If you have prostate cancer, are concerned about getting it, or if you’re looking out for the health of someone you love, this article can help. Prostate cancer is normally a slow growth cancer that can take years before it becomes deadly. The prostate is a small, walnut-sized structure that makes up part of a man’s reproductive system; it wraps around the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body – because of this can cause various urinary problems.

Like other cancers, the cause of prostate cancer is not known; it appears to be more common in African American men and men with a family history of the disease. In Portland Oregon, there is a three-year Oregon Health & Sciences University study; leaders hope to come up with an exercise program to benefit men dealing with prostate cancer who are on testosterone-lowering medications. Many men, especially those later in life have made the decision with their doctors to simply watch and wait.

If you have one or more prostate cancer symptoms, you should see a qualified doctor as soon as possible. Most prostate cancer symptoms, although associated with prostate cancer, are more likely to be connected to non-cancerous conditions. There are other symptoms that may not be mentioned here.

Blood in the urine or semen and frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs can be symptoms of cancer. There are a few symptoms to be aware of. Because prostate cancer symptoms can mimic other diseases or disorders, men who experience any of these symptoms should undergo a thorough work-up to determine the underlying cause of the symptoms.

A prostate gland biopsy usually confirms the diagnosis. CT scans may be done to see if the cancer has metastasized (spread). When a digital rectal exam is performed it often reveals an enlarged prostate with a hard, irregular surface.

A number of tests may be done to confirm a diagnosis of prostate cancer. A urinalysis may indicate if there is blood in the urine, which may or may not be related. A PSA test with a high level can also be from a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland.

Some drugs with numerous side effects are being used to treat advanced prostate cancer, blocking the production of testosterone, called chemical castration; it has the same result as surgical removal of the testes. Since prostate tumors require testosterone to grow, reducing the testosterone level is used to prevent further growth and spread of the cancer. Surgery, called a radical prostatectomy, removes the entire prostate gland and some of the surrounding tissues.

Prostate cancer that has spread (metastasized) may be treated conventionally with drugs to reduce testosterone levels, surgery to remove the testes, chemotherapy or nothing at all. Surgery, radiation, hormonal therapy and chemotherapy all have significant side effects; know fully what they are before you proceed. Anyone considering surgery should be aware of the benefits, risks and the extent of the procedure.

In the early stages, surgery and radiation may be used to remove or attempt to kill the cancer cells or shrink the tumor. What you can do now is begin to understand what exactly your treatment options are and where you’re going to begin. Side effects of chemotherapy drugs depend on which ones you’re taking and how often and how long they’re taken.

Surgery is usually only recommended after thorough evaluation and discussion of all available treatment options. Besides hormonal drugs, hormone manipulation may also be done by surgically removing the testes. The approaches to treatment include: just ever watchful waiting to see whether the cancer is growing slowly and not causing any symptoms.

Drink freshly made carrot juice every day that you make in a juicer or juice extractor. Add a small handful of kale or spinach to your fruit smoothie and blend– know one will ever know. Make highly nutritious raw applesauce using a food processor and put in 3-4 cored pesticide-free apples, with the skin on, and mix for a minute; so much better for you than canned highly processed applesauce and add 1/4 tsp. cinnamon or two tablespoons of freshly ground flaxseed for another boost.

Make smoothies with fruit only, using a base of two bananas, adding a cup of frozen or fresh blueberries and mango chunks or substitute any other fruit and add an energy boost of two tablespoons of coconut oil; add one or two leaves of kale for another highly nutritional boost. If you’re not already doing so, make a serious effort to watch your diet closely. Eat foods that contain the essential fatty acids.

Consider taking cod liver oil or fish oil supplements every day. Studies done on antioxidant vitamins question their value when not contained in food; it’s clearly better to consume these antioxidants in living foods because they may also need to work with other nutrients present in the foods to work properly. Supplements that help any disease or ailment include vitamin B12 — the methylcobalamin type not cyanocobalamin, and sub-lingual — dissolves slowly under the tongue; and vitamin D3 – especially if you can’t get a daily dose of 15 to 20 minutes of sun on your arms and legs so you can make your own vitamin D3.

In the end, only you with the help of your doctors, knowing your individual situation, can determine the best treatment program for you. With the advent of PSA testing, most prostate cancers are now found before they cause any symptoms. While the number of men diagnosed with prostate cancer remains high, survival rates are also greatly improving; perhaps because of dietary improvement.

Helen Hecker
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/prostate-cancer-symptoms-treatment-and-diet-140652.html

Breast augmentation is done to increase the size of the breasts. It is done by inserting a prosthesis or silicone bag just under the breast, or under the breast and chest muscle. The bag is then filled with saline, which is salt water. The prosthesis allows the breast to increase in cup size, have a better contour, and offer more cleavage.

