Siew (not real name), 44-year-old-female, is a radiographer in a hospital in Hong Kong. In July 2002, Siew faxed me this message:

“I suffer from cancer of the breast – infiltrating ductal carcinoma in August 1993. Total right mastectomy was performed. Secondary to the bones was detected at the same time. A course of chemotherapy was given consisting of twelve injections over a period of six months. At the same time, radiotherapy was given to the spine and ribs. Two doses of strontium were given after the course of chemotherapy. Tamoxifen and orimetene were taken orally daily all these years.

Everything was in stable condition until August 2001. Secondary to both lobes of liver was discovered. Chemotherapy – FAC (5-FU, andriamycin and cyclophosphamde, six injections) was given, followed by eight doses of Taxotere. Now both my lower limbs are swollen. I suffer from pleural effusion (i.e. fluid in the lungs) at the same time. I started on oral chemotherapy – Xeloda on 10 July 2002. My limbs feel numb. I feel tired easily and my heart sometimes beat irregularly. I feel short of breath at times. I hope Dr. Teo will help me.”

Accompanying this letter were two medical reports. Her blood test report showed that her white blood count, red blood count and haemoglobin were below normal. A CT scan dated 6 July 2002, stated that:
• Liver metastases with no significant change in size and number as compared with previous CT scan

done on 12 April 2002.

• Right pleural effusion.
• Probable bilateral renal cysts.
• The lytic lesion in L2 vertebral body. Old fracture of a right lower anterior rib.

Siew was prescribed Capsule A & B, LL-tea, Liver P, Bone, Ascites and Breast M teas.

On 16 August 2002, I received a letter from Siew: “ I have taken your medication for two days and felt hot. Today, I feel warm only. Other than that, everything remains unchanged. I just stopped the diuretic which the doctor gave me, so my limbs are still swollen.”

Her fax in late August 2002 reads: “I have been taking your herbs for 3 weeks. My lower limbs and right upper arm are still swollen. The numbness in my extremities still exists … but my breathlessness has improved.”

Fax of September 2002: “The doctor gave me Xeloda again …I dare not refuse because he will close my file and I have no one to turn to when problems arise. Dr. Teo is too far away for me to consult if emergency arises. My lower limbs are back to normal – only swelling slightly in the evening but will be alright after a night’s rest.”

Indeed her condition had improved. She had more energy, the swelling lessened and the flatulence in her stomach had disappeared. She did not suffer any more coughs or pains.

Fax of 16 October 2003: “I have stopped taking Xeloda since September. Now I only take your herbal tea. I am doing alright at the moment – just feeling pins and needles in my fingers and feet. I told my doctor here that I am taking your herbs. I would like to thank you again for helping and treating me and keeping me in good general condition. My sincere thanks to you again.”

Fax of 14 January May 2004 (i.e., 2 years on the herbs): “ I am doing alright all along. I feel well and my appetite is good. Occasionally I have backache.”

Fax of 3 June 2005: “X-ray of the pelvis showed secondary deposits in the right acetabulum but I didn’t suffer any pains at all. I went for a detoxification course in Taiwan in March 2005. I suffered from left sciatica during the course. Physiotherapy did not help at all. I feel that my heart beats very fast intermittently but ECG was normal. Besides all those mentioned, I am doing fine.”

On 30 November 2005, Siew wrote: “I had an ultrasound done on 28 Nov. 05. The result is similar to that done in May 05. I am doing very well. Thank you for helping me all these years. I really appreciate your kindness and helpfulness.”

On 26 March 06 her e-mail reads: “I had my blood test done on 15 March 06. Most of the results are within normal range.”

I was told that when she first wrote to me, Siew was in real “bad shape”. Her doctor gave her only a few months to live. But as of this writing, June 2007, it has been five years after modern medicine had failed her, Siew remained well and is still taking our herbs.

For more information about complementary cancer therapy visit:
cacare.com cacare.com
NaturalHealingForYou.com NaturalHealingForYou.com
BookOnCancer.com BookOnCancer.com

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Tags: breast cancer, chemotherapy, healing, mastectomy

Surviving the surgical procedure mastectomy doesn’t end after going through the operation. A woman still needs to confront the difficult challenge of living a normal life despite the noticeable changes done on her body. The loss of a part or the whole breast usually leads to a significant loss of confidence and self-esteem. As part of the recovery process to regain the lost confidence in one’s health, there are a number of alternatives available to women.

Surgical reconstruction of the breast is often not opted by many women right after mastectomy because of the inevitable trauma that comes with these kinds of procedures to both the body and the mind. Usually, it takes several months that can stretch to several years before these women are ready to undergo the knife again. Still, there are some who are adverse towards surgical augmentations. There are a number of feasible options for these women. Short-term alternatives available are breast prostheses and mastectomy bras.

A mastectomy bra is especially intended to keep the breast prosthesis secure for women who have gone through mastectomy to treat breast cancer. These are particularly designed with no underwires for maximum comfort. This bra permits the prostheses to move like the regular set of breasts as the wearer moves. In truth, there is not much difference between a mastectomy bra and a regular bra. However, one will note that a mastectomy bra has built-in stretch pockets in the cup area for one to place the breast prostheses.

Losing a part or the whole breast can somehow strike a feeling of imbalance which stems from symmetry and proportion that most human beings take for granted. To regain a sense of balance, the mastectomy bra promises a number of advantages.

1. It aids body posture because of the ultimate support that it provides.

2. It gives some form of protection to the wounds and scars which are a result of the surgery.

3. It can somehow reduce the chances of obtaining back problems, neck and shoulder aches.

It is certainly good news for the women out there who still want to feel sexy and feel confident about their bodies despite having gone through the surgery. A fabulous way to wear breast prostheses is to wear it with a sheer mastectomy bra with lace trimmings. On the other hand, there are mastectomy bras in posture styles which are specifically designed with full crossover backs to give the front more support.

