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Wednesday, May 9. 2007
When I was browsing my dsl broadband internet for my science class assignment, I've read about the connection between mutation and the development of cancer. According to the article, most diseases spring from genes that have been altered during their mutation. These altered genes, in turn, can be inherited from the parents. A simple mismatch in the genes can cause life threatening diseases such as cancer. Incidentally, such mutation can either be acquired or inherited. Inherited mutation occurs in a person whose parents have mutated genes. On the other hand, acquired mutation is experienced along the course of a person's life.
Tuesday, May 8. 2007
My friend has an altered genes, which she inherited from her mother. Her mother, by the way, died of breast cancer in 2000. Now, my friend wants to know if she also has breast cancer like her mommy. It isn't surprising that she is frightened and curious at the same time. I told her to conduct a gene test for breast cancer. In this way, she can start her treatment and prevent the seed of death from growing inside her body. I explained to my friend that cancer is genetic as produced by altered genes, but five to ten percent of cancer cases are inherited. She cried and cried on my shoulder as she discovered this major detail about cancer.
Monday, May 7. 2007
My friend who has altered genes is a History major. She likes to link an ordinary thing to current world events. For instance, she keeps on telling me how racial discrimination and cancer are alike while we were in the hospital for her gene test. She narrates that racial discrimination has no absolute cause and remedy just like cancer. It's also deadly and can kill a lot of people just like what's happening between Israel and Lebanon. She even said that if cancer is one of the number one causes of death, then racial discrimination too is the top cause of killings and deaths today.
Sunday, May 6. 2007
 I found out in my college yahoogroups that our professor in British Literature has stage one breast cancer. Ms. Susie, as we fondly called her, found out that she had breast cancer last May. We were all shocked to hear the news that time and we all prayed for her quick recovery. My classmates told me that she stopped teaching for a while in order to attend to her chemotherapy. This is a great loss for all Humanities students in our universities for Ms. Susie is truly one of the gems of our university.
Saturday, May 5. 2007
After I discovered that one of my professors had breast cancer, I wondered what could have caused it. Ms. Susie is a forty-year-old single woman. She is slightly overweight and never stood up whenever we held our classes. She just sits in her chair behind the table, discusses her lessons and asks questions. Some students in the campus speculated that her extra weight could have caused her breast cancer. When I told my mother about my professor's predicament, she lost no time telling me to eat healthy foods and exercise daily.
Friday, May 4. 2007
Last time I checked my email, I read an email message from my friend who warned us to be careful in choosing our deodorants because there is said to be a chemical or substance found in deodorants that is linked to the cause of cancer. I can't recall the name of the chemical but the email warns us against dry stick deodorants. Oh no! It further says in the email that women should not use a deodorant after they shave because the harmful chemicals could directly enter the body through the open pores.
Friday, January 26. 2007
I just recently heard in the news that adults that are aged fifty and above should be tested for the colorectal cancer symptoms. You see, this type of cancer is one of the major leading causes of cancer deaths in America. The symptoms are also very hard to detect once they are already developing. For all the adult men and adult women, the screening of this cancer should be mandatory.
Of course, not everyone is susceptible to colorectal cancer. Those who have no history in the family of this cancer should not at all be alarmed. But, it would not hurt to get a regular screening for polyps and any other colorectal cancer symptom. There are several ways to screen colorectal cancer. There is the colonoscopy. There is the "doubled contrast enema". There is the flexible sigmoidoscopy. There is also the blood testing for the "fecal sample".
If the screening detects polyps, then, it is very easy to take away the polyps before the polyps develop and become cancerous. There are many ways to prevent and stop colorectal cancer. Of course, the best way is to ingest healthy foods to keep your colons safe and clean. It is all up to you if you make yourself vulnerable to this disease or if you fight it and live a long and healthy life.
Thursday, December 28. 2006
 Lymphomas are malignant cancer cells that enter and infect the lymphatic system. Lymphoma is a general term for cancers that develop in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system connects various organs together within the body like spleen, thymus, and parts of the tonsils, stomach, and small intestines. Lymphomas are very similar to leukemia. Lymphomas account for almost 5 percent of cancer cases in the United States. There are two kinds of lymphomas which are non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
In non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, cells in the lymphatic system become abnormal. They divide and grow without any order or control and old cells do not die as a normal cell usually does. It can start anywhere in the body and can spread into any part of the body like liver, bone marrow, and spleen. The difference of Hodgkin's lymphoma is in a particular cell called the Reed-Stenberg which is found in the biopsies.
Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the most common treatment of the lymphoma. Sometimes, a combination of these treatments is needed. Recommendations for the treatment are based generally on your age, general health, and type of Hodgkin’s disease that you have. Instead of using your entire income for medications, save your money and invest it. Of all the kind of treatments to all kinds of cancer, living a healthy lifestyle and prevention of disease are the best cures for every one of us.
