Cancer: Childhood Cancer
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Childhood cancer is rare, about 1 in every 600 children develop cancer before the age of 15 - yet relatively little is known about the causes is. Childhood cancer is not a single disease - there are many different types. Compared with adult cancers they tend to occur in several sites of the body. Municipality of adults, such as cancers of the lung, breast, colon, stomach and are extremely rare among children. On the other hand, some types of cancer are found almost exclusively in children, particularly tumors that embryonic stem cells associated with the fetus, embryo, developing and body.
Observe your child for any sudden, persistent changes in health or behavior as listed above. Since most of the symptoms of cancer can also be attributed to benign conditions, the diagnosis of cancer can be a lengthy process. You must trust your instincts and his work as a team with the doctor, using your knowledge of your child and his medical knowledge of medicine to protect the health of your child.

What are the symptoms of Childhood Cancer?

  • Continued, unexplained weight loss.
  • Headaches, often with early morning vomiting.
  • Increased swelling or persistent pain in bones, joints, back, or legs.
  • Lump or mass, especially in the abdomen, neck, chest, pelvis, or armpits.
  • Development of excessive bruising, bleeding, or rash.
  • Constant infections.
  • A whitish color behind the pupil.
  • Nausea which persists or vomiting without nausea.
  • Constant tiredness or noticeable paleness.
  • Eye or vision changes which occur suddenly and persist.
  • Recurrent or persistent fevers of unknown origin.
What Are the Types of Childhood Cancers?

Leukemia
Leukemia is a cancer of the bone marrow, the spongy center of the bones that makes blood cells. It accounts for approximately 35% of all childhood cancers, although it is more common in children under the age of 10. In leukemia, abnormal white blood cells divide out of control and crowd out the normal cells in the bloodstream. The abnormal white blood cells are not mature, and therefore cannot carry out their infection-fighting function in the blood. These cells crowd out healthy white blood cells, as well as the red blood cells which carry oxygen to the body and the platelets which cause the blood to clot.

Signs and Symptoms:
  • Lethargy, weakness, paleness, dizziness.
  • Back, leg, and joint pain, headache, trouble standing or walking.
  • Easy bruising, unusual bleeding, frequent nose bleeds, bleedinggums, petechiae (red pinpoints on the skin).
  • Repeated, frequent infections.
  • Fever that lasts for several days.
  • Loss of appetite, weight loss.
  • Swollen lymph nodes, bloated or tender stomach, swollen liver or spleen.
  • Night sweats.
  • Irritability.
These same symptoms are also attributed to the common flu; this fact makes diagnosis extremely difficult. Each parent of a child with leukemia has a different story of how the child was diagnosed. But, most parents remember that their child was more tired than usual in the weeks before diagnosis.


Neuroblastoma
Neuroblastoma is a cancer of the sympathetic nervous system. It accounts for 5%-7% of all childhood malignancies. Neuroblastoma is a solid, malignant tumor which manifests as a lump or mass in the abdomen or around the spinal cord. Treatment will be determined by many factors, including the stage of the disease at diagnosis and your child's age.

Signs and Symptoms
  • Lump or mass in the abdomen, chest, neck, or pelvis.
  • Loss of appetite, nausea, weight loss, stomach pain, constipation, difficulty urinating.
  • Changes in the eyes: black eyes, a droopy eyelid, a pupil that doesn't constrict, visio problems.
  • Pain in the chest, difficulty breathing, persistent cough.
  • Pain or numbness in the lower extremities, limping, inability to stand, stumbling.
  • Bone pain, fever, irritability, listlessness.
  • Backaches (backaches in children are not usual).
Most neuroblastomas are found in the abdomen. Parents may feel a lump or mass while dressing or bathing their child. A tumor in the abdomen may cause the child to feel "full", experience stomach pain, loss of appetite, constipation and difficulty urinating. Other primary sites can include the head/neck or chest.


Wilms Tumor
Wilms tumor is a cancerous tumor on the kidney, although it is totally unrelated to adult kidney cancer. It accounts for 6-7% of childhood cancer cases.

Signs and Symptoms
  • Abdominal swelling and/or pain.
  • Nausea.
  • Vomiting.
  • Constipation.
  • oss of appetite.
  • Fever of unknown origin.
  • Night sweats.
  • Abnormal urine color or blood in the urine.
  • Malaise.
The lump of the tumor itself can sometimes be felt, but it may not always be detectable. The kidneys are located toward the back of the abdomen and the lump may be growing on the back of the kidneys or toward the inside and it may not be as easily detected. Sometimes these symptoms are attributed to a common kind of stomach flu, and are therefore left untreated by a doctor.


Brain Cancers
Brain cancers account for 15% of pediatric cancers. The symptoms depend on the location of the tumor. Since the brain controls learning, memory, senses (hearing, visual, smell, taste, touch), emotions, muscles, organs, and blood vessels, the presentation of symptoms varies accordingly. Since young children often do not complain of the symptoms, parents must rely on their own observations of their child to be aware of signs and symptoms.

