Category: Cancer

Vaginal cancer is a type of cancer that tends to be very rare.  In a
one year period, there are only about 300 cases of vaginal cancer
diagnosed in the UK. Vaginal cancer can actually be classified into two
different types of cancer.  The first type of vaginal cancer is primary
vaginal cancer in which  the cancer started in the vagina itself, and
the second type of vaginal cancer is called secondary vaginal cancer,
in which the cancer started somewhere other than the vagina and has
spread there.

Primary vaginal cancer can further be
broken down into two different types of cancer, Squamous cell cancer
and Adenocarcinoma cancer.  The form of vaginal cancer called Squamous
cell cancer is the most common and is primarily found in the upper part
of the vagina and affects women between the ages of 50 and 70. 
Adenocarcinoma is a type of vaginal cancer that is much rarer, but
usually affects women under 20.

Secondary vaginal cancer is
more prevalent then primary vaginal cancer, and is usually found in the
neck of the womb near the cervix or near by organs like the bowel or
bladder.

The exact cause of vaginal cancer has not been found,
however there is research going on to try and isolate the causes.  Some
people are at a high risk of developing vaginal cancer than others. 
For example, women who have had genital warts cause by human papilloma
virus have a slightly larger chance of developing vaginal cancer. Also,
a hormone drug abbreviated as DES has been shown to cause the
adenocarcinoma form of vaginal cancer.  This hormone drug has also been
shown to increase the risk of adenocarcinoma vaginal cancer in the
children of women who have taken the drug.  Therefore, if is extremely
important to stop the use of DES if pregnant or thinking about becoming
pregnant.

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Moles, Warts & Skin Tags Removal

Skin cancer is, fortunately, on the decline.  However, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be concerned about it.  Below, we’ll discuss prevention methods for all types of skin cancer.

Sunscreen Application

One of the biggest risk factors for all types of skin cancer is overexposure to the sun.  It used to be considered ideal to “bake” in the sun for hours, but it’s now known that a tan isn’t healthy. 

To avoid types of skin cancer, you should always use a sunscreen of at least SPF 15, preferably SPF 30.  And make sure that you reapply it; often, during sports or water play, we forget that even the best sunscreen can get washed away.

Even darker skin types can benefit from sunscreen application, though some African American and Indian occupants find that they have a natural, built-in “sunscreen” thanks to their deeper complexions.

Toxin Avoidance

Are you working around a lot of toxins on a daily basis?  For instance, if you have a job in a plant that manufactures pesticides or herbicides, or if you use such items, you may actually be at a higher risk for types of skin cancer.

Because toxins can enter the bloodstream through the skin (it’s essentially porous, like a sponge), you’ll need to be ultra careful when working or playing around anything that could cause problems.  Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants tucked into boots, gloves, hats, and, of course, eye protection for maximum prevention.

If you feel that you are being unduly exposed to toxic elements, you may want to consider switching careers.  Even taking a lower pay rate is worth it to save your skin from types of skin cancer.

Eating a Healthy Diet

Finally, though this is somewhat of a debatable prevention method for avoiding types of skin cancer, it’s worth stating.  Many people believe that a wholesome, organic diet that avoids “free radicals” often found in processed foods can help prevent types of skin cancer (as well as other cancers.)

Again, even though the jury is essentially “out” on whether this is a valid point, it’s never a bad idea to start eating more healthfully.

Like many cancers, no one knows for sure what causes prostate
cancer, but there are risk factors that point to certain things that
can be done to prevent it.  That being said, some risk factors that
increase the likelihood of being diagnosed with prostate cancer cannot
be avoided (like age) while others (such as exercise) are within a
person’s control.

Prostate cancer is a slow-growing cancer
that forms in the prostate – a gland that is only found in men.  The
chance that a man will get prostrate cancer in his lifetime increases
dramatically as he gets older.  In prostate cancer patients, 67% of men
are over the age of 65.  Another factor that is uncontrollable is race;
African American men are more likely to get prostate cancer than
Caucasian or Asian males.

Nationality and family history are
two additional risk factors that play a part in prostate cancer.  Men
that live in North America have the highest risk of getting prostate
cancer as opposed to South America, Asia or Africa.  If a man has had a
close relative diagnosed with prostate cancer he should be monitored
for cancer himself on an ongoing basis.

