Treatments and Signs of Cervical Cancer

For a layman, the easiest definition of cervical cancer is that it is a cancer of cervix (the opening of the uterus that is connected to the vagina). This cancer, like all other cancers, has different stages. During the initial stage, the cells transform into something and this process is known as dysplasia. Abnormal cells take formation in the cervix and then they begin to multiply and spread in the area. It is one of the commonest types of cancers that attack females.

Signs of Cervical Cancer

Cancer Treatments

It should be remembered that noticeable symptoms may occur only after the cancer reaches its dangerous stage. Following are some of the commonly noticeable signs that may occur:

-Pain during sexual intercourse or pain in the pelvic region
-Bleeding from vagina between periods
-Discharge from vagina, which is not normal
-Menstrual cycle extension in terms of duration and even heavy periods
-Bleeding after the menopause

Some of the Possible Treatments

These treatments can only help if the cancer is diagnosed at an early stage.

If not much damage has been done, then doctors focus on removing that area where the abnormal cell growth has occurred. This can be done through a number of latest scientific ways such as laser surgery, loop electrosurgical excision procedure, cone biopsy, and cryosurgery.

If the cancer has grown much and is invasive, then the treatment and its duration will depend on the stage when it is detected. Some of the options include radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hysterectomy.

Prevention

-Avoid HPV infection by not forming any sexual contact with the infected person
-HPV vaccination can offer a great prevention from this cancer
-Use routine PAP test to diagnose it at its earliest (this should be done frequently after you turn 21 years of age).

Treatments and Signs of Cervical Cancer

Cancer Treatments

Bell's Palsy - Medical Treatments and Alternative Medicines

Bell's palsy is a paralysis of the facial muscles that control movement and expression. Each year, about 40,000 Americans develop the condition; most are over 40, although the disorder can occur at any age. Paralysis, which occurs on one side of the face, is usually temporary. The symptoms include an inability to close one eye plus weakness and lack of muscle tone on the affected side. The face may feel as if it is twisted, and speaking and eating may become difficult. In some cases, one side of the mouth droops and the senses of taste and hearing are impaired. The eye may also become abnormally dry. Bell's palsy usually develops rapidly, often coming on overnight, but some patients recall a warning pain behind the ear a few hours to a few days before the onset. The paralysis is thought to be caused by a swelling of the facial nerve that runs from the brain to the face. As the nerve swells, it becomes compressed within the surrounding bony enclosure. The underlying cause is unknown, but because Bell's palsy often follows an earache, cold, or other viral infection, some doctors believe that a virus may be involved. Injuries to the head and pregnancy have also been implicated. In80 to 90 percent of cases, Bell's palsy is a temporary condition. If paralysis begins to reverse by the end of the second week, the prognosis for a full recovery is good.

Diagnostic Studies and Procedures

Alternative Cancer Treatments

Most occurrences can be diagnosed by the characteristic symptoms and their rapid onset. If there is any doubt, a doctor will order X-rays and perhaps a CT scan or MRI of the skull to rule out a tumor, fracture, or bone erosion. Blood tests can help detect a possible underlying infection. If facial paralysis persists, nerve conduction tests or electromyography(EMG) may be ordered to assess the extent of nerve activity and damage.

Medical Treatments

Treatment for this condition is some what controversial. Because most cases resolve themselves without therapy, some doctors advise a wait and see policy. Others advocate prompt medical intervention in the hope of shortening the course of the paralysis. If improvement fails to occur within two weeks, treatment is advisable. There are two approaches: The most common entails taking corticosteroid drugs such as prednisone to reduce nerve swelling and inflammation. Typically, the drug is given in high doses for five days, and then tapered off and stopped over the next five days. Sometimes surgery is performed to widen the bony canal that surrounds the facial nerve. But this operation is done only as a last resort.

Alternative Therapies

Alternative therapies for Bell's palsy are even more controversial than those of conventional medicine, because their efficacy is doubtful. Those that are sometimes suggested include.

