Cancer Research Blog

keerti mallela asked:


The history of alternative medicine is a rather interesting one, and has its

origins in traditional methods of medicine. Alternative medicine has been

in existence since time immemorial. Being a primeval science, this medicinal

system has been known to man since the early days of his time on Earth. Using

natural ingredients to prevent and cure most illnesses has perhaps been man’s greatest foray into medical science. Traditional medical practitioners aimed at prevention of diseases associated with an increase in resistance of the human body. As an expert rightly pointed out, “The study of the history of alternative medicine is fascinating on a variety of levels, not just concerning other and often better ways of preserving and restoring health.”

 

Practised for thousands of years, alternative medicine includes systems like

Acupuncture, Ayurveda and traditional Asian medicine. Alternative medicine branches

out from the Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) treatments and

therapies. CAM is often combined with formal, conventional medicine, integrating

both medical practices, in order to give the best results to patients. It can be said that

the earlier methods of medicine were attempted at achieving a balance between bodily

and natural energy. Energies were sought as positive and negative energies, where

positive energies were to bring in happiness and health and negative energies an

incapacitation of resistance to face any ailments. Matters of utmost importance in

deciding therapies or treatments in these earlier medical systems were factors like

one’s lifestyle, one’s habits of eating and one’s occupational pressures.

 

The earliest use of traditional remedies dates back to 2800 BC in China.

Practised all over the world in more than a hundred disciplines, alternative medicine

has aided medical tourism in an unprecedented manner. Using alternative medicine

and following alternative medical practices not only removes any possible additional

affects of the illness but also increases the resilience of the body. It is generally

claimed that natural remedies are not only less inimical to human physiology

but they also help in retaining body pliancy. Systems of natural, traditional

medicines use a combination of ingredients to restore the bodily constituents. In

fact, natural remedies are considered more as food, given their natural constituents.

Since alternative medicine is based on completely natural methods and there is

no usage of any chemicals, there is no danger of any interference with the organic

system. A holistic approach as opposed to looking at a set of symptoms and a

treatment that delves into the root-cause of an illness are some of the distinct and

highly acknowledged features of alternative medicine. It is also opined that

widespread use of modern medicine has deteriorated the immune system in the

human physiology and has resulted in these modern medicines becoming less

effective. It is also often said that alternative medicine is the only way to cure

some incurable diseases.

 

A Brief History of Alternative Medicine



The history of alternative medicine can be traced back to some 5000 years, when the Chinese and Indians discovered traditional and Ayurvedic therapies to heal the body and the mind. The real objective was to identify the deterrents in the body system which caused ailments, and

strengthened the body’s immunity. The therapies mainly incorporated self-care, lifestyle

changes and various preventive measures. The normal practices that were followed in the early stages of the history of alternative medicine include the extractions of the bark of willow trees. Many kitchen ingredients were also used for treating patients. The treatments were considered as the blessings of God, as it brought immense relief to the writhing bodies and prayer was considered as one of the strongest weapons in waging war against ailments.

Source: “A Brief History of Alternative Medicine”, http://www.med-help.net/med-history-of-alternativemedicine.

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Alternative Medicine and Medical Tourism

Today, alternative medicine holds out immense potential in attracting medical

tourists. For example, India is likely to become a major hub for medical tourism,

with revenues from the industry estimated to grow from US$333 million in 2007

to US$2.2 billion by 2012, says a study by the Confederation of Indian Industry

(CII) and McKinsey.3 The major competitive advantages that India faces are cost

effectiveness and traditional medical systems like Ayurveda and Naturopathy.

The world has witnessed the development of many traditional as well as modern

systems of medicine in the 20th century. Path-breaking discoveries like penicillin,

technological advancements in modern surgery, major research advancement in stem

cell research and genetic structure, and the development of traditional medical systems

like traditional Chinese system of medicine, Acupuncture, Osteopathy, Homeopathy,

Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani and others have all been a part of developments in the

omnipotent territory of global medicine. The major competitive advantages that India

has are cost effectiveness and traditional medical systems like Ayurveda and Naturopathy.

The last few years have seen countries with their own individual expertise attracting

tourists from all over the world and promoting medical tourism like never before.

India

In India, medical tourism in alternative medicine has its ancestry in South India

and some places in North-Eastern India. Internationally famed for its natural remedies and therapies, Kerala’s schools of medicine have embraced Siddha,

Naturopathy and Ayurveda in treating their patients. These traditional medical

practices are estimated to attract high-end medical tourists from Europe and
Middle Eastern countries. The vital advantages that a country like India faces

with regard to medical tourism are its traditional therapies like yoga and Ayurveda

combined with tourist attractions in states like Kerala and north-eastern states.