Regardless of the
risk factors that are not in your control.  By taking control of your
diet and exercise routine you can lower your risk of getting prostate
cancer.  Men should include a healthy variety of foods in their diet
with special attention paid to high-fiber fruits and vegetables.  It is
recommended that men should consume 5 servings every day of this food
group.  In addition, they should limit their intake of red meat and
high-fat dairy.  These two foods have shown up quite frequently as a
mainstay in the diet of prostate cancer patients.  And most men over
the age of 65 with a routine exercise program had lower instances of
being diagnosed with prostate cancer.

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Even if you aren’t at risk for cancer from a hereditary standpoint, it’s always a good idea to know the types of cancer.  In fact, in this day and age, it’s likely that you’ll be affected by cancer one way or another.  Perhaps it will occur in a coworker.  Maybe it will be found in your sister or mother.  Or may you’ll someday have to fight it on your own.  In any case, it’s wise to know the types of cancer, just for your own safety. 

Here, we’ll look at the top types of cancer in the United States:

Lung and Bronchus Cancers

What they are:  Cancer that attacks the respiratory system and eventually compromises the lungs, bronchial passages, and airways. 

Signs and symptoms:  Usually, persons with lung cancer experience pain when breathing or difficulty in trying to gasp for air.

Aggravators:  The most common culprits causing these types of cancer are smoking and tobacco use. 

Breast Cancers

What they are:  Cancer that begins (or enters) the breast and surrounding tissues, including the lymph nodes. 

Signs and symptoms:  Depending upon the types of cancer involved, there may be lumps in the breast tissue, swollen lymph nodes, breast tenderness, breast hardening, and unexplainable nipple discharge.

Aggravators:  Breast cancer is often genetic; many researchers believe they have isolated genes that can help women (and some men) discover their risk factors for this disease.

Prostate Cancer

What this is:  The cancer of the prostate is of the types of cancer that affects men over a certain age (usually around 50). 

Signs and symptoms:  Most males experience difficulty urinating and an enlarged prostate as signs of their prostate cancer.

Aggravators:  Prostate cancer is usually hereditary, but can also be brought on by problems such as chronic inflammatory bowel disease and poor health and nutrition habits.

Pancreatic cancer is formed inside the pancreas, a body organ that
is located behind the stomach.  The pancreas is made up of two glands
inside that produce two different kinds of cells exocrine and
endocrine.  The names of the two different kinds of tumors that can be
found in patients with pancreatic cancer are adenocarcinomas (exocrine
tumors) and islet cell tumors (endocrine tumors).

Older men
are at the highest risk of getting pancreatic cancer and people of the
African American race are more likely to have this disease than
Caucasian people.  These are three different risk factors that there is
no control over.  If you are an African American male over the age of
55 and have any of the below risk factors too you should speak to your
doctor about getting screen for pancreatic cancer.

Some of
the risk factors of pancreatic cancer that we do have control over are
our diet, whether or not we smoke and maintaining a healthy body
weight.  In order for body weight to be an issue, a person would have
to be considered clinically obese (very overweight).   If through your
work you are routinely using or exposed to chemicals such as bug spray,
gasoline, or dyes this could put you at a higher risk of pancreatic
cancer.

Many people with diabetes are at a higher risk of
pancreatic cancer.  Diabetes is a disease where the pancreas does not
produce or does not produce enough insulin for the body.  There is a
link between the pancreas not creating enough insulin and an increased
risk of pancreatic cancer.

There is an increased risk of 10% of
getting pancreatic cancer if there is a history of the disease in
someone in your family.  It is not known for sure what causes
pancreatic cancer but these are some of the risk factors that could
indicate you may be at risk of getting it.

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Oral cancers, including tongue cancer, are on the decline.  Nonetheless, an estimated 34,000 patients this year will receive the devastating news that they have this condition.

Though some tongue cancers are hereditary or aberrations, many are preventable.  If you are engaging in any high risk activities, you are encouraged to stop now, lest you risk losing any part of your oral cavity… or even your life.

