Posts Tagged ‘Cancer’

2
Jun

Basic info about Bladder Cancer

   Posted by: author1    in Cancer

The bladder is an important part of a human’s body as it is one of the main organs which deals with detoxifying the body. As the organ that stores urine, and thus helps remove excess nutrients and waste products from the body, the bladder plays an primary role in many bodily functions.

Bladder cancer can be of three main types, depending on which area of the bladder it forms in, and what type of cells are affected. There can be many reasons for a person to develop bladder cancer, and people with a history of tobacco use or infections in the bladder have a risk of developing this disease. Use of tobacco is said to increase the chances of bladder cancer by two or three times. Although a person may show one or more of the above mentioned risk factors, they are not definite causes for developing the disease. Symptoms of bladder cancer include needing to urinate often, pain during urinating, and blood mixed with urine. These symptoms alone are not predictions of the disease, and so a more thorough check is necessary. Many types of tests can be taken to confirm the presence, or lack of, bladder cancer. Biopsies are considered a sure way of finding if bladder cancer is present or not.

There are four stages of bladder cancer, separated by how far the cancer has spread. The first stage, Stage 0, is the least invasive form while Stage IV, the last stage, is the most invasive. The three stages in between refer to how far the cancer cells have spread in the bladder or to the rest of the body, in their various levels.

There are a range of treatments for bladder cancer which patients can ask their doctor’s about, from chemo or radiation therapy to surgery. A blend of all these therapies can also be used. Going according to doctor’s advice is best for the patient, when it comes to such treaments. Loss of apetite and feeling nauseous are side-effects of some therapy, but making sure the right nutrients are given to the patient is a vital step in recovery. Discussing with a doctor or dietician will give the patient more knowledge on the diet that the patient needs to follow, so that recovery can be made faster and easier.

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30
Jan

Risks of Cancer Moles and how to spot one

   Posted by: author1    in Cancer: Skin Cancer

All of us know someone who has been touched by cancer in some way, whether it is skin cancer or another type. Skin cancer, while normally not considered to be as serious as other types, can still be a chronic disease. However, if skin cancer is caught in the early stages, as when a individual notices changes in the moles that they have on their body, then it can possibly be cured. This is why it is so important to watch for any changes that may be occurring that would lead you to believe that you may have skin cancer, such as skin tags and changes in the moles, especially if you believe they are cancer moles.

Cancer moles can be identified by using what is called the ABCD method. The letters stand for the symptoms of the disease and can be used to pinpoint when medical attention needs to be sought. It is important to remember that if you suspect that you may have skin cancer, then the earlier that it is caught, the better. This can mean looking for any changes in the moles that you may have and also being aware of what those changes could be.

The first letter A stands for ‘asymmetry.’ Normally, a mole is round and symmetrical in shape. It is often when the mole begins to grow that it looks a little skewed or asymmetric. Always visit your doctor and let them know if you observe a change in the skin moles. The second letter B stands for ‘border.’ If the border of your moles looks jagged or irregular, instead of definite and strong, then this could be a sign of cancer. The letter C indicates another important aspect, ‘color.’ Unlike warts or other skin blemishes, these moles change in color suddenly, leaving you quite surprised. Lastly, the letter D stands for ‘diameter.’ Most cancerous moles will grow in size; hence, an increasingly larger diameter could alert you to see your physician.

There are two categories of people who are likely to fall prey to this type of cancer: those with fair (white) skin; those who work for long hours in the sun; those with a family history of cancer (heredity). If you fall into any one of these brackets, then keep a close watch on the cancer moles so you will have the best odds, when and if you discover you suffer from skin cancer moles.

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