Healty Articles

What causes bowel cancer?

We don't really know what causes bowel cancer, although diet is one of the main suspects. Most bowel cancers start as harmless growths (polyps) that turn into tumours. Just why a polyp starts to grow, or why one becomes cancerous, isn't known.
What we do know is that people who've had diseases that inflame the bowel for a long time are more likely to get bowel cancer than other people. So are people who've had close family members (such as parents, brothers or sisters) with bowel cancer, especially if they got it while aged under 50.
And, like most cancers, it's much more common in people over 50 than in younger people. You can't catch it from someone else, or pass it on to someone else if you have it.

How can I avoid bowel cancer?

What a person eats is probably important. Certainly, fewer people get it in countries where they eat lots of fruit, vegetables and cereal foods, and not much meat and animal fat. It's because of these clues and other research that most scientists think this sort of diet is good for you and diets rich in fruit and vegetables, and low in fat, could help to reduce your chance of developing bowel cancer.
Eating 2 pieces of fruit and 5 serves of vegetables a day could reduce your overall risk of cancer. This is part of a healthy diet for preventing heart disease too.
People who don't get much exercise also have a higher risk of bowel cancer. So keep active. That's something else that's good for your health in all sorts of ways.

What are the warning signs?

If you're over 50, or there has been bowel cancer in your family, it's a good idea to talk to your GP about getting checked, even if you don't have symptoms. Remember, the earlier bowel cancer is diagnosed, the better the chances that treatment will be successful.
You can't help getting older, and you can't help it if other people in your family had bowel cancer. But there are other things you can do.
The most common signs of bowel cancer are a change in how often you go to the toilet (doctors call this 'bowel habits') that doesn't return to normal after a couple of weeks. Faeces may be looser than usual, like diarrhoea, and you may find yourself going to the toilet more often. You may also be constipated or find that you feel you haven't finished after going to the toilet, or that you feel like going, but nothing happens.

Bleeding from the anus (rectal bleeding)

Blood in the faeces is usually caused by piles (haemorrhoids). Piles are unpleasant and should be treated, but they aren't dangerous. They usually have other symptoms as well as bleeding. They can be sore or itchy, and there are often little lumps around the rim of the anus that you can feel. But even if you have symptoms of piles, you should see a doctor if there's blood in your faeces.
Sometimes your doctor may actually be able to feel a growth in your abdomen. And there can be pain in the abdomen, particularly in older people. These symptoms can be caused by all sorts of things (rectal bleeding is quite common, and changes such as diarrhoea or constipation even more so) and in most cases it won't be cancer.
But if you have symptoms like these, see your doctor.
There is also a test you can buy at the chemist and do yourself at home to check for blood in your faeces (you can't usually see a small amount of dark blood). It's called the Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT), and it's much simpler than its name (occult just means 'hidden'). With the test you put a bit of 3 different bowel motions on slides or cards that you take to your doctor or back to the chemist to be sent away for analysis. With some kits, you do the testing yourself at home.
There are several types of FOBT. Some won't work properly unless you avoid certain foods for several days beforehand. Follow the instructions that come with whichever FOBT you buy.
The test finds even tiny amounts of blood in your faeces. Blood in the faeces could have come from a cancer in the bowel. It doesn't mean you do have bowel cancer. Most people who have blood in their faeces have it for some other reason. But in a few cases it will be cancer.
FOBT won't catch every bowel cancer. But by doing it regularly, you increase your chances of picking it up early. There's a 90 per cent chance that bowel cancer can be cured if it's found early enough. So if you have a positive result, talk it over with your doctor.
If you're over 50, it's a good idea to do a FOBT at least every 2 years. Every year is even better. If you have a family history of bowel cancer you could be at higher risk, even if you're under 50. Talk to your doctor about it. They may want to do a colonoscopy every 5 years, to look very carefully for early bowel cancers.


sources: http://www.mydr.com.au/gastrointestinal-health/bowel-cancer-causes-and-symptoms


