What Is Asbestos? (Version 2)

What Is Asbestos?
It is to use a combination of silicate minerals for commercial desired physical properties such as asbestos. Asbestos word from the Greek word meaning "to turn off it. Impossible" asbestos in the history of the use of the original asbestinon nature and this term, which means Pliny naturalist of Rome long-term "or not being" controlled can be attributed to the Elder "in the wild".

Asbestos, had become popular among the latter part of the 19th century architecture and the manufacturer. Because of its affordable sound absorption, average tensile strength, resistance to fire and heat and electrical and chemical damage

Are used in applications such as wire insulation and building insulation panels such. Asbestos is used to fight fire or heat, are woven into fabric or mats or mixed with cement (cement fiber result) often fiber.

Inhalation of asbestos fibers, you will be able to asbestos, pleural mesothelioma and lung disease, and lung cancer.

Greater risk of disease, such as increased intake of fiber and risk of lung cancer from inhaling asbestos fibers you smoke. Usually, symptoms of the disease do not appear until years after exposure first 20-30 to asbestos.

You can find out where the asbestos

You are in your home where you can find a few places where asbestos:
· Downpipes rainwater eaves, soffits, and gutter Fire blanket, Thatched hut and garage
· Panelling thatched roof and wall or door Insulation of these panels in some storage
- Bathtub Exhaust steam heating system Lot of asbestos packing between wood and wall

Tile For asbestos removal

You can have the first two options, you can remove it by yourself, if you find asbestos in your environment, you can hire a professional second to them. If you are planning to be aware of the following: u that you

• Use a dust mask approved for asbestos,

· Wear disposable coveralls

• Keep other people from the region

Wet materials are not ready to check out a small amount of water and dish soap, the possibility of premature contact with electricity

-Always without interruption, to remove all or part of the leaf

· I do not put a small plastic bag and seal small, strong brands and

· Clean the dust with a damp cloth, then while wet, sealed in a plastic bag

• It is possible to pass through the dust filter vacuum cleaner for every home, please do not use

Double-wrapped in heavy plastic bag If asbestos waste or full-duplex.

If you are using your own asbestos removed from your home, you will usually need to be disposed of separately from household waste.
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Mesothelioma Cancer and Asbestos

Mesothelioma Cancer and Asbestos

It is a lot of people have never heard of because it is a rare cancer mesothelioma. According to the National Cancer Institute, has been about 2,000 new cases diagnosed annually in the United States. To 213,380 cases of cancer will be diagnosed in 2007, compared with the laboratory that can be expected.

Cancer of mesothelioma begin in the organization, called mesothelieum surround the lungs, stomach, heart and other organs. To protect these devices at two levels of tissues and body fluids can be moved and devices Mesothelieum. It can be found in the vicinity of either of these institutions, was found mainly in the chest and abdomen.

Exposure to asbestos is the major risk factor. You may have asbestos insulation in many buildings. In addition, asbestos dust tile, roof, of the rock, you can search.

Most of the use of asbestos in building materials are identified in 1989. Because it takes time to develop, but cancer has been diagnosed after 50 years after the exposure of only 20.

Therefore, the more people over the late 50s. According to the American Cancer Society, has been diagnosed for three-quarters of the patients over the age of 65


Other factors that are linked to are as follows.

* Protection against radiation. Have discovered a substance called thorium dioxide that is used in the X-ray to cause cancer. However, she was such material in use for many years.

* Tobacco. Smoking is associated with this type of cancer with a combination of direct, smoking and asbestos, according to the American Cancer Society, does not increase the risk of lung cancer.

* SV40. Found the virus in the polio vaccine in the 50s and early 60s in the middle. There are no symptoms so you may have developed from 20 to 50 years, this virus before it is known whether it is a risk factor, there may be some time.

Symptoms vary from person to person such an organization has been deleted. All symptoms are as follows.

Shortness of breath

* Chest pain

Pain in the abdomen *

* Swelling of the abdomen

* Fever

* Anemia

According to the patient and treatment. Many patients had surgery to remove the food and tissues that are affected. In severe cases, withdrawal of the surrounding tissue in some lung cancer, breast cancer or film.

Physicians high-energy rays to kill and tumor shrinkage, the infected cells, some patients, you may want to prescribe radiation therapy.

Joint is another treatment, but chemotherapy is recommended, it is possible to fail in the treatment of patients with mesothelioma. By vessels of the American Cancer Society for the drug by preventing the blood supply to them, had planned to kill these cells.

It is, from the time of diagnosis, because the progression of the disease and the prognosis is poor often. According to the American Cancer Society, about 10% survival rate five years. Most patients survive one year after diagnosis. Put a new treatment and clinical trials to improve survival of patients suffering from cancer and mesothelioma

Brief Overview of Mesothelioma disease

What is mesothelioma?

Notoriety associated with asbestos and mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that people are exposed to asbestos damage. This is a rare form of cancer, which affects the people of asbestos exposure only, and there was no other history. The average amount of time that is in contact with people who have been exposed to asbestos in spite of it, people occurred in the past is present. The key to mesothelioma, as here, exposure to asbestos.

The main cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Patient, after the inhalation factors such as fiber / asbestos dust, such as smoking worsens over time. There may be other reasons for mesothelioma. Patient, for example if you do not have a history of asbestos does not, he was diagnosed. Leaving the people that people can not come into contact with asbestos. Before proceeding, we can define a mesothelioma.
Definition mesothelioma: mesothelioma, usually, has been described as a rare cancer associated with exposure to asbestos before. Has developed a protective layer of skin to grow in most organs, the body (cancer) cells in this disease. Malignant mesothelioma cells to reproduce to the affected area, usually in order to eliminate completely is very difficult.

Mesothelioma, was too far from the case in the 1960s as well as the symptoms he has been known, began to show a case of mesothelioma diagnosis. Across the United States, for people who are companies that are linked to asbestos, it was a nightmare. At that time, asbestos, because of the many advantages, because it has been used in a variety of industries worldwide widely compared to other metals. It is waiting to be unleashed, it is a tragedy of epic proportions, when he is called, it was chaos in the lives of people across the United States. Still, we continue to fight this terrible disease and thousands, were killed in thousands of mesothelioma.

