Shirley Medical Health Blog

Archive for the ‘Cancer Care’ Category

Radiating beauty is mostly about taking care of yourself and seeing yourself in a positive light. It’s about growing to trust yourself. Confident women are beautiful women. They are not seeking affirmations from someone else because they already know they are beautiful. Confidence is about trusting your instincts about what’s right for you. Confident women consult with themselves and use instinct and intuition as their guides. Learn to trust yourself and you will feel more fulfilled and what’s more you will be beautiful.Radiating beauty is about how you treat and take care of yourself. It’s about seeing yourself in a positive light. Because of the nurturing nature of women this is sometimes not so easy for us to do. But, it is none the less important. Today’s women want to look natural even when wearing make-up. But before you put on even a dab of make-up it’s important to take care of what’s under your make-up. It’s important eat a healthy diet that includes lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and drink lots of water. It’s important to take care of your skin. It’s important to know that what you do in your morning and evening regimen can make a vast difference to the health and appearance of your skin.There are some basic products and a few optional ones that can make a vast difference to the long term health and youthful appearance of your skin. These products are a skin care must.CleanserEstheticians and skin care specialists will generally advise you not to use soap. Soaps do not wash off easily and tend to leave residue on the skin. A good cleaner washes off clean and and leaves the skill feeling moisturized. The purpose of the cleanser is to remove dirt and make-up from the skin. Cleansers are applied to the skin by making small circular motions with the finger tips. Regardless of the brand you choose cleansers are made for normal, combination, dry and oily skin types. The majority of women have combination skin, with older more mature women tending to be dry, and many teens tending toward oily skin. Sometimes it become necessary for women to have two cleansers for times when her skin responds differently to environmental conditions. Observe how your skin responds to a product and make the necessary adjustments.TonerA toner is an optional product and not a must for an effective skin care regimen but a little something extra. A dab of toner on a piece of cotton will get rid of any cleanser that you might have missed. Apply it to the skin in an upward and outward motion. A toner has an added benefit of quickly restoring skin to a natural ph balance.MoisturizerAll skin types need moisturizing. A good moisturizer plumps out the skin and makes it appear supple. Apply your moisturizer in an upward and outward motion. A good moisturizer does not clog the pores or make the skin look shiny or greasy. Choose a moisturizer in your skin type. Moisturizers help to protect the skin from the elements and serves as a base for a make-up application.Sun ScreenIt is important to wear a sun screen of at least SPF 15-25 every day. A good sun screen is neither sticky or greasy and can be worn alone or under make-up.Eye CreamAn eye cream is a gentle moisturizer for around the delicate eye area. There are eye creams to help eliminate puffiness and dark circles around the eye. There are a number of different types of eye creams on the market. Some are used as night treatments only, while others can be used under make-up.MasksUsing a mask just once per week will clean out the pores. Some masks are formulated to get rid of fine lines. Masks can be put on prior to taking a hot shower or a bath soak as part of a bathing ritual. There are many different types of masks to address individual skin issues. Masks for acne prone skin contain ingredients to reduce pimples, black heads and white heads. Hydrating masks are good for lubricating and restoring much needed moisture to dry skin. An oily skin mask can be applied to the T-zone on combination skin types.An exfoliating scrub sloughs off dead dead cells from the skin and is normally used once or twice per week. It is applied over moist skin after using the cleanser also using circular motions. Find an exfoliating scrub for your skin type. Using an exfoliating scrub regularly results in clearer, brighter looking skin.Cleansers, toners, moisturizers, masks, and exfoliating srubs can also be used on the neck and décolletage. These are areas which women often ignore.Be gentle with your skin. Use a good line of products in a brand that you trust. A skin care routine is a simple gentle health care exercise that should not be neglected. The benefits of clear, radiant and youthful looking skin will be evident for years to come. ©2007October is breast cancer awareness month.I give permission to webmasters/publishers to reprint my article provided they leave the article as is together with my bylines.If you found this article useful you can find out more about brand name skin care products, cosmetics and a BeautyBox offer at http://www.thespalinenshop.com/spalook.html

Susan Smith
http://www.articlesbase.com/women’s-issues-articles/skin-care-basics-expose-your-skins-natural-beauty-201353.html

Moffitt Total Cancer Care is a plan to combine information technology, science and clinical treatment. This approach will provide evidence-based guidelines to improve care and outcomes for cancer patients throughout the state of Florida and beyond. It addresses cancer as a public health issue, encompassing the study of genetic predispositions, the impact of health lifestyles and integrative medicine to prevent cancer, then follows the patient through screening, diagnosis and treatment of cancer, incorporating translational research at each step along this continuum of care.

