Cancer Society

Brain Cancer – Causes, Symptoms Author: Sam Michel
Everyone fears the word cancer. However most types of cancers can be beaten, if you catch it up soon enough, and even if you don’t there are new treatments coming out by the minute everyday that will help you fight and successfully beat cancer. There are however some types of cancers that are more complex in nature than others, brain cancer is the one we’re speaking of and the one we will be focusing on.

Two types of known brain cancer exist, namely: Primary brain cancer (these generally initiate in the brain), Primary brain cancer almost never moves to any other part of the body, so death is brought on by uncontrollable tumor growth within the brain cavity. Then you get metastatic brain cancer or otherwise known as secondary brain cancer (this type of cancer originates in other parts of the body and get transported or should we say it migrates to the brain thus causing the person to circum to secondary brain cancer.

Causes of Brain Cancer

Brain cancer can occur at any age. Studies have shown that two major age groups are affected. From ages 3 to 12 and 40 to 70 are the age groups when brain cancer is formed. Since researchers have been able to gather this data, it has led to the discovery of some risk factors. Workers in certain industries are at a higher risk for brain cancer than workers in other industries. These include, rubber manufacturing, drug manufacturing, and oil refining. Since brain cancer often occurs with members of the same family, heredity is believed to be another cause of brain cancer.

There are many different kinds of cells in the brain, each with a different function. Sometimes the cells inside the brain begin to grow uncontrollably leading to a tumor. A tumor in the brain may or may not be malignant.If benign a tumor stays where it starts, although it can grow very large and put pressure on crucial areas. In the case of a malignant brain tumor however this has the ability to spread and brain cancer occurs. Brain cancer is dangerous and life-threatening as the cancerous cells can interrupt vital brain functions. When brain cancer occurs, the cells continue to grow at a rapid pace.

Symptoms of brain cancer

Some very common symptoms of brain cancer are headaches and nausea; but these can really be caused by something else. So, headache and nausea shouldnt really be taken as brain cancer. Some other symptoms of brain cancer are related to incorrect working of some of the basic senses (that are mainly governed by brain) e.g. speech, vision and smell etc. Again, there is no point in getting worried all by yourself; you should, in any case, consult a qualified doctor and let them know clearly about the various symptoms that you have observed. The doctor can then diagnose whether it is brain cancer.

Treatment of Brain Cancer

The use of high-dose X-rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation therapy for childhood brain tumors usually comes from a machine and is called external radiation therapy. Steroids may be given to reduce any swelling in the brain. Drugs to control seizures may also be prescribed. The use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy drugs may be taken orally or injected into a vein or muscle. Chemotherapy is called a systemic treatment because the drug enters the bloodstream, travels through the body and can kill cancer cells throughout the body.

Liver Cancer – Related to Hepatitis B Carrier State? Author: tonywong

Liver cancer refers to either primary liver cancer, that is cancer originating from the liver cells or supporting cells in the liver, or secondary liver cancer, that is cancer that has spread to the liver from the surrounding organs, usually via the blood that drains those organs and flow through the liver. In this article we shall confine ourselves to primary liver cancer, also referred to as hepatocellular carcinoma.

Liver cancer is one of the more commonly occurring cancers in the world, being the fifth most common cancer in men and the eighth most common cancer in women. The total number of new cases diagnosed is estimated to be about 500,000 every year. Men seem to be twice as likely as women to get liver cancer.

What could cause this problem?

The incidence of liver cancer seems to be higher in certain countries. Studies appear to indicate a positive relationship between the incidence of liver cancer and that of hepatitis B virus carrier states as well as hepatitis C virus infections. The risk of a hepatitis B carrier developing liver cancer is about 60 times higher than that of a non hepatitis B carrier. This risk appears to be even higher than the risk of a smoker developing lung cancer (about 20 to 25 times).

What countries have a higher incidence of hepatitis B carrier states? It is observed that certain countries seem to have a much higher incidence of hepatitis B carriers. One case in point is Taiwan, where it is noted that an abnormally high 20% of pregnant mothers were discovered to be carriers of hepatitis B. This compares significantly to the incidence of 1% in the United States. Similar studies show a higher incidence of hepatitis B carrier rates in South-East Asian countries, between 10% to 15%. This has led to the belief that Oriental persons are genetically less able to overcome the hepatitis B virus. This observation is supported by another observation, that the conversion rate to immunization with hepatitis B vaccine is lower in Chinese as compared with other races.

