The two most common kinds of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. (Carcinoma is cancer that begins in the cells that cover or line an organ.) Basal cell carcinoma accounts for more than 90 percent of all skin cancers in the United States. It is a slow-growing cancer that seldom spreads to other parts of the body.

Another type of cancer that occurs in the skin is melanoma, which begins in the melanocytes. Although anyone can get skin cancer, the risk is greatest for people who have fair skin that freckles easily–often those with red or blond hair and blue or light-colored eyes.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the main cause of skin cancer. Artificial sources of UV radiation, such as sunlamps and tanning booths, can also cause skin cancer.

The risk of developing skin cancer is affected by where a person lives. People who live in areas that get high levels of UV radiation from the sun are more likely to get skin cancer. In the United States, for example, skin cancer is more common in Texas than it is in Minnesota, where the sun is not as strong. Worldwide, the highest rates of skin cancer are found in South Africa and Australia, areas that receive high amounts of UV radiation.

In addition, skin cancer is related to lifetime exposure to UV radiation. Most skin cancers appear after age 50, but the sun’s damaging effects begin at an early age. Therefore, protection should start in childhood to prevent skin cancer later in life

[Questions & Answers]

Q: When Do I need to protect myself from sun exposure?

A: Protection from sun exposure is important all year round, not just during the summer or at the beach. Any time the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays are able to reach the earth, you need to protect yourself from excessive sun exposure.

UV rays can cause skin damage during any season or temperature. Relatively speaking, the hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. during daylight savings time (9 a.m. - 3 p.m. during standard time) are the most hazardous for UV exposure in the continental United States. UV radiation is the greatest during the late spring and early summer in North America.

Remember: UV rays reach you on cloudy and hazy days, as well as on bright and sunny days. UV rays will also reflect off any surface like water, cement, sand, and snow.

Q: How can I protect myself from the sun’s UV rays?

A: When possible, avoid outdoor activities during midday, when the sun’s rays are strongest.This usually means the hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

You can also wear protective clothing,such as a wide-brimmed hat, long-sleeved shirt, and long pants.For eye protection, wear wraparound sunglasses that provide 100 percent UV ray protection. And always wear a broad-spectrum (protection against both UVA and UVB rays) sunscreen and lipscreen with at least SPF 15.

Remember to reapply as indicated by the manufacturer’s directions. Also, check the sunscreen’s expiration date. Sunscreen without an expiration date has a shelf life of no more than three years. Exposure to extreme temperatures can shorten the expiration date or shelf life of sunscreen.

Q: What does a suntan indicate? Why does the skin tan when exposed to the sun?

A: The penetration of UV rays to the skin’s inner layer results in the production of more melanin. That melanin eventually moves toward the outer layers of the skin and becomes visible as a tan.

A suntan is not an indicator of good health. Some physicians consider the skin’s tanning a response to injury because it appears after the sun’s UV rays have killed some cells and damaged others.

Q: Does it matter what kind of sunscreen I use?

A: Sunscreens come in a variety of forms such as lotions, gels, and sprays, so there are plentyof different options. There are also sunscreens made for specific purposes, such as the scalp, sensitive skin, and for use on babies. Regardless of the type of sunscreen you choose, be sure that you use one that blocks both UVA and UVB rays and that it offers at least SPF 15.

Q: What does a sunscreen’s SPF rating mean?

A: Sunscreens are assigned a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) number according to their effectiveness in offering protection from UV rays. Higher numbers indicate more protection. As a rule of thumb, you should always use a sunscreen with at least SPF 15.

Q: Do sunscreens need to be reapplied during the course of a day?

A: You should follow the manufacturer’s directions regarding reapplication or you risk not getting the protection that you might think you are getting. Though recently developed sunscreens are more resistant to loss through sweating and getting wet than previous sunscreens were, you should still reapply frequently, especially during peak sun hours or after swimming or sweating.

Q: What kinds of clothing best protect my skin from UV rays?

A: Clothing that covers your skin protects against the sun’s UV rays. Loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts and long pants made from tightly woven fabric offer the best protection. A wet t-shirt offers you much less UV protection than does a dry one.

If wearing this type of clothing isn’t practical, at least try to wear a t-shirt or a beach cover-up. Keep in mind, however, that a typical t-shirt actually has an SPF rating substantially lower than the recommended SPF 15, so double-up on protection by using sunscreen with at least SPF 15 (and UVA and UVB protection) and staying in the shade when you can.

Q: It gets so hot here in the summer, there’s no way I could be comfortable in long pants and along-sleeved shirt. So, what else can I do to protect my skin?