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There are many different methods available for your doctor to treat bone cancer. The best treatment is based on the type of bone cancer, the location of the cancer, how aggressive the cancer is, and whether or not the cancer has invaded surrounding or distant tissues (metastasized). There are three main types of treatment for bone cancer: surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. These can be used either individually or combined with each other.
Surgery is often used to treat bone cancer. The goal of surgery is usually to remove the entire tumor and a surrounding area of normal bone. After the tumor has been removed, a pathologist examines it to determine if there is normal bone completely surrounding the tumor. If a portion of the cancer is left behind, it can continue to grow and spread, requiring further treatment. If the tumor specimen has normal cells completely surrounding it, there is a much better chance that the entire tumor has been removed and less chance for recurrence. Historically, amputations were frequently used to remove bone cancer. Newer techniques have decreased the need for amputation. In many cases, the tumor can be removed with a rim of normal bone without the need for an amputation. Depending on the amount of bone removed, the surgeon will replace something in its location. For smaller areas, this may be either bone cement or a bone graft from another place in your body or from the bone bank. For larger areas, the surgeon may place larger grafts from the bone bank or metal implants. Some of these metal implants have the ability to lengthen when used in growing children.
You may be referred to a medical oncologist for chemotherapy. This is the use of various medications used to try to stop the growth of the cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be used prior to surgery to try to shrink the bone tumor to make surgery easier. It can also be used after surgery to try to kill any remaining cancer cells left following surgery.
You could also be referred to a radiation oncologist for radiation therapy. The radiation therapy uses high-energy X-ray aimed at the site of the cancer to try to kill the cancer cells. This treatment is given in small doses daily over a period of days to months. As with chemotherapy, radiation therapy can be used either before or after a potential surgery, depending on the specific type of cancer.


source : http://www.medicinenet.com/bone_cancer/page4.htm#treatment

Although the incidence of testicular cancer has risen in recent years, more than 95 percent of cases can be cured. Treatment is more likely to be successful when testicular cancer is found early. In addition, treatment can often be less aggressive and may cause fewer side effects.
Most men with testicular cancer can be cured with surgery, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy. The side effects depend on the type of treatment and may be different for each person.
Seminomas and nonseminomas grow and spread differently and are treated differently. Nonseminomas tend to grow and spread more quickly; seminomas are more sensitive to radiation. If the tumor contains both seminoma and nonseminoma cells, it is treated as a nonseminoma. Treatment also depends on the stage of the cancer, the patient's age and general health, and other factors. Treatment is often provided by a team of specialists, which may include a surgeon, a medical oncologist, and a radiation oncologist.
The three types of standard treatment are described below.

• Surgery to remove the testicle through an incision in the groin is called a radical inguinal orchiectomy. Men may be concerned that losing a testicle will affect their ability to have sexual intercourse or make them sterile (unable to produce children). However, a man with one healthy testicle can still have a normal erection and produce sperm. Therefore, an operation to remove one testicle does not make a man impotent (unable to have an erection) and seldom interferes with fertility (the ability to produce children). For cosmetic purposes, men can have a prosthesis (an artificial testicle) placed in the scrotum at the time of their orchiectomy or at any time afterward.
  
  Some of the lymph nodes located deep in the abdomen may also be removed (lymph node dissection). This type of surgery does not usually change a man's ability to have an erection or an orgasm, but it can cause problems with fertility if it interferes with ejaculation. Patients may wish to talk with their doctor about the possibility of removing the lymph nodes using a special nerve-sparing surgical technique that may preserve the ability to ejaculate normally.
  
  
• Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. It is a local therapy, meaning that it affects cancer cells only in the treated areas. External radiation (from a machine outside the body), aimed at the lymph nodes in the abdomen, is used to treat seminomas. It is usually given after surgery. Because nonseminomas are less sensitive to radiation, men with this type of cancer usually do not undergo radiation therapy.
  
  Radiation therapy affects normal as well as cancerous cells. The side effects of radiation therapy depend mainly on the treatment dose. Common side effects include fatigue, skin changes at the site where the treatment is given, loss of appetite, nausea, and diarrhea. Radiation therapy interferes with sperm production, but many patients regain their fertility over a period of 1 to 2 years.
  
  
• Chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells. When chemotherapy is given to testicular cancer patients, it is usually given as adjuvant therapy (after surgery) to destroy cancerous cells that may remain in the body. Chemotherapy may also be the initial treatment if the cancer is advanced; that is, if it has spread outside the testicle at the time of the diagnosis. Most anticancer drugs are given by injection into a vein.
  
  Chemotherapy is a systemic therapy, meaning drugs travel through the bloodstream and affect normal as well as cancerous cells throughout the body. The side effects depend largely on the specific drugs and the doses. Common side effects include nausea, hair loss, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, chills, coughing/shortness of breath, mouth sores, or skin rash. Other side effects include dizziness, numbness, loss of reflexes, or difficulty hearing. Some anticancer drugs also interfere with sperm production. Although the reduction in sperm count is permanent for some patients, many others recover their fertility.
  
  Some men with advanced or recurrent testicular cancer may undergo treatment with very high doses of chemotherapy. These high doses of chemotherapy kill cancer cells, but they also destroy the bone marrow, which makes and stores blood cells. Such treatment can be given only if patients undergo a bone marrow transplant. In a transplant, bone marrow stem cells are removed from the patient before chemotherapy is administered. These cells are frozen temporarily and then thawed and returned to the patient through a needle (like a blood transfusion) after the high-dose chemotherapy has been administered.

