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Cancer is a plague upon mankind that has few rivals in terms of its grave importance.  Fortunately there are thousands of government and non-governmental institutions throughout the world that are expending great resources in order to fight it.  Did you know that through car donation you can help these institutions in this fight?   Many of the private, non-profit, non-governmental institutions accept donation-in-kind such as used car donations.  This means that you can directly contribute to the battle against this plague simply by getting rid of that old clunker that’s leaking oil on your garage floor.  It’s simple to do and these organization are so prevalent there’s almost assuredly one near you.  So what are you waiting for?  Do your part to help prevent and ultimately cure cancer.  Donate your used vehicle today.

Cancer can affect us all, young and old, smokers and non smokers, strong and weak, sadly no one is immune.   Cancer affects the cells of the body which under normal (non cancer) circumstances are all tightly controlled in respect to growth, lifespan and the way they interact and reacts to other cells.  When affected by cancer these normal functions fail and cells grow unregulated, develop into abnormal shapes, destroy neighbour cells and ultimately metastasize (spread) into tissue and organs.

Sadly as this process occurs, the cancer destroys organs and bones, weakens the body’s immune system, and erodes strength.

The sadly common childhood cancers are Leukaemia (blood), Lymphoma (cancer originating in lymphatic tissue) brain cancer and as children mature into their teenage years, osteosarcoma (bone).

Treatments for child cancers are not dissimilar to those for adults and fall under three main categories: Radiation, Surgery and Chemotherapy.  The treatment subscribed will depend predominantly upon the severity and type of cancer as well as the age of the child.

It is hard to cope with cancer for anyone let alone a child, but with 70%+ success rates of a cure, all is not lost.  Once a child has been diagnosed they will be referred to a paediatric oncologist (child cancer specialist).  The treatment schedule will be decided upon and then followed.  There can be short and long term treatment strategies, but once the treatments take affect marked improvements are possible within a matter of months.

Once a child is over the worst of the disease, many oncologists advise trying to resume some form of everyday life, like taking your child to a playground and allowing them to run about (providing it has adequate playground surfaces) enabling the child to overcome the mental experience of what they have endured.  Hopefully this strategy will help the child to overcome the disease and in time develop a life just like everybody else.

A recent study from researchers in Sweden, has suggested a link between pancreatic cancer and eating too much processed meat.  The findings suggested that eating even an extra 50g of meat which has been processed would increase the risk of contracting this cancer by about 19%

Just for information that’s about the amount in a single sausage.  It should be highlighted though, that it is a relatively rare cancer and the chance is still low.  Of course as with all these studies the findings should be viewed with a little skepticism. Isolating the exact cause of any increased results is extremely difficult, in fact the World Cancer reserach Fund has suggested the link may actually be down to obesity rather than the consumption of the meat itself.

However there is already a suggested link between processed meat and bowel cancer.  The UK Government has updated it’s health recommendations in response to these and other studies – people should not eat more than 70g of meat every day.  The professor in charge of the study, Prof Susanna Larsson has informed the BBC that she realised these links were quite controversial.  So how much data was involved in these studies?  Well I checked online and via a couple of videos I was able to access using my BBC Iplayer proxy seemed to be 11 trials and around 6,643 pancreatic cancer patients.

It’s definitely worth considering this research carefully, especially as pancreatic cancer has a very poor survival rate.  But the chance still equates to about 1 in 77 chance for men and 1 in 79 for women for contracting this cancer during a lifetime.

Many women have been impacted by breast cancer in some way; our mothers, daughters, sisters, best friends, colleagues, roommates, ourselves, and yes, even the men in our lives can get breast cancer. According to Breast Cancer Action in San Francisco, there were 175,000 women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 1999 (1 every 3 minutes), and 39,900 women were diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ in 1999. There were 43,700 deaths from breast cancer in 1999 (one death every 12 minutes).

Some of us are fortunate enough to have access to medical care when breast cancer is diagnosed, but for most of us, our emotional needs are often overlooked. A cancer diagnosis can be emotionally overwhelming with so many decisions, so many unfamiliar and frightening terms, so many strangers involved in planning our treatment options. Fear is often a constant companion. What shall I do? What’s going to happen to me? What about my family? What will insurance cover? Where do I go for information and help? Where can I find resources? Women say they feel like they are falling apart inside, yet sometimes think that they must not show how devastated they really feel. In the whirlwind of appointments, there is no time for the emotional side of this disease. However, emotional support is a vital component of breast cancer treatment.