Naturopathy, a therapeutic system based on natural remedies, trusts natural

elements like air, water and sunlight, combined with therapeutic massages and

conditioning and toning of the human body. Naturopathy believes that the human

body has the capacity to heal on its own, provided it is in a healthy environment.

With a holistic approach to well-being, Naturopathy believes that the three

physical entities – the physical body, the supernatural soul and the mind – must

be integrated through natural energies. “A recent survey shows that 76% of global

drugs are consumed by USA and European countries. We believe that freedom

from diseases and drugs can only be achieved by living a natural life style.”4

Ayurveda, the most ancient health care system, takes its ingredients from nature.

The use of herbs, materials like gold and mercury and many household ingredients

make this science easily accessible to common man. Ayurveda claims to cure diseases

like diabetes with the aid of nature. The Siddha medical system, which is a part of

Ayurveda, employs herbs, minerals and advanced scientific techniques under ancient

principles of medical science to cure many chronic diseases. It is named as one of

the most complicated and intricate forms of medicine. Siddha considers nature

and man as one essential entity. It claims that physiological characteristics like

human aging can itself be arrested with natural remedies.

Naturopathy has evolved medical tourism in India in more than one ways.

With its systems of medication using all natural ingredients to restore the holistic

disease-fighting nature of the human body, the medicine has created increased

chances of its own survival through tourists from all parts of the world visiting

India to reap its benefits. As Vitthal Kamat of the Kamat Group of Hotels says,

“With Naturopathy and Ayurveda along with the world renowned tourist attractions

and heritage places, the tourism sector can grow in leaps and bounds.”5 Naturopathy

in “KayaKalp”, a naturopathy centre in Himachal Pradesh, run by the Vivekananda Medical Research Trust in India has served medical tourists in detoxifying, immunizing and rejuvenating through Yoga, Pranayama, Panchkarma, Meditation and Naturopathy. Its therapies are claimed to be drug-less and extremely natural. Naturopathy takes the help of Ayurvedic preparations for healing processes like Panchkarma and improvement of blood circulation.

India’s pioneer in alternative therapy – medical tourism, Kerala, has visitors

from all over the world in the months of June, July and August. These months are

looked upon as the best period for cure of bodily ailments through Ayurveda.

High quality medical facilities provided at low prices are the main tourist attraction

in Kerala. Mr. M Narayanan, head of Poovar Island Resort says that there are

tourists from countries like Australia, Europe and Germany. The packages offered

in these Ayurvedic spas include services like Ayurvedic oil massages, powder

massages, vegetarian diets, detoxification programs and a lifestyle change. In fact

it is little known that Ayurveda includes not just massages, but a whole gamut of

services like herbal and natural diet plans, natural healing therapies, and therefore

a full-fledged medical system.

Ayurveda Gram, a unique Ayurvedic Institution in Bangalore offers Ayurveda

in its wellness form to medical tourists. It offers services like Customized Yoga,

Pranayama, Meditation, and a vegetarian diet to boost metabolism. Its sprawling

campus full of medicinal herbs and natural surrounds helps in the processes of

cure for specific ailments like Arthiritis, Spondilytis, Cholesterol, Sinusitis, Peptic

Ulcer and Obesity. Other therapies by Ayurveda Gram include Stress Management

therapies, Panchkarma and rejuvenation therapies.

AYUSH, the department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha

and Homeopathy was formed under the Indian Medicine Central Council Act,

1970. One of the most recent awareness activities undertaken by AYUSH was a

health fair organized in parts of Hyderabad, Chennai, Indore and New Delhi.

AYUSH ensured that the major Ayurvedic, Unani and Siddha manufacturers in

India participated in this health fair.

Another famous Ayurvedic centre in India is the C V N Kalari Centre for

Ayurveda. Kalari is one of the approved Ayurvedic centres recognized by the

Kerala Tourism Department.6 Kalari has its customers from many foreign countries. The centre specializes in Marma Chikitsa (the application of pressure on specific

nerve points) and other special practices of healing. Having both therapeutic and

rejuvenative aspects in them, these specialized healing procedures take extensive help

of Ayurveda to treat the ailing.

Some Ayurvedic resorts have formulated Ayurvedic kitchens that help improve

the effectiveness of oil treatments. Diet regimens, detoxification programs and other

processes that give a glowing skin to the customer are very popular. Some of these

Ayurvedic resorts also arrange for cooking classes to help their customers acquire

and maintain the lifestyle that they are introduced to in these spas and resorts.

