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Prostate Cancer - A Nurse’s Guide To Conventional And Natural Treatment Options

March 10th, 2009 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Uncategorized

Cancer that grows in the prostate gland is called . In most men, this is a slow process; most men will never know they have the condition. Detected in its earliest stages, can be effectively treated and cured.

Many men, especially those later in life have made the decision with their doctors to simply watch and wait to see what, if anything, happens. At an advanced age, the risks of surgery for or other more radical treatments may be worse than the disease. Prostate cancer is deadly, but because it is slow-growing can be cured if it is caught early enough.

Some men will experience symptoms that could indicate the presence of . Other symptoms could include unintentional weight loss and lethargy. Because symptoms can mimic other diseases or disorders, men who experience any of these symptoms should undergo a thorough work-up to determine the underlying cause of their symptoms.

If cancer is caught in its earliest stages, most men will not experience any symptoms. The need to urinate frequently, especially at night is another common symptom. Blood in the urine or semen and frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs can also be symptoms of cancer.

A prostate gland biopsy usually confirms a diagnosis. The decision about whether to pursue a PSA test should be based on a discussion between you and your doctor. They are not considered reliable. A bone scan can indicate whether the cancer has metastasized or not but you are exposed to radiation when you do so.

A series of tests may be done to confirm a diagnosis of . When a digital rectal exam is performed by the doctor it often reveals an enlarged prostate with a hard, irregular surface. A chest x-ray may be done to see if there is a spread of cancer.

Conventional treatment relies on radiation therapy used primarily to treat prostate cancers classified as stages A, B, or C. Impotence is one potential complication after a prostatectomy or after radiation therapy. Medicines can be used to adjust the levels of testosterone, this is called hormonal manipulation.

The conventional treatment of is often very controversial. Treatment options can vary based on the stage of the existing tumor. Medications can have many serious side effects, including hot flashes and loss of sexual desire.

Side effects of the many different drugs depend on which ones you’re taking and how often and how long they’re taken. Be aware that many men choose natural treatment options and forgo surgery, radiation or . Whether radiation is as good as removing the prostate gland is still debatable and the decision about which to choose, if any, can be difficult.

Prostate cancer that has metastasized may be treated conventionally with drugs to reduce testosterone levels, surgery to remove the testes, or with nothing at all. Surgery, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy can interfere with libido on a temporary or a permanent basis. An oncologist, who is a cancer specialist, will usually recommend treating with a single drug or a combination of drugs.

Concentrating on a diet of predominately fruits and living, not cooked, vegetables and no junk food, should give you an observable improvement in your health within 30 days. Eat lots of fruits and veggies every day, not just a token banana or apple. A good dietary, natural treatment approach is to avoid all acidic inflammatory foods; those are foods that are dead through processing, cooking, etc.

Many men have lowered their PSA levels by eating a diet of alkaline, living foods. If possible, try to eliminate all hormone-containing foods like meat and dairy from your diet. Some foods and beverages to avoid that are inflammatory are: caffeine, salt, sugar, meat, dairy products, additives, soft drinks, white flour, white rice, alcoholic beverages, fast food, processed vegetable oils, and all refined, packaged and processed food.

Making a tea with ginger, by adding a thin slice or two of fresh gingerroot to hot water, is helpful to many people I know. Make smoothies with fruit only, using a base of two bananas, adding a cup of frozen or fresh blueberries and mango chunks or substitute any other fruit and add an energy boost with two tablespoons of coconut oil; add one or two leaves of kale or a handful or two of spinach leaves for another highly nutritional boost. Make highly nutritious raw applesauce using a food processor and put in 2-3 cored pesticide-free apples, with the skin on, and process for a minute or so; so much better for you than canned highly processed applesauce and add 1/4 tsp. cinnamon or two tablespoons of freshly ground flaxseed for another boost if you like.

While the number of men diagnosed with remains very high, survival rates are also greatly improving; perhaps because of improvement in diets. In the end, only you with the help of your doctors, knowing your individual situation, can determine which is the best treatment program for you. It is important to become as informed as possible and read all the newest books, ebooks and research out there available for all treatment options.

