Cancer Information

By the stage of a cancer we try to express how far the disease has spread. It is crucial, as treatment is mostly decided depending on the stage of a cancer. For ovarian cancer, doctors use a simple I-IV staging system called the FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) system.

Stage I means the cancer is confined to the ovaries. In stage IA, the cancer is confined to one ovary, while in IB the cancer is present in both ovaries. In stage IC, in addition to the cancer being present in either one or both of the ovaries, cancer cells may be present on the outer surfaces of one or both ovaries, or in fluid taken from inside the abdomen; or, the outer wall of a cystic ovarian tumor may have burst.

By stage II we mean the cancer has grown outside the ovary or ovaries, but it is inside the pelvis. In stage IIA, the cancer has reached the fallopian tubes or the womb, while IIB means the cancer has grown into other tissues in the pelvis, such as the bladder or rectum. Stage IIC indicates that in addition to stages IIA and IIB, either some cancer is present on the surface of at least one ovary or cancer cells are found in fluid taken from inside the abdomen during surgery, or the ovary ruptures before or during surgery.

Stage III means the cancer has spread outside the pelvis into the abdominal cavity. It is also stage III if cancer is found in the lymph nodes in the upper abdomen, groin or behind the womb. In stage IIIA, cancer can be seen under the microscope in tissue taken from the lining of the abdomen, while in IIIB, small tumor growths are found on the lining of the abdomen. In IIIC, tumor growths larger than 2cm are found on the lining of the abdomen; the lymph nodes in the upper abdomen, groin or behind the womb contain cancer.

Stage IV, the most advanced of all, means the cancer has spread into other body organs such as the liver or lungs.

e-OvarianCancer.com Ovarian Cancer provides detailed information on Ovarian Cancer, Ovarian Cancer Symptoms, Ovarian Cancer Treatments, Ovarian Cancer Stages and more. Ovarian Cancer is affiliated with e-mesotherapy.com Mesotherapy Before And After. ===>

Asbestosis life expectancy depends on whether or not the patient develops a more serious asbestos related disease such as mesothelioma. Asbestosis may go unnoticed for a long period of time as symptoms are not always present. It’s uncommon for patients diagnosed with asbestosis to die prematurely, but if the disease mutates into a cancer such as mesothelioma, a patient’s life expectancy is decreased dramatically.

A patient’s asbestosis life expectancy is related largely to the duration and amount of exposure to asbestos. In some patients the effect of the disease causes only mild symptoms, whereas in other patients the disease reduces the flow of oxygen which can be fatal in some cases.

Smoking Cessation. Smokers can expect a much shorter asbestosis life expectancy than non-smokers. Smoking adds to the risk of developing lung cancer or emphysema, which further complicates breathing.

Asthma. Patients with respiratory diseases such as asthma can expect a reduced life expectancy. Asthma, when combined with asbestosis causes the patient’s lungs to work harder to maintain healthy oxygen levels in the blood stream.

Pneumonia. Pneumonia (fluid in the lungs) combined with asbestosis (damaged and scarred lung tissue) can be a deadly combination, drastically reducing asbestosis life expectancy. Some patients with asbestosis develop immune system problems over the years, making it difficult to fight off infections. For this reason, even a common cold can later develop into something more serious such as pneumonia.

Heart disease and diabetes. Asbestos victims with health problems such as heart disease or diabetes can expect to die sooner than those without these additional complications. Part of this goes back to how asbestosis affects the body – it essentially interferes with the oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange in the lungs, which means the blood supply isn’t as oxygen rich as it should be. This interferes with healing and recovery in general, which can lead to complications of unrelated diseases. Asbestosis and Mesothelioma Cancer

Few patients actually die as a direct result of asbestosis despite the many different possible complications resulting from asbestosis that can somewhat shorten the patient’s life span. But asbestosis often develops into lung cancer or mesothelioma cancer, a virulent cancer that drastically shortens a patient’s life expectancy. The majority of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma have a life expectancy of less than a year.

