Extreme Millions UK

2 years later. Back to Blog

2011-10-15T02:33:00.000-07:00

Ok guys, this has been a long time coming. I've always want to bring this blog back again. So if your one of the first back tweet me up ;)

Memory wall

2009-05-21T07:12:00.001-07:00

a tribute to all those who have been lost.

There Are Limits To The Prostate Cancer (PSA) Test

2009-05-21T07:07:00.001-07:00

This article is written to provide information about the Prostate Cancer PSA test, both positive and negative.

The Federal Drug Administration approved the PSA test to be used with a rectal exam to detect prostate cancer. The PSA is just one tool a doctor has available to detect prostate cancer if a man is not showing any other symptoms of prostate problems. The PSA can detect small tumors but it does not actually reduce the chances of a man dying of prostate cancer. The test may detect slow-growing tumors but if the cancer is aggressive and has already spread to other parts of body, the PSA test may not help.

The Prostate Cancer PSA test may also give a false positive result because the levels may be high but there is no cancer present. If a patient gets a result that shows a positive high-level it may mean he will be sent for more medical procedures. These procedures have some risks and some of these tests are expensive. The financial costs of these tests can cause extra anxiety for the patient and the patients family. Most men who have high levels of PSA are found not to have cancer. Only 25-30 percent of those patients who have high levels of PSA are later found to have cancer after having a biopsy.

There is also a possibility that a patient may receive a false negative test results. This means the Prostate Cancer PSA test will come back as negative or normal when the patient has cancer. Most prostate cancer cases are slow growing and a patient may even have cancer for many years before it is detected. The cancer will gradually grow and when they are large enough will result in symptoms.

There is a controversy about the use of the PSA test. It has not been shown that it actually saves lives and there is still a debate about having follow-up tests and cancer treatments. The Prostate Cancer PSA test can detect small cancer cells that may never grow large enough to cause a problem. If tests and surgeries follow, they may cause added medical problems that could have been avoided. This may put men at risk for over treatment. Surgery and radiation could be avoided if the cancer is not growing or likely to grow.

A prostate biopsy is a normal follow up procedure and there are risks involved with this procedure. Bleeding and infection can occur and prostate cancer treatments may cause erectile dysfunction and urine incontinence. All of these risks should be considered when deciding to have additional screening or treatment after a high PSA test result.

Research is still being done to decide if yearly PSA tests will result in a decreased risk of dying of prostate cancer. The National Cancer Institute is conducting screenings right now to see if some screening tests do reduce the number of deaths caused by prostate, lung, colorectal, and ovarian cancer. It will be several years before the results of this study are complete. Scientists and researchers are searching for ways to see the difference in benign or malignant and fast or slow growing cancers.

Genetic DNA Testing for Breast Cancer

2009-05-21T07:05:00.003-07:00

Genetic test which is also known as DNA-based test is the most powerful technique used to test for breast cancer detection. It involves the direct examination of DNA molecule itself.
By using a molecular diagnostic test to assess whether a breast tumor will respond to chemotherapy, doctor's need to more precisely identify which patients can be adequately treated with hormonal therapy alone and which patients will truly benefit if chemotherapy is added to the treatment. With better individualized treatment, we can spare women the side effects of chemotherapy where it is unnecessary.

Breast cancer, like other cancers, develops when changes occur in genes in breast cells. In that sense, all breast cancer has a genetic element. But, "genetic" does not mean inherited. Only an estimated 5% to 10% of breast cancer cases result from an inherited genetic predisposition to the disease. In other words, more than 90% of all breast cancer cases result from factors that are not inherited and, in many cases, are unknown.

So far, researchers have found two genes linked with breast cancer-labeled BRCA1 and BRCA2-that everyone inherits in pairs: one from our mother and one from our father. When they function normally, they are supposed to stop the growth of cancerous cells in the breast. When both genes in a pair are damaged, they don't work properly and cancer may develop. People who inherit a damaged BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene from one parent are at greater risk of developing breast cancer than people who inherit two normal genes.

Studies can estimate risk among large numbers of people who have an inherited mutation, but not the risk for an individual woman. Women with any BRCA mutation have about a 33% to 50% risk of developing cancer by age 50, and a 56% to 87% risk by age 70. Most of the research focuses on women with a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer (several female relatives on one side who have breast and/or ovarian cancer before age 40, cancer in both breasts, and/or cases of male breast cancer).

By being able to identify these genes through particular markers associated with the gene, doctors will know which individuals are more susceptible to cancer and therefore can follow the proper procedure. The earlier the doctor can diagnose the cancer, the more effective the treatment will be.
Scientists warn however that, although they have discovered one of the genes associated with breast cancer, there is still no cure available. They have successfully identified the gene, but presently there is no way to "repair" the gene.
The recent isolation of the gene BRCA-1 has prompted investigators to identify other genes that may contribute to breast cancer, ovarian cancer and the breast-ovarian cancer syndrome.

Prostate Cancer Risk Factors

2009-05-21T07:05:00.001-07:00

The exact cause of this disease has not yet been discovered. No one can explain why one man develops prostate problems along with cancer and the other man does not. Cancer cannot be caught from another person. It is not contagious. However, there are some risk factors that make it more likely for some men to develop this disease.