When people are confronted with cancer, healing requires both emotional and physical assistance. A growing body of evidence confirms the importance of psychosocial interventions in dealing with breast cancer. Research on breast cancer support groups shows clinically significant outcomes for these groups. Spiegel and Bloom (1983) conducted an outcome study of women with metastatic breast cancer who were in supportive-expressive group therapy. They state that patients who participated in support groups with self-hypnosis training showed significantly less pain and suffering over the course of a year. The experience also significantly lowered mood disturbance for these women. The results of over ten depression test studies conducted in the past twenty years confirm the idea that group interventions improve patient’s mood, provide information, encourage active coping, and increase health-enhancing behaviors. Support groups can be an effective resource in many ways to assist members. For example, learning skills for management of depression, developing coping strategies to adjust to life changes, and reducing the isolation that many women feel after their diagnosis.

Numerous studies in the last decade have linked ink to cancer.  Most recently a Swiss study actually found the ink printed on cereal boxes can be highly toxic.  Few question what seems to be a relatively harmless liquid that is literally intertwined with most aspects of daily life.

Sadly it’s true that ink can contain mineral oils that can pose serious health risks to humans.  Certain oils have very real links to issues like inflammation in internal organs, and even cancer directly.

Perhaps one of the most commonly overlooked inks is the type used in tattoos.  In less scrupulous tattoo parlors investigations have revealed chemicals in the ink, including toxic metals and compounds known to be potent skin carcinogens.  While the FDA has launched investigations into these concerns about ink safety, the more than 45 million Americans sporting tattoos these days seem unphased by the risks.  To be sure we’ll see studies in the near future that tie tattoos to cancer, and given the increase in te popularity of tattoos are likely to see the incidence of cancer rise even further.

Even seemingly harmless, empty ink cartridges pose a real risk to us all.  Each year millions of inkjet and laser printer cartridges find their way into landfills.  In these cases the ink is less of a concern than the actual plastic casing.  Plastics used in ink cartridges actual contain toxic oils which over time can leech into ground water, just one additional way our critical water sources come in contact with potential carcinogens.

While the research is indeed troubling, it’s an important step in highlighting the dangers that lurk all around us.  Thankfully recent studies have grabbed the attention of groups like the FDA who can certainly do something about it.  It’s certainly not a problem that is going to be solved overnight, and the fallout from ink-related cancer will certainly continue for many decades.

The American Cancer Society has projected new cases of cancer for 2012 to be significantly higher than the already intimidating figures for 2011. Last year, new cancer cases were estimated at 1.59 million nationally, with 571,950 of these patients likely to die from the disease. This year, it is 1.638 million new cases.

This of course creates an even greater challenge for our hospitals and their staff, who are treating many of these cases on an ongoing basis. Many hospitals now have or are developing their own cancer wards or fully-fledged buildings dedicated to the variety of cancer treatments now available. The traditional roles of doctor and nurse are being refined, as oncology becomes an ever-growing field of professional specialization. Oncology nurses did not exist 50 years ago, when the treatment for cancer was just plain surgery; now, they are in demand more than ever before.

Oncology nurses can now specialize down even further, into chemotherapy, radiation, hematology, palliative care, and so forth, making this field a diverse career path. There is the matter of the added training requirement, but they are rewarded with a salary rate about 10% higher than their registered nurse counterparts- although still not as high as the nurse practitioner salary. For doctors, there is the added potential of setting up a private oncology clinic or working for various hospitals as a consultant.

As a career path, oncology nursing or ‘doctoring’ is a good choice, however tragic the reasons for that may be. As shown by the data from the American Cancer Society, this disease is not going away any time soon. On the national level, our hopes and efforts must be placed in finding a cure- or, failing that, more effective treatments.

To this end, inspiring work is being done all over the world. Although diagnoses are increasing, so are the survival rates- to illustrate, despite the jump of nearly 700,000 projected cases this year, expected fatalities have risen by a comparatively slight 6,000. Although of course any number of deaths is too many, it is encouraging to see the ratio of survival on the rise. This is due in large part to the innovations of dedicated researches as well as the treatment administered in our hardworking hospitals.

One of the most frightening of illnesses women across Europe and America worry about is breast cancer. The idea of a mastectomy robs women of one of the fundamental physical attributes that make them women, their breast(s). This adds additional dread to what is already a terrible illness.

Cancer, regardless of where it strikes in the body is an illness that affects many people in the West directly or indirectly. In the book The China Study, t. Colin Campbell writes:

[The] idea that breast cancer is centered on estrogen exposure is profound because diet plays a major role in establishing estrogen exposure. This suggests that the risk of breast cancer is preventable if we eat foods that will keep estrogen levels under control. The sad truth is that most wemen simply are not aware of this evidence.

