 Show your love and concern

This is the most important thing we ought to do. Gather your strength and faith and to stand by her no matter what happens. Tell her, and emphasize that we all love her and care for her. Standing by her means that we are not leaving her alone to fight cancer. Let's do it together. Her tears are our tears, her sorrow our sorrow too. Let her know and confide in us. If you really care for her, spend more time with her. Just make sure that you are there when she needs us. Be determined and strive only to WIN!

[2 Be positive. Look at the bright side of life!

Why should we be positive? this is the AQ that I always share with my friends.. Pass the test, yes, past the test! Fear not! Adversity Quotient is a skill that we all have to master. Face all challenges with unwavering courage and be strong. Rid of unnecessary FEAR! Be confident that all will be fine and well. Most patients are killed by 'fear', not the real illness. People gave up hope too soon! Give relevant encouragements. Know that cancer is not incurable! There are also so many people out there who survived cancer! Show her confidence! Don't be distressed yourself. Stress kills too.

[3 Pray for forgiveness together.

Miracles do happen if one prays and believe enough. Have 100% faith and believe in your faith. Everything happen, happens for the good. Let God be our guide, our strength. Set a timetable for constant purposeful prayers with her/him. Recite our Lord's prayer and understand the meanings. 'Our father in heaven, holy be thy name...... Your will be done, on earth as in heaven..'

From here, we must acknowledge that God is our father... our father! Our father will know what is best for us, leave everything to HIM, His will be done, not ours! Can you really believe that 100%?

[4 Stop eating carcinogeous foods. Stop poisoning our body. Review your food, a change is needed immediately.

The difficulty in this is that not people are educated with the knowledge of food toxemia and acidosis that makes our blood acidic. Another problem is that the majority are eating them! Facts are facts, read more health conscious articles and be aware of all those foods that might cause cancer when taken in excess!

Stop eating those food that one have been consuming all those while that might caused cancer, so it is advisable to stop and change immediately. Since there are certain foods that cause cancer, there are also foods that can cure and prevent cancer. Wake up! There are plentiful of foods and herbs that one can eat to put cancer at bay. Change our diet, change our lifestyle!

Since air, water and food is directly affecting our immune system, it is of great importance that we review the quality of air, water and food that we take. Start from drinking clean water and food.

[5 Learn more about cancer. Knowledge is confidence.

At the same time, spare some time to really understand what cancer is. Look for appropriate knowledge, proven and relevant knowledge on preventive cures and treatments. Read to understand why people get cancer and how to prevent them. It might happen to just anybody!

[6 Immediate revision of choice of food

I suggest immediate and revised food timetable for the patient. I won't allow any animal protein foods. I will draft a 100% vegetarian diet, with 60% raw vegetables and fruits to be taken 3 to 5 times a day.

[7 Eat plentiful of rich anti-oxidants food

I will blend a 8V to be taken twice a day. 8V is a combination of some natural green herbs, vegetables and some fruits to be taken immediately after blending. 8 means eight types of food. [types of herbs used depend on the type and seriousness of cancer

[8 Make sure that they are taking higher doses of anti-oxidants supplements from relevant sources and drink plentiful of clean water

I will give higher doses of anti-oxidants especially A, C, E and high quality plant protein to boost his/her immune system.

[9 Rest their body system [esp. their liver and kidney

I will grow sprouts from different types of beans. I will let the patient take it twice or thrice a day and best taken when raw. It is a miracle food, a superior food to be exact.

[10 Appropriate nursing place [in the embrace of Mother Nature and relevant breathing exercise

The above is taken from my personal column on alternative health at http://submitarticles.biz.

I will also work out a breathing exercise with him/her and emphasize on self-affirming of speedy recovery. I will make sure that I will nurse him/her back to proper health personally.

I would also like to arrange a resort and to spend with her/his recovery period away from city life, away from the crowd, but near or in the embrace of nature at its best, where one can hear birds singing, dragonflies and butterflies flying, clear ripples of waterfalls, and breathe in cool, fresh air and be at ease with Mother Nature....

Prevention is much better than cure, believe me. Go for detoxification too. I have written and posted the article on how to keep cancer at bay, read to understand. Cancer can be prevented! Your brothers are also my brothers, your sisters are also my sisters too. We all are, it is never too late!

Lucy Wong is a health and nutrition consultant. Her interest in health related issues include the development of mental health. She is also keen in sharing Multiple Qs, she is also an educator and has written many articles on this subject in her personal column under alternative health in http://submitarticles.biz Read more about mental health articles in her personal column and discover the secrets of maintaining good mental health.

