More Young Adults Developing Cancer In Texas
According to the American Cancer Society, cancers such as colorectal, thyroid, and testicular are rising in individuals under 40 years of age in Dallas, Houston, throughout Texas, and in the rest of the nation. In addition, the National Cancer institute and the Lance Armstrong Foundation reports that cancer survival rates among that specific age group have not significantly improved in twenty years.
Dr. Karen Albritoon, director of adolescent and young adult oncology at Boston’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, asserts that research is crucial in determining why these cancers are rising among young people.
Trailing accidents, suicides, and homicides, cancer is the fourth-leading cause of death among young people. One reason that cancer may not be caught in its early stages is that neither the physician nor younger patients expects cancer to be a health problem.
In young women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, a tumor may be estrogen stimulated. In this case, physicians might recommend blocking the patient’s menstruation after chemotherapy treatment or even removing the ovaries. But, because women in this age-bracket are still in child-bearing years, the decision is difficult.
In young men, testicular cancer is on the rise and research has uncovered why. Thyroid cancer is another puzzle, as the only known cause of this type cancer is radiation.
Some of the other problems arising among the under-40 age group are not health related, but are thought to be due, rather, to emotional, mental, and financial issues. This age group is more likely to be starting their family or a career.
Plus, many in this age bracket do not carry health insurance. Dealing with severe physical changes, such as losing hair and extreme weight loss, at a time when health and physical characteristics should be at their peak, and experiencing guilt feelings of becoming a burden to other family members, are depressing, and can be devastating to young individuals, especially cancer victims.
There are a number of sources, both online and in libraries, that offer information on breast, colon and lung cancer, as well as other types of cancers, including information on its signs and symptoms, including diagnosis, treatments, and prognosis. The American Cancer Society has loads of cancer resources that can guide you to other cancer information resources.
In addition, you will be able to find comprehensive guides about different types of cancer, treatment options, various cancer drugs, and learn how to get involved in groups promoting cancer awareness and education.
To find out more about ongoing research and current cancer information, check the National Institute of Health’s cancer research group. They are an excellent source for cancer statistics, such as the occurrence of various forms of cancer, plus information regarding ongoing clinical trials, results of previous research, how clinical trials are performed, and how to locate a clinical trial in which you can take part.
To learn about cancer from more personal sources, join a local cancer support group or an online chat forum. Views and experiences of people with cancer or who’ve had cancer will be posted on their own personal websites. This is a great way to find out more about your situation and what to expect. Also talk with your primary care physician or gynecologist for information on various types of female concerns, including breast, uterine, ovarian, and cervical cancers. Just remember, if you or your loved ones get a diagnosis of cancer, there are a myriad of useful information resources that are easily available.
You’ll discover that what affects your health also will eventually affect your bank account, and cancer is about as serious as it can get. With the incidence of cancer increasing, it’s good to find out as much as you can about the disease.
Pat Carpenter writes for Precedent Insurance Company. Precedent puts a new spin on health insurance. Learn more at http://www.precedent.com
Prostate Cancer Symptoms What You Can Do About It
The prostate gland is located directly beneath the bladder and in front of the rectum. It’s estimated that approximately 234,460 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, and approximately 27,350 will die of the disease. About one man in six will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime, but only one man in 34 will die of the disease.
The most common cancer in American men, excluding skin cancer, is prostate cancer. Early prostate cancer is confined to the prostate gland itself; most of the patients with this type of cancer can live for years without any problems. Like other cancers, the cause of prostate cancer is not known; it appears to be more common in African American men and men with a family history of the disease.
Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease are bone pain or tenderness, and abdominal pain. Having one or more cancer symptoms does not necessarily mean that you have prostate cancer. If cancer is caught at its earliest stages, most men will not experience any symptoms.
One symptom is a need to urinate frequently, especially at night. One prostate cancer symptom is difficulty starting urination or holding back urine. If you have one or more prostate cancer symptoms, you should see a qualified doctor as soon as possible.
When a digital rectal exam is performed it often reveals an enlarged prostate with a hard, irregular surface. A chest x-ray may be done to see if there’s a spread of cancer. A number of tests may be done to confirm a diagnosis of prostate cancer.
A PSA test with a high level can also be from a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. The decision about whether to pursue a PSA test should be based on a discussion between you and your doctor. A urinalysis may indicate if there is blood in the urine.