Once you have been diagnosed with asbestosis, see your doctor for an accurate analysis of your overall health. A physician can give you a realistic evaluation of your asbestosis life expectancy based on your symptoms.

About the Author:

Dave Casey is a freelance writer for mesothelioma-adviser.com mesothelioma-adviser.com a guide for asbestos cancer patients.

Copyright 2007 Mesothelioma-Adviser.com

Remember when it was safe to make ice cream from
snow, drink from creeks in the wilderness, eat
worms (you DID, didn’t you?!), and breathe the air?
I suspect folks under 30 are wondering what fantasy
world I’m talking about. That is profoundly sad to
me because it means (1) that we have spoiled what
was once a pristine planet, and (2) that some people
have never experienced a world without poisoned
land, water, and air.

Cancer and Planet Earth

“Cancer is now the leading cause of death for
individuals under age 85”. Almost half of men, and
more than one in three women will be diagnosed
with cancer in his or her lifetime. Some of the
cancers that have increased rapidly in the last 20-30
years include melanoma, lymphomas, testicular,
brain, and bone marrow cancers.1 These are terrible
odds! Fortunately many cancers are survivable if
diagnosed and treated early enough.

It is well-established that cancer “evolves from a
complicated combination of multiple exposures.” 2
Which is why the origin of a cancer is not always
easy to identify, and one reason that minimizing
exposure to toxins is imperative.
Another reason to minimize your toxic exposures
where you can, is that many come to us insidiously,
like thieves in the night, stealing our health and
well-being stealthily and silently.

Involuntary vs. Voluntary Exposures: Involuntary
exposures to carcinogens and other toxins are determined by where we live, play,
work, and visit, and are essentially imposed upon
us. For example: radon, arsenic, and other naturally
occurring toxins in the soil and water; toxins in the
materials of buildings where we live, work, study, or
play; pollution from industry located in our air- and
water-sheds—these are all imposed upon us and so
out of our control.

By contrast, voluntary exposures could include
dietary choices, smoking, hobbies, and household
chemicals. [“Voluntary” is not as clear-cut as it first
appears: for example, in the instance of children,
poverty, and disability.] If we aren’t limiting at least
the voluntary exposures, good health starts looking
more like a crapshoot every day!

A philosophical and ethical question emerges here:

Are occupational exposures voluntary or involuntary?
–And What is our responsibility? I have a very
strong opinion about the responsibility of the
individual, but I would love to know what you think about this issue.
After you’ve pondered it, or even while you ponder
it, please write and tell me your opinions and
thoughts. cverret@prodaware.com Thanks!
1 Environmental & Occupational Causes of Cancer.
Lowell Center for Sustainable Production
2 ibid

Cathy Verrét, Product Awareness
Consulting, LLC
541-345-7084 (Eugene, Oregon)
or e-mail: mailto:cverret@prodaware.com
Visit our website: prodaware.com prodaware.com
We’re happy to answer your questions about
chemical health and safety, Material Safety Data
Sheets (MSDS), and Hazard Communication

According to the latest experimental studies, heath physicists have encountered safe methods to use a radioactive protein found in scorpion venom to treat thyroid cancer. The venom of a yellow species of scorpions found in Israel is promising to develop into a revolutionary technique to fight different types of tissues affected by cancer.

The Transmolecular Corporation in Cambridge has successfully obtained in the laboratory a radioactive variant of the venom protein. The new substance is called TM-601 and consists of the radioactive substance Iodine-131 and an artificially obtained venom protein. When the artificial compound is released into the blood, the radioactive waves kill the foreign, cancer cells.

Every year, about 17000 persons suffer from this type of cancer and many of them die within the first months of treatment. The new technique promises a remission of the cancer within the first months, after the radioactive compound has been injected into the body. The patient will require no further chemotherapy or traditional therapeutically radiations. The procedure promises a good improvement of the cancer symptoms and a high rate of surviving.