Acupuncture

Stimulation of meridians controlling nerves in the head and face is said to reduce swelling and reverse paralysis, provided the nerve has not been permanently damaged.

Aromatherapy

Facial massage using aromatic oils can prevent muscle spasms and may speed recovery.

Herbal Medicine

Traditional Chinese herbalists recommend the Pueraria combination, which is made up of kudzu root, mahuang, ginger, jujube fruit, cinnamon, peony root, and licorice for acute numbness of facial nerves, and a combination of cinnamon, atractylodes, and aconite for chronic disorders of these nerves.

Self Treatment

Self care is directed to preventing long term eye damage and alleviating symptoms while awaiting recovery. Because you probably will not be able to blink or close your eye, it should be protected with an eye patch, especially while sleeping. Artificial tears or medicated eyedrops help to alleviate eye dryness. Special facial exercises and self massage can prevent long term contracture and damage to the facial muscles. A physical therapist can prescribe exercises to do at home. Wearing a splint helps to prevent drooping of the lower part of the face. A doctor or physical therapist can supply an appropriate one, or you can fashion your own from a long strip of cotton or linen. Chewing and swallowing may be difficult, so avoid foods that can cause choking. In fact, you may want to switch to a liquid diet until the paralysis disappears.

Other Causes of Facial Paralysis

Infection, Guillain Barre syndrome, Lyme disease, shingles, stroke, or a tumor are among the many other causes of facial paralysis. Spasms of the facial muscles, called hemifacial spasm, can cause symptoms similar to those of Bell's palsy. In rare cases, women develop a condition called facial hemiatrophy of Romberg, which entails loss of fatty tissue just under the skin. This disorder progresses slowly, resulting in facial atrophy and distortion.

Bell's Palsy - Medical Treatments and Alternative Medicines

Alternative Cancer Treatments

Liver Cancer Symptoms - Summary of Prognosis and Alternative Treatments

Many years ago, and still in some European countries, the liver is actively considered with such comments as "I think that I have a cold on my liver". Now, we scarcely consider our liver, which is one of the very vital organs of our body, making up to 20% of our body weight.

The liver is "the toxic waste dump' of our body and processes toxins into a state that they can be eliminated from our body. Some toxins require a lot of metabolic energy and are sent from one section of the liver to another for processing. It is no wonder that our livers can be overloaded and made vulnerable to the degenerative disease of cancer.

Alternative Cancer Treatments

There are two basic kinds of liver cancer. They are a hepotoma and cholangio carcinoma which is caused by a parasite called a liver fluke. Primary this form of cancer occurs usually occurs in people over 60 years old, and occurs twice as often in men as in women.

The liver is usually not the primary site of cancer. It is usually the result of metastasis from another location.

One successful treatment of cancer of the liver is EMBOLOTHERAPY wherein very small pellets, called mocrospheres, into an artery leading to the cancer site in the liver. The pellets form plugs in the capillaries to the cancer and starve it.

The prognosis is that most patients succumb within 6 months of diagnosis.

There are several promising alternative treatments that strengthen the immune system to fight against this disease. One such supplement is Leucophin. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers herbal treatments that have been used for thousands of years.

Liver Cancer Symptoms - Summary of Prognosis and Alternative Treatments

Alternative Cancer Treatments

Alternative Lung Cancer Treatments - Sassafras Tea

More and more people are into alternative lung cancer treatments and alternative cancer treatments in general. People know very well that conventional medicine alone is not very effective and exploring other options is very useful. There of course are a lot of alternatives to current cancer treatments, some of them are very effective, some less effective. Sassafras tea is one of those treatments, that proven to be very good for the body, over hundreds of years.