Ananda, an Ayurvedic Spa in the Himalayas is one of the most famous destination

resorts in India. It offers specialty Ayurvedic packages like Aroma therapy massages,

reflexology programs for rejuvenation, stress release programs, personalized Yoga

sessions, body composition analysis and weight reduction programs through Yoga

and Ayurveda. Ananda claims that its packages and therapies cure many ailments

like headaches, nausea, climatic disorders, facial paralysis, insomnia, asthma, neuralgia

and does general improvement of metabolism.

China

The 3000 year-old method of traditional medicine in China has gained popularity

as the world’s most popular medicine, being used by more than a quarter of the

world in treating even chronic diseases like cancer, AIDS, allergies and heart diseases.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uses medicinal herbs, therapeutic exercises

and acupuncture to cure ailments. TCM diagnoses illnesses based on the five elements

theory and the yin-yang theory. The five elements theory base their evaluation on the

five elements – wood, fire, earth, metal and water to establish a connection between

human physiology and pathology and the natural environment.7 The movement of

these five elements constantly rules the functioning of the human body and thus

establishes the interdependence of both.

The yin-yang theory calls for comprehending the bright and dark sides of

the universe, in other words, the opposite properties of the universe.8 The relative

nature of yin and yang represents the interrelationship between substance and function. As traditional chinese medical practitioners say “Only with ample

substance can the human body function in a healthy way; and only when the

functional processes are in good condition, can the essential substances be

appropriately refreshed.”

Chinese herbal medicine is more known as Chinese materia medica. This includes

Chinese crude medicine, prepared drugs in pieces, traditional Chinese patented

medicines and simplified Chinese medicinal preparations. Chinese herbology, a major

aspect of TCM addresses the art of combining medicinal herbs.10 It visualizes the

entire human body’s balance of energies and spirit to treat a medical condition.

Herbs are combined into different potions of various characteristics for the sake of

different individuals being treated by TCM practitioners. Herbs like Astragalus,

Ginkgo, Ginger, Green Tea, Siberian Ginseng and Garlic are used to treat several

ailments. Around 300 mineral and animal extracts and 400 formulae are used to

cure diseases, in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Acupuncture, as part of TCM is used to unblock the flow of vital energy through

the human body.11 One of the oldest healing techniques in the world, this traditional

method aims at “restoring health through simulation of specific points on the body.”12

Ailments like nausea, addictions and some kinds of pains are claimed to be treated

with the help of acupuncture.

Taking advantage of its abundant human resources, China is luring medical tourists

into its web of alternative medical therapies. Wellness packages in China come at

low costs and without any side-effects, thanks to proliferated Traditional Chinese

Medicine. Several massages and spas have been set up in recent times that provide

mental health and physical well-being to medical tourists with the help of Chinese

medicinal herbs. Wellness apartments are established for the purpose of serving

senior medical tourists. These wellness apartments facilitate these tourists in

practising their own hobbies and also conducting medical activities like Taiji.

Germany

Germany’s alternative medical practices have their origins in Homeopathy, a

medical system that was developed by Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician.

Homeopathy considers symptoms as disturbances of vital forces that have

connection with the human body. Homeopathic advocators believe that this

medical system has the ability to cure acute diseases like flu, cold, pains, depression

and fatigue, constipation, irritability other than chronic diseases. It is claimed to

cure allergies and allergic disorders like Eczema and Asthma. Moreover, this

medical system is child friendly, in the sense, that the medication given by

homeopaths is sweet to the tooth and therefore acceptable. Homeopaths are known

for debonair and their hands free treatment of patients. They concentrate more

on the patient’s state of mind and attitude towards life. The preparation of different

potions in Homeopathy is done mostly with the help of herbs, minerals and

animal extracts. Also, it is often reasoned that since the dosage that homeopaths

prescribe is in such minute constitutions and because they come in dilutions of

substances like water and alcohol there is no chance of any side-effects.

Germany also stands famous for its herbal remedies. Regulated by Commission

E14 on the purity and pharmaceutical activity, these herbal medicines in Germany

have come a long way in preventing and curing many diseases like cancer, AIDS and

other serious ailments. Most physicians in Germany are required to be educated in

Alternative therapies, so that it serves complimentary to modern medical treatments.

As Mark Blumenthal, chairman of the American Botanical Council points out, “Most

of the clinical research that’s conducted on the leading herbal medicines in the United

States comes from Germany.”15

With more than 300 spa towns, Germany has become the premier destination

for health and wellness in Europe.16 One of the most famous resorts in Germany

is the Baltic Spa Resort in Warnemunde. Situated on the shore of the Baltic Sea,

it idealizes the sea as a “homeopathic pharmacy” and claims that “it contains all

important trace elements and has a similar composition to human blood”17 Sea water is said to have revitalizing effects in treating bodily ailments like respiratory

illnesses, sleep disorders and obesity. Other than these, mental disorders like

depression, anxiety and agony are claimed to be cured with the help of the sea.

