Cancer My Wake Up Call

Cancer - My Wake Up Call
By Zoe Routh

Four days after I got engaged in March of this year I was diagnosed with cervical cancer. The doctor said, You have a cauliflower growth on your cervix. That's not normal. I am booking you in to see a specialist.

A myriad of tests and a few weeks later I am getting ready to go into hospital tomorrow and have what is called a 'radical trachelectomy' - removal of the cervix, leaving the uterus and ovaries intact in order to preserve my fertility.

I decided to share this story because I know that each one of you reading this will know someone who has cancer, whether it be a friend, family member, or a colleague. I am hoping that some of what I share will be helpful to you.

Like you, when you hear of someone being diagnosed with cancer there is a shock and horror about the news, and then a secret relief that it is not you. I believed cancer was for other people. Not me. People who do not look after themselves get cancer. Old people get cancer. Some poor unfortunate kids get cancer. Not me. I'm healthy. I have been a vegetarian for twenty years and have run five marathons. When I went to see the doctor I was two weeks away from running my sixth marathon.

When I got the call saying I had cancer, this was my reaction: terror. Then grief, then shock, then horror, and a whole cocktail of other emotions. I sobbed long and hard. I looked at my new husband-to-be and wondered if he still wanted to marry me as I faced the prospect of losing my ability to give us children.

I would love to say that I was strong, that I saw the positive side of things, that I laughed it off. I did no such thing. I was as terrified as anyone else who learns their body is under major threat. Being told you have cancer really, really sucks. It hardly seems real, even now, a month later.

The worst part was the waiting between tests and results and doctor's visits to clarify what it was we were dealing with. The worst imaginings tend to wreak havoc.

Then there were plenty of questions. Why? How? How does a life coach get cancer?? The truth is that a life coach did not get cancer. Zo got cancer. And that's when I started to understand a little more about what this could teach me.

I raked my history to find some source, some reason for my cancer, some personal transgression, some oversight in my health that I had missed. I beat myself up wondering how I did this to myself. I stripped all of my emotional and mental cloaks away to go to the source and stood there raw and vulnerable to see the human being under the skin. And that's when I felt a deep compassion - a compassion for myself. When I reached this deep place of love, I was then able to let it flow to others and feel compassion for every other human being who is wrestling or hiding from their own demons - physical, emotional, or spiritual. It is a big journey requiring much courage.

Some people say that cancer is a gift, or that they have it for a reason. This sounds dreadfully punishing. I choose to find something I can learn from this. It is a big journey, only just beginning, but I have found some crystals of truth in the anguish.

Here is what I am learning on my cancer journey:
* Each and every human being is a universe of gifts and stories and wonder.
* I love many people and am loved deeply in return.
* I don't have to be brave all on my own.
* I can heal my soul, if not my body.
* I am already good enough - I do not need a massive bank balance, fancy clothes, or any other markers to know that I am a worthy human being.
* I am who I am - I am not my job, my services, the roles I play in life as sister, daughter, partner, business owner. I am Zo - a woman who lives and loves deeply.
* Laughing is a really, really good thing.

My wish for you, dear readers, is that you pause for a moment each day in full and complete gratitude for the gift of life and all the wonderful things before you. See and appreciate the sunlight on the trees, the blue sky, a smiling dog, a beautiful song.

Copyright Inner Compass 2005 www.innercompass.com.au

Cancer survivor Zoe Routh is the Head Coach at Inner Compass, a personal development organisation that helps busy professionals work less and achieve more. Inner Compass offers practical strategies and solutions to improve personal effectiveness and live an inspired life.

Zoe has worked with groups and individuals since 1987. She has worked as a trainer, coach and facilitator in helping people achieve their personal best.

Inner Compass offers articles, resources, and coaching programs to help busy professionals radically improve their personal effectiveness to live an inspired life.

http://www.innercompass.com.au

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A CancerProne System

A Cancer-Prone System
By Michael Russell

Starting from the outside, the key elements in the female reproductive system are the vulva (or outer lips), the vagina (or birth canal), the cervix (a doughnut-shaped structure that is at the entrance to the uterus), the uterus, or womb (inside which a baby grows before birth), the fallopian tubes (along which fertilised eggs travel to the uterus) and the ovaries (where the eggs and various hormones are made). Not all of these organs and tissues are equally liable to cancer. For example, cancer attacks the fallopian tubes rarely; the vulva and vagina, more often; and the ovaries, the walls of the uterus (the endometricum) and the cervix most frequently. Each type of cancer requires specific diagnosis and treatment. Uterine cancer accounts for about four percent of all cancers in women; cervical cancer, for about three percent. Thanks to increased public awareness, early detection the death rate for cervical and uterine cancer has declined in recent decades.

