Archive for the 'Disease & Illness' Category

Breast Cancer Program Atlanta

Published
by
hotel india
on November 10, 2008
in Breast Cancer
. 0 Comments
by Swewezen

A lot of us have heard a lot about breast cancer, but what exactly is it? Breast cancer is a lump of cells that rapidly grow and divide in various parts of the breast and breast tissue. 80% of breast cancer is formed in the hollow areas of the mammary ducts, the other 20% occurs in the lobules. Cancerous tumors usually grow very slowly and can actually be present for 10 years before being detectable by a self examination. However, a lump does not necessarily mean you have evasive cancer. It is very important to understand the difference between carcinoma in situ and invasive breast cancer.

Carcinoma in situ is a disease in which abnormal cell growth occurs either in the mammary ducts or the lobules, but has not spread to surrounding breast tissues. The term “in situ” actually means “in place” which is obviously reflects the stationary nature of the abnormal cells. Ductal (DCIS)and lobular(LCIS) carcinoma in situ are the two sub-categories of this disease.

DCIS is a disease where abnormal cells begin growing in the hollow areas of the mammary ducts. These abnormal cells carry a strong resemblance to those of invasive cancer - DCIS can actually become invasive cancer if left untreated. It is because of this reason that it is very important to frequently perform self examinations.

LCIS is a disease where abnormal cell growth takes place in the hollow areas of the lobules. LCIS differs from DCIS in the fact that LCIS cells do not have the potential to become invasive cancer. However, women that have LCIS are at a much higher risk of getting invasive cancer.

Invasive cancer is when these abnormal cells/tumor spread into surrounding breast tissues and organs. However, invasive cancer could still only be confined to the breast area. If invasive cancer is detected in its early stage, it can be treated with successful outcomes. But in more advanced stages, where the tumor has grown to affect other organs such as the liver, lungs, and bones treatment have lower success rates.

If a woman finds a lump, it is extremely important to get it checked out, the odds of it being invasive cancer is about 20%. She can do this by either getting a mammogram or a biopsy. The mammogram will provide additional information about the size and severity of the tumor. And if necessary, a biopsy will be taken, which can give a physician definitive answers on what type of cancer and its severity.

About the Author:
In this article, Breast Cancer Symptoms and ways of identifying them are discussed. The Emory Breast Center is a reputable choice for those experiencing breast cancer symptoms.

The Boogey Man… Sorry, the Dentist Is In

Published
by
James Cavalier
on November 2, 2008
in Disease & Illness
. 0 Comments
by Dane Masters

Hurrah! Here comes our yearly dental treat. You are nervously anticipating the date. Perhaps your toothache is driving you nuts and even the terrifying whirr of your dentist’s drill could become music to your ears. Just talking about this already gives me the creeps.

Don’t You Just Hate to Visit a Dentist?

I simply can’t stand visiting the dentist. And we all know that it’s much worse to venture in there with a nasty toothache. The mere thought of a cavity and the dreadful scream of that drill. Okay, does anyone else want to break that drill? It’s pretty much official; we all hate the drill. The sad truth is we just have to take good care of our choppers so the drill won’t become an issue.

Have you ever suffered from a dull, painful toothache? Oh, I have to admit, I’ve certainly been there before. Each time it’s happened, I thought for sure it was a cavity. Come on, what else could it be? Well, in reality it could be a number of things. I recall one time I had a toothache and went to the dentist to help me out. It turned out that part of a filling had broken off. Yes! No cavity. That’s all I could really think about at the time.

Important Dental Pre Care

One more reason for having that annoying toothache is having uncovered roots. Vigorous brushing could sometimes expose the roots of the teeth which could let in liquid along the base of the gums. This can cause toothache or sensitive teeth. From childhood, we have been drilled (no pun intended) on the ways of dental and gum care. Brushing after every meal or at least twice a day and flossing will surely keep your dentist away from you most of the time. I highly advise using a fluoride rinse at least once a day. This will strengthen your teeth, making it healthier even without the aid of your dentist.

Only Choice You Have, Contact Your Dentist

If you do have a nasty toothache, then inevitably you must head to the dentist. Unless this toothache goes away rather quickly, you’ll want to consult your dentist for a remedy. If you don’t seek professional assistance, your simple toothache could turn into something much more. Let’s face it, a trip to the dentist is no picnic, but an eternal toothache is much worse.

About the Author:
Dane Masters is an accomplished author. To learn more about oral care ingredients, please visit dentists in your area for current articles and discussions.

Do You Have Skin Cancer? How Do You Know? Read the Article and Find Out How!!