Sea breeze is said to be specifically effective in treating cardio-vascular as well as

dermatological conditions. Major advantages that Germany faces are in terms of

both cost and quality. As Axel Steller, the CEO of the Arab German Health

Foundation points out, “In the US, operations are four to five times more expensive

as they are in Germany”.

Japan

Japanese medicine is known as Kanpo or Kampo, a herbal medicine that forms part

of well-researched modern clinical methods and also traditional methods of

medicine. A Japanese variant of the traditional Chinese medicine or the Oriental

medicine, Kanpo adheres to the body’s natural instincts and natural mechanism

of healing. For this purpose, medical treatment involves diagnosis of the tongue,

abdomen and pulse. At each stage of the treatment, different formulae that are

necessary to bring the body back to normalcy, are prepared by the physician.

These herbal medicines are regulated by the Japanese Government. Kanpo

medicine is used to cure many acute and chronic ailments like cardio-vascular,

respiratory, digestive, reproductive and dermatological conditions and immune

system corrections and even disorders like bedwetting, high cholesterol and

hepatitis. Though Kanpo therapies take longer than usual to work, this medical

system uses some very natural diagnosis and treatment methods and concepts

like water, blood and air to identify bodily symptoms. Also, it is claimed that

these herbal medicines produce no side-effects because of their natural

compositions. Japanese therapists of Anma visit countries like India and Singapore

to help in promotion of health tourism. Anma, a traditional Japanese massage, is

said to be a complete form of Shiastu19 that treats the body to release blood flow

in a proper manner to rejuvenate the body.

Apart from attracting tourists for its natural herbal medical treatments, Medical

tourism in Japan has become popular thanks to its volcanic areas that have allowed

the formation of some hot mineral water springs called Onsen. Japanese Onsen serve as places where the ailing can get alternative treatments to modern medical

practices. These have medicinal properties that heal wounds, alleviate pains and

replenish energy levels. Senior tourists and people suffering from many kinds of

aches and pains come flocking to these mineral water springs. The healing

properties of these springs are accentuated by the surrounding volcanic soil that

is composed of many minerals and curative elements.

Outlook of Medical Tourism in Alternative Medicine

Alternative medicine is here to stay, claim some traditional medical practitioners.

Given its perceived advantages over the modern medical techniques and the expensive

western medicines, alternative medical therapy is gaining ground in many developing

as well as developed countries. Practices like Ayurveda and Homeopathy claim that

surgery may always be the last option in case of treatment of an ailment. Natural

medicines like herbs and minerals can all be partaken as food and not medicines as

such, since their composition is all natural. Alternative medicine is used in conjunction

with modern medicine to treat many chronic ailments like diabetes and AIDS. This

helps modern medical practitioners to evolve a closer relationship with the patient

and cure him to a greater extent, thus giving him a new perspective to life. It follows

that one should never overlook the disposition of the traditional cures suggested by

our ancestors. These provide a standpoint from where one can comprehend the

profundity of traditional and alternative medicine, and gauge the tremendous potential

of alternative medicine in medical tourism.

Please seek author’s permission for reprint. Send a reprint request to kirrti82@gmail.com.

References

1. www.hinduonnet.com

2. “Kerala”, www.takekerala.com

3. “Prospects of Medical Tourism in India”, www.mpiweb.org

4. “Medical Tourism push for Penang and Langkawi”, http://thestar.com.my

5. www.wikipedia.com



Posted by Nikhil Gupta

Groshan Fabiola asked:


Metastatic colon cancer is one of the leading causes of death from cancers and tumors in the USA and unfortunately the survival rate for those diagnosed with it is below 10%.

If you have been diagnosed with a metastatic colon cancer then your life will change, but you should always remember that there is chance that you’ll be cured and try to fight the illness as much as you can.

Colon cancer occurs when a tumor appears in the colon or in the rectum. The colon and the rectum together form the large intestine. First, only a tumor appears either in the colon or in the rectum, but if it is not treated then the tumor will spread, and in time it will affect other organs, such as the liver and the lungs, causing tumors to appear in them too. This is the final phase of colon cancer, when it has spread too much and there are too many cancerous cells in the body. It is also called stage IV colon cancer or metastatic colon cancer.
When doctors discover colon cancer they usually immediately recommend surgery to remove the part of the large intestine where the tumor has grown. After the surgery several tests are performed to see if the cancer has spread. If the result is positive and the cancerous cells are discovered in other distant places of the body then you will receive the stage IV colon cancer diagnosis.

You still have several treatment options after the metastatic colon cancer diagnose. What the best treatment for you is will be determined by several clinical trials. The treatment is very influenced by how far has the metastatic colon cancer has spread.