Signs and Symptoms
  • A seizure not related to high fever.
  • Staring, repetitive automatic movements.
  • Persistent vomiting without any known cause (projectile vomiting), nausea.
  • Progressive weakness or clumsiness; neck tilt, squint.
  • Walking, balance problems.
  • Precocious puberty; growth retardation.
  • Sleep apnea.
  • Vision problems.
  • Headache, especially that wakes the child up at night or isearly in the morning.
  • Pain, especially back pain, which should be taken seriously in a child.
  • Changes in personality, irritability, listlessness.
  • Excessive thirst and excessive urination (rare, if the tumor ispressing against the pituitary) .
The symptoms of brain tumors are diffuse and confusing, and are often initially attributed to viruses, neurological problems, or even emotional problems. Most parents of children diagnosed with brain tumors report variations of the symptoms listed above, symptoms that had no apparent cause and may have lasted for several months before the pediatricians ordered the tests which diagnosed a brain tumor.


Rhabdomyosarcoma
Rhabdomyosarcoma is a fast-growing, highly malignant soft-tissue sarcoma which arises in undifferentiated striated muscle cells. This type of cancer can occur in a variety of places in the body: the head, neck, and around the eyes; the extremities (shoulders, arms, and legs); in the pelvic region and genitourinary tract; and in the chest and lungs.
Rhabdomyosarcoma accounts for 5-8% of childhood cancers and usually affects children the ages of 2 to 6 and 15 to 19. A noticeable lump or swelling is present in many cases of rhabdomyosarcoma. Other symptoms depend on the location of the tumor.

Signs and Symptoms
  • Lump or swelling, firm and painless to touch, in the extremities, the groin area, or the vaginal area.
  • Drooping eyelids, swelling of the eye, protruding eyeball, rapid vision changes.
  • Hoarseness, difficulty in swallowing.
  • Abdominal pain that persists for more than a week.
Keep a close eye on your child for small lumps which do not disappear in a week or so, but instead keep growing larger. Especially watch the pelvic region and the arms and legs. Also watch for any changes in the eyes. Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rapidly growing tumor and the sooner treatment begins, the more favorable is the prognosis


Lymphomas
Lymphomas are malignant cell infiltrations of the lymphatic system. The lymph system includes the nodes with which many parents are familiar, located in the neck, armpit, and groin. These nodes are only part of the lymph system, as they are connected to each other and to the spleen, thymus, and parts of the tonsils, stomach, and small intestine. Once a malignancy begins in one part of the lymph system, it often spreads throughout the rest of the system before it is detected.
Lymphomas are broadly classified as Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's. The two are distinguished by cell type. They share similar symptoms such as painless swelling of the lymph nodes, fever and fatigue. Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are more common with at least 15 different types. Hodgkin's generally occurs in individuals between 15-40 years of age, while non-Hodgkin's generally occurs in individuals between 30-70 years of age.
Today, Hodgkin's lymphoma is more curable than non-Hodgkin's. The cure rate varies according to the type of disease.

Signs and Symptoms
  • Swollen lymph node, especially in the neck, armpit or groin
  • Swelling of the face
  • Weakness, tiredness
  • Sweating, especially at night
  • Unexplained fever
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Abdominal pain or swelling
  • Pain
  • Breathing difficulties, occasional cough, sometimes difficultyin swallowing
In most cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a painless, firm swelling in the neck, the armpit, or the groin lymph nodes is present. Since extranodal sites are often involved, other less specific signs may occur. Gastrointestional tract involvement leads to abdominal pain, jaundice, diarrhea, gastrointestional bleeding, and constipation. If the spleen or liver are involved, they are enlarged. If the bone marrow is involved, neutropenia, fatigue, bleeding or bruising occurs.


Retinoblastoma
Retinoblastoma is a malignancy of the retinal cell layer of the eye and is the most common eye tumor in children. It usually occurs before the age of five and can occur in one or in both eyes and is hereditary in some cases. Retinoblastoma accounts for 3-4% of all childhood cancers.

Signs and Symptoms
  • Whitish color behind the pupil.
  • Problems with eye movements (crossed eyes).
  • A red irritation that persists.
The most common symptom is a whitish color behind the pupil, instead of the usual dark color. At well-baby check-ups, the pediatrician routinely checks your child's eyes for this and other symptoms. As a parent, you should watch for the above symptoms between check-ups as well.


Bone Cancers
Osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma are the most common malignancies of bone tissues in children. Osteosarcoma, the more common of the two types, usually presents in bones around the knee; Ewing's sarcoma may affect bones of the pelvis, thigh, upper arm, or ribs. Bone cancers are most common in ages 10-20 and they account for about 6% of all childhood cancers.

Signs and Symptoms
  • Pain in a bone.
  • Swelling or tenderness around a bone or joint.
  • Interference with normal movements.
  • Weak bones, leading to fractures.
  • Fatigue, fever, weight loss, anemia.
God Bless the Children

Sources:
http://ksangelsamongus.com/2010/08/23/childhood-cancer/
http://www.acor.org/ped-onc/diseases/SOCC.html

Cancer: Colon cancer
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Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine (colon), the lower part of your digestive system. Rectal cancer is cancer of the last 6 inches of the colon. Together, they're often referred to as colorectal cancers.
Most cases of colon cancer begin as small, noncancerous (benign) clumps of cells called adenomatous polyps. Over time some of these polyps become colon cancers.
Polyps may be small and produce few, if any, symptoms. Regular screening tests can help prevent colon cancer by identifying polyps before they become cancerous. If signs and symptoms of colon cancer do appear, they may include changes in bowel habits, blood in your stool, persistent cramping, gas or abdominal pain.
What are the symptoms of Colon cancer?

