Smoking: Taking You A Step Closer To Oropharyngeal Cancer

Smoking, they say, is the leading cause of lung cancer world-wide. A recent study shows that, in the United States alone, 157,200 people have died of smoking-related lung cancer. Some of which are caused directly by smoking, and some due to second hand smoke. However the effect of smoking does not only stop at lung cancer.

Smoking and cancer

Statistics show that smoking attributes to 54% of mouth cancers, 50% of esophageal cancers, and 70% of cancer of the larynx. And also, in relation to men and women’s sexual health, smoking increases risks of cervical cancer by 19 to 80% depending on the frequency of consumption, and it also increases risks of penile cancer by 50%.

These numbers certainly prove that smokers are at a bigger likelihood to develop a lot of different kinds of cancers as compared to non-smokers. Male smokers have a 20% increased chances of developing lung cancer while women have a 13% increased risk.

Tobacco smoke is composed of four thousand different harmful substances, chemicals, and toxins. Sixty out of those four thousand chemicals are known to cause cancer. These cancer causing toxins are mainly found in tar that smokers inhale from a cigarette. About 70% of that tar stays inside the lungs. Studies have shown that benzpyrene, one of the carcinogens found in tar, damages and slowly destroys genes responsible for fighting cancer causing cells and subsequently prevent development of cancerous tumors. In almost 60% of smoking-induced cancers, these genes were seen to be damaged.

Oral or throat cancer

Oropharyngeal cancer may involve the lips, mouth, tongue, gums, salivary glands, esophagus, larynx, thyroid glands, and/or the cells lining the throat. Its earliest symptom may be a pale lump inside the mouth that will not seem to heal. An estimated 7,000 Americans die of oropharyngeal cancer yearly. Smoking may cause cancer development in the mouth alone, on the throat alone, or a combination of both. Symptoms of oropharyngeal cancer may include the following:

o A sore in your mouth that doesn't heal or increases in size.

o Persistent pain in your mouth.

o Lumps or white, red or dark patches inside your mouth.

o Thickening of your cheek.

o Difficulty chewing or swallowing or moving your tongue.

o Difficulty moving your jaw, or swelling or pain in your jaw.

o Soreness in your throat or feeling that something is caught in your throat.

o Pain around your teeth, or loosening of your teeth.

o Numbness of your tongue or elsewhere in your mouth.

o Bad breath.

o A swelling or lump in the throat.

o A persistent cough.

o Blood-flecked phlegm.

o The sensation of something permanently stuck in the throat.

o Voice changes, such as persistent hoarseness or huskiness.

o Throat pain.

o Referred pain into the ears.

o Swallowing difficulties.

o Breathing difficulties.

o Swollen lymph glands.

o Gastrointestinal disorders, such as excessive reflux, diarrhea or constipation.

Treatment

Treatment of oropharyngeal cancer will depend on the size, type, and location of the cancer and whether it has already spread. It may include one or a combination of the following:

o Surgery. This includes surgical removal of the tumor and its affected organs. The amount of tissue to be removed may depend on the size of the tumor and the mass it has already affected.

o Radiation therapy. This includes exposing the cancer causing cells to small, precise doses of radiation.

o Chemotherapy. It involves the use of cancer cell-killing medications that is used in conjunction to radiation therapy.

o Long term monitoring. This may include regular examinations and x-rays to check that the cancer has not come back.

o Rehabilitation therapy. This includes assistance from health professionals such as dietitians, speech therapists, and physiotherapists to regain motor functions of the affected areas.

The best way to avoid getting yourself into this situation is to avoid smoking. It is understandable that this will be difficult to do if you’re a chain smoker. Cutting back on cigarette consumption may help to gradually get you into the path to being smoke free. All it takes in enough will power and discipline to keep yourself healthy and cancer-free.

Read More

Smoking Increases Lung Cancer Risks

It would almost seem like a given in this day and age that people would know and understand that smoking greatly increases the risk of lung cancer. Secondhand smoke has even been linked with increased lung cancer risks. Even were a person to never smoke a cigarette or be subjected to secondhand smoke, the possibility of lung cancer remains very real. But smoking cigarettes is nothing short of adding more bullets to a gun being used to play Russian Roulette—eventually, the odds of getting lung cancer will become impossible to ignore.