A: Protecting yourself from the sun’s UV rays doesn’t have to be a major chore; it’s just a matter of knowing your options and using them. Wearing a dry t-shirt is a good start, but it is not enough if you are going to be outside for more than a few minutes.

If you can’t wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, you can boost your protection by seeking shade whenever possible and by always wearing sunscreen with at least SPF 15.

Q: Will a hat help protect my skin? Are there recommended styles for the best protection?

A: Hats can help shield your skin from the sun’s UV rays. Choose a hat that provides shade for all of your head and neck. For the most protection, wear a hat with a brim all the way around that shades your face, ears, and the back of your neck.

If you choose to wear a baseball cap, you should also protect your ears and the back of your neck by wearing clothing that covers those areas, using sunscreen with at least SPF 15, or by staying in the shade. The amount of shade offered by a particular hat appears to be its most important prevention characteristic. If a darker hat is an option, though, it may offer even more UV protection.

Q: Are sunglasses an important part of my sun protection plan?

A: Yes. Sunglasses protect your eyes from UV rays and reduce the risk of cataracts. They also protect the tender skin around your eyes from sun exposure.

Q: What type of sunglasses best protects my eyes from UV rays?

A: Sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays offer the best protection. The majority of sunglasses sold in the United States, regardless of cost, meet this standard. Wrap-around sunglasses work best because they block UV rays from sneaking in from the side.

Q: Is there any particular time I should try to stay in the shade?

A: The sun’s UV rays are strongest and do the most damage during midday, so it’s best to avoid direct exposure between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. You can reduce your risk of skin damage and skin cancer by seeking shade under an umbrella, tree, or other shelter before you need relief from the sun.

Q: I work outdoors all summer and can’t stay in the shade. What can I do to protect my skin?

A: If you can’t avoid the sun, you can protect your skin by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, wraparound sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays, long-sleeved shirt, and long pants.

You can also wear a sunscreen and lipscreen with at least SPF 15 and UVA and UVB protection and reapply according to the manufacturer’s directions. When you can, take your breaks and your lunch in the shade.

Q: If I stay in the shade, should I still use sunscreen and wear a hat?

A: UV rays can reflect off virtually any surface (including sand, snow and concrete) and can reach you in the shade. Your best bet to protect your skin and lips is to use sunscreen or wear protective clothing when you’re outside — even when you’re in the shade.

[Skin Self-Exam]

You can improve your chances of finding skin cancer promptly by performing a simple skin self-exam regularly.

The best time to do this self-exam is after a shower or bath. You should check your skin in a well-lighted room using a full-length mirror and a hand-held mirror. It’s best to begin by learning where your birthmarks, moles, and blemishes are and what they usually look like. Check for anything new–a change in the size, texture, or color of a mole, or a sore that does not heal. Check all areas, including the back, the scalp, between the buttocks, and the genital area.

1. Look at the front and back of your body in the mirror, then raise your arms and look at the left and right sides.

2.Bend your elbows and look carefully at your palms; forearms, including the undersides; and the upper arms.

3. Examine the back and front of your legs. Also look between your buttocks and around your genital area.

4. Sit and closely examine your feet, including the soles and the spaces between the toes.

5. Look at your face, neck, and scalp. You may want to use a comb or a blow dryer to move hair so that you can see better.

By checking your skin regularly, you will become familiar with what is normal. If you find anything unusual, see your doctor right away. Remember, the earlier skin cancer is found, the better the chance for cure.

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Tags: melanoma, skin cancer

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Tags: melanoma, skin cancer

Of the women and men today, it appears that breast cancer is very prevalent. It is more talked about than ever and more and more there are many survivors from this horrible cancer.

When diagnosed with such a cancer, one is likely to feel overwhelmed with emotions. The best remedy is to put things in perspective. First sit down with a family member or friend and tell them of your disease. Then both start to educate you about the disease. Not everything should be read, such has diagnoses of others with the disease. Reading success stories and positive articles will help get you through the grief of your diagnosis.

There are many hospitals that have free classes and will teach you how to cope and what to expect with further treatments. One should not read online how to do this all by themselves. Having a friend or family member shadow you is the biggest help you can ask for.

By reading stories where others with your disease have survived and are moving in a forward direction, you will benefit. You will know what to take with a grain of salt and when to add a question to the list to ask your doctor. Never be afraid of asking your doctor questions. You are not taking his time. He/she if a good doctor will not make you feel rushed and will usually ask you if there are any other questions you may have. Joining an online support group for your disease is another benefit for you.