The Sassafras tea, like the name suggests, is made up of the young roots of Sassafras abdidum. Sassafras trees can grow 15-35 meters tall and have a diameter 70-150 cm. The wood is light, hard and sometimes brittle. The bark of the mature trunk is thick, red-brown, and deeply furrowed.The Sassafras has been very popular amongst the natives of America and it is often called the purifier of the blood. It is still used to treat many illnesses such as skin diseases, rheumatism, typhus, syphilis etc.

Alternative Cancer Treatments

There is significant evidence that safrole, in modest doses, can stimulate the conversion of other carcinogens to non-carcinogenic metabolites, meaning it is an anticarcinogen. A study even shows that it can induces apoptosis in human lung cancer cells.

The Sassafras tea is one of many alternative treatments that can be used along with conventional treatments, to make treating cancer safer and more effective. The more people know about alternative medicine the more effectively it can be used. Of course before using the Sassafras tea, people should know about the risks that are involved and learn as much as possible about it.

Alternative Lung Cancer Treatments - Sassafras Tea

Alternative Cancer Treatments

My Skin Cancer Treatments

Treatment is necessary to destroy and remove a cancer. The size and location of a skin cancer, the patient's medical history, health, age and the risk of scarring help determine the best form of treatment for the patient. Skin cancer treatment is usually some form of surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy. In come cases, a doctor may suggest a combination of these methods to remove the skin cancer from the patient.

Common types of skin cancer treatment are:

Cancer Treatments

Basil cell and squamous cell carcinomas (cancers) are usually treated with surgery. Surgery is a quick and easy way to remove skin cancer and the recovery time is usually very short. One concern is to leave as small and unnoticeable scar as possible. If the area where a cancer is removed is large, skin grafting may be required to minimize the amount of scarring if a large tumor is removed.

Cancer involving the outer layer of skin can be treated using laser therapy. A highly focused beam of light can be used to destroy destroys cancer cells on the skin.

Small skin cancers, actinic keratoses and other precancerous skin conditions can be treated with cryosurgery. Liquid nitrogen is sprayed on the skin to freeze and kill abnormal cells. The dead skin falls off when the area thaws. There may be some stinging when the nitrogen is applied, and there may be some pain and swelling when the area thaws out.

The best treatment is probably radiation to kill cancer cells and stop them from growing. Radiation is often used for treating areas that are hard to treat with surgery like the tip of the nose and ear or as an alternative to surgery. Radiation takes longer to complete and has some other short-term side effects that the patient should be aware of.

Topical chemotherapy, where an anticancer drug in the form of a lotion or creams is applied to the skin may be the best treatment for cancers limited to the outer layer of skin, typically on the face, neck and ears. Two types that I've used are Effudex and Fluoroplex. Both were effective at removing abnormal skin cells and left my face looking like I had a severe sunburn until the skin healed.

When you have a skin cancer you may become concerned about the cancer spreading through your body and getting worse. Even though there are several effective skin cancer treatments, skin cancer can reoccur somewhere else on the body. Follow up treatments with your doctor, regular self exams and a periodic checkup by a dermatologist are important to catch skin cancers early. Following your doctor's instructions is important to minimize the risk of skin cancer recurring again.

My Skin Cancer Treatments

Cancer Treatments

Medical Treatments For Breast Cancer

Surgery. Treatment varies according to the type and stage of cancer, but surgery remains the first choice for most tumors. The majority of operations now are less disfiguring than the radical mastectomy that was standard until the 1970s. Operations for breast cancer are Extended radical mastectomy involves removal of the breast, underarm lymph nodes, and underlying chest muscles. This procedure, rarely performed today, is reserved for women with large tumors that are attached to or have invaded the chest muscle and its connective tissues. If the mammary lymph nodes deep in the chest are involved, they will also be removed. Modified radical mastectomy is the removal of the breast, underarm lymph nodes, and sometimes part of the chest muscle. The amount of tissue removed from the underarm depends on the spread of the tumor. This remains the most common operation for women with invasive breast cancer. Total, or simple, mastectomy is the removal of the entire breast, including its extensions to the armpit and some times near the collarbone. Because the lymph nodes are left intact, radiation therapy usually follows the operation.