Mastectomy bras have kept up with the latest styles done on regular bras. A number of brands that offer stylish mastectomy bras are Playtex, Jodee and Amoena, which are known to carry this type of bra in a variety of designs and fabrics ranging from the lacy ones to sporty ones.

Although this type of bra may not be readily available in malls nationwide, there are specialty stores which carry a variety of mastectomy products and accessories as well as the professional service of a mastectomy fitter.

This fitter is sufficiently trained and experienced to assist their customers in choosing clothes that have the perfect fit given the current condition of these customers. Nordstrom’s in fact allows the addition of prostheses pockets to normal bras for a minimal fee and sometimes for free on all bras sold there. There are also online stores like the sites below.

Joyce Dietzel writes articles for my-bra-store.com a website dedicated to my-bra-store.com/Mastectomy.html” target=”_blank the most comfortable bras for you.

my-bra-store.com/Front-Closure.html my-bra-store.com/Front-Closure.html

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Tags: breast cancer, mastectomy

Prostate cancer medications working in conjunction with hormonal therapy serve as an aggressive treatment against the progression of prostate cancer. Wonder why? Well, man produce a hormone commonly known as testosterone, often equated with making a guy “macho,” testosterone can stimulate the growth of cancerous cells in the prostate, in turn accelerating the development of prostate cancer. That’s where hormonal therapy comes in. Otherwise known as androgenic deprivation, hormonal therapy cuts off the prostate’s supply of testosterone. Treatment with hormones is generally a route taken by patients whose cancer has become metastases, or left the prostate and spread into other parts of the body.

The testicles are encouraged to produce the potentially cancer-inducting testosterone by an internal chemical agent called LHRH, or luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone. Luteinizing hormone-releasing analogs and luteinizing hormone-releasing antagonists are prostate cancer medications designed to inhibit the release of LHRH from the brain, thus resulting in lower levels of testosterone to off influencing cancerous prostatic cells.

Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Analogs

Luteinizing hormone-releasing analogs are designed to lower testosterone levels. These prostate cancer medications are administred via injections that can be given monthly or every three, six, or nine months. Most metastases prostate cancer patients opt for this round of prostate cancer treatments than a surgical removal of their testicles although the side effects can be the same.

Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Antagonists

There’s a new antagonist in town. Plenaxis features the new age of LHRH antagonists and has been cited to lower testosterone at the speed of light (well, almost) and does not cause a sharp rise in testosterone levels before taking affect, as is the case with LHRH analogs. However, LHRH antagonists can only be used in men who are not able to use other forms of hormonal treatment. Abarelix is another LHRH antagonist, but it is only given in a select group of physican’s offices. Other common LHRH antagonists are Lupron, Zoladex, Eulexin, and Casodex.

Antiandrogens

In addition to LHRH analogs and antagonists, antiandrogens are other faucet of prostate cancer medications. Androgens, like testosterone, can still be produced in minute amounts following the surgical removal of the testicles or a round of treatment with LHRH analogs. In an effort to block any stray androgens, antiandrogens prostate cancer medications provide a complete blockage of the hormones. Antiandrogens have saw a connection to producing fewer issues of sexual dysfunction than other types of hormonal prostate cancer medications. On the down side, antiandrogens have developed a reputation for side effects like diarrhea, liver problems, and fatigue.

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials can provide a powerful impact against the progression prostate cancer. Plus trials are a part of a journey that all prostate cancer medications must take. Clinical trials for prostate cancer medications go through three phases:

Phase I: The first phase of the clinical trials test the new drug’s safety

Phase II: Phase II aims to see if and how this new drug works. Patients are given high dosages of the test drug just within the level of safety. The patients are then watched to see what effect the test drug has on their prostate cancer.

Phase III: The final phase of clinical trial testing rivals test medications with standard treatments. A control group is given dosages of the test drug while a second group continues with standard methods of medicine. The results of both treatments are then closely monitored.

For more information on onlineprostatehealthguide.com/article-15-prostate-cancer-medicines.html prostate cancer medications try visiting onlineprostatehealthguide.com www.onlineprostatehealthguide.com, a website that specializes in providing prostate cancer related information and resources to include answers to onlineprostatehealthguide.com/article-14-prostate-cancer.html frequently asked questions about prostate cancer.

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Tags: cancer patient, cancer treatment, prostate cancer

Mesothelioma is a cancer primarily focused on the cells surrounding the lungs. This cancer has been associated exclusively with the exposure to asbestos which was commonly used in industrial and residential uses up until the late 1970’s. Many people who were exposed to this material have suffered the devastating consequences and have joined together to file moseothelioma related lawsuits against former employers and manufacturers of asbestos.

If you believe you are suffering from this deadly disease you should carefully review the options available to you before deciding to join a joint lawsuit or class-action case. In many cases these types of lawsuits take years to settle and the victims will actually receive very little of the money, if any, awarded. Most of the money goes towards lawyer fees and court costs.

When you decide to pursue legal action it is best to start with a local attorney or family attorney if one is available. Ask them for referrals to other attorneys that handle these types of cases. They will most often know reputable lawyers who are out to help the victims instead of make profit off of other’s suffering. Remember, lawsuits of this nature may take several years to be resolved. If you are suffering serious medical problems currently it is strongly recommended that you focus your energy on fighting this awful cancer and worrying about lawsuits after you have regained some of your strength.

Dean Brooks is a writer and internet publisher who likes to provide readers with 1st-mesothelioma.net/mesothelioma_info_list.html Mesothelioma Info Resources and medical information in general. Check out his mesothelioma news and informational website 1st-mesothelioma.net 1st-mesothelioma.net.

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