If it has only spread to a single organ different from the large intestine then the treatment has higher chances of success because it can be directed to that single site. The most common place where metastatic colon cancer spreads is the liver, and sometimes the lungs.

The problem is that at most patients colon cancer has spread to many other locations, and the treatment can not be directed to a single site.

The best treatment option in this situation is chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is done by injecting, directly in the blood, certain substances that have the ability of killing cancer cells. Chemotherapy has severe side effects like loss of hair, fatigue, loss of appetite, fever, and many more. The survival rate for chemotherapy-treated patients is not too high, but it increases each year and new techniques are continuously researched and developed.

We can only hope that the future will bring good news for those with metastatic colon cancer, and also remember that some manage to survive it and you could be among them.

For more resource on different colon cancer subjects please click this link http://www.colon-cancer-center.com. You can also find valuable information about metastatic colon cancer or even about colon cancer treatment



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VideoAstrologer asked:

2009 forecast of the astrological trends for your sign and rising sign

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Macie asked:


Medical tourism is the process of traveling abroad in order to receive medical care, be it cosmetic surgery, heart surgery, breast implants, a hip replacement, or dental work.

Rising health care costs and longer waiting times in the western countries like United States, Canada, and UK etc. are inducing patients to seek treatment overseas. While U.S. consumers are concerned mainly with the exorbitant cost of health care, Canadians are more troubled by wait-times for certain treatments. Indeed, approximately 1 million Canadians claim to be experiencing difficulties in access to care. As for UK, it is believed that more than 50,000 people from the UK travel for treatment abroad because of high medical care costs in UK.

Medical Tourism in South Korea

South Korea has been growing as a tourist destination of choice for health and vacation because of their world class physicians, modern technology, and unique caring and compassion at great values for money at a fraction of the cost in the west. The country is home to some of the best hospitals and stand alone Specialty clinics in the world, offering world-class expertise, state-of-the-art facilities, http://www.koreahealthtour.co.kr and the warmth of hospitality. Also, some of the world’s best spa retreat resorts and tour destinations can be found in this part of the earth. Additionally, it’s not unusual to find plus accommodations, foreign language translators, and other amenities at some of the major facilities.

South Korea has made its initial foray into the lucrative market of medical tourism by launching the Council for Korea Medicine Overseas Promotion. Funded by the Government and 28 private hospitals, this organization will market medical packages to foreign patients seeking affordable health care. The Council has initiated a set of measures to promote the medical vacation industry by aiding hospitals in their marketing strategies. In this way, South Korea can generate greater overseas awareness of the country’s medical and tourism offerings. According to a Council official:

The average charge for an in-patient visit in a US hospital is dollar3,762, which is 13 times higher than in South Korea.

The average charge for outpatients in the US is dollar13,000 which is 9 times higher than in South Korea.

South Korea’s affordable health care system has seen the number of foreign patients rise from 10,000 to 13,000 in just 2 years. With all these added measures in place, South Korea is on its way to claim its share in the prosperous medical vacation business

Benefits of Medical Tourism

Health care costs are constantly on the rise in countless Western countries. In the US alone, it is already a multi-billion dollar industry that shows no sign of stopping (worldwide it is over dollar3 trillion US). But why pay exorbitant prices at home when you can travel abroad and receive the same treatment (if not better) from a fully certified medical facility for a fraction of the price?

The following are some of the benefits of medical tourism:

Affordable

For many procedures, it’s often more expensive to receive treatment at home than it is to purchase a plane ticket, book a hotel, and pay for all medical expenses out of pocket in a foreign country. This is especially true in popular medical tourism destinations such as India, Thailand, Singapore and South Korea.

No wait times

Because popular medical destinations actively recruit patients from abroad, they do everything they can to eliminate wait times, provide patients with options, and ensure optimal care.

Many Options are Available

Some countries heavily regulate (or even ban) certain elective procedures or complicated surgeries. Hip resurfacing, for example, was only recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, despite its widespread use and success rate at many popular medical tourism destinations around the world. With medical tourism, you can travel to parts of the world where hospitals specialize in the aforementioned procedures.

More personalized care

Many providers offer more personalized care–i.e., a higher physician-to-patient ratio–than is commonly available in the United States or Canada.

Enjoy the Medical Vacations

The fact of the matter is, most of us need medical treatment from time to time, and most of us plan vacations every year or so. Combine the two into an all-out medical vacation and enjoy! Recuperating after surgery on a white sand beach while sipping island drinks and receiving full-body massages.