The phase two of the human trial using the new compound shows safe ways of handling the new treatment, even by injecting higher doses of radiations into the cells than during the first stage experiments.

The physician’s duty is to release on the medical market a both safe and legal product with a high index of success. The doctors prescribing this therapy must also protect the family members and the environment of the patient from the radioactivity of the drug.

During the human testing, a group of several patients receive the medication three times within three weeks, while another group gets the therapy six times in six weeks. All patients receive the same quantity of medicine, meaning 200 MCI in the treatment of thyroid cancer. The results are satisfactory compared to other types of therapy used before.

Research scientists discovered that TM-601 is not being assimilated by other tissues besides the cancer cells. The tissue parts near the tumor also receive an amount of radiation but in a lower rate. Before the treatment, patients are administered with high doses of non-radioactive iodine to prevent the assimilation of the drug by the absorbing thyroid, to block the uptake of Iodine-131. The thyroid gland quickly absorbs iodine in normal circumstances.

A part of the radiations received during the treatment are transmitted by the patient’s body to the family members in the first hours after returning from the hospital. However, studies show that the level of radioactive waves spread by the body is not larger than the ones reflected after traditional radioactive therapy.

For more information about thyroid-info-center.com/thyroid-problems.htm thyroid problems or about thyroid-info-center.com/thyroid-treatment.htm thyroid treatment please visit this website thyroid-info-center.com/ thyroid-info-center.com/

Skin cancer can happen to anyone and those at risk need to be smart and seek professional advice and/or early treatment. This makes sense of course but how do you know if you are at risk? Well if you work in an industry were you are exposed a lot to the sun you could be at risk.

If you get sunburns quite easily or have very light skin you would be more susceptible. Also if you have blue or green eyes or have blond or red hair you will be slightly more at risk. One of the most obvious things to think about is if you have skin cancer, which runs in your family. If you have a lot of moles you may wish to have a doctor look at them to see if they are the type that can become cancerous. Children who have had very bad skin burns in their past could be at risk as adults.

All doctors agree on one thing and that is of all the major types of skin cancer, early detection and treatment is your best chances for winning the game. So if you see spots on your skin, which are not symmetrical and growing these need to be checked out. The CDC says that;

“The three major types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Malignant melanoma causes more than 75% of all deaths from skin cancer. This disease can spread to other organs, most commonly the lungs and liver. Malignant melanoma diagnosed at an early stage usually can be cured, but melanoma diagnosed at a late stage is more likely to spread and cause death.”

For Skin Cancer; Early Treatment Wins the Game and thus ask your doctor to look at the spots on your skin to make sure they are not cancerous and keep an eye on them, be smart. Please consider all this in 2006.

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Why do women fear breast cancer more than any other disease? Because each year thousands of women develop breast cancer in our society and as scary as it sounds the percentage of breast cancer continues to rise. This type of cancer is very common in our society. Nevertheless, with the help of medical technologies breast cancer is now 90% curable when diagnosed early.

We do not know what causes breast cancer, although we do know that certain risk factors may put you at higher risk of developing it. A person’s age, genetic factors, personal health history and diet all contribute to breast cancer risk.

Before I go any further, we need to start at square one. We may know what breast cancer is, but do we really know the entire factors (details) behind the disease? Let us ask ourselves, “What is breast cancer?”

Breast cancer is when the cells in a woman’s body begin to grow and reproduce out of control, which creates a collection of tissue called a tumor. However, just because you have a tumor in the breast does not mean it has to be cancerous.
If the cells that are growing out of control are normal cells, the tumor is not cancerous. However, if the cells that are growing out of control are abnormal and does not function like the body’s normal cells, the tumor is cancerous.
Cancers are named after the part of the body from which they originate. Breast cancer originates in the breast tissue. Like other cancers, breast cancer can infect and grow into the tissue surrounding the breast. It can also pass through to other parts of the body and form new tumors. This course of action is called metastasis.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, after nonmelanoma skin cancer. Over the past 50 years, the number of women diagnosed with the disease has increased each year.
Today, approximately one in almost every eight women (13.4%) will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Breast cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in women after lung cancer. It is the leading cause of cancer death among women ages 35 to 54.