More than 3,000 people were diagnosed with mesothelioma in the U.S. already. Battle of the victims and their families of mesothelioma, to cope with the disease. For mesothelioma lawsuits against the industry that survived suffered from something like the exorcism of her pain, brought the disease they were suffering. Number of victims of mesothelioma cases, lawyers were able to solve.

The Basis of Mesothelioma Lawsuits

One type of lawsuit which is arising more frequently these days is that relating to mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure. When an individual is diagnosed with mesothelioma, the individual usually has malignant cells within the pleura and peritoneum areas of the body. This is a type of disease which proves fatal for approximately 3,000 individuals annually. Individuals who contract this disease will frequently pursue legal avenues in order to take action and request compensation for their current situation.

How Mesothelioma Lawsuits Arise


When individuals develop Mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure, these people often want to pursue legal recourse as they feel that they are entitled to compensation for their pain and suffering. Mesothelioma, and any type of cancer for that matter, is a horrible road to travel and if the cancer was due to the negligence of another person, the individual wronged has a right to pursue this in a court of law. Lawsuits of this type usually evolve after an individual has consulted with an attorney who practices asbestos litigation and if the attorney advises the client to do so, the individual may choose to litigate.

How Long Mesothelioma Lawsuits Take to Complete

As with any type of case, lawsuits can be particularly lengthy and arduous at times. However, in order to truly assert one's rights, access to pursue an action in a court of law is entirely necessary. Generally, due to the complex nature of these types of lawsuits, cases of this sort may take awhile to complete, years even. However, settlements and compliant parties make lawsuit time lengths drastically shorter than they could be. Regardless of how long it takes to resolve an action, it is important that individuals assert their rights should they desire to do so.

Mesothelioma is a deadly disease whereby individuals who have fallen victim to mesothelioma due to the wrongful actions of others should have a right to take legal action should they feel it is in their best interest to do so.


Article Source: ezinearticles

Detecting Skin Cancer Made Easy

Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer existing in the world. It can strike at any age group. Most people do not consider skin cancer as a serious problem. However, it is important to know that the cancer can be really difficult to handle or even deadly if not treated directly.

It is important to keep on performing regular self examination so that you can come to know about the problem at an early stage.

Here are certain tips on examining your self for skin cancer so that the disease does not turn out to be serious or ugly in the future. While conducting a self examination, you should keep in mind that about 1 in 5 people can have some form of skin cancer in their entire lifetime.

Experts recommend that you need to check yourself for skin cancer on a monthly basis in order to spot the problem.

You would require some mirrors in order to see all parts of your body. Try to check the entire area of your body. You need to analyze your head, face and scalp in the mirror.

Gradually examine the other parts of your body. Make sure that you check the genital areas also check the portion between your toes well.

When doing a self examination for skin cancer, you must check for irregular moles. Usually, mal-formed moles are a result of malignant melanoma. It is the deadliest form of skin cancer. If you find an asymmetrical mole on your body, consult your doctor.

Remember that most moles complete their growth prior to the age of twenty. In case, the mole on your body starts growing after the age of twenty, consult your doctor immediately.

Another important thing to check for irregularities on the borders of the mole. The borders should be well defined and uniform in growth. Another symptom of skin cancer is a mole that changes color to a dark red, black or white. This is a direct indication of development of skin cancer on your body.

Remember that early diagnosis may be the only way to surviving skin cancer. In case, you spot anything you might feel a problem, consult an oncologist or dermatologist on an immediate basis. A little caution from your side may do wonders to your body.

Moles on the body can turn in to cancerous melanomas. Hence it is very important to check your moles on a regular basis and talk to your doctor whenever you feel that there is a sign of danger.

The best thing to do is to follow a 4 step, A-B-C-D guide when checking your moles. In case, any of the points mentioned below are true, talk to your doctor right away.

a) Asymmetry

In case, ½ of the mole does not match the other half, there is a problem. Any mole or birthmark with skin growth that increases in size should be reported to doctor.

b) Border

The border of the mole should not be ragged, notched or blurred.

c) Color

In case, the mole is a mixture of brown, black and tan contact a doctor.

d) Diameter

A mole larger than pencil eraser is an important sign of skin cancer

Article Source: ezinearticles

Who is at Risk From Mesothelioma Cancer?

Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer which is fairly rare although in the last few decades the number of people who have died from it have dramatically increased. Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos without sufficient protection. When a person is exposed to asbestos, he or she inhales tiny asbestos fibres which are suspended in the air. These fibres pass into the respiratory system and end up becoming lodged in the lungs. An accumulation of asbestos fibres in the lining of the lungs like this can cause nearby cells to deform and eventually leads to what is known as pleural mesothelioma. Accumulation of asbestos fibres in the peritoneum (lining of the abdomen) can lead to peritoneal mesothelioma and build up of fibres around the tissue of the heart can cause pericardial mesothelioma. Asbestos fibres reach these places over time or because they have been transported there by the lymphatic system.

Mesothelioma has a very large latency period (time between getting the cancer and feeling the symptoms of it). This period is usually between 30 - 50 years and so a person who bears mesothelioma is unlikely to know that they have got it. This is why mesothelioma is so hard to diagnose in its early stages because it shows no symptoms and the few symptoms that it does show such as wheezing and shortness of breath are typical of far more common diseases such as pneumonia. The likelihood of being cured depends largely on how early and how aggressively the cancer is treated. If it is treated when it has fully developed and matured then it is extremely difficult to cure.

In this way, those at risk are those who have worked amongst asbestos. Construction workers, asbestos manufacturers or those who have lived within a mile of an asbestos factory are the people who have the largest contact with asbestos. Those who are in contact with these people are also at risk because asbestos fibres can stick to clothes and hair. The majority of people who are discovering that they have mesothelioma are elderly men of about 60 - 70. This was the generation which worked with asbestos a lot without sufficient protection. Many of these men are now lodging multi million dollar lawsuits against the companies who exposed them to the dangers of asbestos.


