Wednesday 27 May 2009

Breast Cancer Statistics - Survival Rates Increased 50%

From the desk of Dr Magne, author of Cancer Free For Life

Breast cancer statistics show that over 1.2 million persons will be diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide this year, according to the World Health Organization. Regular physical activity has been shown to decrease the likelihood of having breast cancer. What has not been known or studied has been the effect of regular physical activity on the breast cancer survival rates or likelihood of death in women that already have breast cancer. That is, until now.

The breast cancer statistics and findings as reported by the American Medical Association's Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) were astounding! Certain participants in the study of women with Stage I, II or III breast cancer achieved a 50% reduction in the death rate from breast cancer.

Here are these breast cancer statistics: the journal reported that in the study 2,987 female registered nurses had been diagnosed with breast cancer during the years 1984-1998. What the study found was that the women who had physical activity equivalent to walking at a steady pace of 2.0-2.9 miles per hour for 3-5 hours a week had a death rate of only 50% of the death rate of women who had physical activity equivalent to walking less than one hour a week. The conclusion of the breast cancer statistics in the study was that physical activity after breast cancer has been diagnosed may reduce the risk of death from breast cancer. The study found that there was little evidence of any relation between increased physical activity and increased benefit.

It's time to dust off those walking shoes!

As a physical activity, walking can be done almost anytime by anyone anywhere. All that's needed is a good pair of walking shoes. Walking is fun and reduces stress. As for injuries, walking has the lowest injury rate of all the various kinds of exercise.

You can walk with a partner, friend, family member or dog, maybe even a neighbor's dog. Or you can walk with your favorite headset and music. If you are walking outdoors with a headset, keep one ear open to hear the sounds around you.

As for basic walking tips:

  1. As you begin regular walking, take it easy. Standard advice is to check with your physician before starting any exercise program. If it's been years or decades since you walked regularly, perhaps you can begin with 5 minutes of walking and slowly increase your time and distance.
  2. Walking at a pace of 75-95 steps a minute will have you walking at a speed of about 2-3 miles per hour.
  3. Walk with your head up, looking out in front of you. Do not walk looking down right in front of you except to navigate any obstacles.
  4. Really take it easy the first 5 minutes of walking to warm up. Afterwards, gently stretch for 5-10 minutes while your muscles are warm.
  5. Practice good walking form. Your arms should swing naturally in the direction you're walking, not from side to side across your body. Your foot should strike the ground on your heel, then a rolling motion forward toward the ball of your foot, then pushing off with your toes.

And here are some basic walking shoes tips:

  1. Buy your walking shoes from a sporting shoes store with large selections. That will give you plenty of choices. And buy your walking shoes later in the day when your feet will be larger.
  2. Buy cushioned, supportive walking shoes. To see if a shoe is supportive, do this test -- take a shoe and turn it upside down. Holding each end of the shoe, try to fold it. If you find the shoe bends in the middle, then that shoe is not a supportive shoe. A supportive shoe should bend where your foot normally bends, near your toes.
  3. You should allow the width of your index finger between the end of your shoe and the end of your longest toe, or about one-half inch.

Walking is the closest thing to the perfect exercise. In today's fast-paced society, regular walking can be a welcomed break from the stress of the day. Maybe you'll get to know your neighborhood or neighbors better. There may be walking trails you've never seen but wanted to.

Wherever and however you choose to walk, not only can the experience be fun, you'll know you're being good to your body in a variety of ways. Besides the incredible breast cancer statistics and findings of the breast cancer study, walking helps with weight control and bone strength, elevates mood, helps build and maintain healthy muscles, joints and heart. With so many great health benefits, why not get started walking today!

Dr Laurence Magne

Dr Magne has been researching the origins and causes of disease and cancer for the past 25 years. Visit http://www.cancer-free-for-life.com to receive a FREE report on The 10 Ways to Cure Cancer Immediately. This article is available for reprint for your website and newsletter, provided that you maintain i

Tuesday 26 May 2009

Breast Cancer Overview - Breast Cancer Statistics

The American Cancer Society estimates that 212,930 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed and 40,870 will die of breast cancer in the United States in 2005. Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women in the United States and is second only to
lung cancer as a cause of cancer death.

The incidence of breast cancer has increased steadily in the United States over the past few decades, but breast cancer mortality appears to be declining. This suggests a benefit from early detection and more effective treatment.

The etiology of the vast majority of breast cancer cases is unknown. However, numerous risk factors for the disease have been established.

These risk factors include female gender, increasing patient age, family history of breast cancer at a young age, early menarche, late menopause, older age at first live childbirth, prolonged hormone replacement therapy, previous exposure to therapeutic chest wall irradiation, benign proliferative breast disease, and genetic mutations such as the and genes. However, except for female gender and increasing patient age, these risk factors are associated with only a minority of breast cancers. Women with a strong family history of breast cancer should be evaluated according to the . Women at increased risk for breast cancer (generally those with a greater than 1.67% 5-year risk of breast cancer using the Gail model of risk assessment ) may consider risk reduction strategies (see ).

Proliferative abnormalities of the breast are limited to the lobular and ductal epithelium. In both the lobular and ductal epithelium,a spectrum of proliferative abnormalities may be seen, including hyperplasia, atypical hyperplasia, in situ carcinoma, and invasive carcinoma. Approximately 85% to 90% of invasive carcinomas are ductal in origin. The invasive ductal carcinomas include unusual variants of breast cancer, such as colloid or mucinous, adenoid cystic, and tubular carcinomas, which have especially favorable natural histories.

Some types of food can contribute to the development of cancer; other foods lessen the risk. The following anti-cancer diet greatly lowers your risk of colorectal cancer and nearly all other types of cancers. It can also prevent cardiovascular disease. For people with a genetic tendency toward colorectal cancer, it is not just an option, it's a lifesaving necessity.

John Eminescu

I am a 27 years old writer. I currently work at my first book. Find more related articles on cancer treatment on http://cancer-cure-diet.info

Monday 25 May 2009

Colon Cancer Statistics

Colon cancer is one of the most feared types of cancer by both men and women. The reason is that colon cancer is now fourth on the most known cancer list in many countries around the world. It is also known to be the second most common cause of death in countries like the United State of America. So, I belive these are some pretty good reasons to fear colon cancer, am I right?

If you belive that these are not good enough reasons to fear colon cancer, then here are some more statistics about this type of cancer. A person that has reached the age of fifty has almost five percent risk of being diagnosed with colon cancer. Furthermore, people at this age have also a three percent risk of dying from colon cancer. If these statistics about colon cancer still do not worry you, then you should also know that a person that dies from colon cancer looses almost thirteen years of his/ her life, which is a pretty big number if you ask me.

Moreover, statistics say that more than eight percent of all colon cancer cases arise from a certain type of polyps called adenomatous. If these polyps are smaller than one centimeter, then the risk of developing colon cancer is less than one percent. However, if these polyps are bigger than one centimeter, then the risk of colon cancer rises. Ten percent of these polyps turn into colon cancer in then years time and more than twenty percent in twenty year' s time. Furthermore as time also passes by the risk of developing colon cancer increase as well. If at the age of forty, the risk of those polyps becoming malignant was about twenty percent, then at fifty it increases to twenty five percent and at the age of seventy the percentage goes as high as fifty.

Most of the colon cancer cases happen in people that are not exposed to any particular risk factors. However, twenty percent of colon cancer cases occur in people with certain risk factors. Family history of colon cancer is the most common of these risk factors. A small percentage of these cases, almost six percent, are also caused by genetic syndromes. People that suffer from ulcerative colitis are also more at risk of developing colon cancer as so are those that have been diagnosed with large polyps or even with colon cancer.

Groshan Fabiola

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 stage3 colon cancer or even about colon cancer diet

Sunday 24 May 2009

Prostate Cancer Statistics That Will Help Your Fight Against The Disease

The prostate gland, found only in men, is located underneath the bladder. Shaped like a donut and about the size of a walnut, it surrounds the urethra -- the tube that carries urine from the bladder. The prostate's primary function is to produce seminal fluid which mixes with sperm during ejaculation.

Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer that affects men in Western society. This particular form of cancer grows more slowly than others however, and sometimes may not even require any treatment. But some grow more quickly and can spread to other parts of the body, such as the surrounding bones, which can cause a lot of pain. In the USA, UK, Australia and Canada there are approximately 280,000 new cases diagnosed each year.

A common symptom that indicates the presence of the disease includes difficulty urinating, especially at night, and sometimes even the complete inability to urinate. Other symptoms can include a weak urine stream, lower back pain, blood found in the urine, pain during urination, and pain in the upper thighs and hips. These symptoms don't necessarily mean that you have prostate cancer, and may only be an indication of benign prostate hypertrophy, or BPH, which is simply the enlargement of the prostate. In any case, you should consult your doctor for a thorough diagnosis.

