Prostate cancer was first identified in 1853, and can only occur in men since prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system. According to the survey of the American Cancer Society, this illness is most common in the United States, where it is the main cause of cancer related deaths, after lung cancer. This cancer is least common in South and East Asia.

Prostate cancer is a disease that comes into existence due to mutation of the cells of the prostate which begin to multiply uncontrollably. The prostate glands require androgenes, male hormones, to function properly. If caught in its early stage, prostate cancer can be cured in 90% of the cases.

Symptoms of prostate cancer vary, and sometimes do not clearly indicate cancer. The person with discomfort and disease has to undergo a thorough examination to determine the underlying cause of these occurrences. Nevertheless, many men having developed this illness will never find out about it, will not undergo any treatment, and will die of other causes as this disease is forming in the later part of life. The disease is typical of men over 50 years of age, thus many are apt to die of other causes while the cancer slowly advances and spreads to other parts of their body. Due to this factor the selection of the right treatment is at times difficult.

If a man experiences an urge or need to urinate frequently, especially at night, or if he is facing difficulty starting or holding back urine, if his urine has a disturbed or weak flow accompanied with a painful, burning feeling when urinating, there is a high probability of him developing prostate cancer. It affects a man’s sexual life as well.

In some cases a person with this disease will face problems of erection, and painful ejaculation. Cancer cells may spread, i.e., metastasize to other parts of the body, mainly to the lymph nodes, which help in destroying bacteria, and to the bones. Similarly with problems of the female reproductive system, men also feel pain, stiffness in the lower back, and upper thighs.

Diagnosis of the disease sometimes happens when an individual undergoes physical examination or screening blood tests. Particular of these tests is PSA, i.e., prostate specific antigen test. If a patient is suspected of having developed cancer, he will have biopsy, a test during which a piece of the prostate will be removed and examined under a microscope. Various other tests may be performed, like bone scans and X-rays to determine whether the cancer cells have spread elsewhere in the body.

Curing and treatment have various methods. One of these is chemotherapy, in which chemical substances are used for treating. Nowadays, catatonic drugs are used during chemotherapy. Besides, there are other ways of treatment which can be combined with each other, or with chemotherapy itself, these being surgery, hormone therapy, and radiation therapy.

After all, the outcome of the therapy depends on various factors, like for example the age and current health of the man, the extent of the spreading of the infected cells, and the appearance under the microscope, and the response of the cells while treatment all determine the result and outcome of prostate cancer disease.

The specific causes of prostate cancer are yet unknown. The risk of a man developing this disease depends on his age, genetics, race, lifestyle, which includes diet as well, and medication. According to surveys carried out in the United States, this cancer affects mainly black men, rather than white or Hispanic men. Surveys also show that daily use of anti-inflammatory medicines, such as aspirin, may decrease the risk of cancer.

Prevention of the disease has been proven to be possible by scientists. Taking dietary supplements, like vitamin E and selenium, may help prevent the disease from forming if taken daily. Still, a thousands of years old prevention has been proven helpful, namely the consumption of green tea. It is 100% safe and can be taken in any quantity.

It is crucial that every man has an early check-up of his health in identifying cancer at the beginning stage.

Action taken in time can save your life!

For more information on cancer try visiting cancercondition.com cancercondition.com - a website that specializes in providing cancer related information and resources including information on cancercondition.com/prostatecancer.html prostate cancer.

Tags: chemotherapy, lung cancer, prostate cancer, selenium

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Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer and is increasing in frequency every year. Because it is curable if diagnosed early, you should be aware of the symptoms and treatments.

THE ROLE OF THE SKIN:

Our skin protects our body from injury and infection and regulates our body temperature. It is the body’s largest organ and is made up of two main layers, the outer layer called the epidermis and the inner layer called the dermis.

The outer layer contains three kinds of cells, squamous cells which are flat and scaly cells on the surface, basal cells which are round cells located under the squamous cells and melanocytes (the cells that create the brown pigment that gives skin its color) that are located throughout the basal layer.

TYPES OF SKIN CANCER:

There are two types of skin cancer, non-melanoma and melanoma. Non-melanomas are the most common types and most easily cured. Malignant melanoma is the most dangerous form and the most difficult to treat.

