Disease Info

Archive for ‘February, 2006’

What are the main symptoms of mesothelioma?

What are the main symptoms of mesothelioma?

The term “Mesothelioma” in medical terms is defined as form of cancer that proliferates at a very fast rate after it has been diagnosed, which affects the mesothelial cells in the body. After detailed study of this disease by several scientists all over the world, it has been concluded that in most of the cases the reason is the direct contact with loose asbestos particles. This disease is generally known to be derived from an abnormality that arises from inhaling the loose asbestos particles suspended in the air for a very long time. The chances of the patients, diagnosed of mesothelioma, have very bleak chances of survival which is not more than one or two years and if it has been detected long back and rigorous medication has been started on the patient then the patient is likely to live for about five years.

There are three types of mesothelioma but the symptoms of the diseases depend on their kinds. The symptoms vary from one-another but the general symptoms that are found in patients suffering from different types of mesothelioma are weight loss, chest pain, loss of appetite, short breath , plain cough and cough with blood. Diagnosing mesothelioma in its initial stages is not possible because symptoms surface very late and that, these symptoms are no special signs indicating the particular disease but are common for other diseases too.

Generally the symptoms of mesothelioma resemble to that to any other normal lung diseases. Most of the symptoms arise in the lungs, where the mesothelial cells covering the lungs and the cavity between them are affected due to prolonged inhalation of asbestos fibers. Consulting with the physician is very necessary from time to time and necessary test must be conducted to detect the disease.

The main symptom of mesothelioma is a constant pain in the chest which is followed by short breaths and difficult breathing because of accumulation of fluid in the chest, which makes breathing all the more difficult. Some of the other symptoms of the disease include abnormalities in the lungs, which can be diagnosed under proper supervision of the doctor with a chest CT-scan.

Basically, the disease of mesothelioma advances in four stages. In the first stage, begins the formation of the tumor in the area of lining of the lung and doesn’t exceed from one side of the lung. And then in the second stage the tumor extends to other organs in the chest cavity, such as heart. Then in the third stage its extents to the other abdominal organs affecting all the other organs too. Finally in the fourth and the last stage the tumor extends to all parts of the body and affects all the parts adversely. These are some of the symptoms of the disease of mesothelioma, by which the disease can be tracked in the initial stages of its occurrence.

Visit <a href="http://cure-mesothelioma-cancer.info">http://cure-mesothelioma-cancer.info</a> for more information about the <a href="http://cure-mesothelioma-cancer.info/mesothelioma/symptoms">symptoms of mesothelioma</a>, treatment of this desease and more.

New Study Examines Antioxidant Impact On Prostate Cancer

New Study Examines Antioxidant Impact On Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer as one of the most common types of cancer in men according to the American Cancer Society. Fortunately if caught early, the prognosis is good. Even better than treating it, is of course, avoiding it altogether. The search for the cause of prostate cancer is ongoing and a recent study was recently completed.

An eight year study of 29,361 men has just been completed. The study examined the impact of antioxidant supplements on the rate of prostate cancer. “There has been definite interest in their use, based on a few earlier studies that have been done” said lead researcher Richard B. Hayes, senior investigator in the division of cancer epidemiology and genetics at the U.S. National Cancer Institute.

Reporting in the Feb. 15 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Hayes’ team calculated the risk of prostate cancer for 29,361 men aged 55 to 74, all of whom were participants in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) Screening Trial.

Some of the data that was analyzed included the amount of common antioxidant supplements including vitamin C, beta carotene, and vitamin E. Some of the men had been taking these supplements for many years prior to the study.

Over the total eight year study period, 1,338 men developed prostate cancer. The results indicate that the use of antioxidant supplements had no positive impact on the risk for prostate cancer for most nonsmokers. Beta carotene supplements did have a positive impact among men that had low dietary intake of beta carotene.

Vitamin E did have a positive impact for smokers according to the research. This was consistent with previous trials.
Although the three supplements studied in this trial showed little help in preventing prostate cancer, previous trials that examined other supplements did show very encouraging results.

Fish oils, which contain EPA and DHA, were found to reduce prostate cancer by 11% in men that consumed about 470 mg./day. Selenium has been found to cut prostate cancer in half. Over five clinical trials have supported this. It is recommended that men take a 200 micrograms of selenium daily.

