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Friday, September 3, 2010

Basic Information on Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cause of death in women. In a most recent cancer study, researchers announced that cancer costs the global economy nearly $900 billion a year—more than any other cause of death. The study also said that breast cancer is among the costliest forms of the disease, particularly in high-income countries, such as the United States. There may be many causes of breast cancer, one of which is a link to having too much estrogen (female hormone manufactured by the ovaries in women and in small amounts by the testicles in men) in the body. During menstruation, as well as in the latter part of each menstrual cycle, women often experience high estrogen levels. Increased estrogen may over stimulate cell growth in the breast as much as four times, and any excess of estrogen may increase the risk of cancer by stimulating cell growth in the breasts, ovaries and uterus in women. Cells dividing too rapidly may pose a risk of a genetic accident, resulting in alteration in the genetic structure of cells in the breast.

Accordingly, reducing estrogen may reduce a woman's risk of breast cancer. The question is: How to reduce the estrogen level in a woman's lifespan? The risk of breast cancer is significantly lower in Japan than that in the United States—about one-fourth. This discrepancy can be explained by the fact that the menstrual cycle of women in the United States is approximately 26 to 29 days, compared to the average of 32 days for women in Japan. So, the length of the menstrual cycles may hold the key to reducing cancer risk in women, because the shorter the menstrual cycles, the less production of estrogen, and the lower the cancer risk.

Late onset of menstruation may also reduce the number of menstrual cycles throughout a woman's lifespan, and thus reduces the risk of breast cancer.

The number of pregnancy during a woman's life may play a pivotal role in reducing the cancer risk by reducing the production of estrogen. By the same token, an early onset of menopause, may also lower the cancer risk.

If you cannot get yourself pregnant or increase the number of your pregnancy, you can at least lengthen your menstrual cycle through diet. Researchers have found that greater intake of soy protein may increase the menstrual cycles by an average of two and a half days. Therefore, take more soy products, such as tofu, miso, tempeh, soy milk and soy nuts. Research studies have also indicated that a vegetarian diet high in fruits and vegetables may delay the onset of puberty, that is, menarche in women. Lignins in oats, barley, whole wheat, nuts and seeds may inhibit estrogen synthesis; therefore, a diet rich in these foods may reduce the production of estrogen. Flaxseed, for example, gives you over 100 times more lignins than any other oil seeds and grains.

In addition, you can also protect yourself against breast cancer by eating dietary fiber. Excess estrogen in the body is sent to the liver where it is partially deactivated and excreted into the bile to be subsequently reabsorbed or eliminated. Therefore, extra dietary fiber shortens the time the excess estrogen may remain in the body.

Other than getting yourself pregnant, the only alternative to decrease the estrogen level is through diet.

Copyright (c) 2010 Stephen Lau

(Lace Front Wigs For Cancer Survivors www.hair4thecause.com)

Signs of Breast Cancer in Teenagers

When it occurs in young females, it is difficult for them to realize the symptoms. Symptoms vary from one patient to another, the commonly seen ones being change in the pointing direction of the nipples, discoloration over the breasts and palpation of gland like structures in the armpit, suggesting enlarged lymph nodes. In teenage females, the body shape is already changing and hence they feel these symptoms would be just a part and parcel of the whole body shape change that is happening during adolescence. It is necessary to distinguish between the normal maturation process and the early symptoms of breast cancer because breast cancer develops very fast and soon, there might be no time to save the individual.

The lump is a characteristic finding in breast cancer. Hence, if a lump is noticed either in the breasts or in the arm pits, a quick medical examination is recommended to prevent any further complications. There are many reasons as to why the lump would have been formed. It could just be the sign of a developing infection or it may be a local block in the drainage of the lymph. In worse cases, it may be due to breast cancer and once the cause is known, appropriate treatment should be begun immediately.

A lump that moves is not of much concern; however a lump that seems to be stuck in one place is a sure indicator of breast cancer. Once this is known, then it should be immediately reported to parents and medical staff and further diagnosis and confirmation of the same needs to be done. These lumps at times may not be felt but you could notice some changes in the shape and size and texture of the breasts or inequalities in the two breasts. All these points are matter of concern and need immediate attention.