Monday, December 11. 2006
 Cancer is similar to diabetes mellitus disease in some aspects. Both diseases are non-contagious. They are not cased by any microbial or viral pathogens. They are also genetically and environmentally determined. The tendency or predisposition to develop these diseases can be passed on from parents to offspring. The main difference is that cancer has a variety of forms and invades many parts of the body, whereas diabetes is localized in the pancreas and it only has two types. However, diabetes can affect the whole body.
Cancer also has some symptoms that are similar to diabetes. One symptom is rapid weight loss. Nonetheless, the cause of weight loss in diabetics is caused by the inability of the cells to absorb and process glucose. On the other hand, the weight loss suffered by cancer patients is because of the competition of cancer cells for nutrients.
Cancer of the pancreas is one form of cancer which initial symptoms are similar to diabetes. This type of cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States. About 32,000 Americans die every year because of pancreatic cancer.
Saturday, December 9. 2006
 Cancer is one of the most ancient and dreaded diseases like diabetes mellitus disease and herpes simplex infection. Cancer is characterized by the inability of cells to self-terminate. This results to the uncontrolled growth and reproduction of cells. These cells become threats to the healthy cells. Cancerous cells may either take over the normal metabolisms of healthy cells or kill them by competing with them for nutrients. Cancer cells are reverted forms of cell to undifferentiated state. Cancer cells also do not have the intercellular cohesion that normal cells have.
Cancer cells commonly develop from continually reproducing tissues such as skin and blood. However, cancers may also develop in relatively stable tissues such as the brain. The mechanism of cancer development is partly known. Scientists have discovered that cancer cells are anaerobic -- they do not use free oxygen in their metabolism. Scientists postulated that this anaerobic nature of cancer cells causes hyper-acidity in cellular level. This hyper acidity damages the genetic structure of cells, further producing other cancer cells. The development of cancer cells are also known to be triggered by chemicals known as carcinogens. For instance, lung cancer can be triggered by cigarette smoking.
Monday, November 27. 2006
 Cancer is different from other genetically-linked diseases such as diabetes mellitus disease or hemophilia. Cancer may be lethal, but it is a disease that can be treated completely and effectively in its early stage. Cancer is also unlike microbial or viral infections such as herpes and HIV infection. Cancer is not contagious, although some virus such as HIV may lead to a type of skin cancer. Cancer is caused by both genetic and environmental factors. All of us are actually vulnerable to cancer disease. One environmental factor that can lead to cancer may include radiation over-exposure such as the ultraviolet rays from the sun. Hence, sunbathing may be a good idea of getting a tan, but risking your health for an attractive skin is not very wise. Cancer may also be developed from exposure to harmful chemicals such as acids or alkaloids.
One type of skin cancer is called melanoma. This cancer is the malignancy of the pigment-producing cells of the skin, which are called melanocytes. Melanoma is common in adult but can also be found in children. Melanoma generally develops from mole or pigmentation of the skin. Melanoma then grows as a tumor. Melanoma growth can be characterized by asymmetry and color variability. Melanoma coloration is uneven. The color may range from black, brown, blue and pink. Melanoma usually grows in the most expose area of the face such as the face, neck, and arms.
Saturday, November 25. 2006
 Admittedly, the advancements made in modern medicine have greatly improved our quality of life and expanded our lifespan. The former menace of microbial and viral infections such as tetanus, polio, influenza and chicken pox are virtually wiped-out. Disease diagnoses are now more accurate than ever. Thus, diseases can be controlled and even halted in their early stages. Instruments such as x-ray machines, MRI, and CAT scan have greatly extended the capacity of doctors to detect and treat certain ailments. However, after discovering cures and vaccines for some dreaded diseases, newer diseases arose such as the human immunodeficiency virus. Other old diseases such as herpes infection and the common cold remain incurable.
Cancer is one of the ancient mortal health enemies of man. However, unlike other diseases, cancer is the body turning against itself. Ironically, cancer cells can live and multiply indefinitely. In this sense, cancer cells are immortal. Cancer knows no social class or age. Virtually everyone is vulnerable to cancer.
One common type of cancer is leukemia. Leukemia is commonly known as the cancer of the blood but it is also a cancer of the bone marrow. This cancer is characterized by the abnormal production of white blood cells or leukocytes. One early symptom of leukemia is anemia or deficiency of red blood cell. Anemia is caused by the damage in the bone marrow, which is the site of red blood production. Anemia may lead to shortness of breath and fatigue. Other symptoms of leukemia are enlarged lymph nodes or splenomegaly and bone or joint pain.