Published
by
James Cavalier
on October 28, 2008
in Skin Cancer
. 0 Comments
by Dane Masters

One fine day when I was at a local store I was impressed by the hair coloring of the clerk seated there. I told her how beautiful the coloring looked on her with that perfect dark base and the streaks that looked so natural. It seemed as if the sun itself had beautifully dyed her hair. We got talking about how when we were young we did not have to take the help of any hair dye. We had to spray SunIn on the hair and exposed it to sunlight for an hour or so and we had the desired hair color. This led to discussing how that was almost impossible now what with the ozone layer weakening and the ultraviolet rays having the potential to cause irreparable damage to our hair. (SunIn by the way is not one of the aerosols but is a pump spray).

However we are not here to discuss hair coloring methods that do not contain chemicals. We are here to provide you with information regarding the many types of skin cancer. However as we are no skin experts the information that we make available to you here would be basic and informative.

The major types of skin cancer are: Basal Cell Carcinoma (also referred to as non-melanoma skin cancer); Melanoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Melanoma (also called Malignant Melanoma or Cutaneous Melanoma) - The cancer cells take birth in the melanocytes which is the pigment that gives skin its color. The University of Maryland medicine says that Melanoma is the most harmful of all the different types of skin cancer. It mostly occurs in people who have fair skin, light hair and light eyes. It also occurs in people who have other complexions too. People who have brown or black complexion are equally at risk of contracting Melanoma. The symptoms of the disease includes moles that have recently changed color, shape, size, or its state (if it starts to ooze or bleed), or a mole that according to the University of Maryland medicine is swollen, itchy, or hard.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma- This is also known as non-melanoma skin cancer. In the early stages it manifested in red colored patches or nodules in the skin. It is the second most common type of cancer and affects mostly the fair skinned. It is evident mostly in the rims of the ears, lips, face, and mouth.

Basal Cell Carcinoma- This is another common type of cancer and is found mostly on the neck, head, and/or hands. It appears as a small fleshy nodule or bump. Among the three different types of skin cancer Basal Cell Carcinoma affects the Caucasians and over 90% of the people in US who have skin cancer suffer from Basal Cell Carcinoma.

My mother had Basal Cell Carcinoma on her lip, and while we thought it to be Herpes, she knew it was “sun blister” and immediately went to the doctor to know about it. This is good news if you are one of those that talks about the loss of the days of being in the sun, of sunbathing, swimming and frolicking outdoors in the warm sunshine.

About the Author:
Dane Masters is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about Preventing And Controlling Skin Cancer, please visit Skin Cancer Prevention Food for current articles and discussions.

Breast Cancer Support Services

Published
by
Jake Gadlin
on August 6, 2008
in Breast Cancer
. 0 Comments
by Roselyn Capen

Breast cancer can be very terrifying, especially if your cancer has advanced. It is inevitable to feel lonely, even when you have the support of your family and friends. You will feel they do not understand your fears, and, in such times, interacting with other breast cancer patients and survivors can go a long way in alleviating your fears and misery.

There are, for such terrible times, support groups which have been started by women who know exactly how you feel and know just want you need. These groups not only let you interact with breast cancer victims and survivors from across the world, but also give you priceless information on your cancer and treatment, because they combine experience with research.

Susan G. Komen’s cms.komen.org, besides providing you all the information on breast cancer that you may need, has internal research projects to help you cure better and faster. Being the largest group of breast cancer survivors, you will never feel left out in the presence of these women. Also are groups, like bcsupport.org and y-me.org, which have chat rooms where breast cancer survivors and activists can meet up and interact with each other, receive news on latest developments in the field, and suggest better treatment methods as well as inform you on the prevalent technology and breast cancer know-how.

Breastcancersupport.org is a volunteer-based organization that was started in 1988 by two breast cancer victims who understood the need of helping and enlightening breast cancer victims. So you see, you just have to look around, make a few searches here and there, and you will find many people who know and understand just how you feel.

These organizations will not give you a magical power to fight breast cancer. They just let you know that you are not the only one going through these miseries, and that, in no manner, do you have to be the only one to face them. They stand by you, cheer you up, and see you through it through the sheer power of understanding. You, too, will find yourself developing affection for them, and might even want to volunteer to help other scared women, just by being friends with them. This will give you a mental strength for surviving your treatment, more than you can now imagine.

Not only do these organizations give you emotional support, if you are financially insecure, they make donations for your treatments, which are entirely voluntary. Your only decision is to ask for help in this matter, and you will find a whole new world of love and affection.