Research that seeks to determine the underlying causes of prostate cancer have been unable so far to come to a definitive conclusion. However, there have been a number of risk factors that have been identified. One risk factor is thought to be radiation, which is a likely reason for some cases. Around 10% of patients are men that have a family history of prostate cancer, which suggests that genetics plays a role. It is generally believed that a family history of prostate cancer can increase your risk anywhere from two to five times.

The most important risk factor appears to be age. Men under the age of 50 are very unlikely to develop prostate cancer, but over half or all prostate cancer cases are men over the age of 75.

Other research suggests that the quality of your diet can affect your risk of developing prostate cancer. To minimize the risk, try to follow a low-fat diet, and eat lots of foods that contain lycopene -- tomatoes and cruciform vegetables, such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage. Vitamin E also appears to be effective according to some studies, however this hasn't been fully confirmed. Another possibility is selenium; some studies suggest a daily dosage of 200mcg can reduce your risk of prostate cancer.

One common myth that has been thoroughly debunked is the belief that have a vasectomy increases a man's susceptibility to prostate cancer. This is simply untrue; there is no noticeable difference in prostate cancer rates among men who have and have not had a vasectomy.

Remember, the most important key to successful treatment is early diagnosis of the disease. Once prostate cancer reaches the advanced stages it can be very difficult to cure, and the threat of the cancer spreading to other parts of the body also increases the longer you wait. If you are reached the age of 50, make sure you understand the symptoms and get regular checkups.

John Landrum

Are you looking for information about prostate cancer statistics? For more important information on prostate cancer, the prostate gland, and prostate cancer prevention and treatments, please visit http://www.onlineprostatehealth.com for more information.


Saturday 23 May 2009

Cancer, Patient, and Statistics

“There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.”

Benjamin Disraeli

You open a book on cancer and it would more likely than not start with numbers: So many thousand were diagnosed with the disease in such a period and so many died. They will also give a prognosis as to how these numbers would look like for a period in the future. In the case of prostate cancer in particular we are told that in the coming year so many thousand men will find out that they are afflicted with the disease and another number also in thousand, will succumb to it, some of them unnecessarily. These numbers are significant in as much as they indicate the extent and trend of the disease. But how meaningful are they to an individual? Can he benefit from this knowledge? We can put the answer to these questions also in terms of numbers - fifty for yes fifty for no. There are no known precautions that a man can take to ward off the disease. One can have regular tests and examinations to insure early detection that would help in deciding the course of treatment. But early detection by itself is no guarantee for cure. As long as a person is not a confirmed patient these numbers are impersonal like the statistics on the number of people dead or likely to die in traffic accidents in a given period.

However, the situation changes as soon as the person becomes a part of the statistic. Now he moves into the realm of other numbers. For each treatment option available to him he is confronted with numbers related to the success of these options. He is told of survival rates and now we are talking not just numbers but probabilities. Not that probability is new to us. We deal with them in every day life without even being conscious of it They are wrapped up in weather forecasts, sports, in economic events, and so on. In fact probability and statistics have become an integral part of our lives, even determine the quality of life through processes ranging from mundane ones like quality control of consumer goods to highly sophisticated like space communications.

But statistics by its very nature is impersonal, it deals with a population or sample. Means and averages are meaningless when applied to a particular member of the sample. We have all watched the Dow Jones average soar during the past couple of years. It is supposed to indicate the state of the economy. On the average we would think that everyone playing the stock market would have doubled or tripled his investment. I know several persons whose portfolios shrank during that period. It does not, of course, negate the fact that many stocks soared and people made money in the market. The point is, though, that the statistical results cannot be applied directly to an individual. It is all the more so when we are using statistics in the field of medicine where the unknowns and variables are far more than in other fields.

I have a friend who recently had cataract surgery. These days it is supposed to be a routine procedure with hardly any chance of serious complications. If one insisted on getting numbers, the doctor might put the probability of things going wrong at less than one percent. A month after surgery my friend did develop a problem - for no apparent reason the implanted lens had moved and he had only peripheral vision in that eye. The doctor could not explain it; in fifteen years of his experience with this procedure it had happened only twice. That was, of course, no consolation to my friend; for him the less-than-one percent probability had changed into certainty. He had to get the procedure done again and was terrified at the prospect of things going wrong again. When it comes to personal life there are things over which no one has any control. There is an element of luck in every sphere of activity in life; some may deny its existence but denial does not negate the fact.

There is another aspect of statistics that may present problems; it is the size of the sample or the database. The larger the database, the more reliable are the results. For statisticians, of course, there is never enough data; it may be adequate but it is not the same as enough. In the case of prostate cancer the data is not extensive, at least in some respects, and the statistical inferences may therefore be viewed with caution. For a patient confronted with a decision as to the course of treatment the database for most options is small.

For the options of definitive treatment ten-year survival numbers were available only for radical surgery; for brachytherapy the data did not go that far back for any meaningful analysis. The choice becomes more difficult when the patient has to choose a particular surgeon or oncologist. Then he has to know that particular doctor’s numbers and the size of the sample shrinks to an inadequate level. And then there is the question of luck also. A patient can have problems even with the most experienced and famous surgeon, while another may come out fine with another relatively unknown doctor. One can certainly attempt to obtain the best possible facility and care within his reach not worrying about things beyond his control. To that extent the numbers become less important, they should be used as general guidelines only.

How important is the statistics? If we had to base everything on experience and statistics, there would be no new approaches, no developments. For breaking new grounds it is necessary to venture into the unknown, it is true for any field of knowledge. This is not to belittle the role of accumulated knowledge and experience. To probe the unknown it is imperative to make full use of all that is known. In this process, though, it is sometimes necessary to ignore or go against the accumulated evidence or the statistics. This happens, and not infrequently, in the field of medicine where new data force a revision of opinions based on old. What is considered normal today may not remain so tomorrow.

This brings us to the all-important number for prostate cancer - the prostate specific antigen (PSA) level. This number by itself has nothing to do with statistics. It represents a test result, an observation. However, it provides the raw material for building statistics. After a series of revisions in the past the normal range of PSA is taken to be from zero to four. Without going into the mathematical definition of the word normal, this statement can be interpreted to mean the following: If the PSA is measured for a sufficiently large number of men having no prostate problem, a significant majority of them would have PSA lying between zero and four; the exact percentage will depend on the specific distribution.

Conversely if the measured PSA for a man is within this range, he most probably does not have any prostate problem. The remaining may have PSA beyond this range, i.e. greater than four, since negative values are not possible, and still be disease free. The farther the number from four, the smaller would be the percentage of men having that PSA level. Mathematically this percentage will never become zero, but for all practical purposes there must be a limit. A man having PSA higher than this limit would certainly have a prostate problem. What is this limit and where can one draw the line? I do not think anyone can answer these questions. So the mathematical aspects of the term ‘normal’ are ignored and a rule of thumb is applied: Any test result yielding PSA of greater than four is suspect and further tests are needed. If the additional tests do not show an obvious problem, the person is put in the wait and watch mode. He is not a patient yet but may soon be.

However, even with this ‘primary’ number we run into ambiguities. If the PSA level for a person is below four, it does not automatically mean that he is cancer free. About twenty percent of prostate cancer patients have PSA below four. As a corollary it may be expected that an equal number of men having PSA greater than four would not have the cancer. So PSA alone cannot unambiguously reveal the presence of the cancer.

Once the cancer has been detected there is another number that indicates the degree of activity of the tumor. It is called Gleason score and is determined from pathological analysis of the biopsy samples; it ranges from two to ten. The higher the number, the more active is the cancer. A score of seven and above usually means a highly active fast growing cancer, perhaps in an advanced stage. Gleason score plays an equally important role in the choice of a treatment but by its very nature it is no more reliable than the PSA level.

On the other hand if the tests confirm the presence of cancer, the person is faced with immediate decision. The first question that comes up - and this has to be answered by the doctor - is whether the cancer is contained within the gland or it has spread outside. Even the doctor cannot answer without recourse to surgery and with that too he can not say anything with certainty. The absence of malignant cells at the lymph node does not preclude the possibility of the cells having migrated into the areas just outside the prostate. Again a rule of thumb is applied: If the PSA is not too far out of the normal range, the cancer is assumed to be localized. Now we are stuck with the problem of defining the term ‘too far’. I do not think any urologist would be willing to draw the line or even set a reasonable range. Unfortunately the survivability numbers, thrown at the patient, are affected by this uncertainty.

