Genetic Screening and Breast Cancer

Could you be at a greater risk of developing Breast Cancer? Well some women are, and some women are getting genetic counseling and screening. The report tells them if they have the mutated gene BRAC and give them a likely percentage of developing Breast Cancer. When the Family history has gone back for years with Breast Cancer being prevalent in the Family, the risk is even higher! What should a woman do in this instance?In some cases although Breast Cancer was diagnosed it was not concluded as the BRAC form...simply because BRAC screening wasn't being done in those days of old! However it can be done now and for women that know there is more than a slight chance of getting Breast Cancer and perhaps from that will stem other cancers in the female organs, what are they to do?Why, you ask, because if it is the BRAC form it is almost 100% sure that these women will get one form of breast cancer....and when they have seen it take its course in their family, when a woman has to live out her life knowing this, most women want to know their chances for survival, and at a early age more than later in life..BRAC is in the class of genes known as tumor suppressors and women with this gene usually have strong family history of breast and ovarian cancers which have a tendency to come on before menopause. If a woman finds herself in this predicament, they really want an answer to their fears of developing any type of breast cancer or cancer in any of the female organs, the uterus, cervix, ovaries and even in the tubes.From reading medical journals according to the National Cancer Institute in the US, predict 12% of women will develop breast cancer at some time during their lives. However they also have predicted that 60% with a BRAC mutation will develop cancer in their female organs, most usually breast cancer, on occasion ovarian cancer. So what is a woman to do? Most women feel that their breasts define femininity! Most women who know what this has done to women in their family, live their lives as if they were cancer survivors, so in my mind the only way to be sure is to have the screenings. In a recent case of a family with 4 girls, now women, 2 had the BRAC genes....Two did not show any mutation at all! Not every cancer will be the result of the BRAC mutation and not every woman with BRAC will have cancer or will all female family members have the gene! Also if a woman chooses a double mastectomy due to her having the BRAC gene, there is no guarantee that the surgery will eliminate her risk of breast cancer! Decisions...decisions and these women once their fate is known, must make their own decisions knowing full well all that has been spoken about in former paragraphs.Other decisions more daunting are those about possible hysterectomy because of the risk of ovarian and cervical cancer.
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The Brain Cancer Risk From Careless Radiation Testing at Hospitals

It started when my brother-in-law, who is kind of fond of the drink, fell down heavily at home one day when a stroke hit him. It was a minor stroke that he recovered from with a week in hospital; but to be on the safe side, the doctors recommended a kind of radiation test that they said would help them identify the exact spot the blockage existed in that had caused the blood flow problem in his brain. The radiation test was to be a procedure called the CT brain perfusion scan; it was kind of scary to hear about - it was to beam the equivalent of hundreds of x-rays worth of radiation into his brain. We might have suspected that this would cause problems later on, but all the high-tech wizardry we were surrounded by kind of helped calm our fears. And then it started there was the perfect circle of hair that just dropped out of his head one day soon.When we brought it up with the doctor, he didn't say that he believed that there was something wrong with the procedure; he wondered if my brother-in-law had started combing his hair in the wrong direction. This was kind of like the way Toyota likes to blame the out-of-control acceleration in their cars on drivers getting their pedals mixed up. We began to read up, and then came this breaking story in the New York Times that really was a wake-up call. That CT brain scan was what was behind it all the time. Those machines (made by GE, Toshiba and others) didn't have the software set up so that they would be easy for the technicians to use; the companies didn't train the lab technicians properly, and my brother-in-law had ended up getting 10 times the radiation he should have. And there are so many people this is happening to that there's actually a class action lawsuit being planned.What exactly happens then when this machine zaps your brain? The most visible thing that happens right away is that you lose your hair for a few weeks. But there are more serious things that go on within. Brain cancer and memory loss happen to be real possibilities. The problem here is that there is so much going on on the cutting-edge science of radiation therapy that there has been not enough time to discover everything that can go wrong, and to establish training procedures that will help lab technicians learn their skills properly before they zap anyone into orbit. There actually is no legal limit to how much radiation they can give you either.While they suspect that brain cancer could be a strong possibility, there hasn't been enough time that has elapsed that they could actually find out how serious things can be. Perhaps the problem is that we've come to depend on safety features built into everything we use. If you don't close the door of your microwave properly, it's not going to work; if you don't close the door of your car properly, it's going to warn you repeatedly. Technicians who work these machines easily use the automated features provided, assuming that they've been designed to be idiot proof - to warn them when they are about to zap someone into getting brain cancer. They forget that idiot-proofing is just a consumer innovation. Professional equipment doesn't come with these features, because they assume that technicians know what they are doing. If it's at all comforting to hear this, a few high-ranking hospital staff at hospitals around the country have suffered the same effects. It just goes to show how light the veneer of the safety is that we take for granted.
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Homemade Remedies to Prevent Skin Cancer