Age is the number one cause of prostate cancer. It is rare to find a man under the age of 40 to have the disease. The chances of that happening are 1 in 10,000! As a man grows older, his risk factors rise dramatically. Most men who develop the disease are over the age of 65.

Family history is another risk factor for prostate cancer. If a man has a father or brother who has had the disease, he is more likely to develop it. Race is another deciding factor. This dosease is found in more African-American men than white or Hispanic men. Asian and American Indian men have a smaller risk of developing this disease.

A little known risk of developing prostate cancer is men with prostate cells called (PIN) prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia. These cells look abnormal under a microscope and men with these cells are considered high risk.

Diet is another factor is deciding who develops prostate cancer. Scientists have proved that those men who have diets rich in fats and red meats are more at risk of developing cancer. Men who have a diet rich in fruits and vegetables have been shown to have a lower risk of developing this disease.

This is just a few of the prostate cancer risk factors but the good news is you can control some of them. Obviously you cannot control your race, or your family history and you cannot stop the aging process. You can help yourself by changing your dietary habits and taking better care of your body.

Scientists who have studied prostate cancer are looking at possible links between the disease and smoking, lack of exercise, obesity and a virus passed through sexual intercourse. All of these are being studied and with no final conclusion, at this time. Scientists are also studying a link between vasectomies and prostate cancer. At this time, this link has not been proven.

Most men who have risk factors like the ones listed above do not mean you will get prostate cancer. Men who do get this disease often do not have any risk factors except their age. One in three men are likely to develop prostate problems or cancer whether they have more than one risk factor or not.

If you think you may have a high risk for developing prostate cancer or have symptoms of the disease, you should talk with your doctor. Your doctor may suggest you see an urologist who specializes in urinary problems and problems with the male reproductive organs. They should be up-to-date with all the newest information, research, and treatment plans for thils disease.

Prostate Cancer Treatment Options: Selecting What Is Best

2009-05-21T07:04:00.006-07:00

Being diagnosed with prostate cancer nowadays is by no means a death sentence however it is imperative that you get treatment without delay. There are a number of prostate cancer treatment options available and the best one for you will depend on your individual case. You need to speak with your oncologist and decide what you want to achieve from your prostate cancer treatment so that the right course of treatment can be selected for you.

This can initially be quite difficult to do, especially when you are first diagnosed and in a state of shock however your oncologist will be able to answer any questions you may have and will be able to give you very beneficial advice. You might want to consider taking a family member with you to your consultation so that they can ask any questions that you might forget because of the stress associated with the situation.

Ask your oncologist if he/she has any leaflets about the various prostate cancer treatments because as you go back over your conversation at a later date you will undoubtedly forget important aspects that require consideration. Also ask your oncologist to explain the different prostate cancer treatment options to you in easy terms. Medical jargon can be overwhelming and confusing to a stressed mind so try to make things as easy as possible.

Simply put there are three major forms of prostate cancer treatment; surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Hormone therapy is also often used as a complimentary therapy and any combination of the three main treatments can be used together or in conjunction with hormone therapy. The type of prostate cancer treatment that you receive will depend to a large extent on the cancer itself and how far it has progressed.

When the initial cancer spreads to the surrounding tissues and then to other sites in the body, the type of prostate cancer treatment used will become more palliative than curative i.e. the treatment will slow down the growth of the cancer and help control the side effects rather than actually curing the disease.

In addition factors such as your age, general health and what you want to achieve from the treatment will also be taken into consideration. The elderly may suffer from surgery much more than they would suffer with prostate cancer and so they may choose to do nothing except slow down the growth and spread of the disease. Younger men however may want to get rid of the cancer entirely and so opt for surgery and then probably radiation therapy to kill any remaining cancerous cells.

There are a lot of things to consider when you choose your form of prostate cancer treatment and the decision should not be rushed. Prostate cancer is one of the slow growing cancers and so a few weeks of deliberation will, in most cases, have no major effect on the size of your cancer or the symptoms experienced. Take your time and weigh up all the options before deciding to do anything; after all, you cannot turn the clock back and decide again.

Prostate Cancer Symptoms And Treatments

2009-05-21T07:04:00.005-07:00

Prostate cancer is one of the most common type of cancer affecting 1 in every 6 males. In it's early stages, prostate cancer has few symptoms and many of the symptoms associated with this disease are also symptoms found in other less serious illnesses. Prevalent symptoms of prostate problems which may or may not signal cancer include: frequent urination, bloody urine, burning urination, lower back pain or pain in the pelvis or upper thighs, blood in semen, pain during ejaculation, stopping and starting urination along with not being able to urinate.

The treatment course for prostate cancer differs depending on the location and size of the tumor as well as the patients health. In some cases, if the cancer is a slow growing one and you are advanced in age, the treatment may simply be that of watchful waiting. If the cancer is not causing any symptoms, then your physician may opt to simply keep and eye on it's growth. This will entail a PSA blood test every few months as well as biopsies every year to see if and how fast it is growing. If it starts to grow faster, additional treatment may be recommended.