Dharmbir Rai Sharma

Dharmbir Rai Sharma is a retired professor with electrical engineering and physics background. He obtained his M.S. degree in physics in India and Ph.D. in electrical engineering at Cornell University. He has taught in universities here and also in Brazil, where he spent sometime. He maintains a website http://www.cosmosebooks.com devoted mainly to philosophy and science.

Friday 22 May 2009

Alarming Breast Cancer Statistics

It is estimated, that every three minutes a woman in the United States is diagnosed with breast cancer. This cancer is the leading cancer among white and African American women. This cancer incidence in women has increased from one in 20 in 1960 to one in eight today.

While the majority of cancer occurs in older people, young people are not immune to this disease. This cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women today (after lung cancer) and is the most common cancer among women, excluding non-melanoma skin cancers.

According to the American Cancer Society, about 1.3 million women will be diagnosed with this cancer annually worldwide and about 465,000 will die from the disease. Breast cancer death rates have been dropping steadily since 1990, according to the Society, because of earlier detection and better treatments.

However, about 40,910 breast cancer deaths are expected in 2008. According to the American Cancer Society, in general, this cancer rates have risen about 30% in the past 25 years in western countries, due in part to increased screening which detects the cancer in earlier stages. In the United States, though, this cancer rates decreased by 10% between 2000-2004, due in part to a reduction in the use of hormone replacement therapy. Although this cancer rates are rising in many western countries, deaths from the disease have decreased in some countries as a result of improved screening and treatment.

So when looking at individual statistics by age group, the probability of developing breast cancer within the next 10 years are as follows:

By age 20... 1 out of 229

By age 30... 1 out of 68

By age 40... 1 out of 37

By age 50... 1 out of 26

By age 60... 1 out of 24

By age 70... 1 out of 8

Plus, in someone's lifetime, 1 out of every 1985 women will develop this cancer. This risk model is of course based on population averages. Each woman's cancer risk may be higher or lower, depending upon a several factors, including family history, genetics, age of menstruation, and other factors that have not yet been identified.

Here are some more gloomy facts on breast cancer statistics...

This cancer is the most common cancer among women.

In 2008, an estimated 22,400 women will be diagnosed with this cancer and 5,300 will die of it.

An estimated 170 men will be diagnosed with this cancer and 50 will die of it.

On average, 431 women will be diagnosed with this cancer every week.

On average, 102 women will die of this cancer every week.

One in 9 women is expected to develop this cancer during her lifetime. One in 28 will die of it.

Breast cancer death rates have declined in all ages combined and in every age group since at least the mid 1990s.

Incidence and death rates for this cancer have declined since 1969 in women aged 20-39.

While this cancer is less common at a young age (i.e., in their thirties), younger women tend to have more aggressive cancers than older women, which may explain why survival rates are lower among younger women.

All women are at risk for developing this cancer. The older a woman is, the greater her chances of developing this cancer. Approximately 77% of this cancer cases occur in women over 50 years of age.

White, Hawaiian, and African-American women have the highest incidence of invasive cancer in the United States (approximately four times higher than the lowest group).

Korean, American Indian, and Vietnamese women have the lowest incidence of invasive ancer in the United States.

African-American have the highest death rate from this cancer and are more likely to be diagnosed with a later stage of breast cancer than White women.

In the age groups, 30-54 and 55-69 years, African-American women have the highest death rate from this cancer, followed by Hawaiian women, and white non-Hispanic women. However, in the 70 year old age group, the death rate from this cancer for white women is higher than for African-American.

Pay particular attention to the statistics on Korean, American Indian, and Vietnamese women which have the lowest incidence of invasive breast cancer in the United States. Why do you think that is? If you've been paying attention to my other articles, you'll soon come to realize that this is because of their lifestyles, and more specifically their low-fat diets.


J.G. Michel

J.G. Michel, regular contributor on issues of health, is founder of the exclusive cancer helpbreast cancer resource, Cancer-Help-Treatment.com Visit this site for exclusive information relating to

Thursday 21 May 2009

Testicular Cancer Statistics - See For Yourself How Testicular Cancer is Highly Treatable

Testicular cancer statistics are widely available and as more clinical trials are carried out we can see that survival rates are increasing all the time. Here are just a few stats to give those worried about testicular cancer and those living with it (as well as their caregivers) much to be hopeful about.

Tumor Limited To The Testis

When the testicle is removed and the pathology report shows that it is combined to the testis alone (common if discovered early) then you have about a 75% to 85% chance that you are already cured. Many survivors opt to go onto "surveillance" which means careful watching every few month with CT scans, instead of treatment.

It is incredibly rare with any cancer to be able to make a lifestyle decision to reject treatment in favor of surveillance. Testicular cancer is unique in this respect.

Most Common Cancer For Men Aged 18 to 40

Cancer is thankfully quite rare for most men in this age group. Testicular cancer itself is also rare, in general.

But for those in this age group, testicular cancer is the most common type of cancer and is also on the rise.

By doing monthly self examination, you can detect any tumors early and get quick medical treatment.

98% Survive

Out of all types of testicular cancers (some more or less aggressive than others), the survival rate after ten years is around 98%.

Unlike other cancers, testicular cancer will rarely relapse after this time period. Also unlike other cancers, testicular cancer is highly treatable. Very few other cancers are so responsive to treatment. We are lucky to live in this age because this statistic was not the case 30 years ago.

Chris Wensley

Worried about testicular cancer or just want to educate yourself about it? Get the info you need at Testicular Cancer Library.


Wednesday 20 May 2009

The Reality Breast Cancer Statistics Reveal

Statistics can give the rates of incidence for breast cancer in certain groups of people. They can show which groups have the highest mortality rates. They can also show who is doing the most to prevent it.

Aside from skin cancers, breast cancer is the most prevalent kind of cancer among women. These statistics show that over 25% of the cancers women are diagnosed with are breast cancers.

The stats for age groups are even more startling. For the years 2000 through 2004, 95% of the new cases were found in women who were 40 years of age or older. Of all the deaths caused during this time, 97% of them were in this same group of women.

White women have rates from 105 to 153 per 100,000 depending on the state. African-American women have these incidence rates from 68.5 to 129.8 in different states. The differences are not merely a function of the rate of the disease, but also of the rate of detection.

Women get mammograms and clinical breast exams are as little as 16.2% of women with no usual source of health care in Missouri. As a contrast, 64.9% of women aged 40 to 64 in the state of Delaware had the same screening procedures. These breast cancer statistics show that some groups of women are getting far better medical care than others in this country.

It is unfortunate that African-American women do not fare very well in the for mortality rates. While they generally have a lower incidence rate than white women, their mortality rates are higher. 90% of white women survive their breast cancer by 5 years, but only 77% of African-American women do. Better health insurance and health care can bring the survival breast cancer statistics of African-American women up to a higher level.

The most important use of these statistics to identify groups of people who need better preventative care and disease treatment. As scientists and statisticians gather their facts, many women are waiting for a better and longer life through breast cancer awareness.

Gary Giardina

More Information on Breast Cancer: http://www.healthbreastcancer.com/

Tuesday 19 May 2009

Cervical Cancer Statistics

It is normal to want to find out about the statistics of something, especially cancer, if you, a friend or a family member has been recently diagnosed. Well, the fact is, first of all, you, or that person, where not the only ones today to be diagnosed. In the United States alone, 11,150 women this year will be diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer. That is roughly 30 females a day, every day, for a year, in America alone.

In the United Kingdom, the statistics of diagnoses in 2003 where 24,105, which is double the American count in 2007. The following year, the number increased to 2,726, causing the UK to account for about 2% of all female cancers, and making Cervical Cancer specifically the twelfth most common cancer in women.

As far as death goes, in 2005, there were 1,061 deaths from Cervical Cancer in the UK. So out of the roughly 60 women who were diagnosed in one day, only 2 didn’t make it, which is not bad. From 1955 to 1992 the death rate has dropped slowly from 74%. Women are going more regularly for Pap Smear tests, which reduces their chances of dying from cervical cancer. The earlier the cancer is discovered, the higher the rate of getting rid of it. Currently the death rate of cervical cancer is on 4%.

The chances are higher that you will be diagnosed during your midlife. About half of woman will be diagnosed between the ages of 35 and 55. Because, as women get older they don’t realize that their risk of getting cervical cancer is still high, slightly over 20% of women over the age of 65 get diagnosed. In the UK, 91% of all cases of diagnosed Cervical Cancer are of women who are under the age of 45, the peak incidence being in the 25 to 29 age group.