Ultimately the size of the breast is the personal decision by the patient. For someone who has a definite idea of what she wants in the way of a cup size, it helps to not only describe what she wants but to also have a picture of it so the surgeon can see it.

As breast augmentation is surgery, there is always a risk or two involved. Some of these include:

* Infection – Although it IS rare, when it happens it can be very troublesome. If the infection does not respond quickly to antibiotics, the implant will need to be removed.

* Bleeding – If bleeding following surgery cannot be controlled, the implant must be surgically removed, the wound cleansed, and the implant replaced.

* Capture Contracture – This is hardening of the breast along with distortion.

* Asymmetry – Sometimes the implant slips out of place.

* Mammography Problems – At times the implant will block views during a mammography.

* Calcification – When an implant from breast augmentation has been in a patient for several years, there is always a chance that calcifications will form around the scar.

* Deflation – This is self explanatory. Sometimes things happen that cause a puncture in the implant. This will cause it to deflate.

Even though there are risks involved with surgical implants, most women are quite happy with the results. There is a certain amount of self esteem that comes from being able to look in a mirror and see that your chest profile looks as nice and impressive as other women. It is important to feel good about yourself and breast augmentation can make that happen.

Many times well meaning friends and family members will try to talk you out of getting breast implants. While they are most likely only concerned for your health and well being, as long as you have all the facts and a really good doctor, the chances of your having any problems are not significant.

When choosing your doctor, it is always advisable to do some research. Word of mouth is always a great way to find a good doctor but do your own investigation, too. If your findings agree with the personal experiences of your friends, you have most likely found yourself a doctor.

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Lung cancer is a very deadly disease. The most significant risk factor of this disease is cigarette smoking. Lung cancer proves to be one of the most deadly health problems among Americans.

Studies show that lung cancer account for twenty-eight percent of all cancer deaths among American men and women.

Records further show that lung cancer is the most lethal malignant tumor worldwide causing up to three million deaths annually.

Even with the recognition that cigarette smoking is the major risk factor of lung cancer, it is important to note that not all smokers die of lung cancer but just the same, not all non-smokers are safe from lung cancer.

It is further important to recognize that early symptoms of lung cancer will help ensure proper management of this health risk condition.

Doctors believe that detection of early symptoms of lung cancer will help halt the progression of lung cancer and put the symptoms to remission.

There are various treatments available against this disease but if you will neglect the early symptoms of lung cancer, it may be hard to manage and possibly, it is already impossible to control. This is because advanced stage of the disease already involves secondary cancer sites developed in the other parts of the body.

Various treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, radio immunotherapy and the new lung cancer treatment, photodynamic therapy.

All of these lung cancer treatments will become useless especially if the detection of the cancer is already on its advanced stage.

Thus, it is necessary to recognize early symptoms of lung cancer to ensure you will be able to halt the symptoms and not merely lessen the symptoms.

Early symptom of lung cancer such as persistent coughing is commonly associated with mere itchiness of the throat from smoking. This makes smokers neglect it and set it aside.

Most smokers commonly worry about lung cancer symptoms only when they see blood in the sputum. Do not fall prey to this situation because when you finally see blood in the sputum, this means that you are already on the advanced stage of the lung cancer.

Other common early symptoms of lung cancer that is often neglected are sudden weight loss, chest pain and constant fatigue, when you start feeling all these signs and you are a smoker, you may need to see your doctor and have him test you for possible signs of lung cancer.

The next symptoms of lung cancer, which will point to an advanced stage of the disease are recurring cases of pneumonia or bronchitis, and neck and facial swelling.

Ensure that you will not neglect early symptoms of lung cancer to help you manage the disease properly. Visit your doctor if you are a smoker suffering from persistent coughing and constant fatigue.

Furthermore, if you are working in an environment where you are often exposed to impure air such as chemicals and asbestos ashes, even if you are not a smoker, you may need to check with your doctor when you feel anything similar to the early symptoms of lung cancer.

There is yet no known cure for this disease, thus detection of early symptoms of lung cancer is the only defence you have in order to avoid this lethal cancer from affecting your life.

It will also help to make sure you will not suffer from lung cancer if you minimize smoking or totally eradicate smoking from your life and live a healthy and active lifestyle.

Regular exercise and eating a well-balanced diet will ensure you will not suffer from lung cancer and will not experience even the early symptoms of lung cancer.

Mark Mackay
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/how-helpful-is-the-recognition-of-early-symptoms-of-lung-cancer-15692.html

Books

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