Friday, November 17. 2006
 Cancer strikes both the young and the old. No matter what is your social status, you are still vulnerable to cancer. Cancer is genetically and environmentally determined. Environmental factors may include everyday food diet. However, there are common risks factors involved in the development of cancer that can be controlled. One risk factor is tobacco or cigarette smoking. Those who are addicted to smoking are more at risk of developing lung cancer than the non-smokers. There are at least one-hundred carcinogens that can be found in cigarette smoke. Carcinogens act by distorting the genetic codes of the cells. When the genes of the cell are modified, they may instruct the cell to multiply exponentially without dying. Hence, cellular growth becomes uncontrollable. This may lead to the developments of tumors which kill healthy cells.
Cancer cells can also travel to the other parts of the body similar to a viral cellular infection. This is termed as metastasis. A metastasized cancer cell can hijack the normal genetic functions of the healthy cells. When this happens, the cancer is said to be already in the advance stage. Advance or terminal stage of cancer has very low probability of treatment response and cancer patient survival. Although cancer may affect all ages there are certain types of cancer that specifically affect either the old or the young. One type of age-related cancer is prostrate cancer. Prostrate cancer commonly affects males aging from 50 years old and above. This type of cancer is incurable although the survival rate of patients is longer as compared to other types of cancer. Prostrate cancer has a slow growth pattern. Usually it may take at least twenty years before the prostrate tumor become life-threatening.
Monday, November 13. 2006
 Thyroid cancer is not a contagious disease. One can't get it from another who is inflicted with the illness. However, it doesn't mean that one should ignore any ailments that might be bothering him/her.
Symptoms of having thyroid cancer include pain in one's neck or throat. He/she may also have difficulties in breathing or swallowing. Other things that may be felt by someone with thyroid cancer could include hoaseness of one's voice. It will be difficult for the person to talk in his/her normal voice. He/she may find that a lump has grown in front of his/her neck located near the apple. Lastly, there are swollen nymph nodes by the neck area.
Those with the aforementioned symptoms are advised to see their doctors. The physicians are the only ones who can treat and diagnose thyroid cancer.
Monday, October 23. 2006
 Cervical cancer is one of the common kinds of cancer to affect women. Basically, cancer in the cervix starts in the area of the uterus' opening, with the cells undergoing a change and becoming cancerous. This transformation is known as dysplasia. In its early phase, the symptoms may be subtle, so it is important to be aware of the things that could lead to this kind of cancer. Unusual discharges or excessive bleeding are prevalent symptoms. Other signs of cancer include pains in the pelvis area and pain when urinating. As I have mentioned, these indications may be confused with other illnesses so it is better to go to your doctor if you are experiencing any or a combination of these instances.
Saturday, September 30. 2006
 Cancer is an ailment that usually affects the bones of a human person. One of these cancer types is the Ewing's Sarcoma. This is just like the osteosarcoma because both diseases affect the teenagers and even young adults. Usually, it targets the leg of pelvis of the person.
People suffering from Ewing's Sarcoma usually get treated by chemotherapy and also surgery. For some patients, they usually undergo radiation treatment to kill all the cancerous cells inside the body. In most cases, this ailment is cured by chemotherapy and also surgery.
Both kinds of the bone cancers have similar risk factors as well as side effects from the treatments. However, the recovery depends on the location, size of this tumor, and its seriousness.
Monday, September 25. 2006
 Among the cancerous cells, the ones formed in the lungs are considered as the deadliest as what medical research have recorded. Studies show that lung cancer kills more men than any other cancer and are also highly susceptible to women. Most of the reported cases of lung cancer are deemed to suffer the worst fate, which is death. Another supporting detail found out by medical researchers is that the chances of surviving lung cancer can be described as only possible with divine intervention. Even patients with suffering in the early stages of lung cancer are likely to die. Alarmingly, the number of lung cancer has been increasing due to the appearance of numerous causes. Cancer foundations including government institutions have been very active in providing information about lung cancer. Still, the decision lies on the people whether they want to stay healthy or acquire the dreaded diseases.
Sunday, September 24. 2006
 It might surprise you to know that Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia has no known cause. However, this blood cancer usually affects male sexagenarians. CLL is a disease better known for its advanced production of useless lymphocytes. These lymphocytes, although great in number, do not in any way help in protection of the body. Most types of leukemia are treated by chemotherapy tablets or bone marrow transplants.
Because leukemia is a blow to the lymph glands it is likely that those afflicted experience unwarranted bruises and infections. They also lose weight and get recurrent night sweats for no apparent reason. The most obvious symptom is perhaps fatigue. However, the least detectable sign may prove to be the most crucial, since to determine the enlargement of your lymph glands in the innermost body parts you have to undergo special x-ray scans.
