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Prostate Cancer Symptoms

lginger — Mon, 03 Apr 2006 22:35:53 +0000

Since the prostate is near the urethra and gall bladder, a person with prostate cancer will experience difficulties with urination, or the other extreme, which is the frequent need to urinate.

Other similar symptoms include weak flow or interrupted flow of urine, physical pain during urination, blood incorporated in the semen or urine, painful ejaculation, as well as a constant pain in the lower hip, back or pelvis area.

Once these symptoms are exhibited by a patient, a medical health professional should immediately be consulted.

Early detection of prostate cancer will decrease the fatality risks of this disease. If proper diagnosis and treatment is performed, then a prostate cancer patient will have a very high chance of survival and recovery from the disease.

Prostate Cancer Detection and Prevention Methods

1. Digital Rectal Exam or DRE

This procedure to check for prostate cancer is done by physically inserting a gloved finger into the rectum to check for abnormalities.

2. Prostate-specific Antigen or PSA Exam

PSA is a specific substance that can only be found in the men’s bloodstream.

If a man has prostate cancer, the level of PSA on his blood will be higher than usual. Men with BPH will also have a higher PSA level.

This is one of the best ways to detect or diagnose if a person has prostate cancer.

3. Biopsy

Biopsy is a medical process wherein the cancerous cells are removed under the lens of a microscope.

A pathologist performs the procedure and certain tests to determine the presence of cancer cells are made. There are two types of biopsy done on a person with prostate cancer: transperineal and transrectal biopsy.

With transperineal biopsy, the physical tissue is removed using a thin needle, then the tissue is viewed under the lens of a microscope to detect if the person is positive with prostate cancer.

With transrectal biopsy, the tissue is not removed. Instead, a probe is inserted into the anus to determine the location of the cancer cells in the prostate glands.

Once a patient exhibits any of the prostate cancer symptoms, any of the aforementioned methods will be used with diagnosis.

A patient’s chances of recovery will depend on factors like age, state of health and the stage of cancer. Once cancer of the prostate is detected and treated earlier, then there will be a higher rate of survival and recovery.

Cancer Vaccines

lginger — Sun, 12 Mar 2006 18:59:06 +0000

Over 1 million Americans are diagnosed with cancer every year. It is a medical condition occurring when there is rapid and uncontrollable growth of cells in the body. It targets any body part and weakens the immune system.

Cancer has been a killer disease as early as 1900-1600 BC. For many years, medical society has been experimenting new ways and technology hoping to find a cure or preventive measure to stop cancer. In recent years, studies about chemotherapy, radiation and surgery has proven to treat cancer.

However, prevention is still better than cure. That is why cancer vaccines that aim to combat existing cancer and prevent other cancer from developing are being looked into.

At this time, the use of cancer vaccines as an alternative medication is still under the experiment stage and has not yet gained approval from U.S. Food and Drug administration (FDA). It is currently given to cancer patients that have lower percentage of being cured. The effectiveness and possible risks are still being evaluated before it will be offered to the public. Researchers hope that this alternative medication will break grounds in medical procedures in handling cancer.

Latest research shows that cancer vaccine can be as effective, if not better in combating any type of cancer. They are expected to work on strengthening immune system by using cells or substances like cytokines, the protein secreted by the body that regulate immunity. It is also expected to stop the growth of existing tumor and prevent cancer cells from coming back. On the other hand, the most powerful cells found in the body that greatly helps the immune system is called Dendritic cells. Often called as immune cells, they are great help in fighting infectious disease.

Cancer vaccines are being made from patient’s cancer cells. These cells are being exposed to radiation or heat while being grown in the laboratory. This process prevents the cells from growing or multiplying.

At this time, studies about vaccines are focused on preventing specific cancer such as pancreas, ovary, cervix, prostate gland, bladder, breast, rectum, skin, etc. Experiment shows amazing results in strengthening immune system while being tried to animals. But success rate for human experiment has not been as impressive but considered promising. Types of cancer vaccines:

1. Antigen- Specific approach – Aims to regulate the immune system’s response to a specific antigen that may cause tumor. The established downside of this approach is the challenge to identify the antigens causing tumor.

2. Whole Cell approach – The process in making a vaccine where the cells are either coming directly from the patient or are being grown in a laboratory or both.

3. Immune Response activation – Creation of vaccine using cells that are modified genetically in order to produce cytokines to make the immune system stronger.

4. Universal cancer vaccine – Intended to cure or prevent any kind of cancer by effectively identifying all the cancer cells using antigens or tumor cells to stimulate the immune system.

