Cancer Information

Understanding Cervical Cancer by Ingrid Tiessen

Cervical cancer is the second most common type of cancer in women worldwide. It is also one of the most preventable types of cancer.

Cervical cell changes are often caused by a sexually transmitted virus called the human papilloma virus or 'HPV'. Most HPV infections will clear on their own once the immune system has dealt with it,and not lead to cervical cancer. Often, a woman infected with HPV will never know that she has been infected.

When a woman goes for her annual Pap test, the changes in the cervix are detected. A doctor is not usually alarmed by slight changes, as this can be caused by irritation or inflammation of the cervix, and will recommend retesting in 6 months. If, however, the changes do not revert back to normal, further testing is required to deal with possible precancerous tissue.

As long as regular testing is done, precancerous cells can be removed usually with no long term problems for the patient. Thankfully, truly invasive cervical cancer takes years to develop, but it is best to have it treated as soon as possible for peace of mind, and to avoid complications down the road. Call your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms, as they may be a symptom of cervical changes or cancer:

* Vaginal bleeding after sexual intercourse * Pelvic pain * Pain during sexual intercourse * Unusual vaginal discharge * Abnormal bleeding between menstrual periods * Heavy bleeding during your menstrual period * Increased urinary frequency

About the Author
Ingrid Tiessen writes about health and lifestyle issues, and has undergone treatment for cervical dysplasia. To learn more, visit her blog, http://cervdysplasia.blogspot.com/

10 Commonly Asked Prostate Cancer Questions by Donald Saunders

For the millions of men who encounter prostate problems each year and, in particular those who are diagnosed with prostate cancer, we have picked out ten of the most frequently asked questions about the prostate and prostate cancer.

Question 1. What is the prostate gland?

The prostate gland, which when healthy is about the size of a walnut, lies between the rectum and the bladder and forms part of the male reproductive system, making and storing a fluid contained within semen. The prostate gland partially surrounds the urethra and, when it becomes enlarged, it can slow or even stop the flow of urine.

Question 2. What is prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer is the second commonest form of cancer in the United States today. In 2006 approximately 235,000 men in the US were diagnosed with prostate cancer and some 27,000 men died of the disease. In most cases prostate cancer appears relatively late in life and is slow growing and, for this reason, many men with prostate cancer die from other unrelated causes.

Question 3. Who is at risk of contracting prostate cancer?

The simple answer is that all men are at risk of contracting prostate cancer. This said, prostate cancer is age related and so it is more likely to appear the older you get. In addition, prostate cancer is more likely to appear in men with a family history of the disease and in black men. There are also quite marked differences seen between countries with the United States having the highest incidence and Japan the lowest. While these differences are not entirely understood it is believed that diet may play an important role.

Question 4. What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?

It is possible to suffer from prostate cancer for many years without displaying any symptoms at all. However when symptoms do appear they are likely to include the need for frequent urination (particularly during the night), difficulty in urinating, a weak flow or urine which tends to stop and start, pain when urinating, blood in the urine or semen, painful ejaculation and frequent pain in the lower back as well as in the hips or upper part of the thighs.

It is important to note that while these can indicate the presence of prostate cancer they can also be symptomatic of a number of other conditions and you should check with your doctor and not simply assume that because you are experiencing these symptoms that you have prostate cancer.

Question 5. What other conditions are associated with prostate cancer symptoms?

It is very common in older men for the prostate gland to enlarge placing pressure on both the bladder and the urethra and interfering with both the flow of urine and with sexual function. This condition is not cancer but is a benign condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH.

In addition, symptoms similar to those seen in prostate cancer can also be experienced as the result of a prostate infection known as prostatitis which causes inflammation of the prostate.

Question 6. Is it possible to screen for prostate cancer before symptoms appear?

There are currently two commonly performed tests which are carried out to detect the presence of prostate cancer. Although neither test is in itself a definitive test for prostate cancer, both tests can indicate problems developing with the prostate gland and thus indicate the need for more specific testing.

The two tests currently used to detect the possible presence of prostate cancer are the digital rectal exam (DRE), in which a doctor feels the prostate through the rectum to find hard or lumpy areas, and a blood test used to detect a substance made by the prostate called prostate specific antigen (PSA).

Question 7. How reliable are the present screening tests?

Neither the digital rectal exam nor the PSA blood test are perfect and the DRE can easily miss prostate cancers while it is also possible for men with prostate cancer to show normal levels of PSA in the blood.

The two tests used together do produce reasonable results and are certainly better than not screening for the condition at all, but more accurate screening is required and studies are underway to improve screening in the next few years.

