Know Your Enemy: What is Colon Cancer?
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
By: Michael Sampson
About the Author:
For more information please check the Cancer Resource Center.
The word cancer always brings worries to anyone who hears it. In most cases, people never realize they have cancer, not until the feel some kind of pain and have it checked out, only to find out that they already have it. Especially nowadays, with the kind lifestyle that is being imposed upon us, news and studies tell us that we can get it from the foods we eat, the air we breathe and virtually almost anywhere.
We cannot know when or why colon cancer might strike us, but we can certainly take specific measures to significantly lessen the chances of getting colon cancer. But first, we have to arm ourselves with information. What is colon cancer? How would you know if you have it?
Have you had, or do you know of any one who might be experiencing change in their bowel movement, blood in their stool (scientifically referred to as melena, hematochezia) or bowel obstruction? These are some of the more obvious symptoms of colon cancer, but it is possible for the symptoms to be less specific. Things like abnormal weight loss, anemia, that occurs with symptoms like fatigue, pallor and lasting discomfort are also possible signs. If upon check-up, there is liver's enlargement (or hepatomegaly), this could be due to the tumor spreading.
Like a lot of cancer cases, there are also ocassions where no symptoms are present at all. Moreover, it is highly recommended to get check-ups for the disease from time to time.
Colon cancer, more scientifically, colorectal cancer or bowel cancer, is characterized by harmful growths in the colon or large bowel, rectum and appendix. Many think that cancers come from the formation of polyps in the colon. These polyps are commonly non-threatening, but some might progress into colon cancer over time. Colon cancer is now the third among most usual form of cancer and the second leading cause of death among cancers in the Western world.
Like we mentioned earlier, diet also plays a huge role. Studies show that if a person's usually consists of red meat, and is low on fresh fruit, vegetables, poultry and fish invites the risk for colon cancer. A study done by the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition in June 2005 suggested that a diet high on red and processed meat and low on fiber, are associated with an increased risk of colon cancer. People who preferred fish showed a decreased risk. However, the relation between dietary fiber and risk of colon cancer remains controversial as other studies have cast doubt on claims that high fiber intake can decrease the risk of colon cancer.
The risk of developing colon cancer also increases with age. People in their 60s and 70s are more suceptible, while cases before age 50 are uncommon unless there is a history of colon cancer in the family.
In women, usually those who've had cancer of the ovary, uterus, or breast are at higher risk of developing colon cancer.
Smokers and physically inactive people are also more likely to develop of colon cancer.
How do you know if you have it? There are may ways of diagnosing for colon cancer, like a digital rectal exam or a PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scan. One sure way is through a colonoscopy. In a colonoscopy, a lighted probe called a colonoscope is inserted into the rectum and the entire colon to inspect for polyps and other abnormalities that may be caused by cancer.
If polyps are found during the colonoscopy, they can be immediately removed. Tissue samples can also be taken for biopsy. Therapy is usually done through surgery, with many cases also requires chemotherapy.
This article was found at articlebase.com
About the Author:
For more information please check the Cancer Resource Center.
posted by med at 4:33 AM
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There Is More Than One Kind Of Breast Cancer. The Silent Killer (IBC)
Thursday, December 21, 2006
by Alfred Jones
The more you understand about any subject, the more beneficial to you it becomes. As you read this article you'll find that the subject of Inflammatory Breast Cancer is certainly no exception, and you should consider it an urgent read, for your own sake.
Ladies have been told and frequently reminded by advertisements, Doctors, Women's Magazines and so on, that they should regularly check their breasts for a lump or lumps.
If anything is found they should immediately seek medical advice. This is still true, see your doctor as soon as possible.
There is another kind of breast cancer, it is called Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC), it is an accelerated type of breast cancer, and it usually does not show on a mammogram or ultrasound.
It is a rare form of breast cancer, but it accounts for approximately 1% to 3% of all breast cancers.
It is a breast cancer that many ladies have never heard of, but it can be so serious that everyone should learn about it and what signs or symptoms to look for in its early stage of development. It can start with what might just look like a simple "Bug Bite" on a breast, but of course, it is NOT a bug bite, even a doctor might think it is a bug bite, do not give it more than a week, before taking urgent action, it is imperative.
Inflammatory breast cancer causes the breast to appear swollen and inflamed. This inflammation occurs, not because of an infection, but because the cancer cells block the lymphatic vessels in the skin of the breast, this blocks the lymph flow, which usually causes a red inflamed condition of the breast.
Truthfully, the only difference between you and IBC specialists is time. If you'll invest a little more time in reading, you'll be that much nearer to having the knowledge that the professionals have. when it comes to IBC.
Some ladies have IBC even when they are seeing their doctor regularly, and they may remain undiagnosed for quite some time, which can be very unfortunate. The symptoms are very often similar to mastitis, a breast infection and doctors frequently fail to recognise that it is IBC, and will often prescribe antibiotics, if it has not cleared or showing signs of clearing within a week of taking the antibiotics, it is time to take further action, by seeing a specialist.