Many people with colon cancer experience no symptoms in the early stages of the disease. When symptoms appear, they'll likely vary, depending on the cancer's size and location in your large intestine.
Signs and symptoms of colon cancer include:
  • A change in your bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation or a change in the consistency of your stool for more than a couple of weeks
  • Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool
  • Persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas or pain
  • Abdominal pain with a bowel movement
  • A feeling that your bowel doesn't empty completely
  • Weakness or fatigue
  • Unexplained weight loss
Blood in your stool may be a sign of cancer, but it can also indicate other conditions. Bright red blood you notice on bathroom tissue more commonly comes from hemorrhoids or minor tears (fissures) in your anus, for example. In addition, certain foods, such as beets or red licorice, can turn your stools red. Iron supplements and some anti-diarrheal medications may make stools black. Still, it's best to have any sign of blood or change in your stools checked promptly by your doctor because it can be a sign of something more serious.

Risks and causes of colon cancer:
Factors that may increase your risk of colon cancer include:
  • Age. About 90 percent of people diagnosed with colon cancer are older than 50. Colon cancer can occur in younger people, but it occurs much less frequently.
  • A personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps. If you've already had colon cancer or adenomatous polyps, you have a greater risk of colon cancer in the future.
  • Inflammatory intestinal conditions. Long-standing inflammatory diseases of the colon, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, can increase your risk of colon cancer.
  • Inherited disorders that affect the colon. Genetic syndromes passed through generations of your family can increase your risk of colon cancer. These syndromes cause only about 5 percent of all colon cancers. One genetic syndrome called familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a rare disorder that causes you to develop thousands of polyps in the lining of your colon and rectum. People with untreated FAP have a greater than 90 percent chance of developing colon cancer by age 45. Another genetic syndrome, hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), also called Lynch syndrome, is more common than FAP. People with HNPCC have an increased risk of colon cancer and tend to develop colon cancer at an early age. Both FAP and HNPCC can be detected through genetic testing. Talk to your doctor about whether your family history suggests you have a risk of these conditions.
  • Family history of colon cancer and colon polyps. You're more likely to develop colon cancer if you have a parent, sibling or child with the disease. If more than one family member has colon cancer or rectal cancer, your risk is even greater. In some cases, this connection may not be hereditary or genetic. Instead, cancers within the same family may result from shared exposure to an environmental carcinogen or from diet or lifestyle factors.

  • Diet. Colon cancer and rectal cancer may be associated with a diet low in fiber and high in fat and calories. Research in this area has had mixed results. Some studies have found an increased risk of colon cancer in people who eat diets high in red meat and processed meats.
    People who eat a diet similar to that of Western countries, such as the United States and Europe, have a higher risk of developing colon cancer than do people who eat diets typically seen in developing countries. When people move from a developing country to a Western country and adapt to the Western diet, their risk of colon cancer increases. Although many studies have tried to identify what part of the Western diet may cause colon cancer, the answer remains unknown.
  • A sedentary lifestyle. If you're inactive, you're more likely to develop colon cancer. This may be because when you're inactive, waste stays in your colon longer. Getting regular physical activity may reduce your risk.
  • Diabetes. People with diabetes and insulin resistance may have an increased risk of colon cancer.
  • Obesity. People who are obese have an increased risk of colon cancer and an increased risk of dying of colon cancer when compared with people considered normal weight.
  • Smoking. People who smoke cigarettes may have an increased risk of colon cancer. They may also have an increased chance of dying of colon cancer.
  • Alcohol. Heavy use of alcohol may increase your odds of colon cancer.
  • Growth hormone disorder. Acromegaly, an uncommon disorder that causes an excess of growth hormone in your body, may increase your risk of colon polyps and colon cancer.
  • Radiation therapy for cancer. Radiation therapy directed at the abdomen to treat previous cancers may increase the risk of colon cancer.
If you notice any symptoms of colon cancer, such as blood in your stool or a persistent change in bowel habits, see your doctor as soon as possible. Keep in mind that colorectal cancer can occur in younger as well as older people. If you're at high risk, don't wait until symptoms appear. See your doctor for regular screenings.
Talk to your doctor about when you should begin screening for colon cancer. Guidelines generally recommend colon cancer screenings begin at age 50. Your doctor may recommend more frequent or earlier screening if you have other risk factors, such as a family history of the disease.



Cancer: Prostate Cancer
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Prostate cancer is cancer of the small walnut-shaped gland in males that produces seminal fluid, the fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men, affecting about one in six men in the United States.
A diagnosis of prostate cancer can be scary not only because it can be life-threatening, but also because treatments can cause side effects such as bladder control problems and erectile dysfunction (impotence). But diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer have gotten much better in recent years.
Prostate cancer usually grows slowly and initially remains confined to the prostate gland, where it may not cause serious harm. While some types of prostate cancer grow slowly and may need minimal or no treatment, other types are aggressive and can spread quickly. If prostate cancer is detected early — when it's still confined to the prostate gland — you have a better chance of successful treatment.
What are the symptoms of Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer usually doesn't produce any noticeable symptoms in its early stages, so many cases of prostate cancer aren't detected until the cancer has spread beyond the prostate. For most men, prostate cancer is first detected during a routine screening such as a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test or a digital rectal exam (DRE).
When signs and symptoms do occur, they depend on how advanced the cancer is and how far the cancer has spread.
Early signs and symptoms of prostate cancer can include urinary problems, caused when the prostate tumor presses on the bladder or on the tube that carries urine from the bladder (urethra). However, urinary symptoms are much more commonly caused by benign prostate problems, such as an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) or prostate infections. Less than 5 percent of cases of prostate cancer have urinary problems as the initial symptom. When urinary signs and symptoms do occur, they can include:
  • Trouble urinating
  • Starting and stopping while urinating
  • Decreased force in the stream of urine
Cancer in your prostate or the area around the prostate can cause:
  • Blood in your urine
  • Blood in your semen
Prostate cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes in your pelvis may cause:
  • Swelling in your legs
  • Discomfort in the pelvic area
Advanced prostate cancer that has spread to your bones can cause:
  • Bone pain that doesn't go away
  • Bone fractures
  • Compression of the spine

