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By -, March 10, 2010 10:26 am

Mesothelioma is a cancer that is almost exclusively caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is mined throughout the world and is known for its ability to withstand fire and heat. Due to its fire resistant quality, asbestos has been used for purposes such as building insulation, lamp wicks, drywall, and fireproof clothing. While the peculiarities of asbestos have been known and used since ancient times, the first record of the potential health risks of asbestos exposure was not documented until the early twentieth century. Although some sources state that the hazardous effects of human exposure to asbestos can be traced back to the first century AD where the Roman philosopher Pliny the Elder attributed the deadly lung disease commonly found in slaves to exposure to asbestos dust.

Mesothelioma, cancer caused by asbestos, is a painful disease where the cells of the membrane that protects many of your body’s organs become abnormal and start dividing uncontrollably. Mesothelioma from asbestos exposure usually starts in the membrane lining the chest, the pleura, but is an aggressive cancer that is difficult to control and can easily metastasize and affect other parts of the body.

Some of the symptoms of mesothelioma include shortness of breath, chest pain, and a dry cough. Symptoms like these often resemble other diseases, such as viral pneumonia, which can lead to a delay in diagnosis. While the symptoms of mesothelioma are generally non-distinct, diagnosis is usually determined by a chest x-ray. If the x-ray reveals that fluid is present, a fluid sample is often taken to determine if it is benign or malignant. Sometimes a needle biopsy is used to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma.

Since mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos and the hazardous nature of asbestos has been well-known since the early twentieth century, if you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may have a personal injury claim against the source of your asbestos exposure (e.g.: employer, landlord, restaurant, school, etc.). For example, personal injury lawyers have recovered billions of dollars for people with mesothelioma because the victim’s employers did not take the proper measures to protect them from exposure to asbestos.

If you were diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is essential that you talk to a personal injury lawyer with experience handling mesothelioma claims. Even if it has been years since you worked in an asbestos environment, it often takes decades before any of the symptoms of mesothelioma are experienced; therefore, you may still be able to file a claim for damages. An experienced personal injury lawyer who is familiar with mesothelioma claims can help you know and understand your rights.

Lawyers, arbitrators and mediators of Miskin Law Offices have the efficient and effective Canadian Asbestos Lawyers. They represent Canadians and others with serious physical illness caused by asbestos, making claims against US manufacturers. If you are considering a claim and have not contacted an Ontario Personal Injury Lawyer yet you may want to consider them to represent you in your legal battle.

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By -,

how can we get skin cancer if we have never been a sun bather????

i had a bcc removed from my face last summer and i have never sat in the sun for ages i was also told that it was a form of skin cancer that you dont normaly get till your are about in your 60s!!

so why did i get it at the age of 36??

anyone can help me please….

i have also been told that i have to cover up now for the rest of my life…its not fair all these people that lay in the sun all the time never get anything wrong with them…so why me!!!!!
i always had sun cream on when i was in the sun when i was little……

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By -,

According to the American Cancer Society, cancers such as colorectal, thyroid, and testicular are rising in individuals under 40 years of age in Dallas, Houston, throughout Texas, and in the rest of the nation. In addition, the National Cancer institute and the Lance Armstrong Foundation reports that cancer survival rates among that specific age group have not significantly improved in twenty years.

Dr. Karen Albritoon, director of adolescent and young adult oncology at Boston’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, asserts that research is crucial in determining why these cancers are rising among young people.

Trailing accidents, suicides, and homicides, cancer is the fourth-leading cause of death among young people. One reason that cancer may not be caught in its early stages is that neither the physician nor younger patients expects cancer to be a health problem.

In young women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, a tumor may be estrogen stimulated. In this case, physicians might recommend blocking the patient’s menstruation after chemotherapy treatment or even removing the ovaries. But, because women in this age-bracket are still in child-bearing years, the decision is difficult.

In young men, testicular cancer is on the rise and research has uncovered why. Thyroid cancer is another puzzle, as the only known cause of this type cancer is radiation.

Some of the other problems arising among the under-40 age group are not health related, but are thought to be due, rather, to emotional, mental, and financial issues. This age group is more likely to be starting their family or a career.

Plus, many in this age bracket do not carry health insurance. Dealing with severe physical changes, such as losing hair and extreme weight loss, at a time when health and physical characteristics should be at their peak, and experiencing guilt feelings of becoming a burden to other family members, are depressing, and can be devastating to young individuals, especially cancer victims.

There are a number of sources, both online and in libraries, that offer information on breast, colon and lung cancer, as well as other types of cancers, including information on its signs and symptoms, including diagnosis, treatments, and prognosis. The American Cancer Society has loads of cancer resources that can guide you to other cancer information resources.

In addition, you will be able to find comprehensive guides about different types of cancer, treatment options, various cancer drugs, and learn how to get involved in groups promoting cancer awareness and education.

To find out more about ongoing research and current cancer information, check the National Institute of Health’s cancer research group. They are an excellent source for cancer statistics, such as the occurrence of various forms of cancer, plus information regarding ongoing clinical trials, results of previous research, how clinical trials are performed, and how to locate a clinical trial in which you can take part.

To learn about cancer from more personal sources, join a local cancer support group or an online chat forum. Views and experiences of people with cancer or who’ve had cancer will be posted on their own personal websites. This is a great way to find out more about your situation and what to expect. Also talk with your primary care physician or gynecologist for information on various types of female concerns, including breast, uterine, ovarian, and cervical cancers. Just remember, if you or your loved ones get a diagnosis of cancer, there are a myriad of useful information resources that are easily available.

You’ll discover that what affects your health also will eventually affect your bank account, and cancer is about as serious as it can get. With the incidence of cancer increasing, it’s good to find out as much as you can about the disease.