Men with testicular cancer should discuss their concerns about sexual function and fertility with their doctor. It is important to know that men with testicular cancer often have fertility problems even before their cancer is treated. If a man has pre-existing fertility problems, or if he is to have treatment that might lead to infertility, he may want to ask the doctor about sperm banking (freezing sperm before treatment for use in the future). This procedure allows some men to have children even if the treatment causes loss of fertility.

sources: http://www.medicinenet.com/testicular_cancer

People with thyroid cancer often want to take an active part in making decisions about their medical care. They want to learn all they can about their disease and their treatment choices. However, the shock and stress that people may feel after a diagnosis of cancer can make it hard for them to think of everything they want to ask the doctor. It often helps to make a list of questions before an appointment. To help remember what the doctor says, patients may take notes or ask whether they may use a tape recorder. Some also want to have a family member or friend with them when they talk to the doctor—to take part in the discussion, to take notes, or just to listen.
The doctor may refer patients to doctors (oncologists) who specialize in treating cancer, or patients may ask for a referral. Specialists who treat thyroid cancer include surgeons, endocrinologists (some of whom are called thyroidologists because they specialize in thyroid diseases), medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists. Treatment generally begins within a few weeks after the diagnosis. There will be time for patients to talk with the doctor about treatment choices, get a second opinion, and learn more about thyroid cancer.
Getting a second opinion
Before starting treatment, the patient might want a second opinion about the diagnosis and the treatment plan. Some insurance companies require a second opinion; others may cover a second opinion if the patient or doctor requests it. Gathering medical records and arranging to see another doctor may take a little time. In most cases, a brief delay does not make treatment less effective.
There are a number of ways to find a doctor for a second opinion:

• The patient's doctor may refer the patient to one or more specialists. At cancer centers, several specialists often work together as a team.
• The Cancer Information Service, at 1-800-4-CANCER, can tell callers about treatment facilities, including cancer centers and other programs supported by the National Cancer Institute.
• A local medical society, a nearby hospital, or a medical school can usually provide the name of specialists.
• The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) has a list of doctors who have met certain education and training requirements and have passed specialty examinations. The Official ABMS Directory of Board Certified Medical Specialists lists doctors' names along with their specialty and their educational background. The directory is available in most public libraries. Also, ABMS offers this information on the Internet at http://www.abms.org. (Click on "Who's Certified.")

Preparing for treatment
The doctor can describe treatment choices and discuss the results expected with each treatment option. The doctor and patient can work together to develop a treatment plan that fits the patient's needs.
Treatment depends on a number of factors, including the type of thyroid cancer, the size of the nodule, the patient's age, and whether the cancer has spread.
People do not need to ask all of their questions or understand all of the answers at one time. They will have other chances to ask the doctor to explain things that are not clear and to ask for more information.

• Most pancreatic cancers are adenocarcinomas.
• Few patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer have identifiable risk factors.
• Pancreatic cancer is highly lethal.
• Pancreatic cancer is difficult to diagnose, and the diagnosis is often made late in the disease course. Symptoms include weight loss, back pain, and jaundice.
• The only curable treatment is surgical removal of all cancer.
• Chemotherapy after surgery can lower the chances of the cancer returning.
• Chemotherapy for metastatic pancreatic cancer can extend life and improve the quality of life for people with the disease.
• Patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer are encouraged to seek out clinical trials to improve pancreatic cancer treatment.
• Many organizations exist to help provide information and support for patients and families fighting pancreatic cancer.

What is the pancreas, and what is the function of the pancreas?

The pancreas is an organ in the abdomen that sits in front of the spine above the level of the belly button. It performs two main functions: first, it makes insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels, and second: it makes enzymes, which help break down proteins. Enzymes help digestion by chopping proteins into smaller parts so that they can be more easily absorbed by the body and used for energy. Enzymes leave the pancreas via a system of tubes called "ducts" that connect the pancreas to the intestines. The pancreas sits deep in the belly and is in close proximity to many important structures such as the small intestine (the duodenum) and the bile ducts, as well as important blood vessels and nerves.

sources:  http://www.medicinenet.com/pancreatic_cancer/

Small Cell Lung Cancer is second only to breast cancer in terms of deaths. There are about 175,000 reported cases of Small Cell Lung Cancer in the U.S. each year. Of these, about 160,000 will result in the death of the patient. Small Cell Lung Cancer is so deadly because it is hard to catch in time. Small Cell Lung Cancer develops in cells that are actually so small that they do not show up on normal x-rays. By the time they are found the cancer is usually already into an advanced state.