Subcutaneous mastectomy involves removing the breast tissue but leaving the skin and nipple intact. A prosthesis is then slipped under the skin to restore normal appearance. This procedure is rarely performed, because it may miss cancer cells and the cosmetic results are often poor. Lumpectomy or partial mastectomy involves removal of the cancerous lump and a surrounding margin of normal tissue. Some of the armpit lymph nodes are also taken out and examined for spread, and the operation is followed by radiation therapy. Preventative, or prophylactic, mastectomy is the removal of a breast to prevent the development of cancer. This operation is done only if a woman has a very high risk of breast cancer and is so worried by the prospect that she cannot live a normal life. Breast reconstruction by a plastic surgeon can sometimes be performed immediately following a mastectomy, but more often it is done after the original incision has healed. If the opposite breast is larger, it may be reduced in size to match the reconstructed one, either at the same time as the reconstruction or in a later operation. In the past, a prosthetic implant filled with silicone gel was the first choice for reconstruction. Because questions have arisen about the long term safety of silicone, many women are now opting for implants filled with a saline solution, or a more extensive procedure in which fatty tissue from the woman's own buttocks or elsewhere is used to reconstruct a breast.

Cancer Treatments

Radiation Therapy . The purpose of this treatment is to destroy any cancer cells that may have escaped surgical removal. Radiation is routinely administered after a simple mastectomy and a lumpectomy, or if numerous lymph nodes have been affected. It is also prescribed for recurring or inoperable cancer, and to alleviate the pain of advanced cancer. Typically, radiation treatments are begun two or three weeks after the surgery, or after the scar has healed and the woman has regained the use of her arm. Immediate side effects include blistering of the skin and fatigue. Later, the skin exposed to the radiation may darken, thicken, and lack sensitivity if any nerve endings have been damaged. Long term complications may include impaired lung function due to scar tissue, an increased risk of heart disease, and easy fracturing of the ribs. Chemotherapy. Studies indicate that adjuvant chemotherapy greatly increases long term survival, even for women with localized stage I cancer.

Chemotherapy may begin before surgery; however, it is usually started a few weeks afterwards. This treatment is also prescribed for recurrent or inoperable cancers. Chemotherapy appears to be most effective in preventing a recurrence among younger women who have not gone through menopause. The side effects loss of hair, nausea, reduced immunity to infections, mouth sores, fatigue, and bleeding problems are temporary, but still very trying. For this reason, chemotherapy may not be recommended for an older woman, especially if her cancer is localized. Hormone Therapy. Cancer specialists now believe that almost all breast cancer patients can benefit from hormone therapy, even if their tumors are not the type stimulated by estrogen or proges terone. Thmoxifen (Nolvadex), a drug that blocks estrogen, is the treatment of choice. It has fewer side effects than anticancer drugs, although it may cause hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms in younger women. Other, more radical approaches to hormone manipulation include ovarian ablation, a procedure in which the ovaries are either surgically removed or destroyed by chemicals or radiation, and perhaps the removal of other hormone producing glands.

Experimental Treatments

Women with advanced breast cancer may be candidates for experimental therapies such as hyperthermia, in which very high fevers are induced to kill cancer cells, photodynamic therapy, which uses a light sensitive anticancer drug; and bone marrow transplantation, in which the woman's bone marrow is destroyed by drugs and then replaced with healthy marrow to bolster the body's ability to fight the cancer.

Medical Treatments For Breast Cancer

Cancer Treatments

Breast Cancer And Possible Treatments

According to the latest studies made by American Cancer Society (ACS) more than 190,000 women were affected with breast cancer just in the year 1996 (ACS Breast). In terms of severity, breast cancer comes just after the lung cancer, being the cause of death for hundreds of women every year. But the good side is that several options are available to treat the patients of breast cancer.