Article Source: ezinearticles

Chronotherapy Helps Lung Cancer Patient on the Road to Recovery

Margaret Olszowka was diagnosed with lung cancer on New Year's Eve, 2002. The prognosis was very grim: her disease had advanced to Stage 4 and was inoperable. Doctors at a very well known university hospital told her there was nothing they could do for her. They didn't even offer chemotherapy as an option; she was told she had months to live. However, instead of giving up, she decided she was going to fight the disease, and ultimately found her way to cancer specialist, Keith Block, MD, where she received chronotherapy as part of her treatment plan. Today, she is doing very well and enjoying her two children and six grandchildren. She wants the world to know about the role chronotherapy played in her survival in the hopes of helping other cancer patients.

What is chronotherapy?

Chronotherapy takes into account how our body's natural rhythms' impact our ability to process medications. Patterns like sleeping, menstrual cycles, even our physical response to the changing seasons, are different for everyone. In the old days we called these biorhythms. Today, doctors are finding that understanding a patient's biorhythms, and coordinating the timing of their medical treatments to these biorhythms, can profoundly affect the outcome of their treatments. This is called "chronotherapy."

"Every drug has an optimal time when it is least toxic and most effective." says Keith Block, MD, editor-in-chief of the peer-reviewed journal Integrative Cancer Therapies, and Clinical Professor, Department of Medical Education, at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago (UIC), and at the Department of Pharmacology. For cancer treatment, this is determined by several factors, including the biological uniqueness of the particular drug being given, the time when the specific type of cancer cells divide the most, when the normal healthy cells of the patient generally divide the least, the patient's circadian clock and individual rest-activity cycles, and even the time zone the person resides in."

According to Dr. Michael Smolensky, co-author of the book The Body Clock Guide to Better Health, "When cancer medications are given in a chronobiological manner, patients may be able to tolerate higher, more potent doses than would be possible otherwise."

"This method of administering chemotherapy is revolutionary and has demonstrated in large randomized trials its potential to improve survival," states Dr. Block. "We have found that often patients receiving chronotherapy reduce what would have been recurring side effects of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fatigue. This is important because the debilitation caused by chemo can cause patients to reduce or even stop treatments that could otherwise help them win their battle with cancer."

Chronotherapy is being widely researched around the world:

There are over 62,000 references in PubMed (the National Institute of Health's archive of biomedical and life sciences journal articles) about chronobiology (how biology is affected by timing) and over 500 scientific articles specifically about chronotherapy. The National Cancer Institute's Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine (OCCAM) devoted an entire web cast for doctors on chronotherapy.

So why isn't chronotherapy used more widely?

One of the main problems has been logistics - figuring out how to deliver chemotherapy in exactly timed doses. "Portable infusion pumps may hold the answer," explains Gerald Sokol, MD, an oncologist with the division of oncology in FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

Dr. Block has brought technology to the U.S. that administers chemotherapy via a pump designed to precisely time up to four channels of infusion simultaneously to the individual needs of a patient. Highly portable and small enough to fit in a fanny pack, patients are able to maintain full mobility, play sports, and enjoy a full night's sleep - while receiving their specifically timed cancer therapy.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/92183

Mesothelioma - Catch It Early to Avoid Big Trouble

Mesothelioma is a relatively rare form of cancer where cancerous cells develop in the mesothelium -- a protective sac that covers most of the body's internal organs. Like most cancers, early detection of mesothelioma greatly increases the chances of beating the disease.
But early detection is more difficult with mesothelioma because it has a long dormancy period of 30 or 40 years in which the cancer remains fairly inactive and causes very few symptoms. When the disease passes into its active phase it rapidly spreads to the internal organs such as the lungs, heart and abdominal organs. In its active phase it is very difficult to treat successfully because it develops and spreads so quickly.
Causes of mesothelioma
Mesothelioma was barely in the public eye until a few years ago. It has a very specific cause -- exposure to asbestos. And the dangers of asbestos exposure were not widely acknowledged until the 1970s and 80s when its serious health implications could no longer be ignored.
As often happens in cases involving commercial products with harmful side effects, there was tremendous resistance to acknowledging its dangers. In the case of asbestos, it was a product that had some very important properties that made it ideal for insulation applications.
During the first half of the previous century, right up until the mid 1970s asbestos was the default material used to retard heat transfer in buildings, machines, heavy equipment, and a broad range of commercial applications. Because it was plentiful and inexpensive to mine, asbestos was widely used in building products such as home insulation, floor, ceiling and roof tiles. It was also used in commonly found commercial products such as brake linings and pipe insulation.
This meant that millions of people were coming in contact with asbestos on a daily basis. And since the effects of exposure to asbestos fibre often do not become apparent for 30 or 40 years after prolonged exposure, there often appeared to be no immediate health risk.
This was especially important in the case of workers who mined and processed asbestos. Although workers were regularly getting sick and often had premature, painful deaths, the long period of dormancy of mesothelioma made it difficult to make the connection to asbestos.
Even short term asbestos exposure will cause mesothelioma
Generally, the probability of developing this form of cancer is directly related to the length of time you are exposed to asbestos. The health risk also increases with the intensity of the exposure to asbestos.
However, an exposure of as little as one or two months can result in mesothelioma 30 or 40 years later. At the age of 48, Canadian Member of Parliament Chuck Strahl, was recently diagnosed with mesothelioma and traces the cause back to changing brake pads on logging equipment after he graduated from high school. Strahl's case is a good example of the fact that Mesothelioma has a latency period of anywhere from 20 to 50 years. Like thousands of others he developed the disease long after his exposure to asbestos.
Symptoms of mesothelioma
Because of its long dormancy period, mesothelioma is often not detected until it enters its active, aggressive stage. Pleural mesothelioma - cancer of the lung lining - causes shortness of breath or chronic coughing. Unfortunately these symptoms can easily be mistaken for allergies or a common cold.
In fact pleural mesothelioma is often discovered by accident when patients think they have one of these more common illnesses. Other symptoms of pleural mesothelioma may include chest pain, chronic coughing, shortness of breath, fatigue, wheezing, hoarseness, weight loss, or blood in the phlegm from the lungs when coughing.
Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the lining around the stomach and intestines and is usually just as dangerous. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include pain or swelling in the abdomen, weight loss, bowel obstruction, anemia, and fever.
Treatment of mesothelioma
Unfortunately, by the time most infected people become aware they have mesothelioma it has ceased being dormant and becomes extremely aggressive. Once it is no longer dormant, this type of cancer can travel quickly, and it becomes almost impossible to stop.
While there are treatments that are available in order to keep the patient comfortable, there is currently no cure for mesothelioma, and as many as 75% of those who develop the disease will lose their life within one year. The remainder may last for up to an additional six months.
Among the treatments that are used in order to reduce the effects of the disease are oxygen, postural drainage and pain killers. A wide range of treatment approaches are being tested, ranging from attempts to fortify the body's natural immune system to gene therapy which tries to attack the problem at the DNA level. Homeopathy, herbs and acupuncture are also used. But none have yet been shown to be very effective once the disease reaches the aggressive stage.
Given the generally poor prognosis for people who do not catch the disease in time, early detection is the best defence against mesothelioma. If you have worked in an industry such as construction or suspect that you may have been exposed to asbestos, be alert for symptoms and contact your doctor immediately. Like all forms of cancer, detecting mesothelioma at the earliest stage possible greatly increases your chances for survival.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/78062