Skin cancer can occur in the following forms:
1.Basal Cell Carcinoma: This is referred to as the most common type of skin cancer. It does not spread to other parts of the body. It can invade other tissues surrounding the area.
2.Squamous Cell Carcinoma:This type of cancer usually appears on the face, lips or rims of the ear. It starts from the squamous cells that are found in the tissues that forming the surface of the skin, respiratory and digestion tracts and lining of the hollow organs of your body. Reddish or Brownish wart lesions or nodules on forehead and cheeks.
3.Melanoma: It is considered to be the most serious form of skin cancer as it tends to spread all over the body in a short period of time. The cancer may ooze bleed or itch. It is not painful.
There are several home remedies which are used in order to prevent for skin cancer.Here are some remedies to try out:

• Coconut oil or butter remedy:Virgin coconut oil or butter is a good home remedy for skin care. It makes a good moisturizer and provides a good protective larger that locks in natural moisture as it has good solidifying property. You need to place the coconut butter in small lip palm or eye cream jars. You can also put it in a small sterilized jar.
• Aloe Vera:Aloe Vera is a great skin care remedy. It has been used effectively to treat dry skin, burns, insect bites and skin irritations. It is also good for acne, cuts and abrasions. Honey:Honey softens the skin and reduces wrinkles. It also adds to the glow of the skin.
• Ayurvedic Remedy:This is a holistic approach and does a lot of good to the skin.
• Skin cleansers:It cleanses the skin and removes dead cells from the surface of the skin. It will also remove the dust and dirt that chokes the pores on the skin. Try making cleansers at home via using vegetable oils, coconut oil and water. Sesame, palm and coconut oils make good cleansers. Seaweeds can also strengthen the immunity and healthy functions of the skin via providing the minerals required.
• Skin toners:Toning of the skin with lemon oil and lavender oil is good. You can also add vitamin C crystals as a preservative and antioxidant. When using witch hazel, make sure you combine it with moisturizers such as vitamin E and honey.
• Water:Drink at least six glasses of water to moisturize your skin.

All the above mentioned home remedies is wellknown to prevent for skin cancer. You can try some of these to benefit from them.However, you need to take to your doctor prior to using these methods to avoid any type of side effects that may occur.
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4 Effective Tests For Prostate Cancer

With the exception of non-melanoma skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer amongst men. It affects around 35,000 men each year with around 66% of these diagnoses being amongst men who are aged 50 and over. It begins when the prostate cells start to multiply in a rapid and uncontrollable way leading to the formation of a cancerous tumour. This can then lead to a number of undesirable symptoms including difficulty urinating properly and pain in the hips, groin and lower back. If you suspect that you may have prostate cancer for the above reasons or for any other reason you should go see your doctor for further testing. In this article I will be discussing four of the tests that they may use.
1) PROTEIN SPECIFIC ANTIGEN (PSA) TEST:Your prostate produces a protein called PSA. A PSA test quite simply measures the level of PSA that is in your blood. A small amount of PSA is normal but high levels of blood PSA are often linked with prostate cancer. The PSA test is not 100% accurate because other factors such as your age can influence PSA levels.
2) DIGITAL RECTAL EXAM (DRE):-This prostate cancer test involves your doctor placing a gloved finger inside your rectum. They will then feel your prostate gland to see if it has changed shape or increased in size. The DRE also has its limitations because a cancerous prostate may still feel normal from the outside.
3) TRANS RECTAL ULTRASOUND SCAN (TRUS):This test uses sound waves to build an image of your prostate. Your doctor can then use this picture to measure your prostate and see if it looks abnormal. Again the TRUS is not the perfect prostate cancer test because a normal sized, normal shaped prostate can still turn out to be cancerous.
4) BIOPSY:This test involves a tissue sample being taken from the prostate and examined in the laboratory. The laboratory tests can then be used to determine if the cells in the prostate are cancerous. Although a biopsy is one of the best prostate cancer tests available there are instances when a prostate biopsy comes back negative despite cancerous cells being present.
Prostate cancer affects 35,000 men every year. Therefore, if you have any reason to believe you may have contracted this disease go and see your doctor right away and ask them about getting yourself tested. Whilst each of the tests has its limitations, collectively they provide a good indicator as to whether your prostate has become cancerous.Whilst every intention has been made to make this article accurate and informative, it is intended for general information only. Prostate cancer is a very serious, life threatening condition and you should discuss any concerns, treatments or lifestyle changes fully with your doctor.
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Raising Ovarian Cancer Awareness

