Cancer Society

Alarming Facts About Asbestos and Mesothelioma Author: Bello kamorudeen

Although asbestos is a widely proliferated material, and it has many devastating effects. A few staggering facts about asbestos and mesothelioma include:

-Over 10,000 people worldwide are diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related conditions each year, with about 3,000 cases in the US alone.

-Over 110,000 schools in the United States are estimated to still contain some form of asbestos.

-Although cigarette smoking is not a direct cause of mesothelioma, smokers that are exposed to asbestos have a 50-90% increase in the likelihood of developing lung cancers.

-Asbestos use has been totally banned or highly regulated in many industrialized countries around the world.

-Post-diagnosis survival of mesothelioma is measured in months, because by the time the cancer is detected it is too advanced to obtain a cure.

-Because of the long dormancy of mesothelioma, experts speculate that there will be an increase of cases for the next 20 to 30 years.

-The first lawsuit regarding asbestos injury was filled in 1966 in Texas against Johns-Manville, Fibreboard, Owens Corning Fibreglas and several other manufacturers.

-Mesothelioma settlements range from between $750,000 and $8 million.

-More than half a million asbestos cases have been filed, with 50,000 in 1998 alone.

-Up to 8 million people in the United States have been exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos. Asbestos still continues to pose a threat to workers in certain occupations.

-New legislation before the Senate of the United States called the Hatch Bill could potentially limit the amount of compensation victims of asbestos-related diseases could receive.

-During the Second World War, hundreds of thousands of military personnel were exposed to asbestos on a large scale. Many of these ex service men are now beginning to come down with the symptoms of asbestos-related diseases.

-Many asbestos companies knew the dangers of their products, but downplayed the role asbestos played in many illnesses so as to maximize profits.

-The first reported death caused by asbestos exposure was documented in medical journals in 1924.

What Men Should Know About Breast Cancer Author: Sandy Francis

There is absolutely no way that any man can understand how women feel when they find a lump. Women are told
and taught to check their breasts on a regular basis, to be constantly aware that early location will
lessen risks in the worst case scenario. But how on earth does a woman feel if and when the nightmare is
confirmed?
A lump is found. First thought – What is it it? Was it there yesterday? Does it hurt? Please don’t let it be
that …..
Then it is essential, completely and utterly and totally imperative that a medical opinion is sought. Some
women are martyrs, and will probably wait, maybe hoping that the lump will disappear, and that nothing is
really wrong. Some simply don’t want to be seen to be wasting the doctor’s time. It is never a waste of
time to have a lump checked. While most women are more prone to fluid retention than men, and more rapid
changes in body composition, a lump is still a lump.
Doctors, surgeons, and experts tend to base their collective diagnoses on several criteria. Like the age
of the patient, her lifestyle, her current state of health, and whether her family has a history of breast
cancer. Between 5 and 10 per cent of breast cancers are genetic, but if the family carries one of the genes
there is an 85 per cent risk of cancer development.
Obviously, once a medical consultation has taken place, there will be tests. Lots of tests. Genetic tests,
which can now detect the breast and ovarian cancer gene BRCA1, mammagrams, or ultrasound tests. A woman
needs a immense support at this time. The waiting time varies, and the counselling sometimes might not be
adequate. It probably helps, but what can possibly prepare any woman for the news that cancer is present,
and a mastectomy is necessary? One, maybe both breasts will be lost. Not a finger. Not an ear. A breast.
Something that men see. Something that men like. Something that a woman might use to snag a man. Something
that makes her feel like a woman, sexy, attractive, vivacious. Something she needs in motherhood. Gone
forever.
So now it’s the 21st century, and surgical technology means that after months of chemotherapy, then a
mastectomy, then radiotherapy and reconstructive surgery, a woman can look whole, even if she doesn’t quite
feel it. But there’s the hair loss, the weight gain, the possibility of infertility, the constant testing
on the lymph system, the weight gain, and the feeling of lost femininity.
Men have to help their partners out. Some women may have surgery to increase the size of the lost breasts,
and may be more than happy with a new look. Men have to remember that a mastectomy leaves women with little
or no feeling. Temporary saline implants are the norm, but increasingly are being replaced with tissue
implants, using skin, fat, arteries and veins from another part of the body, usually the buttocks. These
microsurgery techniques are carried out over a lengthy period of time, as a permanent breast is built,
followed by nipple grafts.
Breast cancer takes its toll on both women and men, but to have part of the anatomy removed must be truly
crushing. Although one must assume that women who have been diagnosed with cancer are happy to remain alive
and well, the physical and emotional cost is high. With constant aftercare goes constant re-assurance.
Fear that the cancer might re-appear. That it might have spread. Women just seem to cope so well.
Guys, we need to help our women locate lumps, and in cancer cases, through the painful years afterwards.
There is no comparison that a man can make. Maybe having his penis removed, and replaced with a non working
piece of flesh, grafted from the buttocks. And how would we cope with that?