Studies also show that the incidence of new cases of primary liver cancer has decreased significantly in those countries where there has been a deliberate effort to immunize persons to hepatitis B with hepatitis B vaccine. This is one of the rare situations where there is a demonstrable cause/effect relationship, and where there is definite proof that a particular cancer can be prevented, by both vaccination and by screening of blood and blood products for hepatitis B and C viruses.

Other risk factors or suspected causes of liver cancer need to be mentioned here. They are:

Liver Cirrhosis. A situation of scarring of the liver due to chronic damage as a result commonly of heavy drinking. There is a slight increase of risk of liver cancer developing.

Inherited causes. Persons with hemochromatosis, a genetic problem of excess iron deposits in the body have a higher chance of developing liver cancer.

Aflatoxin. A mold found in bad peanuts and grain is a well known culprit in the causation of liver cancer.

Breast Cancer Information Author: Marlon Dirk

Breast cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the cells of female and male breast tissue. Breast cancer is more common in women, but men do get breast cancer as well.

Usually, the first sign of breast cancer is a lump in the breast. Everyone, especially women are advised to regularly check their breasts for lumps and bumps to catch it early if they are unfortunate enough to get breast cancer. Finding a lump in the breast is usually the first thing women do before they go for a check with the doctor.

After a lump has been discovered, a doctor/physician will do a routine mammogram and will then be able to confirm whether or not it is in fact breast cancer. Lumps are not always fund in the breast, they can also be found in what is known as the lymph nodes that can be found in the collarbone or the armpits.

There are other ways to look out for breast cancer other than looking for a lump. Keeping an eye out on changes in the breast shape or size can also be an indication in some cases. Some women have had skin dimpling, nipple discharge and nipple inversion as signs of breast cancer.

Whether you end up getting breast cancer later in life can be determined or factored by certain hereditary and environmental factors. Here are some of the factors that may determine who may get breast cancer over other people:

* Genetic mutations such as high level exposure of estrogens.

* Inherited DNA defects

While these can show us some pattern towards those that get breast cancer, it certainly doesnt rule out every woman in the world. The age, sex, hormones, alcohol habit, smoking habit, obesity, high fat diets, radiation and other factors may make you more at risk of breast cancer.

Mammography checks have now become a routine procedure in many countries as this is simply the easiest and the quickest way to determine whether or not a woman has breast cancer.

It is usually around the age of 40 or 50 when women are invited to have regular screening appointments. Some women still choose not to go, even though these screenings save lives and reduce the risk of not surviving breast cancer. The earlier that breast cancer is caught, the easier it is to treat.

Breast cancer is a big fear throughout every womans life. Support will always be necessary if you find out you have breast cancer. There are many fantastic support groups usually set up by women who are suffering or who have already been through it and won. These support groups are vital for breast cancer information and to see that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

It is important to understand what is going to happen to you if you do have breast cancer. You can find this out from your doctor, but there is nothing better than hearing it from someone who has or is going through it themselves.

Renal Cancer Surgery in India: Preferable Medical Destination Author: julia
Renal cancer surgery in India is a concept that is fast catching the fancy of the people all over the world. Nowadays, more and more people prefer India as a travel destination to fulfill all their medical needs. People come here from Europe and America for treatments that are expensive in their countries while they found it reasonable. The vast difference in the cost of treatment between foreign countries and it has given rise to health travel. The health care costs are very expensive and sometimes out of reach of the common masses in European and American countries. So they come here, where the doctors, facilities, infrastructure and technology are as good as abroad. It is dotted with some of the best hospitals and best specialist doctors in the world. People generally come for their treatment and stay back to travel and see India. Such tourism gives boost to medical as well as tourism industry of India for renal cancer surgery.

What is renal cancer surgery?

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common form of kidney cancer arising from the renal tubule. It is the most common type of kidney cancer in adults. Initial treatment is surgery but 90% of the time it is unsuccessful. It is resistant to radiation therapy and chemotherapy, although some cases respond to immunotherapy. Targeted cancer therapies such as sunitinib have improved the outlook for RCC, although they have not yet demonstrated improved survival.