Some treatments for prostate cancer include:

A surgical procedure called a radical prostatectomy may be done to remove the cancer provided it has not spread outside of the prostate. The whole gland and surrounding tissue is removed in the hopes of removing all the cancer.

Radiotherapy employs x-rays to treat cancer and is relatively pain free. During this course of treatment, radiation is pointed towards your prostate in the hopes of shrinking or even eliminating the cancer. This technique can have adverse effects such as impotance and diarrhea.

Brachytherapy, is a method of radiotherapy on which something is implanted in the patient to treat the cancer. This method of treatment involves less visits to the hospital as opposed to radiation therapy (which is typically done every day) although it does require a little external radiotherapy also.

Hormone therapy is used to lower the level of androgens which cause prostate cancer to grow. This treatment is mostly used in men whose cancer has spread or returned after earlier treatments. While it will not cure the cancer, it can shrink it or slow it's growth and may be used in conjunction with other treatments.

Chemotherapy is typically not effective against prostate cancer although newer drugs developed in recent years have shown the ability to relieve symptoms in men with advanced prostate cancer. Chemotherapy may be employed if the cancer has spread outside the prostate in order to shrink the cancer or slow it's growth.

While many prostate symptoms indicate a problem other than cancer, it is vital that you see your doctor if you experience any of the symptoms listed above. Prompt treatment is your best chance for a cure.

Skin Cancer Can Be Avoided

2009-05-21T07:04:00.003-07:00

Skin cancer is diagnosed more often than all other cancers combined. In 2006, more than 62,000 people in the United States discovered they had this cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. More than 9,000 people died from it.

Ultraviolet or UV rays are to skin cancer what smoking is to lung cancer-a highly avoidable cancer-causing agent. Excessive sun exposure is the cause for most of this. Other risk factors include exposure to coal, arsenic or radium, multiple moles, having a fair complexion and experiencing severe sunburns as a child.

There are two types. Non-melanomas are the most common type and the most treatable. This type rarely spreads to other parts of the body. Non-melanoma is found often on the head and neck. Exposure to UV rays is often the cause of non-melanoma cancer.

The second type is melanoma. This begins in the melanocytes, or the cells that produce color or pigment. Melanoma skin cancer can be found anywhere. According to the American Cancer Society, men most likely find this on their trunk while women usually discover it on their legs. Melanoma is the most fatal of the two types. It can spread to other parts of the body.

Skin cancer can be cured if it is caught early. It is recommended that you check yourself once a month. Look at yourself in a bright room in front of a mirror. Examine your skin closely and note the look of moles, freckles and blemishes.

What kind of changes should you look for to determine if you are at risk for skin cancer. Here are a few signs:

* If a mole has changed color
* Dark coloring that has exceeded the mole or mark
* Oozing of bleeding
* Itchiness, tenderness or pain

Several treatments are available. You physician may chose to cut the melanoma completely out. You will have stitches and a scar after the excision. If you doctor has confirmed melanoma, he will want you to come back so he can cut skin around it. This will let you and your physician know if the skin cancer has spread.

The best way to deter this is to monitor your time in the sun. Here are several recommendations to keep you skin cancer-free:

* Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun is at its brightest.
* If you have to be outdoors, look for the shade.
* Cover up as much of your skin as possible.
* Use a sunscreen with a minimum sun protection factor of SPF 14.

Following these recommendations and keeping a eye on suspicious moles and marks can greatly reduce your chances of getting skin cancer.

Recognizing And Battling Breast Cancer

2009-05-21T07:04:00.001-07:00

Breast cancer occurs due to the irrepressible growth of cells in the breast that invades the nearby tissues and spreads throughout the body. These collections of irrepressible growth of tissue are called tumors or malignant tumors. However, not all tumors are cancerous.

Breast cancer has been diagnosed in large numbers in North America and Europe. In 2001, about 200,000 cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in the United States alone. Every woman has a 1 in 8 risk of developing breast cancer, but the risk of dying from breast cancer is much lower, barely 1 in 28.

The risk of getting breast cancer is generally higher among older women, women with a family history or previous history of breast cancer, women who had radiation therapy in the chest region, women who started their periods before 12 years old, women who had menopause after 50 years old, women who never had children or had them age 30 or older, or women with genetic mutation. In recent times genetic mutations for breast cancer have become a hot topic of research.

The breast cancer tumor has the following symptoms: lump or thickening that appears on the breast or underarm, changes in the breast's shape, nipple turned inwards followed by colorless discharge, red or scaled skin or nipple, or ridges on the breast skin.

If a woman experiences any of these symptoms, it does not necessarily mean she has breast cancer. In such a case she should undergo a breast cancer personal check-up. It is estimated that 95% of breast cancer is detected through personal check-up. The breast cancer personal check-up includes checking for lumps in the breasts after each menstrual period, puckering the skin, and checking for nipple retraction or discharge. For consistent result, every woman should do a breast cancer personal check-up at the same time every month. Various other techniques such as mammography, thermography, ultrasonography, computerized tomography scan etc, can also help detect breast cancer.