5. Antigen vaccines – Unlike universal cancer vaccine, this is intended for specific type of cancer. This kind of vaccine is being injected to the cancerous body part.

With a lot of people suffering and dying from different kinds of cancer, the demand for alternative way to faster cure or even prevent cancer has been steadily increasing. In 1997, over 6 million people died because of cancer worldwide. Though there are a lot of ways to cure it, the best way to be spared from this devastating disease is early detection.

Alternative Cancer Treatments

lginger — Sat, 11 Mar 2006 18:22:32 +0000

A lot of parts of the body may develop cancer. Fortunately for the patients diagnosed with this dreaded disease, there are a lot of treatment options that are available now.

As long as cancer is diagnosed and treated in its earliest stage, it is highly treatable. There was a time in the history of medicine that the probability of a person surviving cancer was very low.

But now, with all the technological advancements made in the field of medicine, the ‘big C’ has become curable.

The traditional treatment of cancer basically aims to stop cancer from spreading throughout the body by destroying the cancer cells as soon as they are detected.

Secondly, the cancer patient’s damaged tissue and immune system must be rebuilt to exhume any tumor-filled mass.

Finally, the treatment should totally remove the cancer cells which destroyed the patient’s immune system.

This would include eliminating the toxins from the patient’s body which is caused by the treatment and the disease itself.

Aside from the traditional radiation therapy and other usual treatments that a cancer patient may undergo, there are alternative cancer treatments.

Now, a patient can have a choice between the traditional way of healing cancer and an alternative way to treat the disease.

Take a look at some of the alternative treatments for cancer:

- Traditional Chinese medicine When it comes to alternative treatments for cancer, traditional Chinese medicine is one of the most popular options for patients.

Ancient Chinese medicine has treated a lot of patients for centuries now and it claims to be the most effective and safe ways in cancer treatment.

As opposed to radiation or chemotherapy, traditional Chinese medicine involves a cancer therapy which destroys the cancerous cells without harming the good ones.

This alternative cancer treatment method involves treatment using Chinese medicine which claims to have no effect.

It is also supposed to be toxic-free, effective and inexpensive. More importantly, traditional Chinese medicine promotes a better quality of life, controls the disease and prevents the recurrence of cancer.

The good thing about traditional Chinese medicine is that you can use it to coincide with traditional cancer treatments.

In fact, they purport to be even more effective when used alongside chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

-Herbal dietary supplements

There are herbal dietary supplements available in the market now which help destroy cancer cells. Once taken orally, these dietary supplements control and inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

- Alternative vaccine for cancer

Vaccines are injected for preventive medicinal purposes. However, if vaccine is used to ‘treat’ and not prevent cancer, then their main purpose is to be therapeutic.

Cancer vaccines stimulate the immune system of a person diagnosed with cancer. The vaccine targets the cancer cells which do not have an internal immune system because they are not ‘foreign’ to the body.

Unlike the preventive vaccines, cancer vaccines use a different substance or chemical to boost a cancer patient’s immune system.

Depending on the cancer type, different approaches to cancer vaccine are used to treat a patient.

- Other alternative cancer treatments

Just like any other life-threatening disease, medicine has paved the way for alternative treatments for a cancer patient.

Some other alternative cancer treatments are as follows:

1. ozone therapy 2. ionic silver treatment 3. herbal cancer cleansing method 4. essiac tea 5. cesium 6. hydrogen peroxide 7. nutritional and dietary supplements 8. whole foods 9. juicing 10. glutathione and whey protein

Amidst all of the alternative treatments available for cancer, a patient would still need to consult a professional health care provider.

Alternative cancer treatments which aim to heal or treat the disease may be very helpful towards a cancer patient’s recovery, but the decision should still lie with the person diagnosed with cancer.

And remember that the aim of these alternative treatments should be to heal or stop the cancer cells from spreading.

To learn more about natural cancer treatments, click here.

Hope in Cancer Treatments

lginger — Fri, 10 Mar 2006 22:08:09 +0000

A lot of people dread cancer. Who doesn’t? Cancer kills, if not treated properly. That’s why the moment one person is diagnosed with cancer, he must be ready and willing to submit himself to therapies that will kill the cells and eventually, make him better.

Cancer therapy is very much available. This therapy depends on what type a cancer a person has.

This article will enumerate certain cancers and their respective therapies.

1. Colon-Rectum Cancer

Its therapy includes a removal of the affected part of the bowel through surgery. Lymph nodes near the area will likewise be taken away. A colostomy might also be performed - this is a procedure wherein the doctor will create in the abdominal wall through which the feces may pass. It is very inconvenient, isn’t it, but a lot of people warm up to the idea over time.