It is not unusual for a serious disease to share the same symptoms with a relatively unimportant problem. This is especially true of cervical cancer and other cancers of the reproductive system. For example, two common symptoms of cancer of the vulva are itching and a burning pain, conditions that can also be caused by vulvar infections. A change in a vulvar mole or freckle, or any bump, growth or ulcer that does not heal within two weeks, may or may not, signal cancer. Cervical cancer is often symptomless, at least in its early stages, but in time, it causes abnormal vaginal bleeding or increased vaginal discharge. The discharge may begin as a watery discharge streaked with blood, but eventually the discharge will contain greater quantities of blood.

Having a symptom of gynaecological cancer does not necessarily mean that you have cancer. It does mean that you should see a doctor for a complete pelvic examination and further tests to rule out the possibility of cancer. Age seems to be the main factor that affects a woman's chances of developing cervical cancer or any other cancer of her reproductive organs. The danger years vary, but fall within the 40-65 year old age span. The years of greatest risk for cervical cancer appear to be between 40 and 49. The odds that a woman will develop any type of gynaecological cancer increase after menopause.

Each reproductive organ also has its own specific risk factors. Studies reveal that cancer of the cervix occurs more often in women who become sexually active early in life, who have contracted a sexually transmitted disease such as genital warts, who have had many sexual partners, whose sexual partners have had many sexual contacts, or who smoke. More cases of cervical cancer also occur among women who use oral contraceptives than among those who rely on a diaphragm, condoms or an intrauterine device (IUD).

Two routine screening examinations are available for women, the cervical smear test (Pap smear test) and the pelvic examination, which may detect gynaecological cancer - or conditions that may lead to it - long before a woman notices anything wrong. In the cervical smear test, a metal instrument called a speculum is used to open up the vagina and examine the cervix. With the speculum in place, the doctor uses a wooden spatula or cotton wool swab to rub off a sample of cells from the surface of the cervix; the sample is transferred onto a glass slide and sent to the laboratory for examination under the a microscope. The test is designed to detect the presence of abnormal (precancer) cells that in some cases may develop into cervical cancer. Even if such cells are found, it does not mean that you have cancer or will get it later; it does mean, though, that more tests and possibly treatment are necessary. If the cervix shows inflammatory changes or if you have had an abnormal smear, the doctor may also examine the cervix with a magnifying instrument called a colposcope. After examining the cervix, the doctor will do a pelvic examination by passing a gloved finger up inside the vagina while pressing down on the abdomen with the other hand. In this way he may be able to detect abnormalities in the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. Depending on your age, your past and present sexual habits, whether you are at high risk for developing cervical cancer, will determine how often you should be examined. Generally, any factor that increases the risk of developing cancer increases the need for regular check-ups. Cervical cancer detected early can usually be cured without affecting a woman's ability to have children, but a more advanced cancer might require a hysterectomy - the surgical removal of the uterus and the cervix, which makes it impossible for her to have children.

Michael RussellYour Independent guide to Cervical Cancer

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Stages of Ovarian Cancer

Stages of Ovarian Cancer
By Jeanette Pollock

There are four specific stages of ovarian cancer. Knowing these stages will help you to determine what your treatment options are and what symptoms to look for so you can get the upper hand on the silent killer.

Stage one is when the cancer is limited to the ovaries only. Within this there are three stages. Stage 1A is when the cancer is limited to just one ovary, 1B is when the cancer is in both ovaries and 1C is with tumors on either one or both ovaries and a tumor on the surface.

Stage two is when the ovarian cancer involves one or both ovaries with pelvic extension. Stage 2A is when the cancer has extended to the uterus and/or the tubes, 2B is when the cancer has extended to the pelvic tissues and 2C is a tumor with a ruptured capsule that contains malignant cells.

Stage three is ovarian cancer that involves one or both of the ovaries and the cancer has spread outside the pelvis. Liver metastasis can equal stage three ovarian cancer. Stage 3A is when the cancer is limited to the pelvis but microscopic examination shows seeding in the abdominal cavity, 3B is when the cancer has become implanted on abdominal surfaces but nothing is above two centimeters in diameter and 3C is any abdominal cancers over two centimeters in diameter.