The two factors that come into play when beating cancer are the stage of cancer they are at and the person’s age. If the cancer is diagnosed in what is known as the pre-cancerous stage, which is when the abnormal cells of cancer are discovered, but haven’t turned cancerous yet, almost every women will be treated and cured. Statistically, it is a 92%. From a medical viewpoint, this is called a “5 year survival rate”. This doesn’t mean that the women who were diagnosed lives for 5 years and then dies, but that the woman lives at least five years after their initial treatment.

Generally, if a person lives for 5 years without the cancer recurring, the chances of it coming back are very small. The overall statistic is that 7 out of 10 women will survive the 5 years. In low developing countries where Pap Smears are not regularly done; the survival rate can drop down to 40%

The one-year survival rate in the UK was just over 40% a decade ago. The five-year wasn’t that much higher. In comparison, for women diagnosed in 2000, the odds have been increased by 20% to 60%. In the last 7 years, their chances have just been improving further.

Every year the statistics are getting better and compared to other cancers, cervical is becoming less and less of a concern as the general awareness of it grows. It might seem just another thing to do every year along with the local visit to your GP and the dentist, but the Pap Smear doesn’t take that long. Especially it you consider you’ve the rest of your life as the reward for doing it.

Celeste Yates

Celeste writes for Tell Her, a website dedicated to Cervical Cancer for women in the UK.

Monday 18 May 2009

World Statistics For Prostate Cancer

Reliable prostate cancer statistics for the entire world are often hard to come by, but it is extremely important to try and gather statistics if a way of preventing it is ever to be discovered. However, it is possible to tell that prostate cancer rates vary greatly across the world and even amongst countries. There are some patterns to the spread of prostate cancer, and these are outlined below.

  1. Prostate cancer is least common in Eastern/Southern Asia. It is also least common amongst all Asian men, whether they are living in Asia or not.
  2. It is most common in the United States, where it causes death of men more than any other type of cancer apart from lung cancer. It is also common in Europe, for example in the UK it is the second most common cancer. It has been speculated that this is because of the higher rates of detection in these countries however.
  3. Prostate cancer is most likely to occur in men aged over fifty years old.
  4. In England in 2001, the relative five year survival rate for men with prostate cancer was 71 percent. This is a 40 percent increase on 1975. Prostate cancer survival rates have been increasing for over twenty years now in developed countries.

World statistics for prostate cancer can be found, but it is much more beneficial for an individual to look at the statistics in their country as the survival rates vary greatly from country to country and between continents. If you have any concerns about your health you should always contact your GP or doctor.

James Kernal

Are you worried you have prostate cancer? Do you have prostate cancer and want to learn more about it? To find out more about prostate cancer, please visit Prostate Cancer Info.


Sunday 17 May 2009

Where Do Celebrities Go For Cancer Treatment?

Celebrity Cancer Treatment

Where do celebrities like Kylie Minogue, Marianne Faithfull and others go for cancer treatment? Off to France.

France has some of the best cancer treatment in the world. Britain is getting better, but once hospital treatment finishes - that's it. "Take these pills every day for the next five years". Then you'll get a hurried check-up every six months.

These pills are hormonal drugs, often fought over in the Courts for our treatment (remember Herceptin?). But what no-one tells 95% of British patients is that side effects from these drugs often need specialist treatment; which the NHS is loath to provide. So, if you are a celebrity, or one of a gathering number of Brits who are prepared to pay for informed advice - off you go France.

French cancer treatment doesn't stop with hospital visits. They know side effects are going to be with you for a long time, so provide excellent care, often at a local medical spa. No prizes for guessing British post cancer survival rates hover a blush-making bottom of European Statistics; France comes top of table.

So when you need treatment or TLC for hormonal drug side effects, how can you follow celebrities to France?

I found the best way is a letter of introduction from any doctor, listing your medical history. Send this to the Medical Director of your chosen spa, and you are in the system. Can't find the right person? The tourist office will be able to help.

French doctors understand side effects of hormonal drugs, and help you get through the five years' treatment cycle as easily as possible. There is expert help, allied to proven therapies which are usually very pampering: think massage, face treatments for dry skin, reflexology, etc. All you have to do is lie back, knowing the massage or treatment you are having is supervised by medical staff.

When the figures came out in The Lancet, showing Britain way down the tables for post cancer survival, I asked what plans the Dept. Health had to copy post cancer care in Europe.

"None" - came back arrogant reply.

One wonders if this is because the treatments are often similar to 'beauty' treatments? But charities like Macmillan have done extensive studies proving their benefits.

After cancer treatment in London, I tapped into the French system, and now every few weeks off I go for a short break. I call this medical treatment; any fly on the way will know that I constantly have a smile on my face. Talking to doctors about any niggling worries or problems that have cropped up, I then indulge in treatments, and the only nasty side is knowing that many of the local patients are getting this on their health schemes.

There doesn't seem to be a language problem. You can request an English-speaking doctor, and many therapists and staff speak English; but medicine is international; just lie back and leave them to sort out your massage, skin problems, or whatever.

Most medical spas specialising in post cancer treatment have the word 'Bain' in their names; this is because treatments followed healing thermal waters. At Aix-les-Bains you see patients smiling as tiny jets of warm water play on throat cancer sites. Brides-les-Bains is a lovely old Thermal spa with aromatherapy massage and reflexology and the chance to lose weight with fantastic menus; useful if hormonal drugs have caused weight gain.

Or head towards the west coast and La Roche Posay. They have been treating patients here ever since a knight's horse fell into the river and was cured of eczema. Today it's more likely that patients come to have special warm water massages to restore dried-out cancer skin; the selenium in the water is particularly helpful.

Originally the spa developed skincare to disguise burn marks, and just grew. The medics produced a fantastic range of skincare products, using the local water, and recently they developed a range specially for post cancer patients. Now, the skincare production has been taken over by Vichy, and these products are going to be available in Britain at chemists under the name of La Roche Posay skincare- so you can use the same creams as the celebrities.

Typically French, La Roche Posay realised women like to look good, so not only are skin creams formulated for post cancer, but so are cosmetics. My favourite is a mascara developed especially for cancer patients; any patient who has despaired of ever seeing their eyelashes again, should try this.

Looking in the mirror you see you have almost-celebrity style lashes. Sitting next to me at the make-up bar - nothing 'hospital-like' about this treatment centre, a fellow Brit suddenly beamed: Vive La France - I've got my face back!

Verite Reily Collins

http://after-cancer.com Verite Reily Collins had breast cancer, and when faced with NHS indifference to peeling skin and bloody blisters caused by drugs, took herself off to France to try out their treatments. Then came back and set up http://www.after-cancer.com to tell other patients not to suffer in silence, but Have Fun After Cancer with all the treatments Europeans take for granted.

Saturday 16 May 2009

Breast Cancer Statistics

There are some things we know about breast cancer. One is that it is the most prevalent cause of death for women at present. Another is that there are more breast cancer survivors now than there were several years ago. But exactly how many incidences of diagnosis are there every year? How many women die and how many survive? These and many others make up breast cancer statistics.

The National Cancer Institute is the primary agency to release breast cancer statistics in the United States. The Cancer Statistics Branch publishes the SEER Cancer Statistics Review annually. This report includes incidence, mortality, prevalence, survival and other risk statistics. Incidence, mortality rates and other risk factors are tabulated with respect to age, state, race, tumor size, stage and others. The report showed that in 2004, the number of women diagnosed was 186,772 while the number of men was only 1,815.

While there may be millions who are diagnosed with this illness, it is not the leading cause of death. More women have died because of heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, lung cancer, chronic lower respiratory disease and Alzheimer's disease. This shows that there are more breast cancer survivors now than there were years ago.

In order to arrive at these estimates, epidemiologists use various methods. To compare people of different age compositions, "age adjustment" method is used. This is important when cancer rates are compared, more so because breast cancer generally inflicts older women, and some states generally have an older population than others. To estimate new cancer cases, new projection method is used. Instead of using oldest SEER registries where only 10% of the population is covered, estimates are now based on North American Association of Central Cancer Registries which covers about 86% of the population. Aside from this, regional variations with respect to socio-demographic factors, medical settings, screening behaviors and other lifestyle factors are taken into consideration in making incidence predictions.

The American Cancer Society conducts research on breast cancer cases, provides estimates of new cases and analyzes data for long-term trending and study. These statistics are found in their publication, Breast Cancer Facts and Figures. It is estimated that in 2007, 178,480 invasive breast cancer and 62,030 non-invasive breast cancer cases. Also in the same year, about 40,460 women are estimated to die. Out of this number, only 2,830 are women younger than 45 years. Using the latest data available, survival rates for those diagnosed are 89% after 5 years, 81% after 10 years, and 73% after 15 years. There is a significant increase in survival rates compared to the previous years.