What causes Prostate cancer?
What causes prostate cancer and why some types behave differently are unknown. Research suggests that a combination of factors may play a role, including heredity, ethnicity, hormones, diet and the environment.
knowing the risk factors for prostate cancer can help you determine if and when you want to begin prostate cancer screening. The main risk factors include:
  • Age. After age 50, your chance of having prostate cancer increases.
  • Race or ethnicity. For reasons that aren't well understood, black men have a higher risk of developing and dying of prostate cancer.
  • Family history. If your father or brother has prostate cancer, your risk of the disease is greater than that of the average man.
  • Diet. A high-fat diet and obesity may increase your risk of prostate cancer. One theory is that fat increases production of the hormone testosterone, which may promote the development of prostate cancer cells.
  • High testosterone levels. Because testosterone naturally stimulates the growth of the prostate gland, men who use testosterone therapy are more likely to develop prostate cancer than are men who have lower levels of testosterone. Also, doctors are concerned that testosterone therapy might fuel the growth of prostate cancer that is already present. Long-term testosterone treatment also may cause prostate gland enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia).
Prevention
Prostate cancer can't be prevented, but you can take measures to reduce your risk or possibly slow the disease's development.
  • Eat well. High-fat diets have been linked to prostate cancer. Therefore, limiting your intake of high-fat foods and emphasizing fruits, vegetables and whole fibers may help you reduce your risk. Foods rich in lycopene, an antioxidant, also may help lower your prostate cancer risk. These foods include raw or cooked tomatoes, tomato products, grapefruit and watermelon. Garlic and some vegetables such as arugula, bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower also may help fight cancer. Vitamin E has shown promise in reducing the risk of prostate cancer among smokers. More research is needed, however, to see whether vitamin E might be effective.
  • Get regular exercise. Regular exercise can help prevent a heart attack and conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. When it comes to cancer, the data aren't as clear-cut, but studies do indicate that regular exercise may reduce your cancer risk, including your risk of prostate cancer. Exercise has been shown to strengthen your immune system, improve circulation and speed digestion — all of which may play a role in cancer prevention. Exercise also helps to prevent obesity, another potential risk factor for some cancers. Regular exercise may also minimize your symptoms and reduce your risk of prostate gland enlargement, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Men who are physically active usually have less-severe symptoms than do men who get little exercise.
  • Ask your doctor about taking an NSAID. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) might prevent prostate cancer. These drugs include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and naproxen (Aleve). NSAIDs inhibit an enzyme called COX-2, which is found in prostate cancer cells. More studies are needed to confirm whether NSAID use actually results in lower rates of prostate cancer or reduced deaths from the disease.
Research on prostate cancer prevention has shown that the drug finasteride (Proscar, Propecia) may prevent or delay the onset of prostate cancer in men 55 years and older. This drug is currently used to control prostate gland enlargement and hair loss in men. However, finasteride has also been shown to contribute to increasing sexual side effects and to slightly raise the risk of developing higher grade prostate cancer. At this time, this drug isn't routinely recommended to prevent prostate cancer.

Sources:
http://www.succezz.com/Health/Cancers/Dealing-with-Prostate-Cancer.html
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/prostate-cancer/DS00043
http://www.thethank.com/health/ProstateCancer/201007/What-is-Prostate-Cancer-_496.html
http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/prostate-cancer-causes-and-symptoms-organic-herbs-herbal-supplements-to-treat-3283454.html

Cancer: lung cancer
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Lung Cancer results from an abnormality in the cells that eventually forms a mass known as a tumor. Tumors can be benign or malignant, Benign tumors can usually be removed and do not spread to other parts of the body. Malignant tumors, grow aggressively and invade other tissues of the body, allowing entry of tumor cells into the bloodstream or lymphatic system and then to other sites in the body. This process of spread is termed metastasis. Since lung cancer tends to spread or metastasize very early in its course, it is a very life-threatening cancer and one of the most difficult cancers to treat. While lung cancer can spread to any organ in the body, certain organs - particularly the adrenal glands, liver, brain, and bone - are the most common sites for lung-cancer metastasis.

How common is lung cancer?

Lung cancer is responsible for the most cancer deaths in both men and women throughout the world.Lung cancer is predominantly a disease of the elderly; almost 70% of people diagnosed with the condition are over 65 years of age, while less than 3% of cases occur in people under age 45. Lung cancer was not common prior to the 1930s but increased dramatically over the following decades as tobacco smoking increased,lung cancer remains among the most common types of cancers in both men and women worldwide.
What causes lung cancer?
Smoking
The incidence of lung cancer is strongly correlated with cigarette smoking, with about 90% of lung cancers arising as a result of tobacco use, Pipe and cigar smoking can also cause lung cancer, although the risk is not as high as with cigarette smoking. While someone who smokes one pack of cigarettes per day has a risk for the development of lung cancer that is 25 times higher than a nonsmoker, pipe and cigar smokers have a risk of lung cancer that is about five times that of a nonsmoker.
In former smokers, the risk of developing lung cancer begins to approach that of a nonsmoker about 15 years after cessation of smoking.

