Prostate Cancer Treatment: What You Need To Find Out

Being diagnosed with prostate cancer is a big shock for anyone however you should not immediately write your life off as there are a number of very successful prostate cancer treatments now available.

You will need to meet with your oncologist to fully discuss your options and to decide which type of treatment is best for you. This will depend to some extent on the progression of your cancer as some types of prostate cancer treatments are not suitable for late stage and terminal cases. Your decision will also need to take into account which side effects you can cope with as some men find that impotence and urinary incontinence cause more distress than the actual cancer.

Your individual circumstances will also have an effect on the treatment you receive. Age, overall health, other medical problems and the amount of emotional support you have at home and at work all need to be taken in to consideration. Your oncologist will be able to weigh up the details and decide on the best course of treatment; however, if you find yourself disagreeing with anything they suggest you must say so as only you know how you feel and how you will cope with the recommended prostate cancer treatment.

One of the biggest things to consider when choosing a form of prostate cancer treatment is what you want to achieve. Many men simply want to be rid of the disease and do not have a problem with the possibility of long-lasting side effects such as incontinence however younger individuals often decide that they would rather choose an alternative option with a lower success rate but less severe side effects. This decision is ultimately down to you and your preferences for the future should also be discussed with your oncologist before making any decisions.

Your age will also play a large part in which prostate cancer treatment you choose. Elderly men i.e. 70+ often decide to do nothing with regards to treatment as prostate cancer is in many cases a very slow growing disease and so the symptoms may not be felt during a lifetime. Alternatively you may wish to look into the possibility of hormone therapy which slows down the diseases progression but does not actually do anything to treat it, and there are no embarrassing side effects attached.

If you have not yet reached your 70th birthday or you have and are still young at heart then other prostate cancer treatments need to be considered. Surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are the commonly used treatments and any combination of the three can be incorporated into a regime to suit you.

Ultimately however the decision is down to you. Talk to your family and your oncologist and consider your options carefully. Every case is different and needs to be treated on an individual basis so decide what it is you want to achieve and go from there.

How Women Can Protect Themselves From Getting Breast Cancer

Chances are you know someone - a family member, colleague, or friend who has been affected by cancer. You'll want to learn more about prevention especially if you have a history of cancer in your family. There are over two hundred different types of cancer and the most common one for women is breast cancer. The lifetime probability of a woman developing breast cancer is 1 in 9. The good news is that it is possible for women to protect themselves from breast cancer. When breast cancer is discovered and treated early, the chances for recovery are better.

Every woman should know their own breasts so that any changes are noticed soon and can be reported to a physician. Knowing your breasts includes having a mammogram every two years if you are between the ages of 50 and 69 and getting a clinical breast exam by a doctor or trained health professional at least every two years from the age of 40. Regardless of age, all women should do their own monthly breast self-examination a few days after her period. When doing breast self-examination, things to look for include: puckering of the skin, the appearance of what is sometimes called 'orange peel skin', any place in your breasts that feels lumpy or harder than the rest and bleeding from the nipples or crusting.

It is important to note that most breast problems are not breast cancer and most lumps are not cancerous. When a lump is not cancerous it is referred to as 'benign'. A cancerous lump is called 'malignant'.

While there are no cures yet, researchers have discovered that a healthy lifestyle is the best way to prevent cancer. Since cancer is a disease that starts in our cells, everything we eat and are exposed to can affect them. Choose to be a non-smoker and avoid second-hand smoke. In regards to diet, choose a variety of lower fat, high fiber foods. Studies have shown that intake of total fat, saturated fat and meat are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Maintain a healthy body weight and limit alcohol consumption. Protect yourself from the sun. At home and at work, follow health and safety instructions when using hazardous materials. The link between an active lifestyle and breast cancer prevention is as yet unclear but general health is improved when regular exercise is an integral part of a person's lifestyle.

Taking care of ourselves is an ongoing commitment that requires self-discipline and knowledge. It is well worth the effort and you'll feel much better for it.

Orchietomy For Prostate Cancer Treatment

Orchietomy is a radical prostate cancer treatment in which the testicles are completely removed. This is done because most cases of prostate cancer develop and progress because of the presence of male sex hormones, or more specifically testosterone and this hormone is produced by the testes.

This type of prostate cancer treatment is a form of hormone therapy which works by manipulating the hormone levels in the body so that the cancerous cells stop growing and dividing. While this therapy is known to have a positive effect on the cancer you must realise that the operation is non-reversible and the chances of your sex life being affected are virtually 100%.

Men who have undergone this form of prostate cancer treatment often report that their libido decreases and so does their desire to have sex. Unfortunately even when they do have the desire for sexual intercourse they may find themselves to be impotent and this can lead to psychological problems in the long term. These side affects of orchietomy are very common and you should take them in to account and discuss them with your partner before you decide to undergo this form of prostate cancer treatment.

Other side effects of this radical prostate cancer treatment are associated with the unbalancing of the male and female hormone levels within the body. By removing the testicles the concentration of testosterone in your body will be reduced by around 90% however the concentration of oestrogen, the female hormone will remain the same. This means that on occasion breast tenderness, growth of the breast tissue and osteoporosis can develop. Other side effects include anaemia, weight gain, and depression and fatigue however your oncologist will be able to explain each of the side effects in much more detail.

Before deciding for or against this form of prostate cancer treatment you need to decide what exactly you want to get out of the treatment. If you want to eliminate the cancer from your body then an orchietomy is a possibility however there are other ways to remove the cancer totally and these alternative treatments have fewer and less severe side effects. If however you are 60+ and do not want to have surgery then this procedure is not for you and radiation therapy can be used to simply control the growth of the cancer. Similarly if you are still relatively young and do not want to be plagued with impotence and lack of sex drive then, again, an orchietomy is probably not the prostate cancer treatment for you.