Medications can have many side effects, including hot flashes and loss of sexual desire. Surgery is usually only recommended after thorough evaluation and discussion of all available treatment options. Besides hormonal drugs, hormone manipulation may also be done by surgically removing the testes.
Urinary incontinence can be a possible complication of surgery. An oncology specialist will usually recommend treating with a single drug or a combination of drugs. Surgery, called a radical prostatectomy, removes the entire prostate gland and some of the surrounding tissues.
In patients whose health makes the risk of surgery unacceptably high, radiation therapy is often the chosen conventional alternative. Some drugs with numerous side effects are being used to treat advanced prostate cancer, blocking the production of testosterone, called chemical castration; it has the same result as surgical removal of the testes. Radiation therapy is used primarily to treat prostate cancers classified as stages A, B, or C.
Thoroughly discuss your treatment options and concerns with your doctor and other health professionals; it never hurts to get a second or even third opinion or more if necessary. Impotence is a potential complication after the prostatectomy or after radiation therapy. Recent improvements in surgical procedures have made complications occur less often.
Since prostate tumors require testosterone to grow, reducing the testosterone level is used to prevent further growth and spread of the cancer. Treatment options can vary based on the stage of the tumor.
Just about all men with prostate cancer survive at least five years after their diagnosis, 93% survive at least 10 years, and 67% survive more than 15 years. Make sure to read everything you can get your hands on and mull it all over. The one thing that you should not do however is rely on any information obtained from the Internet to make your final decision.
For more information on prostate cancer treatments and prostate cancer symptoms go to Helen Hecker R.N.’s http://www.BestProstateHealthTips.com
specializing in prostate and prostate cancer tips, advice and resources including information on prostate tests and natural prostate cancer treatments
Nurse’s Easy Guide To Prostate Cancer
The prostate is a small, walnut-sized structure that makes up part of a man’s reproductive system; it wraps around the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. If you have prostate cancer, are concerned about getting it, or if you’re looking out for the health of someone you love, this article can help. The most common cancer in American men, excluding skin cancer, is prostate cancer.
The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system. At an advanced age, the risks of surgery for prostate cancer or other more radical treatments may actually be worse than the disease. Prostate cancer is characterized by ‘grade’ and ‘stage’; grade is given to indicate how quickly a cancer is growing — the higher the grade, the more likely it is that the cancer will grow and spread rapidly and the size and extent of the tumor will determine its stage.
Weak or interrupted flow of urine and painful or burning urination can be symptoms to watch out for. Some men will experience symptoms that might indicate the presence of prostate cancer. If cancer is caught at its earliest stages, most men will not experience any symptoms.
Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease are bone pain or tenderness, and abdominal pain. One prostate cancer symptom is difficulty starting urination or holding back urine. One symptom is a need to urinate frequently, especially at night.
CT scans may be done to see if the cancer has spread. There is a newer test called AMACR that is more sensitive than the PSA test for determining the presence of prostate cancer. A PSA test with a high level can also be from a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland.
A bone scan can indicate whether the cancer has spread or not. When a digital rectal exam is performed it often reveals an enlarged prostate with a hard, irregular surface. The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test measures the PSA enzyme in your blood for abnormalities.
Whether radiation is as good as removing the prostate is debatable and the decision about which to choose, if any, can be difficult. Surgery, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy can interfere with libido on a temporary or permanent basis. Some drugs with numerous side effects are being used to treat advanced prostate cancer, blocking the production of testosterone, called chemical castration; it has the same result as surgical removal of the testes.
Since prostate tumors require testosterone to grow, reducing the testosterone level is used to prevent further growth and spread of the cancer. Prostate cancer that has spread (metastasized) may be treated conventionally with drugs to reduce testosterone levels, surgery to remove the testes, chemotherapy or nothing at all. Surgery, called a radical prostatectomy, removes the entire prostate gland and some of the surrounding tissues.
Recent improvements in surgical procedures have made complications occur less often. An oncology specialist will usually recommend treating with a single drug or a combination of drugs. Medications can have many side effects, including hot flashes and loss of sexual desire.