given though September is the 'official' month for ovarian cancer awareness, women of all ages need to be known about the disease. That's right... women of all ages. Why would ovarian cancer awareness matter for women who are not at the age for which there is a greater risk for getting the disease? Well, first of all there are pre-menopausal women who get ovarian cancer, though such a situation is not as common. Secondly, with proper ovarian cancer awareness, a young woman can make lifestyle choices that may help decrease her chances of getting the disease later on in the future.So, what are some issues that should be of concern when it comes to ovarian cancer awareness? Well, the first element to proper ovarian cancer awareness involves the preventative measures a woman can take to reduce the her risk of developing the condition. These preventative measures include: having babies in one's 20s, breastfeeding, taking birth control pills, avoiding talcum powder both on oneself and when changing a baby's diaper and eating a healthy diet with a limited number of saturated fats and dairy products. Women who are at greater risk can also consider getting their ovaries removed or getting a hysterectomy when they get elderly.The next are of concern when it comes to ovarian cancer awareness involves educating women of the symptoms associated with the condition. These symptoms involve urinary incontinence and abdominal pain in the disease's very early stages. As it progresses these symptoms will become worse and may be accompanied by other symptoms such as increased abdominal girth, digestive problems, post-menopausal bleeding and painful sex. By knowing these symptoms, (which tend to be mistaken for other less serious conditions), women can at least consider the possibility that they may be suffering from ovarian cancer.The final element of ovarian cancer awareness should involve giving a voice to the women that do have the disease. Too often in ovarian cancer awareness campaigns so much emphasis is placed on preventing the disease or even diagnosing the disease that the women who actually have the condition are forgotten. These women should be encouraged to speak about their condition, so other women who have it can develop strategies for which they can better deal with living with such a deadly illness.So, how can a woman increase ovarian cancer awareness? She can make a donation to any ovarian cancer awareness causes as well as participate in any fundraisers such organizations might be having. A common fundraiser could be a walkathon. Additionally, women who already have ovarian cancer can increase awareness by writing about their condition on message boards or on networks that accept articles from individuals. She can also consider starting a website or a blog about her condition, so the world can know that even if you are unfortunate enough to get the disease, it doesn't mean your life has to end. All in all if ovarian cancer awareness is going to be successful, both ovarian cancer sufferers and women who are not at risk need to find ways to contribute to such causes.
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3 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatments Explained