A Detailed Overview of Brain Cancer

Brain cancer tumors may originate in the brain (primary site) or they may metastasize to the brain from another site. Prostate cancer, for example, may metastasize to the liver, the lung, the hip, and then to the brain. Metastasized brain tumors have a poor prognosis because of the already advanced state of the cancer.
The human brain anatomy is complex system responsible for many body functions. Injury that causes damage, traumatic experiences, or brain tumors can greatly alter one's life.
Cancerous tumors that form in the brain (primary) tend to stay within the brain and not branch out to other organs. Their growth can take up the space needed by the healthy brain and cause many conditions, including hearing loss and stroke. The ratio is about 50/50 regarding the occurrence of metastasized and primary brain tumors. The leading cause cancer related death in people in people younger than 35.
The most dangerous chemical in terms of causing this type of cancer is Vinyl Chloride. This is used 'all over' in plumbing, furniture, and house wares. This is presumed to be safe to use unless it is heated as in a microwave oven, which evaporates and drives the substance into the food being heated.
For this reason, always use glass or other microwave safe containers in the microwave oven. Don't burn plastic such as plastic wrapping and containers in a bon fire or fireplace. The smoke can be 'hazardous to your health'.
Typical Symptoms: Any impairment in hearing, sight, judgment, speech, cognitive skills such as reasoning or remembering, or stroke symptoms such as paralysis of one side of the body, inability to walk properly, can be symptomatic of a tumor in the brain.
The treatments are generally the same for other kinds of cancer and tumors. One innovative treatment is the use of the GLIADEL WAFER. These are packed into the space formerly occupied by the tumor and slowly release chemotherapy agents in order to destroy any cancer cells that may have not been removed. This has increased life expectancy for some kinds of brain tumors by fifty percent.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2352138

Is Sex Possible After Prostate Cancer Diagnosis?

SEX AFTER PROSTATE DIAGNOSIS.
If you are diagnosed with any form of prostate disease, you will experience some type of erectile dysfunction, even if it is a surgical procedure using the nerve sparing technique.
There is no need to repeat the treatments we've already covered, but let's take a moment to review some of the possibilities that are available to men AFTER being diagnosed with prostate disease who experience erectile dysfunction:
o There are now numerous erectile dysfunction drugs (EDDs) available. These drugs promote erections by increasing blood flow to the penis.
o There is a substance called Prostaglandin E1 that can produce erections. It is produced naturally and can be injected almost painlessly into the base of the penis before sex.
o A penile implant or prostheses can restore an ability to achieve an erection.
o There are vacuum devices that are designed especially to create an erection by placing around the entire penis before sex.
While erectile dysfunction will most likely begin immediately following surgery for prostate removal, if the technique of nerve sparing is used there is a possibility of recovery within a year of the procedure. If non-nerve sparing is used the recovery of erectile function is highly unlikely.
There are studies that report sparing nerves on both sides of a prostate have regained erectile function in 60 - 70% of men. Also, erectile dysfunction drugs appear to work for up to 43% of men whose prostate was removed surgically. This shows a promising trend.
There is some difference when radiation therapy is used. The man will also experience erectile dysfunction but it usually doesn't happen until six months after beginning treatment. However, there is also good news here showing that as many as 50-60% of men regain erections with the use of EDDs.
When hormonal treatment is the route taken, erectile dysfunction will usually occur between two and four weeks after beginning treatment and is linked with decreasing sexual desire. Unfortunately the studies do not show the same results as the previous two treatments having little or no impact on erectile dysfunction. The good news, however, is that normal erectile function returns when the hormonal therapy is ended.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/239659

Beryllium The New Asbestos?