Important Tips

Besides doing a thorough research on the procedure, hospital, surgeon and the destination country, keep the following contact information handy when you go abroad for any medical treatment:

Emergency contacts like relatives and friends

Destination embassy

Hospital

Hotel

Local surgeon / doctor

Employer

Conclusion

Depending on the location and procedure, a medical vacation can cost 50%, 30%, or even 10% of what you would pay at home. The appeal of this phenomenon is driven by cost savings as high as 90%, depending on the procedure and the country in which it is performed, and virtually no wait times. Even when you factor in air fare, hotels, travel insurance, car rentals, shopping, and dining, many medical vacations are substantially more affordable than domestic health care is. This means that those who choose medical tourism are able to utilize the services of some of the top surgeons in the world, all while enjoying exotic locales and accommodations. Patients can put the money they are saving on the procedure into turning their journey into a magnificent, world-class retreat. For millions of patients, it is the only way to get the needed or desired medical treatment, without wiping out their entire life-savings.

For more information about medical tourism visit: http://www.koreahealthtour.co.kr/eng/medical-tourism.jsp



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Juliet Cohen asked:


Kidney cancer is a cancer that begins in the kidneys. The kidneys are part of the body’s urinary system, which filters waste products out of the blood in the form of urine. Kidney cancer starts in the cells of the kidney. The two kidneys are found on either side of the backbone, deep inside the upper part of the abdomen and protected by the lower ribs. Their job is to filter water, impurities and waste material from the blood and to produce urine. Urine passes from each kidney to the bladder through tubes called the ureters. In its early stages, kidney cancer usually causes no obvious signs or troublesome symptoms.

As a kidney tumor grows, symptoms may occur. These may comprise blood in the urine. In several cases, blood is visible. In additional instances, traces of blood are noticed in a urinalysis, a lab test frequently performed as part of a regular medical checkup. Other less common symptoms may include tiredness, loss of appetite, weight loss, recurrent fevers, and pain in the side that doesn’t go away. High blood pressure or a lower than normal number of red cells in the blood (anemia) may also signal a kidney tumor. These symptoms occur less often. The causes of kidney cancer are unknown. There are some factors that may increase the risk.

Smoking increases the risk of developing renal cell carcinoma. The increased risk seems to be related to the amount you smoke. Mild pain-killing drugs such as overuse of painkillers containing phenacetin. This chemical is not used in modern painkillers. However, people who took painkillers containing phenacetin in large quantities before it was banned may still be affected. People who are very overweight have a higher risk of developing renal cell cancer. Obesity is a factor in about 2 out of 10 people who get this cancer. Obesity may cause changes in certain hormones that can lead to renal cell carcinoma.

Exposure to asbestos or cadmium applies to many people who were exposed to these substances in their jobs. Some people inherit a tendency to grow certain types of cancer. The DNA that you inherit from your parents may have certain changes that account for this tendency to develop cancer. Kidney cancer can be caused by some rare inherited conditions. People who have these conditions have a much higher risk for getting kidney cancer, although they account for only a small portion of cases overall. Treatment for kidney cancer will depend on the stage of the cancer. Surgery is the initial treatment for the majority of kidney cancers.

Surgical procedures used to treat kidney cancer include remove the whole kidney (radical nephrectomy). Surgery to remove part of your kidney (partial nephrectomy) means that the surgeon will only take away the diseased part of the kidney. This is best for people who have renal cell carcinoma in both kidneys, have only one functioning kidney or for some patients with small cancers. Biologic therapy boosts your body’s own ability to fight cancer. Interferon and interleukin have been used to treat some kidney cancers. While they are ‘natural’ substances, they can sometimes cause severe side effects.



Posted by Nikhil Gupta

Groshan Fabiola asked:


At the start of each colon cancer screening a classification of the patient’ s level of risk must be made. This risk level for colon cancer must be made taking into consideration the patient’ s personal, family and medical history. This classification is necessary to determine the most appropriate method of screening for colon cancer.

The people that have been found to have an average risk of developing colon cancer, both men and women must be advise to start screening at fifty. When being advise to start screening for colon cancer, they should also be given some details of all screening options. The disadvantages and advantages of all colon cancer screening procedures must be presented to the patient. This way, he/ she can also take part in choosing the most appropriate colon cancer screening test for them.

In case one of the colon cancer screening tests gives an abnormal result, then the patient should be advice to have a full structural examination of their rectum and colon. One of the most indicated examinations in this case is colonoscopy. However, if this colon cancer examination procedure is not possible, barium enema or sigmoidoscopy are the alternatives. If the patients that chose colonoscopy have been treated for colon cancer before or have been diagnosed with adenomatous polyps, the surveillance is crucial for these colon cancer patients. People that suffer from conditions which put them at risk of developing colon cancer should also be very carefully watched.

