January 16, 2010 at 1:33 pm      Cancer

Thyroid cancer develops as a result of the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the thyroid gland, resulting in a tumor. Some of these tumors are benign or non cancerous while some are malignant or cancerous. The malignant tumors spread to the nearby tissues and other parts of the body causing severe complications. Since the thyroid gland is close to the skin, tumors often appear as lumps called thyroid nodules in the neck. Thyroid cancer is more widespread among women than men; however, the reason for this is not clear. About 20,000 cases of thyroid cancer are reported each year in the United States.

The precise causes of thyroid cancer remain vague. Some studies reveal that people who are exposed to large amounts of radiation or those who have undergone radiation treatments for medical purposes, especially on the head and neck, face an increased risk of developing thyroid cancer. The occurrence of thyroid cancer is high in countries where people follow a low iodine diet. People with certain medical conditions or a family history of thyroid disease have a higher risk of developing thyroid cancer. Incidents of thyroid cancer arise mainly in the age group of 25 to 65 years.

Thyroid cancer may be papillary, follicular, medullary, or anaplastic. A fine needle aspiration (FNA) test is an ideal test for thyroid cancer. Papillary is the most usual type, while Follicular is a less common one usually found in older people. Medullary and anaplastic are rare types, the former often hereditary and the latter fast-growing one seen more among older people. The anaplastic type is difficult to treat. Thyroid cancers tend to develop at a slow pace, and it may take some time before any symptoms appear. Most types of thyroid cancer can be treated successfully with early detection and appropriate surgical procedures.

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January 16, 2010 at 1:33 pm      Cancer

The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system. It is located just below the bladder and wraps around the urethra. The prostate gland measures 3-4 cm long and 3-5 cm in width. On average, the prostate gland weighs 20 grams. The prostate consists of approximately 30% muscular tissue while the remaining is glandular tissue.

Seminal vesicles are attached to the prostate and produce material that mixes with prostatic fluid to form semen. The tubes from the testicles carry sperm to the prostate, which mixes with the seminal fluid and is ejaculated during orgasm.

The prostate may increase in size as age progresses. This condition is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). More than 40% of men have an enlarged prostate by the age of 70. Enlargement of the prostate causes it to press against the urethra and weaken the flow of urine. An increase in size may indicate the condition of benign prostatic hyperplasia or a urologic condition. It need not necessarily indicate the growth of cancer cells. Benign prostatic hyperplasia does not increase the risk of prostate cancer but indicates the possibility of occurrence.

Three common diseases of the prostate are benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostates and prostate cancer. Each condition affects the prostate differently.

The male sex hormone, testosterone, plays an important part in the normal growth and function of the prostate gland. The testicles produce testosterone and is a concern for those diagnosed with hormone-dependent prostate cancer. As long as testosterone is produced, prostate cancer is very likely to grow and spread throughout the body.

The prostate has various concentric zones, known as the anterior fibromuscular stroma, peripheral zone, central zone and transition zone. A doctor is able to examine the peripheral zone by inserting a finger in the rectum. Benign prostatic hyperplasia develops in the transition zone and grows in size. The anterior fibromuscular stroma is the anchoring point of the urethra

sphincter. It does not contain any glands and hence cancer or enlargement does not usually develop there. It is essential to contact a urologist in case one experiences the symptoms to ensure early preventive care.

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January 16, 2010 at 1:33 pm      Cancer

Many of us have family members, friends or acquiantences who are suffering, or have suffered, through cancer and most of those people have been treated with chemotherapy.

One of the most common effects of chemotherapy, besides loss of energy, wanting to sleep all the time and the loss of imunity, is hair loss. Between people the hair loss will vary from thinning of the hair to a complete loss of hair.

Complete hair loss means from all part of the body including pubic hair. While it is difficult to see yourself without hair, you should know that the hair will reappear over a period of a few days or not happen for weeks into the therapy

Not every cancer drug used in chemotherapy will cause hair loss. Make sure you talk with your doctor about new chemotherapy drugs that may not cause you to lose your hair.

When the hair comes back, it can come back different then what the patient is used to. A friend of mine had perfectly straight hair, then went through chemo and when her hair eventually came back it looked as though see had a perm.

If you are about to go through chemotherapy you should plan to manage hair loss during treatment. You may not experience total hair loss, but being prepared for hair loss will allow you more peace if it occurs.