There are two main types of cancer non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Of the two, NSCLC is much more widespread representing 80% of cases. It begins when the cells of the lung start to expand and multiply rapidly and uncontrollably. Over time this can cause a malignant (cancerous) tumour to develop in the lungs which then kills the surrounding cells as it grows. Although this condition is potentially fatal there are a number of treatments that can be used depending on how advanced the cancer has become. In this article I will be discussing three of these NSCLC treatments.
1) SURGERY:Surgery is normally used to treat cancers that have not spread beyond the lungs. There are two main types of surgery that are used to treat non-small cell lung cancer. Where possible one of the lobes of the lung is removed in a surgical process called a lobectomy. However, if the cancer has spread beyond the lobe then the entire lung may have to be removed in a process called a pneumonectomy.
2) CHEMOTHERAPY:Chemotherapy involves using medications that kill cancer cells to treat the NSCLC. It is often used when the cancer has become more advanced and surgery is no longer a viable option. However, it may also be used before surgery (to shrink the cancer cells and make the procedure easier to perform) or after surgery (to kill off any remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence). Unfortunately, chemotherapy is not a perfect treatment and has a number of unpleasant, associated side effects including feelings of sickness, a poor appetite and hair loss. However, in most cases these symptoms disappear when the course of chemotherapy ends.
3) RADIOTHERAPY:Radiotherapy involves using high doses of radiation to destroy cancerous cells. It can be either internal (where radioactive implants are placed inside the malignant cells) or external (where radioactive rays are aimed at the cancerous tumour from outside the body). Like chemotherapy, this type of non-small cell lung cancer treatment is normally used when the cancer has spread beyond the lungs and surgery is not possible. However, it may also be used pre and post surgery to make it easier to perform and reduce the chances of the NSCLC coming back.
Cancer is a terrible disease and learning that you have developed non-small cell lung cancer can be very unpleasant. However, you need to remember that it can be treated especially when it is discovered in the early stages. I hope this article has given you an overview of the possible NSCLC treatments but to get the full picture you should go see your doctor. They will be able to provide you with professional advice and offer you the most suitable treatment.Whilst every intention has been made to make this article accurate and informative, it is intended for general information only. Lung cancer is a very serious, life threatening condition and you should discuss any concerns, treatments or lifestyle changes fully with your doctor.
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The Risk Of Surgical Treatment Of Hemorrhoids

If you are suffering with hemorrhoids, you are not alone. According to the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, you are among the 5% of people who seek treatment at any given time and among the 50% who suffer from the problem at some point in their lives. Hopefully, your condition will not require surgery.Surgery may become necessary if other treatments fail. Most long-term therapies require some degree of dedication on your part. You may need to take a fiber supplement for life. You might need to drink more water on a regular basis. You may be sitting too much.With surgical treatments, there is always a risk of complications and the procedures may not provide hemorrhoid relief. The two most popular procedures have a cure rate of only 70-87%.Complications that have occurred include severe pain, infection, excessive bleeding and nerve damage, loss of the ability to urinate and perforation of the rectum. Pain and infection are the most common complications.The risk of excessive bleeding varies depending on the selected procedure. Rubber band ligation is accompanied by the least risk of bleeding, but the highest risk of pain. The rubber bands are used to cut off circulation to the hemorrhoids. If the bands are not placed correctly, they cause severe pain.The loss of the ability to urinate is called urinary retention. It occurs because the nerves that lead to the bladder are very close to the rectum. Surgery can damage the nerves making it impossible to urinate. Perforation of the rectum occurs rarely and is due primarily to the shape of the surgical instruments.Oftentimes the surgical procedures provide only temporary hemorrhoid relief. People undergoing the procedures should be advised about the necessity of lifestyle or dietary changes. They might need to lose weight, walk more or change the type of exercise they do.The creams commonly used for hemorrhoid relief can cause irritation of the anus and the surrounding skin. The likelihood of irritation depends on many factors, including the ingredients in the cream and patient history of allergic reactions.There are natural and homeopathic remedies for hemorrhoids. Most of them are safe, effective and unaccompanied by side effects. The homeopathic remedies contain a variety of ingredients. Horse chestnut is a common one.Many people get hemorrhoid relief from dietary supplements or oral sprays. With the right treatments, painful hemorrhoids can be cured easily and naturally.
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Chemotherapy for Colon Cancer