Neal is a health care researcher and has more prostate information on his website at <a href="http://www.prostate-cancer-facts.info">prostate cancer</a>. He also provides <a href="http://www.latest-plastic-surgery.info">plastic surgery</a> information.

Childhood Abuse and Depression – Anxiety Lives On

Childhood Abuse and Depression – Anxiety Lives On

It has been established that nature and nurture should not be taken as enemies or total opposites, but as two intertwined realities that function together to make up the human experience. Nature was designed for nurture.

Many recent and notable studies have documented the effects that early childhood experience can have on both the physical and chemical makeup of the brain. In particular, childhood abuse and/or neglect can permanently alter an individual’s physiology. These physiological changes may lead to a greater likelihood of the person suffering from depression or anxiety later in life.

Groundbreaking results from a major study of depressed women in the US have shown that women who were abused as children have abnormally elevated hormonal responses to stress compared to women with no history of abuse. It suggests that childhood abuse is associated with persistent hyperactivity of the hormonal system associated with the stress response and this may cause greater vulnerability to psychiatric disorders in adulthood.

The study, headed by Dr. Charles Nemeroff at Emory University, looked at women diagnosed with clinical depression who had been abused as children; depressed women with no past abuse; and healthy women. Each person was given a moderately stressful experience and asked to perform simple mathematic problems aloud for a panel of stalwart non expressive judges.

Cortisol and ACTH (two hormones that play a critical role in a person’s response to stress) were measured in each subject while she completed the task. It was found that the levels of these hormones were especially pronounced in women who were abused as children and who also had current depression. In fact, their ACTH response indicators were more than six times those of the healthy women.

In addition to high levels of stress hormones, other studies by the same group found that women who had been abused as children had abnormal development of the brain’s hippocampus, which suggests another physical result of early abuse that could lead to permanent brain abnormalities in later life.

Other brain structures can also be affected by early abuse or neglect. While the basic unit of the brain is in place at birth, neuronal pathways for the body’s reaction to different experiences are still developing.

There is a critical period of time in a child’s first three years of life during which most of these pathways are formed. If a child receives primarily negative stimulation early in life, pathways for forming lasting relationships and responding to positive experiences can be stunted or destroyed. While this may be a reaction to help the child survive, it can cause permanent difficulties for the individual.

Other research shows that the brains of severely neglected children tend to be smaller than average with underdeveloped areas in the cortex. The long term implications of this are still being examined, but it shows one more way in which nurture or lack of it can affect a person’s biological make-up.

The knowledge that nature and nurture are two crucial aspects to a person’s health will undoubtedly prove to be a very useful tool in the research and treatment of psychiatric illness and may lead to even more effective treatments in the future.

For more health articles visit U Publish Free Articles.

Thank you
Dr Leo Kady

Dr Leo Kady is a retired medical practioner, educator, and magazine writer. He is currently an editor with U Publish – http://www.upublish.info – where you can find a great assortment of article talent.

Natural Ways To Treat Depression

Natural Ways To Treat Depression

Depression is a medical condition that affects the mind, often leaving the person suffering from it feeling hopeless, without ambition and unable to focus. Left untreated, this condition can adversely affect academic achievement, family life, friendships and careers. People tend to seek help from a mental health professional who may prescribe mood balancing drugs. Most, however; use an alternative form of medicine for a more natural treatment in tandem with drug therapy. Milder cases of depression can be treated solely with natural remedies without the need for prescription drugs.

Therapy is a great way to restore balance in your life. Seeking help from others who have similar issues will provide a support system to discuss issues, understand symptoms, and develop techniques to feel better. Often talking is very cathartic and can help alleviate stress and loneliness, which may cause feelings of depression.

Therapy that involves personal expression has been found to provide an outlet for pent-up feelings and can be a positive way to articulate deep feelings and emotion. This can take many forms. Dance is a great outlet for this as well as other movement therapies such as martial arts. Martial arts teach focus, self awareness, and control which can greatly benefit someone suffering from depression. Using art as a form of therapy is another expressive form of therapy. Whether it is sculpting or painting or any other variation of art, it?s a way to expose feelings in a tangible way.