Smoking

Tobacco use is a known risk factor for tongue cancer; therefore, if you smoke, it’s recommended that you stop as soon as possible.  Many organizations offer free smoking cessation programs, and some workplaces are even jumping on the bandwagon, offering monetary rewards to those employees who can kick the smoking habit.

Additionally, most health insurance companies offer much lower premiums to persons who stop smoking.  They realize that smoking can lead to terrible health consequences, including (but not limited to) cancers of the mouth such as tongue cancer.

“Chewing”

No, we’re not talking about eating your food.  We’re talking about chewing tobacco.  Whether you call it “chaw”, “chew”, or some other moniker, it’s a terrible habit and can lead directly to tongue cancer.

Like smoking, it may be difficult at first to give up smokeless tobacco.  Try nicotine patches, medications, or even hypnosis… anything that will help you end your relationship with this life-threatening habit.

Excessive Alcohol

If you have a drink every now and then, you probably aren’t likely to aggravate tongue cancer.  However, if you are someone who drinks to excess, often becoming inebriated or “blacking out” frequently, you need to curb your desire to imbibe beverages such as beer, wine, and liquors.

Similarly, if you have been diagnosed with alcoholism, it’s critical to get help.  Not only are you upping your risk of tongue cancer, you’re also ruining other parts of your anatomy.  And you deserve to be healthy.

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.

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.

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Cancer is a disease that affects many people throughout the US and the rest of the world.  In fact, it is estimated that one half of men and one third of women sometime is there life.  Many people wonder if there is a certain cancer cure that can rid people of their disease.  While there is no specific cancer cure developed for all types of cancers, some treatments do provide a cancer cure for certain forms of the disease.  Some popular types of treatment for cancer include chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. 

Chemotherapy is often used as a cancer cure in somewhat serious, but not extremely advanced cases.  Chemotherapy drugs are usually given in a series of treatments that usually involve pills given in caplet form.  Chemotherapy drugs are meant to stop cancerous cells from dividing and reproducing.  These drugs are carried through the blood and can reach cancer that is in many parts of the body.  This cancer cure method is great because once the chemotherapy drugs damage parts of the body, healthy cells are about the fix the damage and cancer cells are not, and therefore the cancer cells eventually dies.  There are some side effects to chemotherapy because certain parts of the body are very sensitive to the drugs.  These sensitive body parts include the lining of the mouth, bone marrow, hair follicles (which is why people sometimes loose their hair during treatment) and the digestive system.

Another form of treatment used as a cancer cure is radiation.  While radiation does kill the cancer, it also can kill normal tissue and therefore can be very obtrusive to the patient.  Many people with cancer get radiation treatment, especially people in later stages of cancer; in fact, about 50 percent of all cancer patients get radiation treatment as part of their cancer cure plan.

The most well-known and common risk factor for breast cancer is
being female.  Breast cancer is primarily known as a cancer that
affects women.  While the majority of people who are diagnosed with
this type of cancer are female, it is not isolated to only women.  Men
have been and are diagnosed with breast cancer, just not as
frequently. 

Your age also plays a factor in how likely you
are to have breast cancer.  Some women are diagnosed in their 40’s but
the majority of people diagnosed are over 50 years old.  This does not
mean if you are in your 20’s or 30’s you cannot have breast cancer.  It
does mean the likelihood (or chances) are far less when you are younger.

Scientists
and doctors have isolated some genes that can point to a likelihood you
will develop breast cancer.  This means that you have inherited certain
genes from your parents that are called mutations and can increase your
chances up to 80% that you will develop breast cancer in your
lifetime.  In the majority of scenarios, you will not know of these
genes unless you decide to undergo genetic testing.  This may be an
option for you if there is a family history of breast cancer.

Two
other risk factors for breast cancer are race and if you have been
diagnosed with breast cancer already.  Caucasian women have a higher
risk of developing breast cancer over many other races (African
American, Asian, Hispanic, and Native American).  It has been noted
that they mortality rate is higher in African American women than it is
in Caucasian women who have been diagnosed.  In addition, if you have
been diagnosed with this type of cancer before, you are at an increased
risk to do so again.  This is not the same cancer returning but a new
instance of breast cancer in your body.