Diet For Breast Cancer Prevention – What is Healthy Weight? Author: Maggie

According to some research, eating lots of vegetables and fruits can reduce the risks of breast cancer. However, there is no proven science behind this statement although fruits and vegetables are rich source of anti-oxidants and cancer fighting nutrients. There is no doubt that a lot of nutritional supplements in the market are targeted at preventing the risks of breast cancer but it is still advisable to consult the doctor before consuming any vitamins.

Science today is still unsure if the right diet can reduce the risks of breast cancer and prevent it from recurring after treatment, but maintaining a healthy weight on the other hand is proven to reduce the risks and increases the chances of survival. As we are all aware, overweight is one of the reasons in heightening the risks but in order to maintain a healthy weight, one is encouraged to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, which are in low calories and high nutritional value.

Besides that, limiting the consumption of alcohol to no more than one drink per day and practicing a 30-minute exercise is highly recommended because it is highly important to breast health and thus increases the survival rate for women.

The percentage of men with breast cancer is less than 1 percent compared with the 90 percent death rate for women by this diseases. The consultations from doctor and professional health care providers are very important because they will provide the knowledge and education to prevent overweight and the correct way to maintain a healthy lifestyle, for example, do more exercises, quite smoking and etc.

mesothelioma, asbestos, pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma Author: Bello kamorudeen

Most people that develop mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos in the past. Mesothelioma, a cancer of the mesothelium grows mainly in the lining of the lungs and abdomen and it takes decades for the symptoms of the cancer to surface. The main symptoms are chest pain and difficulty in breathing.

If you have worked with asbestos or materials containing asbestos, for example shipyard workers, insulation engineers, maintenance workers, building workers, you can develop mesothelioma. People working in other industries could also be exposed to asbestos without remembering the exposure. Also some people who were exposed to asbestos through washing and handling of clothes contaminated with asbestos and some people living close to asbestos industries may also develop mesothelioma.

Presently there is no known cure for mesothelioma, the treatments available only help to control the symptoms and improve quality of life of the victim. The type of treatment will be individualized and it depends on the stage of the cancer.

Help and Support
Every mesothelioma case will need support and help, many find it hard difficult to accept the diagnosis, others feel bitter and angry. Every mesothelioma victim must have access both to information about the disease and to emotional support, including someone to talk to when they feel like. There are several specialist organizations that provide such help.

Your Benefits and Compensations
All mesothelioma victims may be entitled to social security benefits and compensations from employers or both. These are some of the benefits you might be entitled to:
a}Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit-You can get this quickly paid so you should make your claim as soon as possible so as to be able to get your benefits.
b}War disablement pension-If you were exposed to asbestos while serving in the armed forces, you can make this claim from the Veterans Agency.
c}Constant Attendance Allowance-This allowance may be paid to you once you receive any of the benefits mentioned above.
d}You may also be entitled to a lump sum payment from the Government under the Pneumoconiosis e.t.c{Workers Compensation}Act 1979,or in Northern Ireland,the Pneumoconiosis e.t.c{Workers Compensation}{Northern Ireland}Order 1979.

Whoever you choose to consult about benefits, you should always ask about a payment under the 1979 Act or Order and Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.

These and some other benefits and compensations are what you are entitled to if you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Important Information For Breast Cancer – Breast Cancer Awareness Author: Maggie

There are many kinds of cancer which begins when the cell in part of the body start to growth out of control. As we know that breast cancer is the second leading cause death in women, following by lung cancer. The diseases not only fall on women, for men also have the same issue. Men generally at low risk which is less than 1 percent while for women there are 90% of them death cause by this.

In order to create the awareness in this area, education and knowledge in this area is very important which can provide women more sensitivity about this. For example risk factors, ways to prevent, what kind of treatment and how to detect early.

There are different kinds of risk factors such as gender, age, family history, alcohol, smoking and etc. At this time, there is no guaranteed way to prevent it but what women can do is lowering the risk by changing those risk factors that can be changed, for example limit alcohol use, exercise regularly to reduce the risk for such issue happened.

