Medical Journeys

Posts Tagged ‘colon cancer’

I know this subject is a little gross/embarrassing, but please take it seriously as I may end up having a serious condition:

For the past 2 weeks, my stools have been long, THICK (not thin as in the symptom for colon cancer), and of regular color. The problem is, because they are longer and thicker than normal, the toilet ends up getting clogged every time I go which is a hassle more than anything.

Is there something in my diet that could be causing this to happen? I am a 21 year old male of normal-thin weight and otherwise perfectly healthy. I consider my diet healthy.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the American population and the western world. Lung cancer use to be the leading cause of cancer deaths in American men only, but since 1988, women have caught up with men and since then lung cancer is leading cause of cancer deaths in women as well. Well over 170,000 cases of lung cancers are diagnosed in the United States each year. Very few fortunate ones get cured from this miserable disease. About 157,000 people die as the direct result of lung cancer.

The mortality related to lung cancer exceeds the combined mortality rates of second (breast cancer), third (prostate cancer), and fourth (colon cancer) leading causes of cancer death. How would we react if every day a Boing 747 crashes and all the passengers die? Thats what happens with lung cancer. About 430 people die every day from lung cancer.

Despite the high rates of cancer deaths, lung cancer receives much less attention compared to other cancers, especially breast cancer. Lung cancer research receives much less funding, and general public takes much less interest in lung cancer. Even though lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among men and women, very little research and scientific progress occurs in the field of lung cancer.

It is estimated that about $1,723 per cancer deaths is spent on lung cancer research where as the corresponding figures for breast cancer ($13,953), prostate cancer ($10,318) and colorectal cancer (4,618) are much higher. It is interesting to note that the department of defense funds breast cancer, ovarian cancer and prostate cancer but not lung cancer.

Part of the problem associated with lung cancer research funding is the fact that, there are not many lung cancer survivors to lobby for the cause of lung cancer. High mortality rates associated with lung cancer leaves very few survivors to fight for their cause, and even those fortunate survivors are not in very good health, since most of these survivors are patients who had undergone extensive lung resection.

There is also a stigma associated with lung cancer. Unlike many other types of cancers risk of lung cancer is very much linked with smoking. Many who deal with lung cancer patients and the patient himself think that the disease is the direct result of misbehavior. This fills a feeling of guilt on the lung cancer patients who tend to blame themselves. Also this acts against any fund-raising program aimed at lung cancer where people unconsciously feel that lung cancer is a disease that these patients brought on themselves.

More funding and research are urgently needed for lung cancer. We all have to join our hands to fight this miserable enemy of the human species.

Author: Scott William
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Guest blogger

Cancer is one of those words that everyone dreads. There are various types of cancer and any type of cancer is really bad news. All types of cancer are life threatening (this is what makes them so dreadful). Even with all that medical advancement we still dont have a complete cure for all types of cancer. However, there is continuous research going-on for finding better treatments for cancer and to increase our knowledge on cancer in general. Though there are treatments currently available for some types of cancer, these treatments work only if the cancer is discovered in early stages.

Types of cancer

Generally, cancer is named after the part of the body in which it originates. Most common types of cancer are breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer and colorectal cancer. Though, this might vary across geographies etc, these four types of cancer seem to be the more notorious ones. The other types of cancer include: cervical cancer, pancreatic cancer, bone cancer, brain cancer, skin cancer, stomach cancer, bladder cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer and testicular cancer. Besides this, cancer is also classified as primary and secondary based on whether it originated in that body part itself or spread from another body part.

Diagnosis of various types of cancer

Its not just the treatment of various types of cancer that is difficult (or impossible) but also their detection (or diagnosis). In fact, correct and timely diagnosis is the first step towards treatment of any type of cancer. The earlier you are able to detect cancer, the more effective is its treatment.

Treatment of various types of cancer

Though the treatment of all types of cancers is not possible, some types of cancer can be treated if they are diagnosed early enough e.g. detection of malignancy when it has just started to develop. The treatment for cancer is carried out in many different ways. These range from surgery to radiotherapy, chemotherapy and biologic therapies. Hormone therapies are also gaining popularity for treatment of some types of cancer. Transplantation of bone marrow and many other new procedures for treatment of cancer are being constantly tried and analysed in order to get a fail-proof treatment for cancer.