So once we know which foods to eat, as well as those to avoid, it is possible to reduce our risk of developing cancer(s). The power of diet is something that we all have control over. It is very empowering to know that we do have a tool which we can use to fight this most dreaded of diseases.

From the available research, a clear picture begins to develop. Eat less, i.e. no animal products and eat more whole plant foods for health and longevity. Plant foods, eaten by rural Chinese help, not only to reduce total estrogen exposure as well as cholestorol. Lower levels of blood cholestorol are related to lower rates of disease, including cancer and heart disease.

Staying fit and healthy and experiencing the joys of life is easy when we eat correctly. A simple way to drastically increase the quantities of fruits and vegetables in our diets is by making healthy home made juices. These honest juicer reviews will help you pick the most suitable juicer for your lifestyle.

At some point or another pretty much everyone has to deal with medical bills; some worse than others but everyone will end up in a hospital for some reason or another.  In the event you are hospitalized and find out you have a terrible disease like cancer than you may end up getting some very substantial medical bills.  As if dealing with the prospect of dying from a disease is not enough you will very likely be stuck in debt up to your eyeballs; without a doubt if you do not have a good insurance plan.

The fortunate news on the financial side of this problem is that medical bills are highly negotiable; never pay the full amount hospitals purposefully raise the amount of these bills in full expectation that they will end up settling for somewhere around 40% or even lower.

Now this is something that you can do yourself if you feel inclined to do so.  However if you are ailing from a terrible disease then it’s probably best to leave the negotiating of your bills to a professional.   There are many debt relief companies who specialize in settling unsecured debts which is exactly what a medical bill is.  Dealing with the condition and financial burden for many people is just far too much and rightfully so.

It’s a frightening notion, but research is starting to emerge that shows that some of the chemical compounds that are used in common hair care products can be linked to cancer, particularly breast cancer.  A recent article in the Journal of Applied Toxicology highlights a study put on by the University of Reading in the UK that explores a possible link between breast cancer and parabens.  Parabens are preservatives that are frequently found in hair care products because they help extend the shelf life of the products.  The research study, headed by Philippa Darbre, a molecular biologist, found heavy concentrations of parabens in 18 of the 20 breast tumor samples that they studied.  Because parabens can easily be absorbed to the skin, this shouldn’t be shocking, but it’s hard not to feel alarmed at the idea of chemicals used outside of our body existing inside.

The best thing you can do to keep yourself safe is to avoid hair care products with parabens and other dangerous chemicals.  Popular natural hair care products include Dr. Mercola Healthy Skin (shampoo and conditioner), mira hair oil, argan oil, and others.   These products can be ordered online, or you can look for others at your local store — but be sure to read all of the labels thoroughly.

When you are in your 20′s, 30′s, and probably 40′s most people give little thought to cancer. I mean, the word “cancer” is a concern because it is so deadly but it is not really on the tips of people’s tongues who are that young.

I can tell you though that once you hit 50, something like cancer becomes much more of a reality. It started with my yearly physical when the doctor looked at my birth date and said what I knew he would: it was time for my first colonoscopy and cancer screening. I knew it was coming but still……ugh!

The cancer screening was easy as he took a small blood sample and sent it off to the lab. Of course the colonoscopy was a much worse but I got through it. Luckily for me, all is okay so far but it really gets you to thinking about the future and how fragile our lives are.

Cancer has been around for all our lives so the chances are we all know someone who has had it or died from it. And most of know that it is a killer that doesn’t discriminate: it can attack anyone at any age but your chances of getting it go up with age. Now that I have turned 50, I suddenly am VERY interested in a cure being found for this evil. It is amazing that a cure has alluded humanity for so long.

When you think of how to make money, one of the ways to do it is to invent something or contribute to science by making a big breakthrough. There is no doubt that the company, organization, or person that someday does find a cancer cure will make hundreds of millions, if not more. It is something that should be rewarded financially just because of the numbers of people that will be saved. It is frustrating that with all the manpower and dollars spent finding a cure, nothing has happened and it is also frustrating that no matter how high the reward, little progress has really been made.

I hope to live to see the day when some breakthrough can be made and now that I am older, that hope has become more personal. I may be cancer free today but who knows what will happen the next time I take those tests 10 years from now. I’m hoping that those tests results won’t be as scary next time due to the fact that cancer has been cured!

EPA GLA is like Omega 3 a essential fatty acid which is required in order for the body to function properly. Recent clinical tests on mice seems to indicate that by taking a supplement of EPA GLA with your daily diet you can actually lower the chance of getting cancer with as much as 17.5%.
The reason for this seems to be that the EPA GLA fats seems to act like an antioxidant which is a molecule that is capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules by removing the free radical intermediates which can cause the various cells to mutate which in return may lead to cancer.

