Blog

  • Lip Cancer

    Get Back Your Health
    QUIT SMOKING TODAY!

    Lip cancer is a form of cancer that is usually related to extended exposure to natural elements such as the sun and the wind.  Because of this, lip cancer is more prevalent among people who work outside, such as farmers, ranchers, and fisherman.  Lip cancer usually begins as a tumor that does not seem to heal on the lip, specifically between the middle third and the outer third level of the lower lip.  Sometimes lip cancer beings as a non cancerous non-healing area on the lip and then over time, develops into a cancerous tumor. 

    Lip cancer can be cured by several different methods, depending on the severity.  For example, lip cancer can be burned, it can be frozen, it can be treated with acid or creams, and in more several cases, and it can be treated with radiation. However the most effective way to remove lip cancer, also known as Squamous Cell Cancer of the lip, is by surgically removing the cancerous area. Usually the lip will look normal but some sever cases may require the work or a plastic surgeon in order to create a normal looking lip after surgery.

    While many people might not often hear of lip cancer, it is actually pretty common, affecting over 34,000 Americans each year.  Of this number, and significant portion, roughly 8000 people will die from this cancer. Lip cancer is actually so sever that out of the 34,000 people diagnosed in a year, old half of the victims will be alive within 5 years. In fact, the death rate of people who die from lip cancer and other oral or pharyngeal cancers is higher than the rate of people who die from cancers such as liver cancer, Hodgkin’s disease, and kidney cancer.  Because of these staggering numbers, it is important to get any unusual mark on the body checked out as soon as possible.

  • Liver Cancer

    Liver cancer is cancer that begins in the liver and is often caused
    by an abnormal growth of cells called tumors. The more common type of
    liver cancer is when cancer spreads into the liver from other parts of
    the body.  There is a strong link between liver cancer and chronic
    hepatitis B.  Males are more likely to be affected by liver cancer than
    females.

    Symptoms of liver cancer include abdominal pain,
    fever, weakness, anorexia, jaundice and as tumors grow back pain may
    develop.  If your primary care physician suspects liver cancer
    diagnostic tests such as ct scans, radioisotope scans, MRI and blood
    tests will be ordered. 

    Aggressive treatment of liver
    cancer is important.  Surgery can be performed to remove the tumors if
    the cancer is not spread to other parts of the body.  The remaining
    healthy parts of the liver will take over for full function of the
    liver.  Chemotherapy can also be used to kill the cancer cells and
    shrink the tumors.  In some cases liver transplantation may be
    necessary.  Choice of treatment depends on the number of tumors, the
    size of the tumors and their location.

    Surgery can cure
    liver cancer once the tumors are removed and that is why it is so
    important to detect liver cancer in the early stages.  The age and
    general health of the patient is an important factor when deciding on a
    treatment.  If surgery is not an option there are other methods of
    treatment to control the liver cancer and help the patient to live
    longer and feel better.

    There are some things you can do to
    reduce your chances of liver cancer.  Make sure that you buy food that
    is safe and clean.  When you prepare food always make sure the area is
    clean before the food comes in contact with it.  When eating out check
    to make sure that the restaurant is well taken care of. 

    Other
    important steps to take are to avoid illegal drugs and excessive intake
    of alcohol.  Try to eat small, frequent meals that are well balanced
    and take vitamins as recommended by your physician.  Most of all
    maintain a healthy lifestyle and discuss any problems with your
    physician.

  • Lung Cancer

    Get Back Your Health
    QUIT SMOKING TODAY!

    The majority of lung cancers are considered non-small cell lung cancer.  This type of cancer can manifest itself in three different ways.  Of the three different types of non-small cell lung cancer you can be diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma is the most common.  This is mostly likely due to its correlation with smoking.  The other two types of this type of cancer are called Aden carcinoma (found on the outside of the lungs) and large-cell undifferentiated carcinoma (fast acting and fast spreading).

    Breathing Better Living Well.com provides information about chronic lung disease as well as a forum for pulmonary patients to share experiences in a positive and accepting community.

    The second type of lung cancer is categorized as small cell lung cancer.  Even though the non-small cell type of lung cancer called squamous cell carcinoma has a correlation with smoking, small cell lung cancer has been found to be directly linked in most diagnoses.  This type of lung cancer starts by infecting the bronchi in the lungs; it is fast-acting and can quickly spread to other areas of the body.  It is important to note that you can have a combination of both kinds of lung cancer known as mixed small cell/large cell lung cancer.