It is mostly treated by surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and the treatment decisions will be based on the patient and her physician after considerations. While through self-awareness and mammography will alert women the risk and aware about it.

To reduce the risk, a person must change their lifestyle, for example quit smoking and often, the sooner the treatment is begins, the better the chances for living many years and save their life as well.

Mesothelioma Cancer -A simple Overview Author: Bello kamorudeen

Mesothelioma, often referred to as “asbestos cancer”, is a cancer of the mesothelium, the tissue that lines and protects the internal organs of the body. A diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma (often simply called mesothelioma) is very serious. Most cases pass away within one to two years after receiving the diagnosis, although recent improvements in treatment (both chemotherapy and surgical treatment) have prolonged the survival times of many mesothelioma patients. Early diagnosis and proper treatment of mesothelioma can often lead to a good prognosis.

Three main types of mesothelioma:
Pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lung;
Peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the abdominal cavity
Pericardial mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the heart

The most common form is pleural mesothelioma, followed by peritoneal mesothelioma. Pericardial mesothelioma is exceptionally rare. The main known cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos fibers, a mineral commonly used in insulating and fire retardant materials. Asbestos was widely used in manufacturing and construction until 1972, when it was partially banned. However, asbestos continued to be used in many household products into the late 1970’s, and in automotive brakes into the 1990’s.

Mesothelioma can also occur after brief contacts with asbestos this is usually the case of relatives of workers in asbestos factories who came down with the disease through minimal exposure to asbestos in the working clothes of the workers. It often takes several decades for symptoms of the disease to show up.

Mesothelioma Diagnosis, Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma Symptoms Nearly 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma every year in the United State

Symptoms:

Difficulty in breathing chronic cough chest and back pain weight loss

Asbestos is commoner in men aged 50 years and above, though nearly anyone who has been exposed to asbestos can contract the disease. Mesothelioma is most common in industrial and construction workers, but can also result from household exposures. Many cases of mesothelioma have occurred in the children or wives of industrial workers, who have been exposed to asbestos fibers brought home on the clothing of the worker.

The only known cause of Mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos fibers. If you have been diagnosed with any form of the disease, you should seek the services of a Mesothelioma attorney for legal advice. Swift Detection Can Lead To Positive Outcome When detected early enough, and treated promptly by an experienced oncologist{medical doctor who has specialized in the treatment of cancers}, the patient’s prognosis is expected to be good. Early detection of this cancer and all forms cancer related to asbestos exposure is vital.

Prevention of Breast Cancer – 7 Ways to Prevent the Breast Cancer Author: Maggie

Breast cancer is quite common diagnosed in women and almost 1 in every 8 is developing in it. While there are certain risks that is cannot change, but what we can do is change our lifestyle to prevent it happened.

1.Minimize or avoid alcohol: According to the research, consumed more than 2 to 5 drinks daily will increase the higher rate.

2.Be aware of family history: Having a personal or family members history may increase the risk and do let your doctor know about this. But do remember if your mother or sister who have this before, does not mean you will developing it as well.

3.Check your breast every month: Checking your breast does not mean can reduce the risks but help to detect it earlier.

4. Quit smoking: As we know that smoking will bring the effects in lung, mouth cancer and etc. Although there is no link between smoking and breast cancer but smoking at an early age increase the risks.

5. Consume more vegetables and fruits: Eat raw or lightly cooked vegetables (broccoli, cabbage and etc) which consists of protein to offer the protection against it. While eat more servings of the fruits will also reduce the risks.

6. Exercise regularly: Regular exercise provides the powerful protection. Aim for a 30 minutes of exercise such as briskly walking in 5 or more days in a week.

7. Keep a low fat diet: A low fat diet can reduce the risks of developing breast cancer by decreases the risks of obesity.
For the sake of family members for those who love you, prevent and detect it happened earlier by changing your lifestyles.

Mesothelioma Treatment-A basic explanation Author: Bello kamorudeen

Mesothelioma is an uncommon type of cancer that affects the lining cover of mainly the lungs and abdomen.It is heavily linked to exposure to asbestos fibers and it usually takes about 30-40 years post exposure for the symptoms of the disease to appear. The best approach to treatment is in trying to treat the cancer in its early stages. The available treatment modalities are 1}Surgery,2}Chemotherapy,3}Radiotherapy.

