Chemotherapy is the use of very strong anticancer drugs to kill colon cancer cells.
Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment and will address cancer that is in the entire
body which is why it is often used to prevent spread or to treat cancer that has
already spread. This is not the only reason why chemotherapy is used so if you
doctor suggests treatment with chemotherapy drugs do not assume that your
cancer has spread and metastesized.

Chemotherapy plays a few roles in the treatment of colon cancer.
used to kill colon cancer cells that might have not been removed during surgical
removal of the colon cancer.
reduces the size of the tumor before surgery is performed
used to treat colon cancer by controlling the growth of the tumor.
used to relieve some of the symptoms of the colon cancer.
reduce the likelyhood of recurrence
Chemotherapy is often used after surgery is performed to eliminate cancer cells that
may have been left behind and not removed by surgery. The chemotherapy can be
administered through an IV (intravenously) or in pill form. Once the chemotherapy
drugs enter the bloodstream they can reach cancer cells in all parts of the body.
Some studies have shown that using a regimen of chemotherapy after surgery for
colon cancer can increase the surivival rates for some stages of colon and rectal
cancers.

In patients with advanced colorectal cancer chemotherapy is often useful in relieving
the symptoms of the cancer.

Who is given Chemotherapy for Colon Cancer?
The general opinion in the medical community differs on whether chemotherapy for
Stage II colon cancer will be beneficial to the patient after surgery. It is usually only
advisable in very high risk patients.

Adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery is the standard of care for patients with Stage
III colorectal cancer. Also patients with Stage IV cancers of the colon or rectum can
benefit from the use of chemotherapy as it often will help to shrink the tumor,
increase life expectancy and improve the quality of life.

How is Chemotherapy Administered for Colorectal Cancer?

The use of adjuvant chemotherapy typically involves monthly administration of the
chemotherapy drugs for usually 6 to 8 months. Usually on or a combination of the
following drugs are administered:

5-FU (5-fluorouracil)
leucovorin
irinotecan
oxaliplatin (Eloxatin)
The standard adjuvant chemotherapy combination for colon cancer consists of 5-FU
and leucovorin.

Side Effects of Chemotherapy:
Chemotherapy can produce some side effects. The type of side effects experiences
depends upon the type of chemotherapy drugs used, how much of the drugs are
given and the period of time they are administered. The side effects also depend on
the individual.

The most common side effects for 5FU :

the feeling of being sick
diarrhea
sore mouth or mouth ulcers
drop in blood cell count
overall feeling of tiredness
The most common side effects of irinotecan :

increased perspiration
increase in the production of saliva
watery eyes
pain or cramps in the abdomen
diarrhea
overall feeling of being sick
drop in blood cell count
overall feeling of tiredness
hair thinning or loss
The most common side effects of oxaliplatin:

feeling of being sick
numbness or tingling of the extremeties
numbness in the lips

Bill Ransom provides information on Colon cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment
at colon-answers.com colon-answers.com

Related posts

• Type of Cancer (0)
• Treatment Possibilities for Colorectal Cancer (0)
• Treatment Options for Colorectal Cancer (0)
• The Future of Colon Cancer Treatment (0)
• Suspected Colorectal Cancer - No Medical Intervention Please! (0)

Tags: chemotherapy, colon cancer, colorectal cancer

There are some signs that may tell you if you have breast cancer. Breast cancer is formed when normal cells divide and multiple in uncontrollable fashion. This causes the development of extra cells which further lump together and create a tumor. Some physical changes may appear in the breast and its surrounding area such as presence of lumps that does not go away, inversion of the nipple, discharge from the breast, and changes to the skin color which overlies the breast.

Bear in mind that most lumps that are found in the breast are not always cancerous. However, you should consult with a doctor to have them checked. Discharge from the breast is also a common problem in women, which does not necessarily lead to a cancer disease. Changes in nipple, which makes it pointing inward, are often temporary and considered normal in some women. Nevertheless, if those conditions become permanent then it should be discussed with your doctor.

Symptoms of breast cancer vary depending on the stage it is in. There is usually no obvious pain or any signs in the early stage of breast cancer. The development of breast cancer can take from a period of months or years. Once the disease is detected, treatment has to be given immediately to avoid the spread of the cancer to other parts of the body, which is known as metastastic spread.

A simple way to check breast cancer is through breast exam. It involves touching and feeling around the breast and under the arms to find any lumps or other abnormalities. The exam is usually conducted by a female doctor. Another common test for signs for breast cancer is called mammography exam. A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast that will show any abnormal growth of tissues.

Breast cancer is one of the lethal diseases for women of all ages. There are several factor risks that can increase the chance of having the disease. Study has shown that women in the age group above 50 are more likely to have breast cancer than that of below 30. Menstrual cycle also partly contributes to the risk for breast cancer. The risk is getting bigger for women who have early menstrual and late menopause. Breast cancer is also more frequently developed in spinsters and married woman that have not given birth to children or those who have given birth but then have not breast fed their offspring. Some other factors include diet, radiation from the environment, genetics, and lifestyle.