    The third type of lung cancer that can be diagnosed is known as carcinoid tumors.  There are two types of carcinoid tumors a patient can have – typical carcinoids and atypical carcinoids.  It is important to doctors to note the different symptoms a patient has or the locations of the tumor to determine the types of symptoms a patient will have.  This is because it will differ based on the location of the tumor, whether it is considered to be a central carcinoid or a peripheral carcinoid.

    It is important for a patient to know the exact name of the type of lung cancer they have been diagnosed with.  The information, diagnoses, and treatments are quite different from what type to the next.

  • Lymph Node Cancer

    Lymph node cancer is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic
    system.  The lymphatic system is very important to the body.  The
    lymphatic system is a set of tiny vessels that take fluid awake from
    tissues and back into the blood stream.  Within the lymphatic system
    there are small organs, or lymph nodes that are located in areas of the
    body such as the neck, armpits, and the groin.  It is easy to see that
    lymph node cancer that affects the lymphatic system can be very serious
    to the whole body.  There are two different forms of lymph node cancer,
    Hodgkin’s disease and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. 

    One
    initial sign of Hodgkin’s disease include swelling of the lymph glands
    that are tender to the touch.  This is caused by the cancer affecting
    the lymph nodes, eliminating the ability of the glands to properly
    transport bodily fluids.  Other signs of Hodgkin’s disease include
    tiredness, severe sweats, fevers, weight loss and itchy skin. 

    If a person thinks they may have lymph node cancer, several things are
    does by the doctor to check and see if the patient does indeed have
    lymph node cancer.  The doctors can remove an affected lymph node gland
    for testing; they can do X-rays, take a CT scan, and if needed, take a
    bone marrow sample from the patient’s hip bone.

    Lymph node
    cancer can be treated, although the treatment is fairly extensive.
    Treatment of lymph node cancer includes radiation, chemotherapy, and
    sometimes surgery.  Chemotherapy is given through injections into the
    patient’s veins that sometimes causes the patient’s to loose their hair
    and feel nauseous.  The good thing about this illness is that if
    detected early enough, it is usually able to be treatment affectively.

    If a person feels that their lymph nodes are swollen for an unnatural
    period of time, a time longer than the period where lymph nodes are
    swollen during flu like illness, it is important to get checked out. 
    Lymph node cancer is quite serious, but if caught in time, is usually
    curable.

  • Male Breast Cancer

    Male breast cancer is a form of cancer that sometimes goes unnoticed
    and uncared for long periods of time because not many men are aware
    that they can have male breast cancer.  While it is much more common
    for women to get breast cancer, men do have breast tissue and therefore
    can get male breast cancer.  Signs of male breast cancer include skin
    dimpling or puckering around the breast area, redness and scaling of
    the breast area or nipple, bloody discharge or clear discharge from the
    nipple, and a retraction or indentation of the nipple. 

    Many
    people wonder what causes male breast cancer, but that is actually a
    hard question to answer.  Male breast cancer, just like any other form
    of cancer, is caused when a group of abnormal cells grow at a rapid
    pace, damaging and destroying the normal tissue of the area. It is not
    exactly known what triggers the growth of these abnormal cells that
    cause male breast cancer, however it is known that about 5 to 10
    percent of male breast cancer is inherited.  Also, men who carry the
    breast cancer gene, BRCA 1 or BRCA 2, have a higher risk of getting
    male breast cancer.  Because of the genetic correlations and male
    breast, it is important to know your genetic health history.

    There
    are some external factors that do put men at a higher rate of getting
    male breast cancer.  For example, if you are exposed to radiation at a
    young age or as a young adult, you are more likely to get male breast
    cancer.  Also, if you have had Klinefelter syndrome, a syndrome that
    reduces more estrogen in men, their might be a higher risk of getting
    male breast cancer.  Like women, it is important to check the breast
    area for abnormalities, especially if there is a family history of male
    breast cancer.

  • Mesothelioma Cancer

    Mesothelioma cancer always occurs as a
    consequence of previous exposure to asbestos. One should be aware of
    the disease and what really happens in it. The mesothelium is actually
    a protective lining that offers coverage to the body’s internal organs.
    Malignant cancer cells develop in the mesothelium to cause cancer.

    People
    who have jobs where they are required to inhale asbestos particles or
    have been exposed to asbestos cement products during the home
    renovation usually have the tendency to develop the mesothelioma
    cancer. One can also be exposed to asbestos dust and fiber through
    washing the clothes of a person who has worked with asbestos. A chain
    smoker can have lung cancer, but not cancer of the mesothelioma.

