Making decisions when faced with options that you never heard of is difficult enough. When trying to do that while scared, confused and having been diagnosed with cancer is mind-boggling. How does one decide?

Consider using a tool based on something called Risk versus Benefit or Risk/Benefit Ratio. This simple approach may help you in making informed decisions. What it boils down to is asking yourself this question: How much benefit am I going to get for any decision I make compared to the risks from the treatment that I will agree to? You might find it helpful to use this tool to frame every single major treatment decision you make from this point on. Here’s how you do it. Simply list all things you and your doctor can think of in one column called ‘benefits’, right next to another column called ‘risks’. Within these columns you might also put down what the chances are (usually expressed as a percent chance, or how many times out of a hundred) that a benefit or a risk might actually occur. Then compare the columns.

But what exactly are ‘risks’ and ‘benefits’? Everyone hopes and prays for a “cure” and that is the ultimate benefit; the ultimate prize. But other benefits might be how fast one gets to a better quality of life or how long such a quality of life might persist for, or how fast you might be back on your feet after treatment. On the risk side there may be things like a possible colostomy (temporary or permanent), pain, infection, death from treatment, nerve damage etc. So, to take this logic a step further, if a doctor tells you that a cure is 90-100% with a given treatment but that you might risk a temporary colostomy, a moderate amount of permanent nerve damage and a week in the intensive care unit, it might be worth the trouble. If, on the other hand, the doctor tells you a cure is not possible but with the treatment option being proposed you might live 1 or 2 months longer, at the risk of a permanent colostomy, severe infection which might lead to death sooner, and a probable one month stay in the hospital, you might not be as anxious to undergo that treatment. There is a lot of ground in between these extremes regarding risk vs. benefit, but you get the idea. There is always a tradeoff and you should always consider what positive benefits you might get out of the pain and suffering that you might have to go through. You have to personally decide what you are willing to go through to get what benefit(s). What is important to you? This requires some careful quiet-time and introspection. No one can do this part for you.

Don’t forget to take into account what risks and benefits are actually significant. In other words, are they only likely to happen 2% of the time or 50% or 75% or what? Is it rare or is it common? Some people won’t want to accept even a 1% chance of colostomy, for example. Others will do whatever it takes, no matter what. It is important for YOU to decide what matters and what YOU will accept at every point in your treatment plan.

Whatever happens, it is important to look forward not back. You can’t fix what has already happened, but you CAN influence the future. Choose wisely and don’t look back.

Steven A. Vasilev MD, MBA, FACOG, FACS is a fellowship trained and board certified gynecologic oncologist, which means he is specially trained and certified to take care of women with gynecologic cancers using a broad spectrum of skills. He has practiced at academic as well as private centers, has been on the faculty of three universities and continues to be involved in research and education. You can visit gyncancerdoctor.com gyncancerdoctor.com to learn more about screening, prevention and treatment of gynecologic cancers.

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If you have loved ones or friends that have survived breast cancer, it’s time for celebration. Your friend or loved one has been through a very stressful time and lots of procedures. And no matter which procedure they had, they must be emotionally and physically drained. It’s time to let them know you are celebrating with them and will do whatever it takes to make them feel whole again. One of the best gifts you can offer is the gift of yourself: be there for then when they are happy and energetic, as well as when they feel tired and lonely. Here are a few ideas for those times full of optimism and stamina: go together for a shopping trip, and buy a little something that will make your friend feel beautiful
have a cup of coffee together at a coffee shop, away from home
take walk in the park to enjoy nature again: a cool breeze of fresh air, the nice colors of fall, and even the kids playing on the swing sets For those days when your friend is tired and doesn’t feel like doing much, give her one of the following gifts: a nice book to read
a music CD/DVD
a journal, so she can jot down her feelings
a spa gift certificate: getting a massage not only feels good, but it helps the mind and body to concentrate on healing and reduces stress. If you can, give her the gift of a monthly massage that will rejuvenate her month after month. And don’t forget to give yourself a gift too: the gift of health. Make sure you take care of your own body, by living a healthy life, resting and eating nourishing food. And get a mammogram this year: be pro-active!

Adriana Copaceanu is a busy mom of 2. Visit her busy-moms-online.com Busy Moms Online if you are looking for ways to maximize your precious time. And if you are a new mom, you’ll find everything you need to know at her babys-first-year.com Baby’s First Year website.

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There are many forms of treatment available for prostate cancer but one of the most common treatments for early stage cancer which is confined to the prostate gland is prostate cancer surgery known as the prostatectomy.

The prostatectomy, which essentially involves the removal of the prostate gland and thus the cancerous cells contained within it, can be performed as open surgery or can be performed either laparoscopically or robotically.