Because impotence is a major side effect of this radical prostate cancer treatment you should think long and hard before agreeing to anything. Talk to your partner and your oncologist and look into the alternative forms of treatment. There may be a better one for you that only has temporary side effects so that after a few weeks or months you can once again enjoy a full sex life.

Dana Reeve, Widow of Christopher Reeve, Has Died of Lung Cancer

Dana Reeve, the widow of Christopher Reeve who came to prominence as Superman, has succumbed to lung cancer. She was 44.

Reeve was born Dana Morosini in New York City to Charles and Helen Morosini. She graduated cum laude from Middlebury College in 1984.

Ms. Reeve is perhaps best known for her work on behalf of those with spinal cord injuries. Following the tragic horse riding accident that left her husband Christopher Reeve paralyzed for over a decade, Dana Reeve acted as Christopher's voice. She succeeded Christopher Reeve as Chairman of the Christopher Reeve Foundation (CRF) in 2004 upon Mr. Reeve's passing following a heart attack.

Though tireless in her work for spinal injury victims, Dana Reeve was also a singer and an actress with stage and television performances to her credit. She was on the board of the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey as well as that of the Williamstown Theatre Festival in Massachusetts at which she met Christopher. Christopher and Dana Reeve were married on April 11, 1992. They had one son together.

Although Dana Reeve was not a smoker, she announced in August 2005 that she was battling lung cancer. Lung cancer among non-smokers is indeed rare; however, MedPage Today (www.medpagetoday.com) reports, "... researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center reported last year that a mutation in the epidermal growth factor (EGF) is more common in non-smokers with lung cancer than in smokers. That mutation, they reported in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, suggests that non-smokers have a distinct form of lung cancer, according to William Pao, M.D. Ph.D., and colleagues."

According to the American Lung Association (www.lungusa.org), "Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer in both men and women. An estimated 173,700 new cases of lung cancer and an estimated 160,440 deaths from lung cancer will occur in the United States during 2004."

There are two major types of lung cancer: non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. Non-small cell lung cancer is much more common. It usually spreads to different parts of the body more slowly than small cell lung cancer.

Friend, comedian Robin Williams, was quoted, "The brightest light has gone out. We will forever celebrate her [Dana Reeve's] loving spirit."

Dana Reeve is survived by her father, Dr. Charles Morosini, sisters Deborah Morosini and Adrienne Morosini Heilman, her son Will and two stepchildren, Matthew and Alexandra. Dana Reeve lost her mother to ovarian cancer in 2005.

Breast Cancer: Keeping Abreast

A tiny suspicious lump tucked somewhere in the underarm or anywhere near the breasts, a mammography test and a U.S.G. of the breasts are probably the few first indicators of breast cancer. This is by far one of the most common diseases amongst women anywhere between 20- 40 years of age and certainly does not spell disaster if diagnosed at a proper stage and is dealt with courage and patience.

What is Breast Cancer?
When cells in the breast multiply uncontrollably thereby invading the nearby tissues or tissues in the other parts of the body, it gives rise to breast cancer. The tumors that are a result of this rapid multiplication of cells may or may not be cancerous. Those tumors that are a harmless lump are termed as Benign While the ones that may pose threat to a human body are called malignant.

Are Women the only victims to this disease?
The straightforward answer to this question would be a No. Women are not the only targets and men too can fall prey to this disease. However the proportions might vary greatly. Hardly 1% or 2% of men are known to be suffering from breast cancer.

What causes breast cancer?
Though there are no proven causes for breast cancer yet medical experts often blame it upon excess smoking, high intake of alcohol, over-weight, and exposure to radiation. This is also a heredity disease and may often be inherited from a close relative down the blood- line.

Living Beyond Breast Cancer- Well, according to me the fear of this ghastly disease is worse than the disease itself. Though there are many ways of dealing with it yet most patients suffering from breast cancer are devoured by their own paranoia and inhibitions. So the best way to conquer this is to take the bull by its horns. Agreed, no way is it going to be an easy task. But you can at least make an attempt at it.

Post surgery depression is inevitable so start by adopting all the positive survival strategies around you. Do not ostracize yourself from the society and be a loner who basks in his past glories. Instead make the most of social events. Try and be with friends and loved ones who are sure to generate optimism around you. Get hold of all the reading material that will help you to lead a much happier and healthier life. Always think that those dark days are over and that once the surgery is done this disease wont pop up its ugly head again. After all lightening never strikes the same place twice!

Alternative or Complementary Therapies?

Just a few years ago if someone diagnosed with cancer wanted to pursue nutrition in their healing and treatment process it was considered an alternative therapy and they would often find themselves cautioned by friends and doctors, being told they were either unsafe or just downright insane.

Nutrition, or food therapy as I like to call it, is still not getting the attention it deserves in the realm of cancer therapy. But the overall awareness of nourishment is. Food is not the only add on of helpful tools that a cancer patient now has access to. More and more research is showing positive results with activities and therapies such as yoga, acupuncture, music, and writing.

When we have cancer we need a lot of nourishment, food being on of the things that feed us. But it is not just the food that is found on our plate, especially since that might not even suit us as well during time of treatment, it is even more so important to get support from a professional who can help identify other options and choices to feel better.

Food however is a tool that has a very immediate effect, as well as long term, on our well-being. More and more is being written about foods that help protect us against cancer, but what should we eat when we are living with cancer?

Most doctors might still tell their patients that food does not matter. But is that really true or is it that their drugs are enough to cure and therefore food does not matter. Or is it also the fact that they do not know enough and do not want to get involved in that conversation with their patients. Granted they also do not have the time.

Food does matter. And no, I am not talking about food as a cure for cancer. I am talking about feeling better. I am talking about even being part of the process. Feeling like you are doing something that is at least within your own power instead of sitting around waiting for the drugs to help. That alone already helps in the success of treatment. The emotional strength that comes from eating well and knowing that we are caring for our bodies and using the tools of food to its utmost.