Passive smoking
The inhalation of tobacco smoke from other smokers sharing living or working quarters, is also an established risk factor for the development of lung cancer. Research has shown that nonsmokers who reside with a smoker have a 24% increase in risk for developing lung cancer when compared with other nonsmokers.

Asbestos fibers
Asbestos fibers are silicate fibers that can persist for a lifetime in lung tissue following exposure to asbestos. The workplace is a common source of exposure to asbestos fibers, as asbestos was widely used in the past as both thermal and acoustic insulation. Today, asbestos use is limited or banned in many countries, lung cancer is associated with exposure to asbestos. Cigarette smoking drastically increases the chance of developing an asbestos-related lung cancer in exposed workers. Asbestos workers who do not smoke have a fivefold greater risk of developing lung cancer than nonsmokers, and those asbestos workers who smoke have a risk that is 50 to 90 times greater than nonsmokers.

Radon gas
Radon gas is a natural, chemically inert gas that is a natural decay product of uranium. Radon gas is a known cause of lung cancer, with an estimated 12% of lung-cancer deaths attributable to radon gas, concomitant smoking greatly increases the risk of lung cancer with radon exposure. Radon gas can travel up through soil and enter homes through gaps in the foundation, pipes, drains, or other openings. Radon gas is invisible and odorless, but it can be detected with simple test kits.
Familial predisposition
While the majority of lung cancers are associated with tobacco smoking, the fact that not all smokers eventually develop lung cancer suggests that other factors, such as individual genetic susceptibility, may play a role in the causation of lung cancer.
Lung diseasesThe presence of certain diseases of the lung, notably chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is associated with an increased risk (four to six times the risk of a nonsmoker) for the development of lung cancer even after the effects of concomitant cigarette smoking are excluded.
Prior history of lung cancer
Survivors of lung cancer have a greater risk than the general population of developing a second lung cancer.

Air pollution
Air pollution from vehicles, industry, and power plants can raise the likelihood of developing lung cancer in exposed individuals. Up to 1% of lung cancer deaths are attributable to breathing polluted air.

What are the signs and symptoms of lung cancer?

Symptoms of lung cancer are varied depending upon where and how widespread the tumor is. Warning signs of lung cancer are not always present or easy to identify. A person with lung cancer may have the following kinds of symptoms:
  • No symptoms: In up to 25% of people who get lung cancer, the cancer is first discovered on a routine chest X-ray or CT scan as a solitary small mass sometimes called a coin lesion.
  • Symptoms related to the cancer: The growth of the cancer and invasion of lung tissues and surrounding tissue may interfere with breathing, leading to symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, and coughing up blood (hemoptysis). If the cancer has invaded nerves, for example, it may cause shoulder pain that travels down the outside of the arm (called Pancoast's syndrome) or paralysis of the vocal cords leading to hoarseness. Invasion of the esophagus may lead to difficulty swallowing (dysphagia). If a large airway is obstructed, collapse of a portion of the lung may occur and cause infections (abscesses, pneumonia) in the obstructed area.
  • Symptoms related to metastasis: Lung cancer that has spread to the bones may produce excruciating pain at the sites of bone involvement. Cancer that has spread to the brain may cause a number of neurologic symptoms that may include blurred vision, headaches, seizures, or symptoms of stroke such as weakness or loss of sensation in parts of the body.
  • Paraneoplastic symptoms: Lung cancers frequently are accompanied by symptoms that result from production of hormone-like substances by the tumor cells. These paraneoplastic syndromes occur most commonly with SCLC but may be seen with any tumor type. A common paraneoplastic syndrome associated with SCLC is the production of a hormone called adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) by the cancer cells, leading to oversecretion of the hormone cortisol by the adrenal glands (Cushing's syndrome). The most frequent paraneoplastic syndrome seen with NSCLC is the production of a substance similar to parathyroid hormone, resulting in elevated levels of calcium in the bloodstream.
  • Nonspecific symptoms: Nonspecific symptoms seen with many cancers, including lung cancers, include weight loss, weakness, and fatigue. Psychological symptoms such as depression and mood changes are also common.

When should one consult a doctor?

One should consult a health-care provider if he or she develops the symptoms associated with lung cancer, in particular, if they have
  • A new persistent cough or worsening of an existing chronic cough.
  • Blood in the sputum.
  • Persistent bronchitis or repeated respiratory infections.
  • Chest pain.
  • Unexplained weight loss and/or fatigue
  • Breathing difficulties such as shortness of breath or wheezing.
Sources:

Cancer: Do I Have Cancer?
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Symptoms of cancer include:
  • Persistent Fatigue
Fatigue is one of the most commonly experienced cancer symptom. It is usually more common when the cancer is advanced, but still occurs in the early stages.
  • Unintentional Weightloss
Losing 10 or more pounds without dieting or intending to lose weight can be one of the first symptoms experienced with cancer.
  • Fever
Most cancer patients experience a fever at some point. It may be due to the disease affecting their immune system, the cancer itself, or a response to treatment. Fever normally occurs as the cancer progresses.
  • Changes To the Skin
Skin changes such as jaundice, darkening of the skin, abnormal hair growth, reddening, and skin itchiness can indicate certain types of cancers.
  • Pain
Pain is normally present when the cancer has progressed. However, it can be indicative early on of some cancers, such as bone cancers.


