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Cancer Information - Preparing for the Worst

February 22nd, 2009 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Uncategorized

According to the 2007 report of the World Health Organization, the next thirty years will witness a significant global rise, in the number of deaths due to non-communicable diseases, especially cancer. This prediction is mainly due to the ageing of the population of the world.

However, even without that bit of news, we are aware of cancer being a major killer. But we do know that a cancer, when detected in its earliest stages, is generally curable. Hence, it is advisable to make sure that we are privy to various kinds of cancer information.

To begin with, it helps if you know about the different common types of cancer. Among the most common are bladder cancer, , , , and .

Leukemia is another common type, where the cancer forms in the tissues where blood is formed, such as in the bone marrow. This then leads to the production of a large number of blood cells, and these large numbers of blood cells then enter the blood stream.

If you have a suspicious looking mole, you really should have it checked, as you do not want to risk it’s being cancerous. It may be nothing, but you really should not sit on it worrying that it might be . The word “” comes from “melanocytes”. Melanocytes are the cells in which melanin pigment is formed. Melanoma is a type of that begins in these cells.

NHL (Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma) is yet another common form of cancer. This refers to a the growth of a large group of cancers that affect the immunity system. The symptoms of non-Hodgkin’s are those of fever and weight loss, a sure sign that the immunity system has been affected. This is a cancer that can affect any age group, and its treatment is completely dependent on the stage of detection of the cancer.

Of course, these are only a few of the many kinds of cancers that afflict people all over the world. There are cancers that can be easily treated, and those that cannot. On the Internet, there are various sites that are devoted to providing cancer information. So you have the official sites, websites created by cancer specialists, and sites created and maintained by people who have either battled cancer or know people who have.

So, at least if you are looking for basic information, there are a large number of authoritative websites that provide cancer information. Prepare yourself with all the cancer information that you can, so that you will be better placed to deal with the countless problems that a cancer brings in its wake.

The author Ajeet Khurana recommends cancer-info-resource.com Cancer Information, oohoi.com/healthy_living/vitamin-info/zinc-vitamins.htm Zinc Vitamins, and oohoi.com/healthy_living/vitamin-info/skin-vitamins.htm Skin Vitamins.

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Does Green Tea Offer the Prescription for Beating Cancer?

February 17th, 2009 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Uncategorized

With early detection, cancer is no longer an automatic death sentence. However, an initial diagnosis still brings with it a host of questions: What is the best course of treatment? Are conventional approaches best? Or are non-traditional therapies preferable—particularly if the cancer does not seem to respond to and radiation.

In recent years, a great deal of emphasis has been placed on unconventional therapies for cancer. For instance, in an article in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, Elizabeth Kaegi of the Task Force on Alternative Therapies of the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Initiative discussed the fact that cancer patients are trying a number of intriguing therapies, including Essiac, Iscador, hydrazine sulfate, vitamins A, C, and E, and 714-X. But perhaps one of the most popular therapies that has been tried is green tea. In fact, go to your local convenience store and you may find jug after jug of green tea in assorted flavors. Still, you may be wondering what makes green tea so special—and if it really can help to combat cancer.

Green Tea—The Basics

Green tea is produced by steaming or frying the leaves of the shrub known as Camellia sinensis. The leaves, which are not fermented, are then dried. For 5,000 years, families in China and Japan have hailed green tea as a valuable stimulant and an effective remedy for stomach ailments. You can even purchase green tea in capsule form now, although the actual medicinal benefits from such capsules have yet to be established.

Dried tea leaves are far more complex than you might think. Specifically, they are made up of phytochemicals, plant alkaloids, proteins, carbohydrates, fiber, phenolic acids, and minerals. Of course, the exact composition of the leaves varies, depending on when the leaves are harvested and how they are processed. You should also be aware of the fact that the composition of green tea varies from that of black tea, since black tea has fewer polyphenols because of the fermentation process.