But food can affect the drugs used in cancer treatment, which may be another reason doctors do not want their patients to start experimenting with food as medicine. Surely all aspects need to be taken into consideration when discussing nutrition in cancer therapy.

Living with cancer is however still regarded as somewhat of a gap in ones life. Where everything is abnormal and we just need this period of time to be over. But living with cancer is also a lifestyle for a period of time. Maybe even forever, so is it not time we start doing exactly that. LIVE with cancer and accept it as our new lifestyle and learn everything we can about how to take better care of ourselves. With all the complementary therapies that are available to do just that.

What is Skin Cancer and Who is Most at Risk?

If you have read a newspaper or listened to the news over the last few years, then you will know that there are always constant warnings telling us to protect our skin against skin cancer. Whilst many people do listen to these warnings, there are still a shocking amount of people who still ignore them.If you are one of those people that do ignore the warnings you are likely to be thinking that there is no chance of you getting the cancer and that there is no harm in missing an application or two of sun tan lotion. After all, skin cancer takes ages to develop doesn?t it? Skin Cancer and its Various FormsSkin cancer is not as rare as some people think that it is. Whilst it is true that staying in the sun unprotected for a little amount of time, rarely leads to skin cancer, it still can occur. There are different forms of skin cancer, though some are extremely rare. The three most common types of skin cancer include:MelanomaThis is less common than the other two types of skin cancer, though it can be a lot more serious. It develops from the melanocytes in the skin and is usually seen as a pigmented lesion with an irregular shape in the skin. This is definitely the most potentially harmful cancer as it can spread to various different areas within the body. If treated early, the good news is that this type of cancer has a very high cure rate, so get to the doctors as soon as possible for your best chance of recovery!Squamous Cell CarcinomaThis is usually seen within any part of the body which is exposed to excessive sun. Often occurring in the hands, lower lip, and the forehead, this type of cancer appears as a red bump or an ulceration of the skin which does not heal. The cancer if left untreated can spread to lymph nodes within the affected area.Basal Cell CarcinomaBasal Cell Carcinoma is by far the most common type of cancer you are likely to get and it usually appears as a small bump which has a pearly colored appearance. Usually the cancer is found on areas of the body which have had excessive sun exposure. This type of skin cancer does not usually spread to other parts of the body, and will only spread to the skin around the actual cancer.Overall, Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common skin cancer but it is not the most serious. Usually people with fair skin are more at risk than others of contracting the cancer, especially people with freckles. Obviously, the longer you expose your skin to the sun without sufficient protection, the more at risk you are of developing skin cancer.How to Prevent Yourself from Getting Skin Cancer and the Treatments AvailableIt is really easy to protect yourself against skin cancer, so really there is no excuse for not preventing it. Using an adequate amount of sun protection lotion is a must, and unfortunately many people simply do not bother with it. There seems to be some confusion between how much you should use and what protection factor you should go for. Generally, children and people with fair skin need to be using a higher protection factor than other people. People with darker skin do not tend to get skin cancer as often as people with lighter skin so they do not need a high factor sun lotion. Sunbeds are also a cause of skin cancer, though cases are rare. So if you do use a sunbed, it is important that you limit your use of it, and contact your doctor to see how often they recommend you should use it. When out in the sun do not forget to protect your face too. Applying lotion to the ears, nose and neck will help to protect those sensitive areas from the sun. If you do notice any changes in your skin such as moles, lesions or sores which do not heal, it is always better to consult your doctor immediately. If caught early, most skin cancer can be cured. There are various forms of treatment for skin cancer including surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The treatment which you will receive depends upon your age, health and the size of the cancer. However, surgery is the most common form of treatment and it is usually done as an outpatient procedure.

Breast Cancer - Some Less Known Facts About It

Breast cancer is something that most people typically relate with females, but did you know that it can also affect males? While the number of male breast cancer sufferers is much lower than that of females, it is important for men to be aware that they too can be affected.

While men aged about 67 years are the most susceptible, it is not unheard of for men much younger than that to report this disease. The male breast has much less fatty tissue than does a female breast. This is why this form of cancer doesn't affect men as often. The highest concentration of fatty tissue in men is typically located just beneath the nipple. More often than not, this is where male breast cancer will start.

A common sign of male breast cancer is having the nipple becoming crusty, scaly and raw-looking. Another sign is bleeding, burning, itching or oozing in the nipple area. Remember that there doesn't need to be a palpable lump present to indicate cancer. If there is a lump present, though, the cancer condition is worse than if it were not there.

Risk factors for male breast cancer include age, family history, obesity, alcohol consumption, exposure to radiation, physical inactivity, liver disease and Klinefelter syndrome. Also, if medications are being taken that can significantly disrupt a man's hormonal level; the chances of developing this cancer are increased. Strong medications like this include those that are used for ulcers and lowering blood pressure.

The only two scientifically proven ways to combat this cancer are through early diagnosis and proper medical treatment. There are, however, some still-developing alternative medicines that are said to aid in fighting cancer. These are best used alongside traditional treatment, rather than just on their own.

Many of the alternative methods often focus on what it is you're eating and teach you how to fuel your body in such a way that it will be able to fight off the cancer on it's own. Because of all the preservatives and artificial flavorings that are commonly found in food, changing your diet can make a remarkable change in your overall health and may just be enough to jumpstart your immune system enough so that it will help you win the fight against this deadly disease.

While this type of cancer will continue to affect more women than man, it is increasingly important that men get the message that they too can develop it. Contrary to some prejudiced thinking, male breast cancer has nothing whatsoever to do with a man's masculinity or lack thereof.

Remember that the most important thing is early diagnosis, so it is wise to drop any reservations or stubbornness about seeing a doctor. Simply go for a check-up every now and then and be sure to tell your doctor if you are experiencing any of the breast cancer signs listed above.

Summary:

Breast cancer is something that most people typically relate with females, but did you know that breast cancer can also affect males? It is important for men to be aware that they too can be affected.