Another characteristic of breast cancer is pain on and off in the breasts. The pain could also be due to the normal development of the breasts. Hence, periodic checks need to be done. Also look for discolorations over the breast. If you do see some discolorations that do not seem to vanish with time, then again it needs quick medical attention. Those teenagers who are diagnosed with this dreadful disease need lot of emotional support and tender loving care both from friends as well as family.

Learn about what is breast cancer and possible ways to treat it today.

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

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Wednesday, September 1, 2010

If Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer - Common Prostate Cancer Treatment

When a person is diagnosed with prostate cancer, the treatment options will depend on many important factors. These include the rate of cancer growth, if metastasis has occurred, the person's overall health and the side effects or risks of the prostate cancer treatment. In some cases, if caught in its early stages, treatment may not be required immediately or perhaps no treatment will ever be needed. Of course the patient must be watched closely and regular examinations are required.

If tests reveal the progression of cancer, prostate treatment will be necessary. A common treatment choice is radiation. Radiation therapy consist of using energy that is high-powered to kill the cancer cells. It can be delivered externally with a machine that moves over the affected area of the body, and sends energy rays to the cancer. This treatment is usually given five times a week and must be done for several weeks. When radiation is put inside of the body, it is done with several rice-sized seeds that are radioactive and are placed within the tissues of the prostate. This technique sends low dosages of radiation to the affected site, for long periods of time.

Another prostate cancer treatment option is hormone therapy. This treatment aims at stopping the body from producing testosterone. Since prostate cancer cells need testosterone to grow, stopping the supply of this hormone can slow the progression, and may also kill cancer cells. Prostate surgery is sometimes required to remove cancer cells. This surgery involves the removal of the prostate gland along with the tissue around the gland and lymph nodes. There are other treatments also available today such as Cryosurgery, Chemotherapy and heat therapy.

The Prostate Clinic, treatment and complete care for all the diseases and conditions which affect the prostate, urinary and reproductive system. Please visit our website at http://www.theprostateclinic.com/.

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

By Jack David Peterson

Early Prostate Cancer Treatment is the Best Way to Prevent Future Problems

Men over the age of 50 are at the greatest risk for prostate problems. Symptoms are varied; blood in urine, trouble urinating, bone pain, and more. If having any of these, men should consult their doctor immediately. Luckily, most prostate cancers are slow growing so early detection allows for successful prostate treatment to stop the onset of greater problems.

If problems are caught early enough the best prostate treatment is watchful waiting. During the watchful waiting period your doctor may order regular blood tests, biopsies, and rectal examinations following the prostate cancers progress.

If tests show the cancer is progressing you have several prostate treatment options. Watchful waiting is still a choice as long as the cancer growth is slow, but a patient can choose another prostate cancer treatment. Radiation and prostate surgery are other alternatives.

There are two types of radiation therapy; external and internal. External radiation comes from a beam that is directed to the cancer areas of the prostate. A patient typically undergoes radiation treatment for several weeks. Internal radiation treatments are administered by radioactive seeds placed in the tissue of the prostate. Your doctor will place the seeds in the tissue using a long needle. The seeds do not need to be removed once they stop giving off the radiation.

Surgery for prostate cancer requires removal of the prostate gland, tissue and lymph nodes. There are several different surgical techniques and with the consultation of your doctor the best procedure for your situation will be determined.

The Prostate Clinic, treatment and complete care for all the diseases and conditions which affect the prostate, urinary and reproductive system. Please visit our website at http://www.theprostateclinic.com/.

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

By Jack David Peterson

Be Aware of a Common Cause of Lung Cancer

Cancer is a serious disease that affects millions of people and often has no known cure. Environmental surroundings or lifestyle choices can contribute to some kinds of cancer. There are many people who have been exposed to high levels of asbestos without ever realizing it. The production of asbestos as a commercial insulation material began more than 125 years ago. It was only a generation after that, at the turn of the 20th century, that physicians and scientists began to make connections between asbestos exposure and lung diseases. Since then, researches have continued to learn about mesothelioma, a rare cancer that affect the pleura (a sac or lining) around the lungs and lining the chest wall. Scientists continue their research about mesothelioma.

If you have been exposed to asbestos, you can take steps to make sure that you are not putting yourself in further danger. Higher levels of exposure increase the chances of acquiring cancer. If you have been exposed to asbestos, you should consider being screened for cancer as soon as possible. It is never too early and never something that should be put off. Even if you do not have cancer, it is worth going through the screening just to be sure of it. Should you be diagnosed with an early onset of lung cancer, it is better to discover this early as more treatment options may be available.