Chemotherapy is the use of very strong anticancer drugs to kill colon cancer cells. Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment and will address cancer that is in the entire body which is why it is often used to prevent spread or to treat cancer that has already spread. This is not the only reason why chemotherapy is used so if you doctor suggests treatment with chemotherapy drugs do not assume that your cancer has spread and metastesized.Chemotherapy plays a few roles in the treatment of colon cancer. used to kill colon cancer cells that might have not been removed during surgical removal of the colon cancer.reduces the size of the tumor before surgery is performed used to treat colon cancer by controlling the growth of the tumor. used to relieve some of the symptoms of the colon cancer.
reduce the likelyhood of recurrence
Chemotherapy is often used after surgery is performed to eliminate cancer cells that may have been left behind and not removed by surgery. The chemotherapy can be administered through an IV (intravenously) or in pill form. Once the chemotherapy drugs enter the bloodstream they can reach cancer cells in all parts of the body. Some studies have shown that using a regimen of chemotherapy after surgery for colon cancer can increase the surivival rates for some stages of colon and rectal cancers.In patients with advanced colorectal cancer chemotherapy is often useful in relieving the symptoms of the cancer.
Who is given Chemotherapy for Colon Cancer?
The general opinion in the medical community differs on whether chemotherapy for Stage II colon cancer will be beneficial to the patient after surgery. It is usually only advisable in very high risk patients.Adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery is the standard of care for patients with Stage III colorectal cancer. Also patients with Stage IV cancers of the colon or rectum can
benefit from the use of chemotherapy as it often will help to shrink the tumor,
increase life expectancy and improve the quality of life.
How is Chemotherapy Administered for Colorectal Cancer?
The use of adjuvant chemotherapy typically involves monthly administration of the chemotherapy drugs for usually 6 to 8 months. Usually on or a combination of the following drugs are administered:

• 5-FU (5-fluorouracil)
• leucovorin
• irinotecan
• oxaliplatin (Eloxatin)
• The standard adjuvant chemotherapy combination for colon cancer consists of 5-FU and leucovorin.

Side Effects of Chemotherapy:
Chemotherapy can produce some side effects. The type of side effects experiences depends upon the type of chemotherapy drugs used, how much of the drugs are given and the period of time they are administered. The side effects also depend on the individual.The most common side effects for 5FU :

• the feeling of being sick
• diarrhea
• sore mouth or mouth ulcers
• drop in blood cell count
• overall feeling of tiredness

The most common side effects of irinotecan :

• increased perspiration
• increase in the production of saliva
• watery eyes
• pain or cramps in the abdomen
• diarrhea
• overall feeling of being sick
• drop in blood cell count
• overall feeling of tiredness
• hair thinning or loss
• The most common side effects of oxaliplatin:
• feeling of being sick
• numbness or tingling of the extremeties
• numbness in the lips

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Unlocking the Secrets to Cancer in China

