Cancer Treatment Information and Resources

Cervical cancer is a malignancy of the cervix. All over the globe it is the second most common cancer in women. Scientists are studying cervical cancer to find out more about how it develops and they are looking at better ways to detect and treat it.

This illness sets in when cells in the cervix begin to grow uncontrollably forming a mass of extra tissue called tumor. Malignant tumors are cancer cells, and can invade and damage adjacent tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also break away from a malignant tumor and enter the lymphatic system or the bloodstream. This is how cervical cancer spread to other parts of the body such as nearby lymph nodes, the rectum, the bladder, the bones of the spine, and the lungs. Spreading of the cancer is a process.

Cancer of the cervix is different from cancer that begins in other parts of the uterus and requires different treatment. Most cancers of this kind are squamous cell carcinomas. Squamous cells are thin, flat cells that form the surface of the cervix. The second most common form is adenocarcinoma which comes from cells that make up glands in the cervix.

Cancer of the cervix may present vaginal bleeding but symptoms may be absent until the cancer is in advanced stages, which has made cervical cancer the focus of intense screening efforts utilizing the Pap smear. Most scientific studies have found that human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is responsible for ninety percent of the cases of cervical cancer. HPV is a sexually transmitted disease that is incredibly common in the population. HPV is the virus that causes genital warts, but having genital warts doesn't necessarily mean getting cervical cancer. There are different subtypes, or strains, of HPV and only certain subtypes are likely to cause cervical cancer, and the subtypes that cause warts are unlikely to develop the illness. However, almost all cancers of the cervix haveevidence of HPV virus in them, so infection is a major risk factor for developing it. Because infection with a sexually transmitted disease is a risk factor for cervical cancer, any risk factors for developing sexually transmitted diseases are also risk factors for developing the disease. Another important risk factor is smoking; smokers are at least twice as likely as non-smokers to develop cervix tumors.

Symptoms of the disease may not appear during the early stages of the cancer that is why it is important to have screening Pap tests. When the tumor grows in size, it produces a variety of symptoms including abnormal bleeding (including bleeding after sexual intercourse, in between periods, heavier/longer lasting menstrual bleeding, or bleeding after menopause), abnormal vaginal discharge (may be foul smelling), pelvic or back pain, pain on urination, blood in the stool or urine. Although having these symptoms may not mean that you have cervical cancer, it is always best to consult with your doctor once you experience any of these problems. If it is detected early, it can be treated without impairing fertility.

Today prostate cancer is the third most common cause of death from cancer in men of all ages and is the most common cause of death from cancer in men over 75 years old. Men who are younger than 40 are rarely ever diagnosed with prostate cancer but they should still aware it's possible. It's estimated that there are approximately 234,460 men in the U.S. who will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, and approximately 27,350 will eventually die from this disease.

Early prostate cancer is confined to the prostate gland itself. Most patients with prostate cancer can live for years without any problems. The prostate is a walnut-sized structure that makes up part of a man's reproductive system. It wraps around the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body and because of this can cause urinary problems. In most men, prostate cancer grows very slowly and most men will never know they have it.

If the cancer is caught in its earliest stages, most men will not experience any symptoms. Most prostate cancer symptoms, although associated with prostate cancer, are more then likely to be connected to non-cancerous conditions. And having one or more cancer symptoms does not mean that you have prostate cancer.

One of the most common symptoms is the inability to urinate. If this has happened to you need to get checked right away. There are a few other symptoms to be aware of. And there are other symptoms that are not be mentioned here. Your doctor will probably use either one or two of the most common tests for prostate cancer detection. Urine or prostatic fluid cytology may reveal some unusual cells. And there are several potential downsides to PSA testing. For example, a high PSA does not always mean a patient has prostate cancer and there is a lot of discussion about whether the PSA test is reliable or not.

The decision about whether to pursue a PSA test should be based on a discussion with your doctor. The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test measures the PSA enzyme in your blood for abnormalities. Also a chest x-ray may be done to see if there has been a spread (metastasis) of cancer if you have been diagnosed with it.

The standard conventional treatment of surgery, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy can interfere with libido on a temporary or permanent basis. Impotence is a potential complication after both a prostatectomy and radiation therapy. Some drugs with numerous serious side effects are being used to treat advanced prostate cancer, blocking the production of testosterone. This is called chemical castration. This has the same result as surgical removal of the testes.

Side effects of chemotherapy drugs depend on which ones you take and how often and how long they're taken for. Prostate cancer that has metastasized may be treated conventionally with drugs to reduce testosterone levels, surgery to remove the testes, chemotherapy or nothing at all. The approaches to treatment include close watching and waiting to see whether or not the cancer is growing slowly and if it isn't causing any symptoms.

OHSU (Oregon Health Sciences University) is beginning a study of acupuncture as a treatment for hot flashes for men with prostate cancer or prostate cancer survivors. Other medications used for hormonal therapy, with side effects, include the androgen-blocking agents, which prevent testosterone from attaching to the prostate cells. The conventional treatment of prostate cancer has often been controversial.

Know exactly what all your treatment options are before you begin any treatment plan. And treatment options can vary based on the stage of the tumor. Hormone manipulation is used mainly as a treatment to relieve symptoms in men whose cancer has spread.

For a dietary approach some of the supplements that help any disease or ailment include vitamin B12 — the methylcobalamin type not cyanocobalamin, and make sure it's sub-lingual — dissolves slowly under the tongue. Also vitamin D3 – especially if you can't get a daily dose of 15 to 20 minutes of sun on your arms and legs so you can make your own vitamin D3. Buy some lacinato kale and juice a few leaves in your juicer along with sweet carrots. For natural treatment options for the prostate make an appointment with a naturopathic doctor, called a naturopath. Ask around for referrals.

The first step in managing your prostate health is to make a serious diet change. All experts would agree on this. Use a little flaxseed oil along with olive oil in your daily dark green salad, never iceburg lettuce. Making a ginger tea, by adding a thin slice or two of fresh gingerroot to hot water seems to be helpful to many people.

You may want to consider taking cod liver oil or fish oil supplements every day. If at all possible eliminate all hormone-containing foods like meat and dairy from your diet. Eat high-fiber snacks like raw nuts (soak them overnight in water first to release the enzyme inhibitors), raw seeds, and dried fruit, such as dates, and figs.

While the number of men diagnosed with prostate cancer remains high, survival rates are greatly improving possibly – maybe because of improvement in diet. It's important to get as informed as possible and read all the newest books, ebooks, cutting edge health newsletters, alternative health newsletters and research available. Once you are diagnosed you may want to join a local support group where members share their experiences.