Stage four is a growth on one or both of the ovaries with distant metastasis. Stage 4A is an extension of metastasis to the uterus and/or the tube, 4B is an extension to the pelvic tissues and 3C is a ruptured capsule with malignant cells.

Jeanette Pollock is a freelance author and website owner of ovariancancerdomain.com. Visit Jeanette's site to learn more about the different stages of ovarian cancer.

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Some Answers To Colon Cancer Questions

Some Answers To Colon Cancer Questions
By Groshan Fabiola

1.What is colon cancer?

Cancer is a disease which can affect cells from all organs. The colon cancer affects the cells of the colon, determining them to proliferate in an uncontrollable way. This mass of abnormal cells will form a tumor inside the colon. The cancer of the intestine is quite frequent and two thirds of this type of cancer is situated in the colon.

2.Who can develop colon cancer?

You are at risk of developing colon cancer if you drink a lot of alcohol and you are obese. Also if other members of your family had colon cancer or breast cancer you could inherit some genes that make you more sensible to cancer. If you have polyps on your intestine and you leave them untreated for a long time, they can transform into malign polyps, meaning that cancer had occurred.

3.Is my diet involved in cancer development?

Following a diet which is rich in fats and proteins could expose you to cancer. If you eat a lot of fruit, vegetables and high fiber foods you can prevent colon cancer from occurring.

4.Does colon cancer come with any symptoms?

There are some symptoms which could announce that cancer is installing, but they also appear in other diseases. Some of the symptoms are: seeing blood in your bowels, alternation of diarrhea with constipation, and low abdominal pains.

5.How does the doctor know that I have cancer?

The doctor will perform a sigmoidoscopy or a colonoscopy to examine the insides of the colon. Also x-rays of the colon will be performed. These methods will see if tumors are present inside the colon. In order to stage colon cancer CT and ultrasound will be used.

6.Can colon cancer be treated?

Generally the most indicated procedure in trying to treat colon cancer is surgery. By surgery the doctors will remove the tumor from the colon. If the cancer spread, giving metastasis, the doctors will recommend you chemotherapy and radiotherapy. These are hard bearable due to their side effects like nausea, vomiting, loss of hair, fever, and tiredness.

7.Is the treatment effective or not?

If the colon cancer was diagnosed in its early stages and it has not spread to other organs the treatment will be 90% effective and patients will survive even five years after. If the cancer has given metastasis the treatment will not be so effective any more and half of the diagnosed patients will live less that five years.

For greater resources on colon cancer or especially about colon cancer symptoms please visit this link http://www.colon-cancer-center.com/colon-cancer-symptoms.htm

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Preventing Breast Cancer Recurrence with Green Tea

Preventing Breast Cancer Recurrence with Green Tea
By Jon Stout

In recent years, lots of research has been performed on green teas ability to prevent and treat breast cancer. The news has been extremely promising; it appears that as we learn more, well eventually determine that green tea is, indeed, one of the simplest things we can do to protect breast health. Since about 13% of all American women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime, breast health is a significant concern for all of us.

One study showed that tea helped to ensure that women had an appropriate level of the sex hormone binding globulin on critical days of their cycle. The level of binding globulin is important because low levels of this hormone in pre-menopausal women have been associated with a higher risk of developing breast cancer.

Another study showed that one group of Chinese women who were at a higher than average risk of developing cancer, due to angiotensin activity in their blood, were able to lower their breast cancer risk by drinking green tea. This study concluded that even women who drank green tea only weekly were at a lower risk than those who drank it only monthly or not at all.

One study also showed that green tea may be able to increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. Green tea was shown to increase the concentration of chemotherapy drugs in the cancer cells, compared to women who received chemotherapy without green tea as an adjunct treatment. Green tea was also shown to slow the growth of cancer cells, suggesting that it may inhibit cancer progression and metastasis.

Green teas anti-oxidants are what make it such a powerful health protector. The anti-oxidants in green tea have been shown to be more than 100 times as effective at neutralizing free radicals as vitamin C, and 25 times more powerful than vitamin E, both of which are well recognized as anti-oxidants. In addition, the EGCG in green tea have also been found to be more powerful than BHA, BHT and Resveratol, all of which are considered some of the most potent anti-oxidants around.

And, now theres a study thats shown that green tea may prevent breast cancer from recurring, too. This study, reported by the UK Tea Council, examined many databases that contained information about breast cancer patients and their rate of recurrence.