Relaxation techniques help a person focus and gain a sense of serenity. Yoga is an ideal form of exercise that melds the body, mind, and spirit. It promotes good health, a positive self image and teaches relaxation. Meditation is also a good way to relax and unwind. It reduces the heart rate and clears the mind, allowing more focused thought. Acupuncture has grown in popularity as a means to treat depression. By using various pressure points, it is believed to enable a calming effect and promote a healthier emotional balance. Hypnosis is also popular as a means of getting to the core issues of why someone is depressed and leaving them with a sense of well being.

Certain dietary changes and supplements have been reported to be helpful in the treatment of depression. Adding fish oil, Zinc and B vitamins are found to help the body regulate chemicals that may trigger depression. Exercise is also very important. Keeping active will rejuvenate the body and keep it fit, promoting a healthier lifestyle and better self image. Working out several times per week can calm the senses and invigorate the body.

Depression does not need to be debilitating. Making a few changes to your daily routine will help promote a sense of well-being and help alleviate symptoms of depression. If you continue to have feelings of depression or have severe symptoms like suicidal thoughts, consult a health care professional immediately.

Gray Rollins is a featured writer Depressionso.com. To learn more about <a href="http://www.depressionso.com/natural/">natural depression treatments</a> and <a href="http://www.depressionso.com/natural/alternativedepressiontreatments/">alternative depression treatments</a>, visit us.

How Is Leukemia Treated?

How Is Leukemia Treated?

Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. There are two types of leukemia, chronic and acute, which are treated differently and have different symptoms. Acute leukemia rapidly progresses and needs immediate, aggressive treatment. Chronic leukemia can take months or years to show symptoms and may not need immediate treatment but will require ongoing monitoring.

Chemotherapy utilizes chemicals to treat the cancer. It causes many side effects such as hair loss, nausea and decline of the immune system. The complete course of therapy can be from two to five years including maintenance. This is the most common form of treatment for leukemia with the desired result being total remission. Even without symptoms, ongoing monitoring must occur to guard against relapse.

Radiation therapy is another form of treatment. It is painless and in low doses causes very few side effects. Where the radiation is concentrated and the exposure levels will determine the side effects, if any, and the severity of them. Damage to the skin, swelling and infertility are among the possible side effects.

A bone marrow transplant is an effective way to prolong the life of cancer patients. It is, however, a risky surgery and requires a donor which can be difficult in attaining. These surgeries should be performed at state of the art hospitals specializing in cancer treatment. This surgery has a high mortality rate and is therefore used only in life threatening cases.

Immunotherapy is a means to stimulate the immune system so the body can attack the cancer cells. This type of treatment is still in its early stages and continually under development. It is believed that this type of treatment may prove less harmful than chemotherapy or radiation therapy and may someday supplant these treatments as a method for treating cancer.

Long term effects of leukemia treatments may cause anemia. This side effect can be treated by blood transfusions or platelet transfusions. There are risks with transfusions but it is believed transfusions will help reduce the threat of additional complications such as heart attacks. Doses of antibiotics are also generally prescribed to leukemia patients to help counteract the danger of infection cause by declined immune system or treatment side effects.

There are currently almost 200,000 people in the United States diagnosed with leukemia and an estimated 35,000 new cases will be diagnosed this year. It is the leading cause of death for people under the age of 20. There are many treatment facilities throughout the United States specializing in cancer treatment. Early diagnosis, aggressive treatment, and monitoring will help prolong life and increase chances of a person going into remission.

Gray Rollins is a featured writer for LeukemiaClinical.com. To learn more about <a href="http://www.leukemiaclinical.com/">leukemia treatment</a>, and <a href="http://www.leukemiaclinical.com/alternativetherapyforleukemia/">alternative leukemia treatments</a>, visit our site.

Prostate Cancer Symptoms – Benefits of Early Diagnosis

Prostate Cancer Symptoms – Benefits of Early Diagnosis

Cancer of the prostate is typically a slow progressing cancer and symptoms often do not arise for many years. If the cancer is caught at an early stage, there might be no noticeable symptoms. Some men, however, will experience symptoms that could indicate the presence of prostate cancer. These might include:

• A need for frequent urination, particularly at night
• Difficulty starting urination
• Weak or interrupted urine flow
• Pain or a burning sensation during urination
• Difficulty in obtaining an erection
• Pain during ejaculation
• Blood in the urine or in semen
• Recurring pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs

Sometimes the first symptoms will be lower back, hip or pelvic pain caused by cancer which has already spread.