Treatment for renal cancer surgery

If it is only in the kidneys, which is about 40% of cases, it can be cured roughly 90% of the time with surgery. If it has spread outside of the kidneys, often into the lymph nodes or the main vein of the kidney, then it must be treated with adjunctive therapy, including cytoreductive surgery. Surgical removal of all or part of the kidney (nephrectomy) is recommended. This may include removal of the adrenal gland, retroperitoneal lymph nodes, and possibly tissues involved by direct extension (invasion) of the tumor into the surrounding tissues. In cases where the tumor has spread into the renal vein, inferior vena cava, and possibly the right atrium (angioinvasion), this portion of the tumor can be surgically removed, as well. In case of metastases surgical resection of the kidney (”cytoreductive nephrectomy”) may improve survival, as well as resection of a solitary metastatic lesion.

Medical tourism can be generally defined as provision of ‘cost effective’ personal health care in association with the tourism industry for your needing surgical healthcare and other forms of dedicated treatment. This process is being facilitated by the corporate sector concerned in health care as well as the tourism industry – both personal and public.
It mingles free time, amusing and recreation together with wellness and healthcare packages. Medical or health treatment package tourism has become a recurrent form of vacationing, and covers a broad range of medical services like renal cancer surgery in India.

To know more about renal cancer surgery in India:

http://www.forerunnershealthcare.com

Submit your case details at:

enquiry@forerunnershealthcare.com

Information as a Defense Against Cancer Author: Bob Flushman

My mother died of breast cancer at the age of 54. Her cancer was diagnosed after undergoing a surgical breast biopsy when it was already in its late stage. Although she still underwent chemotherapy sessions, doctors gave her a small chance of survival.

Had her cancer been detected when it was still in its early stage, her chance to survive would have been high. She actually discovered a lump in her left breast three or four years before she passed away but she didn’t go to the doctor for a medical examination. She ignored it and hid it from me and my father. When she found out that the lump was growing, she discussed it with my father but she was still not convinced to see a doctor.

She somehow knew that if she went to a doctor, the doctor would recommend her to undergo a breast biopsy and she was afraid of it. In her mind it would be painful if her breast would be cut open to get samples for laboratory examination. She was only convinced to see a doctor when ulcerations appeared in the lump. It was already more than a year after she first found the lump.

Ignorance or misinformation about medical procedures leads to damaging, if not life threatening problems. Because of misinformation, fear gets in the way for certain diseases or disorders to be diagnosed early.

In our family’s case, misinformation about breast cancer and breast biopsy led to loss of a loved one. It may be too late to save my mother, but just recently I’ve started collecting information about breast cancer and the breast biopsy procedure. I would like to be able to share this information with as many women as possible in the hope that lives will be saved (not only for the patients’ sake but for their children as well).

Breast biopsy is a procedure where sample tissues from a breast where a lump or thickening is found are taken. It is done to determine if the lump or growth is benign or malignant.

Contrary to what my mother thought, this procedure is not only done through surgical means (where an incision is made on the skin to scrape off samples for testing). There are other procedures that are not surgical in nature. These non-surgical procedures can be done in a clinic and can be done fast. Confinement is usually not necessary. These non-invasive procedures do not cause scarring because stitches are not done on the skin.

Breast biopsy procedures are generally not painful. Pain is felt only when anesthesia is injected. Whatever pain is felt can be lessened or alleviated by non-prescription or over-the-counter pain relievers. Risk of complications such as bleeding and infection is small especially in non-surgical means.

Results are obtained within a few days after the procedure. When the result is negative of cancer, the doctor may just recommend the patient to go back regularly for check-ups. Other procedures may not be needed. When the result however shows that the lump is malignant or cancerous, further tests may be done – or for some, immediate treatment may be recommended.

Knowing information regarding a certain disorder or disease like breast cancer is very important. Being correctly informed can be one of our best defenses to survive such disorder or disease. So the next time you are faced with the possibility of being seriously sick, drop the drama and go to a doctor to ask about it or click on the internet and read.

Skin Cancer: are You at High Risk for Skin Cancer? Author: James S. Pendergraft

If you have been reading newspaper or listening to news regularly over the past few years, you should have come across several warnings telling us to protect ourselves from skin cancer. Whilst there are many who do pay attention to these cautions, a shocking count of women still ignores them. If you are amongst those women that ignore these warnings, you are likely to think that it’s impossible for you to get affected by skin cancer. Again, you might feel it to be no harm, if you miss applying sun tan lotion while moving out.