About the Author:
Get help at good breast cancer support groups. A good breast cancer treatment center can support you with a lot of knowledge and experience.

Breast Cancer Symptoms

Published
by
Ray Lam
on August 4, 2008
in Breast Cancer
. 0 Comments
by Ray Lam

In our world today, breast cancer is one of the most common diseases and causes of death mostly among women. Breast cancer also occur in men though it is less common since the breast is being composed of identical tissues in both males and females.

In the early stage, breast cancer can be in form of painful lump and at times be presented as breast pain. It can also come as inflammation when it is associated with the skin. In this case the breast tumour itself is causing inflammatory reaction of the skin and this causes a lot of pains, swelling, redness of the breast and also warmth throughout the breast.

In addition to this, changes in the shape and appearance of the breast is also suspicious to breast cancer. Before the arrival of X-ray of the breast (mammography) breast cancer is mostly discovered as not showing the evidence of the disease before the symptom comes to existence, which means that the X-ray helps a lot to detect this deadly disease earlier.

Though not all the breast symptoms turns out to be breast cancer but skin changes of the nipples is one of the late manifestation of cancer. At any age, the appearance of any breast symptom should be taken seriously by both the patient and the doctor meanwhile there may be possibility of breast cancer in any breast symptom.

In some women breast cancer may have spread to distant organs, before mammography screening or symptoms showed the breast cancer. This can happen because early stage breast cancer does not usually cause any symptoms. If the cancer has spread to other organs these women may present with symptoms related to these organs. For example if the cancer has spread to the bone the woman may develop bone pain or bone fracture.

About the Author:
Learn about avon breast cancer walk and get a limited FREE report on Latest Breast Cancer Drugs by visiting http://breast-cancer-remedy.info, a popular website that provides free breast cancer care advice.

Definition of Stage IV Breast Cancer

Published
by
Ray Lam
on August 2, 2008
in Breast Cancer
. 0 Comments
by Ray Lam

Stage IV breast cancer has traditionally been considered an incurable cancer. In the mid to late 1980’s the average patient with stage IV breast cancer treated with low-dose chemotherapy survived 8-10 months before their cancer relapsed and less than 5% of patients could expect to survive 5 years without their cancer recurring. In 1988, the results of a small clinical trial treating 22 women with stage IV breast cancer treated with high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplant were published. Fourteen percent of these patients treated with high-dose chemotherapy survived without their cancer recurring beyond 5 years.

By 1997, these patients had been observed over 10 years and the original 14% remain alive without a relapse of their cancer and appear cured of their disease. It is important to understand that because over 50% of patients with stage IV breast cancer relapse, it is not useful to compare the response rate to chemotherapy, the average duration of survival or time to relapse. When evaluating treatment strategies in stage IV breast cancer, patients should compare the percent of patients alive with or without relapse 3-5 years from treatment to determine whether a treatment is truly superior.

In one clinical trial published in 1997, women in complete remission after induction chemotherapy were treated with high-dose chemotherapy or no further treatment. At 5 years from diagnosis, 24% of the women treated with immediate high-dose chemotherapy survived without disease recurrence, compared to only 8% of the women who did not receive further treatment.

Since this is the most deadly category of breast cancer, it is important to work closely with all the health care providers. New treatments are being developed all the time, and second, or even third opinions may give the patient more information about newly discovered successful solutions.

High-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplant treatment for previously untreated stage IV breast cancer appears safe; however, the benefit of this treatment approach is currently unknown. It is known that many factors may influence an individual patient’s potential outcome if treated with high-dose chemotherapy. Patients without prior treatment, those with small amounts of cancer, and those whose cancer responds to conventional chemotherapy all do better.

Early detection procedures must include monthly self-examinations done at the same time each month. From age 20-40, healthy women should have clinical breast exams performed by their health care providers every three years. After age 40, the breast exams should be annually and should include a mammogram or similar procedure.

Monoclonal antibodies are a treatment that can locate cancer cells and kill them directly without harming normal cells. Herceptin (trastuzumab) is the first monoclonal antibody approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of breast cancer. Herceptin recognizes a protein on the cancer cell surface of 1 in 3 patients with breast cancer. In order to be treated with Herceptin your doctor must test the breast cancer cells for the protein that Herceptin recognizes. This protein is called Her 2-neu. Herceptin or other monoclonal antibodies are not substitutes for other cancer treatments but have the advantage of being administered during or after high-dose chemotherapy and killing cancer cells by a different method than chemotherapy with the goal of improving the total treatment. Clinical trials are currently being performed to determine whether monoclonal antibodies administered during or after high-dose chemotherapy can improve survival or cure rates.