It appears that IBC can happen at a reasonably young age, in fact some ladies had the first symptoms during pregnancy or lactation, others have had it in their teens. It is important to be aware of this disease, as younger ladies are thought to be at a lower risk for breast cancer, remember that IBC is the most aggressive form of breast cancer, and ignorance can result in metastases.
Typical Symptoms Of IBC.
Swelling, quite sudden, as large as a cup in a few days. Itching. Pink, Red, or dark colored area sometimes with a texture similar to orange skin. Ridges and thickened area of the skin. Looks like bruising, but does not go away. Nipple retraction, or inverted. Discharge from the nipple.
Breast is warmer than usual when touched. Pain in the breast. Color or a change in texture of the areola. One breast larger than the other. Rash. Swollen lymph nodes under the armpit. Swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
Because IBC progresses rapidly, it is so important that ladies seek medical advice as soon as possible, don't ignore things in the hope that it will go away. Time is of the essence with this disease.
More information is available through the search engines, and I have a short video [6 minutes] which is very graphic on this subject, it is a great educator and you will be amazed at the number of professionals that have not even heard of this form of cancer, it came from the studios of Komo4 TV in Seattle, if you have any difficulty in locating this video, you can email me through my website, SugarsR4U and I will send you the video by email, at no cost, so you can see the seriousness of this disease yourself. Tell all the ladies you know, because in this case knowledge is king. Treat the symptoms as a URGENT requirement to visit to your Doctor.
Now you can understand why there's a growing concern about IBC. When people start looking for more information about IBC, you'll be in a position to meet their needs, with your advice and knowledge.
Ladies have been told and frequently reminded by advertisements, Doctors, Women's Magazines and so on, that they should regularly check their breasts for a lump or lumps.
If anything is found they should immediately seek medical advice. This is still true, see your doctor as soon as possible.
There is another kind of breast cancer, it is called Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC), it is an accelerated type of breast cancer, and it usually does not show on a mammogram or ultrasound.
It is a rare form of breast cancer, but it accounts for approximately 1% to 3% of all breast cancers.
It is a breast cancer that many ladies have never heard of, but it can be so serious that everyone should learn about it and what signs or symptoms to look for in its early stage of development. It can start with what might just look like a simple "Bug Bite" on a breast, but of course, it is NOT a bug bite, even a doctor might think it is a bug bite, do not give it more than a week, before taking urgent action, it is imperative.
Inflammatory breast cancer causes the breast to appear swollen and inflamed. This inflammation occurs, not because of an infection, but because the cancer cells block the lymphatic vessels in the skin of the breast, this blocks the lymph flow, which usually causes a red inflamed condition of the breast.
Truthfully, the only difference between you and IBC specialists is time. If you'll invest a little more time in reading, you'll be that much nearer to having the knowledge that the professionals have. when it comes to IBC.
Some ladies have IBC even when they are seeing their doctor regularly, and they may remain undiagnosed for quite some time, which can be very unfortunate. The symptoms are very often similar to mastitis, a breast infection and doctors frequently fail to recognise that it is IBC, and will often prescribe antibiotics, if it has not cleared or showing signs of clearing within a week of taking the antibiotics, it is time to take further action, by seeing a specialist.
It appears that IBC can happen at a reasonably young age, in fact some ladies had the first symptoms during pregnancy or lactation, others have had it in their teens. It is important to be aware of this disease, as younger ladies are thought to be at a lower risk for breast cancer, remember that IBC is the most aggressive form of breast cancer, and ignorance can result in metastases.
Typical Symptoms Of IBC.
Swelling, quite sudden, as large as a cup in a few days. Itching. Pink, Red, or dark colored area sometimes with a texture similar to orange skin. Ridges and thickened area of the skin. Looks like bruising, but does not go away. Nipple retraction, or inverted. Discharge from the nipple.
Breast is warmer than usual when touched. Pain in the breast. Color or a change in texture of the areola. One breast larger than the other. Rash. Swollen lymph nodes under the armpit. Swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
Because IBC progresses rapidly, it is so important that ladies seek medical advice as soon as possible, don't ignore things in the hope that it will go away. Time is of the essence with this disease.
More information is available through the search engines, and I have a short video [6 minutes] which is very graphic on this subject, it is a great educator and you will be amazed at the number of professionals that have not even heard of this form of cancer, it came from the studios of Komo4 TV in Seattle, if you have any difficulty in locating this video, you can email me through my website, SugarsR4U and I will send you the video by email, at no cost, so you can see the seriousness of this disease yourself. Tell all the ladies you know, because in this case knowledge is king. Treat the symptoms as a URGENT requirement to visit to your Doctor.
Now you can understand why there's a growing concern about IBC. When people start looking for more information about IBC, you'll be in a position to meet their needs, with your advice and knowledge.
Article source: ArticlePros.com
About the author Article by Alfred Jones, Information Advisor for Health Related Web Sites: |
posted by med at 3:32 AM
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