Before you start going through chemo, start being kind to your hair. If you are bleaching, coloring, or perming your hair, STOP!, can make it weaker. Avoid hair dryers and curling irons. The heat will contribute to the loss of your. You may want to consider cutting your hair. Short hair looks thicker than long hair and it won’t be so easily noticed. It might make it easier on you and your emotions if your hair is short before it starts falling out.

If and when you do start to lose your hair make sure that you protect what hair you have by using a satin pillowcase, using a softer brush, and washing your hair only when it is necessary. When you do shampoo, use a gentle shampoo without chemicals or detergents that can dry out your scalp.

I’ve heard of some poeple that even have shaved their head instead of allowing the hair to fall out in clumps. Patients report that shaving their head eases the irritation and itching that accompanies gradual hair loss from chemotherapy. It may also look better than hair that is patchy and sparse during therapy.

If you have lost your hair you have the choice to use wigs, scarves, hats, turbans, or hairpieces. A wig may sound like a terrible idea, but a friend of mine wore a wig and it looked so good I just assumed that they never lost their hair when they went through chemo.

The National Cancer Institute advises cancer patients if they are going to buy a wig for use during chemotherapy, to have it fitted and made before the therapy starts. The wig matches more closely to their original hair color and texture.

Why does hair loss occur when a patient has chemotherapy?

The drugs used for cancer treatment are designed to attack fast growing cancer cells. They also attack other cells in your bodies and including the hair follicles and roots. This means that hair loss may not be limited to the scalp. People also may lose hair from their arms, legs, underarms, and pubic area. The eyebrows and eyelashes may also be affected.

There isn’t a treatment yet to prevent hair loss during and after chemotherapy. It’s best to plan, there is a chance you won’t lose your hair, but if you have planned and prepared for the loss, everything will be ready if you need it. Patients have tried placing ice packs on the scalp to slow blood circulation and maybe prevent hair loss. Most find it is cold and uncomfortable and not worth the risk of cancer recurring in the scalp area. However, for those who have been willing to try it, seems to work for 50 percent of people.

Hair loss will continue for as much as a month after your last chemotherapy treatment. It may fall out by the hands full, or gradually. Specialists tell us that a person has to lose more than 50 percent of their hair before people will start noticing. Hair growth after chemotherapy is about a quarter inch of hair each month. It could also come in gray until pigment cells start working again and give your hair its natural color.

Hair growth treatments won’t prevent hair loss but it will speed up the growth process of new hair. Using this drug may slow down the rate of hair loss, but that depends on each individual.

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January 16, 2010 at 1:33 pm      Cancer

A lot has been said about what mesothelioma is, what mesothelioma lawyers can do and how can mesothelioma victims sue asbestos companies. It has also being explained in great detail what are the benefits for mesothelioma lawyers, the suing process and the amounts a victim can obtain when winning the case. What about asbestos companies? Were they really unaware of this kind of cancer? What about the government? Did it really have no knowledge whatsoever about what was going on? Shouldn

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January 16, 2010 at 1:33 pm      Cancer

The most common diseases caused by asbestos are asbestosis and pleural disease. The most general forms of asbestos cancer are mesothelioma and lung cancer. The former is also occasionally called mesothelioma cancer or simply

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January 16, 2010 at 1:33 pm      Cancer

Cancer is a very deadly disease. This disease is one of the most deadly in terms of numbers killed year in and out. According to statistics one in three people will be affected by cancer. And one in four people will die of cancer. However cancer could be prevented in certain situations. The first step in cancer prevention is learning what causes it and the risk factors involved. Avoiding these risk factors can help a person reduce the likelihood of having cancers.

Here are the following risk factors that a person can avoid to prevent cancer.

1. Tobacco

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January 16, 2010 at 1:33 pm      Cancer

After Natural Disasters there can be a lot of debris in the air and that can get into our lungs. Imagine a building with asbestos insulation torn apart and exposing all that insulation, well now you can see the problem.

One other issue which is happening right now is called the; 911 Death Cough, were first responders are getting sick and they are dying and coughing. Currently some 19,000 folks have the cough and so far less than 100 have died but they expect that the number may reach up into the 20,000 range in the next 10-years?

Well that is very unfortunate to see so many people who were only doing their jobs or trying to help, who are now dying due to breathing in airborne debris.

This very same thing can happen after Earthquakes, Tornadoes or of course large catastrophic Category Hurricanes like we saw during the 2005 Atlantic Tropical Hurricane Season. So there needs to be better protocols and consideration of wearing breathing apparatus, while emergency response is taking place, during clean up and demolition.