For more information on BestProstateHealthTips.com treatments and symptoms go to BestProstateHealthTips.com BestProstateHealthTips.com Helen Hecker R.N.’s website specializing in prostate and tips, advice and resources, including information on prostate tests and BestProstateHealthTips.com natural treatments

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Alternative Cancer Treatments

March 9th, 2009 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Uncategorized

Cancer is a leading killer of people all over the world. There are some treatments for it but the survival rates for people with cancer are significantly lower. Over six billion dollars is spent each year on research. There have been strides in treatments and as a result the mortality rate is dropping and length of life is extending. Typical treatments for cancer include surgery, chemo therapy and radiotherapy. However, there are also alternative cancer treatments available. It is important to discuss these options with your physician before undertaking any alternative treatment.

Studies indicate that when taken alone, alternative treatments are not effective in prolonging life. However, if used in conjunction with traditional treatments, they can be very effective and can enhance the quality of life as well as prolong it. There are several categories of alternative treatment available and each should be discussed with your physician and the medical professional who is an expert in the type of treatment.

Mind and body treatments will help enhance a positive outlook on life and will help you to better deal with the effects of cancer. These include relaxation therapy, reflexology, acupuncture, yoga and meditation. Immunotherapy is a rapidly advancing field that is showing positive results. It increases the boy’s ability to ward off infection and may someday replace and radiotherapy as a treatment. Herbal and nutritional therapies also are widely used. Protecting the body and keeping healthy will assist in ensuring the body is strong and able to sustain the treatments.

Make sure to thoroughly research the alternative cancer treatments available before undertaking any. Also, it is very important to discuss these with your doctor as some may counteract or react to existing medications and therapies you are involved with. The most effective means of treatment is to combine both traditional and alternative treatments for the most well rounded course of action available.

Joy Wilson writes about health and . As the publisher of altmedsplus.info altmedsplus.info she helps us discover the available

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What Prostate Cancer Treatment Is Right For You

March 8th, 2009 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Uncategorized

The population of men nearing the age of their forties and fifties are at risk for . The average age of men afflicted with this type of cancer is sixty-five and accounts for seventy-five percent of the cases of this cancer. An abnormal growth of the prostate requires some testing to determine if cancerous cells are present. This health problem grows rapidly and if not caught early enough may cause death. Prostate procedures vary for every person, as not all men have the same severity.

Many new treatment plans are in place, but still in the clinical stage while some standard treatment procedures call for removal of the prostate gland. With proper check up and early diagnosis will determine your individual treatment.

In the early stages, when you first show a few symptoms of a problem with the prostate, a doctor will watch you carefully until other determining signs become known. This is considered watchful waiting. Although, today most doctors will run some tests right away to rule out cancer, enlarged prostate or another problem with the gland itself might just be causing the problem.

Many different treatment procedures exist and most are invasive while costly as well. There are different surgeries for different patients, because not everyone is the same. Here are some procedures done:

• Lymphadenectomy- this includes taking the lymph nodes from the pelvic area and examining them to see if they have any signs of cancerous cells or tumors that would in turn affect the prostate gland.

You can also find more info on prostatecancertreatmenthelp.com/Prostate_Exam/ Prostate Exam and prostatecancertreatmenthelp.com/Laser_Prostate_Treatment/ Laser Prostate Treatment. Prostatecancertreatmenthelp.com is a comprehensive resource to know more about treatment.

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Colon Cancer - Is It Lurking Inside You?

March 4th, 2009 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Uncategorized

Are you suffering from persistent constipation or diarrhea? Have you noticed a tinge of blood in your stool lately? Are you always tired and feeling fatigued? Are you experiencing weight loss, but have not been dieting or engaging in exercise routine? These and many other symptoms should necessitate a visit to a doctor.

Colon cancer is regarded as the second leading cause of most cancer deaths in the United States. Colon cancer is a long-standing disease, which starts as a polyp or a small non-cancerous growth. This small non-cancerous growth will slowly transforms itself into a malignant tumor over a period of 5 to 10 years. People in their thirties and forties are most often predisposed to , amounting to about one-quarter of all patients.