The study concluded that women who consumed more than 5 cups of green tea per day had a slightly lower than average risk of developing breast cancer than women who consumed a smaller amount or who did not drink green tea at all.

In addition, this study showed that women with Stages 1 and 2 breast cancer who drank green tea daily showed a decreased risk of breast cancer recurrence over women who did not drink green tea.

This is very promising news, both for women who are trying to prevent breast cancer and for women who are already battling the disease. It appears that green tea may be an important part of the treatment of breast cancer, in order to lessen the chances that the cancer will recur later.

Each recurrence of breast cancer is more difficult to treat than the previous ones, and each one increases your mortality risk from the disease. So, while prevention is critical in all women preventing recurrence for those who are already battling the disease is just as critical.

When you combine all the evidence thats out there, its hard to ignore the fact that green tea holds a lot of promise in the fight against breast cancer.

So, if youre at a higher than average risk for developing breast cancer, its wise to consider adding green tea to your diet. Even if it doesnt prevent you from getting breast cancer, green tea has no side effects, and is considered to be completely safe to consume.

In addition to adding green tea to your diet, you should also take steps to ensure that youre living an overall healthy life. This means eating a healthy diet, that includes lots of fruits and vegetables (these are high in anti-oxidants just like green tea) and is low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Switch to whole grains and be certain that youre getting an adequate amount of fiber.

You should also exercise. Exercise helps burn calories and maintain a normal body weight. In addition, exercise helps build muscle and keep your body strong, which comes in handy as we age.

Finally, if you smoke, stop. Were all aware that smoking increases our risk for lung cancer, but what many people dont know is that smoking increases your overall risk of cancer. So, smoking may contribute to you having a higher risk of breast cancer, too. Smoking also contributes to heart disease.

Were learning more and more about the benefits of drinking green tea. Its likely that in a few years, well truly understand how this popular beverage keeps us healthy. But, in the meantime, you should get a head start on the road to health by having some green tea today and every day!

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 tea offerings, including their exceptional green tea, white tea, black tea, oolong tea (also known as wu-long and wu long tea) and chai. Visit goldenmoontea.com for all details concerning the Golden Moon Tea Company's fine line of teas.

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Discover How Breast Cancer Awareness Can Benefit You

Discover How Breast Cancer Awareness Can Benefit You
By Jon Arnold

You have undoubted run across many of the breast cancer awareness days and sessions that appear around the country sporadically. These are usually put on by a local group, a church, or sponsored by the American Cancer Society to promote breast cancer awareness in the community.

You might be wondering why your breast cancer awareness level should be raised and what benefit that represents for you, but all you need to do is look at the statistics about the reported cases of breast cancer. The reported cases of breast cancer has been rising steadily year after year, and for the coming year, the American Cancer Society estimates that there will be more than 200,000 diagnosed cases. Even scarier is that they also estimate that more than 40,000 of those cases of breast cancer will die from it.

Here is an even scarier fact for you -- did you know that breast cancer is not limited to women? Yes it is true. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be about 1600 cases of breast cancer in MEN this year, and that about 400 of them will die. So are you starting to see where breast cancer awareness is starting to be important to you and your health? With statistics like this, it is no wonder that they want to promote breast cancer awareness as much as possible.

Many people do not take this disease seriously, even despite these statistics. Although it is difficult to believe, there are many people who have not had a checkup or medical exam in the past 4, 5, or 10 years or more. How can you possibly take your health seriously if you do not have regular checkups and exams from your doctor or medical professional? One way is of course to raise your breast cancer awareness level since that is a disease where there is currently not a known cure.

Your best option for fighting breast cancer is to get early detection and early diagnosis. When breast cancer is detected early, your chances of being able to cope with it, to fight it, and via treatments like chemo, there are many documented cases of people who have beat it. But if it had not been detected and diagnosed early, those would almost certainly be different stories with radically different outcomes. What about those people who have not had a medical examination in the past 4 or 5 years? If they have developed breast cancer in that timeframe, it will certainly not be considered an early diagnosis and could even mean another fatality from breast cancer.

You need to become knowledgeable about the typical symptoms of breast cancer, and if you detect any of those symptoms at home, you should schedule a checkup with your doctor as soon as possible. For women of ages 18 to about 40, you should plan to schedule a checkup with your doctor once about every 2-3 years. For women over 40, that checkup should be not less than annually. Although breast cancer has not conclusively been determined to be hereditary, you might want to consider having checkups even more often is there is a history of cancer in your family tree. Keeping these statistics in mind, your level of breast cancer awareness should be raised where these regular checkups should be at the forefront of your mind.