Skin cancer is not a rare phenomenon, as people consider it to be. Whilst it’s true that staying unprotected in the sun for short duration seldom leads to cancer, you might still face its wrath. Most women get affected with skin cancer after exposing themselves to the sun for a long period of time. As a matter of fact, almost 75% of women diagnosed with it every year have a history of constant sun exposure. Although cancer might occur after severe sunburns, it usually results for many years in the sun.

Do you stay long in an open environment for long periods and get frequently bathed by sun without having any protection on your skin? If you do, then are you at high risk for skin cancer? Again, is there any spot on your skin, which has been bothering you for long? Can it be cancerous? If you even have a feeling that the spot can be cancerous, you should immediately schedule a visit with your doctor!

Definite diagnosis can only be made once a biopsy is performed.

Over 99 percent of women, who are diagnosed with cancer on their skin, have:

Basal cell skin cancer: Women developing these sores find that a pimple or a scab grows on their skin, bleeds or drains, and then scabs again. This cycle is seen to continue repeatedly and has been found tough to heal completely.

Squamous skin cancer: It looks similar to basal carcinomas. They also appear rough and have scaly patches on the skin, which do not disappear.

These 2 cancer types usually appear in nose and similar other regions of the skin, which frequently receives direct rays from the sun. Skin of your nose is very much tender, and can be at high risk for non-melanoma cancer. Both basal cell and squamous skin cancer are treatable, if you choose to remove them surgically.

Usually, women develop non-melanoma cancers on their nose or face. However, sometimes melanoma occurs on their face too. Such cancer types spread rapidly and can be deadly, if it stays undetected and untreated in its initial stages. Sometimes, it’s difficult to differentiate the two types. This is the reason why you should see a doctor, whenever you notice something wrong with your skin.

If you have a belief that you are at high risks of skin cancer, you should immediately schedule appointments with your doctor. Skin cancers can be successfully treated, if they are caught in their initial stages.

Your life might totally depend on the early detection & diagnosis of a bothersome sore on the skin. So don’t even think about delaying!

Skin Cancer – Warnings and Signs About Skin Cancer Author: Emeka Ezidiegwu

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States an estimated million cases are diagnosed annually and around 20% of people will show signs of skin cancer at some point during their lifetime. Less than 1,000 people die from skin cancer in a typical year, although if you have any skin cancer symptoms or experienced any skin cancer warning signs, its important to have them checked.

People of all skin tones can develop skin cancer, including those with darker skin tones; and its important to know what some of the skin cancer warning signs are. Skin cancer tends to develop more on those parts of the body that are more often exposed to the sun face, neck, chest, back, arms and legs although it can also develop on areas not usually exposed to sunlight.

There are several types of skin cancer; melanoma is the most serious and causes the most deaths. Anyone can get melanoma, although if there is a history of it in your family, you are more susceptible. And if you spend lots of time outdoors, live at a higher altitude where UV rays are not filtered as effectively, or have had several bad sunburns, you also have a higher risk of developing melanoma.

Moles and freckles are two of the biggest warning signs of melanoma. A melanoma can not only form on the skin, but will frequently grow from an existing mole or freckle. One of the biggest differences between normal moles and melanomas is the color a normal mole or freckle is black or brown, with a well-defined edge; a melanoma is often multicolored, has different shades, or may ooze fluid.

Its possible to examine your own body regularly to try to keep track of any freckles, moles or blemishes. Be particularly careful of any that seem to grow in size, are different colors or wont heal. If in doubt, always have any suspicious moles or freckles examined by a doctor the sooner they are treated, the less chance of the disease spreading to other parts of the body.

Basal cell carcinoma is the commonest form of the disease also. Warning signs include a flesh-colored or brown lesion on the back or chest, or a waxy bump on the neck, face or ears. This type of skin cancer is not likely to spread to other areas of the body; its also fairly easy to treat. Squamous cell carcinoma is also easily treated; warning symptoms of this include a lesion with a crusty surface on the arms or face; or a red nodule on the face, neck or arms.