Breast cancer treatments include surgery that removes cancerous tissues, with breast conservation therapy (BCT) being one such surgery. Other breast cancer treatments include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormonal therapy and biologic therapy. Radiotherapy is a common breast cancer treatment, and radiation treatment and chemotherapy may follow surgery to ensure the destruction of the stray cancer cells.

Even after undergoing many or all of these breast cancer treatment measures, unfortunately almost half the women suffer from a recurrence of the disease.

Symptoms of Breast Cancer

2009-05-21T07:03:00.001-07:00

Here is some valuable information on Breast Cancer

A change in the shape or size of a breast
A lump or thickening in the breast
Dimpling in the skin
A change in the shape of the nipples, particularly when it turns in.
A discharge of blood from the nipples
A rash round the nipple
A swelling or lump in the arm pit

Like a breast lump, blood discharge and rash on the nipples, swelling or lump in the arm pit may not necessarily be cancer but if this is new to you you need to visit a doctor as soon as possible. It might be nothing at all or the worst case scenario it is cancer but remember your giving the doctor a fair chance of treating you.

There is a inflammatory breast cancer which can have some different symptoms. The whole breast can look red and inflamed and can be very sore, The skin sometimes looks like a orange peel.

Another rare type of cancer is when a rash shows up around the nipple it is called Paget's disease. Its a red scaly rash and can be itchy, it is sometimes mistaken for eczema.

If you see any spots a lump See your doctor straight away. If you notice anything unusual about your breast have it examined. Even though most breast lumps are beginning, they need to be checked to rule out cancer.

Your doctor will examine you and if necessary, send you to a specialist breast clinic for further checks. At the clinic, they will be able to see on your mammogram or ultrasound if the lump is a fluid-filled cyst or a solid lump.

If it is a cyst, they may get rid of it by draining it through a fine needle. If it is a solid lump, they will stick a very fine needle into it and take a tissue sample to test for cancer cells.

Some women prefer to have benign lumps removed to relieve their worry. They may be concerned that they will confuse them with any other lumps they may develop in the future. But if you and your doctor are confident that the lump is benign, you do not even have to have it removed if you do not want to. Benign lumps don't turn into cancer.

If your lump is a cancer, the earlier the treatment for breast cancer, the better your chance of cure.

What are the three main symptoms to lung cancer?

2009-05-21T06:39:00.001-07:00

The main three symptoms to lung cancer that should not be ignored are shortness of breath, pain when breathing or coughing, and existence of a persistent cough, especially if it is accompanied by expectoration of sputum streaked with blood. Additionally, loss of appetite, fatigue, unusual losses of weight are three symptoms, which are indicative of lung cancer.

Because of the non-specific nature of symptoms of Mesothelioma, Mesothelioma tests are imperative to rule out incidence of the disease when lung cancer symptoms show up. Early detection of Mesothelioma cancer substantiated by clear information of patient's exposure to asbestos can help define the course of treatment.

Early Detection Of Mesothelioma Cancer In Long Term Health Prognosis

The length of time between asbestos exposure and onset of lung cancer symptoms can be between 15-50 years. Therefore a complete medical history and information of possible asbestos exposure are critical in identifying patients who are prone for developing Mesothelioma lung cancer.

During physical tests for Mesothelioma lung cancer, the doctor may check breath sounds to see whether there is any indication of fluid in the chest cavity. A variety of diagnostic procedures also help to determine whether a patient has Mesothelioma lung cancer.

Results from imaging scans, tissue biopsies, pulmonary function tests, and other diagnostic techniques, combined with the findings from a careful medical history help to define the course of treatment in Mesothelioma lung cancer.

There are less common but more uncomfortable symptoms of lung cancer, which are usually associated with advanced stages of the disease. Such lung cancer or Mesothelioma patients may exhibit symptoms like a hoarse voice, difficulty swallowing, swelling of the face or in the neck, pain or discomfort under the ribs, and shortness of breath caused by fluid around the lungs.

If you suspect that you or any of your family members have lung cancer symptoms- DO NOT DELAY - consult your physician right away.

Treatment for Lymphoma Cancer

2009-05-21T06:38:00.002-07:00

Lymphoma is a deadly form of cancer that causes a disease in your body's cells. Once the cancer grows, it makes your cells abnormal and may become a tumor. Lymphoma is named after the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is your body's main defense against disease because it contains glands and vessels.

Hodgkin's disease is a part of lymphoma cancer and is very well known. The risks for getting this disease are due to lifestyle, genetic or environmental factors. Males that contract Hodgkin's are usually in the age group of 15-40 or after the age of 55. Brothers and sisters of people with Hodgkin's have an above average chance of getting the disease as well.

There is no way to prevent lymphoma from occurring unfortunately. But, there are many ways and treatments to help you cope with it. Your treatment depends on where the lymphoma is in your body, how progressed it is, your health status and age. Your doctor will be able to determine all these factors and devise a plan to keep your health at a maximum and your cancer at bay.