Breast Cancer Prevention

Breast cancer happens when cells in the breast begin to grow out of control and can then invade nearby tissues or spread throughout the body. Large collections of this out of control tissue are called tumors. However, some tumors are not really cancer because they cannot spread or threaten someone's life. These are called benign tumors. The tumors that can spread throughout the body or invade nearby tissues are considered cancer and are called malignant tumors. Theoretically, any of the types of tissue in the breast can form a cancer, but usually it comes from either the ducts or the glands. Because it may take months to years for a tumor to get large enough to feel in the breast, we screen for tumors with mammograms, which can sometimes see disease before we can feel it.

How can I prevent breast cancer?

The most important risk factors for the development of breast cancer cannot be controlled by the individual. There are some risk factors that are associated with an increased risk, but there is not a clear cause and effect relationship. In no way can strong recommendations be made like the cause and effect relationship seen with tobacco and lung cancer. There are a few risk factors that may be modified by a woman that potentially could influence the development of breast cancer.

If possible, a woman should avoid long-term hormone replacement therapy, have children before age 30, breastfeed, avoid weight gain through exercise and proper diet, and limit alcohol consumption to 1 drink a day or less. For women already at a high risk, their risk of developing breast cancer can be reduced by about 50% by taking a drug called Tamoxifen for five years. Tamoxifen has some common side effects (like hot flashes and vaginal discharge), which are not serious and some uncommon side effects (like blood clots, pulmonary embolus, stroke, and uterine cancer) which are life threatening. Tamoxifen isn't widely used for prevention, but may be useful in some cases. There are limited data suggesting that vitamin A may protect against breast cancer but further research is needed before it can be recommended for prevention. Other things being investigated include phytoestrogens (naturally occurring estrogens that are in high numbers in soy), vitamin E, vitamin C, and other drugs. Further testing of these substances is also needed before they can be recommended for breast cancer prevention.

Right now, the most important thing any woman can do to decrease her risk of dying from breast cancer is to have regular mammogram screening, learn how to perform breast self exams, and have a regular physical examination by their physician. For more information on breast cancer prevention.

Natural Holistic Approach to Treating Cancer

Cancer research has uncovered many links between what people eat and their risk of then getting certain cancers. As a result, you can find literature that's full of facts about how to avoid cancer and how to go forth for a natural cancer cure. In my research, most of this literature has a great deal of information about the natural holistic approach on ways to prevent and heal cancer.

Many researchers have provided information about studies done by the National Cancer Institute. In one study using 35,000 male subjects, the Institute looked at the ability of selenium to prevent cancer. The investigators found that a low intake of selenium can cause a great increase in a male's risk for getting prostate cancer.

Another breakthrough study was performed at the Northern California Cancer Center in Fremont, California. The data compiled by those California researchers has indicated that exposure to the sun can help to prevent prostate cancer as well, which is something considerably new in the cancer research field. Further studies have shown that a generous amount of Vitamin D, such as what one gets from sunlight, will cut a man's chances in half for getting prostate cancer.

As physicians and researchers begin to make greater use of the new drugs for treating cancer, it becomes obvious that medicine needs to pay closer attention to holistic cancer cures in addition to these traditional treatment methods. Holistic cures take into consideration all of the parts of the body, not just the specific body part that has the cancer. But the mind and spirit is as well.

The case of one woman in California illustrates the need for a holistic approach to cure cancer. The woman has been receiving chemotherapy for a lung cancer. She
has learned that the drug that is helping to fight her cancer has also created changes in her blood. Her blood is getting thicker.

As a result, that California patient must avoid eating foods with Vitamin K, a vitamin that helps to thicken blood. The woman continues to sacrifice by not eating certain foods that she loves such dark green vegetables. If one can understand that this particular woman is affected by what she eats, researchers and physicians should be aware that what humans eat may have more of a relevant link to cancer than they
first thought was the case.

Research has also found that smokers have a greater chance for getting cancer, especially lung cancer. But there are some things you can do starting now by changing your habits toward a healthier you.

Watching Out for Ovarian Cancer

One of the cancers that are among the deadliest is ovarian caner. It is rare, but it is among the most deadly, with a low survival rate in the final two stages. This is because it is a relatively silent killer that often progresses beyond any hope of healing before it is discovered. New tests are allowing doctors to catch this disease earlier, improving chances of survival, but it is still a little-known menace that affects women.

Ovarian cancer initially attacks the ovaries. As with most cancers, the exact cause of the cancer is not completely known. However, it does start in the ovaries. If caught soon enough, the ovaries can usually be removed, with a very god chance of success. The key, however, is catching the cancer early. It needs to be caught in its first or second stage for the best chance of survival. And therein lies the problem. Most of the time, the cancer is not found until it is in the third or fourth stage. These stages are pretty much too late for most people. The fourth stage especially, as by this time the cancer has probably spread throughout the body. This cancer cannot be detected by a pap smear. Therefore, it is important that you inform your doctor of a family history of ovarian cancer (genetics is the main indicator and cause) and any other irregularities. Even though improved tests can help detect the cancer earlier than before, it is important that your physician be on the look out for indicators.

Some of the symptoms of ovarian cancer include irregular menstrual cycles (although many women have these anyway, but someone prone to cancer will find that birth control does not properly regulate it), frequent nausea and fever, and vaginal bleeding. A frequent need to use the bathroom is another indication of the possibility of ovarian cancer. All of these things need to be discussed with your doctor so that she or he knows what the possibilities might be.

Behaviors that are though to reduce the risk (although nothing can completely eradicate the risk of ovarian cancer) include healthy diet and exercise, oral contraceptives, breastfeeding, and having at least one full-term pregnancy. Of course, none of these behaviors are complete protection against any illness, including cancer, but it can help you reduce your chance of developing it. Surgical procedures are also thought to help. Things like having your tubes "tied" and also the removal of the ovaries can reduce your risk as well. Although, interestingly enough, even removing your ovaries does not completely eliminate your chances of developing ovarian cancer (even though it helps significantly).