Research on diagnosis on various types of cancer

The huge number of deaths that are caused every year by various types of cancer has lead to a lot of focus being put into the research on diagnosis and treatment of all types of cancer. Meanwhile, we can just hope that there will soon be a complete cure available for the most common types of cancer (if not all types of cancer).

Author: Karen Lavender
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Netbook, Tablets and Mobile Computing

Did you know that the most common cancers that affect women are breast, colon, endometrial, ovarian, skin, cervical and lung cancer? By learning a little about these cancers you can know what actions you can take to possibly save your life or the life of someone you care about.

Breast Cancer

The most common cancer that women may have to face in their lifetime is breast cancer. This disease can strike at any age, but it most common among women 40 and older. There are certain risk factors that may dramatically increase your chances of getting breast cancer, such as a family history of breast cancer. All women should know about breast cancer and what they can do about it.

Steps You Can Take

The very best way to defend against breast cancer is to detect it as early as possible when it is much easier to treat. Early detection is the best weapon against breast cancer.

• All women should have yearly mammograms starting at age 40.
• All women should have a clinical breast exam at least once every 2 or 3 years for women in their 20′s and 30′s, and every year for women in their 40′s or older.
• Women should report any changes in their breasts immediately to their doctor.
• All women should perform a breast self-exam at least once per month starting in their 20′s.

Women who are at an elevated risk for breast cancer (women who have a family history of breast cancer, a genetic tendency, or have had past breast cancer) should learn about the benefits of starting cancer screenings earlier, or have additional tests such as a breast x-ray, ultrasound, or MRI. These women should talk with their doctors about these options.

Colon Cancer

Colon cancer can affect women as well as men. Any adult can get colorectal cancer. It is most common among people 50 years old and above. If you have a personal or family history of cancer, or have polyps in the colon or rectum, or inflammatory bowel disease, then you are more likely to have colon cancer. Other risk factors are a diet consisting of high-fat foods (especially foods from animal sources), being overweight, smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle.

Steps You Can Take

Almost all colon cancer starts as a polyp in the colon. If precancerous polyps are found and removed, then colon cancer has a great chance of being prevented. Regular testing can find polyps before they become cancerous, and possibly save lives.

• Eat a low-fat diet with an emphasis on fresh fruits and vegetables to help prevent colon cancer.
• If you are 50 or older here are five recommendations about testing options.
• Yearly fecal occult blood tests (FOBT) or fecal immunochemcial test (FIT) is recommended.
• Every five years a flexible simoidoscopy is recommended.
• Combine yearly FOBT and flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years is the preferred option.
• Double contrast barium enema is recommended every 5 years.
• Every 10 years a colonoscopy is recommended.
• See your doctor and discuss these options and your risk for colon cancer.

Endometrial Cancer

Endometrial cancer is cancer of the lining of the uterus and it occurs most often in women who are 50 or older. Risk factors for this cancer are:

• Estrogen therapy without also taking progesterone
• Using Tamoxifen for breast cancer treatment or prevention
• Early onset of menstrual periods or late menopause
• A history of infertility or never having children
• Obesity and diabetes
• Personal or family history of hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer are more likely to get endometrial cancer.

Steps You Can Take

Signs and symptoms to watch for are unusual spotting or bleeding, not related to menstrual periods. Report these to you doctor immediately. At menopause, women should talk about endometrial cancer with their doctors. Pap tests are not reliable for detecting endometrial cancer, only cervical cancer. If you have risk factors for endometrial cancer, then yearly testing with an endometrial biopsy is recommended for women 35 or older.

Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is more likely to occur in women as they get older. Other risk factors are women who have never had children or have infertility, or women who had their first child after the age of 30; women who had late menopause (after the age of 50); women who use hormone replacement therapy for more than 10 years; women who have had breast cancer. Even if you do not have any of these risk factors, you can still get ovarian cancer.

Steps You Can Take

Unfortunately, unlike getting a mammography to detect breast cancer, there are no proven effective tests to detect ovarian cancer early. However, a pelvic exam should be a regular part of every woman’s health exam. Here are some other possible warning signs to discuss with your doctor: persistent swelling of the abdomen, persistent digestive problems (gas, bloating, losing your appetite), abdominal pain, pelvic pain, back pain, leg pain, feeling like you need to urinate all the time. If you have any of these symptoms, discuss them with your doctor.