Like other cancers, Hodgkin's is treated with chemotherapy and radiation. The main purpose of these treatments is to kill the cancer completely. Sometimes, more than one type of drug is used to try and eradicate all of the cancer. This can be a very trying and painful process for the patient but it is necessary for their recovery.

Surgery is used only in Hodgkin's to determine how advanced the cancer is. Hodgkin's lymphoma doesn't require a surgery as treatment like other cancers do. The one good news you'll receive about Hodgkin's is that 90% of people diagnosed with it are cured. It is known as the most curable cancer but a few thousand people will still die per year from it. Early detection is key, so see your doctor regularly.

Risk of Getting Prostate Cancer

2009-05-21T06:38:00.001-07:00

Men have the highest risk of getting prostate cancer but it is not known exactly why. There are quite a few risk factors that contribute to the possibility of acquiring this disease and only a few of them can be changed through good lifestyle choices. Cancer is a deadly disease that affects millions of people each year. So, anything you can do to ensure that you don't get prostate cancer- or any other cancer is helpful.

You cannot help the fact that as you get older, your odds for getting prostate cancer increase. But, you can continue to take great care of yourself so you remain as healthy as possible. Don't stop excising because it could help lessen your odds of getting this disease. Maintaining a healthy weight and exercise routine will make you feel and look great at the very least. So, don't put off this crucial step in keeping your body in tip top shape.

African-American men are much more likely to get prostate cancer than Caucasians. So, if you're African-American, it would be to your advantage to visit your doctor regularly for checkups.

Your diet is something you have complete control over and will aid you in staying healthy and prostate cancer free! You have a much greater chance of getting this cancer if you are always eating red meat and dairy foods that are very high in fat. Try your hardest to cut back on these items and eat as many fruits and vegetables as possible. If you love eating meat, opt for chicken instead of steak. Also, try to start eating fish more and you might even want to look into veggie burgers or veggie protein meats. Keeping your body and mind healthy should be your main priority. If you do this, many benefits will come along with it.

So, start eating right, exercise and hopefully, your chances for getting prostate cancer or any other disease will lower dramatically.

Cancer Awareness Stuffed Animals

2009-05-21T06:37:00.002-07:00

It seems that lately, we all know someone who has suffered from some form of cancer. From breast to colon to lung to stomach, it seems that every day there is someone else we know who has been diagnosed with the disease. While on the outside, our friends, family, and co workers all seem strong, on the inside, they are terrified, not knowing what the future will hold for them. Now, several different companies have come up with items to help them make it through. Cancer awareness stuffed animals have burst onto the scene with huge success, giving those who are diagnosed with the disease something to hug and talk to, when they just don't feel like talking to anyone else. These animals, coupled with cancer awareness wristbands can help even the toughest cancer patient make it through.

Cancer awareness stuffed animals come in about every color that you can think of. From the normal black, brown, and white, to pinks, purples, greens, and blues, you can always find one with a unique message to help uplift someone's spirits. Some of these bears, puppies, kitties, and other animals even have their own clothing lines that all sport wonderful pictures or sayings to help your friend or loved one make it through even the toughest of times. Cancer awareness stuffed animals can be a major helping hand to those in treatment.

Cancer awareness wristbands have been around for a while, and are still a favorite of cancer patients, survivors, and supporters. These wristbands come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Some cancer awareness wristbands come in cotton, polyester, and rubber, and will fit anyone's wrists. These wristbands are used for workout bands, jewelry, and just plain old fun to wear and support cancer research. You can also find these wristbands in a variety of colors, from pinks and purples to red, white, and blue, you are sure to find one to fit anyone's style and needs.

The great thing about these cancer awareness stuffed animals and wristbands is that most of the proceeds go toward cancer research and other cancer programs to help cancer patients. So, not only are you getting a great gift for yourself or someone you care about, you are also helping the cause so one day there will be a cure. You can order these gifts online or you can find them at most stores throughout the country and across the world.

The PSA Test - How Does It Work

2009-05-21T06:37:00.001-07:00

The purpose of this article is to remove some of the mystery surrounding the PSA test and its use in signaling the potential presence of prostate cancer.

The cells of the prostate gland produce prostate-specific antigen. A rectal exam and a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test will help detect prostate cancer in men age 50 or over. The Federal Drug Administration approved the use of the PSA test to detect prostate cancer and to see if the cancer has recurred. A high PSA level is a sign that cancer is present. There are other reasons for a high PSA level and PSA screening has some limits.

The PSA test measures the level of protein produced by the prostate gland. The doctor will take a blood sample and send it to a laboratory. This test is sometimes called a biological marker for cancer tumors. Men normally have low levels of PSA in their blood. If the rate is high, it could point to prostate cancer but it can mean there are other non-cancer conditions present in the prostate. As men get older, prostate cancer and other prostate problems become more of a problem. Enlarged prostate and prostatitis may raise the PSA levels in the blood. Neither of these problems causes cancer but it is possible for a man with one of these problems to develop prostate cancer.
The PSA level will not tell the doctor if the patient has a benign prostate problem or cancer. The doctor will use the PSA test to decide if there should be a check for other signs of prostate cancer.