The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2005, approximately 211,240 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and approximately 40,410 will die. Although these numbers may sound frightening, research tells us that the death rate could decrease by 30% if all women age 50 and older who need a mammogram had one.

Only 5-10% of breast cancers occur in women with a clearly defined genetic predisposition for the disease. The majority of breast cancer is not related to their family history. The risk for developing breast cancer increases as a woman ages.

Below I listed the warning signs of breast cancer. It is important to understand what the disease is and to know the symptoms, so you can get medical attention if necessary.

Look for:

• Lump or thickening in, near the breast, or in the underarm that persists through the menstrual cycle.

• A mass or lump, which may feel as small as a seed.

• A change in the size, shape or contour of the breast.

• A bloodstained or clear fluid discharge from the nipple.

• A change in the feel or appearance of the skin on the breast or nipple (dimpled, puckered, scaly or inflamed).

• Redness of the skin on the breast or nipple.

• An area that is distinctly different from any other area on either breast.

• A marble-like hardened area under the skin.
These changes may be found when performing monthly breast self-exams. By performing breast self-exams, you can become familiar with the normal monthly changes in your breasts. All doctors stress the importance of breast examinations. The problem is that most women do not know how to give a breast examination to them and instead wait until they see their doctor. By then it could be too late. This is why it is important to learn how to give you a breast examination.

Breast self-examination should be performed at the same time each month, three to five days after your menstrual period ends. If you have stopped menstruating, perform the exam on the same day of the month. To perform a breast self-exam, follow the steps described below.

In the mirror:

1. Stand undressed from the waist up in front of a large mirror in a well-lit room. Look at your breasts. Do not be alarmed if they do not look equal in size or shape. Most women’s breasts are not. With your arms relaxed by your sides, look for any changes in size, shape or position, or any changes to the skin of the breasts. Look for any skin puckering, dimpling, sores or discoloration. Inspect your nipples and look for any sores, peeling or change in the direction of the nipples.

2. Next, place your hands on your hips and press down firmly to tighten the chest muscles beneath your breasts. Turn from side to side so you can inspect the outer part of your breasts.

3. Then bend forward toward the mirror. Roll your shoulders and elbows forward to tighten your chest muscles. Your breasts will fall forward. Look for any changes in the shape or contour of your breasts.

4. Now, clasp your hands behind your head and press your hands forward. Again, turn from side to side to inspect your breasts’ outer portions. Remember to inspect the border underneath your breasts. You may need to lift your breasts with your hand to see this area.

5. Check your nipples for discharge (fluid). Place your thumb and forefinger on the tissue surrounding the nipple and pull outward toward the end of the nipple. Look for any discharge. Repeat on your other breast.
In the shower
6. Now, it is time to feel for changes in the breast. It is helpful to have your hands slippery with soap and water. Check for any lumps or thickening in your underarm area. Place your left hand on your hip and reach with your right hand to feel in the left armpit. Repeat on the other side.

7. Check both sides for lumps or thickenings above and below your collarbone.

8. With hands soapy, raise one arm behind your head to spread out the breast tissue. Use the flat part of your fingers from the other hand to press gently into the breast. Follow an up-and-down pattern along the breast, moving from bra line to collarbone. Continue the pattern until you have covered the entire breast. Repeat on the other side.

Lying down

9. Next, lie down and place a small pillow or folded towel under your right shoulder. Put your right hand behind your head. Place your left hand on the upper portion of your right breast with fingers together and flat. Body lotion may help to make this part of the exam easier.

10. Think of your breast as a face on a clock. Start at 12 o’clock and move toward 1 o’clock in small circular motions. Continue around the entire circle until you reach 12 o’clock again. Keep your fingers flat and in constant contact with your breast. When the circle is complete, move in one inch toward the nipple and complete another circle around the clock. Continue in this pattern until you have felt the entire breast. Make sure to feel the upper outer areas that extend into your armpit.