Side Effects

Green tea can contain anywhere from 10 to 80 milligrams of caffeine—the actual amount depends on how it has been produced and stored. Since caffeine is a known stimulant, green tea may lead to a racing heart rate and insomnia. As a result, heart patients, pregnant women, and nursing mothers should ideally drink no more than two cups of green tea a day.

Cancer Prevention

Numerous scientific studies have explored the use of green tea as a cancer preventative. According to Kaegi, digestive cancers appear to be particularly responsive to green tea. In fact, such tea appears to somewhat decrease the risk of experiencing cancer of the digestive tract. Given the fact that such conclusions are the result of a number of epidemiological studies, it appears that the idea that green tea can has some merit.

News from the Lab

But what about treating cancer? Can green tea be as effective in treatment as it is in prevention? There has been some limited lab work investigating the possibility that green tea can be used as an alternative form of . However, at this point, there have only been a few animal studies and no human studies. The results of these studies are, at this point, inconclusive.

Yet, it should be noted that one study showed that, if extracts of green tea are applied to mouse skin, it appears to stop the development of when known carcinogens have been applied to the skin. Other research indicates that green tea can stop the growth of tumors or decrease the number of tumors in animals that have been exposed to cancer-causing agents.

In some animals, green tea and tea extracts prevented cancer cells from metastasizing. There are also indications that green tea extracts can prevent chromosomal abnormalities that can lead to cancer, as well as reduce the size of breast and prostate tumors.

The Magic of EGCG

Green tea contains an antioxidant known as epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG. This substance appears to inhibit enzymes which are responsible for cell replication, stop the adhesion of cells, and disrupt the communication pathways which enable cell division to occur. However, EGCG seems to be most critically important as an antioxidant.

Final Conclusions

Researchers believe that there is evidence to suggest that green tea can be used to treat cancer. However, scientists add that additional research is absolutely essential in order to determine the full range of treatment that green tea might provide. For instance, researchers must determine which cancers are most likely to be abated through the use of green tea or green tea extracts.

Since there is also evidence to indicate that green tea can as well, drinking green tea is not only safe—it’s also highly recommended by some medical experts. Therefore, green tea may not just be a thirst-quencher—it may also be a key ingredient of a healthy diet.

Jon M. Stout is the Chairman of the Golden Moon Tea Company. Golden Moon Tea carefully selects the finest rare and orthodox teas, which are processed slowly and handcrafted with extreme care. At their website, you can learn more about their current

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Breast Cancer Symptoms

February 12th, 2009 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Uncategorized

Cancer is a term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control. Cancer can spread through the bloodstream and invade nearby tissues. It can spread into the lymphatic system into other parts of one’s body.
There are numerous types of cancer. Cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs is carcinoma. Leukemia is a form of cancer that begins in blood forming tissue such as bone marrow and will cause a large number of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood stream. Multiple myeloma and cancers start in the cells of the immune system. Cancer that begins in the bone, cartilage, fat, blood vessels, or muscle is sarcoma.
Each year in America, 211,000 women learn they have . Other than is the most common type of cancer found in women is this country.
Common symptoms of include a change in how the breast or nipple feels and a change in how the breast or nipple looks.

If there are changes in how the nipple or breast feels, possibly a thickening or lump in or around the breast or underarm area, such a change can be a symptom of . So can tenderness in the nipple.

Changes in how the nipple or breast looks may be the nipple turning inward into the breast. Another change could be a different shape or size of breast. Still other changes that might occur in the breast, nipple, or areola may be red, scaly or swollen skin. The skin may have ridges or pitting and look like the skin of an orange.

Still, another sign that there could be is a nipple discharge. The nipple may discharge a fluid if there is .

In early stages usually does not cause pain. If a woman is having pain or other symptoms that do not go away she should see her health care provider. It is likely the symptoms are not due to . Other health problems may also cause these symptoms. If a woman does have these symptoms she should tell her doctor. Any problems that might exist can be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.