In a normal body, cells grow and divide in an orderly manner. However, this order can break down. When this collapse in order occurs, cells begin dividing and growing at will and chaos results. This resulting chaos and breakdown of normal cell growth is called cancer.

Normally, cancer will appear as a tumor, or perhaps even the dreaded “growth”. In some cases, the cancer will remain isolated to a particular spot or organ. However, it is not entirely uncommon for cancer to spread beyond its initial area into other regions of the body or organs. Spreading cancer is also known as metastasis. Lung cancer has been known to spread into other organs of the body and speed the demise of the patient.

Tobacco is a known and proven carcinogen. A carcinogen is any cancer-causing agent. However, just because something is a carcinogen does not necessarily mean that coming into contact one like tobacco smoke will not guarantee lung cancer in your future. Scientists can, on the other hand, tell you how much more likely you are to get lung cancer if you continue to expose your body to tobacco smoke.

The risks of lung cancer due to tobacco smoke are too great to ignore. A person smoking one pack a day has increased their odds for getting lung cancer by 30 X’s or more when compared to a nonsmoker. And, the more cigarettes you smoke every day, the greater those odds become. Plus, the number of years a person smokes continually increases their chances of developing lung cancer or other smoking-related diseases such as emphysema.

So, if someone were to quit smoking today after having done so for 10 years, how long do you think it would take for their risks of getting lung cancer to return to normal? Believe it or not, it takes 15 years after a person quits smoking for their odds to equal those of a nonsmoker of the same age—15 years!!

Lung cancer is a merciless killer of thousands of Americans each and every year. It generally takes decades of smoking to lead to the condition but it has been found in people in their 20’s who smoked since they were teenagers. Worse still, lung cancer is a very painful condition that can truly make the last months of life a true burden to bear. While you can still develop lung cancer even if you never smoke, the odds for developing this painful disease increase dramatically when tobacco is part of your life. If you are a smoker, tomorrow may very well be too late to quit so make sure you kick the habit today or prepare to see lung cancer in your future tomorrow.

Read More

Prostrate cancer treatment

Prostrate cancer is the disease which is found more in men than women. It can be cured if it is found in the initial stage, so no need to get tensed you can come out of it without any harm.

Prostate cancer is a disease in which cancer develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. Cancer cells may spread from the prostate cancer to other parts of the body, especially the bones and lymph nodes. This cancer develops most frequently in men over fifty. However, many men who develop prostate cancer never have symptoms, undergo no therapy, and eventually die of other causes.

When cells in the prostate grow abnormally, they form multiple small cancerous tumors. If the cancer is left untreated, it will at some point metastasize and begin to spread to other organs in the body via the bloodstream and lymphatic system.

Prostrate Cancer: Who's at Risk
1.Age: Prostrate cancer is got to the men who are at the age above 50.
2.Family history: A man is at higher risk if the father or brother is suffering from this disease.
3.Race: This disease is more in African American men than in other men.
4.Diet and dietary factors: The diet in the animal fat may create for higher risk for prostrate cancer and the diet in the vegetables and fruits may decrease the risk for
prostrate cancer.

What causes prostrate cancer.
While nobody knows what causes prostate cancer, there are some recognised risk factors:
· Risk increases over the age of 50 years. When the man starts growing older he gets attacked with this. Prostate cancer is rare in younger men.
· If your father or brother had prostate cancer, then can get at it is at high risk increases. If they had it at a young age, your risk is even higher.
· High fat, lots of red meat. Countries with low fat and low meat diets
have low levels of prostate cancer.
· Being overweight is a major risk factor for all cancers.

Recognising symptoms

* A need to urinate frequently, especially at night;
* Difficulty starting urination or holding back urine;
* Inability to urinate;
* Weak or interrupted flow of urine;
* Painful or burning urination;
* Difficulty in having an erection;
* Painful ejaculation;
* Blood in urine or semen; or
* Frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs.