Raise your breast cancer awareness levels and get those checkups. Be aware of the symptoms and if you see any of them, be sure to get an exam soon. Remember, the best chances for beating breast cancer are early detection and early diagnosis.

Jon is a prolific writer with expertise in a number of areas. Find out more information about Breast Cancer Awareness at his web site, http://breast-cancer-explained.com/breastcancerawareness.php

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Chemicals Is There A Direct Link To Cancer And Other Illnesses?

Chemicals - Is There A Direct Link To Cancer And Other Illnesses?
By Lisa Mills

Synthetic chemicals have become a very large part of our every day lives. But what effect do these chemicals have on our bodies? Is there a link between some chemicals and the huge increase in Cancer and other illnesses?

Our bodies are highly efficient at dealing with many toxins by breaking them down and expelling them from our systems. So is there any real need to be concerned? Definitely. Testicular cancer has increased by 300% in recent years and childhood cancers have increased by 26% since 1971. The human baby is at the top of the food chain absorbing a lifetime of chemicals from its mothers body before birth and her milk after birth. It is a sad fact of life that every child born today all ready has a host of chemicals in its body. This may be a factor in the rise of miscarriages.

A chemical of high concern known as artificial musk is present in many items we use on a daily basis. This musk is present in washing powders, fabric conditioners and deodorants amongst other household items. Follow this example to see how this chemical makes its way back into our bodies. You do your daily washing, the washing machine empties its water and the water makes its way to the treatment works. From here it will pass into rivers and either lie in the mud or pass out to sea. Small creatures then ingest this water. Larger fish then eat the smaller fish, thus consuming the chemicals ingested by the smaller creature. The artificial musk is not excreted from the fish and remains in its body fat. Eventually we will eat the fish and also consume its chemical content. Further to this, the sludge from treatment works is spread onto farmland and consumed by cows from which we get milk, butter, cheese etc. This chemical is then added to the level of artificial musk we already have in our bodies and is passed on to our children.

Some of the chemicals we find in our bodies have been proven to cause cancer in animals. Of course this does not mean that they will cause cancer in humans but something definitely is. Many of the chemicals in products we use have not had their safety properly assessed. To make matters worse many chemicals are far more dangerous together in our bodies. Another danger that has not been properly assessed.

The European Union manages a list of chemicals that it classes as of very high concern. You may think that this means manufacturers would not be allowed to put these chemicals in their products. You would be wrong. These chemicals are present in everyones home. Although all these chemicals have a purpose, the sad fact is that there are usually much safer alternatives available. Manufacturers are not being put under any pressure to change the chemicals they use. Many of them simply cannot see the value or state they cannot afford to investigate alternatives. Until the Government introduces legislation to force these companies into action, it is down to the public. Greenpeaces website includes action that the public can take to levy pressure against these manufacturers.

The Government seems to run by the assumption that all chemicals are safe until proven otherwise. It is encouraging scientists to find a cure for cancer rather than encouraging research into prevention. Quite often the finger is pointed at the sufferers lifestyle, but how can this take into account the huge rise in childhood cancers?

The most susceptible time for exposure to carcinogens occurs between conception and birth. The results of this exposure may materialise immediately, i.e. birth defects or not until much later in life in the form of testicular cancer (this cancer has increased by 300% in recent years).

Even if you are supporter of chemicals in our every day lives, it does not take a genius to realise the effect they are having on our environment and our bodies. Cancer, asthma and allergies are experiencing a huge surge in detection and unless we can force the Government and manufacturers to act, this trend looks set to continue.

Lisa Mills is an author based in Essex. She writes for websites and magazines. She also runs a baby gift box website. http://www.newbabygiftboxes.co.uk is a site offering a baby gift box service and other baby gifts.

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Breast Cancer When Medical Treatment Failed She Turned to Herbs

Breast Cancer - When Medical Treatment Failed, She Turned to Herbs
By Chris Teo, Ph.D.

Siew (not real name), 44-year-old-female, is a radiographer in a hospital in Hong Kong. In July 2002, Siew faxed me this message:

I suffer from cancer of the breast infiltrating ductal carcinoma in August 1993. Total right mastectomy was performed. Secondary to the bones was detected at the same time. A course of chemotherapy was given consisting of twelve injections over a period of six months. At the same time, radiotherapy was given to the spine and ribs. Two doses of strontium were given after the course of chemotherapy. Tamoxifen and orimetene were taken orally daily all these years.