Question 8. How is prostate cancer diagnosed?

The only sure way to confirm the presence of prostate cancer is to carry out a prostate biopsy during which a number of small samples of tissue are taken from various parts of the prostate gland for microscopic laboratory examination.

Question 9. How is prostate cancer treated?

Provided the cancer is localized (confined to the prostate gland) there are currently three main forms of treatment available.

The first is simply to watch and wait. This may seem a strange form of treatment but in older patients who may have other serious medical problems it may be best to simply leave prostate cancer untreated as long as it remains confined to the prostate gland.

The second form of treatment is radiation therapy to kill the cancer cells delivered either using traditional radiotherapy techniques on an outpatient basis, or by implanting radioactive seeds into the prostate gland.

Finally, prostate cancer can be treated by simply removing the prostate gland surgically.

Question 10. What is the best treatment for localized prostate cancer?

There are a large number of factors which need to be taken into consideration before deciding upon the treatment that is right for you and the options need to be carefully considered and discussed with both your family and your doctor.

In most cases prostate cancer is slow to develop and there is rarely any need to rush into treatment. Take your time, collect as much information as you can about the disease and the options for treatment and make your decision based upon the information you have, the advice you are given and your own personal feelings on the matter.

About the Author
ProstateCancerExplained.com provides information on a variety of different prostate gland problems including an enlarged prostate gland, prostate symptoms, prostate surgery and finding a prostate cancer cure.

Testicular Cancer - Have You Got The Balls by Kacy Carr

Testicular Cancer - After detecting an abnormality in or around the genital area, how many men have prayed that the abnormality would heal itself or disappear. This is not a healthy approach to cure a life threatening condition .Testicular Cancer is normally found by accident, however in contrast to any accidental discovery; unusual findings may not necessarily be of a major health concern. It is important to get up from your knees and address the health issue sooner than later. Consult your doctor - so he/she can eliminate other factors as to what the abnormality might be.

Testicular Cancer if caught in the early stage - increases your chance of beating the disease. The earlier the treatment is administered for testicular cancer, the better the odds in upping the figures in survival rates. Cancer treatments in today`s modern society has progressed most profoundly to that of the days of yesterday, thus resulting in treatments being a success, hence giving the patient a more positive outlook on life and more importantly positive results. Abnormalities in the groin area (enlarged testicle) have often been confused as being a hernia, even so - more reason for seeking medical attention.

"If in doubt check it out" regardless of whatever the finding may be. Common of all cancers found in young males is - cancer of the testicles. The egg shaped sex glands in the scrotum that secrete male hormones and produce sperm, account for only one percent of all cancers in men. The staggering news is that in the western world (US 1995) figures totalled up to approximately - how - seven thousand men were expected to contract the disease.

In comparison with prostate cancer - which at the time of reports released, it was estimated that this particular type of cancer would kill forty thousand four hundred of its 244,000 victims. More alarming is that - facts show that testicular cancer is more recognized in young men ageing between15 to 34. Testicular Cancer is one of the most common of all cancers suffered in male species.

With advanced medicine (therapeutic drugs) and today's society of improved diagnostics - along with your co-operation of early detection - can help prevent the disease from spreading. Testicular cancer can be beaten and is completely curable. Accidental findings of testicular tumours can be quite frightening, but you may be worrying over something or nothing - speak to your doctor.

Regular self examination of the private parts is very important because, if you detect an odd sighting of an unusual lump - then it can be dealt with right away. Abnormality symptoms like that of a pea, or egg size lump, (in fact any size) or enlarged swollen testicles, a feeling of heaviness or sudden flow of liquid in the scrotum, then you must consult your local GP immediately. Other symptoms similar to a dull ache in the lower abdomen or groin, or an unusual tenderness i.e. in the breasts are all conditions that need to be checked over by your physician., The three stages of testicular cancer explained:

First stage is where the cancer is restricted and confined to the testicle. Second stage is where the cancer can spread to retroperitoneal lymph nodes which are situated to the rear of the body below the diaphragm. In more defined detail this is a muscular wall separating the chest cavity from the abdomen. And third of the three stages is where the disease can spread beyond the lymph nodes to remote places in the body. The key to a healthy future is to catch this disease in the infancy stage so it can be treated.

Do not be afraid or worry unnecessarily till you have spoken to your doctor.

Man is often referred to as being gutsy and "having balls", so if you want to hold onto yours - seek medical help right away.

Male Health http://www.ultraherbaladvantage.com Living A Healthy Life http://www.ultraherbaladvantage.com/hoodia Body Odour And You http://www.bodyodoursmell.com

About the Author
Prioritize your life by putting your health first.

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