11. Place your fingers flat and directly on top of your nipple. Feel beneath the nipple for any changes. Gently press your nipple inward. It should move easily.
Repeat steps 9, 10 and 11 on your other breast.
Cancerous tumors are more likely to be found in certain parts of the breast over others. If you divide the breast into 4 sections, the approximate percentage of breast cancers found in each area are (in clockwise pattern):

• 41% upper, outer quadrant
• 14% upper, inner quadrant
• 5% lower, inner quadrant
• 6% lower, outer quadrant
• 34% in the area behind the nipple

Almost half occur in the upper outer quadrant of the breast, towards the armpit. Some physicians refer to this region as the “tail” of the breast and encourage women to examine it closely.

See your doctor if you discover any new breast changes, changes that continue after your menstrual cycle, or other changes that you are concerned about such as:

• An area that is distinctly different from any other area on either breast.

• A lump or thickening in, near the breast, or in the underarm that persists through the menstrual cycle.

• A change in the size, shape or contour of the breast.

• A mass or lump, which may feel as small as a seed.

• A marble-like area under the skin.

• A change in the feel or appearance of the skin on the breast or nipple (dimpled, puckered, scaly or inflamed).

• Bloody or clear fluid discharge from the nipples.

• Redness of the skin on the breast or nipple.

If you go to your doctor and your doctor finds cancer, you and your doctor will develop a treatment plan to eliminate the breast cancer, to reduce the chance of cancer returning in the breast, as well as to reduce the chance of the cancer traveling to a location outside of the breast. Treatment generally follows within a few weeks after the diagnosis.

The type of treatment recommended will depend on the size and location of the tumor in the breast, the results of lab tests done on the cancer cells and the stage or extent of the disease. Your doctor usually considers your age and general health as well as your feelings about the treatment options.

Breast cancer treatments are local or systemic.

• Local treatments are used to remove, destroy or control the cancer cells in a specific area, such as the breast. Surgery and radiation treatment are local treatments.

• Systemic treatments are used to destroy or control cancer cells all over the body. Chemotherapy and hormone therapy such as tamoxifen, and biologic therapies like Herceptin, are systemic treatments. A patient may have just one form of treatment or a combination, depending on her needs.

Following local breast cancer treatment, the treatment team will determine the likelihood that the cancer will recur outside the breast. This team usually includes a medical oncologist, a specialist trained in using medicines to treat breast cancer. The medical oncologist, who works with the surgeon, may advise the use of tamoxifen or possibly chemotherapy. These treatments are used in addition to, but not in place of, local breast cancer treatment with surgery and/or radiation therapy.

Remember get a mammogram. You should have a baseline mammogram at age 35 and a screening mammogram every year after age 40. Mammograms are an important part of your health history. If you go to another healthcare provider, or move, take the film (mammogram) with you.

Examine your breasts each month after age 20. You will become familiar with the contours and feel of your breasts and will be more alert to changes.

Have your breast examined by a healthcare provider at least once every three years after age 20, and every year after age 40. Clinical breast exams can detect lumps that may not be detected by mammogram. Never be afraid to ask questions. Contact your American Cancer Society that can answer your questions or lead you to the person that can answer your questions.

I have written many published articles. I have appeared three times on News 12 on the talk show New Jersey Women and has had articles written about her efforts to help people with epilepsy. I have contributed time in helping people with epilepsy and making society more aware of the disorder

Books Written and Published :

1. Epilepsy You’re Not Alone
2. Eternal Love: Romantic Poetry Straight from the Heart
3. My Mommy Has Epilepsy (Children’s Book)
4. Keep the Faith: To Live and Be Heard from the Heavens Above (poetry book)
5. Live, Learn, and Be Happy with Epilepsy
6. Epilepsy and Pregnancy: What Every Women Should Know
Co-authored by Dr. Blanca Vasques.
7. Faith, Courage, Wisdom, Strength and Hope (Poetry Book)
8. Let the love of Life Be the strength of your Soul

