Leukemia - What You Should Know About It

There are many different types of leukemia, but all are a malignant disease of the white blood cells of the body. The cause of all types is still uncertain. Each type is determined by the specific blood cell involved and the length of time the illness lasts. Leukemia exists in both an acute ad chronic form: it is detected when the blood is examined.

When the cell group known as the lymphocytes is affected, the disease is called lymphocytic leukemia. When the monocytes are involved, it is known as monocytic leukemia. And when the polymorphonuclear cells are involved, it is called myeloid leukemia.

The myeloid form attacks a younger age group than the lymphocytic. These two types are the ones seen most commonly, but almost all of what is noted here applies to leukemia in general.

Leukemia is more common in males than in females. The outcome of the disease depends upon the type, and whether it is in the acute or chronic form.

Symptoms. In acute cases, the onset is usually quite rapid and resembles an acute infectious disease. The earliest symptoms may be high fever, diffuse aches and pains, and severe weakness. Painful ulcerations of the mouth are not uncommon. There may be bone pain.

The course is unusually rapid, progressive, and downhill. There are hemorrhages of the mucous membranes of the mouth and into the skin. In the chronic case the disease develops stealthily and is discovered often during the course of a routine medical examination. The patient loses weight, appetite, and strength. He has night sweats and feels weak.

In the lymphatic form there is almost always swelling of the lymph glands. Sometimes the patient complains of pain in the abdomen in the area where the spleen lies. This is because that organ enlarges as the disease progresses. There is evidence of hemorrhaging - the patient bleeds from the mouth and develops blood spots under the skin. Weakness becomes more severe and the patient develops anemia.

Complications. Because of the diminished resistance of the patient, he is subject to complications from secondary infections. Another serious problem is hemorrhage, frequently into the intestinal tract. Or it may involve any organ system.

Prevention. There is no way to prevent the onset of leukemia. There are many courses of treatment available which can prolong the life of the patient and even permit him to carry on his normal activity. Care must be taken to avoid secondary infection. There is no known cure, but with new research the outlook for patients with this illness continues to improve.

Cure For Leukemia From Nature

Many people are now looking for natural cures to things such as leukemia. This is becoming more and more common among those that are suffering from this disease. There are many different reasons that people have for looking for natural cures for their illnesses. Some of them are because the patient may not like the chemical treatment that the doctor is offering. There can be severe and dangerous side effects and the patient may not find it worth the risk. If this is the case then they may turn to natural treatments to help them with their battle. You should certainly have hope because there are options for those seeking a cure for leukemia from nature out there.

Medical Treatment for Leukemia

The main medical treatment for leukemia is chemotherapy. The effects of chemotherapy may be detrimental to the patient in many ways. The patient may get fatigue and feel like they don't want to get out of bed. This can lead to depression and depression is far from good when you are trying to get your body to heal. Chemotherapy can also cause nausea or vomiting this is a side effect that many people simply do not like. It can make you feel very ill and that is not always good for getting your body to want to heal either.

Another common side effect from chemotherapy treatment is that you will often times lose your hair. This is undesirable and may be something that many are not willing to deal with. With chemotherapy you may find that you lose all of you hair and then are in need of a wig just to hide the fact that your hair is missing. You may also lose a good bit of weight as well. This could mainly be the cause of the nausea and vomiting enabling you from being able to eat or even keep down any amount of food.

Natures cure for leukemia

One of the most common known cures for leukemia is vitamin A. It is said that vitamin A has had great cure rates since the studies that have been done on it. In the studies vitamin A was injected directly into the fat of the person with leukemia. This deposit of vitamin A was said to be deposited into a "fat bubble" or into "bubbles of fat" to increase or enhance bio-availability.

There were 34 patients that were in the study and all they received was the vitamin A. Out of these 34 patients that received the vitamin A, 10 of these patients where still cancer free after five years even though none of these patients received the chemotherapy treatments. This was said to be astonishing by those who preformed the study.

These patients received only vitamin A for the natural treatment they did not receive any of the other natural remedies that are proven to help with leukemia as well. There are many other herbs and vitamins that if taken in conjunction with the vitamin A are thought to increase the success rate of the vitamin A treatment.

There are other supplements that you may want to take with this cure for leukemia remedy to improve the chances of being cured even more.

The Connection Between Colorectal Cancer and Asbestos

Cancers that affect the digestive system can be especially difficult to manage because they can interfere with your ability to process your food and absorb the nutrients that you would need to help fight the disorder. One such gastrointestinal cancer is colorectal, which can actually be divided into colon and rectal cancers. Currently, doctors and researchers are trying to comprehend the link between colorectal cancer and asbestos exposure.

The colon is the longest part of the large intestine, whose purpose is to absorb any nutrients that were not taken in by the small intestine. Additionally, the colon absorbs water from your food to help you stay hydrated. Colon cancer often begins in the cells lining the colon which make mucus and other fluids to help lubricate the passage of your food. Thus, when these cells become cancerous, they can form blocks in your intestinal system.

The rectum is the last several inches of the large intestine, right before the anus. This is where your body stores fecal matter before you release it. Additionally, the rectum packs the waste into a more solid form so that you can release your stool.