By understanding your family history and taking care to live a healthy lifestyle, you can probably avoid ovarian cancer. It is a rare cancer, but more deadly perhaps because of that rarity. Most women are not likely to get it, but it is a good idea to be on your guard, especially if there is a history of ovarian cancer in your family.

How Far Has Science Come in Understanding the Causes of Prostate Cancer?

The study of prostate cancer has come a long way since its identification in 1853. Information concerning diagnostic methods, treatment options and even the pathophysiological characteristics of this condition has been provided in useful details by researchers, but the specific causes of prostate cancer remain unknown up to this day.

The causes of prostate cancer, or any other type of cancer for that matter, have remained a mystery to those who are studying the disease. Despite being able to explain the process by which cancer of the prostate develops, the exact reasons behind the condition's occurrence remain a challenge to cancer researchers.

Cancer of the prostate is a condition that affects only men. The prostate gland, which is part of the male reproductive system, helps make and store seminal fluid. It surrounds part of the urethra and is located under the urinary bladder and in front of the rectum. Its position allows it to influence the processes of urination, ejaculation and defecation.

Although the causes of cancer of the prostate have yet to be fully understood, scientists were able to identify some of the factors associated with the risk of developing this condition. A man's chances of developing prostate cancer are influenced by his age, genes, race, diet, lifestyle and the medications that he is taking. Cancer of the prostate is quite uncommon in men aged below 45. However, the chances of developing prostate cancer increase as a man ages. Based on statistics gathered on prostate cancer patients, 70 is the average age of diagnosis.

Prostate cancer is a slow developing condition. Some men who have it never even knew that they had the condition and they could die of other causes before their cancer manifests itself. But a man who has a first degree relative, like a brother or a father, who has been diagnosed with this condition is believe to have a higher chance of developing prostate cancer, particularly if the relative was diagnosed at an early age.

Among the races, African Americans have been known to account for the highest percentage of diagnosed cases of prostate cancer. Asians, on the other hand, recorded the least number of diagnosed cases. Researchers speculate that this might be due to the difference between the diet and lifestyle of Western and Asian men. Westerners usually take in more red meat while Asians are more likely to eat vegetables and fruits. Men who have higher levels of the short chain fatty acid linolenic acid have also been found to have higher rates of cancer in the prostate. Other dietary factors that have been implicated in the development of prostate cancer include low intake of elements such as vitamin E, lycopene, omega-3 fatty acids and selenium.

In terms of genetics, no single gene has yet to be proven to be responsible for the development of prostate cancer, although BRCA1 and BRCA2, both risk factors for ovarian cancer and breast cancer in women, have been implicated.

Although the causes of prostate cancer have not yet been fully identified, there is high hope that the exact process that governs this disease will eventually be understood and prevention methods will be developed to lessen the number of men suffering from this condition.

Prostate Cancer Surgery Treatment: Knowing Your Options

In many cases, early stage prostate cancer surgery treatment is recommended as the first course of action. If you had detected your prostate cancer early, then the operation is a fairly simple procedure. Only the cancerous section of your prostate gland is removed.

However, on ocassions, prostate cancer surgery treatment does not go according to plan. This happens when your cancer is found to be in close proximity to nerves or the urethra, and so long-lasting side effects are a possibility. You will need to consider these issues before agreeing to the treatment.

If the nerves that control the penis become damaged during your treatment, then impotence may develop and this will seriously affect your future sex life. You should discuss this with your partner and see how you both feel about it before you agree to the operation.

Two other possible consequences of prostate cancer surgery treatment are incontinence and urinary leakage. Incontinence is when you have very little control over urination while urinary leakage is where you can control when you urinate but you dribble a little either before or after voiding your bladder. These two symptoms often disappear after a few weeks however you should be prepared for the eventuality that they do not.

Prostate cancer surgery treatment is a painful procedure and in the days following the operation you will feel very uncomfortable and may have to rely on nurses and loved ones to help with toileting. This however is a very small price to pay for being cancer-free.

There are a number of types of treatment for prostate cancer available and the one you choose will be specific to your case. You need to discuss your options with your oncologist before choosing a treatment. Your oncologist should be well equipped to offer all the information you need to make an informed decision.

More often than not the entire prostate gland will be removed so that there is little chance of the cancer returning at a later date. The surrounding lymph nodes will also be removed as this is the first place that the cancer will have spread to and by removing them the surgeon is effectively removing all chances of the cancer subsequently spreading around the body.

A radical prostatectomy removes the entire prostate gland however the surgeon can enter the body through the abdomen or through an incision made between the scrotum and the anus. In some cases, where the cancer is confined to a specific area of the prostate gland, key-hole surgery or laparoscopy may be an option so that only infected sections of the gland need to be removed.

Your decision on the specific prostate cancer surgery treatment will depend on the extent of your cancer and your individual preferences. It is crucial that you discuss your decision over with your loved ones. They may have some inputs that can help you choose which option is best.

Do You Know What Your Risks Are of Developing Breast Cancer?

Many women all over the world fear breast cancer. It is a killer! It is one of the leading causes of death for women and even men are not immune.

Not that long ago a diagnosis of breast cancer would have been like receiving a death sentence! That's because it was often fatal. However, things are different today because of the amazing advances in medical science in the area of breast cancer research.

For example, a lot more treatments are available to you today than were available 20 years ago. And many women are survivors of this dreaded disease.

Do you know your personal risk factor for developing breast cancer?

It's obvious that just because you're a woman you are more at risk than a man would be. As you age, your risks increase. But you can't really change that. Your genetic makeup is another risk factor. If breast cancer claimed your mother, that increases your risks as well. If you had another close family member who developed breast cancer that also increases your risk of developing it yourself. The age that you had your first menstrual period also affects your risk factor. If you started menstruating before the age of 12, your risk increases. If you passed through menopause after the age of 50, that also increases your risk.