It is important to be aware that the symptoms of both benign enlargement of the prostate gland (i.e. non-cancerous) and malignant tumours (cancer) are similar and might include any of the following symptoms:

• Difficulty starting urination
• Frequent urination, particularly at night
• Pain during urination
• Blood in the urine

Also, men over 50 years of age often have an enlarged prostate gland due to the non-cancerous condition of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or hypertrophy.

Therefore if you notice any of the above symptoms it is important that you see your doctor and have them investigated. But note that most enlargements of the prostate are not due to cancer and can regularly be dealt with quite effectively.

EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF PROSTATE CANCER

Prostate cancer can often be discovered at an early stage by testing the amount of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in the blood. Prostate cancer can also be detected early by your doctor performing a digital rectal examination (DRE). Since the prostate gland is situated close to the rectum, a doctor can physically detect if there are any cancerous signs in your prostate.

Unfortunately the PSA and DRE tests are not totally accurate and conclusive. This can lead to anxiety and confusion, or even to a false sense of security. So important things to consider are your age, your general health and your lifestyle. If you are young and develop prostate cancer, if not caught early enough, it could shorten your life. If however you are older or in poor health, then prostate cancer might never become a serious problem due to its slow-growing nature.

The American Cancer Society recommends that men commence having the prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test and digital rectal examination (DRE) annually from the age of 50. Those at higher risk, such as African Americans and those with close relatives who developed prostate cancer at an early age are recommended to commence testing at 45.

The prognosis for prostate cancer sufferers has improved dramatically in recent years. In the past twenty years the overall survival rate for all stages of prostate cancer has increased from 67% to 97%. Thus more men are living significantly longer after diagnosis. In all likelihood this is due to early detection programs, increased public awareness, particularly of prostate cancer symptoms, and the adoption of healthier lifestyles.

Dr Tavares writing about <a href="http://www.prostate-cancer-answers.info/cancer/">prostate cancer symptoms</a> is found at <a href="http://www.prostate-cancer-answers.info">Prostate Cancer Answers</a>