Although prevention is the better way for treating any kind of disease, no such prevention method has been discovered as yet for the breast cancer. The recommendation from ACS suggested the women in the age group of 20 and more, to go through regular self examination process of their breast. The recommendation also asked the women to go for clinical checkup for every 3 years. (ACS Breast). Tumors can also be detected by using mammography, but the issue of when and how many times the mammograms could be done is still debatable. Mammography has been proved to be an effective way to diagnose the cancerous property of any tumor.

Cancer Treatments

There are two main types if treatments for breast cancer, which are local and systemic. Local treatments are performed by surgical process and radiation therapy to control or kill the cancerous cells in the affected region. The systemic treatments are performed with the help of hormonal therapy and chemotherapy to kill or control the growth of the cancerous cells at any places of the body.

Being the common method to treat the breast cancer, the surgery or mastectomy basically deals with removing whole or part of the breast. There are different types of surgery methods for breast cancer. However, doctors might like to avoid this treatment method for the harmful after effects such as arm swelling, difficulty in moving shoulder and weakening in the nearest arm. In case there is no other way out than mastectomy, then the patient should go for breast reconstruction process performed after the surgery (Kushner 37).

The breast-sparing surgery is another variation of the surgical treatment, which consists of lumpectomies and segmental mastectomies. This surgery is performed by removing the cancerous lump without hampering the surrounding breast tissue. The patient should undergo radiation therapy as a post operative procedure for destroying the remaining cancerous cells in that region. To be on the safe side, doctors also prefer to take away the lymph nodes present under the arm to safeguard the lymphatic system against cancer.

Another known treatment method for breast cancer is the radiation therapy, which destroys the cancerous cells and holds back the growth process by using x-rays in high degree. The source of radiation could be any external source or the radioactive pellets inserted into the breasts or both. To get the radiation from outside, patients have to go to the clinic or health center in a daily basis. If the radiation is performed as a post-operative treatment of breast sparing surgery, then the patients have to take the radiation for a period of 5-6 weeks considering 5 days of radiation session per week. Finally, an additional booster dose of radiation is given to the affected area. Implant radiation requires the patient to get admitted into the hospital. The radiation therapy can generate side-effects like breast swelling and dehydrated skin at the radiated area of the body.

Chemotherapy is often used as a common procedure to treat breast cancer. Being a type of systemic therapies, it destroys the cancel cells by using a combination of certain useful drugs. The traditional method of chemotherapy is performed following a cycle of treatment period and recovery period and vice versa (NIH 23). Similar to the radiation therapy, it can also be performed for the outpatients. However chemotherapy has certain terrible side effects like loss of hair, nausea, loss of appetite, infertility, sores in the vaginal area, tiredness etc, which affects the patient very badly (ACS For Women 32). Although, all these side effects other than infertility might go away after completion of the treatment.

Among the other treatments of breast cancer, hormone therapy has come up to be a great success. In this method, medications are used to stop the hormone supply to the tumors, to impede the growth. This can be confirmed by removing hormone supplying body parts like glands and ovaries.

The bone marrow transplantation might provide positive breakthrough in treating breast cancer. This procedure involves transplanting healthy bone marrow from other part of the body or from some other person. However research is still going on to make this a great success.

It is really difficult to take the right treatment decision, as there are multiple options. Mostly the doctors and the patient jointly decide to go for a preferred type of treatment. However there are certain deciding factors on the patient's side, which include health condition, age, menopausal condition, tumor location and breast size (ACS Breast). It also considers some important features of the tumors, like the positive effect of the hormone for the growth of the tumor. More importantly the stage of the disease is determined to decide on the treatment method, which is measured by the size of the cancerous lump and the area affected by cancer.

The primary stages of breast cancer are stage I and stage II. In case of stage I, cancer cells remain inside the breast area and the tumor has the diameter of 1 inch or less. The cancer spreads to affect the lymph nodes under the arm and/or the breast tumor has 1-2 inches of diameter, in case of stage II patients.