In the UK, 44,659 people were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004. From this number, only 324 were men. Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, third to lung and bowel cancer in causing death. It accounts for 1 out of 3 cancer cases among women. About 80% of the cases involve post-menopausal women. There is an increase in survival rates after 5 years, and breast cancer mortality rates have decreased. This is credited to an increase in awareness, early detection and advances in treatment.

The World Health Organization also conducts their own studies and makes their estimates with the studies as basis. Their studies show that a woman has a 13.4% chance of developing breast cancer throughout her lifetime. This statistic is slightly higher than the US figure, which is 12.28%. As for the death or mortality rate, WHO estimates a 33% mortality rate. This figure is relatively lower than the rates of previous years and the decline is attributed to early detection and advances in treatment. Early detection has also caused the increase in survival rate, 96%, especially if the tumor is at its first stage when detected. This shows the importance of early detection for breast cancer survival.

Breast cancer statistics and trends are basically the same throughout the world. Increased survival rates, fewer deaths and improved survival rates are common in all statistics. This means that more people are becoming aware of breast cancer, more women are treated while cancer is still at its earliest stages, and more survivors are living happy lives.

Nathalie Fiset

For more information on breast cancers and their solutions, please visit:
http://fightbreastcancers.com/breast-cancer-statistics.html
http://fightbreastcancers.com/
http://www.drnathaliefiset.com

Friday 15 May 2009

Causes Worth Fighting For - According to Celebrities

I've always thought life isn't worth living if you're not fighting for something. It's an empty life. So whether you're fighting for peace in Iraq, or fighting for better treatment from baristas in your neighborhood coffee shop - stand up for what you are passionate about.

If you're on a prowl for a cause, take a cue from these celebrities who've used their popularity and stature in society to push for a cause. Here are a few:

Elizabeth Hurley and her continued support towards Breast cancer awareness has caused one of the most famous places in the world to turn pink. Any guesses? It's where her husband is originally from and where Princess Di went to without Prince Charles. The Taj Mahal! Pink lights were illuminated in Mumbai to show the world we're not going down without a fight against breast cancer.

Sell a shirt, save the world. That's what I'm guessing was on people's mind when they saw the "cheerleader" Hayden Panettiere sell her clothes for a cause close to my heart as well - Save The Whales Again. She was also involved in a confrontation with Japanese fisherman to try and disrupt their annual dolphin hunt. Save the Whales again is a campaign of the Whaleman Foundation & Animal welfare institute. Aside from environment issues, Hayden flexed her popularity towards the 2008 elections & also made a video for funnyordie against McCain.

Our favorite funny man Jon Stewart isn't only good for a laugh - he supports health causes such as Parkinson Foundation & Autism Speak. He hosted the "Night of Too Many Stars 20083 in order to raise money for Autism Programs in the country. Take that Denis Leary!

Bono, Oh! Bono. We're not worthy. The frontman of U2 has used his popularity to shed light on issues that we normally aren't aware of or take forgranted - like poverty and hunger. He uses all means possible - even pimping it out in Oprah where he figured in the promotion of Gap Rep. He speaks with world leaders, Bono's cause is for the betterment of Africa, and generally to make the world a better place.

This list won't be complete without any participation from the most powerful celebrity couple in the world - Brangelina! Their brood is growing, they've managed to make adoption look "celebrity cool", contributed much of their earnings to various causes (around $8 million last 2006) and wouldn't you know, Brad Pitt was recently named "15 People Who Make America Great" by Newsweek Magazine. Angelina on the other hand is a UN Ambassador and reportedly, whenever she's out with them to refugee camps, etc, she spends for herself while still sharing the same working conditions as the UN Staff. Man, is there something this lady can't do?

"Every Good Act is Charity. A man's true wealth hereafter is the good that he does in this world to his fellows - Moliera". Sometimes it's not really how much money you give to these causes - it's how much of yourself you give and how much you get in return - maybe not in monetary but in honest-to-goodness-I-feel-good-vibes. And that beats just holding that coffee cup.


Christine Waverly

Christine Waverly speaks her mind on her blog about everything and anything - travel, the good life, women's issues and politics. Visit her site today!

Thursday 14 May 2009

Celebrities Finding a Cure For Cancer

Katherine Anne Couric was born on January 7th of 1957 in Arlington, Virginia. She is also one of the celebrities fighting cancer. Katie has been a strong advocate for cancer since the loss of her husband in 1998 of colon cancer and her sister in 2001 of pancreatic cancer. They had both been fighting cancer for a very long time. In 2003 she underwent a colonoscopy live on-air and this inspired many others to work towards beating cancer. She is also helping raise awareness for the NHL Hockey Fights Cancer charity. She is doing whatever she can to aid in the fight of finding a cure for cancer.

When it comes to celebrities fighting cancer not many are better known than Lance Edward Armstrong. He is both known for fighting cancer as well as beating cancer. He is a survivor of testicular cancer. In October of 1996 he was diagnosed with nonseminomatous testicular cancer. It was so bad it had invaded his brain, lungs, and abdomen. He had the opportunity to go with chemotherapy but opted for an alternative. The alternative is a group of drugs called VIP (vinblastine, ifosfomide, and cisplatin). He also went through surgery to have two brain tumors removed. He also had his diseased testicle removed. Now he is helping raise awareness for the American Cancer Society charity.

Charles Christopher Spielman was born on October 11th of 1965 in Canton, Ohio. He has been a huge advocate in finding a cure for cancer. His wife Stephanie had been diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent treatment and is a survivor of this cancer. Since Stephanie lost her hair during her treatment Chris shaved his head in support of her. They are both extremely active in raising funds for cancer research. One of their main projects is the Stephanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer. The fund was started in 1999 and to date has brought in over 5 million dollars for cancer research.

Morgan Kennedy

For more Information on this topic visit http://www.buildwish.com a free Online Home Improvement Directory in 100 Cities in North America. Featuring over 2 million Real Estate classifieds, helpful articles, contests, home improvement videos, virtual home tools, Qualified Trades people, ask an expert, a moving center, get free quotes for Insurance, Moving, Mortgages, Contractors, Find Foreclosures and a finance blog that will save you money on bank rates & credit card rates.

Wednesday 13 May 2009

Popular Celebrities That Have Been Diagnosed With Cancer

It's been dubbed the dreaded C and a lot more. It's a disease that can shake the faith of those faithful and take away the little hope of those hopeless. It's an affliction that doesn't categorize and can care less for the person's status in life. It's a disease that the world is trying to contain. It's cancer. To put it in simple words, cancer is an disease that starts from a tumor. anyone can be diagnosed with cancer.

Even the famous and prominent stars go through the trials of cancer. Here are some of courageous and popular celebrities that found out they had the Big C. every one of these personalities came forward in the open and gave it their all while fighting the monstrous disease. Christina Applegate is a very talented American actress that played the part of Kelly Bundy on the old TV series: Married With Children and currently as Samantha Newly on the show, Samantha Who. Last August 2008, reports that Applegate have breast cancer are released all over TV and the Internet. Christina's agent confirmed the news that Christina is diagnosed with breast cancer. The lucky thing about the diagnosis is that it was caught in its early stage. The cancer cells were found on just one of her breasts but Christina went along with a double mastectomy operation within the same month. The star's mom is a cancer survivor and since her cancer is greatly on the hereditary side, she decided to take action upon the dangerous threat as soon as she could. Applegate is now doing fine and will have reconstructive surgery in the coming months.

Acclaimed as one of the best female pop singers, Sheryl Crow is also a songwriter, political activist and has nine Grammy Awards to her name. Crow was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006. As with Christina Applegate, the discovery was caught early. Crow underwent a lumpectomy, which is a procedure to remove the tumor in the breast. The singer also went through radiation treatment for nearly two months after the surgery. The performer has been free of cancer since the operation and is now on her second year as a cancer survivor.

Named Francine Joy Drescher, Fran is greatly recognized all over as Fran Fine from her TV series, The Nanny. In 2000, Fran was hurried to the hospital because of uterine cancer, a kind of cancer where the tumor affects the uterus of a person. Her cancer, thankfully, was still in its first stage when the procedure to take out the tumor was made thus she didn't go along with chemotherapy or radiation treatment. After several years of being a cancer survivor, the talented actress began an organization to assist others who are diagnosed with cancer. The name of the organization is Cancer Schmancer Movement.

The charming and sexy Patrick Swayze... Dudes envied his scene with Demi Moore in the movie, Ghost, and ladies went limp with his dancing moves in Dirty Dancing. No one can say that they don't know Patrick Swayze. He is now fighting pancreatic cancer. He has been undergoing chemotherapy and a operation to get rid of soiled areas of his stomach. His battle is far from being over but he's still out there winning the fight. He recently gave a moving speech at the Stand Up To Cancer 2008 event.