The Federal Drug Administration approved the PSA test to be used with a rectal exam to check for any abnormalities in the prostate. The doctor will insert a gloved finger into the rectum to check for lumps or areas that seem abnormal. The PSA test is used with this rectal exam to detect cancer in men, especially those who have no symptoms. The FDA also approved the test for patients who have had prostate cancer to see if the cancer has come back.

The PSA test is highly recommended for men over the age of 50. If the patient has a high risk factor for prostate cancer, the doctor may recommend PSA testing to start at age 45. There are some risk factors a man should look at if a doctor recommends routine screening. Age is the most common risk factor, but if there is a family history of prostate cancer you have a greater chance of having it too. African-American has the largest risk of contacting prostate cancer. Native American and Asian men have the lowest rates of this disease. Some think this might be because a diet that is high in animal fat may increase the chance of getting prostate cancer.

If a man shows a high PSA level in his blood the doctor may look for other causes before doing more screening for prostate cancer. If the patients have no other symptoms, you may be advised to watch for any changes in urination habits and take another PSA test in a few months.

Cancer Information: Preparing for the Worst

2009-05-21T06:36:00.003-07:00

According to the 2007 report of the World Health Organization, the next thirty years will witness a significant global rise, in the number of deaths due to non-communicable diseases, especially cancer. This prediction is mainly due to the ageing of the population of the world.

However, even without that bit of news, we are aware of cancer being a major killer. But we do know that a cancer, when detected in its earliest stages, is generally curable. Hence, it is advisable to make sure that we are privy to various kinds of cancer information.

To begin with, it helps if you know about the different common types of cancer. Among the most common are bladder cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, skin cancer, and prostate cancer.

Leukemia is another common type, where the cancer forms in the tissues where blood is formed, such as in the bone marrow. This then leads to the production of a large number of blood cells, and these large numbers of blood cells then enter the blood stream.

If you have a suspicious looking mole, you really should have it checked, as you do not want to risk it's being cancerous. It may be nothing, but you really should not sit on it worrying that it might be melanoma. The word "melanoma" comes from "melanocytes". Melanocytes are the cells in which melanin pigment is formed. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that begins in these cells.

NHL (Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma) is yet another common form of cancer. This refers to a the growth of a large group of cancers that affect the immunity system. The symptoms of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are those of fever and weight loss, a sure sign that the immunity system has been affected. This is a cancer that can affect any age group, and its treatment is completely dependent on the stage of detection of the cancer.

Of course, these are only a few of the many kinds of cancers that afflict people all over the world. There are cancers that can be easily treated, and those that cannot. On the Internet, there are various sites that are devoted to providing cancer information. So you have the official sites, websites created by cancer specialists, and sites created and maintained by people who have either battled cancer or know people who have.

So, at least if you are looking for basic information, there are a large number of authoritative websites that provide cancer information. Prepare yourself with all the cancer information that you can, so that you will be better placed to deal with the countless problems that a cancer brings in its wake.

Cancer Information: Preparing for the Worst

2009-05-21T06:36:00.001-07:00

Prevention of Cancer

2009-05-21T06:35:00.002-07:00

If you or someone you know is diagnosed as having cancer it can be traumatic. You want to know how and why this could have happened and if there is
anything you can do to cure the cancer. There is no easy answer to those questions as there are numerous types of cancer and various contributing factors.

At present there are over 200 recognised forms of cancer that affect different regions of the body. It does not necessarily follow that one type of cancer that affects an area of the body will spread to another. The other important point to note is that cancer is caused by a variety of factors and does not usually have any one cause but is often brought about by a combination of them.

There are a number of more common factors that lead to a higher risk of developing cancer and these are age, genetic make up, levels of immunity, diet,
environment and viruses.

Cancer is caused by cells changing over time and therefore the older we are the more susceptible we are to developing the disease.

Our genetic make up can make us predisposed to getting cancer if we were born with cells that are already altered from a normal state which makes them more likely to become cancerous.

Of course our body's immune system helps us to fend off the development of cancerous cells but if its effectiveness has been reduced by certain medical conditions then we are at a higher risk than average of developing cancer.

Our diet has an impact on our likelihood of getting cancer too. It is no coincidence that people who have a higher fat intake are more likely to end up with the disease than those who have a healthy and balanced diet.

We are also exposed to certain risk factors in our daily lives. Being exposed to tobacco smoke for example is believed to significantly increase our chances of having cancer in later life. Radiation exposure is also a hazard that we often ignore.
The increased use of microwave ovens and cell phones are put forward as contributing to the rising number of cancer cases. People living in the vicinity of nuclear power plants have been trying to prove for years that they are at a greater
risk from cancer than those who live elsewhere.

Why the opposite breast should be evaluated with MRI?

2009-05-21T06:35:00.001-07:00

Breast cancer is a worldwide problem with which causes 502,000 deaths per year worldwide. In the United States breast cancer is the most common form of cancer diagnosed in women. Every year more than 40,000 women in the United States die of breast cancer. It is estimated the a woman living in the United States have one in eight chance of developing breast cancer and one in thirty three chance of dying from the disease.

