Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Types Of Cancer
Perhaps the reason that cancer survivors are greater number than they used to be is because that we are beginning to understand more and more about the different types of cancer. A good example of this is cervical cancer. Just recently it was discovered that this cancer is actually cause a virus. This is great news for women all around the world. Young girls and women can now be vaccinated against this type of cancer, and the rates of deaths from this types of cancer should go down dramatically. Though there have not been other breakthroughs for other cancers like this, you never know what another may occur.
Some types of cancer are easier to deal with than others. There are many factors that go into this, and early detection is one of the best things that can happen for anyone. If you have a history of cancer in your family, you may already know that your risks for developing many types of cancer is higher. However, even if there is not a history of cancer in your family, you can still get cancer at any time. Though this is something we think might happen when we get older, there are many children who will tell you that this is not necessarily true for everyone.
As we learn more and more about the different types of cancer, we learn more and more how to treat it. Though there is not a cure for any type of cancer, and more people are surviving thanks to early detection and proper treatment. Going through chemotherapy and radiation may not be the most comfortable thing in the world, but it has become more and more successful as the years go along. The more you understand about the different types of cancer, the better your chances of survival are as well. If you know what to look for, you will know when you should go to see your doctor to get checked out.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Cancer and the pH miracle diet
One of the most important points of the pH miracle diet is that cancer can be prevented and reversed by applying the principles of the diet. Although these statements have caused some controversy in the world of health and wellness, many people credit the use of the pH miracle diet in reversing their cancer and improving their overall level of health.
According to Dr. Robert Young, the creator of the pH miracle diet, cancer is not a sickness or a disease as commonly thought. It is an effect of the metabolic acids that are built up in the blood and then released into the tissues. Cancer, according to Dr. Young, is actually an acidic liquid that spills into the cells, tissues and organs. It is not a mutation of the cells.
No condition happens without a cause. There are clear and direct causes for cancer, and as the pH miracle diet books show, the cause for cancer lies in over acidity. Diseases like cancer are due to systemic acidosis, which is extremely low pH (below 7.4). Any pH below 7.0 is considered acidic, and the lower the pH is the higher the acidity level in a person’s body is.
At the cellular level, your cells consume the food that you eat and produce metabolic acids. Those acids are normally expelled by the body through sweat or urine. When you consume a vast amount of acidic foods and lead a lifestyle that produces even more acidity, your body does not know what to do with the rest of the acid waste. When you eat highly acidic foods on a regular basis, your body simply does not have enough energy to get rid of the excess acids. They collect in the body, and create disruptions at the cellular level.
Metabolic acids are first kept in the blood and then they are kept in the tissues. When acid is kept in the tissue, it causes sickness, disease and cancerous tissues. Cancer is the acidic liquid from metabolism that pools in the body. It affects the cells around it and, like a rotten apple in a barrel, the effects spread from cell to cell causing disease. Cancer is not made of mutated cells. The cells themselves do not change form but they are limited in their function due to the presence of excess metabolic acid. There is no such thing as “cancer cells”; the cells are actually normal cells that have become highly acidic.
One of the most surprising parts of the relationship between pH and cancer is that tumors are in fact trying to help the body. They form in areas where the metabolic acid is becoming rampant and effecting cellular function. Tumors are your body’s attempt to prevent the spreading of the acidic cells to other parts of the body. The tumor is actually a signpost to where your body is collecting excess metabolic acid. Some people are genetically predisposed to collect metabolic acid in certain places. This is why some families have a history of, for example, breast cancer.
The tumors themselves are not the problem, but are just signs of what is going wrong in that part of the body. When cancer metastasizes, it is a sign of the acidic condition moving to other cells and making them acidic as well.
Cancer is not something that people get out of the blue. Cancer forming in the body is a sign of the choices that we make in what we eat, what we drink and how we live. An alkaline lifestyle that focuses on an alkaline diet and other calming behaviors will be much less likely to produce cancer, if it does at all. An acidic lifestyle and diet will be full of the pains of the build up of metabolic acid which can, in extremes, lead to cancer.
That is exciting news because it means that cancer is preventable and treatable. A cancer patient can start taking steps toward reversing the effects of cancer and preventing the spread of it. His or her alkaline centered diet may be more aggressive than someone’s who is just trying to get better overall health. However, by applying the principles of the pH miracle diet they can effectively reduce, control and eliminate cancer from their bodies.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
PROSTATE CANCER
Diseases of the prostate gland:-
1) Prostatitis:-
This is the inflamation of the prostate gland due to bacterial infection.
2) Benign enlargement of the prostate:-
This is a non cancerous tumour of the prostate seen after the age of 50. 3,Cancer of the prostate:-This is the 4th most common cause of death from malignant diseases in males.
Cancer of the prostate.
Cancer of the prostate is directly linked with the male sex hormones(androgens).If the levels of sex hormone increases the growth rate of cancer also increases.It is found that after the removel of testes there is marked reduction in the size of tumour.
Site of tumour:-
Prostate cancer is seen mainly in the posterior lobe.Non cancerous enlargement is seen in other lobes.
Changes in the gland in cancer:-
The gland becomes hard with irregular surface with loss of normal lobulation .Histologically prostate cancer is an adeno carcinoma(cancer of the epithelial cells in the gland)
Growth :-
Growth rate is very fast in prostate cancer .The tumour compresses the urethra and produce difficulty in urination.