Colon cancer doesn’t show any visible symptoms during the early stages. During the later stages however, a person suffering with may exhibit any or all of the following symptoms:

1. Diarrhea or constipation that persists for a long time.

2. Unusual abdominal gas, or cramping.

3. Episodes of physical fatigue without known reasons.

4. Apparent loss weight and appetite.

5. Stools that are narrow, almost the diameter of a pencil.

6. Bloody stools.

7. There is pain and tenderness felt in the lower abdomen.

8. Changes in fecal diameter, color and frequency of movement lasting more than two weeks.

Although claims to be second among the causes of cancer deaths, the frequency rate can be lowered if only its detection is done early. The polyps and early stage cancer that are discovered before any symptoms are produced most often offer a cure rate as high as 100 percent.

Your doctor should annually test your stool for hidden blood. A procedure called sigmoidoscopy can also be done to diagnose . Sigmoidoscopy utilizes a flexible lighted tube with a camera that sits on its tip. This instrument is then inserted into the lower third of the colon. Observations reveal that almost half of all cancers in this area are found in the lower third portion of the colon. Another procedure called colonoscopy is done to check for growths throughout the entire length of the large intestine. An x-ray can also be an alternative diagnostic procedure. A barium enema is given to a patient. An opaque liquid fills the colon, which then becomes visible on X-ray film.

Colon cancer treatments may include and surgery. Those suffering from the advanced form of may require . If surgery is the form of treatment, your surgeon will usually remove any polyps found during colonoscopy. If the detection of the tumor is done early, part of the colon affected with the tumor is removed surgically, the colon is restored back to its normal function, and complete is expected. However, if the cancer has already reached a wide area including the colon wall, lymph and blood vessels, is thus required. If the cancer involves a large tumor, temporary or permanent colostomy may be required. Re-routing the colon through an opening in the abdomen does this. The wastes pass through the opening and into a pouch outside the patient’s body.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to colon-cancer-guide.com/ Colon Cancer

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Cancer Patients With Hair Loss Find Comfort In Wig Preparation

March 2nd, 2009 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Uncategorized

For victims of hair loss due to cancer treatments, like radiation or , preparing a good quality or a custom wig prior to total hair loss may be an excellent way to reduce stress by eliminating the bald look.

The first concern for cancer patients is usually hair loss, while it is not life-threatening, it can cause emotional distress. Cancer patients show compliance with treatment, despite the knowledge that their hair may fall out. There is the comfort to cancer patients that a wig is always an option to hide their hair loss.

On average, ordering time for a custom human hair wig takes six to eight weeks. Therefore, one should prepare ahead. Starting at two months prior to radiation therapy, patients should consult a hair replacement or custom wig specialist. At that time, they may discuss the patient’s specific hair needs; which will include hair type, color density, and life style. A follow up visit will include fitting of the new custom wig, getting the piece ready before the hair loss becomes noticeable.

Find a comfortable and relaxing environment. One that pampers and supports you with a custom wig, a unique hair replacement for the individual. The use of a hair piece or a wig to conceal hair loss is what millions of others are using.

It’s important to get the wig ordered before losing hair. It is not recommend changing hair styles during the onset of the treatments. As the hair begins to fall out, it is suggested to return to the wig center for an adjustment. With most patients, hair will grow back after the treatment is completed. However, some patients may never grow their hair back to the same thickness or texture.

Handmade or custom-made hair-pieces are more expensive than machine-made wigs. The most natural look will be with a custom human hair wig made by an expert professional. Professionals who specialize in wigs and hair replacement services offer many advantages unavailable at a conventional hair salon or wig retailer.

Esther, Marketing solutions, specialized experience includes hair loss sites( nuhair.net nuhair.net), hair transplants ( hair-transplant-source.com hair-transplant-source.com) lawyer attorney sites ( thefriedmanlawfirm.com thefriedmanlawfirm.com)

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