Melanomas develop from skin cells called melanocytes. A melanoma can occur anywhere on the skin but is more likely to develop on certain parts of the body such as the legs for women and the trunk of the body for men.

Melanoma is much less common than the non-melanoma types but it is usually far more serious. Melanoma is almost always curable in its early stages. But, unlike the non-melanoma types of skin cancer, it spreads to other parts of the body making it very difficult to treat.

Non-melanomas include two types of cancer, basal cell cancers and squamous cell cancers. They are called non-melanomas because they develop from skin cells other than melanocytes. The high incidence of these cancers is related to over-exposure to the sun.

Basal cell cancer is the most common type of skin cancer and it occurs in the deepest layer of the skin. It is easier to cure than melanoma and it does not usually spread to other parts of the body.

Squamous cell skin cancer develops in the upper layer of the skin. It can spread to deeper layers of the skin and occasionally can spread to lymph nodes and other organs.

SKIN CANCER SYMPTOMS:

The following are warning signs of basal and squamous cell carcinoma. A mole, skin growth, or sore that:

*changes in color and appears translucent, tan, brown, black or multicolored.

*is bigger than other moles.

*becomes red or inflamed around the edges.

*increases in size or thickness.

*changes in texture

*changes in shape

*is bigger than the size of a pencil eraser

*becomes painful, itchy, crusty, or forms a scab

*starts oozing or bleeding

SKIN CANCER DIAGNOSIS:

If you have any of the symptoms listed above and they are present for more than a month, you must see a doctor for further evaluation. If the doctor agrees with your suspicions, a skin biopsy (the surgical removal of part of the tissue from the suspicious growth) will be performed. The type of skin cancer, where it is located, and the size of the affected area will determine the skin biopsy method used.

Once the tissue is examined, a diagnosis is made. You and your physician can then discuss treatment options. There are many treatments available, including curettage, surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. The treatment chosen is dependent upon the type of skin cancer that is diagnosed.

Remember, skin cancer is the most curable form of cancer if diagnosed and treated in its early stages. Know the symptoms, perform a self-exam every month, and see your physician if you have any suspicious skin growths.

Chris Chenoweth, author of the money-home-biz.com DO-IT-YOURSELF HOME, HEALTH & MONEY GUIDE, writes articles pertaining to diet, exercise, health, and business.

Tags: chemotherapy, melanoma, skin cancer

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Benign prostatic hyperplasia, otherwise known as an enlarged prostate, is a condition most common in man over the age of forty.

Enlarged prostate is the most common health problem in men over sixty. Approximately ninety percent of men in their seventies and eighties have an enlarged prostate. Having a family history of the condition slightly elevates a man’s risk of developing an enlarged prostate himself.

The prostate gland is about the size of a walnut. The prostate gland grows from the size of a pea until maturity. The prostate undergoes another growth spurt in your mid to late forties. This period of growth is more rapid in the central interior part of the gland. This rapid growth of the prostate gland can result in one of two common problems:

Compress the urethra, while partially or completely blocking the flow of urine. Muscles around the urethra to contract, making it difficult for the urethra to relax and let urine flow.

As the prostate becomes larger, it will begin to squeeze the urethra-it then in turn narrows. The bladder must then push urine through the newly slimmed down urethra more forcefully, which makes urination difficult with an enlarged prostate. Leaving this enlarged prostate symptom untreated can lead to acute urinary retention, a complete shutdown of urination. It is a serious condition.

Other serious conditions that can develop as a result of an untreated enlarged prostate gland are kidney damage, bladder damage, and bladder stones.

Symptoms of Enlarged Prostate

Urinary problems are the most common enlarged prostate symptom. Other signs associated with this condition include, he inability to empty the bladder, urine leakage, frequent trips to the restroom (particularly around bedtime), difficulty starting urination.

Serious enlarged prostate conditions are characterized by symptoms like losing the ability to urinate,nausea, fever, and chills, or if lower back pain becomes accompanied by blood in the urine.