Author is Michele Rogers, owner of lilyputts.com lilyputts.com Lilyputts Gift Baskets , an online gift basket retailer. Also hosted is a lilyputts.blogspot.com lilyputts.blogspot.com BLOG that reviews gifts and welcomes other comments as well. Please visit Lilyputts Gift Baskets for descriptions and product presentations. Please, if you use any portion herein be sure to email author first.

Tags: breast cancer

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Most people who come to see us are generally desperate and lost. They do not know what else to do. Some of them have never had any experience with cancer before. So they are unsure of what to do: to go for surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy? Yet many others are told point blank that there is no more treatment available for them or there is nothing that can be done. In simple language it means to go home and wait to die. They receive a good supply of painkillers or morphine to tide them against the pains. There are also the more experienced patients. They know what these treatments are about, for they have gone through them all. Apparently they have been well and thought that they have been fully cured. Then cancer strikes again. They come to seek other avenues for help. Whatever category you are in, we have the following advice for you: Go for healing!

1) Never say die and never give up. As long as you are still breathing, know that there is still hope even when you are told that you have no more hope. Hang on to your hope and believe that you still have hope. Some people may accuse us of trying to give people false hope. It is cruel to raise false hopes. But on the other hand, some doctors tell you that: “You only have three to six months to live. There is no medicine, no cure. Just prepare to die.” Some patients are told to enroll themselves with the palliative care centres for further management (and you know the reason why!). Do you not think such insensitive comments or actions are even more cruel?

We have written many books with stories about false hopelessness. Goh had colon cancer that had spread to the liver. He could hardly walk and his stomach was bloated. He was told to go home and prepare to die. He was in the hospital for two months and was put on morphine only. The doctors on ward rounds even refused to see him. Yet this “no hope” patient recovered and became much healthier than he was before he had cancer and lived for another two years plus.

Two-month old baby Carisa had Stage 4 neuroblastoma and was given three months to live. At the time of this writing, Baby Carisa is now more than 7 years old and is still alive.

Melisa was ill with cervical cancer that had spread to the liver and lungs. She was asked to write her will as the doctor concluded that she only had three to six months to live. She lived another three years before complications arose from her radiotherapy treatment (before taking herbs). The unbelievable and amazing thing about this case is that her thirty spots in her liver have all disappeared.

Raju had bone cancer of an unknown origin. He was unable to move and had to sleep sitting up on a “deck” chair. The doctor gave him six months to live. After two months on herbs, he came back alive and was able to visit India twice. He is very much alive now, and drives around. Indeed, if at all there is one message that this article is meant to convey, it is HOPE!

We are fully aware that during distressed moments, cancer patients become very gullible and will grab at any straw that promises the slightest chance of hope for living. We have heard of salespersons calling on your home, even in the middle of the night, offering magic potions with a promise of cure. The mother of a boy who had cancer told us of one salesman who would ring her four to five times a day to keep tabs on how the son was doing. And each time the phone rang, it was with the advice to take more and more of the capsules he was selling. So the son ended up taking sixty capsules of the product a day, besides another dozen of other supplements. Use your discretion and be cautious.

From the point of view of science and medicine, hope and feelings do not count or exist. These attributes do not belong to the physical body for they do not show up on the X-ray film or CT scan. Therefore they are not supposed to exist. Yet, you and I know that there are things such as hope, love, feeling and inspiration. These are attributes of the soul and mind. They do exist and they matter — irrespective of what Rene Descartes wanted you to believe or what the medical world says. The feeling of no hope kills. So, we say again that there is no such thing as false hope. But there is such a thing as false hopelessness because no mortal on earth can play God.

When the terminally ill patients come to us we used to tell them this: “Don’t worry. All of us have to die someday. It is a matter of when — tomorrow, next month or the next ten years. But, let me tell you that you need not die yet, just because you have terminal cancer. We may be younger than you and do not have any cancer but we may even die earlier than you. So don’t worry so much. Death is not an issue here. What matters now and the future is that while you are still alive you do not have to suffer. Let us pray that we can help you lead a normal, pain-free life. When the time comes and you have to go home, let us pray that you die peacefully”

Petrea King of Quest for Life Foundation, Australia said: Life is not a competition about how long we survive. It’s about the quality with which we live.

This is what Cancer Care Therapy is all about. We see healing at various levels: physical, mental and spiritual. We may not be able to cure the physical body but we may be able to touch and heal the mind and the soul.

2) Empower yourself. “Knowledge is power” goes a saying and I truly believe this is true. So, I advise you to read and ask questions. Seek knowledge so that you understand your illness. Research has shown that those who feel hopeless, helpless and accept their fate lying down survive poorly. We tell cancer patients to stand up and live! Do not just be contented to remain at the bottom of the pile with the following mentality: My doctor says this and my doctor says that. You will then end up following everything that he says. We are not asking you to defy your doctor’s instructions but we also know that you may be led by the nose without having a clue of what is going on. It may not always be good for you.