Type Of Diabetics And Diabetes Health Management

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is first treated with weight reduction, a diabetic diet, and exercise. For type 2 diabetics, diabetic management consists of a combination of diet, exercise, and weight loss, in any achievable combination depending on the patient. James Barnard from UCLA, the study showed that type-2 diabetics could lose weight and control their blood sugar levels by diet alone. The key to a healthy diabetic diet for healthy weight maintenance, is BALANCE. The document discusses what constitutes a balanced diet, and includes sections on meal planning, weight management, and the importance of physical activity for diabetics. Stabilize that blood sugar Many people don’t realize there’s a place for pork in a diabetic diet. This sheet describes the value of small amounts of sugar in the diabetic diet, and explains briefly the difference between sucrose, glucose and fructose. This sheet outlines briefly the alternatives to sugar for those on a diabetic diet. These medications combined with diet and exercise keep the diabetic’s blood sugar within that desirable range. Diabetics and anyone wanting to reduce sugar in their diet. Overall, diabetic diets can include moderate amounts of sugar, as long as they are carefully monitored. In terms of diet modifications, diabetics can control blood sugar levels by appropriately managing the carbohydrates, proteins, and fats in their meals. The diabetic person must pay particular attention to their diet – aiming to keep blood sugar at consistent and acceptable levels. Canning Fruit can be safely canned without sugar for the diabetic or reduced-calorie diet. The GI diet is definitely useful for diabetics striving to keep their blood sugar regulated. It is quite important for diabetics to understand the principles of carbohydrate counting and how to help control blood sugar levels through proper diet. To keep blood sugar levels under control, a diabetic diet strikes a balance among the carbohydrates, fats, and protein you take in. Healthy diets for diabetes type b, grapefruit diets depression and birth control pills, new fad diets diabetic sugar free diets low testosterone apnea. Diabetes patients have an increased risk of high blood pressure, so regular monitoring is important on low-fat, vegetarian diets are ideal for diabetics. The diabetes diet can also be found on the Internet, including diabetic meal plans with recipes, portion sizes, detailed nutritional analyses, and educational materials. A balanced diabetic diet can save you from diabetes symptoms that plague people with diabetes. Whether your diabetes requires insulin, a diabetic diet and exercise, or oral medications, you’ll find helpful information about its impact on your life and you should follow a diabetic diet to keep your diabetes under control. Type 1 diabetes mellitus is treated with insulin, exercise, and a diabetic diet. Every person having diabetes must consult a Registered Dietitian to prepare for his diabetic diet plan. For general information on the diabetic diet. Now, some diabetes educators are saying diabetics shouldn’t worry about a specific diet and simply concentrate on healthy eating. You need to get enough sleep (usually about eight hours), follow your diabetic diet and get regular exercise. Some adult onset (non-insulin dependent or type 2) diabetics can be controlled with diet and exercise alone. Type 2 diabetics who are not controlled by diet and exercise alone may require one or more medications to achieve glycemic control. The most important component of any diet plan should be exercise, and in a diabetic diet plan this is doubly so. Even so, a good diet and regular exercise can minimize the amount of insulin these diabetics require. Talk to your doctor about cutting back on processed food carbohydrates and increasing your exercise activity while following diabetic diets. Usually a low fat diet is recommended as part of a diabetic diet plan. The back page of the diabetic exchange booklet is where the dietitian writes the individual meal plan, including snacks. Creating a customized meal plan using dietary guidelines essential to the treatment of all diabetics. Bernstein advocates in his diet plan for diabetics. The best diabetic diet plan is usually a personally balanced plan, and most dietitians can help create one. But finding a good diabetic diet plan is often difficult for diabetics. Any diet plan which advises on large meals once a day, or concentrates calories in any way will not be suitable for diabetics. The diabetic diet plan Diabetics have two main problems when trying to diet. A diabetic diet or meal plan should be based on the specially designed diabetic food pyramid. Prescription drug prices adipex without a prescription history of birth control diet for diabetics steroid use in sports foreign pharmacy zyban michael thurmond diet. You have a lot of questions that need answers, one of which is how well can you control your disease with a diabetic diet. Nutritional needs: Dietary control is an integral part of management for the diabetic. Control of dietary fat in relation to diabetic complications in children. The dietary exchange and nutrients listed after each recipe is based upon the recipe shown here from the Diabetic Cooking magazine. This is one of the first detailed studies specifically examining the dietary composition of elderly, institutionalized diabetic patients. Nutritional status and dietary management of elderly diabetic patients. Effect of dietary corn oil on lipaemia in diabetic children. Many diabetics would prefer to take a pill or insulin injection and not worry about diet. Along with taking Insulin, I have also had to go from a diabetic diet to a renal diet. However, increasing evidence shows that monounsaturated fats (found abundantly in almonds) is beneficial to insulin regulation in the diabetic diet. Some vegetarian diabetics have reported such improvements to their health on a meat-free diet that they have had to inject less insulin. A diabetic diet limits how much carbohydrate (kar-bo-hi-drate), fat, and protein you eat. In general, vegetables contain only a few grams of carbohydrate (5 grams per serving) and can be used more liberally in the diabetic diet. A diabetic diet helps you schedule your carbohydrate intake so that your cells can get the glucose that they need. A diabetic on a 1600 calorie diet should get 50% of these calories from carbohydrate. High carbohydrate diets have been traditionally associated with a diabetic diet. A diabetic diet has to be low in fat (especially saturated fat), high in carbohydrate, and high in fibre. 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Acne Skin Care Methods

Acne Skin Care Methods

Acne can be a painful and embarrassing condition for a person to be afflicted with. Often, a person who has acne cannot control its occurrence. But, by following a few acne skin care practices, acne can be controlled and even gotten rid of.

Acne is an inflammatory skin disease that affects millions of individuals. The most universal type of acne is known as “common acne”. Acne is caused when too many oils are secreted from the glands and those oils mix with dead skin cells, blocking the hair follicles. More oil secretions increase underneath the already blocked follicles (or pores), and skin bacteria begin to grow rapidly. This leads to red and irritated skin that most often appears as bumps on the skin’s surface. Any skin surface of the body is susceptible to acne, but it most commonly (and heavily) appears on the face, chest, back, and upper arm region.