Although you may think of asbestos exposure as primarily causing lung cancer and mesothelioma, it can also affect these lower parts of your digestive system. The problem with asbestos is that once it is inhaled or ingested via air or water, it can permanently remain in your body. This is because your body is not able to process the carcinogenic fibers. As they pass through your system, they can become lodged in the tissue of the colon and rectum, causing the growth of cancer.

Doctors are now discovering that colorectal cancer is more prevalent in men who were exposed to asbestos, especially through the work place. Additionally, a person who develops the lung disorder called asbestosis has a higher risk of discovering colorectal cancer as well.

The other main problem with asbestos is that it was so widespread before the asbestos ban, which did not begin until the late 1980s. Even now, asbestos may still be present in many older buildings that were built before the phase-out. The reason for this is because asbestos is extremely insulating. As a member of the silicate family of minerals, asbestos is able to resist heat, electricity, flame, chemicals, and biodegradation. Additionally, asbestos itself is flexible and has high tensile strength. This makes it easy to add asbestos to other materials. Thus, it should come as no surprise that asbestos was once present in things like insulation, vinyl flooring, roofing tar and tiles, brake shoes, clutch pads, gaskets, and even fire doors.

People who were exposed to asbestos are at risk for many other cancers as well, not just colorectal cancer. Primary asbestos-related cancers include lung cancer and mesothelioma. If you or someone you know has contracted mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure, talk to an asbestos attorney from Williams Kherkher today to learn more about your rights.

Colon Cancer Signs and Symptoms

Understanding what the colon is and what its functions are will help us better identify colon cancer signs. The colon is a crucial component of a human's digestive system. Human beings rely heavily on their colons to help the body absorb vital nutrients, water and minerals.

Sometimes colon cancer is also known as colorectal cancer or large bowel cancer. Colon rectal cancer means having cancerous cells growing in the colon, appendix or rectum. These adenomatous polyps growths that resemble mushroom shapes are generally benign in nature but over time have the potential to develop into deadly cancer. It is one of the top leading cause of cancer related deaths in the Western countries. Knowing whether you have cancer without being diagnosed first is almost always a challenging task, therefore it is more helpful to keep a close eye on picking up the signs or symptoms of colon rectal cancer.

Learning more about the colorectal cancer signs and familiarising yourself with the symptoms can mean quicker identification of an underlying problem and therefore increasing your chance of catching it early. Often, when cancer is caught early, the patient has a much higher chance of achieving success in its treatment. Sometimes it may feel cumbersome having to go to the doctor for something that you are not sure about but like the old saying goes, "better be safe than sorry".

Early detection of some cancer growths could sometimes mean the difference between life and death. It should not be something that is swept under the carpet and be forgotten about. Whenever cancer is involved, nothing is ever simple. It is a complicated disease.

Colon rectal cancer signs and symptoms are generally divided into localised or regional cancer (which means the cancer spread is restricted to just a confined area), constitutional (which means it is affecting the whole body) and the most serious kind metastatic (which means the cancer has actually spread to other parts or other organs in the body and this would normally imply it is now in the blood stream). Localised cancer has a much higher success rate in responding well to aggressive treatment which means the patient will stand a good chance of beating the cancer.

Colon rectal cancer signs are often mistaken for other conditions such as irritation bowel syndromes, Crohn's Disease. Significant colon rectal cancer signs can include a sudden change in your bowel habits. If you develop diarrhoea or severe constipation, or if you notice a change in the consistency of your stool for more than two weeks in a row, consult your doctor immediately. Any constipation or digestive complaints should clear within five to seven days and should not last for more than two weeks. Sometimes these discomforts or symptoms can also happen to patients with digestive tract problems, that is why it is best to consult your local doctor as soon as you notice any abnormal bowel habits to allow time for the correct diagnosis.

If you are not experiencing haemorrhoids or are not suffering from Crohn's disease and yet you have rectal bleeding or notice blood in your stool, again this could be signs of colon rectal cancer. Other signs to watch out for are persistent abdominal pain, painful stomach cramps, pain with each bowel movement, constant fatigue and chronic bloatedness.

What You Need to Know About Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the immune system, particularly the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is part of the immune system of the body designed to filter and clean the blood from any pathogens. The fluid that goes through this system is called the lymph, and it contains lymphocytes (or WBC). This lymph now goes through a channel of lymph vessels and lymph nodes which acts as a filter and collects these microbes. It is in the lymph nodes that lymphocytes act against the microbes and destroy them. Specific types of lymphocytes are then activated for this purpose. The B lymphocytes produce anti-bodies and also alert the rest of the immune system to act upon the intruder. The T-cells kill these microbes directly by engulfing them, and also regulate the immune system on just how strong or how weak it should act upon a microbe, and when to stop. Once the microbes are destroyed, these specific lymphocytes record the type of microbes that they have destroyed and will react swiftly and quickly the next time that type of microbe or pathogen invades the body.

In lymphoma, these B-cells and T-cells including their subtypes are produced in an uncontrolled manner and rate. This overproduction will cause them to pool into lymph nodes and produce a large mass. Eventually during the course of the lymphoma, these malignant growths will also reach the tonsils, bone marrow, and adenoid tissues. Because of the abnormal rate of growth and deviation from their original structure, these lymphocytes are rendered useless in fighting against future infections. Aside from that, the growth of the malignant cells can also damage the function of normal adjacent cells. Lymphoma can compromise the development of blood cells when they reach the bone marrow and spleen, leading to bone marrow depression and anemia.