Treatment of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer treatment generally depends on several different factors present in each case of the disease. The type of prostate cancer, the size of the cancer, its location, as well the health condition of the patient all play a part in how prostate cancer will be treated. Often, prostate cancer is a slow progressing disease although this is not always the case, but this is no excuse to procrastinate. Cure rates are very high if treatment begins while the cancer is in its early stages, but drop steeply once the cancer metastasizes. Get tested today - no pain, much gain!

Obviously, the sooner prostate cancer is found and diagnosed, the better the chance of recovery. Success in prostate cancer treatment will depend on a number of factors including the progression of the disease upon discovery, where the cancer is located, the age and health of the patient, and how it reacts to treatment.

Treatments other than conventional western medicine are usually considered "alternative therapies." They usually are not backed by scientific data but by years of use. Some alternative therapies date back thousands of years. These medicines do not have any harm at all they are natural treatments.

Read More

Nolvadex-Tamoxifen Citrate – The World’s Largest Selling Breast Cancer Treatment!

Nolvadex-Tamoxifen Citrate is oral anti-oestrogen, and the world’s largest selling breast cancer treatment. In 1998, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Nolvadex-Tamoxifen Citrate for diminishing the occurrence of breast cancer in women who is at high risk of developing the disease. With Nolvadex-Tamoxifen Citrate, it is achievable to reverse a subsisting growth process of dead tissue and stop further growth.

Nolvadex-Tamoxifen Citrate is also called Istubal - Tamoxifen Citrate or Valodex - Tamoxifen Citrate. Nolvadex-Tamoxifen Citrate has proved competence when cancer has reached to other body parts. A further new indication for Nolvadex is also sanctioned by the FDA for reducing contralateral breast cancer. Tests for paediatric use of Nolvadex are in progress. Nolvadex-Tamoxifen Citrate is not an anabolic or androgenic steroid. It belongs to the group of sex hormones.

In the late 80’s, Dan Duchaine stated that Nolvadex-Tamoxifen Citrate could also be used by muscle-builders to close down the growth of the other type of tumor in the mammary gland, Gynocomastia. Nolvadex-Tamoxifen Citrate is commonly named as a SERM (Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator), as an anti-estrogen and also a triphenylethylene. It is also prescribed to minimize the risk of invasive breast cancer following surgery and radiation therapy for ductal carcinoma in situ.

The side effects of Nolvadex-Tamoxifen Citrate are generally low in doses of up to 30 mg on a daily basis. Nausea, hot flashes, numbness, vomiting and blurred vision can happen rarely. In women irregular menstrual cycles can occur that manifest themselves in weaker menstrual bleeding or even complete missing of a period. It increases the chances of developing uterine cancer. Women should have gynecological examinations on regular intervals. They should also be careful not to get pregnant while taking Nolvadex-Tamoxifen Citrate.

Muscle-builders who take Nolvadex-Tamoxifen Citrate also make use of anabolic steroids simultaneously. Various musclemen like to use Nolvadex-Tamoxifen Citrate at the end of a steroid cycle since it raises the body’s testosterone production. Jocks who have propensities toward gynecomastia, strong water retention and increased fat deposits with steroids such as D-bol, Testoviron Depot, Anadrol, and Deca Durabolin frequently take 20-30 mg Nolvadex-Tamoxifen Citrate per day. The blended application of Nolvadex 20-30 mg/day and Proviron 25-50 mg/day leads to outstanding outcomes.

Take Nolvadex-Tamoxifen Citrate correctly as prescribed. Don’t stop taking Nolvadex-Tamoxifen Citrate without consulting the doctor. Before starting Nolvadex-Tamoxifen Citrate, it is also important to tell the physician about all allergies, problems, infections or other important things.

Read More

Green Tea Protection Against Stomach Cancer

Article Body:

Over the last few years, scientists have discovered compelling evidence that green tea protects our bodies against many serious diseases, including cancer. Though the research continues, it seems that it’s safe to conclude that adding green tea to your diet is likely a great way to protect your health.

One of the most serious cancers in our time is stomach cancer. Though its incidence has declined in recent years, it is still the second most common cancer in the world. In addition, chronic gastritis is a common problem today, and many doctors believe that those with chronic gastritis are more likely to develop stomach cancer in the future.