Let us look at the case of Melisa again. She had approximately thirty spots of varying sizes scattered all over her liver. The oncologist recommended that she went for liver surgery. Melisa asked the oncologist: “How are you going to dig out all the spots in my liver?” Of course this question irritated the learned doctor, but saved Melisa’s life! The question may sound stupid but it carries a lot of sense. In the absence of a satisfactory answer, Melisa declined the surgery. And she was absolutely right.

Guat had breast cancer. When she was asked to go for chemotherapy or radiotherapy after her mastectomy, she asked the surgeon: “Can these cure me? Can you guarantee that?” The doctor was dumbfounded; there was no guarantee. That being the case, Guat declined further medical treatments. To her, if that is what it will all come to, then she preferred to die in peace without the agony of the side effects of the medical treatments.

3) Re-evaluate your strategy. Use your gut feelings and common sense. Body-mind healers advocate the use of intuition or the sixth sense when making important decisions in life. Nott all decisions made based on scientific data are wise or correct in many of life’s situations. Statistics and data can be deceptive, cold, dead and insensitive to human feelings. For example, ask yourself if the treatment that you are undergoing benefiting you or killing you? Of course, when you go for any invasive treatment, your hope is always to achieve a cure. Ask your doctor if there is such a thing as a cure for your condition. Some patients are given chemotherapy just for palliative reasons, not cure. Will the treatment make your life better or just more bearable?

Dr. Jeffry Tobias (in Cancer) wrote: “one important decision …. to stop, (know) when to say no more.” Indeed it is wise to know when to withdraw and to “say enough is enough”, if and when the treatment is spinning you in a circle. There was one lung cancer patient who came and told us that his oncologist spent only half a minute with him every time he went for his chemotherapy. Our advice to him was: “Find another oncologist who can be more caring and who could give you more of his time and expertise.” How much can a “half-a-minute” doctor help you? Can you expect such a busy-no-time doctor to save your life? Evaluate my comments and make your own decisions about all these issues. Sometimes what it takes is only common sense to save your life.

4) Make wise decisions. Gurdjieff said: “The wise man is not educated and the educated man is not wise.” These are words of wisdom. To enable you to make wise decisions, you need to be aware of the following:

a) Do not make decisions based on or out of fear.

b) Seek more information, from different sources and viewpoints, if possible, before you make any important decision.

c) Weigh out the options, both pros and cons. Do not simply see the good side of things only. Take into account the worst possible outcome as well.

d) Connect with your inner self. Seek out your intuition, common sense or gut feelings. Take time to be alone, to be silent. Relax and let the inner voice within you speak to you. If you are too busy or preoccupied with others, you cannot hear your own inner voice.

e) Arrive at a decision that you can live with. It is your body, it is your liver or your breast that is to be removed or operated upon. Ask yourself if you can live with that decision. It is your life that is at stake. Doctors and other people can only help but you are the one who suffers the brunt of whatever is done to you.

f) Once a decision is made, stay on course. Then, re-evaluate your strategy if it harms you.

5) Trust and flow. Dr. Joseph Murphy (in The Power of Your Subconscious Mind) said: “According to your belief, it is done unto you.” The causes of failures in healing are mental coercion, lack of confidence, doubt and hesitation. All these reflect negative attitudes. If you come with the main goal of “going all out for a cure,” chances are that you will fail to get one. In your intense desire to cure yourself, you can become very tense and may not have peace of mind. Have you ever experienced a time when you are trying very hard to crack and solve a problem? Your mind comes to a dead end. Try to take it easy. Relax and go to sleep. When you wake up the next morning, things will look easier and you will get to solve your problem in no time. This is because the subconscious mind does not respond to mental coercion.

6) Forgive and let go. Negative thoughts such as hurtful memories, bitterness, hatred, anger, etc., beget negative reactions and they block the free flow of life. Let your life be expressed in terms of love, forgiveness, sharing, caring, harmony, peace, beauty and abundance. By loving and forgiving yourself and others you let go of your negative emotions and this is the first necessary ingredient of healing.

Beng Im

For more information:
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Tags: breast cancer, cancer patient, cervical cancer, chemotherapy, colon cancer, healing, lung cancer, mastectomy

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Many postmenopausal women are looking for alternatives to hormone therapy, especially in light of the recent Women’s Health Initiative research findings concerning the risks of combined estrogen and progestin therapy. Of particular interest are phytoestrogens, which have been gaining popularity due to their “natural” status, alleged health claims, and availability in a wide range of foods and supplements.