Thursday, August 31. 2006
Pancreatic cancer affects the pancreas, an organ located behind the stomach and in front of the spine. It is the organ that synthesizes the sugar in our bodies. While it is not exactly known what causes pancreatic cancer, there are risk factors that increase the likelihood of a person developing it.
Smoking is a major cause of many health problems. Smokers are 2-3 times more likely to develop cancer than non-smokers
It seems that age is also a factor in the development of the cancer. Older people are more prone to its development.
Diabetes, being a condition that affects the pancreas, also seems to be a factor that affects the development of pancreatic cancer. Those with diabetes are more likely to develop it than those who do not.
Monday, August 28. 2006
Leukemia is a type of cancer that begins in the bone marrow (the soft, spongy part inside the bones) of a person. It can afflict both children and adults, and can have many other sub-types.
There are many factors which can influence the development of leukemia, such as age (60-70% of all those afflicted are 50 and above), smoking, radiation (from a nuclear fallout or leak, and from a previous radiotherapy treatment. But the theory that cell phone radiation can cause leukemia is still being debated), certain blood diseases and having Down Syndrome.
While leukemia may sound like a frightening disease, it, like most cancers, can be fought and fought successfully, if detected early enough.
Saturday, August 26. 2006
A bone marrow biopsy is a test done to determine whether or not a person is suffering from bone marrow cancer, and is usually done if a complete blood count shows some anomaly in the patient's blood platelets.
In a bone marrow biopsy, a sample of bone marrow, usually taken from the hip bone, is examined for any abnormality arising from cancer or some other chronic disease. To take a biopsy, a local anesthesia is injected into the hip area and a sample of solid bone marrow is extracted. Sometimes, after this extraction, an aspiration is also done, where a tube sucks out a small amount of liquid bone marrow to aid in the examination.
Friday, August 25. 2006
Skin cancer is a fairly common ailment, and can be quite deadly if untreated. Today we'll discuss the types of this deadly cancer.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma usually develops in sun-exposed skin, like the face, hands and mouth. It usually manifests as a bump that turns into an open sore that doesn't heal. It can also spread quite quickly to other parts of the body if left untreated.
Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer, accounting for more than 75% of all cases. It is easily treatable and does not spread to other body parts. It usually manifests as a sore that oozes and bleeds, or as a pearly pink bump.
Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. It usually manifests as a mole, freckle or bump that changes shape or color, and it can appear anywhere on the body.
Friday, August 11. 2006
Bladder cancer is a condition that is fairly common cancer in the United States, Canada and France, and is also frequently found among many industrialized nations. But countries that are not as advanced have a lower if non-existent rate of it. What does that tell us?
Known risk factors for this ailment are mostly only found in the more advanced nations of the world, such as external beam radiation, second hand smoke exposure, recurrent urinary tract infections and recurrent urinary stones. It seems as though race is also a factor in an individual's potential to develop bladder cancer, as those of Caucasian ancestry are more likely to develop it.
But a high fat diet, cigarette smoking and the use of certain herbs for weight loss are also seen as possible risk factors for developing bladder cancer.
Thursday, July 27. 2006
All cancers are a dangerous lot, often capable of taking our lives with their progression. But with most cancers, there is always a slim hope of being able to survive and fight the cancer. But there is one type of cancer that elicits a reaction of despair and hopelessness: The brain tumor.
Brain tumors are universally feared, more than any other type of cancer. It's because it targets the one organ that perhaps makes us human, the brain. As we all know, the brain controls the whole body, and to have it afflicted with a severe sickness such as a brain tumor gives the sufferer a sense of helplessness no other ailment can match.
The common symptoms of a brain tumor are frequent headaches, seizures, personality changes, vomiting and a marked difficulty in the learning ability of the afflicted person. Keep in mind that these may also be symptoms of other conditions and should be examined by a doctor at the latest.
Sunday, July 23. 2006
Did you know that lung cancer has more than one type? Neither did I, but in this war against this disease, knowledge is power, after all.
Lung cancer can be further classified into two types: Small Cell Lung Carcinoma and Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma. Small Cell Lung Carcinoma isn't as common as the other type, but that fact doesn't make it any less lethal. The small cells multiply very rapidly, resulting in large tumors that develop in the bronchi and rapidly spreads to other parts of the lungs. Small Cell Lung Carcinoma accounts for 13% of all lung cancer cases.
Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma comprises around 87% of all cases of lung cancer. It can be further classified into the following types: Adenocarcinoma, which is usually found in the outer edge of the lung; Large-cell undifferentiated carcinoma, which can appear in any part of a lung and can spread very quickly; Squamous cell carcinoma which is caused by smoking.
Knowing the types of lung cancers can help immensely in the treatment of this disease.
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Cancer Treatment Comments
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