Incidence of breast cancer shows a dramatically increasing trend since 1970s and this increased incidence is thought to be related to the changes in life style. Compared to 1970s more women are now delaying their first pregnancy and have relatively smaller families. These factors have an effect on the level of hormonal exposure during life time and this is considered to be a major factor in the increasing breast cancer incidence in the western world.

With breast cancer being so much of a prevalent disease everything should be done to prevent the occurrence of the breast cancer and to detect the breast cancer early once it develops.

Mammogram is a technique that is very commonly used to screen women for early detection of breast cancer. Mammogram helps to detect breast cancer at a very early stage when it is more likely to be cured by surgery with or without chemotherapy and radiation therapy. MRI is a better technique to detect breast cancer early and it is proven to be more sensitive and effective in detecting breast cancer early. However this technique is not very widely available and is much more expensive compared to mammogram. Because of this reason MRI is not routinely recommended for the purpose of screening for breast cancer. However MRI is widely used in cases where the women in question are high risk for the development of breast cancer or when the mammogram result is inconclusive.

A recent study that was published in the New England Journal of Medicine has shown that women who are diagnosed with breast cancer on one breast have high risk of having breast cancer on the other breast at the time of diagnosis. This study showed that more than 3% of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer had another cancer in the other breast. These were not detected by mammograms and if mammogram alone was used these 3% of women would not have found out that they have cancer in the other breast. Because of this finding it would be best if every woman with diagnosis of a breast cancer try to obtain an MRI of the opposite breast to evaluate for small breast cancer that may be present in the opposite breast. Mammogram is not enough in this setting.

Cancer Awareness Pins

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Everyone has seen them. The small ribbons and pins that people are wearing on their shirts, purses, hats, and jackets. Whether they are pink or red, white, and blue, it is easy to spot cancer awareness pins. And, no matter who is wearing them, they are always happy to share their story or the story of their loved one who has passed away. One of the most prevalent colors is pink, pink ribbons are everywhere now days. But what are all those pink ribbons for?

Since cancer awareness pins came into existence, pink has always stood for breast cancer. The pink ribbons, pins, and other cancer awareness merchandise are all to help people become more aware of breast cancer and its effects on women, girls, and families all over the world. Breast cancer is one of the major cancers effecting women today, every year, over 200,000 American women alone are diagnosed with the disease. Over the course of the average American woman's life, she has a 1 in 8 chance of getting breast cancer, and a 1 in 33 chance of dying from it. But, with all the research that is being done today on breast cancer and other forms of cancer, the number of women who die from breast cancer each year is dropping.

Some of this decline is due in part to the push in cancer awareness through cancer awareness pins and cancer gifts that are becoming more prevalent throughout the United States and the world. With the help of the money received from these gifts, cancer treatment centers and research facilities can keep going and keep researching to find cures and medications that help to fight and kill the disease before it can do major damage to the body.

Cancer awareness pins aren't just made for breast cancer though. They come in all colors for different cancers, like gold for children's cancers. So, no matter the type of cancer you want to push into the spotlight when you go out, you can always find cancer awareness pins and cancer gifts to help you on your mission. There are thousands of shops, both on and off line, where you can order cancer awareness pins or cancer gifts from, all you need to do is search a little to find the gift that is right for you. You can also be sure that out of the money you spend on your cancer gift, part of it will go to cancer research and studies to help find cures for this horrible disease.

Early Detection Of Any Disease Is The Key So What Are The First Symptoms Of Lung Cancer

2009-05-21T06:32:00.002-07:00

Much research work has been dedicated to find out the first symptoms of lung cancer. Cancer is that painful disease that needs no introduction and cancer of the lung is one of its most common forms. It is said that early detection of cancer is the key to its prevention.

Extensive research works conducted at Mesothelioma research clinics have uncovered some symptoms of lung cancer closely linked with the disease.

Lung Cancer Symptoms

People addicted to tobacco and those who are constantly exposed to the ill effects of asbestos are more susceptible to lung cancer. Ignorance about the symptoms of lung cancer may lead to a full-fledged blown up case.

Be on alert if you are having cough most of the time. This is one of the first symptoms. A related symptom may be a change in the nature of coughing. Other symptoms may be- being short of breath and coughing up bloodstained sputum. Mesothelioma research has established that aches while breathing, loss of appetite, fatigue and loss of weight can also be the first symptoms of the cancer of the lung.

These are considered to be the primary symptoms of lung cancer. There are secondary symptoms too.

Sudden development of a hoarse voice is one of the secondary lung cancer symptoms. Difficulty in swallowing is considered as another symptom of cancer of the lung.

Swelling of the face due to blockage of main blood vessel and swelling of neck due to enlarged lymph nodes may be other symptoms as well.

Treat pain in the right rib region and shortness of breath due to accumulation of fluid as warning signals of cancer of the lung. When you notice any of them, visit your physician for a thorough check-up.

Let's combat the deadly lung cancer together.

Cancer Statisic Trend Report

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Diagnosis

The rates of newly diagnosed cancer cases are one way to measure progress against cancer. The lower the rates, the better.