There are several types of Lymphoma, Hodgkin's and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma being the most popular major category. Some forms of lymphoma are not life-threatening (indolent lymphoma) and a patient can survive without the need for treatment. However, some types are very aggressive and can lead to death as with Burkitt's Lymphoma. Other aggressive types of lymphoma, however, respond well to treatment, and as with most types of cancer prognosis is determined upon early detection and application of appropriate treatment.

Need to learn more about Lymphoma? Be sure to check out Lymphoma Symptoms which contains in-depth information on lymphoma symptoms, causes, treatment and much more.

Colon Rectal Cancer Treatment

Being diagnosed with colon rectal cancer is a stressful time for anyone. Colon rectal cancer occurs when there are malignant cancer cells that develop and grow in the tissues of the colon. The colon is part of human's digestive system. Having a healthy digestive system is important to ensuring our overall sense of well-being. It is the hub where wastes are removed promptly out of our body and it is responsible for processing and absorbing all the crucial nutrients, vitamins, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, water and minerals.

Not everybody falls into the high-risk group of patients who develop colon rectal cancer. Some people are more at risk than the others. The factors include someone who is at or over the age of fifty, someone who has a family medical history of colon cancer, a personal history of suffering from ovarian cancer, rectal cancer, endometrium or breast cancer, and a history of having polyps in the colon. Polyps are small pieces of bulging tissues in your colon.

Other risk factors include hereditary conditions such as familial adenomatous polyposis and hereditary nonpolyposis. A medical history of ulcerative colitis which is finding ulcers in the lining of the large intestine or Crohn disease will also predispose you to colon cancer. Knowing these factors help us keep an eye on the health of our colon and make us more aware of the symptoms to watch out for.

Early diagnosis can often mean more effective treatment against colon cancer. So do not delay seeing a doctor if you notice a drastic change in your bowel habits, bloody stool, severe constipation, diarrhoea, thinner stool, sudden fatigue, vomiting, severe bloating and gas pains that just do not seem to go away. One of the reasons why you should always consult a doctor immediately after noticing these unusual and abnormal symptoms is because many of these symptoms are often also associated with other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome or Crohn's disease.

It may take time for the doctor to get to the bottom of your condition and often with cancer, the sooner the correct diagnosis is given, the higher the chance you stand to beat this disease, time is indeed precious. Doctors could start with the standard physical examination to find lumps in your colon area and probe further into your health habits, family history of colon cancer and past illnesses. Faecal occult blood test is normally done for laboratory testing. Digital rectal examination can also be performed to help detect unusual growth in your rectum. Colonoscopy could also be used to look for polyps and abnormal areas. This procedure can remove a sample of polyps or tissues to test of signs of cancer.

Biopsy is normally conducted by a pathologist to check for cancerous cells. Colon rectal cancer can be generally defined in stage zero to stage four. The best treatment for stage zero colon cancer is local excision or a simple polypectomy. If the tumour is too big to be removed by local excision, then resection or anastomosis will be opted. Stage one follows the same treatment options. Apart from resection or anastomosis, stage two and three colon cancer may benefit from chemotherapy, radiation therapy or monoclonal antibody therapy after surgery. Stage four and recurring colon cancer will benefit from all of the above and for more severe cases may require surgery to remove parts of the other organs such as the liver, lungs and ovaries where cancer may have spread to and palliative therapy to relieve the symptoms rather than a cure.

There are many Colon Cancer Warning Signs which you need to be aware of, if cause early then colon cancer survivability is at it's greatest. Remember, if you experience something out of the normal then you need to seek medical advice as soon as possible.

What is Lymphoma?

When patients are diagnosed with lymphoma, most of their usual response would be: "What is lymphoma? Why do I have it?" The name alone sparks interest and fear of many, for it is one of the common types of cancer in the United States.

To fully understand what is lymphoma, you have to know first where it starts. Lymphoma is a malignancy, or cancer in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is responsible for fighting infection, and a major part of your body's immune system. The lymphatic system comprises of the lymph, lymph nodes, lymph vessels, spleen, bone marrow, and liver. The lymph is the fluid in the lymphatic system, and carries the lymphocytes that fight microorganisms or pathogens that invade the body. The lymphocytes collect in a lymph node, with is the arena where they would fight the microorganism. To reach a body part, the lymph travels through a system tunnels or passages called the lymph vessels. Once the pathogens are filtered and destroyed, the lymph now travels to the spleen which is the storage of blood cells and dead lymphocytes as well as pathogens. The dead cells are now brought to the liver for break down and the by product is excreted via kidneys or large intestine. The bone marrow is takes part in the lymphatic system as the area where lymphocytes are produced.

The malignancy in lymphoma starts in the lymphocytes, particularly in the B-cells or T-cells. Lymphoma is categorized into two types: Hodgkin's lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The main difference between the two is that in Hodgkin's lymphoma, there is the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells inside the malignant lymphocytes. It is unknown how and why the malignancy starts in lymphoma, but the mutation of lymphocytes is believed to be connected to an immune-compromised status such as presence of viral infections (i.e. HIV/AIDS, Epstein-Barr virus), use of immune-suppressant drugs, and radiation therapy during cancer management. These malignant cells will collect in a lymph node and would form a lymph node that is more than 2 cm in size, rubbery, and non-tender. Other symptoms of lymphoma include night sweats, unexplained weight loss and fever, enlarged spleen and liver, and anorexia.