Acne commonly begins to occur during puberty due to an irregular response by the body to regular levels of testosterone, a male hormone. Often, acne begins to subside or disappear altogether by the mid 20’s. However, some individuals do suffer with it throughout adulthood. And some adults do not even see the onset of acne until well into the adult years. This is known as adult onset acne.

Acne can leave scarring on the skin, as well as have a scarring effect on a person’s self-esteem, and even lead to depression. Because society can be so unforgiving about appearances, there are various medically prescribed treatments available, as well as acne skin care regimens that can be utilized in order to minimize the symptoms of acne.

Different things cause acne for different sufferers. A few of the recognized causes of acne include heredity, hormonal activity (puberty, menstruation, pregnancy), stress, certain medications, and skin irritation. All of these things have the potential to cause acne, as well as exacerbate it. There are a few myths regarding acne. For instance we’ve all heard of a mom telling her child not to eat too many greasy foods like French fries, or eat too many sweets, because it will give him or her pimples. That is simply an old wives’ tale. Diet does not cause acne, and does not affect it. Also, poor hygiene has no bearing on the occurrence of acne. Acne is not caused by dirt, and having poor hygiene habits will not aggravate the condition.

There are many treatments for acne available, both through prescription, and over the counter. There are antibiotics in the form of pills, as well as topical creams that are designed to treat the condition. Exfoliation can be used as a treatment to remove and prevent the build up of dead skin cells. And light therapy is being used more and more to treat acne. It is important to consult a dermatologist in order to determine the best course of treatment and learn the best regimen of acne skin care to carry out.

Dealing with the occurrence of acne requires knowing how to properly care for the skin. Acne skin care can help keep the problem from getting worse, and even alleviate it. It is important to gently wash the skin at least twice a day with a gentle skin cleanser. Do not scrub with a rough pad or use a rough soap. This will make the acne problem worse. And always completely rinse the skin after cleansing.

As part of an acne skin care routine, it is important to remember not to touch the afflicted skin areas. Do not try to squeeze acne. An infection could occur, compounding the problem, and scarring could result. Also, avoid the sun when possible. Wear protective clothing to avoid tanning or burning. The skin will age faster, and any fading effect of the acne is temporary and will become visible again when the burn or tan fades.

When using cosmetics, take care to use oil-free products, and products that are non-comedogenic (won’t clog the pores). And for men who shave their faces, it is important to shave very carefully. Shave with a light hand to avoid cutting or nicking the blemishes. If these steps in acne skin care are taken, the pain and embarrassment of the problem can be alleviated, and over time, eliminated completely.

Learn the essential information for picking the skin care at <a href="http://www.acne-skin-care-treatment.info
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Steps To Preventing Lung Cancer

Steps To Preventing Lung Cancer

Lung Cancer Prevention

Did you realize that approximately 10% of lung cancer patients have never in their lives smoked cigarettes? When asked about lung cancer prevention, most people will tell you that the easiest way to prevent lung cancer is to never take up the dangerous habit of cigarette smoking. And while it?s true that smoking often leads to lung cancer, the fact that 10% of lung cancer patients are not now nor have ever been smokers cannot be easily explained.

Cancer in its simplest definition is the potential end result of a mutation or alteration that occurs within a gene. And sometimes, there is just no way to stop (or prevent) a gene from changing, nor is there a way to control the genes you inherit. When one gene in particular, the epidermal growth factor receptor gene, undergoes a mutation, the mutation is such that it basically gives the green light for cancerous cells to grow and also to divide. Such a situation is totally unavoidable.

Unfortunately, taking lung cancer prevention steps won?t eliminate your chance of developing today?s number one cause of death. That?s not to say that it?s okay to continue certain risky behaviors. You should take whatever steps you can to control the risks in your life. Not smoking, wearing a seatbelt, driving responsibly, and avoiding drugs and alcohol are all ways to control risk.

The Risks You Can Control

Even though lung cancer prevention is not guaranteed, there are ways to keep the risks associated with developing lung cancer to a minimum. Let?s take a look at some environmental factors.