There are several less common forms of skin cancer. Merkel cell carcinoma is rare, although it can spread rapidly. The warning signs are firm, shiny nodules found in hair follicles and just below the skin on areas of the body exposed to the sun. Also rare is Kaposis sarcoma, found mainly in people with a weakened immune system; warning signs are purple patches on the skin. Sebaceous gland carcinoma is characterized by hard nodules on the body, especially on the eyelid.

Skin cancer is completely curable, if found and treated early enough. The hard part is perhaps determining what the warning sign of skin cancer is and what is normal if in any doubt, have it checked out by a doctor or skin specialist.

Cancer Answer Has Been Known For Years Author: Jonathan Bell

If you are just learning about cancer prevention, you are probably both amazed and confused by a great many things. It is probably shocking for you to find out that the FDA is not standing behind vitamin B17, which could be one of the greatest discoveries about cancer prevention in your lifetime. It probably amazes you that the little tiny apricot seeds can do so much to help people avoid cancer. Not the least, it probably confuses you just a little. After all, there are dozens of different websites about cancer prevention with apricot seeds and vitamin B17 tablets.

Do any type of research on vitamin B17, laetrile, amygdalin, apricot seeds, or cancer prevention and you are sure to come across the name Dr. Ernst Krebs, Jr.-at least several times. Many sources mention him in passing, just briefly noting his name; others just vaguely refer to him as the scientist who discovered laetrile, perhaps. In any case, most research sources do not go into a great deal of detail-they leave the reader wondering who this Ernst Krebs guy is and why every site keeps mentioning him.

Ernst Krebs came to realize that cancer was a result of a deficiency in vitamin B17. His theory was supported by the fact that many, many years ago-before cancer was a problem for humans-we used to eat diets that were rich in vitamin B17. Humans used to eat bread made with millet. People routinely ate the seeds of fruits. As humans began adopting a different type of diet-one that was lacking in vitamin B17-that’s when cancer became an issue.

As further proof of this, Ernst Krebs points toward the Hunza tribe of people. These people still eat a diet much like that of the diet people used to eat very long ago. The Hunza tribe has never-ever-had a case of cancer among all of their people…unless, that is, any of their people left the tribe to live in the Western world.

The best way to look at is it to consider the two different forms. The apricot seeds are, indeed, the best form of cancer prevention. Experts say that it is always better to get nutrients from the raw source whenever possible-this is true for all vitamins, not just for vitamin B17. For example, eating a serving of grapefruit is a much better way to get some vitamin C than taking a vitamin C tablet simply because the human body is better capable of metabolizing the vitamin from the food. So, you should definitely eat apricot seeds, about 7 to 10 per day.

Vitamin B17 tablets should be looked at as a supplement. Since you can never be certain that you are getting enough amygdalin from the apricot seeds (because they vary in size, weight, and composition), you should ingest some amygdalin in a supplement form as well so that you always get enough of the substance in your body.

Cancer prevention does not have to be a hard task. It is a lifelong plan including smart choices in our day to day lives. Preventing cancer is important to having a long and healthy life, and it is something not to take lightly. Prevention and early detection begins with knowing your cancer risk; then, doing something about it. A cancer prevention plan is a life- long commitment to a long- life of healthy living and it’s never too late to start. It is easier than you may think.

Uterine Cancer: Symptoms, Causes and Treatments. Author: James S. Pendergraft

Uterine Cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, which actually start in the lining of the cells in the uterus. The womb or the uterus is a vital part of the reproductive system in a woman.

Type of Uterine Cancer

Uterine cancer may denote various types of cancers, which occur in a woman’s uterus. Uterine sarcomas, commonly known to be leiomyosarcomas are a type of uterine cancer, which occurs in the muscular layer of a uterus. Endometrial cancer is another type of uterine cancer, which originates from the cells that are located in the glands of the uterine lining or the endometrium. Cervical cancer is a different type of uterine cancer, which is known to arise from the lower portion of a uterus. It extends to the transitional zone of a woman’s cervix and connecting to the upper part of her vagina.

Symptoms of Uterine Cancer

A woman having uterine cancer can notice some common symptoms. However, they may differ from person to person depending upon the disease in consideration. Commons symptoms include painful or difficult urination, unusual discharge or vagina bleeding, extreme pain during the time of having sexual intercourse, a typical pelvic lump, abnormal weight loss, pain in the pelvic region and having never breast-fed. In fact, uterine cancer occurs rarely before menopause, during which a woman have regular menstrual periods.