Anyone considering surgery should be aware of the benefits, risks and the extent of the procedure. In patients whose health makes the risk of surgery unacceptably high, radiation therapy is often the chosen conventional alternative. Hormone manipulation is mainly used as a treatment to relieve symptoms in men whose cancer has spread.
Surgery is usually only recommended after thorough evaluation and discussion of all available treatment options. What you can do now is begin to understand what exactly your treatment options are and where you’re going to begin.
It’s important to get as informed as possible and read all the newest books, ebooks and research available. Once diagnosed you may be want to join a support group whose members share their experiences and problems. Make sure to read everything you can get your hands on and mull it all over.
For more information on prostate cancer treatments and prostate cancer symptoms go to Helen Hecker R.N.’s http://www.BestProstateHealthTips.com
specializing in prostate and prostate cancer tips, advice and resources including information on prostate tests and natural prostate cancer treatments
Finding The Perfect Prostate Cancer Treatment For You
The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system. Many men, especially those later in life have made the decision with their doctors to simply watch and wait. About 80 percent of men who reach the age of 80 have prostate cancer.
About one man in six will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime, but only one man in 34 will die of the disease. Men at higher risk for prostate cancer include African-American men older than 60, farmers, tire plant workers, painters, and men exposed to cadmium. the lowest number of cases occurs in Japanese men and those who do not eat meat who reach the age of 80. The male hormone testosterone contributes to the growth of cancer.
One symptom is a need to urinate frequently, especially at night. There are several symptoms to be aware of. Most prostate cancer symptoms, although associated with prostate cancer, are more likely to be connected to non-cancerous conditions.
One prostate cancer symptom is difficulty starting urination or holding back urine. If cancer is caught at its earliest stages, most men will not experience any symptoms. One of the most common symptoms is the inability to urinate at all.
CT scans may be done to see if the cancer has spread. A urinalysis may indicate if there is blood in the urine. A chest x-ray may be done to see if there’s a spread of cancer.
A prostate biopsy usually confirms the diagnosis. What is called a free PSA may help tell the difference between BPH (benign prostatic hypertrophy), an enlargement of the prostate gland, and prostate cancer. Urine or prostatic fluid cytology may reveal unusual cells.
Impotence is a potential complication after the prostatectomy or after radiation therapy. Recent improvements in surgical procedures have made complications occur less often. Since prostate tumors require testosterone to grow, reducing the testosterone level is used to prevent further growth and spread of the cancer.
Surgery, radiation, hormonal therapy and chemotherapy all have significant side effects; know fully what they are before you proceed. The approaches to treatment include: ever watchful waiting to see whether the cancer is growing slowly and not causing any symptoms. Medicines can be used to adjust the levels of testosterone; called hormonal manipulation.
Surgery, called a radical prostatectomy, removes the entire prostate gland and some of the surrounding tissues. Whether radiation is as good as removing the prostate is debatable and the decision about which to choose, if any, can be difficult. Besides hormonal drugs, hormone manipulation may also be done by surgically removing the testes.
An oncology specialist will usually recommend treating with a single drug or a combination of drugs. Surgery, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy can interfere with libido on a temporary or permanent basis. If chemotherapy is decided upon after the first round of chemotherapy, most men receive further doses on an outpatient basis at a clinic or physician’s office.
Radiation therapy is used primarily to treat prostate cancers classified as stages A, B, or C. Anyone considering surgery should be aware of the benefits, risks and the extent of the procedure.
The one thing that you should not do however is rely on any information obtained from the Internet to make your final decision. If you’ve already been diagnosed with prostate cancer, pick the option that’s best suited to you and your continuing good health. In the end, only you with the help of your doctors, knowing your individual situation, can determine the best treatment program for you.
For more information on prostate cancer treatments and prostate cancer symptoms go to Helen Hecker R.N.’s http://www.BestProstateHealthTips.com
specializing in prostate and prostate cancer tips, advice and resources including information on prostate tests and natural prostate cancer treatments
Prostate Cancer – Symptoms Treatment And Diet
If you have prostate cancer, are concerned about getting it, or if you’re looking out for the health of someone you love, this article can help. Prostate cancer is normally a slow growth cancer that can take years before it becomes deadly. The prostate is a small, walnut-sized structure that makes up part of a man’s reproductive system; it wraps around the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body – because of this can cause various urinary problems.