Jon Klemin

Jon Klemin is an amazing author who tries to encourage others to be charitable. Celebrity David Osmond is very charitable. David Osmond supports many good causes and is a great example of a charitable individual.

Tuesday 12 May 2009

Herbal Medicines for Bone Cancer

Description

Cancer rarely originates in the bone; instead, cancer from another area of the body sometimes metastasizes, or spreads, to a bone. For this reason, and because bone cancer is difficult to detect early, people who have had another type of cancer are routinely screened for bone cancer. The only type of bone cancer that actually begins in the bone is osteosarcoma, an uncommon primary bone cancer that has the same symptoms as secondary bone cancer. Multiple myeloma, the most common form of primary bone cancer, usually affects older people. It attacks the tissues that create immune-system components called B cells, which in turn create antibodies that fight disease. The most likely cause of this disease is chronic over stimulation of the B cells. These cells are activated by petroleum products and by chemicals used in farming, leatherworking, and woodworking.

Since multiple myeloma depletes the body's supply of B cells, one of the main problems in managing the disease is reduced resistance to infection. People with multiple myeloma are particularly susceptible to infections in the urinary tract, lungs, and sinuses.

Signs and Symptoms

A lump or hard mass on the surface of a bone

Pain in the affected area

Weakening or fractures of the affected bone

Appetite or weight loss

Conventional Medical Treatment

If you feel a lump on a bone, or a bone fractures spontaneously, visit your physician immediately. While your doctor may take X-rays to help produce a diagnosis, a bone biopsy usually is required to confirm the presence of malignant cells. If the cancer is limited to a small area of bone, a surgeon may be able to remove only the cancerous masses. More severe cases, however, often require amputation of all or a portion of a limb. After surgery, chemotherapy or radiation is usually required.

Complementary and Alternative Treatments

A good healthy diet high in unprocessed grains and vegetables is important also to support the healing of damaged or weakened bones as is weight bearing exercise.

I recommend that anyone serious about healing damaged or weakened bones include Oats and a ground combination of Millet and Linseed in their breakfast. Also that they work at a regular program of weight bearing exercises appropriate to their age, strength and fitness level.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture Bone cancer can be extremely painful; acupuncture can offer much-needed relief by releasing "feel good" endorphins and enhancing relaxation.

Acupressure This therapy can be used to improve the patient's disposition and enhance feelings of well-being as well as to alleviate pain. Care must be taken when applying pressure, so as not to cause discomfort or damage fragile bones.

Alien

Read out for Liposuction garments. Check out breast pumps and doctor

Monday 11 May 2009

How You Can Survive Stage 4 Bone Cancer

Getting diagnosed with any type of stage 4 cancer is normally a cause for deep concern and worry and bone cancer is no different. However, due to medical advancements today, there exist treatments, so don't lose hope if you find yourself in such a situation. This article provides a rundown of these available treatments so that can survive stage 4 bone cancer.

Surgery

At this dangerous stage of bone cancer, it is common that doctors opt for surgery in order to physically remove as much of the tumor as possible. This may also involve removing healthy tissue around it to make sure that it doesn't spread any further. However, the tumor may have spread so much that the best decision is to remove part or an entire limb. This is obviously not an easy decision to make, but when you weigh it up against the possibility of dying, it's actually not a difficult one to make.

Chemotherapy

This involves the use of drugs to destroy cancer cells in the body. It also prevents cancerous cells from dividing. While this treatment has a good rate of success, it comes with severe side effects such as the onset of anemia, fever, loss of hair, vomiting, nausea and even sterility.

Radiation Therapy

This involves using powerful x-rays to destroy cancer cells in your body. This has been known to be effective in removing a majority of cancer cells especially the ones that can't be reach or safely removed with surgery. However, there are some side effects such as fatigue and skin irritation.

I hope this article has been able to convince you and give you hope that you (or anyone else for that matter) can survive stage 4 bone cancer.

Martin Sejas

Martin Sejas is a guest writer of http://www.Stage4CancerSite.com/ a website dedicated to providing individuals important yet sound information on stage 4 bone cancer.

Sunday 10 May 2009

Battling Bone Cancer

Myeloma is a type of cancer in which abnormal cells destroy normal tissue. This results in extremely fragile bones and intense pain.

This condition, which is also known as Kahler's disease, is common in adults between the ages of 50 and 70. More men than women suffer from the dis¬ease.

There are many kinds of myeloma. But the tumor is often grayish red and appears in the ribs, pelvic bones, and the bones of the skull.

"The main symptom is bone pain, which seems to worsen at night. Back pain is often present. Bone fractures may occur. Abnormal bleeding, difficulty in urination, anemia, a tired feeling, painful swelling on the ribs, and susceptibility to infections are all possible symptoms," according to Marion Morra & Eve Potts in “Choices: Realistic Alternatives in Cancer Treatment.”

"Since the bone marrow is producing fewer oxygen-carrying red blood cells and disease-fighting white blood cells, myeloma patients are often anemic and susceptible to infections such as pneumonia. As the plasma cells act against the bone tissue, calcium is released sometimes in amounts exceeding the kidney's capacity to dispose of it. The patient may become weak, nauseated, and disoriented," they added.

To diagnose myeloma, the doctor may require x-ray studies to reveal destroyed bone parts. Blood and urine tests can detect abnormal proteins that indicate the presence of the disease.

Treatment of multiple myeloma depends on the extent of the disease. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are often used to relieve symptoms and repair bone damage. Exercise and adequate fluid intake are important to prevent immobilization and calcium imbalance. Back braces may help keep the patient active.

"Radiation therapy may be used on specific parts of the back and neck to relieve pain and help repair bone damage. The tumor cells usually decrease in number at a rapid rate during the first few months of treatment, and the patient may go into remission. When a complete remission occurs, there is a complete return to a state of normal good health. The symptoms disappear, the physical findings become normal, and abnormal cells are no longer found in the bone marrow and blood,” Morra and Potts said.

Sometimes the remission is only partial, and one or more signs of myeloma may not disappear completely. Examination of the blood, urine, and bone marrow at regular intervals allows the doctor to follow the course of the disease and to select the proper treatment," they concluded.

To strengthen your body, take Immunitril – your first line of defense in maintaining a healthy immune system. For details, visit http://www.bodestore.com/immunitril.html.

Sharon Bell

Sharon Bell is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premier online news magazine http://www.HealthLinesNews.com.

Saturday 9 May 2009

Bone Cancer Claims Victim of Workplace Accident

Teenager Dean Thompson died at home last week after a year long battle with a rare form of bone cancer.

He was working as an apprentice electrician in January last year when a metal sheet slipped from the roof landing on his back and injuring him badly.

Doctors became worried when he failed to recover from the accident and was still unable to work after a significant amount of time still struggling with a limp.

Believing that his workplace accident could not be causing such long term damage, doctors carried out further tests and diagnosed him with osteosarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer.

A lump was discovered on his back and he was referred for immediate treatment. Unfortunately he did not respond well to treatment and the discovery of another tumour in March signalled the beginning of the end.

His parents spoke of their sadness, saying “It was heart wrenching when the chemotherapy failed the first time but he said he would fight on. He was just so brave.”

His mother said, ”We all knew he was going to die but I just wanted it to be peaceful. In the end it was a nightmare because he was in absolute agony.”

His father went on to say “Everyone at school liked him. He was mischievous and fun but he never got into trouble.”

“He had such a bright future ahead of him, which he had been planning. He had a lovely girlfriend, Hayley.”

“We'd saved for his 21st birthday and his wedding but now we are spending it on his funeral.”

Carys Robshaw

Carys is an author of several articles pertaining to No Win No Fee, Compensation Claims, Personal Injury Claims and other legal articles.

Friday 8 May 2009

Bone Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prognosis

Bone cancer is rare and accounts for less than 1% of all new tumors. Not all bone tumors are fatal in fact benign (non cancerous) abnormalities are more common than malignant ones. Most bone cancers are secondary and have been spread from another site. Primary bone cancer which starts in the bone is quite rare constituting less than one per cent of all malignant tumors. They are more common in males, especially in children and adolescents. The most common type of primary bone cancer is osteosarcoma. This type of carcinoma usually affects young adults. It can affect any bone, but the arms, legs and pelvis are more commonly affected. Other less common forms of primary bone cancer include Ewing sarcoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma and chondrosarcoma.

Primary Bone Cancer
The causes of primary bone tumours are not known; however, adults who have Pagets disease (a bone disease) may have an increased risk.