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10 Commonly Asked Prostate Cancer Questions

10 Commonly Asked Prostate Cancer Questions
By Donald Saunders

For the millions of men who encounter prostate problems each year and, in particular those who are diagnosed with prostate cancer, we have picked out ten of the most frequently asked questions about the prostate and prostate cancer.

Question 1. What is the prostate gland?

The prostate gland, which when healthy is about the size of a walnut, lies between the rectum and the bladder and forms part of the male reproductive system, making and storing a fluid contained within semen. The prostate gland partially surrounds the urethra and, when it becomes enlarged, it can slow or even stop the flow of urine.

Question 2. What is prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer is the second commonest form of cancer in the United States today. In 2006 approximately 235,000 men in the US were diagnosed with prostate cancer and some 27,000 men died of the disease. In most cases prostate cancer appears relatively late in life and is slow growing and, for this reason, many men with prostate cancer die from other unrelated causes.

Question 3. Who is at risk of contracting prostate cancer?

The simple answer is that all men are at risk of contracting prostate cancer. This said, prostate cancer is age related and so it is more likely to appear the older you get. In addition, prostate cancer is more likely to appear in men with a family history of the disease and in black men. There are also quite marked differences seen between countries with the United States having the highest incidence and Japan the lowest. While these differences are not entirely understood it is believed that diet may play an important role.

Question 4. What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?

It is possible to suffer from prostate cancer for many years without displaying any symptoms at all. However when symptoms do appear they are likely to include the need for frequent urination (particularly during the night), difficulty in urinating, a weak flow or urine which tends to stop and start, pain when urinating, blood in the urine or semen, painful ejaculation and frequent pain in the lower back as well as in the hips or upper part of the thighs.

It is important to note that while these can indicate the presence of prostate cancer they can also be symptomatic of a number of other conditions and you should check with your doctor and not simply assume that because you are experiencing these symptoms that you have prostate cancer.

Question 5. What other conditions are associated with prostate cancer symptoms?

It is very common in older men for the prostate gland to enlarge placing pressure on both the bladder and the urethra and interfering with both the flow of urine and with sexual function. This condition is not cancer but is a benign condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH.

In addition, symptoms similar to those seen in prostate cancer can also be experienced as the result of a prostate infection known as prostatitis which causes inflammation of the prostate.

Question 6. Is it possible to screen for prostate cancer before symptoms appear?

There are currently two commonly performed tests which are carried out to detect the presence of prostate cancer. Although neither test is in itself a definitive test for prostate cancer, both tests can indicate problems developing with the prostate gland and thus indicate the need for more specific testing.

The two tests currently used to detect the possible presence of prostate cancer are the digital rectal exam (DRE), in which a doctor feels the prostate through the rectum to find hard or lumpy areas, and a blood test used to detect a substance made by the prostate called prostate specific antigen (PSA).

Question 7. How reliable are the present screening tests?

Neither the digital rectal exam nor the PSA blood test are perfect and the DRE can easily miss prostate cancers while it is also possible for men with prostate cancer to show normal levels of PSA in the blood.

The two tests used together do produce reasonable results and are certainly better than not screening for the condition at all, but more accurate screening is required and studies are underway to improve screening in the next few years.

Question 8. How is prostate cancer diagnosed?

The only sure way to confirm the presence of prostate cancer is to carry out a prostate biopsy during which a number of small samples of tissue are taken from various parts of the prostate gland for microscopic laboratory examination.

Question 9. How is prostate cancer treated?

Provided the cancer is localized (confined to the prostate gland) there are currently three main forms of treatment available.

The first is simply to watch and wait. This may seem a strange form of treatment but in older patients who may have other serious medical problems it may be best to simply leave prostate cancer untreated as long as it remains confined to the prostate gland.

The second form of treatment is radiation therapy to kill the cancer cells delivered either using traditional radiotherapy techniques on an outpatient basis, or by implanting radioactive seeds into the prostate gland.

Finally, prostate cancer can be treated by simply removing the prostate gland surgically.

Question 10. What is the best treatment for localized prostate cancer?

There are a large number of factors which need to be taken into consideration before deciding upon the treatment that is right for you and the options need to be carefully considered and discussed with both your family and your doctor.

In most cases prostate cancer is slow to develop and there is rarely any need to rush into treatment. Take your time, collect as much information as you can about the disease and the options for treatment and make your decision based upon the information you have, the advice you are given and your own personal feelings on the matter.

ProstateCancerExplained.com provides information on a variety of different prostate gland problems including an enlarged prostate gland, prostate symptoms, prostate surgery and finding a prostate cancer cure.