Like other cancers, the cause of prostate cancer is not known; it appears to be more common in African American men and men with a family history of the disease. In Portland Oregon, there is a three-year Oregon Health & Sciences University study; leaders hope to come up with an exercise program to benefit men dealing with prostate cancer who are on testosterone-lowering medications. Many men, especially those later in life have made the decision with their doctors to simply watch and wait.
If you have one or more prostate cancer symptoms, you should see a qualified doctor as soon as possible. Most prostate cancer symptoms, although associated with prostate cancer, are more likely to be connected to non-cancerous conditions. There are other symptoms that may not be mentioned here.
Blood in the urine or semen and frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs can be symptoms of cancer. There are a few symptoms to be aware of. Because prostate cancer symptoms can mimic other diseases or disorders, men who experience any of these symptoms should undergo a thorough work-up to determine the underlying cause of the symptoms.
A prostate gland biopsy usually confirms the diagnosis. CT scans may be done to see if the cancer has metastasized (spread). When a digital rectal exam is performed it often reveals an enlarged prostate with a hard, irregular surface.
A number of tests may be done to confirm a diagnosis of prostate cancer. A urinalysis may indicate if there is blood in the urine, which may or may not be related. A PSA test with a high level can also be from a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland.
Some drugs with numerous side effects are being used to treat advanced prostate cancer, blocking the production of testosterone, called chemical castration; it has the same result as surgical removal of the testes. Since prostate tumors require testosterone to grow, reducing the testosterone level is used to prevent further growth and spread of the cancer. Surgery, called a radical prostatectomy, removes the entire prostate gland and some of the surrounding tissues.
Prostate cancer that has spread (metastasized) may be treated conventionally with drugs to reduce testosterone levels, surgery to remove the testes, chemotherapy or nothing at all. Surgery, radiation, hormonal therapy and chemotherapy all have significant side effects; know fully what they are before you proceed. Anyone considering surgery should be aware of the benefits, risks and the extent of the procedure.
In the early stages, surgery and radiation may be used to remove or attempt to kill the cancer cells or shrink the tumor. What you can do now is begin to understand what exactly your treatment options are and where you’re going to begin. Side effects of chemotherapy drugs depend on which ones you’re taking and how often and how long they’re taken.
Surgery is usually only recommended after thorough evaluation and discussion of all available treatment options. Besides hormonal drugs, hormone manipulation may also be done by surgically removing the testes. The approaches to treatment include: just ever watchful waiting to see whether the cancer is growing slowly and not causing any symptoms.
Drink freshly made carrot juice every day that you make in a juicer or juice extractor. Add a small handful of kale or spinach to your fruit smoothie and blend– know one will ever know. Make highly nutritious raw applesauce using a food processor and put in 3-4 cored pesticide-free apples, with the skin on, and mix for a minute; so much better for you than canned highly processed applesauce and add 1/4 tsp. cinnamon or two tablespoons of freshly ground flaxseed for another boost.
Make smoothies with fruit only, using a base of two bananas, adding a cup of frozen or fresh blueberries and mango chunks or substitute any other fruit and add an energy boost of two tablespoons of coconut oil; add one or two leaves of kale for another highly nutritional boost. If you’re not already doing so, make a serious effort to watch your diet closely. Eat foods that contain the essential fatty acids.
Consider taking cod liver oil or fish oil supplements every day. Studies done on antioxidant vitamins question their value when not contained in food; it’s clearly better to consume these antioxidants in living foods because they may also need to work with other nutrients present in the foods to work properly. Supplements that help any disease or ailment include vitamin B12 — the methylcobalamin type not cyanocobalamin, and sub-lingual — dissolves slowly under the tongue; and vitamin D3 – especially if you can’t get a daily dose of 15 to 20 minutes of sun on your arms and legs so you can make your own vitamin D3.
In the end, only you with the help of your doctors, knowing your individual situation, can determine the best treatment program for you. With the advent of PSA testing, most prostate cancers are now found before they cause any symptoms. While the number of men diagnosed with prostate cancer remains high, survival rates are also greatly improving; perhaps because of dietary improvement.
For more information on prostate cancer treatments and prostate cancer symptoms go to Helen Hecker R.N.’s http://www.BestProstateHealthTips.com
specializing in prostate and prostate cancer tips, advice and resources including information on prostate tests and natural prostate cancer treatments