Furthermore, when choosing to screen for colon cancer, you should also take into consideration the proficiency of the health care provider as well as the equipment that he/ she uses. To achieve the goals that were set at the beginning of the colon cancer screening, operating procedures and standards should be established by the case system.

Another very important thing that all colon cancer patients should be reminded is that re screening is essential. For each colon cancer test there is a certain period of time that has to pass from a screening to another. Optimizing the participation of the colon cancer patients in the screening procedure is also recommended.

These are some of the most important recommendations for colon cancer screening. If they are followed, then chance of getting better results is one step more close. Keep in mind that it is never too soon to go to your doctor and talk about the risk of developing colon cancer, especially is there is a colon cancer history in your family.

For more resource on different colon cancer subjects please click this link http://www.colon-cancer-center.com. You can also find valuable information about metastatic colon cancer or even about colon cancer treatment



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John Wellington asked:


The other day, I was taken by the hair coloring of a clerk at the local store. I commented on how beautiful it was, with the dark base and the natural-looking streaks, as if the sun had touched her alone; and we began a conversation of how when we were younger we would not have to use any hair dyes: we just sprayed SunIn on our hair and laid out in the sun for an hour or two. This of course led us to discussing the near impossibility of doing that now, as we have blasted the ozone layer(s) so hard we have created a direct line between us and the harsher (more deadly) rays of the sun (and no, SunIn is a pump spray, not an aerosol, so we didn’t have to go there with culpability and irony and all).

But you probably didn’t come here to read about hair coloring techniques that are sun-free or chemical free, for that matter …at least not specifically. You came looking for information on the different types of skin cancer. The speculation and theory does hold some proof against chemicals in-ahem-health and beauty products; and it does point to the sun’s “damaging rays” as a possible cause, etc., but here, since we aren’t medical professionals, specialist, or experts, the info on the types of skin cancer is going to be basic and absent of finger-pointing, if you will:

There are three types of skin cancer: Basal Cell Carcinoma (a.k.a. non-melanoma skin cancer); Squamous Cell Carcinoma; and Melanoma.

Melanoma (also, Cutaneous Melanoma, Malignant Melanoma) - Cancer cells are growing in the melanocytes, the cells that are responsible for skin pigmentation. According to University of Maryland medicine and other experts, of all of the types of skin cancer, Melanoma is “the rarest and the most virulent….” It is typically found in people with fair skin, light hair, and/or light eyes, though it is possible in others with different complexions, and as the experts above also assert, does not exempt those with dark brown or black skin. Identifiable symptoms contain, most

commonly, a mole changing color, size, shape, or state (starts oozing or bleeding), or a mole that UMM notes “feels itchy, hard, lumpy, swollen, or tender to the touch.”

Squamous Cell Carcinoma-Also called non-melanoma skin cancer, Squamous Cell Carcinoma usually begins as a red-looking, scaly patch or patches of skin, or can appear as nodules. Of the three types of skin cancer, Squamous, affecting Caucasians, usually fair-complected, is the second most common and shows up, typically, on the ears (ear-rims), face, lips, and mouth.

Basal Cell Carcinoma - The second of the types of skin cancer, Basal Cell Cancer, typically starts as a “small, fleshy bump or nodule,” most commonly found on the head, neck, and/or hands. Of the three types of skin cancer, Basal Cell Carcinoma, which is typically found in Caucasians, say those at UMM, make up “more than 90 percent in the U.S..

My mother had the second most common of the types of skin cancer, on her lip, and while we at first teased her that it was herpes, she was smart enough to know it was a “sun blister” and quick enough to catch it by going to a specialist. That’s the good news, to give you hope when you bemoan the loss of days picnicking, swimming, and “bathing” under the wonderful sun.



Posted by Nikhil Gupta

Juliet Cohen asked:


Bile duct cancer is a type of liver cancer, in which malignant (cancerous) tumours grow in the bile ducts. It is also known as cholangiocarcinoma and is rare in the UK, only accounting for approximately 1% of cancers in the UK. The bile ducts are the tubes connecting the liver and gall bladder to the small intestine (small bowel). Bile is a fluid made by the liver and stored in the gall bladder. Its main function is to break down fats during their digestion in the small bowel. In people who have had their gall bladder removed, bile flows directly into the small intestine. The bile ducts and gall bladder are known as the biliary system.

The bile ducts transfer bile from the liver and gall bladder to the small intestine. Bile is a greenish-yellow digestive fluid produced by the liver that dissect the fat in the food we eat. Together the gall bladder and bile ducts are called the biliary system. Bile duct cancer is a malignant growth in the ducts that carry bile from the liver to the small intestine. Cancer of the bile duct is rare and is most prevalent in people ages 50 to 70. The tumor sometimes blocks the bile ducts, which can cause jaundice, clay-colored stools, itching, loss of appetite, weight loss, fever, chills or abdominal and back pain.