9. How to Become Wealthy Selling Informational Products

How disturbing can it be for a woman to discover one day that she has a lump on her breast? This can bring out different reactions and probably unnecessary emotional strain. Even before proper laboratory tests, a woman with a lump on the breast may already entertain the frightening thoughts of having breast cancer. The prospect of having this distressing disease can render a person emotional and physical stress. She may not be able to rest and sleep well at night thinking about her condition. What if the lump is cancerous? How will she be able to cope with her situation? Will she be financially capable to pay for the required medications? What if she needs to undergo mastectomy? How will this affect her sexual life? Will this make her less of a woman? These are just very few of the endless questions women with probable breast cancer are asking.

Before throwing yourself into unnecessary mental and emotional distress, be sure to undergo viable screening tests to detect and confirm the development of breast cancer. As with any other diseases, early detection calls for a higher cure rate. There are several screening tests that can be done to detect breast cancer. These include self-breast exam, professional breast exam and mammogram.

Self-breast exam is the easiest test and everyone can do it regularly in the privacy of her own room. However, no matter how easy and manageable this test is for everyone, many women do not prefer to perform the test. The fear of finding out the presence of a lump is the most glaring reason for not practicing this essential breast cancer test. Women should understand that not all lumps are cancerous. Finding a lump in your breast doesn’t necessarily mean that you have breast cancer. This will necessitate further laboratory tests to confirm the presence of any cancerous cells. Even if the lump is cancerous, early detection will provide you higher chances of surviving the disease.

Most doctors routinely do professional breast exam during a woman’s general physical or pelvic exam. Aside from checking the breast for lumps using their fingertips, doctors will also look for any noticeable difference or changes in a woman’s breast. These include dimpling, scaling and puckered appearance of the breast skin. Furthermore, the doctor will look for any fluid leaking from the nipple.

Mammogram is the most effective method to detect breast cancer. Mammography is a low-dose breast X-ray. The smallest lump can be detected by mammogram. However, this test is not also perfect. In some cases, a lump discovered by tactile exam may not appear on a mammogram. Mammograms can also show abnormal results even when there is no cancer present. These types of test anomalies usually occur in one out of 100 mammograms.

Finally, mammogram together with a professional breast exam constitutes the most effective way to detect cancer in its earliest stages. Self-breast exam on the other hand is a good practice. This will help you check your breast regularly for any developing lumps. Any lumps discovered should need further investigation by a competent medical practitioner.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to

A very deceptive cancer that affects the prostate, does not start early, but does grow fast once it does start. This cancer like many can be life threatening as well as very damaging. Many people afflicted with this type of cancer do not even realize anything is wrong until it becomes a nightmare.

Prostate cancer affects men and their sexual performance as well as the other sexual functions. More so, older men should be concerned about developing prostate cancer, although it does affect young men as well. Surgery is a choice many have problems dealing with, as it will change their lives forever.

Surgery happens to be the only known treatment of prostate in the medical field. However, this procedure does take your ability to perform sexually, which leaves many with psychological problems. Although people who have the surgery can live long lives, many live with depression. You never have a guarantee that the cancer cells have not moved to other parts of the body.

Herbal treatment for prostate cancer has offered an alternative for people suffering from prostate cancer. This method of treatment is not backed by any medical profession, but mostly by believers in herbal cures. Many believe that early detection of cancer and continued herbal treatment of prostate cancer, you can skip any groups that help you deal with prostate cancer.

Listed below are a few options for herbal treatment for prostate cancer:

• Lycopene- this helps to fight the risk of developing cancer. Tomatoes, watermelons and grapefruits are a good source for lycopene. Lycopene goes deep into the body and helps to reverse the malignant process. Therefore, this herb works well on prostate cancer.