There are two types of surgeries for mesothelioma treatments, Aggressive Surgery and Palliative Procedures. Before performing any surgery, it is necessary to check whether the heart and lungs are functioning properly. Of the two types, aggressive surgery, also known as Pneumonectomy, is complicated surgery performed on younger patients, who are good in health and can bear the surgery. Pneumonectomy involves the removal of extra pleural membrane and a lung. The main purpose of this surgical treatment is to physically remove as much tumor as possible.

Palliative procedures of mesothelioma treatment are known as Pleurectomy. It is done in the early stages of cancer. This process of treatment involves surgical removal of pleura. However, the procedures are involved to lessen and control the symptoms rather than to cure the disease. This surgery reduces the pain caused by the tumor mass and helps in preventing the recurrence of pleural effusion. Complete removal of tumor is not possible with this procedure.

Chemotherapy is a form of treatment method that makes combined use of certain drugs for shrinking the tumor. Though some patients show only partial success to this method, some combination’s of chemotherapy drugs have proved successful. Scientists have developed some new chemotherapy drugs for treating the cancer.

Radiotherapy makes use of nuclear radiations to try and selectively kill the cancerous cells and shrink{debulk} the tumor. This radiation can however also destroy the surrounding normal tissues of the heart, lungs and other nearby organs.

Most often a combination therapy is employed in the treatment of the disease. This involves the use of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery together. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are used to kill any remaining tumor cells left after the surgery and the combination therapy helps to relieve symptoms like pain.

Mesothelioma treatments can be very expensive and the victim can file lawsuits to get compensation and settlements to pay for medical expenses, loss of income, lost earning capacity, pain and sufferings. The mesothelioma victim will often need to seek the services of a competent asbestos attorney to be able to secure their deserved compensations from the industries/companies responsible for exposing them to asbestos.

LEUKOPLAKIA- A PREMALIGNANT LESION Author: priyanka

PREMALIGNANT LESIONS

PREMALIGNANT LESIONS ARE GROUP OF GROUP OF CONDITIONS WHICH PREDISPOSE TO THE SUBSEQUENT DEVELOPMENT OF CANCER.

THESE CONDITIONS ARE IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE AS TO PREVENT THE SUBSEQUENT DEVELOPMENT OF AN INVASIVE CANCER

CONDITIONS CHARACTERIZED BY MORPHOLOGIC CHANGES IN THE CELLS

SUCH AS :- INCREASED NUCLEAR CYTOPLASMIC RATIO, PLEOMORPHISM OF CELLS AND NUCLEI , INCREASED MITOTIC ACTIVITY , POOR DIFFERENTIATION AND SOMETIMES ACCOMPANIED BY CHRONIC INFLAMMATORY CELLS

LEUKOPLAKIA

LEUKOPLAKIA :- IT IS A WHITE PATCH (OR) PLAQUE ON THE ORAL MUCOSA EXCEEDING 5 MM IN DIAMETER , WHICH CNANOT BE RUBBED OFF NOR CAN BE CLASSIFIED INTO ANY OTHER DIAGNOSABLE DISEASE.

1. LEUKOPLAKIA IS A PREMALIGNANT LESION OF THE ORAL CAVITY .
2. IT OCCURS MORE FREQUENTLY IN MALES THAN FEMALES.
3. LESIONS MAY BE OF VARIABLE SIZE AND APPEARANCE
4. IN 4-6% CASES CARCINOMATOUS CHANGES REPORTED – IT IS DIFFICULT TO DECIDE WHICH LESION MAY TRANSFORM IN TO MALIGNANCY BUT LESION WITH SPECKLED (OR) NODULAR FORM PROGRESSES TO MALIGNANCY
5. SITES OF PREDILECTION IN DESCENDING ORDER OR FREQUENCY ARE :-

• CHEEK MUCOSA .
• ANGLE OF MOUTH .
• ALVEOLAR MUCOSA .
• TONGUE .
• LIP.
• HARD AND SOFT PALATE .
• FLOOR OF THE MOUTH .