Lets discus more these types of cancer:

Sources:

Cancer: Understanding Cancer
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What is Cancer?
The cancer begins in cells that are the building blocks of our body. Normally, our body forms new cells as you the need to replace old cells that die. Sometimes this process goes wrong. New cells grow even when it is not necessary, and old cells do not die when they should. These extra cells can form a mass called tumor. Tumors can be benign or malignant. Benign tumors are not malignant cancer, But The cells of malignant tumors can invade nearby tissues. They can also break out and spread to other parts of the body.

Most cancers are named for where it start. For example, lung cancer starts in the lung and breast cancer starts in the breast.

The spread of cancer from one part of the body another is called metastasis Half of all men and one third of all women in the U.S. develop cancer during their lives. Today, millions of people living with cancer or have had cancer.

The risk development of most types of cancer can be reduced by:
  • Eat better, low fat food.
  • Be More Active.
  • Protect yourself from the sun.
  • Do not smoke.
  • Tell your doctor if your health changes.
  • Screen for Cancer
  • Handle with care hazardous materials
Common Types of Cancer
  1. Breast Cancer.
  2. Cervical Cancer.
  3. Childhood Cancer.
  4. Colorectal Cancer.
  5. Lung cancer.
  6. Prostate Cancer.
  7. Skin Cancer.
Treatments for Cancer:
Surgery:
Surgery is a treatment for cancer which removes all or part of the cancer. The majority of people diagnosed with cancer will undergo surgery at some time during their care. Surgery may be used for several purposes, such as diagnosing and staging cancer, treating cancer or relieving symptoms or side effects when, for example, a tumour is pressing on a nerve or bone. Surgery may be the only cancer treatment a patient requires, or it may be supplemented with other treatments, such as radiation and chemotherapy

Chemotherapy:
Sometimes called systemic therapy, means treatment of cancer with drugs.
Chemotherapy drugs work on cells that are growing quickly. Both cancer cells and some normal cells grow quickly. When the chemotherapy affects normal cells, it can cause temporary side effects. These can be managed.
Chemotherapy is given alone or with other drugs. Chemotherapy may also be used at the same time, before, or after other cancer treatments such as surgery, radiation therapy or hormone therapy.
Chemotherapy can be given in many different ways. Usually, drugs are injected into a vein (intravenous). For some types of cancer, the doctor may order pills taken by mouth. Chemotherapy drugs can also be injected into a muscle (intramuscular), under the skin (subcutaneous), into an artery (intra-arterial) or into the abdomen (intra-peritoneal).

Radiation Therapy:
Radiation therapy is the use of radiation to damage or destroy cancer cells. Radiation in high doses kills cancer cells or keeps them from growing and producing more cancer cells by disrupting the way they grow and divide. Normal cells can be affected by radiation therapy, but most normal cells are able to repair themselves and recover from the effects of radiation. Cancer cells are less able to repair themselves after radiation damage. Radiation therapy may be used alone or with other cancer treatments. Radiation may be used to cure or control cancer or to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life (palliative radiotherapy).
There are two main ways of giving radiation therapy:
External beam radiation therapy - Radiation is delivered from a treatment machine outside the body and directed at the cancer site. Treatment is usually given five days a week for several weeks.
Internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy) involves placing radiation sources as close as possible to the tumour site. They are usually left there for 1 to 6 days.

Other Treatments:Other types of therapy include hormone therapy, where hormones are given as drugs to treat some kinds of cancer (breast and prostate cancer) and immunotherapy, which make use of the body's immune system to fight cancer. New therapies are being studied on an ongoing basis in clinical trials.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancer
http://www.answers.com/topic/cancer
https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http://www.lungcancerguidebook.org/lcguidebook_aug05/ch2_0605.pdf&pli=1

Sleep: Good Sleep Tips
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Part1, Part2, Part3, Part4.
The Conclusion: Sleep well


  • Go to bed and get up at about the same time every day, even on the weekends.
  • Don’t take sleeping pills. This includes over-the-counter pills and melatonin.
  • Pay attention to the sleep environment.

  • Using dimmer switches in living rooms and bathrooms before bed can be helpful.

  • you may want to experiment with different levels of mattress firmness and pillows that provide more support.
  • Keep the noise level down.
  • Don't eat or drink large amounts before bedtime.
  • Don't go to bed hungry. Have a light snack.
  • Avoid nicotine, caffeine and alcohol in the evening.
  • Regular day exercise can help sleep. Especially aerobic exercise, can help you fall asleep faster and make your sleep more restful.
  • Avoid exercise near bedtime.

  • Don’t go to bed until you’re sleepy. If you have trouble sleeping, try going to bed later or getting up earlier.
  • If you wake up in the middle of the night and can’t fall back to sleep, get out of bed and return only when you are sleepy.
  • Spend time outdoors. People exposed to daylight or bright light therapy sleep better.
  • Bedtime routines are helpful for good sleep. Keep routines on your normal schedule. A cup of herbal tea an hour before bed can begin a routine.
  • Avoid worrying, watching TV, reading scary books, and doing other things in bed besides sleeping and sex. If you worry, read thrillers or watch TV, do that in a chair that’s not in the bedroom.
  • If you have a sleeping partner, ask them if they notice any snoring, leg movements and/or pauses in breathing .
Part1, Part2, Part3, Part4.