Research is still being done to understand what is lymphoma. So far, traditional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy are being utilized to help combat the malignancy. Bone marrow transplant is done when the malignancy is at the later stage and as a last resort to combat the disease. If you suspect that you have lymphoma, contact your physician so a definite diagnosis and treatment will be given to manage your condition.

Need to learn more about Lymphoma? Be sure to check out Lymphoma Symptoms which contains in-depth information on what is lymphoma, symptoms, causes, treatment and much more.

What is a Colonoscopy?

I bet I can make a good guess and tell you what you are thinking of when you read the term colonoscopy. Well if you are really thinking, what would come to mind is the term "colon." As this usually is spoken of in conjunction with bowel movement and the rectum, you can decipher that a colonoscopy would then involve some form of procedure with this part of a body.

Additionally, making a deeper analysis, one can also break this word apart forming "colon" and "copy" which would then suggest some form of duplication or reproduction of a look-a-like! Well you are indeed on the right track!

Specifically, a colonoscopy is a process in which the colon and the rectum is examined visually. The term "copy" comes into play in this regard if you are able to decipher that as a picture of the colon is made, a duplicate is indeed formed. Exclusively, it is done by utilizing a flexible, thin span to place inside the rectum, making its way to the colon and receiving visuals of its inner walls by way of a camera. Normally, it is able to detect inflamed tissue, abnormal growths and ulcers within the colon. This is all in the effort to find out if colon cancer or any abnormalities are present.

The Procedure

A colonoscopy is usually carried out in a hospital or at an outpatient clinic. Right before the colonoscopy is done, the patient is given sedatives and painkillers with an injection in a vein. The patient is placed in a side position, often times on the left side with knees drawn to their chest. The anus is then checked for any blockages with the aid of a lubricated glove.

The colonoscope (also lubricated) is then inserted in the anal passage making its way to the upper colon until the appendix has been reached.

In cases where the colon needs to be opened more for this procedure, the doctor will pump air into the colon, tightly massage the walls of the abdomen and ask the patient to change their position (usually to the right side). Once a tumor or abnormality is found, a portion is taken by way of a biopsy in which treatment is obtained with the help of this sample. Air thereafter is allowed to escape the rectum so as to avoid painful and unpleasant feelings.
Other facts you may find useful about a colonoscopy is that in most cases it will not hurt if the procedure is done in the right way. Additionally, it is an important procedure that should be taken by all who have a family history of colon cancer or have experienced rectal bleeding.

Persons over the age of fifty years are usually encouraged to get a colonoscopy once every five years. If you are scheduled to undertake a colonoscopy, you will usually be given medication to cleanse your colon beforehand, making the doctor's work easier and examination much quicker!

If you or a loved one are facing Surgery For Colon Cancer, be sure to visit my site and read my article on Laparoscopic Surgery for Colon Cancer.

Colon Cancer - Your Whole Life Affected

Your colon is probably the most important part in you body, this is where all your nutrients are absorbed and where all your bowel is removed from your body. But if you don't not take care of your body or watch what you eat you will start to develop colon cancer.

Once you develop colon cancer its over for you. You could go to surgery and have them removed but there is no telling if they are going to come back and mostly likely there are going to if you don't start focus on turning your life around.

You are not only going to struggle day to day trying to use the restroom you are also going to have to struggle when you sleep, when you want to spend time with your family, and just enjoying life to the fullest and not to mention death.

You will start to fill depressed because you don't feel the same and cant do the things that you use to do before. You are going to have to schedule appointment after appointment after appointment just to check how you are doing. Do you really want to spend your days in an out of a hospital?

All of this can be avoided by doing some simple little things, yes it may not seem simple at first because you are so used to living a different way, but over time little by little it will only be natural to you.

Cook your food, don't go out to eat, you don't even have to work out just go for some walks anything that will help you stay fit and healthy. If you don't feel like doing this tell yourself that you have to do it for your family or whatever that will motivate you.

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What is Hodgkin's Lymphoma?

Hodgkin's lymphoma (a.k.a. Hodgkin's Disease) is named after its discoverer, Thomas Hodgkin. This disease is characterized by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells in the body. This type of cell is can be seen under histopathologic studies and are usually found in malignant B-Cells. These malignant B-cells will grow in number, eventually causing a tumor in a lymph node or lymph tissue such as the bone marrow or spleen. Because of this tumor, the affected tissue loses its function, leading to slow deterioration of the body. This disease is noted for is orderly metastasis. If the malignancy started at the lymph nodes located at the neck, the adjacent lymph nodes will be affected one by one; the malignancy will be seen at the lymph nodes located near the collar bone, then at the armpits, and so one.