Innovation FLORIDA MATTERS from WUSF 06/19/09

http://www.wusf.usf.edu/news/program/florida_matters/episode/2009-06/innovation

Learn More about Moffit Cancer Center by visiting http://www.moffitt.org/

Learn More About Life Science opportunities in Florida at:

http://www.eflorida.com/LifeSciences

Duration : 0:8:8

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Technorati Tags: cancer, center, clinical trials, comprehensive, florida, information, innovation, IT, Matters, medical, melanoma, Moffitt, patients, personalized medicine, Technology, total cancer care, treatments

There is every chance that you, or a family member, colleague, or friend has been affected in some way by breast cancer.

The words ‘breast cancer’ send a chill of fear down everyone’s spine. What is breast cancer and can you prevent it? Here are some facts about breast cancer that every woman should know. You will also learn more about prevention and early detection, especially important if you have a history of cancer in your family.

What Should I Know About Breast Cancer?

There are over two hundred different types of cancer and according to the American Cancer Society breast cancer is the second most common form of cancer in women. While it is also possible for a man to get breast cancer women are 100 times more likely to develop it than men.

There are several forms of breast cancer that occur in different areas of the breast. Most breast cancers are treated with radiation, chemotherapy or surgery. The treatment program determined for any individual depends on the type of cancer, how far it has spread and where it is located. While great strides are taking place in cancer treatment, prevention and early detection are by far the most preferable options.

The statistics are grim. The American Cancer Society reports that 1 in 8 women in the US will experience invasive breast cancer in her lifetime. The chance of dying from breast cancer is one in 33, but that number is decreasing as new forms of treatment and early detection are being implemented.

The good news is that it is possible for women to reduce their risk of dying from breast cancer. When breast cancer is discovered and treated early, the chances for recovery are better.

Women with a high risk should primarily discuss the possible preventive measures currently available with their doctor. However, various simple self-help measures are described below.

Who is Most Likely to Get Breast Cancer?

While every woman has some level of risk there are certain factors that increase the likelihood a person may develop breast cancer. Not having these risk factors does not mean you will not develop cancer just as being at a high risk doesn’t mean you will develop cancer.

Smoking, age and family history are the common factors that are assessed when determining risk.

While smoking can be controlled, age and family history cannot. The older you are the greater the risk that you will develop breast cancer. Almost 8 out of 10 women diagnosed with breast cancer are over 50. If women in your family developed breast cancer you are also at an increased risk.

Certain genetic changes increase the risk that a woman will develop cancer to as high as 80%. Testing for these changes can help a woman and her doctor discuss preventative measures that might be taken.

Caucasian women have a higher risk of developing breast cancer but African-American women more often die from the disease. Asians, Hispanics and American Indian women are less likely to get it.

Starting your period (menstruation) before age 12 or going through menopause after 55 slightly increases the risk.

Having taken the drug DES (diethylstilbestrol), which some women were given in the belief it would prevent them from losing a baby, slightly increases the risk while radiation to the chest earlier in life greatly increases the risk.

Being overweight, use of alcohol, long term use of HRT (hormone replacement therapy) and not having children have all been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. Using birth control pills may increase the risk and should be discussed with your doctor.

On the other hand exercise, healthy eating (especially reducing the intake of alcohol and red meats) or having had children early in life and breastfeeding for as long as 18 to 24 months have been linked to a reduced risk of developing breast cancer.

What Else Can I Do to Reduce the Risk?

While there are no cures yet, researchers have discovered that a healthy lifestyle is the best way to prevent cancer. Since cancer is a disease that starts in our cells, everything we eat and are exposed to can affect them.

Choose to be a non-smoker and avoid second-hand smoke.

In regards to diet, choose a variety of lower fat, high fiber foods. Studies have shown that intake of total fat, saturated fat and meat are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Maintain a healthy body weight and limit alcohol consumption.

Protect yourself from the sun.

At home and at work, follow health and safety instructions when using hazardous materials.

The link between an active lifestyle and breast cancer prevention is as yet unclear but general health is improved when regular exercise is an integral part of a person’s lifestyle.

Early Detection

Since early detection is so important it is vital that women learn how to detect lumps in their breasts and understand what precautions must be taken. Those who are more at risk of developing cancer should take extra steps to detect cancer as early as possible.

While a doctor or nurse can show you how to perform a BSE (breast self-exam) the American Cancer Society still recommends that women in their twenties and thirties should have a clinical exam every three years and once a year after 40. In later years most women should also have regular mammograms to catch cancers earlier. But what about the time in between mammograms and clinical exams?