Chemotherapy is one of the most common methods used to treat cancer. The most frequent chemotherapy technique is by injection into a vein. Depending on the type of cancer and the drug used, chemotherapy drugs can also be administered by mouth, injected into the muscle or skin, or placed directly into a body cavity which is known as intracavitary chemotherapy. Chemotherapy drugs may be given as single agents, but often, two or more drugs are given simultaneously in combination therapy.

As science advances, treatments for mesothelioma and other lung affiliated diseases move forward as well. In February of 2004, the FDA approved a new drug called Alimta for victims of mesothelioma. Patients treated with Alimta along with cisplatin experienced measurable improvement in their symptoms, including less pain and shortness of breath. Trials also indicate that patients who use this treatment may live up to 30 percent longer.

The more you learn about asbestos and the relation it has to cancer and other serious illnesses the less likely you are to neglect potential symptoms. If you have been exposed to asbestos, stay educated and keep current with screenings, tests and regular checkups.

If asbestos exposure has effected your health, you should research asbestos lawyers and contact one as soon as possible.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=E._K._Johnston

By E. K. Johnston

Qualified Mesothelioma Attorney - How to Look yFoBr One - By: Michelle T. Lawson

Mesothelioma lawsuit is a specialized case. Handling specialized cases requires expert skill and knowledge. Mesothelioma is a debilitating disease. It deprives the patient of living a normal life and maintaining regular work. Hence, financial losses incurred from medical bills cannot be compensated unless the patient files a mesothelioma lawsuit. The first step is the most essential, looking for a mesothelioma attorney.

Gather information from your immediate network. Ask your family and friends if they can recommend a mesothelioma attorney. It might be better to establish a working relationship with someone who is highly recommended. It may also be a good idea to ask your doctor for recommendations. Your doctor or oncologist may have been involved in a similar case and may be able to recommend a lawyer with a high success rate. However, your local courthouse or bar association may be able to provide a more accurate list of expert attorneys. Mesothelioma lawsuit procedures may differ from state to state. Hence, it may be good to consider an attorney who is an expert in mesothelioma lawsuit in your area.

You may also consult your local yellow pages for a list of qualified attorneys. Take note of the references and case history, if provided. Be wary of the ads, however. It is best to refrain from any judgment until you have personally met with the attorney. You may also search for a qualified mesothelioma attorney via the Internet. The Internet can provide an extensive list of attorneys via category. Limit your search to attorneys who have a high success rate in handling mesothelioma lawsuits. However, information gathered from the yellow pages and the Internet needs further verification.

Visit the law offices and schedule a free consultation with your preferred attorneys. Prepare a list of questions prior to your visit. List down all your inquiries and legal jargons encountered while researching. If you are not confident or satisfied with the first attorney, they visit other law firms. It is not bad to shop around for a qualified mesothelioma attorney. In fact, it may even be to your advantage in the end. Verify the references and case history. Ask how much of the case load are mesothelioma lawsuit. It is imperative that you establish a good working relationship with your attorney. The success of the case is not only based on how your attorney handled the case. It also depends on how you and your attorney work together in order to achieve a favorable settlement.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Alternative Cancer Treatments

By Joy C. Harrison

Being told you have cancer can be one of the scariest pieces of news you could ever receive. No matter what stage it may be in, either in the starting stages or one of the higher stages where it may be spreading brings fear to the patient as well as their loved ones. Most doctors will recommend various medical treatments including surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, and plenty of pills. Rarely will they suggest alternative cancer treatments, but they are available. If you are considering alternative cancer treatments for you or a loved one, there are some things to take into account.

Pros:

1. Alternative drugs or treatments are usually made of natural ingredients, not chemicals created in a lab.

2. Alternative drugs have been found to kill tumor cells based on clinical trials.

3. Alternative therapy is usually non-toxic and is designed to boost one's immune system.

4. Other forms of alternative medicine also bring a peace of mind with them, like reiki or acupuncture.

5. The cost of medical treatment is expensive, especially if you're not covered by health insurance.

Cons:

1. Surgery is the quickest way to remove a cancerous tumor. Alternative medicines will take longer, giving cancer the time to spread.