Hodgkin's lymphoma peaks occurs mostly in male than in females, with ages ranging from 15-13 years old to above 50. What's also striking about this condition is that under microscopic studies, there are more normal cells found in the enlarged lymph nodes compared to malignant cells. The cause of this disease still not known; however it has been found that if a twin has it, the other is also at risk of having Hodgkin's lymphoma. Most Reed-Sternberg cells were also observed to be infected with the Epstein-Barr virus, the infectious agent of mononucleosis. Exposure to Agent Orange and prolonged use of human growth hormone is also accounted as a factor in obtaining Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Conditions that compromise the immune system such as HIV or AIDS also predispose a person to this disease.

Patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma usually have these classical signs and symptoms:

- Drenching night sweats.

- Sudden and unexplained weight loss

- Enlarged lymph nodes that are characterized as rubbery and painless located at the neck, under arm, and groin

- Feeling of easily getting tired

- Unexplained fever that goes on and off

- Itchiness that is not related to any other skin condition

When detected early, Hodgkin's lymphoma shows high survival rate, thereby making it one of the curable forms of cancer known to man. With proper management and therapy, Hodgkin's lymphoma is still highly curable even at the later stage.

Need to learn more about Lymphoma? Be sure to check out Lymphoma Symptoms which contains in-depth information on Hodgkin's Lymphoma, symptoms, causes, treatment and much more.

Cancer Prevention - Good News For Vegans

As far as scary words in the English language go, "cancer" is near the top of the list. The good news is that we don't have to wait around simply hoping that cancer doesn't affect us and our loved ones. According to scientists in the UK, effective cancer prevention starts with the food on your plate.

The British Journal of Cancer reports optimistic news for vegans. British scientists studied the diets of over 61,000 men and women for 12 years. At the end of 12 years, the scientists recorded how many subjects developed stomach, bladder, ovarian, and lymphatic cancers in the three dietary categories reviewed: vegan, pescetarian, and omnivore. For each type of cancer tested, vegans developed a significantly lower number of cases than did meat eaters.

The National Cancer Institute currently predicts that stomach cancer will be diagnosed in over 21,000 American men and women in 2010 and will cause over 10,000 deaths. The lifetime risk of stomach cancer is 1 in 113.

Of men and women born today, 2.41% can expect to be diagnosed with urinary bladder cancer during their lifetimes. That's 1 in 41 people. Almost 71,000 American men and women are diagnosed annually with bladder cancer and over 14,000 of these bladder cancer cases prove fatal.

For women born today, 1.4% can expect a diagnosis of ovarian cancer during their lifetimes. The National Cancer Institute estimates that more than 21,000 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer and over 14,000 women will die of ovarian cancer in 2010.

The National Cancer Institute predicts that over 70,000 American men and women will be diagnosed with lymphoma in 2010 and that more than 20,000 of these cases will prove fatal.

The position of the American Dietetic Association on vegan diets is that they are associated with fewer cases of cancer as well as fewer cases of type II diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and death from heart attacks. Some nutrients that the ADA regards as healthy and particularly high in vegan diets are fruits, vegetables, nuts, soy products, fiber, and phytochemicals (phyto=related to plants).

Don't let yourself and your loved ones become a statistic. Join Gobble Green in the movement for disease prevention and make the transition to a vegan diet in 2010.

Jennifer Clary is an owner of the vegan food company Gobble Green http://www.gobblegreen.com
and a CEO of the national media corporation jenkev productions http://www.jenkev.com. Gobble Green is an online marketplace offering a diverse and frequently updated selection of healthy, pre-packaged vegan meals. In addition to her corporate responsibilities, Jennifer is an award winning film director and a proud vegan.

CMS Sets Different Standards For CT Colonography?

n the February 2010 edition of the Annals of Internal Medicine, Samita Garg, MD; and Dennis J. Ahnen, MD discuss at length about the decision of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to not cover computed tomographic colonography (CTC) screening for colon cancer.

The rationale for the CMS decision includes concerns about radiation exposure, miss rates for small polyps, detection of incidental extracolonic findings, variability in performance, and lack of evidence that adding computed tomographic colonography would increase overall screening rates. The authors discusses about these concerns and point out that these concerns are associated with other recommended and covered screening tests as well, and some where set only for CTC.

Radiation Exposure

Radiation exposure fron CTC is low (about 6-8 mSv per examination) and the cancer risk estimated is unclear. But Barium enema, which exposes to similar radiation dose is covered by the CMS for colon cancer screening.

False Negative Rates for Polyps

Even though studies have proven that CTC is less sensitive in detecting small polyps (≤5 mm in diameter) when compared to colonoscopy, the benefits of detection, removal and follow-up pof small polyps is uncertain. CMS accepted tests colonoscopy misses up to 25% of small polyps and 12% of polyps larger than 1 cm, sigmoidoscopy cannot see proximal colon while faecal colonoscopy misses almost all small polyps.

Extracolonic Findings

Seven to 16% of CTC detect extracolonic abnormalities leading to further testing, overdiagnosis, and overtreatment.

The USPSTF (2) concludes that "the evidence to assess the harms related to extra-colonic finding is insufficient, and the balance of benefits and harms cannot be determined."

A recent large study (19) reported that only 12% of 1169 patients who underwent upper endoscopy after negative results on colonoscopy that was performed because of positive results on fecal occult blood testing had a significant finding (such as arteriovenous malformation, ulcers, suspected Barrett esophagus, or esophageal stricture), and whether identification of these lesions is ultimately beneficial or harmful remains uncertain.