Throughout the world, cancer remains a leading cause of death. All told, more than six million people around the globe die of the disease each year. Cancer has become a particular concern in China, where the mortality rate from the disease has been on the rise. In fact, some 1.5 million people in China died of cancer in the year 2000.For Chinese men, the most common form of cancer is cancer of the stomach, followed by liver cancer, cancer of the oesophagus, lung cancer, and intestinal cancers. Stomach cancer is also most common for women, followed by uterine, oesophagus, lung, and liver cancer.
An Increase in Western Cancers
Because of the increase in economic development in China, it appears that the nation is witnessing an increase in cancers most common in the West. As a result, the incidence of breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers in China is expected to rise exponentially. This stands to reason, given the fact that such cancers have increased a great deal in Taiwan and Hong Kong as those nations have modernized.In an effort to stem the cancer tide, the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association is screening a million Chinese women over six years. The project is designed to help save lives through early detection.
Geographical Considerations
Cancers in China also appear to vary by geography. For the most part, cancer is most prevalent in East China, North China, and Northwest China. Cancer is decidedly less common in South China, Southwest China, and Northeast China. It has been said that the highest cancer mortality rate occurs in the city of Shanghia and in the provinces of Jaingsu, Fujian, and Zhejiang.
For cancer of the oesophagus in particular, the worst mortality rate occurs in North China, specifically the Henan, Hebei, and Shanxi provinces. It appears that, in the outer reaches of these provinces, the mortality rate is less severe than in the inner reaches. There is some indication that oesophagus cancer may be linked to nitrites, although the evidence is not conclusive.
The Tobacco Factor
Because of widespread tobacco use in China, cases of lung cancer in the nation are expected to increase significantly. Currently, China is home to some 320 million smokers--in fact, it's considered to be the smoking capital of the world. By the year 2025, as many as two million Chinese residents may die of lung cancer and other tobacco-related diseases each year.
Other Risk Factors
There are additional environmental factors which may contribute to the increase in cancer in China. For instance, an upsurge in the Hepatitis B infection may be responsible for the high incidence of liver cancer in the Asian nation. And stomach cancer may be exacerbated by the Chinese diet of high-salt fermented food and unsanitary food storage procedures.
Examining Oesophageal Cancer In-Depth
Because of the prevalence of cancer of the oesophagus in China, it only makes sense that researchers would take a closer look at ways the Chinese might be able to cut their risk for this form of cancer.A research team at the Harbin Medical College in China decided to zero in on the factors leading to oesophageal cancer in northeast China. In an article entitled, "Risk Factors for Oesophageal Cancer in Northeast China," J. Hu and his research team document a hospital-based study of oesophageal cancer in the Heilongjiang Province.It should be pointed out that this province is actually a low-risk area for this form of cancer. However, from May of 1985 to May of 1989, dozens of cancer patients were interviewed in the wards of several major hospitals for the purpose of the study.
Serious Risk Factors
The research team gathered evidence relating to diet, socio-economic status, incidence of smoking, and alcohol use. Not surprisingly, the researchers found that smoking and alcohol consumption appeared to be significant risk factors for cancer of the oesophagus. Those people who had smoked handmade cigarettes were at the greatest risk.
Reducing the Risk
The Chinese researchers found that there were demonstrated ways that people could reduce their risk of developing oesophageal cancer. For instance, eating a greater amount of fruits and vegetables lowered oesophageal cancer risk by 35 percent. By the same token, upping vitamin C intake by 100 mg reduced the risk of cancer of the oesophagus by 39 percent.
The researchers also found that using salt did not seem to increase the risk for oesophageal cancer. Likewise, foods preserved in salt and pickled vegetables offered no heightened risk.
Combating Cancer Over the Long Term
Treating cancer of the oesophagus and other cancers is a particular challenge in China and the rest of the developing world. That's because the cancers tend to be discovered late when the chances of successful treatment are much lower. Treatment may also be difficult because the nation's pain medications tend to be less effective than those found in the West. As a result, groups such as the American Cancer Society are working to improve the quality of life for Chinese cancer patients, particularly in the area of pain medication.

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Breast Cancer Treatment Choices