These tumors usually grow slowly and spread gradually. Hilar or Klatskin tumors are the most common bile duct cancers. These tumors are found where the right and left hepatic bile ducts meet. There is another form of this disease, the intrahepatic bile duct tumor, which does not block the main bile ducts. Bile duct cancer develops in a significant number of patients with diseases of the biliary tree, such as primary sclerosing cholangitis, intraductal gallstones, biliary tree strictures and choledochal cysts. People who have a chronic inflammatory bowel condition, known as ulcerative colitis.

These tumors are also at an increased risk of developing this type of cancer. The type of treatment that you are given will depend on a number of factors, including your general health, the position and size of the cancer in the bile duct. Surgery may be used to remove the cancer if it has not spread beyond the bile duct. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or both are also sometimes used to try to destroy any cancerous cells that remain, and prevent the cancer from returning. PDT uses a combination of laser light of a specific wavelength and a light-sensitive drug to destroy cancer cells.



Posted by Nikhil Gupta

Dr.Anna Hardy asked:


Breast cancer has earned the disrepute of becoming the second-most killing type of all cancers that are found in humans, having lost the race only to lung cancer. About one in every ten women has chances of developing breast cancer if precautions are not taken early on. Despite this alarming number of its victims, it is pathetic to know that there is an absolute lack of information on the disease. It is not that there is no written material available about the disease, but most women are too complacent regarding the problem. It is always the ‘disease that affects the other woman so it doesn’t bother me’ until it is too late to remedy the situation.

Breast cancer is the abnormal growth of cells within the breast. These cells would aggregate like a lump, which would be called as the breast tumor. The tumor can be felt from the outside of the breast even when it is still harmless. At this harmless stage, it is called as a benign tumor. Benign tumors can be surgically operable. If that is done, the risk of the advancement of the breast cancer is very negligible. But if the tumor is allowed to go on, then it would continue to the malignant stage. During this stage the cancer would proliferate to such an extent within the surrounding tissues that it would be impossible to remove it completely. When the cancerous cells enter the bloodstream, there is no way out. The result is certain death.

Hence it is important to snuff out the breast cancer while it is still benign, and perhaps that is the only way to keep the cancer at bay once it occurs. But most women do not know that there are various ways to reduce the risk of contracting breast cancers. Since breast cancer can strike just about any woman, it is extremely necessary to pay attention to these methods that can help to prevent the disease. The following are the precautions that women must take to prevent the onset of breast cancer:-

(1) If you are overweight, then seriously work at reducing your weight. Science has proved a direct relation between obesity and breast cancer. At the same time, lean women have a significantly lesser chance of contracting the disease.

(2) Do not introduce any supplements in your body that could change the internal hormonal balance of the body. In women, the two main feminine character deciding hormones are progesterone and estrogen. These hormones maintain the proper balance of the female characteristics, including the shape and the function of the breasts. An alteration in this balance could bring on several female health related diseases, among which breast cancer is just one of them.

(3) Smoking is extremely hazardous in women as it can play havoc with the biological rhythm of the body. Excessive smoking could cause sterility in both the male and the female. But in women, smoking has been found (by statistical analysis) that women who smoke stand at a much higher risk of breast cancer than others. The same can be said about women who consume too much of alcohol.

(4) Walking is considered to be effective in keeping breast cancer away. Walking is a simple exercise, but it can keep the woman’s body fit. Also walking stimulates proper blood circulation in all parts of the body without making the person excessively tired. Apart from walking, other simple exercises like running, jumping, swimming, etc. are also effective.

(5) All women over the age of 40 are at a risk of breast cancer. Hence they should keep their lifestyle healthy. The diet should be kept as natural as possible, and artificial spices and preservatives must be avoided. Elderly women should not lead sedentary lifestyles; they must involve themselves in some kind of physical activity or the other, depending on their lifestyles.

(6) There has been a kind of an association established with high fats and breast cancers. Women whose diet consists of a lot of fats are more susceptible to getting breast cancers than others. For this reason, it is necessary to minimize fats in the diet as much as possible. Instead of high-calorie fats, a low fat diet is preferable. This will also help to keep obesity and cardiovascular problems in check.

Breast cancer prevention is more important than the treatment of the cancer itself, because prevention is always better than cure. The above precautions will greatly reduce the risk of having a cancer, but then they are not sure-shot methods. Medical science has not yet been able to come up with a good explanation as to why some women get breast cancers and some don’t. Hence at the slightest sign of any abnormality with your breasts, it is necessary to seek urgent medical attention. Your vigilance might save your life.

Read more about the Breast Cancer Prevention and other breast care issues at http://www.mysecrethealth.com



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