The breast-sparing surgery combined with radiation therapy as the primary local treatment can be effective for the women having primary stage of breast cancer. Otherwise they could go for a mastectomy, which will also give the same result as the previous.

Whether the patient would go for a mastectomy or breast-sparing surgery depends on certain facts like tumor size and location, the breast size, reports of mammogram and patient's ideas on breast preservation. In both the cases, lymph nodes are taken away. Some of the stage I and most of the stage II patients have to undergo chemotherapy and/or hormonal therapy. This additional part of the treatment is known as adjuvant therapy, which is provided as prevention from further occurring (LaTour 131).

In case of stage III or locally advanced cancer, the tumor grows to have a diameter more than 2 inches and also affects the surrounding tissues of the breast (131). The patients is this stage, have to go through local and systemic both type of treatments to kill the tumor and to control the cancer growth, respectively. The systemic treatment might include chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, or both together.

The metastatic cancer or stage IV is implied by the situation, when the other organs of the body also got affected with cancer (ACS Breast). The stage IV patients go through the chemotherapy and hormonal therapy to reduce the size of the tumor. They also have to undergo radiation therapy for controlling the spreading all over the body. Researchers are trying to prove the effectiveness of the bone marrow transplant method for the patients in their stage IV.

Considering the negative factors of the breast cancer, there are effective ways to treat this deadly disease. Even White House has also taken a step to encourage on more research on this regard. President Bill Clinton has extended his financial support for the ongoing research projects and requested the insurance organizations for providing more coverage for mammograms. This support will definitely give rise to new hopes for finding new treatment methods for this disease, which might offer full recovery by the end of this century.

Breast Cancer And Possible Treatments

Cancer Treatments

Liver Cancer Alternative Treatments and Options

Cancer of the liver is a fairly rare disease, with approximately 16,000 diagnosed cases in the U.S. per year. Primary liver cancer occurs when the disease begins in the liver, which is actually very rare. The most common type of liver cancer is metastatic or secondary. Metastatic liver cancer occurs when cancer cells from another part of the body spread (or metastasize) to the liver. Because there is a tumor in the body that has already spread or metastasized, this disease is very deadly. Do liver cancer alternative treatments exist? Yes.

Natural and alternative treatments for cancer of the liver or any other cancer target the immune system and the whole body. This is because all cancer is a failure of the immune system, for some reason it has not done its job of finding and killing cancerous cells.

Alternative Cancer Treatments

Everyone has cancerous cells in his or her body at all times, they occur when a cell has been damaged and its DNA mutates. When this damaged cell divides and replicates itself, the damaged DNA is also replicated, and the new cell is a cancerous cell. The immune system is programmed to find and destroy these mutated cells. and normally does this job very effectively.

If the immune system is weak or has also been damaged, some of the cancerous cells may not be destroyed, and they will continue to replicate. Eventually a tumor will form. So the first priority of alternative cancer treatment is to strengthen and boost the immune system so it can function properly. This is normally done through dietary changes and the addition of different types of supplements.

Many people do not know that there are also specialized alternative cancer clinics that use cutting edge equipment, drugs and procedures to treat cancer. These clinics are located mainly in Mexico and Germany, although there are a handful in the U.S. Liver cancer alternative treatments in these clinics can be very effective.

If you have been diagnosed with any this disease, especially secondary or metastatic liver cancer, start boosting your immune system by improving your diet immediately while you research your treatment options. Pay special attention to the treatments available at alternative cancer clinics, especially those in Germany and Mexico.

Liver Cancer Alternative Treatments and Options

Alternative Cancer Treatments

Effective Alternative Cancer Treatments For Dogs

Cancer is essentially a failure of the immune system. When the body's natural healing and scanning system is unable to get rid of the cells which develop damaged DNA, things quickly go out of balance. The damaged and altered cells grow uncontrollably and begin to spread to other parts of the body. Alternative cancer treatments for dogs can counter the effects of the polluted environment we live in, and which seems to contribute to a large extent in causing cancer.