Secondary bone cancer
Secondary bone cancer is the most common bone cancer. It is a carcinoma that starts somewhere else in the body and spreads (metastasises) to the bone. The most common cancers that spread to the bone originate in the breast, prostate, lung, kidney and thyroid.

Reticulum cell sarcoma of the bone
A cancerous tumor of the bone marrow presenting in more males than females.

Leukaemia
Cancer of the blood, which starts in the bone marrow

Symptoms of bore cancer
Symptoms tend to develop slowly and depend on the type, location, and size of the tumor. The signs and symptoms of bone cancer include: painful bones and joints, swelling of bones and joints, problems with movement, susceptibility to fractures. Less common symptoms include: unexplained weight loss, tiredness, fever and sweating.

Remember bone cancer is very rare so if you have any of these symptoms it is likely to be caused by another condition. Always see your doctor if you have for a diagnosis.

Causes
Although bone cancer does not have a clearly defined cause, researchers have identified several factors that increase the likelihood of developing these tumors. A small number of bone cancers are due to heredity.

Diagnosis
Bone cancer can present itself in any of the bones of the body, but it is diagnosed most often in the long bones of the arms and legs.

Diagnosing bone cancer involves a number of tests, including: X-rays and bone scans to show the exact location and size of the cancer (these are always done prior to biopsy), bone biopsy where a small sample of the cancer is removed from the bone and examined in the laboratory for the presence of malignant cells, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan similar to a CT scan but uses magnetism instead of x-rays to build three-dimensional pictures of your body.

Treatment
The treatment and prognosis of bone cancer depend upon multiple factors including the type and extent of the cancer, the patient's age and overall health status. Tumors may be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these.

Primary bone cancers:
The tumor, surrounding bone tissue and nearby lymph nodes are surgically removed. In severe cases, the affected limb may need to be amputated, but this is rare. Treatment may also include radiotherapy (x-rays to target and kill the cancer cells) and chemotherapy (anti-cancer drugs). These may be given before surgery, to shrink the cancer and/or afterwards to destroy any remaining cancer cells.

Secondary bone cancer:
Treatment depends on the treatment for the original tumor, but usually includes chemotherapy, radiotherapy or hormone therapy. Surgery may be needed to strengthen the affected bone.

Prognosis
Overall, the chance of recovery (prognosis) for bone cancers has improved significantly since the development of modern chemotherapy. The chance of recovery will depend on a variety of influences; if the cancer has spread, the type of bone cancer, the size of the tumour, location, the person's general health and other individual factors.

If the tumor is very small and localized, the five-year survival rate is close to 90 percent. If the cancer has begun to spread, however, survival becomes more difficult. The five-year survival rate is only about 60 percent, and the prognosis is poor once the cancer spreads.

Bone cancer in cats and dogs
Bone carcinoma in dogs and cats can be a challenging disorder. Osteosarcoma is by far the most common bone tumour if dogs, usually striking the leg bones of larger breeds. Chemotherapy significantly prolongs the survival of animals with osteosarcoma when used in conjunction with surgery. For dogs Cisplatin alone or in combination with doxorubicin markedly improves survival time to a median of 8-10 months with the percentage of dogs alive after11 months at 50%.

Feline Osteosarcoma unlike its canine counterpart it has a much lower rate of metastasis and longer term survival can be expected with complete excision. Median survival for cats with osteosarcoma is approximately 2 years with many cats outreaching that.

Dick Aronson

Dick Aronson has a background of over 35 years in various facets of the Healthcare industry. He set up and ran clinical trials in more than 20 countries and he has also founded a number of small private health related businesses. Dick now runs a number of informative health websites to Health Innovations Online and Go to Cancer Information Online

Thursday 7 May 2009

What Is Bone Cancer And Can It Be Prevented

Cancer of the bone or bone cancer is a general term used when cancer cells are seen in the bone. Cancer that begins in the bone is called primary bone cancer. It is found most often in the arms and legs but it can occur in any bone in the body. Children and young people are more likely than adults to have bone cancers.

Primary bone cancers are called sarcomas. There are several different types of sarcoma and each type begins in a different kind of bone tissue. The most common sarcomas are osteosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma, and chondrosarcoma.

In young people, the most common type of bone cancer is osteosarcoma, usually occurring between the ages of ten and twenty-five. More often, males are affected than females. Osteosarcoma frequently starts in the ends of the bones; where new bone tissue forms as a young person grows, usually affecting the long bones of the arms and legs. Ewing's sarcoma usually affects teenagers, and is mostly found in people between ten and twenty-five years old.

This cancer forms in the middle part (shaft) of large bones and most often affects the hip bones and long bones in the thigh and upper arm, but can also occur in the ribs. Chondrosarcoma is a type of tumor that forms in the cartilage (rubbery tissue around the joints) and are found mainly in adults. Other types of bone cancer include fibrosarcoma (malignant giant cell tumor) and chordoma. These are rare cancers and most often affects people over thirty.

The most common symptom of bone cancer is pain. However, symptoms may vary depending on the location and size of the cancer. Sometimes firm, slightly tender lump on the bone can be felt through the skin. Sometimes bone cancer interferes with normal movements and can also weaken or cause bones to break. Tumors that occur in or near joints may cause swelling and tenderness in the affected area. Other symptoms may include fatigue, fever, weight loss, and anemia. It is important to check with a doctor when you experience these symptoms, but these symptoms can also be caused by other less serious conditions.

Conventional treatment for some bone tumors may involve surgery, such as limb amputation. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy can be effective in some tumors (such as Ewing's sarcoma) but less so in others (such as chondrosarcoma). After treatment has been done for bone cancer, it is very important that regular follow-up or check-ups are done with your doctor, to be sure that cancer has not come back and treat it promptly if it does. Check-ups may be physical exam, x-rays, scans, blood tests, and other laboratory tests.

People who have been diagnosed of bone cancer may have many physical, emotional, practical worries. They may worry that removal of a limb or other surgery will affect not only how they look but how other people would feel about them. Patients can be helped to overcome all these through special support groups for youngsters with cancer and their families. The American Cancer Society, for example, is a nonprofit organization that has many services for patients and their families.

All types of cancer are traumatic for everyone involved. The keyword is prevention. There are natural supplements that work. Unfortunately we don't hear much about these supplements unless we investigate and search them out. Most of them fall under the conflicted interest of quack watchers because if it isn't manufactured by the drug companies, it can't possibly work. Sure there is some good being done in mainstream medicine, but when doors continually stay closed to alternative preventions and treatments, it's more than mere coincidence.

Take care of your health and realize you can live cancer free.

Jonathan Bell

Jonathan Bell has answers on how you can live cancer free. Discover the truths and myths once and for all. For more information you can visit us at DeMystifying Cancer

Wednesday 6 May 2009

Celebrity Cancer Survivors - Celebrities Winning the Battle Against Cancer

No matter what channel you watch or ratio station you listen to, cancer and cancer survivors are always news.

Part of the reason the topic cancer is in the news so often is because there are many famous actors and actresses that now have cancer or is finally opening in up about cancer they had in the past.

As celebrities share their stories, we realize they are human too and the battles they fight are especially heart wrenching.

There also seems to be many types of cancer that celebrities have, that the speculation of certain strains of cancer being prevalent to certain areas does not ring true.

In any case, it is wonderful to know that our favorite actors and actresses have beaten this deadly disease.

Cancer does not discriminate nor does it care how famous you are. Celebrities are winning the battle against cancer every day. Great strides have been made in the cure for cancer enabling people all over the world to beat cancer that would have been unheard of 20 years ago.

Survivors are very special. They have faced the hardest thing you can face and won. Hats off to you.
Celebrity survivors are taking special interests in helping in the fight with cancer.

A look at celebrities with cancer would include Patrick Swayze, who has Pancreatic cancer; Rod Stewart has throat cancer; Cybill Shepherd and Elizabeth Taylor have battled skin cancer; Fran Drescher has uterine cancer; Colon cancer didn't beat Sharon Osborne; Gene Wilder survived Lymphoma; Testicular cancer was fought by Lance Armstrong and Richard Belzer; Robert De Niro and Nelson Mandela have survived prostate cancer.

And of course breast cancer has hit Christina Applegate, Sheryl Crow, Lynn Redgrave, Kate Jackson, Olivia Newton-John, Kylie Minogue, Anastacia, Marianne Faithfull, Hoda Kopke, Carly Simon, Edie Falco and many others.

It must be noted that some celebrities such as Christina Applegate have chosen the most radical surgery of all by having both breasts removed, although not diseased, in order to make sure cancer will not strike her.

Many other cancer survivors choose different methods of treatments. Suzanne Somers for example, chose to fight her breast cancer with natural and holistic treatments instead of chemotherapy. She has been free of cancer for several years and is sure it's because of her choice of a less invasive therapy.