Breast cancer can be treated with a mastectomy or breast preservation surgery, lumpectomy, followed by radiation and sometimes chemotherapy. Some types of tumors are stimulated by normal hormones found in a woman's body, such as progesterone, estrogen, and HER-2. By knowing this information, a plan of treatment can be offered that will improve a woman's chances of cancer free survival.The pathology from the surgery, done to remove the cancer tumor, will tell if the entire tumor was removed and if cancer was found in the lymph nodes. During surgery the surgeon can see the cancer tumor, but not all of the cancer cells can be visualized. This way cancer cells that might be outside the main tumor can be seen. This dye is injected before surgery and will show which node is the main node that drains fluid from the cancer tumor site. If lymph nodes are found to have cancer cells within them the cancer has moved from the tumor site to other areas in the body. This movement of cancer cells away from the tumor indicates metastasis, or stray cancer cells that are traveling in the body. The final pathology will offer much information about the type of cancer, the location of the cancer and how best to treat the cancer to provide a cancer free life for the woman.A woman who has been diagnosed with cancer, from a biopsy, then will see a surgeon who specializes in breast cancer. Surgery to remove the tumor is always needed, as long as the tumor is in the breast it will grow and chances are the cancer cells will travel away from the main tumor and spread throughout the body. The surgeon will ask questions about the woman's health and ask about the woman's family. If a woman has family members that have, or have had breast cancer, this information will be included in treatment decisions. The surgeon then will discuss ways to treat the cancer. A lumpectomy which is removal of the cancer tumor and a small amount of tissue surrounding the tumor is another choice. If the tumor is large a lumpectomy may not be a good choice. The smaller the tumor, the better the chances of survival for the woman. Sometimes chemotherapy is needed before surgery; the chemotherapy will hopefully shrink the tumor and kill cancer cells that may have moved away from the main tumor (metastasized). Chemotherapy may be needed after surgery depending on the type and stage of the cancer.Often the surgeon will ask a woman to see a radiation oncologist before her surgery. This consultation will allow the radiation oncologist, another cancer doctor who specializes in radiation, to review the woman's case and to offer choices of treatment. The options this doctor may offer are whole breast radiation after surgery, or partial breast radiation after surgery, or no radiation if a woman has a mastectomy and no cancer cells are found outside the breast that was removed in surgery.One type of partial breast radiation is brachytherapy. Brachytherapy of the breast is a good choice for some women. The size of the tumor and the location of the tumor are two of the determinations if this is a good choice. If the cancer is found out side of the breast, brachytherapy is not a choice for a woman. Brachytherapy is radiation given to the area where the cancer tumor was. When a woman chooses breast brachytherapy the applicator that will allow radiation to go right into the space where the cancer was; is placed at the time of surgery. Only the tissue around where the cancer tumor was is radiated; the normal tissue is exposed either not at all or to such a low level of radiation it is not affected by the radiation.The brachytherapy treatments are given two times a day, at least 6 hours between treatments, for a total of ten treatments. This type of radiation requires special equipment and knowledge, many cancer centers now have both the equipment and the radiation oncologists that are specialized in this treatment.The other type of partial breast radiation is accelerated partial breast radiation. This type of treatment also requires that the tumor is small and no cancer has been found outside the breast. The equipment to give these treatments is IMRT, which most if not all cancer centers have. This type of radiation involves one treatment a day Monday through Friday for 6 weeks, a total of 30 treatments. It is external beam radiation that goes from the outside of the breast to the inside of the breast and radiates all of the tissue in the breast and surrounding area, not just the area where the tumor was. This type of treatment is favored when the tumor is larger or the cancer cells were found outside of the breast, such as in one or more lymph nodes. The lymph nodes can be included in the whole breast radiation. Some women will choose whole breast radiation because it has been used for so very long. Partial breast radiation has shown the same effectiveness in studies, when the woman is a candidate for brachytherapy.

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Multiple Myeloma: Commonest Form Of Blood Cancer

Multiple Myeloma is the commonest form of cancer of blood cells, accounting for 15 per cent of all blood cancers. There are about 2500 new cases per annum in the UK, giving rise to 10-15,000 patients with the condition at any one time. The overall incidence is rising, and is higher in Afro-Caribbeans.Multiple myeloma is treatable, but it cannot be considered a curable condition.
Types of Myeloma
There is really only one main type of myeloma, but in different people, the cancerous plasma cells make different antibodies. Doctors more often call these antibodies 'immunoglobulins'. In each case of myeloma, only one type of immunoglobulin is overproduced, but this varies from patient to patient. There are 5 basic immunoglobulins - A, G, M, D and E. In myeloma, the commonest one that is overproduced is IgG and the rarest IgE.
Controlling your symptoms
Even if it is not possible to get your myeloma into remission, you can have treatment to help control the symptoms it causes. This may be mild chemotherapy to damp it down. Or you may have radiotherapy to any trouble spots in your bones. Bisphosphonates can also be used to try to slow down the progress of the myeloma. And to reduce the levels of calcium in your blood if this is too high. Your doctor may suggest a treatment called plasma pharesis if the level of abnormal immunoglobulin protein is too high in your blood. Too much protein in the blood can make it too thick and plasma pharesis will take out the excess protein.
Smouldering myeloma
You may also hear the term 'smouldering myeloma'. This is a condition that is much the same as MGUS. The only difference is that the immunoglobulin levels are slightly higher than in MGUS. But they are not rising and the condition is usually stable for long periods of time. There is a risk that the condition will speed up and develop into full blown multiple myeloma.
How does one develop myeloma?
The cause of myeloma is not known. It is not inherited and it is not contagious. In common with other blood cancers there is an increased incidence in patients exposed to radiation.Organic-chemical exposure may increase incidence, but there are no clear data.A recent report suggests that multiple myeloma patients have a higher incidence of infection (up to 80 per cent or more) by a human herpes virus (HHV8) than do normal subjects (up to 25 per cent); these reports are unconfirmed.
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