The patient with this cancer might also want to associate himself with the United Ostomy Association so they will remain updated and more cared for.

Radiotherapy is also used at times. This is before a surgery.

2. Oral Cancer

Oral cancer may be treated through irradiation or surgical removal.

3. Stomach Cancer

Therapy includes removal of the affected area in the stomach.

4. Bladder Cancer

There are different ways to approach bladder cancer. One is through chemotherapy, using drugs like thiotepa. Fulguration, a kind of electric cautery, can also stop the tissue growth. Radiation therapy is also feasible. Surgical excision minus or with radiation, chemotherapy and cautery is also an option.

5. Prostate Cancer

Therapy is through the removal of the prostate through surgery plus estrogen administration or hormone therapy. Radiation may also be used. Orchiectomy, the removal of the testicales, is also performed. There can also be a monthly injection of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists.

6. Cancer of the kidney

What can be employed to destroy cancer cells in the kidney are surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.

7. Cancer of the pancreas

For the cancer cells to die down, there is a need for surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.

8. Cancer of the liver

From surgically removing the affected part in the liver to resorting to nonsurgical therapy through “radiolabeled antibodies”, liver cancer can be fought.

9. Cancer of the brain

Treatment of brain cancer requires radiation, surgery or both. It depends on what tumor there is.

10. Larynx cancer

If the cancer is on its early stage, radiation can be used. But if it has become more serious, surgery - laryngectomy - may have to be employed. Partial laryngectomy can be performed to save the vocal cords.

11. Leukemia

The therapy is usually targeted toward reducing the spleen’s size and the number of white cells in the blood. It also tries to increase the hemoglobin to counterattack anemia. Antibiotics can be used for this. Also administered are x-ray treatments, radioactive phosphorus, anticancer drugs and steroid hormone medications.

For acute leukemia in children, methotrexate and vinca alkaloid drugs like vincristine sulfate are used. For the adults, there is chlorambucil or cyclophosphamide.

Cancer therapy must be administered religiously. It is important that the patient must be participative in such procedures and be strong enough to face a few hassles every now and then. They have to remember that their recovery also depends on them. Strength and patience will go a long, long way.

Cancer Bracelets and Cancer Awareness

lginger — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 21:05:36 +0000

One out ten people suffers from cancer.

Lance Armstrong was the first cancer patient to wear a cancer bracelet. Lance wanted to tell the world about cancer.

He wanted the world to be aware of this dreadful disease. He thought of ways to communicate to the world the importance of this disease in order to help prevent and cure it. When he won the tour-de-France, he wore a very unique bracelet. As people asked what it for, he said it was to let people know he had cancer.

Lance was able to deliver his message to people through the cancer bracelet he introduced to the world. He wanted to deliver a message through the form of a symbol.

Cancer bracelets are used to get the attention of people and help in raising the finances necessary to research cancer. They enable people to actively participate in supporting many institutions that study and help cancer patients.

Many cancer bracelets sold in the market today are even made by the cancer patients within these institutes themselves. Buying one is one way of helping them get the funds needed for research and treatment.

Cancer bracelets are commonly made of swarovsky crystals, pearls, gold, silver and even rubber. The rubber bracelets may come in various colors and each color signifies a meaning. The pink bracelets are for breast cancer patients. Those that come in green color signify hope to cancer patients.

There are many cancer bracelets sold today. The Internet has millions of cancer bracelet designs to offer. Some even have a list of which institution supplied and made the bracelets.

Cancer bracelets are a great way to promote awareness among people regarding the dangers, causes, treatments and prevention of cancer. Aside from helping cancer patients, they also help raise cancer awareness.

Symptoms Which May be a Sign of Cancer

lginger — Wed, 08 Mar 2006 19:20:51 +0000

Take a look at the following general symptoms of cancer:

1. Loss of appetite.

This is one of the earliest and most common cancer symptoms. Later on, it may lead to weight loss. This is also a normal body response when a cancer patient undergoes many treatments.

2. Loss of memory.

During treatments, a cancer patient may suffer memory loss. This may be after-effects of the treatment or it can also be caused by the disease itself.

The length of time that the memory is lost may vary with every patient and it also depends on the treatment method used on the cancer patient.

3. Abnormal bowel movement.

This may include constipation or diarrhea. Any change in the bowel movement that is causing discomfort may be a symptom of rectal cancer.

4. Blood in the stool.

Although there are several reasons why there would be a spot of blood incorporated in the stool, it is better to consult a doctor as soon as this occurs. Hemorrhoids may also cause this, but it can be a cancer symptom.