    Symptoms

    The
    symptoms of the disease starts rearing its ugly head only after one has
    had prolonged exposure to asbestos, may be a period of 20 or 50 years.

    Pleural mesothelioma

    Owing
    to the build-up of fluid in the pleural space or the outer lining of
    the lungs and chest cavity, one may experience cough, shortness of
    breath and pain in the chest.

    Peritoneal mesothelioma

    Considerable weight loss, cachexia, swelling in the abdomen and pain
    due to ascites or the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity,
    are the common symptoms of this mesothelioma cancer. The other symptoms
    include blood clotting abnormalities, bowel obstruction, fever and
    anemia. Once the cancer spreads to other parts of the body, one might
    experience swelling of the face or neck, pain and trouble in
    swallowing.

    When
    the disease has reached its severe stage, the patient suffering from it
    can experience many tumor masses, a lung collapse or a pneumothorax.
    The symptoms also include the clotting of the blood in the veins, low
    blood sugar level, jaundice, severe ascites, pleural effusion,
    disseminated intravascular coagulation that causes severe bleeding in
    many body organs, and clotting of the blood in the arteries of the
    lungs.

    Diagnosis of the mesothelioma cancer

    This
    disease shares its symptoms with the other diseases also and therefore
    it becomes quite difficult to diagnose the mesothelioma cancer.
    Firstly, the patient’s medical history is reviewed. If there is a
    history of exposure to asbestos, the suspicion for mesothelioma
    clinically increases. The physical examination includes lung function
    tests and chest x-ray. A CT scan or MRI is also performed. When a large
    amount of fluid is present, cytology can detect the abnormal cells.

    If the cytology is positive, a biopsy will be required for the confirmation of the diagnosis of mesothelioma cancer.

    Treatments

    Conventional
    treatments have proved to be unsuccessful, enabling the patients to
    live for only 6 to 12 months after presentation. Surgical treatments
    provide a 5-year survival rate for less than 10%. The entire
    mesothelium cannot be removed without killing the patient.

    Radiation
    is for the patients who have the disease localized. It is provided
    post-operation to prevent the growth of tumor along the chest wall
    track.

    Mesothelioma is an aggressive tumor that is usually
    fatal. Though there are lots of treatments available for mesothelioma
    cancer, but long-term survival generally cannot be expected.

  • Mouth Cancer

    Get Back Your Health
    QUIT SMOKING TODAY!

    Also called oral cancer, mouth cancer is most often located on the lips or the tongue. The other parts of the mouth could become infected also, such as soft tissue on the gums, roof or bottom of the mouth, and the inside of a person’s cheek. The cancer can easily spread to other tissue and lymph nodes in the neck if not properly treated. About one-fourth of all cases end in death because of delays in diagnosis or treatment, so it is important to report any suspicious lumps in your mouth to your doctor or dentist.

    Symptoms and Causes of Mouth Cancer

    The most prominent symptom is a lesion or lump in the mouth. It usually starts out small and painless, can be pale in color or dark, and sometimes has a hard edge or crack in the tissue. Depending on the location of the cancer, there may be trouble swallowing, speaking, or chewing. An abnormal taste in the mouth may also be present.

    Upwards of 80% of mouth cancers are caused by the use of tobacco, whether in chewing or smoking form. Continued irritation of the soft tissue in the mouth usually leads to the development of the cancerous cells. Rough teeth, dentures, and heavy alcohol abuse are also linked to oral cancer.

    Mouth Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

    A diagnosis is usually made upon examination by a doctor or dentist. As with most cancers, diagnosis is not made until cancerous cells are confirmed by a pathologist, who will review cells from a biopsy under a microscope. Routine dental examinations may catch its early presence, so good dental hygiene will reduce your risk factor.

    Activities such as chewing tobacco, smoking, and drinking heavily should be stopped, and treatment will depend on the severity of the case. Radiation is usually preferred over surgery, unless the lesion is in its early and small stage. Mouth cancer that has spread into nearby neck lymph nodes will need more aggressive treatment options, and surgical removal of parts of the face may be recommended.

  • National Cancer Institute

    As Americans, we don’t always know where our tax dollars go. 
    Sometimes, we assume that they simply are wasted… but you’ll be happy
    to learn that the National Cancer Institute, funded by the citizens of
    the United States, is actually a great use of your money.

    The
    National Cancer Institute is a part of the American National Institutes
    of Health and has been in existence since 1937.  Established as part of
    the National Cancer Institute Act of that year, the National Cancer
    Institute has a strong interest in both cancer research and cancer
    training.