Treating an Enlarged Prostate Gland

Treatment options for benign prostatic hyperplasia vary in accordance with individual cases. Some patients may be treated with monitoring, other, more serious cases, may require medication or surgery. There are two medications used for enlarged prostate treatment- Alpha-blockers and Finasteride. Alpha-blockers may relieve the symptoms of enlarged prostate by relaxing the gland’s muscles. Finasteride can prompt shrinkage of the prostate gland.

The trans urethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is the most common surgical procedure for treating

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What is mesothelioma?

The pericardium is the mesothelial tissue that surrounds and acts as a safeguard to the heart. The pleural mesothelium membrane covers the lungs and chest cavity and peritoneum is the mesothelial tissue that enfolds the organs in the abdominal cavity.

What is actually cancer mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the mesothelium, a dual layered membrane with which our chest, lungs, abdomen and the heart is wrapped safely.

Cancer Mesothelioma can damage any of these cells, although pleural mesothelioma is more common; it metastasizes and at an advanced stage the disease reach to the other parts of the body like the lymph nodes, lungs, chest wall, or abdominal organs.

How is cancer mesothelioma caused?

Though asbestos exposure is the primary reason in 70% to 80% of the cases, mesothelioma can be caused by other means, like exposure to the chemical zeolite that is also present in asbestos.

Asbestos has become part of our daily life being in cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. The asbestos fibers take their toll by going into our windpipe and settling in the internal organs causing the formation of carcinogenic tumors.

The overall scenario regarding cancer mesothelioma

Though there is a ban on certain asbestos products, around 1000 people in France and above 2000 people in the U.S are faced with this nightmare each year.

Mostly, workers from shipyards, asbestos mines and mills are prone to this mishap, due to a constant exposure to asbestos. However, it takes 30 to 50 years for the disease to surface and show symptoms though they are not always accurate.

Cancer mesothelioma is proving more than a menace and the average person live for 12-24 months; the earlier it is detected, the better is the cure process.

The recent picture

Today, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have put restrictions towards maintaining acceptable levels of asbestos exposure in the workplace. People who work with asbestos are geared up with individual protective equipment to lower their risk of exposure. Even the family members of the workers are prone to the disease, so they are advised to take a shower before leaving for home.

Symptoms of cancer mesothelioma

- Feeling out of breath and pain in the chest due to an accretion of fluid in the pleura

- Peritoneal mesothelioma comprises weight loss and abdominal pain and a bulging abdomen due to accumulation of fluid

- Bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever

- Pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face

However, a registered medical practitioner can diagnose you correctly.

Diagnosis of cancer mesothelioma

Diagnosis commences with an assessment of the patient’s medical history, as well as any history of asbestos exposure. A complete physical examination may be performed, including:

- X-rays of the chest or abdomen

- A CT (or CAT) scan or an MRI may also be useful. A CT scan is a sequence of comprehensive pictures of areas inside the body created by a computer linked to an X-ray machine

- In an MRI, a strong magnet connected to a computer is used to draw meticulous pictures of areas affected by cancer mesothelioma inside the body. These pictures are viewed on a monitor and can also be printed

- A biopsy regarding the taking out of a sample tissue for examination is needed to verify a diagnosis of mesothelioma. Types of biopsy depending on the location of the tumor are thoracoscopy, peritoneoscopy

Lastly, the stage of the disease is important to the doctor for the correct diagnosis.

Cancer mesothelioma treatment

Treatment of cancer mesothelioma yields results depending on the site of the cancer, the phase of the disease, and the patient’s physical condition. The usual treatments for cancer mesothelioma are surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Occasionally, these treatments are combined.

Surgery is an effective way to remove tumor but the age of the person matters. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are good ways to ward off the symptoms.

Often, high-end drugs are given to the patient to reduce the fluid formation in body.

Thus, it is better for the workers to get a medical check up at equal intervals and be aware of its symptoms. If a patient is diagnosed with cancer mesothelioma at the earliest stage, the treatments might do wonders for him.

Fred Lindell is a successful writer and publisher of
health related issues, for more informative articles go to
mesotheliomaplaza.com mesotheliomaplaza.com

Tags: chemotherapy, mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma, treatment of cancer

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