About the Author:
Learn about signs of breast cancer and get a limited FREE report on Latest Breast Cancer Drugs by visiting http://breast-cancer-remedy.info, a popular website that provides free signs of breast cancer advice.

Breast Cancer Drugs

Published
by
Ray Lam
on August 2, 2008
in Breast Cancer
. 0 Comments
by Ray Lam

On March 13, the FDA approved a new drug that in recent clinical trials, delayed the spread of advanced breast cancer who were no longer showing any reaction to Hereceptin. Hereceptin is a drug which affectively combats cancerous tumors filled with too much HER-2 protein.

The new drug called Tykerb, couple with chemotherapy, has show in clinical trials to do a better job of fighting breast cancer than chemo alone.

Dr. Gary M. Freedman, a radiation oncologist at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia said,”There’s still a lot of questions that remain, but this study confirms that five years of tamoxifen alone is really becoming the wrong answer for most postmenopausal women. At this point, you have to say that aromatase inhibitors are in the mix of treatment at some point.”

But is there a place for the medication in the prevention of new breast cancer cases? That answer still remains elusive so we don’t know if it should be given to healthy women as a way of reducing breast cancer risk.

Tamoxifen must still undergo many tests and trials before it will even be considered for approval. But it is definitely a step in the right direction not to just find a new better cure, but to also realize where our current treatments fall short.

About the Author:
Learn about breast cancer pink ribbon and get a limited FREE report on Latest Breast Cancer Drugs by visiting http://breast-cancer-remedy.info, a popular website that provides free breast cancer care advice.

Metastatic Breast Cancer

Published
by
Raymond Lam
on August 2, 2008
in Breast Cancer
. 0 Comments
by Ray Lam

A diagnosis of breast cancer can be enormously overwhelming and frightening for anyone. But when the diagnosis is that of metastatic breast cancer, the fear can be staggering. This type of cancer is defined as breast cancer that has spread from the breast - the original site of the cancer - to other parts of the body such as the bones, lungs, or liver. The treatment may be devastating to a newly diagnosed patient; but new advances in treatment can help manage symptoms and increase longevity.

Her diagnosis gave a face to this illness. Americans began to discuss Elizabeth and John Edward’s decisions. Globally, people talked about how deeply cancer affects families. Breast cancer is something that affects many, and almost everyone has known someone who has died from it. Her announcement gave a face to it and it made people think. It brought the topic out in the open.

Women who have stage IV breast cancer usually receive chemotherapy and or hormonal therapy to destroy cancer cells and control the disease. They may have surgery or radiation therapy to control the cancer in the breast. Radiation may also be useful to control tumors in other parts of the body. The symptoms of metastatic breast cancer varies depend on where the cancer is and how large it is.

Sometimes, like Mrs. Edwards, it is a recurrence of the original cancer. However, in one out of ten diagnosed, the first diagnosis that a woman hears is metastatic breast cancer.

In it, cells break away from the breast, circulating through the blood and lymphatic system. The body’s immune system attacks these circulating cancer cells. Most do not survive, but if the immune system malfunctions or is weak, or for another, unknown reason, will usually spread to the bone, then lung and liver next. The cells that have metastasized are still breast cancer cells, no matter where they are found in the body.

While a frightening diagnosis, it does not have to mean a death sentence. Armed with the most up-to-date research and treatment options, patients can act as advocates for their own health, making educated decisions regarding the course of their treatment. As research continues concerning the newest and best ways to treat metastatic breast cancer, sufferers and their families will continue to see advances in medical treatment that will foster health and save lives.

Palliative care to relieve symptoms from both the cancer and treatment involves drug and non-drug treatments such as relaxation therapy, acupuncture, and dietary management. Besides physical symptoms, palliative care for patients who are being treated or who cannot be cured focuses on spiritual and emotional needs, as well as physical needs.

North American white women have the highest rates of breast cancer in the world, but the 5-year survival rate for all stages (Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, and Stage 4) combined is 88% for the U.S. A recent study found European countries have lower 5-year breast cancer survival rates, with England at 77.8% and Ireland at 76.2% (Lancet Oncology). The difference in these survival rates is usually attributed to life-saving early detection.

About the Author:
Learn about breast cancer markers and get a limited FREE report on Latest Breast Cancer Drugs by visiting http://breast-cancer-remedy.info, a popular website that provides free breast cancer care advice.