This is when regular self examination is so important.

Every woman should know her own breasts so that any changes are noticed soon and can be checked out by a physician.

Regardless of age, all women should do a monthly breast self-examination a few days after their period. When doing breast self-examination, things to look for include: dimpling or puckering of the skin, swelling, discharges other than milk, bleeding or any other change to the nipple, or the appearance of what is sometimes called ‘orange peel skin’.

Any place in your breasts that feels lumpy or harder than the rest needs to be brought to the attention of a doctor. Most breast problems are not breast cancer and most lumps are not cancerous. When a lump is not cancerous it is referred to as ‘benign’. A cancerous lump is called ‘malignant’. But only a professional clinician can make that diagnosis and it’s no use waiting, worrying and hoping it will go away. Sometimes small lumps, in the early stages, are hard to find, but the earlier a lump is diagnosed, the better, so catch lumps small – don’t wait until they’re large.

Taking care of ourselves, including regular breast examinations, is an ongoing commitment that requires self-discipline and knowledge. It is well worth the effort as early diagnosis is definitely the most important factor in surviving breast cancer.

anonymous
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/breast-cancer-prevention-and-methods-of-early-detection-80240.html

Anna’s family was advised 4 months ago to put her on hospice. Her lungs were collapsed and she couldn’t breath without oxygen. Now she is running everyday and enjoying life, thanks to the alternative treatments she discovered.

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Technorati Tags: alternative, breast, cancer, diet, healing, oasis, of, rave, Raw, treatment, truth

I recently discovered that many skin care and hair care products can cause cancer. I am trying to lead the healthiest lifestyle I can and I was wondering if there are any organic or natural products out there? Also, I am very much so on a budget, so any websites that are inexpensive or any "do it yourself" style recipes for home, would be great! I am looking for all types of products from skin care, to shave gel and toothpaste and shampoo:) Thanks so much in advance!

No one really knows what causes a particular individual to get a particular cancer. It is not necessarily skin care. There are a lot of factors involved.

However, at the same time, there are a lot of skin care products with ingredients that are perhaps not as harmless as we would like.

A great resource is the Skin Deep Website at www.cosmeticsdatabase.com which lists product ingredients and rates them for safety. Companies who sign up to join the Campaigh for Safe Cosmetics agree to submit their products to this site for assessment. There is some great information there that will help you to choose your products.

Of course, with the growth rate of population in the environment and the alarming effects of technology in food and water, it is imperative that you start taking detox diets.

Doctos found that Hg was higher in sweat than in urine of exposed factory workers. Sweating can pose serious risks for unconditioned persons and especially those in pregnancy or some with vascular disease (although medical supervision may make dry sauna beneficial for many with cardiovascular disease).

Drinking green tea may help you lose weight. According to clinical studies conducted by Dr. Abdul Dulloo, of the University of Geneva in Switzerland, green tea raises metabolic rates and speeds up fat oxidation.

1.Blood and Lymphatic – Strengthens and invigorates the blood and lymph fluids. 2.Cardiovascular – Greatly improves circulation in the body. 3.Liver and Gallbladder – Rejuvenates the liver. 4.Lungs – Dissolves and expels mucus buildup in the lungs. 5.Kidneys and Bladder – Flushes the kidneys/bladder by removing excess uric acid buildup. 6.Colon Conditioner – Helps to stimulate bowel movement. 7.Carbon – Removes all the toxic residues we unwisely put into our bodies. Teens partying late at night and imbibing drugs and alcohol for added fun, often dominated the silver screen. Quite a pretty picture isn’t it? Oftentimes teens see it as an epitome. Although Hollywood does its part to show a different side of alcohol and drug addiction with movies like “Trainspotting” and “Girl Interrupted”, the character still ended up being glamorous and ideal in nature and often overshadows the dark side of addiction.

Fact Or Fiction – The Truth About Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal Cancer is a disease that only affects older men.

FICTION: It can affect anyone, men or women equally. Men and women 50 years or older are at greater risk for the disease.

Colorectal Cancer is usually curable.

FACT: It is usually curable when detected early. More than 90 percent of patients with localized cancer confirmed to the colon or rectum are alive five years after initial diagnosis.

Getting tested is necessary for individuals who have symptoms.

FACT: Men and women age 50 or older should get screened regularly for colorectal cancer. Unfortunately, symptoms for this disease are often silent and therefore it is important to get screened regularly even if you have no symptoms. About 75 percent of all new cases of colorectal cancer occur in individuals with no known risk factors for the disease.