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http://EzineArticles.com/?10-Commonly-Asked-Prostate-Cancer-Questions&id=485465

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Breast Cancer You and Your Medical Team

Breast Cancer - You and Your Medical Team
By Michael Russell

We all know that doctors are busy, pulled in many directions and pressed for time. As a breast cancer patient, when you are dealing with people you might otherwise find intimidating, you may be a bit reluctant to make demands. But remember, they are people just like you and you can bet they'd want someone to pay close attention if you were in their shoes. Never lose sight of this fact - and never chose a doctor who has. You should expect doctors to hear you. As a way of showing they are listening and caring, it is not unusual for doctors to pull up a chair and sit face-to-face while discussing your diagnosis and options for treatment of your breast cancer. You need to feel your doctor sees you as a person. If only one of you is talking, there's a problem. You will want to make certain that your doctor not only answers any questions you may have, but also provides you with information that will allow you to make decisions, or know where to look for answers.

Each of us has a comfort level when it comes to facing what will lie ahead in terms of breast surgery, cancer adjuvant therapies, prognosis and possibilities. You may want to know every detail. If this is the case, you should expect the doctor you select to explain tests and procedures you will be undergoing. On the other hand, you should decide in advance how much you really want to know. Some of us need the hard, fast facts of breast cancer; others just want a broad overview; still other want only the information they will need to take their first step. One size does not fit all, so feel free to ask about anything that comes to mind.

Because you may be nervous or frightened - or simply because you may be asking questions that require lengthy or complicated answers - you may want to tape-record conversations with your doctor. Don't be afraid to ask. This is a great way to make sure you aren't missing anything important. It provides you with the opportunity to review what you discussed and also allows you to absorb what was said at your own pace, in your own time. If you run into a doctor who doesn't want to be taped, you should seriously consider whether this is someone you will feel safe and confident with, or if it's time to move on.

In this day and age, it is not uncommon for women with breast cancer to seek out therapies that may be considered outside the realm of Western medicine. A growing number of patients feel they need to approach breast cancer on more than one level. You may try acupuncture, massage, Chinese herbs, vitamins, or many other therapies currently classified alternative or complementary medicine. Your doctor should want to know about these and you will want to pay close attention to reactions when you discuss other therapies you may be trying or want to try. If your doctor dismisses these therapies without evidence that a specific therapy is harmful or ineffective, you may want to leave that doctor and find one who acknowledges that alternative treatments can help you to improve you physical and emotional well-being.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Breast Cancer

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http://EzineArticles.com/?Breast-Cancer---You-and-Your-Medical-Team&id=376091

Friday, September 5, 2008

Alcohol Stimulates Cancer Development

Alcohol Stimulates Cancer Development
By Laurence Magne

Researchers are now making a strong association between alcohol use and cancers of the esophagus, pharynx, and mouth, whereas another study links alcohol with liver, breast, and colorectal cancers. Together, these cancers kill more than 125,000 people annually in the United States. For the first time scientists have demonstrated how alcohol stimulates tumor growth.

Their study, published in the January 15, 2005 issue of Cancer, says alcohol fuels the production of a growth factor that stimulates blood vessel development in tumors. For almost a hundred years mounting evidence has linked alcohol use to an increased risk of cancers of the stomach, esophagus, liver, breast, and colon. Researchers were never able to explain how alcohol may cause cancer.

Theories suggests that the acetaldehyde found in alcohol, dietary imbalances, and impaired nutrient metabolism and the inability of the body to detoxify due to alcohol consumption, activation of precancerous enzymes, and suppression of the immune system.

8 Times More Cancer Cells

The investigators found that compared to their control group, the subjects who had been exposed to high alcohol consumption experienced increases in tumor size, tumor blood vessel density, cancer cell infiltration of blood vessels. Tumor volume and vascular volume more than doubled.

They had more than eight times the level of cancer cell invasion of blood vessels compared to the control group.

These findings support the hypothesis that alcohol represents an important mechanism of cancer progression associated with alcoholic beverage consumption. A recent study indicates that as few as two drinks per day can suppress any beneficial effects of a correct diet on decreasing risk of colon cancer. Although the study suggests that a diet high in folic acid, a B vitamin found in fresh fruits and vegetables, decreases the risk for colon cancer, it also warns that alcohol consumption may counter this protective action and increase the risk for colon cancer by reducing folic acid levels.

Suppression of immune response. Alcoholism has been associated with suppression of the immune system. Immune suppression makes chronic alcohol users more susceptible to various infectious diseases, and to cancer.

by Dr Laurence Magne, publisher of Alternative Health Ebooks and Author of Cancer Free for Life

For more information go to http://www.cancer-free-for-life.com.

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http://EzineArticles.com/?Alcohol-Stimulates-Cancer-Development&id=223604

What Is Liver Cancer?