5. Wheezing and persistent cough.

If this is combined with other symptoms like blood in the saliva, an ache in the chest that does not go away and lung congestion, these can indicate lung, head or neck cancer.

6. Anemia.

Anemia may be a symptom of cancer of the blood or leukemia. Anemia occurs when there is a lack of red blood cells in the bloodstream.

A few of the effects of anemia are lack of breath and being overly lethargic. Just like some of the other cancer symptoms, anemia may be a direct effect of treatment on cancer patients.

In addition, a person can feel pain in the joints of the bones, paleness, bruising and bleeding.

7. Discharge from the breasts.

Breast cancer may include the following symptoms: a lump on the breast, unusual nipple discharge and a change in skin color.

Some discharge from the breast is quite normal but when you see that it is stained with blood or it is clear and sticky, then consult your doctor because these may be symptoms of breast cancer.

As soon as any of the above symptoms are exhibited by an individual, consult a medical professional.

Cancer Symptoms: What You Need to Know

lginger — Tue, 07 Mar 2006 21:18:56 +0000

Next to heart disease, cancer is considered the number two “killer disease”. It is one of the most dreaded and common diseases in this day and age.

Several parts of the body can develop cancer but fortunately, with recent technological advancements, it is treatable if caught early on.

Cancer occurs when a cluster of cells divide uncontrollably and invade othertissues. These malignant cells may lead to cancer.

Cancer may be inherited or it may develop due to environmental conditions.

Because of the developments in medical technology, once detected early, most cancer types can be cured.

The most important thing to understand with regards to cancer is that it should be treated as early as possible. Therefore, you need to know which symptoms to look for.

Knowing about the symptoms of cancer will help you detect it earlier and avoid more serious complications that may even lead to death.

Discover the truth about cancer and how to eliminate it.

Additional Cancer Treatments

lginger — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 20:45:56 +0000

Chemotherapy and radiation are only two types of cancer treatments. There are several more types of ways to treat cancer (and hopefully many more will be available in the future). Additional cancer treatments include the following:

Photodynamic therapy

Biological therapy

Supportive therapy

Complementary therapy

Hormonal treatment

Surgery

Cancer treatments vary. It is up to the doctor to decide what to use to treat the specific type of cancer a patient is diagnosed with.

To learn more about Natural Cancer Treatments click here.

Radiotherapy

lginger — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 17:54:49 +0000

Another form of treatment is radiotherapy.

Radiotherapy uses x-rays and other rays of the same kind (like electrons) to treat cancer.

There are two kinds of radiotherapy; external radiotherapy and internal radiotherapy.

How does radiotherapy work?

Radiotherapy destroys cancer cells in a certain area. Normal cells are sometimes affected, even damaged, but they have the ability to repair themselves.

If radiotherapy’s purpose is to cure the cancer by annihilating the tumor, it is called radical radiotherapy. But if it is given before or after chemotherapy or surgery, it is called chemoradiotherapy.

Side effects of radiotherapy include; fatigue, blood changes and skin blemishes.

Cancer Treatments

lginger — Sat, 04 Mar 2006 00:29:34 +0000

One of the procedures in treating cancer is called chemotherapy. Chemotherapy uses cytotoxic (or anti-cancer) drugs to kill cancer cells. With different 50 types of chemotherapeutic drugs available, this type of cancer treatment relies on a few factors. These factors include; cancer type, what part of the body the cancer originated, how the cancer cells appear under the microscope, and how they spread to other body parts.

How does chemotherapy work?

A patient should remember that chemotherapeutic drugs halt the division and multiplication of cancer cells. As these drugs are being carried in the bloodstream, they target the cancer cells as well as healthy cells. Healthy cells can also help undo the damage caused by cancer cells. But unfortunately, chemotherapeutic drugs can also cause side effects to the healthy cells. Certain healthy cells in the mouth’s lining, bone marrow, hair follicles and digestive system are particularly sensitive to chemotherapeutic drugs.

It is not that easy to administer chemotherapeutic drugs. Planning is critical as it is administered in sessions. For optimal results, there must be a rest period in between sessions. The session and rest period is called a cycle whereas the series of cycles are referred to a course of treatment.

Chemotherapy is used to destroy the cancer cells and eventually cure the disease. It is hoped that a course of chemotherapy will keep the cancer from coming back, obliterate the symptoms and prolong the life of the patient.

Chemotherapy can be employed before or after a surgical operation or during radiotherapy (chemoirradation or chemoradiotherapy). High-dose chemotherapy calls for stem cell support or even a bone marrow transplant.

A few chemotherapeutic drugs include the following: altretamine,bleomycin, capecitabine, cytarabine, fludarabine, melphalan and mercaptopurine.