It generally occurs during the time when the regular menstruation cycle stops. If a woman notices reappearance of bleeding at this stage of her life, she should immediately bring it to the attention of her general physician, as there may be a possibility of uterine cancer.

The most common symptom of uterine cancer is abnormal bleeding from a woman’s uterus after her menopause. The bleeding may be in the form of a blood streaked, watery discharge containing more blood. In some cases, a woman may experience lower abdominal pain too.

Causes behind Uterine Cancer

There are different causes of uterine cancer, which have been discovered till date. Diabetes, obesity, polycystic ovaries having prolonged anovulation, nulliparity or having borne not a single child, lack of menstruation, extended usage of tamoxifen for the treatment of breast cancers and taking unopposed estrogen without progestin are some of the valid causes of uterine cancer.

Diagnosing the Disease

Uterine cancer can be diagnosed by endometrial and endocervical sampling. Apart from these techniques, vaginal ultrasonography is also used to detect the thickness of the endometrium because increased thickness of the uterus may determine some serious cancerous change. Apart from this, the Pap test can also be an accurate way detecting uterine cancer but cannot be termed as a reliable source.

Treatment of Uterine Cancer

The treatment of uterine cancer is performed on the basis of grade and stage of the cancer. Abdominal hysterectomy is a standard therapy, which involves in the surgical removal of the woman’s uterus along with both the ovaries and fallopian tubes, washing of the abdominal cavity to determine malignant cells and the selective removal of the aortic and pelvic lymph nodes. Many doctors prefer usage of hormone therapy that removes the possibility of metastatic cancer. Again, women also opt for radiation therapy for the treatment of their uterine cancer.

Although treatment is a possibility for Uterine Cancer, still you should take immediate action after noticing the symptoms. Don’t let it reach a level from where it cannot be cured!

To Your Health!

Types and Symptoms of Mesothelioma Author: Patricia Woloch

Mesothelioma is a certain type of cancer most commonly caused by an exposure to asbestos. However, mesothelioma may not show up for many decades after the asbestos exposure. There are three types of mesothelioma: Pleural, peritoneal, and pericardial, and they all have devastating effects on the victim and their family.

Mesothelioma is the most uncommon form of cancer and it is also the most serious of all diseases related to asbestos exposure. Keep in mind that just because it is uncommon, it is not considered a rare type of cancer. Because of the symptoms mesothelioma exhibits, it is often difficult to diagnose. By the time a diagnosis is finally reached, treatment may no longer be effective. It is one of the lease responsive cancers to treatment.

Pleural mesothelioma affects the chest and lungs of its victim. From the chest and lungs, it spreads to different organs in the body, including the brain. Pleural mesothelioma is often not easy to detect. Survival rates are usually about a year and a half from the onset of their symptoms. A very small percentage may survive three to five years.

Pleural mesothelioma symptoms include:

Pain in a specific area of the chest that doesn’t seem to go away.

Shortness of breath or breathing problems due to fluid buildup in the chest.

Weight loss

Fever

Anemia

Fatigue

Coughing up blood

Jaundice

Low blood sugar

Blood clots

Tumor masses

Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the abdomen and many times spreads to nearby organs, such as the spleen, liver, or bowels. The survival rate is very low, with most patients surviving about ten months after the development of symptoms.

Common peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms include:

Severe abdominal pain

Excessive fluid in the abdomen area

Difficult bowel movements

Nausea and vomiting

Fever

Swollen feet

Pericardial mesothelioma affects the heart and is the rarest of the mesothelioma-related cancers. This type of cancer invades the pericardium, the sac surrounding the heart. When the disease progresses, the heart is unable to deliver the proper amount of oxygen to the rest of the body. The health of the victim declines very rapidly during the progression of the disease. The most common symptoms resemble a heart attack, with nausea, shortness of breath, and pain in the chest.

Mesothelioma is most often treated with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, though there are some experimental treatments that are taking place while the disease is still in their earlier stages. This serious disease affects more than just the victim; it affects their loved ones as well. Having seen firsthand the devastating effects of this disease, we work hard to protect the rights of working men and women.