What Is Liver Cancer?
By Sandra Kim Leong

Liver cancer is to be feared being the eighth most common cancer in the world. Your liver plays an important detoxification role for your body. If your liver breaks down, digestion of your fats via bile cannot take place. Filtering of your blood to remove drugs, waste and toxins can also be severely affected. Getting liver damage or liver cancer would be disastrous as it means that all these important functions cannot be performed. In the worst case scenerio, liver cancer can result in death.

Liver cancer develops when liver cells multiply at abnormal rates. They then attack healthy parts of the same organ or neighbouring cells. Cancer cells soon spread beyond their original location to other parts and organs to establish new tumours, in a process known as metastasis.

Your liver, including every organ in your body, is comprised of cells. Cells are living things. Hence, they are born and they die. Your body is always making new cells to replace the old and dead ones. This process has to be tightly regulated. If not, there will be chaos. Cancer cells interefere with the normal functioning of this process.

Your liver, at approximately 1.5 kilograms in weight, is the biggest organ inside your body. You may not even realise the presence of a liver inside of you as it is hidden in your right upper abdomen, underneath and protected by your right rib cage. Your liver is perhaps the busiest organ in your body, tasked with numerous functions.

The liver makes the different proteins that your body needs, which include enzymes, hormones, antibodies, and other substances necessary for the proper functioning of your body. It is the power plant of your body since it is the primary source of energy. It also filters your blood to remove toxins and produces bile to help in the digestion of fat. It is the most parsimonious organ in the body, extracting anything that can be used from your blood and storing it for future use.

There are two types of liver cancer, primary and secondary. Primary liver cancer means the tumour starts from the the liver. Hepatocellular cancer (abbreviated HCC) is the most common form (90 percent) of primary liver cancer. HCC originates from hepatocytes, the liver cells responsible for most of its functions. Other types of primary liver cancer are rare. They include cholangiocarcinoma, a cancer arising from bile ducts within the liver and hepatoblastoma, which occurs in children, and gallbladder cancer.

Secondary liver cancer means the cancer started somewhere else and spread (metastasised) to the liver. In secondary liver cancer, patients do not have liver cancer technically. Patients are actually experiencing metastases to their liver.

Risk to developing liver cancer depends on various factors. Sex and age plays a part, as with diet and lifestyle habits. In terms of sex, men are 2.8 times more likely to be affected than women. Your risk also increases after the age of 40. High rates have been noted in China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, and the Philippines. Studies also show that rates are high among Chinese and Koreans in Los Angeles and among Chinese in the San Francisco Bay area, although those rates are about half of mainland China rates. A diet that comprises of processed and highly preserved foods is generally considered toxic to the liver.

The most important risk factor for liver cancer is hepatitis B virus (HBV). Patients who are located in areas with high rates of hepatitis also have high rates of HCC; conversely, HCC patients are far more likely to be hepatitis B carriers. Studies also show that men are twice or thrice more likely to develop HCC. On the other hand, women demonstrate greater survival rates than men at any stage of liver cancer.

Aflatoxins are the most potent carcinogens on liver cells per unit weight. Aflatoxins are toxins produced by an Aspergillus funcgus that grows on many crops. They have been suspected to be agents for human HCC. While nothing conclusive has yet been established, you should avoid foods that are positive for aflatoxin. Many types of commercial crops or even commercial peanut butter contain minute quantities of aflatoxin, but they are usually below the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) recommended safe level.

There are no specific symptoms for liver cancer. One sign that you can look out for is pain in the right upper quadrant of your body. Another common indicator for liver cancer is unexplained sudden weight loss. Hence, you should always take preventative measures to protect your liver on a regular basis. You should reduce your intake of foods that are hard to digest, toxic and drugs. Also, perform regular liver cleansing for optimal liver health.

Sandra Kim Leong is an author and a publisher of a popular newsletter on detox diet. She also shares her tips about liver cleansing and a diet suitable for great liver health. Sign up to her free research here at at http://www.Detox-Cleansing-Diet.com

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What Prostate Cancer Treatment Is Right For You

What Prostate Cancer Treatment Is Right For You
By Mandi Fain

The population of men nearing the age of their forties and fifties are at risk for prostate cancer. The average age of men afflicted with this type of cancer is sixty-five and accounts for seventy-five percent of the cases of this cancer. An abnormal growth of the prostate requires some testing to determine if cancerous cells are present. This health problem grows rapidly and if not caught early enough may cause death. Prostate cancer treatment procedures vary for every person, as not all men have the same severity.

Many new treatment plans are in place, but still in the clinical stage while some standard prostate cancer treatment procedures call for removal of the prostate gland. With proper check up and early diagnosis will determine your individual treatment.