Open surgery is the traditional form of surgery in which an incision is made in the lower abdomen to allow access to the prostate gland which is then removed using standard surgical techniques. This form of surgery is often used when the prostate is particularly large or where there is a suspicion that cancer may have spread to tissue immediately surrounding the prostate gland which may also need to be removed.

One problem with open surgery (and indeed laparoscopic surgery) is that the removal of the prostate gland can also damage nerves, muscles and other tissue in the region of the prostate gland leading to problems with sexual function. Recently however surgical techniques have been developed to minimize such damage and a growing number of surgeons are now skilled in nerve-sparing techniques.

In the case of laparoscopic surgery a number of small incisions are made in the abdomen to allow for the access of a series of long thin instruments which are used to provide lighting for and video of the area of the prostate gland, as well as access for the surgical instruments used to remove the prostate gland.

The latest surgical technique which is coming into increasing use is nerve-sparing robotic surgery using the da Vinci system. Robotic surgery is similar to laparoscopic surgery but requires a team of two highly skilled surgeons. The first surgeon operates beside the patient in the normal manner, while the second surgeon sits at a computer controlled console and manipulates the robotic operating arms.

The advantage of robotic surgery is that it allows for the use of extremely delicate instruments, the movement of which can be very precisely controlled. This degree of precision can lead to little or no damage to the nerves, muscles and other surrounding tissues, as long as the procedure is carried out by a highly skilled and experienced team of surgeons.

The main advantage of prostate cancer surgery is that it is a one-time procedure which, as long as the cancer is confined to the prostate gland, can often provide a complete cure for the condition. It’s main disadvantage is that it can cause impotence and incontinence.

Please visit prostatecancerexplained.com” target=”_blank ProstateCancerExplained.com for further information on prostatecancerexplained.com/prostate-surgery.html” target=”_blank prostate cancer surgery and other prostatecancerexplained.com” target=”_blank prostate cancer treatments

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What are mesothelioma lawsuits and how do they arise?

Mesothelioma lawsuits are filed by the victims of mesothelioma to avail reparations for medical expenses, pain & suffering and loss of income associated with the growth of this disease. Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer, which is inflicted by exposure to asbestos most frequently used in industrial and residential places till the late seventies. The numbers of mesothelioma victims were on the rise as the employers continued using these hazardous materials despite knowing the harmful consequences of them. Thus the poor workers, who were ignorant of the potential health risks that they were about to confront, were the unfortunate victims.

In case the victim dies there is a provision that one of the family members or the executor of his estate can file the lawsuit. On the other hand a family member who has contracted the disease from the victim of mesothelioma can also file a lawsuit.

Thus, if an individual is victimized owing to the negligence of another person, he has absolute right to take legal actions in the court of law for compensation. An individual needs to first consult with an attorney who deals with asbestos litigation and on his discretion the victim can file the suit.

How long does the process take and what are the end results?

These lawsuits tend to be cumbersome and longwinded. It could also stretch to years even to reach any settlement. Again all lawsuits are not necessarily longwinded; some of them take lesser time. However, in some of the cases the victims receive negligible amount of money, most of which are used to meet the lawyer’s and the court’s expenses. Nevertheless victims of mesothelioma should exhibit their rights and fight for their compensation. Again, mesothelioma lawsuits are generally settled out of court before they are set for trail. This actually makes more sense because it curtails court expenses for both the parties.

What can you do if you are uncertain about exposure to asbestos?

If you don’t know where and when you were exposed to asbestos, you should speak to your lawyer who will help you out. The lawyer may possibly hire a professional investigator who can make the necessary investigations so as to find out where the exposure had occurred and who are the ones that can be held responsible.

How much do you have to pay?

Factually, you need not pay unless and until you receive your compensation. It is only then that your lawyer shall take a percentage out of the compensation as his remuneration.

How much can you expect as compensation?

Well it depends on how creditable your case is. You will find that past settlements amounted to quite a ransom. But in the recent past with the subsequent increase in the number of mesothelioma lawsuits, there is a sleek chance to realize the entire amount.

The history of mesothelioma lawsuits

According to U.S mesothelioma history, the first ever mesothelioma lawsuit was filed in 1966 against the careless use of asbestos. But unfortunately the verdict went against the case. For the second time, another suit was put forward for a co-worker and this time the case was won. This gave impetus to all those helpless victims who craved for justice as innumerable mesothelioma lawsuits cropped up simultaneously.

Mesothelioma lawsuits also tells us that how ignorant people were initially about the causes and the aftereffects of the deadly disease. But now with the intervention of the law firms the victims of mesothelioma are provided with all-round assistance as regards lawful solutions to their righteous problems.

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