Everything was in stable condition until August 2001. Secondary to both lobes of liver was discovered. Chemotherapy FAC (5-FU, andriamycin and cyclophosphamde, six injections) was given, followed by eight doses of Taxotere. Now both my lower limbs are swollen. I suffer from pleural effusion (i.e. fluid in the lungs) at the same time. I started on oral chemotherapy Xeloda on 10 July 2002. My limbs feel numb. I feel tired easily and my heart sometimes beat irregularly. I feel short of breath at times. I hope Dr. Teo will help me.

Accompanying this letter were two medical reports. Her blood test report showed that her white blood count, red blood count and haemoglobin were below normal. A CT scan dated 6 July 2002, stated that:
Liver metastases with no significant change in size and number as compared with previous CT scan

done on 12 April 2002.
Right pleural effusion.
Probable bilateral renal cysts.
The lytic lesion in L2 vertebral body. Old fracture of a right lower anterior rib.

Siew was prescribed Capsule A & B, LL-tea, Liver P, Bone, Ascites and Breast M teas.

On 16 August 2002, I received a letter from Siew: I have taken your medication for two days and felt hot. Today, I feel warm only. Other than that, everything remains unchanged. I just stopped the diuretic which the doctor gave me, so my limbs are still swollen.

Her fax in late August 2002 reads: I have been taking your herbs for 3 weeks. My lower limbs and right upper arm are still swollen. The numbness in my extremities still exists but my breathlessness has improved.

Fax of September 2002: The doctor gave me Xeloda again I dare not refuse because he will close my file and I have no one to turn to when problems arise. Dr. Teo is too far away for me to consult if emergency arises. My lower limbs are back to normal only swelling slightly in the evening but will be alright after a nights rest.

Indeed her condition had improved. She had more energy, the swelling lessened and the flatulence in her stomach had disappeared. She did not suffer any more coughs or pains.

Fax of 16 October 2003: I have stopped taking Xeloda since September. Now I only take your herbal tea. I am doing alright at the moment just feeling pins and needles in my fingers and feet. I told my doctor here that I am taking your herbs. I would like to thank you again for helping and treating me and keeping me in good general condition. My sincere thanks to you again.

Fax of 14 January May 2004 (i.e., 2 years on the herbs): I am doing alright all along. I feel well and my appetite is good. Occasionally I have backache.

Fax of 3 June 2005: X-ray of the pelvis showed secondary deposits in the right acetabulum but I didnt suffer any pains at all. I went for a detoxification course in Taiwan in March 2005. I suffered from left sciatica during the course. Physiotherapy did not help at all. I feel that my heart beats very fast intermittently but ECG was normal. Besides all those mentioned, I am doing fine.

On 30 November 2005, Siew wrote: I had an ultrasound done on 28 Nov. 05. The result is similar to that done in May 05. I am doing very well. Thank you for helping me all these years. I really appreciate your kindness and helpfulness.

On 26 March 06 her e-mail reads: I had my blood test done on 15 March 06. Most of the results are within normal range.

I was told that when she first wrote to me, Siew was in real bad shape. Her doctor gave her only a few months to live. But as of this writing, June 2007, it has been five years after modern medicine had failed her, Siew remained well and is still taking our herbs.

For more information about complementary cancer therapy visit:
http://www.cacare.com
http://www.NaturalHealingForYou.com
http://www.BookOnCancer.com

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The Birth Control Pill and The Breast Cancer Connection

The Birth Control Pill and The Breast Cancer Connection
By Jackie L. Harvey

There is only one drug in the world so well known that it's called he Pill. For more than forty years, more people have taken the Pill than any other prescribed medicine in the world.

Sex, pregnancy, and contraception have been hot topics for millennia. It wasn't until the U.S. government approved the birth control pill in 1960 that possibilities for contraception changed dramatically. The majority of women -- and plenty of men -- welcomed the Pill.

The birth control pill was the first medication ever designed for purely social, rather than therapeutic purposes. At the height of the drugs popularity, U.S. Senate hearings focused the nations attention on potentially deadly health risks posed by the high-dose Pill. As a result of the hearings, pharmaceutical companies lowered the dosages and doctors advised women who were obese, smoked, had high blood pressure or a family history of blood clots against taking the Pill.