EPA GLA is a natural product which can be bought without a prescription at most online health stores such as EPA GLA.

A lot of doctors these days have started to recommend their patients to take a small amount of EPA GLA together with their vitamins in order to stay fit and avoid getting cancer and also to lower the level of bad cholesterol in the blood. EPA GLA has for the last few years been one of the best diet supplement you can take to help maintain the ideal cholesterol level but it is one recently that it has been proved to also help reduce the chance of getting cancer.

Many of these tests are still rather new and we would recommend that you wait for some addition tests and more information before you start taking a large amount of EPA GLA in order to keep te cancer away. But if you just want something to help keep your cholesterol levels under control then EPA GLA is a really good product, but for the aid in preventing cancer, you should probably wait for some more tests and documentations before spending your money on supplement such as Omega 3 or EPA GLA.

In the last year or so there has been several news releases announcing that many experts think around half of the cancers are caused by patients’ life styles. Poor diet in particular can cause cancer, as, of course, can smoking (which is a life style choice).

In March 2011 the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK announced that doctors in its hospitals would be boosting patients’ immune systems as the primary treatment for pancreatic cancer, and that this treatment would in future be used for all cancers. It would seem to be a safe assumption the NHS has conducted trials to see if this treatment would work before embarking on it, but no details were given. Nor did the NHS say how patients’ immune systems would be boosted.

It is well known that there is no cure for the common cold, although the symptoms can be treated. The cold eventually goes away because the body’s immune system combats the virus and in due course conquers it. Now it is not a great stretch of the imagination to assume that it should be possible to avoid many cancers by following a healthy life style and by keeping one’s immune system working at optimal level. With this in mind I have been drinking aloe vera juice for several years and during that time my health has been excellent. Previously I experienced several bouts of pancreatitis but my immune system now seems to be successfully warding off subsequent attacks. I am so convinced of the preventative value of aloe vera that I started boosting my parents’ immune systems by buying them aloe vera as one of their golden wedding anniversary gifts a couple of years ago. Since then both have been healthy and are experiencing the ‘fell good’ factor reported by many who drink this juice.

We’ve probably all heard it by now (heck, my wine of the month club tends to remind me once a year, at least) but yes, red wine does contain some significant health benefits.

Most of the research shows that while red wine sits in contact with the grape skins (that’s how it gains its color) there are some significant anti-oxidants passed as well.

As cancer research continues to move forward, it would be interesting to see if the levels of antioxidants are significantly affected in wine by having the liquid stay in contact with the skins for longer.  If it does, how much?  I’d also be interested in learning if some red wines are better than others.  Is Cabernet Sauvignon truly the king of wines?

In a health care system that allows us to search for an added 2% at almost astronomical costs, it is kind of amazing we haven’t started to see this type of research yet, even in an industry as strange as wine.

People living with diabetes may be at a greater risk of developing all types of cancer if their LDL cholesterol levels are abnormal. These people may have to add yet another complication to an already long list: a new study indicates diabetics with excessively high or abnormally low LDL may be more prone than others to cancer of all types.

There are two types of cholesterol transporters to the cells, LDL and HDL. Low density lipoproteins (LDL) are often referred to as the “bad” cholesterol because when there is too much of it, it appears to act with other proteins in thickening vessel walls. LDL cholesterol is responsible for decreased circulation and clots resulting in heart attacks and strokes. Still, some LDL cholesterol is necessary because it facilitates the movement of fats and cholesterol through the blood stream.

A study of 6,107 individuals by the Chinese University of Hong Kong analyzed data from the Hong Kong Diabetes Registry. Before the project began, none of the participants had any cancer diagnosis. Patients not treated with statins (cholesterol : medication) experienced twice the rate of cancer as those who were taking the drug.

The findings also indicate that LDL cholesterol levels less than 2.8 mmol/L and greater than 3.8 mmol/L were associated with higher cancer risk in type 2 diabetics. Excessively low LDL cholesterol levels were associated with cancer of the urinary track, genital, digestive, and lymphatic systems. High LDL cholesterol levels were linked to metastatic disease of the digestive system, bone, mouth, skin, and connective and breast tissue.

The authors of this study did not conclude that abnormal LDL cholesterol levels alone caused cancer. They propose there are other factors involved which have not yet been addressed. Lifestyle is often responsible for type 2 diabetes, and those same lifestyle choices may very well be associated with the increase in cancer risk. What has been conclusively determined is that control of cholesterol and all its components is necessary for coronary health. Cholesterol levels may also impact areas we have not yet investigated.