Skin Cancer

If ever spend time in the sun, then you could be at risk for skin cancer – which means anyone could be at risk! Fair-skinned, blondes or red heads are more likely to get skin cancer than those with naturally darker skin and hair colors. Other skin cancer risk factors are having a close family member with a melanoma, and anyone who had a severe sunburn before the age of 18.

Steps You Can Take

Skin cancer is one of the few cancers that can (mostly) be prevented! Avoid being out in the midday sun for long periods of time. Wear wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, sunscreen and long-sleeved shirts. Sunscreen should be SPF 15 or higher and you should use it on all exposed skin areas. Don’t let your children get sunburned! Regularly examine your skin all over your body and have your skin examined during your regular health checkups.

Cervical Cancer

Women who have had sexual activity can get cervical cancer. Risk chances are dramatically increased in women who have HPV (human papilloma virus). HPV is passed on to women during sex. You increase your risk factors as you get older, and if you don’t have regular Pap tests, as well as if you smoke, have HIV or AIDS.

Steps You Can Take

Pap tests can find changes in the cervix which can be treated before they become cancerous. Also Pap tests can detect cervical cancer in its early stages, when it is more likely to be curable. All women should have regular cervical cancer tests after the age of 21 or within three years of beginning vaginal sex. Testing should be done every year (for the regular Pap test) or every two years (for the newer liquid-based Pap test). Starting at age 30, women with three normal Pap test results in a row can switch to testing every two or three years. Talk with your doctor about how often you should have the test performed. All women should take the newer HPV DNA test (talk to your doctor about it).

Lung Cancer

Smoking is the cause of over 80% of all lung cancers, but even people who don’t smoke can get lung cancer.

Steps You Can Take

Lung cancer, like skin cancer, can often be prevented! If you smoke – quit! If you don’t smoke – don’t start! Help and encourage others to quit smoking.

The Bottom Line About Cancer

Early detection is your best weapon against cancer. Visit with your doctor about your risk factors and what tests and screenings are recommended for you. Doing these things could save your life!

Author: Jonathan Ling
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Beading Necklace

Lung cancer is among the most common cancers in the Western world. Lung cancer occurs due to the growth of malignant or abnormal cells in the lung. It is the third most common cancer in males and the fifth in females. Yet lung cancer is increasingly becoming a woman’s problem. The risk for dying of lung cancer is 20 times higher among women who smoke two or more packs of cigarettes per day than among women who do not smoke at all. Lung cancer is a cancer that originates in the tissues of the lungs. It can be very difficult to detect at an early stage because the symptoms often do not appear until the disease is far advanced.

Health experts say more needs to be done to educate women about the risk of lung cancer. Bearing in mind that breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women, studies show that since 1987, more women have died each year of lung cancer than from breast cancer. Researchers have found that women who had one or more children had nearly a 40 percent lower risk of contracting lung cancer compared to women without children. Recently, research has suggested that women who don’t smoke are two to three times more likely than non-smoking men to develop lung cancer. In women, the three types of cancer most commonly seen are breast cancer, lung cancer, and colon cancer. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women (behind lung cancer), and the most common cancer in women.

Lung cancer kills more people than breast or prostate cancer, primarily because by the time it is detected, lung cancer is usually in an advanced stage. Also when cancer spreads to the lung from the breast, the resulting cells are breast cancer cells, not lung cancer cells. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American women behind lung cancer, yet surveys have shown that women are more worried about getting breast cancer than lung cancer. Breast cancer has surpassed lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide, accounting for more than 400000 deaths per year.

Today there are many treatment options available to lung cancer patients. The type of treatment for lung cancer depends on the cancer’s specific type, how far it has actually spread, and the patient’s status. It is important to know the stage in order to plan treatment. Treatment for a secondary lung cancer depends on the primary cancer. However, new anti-cancer drugs, improved staging and imaging techniques, combined with new surgical procedures have all contributed to dealing with the disease. Finding early-stage lung cancers is crucial in the treatment results for lung cancer. While having treatment for any stage of lung cancer, you will be able to manage some side effects that may accompany lung cancer or any cancer treatment.

Summary:

Lung cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the lung. We already know that the best way to prevent lung cancer is to quit or never start to smoke in the first place. Small cell lung cancer is a bit more common in men than women. But lung cancer is increasingly becoming a woman’s problem. The links between your smoking history and lung cancer is clear. Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world. It is the most deadly of cancers worldwide, resulting in up to 3 million deaths annually.

Author: Ben O’Rourke
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Benefits of electric pressure cooker