2. Most alternative forms of therapy for cancer patients are usually unproven. There is no guarantee that the natural drugs or other forms of therapy you choose will work.

3. Most health insurance companies will not help to pay for alternative therapies for cancer patients.

If it ever comes time for you to decide which method of therapy is going to work for you, consider all of these options and speak with your doctor about them. Doing research on each alternative therapy method may help you made the most sound decision for your body to eliminate the cancer.

As a writer for Pontoon Bimini Top and Pontoon Bimini Tops, the writer identifies dozens of products & supplies on the internet.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joy_C._Harrison

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Benefits of ovary removal seen in high-risk women

Benefits of ovary removal seen in high-risk women
By CARLA K. JOHNSON, Associated Press
Wednesday, September 1, 2010



CHICAGO -- Surgery to remove healthy ovaries gives a triple benefit to high-risk women: It lowers their threat of breast and ovarian cancer, and boosts their chances of living longer, new research suggests.

The study is the largest to date to find advantages for preventive surgery for women who carry BRCA gene mutations. Women with the faulty genes have a dramatically higher cancer risk than other women -- five times greater for breast cancer and at least 10 times greater for ovarian cancer.

The study, appearing today in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found benefits for women with two different BRCA gene variants whether they previously had breast cancer or not.

The results offer more tailored evidence for women considering ovary removal, a surgery that ends fertility, fast-forwards them into menopause and may contribute to osteoporosis or heart problems later in life.

"It's really critical to have the best information when making such a profound decision," said senior author Timothy Rebbeck of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.

The researchers followed nearly 2,500 women with BRCA mutations in Austria, England, the Netherlands and the United States. All the women were cancer-free at the start. They were watched for an average of four years. Most of the women were younger than 50 at the start of the study.

They got counseling to help them choose between surgery or increased screening to watch for cancers early.

Ten percent of the women chose mastectomy and 40 percent chose to have their ovaries removed; some had both. More than half the women had neither surgery.

The women who chose ovary removal had impressive results:

--1 percent later were diagnosed with ovarian cancer that showed up in cells missed by surgeons, compared to 6 percent of the women who kept their ovaries.

--11 percent were diagnosed with breast cancer, compared to 19 percent of the women who kept their ovaries.

--3 percent of those who had surgery died, compared to 10 percent of the others.

The study also found preventive mastectomy lowered the risk of breast cancer. No breast cancers were seen in the women who had their breasts removed. That may seem unsurprising, but mastectomy can leave behind breast tissue that can turn cancerous.

The study was observational, meaning it can't prove one choice was better than another. Other factors could have caused differences in the women's cancer rates.

But the results will help doctors counsel their patients, said Dr. Virginia Kaklamani of Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, who wrote an accompanying editorial in the journal.

"I'll use it mostly in talking to people considering genetic testing," Kaklamani said. "I can tell them, 'If we know you test positive, there are things to do that will help you live longer.' "

The increased risk for BRCA carriers is frightening. In the general population, about 12 in 100 women will get breast cancer during their lifetimes, compared to about 60 in 100 women who have faulty BRCA genes, according to the National Cancer Institute. For ovarian cancer, the lifetime risk in the general population is a little more than 1 in 100 compared to 15-to-40 in 100 women with BRCA mutations.

For women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, the decision to get tested can be agonizing. The $3,300 blood test, while often covered by insurance, can disrupt families, force decisions on childbearing and leave a woman feeling stigmatized. Surgery costs thousands of dollars, not including lost time at work. Without preventive surgery, a woman faces a regimen of mammograms, MRIs and blood tests to look for cancer.

But several signs point to "the beginning of a new era" for high-risk women, said Joanna Rudnick, a 36-year-old Los Angeles filmmaker. She has known for nine years that she carries a breast cancer gene mutation. Engaged and planning to have children, she's also planning to have her breasts and ovaries removed when she's 40. Her documentary "In the Family" tells about her choices and those faced by other "BRCA-positive" women.

With testing more than a decade old, researchers are just beginning to have better data to understand the benefits of risk-reducing surgery. For high-risk women, equally important are the breakthroughs in cosmetic breast reconstruction, laws to prevent genetic discrimination and evolving attitudes toward removing body parts to avoid cancer, Rudnick said.

Friday, February 5, 2010

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