• Saw Palmetto- this helps to inhibit the 5-alpha-reductase and interferes with the DRT as well as working as a phytoestrogen. This helps fight prostate cancer. This herbal treatment for prostate cancer comes from the plant known as saw palmettos.

• Selenium- this is provided from garlic, chicken, grains and shellfish. There has been links to selenium deficiency and cancers. When you take this herb, you build a wall against cancer.

By having, regular check ups and taking a herbal treatment for prostate cancer prevention as well as treatment will allow you a long life. You have to follow the guidelines for how much you need daily for any treatment to work.

You can also find more information at prostatecancertreatmenthelp.com/Prostate_Cancer_Detection_And_Treatment/ Prostate Cancer Detection And Treatment and prostatecancertreatmenthelp.com/Prostate_Cancer_New_Treatment/ Prostate Cancer New Treatment.prostatecancertreatmenthelp.com is a comprehensive resource to know more about prostate cancer treatment.

The prostate gland is located directly beneath the bladder and in front of the rectum. Many men, especially those later in life have made the decision with their doctors to simply watch and wait. Detected in its early stages, prostate cancer can be effectively treated and cured.

About 80 percent of men who reach the age of 80 have prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men in the U.S. Prostate cancer is the third most common cause of death from cancer in men of all ages and is the most common cause of death from cancer in men over 75 years old.

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease are bone pain or tenderness, and abdominal pain. Other symptoms might include unintentional weight loss and lethargy. Some men will experience symptoms that might indicate the presence of prostate cancer.

One of the most common symptoms is the inability to urinate at all. If cancer is caught at its earliest stages, most men will not experience any symptoms. There are a number of symptoms to be aware of.

A chest x-ray may be done to see if there’s a spread of cancer. A prostate biopsy usually confirms the diagnosis. What is called a free PSA may help tell the difference between BPH (benign prostatic hypertrophy), an enlargement of the prostate gland, and prostate cancer.

A number of tests may be done to confirm a diagnosis of prostate cancer. Another test usually used when prostate cancer symptoms are present is the digital rectal exam (DRE) performed by the doctor. The decision about whether to pursue a PSA test should be based on a discussion between you and your doctor.

Hormone manipulation is mainly used as a treatment to relieve symptoms in men whose cancer has spread. Surgery, radiation, hormonal therapy and chemotherapy all have significant side effects; know fully what they are before you proceed. Medications can have many side effects, including hot flashes and loss of sexual desire.

The conventional treatment of prostate cancer is often controversial. An oncology specialist will usually recommend treating with a single drug or a combination of drugs. If chemotherapy is decided upon after the first round of chemotherapy, most men receive further doses on an outpatient basis at a clinic or physician’s office.

Medicines can be used to adjust the levels of testosterone; called hormonal manipulation. Other medications used for hormonal therapy, with side effects, include androgen-blocking agents, which prevent testosterone from attaching to prostate cells. Thoroughly discuss your treatment options and concerns with your doctor and other health professionals; it never hurts to get a second or even third opinion or more if necessary.

The approaches to treatment include: ever watchful waiting to see whether the cancer is growing slowly and not causing any symptoms. Some men choose to do nothing but change their diet to a more natural diet of living foods. Surgery, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy can interfere with libido on a temporary or permanent basis. Radiation therapy is used primarily to treat prostate cancers classified as stages A, B, or C.

Many men simply want the best treatment they can get but what’s important is choosing the best treatment for you. Side effects of chemotherapy drugs depend on which ones you’re taking and how often and how long they’re taken.

As new research comes out adjust your treatment options accordingly. While the number of men diagnosed with prostate cancer remains high, survival rates are also improving. The outcome of prostate cancer varies greatly; mostly because the disease is found in older men who may have a variety of other complicating diseases or conditions, such as cardiac or respiratory disease, or disabilities that immobilize or greatly decrease their activities.

For more information on

The news is full of frightening statistics about cancer and other diseases. From what we read and hear on television, we are led to believe that more and more people are being diagnosed with cancer and that more and more people are dying from it.

