Greed is Good? Cigars and Throat Cancer

September 3rd, 2010

Greed is Good? Cigars and Throat Cancer

  

Michael Douglas has revealed that he has been diagnosed with stage 4 throat cancer.  He confesses that for most of his adult life he has been a smoker and drinker, two behaviors that have been linked to increased oral cancer risk.  This is a very serious diagnosis and not surprisingly his physicians are treating him aggressively with radiation and chemotherapy.

According to the American Cancer Society close to 38,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer this year.  It causes over 8,000 deaths annually in the US.  The death rate for oropharyngeal cancer is so high partly due to the difficulty in early detection.  It can be painless and go unnoticed with few physical changes until the disease is quite advanced.

Cigar smoking has a long history of being associated with wealth and achievement (think of Mr. Douglas’ character of Gordon Gekko in his movie Wall Street).  But cigars might also be known for being more toxic than cigarette smoke.  The larger size of most cigars, implies more tobacco and longer smoking time which results in higher exposures to many toxic compounds (including carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, ammonia, cadmium, and other substances).

90% of oral cancer patients use tobacco.  Diagnosis increases with the amount and duration of smoking.  Cigarette and Cigar smoking can cause cancer of the oral cavity (lip, tongue, mouth and throat), larynx (voice box), esophagus and the lung. Men are more than twice as likely to develop oral cancers.  But, this might be more due to lifestyle choices such as drinking and smoking.

George Karl, the head coach for the Denver Nuggets was diagnosed with Squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil back in February of 2009.  He too has been fighting with multiple rounds of radiation and chemotherapy.  He was recently seen at the ESPY Awards in July looking 40 pounds thinner.

In Mr. Douglas’ case he reports having suffered a sore throat for a while.  “I had a really sore throat….and I actually went through a litany of doctors and tests and they didn’t find anything,” he said on the David Letterman Show.   Doctors performed a biopsy and discovered a stage 4 tumor in the back of his throat.  His doctors expect him to make a full recovery.

Find out more about Oropharyngeal cancer:

American Cancer Society
1-800-ACS-2345
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp

National Cancer Institute
1-800-4-CANCER
http://www.cancer.gov/

Oral Cancer Foundation
949-646-8000
http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/

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How Effective Is Chemotherapy Procedure For Breast Cancer?

September 3rd, 2010

Breast cancer occurs on the breast tissue due to uncontrollable growth of cells. This can either be in the inner lining of the milk ducts. This type of cancer normally affects elderly women although there are cases where it affects men and young women. The most notable sign of the disease is the formation of a lump in the breast. Other signs include a change in the size or shape of the breast or discharge from the nipples. These signs are noted during a self-exam. However, one needs to see a doctor for further tests in order to tell whether the lump is malignant or benign.

There are different types of treatment that one can receive after being diagnosed with cancer. These include, surgery (lumpectomy or mastectomy), radiation, hormonal therapy, target therapy and chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is the use of drugs or combination of drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells. The drug or drugs used depend on the type of cancer and the extent to which it has spread. In addition, this method of treatment can be used in cases where surgery is not an option or possible. The treatment is sometimes given to help reduce the size of the tumor. This is done so that the tumor can easily be removed.

Chemotherapy is effective in breast cancer treatment because, it can help remove a tumor or control its growth. It is also useful in reducing the pain associated with the disease. Chemotherapy drugs can be administered orally or intravenously. This drugs cause side effects because, they end up destroying even the normal cells. This problem is however temporary as the normal cells usually repair themselves some time after the treatment is stopped. Other effects of these drugs include; nausea, fatigue, hair loss, constipation and diarrhea. The severity of effects caused by this treatment can however be reduced through the use of some prescription drugs.

Due to these side effects that end up affecting the whole body, more people are opting to have the treatment administered directly to the affected cancerous site. However, to reach this decision you have to consult with your doctor who will advise you depending on your individual case, other related illnesses, the type of drugs to be used and the stage the cancer has reached. Many patients have benefited from this treatment since, it has proved effective in destroying cancerous cells and in managing existing tumors.

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About the Author:
Peter Gitundu Creates Interesting And Thought Provoking Content on Cancer. For More Information, Read More Of His Articles Here BREAST CANCER RESEARCH If You Enjoyed This Article, Make Sure You Read My Most Recent Posts Here BREAST CANCER IN MEN
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Alternative Breast Cancer Treatment – Ayurvedic Medicine For Breast Cancer

September 2nd, 2010

Cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled growth of cells. Breast cancer forms in the tissues of the breast. It is normally formed in the ducts. It can be detected using a mammogram or a through a self-exam. It is advised that these tests should be done regularly so that early detection can be made. With early detection, advances in treatment and therapy, survival rates are highly increased. Symptoms include a lump in the breast, discharge from the nipple, or a noticeable change in the size or shape of a breast. Some of the factors that contribute to this type are genes, age or even family history of the disease.

There are many alternative approaches for dealing with this type of cancer. For example; homeopathy, use of supplements, acupuncture, massage or use of herbs. Ayurvedic is also one of these alternatives. This type of treatment originates from India, but is also used and accepted around the world as a complementary and alternative form of medicine. It is used to bring about a faster response and reduce the side effects of conventional drugs. It also helps prevent recurrence of diseases and also prolong survival rates. These medicines are also used to prevent diseases, to protect and to cure chronic diseases in the body. In addition, they are used to correct immunity disorders in the body.