ETIOLOGY

1. SIMILAR TO CARCINOMA OF THE ORAL MUCOSA .
2. IT HAS THE STRONGEST ASSOCIATION WITH THE USE OF TABACCO IN VARIES FORMS eg:- IN HEAVY SMOKERS – ESPECIALLY IN PIPE & CIGAR SMOKERS . IMPROVES WHEN SMOKING IS DISCONTINUED .
3. WHO CHEW TABACCO AS IN PAAN , PAAN MASALA , ZARDA , GUTKA ETC .
4. CONDITION ALSO KNOWN AS :- SMOKERS KERATOSIS AND STOMATITIS NICOTINA .
5. OTHER ETIOLOGICAL FEATURES ARE :- CHRONIC FRICTION SUCH AS ILL FITTING DENTURES (OR) JAGGED TEETH

• LOCAL IRRITANTS LIKE EXCESSIVE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL AND VERY HOT AND SPICY FOODS AND BEVERAGES

PATHOLOGY

GROSS APPEARANCE :-

• LESIONS APPEARS WHITE , WHITE – YELLOW OR RED VELVETY OF MORE THAN 5 MM DIAMETER AND VARIABLE APPEARANCE .
• USUALLY THEY ARE CIRCUMSCRIBED , SLIGHTLY ELEVATED , SMOOTH OR WRINKLED , SPECKLED OR NODULAR .

MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION :-

1. HYPERKERATOTIC TYPE :-

• CHARACTERIZED BY AN ORDERLY AND REGULAR HYPERPLASIA OF SQUAMOUS EPITHELIUM WITH HYPERKERATOTIC ON THE SURFACE .

2.DYSPLASTIC TYPE :-

• ITS SHOWS REGULAR STRATIFICATION OF THE EPITHELIUM , FOCAL AREAS OF INCREASED AND ABNORMAL MITOTIC FIGURES , HYPERCHROMATISM , PLEOMORPHISM LOSS OF POLARITY AND INDIVIDUAL CELLS KERATINIZATION.
• SUBEPITHELIAL TISSUE SHOWS AN INFLAMMATORY INFILTRATE OF LYMPHOCYTES AND PLASMA CELLS
• EXTENT AND DEGREE OF EPITHELIAL CHANGE INDICATED DEGREE OF SEVERITY CONSIDERED AS EPITHELIAL DYSPLASIA.
• MILD DYSPLASIA REVERTS BACK TO NORMAL ONCE THE OFFENDING ETIOLOGICAL FACTOR IS REMOVED . WHERE AS SEVERE DYSPLSIA INDICATES THE PROGRESSION OF CARCINOMA.
• ERYTHROPLASIA IS A FORM OF DYSPLASTIC LEUKOPLAKIA WHERE EPITHELIAL ATYPIA IS MARKED AND HAS HIGHER RISK OF DEVELOPING INTO MALIGNANCY .
• IF THE EPITHELIAL DYSPLASIA IS EXTENSIVE SO AS TO INVOLVE THE ENTIRE THICKNESS OF THE EPITHELIUM , THE LESION IS CALLED CARCINOMA IN SITU WHICH PROGRESS TO INVASIVE CARCINOMA .

Mesothelioma Victim- Hope for the mesothelioma victim Author: Bello kamorudeen

Do not let mesothelioma make a victim of you.

A mesothelioma victim must never give up hope. Hope gives strength, and this is needed when dealing with an affliction as insidious and pervasive as mesothelioma. Coping with a mesothelioma diagnosis requires an incredible amount of strength. Many people draw strength from their families, or in their spiritual convictions, and others take stock of a life of accomplishments and resolve to persevere in their struggle. As long as those unfortunate victims still have hope, then their struggle against mesothelioma is never in vain.

Even the best medical treatments are useless if the victim is not committed to surviving through the pain and adversity of the procedures. It is true that mesothelioma treatment can involve unpleasant surgery, radiation, and chemotherapies, but when hope is lost, everything is. The belief that mesothelioma, like an obstacle, can be surmounted and conquered is sometimes more effective than the latest medical breakthrough, and such positive attitude in the face of adversity often inspires those around you, even if they are not afflicted with such a condition.

New technology for treating mesothelioma provides hope for the victims of this condition, treatments like angiogenesis, gene therapy, and photodynamic therapy provide are looking promising and they provide hope for victims of mesothelioma who have failed to respond to conventional treatments. Also celebrex which is a COX-2 inhibitor and pain reliever has been shown to halt the growth of mesothelioma cells in a Petri dish in recent study carried out by Dr Alfonso Catalano of the University of Marche Italy. Lab animals with mesothelioma showed significant improvement and human tests might soon commence. Hope can also take the form of justice. You can seek for Justice against the asbestos companies that chose to ignore or conceal the risks their product would inflict on innocent people. Justice that will prevent them from hurting other people and justice to know that you will be compensated for all the pain you have had to endure.

If you want to strike back at those that caused you so much undeserved pain and misery, you should seek for the necessary information on mesothelioma lawyers and mesothelioma lawsuits