It was American workers on the world's first atomic bomb who became the first industrial victims of beryllium, a rare but especially light, stable and strong metal whose toxic dust can kill those who breathe it.
Now Seafarers doing ship maintenance and have used Jasons De-rusting and de-scaling guns (also known as J-gun or Jasons pistol) raise concerns about exposure to beryllium.
Unlike other metals, beryllium does not spark and was therefore used on tanker ships containing fuel.
Beryllium can cause a long-term lung disease (berylliosis) in some people by triggering an immune (allergic) response in the body. In general, significant exposure to beryllium in a respirable form is required for any disease to occur, and symptoms may take up to 20 years to develop even after exposure has stopped.
Beryllium dust can cause fatal and untreatable lung disease, similar to asbestosis.
The symptoms of berylliosis include shortness of breath, cough, chest pain, weight loss and fatigue. These symptoms are common, so that most people who have these symptoms do not have berylliosis. Occasionally, other areas of the body like the skin, eyes, mouth & nose may develop a rash following contact with dust containing beryllium.
There is no preventive or curative treatment available for berylliosis or chronic beryllium disease

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/19984

Mesothelioma Book - Review

"Lean on Me" Cancer through a carer's eyes 
Lorraine Kember (2003) 
130pp.ISBN 0 646 49969 6

As Janet Craven, palliative care nurse, and Andrew Dean, palliative care physician note in their respective forwards to this book, Lean on Me is a unique and intensely personal description of a writer's responses to her husband Brian's diagnosis, treatments and final death from mesothelioma. The book also provides useful discription of the nature of pain, the usefulness of certain drugs, and the ways in which keeping a journal can assist the medical practitioner in assessing pain management. The overarching narrative, however, is the progression of Brian's cancer, and his erratic but inevitable deterioration. Interspersed with poems and excerpts from Lorraine's diary, this is perhaps the most confronting aspect of the book, simply because it is so personal. While Brian's death is factually noted, Lorraine's description of the moment is emotionally conveyed in a short poem and diary entry. The book concludes with reflections written days, weeks and a year later, on Brian's presence, and her search for meaning and love in her changed life trajectory. this is indeed a compelling read, and a useful resource for both carers and practitioners.
David Ritchie 
Media,communications and Creative Arts Research 
School of communicaton and Creative Arts, 
Deakin University, Melbourne
Lorraine Kember is the Author of “Lean on Me” Cancer through a Carer’s Eyes. Lorraine’s book is written from her experience of caring for her dying husband in the hope of helping others. It includes insight and discussion on: Anticipatory Grief, Understanding and identifying pain, Pain Management and Symptom Control, Chemotherapy, Palliative Care, Quality of Life and Dying at home. It also features excerpts and poems from her personal diary. Highly recommended by the Cancer Council.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/17836

Skin Cancer: Keep Your Skin Safe

Statistics surrounding skin cancer are astounding. More than one million new cases are diagnosed each year, more than all other cancers combined. This means that one in five people will have skin cancer in their lifetime. Despite this high number, Americans understand very little about how to prevent skin cancer, and actually take preventative measures even less. Understanding the types, cause, risks, and prevention of skin cancer is the best way to combat this potentially deadly disease.
The two most common types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma which are usually curable. The third type, melanoma, is much more dangerous and one of the most common cancers in young adults.
Ninety percent of skin cancer is caused by the sun's rays, with UVA rays affecting the genetics of the skin and UVB rays altering the outside layers. Sun exposure in childhood can dramatically increase a person's chance of getting skin cancer. One blistering sunburn in childhood can as much as double the risk of melanoma, the most deadly type of skin cancer, later in life. Childhood is also the part of life which holds the greatest sun exposure for most people. Most parents protect their children from the sun during the summer, or on a trip to the beach, but for children especially, every day is an opportunity to experience the damaging rays of the sun. It is important to protect against the sun's UVA and UVB rays year round.
Risks of skin cancer increase in certain ethnic and age groups. Those with fair skin, blue or green eyes, light colored hair are more susceptible to skin cancer. As are those who burn or freckle easily. However, even those with dark skin can get melanoma and in those rarer cases, it proves to be more deadly. Age also affects a person's risk of skin cancer. In white men over 50, melanoma is the most common kind of cancer, even more common than cancer of the prostate, colon, or lung.
Prevention of skin cancer seems pretty straightforward to most people. Stay out of the sun, and when you can't, wear protective clothing and sunblock. It's not quite that easy. To be effective, sunblock should be above SPF (sun protection factor) 15 and should be reapplied liberally at least every 2 hours. All sunblocks are not created equal. Look for sunblock that blocks both UVA and UVB rays and apply it 15 minutes before heading outside. Even with good sunblock applied well, UV rays can still reach the skin. This is why experts recommend staying out of the sun during the most dangerous, midday rays. Also, cover up with a wide brimmed hat, tightly woven clothing, and sunglasses with UV protection to protect your eyes. Try to avoid UV rays outside and inside, including tanning beds.

source : ezinearticles

Skin Cancer Detection and Protection

Why get naked? Skin cancer, is one reason. That's right, it's important to regularly look your body over for detection. Skin cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer in the U.S., with nearly one million new cases each year. Undiagnosed, it can cause serious problems.
Basal cell and squamous cell cancers are the most common, but melanoma is the most deadly. Melanoma is responsible for over seven thousand deaths a year and the incidence is increasing rapidly. Melanoma is now the number one cancer in younger women and second only to breast cancer in women over the age of 30. White and fair skin people are at the greatest risk. However, skin cancer is deadlier among African-Americans, Hispanics and Asians, even though their risk is less.
Most skin cancer is preventable. But it requires staying out of the sun as much as possible. If you're going to be exposed, be certain to cover up. Wear a hat that shades your face and both the front and back of your neck, plus a long sleeve shirt and full length pants to cover arms and legs.
Also, use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 and reapply it throughout the day - especially after swimming or sweating. Be sure to get new sunscreen each year, because last year's is no longer effective. And, definitely avoid tanning booths, since they've been shown to increase your risk.
A diet rich in carotenoid fruits and vegetables plus a high quality carotenoid supplement can also help protect against skin cancer. Carotenoids are the phytonutrient factors in certain plants that help protect them from sun damage. Luckily, it can do the same for you.
But, you still need to get naked. Take your clothes off and look yourself over for changes in skin. It's an important habit for protecting yourself from skin cancer. And, always be sure to check out those hard to see places like your back, buttocks, bottom of feet and top of your head. Maybe a friend can help!
source : ezinearticles

How To Reduce Breast Cancer Risk

Most of the people, who said that there is danger of basking in the sun explains reallyaffect health. However, a study said direct sun exposure to the sun was lowering the risk of breast cancer.Various sites on the internet featuring interesting sunbathing habits reduce therisk of breast cancer with different writing and discussion. Centralartikel will reviewsunbathing habits to reduce breast cancer as follows.