Variability in the Reliability of CTC

While it was pointed out that CTC is less reliable due to the variability in the results, the quality of colonoscopy in the United States varies greatly is also well established. Detection rates of serious adenomas (those larger than 1 cm in diameter) vary up to 4-fold (20). Also, colonoscopy complications vary by more than 10-fold.

Lack of Targeted Studies

Studies of CTC have not specifically targeted patients aged 65 years or older who are eligible for Medicare, but participants 65 years or older were included in the large CTC studies (8-10). But targeted studies of the other colorectal cancer screening tests in patients 65 years or older have also not been reported.

Higher Adenoma Prevalence

More adenomas in above 65yrs leads to higher follow-up colonoscopies but sigmoidoscopy can also lead to this.

Overall Adherence

The CMS argual that adding CTC to colorectal screening options may increase the number of participants who would accept screening is unproven seems to be a totally new standard that only CTC is expected to meet.

Cost efectiveness

Cost-effectiveness modeling seems to be part of a new and higher standard that may be applied to future colorectal cancer screening tests.

Finally the authors concludes that CTC is being held to a higher standard than the other colorectal cancer screening tests (like colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, faecal occult blood examination, Barium enema etc) that are currently recommended by the USPSTF and covered by the CMS.

Dealing With the Symptoms of Colitis

Colitis is a serious condition affecting many today. It is not only a painful and sometimes embarrassing health problem to go through, but it can also be life threatening if allowed to reach a cancerous state. Individuals are always encouraged to nip this illness in the bud before it reaches that stage. Talk to your doctor about methods of early detection so that treatment can be well underway before it gets worse. These treatments include prescription drugs and changes in one's diet. In the most serious of cases these treatments are done along with the surgical removal of the affected part of the colon.

Specifically, Colitis is an inflammatory disease of the large intestine, or the colon. Reasons for this occurrence include a poor blood supply - which inevitably contribute to diarrhea, dehydration, anemia and shock- infections, and autoimmunity of the body. Colitis usually results in diarrhea, dehydration, malnutrition, as well as a bleeding ulcer producing mucus and pus at intervals. Diarrhea causes the body to lose far more fluids than usual. Diarrhea is usually the symptom that is seen in every type of colitis known to man. Cramps and sporadic abdominal pains are also a common feature of this condition. Other signs include fever and chills, the constant urge to use the bathroom, and the presence of blood in one's stool.

Now as mentioned earlier, this occurrence can be quite embarrassing for the victim and often times requires a support system such as close relative and friends. This becomes a greater concern where in almost all cases of colitis, one's daily activities have to be changed to necessitate the demands of this terrible ailment. A great way in which help can be given to someone dealing with the symptoms of Colitis is by being available to them during tests and examinations of this disease. Such tests include examining the blood to check the factors that might lead to this condition, conducting a colonoscopy to scrutinize the walls of the colon and finally, by way of a computerized tomography that visualizes the colon and abdomen.

Many people suffering from colitis have gotten to the point that they have difficulty leaving the house. They never know when they'll have to find a bathroom. This can make work and travel very difficult. Helping a friend or family member discover that colitis is the problem and that there are ways to treat it can help them get their life back again. It is helpful to research and talk about treatment methods with the colitis sufferer, and to carry out proactive measures such as encouraging a doctor's visit for medicinal aids to the aches and pains (which people might easily mistake as just ordinary abdominal pains and diarrhea) and eating healthy foods that don't cause colon distress!

What is Colon Cancer and is it Treatable?

Most people have heard that colon cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the Western world. But most people don't have a good understanding of what it is or what causes it to occur. Many times in life, we learn so many complex things that the simple things we ought to remember from health class in high school seem like nothing more than a mystery to us. The problem is that quite often in our busy lives, we don't recognize symptoms and problems when they start to occur. Colon cancer is a good case in point. Simply put, the colon is the part of the digestive system that stores waste material to be excreted later through the anus via the rectum.

Colon cancer is also classified as large bowel cancer or colorectal cancer, which one can infer has something to deal with the rectum. In this sense, it involves the development of cancerous tissue abnormality in the colon, thereby affecting the rectum and the appendix. These tissue abnormalities are more commonly known as adenomatous polyps which frequent the inner walls of the colon and are similar in shape to that of mushrooms. As these polyps are seen as simple in the beginning, their development into malignant abnormalities is what is regarded as colon cancer. For this reason, colonoscopies are encouraged so that there can be an early detection of these polyps and can be removed before they cause more serious problems. Importantly, researchers have found that a lot of the cancers of the colon found their origin in polyps which were left to develop untreated over time.

The most dangerous thing about this disease is the fact that it causes damage to one's tissues and organs, the building blocks of the body. In this way, the liver and lungs may also be affected, halting the important digestive system and making it hard for the individual to breathe efficiently. This metastasis late stage process is the final sign that there is no coming back from treatment and that unfortunately, the result would be death.

Certainly, from this we cannot underestimate statistical reports that conclude that over 650,000 people die per year from this cancer, with the Western societies having the most frequent cases. It rarely takes place within Africa and Asia. Leading these statistics is the United States, which considers this disease as the fourth most common form of cancer as well as the third leading cause of death relating to cancer.