For additional information about other cancer topics, please go to womens-health-talk.com/ Women’s Health Talk.

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Green Tea’s Role in Cancer Prevention

February 11th, 2009 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Uncategorized

Green tea has recently caught the attention of scientists working to discover ways to prevent and treat cancer. Researchers began looking at green tea because of the significantly lower rates of certain diseases in Asian culture, where green tea is widely consumed. Tea is the most consumed beverage in the world, after water; so if we can harness health properties in this beverage, it could have huge impact on our health.

And, if we can determine exactly how green tea is effective in preventing cancer, we’ll be well on our way to eradicating one of the most serious killers in our society. There has been a large amount of research on the subject, and we have learned many things.

First, we know that green tea has some of the most powerful anti-oxidants, and we know that anti-oxidants are important to preventing many diseases, including cancer. Anti- oxidants are important because they combat free radicals in our bodies. These free radicals are created as our bodies convert food to energy. If they are not neutralized, they damage our cells and DNA, leading to disease and premature aging.

So, to prevent your risk of cancer, along with other diseases, doctors recommend a diet high in anti-oxidants. And, green tea is one of the best components of a disease preventing diet, because it is rich in anti-oxidants and is simple to add to our diets.

There have been many studies that link green tea with . One article available on the subject was published by the UK Tea Council. This article discusses the many ways that green tea may be helpful in preventing, and even treating, cancer. It also discusses the wide availability of green tea and green tea supplements This article leads to the conclusion that green tea is effective at preventing many forms of cancer.

It is truly amazing to read the research about green tea and cancer. It has been shown, in particular to have great significance in preventing cancers of the digestive system, for example.

It is believed that since the tea itself passes through the digestive tract, it minimizes inflammation in this area of the body. In addition, since this is where the anti-oxidants are absorbed, it is found to have a significant effect.

Green tea has also been found to be particularly effective in preventing, and even treating, . In fact, one study reported that green tea, when administered along with , enhanced the effectiveness of the drugs. It was found that cancer cells showed a higher concentration of the drugs in patients who were given green tea as an adjunct therapy than in patients who received alone.

Other research has shown that green tea may also be effective when applied topically; preventing and treating , for example.

Green tea has also been shown to prevent cardiovascular disease by helping to prevent the oxidation of cholesterol. Bad cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) oxidizes and becomes the hard plaque that clogs our arteries, restricting blood flow.

When arterial flow is restricted, a heart attack or stroke can happen if a blood clot forms and further blocks the artery. Green tea prevents the oxidation of the cholesterol so that it cannot harden and stick to arterial walls.

In cultures where green tea is consumed, and incidence of cancer is significantly lower, it is consumed in fairly large quantities over a period of many years. Asians typically begin consuming green tea early in life, and drink several cups a day every day for their entire life. Green tea is even more prevalent in Asian life than coffee is in American life. There are even ceremonies centered on tea!

So, if you want to make the most of green tea’s cancer preventing properties, you should find a way to get a fairly large dose – and you should get your dosage each day. This is easier today than ever, because green tea has gained popularity and is more widely available than ever.

Green tea is often mixed with fruit flavors, as many people don’t particularly enjoy the grassy flavor of the plain tea. And, these flavored varieties are just as healthy. For a real health boost, try green tea flavored with blueberry or pomegranate, both of which are also very high in anti-oxidants.

Green tea has also become widely available already bottled for drinking chilled. This makes it very convenient to carry your green tea with you, so that you can drink it all day long, just like the Japanese!

If you still don’t think you can get enough green tea even with all the choices available, then green tea supplements might be for you. They’re available in capsule form, and you can just take them right along with your vitamins. They contain all the anti-oxidants of a cup of green tea, right in a little pill.

Whatever form you choose, make green tea a part of your regular life. It’s healthy and delicious and may prevent many diseases, too!