What are Phytoestrogens?

Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring plant compounds that have some similarities to estradiol, the most potent naturally occurring estrogen. However, phytoestrogens tend to have weaker effects than most estrogens, are not stored in the body, and can be easily broken down and eliminated.

Observational studies have found a lower prevalence of breast cancer, heart disease and hip fracture rates among people living in places like Southeast Asia, where diets are typically high in phytoestrogens. In North America, knowledge of these reported health effects has stimulated great interest in the health benefits of phytoestrogens. According to the Food and Drug Administration, the sale of soy foods, a major source of phytoestrogens, has increased dramatically in the past decade.

Dietary Sources of Phytoestrogens

Phytoestrogens consist of more than 20 compounds and can be found in more than 300 plants, such as herbs, grains and fruits. The three main classes of dietary phytoestrogens are isoflavones, lignans and coumestans:

• Isoflavones (genistein, daidzein, glycitein and equol) are primarily found in soy beans and soy products, chickpeas and other legumes.

• Lignans (enterolactone and enterodiol) are found in seeds (primarily flaxseed), cereal bran, legumes, and alcohol (beer and bourbon).

• Coumestans (coumestrol) can be found in alfalfa and clover. Most food sources containing these compounds typically include more than one class of phytoestrogens.

The Skeletal Effects of Phytoestrogens

Much of the evidence concerning the potential role of phytoestrogens in bone health is based on animal studies. In fact, soybean protein, soy isoflavones, genistein, daidzein and coumestrol have all been shown to have a protective effect on bone in animals who had their ovaries surgically removed.

In humans, however, the evidence is conflicting. Compared to Caucasian populations, documented hip fracture rates are lower in countries such as Hong Kong, China and Japan where dietary phytoestrogen intakes are high. Yet reports suggest that Japanese women have a greater risk of sustaining a vertebral fracture than Caucasian women.

Several studies have explored the effects of soy isoflavones on bone health, but results have been mixed, ranging from a modest impact to no effect. Most of these studies have serious limitations, including their short duration and small sample size, making it difficult to fully evaluate the impact of these compounds on bone health.

Ipriflavone Supplements

Ipriflavone, a synthetic isoflavone, has shown some promise in its ability to conserve bone in postmenopausal women. Ipriflavone has also been shown to have a protective effect on bone density in pre-menopausal women taking gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), a treatment for endometriosis that triggers bone loss.

However, a definitive three-year study of more than 400 postmenopausal women concluded that ipriflavone did not prevent bone loss. Additionally, the compound was linked to lymphocytopenia (a reduction in lymphocytes) in a significant number of study participants. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that helps the body fight infection.

Risks and Benefits Are Unclear

Some studies suggest that, unlike estrogen, phytoestrogens do not appear to target breast or uterine tissue. This suggests that they may act more like SERMS (selective estrogen receptor modulators such as raloxifene and tamoxifen) than actual estrogens. However, in other studies high isoflavone levels have been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer.

Clearly, additional research is needed to further evaluate the effects of phytoestrogens before judgments regarding their safety and usefulness can be made.

Key Points

Based on information available at this time, it is reasonable to make the following conclusions concerning phytoestrogens and bone health in postmenopausal women:

• Moderate amounts of foods containing phytoestrogens can be safely included in the diet but do not expect it to help build bone. Keep to the basic rule – eat the least processed forms.

• Due to a lack of evidence and concerns about safety, supplementation with synthetic isoflavones (ipriflavone) is in question.

• Postmenopausal women are encouraged to view evidence concerning phytoestrogens and bone health as conflicting and incomplete. For women who are estrogen dominant increasing their phytoestrogen intake may not improve their bone position.

This Article Is Copywright 2006 Jackie L. Harvey & Saliva Testing com

Jackie Harvey is an International speaker, radio program host, seminar leader, business trainer, and a mother of seven. She works in partnership with nurses, medical doctors and health care practitioners.

Jackie is a men & women’s health advocate specializing in hormonal and menopausal health. Thousands of men & women have watched her informative DVD “Let’s Talk About Hormones”. Jackie is committed to making a positive change in peoples lives.

Visit SalivaTesting.com SalivaTesting.com for more information Saliva Hormone Tests Kits & her Best Selling 1-hour DVD “Let’s Talk About Hormones with Jackie Harvey”. Click For More information on SalivaTesting.com Men’s & Women’s Saliva Hormone Testing and Saliva Test Kits.

Tags: breast cancer

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