Probably the best lung cancer prevention tip (besides not smoking) is to stay away from sources of passive smoke like burning cigarettes and exhaled smoke. Second-hand smoke in the long-term can do as much damage as first-hand smoke. When you breathe second-hand smoke, those dangerous chemicals still enter your respiratory system, although in weaker levels. If you live with a smoker or you spend a lot of time with one, ask that person to smoke outdoors or somewhere where you won?t have to inhale their smoke.

Try to stay away from the environmental pollutants that can cause lung cancer. These include asbestos, coal, soot, arsenic, nickel, chromium and radon. Use of asbestos has been banned in the United States, however it is still present in buildings and materials that were manufactured before its use was banned and in countries that have not passed such legislation. Anytime there is the possibility that you might come into contact with asbestos or the other pollutants listed above, be sure to wear a mask and take whatever other protective measures you can to limit the amount you inhale.

Moving to the suburbs may not prevent lung cancer, but there is evidence of a correlation between cites with major air pollution problems and increased rates of lung cancer.

Life is full of choices, but when it comes to lung cancer prevention the choices you make could mean the difference between life and death, so choose wisely!

Gray Rollins is a featured writer for LifeLungCancer.com. To learn more about <a href="http://www.lifelungcancer.com/lungcancerprevention/">lung cancer prevention</a> and <a href="http://www.lifelungcancer.com/smokingandlungcancer/">how smoking increases lung cancer risk</a>, visit our site.

Treatment Options For People With Lung Cancer

Treatment Options For People With Lung Cancer

Several lung cancer treatments are currently available and the determination as to which one is prescribed depends on the lung cancer stage that has been diagnosed, the location of the cancer, and the patient?s health. The most common treatments for lung cancer include Surgery, Radiation, Chemotherapy, and Targeted Therapy.

Surgery

Surgery involves cutting away a cancerous tumor and a portion of the tissue that has surrounded the tumor. Sometimes the surgical treatment involves removal of the entire affected lung. Surgery is often effective, but recovery time can be long. Because the surgeon will have to cut through the rib cage to get to the lungs, there will be pain and bed rest for one to two months after the procedure.

In addition to traditional surgical methods, other types of surgical procedures can be used depending on the location of the tumor and also the patient?s physical condition. A craniotomy, which is basically surgery performed through a hole made to the skull can be prescribed to tumors located in the brain. For small tumors, a procedure whereby a video camera is inserted into a tiny incision helps the surgeon zero in on a tumor. Because the incision is small, pain is generally reduced.

Radiation

Radiation can either be used by itself or in conjunction with a surgical procedure. Radiation can be beamed directly at the cancerous tumor from the outside of the body using a laser, or radiation can be delivered directly to the tumor via a small pellet. When a patient?s overall state of health is poor, radiation is a better alternative than undergoing a surgical procedure. In cases where surgery has been performed, radiation might also be prescribed as a way to remove the cancerous cells that for whatever reason could not be surgically removed. Radiation to remove brain tumors can result in changing the brain?s functionality later on, but may be the only option.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is actually a drug that works to remove cancer by way of the bloodstream. Chemotherapy drugs can be taken either orally or administered via an injection into a vein. Because the bloodstream can carry the drug throughout the body, Chemotherapy is often the preferred treatment when lung cancer has spread well beyond the lungs. One problem associated with chemotherapy is that it can also cause damage to healthy cells and the cells that produce blood that reside within the bone marrow. Low blood counts can lead to a number of different problems so Chemotherapy treatment must be closely monitored.

Targeted Therapy

Targeted Therapy is a relatively new treatment option that does show promise. Instead of focusing on destroying damaged cells (which can also damage healthy cells), these drugs instead are designed to interfere with a cancerous cell?s ability to grow. Right now, Targeted Therapy drugs are given to patients only after other treatment options have been attempted. And unfortunately, Targeted Therapy has not been effective for all patients.

Each lung cancer treatment option has benefits, risks and frequently, side effects. Deciding which option is best is something that only a doctor and patient can determine.

Gray Rollins is a featured writer for LifeLungCancer.com. To learn more about <a href="http://www.lifelungcancer.com/">lung cancer treatments</a> and <a href="http://www.lifelungcancer.com/lungcancerprevention/">lung cancer prevention</a>, visit our site.

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