You need to know the readers blogiztic, basking in the sun within 3 hours is stillconsidered safe. Besides safety, the benefits of basking in the sun exposure is alsolikely to decrease breast cancer risk 50 percent.Routine activities carried out by soaking method produces powerful cancer antaicompounds that can stimulate the body's production of vitamin D in the skin. Besidesbreast cells have the ability to convert vitamin D into a kind of anti-cancer hormone.

facts about this research study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology can be concluded that women who sunbathe and get enough sunlight for 21 hours a week during adolescence had a decreased risk of developing breast cancerup to 29% compared with those who just bask for a hours only

Reduce Colon Cancer Risk By Eating These Vegetables

Australian researchers have come upon some interesting findings while assessing colon cancer risk. After examining the eating patterns of just under 1000 patients suffering with colorectal cancer, along with another 1,021 control subjects without the disease, they found that eating certain fruits and veggies was associated with a lower risk of cancer for both the upper and lower colon.
While fruits and veggies have been researched extensively in terms of colon cancer risk, no work has been done in terms of food intake and the site of the cancer within the colon. If these findings are repeated in larger studies, this might spur recommendations for a higher consumption of veggies as a way to reduce the cancer risk in the lower part of the colon.
Eating the brassica veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale and turnips appears to bring down the risk for cancer forming in the upper area of the colon.
Both fruit and veggie intake (even total veggie intake on its own) cut the risk of cancers of the lower colon.
Eating more apples, as well as dark, yellow veggies was also associated with a significantly smaller chance of colon cancer developing in the lower regions.
Unexpectedly, higher consumption of fruit juice was tied to a higher risk of rectal cancer.
So where does this leave you if you're at risk, or know someone who is?
Work to avoid as many of the risk factors for this form (and all forms) of cancer as you can. Make the changes to your diet (low fat, high fiber) that bring your body more of the good, natural, healthy foods and limit (or eliminate) the calorie and saturated fat laden treats.
Get up and get active - 30 minutes of moderately intense exercise each day is a good goal to work for. And make other changes in your lifestyle - such as quitting smoking or limiting your alcohol Intake - those will also help cut your chances of getting colon cancer.
Experts know there is no one cause of colon cancer. Nearly all of these cancers start out as benign (non cancerous) polyps. From the time those first unusual cells grow into polyps, experts believe it takes an average of 10 - 15 years for cancer to form. Regular screening finds, and gets rid of, these polyps while they are non-cancerous.
This is why it is vital to get the screenings (usually starting at age 50) that are recommended for you. Colonoscopy is the standard test used to view the whole colon, and therefore the best screening process for cancer in this body system.
By being screened as your doctor recommends, before you have any symptoms, you'll have the best chance of any cancer being found while it is still small, and most treatable.
The American Cancer Society estimates that this type of cancer a leading cause of cancer related deaths in the U.S. In 2011, it will claim an estimated 49,380 lives. The good news is that the death rate has dropped in the last 15 years, surely the result of increased colon cancer risk awareness and more of us being screened for this disease.

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Silent Death - Are You at Risk?

Did you know that every year over 2000 people are sentenced to death without trial? But the verdict does not come from a jury of their peers or even from a judge. It is read by doctors wearing little white lab coats in private offices all across the country. What's even more disturbing is the fact that this sentence could have been avoided had the proper precautions been taken.
We can trace the origins of this silent killer back to the turn of the 20th century. In the early 1900s a new material was being introduced to the industrial giants of the time. This material was called asbestos, and it became a widely used component due to its flexibility of use, and insulative properties. Little did we know at the time that this same material that was providing us with an increased efficiency and productivity would also claim the lives of the very workers who were using and working around it.
During the World Wars asbestos would become a primary material used for much of our equipment and supplies. Then came the golden age of this wonder material, throughout the 1950s up through the 1970s asbestos would be a common staple of industry and factory life. Hundreds of thousands would be exposed directly and millions indirectly as asbestos was used in schools to insulate piping, and even in homes.
You may know the silent killer I'm referring to already, I'm referring to Mesothelioma.
Mesotheli-what-a?
Mesothelioma, a form of cancer directly related to or rather primarily caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos. The thing that separates this malignant cancer from all the other forms, and the reason I refer to it as silent death, is because mesothelioma cancer does not become malignant immediately. Instead it lays dormant within the carriers system for 30 to 40 years before the symptoms become apparent.
This is precisely why today there is a higher diagnosis rate of this form of cancer than ever before. The carriers have lived with this disease for 30 plus years and it's only now rearing its ugly head. Over the last decade thousands of cases have been brought before courts across the country for negligence on the part of the employers. What's interesting to note is that the majority of these cases are winning, and often paying out in the millions. So much so, that an entire breed of lawyer has been born that specializes in, you guessed it, mesothelioma cases.
Now, no amount of money can cure these people. I'm sure that they are not turning the money down, but it I'm also sure that they would give it up in a heartbeat to find a cure. The most important thing one can do is get checked early for signs of mesothelioma cancer. Early detection makes the treatment much more effective and allows for an increased survivability rate.
Even if you cannot remember being exposed to asbestos you may have been exposed indirectly. In fact, I remember the high school I attended growing up, brining in a team for a week and tearing the building apart in order to remove the asbestos that was used to insulate the piping. It just goes to show that you can never be sure. If caught early you can improve your chances of suppressing the disease. Get checked, it might just be the smartest move you ever make.