In the early stages, when you first show a few symptoms of a problem with the prostate, a doctor will watch you carefully until other determining signs become known. This is considered watchful waiting. Although, today most doctors will run some tests right away to rule out cancer, enlarged prostate or another problem with the gland itself might just be causing the problem.

Many different prostate cancer treatment procedures exist and most are invasive while costly as well. There are different surgeries for different patients, because not everyone is the same. Here are some procedures done:

Lymphadenectomy- this includes taking the lymph nodes from the pelvic area and examining them to see if they have any signs of cancerous cells or tumors that would in turn affect the prostate gland.

You can also find more info on Prostate Exam and Laser Prostate Treatment. Prostatecancertreatmenthelp.com is a comprehensive resource to know more about prostate cancer treatment.

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Thursday, September 4, 2008

Breast Cancer Metastatised to Liver After Surgery Chemotherapy Radiotherapy and Arimidex Part 2

Breast Cancer Metastatised to Liver After Surgery, Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy and Arimidex - Part 2
By Chris Teo, Ph.D.

Chans daughter told us that her mothers loss of blood was due to the bleeding from her guts. The doctor in the private hospital told the family that nothing much could be done since the cancer had spread. Chan is a worrying-type of person and suffered from the following:

She has pains if she walks for some distance.
She is not able to sleep when she feels heaty.
When she is asleep, she observes that her stomach moves and churns.
Her stools are black in colour.

In December 2006 (about a year after taking Arimidex), Chan suffered a sudden onset of pains throughout her body besides having shortness of breast. Then, her guts bled leading to severe loss of blood. Are these problems related to the intake of Arimidex?

Among the many documented side effects of Arimidex are: hot flushes, mood disturbances, depression, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, muscle and bone pain, shortness of breath or coughing, fractures due to reduction of bone density, thromboembolic events, rash, swelling or water retention, loss of appetite, weight gain, constipation, diarrhea, vaginal bleeding and gastrointestinal disorder.

In spite of the above the medical researchers concluded that the use of Arimidex is well tolerated. To get an insight of what patients suffer, go to the message board of cancercompass (link below).

Patient 1 wrote: I have been on Arimidex for almost two years now. Firstly I had hardly any side effects and slowly but surely they seem to be building up, some days far worse than the next. The main side effects which I am experiencing now are aching bones and joints, mainly while trying to sleep at night. Also tiredness and seem to want to just go to bed to rest from as early as 8 p.m. -- this is sad as I always went to bed late before my breast cancer.

Patient 2 wrote: I have been on Arimidex for three and a half years. I too, did not notice anything in the beginning but am now beginning to wonder. I always seemed to have trouble standing for longer periods of time -- seemed to always want to sit down instead. Last summer (August) I had trouble walking for any amount of time over 20 minutes. In February of this year I had a major back trouble with sciatica. It was very, very bad. My Radiation Oncologist mentioned that maybe it was a side effect of the Arimidex. I also wake up four to five times every night.

Patient 3 wrote: I began taking Arimidex in late June and from the beginning had a constant headache, very slight so I didn't worry too much. Then the bone pain started and got worse very quickly. My oncologist wanted me to switch to something else right away.

Patient 4 wrote: My pains are definitely getting worse as each month goes by. I wake up feeling 30 years older. I am with pains pretty much all over the bones and joints from the hips down! I get depression too, very bad at times. Not sure if this is because I lack sleep due to painful nights, feeling sorry for myself or the effects of Arimidex.

Patient 5 wrote: Like you, at first I didn't notice any side effects. But for the last two to three 3 years I've experienced severe pain in my neck and back, specifically in the thorax region. It is truly debilitating at times. My doctor told me it was degenerative arthritis. But as I read your and other women's remarks who are on this treatment, I have to wonder if it is the Arimidex.

Patient 6 wrote: I just started taking this drug in June. At fist I was fine but recently I've been having pains. I wake up several times at night with pains in my arms and fingers.

Patient 7 wrote: I have been on this medication for seven months. I too have much joint pain -- pain during the night that wakes me up! I am wondering if it is worth all this pain -- there is no guarantee that in five years the breast cancer will not return!

Patient 8 wrote: I have been taking Arimidex for two years also. I feel bone pain, my hands hurt, my headaches have gotten worse, I am depressed, and my appetite is just not there any more. I wake up three hours after I go to bed. I feel tired and drained the rest of the day. My doctor thinks I am a hypochondriac. But these symptoms are real. My cousin had been taking this for four years and her intestine got infected from all the medicine. It started to eat away at it. She died two months after the removal of her intestine. Have you heard any thing about that?