    Consequently, the National Cancer Institute:


    Provides grants and funding for cancer research.  This enables private
    organizations to conduct cancer experiments on both animals and humans
    in an effort to save future lives.  Many new treatments for various
    cancer types have been discovered thanks to the National Cancer
    Institute’s underwriting.

    – Disseminates information about
    cancer types.  As a part of its ongoing cancer awareness campaign, the
    National Cancer Institute develops brochures, pamphlets, and facts
    pages in an effort to provide education to people of all ages and
    abilities.  The more the population knows about cancer, the better the
    chances that those persons affected with the condition will get an
    early diagnosis.

    – Works with the nation’s hospitals,
    universities, private corporations, and foundations.  The National
    Cancer Institute feels a strong duty to help all like-minded entities,
    and thus provides support in the area of both money and training. 

    – Supports a network of cancer centers.  Throughout the nation, there
    are a number of cancer centers supported entirely or partially by the
    National Cancer Institute.  Again, these places of learning and science
    help develop new screening techniques and treatments so our society has
    a better chance of winning all the battles with cancer that so many
    Americans face.

  • Ovarian Cancer

    Reverse and Eliminate Ovarian Cysts

    Ovarian cancer can fall into one of three main groupings each with
    its own set of sub-groups.  The main types of ovarian cancer are germ
    cell tumors, stromal tumors, and epithelial tumors.  Not all ovarian
    cancers are right on the ovaries, the cancer can also be found on the
    fallopian tubes but this happens very rarely.

    Being
    overweight to the point where you are considered clinically obese can
    decrease you chances of dying from ovarian cancer.  Other risk factors
    include early menstruation (if as a girl your starting having your
    periods before the age of 12), if you took fertility drugs for a long
    period of time, or if you have already had breast cancer.  An
    interesting risk factor associated with ovarian cancer is talcum
    powder.  Woman who have used talcum powder in their genital area or on
    their underwear are at an increase risk.  It is important to note that
    these finding were with talcum powder that contained asbestos.  No new
    studies have been conducted since the product no longer contains this
    ingredient.

    Just as there are risk factors that contribute to
    the chances of getting ovarian cancer there are also things that can be
    done to help prevent the disease.  Taking birth control pills,
    pregnancy and breast feeding are all preventative measures against
    getting ovarian cancer.  If you decide to “tie your tubes” (tubal
    ligation) or have to have a hysterectomy the chances of you getting
    ovarian cancer are reduced.

    During your annual exam, you doctor
    will feel your pelvis looking for any unusual lumps or masses.  This
    isn’t a fool-proof way to detect ovarian cancer – most times any tumors
    would be too small to feel in this manner.  Screening tests conducted
    specifically for ovarian cancer will detect it for sure.  These will be
    done if you are exhibiting any suspect symptoms or you have a
    combination of high risk factors.

  • Pancreas Cancer

    Pancreas cancer is a very serious form of cancer and is defined as
    cancer of the cells that form the tissues of the pancreas.  The role of
    the pancreas in the human body is very important, and secretes enzymes
    that help with digestion and regulate hormones that help metabolize
    carbohydrates. 

    Pancreas cancer is very dangerous because
    it is usually not detected until the cancer is quite advanced. 
    Pancreas cancer is also dangerous because it spreads incredibly fast
    and has usually spread to other parts of the body before the cancer is
    detected, usually at a time when surgical removal of the cancer is no
    longer possible.  Because of these reasons, pancreas cancer is the
    leading cause of cancer deaths.

    Since pancreas cancer is
    hard to detect, it is important to be aware of the symptoms of the
    disease, and to seek doctor’s advice is any of the symptoms are
    present. One of the symptoms includes upper abdominal pain which
    sometimes moves towards the middle and upper back that can heighten
    after eating or when lying down.  Another symptom of pancreas cancer is
    the loss of appetite and weight loss that is not intentional.  In fact,
    unintentional weight loss is usually a sign of most types of cancer
    because the cancerous cells prevent the healthy cells from absorbing
    any nutrients. Another symptom of pancreas cancer is the yellowing of
    the skin and white of the eyes, also called jaundice.  This is one of
    the main symptoms of pancreas cancer and affects over half of the
    pancreas cancer victims.  Still another symptom of pancreas cancer is
    itching, which usually occurs in the later stages of the disease. The
    reason people begin to itch is because higher levels of bile acids and
    other bile components accumulate in the skin.  Pancreas cancer is a
    very serious form of cancer, and unfortunately one of the hardest types
    of cancer to detect.