Other useful information for a person interested in the topic of colon cancer is the fact that it is treatable with surgery as well as chemotherapy in the more serious cases. Now I am going to leave you with something to think about colon cancer which was not mentioned earlier to pique your interest on further reading. In this way, more precaution and action can be taken if you happen to have this deadly disease. Genes along the chain of the colon are ultimately damaged with the development of this cancer, in particular the APC gene. What do you think the effect this will have on the body as well as children of these individuals? All the more reason to get preventative screenings early and often.

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with colon cancer, find out more about bowel cancer surgery and colon cancer surgery recovery on my site.

What is Cutaneous Lymphoma?

Cutaneous lymphoma is a type of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma involving the lymphocytes within the skin, specifically T-cells and B-Cells. This is a rare type of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma where the tumor growths are seen mostly as numerous lumps beneath the skin's surface and not in just a lymph node.

The lumps formed beneath the skin cutaneous lymphoma are due to a collection of the malignant cells in the skin. In an attempt to purge the system of the mutated cells, the body pushes the clustered malignant cells towards the surface of the skin. The most common type of cutaneous lymphoma is the cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. The disease manifests itself in several stages:

* Pre-tumor stage - the skin is presented with raised, red patches that appear on the breasts or buttocks and somewhat mimics the appearance of other skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis. ?>

* Plaque stage - the patches are now irregularly shaped and can appear anywhere in the body. Hair loss in the affected skin area is also noted, and can be permanent if the condition is not treated.

* Tumor stage - the incidence of people progressing to this stag is quite small. The plaques can now form lumps and even ulcerate. Lymph nodes are also affected. The liver, lungs, and spleen is also at risk of being affected by the cutaneous lymphoma, but the cases are quite rare.

* Sezary syndrome - this is when the malignancy has spread and covers a large skin area. The malignant cells have also metastasized in the blood stream. Some patients have no plaques or tumors, but the entire integumentary system may be swollen, red and sore (l'homme rouge). The skin can also manifest desquamation or peeling off of skin.

Cutaneous lymphoma of T-cell origin is treated through a specific or a combination of treatment modalities that can range from topical or local to systemic. PUVA treatment is a combination of psoralen and UVA. After taking psoralen, the patient enters an enclosed room where rays of UVA is applied on the skin. However, extra care must be given for it is known that exposure to UV rays can predispose a person to skin cancer. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy is also done to help cure cutaneous lymphoma.

Cutaneous lymphoma can be hard to deal with for it can cause some severe changes in your appearance. A support group can help you combat the disease both in its physical and psychological aspects. Talk to your friends and family during hard times, and ask your doctor to refer you to a cancer support group to help you understand and cope with the effects of cutaneous lymphoma.

Need to learn more about Lymphoma? Be sure to check out Lymphoma Symptoms which contains in-depth information on Cutaneous Lymphoma, symptoms, causes, treatment and much more.

Colonoscopy and the Prevention of Colon Cancer

I have said this before, but perhaps it bears repeating. Taking charge of your cancer is not just about what you do when you are diagnosed with it, but what you do to try to insure that you are not diagnosed with it. On a recent trip to my doctor for my annual physical, I pointed out to him that five years had passed since I had my first (and only) colonoscopy. He checked and sure enough I was right; so he ordered me to make an appointment and get it done.

Now let's be clear: I am no fan of colonoscopies, but actually the procedure itself is a piece of cake. It's the preparation for the procedure that is "yucky". For 24 hours prior to the procedure, I ingested only liquids, nothing solid. My doctor gave me a prescription for a concoction called Moviprep, which, when mixed with water and ingested, is designed to induce diarrhea to clean out the colon in preparation for the colonoscopy. Why is this procedure important and what does it have to do with colon cancer?

A colonoscopy is the official screening procedure for colon cancer. It is recommended for individuals age 50 and over. Over a lifetime of food intake, digestion, and subsequent expulsion from the body, an individual can develop growths called polyps along the walls of the colon. Polyps are common in adults and are usually harmless. However, most colon cancer begins as a polyp, so removing polyps early is an effective way to prevent cancer. If bleeding occurs, the doctor can usually stop it with an electrical probe or special medications passed through a scope into the colon. The doctor may extract a biopsy of any polyps in order to view it under the microscope to determine if cancerous tissue is present.

After an intravenous injection and an administration of anesthesia, I was rolled over on my left side and, approximately 20 minutes later, a nurse was calling my name, my doctor was telling me that the procedure went fine and that I was good to go for another five years. Two new words, however, were added to my vocabulary: diverticulosis and diverticulitis. Diverticulosis is characterized by the formation of "pockets" in the lining of the large intestine. Diverticulitis is an acute stage of diverticulosis when the "pockets" have become infected or inflamed. Neither of these conditions is cancerous and can be treated with a gradual high fiber diet for diverticulosis and a low fiber diet for diverticulitis.

The bottom line is that a colonoscopy can detect precancerous growths and those growths can be removed before the development of colon cancer. Colon cancer is more than 90% curable if caught in its early stages, yet fear of the unknown prevents many from undergoing a simple procedure. Get rid of the fear and take charge of the prevention of colon cancer!