The leading cause of Small Cell Lung Cancer is smoking. Smokers run a much higher chance of contracting Small Cell Lung Cancer as compared to non-smokers. Anyone who is a smoker should see a doctor for regular examinations.

The best chance someone has if they contract Small Cell Lung Cancer is catching it early. Those who catch the cancer in the first stage of development have up to a 40% chance of survival with the correct treatment.

There are two forms of lung cancer, Small Cell Lung Cancer and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer is the least dangerous of the two. About 50% of the lung cancer cases reported are Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. These are treatable. Patients often see a full recovery. Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer has 5 stages of development. The recovery percentages decrease the more advanced it becomes.

Small Cell Lung Cancer only has two stages: mild and severe. When it reaches the severe state it spreads very rapidly throughout the body. This is why it is much tougher to fight. By the time Small Cell Lung Cancer is detected it is usually in the severe stage. At this point most patients only have 18-20 months to live.

While surgery plays the most important part in the treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, chemotherapy is always the chosen treatment for Small Cell Lung Cancer. In the case of limited stage SCLC, radiation therapy may also be used as the cancer is still localized to the chest area where radiation can be focused...CONTINUE

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Grimsley

Most cancers are named after the part of the body where the cancer first begins, and kidney cancer is no exception. As kidney cancer grows, it may invade organs near the kidney. Kidney cancer begins in the kidneys two large, bean-shaped organs one located to the left, and the other to the right of the backbone. Some of the areas it affects are the liver, colon, and pancreas. Renal is the Latin word for kidney, and kidney cancer may also be referred to as renal cancer. Kidney cancer cells may also break away from the original tumor and spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. When kidney cancer spreads, cancer cells may appear in the lymph nodes.

Causes of Kidney Cancer

The common Causes and risk factors of Kidney Cancer:

Smoking.

High blood pressure.

Obesity.

Poor diet.

Tuberous sclerosis.

Family history.

Symptoms of Kidney Cancer

Some Symptoms of Kidney Cancer:

A lump or mass in the kidney area.

Weight loss.

High blood pressure.

Side pain that does not go away.

Blood in the urine.

Loss of appetite.

Fever.

Fatigue.

Treatment of Kidney Cancer

Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells, and is also sometimes used to relieve pain when kidney cancer has spread to the bone.

Biological therapy is a treatment that uses the body's own immune system to fight cancer.

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells.

Hormone therapy is used in a small number of patients with advanced kidney cancer to try to control the growth of cancer cells.

The whole kidney is removed along with the adrenal gland, tissue around the kidney, and, sometimes, lymph nodes in the area.

Juliet Cohen writes articles on diseases and conditions and skin disorders. She also writes articles on herbal home remedies.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Juliet_Cohen

Bones form the core structure of our body. In total, there are 200 bones in a human body that support us and provide protection to our body organs. Though bone cancer is not as common as most other types of cancer, it is quite dangerous like most cancers.

Types of bone cancer

There are mainly 2 categories in which we can classify bone cancer – primary bone cancer and secondary bone cancer. When the bone cancer originates in the bone itself, it is categorised as primary bone cancer and when it spreads from a cancer elsewhere in the body it is known as secondary bone cancer. Though there are quite a few different kinds of bone cancer, the most common one is Osteosarcoma. This type of bone cancer occurs primarily in younger adults and affects knee joints the most.

Cause and symptoms of bone cancer

The exact causes of bone cancer still seem to be a matter of research and study. The symptoms of bone cancer are linked to the position of the cancer-affected bone in the body. One of the symptoms of bone cancer is incidence of swelling or tenderness or pain in the area affected by bone cancer. The formation of a lump is another indication of bone cancer. Though the detection of a bone cancer related lump is a bit difficult in the initial stages of bone cancer, the lump can sometimes be felt (due to the restriction in movement that it causes) when the bone cancer occurs at joints (e.g. knee joints). However, none of these symptoms are prominent indicators of bone cancer.

Diagnosis of bone cancer

If you experience a lump or any of the bone cancer symptoms, you must not neglect them and seek advice of a qualified doctor. Remember that early diagnosis of any type of cancer (not just bone cancer) can help in getting a cure and reducing the threat to life.

Treatment of bone cancer

Removal of bone tumour through surgical procedures is one the most common ways of treating bone cancer. Radiotherapy and chemo therapy are other ways of treating bone cancer. A combination of different techniques is sometimes used to form a more effective bone cancer treatment. The kind of treatment to be administered is dependent on the stage of bone cancer and the place of its occurrence.

Warren and Karen have been involved in the internet for a number of years and run several websites. They are most interested in providing opportunities for people to connect with information relating to business, health and creativity. Check out their Bone Cancer blog for more information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Lavender