Even in the rebuilding stages we need to very much consider these things and watch the health of workers, first responders and construction personal. So, let us consider all of this in 2006.

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January 16, 2010 at 1:33 pm      Cancer

These days almost every worthy cause finds itself a proper ribbon, without getting into the debate about the use of ribbons and how people use them, there are not many ribbons that I know of that are more important than the breast cancer ribbon.

Breast cancer is a dangerous enemy, while it is true that the awareness to its risks and the understanding of the prevention measures that need to be taken on a regular basis has increased over the years and had probably saved many lives, some people are still not aware of breast cancer and others prefer to live in some sort of denial.

So why is it important to use the pink ribbon and join the fight against breast cancer? First of all it shows the most important thing a person can show, it shows that you care, its shows that you are willing to give a little of your time or energy to try and educate more people, to warn some others and to maybe, just by doing this very small action contribute to saving a life. This is not a joke, sometimes awareness is all that separates the ill from the healthy and the dead from the living, we are at an age where people are learning of new dangers every day, and with all these upcoming potential dangers of terrorism and natural disasters breast cancer has been here long enough and has cause so much pain and suffering that it certainly deserves to be treated as something we should all remember, even on a daily basis.

Every October is the international breast cancer awareness month, this is the time to try and do the most to increase the public awareness of this disease, and educate woman about the ways they can fight breast cancer, this month is also dedicated to raising money for the many different organizations and foundations that are working all year round on helping victims of breast cancer, some of these patients have no money and no funds they can use to try and treat the cancer, and these organizations help them get the support that they need.

So all you got to do is just place one of these pink ribbons on your shirt of jacket, and show the solidarity you have with the breast cancer patients, the victims and the family and friends of those who have been effected by this terrible disease. Remember that you do not have to limit yourself only to the month of October, and that it is enough for only one person to ask you about this ribbon

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January 16, 2010 at 1:33 pm      Cancer

The awareness of the dangers of skin cancer, particularly melanoma, has doubtless increased. Still, the most fatal form of melanoma is frequently left undiagnosed in the fledging stages.

Nodular melanoma is the most serious and life threatening form of skin cancer, constituting around 35% of all thick melanoma cases. In comparison, the most general form of melanoma, the superficial spreading melanoma, is regularly diagnosed in its infancy and characteristically is a thin melanoma.

The dissimilarity between thick and thin melanomas is quite straightforward. Thin melanomas have a tendency to spread out over the top of the skin surface. Thick melanomas, on the other hand, are more penetrating and grow deeper into the skin.

Commonly, nodular melanoma is already invasive upon first diagnosis. This form of cancer is normally seen on arms, legs and upper torso of an elderly person. The scalp may be affected at any age.

This malignancy is characterized by a bump-like feature, generally black, but at times blue, white, gray, brown, red, tan or skin tone.

Nodular melanoma is far less common than any of the other sub-types. It accounts for only 15% of all melanoma cases. Reports suggest that this disease commonly affects people after the age of fifty. Medically, nodular melanoma appears as a consistent blue-red, blue-black or amelanotic nodule.

Nearly 5% of nodular melanomas do not have pigment. They are called amelanotic melanoma. The most affected areas for nodular melanoma are the head, neck and upper torso. It is important to remember that a nodular melanoma usually starts in normal skin, and not in an already existing lesion. Nodular melanomas are also characterized by rapid growth.

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January 16, 2010 at 1:33 pm      Cancer

Have you have chest X-Rays? Well they can lead to Breast Cancer, or rather they can greatly increase the risks they say. A recent report in the UK says the women who are genetically susceptible to breast cancer can greatly increase their risks by getting chest X-rays.

The report States the Following; A chest X-ray could increase the risk of getting breast cancer; More than 1 in 500 with the susceptible gene face a dramatic rise in threat; Women with the BRCA1 and 2 mutation should opt for MRI scans. At least one medical cancer professor states that although this study appears to have proper data showing this there are limitations to the study because those women who are more apt to be in the hospital for another reason might have other issues involved as well.

Nevertheless the study shows the tens of thousands of women have increased their chances for breast cancer thru chest X-rays in the past. There is more information here and in much greater detail than this article shows.

http://news.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=936332006

One research project prior the Lancet Oncology study shows the opposite for BRCA mutations and this does also cause a question to the study X-ray issues and further finds that mammograms appear to not have the problems like the X-rays do. Go do some research on this yourself if you feel that this issue concerns you. Consider this in 2006.

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