Spread of tumour:-
Metastasis in cancer of prostate is very early.
1) Local spread:-
From the posterior lobe the cancer cells go to the lateral lobes and seminal vesicles.Tumour cells also move to the neck and base of the urinary bladder.
2) Lymphatic spread:-
Through the lymph vessels cancer cells reach the internal and external illiac group of lymph nodes.From there cells move to retroperitonial(Behind the peritonium) and mediastinal lymph nodes(in the chest)
3) Spread through the blood:-
Spread of cancer cells takeplace through the periprostatic venous plexus and reaches the vertebral veins while coughing and sneezing and finally enders the vertebral bodies of the lumbar vertebrae.
Signs and symptoms of prostate cancer:--
Signs and symptoms depend upon the stage of the cancer. The following symptoms may be seen.
1) No symptoms:-
Tumour is small and only in the posterior lobe. This is diagnosed accidentely.
2) Slight difficulty in urination:-
Here the tumour is enlarged and urethra is slightly compressed.Shortly there will be frequent urge for urination with difficult urination.
3) When the tumour spread to all nearby areas including neck of bladder and urethra there will be painful urination with bleeding.Urine comes drop by drop.
4) Retention of urine:-
When the urethra is completely compressed there will be retention of urine.This can lead to hydronephrosis, renal failure ect.In this condition patient may get convulsions due to renal failure and finally coma.
5) Signs of metastasis:-
Some patients come with the signs and symptoms of metastasis.
a) Lumbo sacral pain due to spread of cancer cells to lumbar and sacral vertebrae.
b) Fracture of spine due to cancerous growth in the spine.
c) Swelling, pain and fluid collection in the abdomen due to lesion in the abdomen.
d) Respiratory complaints due to cancer of mediastinal lymphnodes and lungs.
e) General weakness due to spread of cancer to different parts of the body.
f) Anaemia due to involment of bone marrow and increased destruction of RBCs.
Clinical examination :-
Includes per rectal examination to feel the prostate gland,palpation of abdomen to feel the swelling in kidneys and any tumours.Patient is examined from head to foot to find out any lesions.
Investigations:-
1) Complete blood investigations;-
RBC,WBC,Platlets,ESR,bleeding time ,clotting time ect.
2) Urine analysis:-
Microscopic examination to detect pus cells,occult blood,casts,Crystals ect.
3) Renal function tests:-
Blood urea level,serum creatinine level,electrolyte level ect.
4) Serum acid phosphatase:-
Increased in cancer of prostate.
5) x-ray of the spine:-
To detect any tumour or fracture.
6) Ultra sonography;-
Gives idea about prostate,bladder,kidney ect.
7) C T scan:-
More detailed information about organs and tumour.
8) MRI of the spine:-
Gives detailed information about spine ,disc and nearby soft tissues.
9) Lymphangiography:-
Gives idea about lymphatic spread of cancer.
10) Biopsy to confirm cancer:-
Biopsy is taken from the tumour and is send for histopathological examination under the microscope.This will detect the presence of cancer cells.
Treatment:-
1) If there is retention of urine catheterisation is needed.
2) Dialysis if kidney failure.
3) If there is coma monitoring of all vital functions along with parentral nutrition and electolyte supply.
4) Specific treatment is prostatectomy(removal of prostate)
Partial prostatectomy :-
Here only the affected lobe is removed.
Radical prostatectomy :-
Total removal of prostate along with nearby lymphnodes.
5, Hormone therapy :-
Stilbestrol is given to reduce tumour growth.Since this treatement increases the chance for cardiovascular disease phosphorylated diethyle stilbesterol is used nowadays.
6) Chemotherapy:-Drugs like cyclophosphamide, cisoplatim ect are given.
7) Radiotherapy is also done for some cases.
8) Homoeopathy:-
Homoeopathic drugs like carcinocin, conium, sabal, crotalus, thuja, iodum, selinium, staphysagria, sulphur ect can be given according to symptoms.Constitutional homoeopathic medicine will give great relief and can increase the life span.
9) Yoga and meditation is also healpful.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
'Buddy Bracelet' Spreads Awareness of Colorectal Cancer
To help spread the message about the importance of early detection, the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation and its 54 partners have joined together to celebrate National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month by introducing the "Buddy Bracelet," a unique and powerful way to promote public awareness of the disease.
"Today, in a sea of colored bracelets, the blue Buddy Bracelet stands out by creating a clever way for people to take their health into their own hands," said Carolyn Aldig้, president and founder of the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation. "The bracelet spreads the message that colorectal cancer is preventable, treatable and beatable."
Launched in 2004 to celebrate National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, the Buddy Bracelet reminds those who wear it to get screened for colorectal cancer. After the person is screened, he or she gives the bracelet to a family member, friend or colleague, passing on the powerful message about talking with a health care professional about colorectal cancer. The bracelet then is transferred from that person to another person and so on.
The bracelet's theme, "Wear it, share it, because you care," is a message that could save thousands of lives.
People at average risk for
colorectal cancer should get screened starting at age 50. Younger people can help support the Buddy Bracelet effort by learning about their families' medical histories, starting a dialogue about colorectal cancer with their health care professionals and reminding loved ones to get screened.