In Yangzhong, China, researchers from the UCLA School of Public health studied a total of 732 patients. 133 of these patients had stomach cancer, 166 had chronic gastritis and 433 were healthy and used for control purposes.

After adjusting the study for age and other factors like smoking, heavy alcohol consumption and body mass index, the study concluded that drinking green tea did, in fact, reduce your overall risk of developing gastritis and stomach cancer.

This news is very exciting; particularly to those who are at high risk for developing gastritis and stomach cancer.

Who should be concerned about developing stomach cancer?

As with any other disease, there are certain factors that make you more susceptible to developing stomach cancer. Following are risk factors for developing this type of cancer. You can better assess your risk by seeing how many of these risk factors apply to you.

Helicobacter pylori infection: This infection of the stomach is fairly rare in the US, but can be found among many people in other countries, including Eastern Europe. Many doctors believe that long term infection with this bacteria is a major contributor to development of stomach cancer. The infection usually leads to chronic gastritis and makes changes to the lining of the stomach, which can cause cancer.

Diet – Those who eat a large amount of smoked foods, salted fish and meats and pickled vegetables have a higher risk of developing stomach cancer. These products contain large amounts of nitrites, which are believed to lead to cancer. On the other hand, if your diet is rich with fresh fruits and vegetables, you can reduce your risk of stomach cancer.

Tobacco and alcohol abuse: Your risk of developing stomach cancer doubles if you smoke. In addition, it is believed that alcohol abuse also contributes to stomach cancer, though this has not been proven.

Obesity: Obesity increases your risk of developing stomach cancer, particularly in the part of your stomach closest to your esophagus.

Having Previous stomach surgery: Certain types of stomach surgery, including surgery to remove part of the stomach for treatment of ulcers or other diseases, increases the risk of developing stomach cancer later on.

Having Type A Blood – Scientists don’t really know why, but people with Type A blood have a slightly higher risk of developing stomach cancer.

History of Cancer in your family – If you have first degree relatives who have had stomach cancer, colorectal cancer or breast cancer, you have an increased risk of developing stomach cancer. There are certain inherited genetic disorders that make you more prone to certain cancers. If your family members have had these other cancers, you may possess this genetic disorder.

Stomach polyps: Polyps are non-cancerous growths on the lining of the stomach that can turn into cancer. One particular type of polyps, called adenomas appear to increase your risk of developing stomach cancer.

Geography: Stomach cancer is most common in Japan, China, Southern and Eastern Europe, and South and Central America. It is least common in Northern and Western Africa, South Central Asia, and North America.

Epstein-Barr virus: This is the virus causes infectious mononucleosis. Almost everyone is infected with the virus at some time in their lives, and it has been linked to some forms of lymphoma. But, it has been detected in 5-10% of people with stomach cancer, too. It usually causes a slow growing, less aggressive cancer. Doctors don’t quite understand the relationship between this virus and cancer.

Other Factors: Stomach cancer is more than twice as common in men as it is in women, and is more common in Hispanics and African Americans than in non-Hispanic whites. It is most common in Asians and Pacific Islanders. It is also more common after the age of 50, with a significant increase in incidence once you reach your late 60’s.

If you have more than three of these risk factors, you may need to be concerned about the development of stomach cancer later in life. Drinking green tea, along with a diet rich in fruits and vegetables may be one of the most important things you can do to protect your health.

Read More

Cancer and Make-up: Is There A Link?

The cosmetic industry is a huge business around the world that makes billions off consumers every year. Probably each and every one of us use a number of cosmetic products such as soaps, body cleansers, moisturizers, and make-up on a daily basis. In fact, according to a 2004 study conducted by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, women use an average of 12 cosmetic products a day. When we are applying these products on and all around our bodies, we’re probably not thinking about the tearless shampoo we have in our hands as a possible danger to our health. Shockingly, recent studies have shown that a large percentage of common household cosmetic products that a lot of us probably have in our homes right now contain a substance that can be harmful to our health and cause cancer.