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Lung Cancer Mesothelioma -Non-Smokers at Risk

 Most of the non-smokers we, we are at the end. Feel a little "was worried about this disease, in a recent survey there is a risk of developing has been smoking. The disease and get lung cancer it is, According to all of us, and people who have never smoked the British Medical Journal, before. In fact, you can be the death of about 50,000 people every year due to toxic gas and sidestream smoke. lung cancer, smoking is not a person


Although not discussed rarely, toxic fumes and environmental toxins in the air in the workplace, has contributed to the deaths due to lung cancer. For example, asbestos-related occupational exposure to exhaust gas, diesel vehicles, with an increased risk of developing lung cancer is a significant color was found.


, Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention smoke in addition, the study showed that the edible oil, meat, or fried, steamed, is increased the risk of developing lung cancer significantly. This means that the work of the kitchen you can install a high-risk. And toxic fumes and carcinogenic, daily or weekly exposure can cause oxidative damage to lung DNA, our.


One surprising conclusion, If your parents smoke, even if I do not smoke, is that his childhood and adolescence, to double the risk of lung cancer as an adult at home anymore. Parents, once again, lit a cigarette in your next. This year, lung cancer remains the number one reason for having a life more than the combination of colon tumor, breast, and prostate cancer kills about 163,500 cases of cancer in the United States.

The Facts About Pericardial Mesothelioma

Pericardial mesothelioma is a very rare form of mesothelioma and accounts for approximately 5% of all mesothelioma cases. This form of mesothelioma affects the lining that surrounds the heart and is a deadly cancer if not treated aggressively in its early stages.
The cause of pericardial mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos dust and fibres. As little as a couple of months of exposure to asbestos fibres can lead to pericardial mesothelioma between 30-50 years later. Due to this long latency period of the disease, it is very difficult to diagnose before the cancer has developed and matured fully. Those suffering from mesothelioma are elderly men aged 60-70 because this was the generation that worked with asbestos with little protection from its dust and fibres. The symptoms of the cancer have just started to show for these men due to the long time that the effects of mesothelioma take to come out. Many of these men are now lodging multi-million dollar lawsuits against the companies who exposed them to asbestos without sufficient protection. Asbestos fibres reach the lining of the heart by being inhaled and then getting lodged in the lungs. From the lungs they can either move into the lymphatic system and get transported to the lining of the heart or they can just pass slowly to the lining of the heart over time. Over a long period of time being exposed to asbestos, these fibres build up and once enough have accumilated in the lining heart, pericardial mesothelioma is a possibility.
There are a number of symptoms assosiated with pericardial mesothelioma. However, these are only felt when the cancer has matured and is in its late stages of development. These symptoms include, persistent coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain and palpitations. Other symptoms typical of all types of mesothelioma include loss of appetite, nausea and weight loss. Anyone who recognises that they have these symptoms or know someone who does then is encouraged by all leading medical advisors to seek medical help immediately.

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Cancer is The Most Dangerous Diseases

Cancer has become one of the deadly disease in Indonesia. Based on data from 2007health research, cancer ranks to seven. "Or 5.7 percent of the causes of death with a prevalence of 4.3 percent per 1000 people," said Director General of Medical ServicesMinistry of Health Supriyantoro the inauguration of Mochtar Riady Comprehensive Cancer Center (MRCC) Siloam Hospitals Semanggi, Jakarta, Saturday, July 17, 2010.


One of the cancer cells are very deadly and difficult to treat. Supriyantoro described10 of cancer of major concern in Indonesia, namelycervical,breastnashopharingcolorectalLungspediatricleukemialiverbrainand prostate.These diseases should be treated with special equipment and expert doctors.

Therefore, the presence of this MRCCC hospitalsaid Supriyantorothe government has been helpful in providing cancer patients in Indonesia"MRCC Siloam HospitalSemanggi expected to be a private pilot specialized hospitals that can help the government program in the field of cancer prevention," he said.

Generally, the number of cancer patients in Indonesia who went abroad quite a lotDue to lack of adequate facilities and a specialist in chargeSo that the amount of foreign exchange for many countries is wasted.

"The existence of sophisticated medical equipment in MRCCC also an opportunity toprove that doctors are experts in Indonesia is also capable of operationalizing well,"

The Asbestos Debate

Asbestos. Most often asbestos is equated or associated with dire images. As a society there seems to be an overall distaste for any regard where asbestos is concerned. If you or a loved one has suffered from the cancerous side effects of asbestos and asbestos related materials you know that it is indeed a very horrible experience.
As with anything there are two sides to the total story. If you go back far enough to the time when this unique material first surfaced you would realize the tremendous benefits it offered. These benefits were far reaching. And in this other-sided-view of asbestos perhaps you would have a better appreciation for the sacrifices made and challenges met where asbestos was concerned.
Obviously if you have known an individual stricken with mesothelioma you understand the sacrifices individuals made in the workplace. Inadequate ventilation and mishandling of asbestos is the number one reason lung disease attributed to asbestos is so prominent. Indeed it is the workplace that is as much to blame than the asbestos itself. Stricter codes and safety regulations would have prevented many unnecessary deaths and illness over the course of years.
Assuming responsible interaction with any material used for such purposes as asbestos is used would be a reasonable focal point for manufacturers to begin manufacturing. Education and awareness as well as understanding the use of materials that have a potential public danger should always be priority. Banning such materials in the long run resolves nothing.
Asbestos and similar materials have so many varied and important uses. No one can argue that fireproofing, electrical insulation and brake linings are things we as a society need. Some will argue there are other methods to achieve these amenities.
There will always be an argument for either side of asbestos. Those who know the damage it can cause will argue that the benefits aren't worth the risks. Others will argue that the legacy of fear was based on ignorance. And still yet there are some who believe that the current fears and hatred toward asbestos is fueled by marketing opportunities and political issues.
Researching every angle of the asbestos debate will produce questions. Fortunately answers will slowly appear also. Often unanimous negative feelings toward something can be attributed to a "propaganda-type" approach to advertising and media. Understandably establishing an opinion can be difficult in this type of situation, but not entirely impossible.
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Mesothelioma - Origin, Cause, and Prevention