Breast Cancer Treatment and Side Effects

Published
by
Ray Lam
on August 1, 2008
in Breast Cancer
. 0 Comments
by Ray Lam

The diagnosis of breast cancer is overwhelming. After the initial phase of diagnosis comes the discussion of your breast cancer treatment type. This decision should involve more than just your physician. Choosing the most appropriate breast cancer treatment type is a decision that ideally involves the patient, family, and healthcare team.

Ultimately, you and your physician must decide which breast cancer treatment type is right for you. While you need the input from friends and family the decision should be yours. You should feel confident about the decision you make. Becoming educated to what is available will help your decision-making process.

Making a confident decision about your breast cancer treatment type involves more than one aspect. The good news is that when detected early, breast cancer treatment is often successful. You should become familiar with the types of treatment available, the success rates, potential side effects, and why the treatment being recommended is best for your situation.

A woman’s chances of surviving breast cancer depend on early diagnosis and treatment Today a range of treatment procedures, each with specific benefits and risks, exists for breast cancer. The choice treatment in an individual case frequently may depend on several factors, such as the different stages and kinds of breast cancer, tumor location, the patient’s medical history, menopause status and age. The chemotherapy and hormone treatments commonly given after surgery to women with breast cancer are much more effective in prolonging life than previously believed.

Obviously the goal of treatment is to completely remove the cancer and prevent it from coming back. This may involve more than one type of treatment. The mainstay of breast cancer treatment is surgery, with possible chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.

Radiation therapy: X-rays or other high-energy rays are used to kill the cancer cells. These rays are applied to the tumours and surrounding areas.

About the Author:
Learn about signs of breast cancer and get a limited FREE report on Latest Breast Cancer Drugs by visiting http://breast-cancer-remedy.info, a popular website that provides free signs of breast cancer advice.

Crohn’s Disease: How To Tell If You Have It

Published
by
Alex Morgan
on July 17, 2008
in Disease & Illness
. 0 Comments
by Alex Morgan

Crohn’s disease causes inflammation along the walls of the digestive system, most often in the small and large intestines. It is a chronic condition with periods of flare ups and remissions. Although the exact causes of the disease are unknown, it is thought to have some genetic factor and is found more often in women and in smokers. The symptoms of the illness can vary greatly among people, both in the frequency and severity of attacks.

Inflammation of the digestive tract causes the area to become red and painfully swollen. Pain varies according to the site and severity of the flare up, but is often reported in the lower right side of the abdomen. Ulceration of the wall lining can also occur which causes the digestive tract to become further narrowed and will lead to blood in the feces. Eventually the digestive tract can become completely obstructed.

Diarrhea is a very common symptom of the disease and is often mixed with blood or pus. People will feel an urgency to go to the toilet, and many will also experience tenesmus, a feeling of needing to go to the toilet but having nothing to pass when you get there. General health can deteriorate as sufferers become anaemic due to heavy bleeding, or deficient in some vitamins and minerals since they are unable to absorb food properly. This causes weight loss and severe tiredness.

Crohn’s disease is suspected in people who have displayed its most common symptoms for more than three weeks, these include weight loss, diarrhea and pain. Various tests are then performed to confirm the diagnosis. These will include blood and stool samples, examination of the small or large intestine be endoscope , barium X-rays and biopsies taken from the area affected.

Once diagnosed, the treatment prescribed depends on the extent and severity of symptoms. Medication can often calm the inflammation, keep the symptoms down, and reduce the likelihood of relapse. If symptoms are severe, a course of steroids may be given for a few weeks. In about 70% of cases, the symptoms improve within four weeks of starting steroids. However, as steroids can cause side effects, they are not generally used as a long-term treatment. Another group or medicines known as 5-aminosalicylate medicines can be used as an alternative to steroids for mild to moderate symptoms. These drugs can be given as oral tablets or as rectal suppositories. Other medications are prescribed as needed; antibiotics for additional infection, vitamin supplements and iron for nutritional deficiencies, diarrhea treatments if this is a major problem.

For a large majority of people with the illness, there may be times when medication alone is not enough. Sometimes a strict diet is required for a short time to rest the digestive system. Often people will require hospitalization and even surgery to remove a very affected part, or a blockage or abscess in some part of the gut.

At present there is no cure for Crohn’s disease and no known way to prevent it, but the symptoms can be treated and the periods of remission can be stretched to last several years. Most people are able to lead normal lives. The research and development of new medications for Crohn’s disease is continuing, and it seems likely that there will be a number of new treatments available in the near future.

About the Author:
You can get even more information about Crohn’s disease on my website. Visit now to read more high quality articles, resources, information and facts about Crohn’s disease. Click here -> http://crohnsdiseasetoday.com