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By -,

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Identifying breast cancer causes can help health experts and doctors formulate methods for treating such condition. Basically, the cancer starts at the tissues of the breast and the type of breast cancer that one experiences is determined by exactly which part of the breast is affected.

Having knowledge about possible breast cancer causes can help create awareness of what lifestyle choices or other health choices are to be made in order to prevent this condition.

Below are just some of the most common causes of this illness recognized to date.

Breast Cancer Cause # 1: Hereditary Factors

Although it has been known that only 5 to 10 percent of cancerous cells are inherited, several cases of women suffering from breast cancer have inherited them in the family.

A significant number of breast cancer patients (about 20 to 30 percent, with other statistical research reaching up to 50 percent) have reported that a close relative previously had the same disease or had any previous record in their family.

Therefore, health experts have opted not to neglect this factor in terms of analyzing this disease in the hopes of finding an effective cure. Genetic defects in either one of two breast cancer genes can be a culprit.

Breast Cancer Cause # 2: Genetic Mutations

As opposed to inherited genes, genetic mutations are recognized as one of the major causes of this disease. This one can be brought about by various environmental factors such as radiation exposure, which happens when a woman previously had a therapy or treatment.

Those women who have undergone any form of treatment that require their chest area to be exposed to radiation are more likely to develop breast cancer, even when the treatment took place at an earlier age. The risk increases for those who have had such treatment during their adolescent years.

Although it does not guarantee that you will be acquiring the disease if you had undergone such treatment requiring exposure to radiation, it does increase the possibility.

As of now, researchers are furthering their efforts to unlock the relationship between environmental factors and an individual’s genetic make-up.

Breast Cancer Cause # 3: Age and Gender

Health experts have identified and proven that the risk of acquiring this illness increases as you age. Therefore, women over the age of 50 take up majority of the demographics for patients suffering from breast cancer. Moreover, those women over 50 who experience this disease suffer from advanced cases of the disease.

Gender could also play a role since women are 100 times more prone to having breast cancer as compared to men.

Breast Cancer Cause # 4: Exposure to DES (diethylstilbestrol)

Pregnant women used to be administered with a drug called DES since it has been known to reduce the possibility of miscarriage. However, recent studies revealed that this exposed the pregnant women and the child (especially daughters) in the womb to higher risk of developing breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Cause # 5: Use of Birth Control Pills

Women in their premenopausal stage who administer birth control pills are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer. This kind of risk though is known to produce short-term effects and the risk is rather small. Since studies are still ongoing, it is best to consult your doctor before using any kind of birth control pills.

Breast Cancer Cause # 6: Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy

Several women undergo this therapy to relieve any menopausal symptoms. Since there are no other motivation for undergoing this treatment aside from relief from menopausal symptoms, it is best to consult your doctor on other methods of finding relief to reduce the risks as this is widely known as one of the causes for breast cancer.

Armed with this knowledge, you can now take precautionary steps to avoid the risks of contracting this serious condition.

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By -,

The prostate gland is located directly beneath the bladder and in front of the rectum. It’s estimated that approximately 234,460 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, and approximately 27,350 will die of the disease. About one man in six will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime, but only one man in 34 will die of the disease.

The most common cancer in American men, excluding skin cancer, is prostate cancer. Early prostate cancer is confined to the prostate gland itself; most of the patients with this type of cancer can live for years without any problems. Like other cancers, the cause of prostate cancer is not known; it appears to be more common in African American men and men with a family history of the disease.

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease are bone pain or tenderness, and abdominal pain. Having one or more cancer symptoms does not necessarily mean that you have prostate cancer. If cancer is caught at its earliest stages, most men will not experience any symptoms.

One symptom is a need to urinate frequently, especially at night. One prostate cancer symptom is difficulty starting urination or holding back urine. If you have one or more prostate cancer symptoms, you should see a qualified doctor as soon as possible.

When a digital rectal exam is performed it often reveals an enlarged prostate with a hard, irregular surface. A chest x-ray may be done to see if there’s a spread of cancer. A number of tests may be done to confirm a diagnosis of prostate cancer.

A PSA test with a high level can also be from a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. The decision about whether to pursue a PSA test should be based on a discussion between you and your doctor. A urinalysis may indicate if there is blood in the urine.

Medications can have many side effects, including hot flashes and loss of sexual desire. Surgery is usually only recommended after thorough evaluation and discussion of all available treatment options. Besides hormonal drugs, hormone manipulation may also be done by surgically removing the testes.

Urinary incontinence can be a possible complication of surgery. An oncology specialist will usually recommend treating with a single drug or a combination of drugs. Surgery, called a radical prostatectomy, removes the entire prostate gland and some of the surrounding tissues.

In patients whose health makes the risk of surgery unacceptably high, radiation therapy is often the chosen conventional alternative. Some drugs with numerous side effects are being used to treat advanced prostate cancer, blocking the production of testosterone, called chemical castration; it has the same result as surgical removal of the testes. Radiation therapy is used primarily to treat prostate cancers classified as stages A, B, or C.

Thoroughly discuss your treatment options and concerns with your doctor and other health professionals; it never hurts to get a second or even third opinion or more if necessary. Impotence is a potential complication after the prostatectomy or after radiation therapy. Recent improvements in surgical procedures have made complications occur less often.

Since prostate tumors require testosterone to grow, reducing the testosterone level is used to prevent further growth and spread of the cancer. Treatment options can vary based on the stage of the tumor.

Just about all men with prostate cancer survive at least five years after their diagnosis, 93% survive at least 10 years, and 67% survive more than 15 years. Make sure to read everything you can get your hands on and mull it all over. The one thing that you should not do however is rely on any information obtained from the Internet to make your final decision.