You can read more information about

Related posts

• Your Breast Cancer Treatment Team (0)
• You Too Can Prevent Cancer, Including Breast Cancer (0)
• Yoga for Prevention of Breast Cancer (0)
• X-Rays and Breast Cancer Risks Considered (0)
• Women’s Struggle With Breast Cancer (0)

Tags: breast cancer

Myth: If you detect a painful lump in your breast, there is no need for concern, as it is not cancerous.

Pain is very rarely the only indication of breast cancer. However only 10 percent of breast cancers are linked with pain. If an individual complains of pain in the breast and a self-examination test and a mammogram do not show any abnormality the likelihood of breast cancer is minimal.

Myth: Radiation therapy is a painful process.

A few patients experience a slight tingling or warming sensation in the particular area that is being treated but there is no pain. Prolonged radiation therapy may cause the breast to have a burning sensation, to become dry, to become sore and itchy.

Myth: One in every eight women will get breast cancer.

These statistics are based over an individual’s lifetime up to an age of eighty five or ninety five and not on a per year estimate. If you take into account at any given point one woman in every eight women, it does not mean that she will have breast cancer. What it means is that if all women were to live up to an age of 85 years, one woman out of eight would get the disease during her life. Studies have shown that this rate is quickly rising, as thirty years ago it was one woman in every twenty women.

Myth: Women with small breasts will not get cancer.

Breast size is not a significant risk factor for breast cancer. A woman having smaller breasts will have smaller amount of breast tissue, but this does not mean that she will not be able to develop the disease.

Myth: If you are diagnosed with breast cancer and you have a positive outlook on life it will prolong your life.

There is no such evidence to prove that having a positive outlook on life will increase your chances of survival if you are having breast cancer. Of course thinking positive will help you and your family members to cope better with the situation, but then again feeling sad or depressed from time to time is only natural in the light of things.

Myth: Mastectomy or removal of the breast that is affected ensures the elimination of breast cancer forever.

Mastectomy does not in any way ensure that the cancer will not recur. Sometimes even though mastectomy has been performed, the chances are there that the cancer may have spread to other parts of the body and to the lymph nodes. Some individuals who have undergone mastectomy also undergo removal of the lymph nodes in the underarm as a precautionary method.

Myth: The chances are you will not get breast cancer if it doesn’t run in your family.

This is not the case, every woman is at risk. Studies have shown that 80 percent of women who end up with breast cancer have never had a family history of it. The ageing process is the single biggest risk factor of breast cancer. Women with a family history of breast cancer, the chances that you might get the disease may be a little elevated or may be a lot elevated or sometimes not at all.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to breast-cancer.treatment-and-guides.com/ Breast Cancer

Related posts

• Women’s Struggle With Breast Cancer (0)
• Why Should You Consider Using A Breast Form Over Getting Reconstructive Surgery? (0)
• When Oncologists Said Elevated Platelets Count After Chemotherapy Was Good! (0)
• What You Should Know About Breast Cancer (0)
• What Are The Available Breast Cancer Treatments (0)

Tags: breast cancer, mastectomy

It seems that lately, we all know someone who has suffered from some form of cancer. From breast to colon to lung to stomach, it seems that every day there is someone else we know who has been diagnosed with the disease. While on the outside, our friends, family, and co workers all seem strong, on the inside, they are terrified, not knowing what the future will hold for them. Now, several different companies have come up with items to help them make it through. Cancer awareness stuffed animals have burst onto the scene with huge success, giving those who are diagnosed with the disease something to hug and talk to, when they just don’t feel like talking to anyone else. These animals, coupled with cancer awareness wristbands can help even the toughest cancer patient make it through.

Cancer awareness stuffed animals come in about every color that you can think of. From the normal black, brown, and white, to pinks, purples, greens, and blues, you can always find one with a unique message to help uplift someone’s spirits. Some of these bears, puppies, kitties, and other animals even have their own clothing lines that all sport wonderful pictures or sayings to help your friend or loved one make it through even the toughest of times. Cancer awareness stuffed animals can be a major helping hand to those in treatment.

Cancer awareness wristbands have been around for a while, and are still a favorite of cancer patients, survivors, and supporters. These wristbands come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Some cancer awareness wristbands come in cotton, polyester, and rubber, and will fit anyone’s wrists. These wristbands are used for workout bands, jewelry, and just plain old fun to wear and support cancer research. You can also find these wristbands in a variety of colors, from pinks and purples to red, white, and blue, you are sure to find one to fit anyone’s style and needs.

The great thing about these cancer awareness stuffed animals and wristbands is that most of the proceeds go toward cancer research and other cancer programs to help cancer patients. So, not only are you getting a great gift for yourself or someone you care about, you are also helping the cause so one day there will be a cure. You can order these gifts online or you can find them at most stores throughout the country and across the world.

rainbowofhopecanada.ca Breast Cancer Awareness
Rainbowof Hope to raise cancer awareness among Canadians

Related posts

• Higher Leverage Against Lung Cancer (0)
• Exercise And Breast Cancer (0)
• Breast Cancer Ribbon (0)
• Breast Cancer Awareness (0)
• Your Breast Cancer Treatment Team (0)

Tags: breast cancer, cancer awareness, cancer patient