In the 1980s, the high dosage 10-milligram pill was removed from the market and biphasic and triphasic oral contraceptives were introduced. Today, women can get a prescription for a Pill containing 1 milligram of progestins, one tenth of the original dose, and containing as little as 20 micrograms of estrogen.

From the very beginning, a significant number of women complained of discomfort from the Pill and switched to other methods. When women wanted to discuss the side effects with their doctors, they often met with frustration. It was common for their complaints to be dismissed as exaggerated. In other cases their ailments were just considered the price that women had to pay in return for such an effective contraceptive. The problem was compounded by that fact that female patients were not always informed about the potential for strokes, heart attacks or blood clots while on the Pill. For the most part sharing the Pills risk has become a part of the information provided by health care practitioners who prescribe the Pill.

Today, the safety of the Pill is assumed. However, it is important to remember that the pill contains identical hormones to those found in Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). HRT has come under question because of the Womens Health Initiative Study showing an increase in breast cancer and heart disease for those women who were on HRT.

In October 20, 2004 headlines read Birth Control Pill Cuts Cancer, Heart Disease Risk: Study - A new study, yet to be published, suggests women who use oral contraceptives have lower risks of heart disease, stroke, and cancer.

This study has now been denied as accurate by the WHI. Analyses by the WHI have made it clear that the recent findings were not correct

The low dose pill today although deemed to be safe has never undergone a large government-funded study similar to the WHI study on HRT. According to Dr. John R. Lee in his book What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Breast Cancer women up to age 21 who use the Pill increase their lifetime risk of Breast Cancer by 600%. Caution when considering the use of Birth Control Pill should still be used.

This Article Is Copywright 2006 Jackie L. Harvey & Saliva Testing com

Jackie Harvey is an International speaker, radio program host, seminar leader, business trainer, and a mother of seven. She works in partnership with nurses, medical doctors and health care practitioners.

Jackie is a men & women's health advocate specializing in hormonal and menopausal health. Thousands of men & women have watched her informative DVD Let's Talk About Hormones. Jackie is committed to making a positive change in peoples lives.

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Are You Suffering From Kidney Cancer?

Are You Suffering From Kidney Cancer?
By Michael Russell

Anyone affected with cancer faces uncertainty and anxiety. He often worries about the illness with a dozen of questions about the situation he or she is experiencing. A person with kidney cancer is no different. A kidney cancer patient will often worry about a lot of things primarily about getting the proper treatment including getting all tumor removed. Additionally, he may worry about whether the cancer will come back or having to undergo an array of medical tests, scheduled treatments and even hospital stays. Medical bills are also prime concern and these can also worry patients with any serious illness. Furthermore, kidney cancer patients often worry about how to hold on with his job despite the illness.

Kidney cancers primary choice of treatment is surgery. However, each patient requires different forms of treatment or a combination thereof depending on his age and general health and the stage of cancer. Kidney cancer is resistant to radiation. This is the reason why radiation is only used when there is already lymph node or kidney area involvement. Additionally, radiation treatment is only done when the cancer has already spread to other areas and the cancer cells can no longer be completely removed. It has been observed that drug therapy has been inconsistently effective against kidney cancer. Aside from radical nephrectomy, or the surgical removal of the kidney, some procedures are also being done to kidney cancer patients. These include procedures like arterial embolization, radiation therapy, biological therapy and hormone therapy.

Post-operative care is necessary in order to help kidney cancer patients recover more easily from surgery. He also needs supportive treatment, which includes relief from symptoms and side effects caused by treatments including chemotherapy and radiation. Kidney cancer patients will also benefit from psychological reassurance. This will speed up recovery and even minimize complications.

Taking care of a loved one who is suffering from kidney cancer is not easy. If the patient has to undergo surgery, you need to encourage him to express his fears and anxieties. You can talk to him and assure him that his body will be able to adapt soon to the kidney loss. It will also be beneficial if the patient is aware of any possible side effects after radiation or chemotherapy. His doctor or nurse may be able to talk with him about these. Medical professionals most often teach the patient some post-operative procedures to make the recovery easier. These include diaphragmatic breathing, proper coughing and how to support the incision while coughing. After surgery, you can aid the patient by regularly reminding him to comply with the doctors prescribed outpatient treatment including taking all the necessary medications. The doctor almost always will prescribe an annual follow-up chest x-ray. This procedure will rule out any spread of cancer to the lungs. Additionally, a procedure called intravenous pyelography maybe prescribed every 6 to 12 months in order to check for any budding tumors.