In most cases, people usually go through the conventional methods of getting a prognosis before treatment can be diagnosed. However, in cases where traditional ayurvedic is still practiced, the patient is asked questions. To answer these questions, all the five senses must be used. A prognosis is then made and the necessary formulations given for treatment. Nowadays, most patients prefer to undergo conventional methods of diagnosis. They then combine the conventional drugs together with the alternative ayurvedic medicine.

While taking ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of breast or any other cancer, you need to continually visit your oncologist for checkups. Formulations for ayurveda treatments are made using seven metals and herbs. The herbs used include; gold, silver, zinc, tin, lead, copper, and iron. However, cases of lead poisoning have been reported over time. This often occurrs when some of the formulations have been prepared with excess lead quantities, above the regulated standards. Other reported cases have been deaths due to delayed use of conventional drugs due to belief in the alternative medicine. In addition, it is important to seek advice from a practitioner before you self medicate.

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About the Author:
Peter Gitundu Creates Interesting And Thought Provoking Content on Cancer. For More Information, Read More Of His Articles Here BREAST CANCER TREATMENT If You Enjoyed This Article, Make Sure You Read My Most Recent Posts Here BREAST CANCER TREATMENT
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Marijuana Detox Procedure

September 1st, 2010

Marijuana detox implies getting rid of the addictive THC components of the drug. THC metabolites are known to be present in the body even after the Marijuana effects wane. The THC or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol is a fat soluble substance that takes longer time to exit from the body as compared to other drugs. While other drugs are water soluble and can leave the body quickly, THC is fat soluble and stays in your cell much longer, even a month or so.

So when we seek Marijuana detox, we are looking at cleansing three organ systems: the skin, the blood and the urine. Marijuana detox includes a combination of vitamins, minerals and herbal remedies. There are withdrawal symptoms that await people who are undergoing detoxification for Marijuana. But then you should not be bogged down by that problem because detoxification is the most important and basic step for Marijuana addiction treatment.

If you are getting treated in a rehab, there will be Marijuana detox specialists who will make sure that you are able to detoxify the toxins from the system without lesser hassle. Here are some of the ways to make use of Marijuana detox fast without feeling too uncomfortable: 1. Drink lots of water to clean your system and flush the toxins out. Another thing that you can do is drink a cup of hot water with lemon sprinkled because it can stimulate the digestive tract and removes the toxins out quickly.

2. Do cardiovascular exercises that can help the body burn the fat cells so that the ones that store THC can be removed. You will know that your body is driving out toxins because your body will emit a faint Marijuana like odor when you perform exercises during Marijuana detox. 3. Take 2000 mg of Vitamin C on a daily basis during Marijuana detox. Vitamin C is water soluble, builds the immune system and gets rid of toxins in your body.

4. Drink dandelion tea three or four times a day,dandelion is a natural herb which is known to eliminate toxins from the body. 5. Add garlic to every meal. Garlic hastens the elimination of THC, leading to a healthy body devoid of toxins. 6. Increase the effectiveness of your Marijuana detox program by taking Niacin supplements. Niacin and other B vitamin deficiencies are common in people who take drugs and alcohol. Niacin is known to speed up the Marijuana detoxification and takes care of the toxins.

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The Truth About Ovarian Cysts, And Proven Cure for the Cancerious Problem Todays Women Face

August 31st, 2010

Nearly 5-10% of women, between the age of 20-40 experience polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS. About 30% women may have PCOS symptoms but it is possible that they are not diagnosed with the syndrome. PCOS is one of the main causes of infertility in women. Pregnancy is possible while having PCOS but women with PCOS tend to suffer a much higher rate of miscarriages. To understand in what way PCOS and pregnancy are interlinked, let us take a look at PCOS and pregnancy complications. Women diagnosed with PCOS usually require treatment to improve chances for pregnancy. It becomes a challenge to stay pregnant with PCOS and have a positive obstetric outcome. A woman with PCOS and pregnancy may have to face gestational diabetes, miscarriage and high blood pressure. Obese women are at a greater risk of having gestational diabetes. Prompt medical check ups should be done to detect these health hazards as early as possible.

The main two causes of higher rate of miscarriage in women diagnosed with PCOS is the consequent hormonal imbalance that comes with the condition and placental insufficiency. The increased level of insulin in women with PCOS affects the physiology of blood clotting. Increased level of insulin results in increased clotting between the endometrium (lining of the uterus) and the placenta, which in turn may affect the placenta’s ability to provide nutrients to the fetus and to remove its wastes. Such situation may lead to miscarriage.

Thus, PCOS and pregnancy symptoms mainly include raised levels of insulin and high blood pressure. It is necessary that PCOS is diagnosed as early as possible and the necessary prompt measures are taken, so that further complications can be avoided. Following are the symptoms of PCOS that help to diagnose the endocrine disorder.

TO GET CURE SEND EMAIL TO : t08j31m74@aol.com

 


 

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About the Author:
I  personally had gone through the same  experience years ago. I have battled with chronic ovarian cysts for more than a decade until I have finally found a cure, got rid of the recurring ovarian cysts I was suffering from and got pregnant twice and now i am a proud mother of two healthy children.
TO GET CURE SEND EMAIL TO : t08j31m74@aol.com
 
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