I cannot do anything about being diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

The combination of vitamins and minerals through detoxification work in this fashion to remove toxins from your body tissues and body organs, from your water stores, fat deposits, and within your bloodstream.

Hence, it is important to create an alternative that will promptly help the body to gain back its detoxification capacity and fight back imminent diseases.

Detox methods include dietary changes, fasting, supplements, exercise, yoga/meditation, improving the environment (using CFC-free hairsprays, for example), New Age methods include aromatherapy, salt bath, skin brushing, etc.

Scientists estimate that over 50 percent of the U.S. population consumes too much heavy metal. It’s not hard to believe when you consider the metals found in industrial byproducts, tainted drinking water, pesticides and even dental fillings.

FICTION: Colorectal cancer is highly preventable. Some preventative measures include eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in fat, regular exercise, moderate alcohol consumption, and no smoking. In addition, it is extremely important to get screened for colorectal cancer after the age of 50. Screening can help to identify colorectal cancer in its early stages or before it even begins. These also include aerosol cleaners, gasoline, cleaning fluids, butane, and acetone. These things are legal to sell or buy however, they are not controlled substances and they are relatively cheap when compared with drugs.

There really are no treatment options for colorectal cancer.

FICTION: Treatment will depend on the type, grade and stage of the cancer. Management of the disease may include surgery and radiation in the earlier stages of the disease, and chemotherapy options such as Camptosar®, Xeloda® or 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) are generally used in the later stages of the disease when the cancer has spread to other areas of the body. No two individuals respond the same to therapy, but there is evidence to demonstrate that one or all of these treatment options can effectively aid people living with colorectal cancer.

I can have a good quality of life if diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

FACT: Many people diagnosed with colorectal cancer can have a good quality of life. There are effective treatment options, support groups, and supportive care to help cancer patients cope with the side effects of treatment, as well as the emotional and everyday concerns of living with this disease.

There are a variety of ways that drug and alcohol rehab work to help a person stop abusing a controlled substance. One way is commonly referred to as ‘cold turkey’.

There has been a lot in the news lately about the amazing healing properties of turmeric, a free-radical-fighting antioxidant-rich curry spice that has been hailed as a defense against both cancer and Alzheimer’s.

It is always safer just to replace any old fillings with new ones which are guaranteed to contain no heavy metals.

Of course certain herbs and supplements may help someone with intestinal problems like dyspepsia, indigestion, wind and irritable bowel syndrome. Detox Drugs from your body and live a healthier life

Planning is important if you want to achieve something. Creating simple detox diets require simple planning. You just have to set up the list of foods that you should be eating.

David Willis
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/the-truth-about-colorectal-cancer-123327.html

One-on-one with Oncology Business Review: Examining the Present and Future of Cancer Care (Pt 1)
— Webisode 10 — Oncology Business Review Founder and Publisher Don Sharpe joins In the Know for a candid discussion where the interviewer becomes the interviewee. Don offers his thoughts on the positive trends in the oncology market that many people seem to have forgotten, as well as the negatives that can’t be ignored. He weighs in on the cost v. quality debate in cancer care and provides recommendations on what manufacturers can do to increase the real and perceived value of their products.

Duration : 0:6:19

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Technorati Tags: absg, amerisourcebergen, Business, cancer, care, Don, Group, in, know, OBR, oncology, pharma, Rev, Sharpe, specialty, the, trends

This is a testimonial from metastasized melanoma cancer survivor patient at Sanoviv Medical Insitute, a holistic and complementary alternative health care facility.\r\n\r\nMetastasized melanoma cancer treatments are available at Sanoviv Medical Institute. Our facility has never had a single staph infection, which is the 5th leading cause of death in the US. This is due to the cleanliness of our facility. You can expect to recover from your surgery faster than other hospitals due to the fact that prior to surgery or cancer treatment, you will receive a highly nutritional diet of organic foods and detoxification treatments. Visit our site to learn more about metastasized melanoma cancer treatment.\r\n\r\nOur diagnostics focus on the root cause of your illness, not the symptoms. We recognize and honor the powerful role that the mind plays in health and healing. We use proven complementary medical and mind-body solutions to eliminate disease, we don\\\’t mask symptoms with drugs and unnecessary medical procedures. Our medical doctors are trained in traditional, holistic, complementary and alternative medical treatments.\r\n\r\nSanoviv provides care and treatment for other degenerative diseases. Visit www.Sanoviv.com or call 800-726-6848 to speak to an admission specialist.\r\n

Duration : 0:4:30

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Technorati Tags: alternative, cancer, care, complementary, health, holistic, melanoma, metastasized, mexican, mexico, sanoviv, surgery, tes, treatment

Breast cancer is a largely unknown disease until today, despite the fact that it affects almost ten percent of the women above the age of forty years all over the world. The causes of this killer cancer are not known even after decades of research into it. Similarly it is unknown why some women have higher chances of getting breast cancers than others.