Sleep: Do you have a sleep disorder?
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Part1, Part2, Part3, Part4.

Do you spend enough time in bed and still wake up feeling very tired or sleepy during the day.
The most common sleep disorders are insomnia, sleep apnea (sleep disorder breathing), restless leg syndrome and narcolepsy. Although sleep disorders can affect your health, safety and well-being, they can be treated.

Talk to your doctor if you have any of these signs of a sleep disorder:
  • You have been taking more than 30 minutes each night to sleep.
  • You have wake up several times each night, then have trouble falling to sleep, or you wake up too early in the morning.
  • You often feel sleepy during the day, you often take naps, or you fall asleep at inappropriate times during the day.
  • you snore loudly, do choking sounds, or stop breathing for short periods.
  • You have creeping, tingling or crawling feelings in the legs or arms
  • Your bed partner notices that the legs or arms jerk often during sleep.
  • You feel as if you can not move when you first wake up.
  • Keep in mind that children can have some of these signs even if they have a sleep disorder, but they often do not show signs of excessive daytime sleepiness. On the contrary, they seem to have difficulty concentrating or making them better in school.

Snoring
What is snoring?
It is a problem of the anatomy of soft tissue at the back of the throat and cause the emission of sound from the air during sleep.
What causes snoring?
Snoring occurs when the soft palate tissue at the back of the throat relaxes too much at the entrance to the gorge. As air tries to pass through the soft palate vibrates and produces the snoring sound.
The problem May worse with age, but one of the main causes is the size and shape of the body. People with short wide necks are most prone to snoring because the muscles around their windpipe can not support the fat around him when the person is asleep. In general, anyone with a collar size of 16.5 inches or more is likely to snore.
Other Causes:
  • Poor muscle in the tongue and throat. Muscles that are too relaxed contribute to snoring.
  • Large throat tissue. Children with large tonsils often snore.
  • Nasal passage blockage. People with blocked or clogged nose often snore.
Snoring can be treated?
  • In 99% of cases, snoring is treatable. The weight is usually the main cause of snoring so shedding excess fat around the neck will stop extra pressure on the airways. Other treatments depend on whether a diagnostic examination by a doctor will help. Also consider these self-help remedies:
  • Avoid alcohol and sedatives before bedtime. These cause the muscles to relax and cause snoring.
  • Avoid heavy meals at least four hours before bedtime.
  • Sleeping on the side rather than your back. Try sewing a tennis ball in the back of your Pajama top. This will prevent you from sleeping on your back!
  • Exercise. This will improve muscle strength and promote weight loss.

Sleep apnea
What is sleep apnea?
It is a lack of breath during sleep.
What are the causes of sleep apnea?
Apnea is caused by the same muscles that cause snoring. It occurs when the muscles of the soft palate at the base of the tongue and the uvula (the small piece of flesh tissue suspended back of the throat) relax, partially blocking the opening of the air. However, sleep apnea is more dangerous than snoring in that it changes the normal breathing patterns.
depleting the blood and brain of vital oxygen supplies. Then the brain suddenly sends an emergency signal, telling the person to wake up and take a big gulp of air. The frequent interruptions of deep sleep leads to excessive daytime fatigue and sleepiness.
Sleep apnea can be treated?
Sleep apnea is associated with potentially fatal stroke, heart attacks and high blood pressure and therefore requires medical care.
A sleep test called polysomnography is usually done to diagnose sleep apnea. Treatment varies depending on the severity of symptoms. Mild cases can be treated effectively by changes in behavior - losing weight, reducing alcohol or sleeping on the side, for example.
The most serious May be treated with a CPAP machine, so named because they maintain a constant positive air pressure to conduct wind to help users breathe easy at night. The benefits are better sleep and reduce the risk of heart attacks during the night.


Insomnia
What is insomnia?
A long and usually abnormal inability to obtain adequate, uninterrupted sleep. Symptoms may include trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or waking up too early in the morning, feeling unrefreshed. The consequences are unpleasant, leaving sufferers feeling exhausted, irritable and unable to concentrate on simple tasks.
What causes insomnia?
  • People aged over sixty
  • Women
  • Those with a history of depression
  • Stress is an important contribution.
  • Traumatic events such as acute illness, injury or surgery, the loss of a loved one, exams, or problems at work can all disrupt sleep. In such cases, the returns almost normal sleep when the individual recovers from the case or become acclimated to the new situation.
  • Jet lag can also cause insomnia. Traveling through time zones east is more difficult to adjust to travel west, sometimes earlier. Usually a day of adjustment is all that is needed to overcome insomnia.
  • Environmental or lifestyle factors may also come into play - too much light in the bedroom or caffeine in the body.
Insomnia can be treated?
The treatment is related to the case, if the cause can be determined. Patients are evaluated with the help of a medical history and sleep (sleep diary). It can be treated through cognitive behavioral therapy involving relaxation and reconditioning.

One of the best ways to prevent insomnia is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Do not go to bed feeling stressed and worried. If you are worried about falling asleep, will be more difficult to fall asleep. Try not to eat too close to avoid going to sleep and Caffeinated beverages and alcohol.
Just remember, the less you worry, the more likely you achieve the perfect sleep.
Some useful complementary medicine remedies for insomnia.