Sadly, we have lost many wonderful celebrities as well. High-profile television and newspaper gossip columnist Claudia Cohen, passed away of ovarian cancer at 56 years old. Lung cancer took the lives of Nat King Cole, Bette Grable, Gary Cooper, Duke Ellington, John Wayne, Walt Disney, Yul Brenner, Desi Arnaz, Carl Wilson, Jimmy Dorsey, and Peter Jennings.

Michael Landon, Luciano Pavarotti, Julius Carry, Rudy Fernandez and Brock Peters lost their battle to Pancreatic cancer.

Eartha Kitt passed away with colon cancer as well as Tony Snow.

Take a moment and say a special prayer for all the cancer survivors today and count your blessings.

Sandra Maria Stammberger

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Tuesday 5 May 2009

Celebrities With Breast Cancer

There is no discrimination when it comes to breast cancer. Anyone can be a victim of this dreaded disease; whether you’re rich or poor, young and old. Despite the increasing number of breast cancer patients worldwide, these celebrities with breast cancer can serve as your inspiration because they were able to survive.

Famous survivors of breast cancer:

  1. Edie Falco – the breast cancer was diagnosed in 2003; this soprano star secretly battled against this dreaded disease and was able to survive.
  2. Melissa Etheridge – her breast cancer was discovered in 2004 and at present, she is doing quite well.
  3. Gloria Steinem – a lump on her breast was discovered in 1984; she was an activist and because she is a natural fighter, she was able to combat breast cancer.
  4. Kate Jackson – it was in 1987 and 1989 when Kate battled against this disease. She was a star in Charlie’s Angels
  5. Richard Roundtree – women are not the only ones at risk of breast cancer, even men can get it like Roundtree. His cancer was detected in 1993 and he underwent chemotherapy and radical mastectomy
  6. Olivia Newton John – it was in 1992 when she was diagnosed with the disease. She underwent breast reconstruction and mastectomy.
  7. Jaclyn Smith – also a Charlie’s Angels star was diagnosed with the disease in 2002. The treatments given were radiation and lumpectomy.
  8. Suzanne Somers – actress and author was also diagnosed with cancer but she did not choose the standard medication; instead, she opted for holistic medicine and alternative therapies
  9. Sandra Day O’Connor – she battled against this disease in 1982 and underwent mastectomy
  10. Anastacia – in 2003, she was diagnosed with the disease and was able to survive; now, she is helping other patients in fighting against this disease and she is also raising the awareness of the public about breast cancer.

These are only ten of the survivors of breast cancer. Other survivors include Rue McClanahan, Linda Ellerbee, Jill Eikenberry, Ann Jillian, Lynn Redgrave, Cokie Roberts, and Shirley Temple Black. These breast cancer patients used conventional treatments as well as alternative treatments. Oftentimes, the type of medication or treatment given is dependent on the extent of the cancer. If the cancer is detected at an early stage, the chance of survival is also high.

It is vital that you conduct self examinations. If you feel any lump on your breast, it’s time to consult a doctor; by doing so, you can get accurate diagnosis. After thorough examinations, the patient will be given a treatment plan. Some breast cancer patients forego with conventional medical treatments and tend to go for alternative medicines or therapy.

As you can see, even celebrities are not exempted from developing breast cancer. If celebrities can get it, then so can you! There are millions of non celebrities suffering from breast cancer. Let the stories of these celebrities who survive breast cancer serve as inspiration especially if you’re also suffering from this disease.

Early detection is important so you must regularly check your breast area for any lumps or unusual bumps. Don’t hesitate to consult a doctor if you’re suspicious about certain lumps in your breast. There are lots of celebrities with breast cancer; if they can fight this disease, then so can you.

Charlene J. Nuble

Charlene J. Nuble is a healthcare professional who loves writing about women's issues, parenting and other health related stuffs. Click on the link to learn more about Celebrities with Breast Cancer...

Bone Cancer Information and Treatment

Bone cancer is a sarcoma that arises in the bone. The most familiar type of bone cancer is osteosarcoma, which develops in original tissue in augmenting bones. Another type of bone cancer, chondrosarcoma, arises in cartilage. Bone cancer impress over 2,000 people in the United States each year. It is found most often in the bones of the arms and legs, but it can occur in any bone. Bone tumors occur most commonly in children and adolescents and are less common in older adults. Cancer including the bone in older adults is most usually the result of metastatic spread from another tumor.



There are various different types of bone cancer. The most common tumours of bone involve the osteosarcoma, the sarcome ewing , the chondrosarcoma, the malignant fibrous histiocytoma, the fibrosarcoma, and the chordoma. Osteosarcoma occur most frequently in children, young , ages 10 to 20. Chondrosarcoma is more familiar in adults over 50. Ewing's sarcoma usually is found in people between 10 and 25 years of age; teenagers are most often affected. It most often influences the hipbones and the long bones in the thigh and upper arm. It also occurs in the ribs.



Chondrosarcoma is create mainly in adults. Chondrosarcoma tumor forms in cartilage, the rubbery tissue around joints.The most familiar symptom of bone cancer is pain and extra symptoms are swelling, or tenderness of a bone. Treatment of bone cancer rely on the type of bone cancer, as best as its location, size and stage. Surgery is often the first treatment for bone cancer. Cryosurgery is sometimes used in addition to surgery in some patients with bone cancer. The aim of surgery is usually to remove the entire tumor and a surrounding area of normal bone. Other treatments may involveamputation, chemotherapy and radiation.



Radiation therapy is utilized to prevent local recurrences of radiosensitive tumors. In patients with cancer that has spread to the bones, radiation therapy may also be used to alleviate symptoms, including pain. Chemotherapy is generally given after surgery to remove cancer cells that stay in the body after the main tumor is removed surgically. Sometimes chemotherapy is given before surgery to decrease size of the tumor before surgeons try to remove it. Biphosphonates are drugs that can be utilized to descrease bone pain and slow down bone injury in people who have cancer that has spread to their bones.



Juliet Cohen



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Monday 4 May 2009

Bone Cancer Surgery in India: by Excellent Skilled Surgeons

India is all set to provide bone cancer surgery at low cost with highly trained doctors to appeal to the medical tourists. It has a large pool of professionally qualified doctors, nurses and paramedics. The world-class facilities and infrastructure is further supported by low cost airfare and other facilities related to their stay in India. The ever-growing pharmaceutical industry aptly complements the healthcare sector in servicing the global clients. Hi-tech and cost-effective medical services and the state-of-the-art corporate hospitals offering them are best supported by alternative medical treatment facilities thriving in leaps and bounds in the country. Many people come to India for bone cancer surgery or the rejuvenation promised by yoga and Ayurveda.

Bone cancer & its types:

Primary bone cancer
Secondary bone cancer

Primary bone cancer refers to cancers which start in the bone. These are different to secondary bone cancers which started in other parts of the body and later spread to the bones. Bone cancers are tumours which have the potential to spread to other parts of the body. These are different to benign (non-cancerous) bone tumours which do not spread. Benign bone tumours are more common than malignant (cancerous) bone tumours.

Secondary bone cancer is where malignant cells have spread to the bones from other parts of the body. This is different to cancer that actually started in the bones (primary bone cancer). Virtually all types of cancer can spread to bone. Bone metastases are particularly common in people with breast, lung or prostate cancer. Bone metastases are usually multiple, they cause pain and can can lead to other symptoms such as hypercalcemia (abnormally high levels of calcium in the blood )

What is the treatment for bone cancer ?

Treatment will depend on the type of cancer, whether it has spread or not , and the size and location of the main (primary) tumour. Treatment of bone cancers is complex and involves a team of different specialists usually within an institution that is experienced in treating these types of cancers. There are 3 main types of therapy used to treat bone cancers;
surgery (to take out the tumour in an operation)
radiotherapy (using high-dose x-rays to kill cancer cells)
chemotherapy (using drugs to kill cancer cells)
Surgery is often used to remove the primary tumour. For tumours of the arms and legs an amputation of the limb is sometimes necessary, however, limb-sparing surgery may be possible in many cases where only the cancerous part of the bone is removed and it is replaced by a bone graft or metal prosthesis. Radiotherapy may be given as well as or instead of surgery to destroy the cancer cells. Also, chemotherapy (drugs) may also be given to kill malignant cells that may be circulating around the body.

The cost for the surgery depends on the surgeon. Oftentimes, patients choose their surgeon on the basis of price. The cost of bone cancer surgery in India is very affordable and is much lower when compared to the United States, UK and other countries.

Julia

To know more about bone cancer surgery in India: http://www.forerunnershealthcare.com

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