Colon Health Check - Self Test For Early Colon Cancer Detection

Colon cancer, also known as colonic or bowel cancer is quickly becoming a mass killer among us. It is the third most common cancer for both men and women and it is estimated that 150,000 new cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed this year in America. One of the biggest problems is early detection. There usually no symptoms associated with the early stages of colorectal cancer, making makes this type of cancer very lethal. Until recently, no self test kits were available for colon cancer early detection. Fortunately technology has advanced and now this is a very real option.

Screen Yourself with a Self Test Kit for a Home Colon Health Check

Before you rush to your doctor and embark on a series of unpleasant tests, such as a colonoscopy, you may consider a new alternative now available. It is possible to perform a colon health check for detection of early stages of colonic cancer by identifying fecal blood in the stool. In fact the American Cancer Society strongly recommends people test for fecal occult blood every year. Fecal occult blood indicates bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract which may be an indication of cancer.

Bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract can also be caused by benign conditions such as hemorrhoids, polyps, stomach ulcers, rectal fissures and more. In any case this will be detected in the colon health check self test after which you would see a physician as soon as possible to determine the cause of the bleeding.

Who Should Take a Colon Health Check?

Testing for colon cancer is recommended to anyone over the age of 40 as well as for any one who is at high risk to develop colon cancer. High risk categories include:

People who have had colon or rectal cancer, breast, or reproductive tract cancer, anyone with benign intestinal polyps. People that have a family relation to anyone who has been diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer. African-American men and women.

Colon cancer is very real and can happen to anyone. It is recommended to self test your colon once a year, remember, one simple test every year can help save your life!

Early detection of colon cancer can save your life! Colon Health Check provides a promise to increase early colon cancer detection and is the first self test kit to be used in the comfort of your own home. There are many small lifestyle changes you can make to increase your chances against colon cancer including diet, exercise and colon cleansing.

Leukemia Cures and Natural Treatments

Are you looking for a fresh approach to leukemia cures? If so then you may want to know that there are natural leukemia cures available. Many people who have cancer find themselves looking for these cures simply because the traditional medical treatments for these illnesses take so much out of the patient physically. This being said it is certainly not uncommon to find that many are looking for cures that don't make them as sick and don't leave them feeling completely and utterly drained.

Alternative natural treatment methods include detoxification and oxygenation that you could use to cure yourself of cancer. As for their loved ones, they may even be the ones that see it first and begin the search for a natural method because seeing their family member go through so much might simply be too much for them to handle, and they are not even the ones enduring them.

Why are natural treatments better?

Natural treatments have been proven to actually cure cancer just like the medical treatments have. The best part of these is as mentioned above the side effects are nothing in comparison to the side effects of the chemical treatments. Most of the natural remedies actually have no side effects at all. These might be what draw so many people to those natural treatments.

After all who would want to go through the nausea, vomit, fatigue, and hair loss, not to mention other side effects these chemical treatments can cause? Should you decide that you are in preference to the chemical treatments you should know that there are also some natural treatments that you might be able to use at the same time to help optimize your chances of remission.

This is not to say that all natural remedies work for all people because they simply don't. What it is saying is that there is a great chance of remission using natural methods as well though just like chemotherapy does not work for everyone you may find that a few of the natural remedies don't work for you either. You may also find that you get the best results by using several different natural remedies at one time. This is the best way to optimize your results with natural treatment.

What are some natural treatment methods?

There are lots of natural treatment methods that you can use. As mentioned above you may even choose to use more than one treatment method at a time. This could be two or more natural methods or a chemical method with a natural method. If you are undergoing any kind of treatment or taking any medications you will need to be sure to discuss these methods with your doctor before you start taking them. Even if you aren't going through treatment or medication it is still a good idea for this to be brought up.

You should never use a natural method without reporting it to your treating physician having a doctor over see you is still very important to your health and in getting the treatments that you need. Many times your physician will not see problems in the natural methods of your choice if there should be a conflict however because of your current treatment or medication then your doctor should be able to tell you which natural methods you can use to get you going with the natural treatment that you desire.

How to Reduce the Risk of Colon Cancer

A clean colon is a happy colon, and the better care you take the lesser the risk of colon and colorectal cancer. For some, this disease may be connected genetically and therefore puts you at higher probability than others. However, proper preventative measures can help reduce the changes of being diagnosed. Simple practices, like taking time out for your health and eating the right things, can do a world of good for your intestines as well as your entire body. How can you reduce the possibility of colon cancer and ensure good results on colonscopies? Here are just a few things you should try.

Get more Vitamin D: a recent study from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer reports that high doses of Vitamin D can lower the chance for colon problems. Eating foods fortified with Vitamin D or taking daily supplements, and spending some time outdoors are great ways to get this important disease-fighting agent.

Get checked regularly: Starting around fifty, one should strongly consider a baseline colonoscopy if you haven't had one. Having an annual exam where a gastroenterologist inspects the inside of you large intestine can help catch anomalies early on, where otherwise they could grow into serious problems. Talk with a local gastroenterology specialist today about an appointment if you are eligible.

Eat Green: A diet rich in green vegetables and high fiber foods, especially broccoli, is instrumental in ensuring continued health. You may wish also to consult with your doctor about the proper colon cleansing foods to try, like wheatgrass and other foods designed to detox your system.

The more effort you put into taking care of yourself, the better the chance of living long without worries of colon problems.