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
What is RLS?
It is a tingling, itching sensation and unexplained aches and pains in the legs.
Sleep is disturbed because people often have a strong urge to move the legs to relieve the discomfort by stretching, rubbing their legs or getting up and pacing around.
What causes RLS?
It may be inherited, People with RLS. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can worsen the symptoms. Other cases of RLS are associated with iron deficiency or nerve damage in the legs.
RLS can be treated?
In mild cases, it may be only a matter of cutting caffeine and alcohol, which aggravate the symptoms. Having a warm bath, massage the legs or using heat or cold pack will also help to alleviate the symptoms.
For more serious cases, there are a number of drug treatments. Consult your doctor for further advice

Part1, Part2, Part3, Part4.

Sources:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/sleep/articles/sleepdisorders.shtml
http://www.trusleep.com/sleep-faqs/a-hard-nights-sleep.html

Sleep: How much sleep is enough?
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Part1, Part2, Part3, Part4
Sleep needs vary from person to person and change throughout the life cycle. Most adults need 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Infants, on the other hand, sleep between 16 and 18 hours a day, and children 10 to 12 hours a day. School-aged children and teens need at least 9 hours of sleep a night.
Here some facts about sleep

Tips to get a good night's sleep

Relax your mind
  • Breathing exercises can help. Breathe, using your abdomen not your chest, through your nose for three seconds, then breathe out for three seconds. Pause for three seconds before breathing in again. Practise this for ten minutes every night .
  • If you still find yourself tossing and turning, abandon the bedroom and find something enjoyable to do. Jigsaws are perfect. Don't go back to bed until you begin to feel sleepy again.

Exercise
  • Regular exercise is a great way to improve your sleep. but be careful not to do it close to bed time as exercise produces stimulants that stop the brain from relaxing quickly.
  • If you are injured or disabled, you can still benefit from exercise. Check out disability exercise tips.

Create a calm bedroom environment
  • Your bedroom should be for sleep only. Avoid turning it into an entertainment centre with televisions, computers .

Avoid alcohol
  • Too much alcohol can make you restless. Alcohol is also a diuretic, which means it encourages you to urinate.
  • Drinking is most likely to lead to snoring, which can restrict airflow. This reduces oxygen in the blood which disturbs the sleep and contributes to a hangover.

Avoid caffeine
  • Caffeine is a stimulant which stays in our system for many hours. So avoid sources of caffeine like coffee, chocolate, cola drinks and non-herbal teas.

Watch what you eat
  • Eating a large heavy meal close to bedtime will make you have trouble sleeping.
  • Spicy or fatty foods may cause heartburn, leads to difficulty in falling asleep and discomfort throughout the night.
  • Foods containing tyramine (bacon, cheese, ham, aubergines, pepperoni, raspberries avocado, nuts, soy sauce, red wine) is likely keep you awake at night. Tyramine causes the release of norepinephrine, a brain stimulant.
  • If you get the munchies close to bedtime, eat something that triggers the hormone serotonin, which makes you sleepy. Carbohydrates such as bread or cereal will do the trick.

Set a regular bedtime and wake up time
  • Create a habit of going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, even on weekends. This helps anchor your body clock to these times. Resisting the urge for a lie-in can pay dividends in alertness.
  • If you feel you haven't slept well, resist the urge to sleep in longer than; getting up on schedule keeps the body in its normal wake-up routine.
  • After only four hours, the brain has gained many of the important benefits of sleep.

It's only natural
  • Most of us have a natural dip in alertness between 2 - 4pm.
  • A 15 minute nap when you're tired can be a very effective way of staying alert throughout the day. But avoid napping longer than 20 minutes, you will enter deep sleep and feel even worse when you wake up.


Sleep: Why do we sleep?
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Part1, Part2, Part3, Part4
Sleep
Sleep
During sleep a number of vital functions to maintaining good health and allow people to function better. On the other hand, not enough sleep can be dangerous, for example, you are more likely in a car accident if you drive when you are sleepy.
We need sleep to think clearly, react quickly and create memories. In fact, the ways in the brain, which remind us and learn are very active when we sleep.
Reduction of 1 hour can make it difficult to get the next day and can slow your response time. Studies also find that if you lack of sleep, you are rather poorly to make decisions. This can lead to a decline in performance at work or at school and a greater danger to a car accident
Sleep affects mood. Insufficient sleep can be irritable and is linked to bad behavior and problems with relationships.
Sleep is also important for good health. Studies show that not enough sleep or poor sleep quality at regular intervals increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and other medical conditions.
Moreover, during sleep, the body produces hormones, and help muscle mass and repair cells and tissues in children and adults. Another type of hormone increases during sleep that works to fight various infections. This may explain why a good sleep helps you hold to the sick and help you again if you become ill.
Hormones released during sleep also affect how the body uses energy. Studies found that people sleep less, the more likely they are overweight or obese, to develop diabetes, and prefers to eat foods with high calories and carbohydrates.

Part1, Part2, Part3, Part4

Sources:
http://www.medicinenet.com/sleep/article.htm
http://www.helpguide.org/life/sleeping.htm
http://www.sleep4health.com.au/sleep-and-health/how-to-sleep-while-traveling/
http://www.sleepfoundation.org/article/how-sleep-works/how-much-sleep-do-we-really-need

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