There is a test available now that you can take to see if you carry a mutated gene related to breast cancer.

If you have menopausal symptoms and you are taking estrogen with progesterone, that will increase your risk of developing breast cancer by a small percent. Taking birth control pills is another factor in slightly increasing your risk of having this disease. Your risks will increase if you drink alcoholic beverages and smoke. Obesity may lead to breast cancer as well. You will increase your risks if you seldom exercise. Those who have never breast fed their babies have an increased risk too.

Surprisingly, even men can suffer from breast cancer. And no one really knows who will be its next victim.

As you have seen in this article, there are some risks that you have control over, while there are other risks over which you have no control.

Here are some risks that you can control. Choose healthy habits like regular exercise and watching your weight. Avoid alcoholic beverages as much as possible and don't smoke.

If your genetic background is a risk factor for you, be sure to have regular mammograms and breast examinations by your doctor. You ought to examine your own breasts every month too.

Now that you know a little more about what your own personal risk factors for breast cancer are, you can choose healthy habits to protect yourself. And don't forget to schedule regular examinations by your doctor and examine your breasts yourself once a month. Be sure to include a yearly mammogram for your protection from breast cancer.

Cancer Awareness Merchandise Gifts

It seems that with the rise in cancers all over the world, the need for cancer awareness merchandise has become more prevalent. People who are survivors or family and friends of people who suffer from any type of cancer are eager to share their stories with others to make people aware of the dangers of certain things and the whole cancer issue itself. So, when it comes down to cancer awareness, t-shirts, stuffed animals, pins, bracelets, and many other items are helping everyone to spread the word.

Cancer awareness merchandise comes in a variety of different shapes, sizes, and colors. While the ribbons and pins are still the most popular, t-shirts are coming up fast. With all of the different awareness groups out there, you can always find a t-shirt that will help you to make people aware of anything from being a survivor to the loved one who passed away due to cancer. You can order t-shirts through a variety of different sources, from the cancer association to different online sources, all it takes is a small amount of searching to find the t-shirt that you have been looking for.

Other cancer awareness merchandise that is available varies from stuffed animals that have ribbons or sayings on them to beautiful jewelry that comes with any kind of jewels and in gold, silver, and platinum. The stuffed animals have either small sayings to help brighten someone's day or tiny clothes to make you smile. There is stationery that comes in all colors and themes to help support cancer research. And, the jewelry that is beginning to hit the market is a beautiful way to remember or congratulate someone. You can find rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings that carry every kind of stone and most can even be customized to add a special air to the piece. There are many more gifts out there that are becoming too numerous to mention.

You can always find just the perfect gift for yourself or someone you love that will help support cancer awareness research and programs. Most of the proceeds from the different merchandise goes to help fight the disease and find a cure. If you aren't sure where the proceeds from your purchase are going, all you have to do is ask. If you don't get the answer you are looking for, you can always order from someone else to ensure that your money will go to a worthy cause.

What You Should Know When Early Symptoms Prostate Cancer Appears

In any type of cancer, early diagnosis is a great advantage. Cancer, after all, is best controlled if it is detected at its earliest stage. With cancer of the prostate, majority of early-stage cases show no symptoms at all. In rare situations when early symptoms prostate cancer does appear, a patient should discuss his options with his physician first and carefully weigh the pros and cons of getting tested at this stage.

Early symptoms prostate cancer should not be a cause for anxiety and neither should it be ignored. Symptoms might be there for reasons other than cancer and the best thing to do is to arm yourself with important information about the potential condition. Having a thorough discussion with your physician is, of course, essential.

Should the symptoms proved to be cancer, the first thing to do is to know its grade. Prostate cancers are usually graded using the Gleason system. The system assigns a grade of 1 to 5 based on the arrangement of the cancerous tissue. If the cancerous tissue looks very much like a normal tissue, a grade of 1 is assigned. If the tissue lacks normal features and the cells seemed to be spread haphazardly through the prostate, a grade of 5 is given. The middle numbers 2,3 and 4, are used to grade intermediate features.

In most cases, areas produce different grades. Pathologists assign a grade to two of the areas that make up most of the cancer and the two grades are added up to derive the Gleason score or the Gleason sum. The sum yielded can range from 2 to 10. The higher the Gleason sum, the more likely that the cancer will grow and spread fast.

Pathologists sometimes encounter cases when prostate cells do not look cancerous but still show abnormal characteristics. In such cases, the results are reported as suspicious and are categorized either as atypical or prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN). PIN can be either low grade or high grade. Atypical results or high-grade PIN can mean that cancer is already present somewhere else in the prostate gland. In high-grade PIN results, cancer has a 30 to 50 percent chance of being found. Because of this, repeat biopsies are often recommended.

Aside from the cancer grade, the prostate specific antigen (PSA) level of the patient prior to the confirmation of the cancer is also important. The pre-diagnostic PSA is often used to evaluate how advance the cancer was before it was detected. In most cases, the higher the PSA level, the more aggressive the disease.

The Gleason score, PSA level results and even the assessment of early symptoms prostate cancer, are then summarized into nomogram charts. These charts are used to evaluate whether additional treatments are needed and also to assess the likelihood of a patient being cancer-free after the treatment.

The Truth About Breast Cancer

Breast cancer happens when cells in the breast or a tumor, grow out of control and damages nearby tissue. In women, the most common and fatal type of cancer is breast cancer.

Detection
There are often no symptoms in the early stages. Women should be aware of the screening recommendations and follow them. There are varieties of symptoms that may appear as the tumor grows such as:

- The breast changing in size or shape
- Breast skin becomes pitted or ridged
- Thickening or lump in the underarm or breast
- Discharge from nipple or the nipple turns inward
- Skin on the breast becomes red or scales

If you have any of these symptoms, have yourself examined by a medical professional. This does not mean you have cancer but you defiantly want to have this checked.