Finally, the length of recovery time from treatment including surgery, radiation or chemotherapy varies from individual to individual. Patients who undergo surgery will often complain of post-operative pain and discomfort accompanied with weakness and exhaustion. Family support and understanding are important during a patients recovery period.

Michael RussellYour Independent guide to Kidney Cancer

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How Effective Are Natural Cures For Prostate Cancer And What Are Some Popular Treatments?

How Effective Are Natural Cures For Prostate Cancer And What Are Some Popular Treatments?
By Tim Gorman

Natural therapies for treating prostate cancer often consist of a number of treatments, including herbal remedies, natural vitamins, minerals or dietary supplements. Other treatments include massage, acupuncture, homeopathy and magnetic therapy.

Most natural treatments are used in conjunction with a medical treatment plan, they are not intended as a complete cure for prostate cancer. The effectiveness of natural remedies is under debate, many patients claim that these treatments have been beneficial for them, while many medical practitioners claim that they are not much use and cause patients to have false hope. They also claim that natural remedies can interfere with regular treatments in prostate cancer patients.

Homeopathy is a well-known natural therapy that works on the principal that substances that can make normally well people ill can have the opposite effect on patients who are already ill if the doses of the substance are very small.

There have also been studies conducted for the usefulness of magnetic therapy to help with the cure of prostate cancer. It is believed that the north pole of the magnets can aid in slowing down the growth of a tumor. Patients treat themselves with magnetic therapy by sitting on a pad that contains magnets.

Acupuncture and massage are often recommended for prostate cancer sufferers as a complimentary treatment. Proper massage will make the patient feel more relaxed and able to cope better with stress. Massage and acupuncture are widely known as complimentary treatments rather than alternative cures for sufferers. Doctors often suggest that a patient use these treatments to help them cope with their condition.

Natural cures for prostate cancer are still being debated between doctors and natural therapy professionals, in regard to their effectiveness and ability to cure prostate cancer. If a patient is interested in learning more about natural therapies or remedies, a good place to start is to consult the doctor who is treating them and discuss the treatment, including the advantages or disadvantages of using these treatments in conjunction with the normal treatment programs.

It is important that patients make sure to tell their doctor about any natural remedies or therapies that they are thinking of using before starting them. Even herbal remedies can have a reaction to some treatments that are already being used to treat prostate cancer.

Fo rmore information on the benefits of natural cures for prostate cancer please visit http://www.onlineprostatehealthguide.com where you will find information and resources dealing with radiation therapy for prostate cancer treatments, prostate cancer symptoms and hormonal therapy for prostate cancer treatments.

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Ovarian Cancer Prognosis

Ovarian Cancer Prognosis
By Eddie Tobey

Epithelial carcinoma of the ovary or Ovarian cancer is one of the most common gynecologic diseases. It is serious and has a very high mortality rate. It is the fifth most frequent cause of cancer death in women. It is most common in women above fifty years of age. The cancer can appear in younger women too. It is seen that women having genetic predisposition are at greater risk. Clinical statistics also show less cases of this malignancy in women using contraceptive medication. Women who have had early pregnancy or have more children also seem to be at a lower risk factor.

Prognostic factors are used to predict the likely course of ovarian cancer. Stage is the only unanimously acknowledged prognostic factor for patients with ovarian cancer. In case of advanced stage patients, volume of residual disease is considered as a diagnostic factor. To begin a prognosis and establish treatment, the physician needs to know the cell type, stage, and grade of the disease. Other factors that may be important include the patient?s age, histopathologic grade, DNA ploidy, Peritoneal fluid cytology and CA125.

The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), has created standards for the staging of gynecological cancers. Both surgical and pathological findings are taken into account, hence it is called surgicopathologic.

Most ovarian cancer symptoms are seen only in the late stages of the disease. Ovarian cancer is treated with surgery to remove the cancerous cells. This is followed by chemotherapy. It is recommended that people experiencing vaginal bleeding, uncharacteristic period cycles, or intestinal problems should see a physician right away, so that such cases can be detected at the earliest.

Unfortunately, like most of the cancers, the exact cause of ovarian cancer is not known. It is also difficult to find precise information due to contradictory studies.

Ovarian Cancer provides detailed information on Ovarian Cancer, Ovarian Cancer Symptoms, Ovarian Cancer Treatments, Ovarian Cancer Stages and more. Ovarian Cancer is affiliated with Mesotherapy Before And After.

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