1,4-Dioxane is a petroleum-derived contaminant that is thought to be a probable human carcinogen according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. And according to the National Toxicology Program, it is a known carcinogen in animals. It is listed on California’s Proposition 65 list of chemicals that are either suspected or known to cause cancer and birth defects. 1,4-Dioxane is a byproduct that appears during the manufacturing of cosmetics. Although it can easily be taken out during the manufacturing process for pennies, it is often not. The Food and Drug Administration does not require companies to list it as an ingredient on their labels because it is produced during the manufacturing process.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t end there. Jeanne Rizzo, R.N., the executive director of the Breast Cancer Fund and a founding member of The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics stated, “Regrettably, 1,4-Dioxane contamination is just the tip of the iceberg…Because the FDA does not require cosmetic products to be approved as safe before they are sold, companies can put unlimited amounts of toxic chemicals in cosmetics.” Incredibly, the FDA has no legal authority to require safety standards on cosmetic manufacturers and has only been able to ask companies to remove the chemical on a volunteer basis.

The FDA has known about 1,4-Dioxane since 1979 and has given very mild guidelines and recommendations to manufacturers that their products should not contain greater concentrations of 1,4-Dioxane than 10 ppm, or parts per million. Even with this lenient guideline, some 15% of the products tested exceeded this limit. Some of the products that contained the highest level of 1,4-Dioxane that were tested included: Clairol Herbal Essences Rainforest Flowers Shampoo, Oil of Olay Complete Body Wash with Vitamins, Johnson and Johnson’s Watermelon Explosion Kid’s Shampoo, Hello Kitty Bubble Bath, Disney Clean as a Bee Hair and Body Wash, and Gerber Grins and Giggles Gentle & Mild Aloe Vera Baby Shampoo.

If this is alarming to you, beware, because the list doesn’t end there. Until the cosmetics industry is more regulated, consumers must exercise caution while shopping. A greater knowledge of ingredients and their effects will keep you and your families safe.

Read More

What Are Your Cancer Treatment Options?

There is nothing as hard to hear than to hear your doctor tell you that you have cancer. Years ago, that six letter word, cancer, implied that there wasn’t very much hope for you and there were not many cancer treatment options available. Today, there are many more cancer treatment options available and hope of beating it are everywhere. There have been many role models such as Lance Armstrong showing us that cancer can be treated and that survival is possible. They show us that survivors can lead successful and fulfilling lives. If they can do it then there is more than just hope for you.

Cancer treatment can be individually tailored to each person’s unique situation. Of cours each person is different and the treatment plan will also vary. Treatments may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, nutrition, spiritual support, naturopathic treatment as well as encouraging mind and body alternatives.

The hope of surgery is to try to remove the cancer. A surgical cancer treatment will try to remove as much of the tumor as possible. It is the one of the oldest treatments for cancer. A surgical procedure may also be done to help access the progress of the cancer and the type of cancer.

Radiation is done in a hospital and is yet another cancer treatment option that is available. A targeted radiation beam will try to destroy the cancer cells.

Chemotherapy is another cancer treatment that is available. Many times, it is used together with surgery to try to kill off any remaining cancer cells. Chemo stands for chemicals. Chemotherapy involves taking drugs. Many times, the drugs are very strong and will make the person taking chemotherapy ill.

There are also many alternative cancer treatments that can be used together with the traditional cancer treatments. Most importantly, practising healthy nutrition can help your body stay strong during a fight against cancer. More than ever, it is an excellent tool to help you help your body become stronger.

Some medical studies have been done that suggest proper spiritual support can also benefit the person fighting cancer. I heard a story of one particular man who, when he found he had cancer and only a limited time to live refused to just lay down and laughed himself back to health by continuously watching comedies. The important point was that he refused to give up.

Hope that you can win the battle is a very strong weapon in the fight against cancer. Spiritual support can help you strengthen your hope in a better, victorious future while in the fight against cancer. Naturopathic treatment will try to use the healing power of nature and to strengthen the body's natural defenses. Perhaps you may include herbs or natural supplements as part of your cancer treatment plan.

Your cancer treatment plan will most likely contain many elements. Your doctor will help you to chart your course and combine the cancer treatments that will benefit you the most. Cancer treatment options continue to grow. Today, there is more hope than ever for a successful recovery from cancer. I would also like to stress here again that a positive outlook and attitude has been found to be especially beneficial.

Read More