In some cases, this is true. Incidences of and deaths from cancer have risen every year for the last fifty. However, don’t let this lead you to believe that no progress is being made.

Let’s take a look at gastric cancer, for example. Gastric cancers were once the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, and in many other countries, too. However, since 1930, the incidence of and number of deaths related to gastric cancer have steadily decreased.

By 1994, gastric cancer was the eighth leading cause of cancer death in the US and the statistics appear to continue to be on the decline. So, why are we seeing less gastric cancer today than before? Well, the medical community doesn’t appear to have made any definite conclusions, but there are some factors that are believed to be contributing to this promising trend.

The number one reason doctors believe that gastric cancer is on the decline is the higher consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables in our diet and the lower consumption of foods that are preserved by salt. Years ago, refrigeration in the home was not common, so keeping fruits and vegetables at the ready was not easy. And, it was common to preserve meats and some other foods with salt rather than freezing them.

When the ability to refrigerate and freeze foods in the home became commonplace, the American diet changed. We began to eat more fruits and vegetables and freeze our meat instead of curing it. So, how does this help reduce our risk of cancer?

Well, it’s actually quite simple. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables means a diet rich in anti-oxidants. Each day, as we convert the foods we eat into energy, we create free radicals in our body. These free radicals can damage our cells and our DNA. Unchecked free radicals are believed to contribute to the development of cancer and other diseases.

Anti-oxidants are excellent at combating free radicals. A diet rich in anti-oxidants is linked with preventing cancer, heart disease, cholesterol problems and a lower incidence of stroke.

So, if you’re interested in reducing your risk of cancer, be sure your diet is rich in anti-oxidants on a daily basis. Some of foods highest in anti-oxidants are:

Small Red Bean (dried)
Wild blueberry
Red kidney bean (dried)
Pinto bean
Blueberry (cultivated)
Cranberry
Blackberry
Prune
Raspberry
Strawberry

Apple
Pomegranate
Pecan
Sweet cherry
Black plum
Russet potato (cooked)
Black bean (dried)
Plum

So, if you want to improve your health, and reduce your risk of cancer, these fruits should be staples in your diet. And, there’s another way you can get your daily dose of anti-oxidants; one you might not have thought of.

Green Tea is High in Anti-Oxidants

Green tea has been widely used in Asian cultures for centuries to prevent illness and to treat it, as well. And, many recent studies have linked green tea with the prevention of cancer, and, in some cases have even found green tea to be helpful in the treatment of cancer.

Tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. There are many different types of tea; most of the differences come from the way the tea is processed. Tea leaves contain very powerful anti-oxidants in their natural state.

Fermenting tea leaves, which is part of processing tea leaves for black tea, converts these catechins to other compounds and reduces their health benefits. Therefore, green tea, because it is not fermented, retains more of its original anti-oxidants than black tea.

In every part of the world except Asia, black tea varieties are far more widely consumed than green tea. And, black tea is healthy. However, because green tea undergoes less processing, it far outranks black tea in its ability to provide anti-oxidants, and thereby, prevent disease.

Asian cultures have a far lower incidence of heart disease, stroke, high cholesterol and cancer. And, while there are likely other cultural and environmental factors that contribute to their lower incidence of disease; their high consumption of green tea is considered a significant factor. In fact, in 1994 the Journal of the National Cancer Institute published the results of an epidemiological study indicating that drinking green tea reduced the risk of esophageal cancer in Chinese men and women by nearly sixty percent.

So, if you’d like to reduce your risk of developing cancer and other diseases that often plague us as we get older, eat and drink up. Get your daily fill of fruits and vegetables. And, wash it down with green tea! You’ll be doing your part to ensure you live a long and healthy life!

Jon M. Stout is the Chairman of the Golden Moon Tea Company. Golden Moon Tea carefully selects the finest rare and orthodox teas, which are processed slowly and handcrafted with extreme care. At their website, you can learn more about their current