Another important measure is the proportion of cancers diagnosed at a later stage of development. The stage of a cancer shows how far the disease has progressed and spread within the body. The earlier the better the chances for cure. Downward trends in the proportion of late cancer diagnoses are a sign that screening is working for the cancers for which early detection methods are available.

This section of the Cancer Trends Progress Report – 2007 Update provides data on the rates of new cancers, based on the NCI Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End-Results (SEER) Program, by cancer site and by racial and ethnic group. Also included are data on the proportion of cancers diagnosed at a late stage for five of the major cancer sites where cancer screening has been shown to make a difference in outcomes and is recommended, or is being widely used, as in the case of prostate cancer screening. Cancer sites include: female breast, colon, rectum, cervix, and prostate.

Prevention

Cancer can be caused by a variety of different factors and may develop over a number of years. Some risk factors can be controlled. Choosing the right health behaviors and preventing exposure to certain environmental risk factors can help prevent the development of cancer. For this reason, it is important to follow national trends data to monitor the reduction of these risk factors. This section focuses on national trends data from two major groups of risk factors: Behavioral and Environmental.

Behavioral Factors
Scientists estimate that as many as 50–75 percent of cancer deaths in the United States are caused by human behaviors such as smoking, physical inactivity, and poor dietary choices. The first part of the Prevention section describes trends in the following behaviors that can help to prevent cancer.

Tobacco Use
Smoking causes about 30 percent of all U.S. deaths from cancer. Avoiding tobacco use is the single most important step Americans can take to reduce the cancer burden in this country.

Diet
Maintaining a healthy weight and eating a moderate-fat diet and enough fruits and vegetables while limiting consumption of red meat and avoiding too much alcohol is also an important step in reducing cancer risk.

Physical Activity
Obesity and physical inactivity cause about 25–30 percent of several of the major cancers in the U.S., including colon, breast, endometrial, kidney, and esophageal cancers. Obesity is estimated to cause 14 percent of cancer deaths in men and 20 percent of cancer deaths in women.

Sun Protection
The number of new cases of melanoma skin cancer has increased between 1975 and 2004, with an estimated number of 60,000 new cases in 2007.

Environmental Factors
Certain chemicals, biological agents, toxins, etc. are associated with cancer development. In this section, national trends data associated with environmental exposures and their relationship to cancer are reported.

Treatment
Note: Trends in the use of adjuvant therapy for melanoma, ovarian, prostate and head and neck cancer will be available soon.

Cancer treatment is improving—saving lives and extending survival for people with cancers at many sites, including breast and colon, and for people with leukemias, lymphomas, and pediatric cancers.

Clinical trials are the major avenue for discovering, developing, and evaluating new therapies. However, a relatively small percentage of all adult cancer patients (20 years and older) participate in clinical trials; the exact percentage is unknown because NCI-sponsored trials and industry-sponsored trials are tracked separately. It is important to increase physician and patient awareness of, and participation in, clinical trials if we are to test new treatments more rapidly, find more effective treatments, and broaden the options available to patients.

For treatments already in use, trends in patterns of care have been examined for major cancers including breast, colorectal, prostate, and ovarian cancers. Patterns of care at specific points in time, generally in relationship to the release of new guidance on care, have been documented for additional cancers, including bladder, cervical, endometrial, head and neck, non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, and melanoma. These studies have been supported through the NCI Patterns of Care/Quality of Care and Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End-Results (SEER)-Medicare projects.

Research results on breast cancer treatment have shown that the use of breast-conserving surgery increased markedly over the period 1992 - 2002. However, between 1998 and 2002 the proportion of women receiving breast-conserving surgery who also received radiation treatment declined modestly. The use of recommended adjuvant chemo- and hormonal therapy increased substantially between 1987 and 1995. Similarly, the receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy for stage III colon cancer increased markedly following the publication in 1989 of clinical recommendations for this treatment.

The studies also show that older individuals and members of racial-ethnic minority groups are less likely to receive these treatments. More investigation is required to determine if these differences in treatments received constitute disparities in quality of care that need to be addressed through policy or organizational interventions. In addition, some of these differences have decreased over time; for example, the treatment gap between White and Black patients with stage III colon cancer closed between 1995 and 2000.

NCI is working with many Federal and private partners to improve methods and data systems for tracking the quality of cancer care. For prostate cancer, a major study on quality-of-life outcomes among 3,500 men following diagnosis has provided important new information that will help men and their families and physicians to make more informed decisions about treatment. An ongoing NCI study, the Cancer Care Outcomes Research and Surveillance Consortium, will provide more detailed information on how to link quality-of-care measures to outcomes important to colorectal and lung cancer patients. Other, similar initiatives are being supported by major professional organizations, as well as by NCI.

These and other ongoing studies will provide much new information on treatment. Future editions of the Cancer Trends Progress Report will include treatment trends for cancer sites for which there are definitive treatment guidelines based on rigorous evidence of benefit to patients.

All material in this report was provided by National Cancer Institute, that is in the public domain and may be reproduced or copied without permission. Citation as to source, however, is appreciated.