Before the age of twenty, is very rare to get it and not often diagnosed in women less than twenty-five years old. The chances of contacting climbs steadily after 25 and peaks around menopause age in women. It increases less after menopause but as they age, the risk to older women gradually increases.

Risk Factors
Nobody really knows what causes this cancer. Some of the elements that are thought to increase the risk are:

Gender: There are more cases of women than men
Weight: Overweight women are at higher risk
Age: From 25 to menopause, the chances increases.
Children: If a woman has not had a child, or had a child after 30
Family History: Women that have a family member that have or had it are at risk.

Male Breast Cancer
Yes, it really does happen. It is certainly not as common as in women but approximately one to 1.5% happens to men. Older men most often diagnosed with it and are between sixty and seventy years old. If a man has had previous exposure to radiation, such as for cancer treatment, their risk increases. Approximately 20% of men with a mother, sister or other close female relatives with breast cancer are certainly at higher risk. Some of the symptoms in men includes swelling or a breast lump, retracted nipple or discharge and scaling or redness of the breast skin or nipple.

Statistics
The statistics are frightening. Each and ever year, over 182,000 women and 16,000 men are diagnosed with breast cancer. Over 400 men and 43,300 women will die from this terrible disease. During their lifetime, one woman out of eight has or will get breast cancer. Most people have family or friends that have or had breast cancer. Always give them your support and encouragement.

Lung Cancer: Basic Facts

We all have heard of lung cancer but how many of us are well aware of its symptoms? The lung cancer is one of the most perilous diseases that kill thousands of Americans every year and each year the number of cases are increasing. With the occurrences of cancer of the lungs on the rise, it is essential that we learn about the basic factors leading to lung-cancer and what should be the courses of action in case of lung cancer diagnosis. Here are the basic information regarding lung cancer that will help you to understand how and when it develops and how to steer clear of this killer disease.

Lung cancer is that condition of your lungs where an abnormal reproduction of cells takes place. And it can happen in one or both of your lungs. Sometimes lumps of cancerous cells or the tumors invade the organs. Our lungs allow the oxygen from the air to pass into the bloodstream and carbon dioxide to eliminate from the system. Now any kind of lung disease including lung-cancer impairs this function of lungs to transfer oxygen into blood and remove carbon dioxide from it. The result is many kinds of disorders relating to breathing trouble and cough.

Do you know what the most dreadful part of the lung cancer is? One rarely comes to suspect that he or she is suffering from lung-cancer until it is too late and goes beyond any kind of treatment. This is because, signs and symptoms associated with lung disease are never acute or alarming until the later stages of malignancy and it is often at this stage when someone starts to experience the typical symptoms of lung cancer. So it is recommended that if you ever experience any symptom even remotely related to lung cancer, rush to the doctor without delay so that in case of diagnosis of cancer in the lungs you can avail the treatments as early as possible. The earlier the disease is diagnosed; greater are the chances of survival.

So what are the common symptoms of lung cancer? Nagging cough that seems never to end coupled with constant chest pain may be the warning of something being grossly wrong with your lungs. If you are suffering from recurring pneumonia or bronchitis, it may be an indication that you should immediately see an oncologist. The person displaying certain apathy for food followed by a remarkable weight loss may be an indication of cancer and the patients of lung cancer often complain of fatigue. However, swelling of neck and face is also one of the symptoms of cancer in the lungs.

Remember lung cancer can be prevented if you give up smoking. So stay away from the cigars, cigarettes, pipes and other tobacco products. Also insist that the smokers should always smoke inside the smoking zone; do not allow the second hand smokes damage your lungs.

Want A Good Reason To Quit Smoking, How About Lung Cancer?

The lungs are organs found in the chest cavity. When air enters through our nose or mouth, it passes on through the trachea, then into the bronchi and into the lungs. The lungs provide the oxygen that the blood carries to the rest of the body. It is very important to take care of our lungs so our body has the oxygen it needs to function properly.

Lung cancer is occurs when the cells inside the lungs malfunction due to certain factors. According to statistics, smoking causes 87% of all lung cancer. This disease is one of the major causes of death in America. There are more cases of lung cancer than all the other types of cancer put together.

The more you smoke, the more you are prone to lung cancer. The disease can be prevented if the person quits smoking before it is too late. It can also easily go undetected until it is in the advanced stages.

What are the common indications that you have lung cancer?

First, coughing caused by the irritation of the lining of the lungs and blocked air passages, chest pain, pneumonia, bronchitis, weight loss and loss of appetite and fatigue are the symptoms of this deadly disease. If the malady gets worse, it can also cause headaches and pain in the bones.

Smokers are not the only ones prone to lung cancer. The passive smokers, the People who inhale smoke from other people's cigarettes, are also prone to contracting it, even if then don't smoke themselves.

Particles coming from asbestos and other industrial carcinogens are also causes of cancer. But there are more people who acquire it through smoking than for any other reason.

There are two types of cancers. The first is the small cell cancer. The small cell cancer is the type of cancer that spreads easily during the first stage of the disease. It is treated by chemotherapy with uneven results.

The non-small cell cancer is the most common. Almost 75% of the cases of lung cancer fall in this category. It is divided into four types, squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, large cell carcinoma and bronchoaveolar carcinoma. This can de treated with surgery, followed by chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.

It is hard to quit smoking, especially if you are a chain smoker. Knowing the harmful effects of smoking to the body is necessary to help you to decide to quit smoking. If you don't want to get lung cancer in the future, then you better quit smoking now.

The Leading Causes Of Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is a serious health problem, it is essentially the growth of abnormal cells in the lungs.

This growth of unhealthy cells can start anywhere in the lungs.

Lung cancer is actually the leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women. Of those people who contract lung cancer, less than half of them survive one year. The quicker you notice symptom and have it diagnosed, the quicker treatment can begin and the odds improve.

The leading cause of lung cancer is smoking. eighty seven percent of people who have lung cancer have gotten it from smoking.