Though the causative factors are not known, some risk factors have been identified. There is no medical proof why these factors make the disease more probable, but this is a study of observation. In a vast cross-section of women with the observed risk factors, it has been found that the chances of getting breast cancers are very high.

The various risk factors for breast cancer are as follows:-

(1) Family History of Breast Cancer

If a near relative like a mother or a sister has had breast cancer, then there is a very high chance that the cancer will occur sometime in life. This propensity is observed even if far relatives such as cousins and aunts have had breast cancer, though the chances are lesser as the relatives are more removed. Even if a male relative has had breast cancer or prostate cancer, then there is a chance of getting breast cancer. This clearly indicates that breast cancer runs through family lines through inheritance. Certainly the chances are very high if more than one family member has had breast cancer.

(2) Personal History of Breast Cancer

If a woman has had breast cancer in the past, then there is a great chance that the breast cancer may recur. This is true even if the cancer had been removed in its benign stage itself. Sometimes the cancer cells spread into the nearby lymph. This makes a possibility that the cancer will occur in the opposite breast. In fact, women who have had cancer in one breast have 50 to 75% more chances of developing the cancer in the other breast.

(3) Diseases of the Breast

Several breast diseases can increase the chances of having breast cancer. Changes in the cells of the breasts can lead to atypical hyperplasia. This condition can cause a three to fourfold increase in the possibility of getting breast cancer in the later years. This risk also exists if the atypical hyperplasia has occurred in other women of the family. Another such condition is the benign breast tumor condition known as fibro adenoma. However, women with fibrocystic breasts generally do not have any added vulnerability to breast cancer. Yet, such conditions could make the breasts lumpy and hide the real tumors (if any) during mammography.

(4) Lifestyle

In today’s world, lifestyle is the single largest contributing factor for the proliferation of breast cancer among women. Several elements of the lifestyle have been found to be directly accordant with the prevalence of breast cancer. Smoking and alcoholism in women are among the chief factors. Even diet has been pointed out as an important risk factor. Women who consume a diet with more high-cholesterol fats in them have higher chances of breast cancer. At the same time leading a sedentary lifestyle without indulging much in physical activity are also potentially dangerous.

(5) Radiation

It has been found that women who undergo radiation therapies in their chest region at a young age have an increased risk of developing breast cancer in their later lives. Radiation therapy is generally prescribed for women with conditions like Hodgkin’s disease or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. So women who have undergone such treatments may get breast cancer in their later years.

(6) Hormonal Imbalances There are several factors that can change the hormone balance of the body. Some of them are:- a) Beginning the menstrual cycle early, i.e. before the age of twelve years, b) Having the first pregnancy after the age of thirty years, c) Having no pregnancy at all, d) Having a late menopause. All these conditions can increase the level of estrogen in the body. This increases the risk of getting breast cancer to a mild extent. Apart from that women who take regular birth control pills, breast enhancement supplements, antidepressants and antihistamines and hormone modifying supplements stand at a higher risk to get breast cancers.

The above are the major risk factors for breast cancers. But since the study on breast cancers is not yet complete, the above is by no means a complete list. There are several other indications of breast cancers, like breast implant operations; but these have not yet been confirmed. The implants used in the earlier days were made of silicone gels. These were riskier in terms of breast cancer. However, nowadays the silicone gel implants have been replaced by saline implants. This has reduced the risk to a great extent.

It must be also noted that women have much higher chances of getting breast cancer than men. In fact, most people think that breast cancer is a disease that affects only women. This is not true. Men also get breast cancers, but to a much lesser degree than women. Also, age is a very important factor. The chances of getting breast cancer are much higher when the woman has crossed the age of 50 years.

Read more about the Breast Cancer Information and other breast care issues at http://www.mysecrethealth.com

Dr.Anna Hardy
http://www.articlesbase.com/women’s-issues-articles/what-are-the-risk-factors-for-breast-cancer-101136.html

A video of doctors, nurses and patients from the Community Oncology Allience dancing to protest Cancer Care cuts in Washington D.C.

Probably the ONLY way to stop cancer care cuts is to take politics out of it and force Democrats and Republicans to work together to resolve issues. So far no one is willing to do that.