Jon M. Stout is the Chairman of the Golden Moon Tea Company. Golden Moon Tea carefully selects the finest rare and orthodox teas, which are processed slowly and handcrafted with extreme care. At their website, you can learn more about their current

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Preventing Prostate Cancer

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

Prostate cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in men. In fact, only is more common. Over 200,000 men will be diagnosed with this year, and one in six men will be diagnosed with the disease during their lifetime.

But, there is some good news about , too. Of the one in six men who will be diagnosed with , only one in 34 will die from the disease. And, death rates from are declining because of earlier detection and better treatments. Prostate cancer is usually a slow growing form of cancer, making it an excellent target for prevention.

Who Gets Prostate Cancer?

While doctors don’t fully understand exactly what causes , there are some risk factors that do increase a man’s likelihood of developing this disease.

Age – Most men who are diagnosed with are over the age of 65. By the time a man reaches the age of 80, his chances of getting are greater than 50%. However, at this age, is often not fatal, because it grows so slowly that other health factors are more significant.

Ethnicity –Doctors do not understand why, but African-American and Hispanic men are at a greater risk for than Caucasian men.
Asian and Native American men have the lowest risk for developing this disease.

Diet – Diets high in saturated fats and low in fruits and vegetables increase a man’s risk of developing . Conversely, a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, high in anti-oxidants and low in saturated fats reduces a man’s risk. Some foods that are particularly thought to be important in decreasing your risk of include:

• Soy

• Tomatoes – the lycopene in tomatoes is a powerful anti-oxidant and is thought to be particularly effective in preventing .

• Omega 3 Fatty Acids – such as those found in salmon and mackerel

• Vitamin D

• Selenium

Family History – A man’s risk for developing is greater when he has had a father or brother who has developed the disease. This is especially true if his relatives developed the disease at a young age.

How Can I Prevent Prostate Cancer?

Well, obviously diet is of significant concern in preventing . Make certain that your diet is low in saturated fats and high in fruits and vegetables. Stick to lean cuts of meat and be sure to get your fair share of fish that is rich in omega 3 fatty acids.

Another important aspect of protecting your prostate health is seeing your doctor. Currently, there are two ways of testing for . The first is a simple digital rectal exam. Most men will have this exam as part of a regular physical beginning after age 40.

In this test, the doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger in the anus and manually feels the prostate gland. The doctor can feel if the prostate is enlarged, or if lumps can be felt. This is an important exam, but it’s not perfect, because the doctor can only feel the bottom and sides of the prostate gland. There could still be problems with the top of the gland, or there could be tumors too small to feel.

The second test is called a PSA (prostate specific antigen) test. This is a blood test that checks the level of a protein made by the prostate. A normal prostate makes just a little of this protein, but when a man has , he typically produces very high levels of PSA.

Finally, along with your healthy diet, consider adding green tea. Green tea has been shown in many studies to prevent some forms of cancer, among them. There has been a fairly wide body of research on this subject, as well as on the ability of other foods and vitamins (such as the ones listed above) to prevent .

The Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial is a document that examines all of these possible preventers, and looks at the evidence that exists to support their effectiveness. This report has been published by the UK Tea Council and covers much of the research that supports the theory that green tea can prevent . In addition, this report discusses the strides made in prevention, and why this cancer in particular should be a target for prevention, rather than treatment.

Men often assume that at some time in their lives they’ll be facing prostate problems, or possibly . And, it is still a common health issue that many men will face in their life time. But, if all men can practice some simple prevention techniques, such as eating a healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables and green tea, and visit their doctor regularly, it’s very possible that we can even further reduce the number of men who suffer .

Jon M. Stout is the Chairman of the Golden Moon Tea Company. Golden Moon Tea carefully selects the finest rare and orthodox teas, which are processed slowly and handcrafted with extreme care. At their website, you can learn more about their current

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