If a person smokes a pack a day, they have twenty times the risk of getting lung cancer or some other serious health problem than a person who doesn't smoke at all.

There are so many carcinogens in tobacco smoke that they constantly damage the healthy cells of the lungs, and the risk goes up for smokers depending on how long they have smoked and how much they have smoked.

There are other causes of lung cancer for healthy people who don't smoke

These causes include asbestos, which used to be used in building materials. It enters a healthy person's lungs by inhaling, and then attaches to the respiratory lining.

People who get lung cancer from asbestos exposure usually get it from work or from living in an older home.

Some doctors also think that women who are exposed to tobacco smoke, are more likely to have lung cancer than men exposed to smoke. Researchers have found a gene called GRPR which causes unusual cell growth in people exposed to cigarette smoke. This gene is more active in women than in men and may explain why females are more prone to lung cancer.

Some research has indicated a diet low in fruit and vegetables may increase the chances of developing cancer if exposed to tobacco smoke. Some evidence shows fruit and vegetables may protect against lung cancer.

The final cause of lung cancer in healthy people is radon exposure.

Radon is a gas which is naturally released from soil and rocks. In closed spaces like caves, basements and other areas, it can become concentrated and cause lung cancer or other health problems. It is always a good idea to have a home checked for radon levels because there are things that can be done to lower them to more acceptable levels.

The good news?

When smokers quit smoking, their risk for getting lung cancer goes down immediately and every year that they don't smoke.

It is also an interesting fact that 25% of nonsmokers that get lung cancer live with smokers, so the secondhand smoke is most likely the cause of their lung cancer health issues.

There Are Limits To The Prostate Cancer (PSA) Test

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.

Cancer in Females

Cancer of breast tissue is breast cancer. It is a highly common and fatal cancer in females. Breast cancer can affect males too, as their un grown breast is composed of identical tissues as females. The incidence is less than one percent.

History of breast cancer can be traced back to 1600 B.C. it is considered as one of the oldest known tumors. In Papyrus writing tumors or ulcers of the breast and its cure were mentioned. For very long time there was no cure for the condition. Then in 1749-1806 the Scottish surgeon Benjamin Bell and the French surgeon Jean Louis Petit were the first one to remove the affected breast tissue, and underlying chest muscle.

The first work on the cause of breast cancer was done by Janet Lane-Claypon. The major cause was attributed to damaged or mutated DNA. The reason stated for the same may be due to exposure to ionizing radiation, exposure to estrogens and repaired BRCA1, BRCA2 and p53 genes. Though these causes are stated for the onset of cancer but the underlying factor is not yet proved.

Other causes which are responsible for breast cancer are: Aging - Due to aging the cell no longer are healthier and some un grown calls can develop in to tumors. Previous history of breast cancer- Previous occurrence increases the risk of developing breast cancer again. Family history of breast cancer- patients sister, mother, close female relative had diagnosed for breast cancer. When their female relative developed their first cancer before the age of 50. Late menopause, Early menarchy, Women with dense breast tissue due to dense breast tissues, the fat ratio decreases. This results in more breast cells and the connective tissues.

So they have high chances of developing breast cancer. Alcohol and smoking, Gaining too much weight after menopause. What ever may be the case if you had developed breast cancer or have a high risk for developing breast cancer, first thing is do not panic! Things will come to your control when you have the confidence in you. Each woman has the capacity to deal with it differently. There are many tests like An annual clinical breast examination, Monthly breast examination, Annual mammogram, to detect the condition in each and every woman.

Science and technology has improved so much that treatment for all problems pop up every minute. But always remember there is life after its diagnosis. We hold lot of hope than ever in the age we live in.

How Your Weight Affects Your Prostate Cancer Treatment

Every case of prostate cancer is different; hence each one has to be evaluated on its individual merits. Your general health, weight, age and motivation all need to be taken into account when choosing a form of prostate cancer treatment. If you are overweight, know that this factor alone can affect how your prostate cancer treatment is going to be like.

Occasionally prostate cancer treatments will not have a big enough effect on some men, especially obese men. External radiation therapy uses a beam of subatomic particles to kill the cancerous cells in the prostate gland . However, if you are overweight, the beam is unable to penetrate through the extra layers of fat. This renders the prostate cancer treatment ineffective. In cases such as this, a more radical form of treatment is usually recommended.

Being obese may initially help to cause prostate cancer and then it may help the cancer to spread more rapidly and more aggressively as well. Fatty diets that contain high levels of saturated fats and dairy products are thought to contribute to the probability of developing prostate cancer in the first place and remaining overweight may enhance the spread of the disease.

Thus, even if the prostate gland is removed as part of your prostate cancer treatment the cancer might have already spread making it harder to control and totally rid from the body. In fact, men who are obese are 70% more likely to develop metastases i.e. secondary tumours at other sites around the body, than men who are fit and a healthy weight.

This would suggest that the incidence of prostate cancer is somewhat linked to diet and that being obese may mean you require surgery as a form of prostate cancer treatment. For this reason every man over the age of 25 should make an effort to maintain a healthy weight and eat foods that are low in saturated fats and dairy products, even if it is just as a precaution against the possibility of surgery as a future prostate cancer treatment!

A balanced diet with plenty of antioxidants such as lycopenes, which are found in tomatoes, watermelon and other types of fruit could seriously help to combat the first signs of prostate cancer meaning that any cancerous cells are killed before they have chance to divide and grow. Fibre is also a requirement of a healthy diet and as it helps to encourage frequent bowel movements it also rids the body of potentially harmful toxins and bacteria.

If you are of a healthy weight, it is possible that you will be taking a course of radiation as a prostate
cancer treatment rather than invasive surgery followed by a course of radiation. Do your sums and you will realise that being of a healthy weight has a far more advantages.

Genetic DNA Testing for Breast Cancer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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.

Cancer Awareness Gift Basket

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.

Risk of Getting Prostate Cancer

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

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

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

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.