The comments of these patients and the case presented by Chan are real. These are not fantasies of the patients mind. The side effects suffered by Chan are similarly felt by other patients. Chan had bleeding from her guts. Reading the comment of Patient 8, who wrote that her cousin who took the drug for four years, ended with an eaten away gut, one cannot help thinking if Arimidex is causing similar problem to Chans gut.

It is most distressful to see the CT scan of Chans liver. The metastasis is so extensive and widespread covering her entire liver. Over the decades looking at liver images, I cannot help feeling that the scan images of Chans liver is rare indeed.

The question that begs an answer: Why is the liver metastasis so extensive? Only a year ago (April 2006) Chans liver was said to be free of metastasis. Why does this happen so suddenly and so soon? It is understandable if there are only one or a few metastatic spots in her liver but to have numerous nodules at once is beyond comprehension. One is tempted to ask if this metastasis could be related to the treatment rather than the cancer itself.

The case of Chan further reinforces my resolve to say this to cancer patients: Cure for cancer requires a change of diet, lifestyle and full commitment on the part of patients to take matters into their own hands. Subjecting themselves to invasive treatments of modern medicine and taking of the so-called FDA-approved drugs may not be the only option for them. Look far and wide there are other options available in the horizon. My experience shows that for some patients, taking the alternative, holistic path could prove to be a more humane and effective path for their cancers.

Comments by patients:
For information on holistic healing for cancer: http://www.cacare.com View patients videoclips go to: http://www.cacarevideo.blogspot.com

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Breast Cancer Basics

Breast Cancer Basics
By Matt McMillan

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death in women today. Among the types of cancer that are being experienced by women, breast cancer comes second after lung cancer, claiming the lives of more than 40,000 women in the country.

By the end of this year, more than 200,000 women are predicted to develop invasive breast cancer in the United States alone. Right now, statistics put a 1 is to 8 possibility ratio of developing breast cancer on women. There is about a 1 out of 28 chance that the breast cancer diagnosis will lead to death. Fortunately, because of the efforts of womens groups to increase the awareness about the problem and the efforts of the government to address the issue, death rates are actually going down.

Risk factors for breast cancer

It is actually not known exactly why women develop breast cancer. Unlike other health problems that are rooted from a bacterial or viral infection, breast cancer is not caused by any organism. The problem only occurs when cells in the breasts begin to grow out of control and start to spread even to the other tissues in the body.

But while there are no exact known cause of breast cancer, there are some risk factors that increases the chance of some women to develop the condition. This is according to numerous studies that have correlated the presence of these factors to the occurrence of the condition. Although there are some factors that are already inherent in you, there are some who you still can do something about. Those factors have been the focus of womens groups informational campaign, designed to teach women how best to prevent the problem from developing.

Factors that you cannot change

One of these risk factors is gender. Surprised? Unknown to many, breast cancer also occur in men. There however have been considerable emphases on women breast cancer in recent years because of the alarming growth of cases every year. Ones age is another factor. As one grows old, the higher is the chance that one will develop breast cancer. The same goes with people, who already have a family history of the problem. In fact, studies have shown that people with relatives with breast cancer actually doubles their risk for developing it.

Women who have gotten their periods early, before they were 12 years old and those who menopaused after they were 50 are also at risk for developing the condition.

Compared to Asian women, Caucasians seem to develop the problem more often. The same was also found with women who never had children or those who had children after they 30 years old. Women who had radiation therapy in the chest area are also at risk.

Factors that you can change

It is not of course all bad news. While there are factors that are beyond our control, there are things that we can do to lessen the chance of developing the condition. Breast cancer can actually be prevented by clich as it is eating right and living healthy.

According to studies, women who drink about two to five alcoholic drinks every day seem to have an increased rate of developing breast cancer. The same was also found with women who are overweight and those who do not exercise regularly. People who take birth control pills and those that underwent some sort of hormone-replacement therapy will also develop the problem.

Breast Cancer Information Breast Cancer Care

Matt McMillan

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Zapping Cancer

Zapping Cancer
By Jonza Kriss

Illustration: treating drug-resistant tumor cells with electric pulsesWhen tumor cells resistant to chemotheraputic drugs were subjected to very low intensity electrical stimulation, the cells acquired sensitivity to the anti-cancer drug doxorubicin. This effect has the potential to reform treatment especially for malignant tumors that are refractory to drug treatment, while possibly reducing side effects in all patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy resistance is a major obstacle in the treatment of various cancers erally, cancer patients refractory to chemotherapy are resistant to multiple anti-tumor drugs. Genn in vitro (i.e., outside of the living organism) experimental model in cells termed multidrug resistance (MDR), is often due to drug extrusion mechanisms (meaning that drugs that enter the cell are transported back out, and thus are prevented from exerting their effect on the cell). One such drug extrusion mechanism is mediated by overexpression of the P-glycoprotein (P-gp; the human version of the protein encoded by the MDR1 gene), a drug-transporter glycoprotein associated with the cell or plasma membrane (which encloses the cell's cytoplasm) with a wide variety of drug substrates. Cells that overexpress the MDR1 gene are, hence, resistant to many drugs.