Since the late 1800's, Asbestos has been widely used for commercial purposes and the usage dramatically increased during World War II. Thousands of Americans who work I in the ship yard; commercial plants etc were exposed to Asbestos dust. This was the beginning of Mesothelioma. The people who had a widespread exposure to Asbestos were at an increased risk of developing Mesothelioma. This was the beginning of the cursed disease.
Mesothelioma is the medical name for cancer of the pleura (the lining of the lung and chest cavity) or cancer of the peritoneum (the lining of the abdomen). Mesothelioma can be caused even due to an exposure to Asbestos for 1-2 months but it is most commonly found in those who had prolonged or persistent exposure.
Mesothelioma, generally does not affect a victim immediately after your exposure to Asbestos. Its affects usually appear 20-50 years after the exposure. This long latency period is one main reason why the number of people suffering from Mesothelioma is increasing everyday, in spite of preventive measures taken by the government as well as individuals.
Very similar to other forms of cancer, Mesothelioma spreads rapidly, spreading not only throughout the pleura but also metastasizing to other internal organs. The common symptoms would include shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing and loss of weight.
Mesothelioma can be effectively countered by Oxygen treatment and reducing sugar consumption. Otto Warburg discovered that the main reason of cancer is replacement of normal oxygen respiration of the body's cells by an anaerobic [i.e., oxygen-deficient] cell respiration. Warburg's theory helped us to understand that Cancer cells hate oxygen and that is the foundation of the modern oxygen treatment of cancer.
Another important information that we gathered from Warburg's research is that Cancer cells metabolize through fermentation and fermentation requires sugar. Also, metabolism rate of a cancer cell is almost 8 times more than a normal cell. (Check how Mesothelioma works at Human anatomy animation ) This fact has been wisely used and concluded that reducing or stopping the intake of sugar can definitely work as an extremely useful deterrent to cancer growth.
The initial testing for Mesothelioma is done by X-rays and often followed by an open lung biopsy to confirm the test results. If diagnosed at an early stage the cancer can be removed surgically and full recovery can be achieved through regular chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
At an advanced stage, Mesothelioma is incurable; however, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and other pain relief treatments can relieve the patient comparatively and increase the life span. The period of survival depends on the stage at which the patient has been diagnosed for Mesothelioma and his general health conditions.

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Lung Cancer- The story is truth

Lung cancer has become the most lethal of all cancers in many developed countries including the United States, where nearly 160,000 people die annually from diseases of the world: This cancer kills about 3.5 million people each years, surprising when you consider a chat that is largely preventable.
More than one billion people worldwide are smokers, but nine out of ten cases of lung cancer caused by smoking. 2020 An estimated ten million people a year die from smoking-related diseases and to take radical measures to limit the advance of the snuff industry of mega-dollar in the third world countries, about three quarters of these ten million deaths in developing countries.
The development of lung cancer.
Good rich countries, public health message that hit home and deaths from lung cancer is decreasing bad news is that if you started smoking 40 years ago (before the dangers are known), and has been diagnosed with lung cancer today, only have a small chance of surviving more than a year: Lung cancer is rarely detected early, but if it does, the prognosis is good treatment, both timely and appropriate, activists are demanding more money for research and early detection and better treatment .. But the disease in developed countries receive less money than other types of cancer, which attract public sympathy (eg, breast and prostate).
Lung cancer and passive smoking
There is a stigma associated with lung cancer and treatment, the patient is likely to lead to a particularly serious for those who started to smoke, knowing the risks to the victims of passive smoking.

Living With Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is generally a slowly developing disease. While 1 man in 6 will get prostate cancer during his lifetime, only 1 in 34 will die of this condition. This situation happens when a cancerous cell or two migrate to a bone some place while it is still undetectable even with screening. Then it can sit there and decide to go active (metastasize) some time later (even years later). Once it starts up in the bone, patient dies within 1 to 3 years.
What may kill patients directly are "complications of cancer". The most common complication is pneumonia. People in the medical profession often call it the "sick man's friend". What lead to the pneumonia is spending 24 hours a day, seven days a week in loneliness, fear and pessimism. The resulting loss of appetite, will to live and more unbearable pain. In less than five-six months patients encountering such kind of pain, go from walking, to walking with a limp, to walking with a cane, to a wheelchair and finally being bedridden. In the end, even morphine is hard pressed to fight the pain.
The conclusion is a prostate cancer patient isn't a hopeless person. He must understand that in high majority of cases, the illness moves very slow, so he must enjoy life and world as much as any other man does. Technically, prostate cancer sufferers could live more than 10 years with any type of cancer they have and the survive rate is increasing. Doctors say that more people die with prostate cancer than because of it

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Mesothelioma Symptoms are Very Dangerous

Symptoms of mesothelioma. The symptoms are also 20 to 50 years of human diseases, as it may seem strange, until now, the cancer is mesothelioma, the disease has been called. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer develops in one of the skin in humans. Mesothelial, is also a large body cavity, but introduce the cell to limit, specific organs, as part of the coating. More influential zemrësShkaku of mesothelioma and asbestos pleural and peritoneal.

To recognize the symptoms of mesothelioma. Differ from case to case, as other symptoms of mesothelioma, also sëmundjes.Mesothelioma gravity pleura, peritoneum or perikardinal type, to determine the symptoms.

One of the most difficult tasks associated with the diagnosis of the symptoms of mesothelioma. Because many symptoms similar to many other diseases, the diagnosis of mesothelioma is very difficult. The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma and other respiratory diseases like this, with pain in the chest, back, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, coughing, fever, nausea and loss of weight, was consistently found. However, symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma abdominal distension, anorexia, abdominal pain, vomiting regularly, swelling of the feet.

Physician with expertise in mesothelioma treatment will take time to explore the link between symptoms and exposure to asbestos and medical history. Although it survived several decades ago, please consult your doctor, all have been exposed to asbestos so far. Information, as well as to help the medical diagnosis, is usually very expensive, does not help to eliminate the need for a test.