In a study led by Luca Cucullo and Damir Janigro from the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine in Ohio that was recently published by the open access journal, BioMed Central, tumor cells that overexpress the MDR1 gene product were shown to lose their resistance to anti-tumor drugs by electrical stimulation. In vitro rodent and human tumor cells refractory to anti-tumor drugs were exposed to continuous, very low intensity (7.5 mA [microamps) 50 Hertz AC (alternating current) pulses, with ten-second intervals, for a three day period. After electrical stimulation, parallel cultures of cells were treated with increasing concentrations of the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin, or with various controls, for three hours, following which cell viability was assessed. The researchers discovered that the cells became sensitive to the anti-cancer drug doxorubicin. The researchers concluded that treatment of the drug-resistant tumor cells with low frequency, low intensity AC stimulation in vitro drastically enhances chemotherapeutic efficacy of doxorubicin, a substrate for the MDR1 glycoprotein drug transporter.

Further investigation demonstrated that electrical stimulation not only decreases levels of the MDR1 glycoprotein transporter, but also changes the localization of the MDR1 glycoprotein from close to the plasma membrane to the cytosol (the fluid portion of the cytoplasm). This altered expression of the MDR1 glycoprotein is believed to have caused the loss of the cell's drug extrusion ability, which it mediates. Unable to extrude the drug, the cells succumbed to its effect, essentially acquiring sensitivity to the drug, and were killed.

A fuller understanding of the way electrical pulses affect drug-resistant tumors will require further research. However, this technique may be exploited as part of new cancer treatment protocols, such as coupling electrical stimulation with chemotherapy to treat tumors otherwise refractory to drugs, as well as possibly enabling reduction in the amount of chemotheraputic medication used, and thereby in unpleasant side-effects.

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Diagnosed With Breast Cancer? Here Are Some Resources To Help!

Diagnosed With Breast Cancer? Here Are Some Resources To Help!
By Mike Herman

There are more and more organisations and groups around the world who will offer support and advice to not just women but men as well who have been affected by breast cancer.

Many of these groups and organisations not only spend time counselling people but they hold many fund raising events and campaigns to help pay for further research into the disease.

In some cases some of these groups or organisations will offer treatment to those patients diagnosed with the disease who can not actually afford to pay for the treatment themselves.

Below is a list of the various organisations and groups that can be found in the USA which have been specifically set up to fight this disease and provide support to those who have been diagnosed with it.

One such group in the USA is the American Cancer Society (ACS) who are a community based health organisation and which helps to fight all the various types of cancers that now seem to affect the population.

They also spend vast amounts of their time not just focusing on treatment of cancer but also its prevention and how to reduce the suffering felt by the patients and their families and saving lives.

They also help with costs for carrying out further research and educating people on the disease and making the population more aware of its effects.

Another organisation is Cancer Care Incorporated who provide a telephone support service for all cancer issues, and this includes medical information, cancer terms and definitions, counselling, guidance on local services, free information material, as well as information on local support groups to the patients area as well as an abundance of educational programs on cancer matters.

Now we come to CRFA (Cancer Research Foundations of America) which is a national group and which focuses on the prevention of cancer both through educating people and scientific research.

It is also able to provide people with information on other forms of cancer as well as breast such as prostate, lung, colorectal, skin and cervical.

Then you could if you wish contact The Living Beyond Breast Cancer Foundation which has been set up and provides a helpline where you are able to obtain support after being diagnosed with the disease.

You will discover that the people at the other end of the phone talking to you will have previously been diagnosed with the disease and survived.

They are able to provide you with first hand information on the treatments offered, the way in which it is diagnosed and how to survive it.

But don't forget the people at the other end of the phone can only offer you emotional support and not actual medical advice, for that you will need to see your doctor who will then refer you to a specialist.

Then there is the Medicare Hotline which is another breast cancer foundation and this one can offer the patient information on mammography and the way it is used in helping to detect breast cancer during the early stages.

Also we have the NABCO (National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organisations) who can provide people with answers to the many questions that they will have relating to the disease and they can either call them or send them an email to obtain the information they require on breast cancer and the many issues relating to it.

If you would like to obtain a more individual response regarding a question you have in respect of the disease it may be a case of you contacting the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service, which can provide patients with answers to any specific question they may have relating to the disease.

Also a number of years ago a Foundation was set up called the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation which helps to fight breast cancer and are well known for organising lots of awareness programs as being a huge contributor in raising funds through various campaigns they have organised such as breast cancer walks.

This foundation also has a helpline where they have trained volunteers who can talk to individuals regarding the disease as they have suffered from it themselves.

The Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation has been set up and is specifically committed to offering people with the latest information that is available concerning breast cancer and breast health to those that contact them.

Lastly we have the Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organisation which helps fight against both breast cancer and provides support to those suffering from the disease by providing them with a helpline that is operated by trained personnel only.

These people are volunteers but who have all survived breast cancer and are not only prepared but have the experience to answer the various types of questions that will be posed by the caller regarding breast cancer.

They can also provide emotional support to the men and women who have been affected by this disease.

What breast cancer information do you need to know more about? Click on over to http://www.ResourcesForBreastCancer.com and be sure to visit http://CancerReport.info.

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Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Practical SpiritualitySurviving Prostrate Cancer

Practical Spirituality--Surviving Prostrate Cancer
By John Gilmore

Theres nothing like discovering that you have cancer, especially if no one in your family ever had it. Cancer is a very dangerous disease, as anyone knows. It is only dangerous on the physical lever, but probably even more devastating on the emotional and mental level. Especially the forms of cancer that seem not to be taken seriously by those who dont have it. This is especially true of prostate cancer.

As soon as anyone discovers that you have prostrate cancer the first thing they tell you is how common it is, and then they move onto the success rate of its treatment. This is a bit comforting, but when you begin to hear about the procedures involved, that comfort flies out the window. Cutting out parts of your body, eradiating your body to shrivel your prostate, planting hundreds of radioactive seeds in the prostate, or freezing the prostate until it dies, and the left over affects of decreased potency and the need to use stimulates for intercourse, if that is even possible, are devastating.

These are not good things. They are all loses that must be grieved. Even if you dont want to, any of these treatments mean that you will never be able to father another child. You will always know that a part of you is missing; the part that created the seeds that bring forth life. If you are a survivor of prostate cancer, or you have just been diagnosed, and all of the speeches about the success rate dont quite comfort you on all levels, you may be dealing with the last issue of which I spoke. Procreation is more than a physical act. It is an issue that is somewhat primordial and spiritual. It is at the root of what it means to be alive for just about every species on Earth. Most people do not really think about it like that.

People around you hear cancer and panic, thinking that you should do anything to keep it from spreading. The cancer patient, some of them anyway, however, often looks deeper, looking for the meaning behind the fact that parts of ones own body has declared war on you, and thinking of the most beneficial ways of dealing with it.

If you are diagnosed with prostrate cancer, or any other type, and are thinking of getting treatment, or if you are having treatment, or have completed treatment, it is important for you to look for a deeper meaning. It is important for you to begin to explore your life deeply and to find a meaningful way to participate in life that is satisfying and enjoyable. Many say that modern civilization is a toxic, cancerous environment in itself. Is it any wonder that our bodies should become like the toxic environment in which we live? Find ways to be healthy. Create sacred spaces where you can step outside of the toxic environment to strengthen yourself. You will then give birth to new things on a different levela spiritual level.

If you can find a group where you can talk about what has happened, the shock that has happened to your mind, body, and spirit, find one. Several hospitals have prostate cancer survivor support groups. Many other people will not know what you are talking about and what you are going though on the inside. Dont try to force yourself to get over it and to go ahead with life. You will do this, and life will go on. The truth is, however, that you have been injured, even if it doesnt show on the outside, and you can never get back what you have lost. You have to heal from the injury on all levels. This is something that we must learn to live with. A greater understanding of who you are and why things like this happen are the only help. It is also important to work to gain some insight, or lifestyle that is worth all of the fear and suffering. When you have done this you will be able to move on without pushing. It will be natural and you will be a greater person. Dont ignore practical spirituality and healing methods like meditation, Tai Chi, Yoga or Chi Kung. They can be very good for dealing with the mental, physical and spiritual aspects of the injury if you go very deep in their application.

Dr. John W. Gilmore is a writer, spiritual director, and certified healer in many alternative health traditions. For more information on how to apply practical spirituality to your life visit our free Practical Spirituality Journal at http://www.dswellness.com Explore our website for more information geared to the healing of the greater community. Also visit our school at http://dswellness.htap.net

Reunion of Souls, Dr. John W.Gilmore. A book of deep spirituality in Sci-fi form.

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