Traditional Western treatments for cancer are a process of surgery radiation, and chemotherapy. However, remission rates have a lot to do with the immune system, and a noticeable difference can be caused by a strong immune system stepping in to clear the cancer. Alternative cancer treatments for dogs follow the principle of restoring and strengthening the natural defenses of the body. They aim to restore the state of balance that existed before the disease took over, and give the immune system the strength to fight the disease from within.

Alternative Cancer Treatments

These methods and remedies have been successfully used, in many parts of the world, in cancer treatment, for decades and centuries. Regardless of whether you believe in western medicine, these alternative cancer treatments for dog have something to offer you. Choose to go with western drug therapy, if you must, but alternative therapies and remedies can serve as a support for those treatments. Barring that, these therapies can be used on their own, for the treatment of dog cancer.

Alternative cancer treatments for dogs include cancer-fighting diets, dietary supplements, and herbs. Among the herbs best known for cancer treatment are Red clover, with tumor-inhibiting properties and the ability to strengthen the functioning of the lymphatic system. Alfalfa is a preventive that reduces the risks of cancerous growth.

Astragalus works as an immuno-stimulant, boosts the immune system, and inhibits the spread of skin cancer. Burdock root stimulates and strengthens the liver for better waste and toxic removal. Milk Thistle protects against toxins and minimizes the liver damage caused by chemotherapy. Echinacea is also an effective immuno-stimulants system. A good quality remedy that contains these ingredients can be used with other alternative cancer treatments for dogs and strengthen the immune system.

Other herbs known for their effects as cancer remedies include ginger which effectively blocks the growth of cancerous tumors. Turmeric extracts are known to inhibit further growth and spread of cancer cells, and mistletoe helps to maintain normal blood pressure and a strong immune system. Purple coneflower has shown excellent properties for immune function and is a tonic for the lymphatic system because of its immune-support. Indian ginseng also supports health and vigor, supports healthy hemoglobin levels, and enhances the immune system.

Some common, and not so common, foodstuffs also have properties in the retardation of the growth and spread of cancer. Such alternative cancer treatments for dog include garlic which enhances the immune system and stimulates the growth of normal and helpful cells. Green tea helps to strengthen canine immunity and retards cancerous tumor growth. It also boosts and stimulates the immune system, and is a powerful antioxidant.

Mushrooms like Reishi, Shiitake, Maitake enhance the immune system, and their high polysaccharide levels aid white blood cells. Mushrooms also have anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, as well as antioxidant properties.

Supplements to help fight cancer include Vitamins C, E, and selenium, flax or flaxseed oil, Wheatgrass extract, Soybean Concentrate, and Chlorella.

Therapies like acupuncture and massage can also be useful as alternative cancer treatments for dogs as they promote better health and holistic balance. The only downside is that long term use is needed to gain optimal benefits from these therapies however, some may see that as a small price to pay for the long term health and well-being of a treasured companion.

Effective Alternative Cancer Treatments For Dogs

Alternative Cancer Treatments

Alternative Treatments for Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the second-leading cause of death by cancer among women. Most women realize the importance of knowing about this type of cancer, finding out early if they have it, or if they are at risk of contracting it in the future. Knowing all the available options when it comes to treatment is also key since finding the right treatment will help immensely in fighting breast cancer effectively.

Because the earlier breast cancer is detected, the sooner and more effective the treatment is going to be, the first step is prevention and pre-screening. A monthly self-breast exam is the easiest way to screen for breast cancer. This can be done at home after getting the proper instructions from your doctor. In this type of self-examination, particular attention is given to any changes in the breast: color or size changes, the appearance of lumps or bumps, and pain or tenderness in particular areas. Once any of these problems is found, you should immediately notify your physician or gynecologist. They can then order more tests to confirm if it is indeed cancer.

Alternative Cancer Treatments

A mammogram, typically recommended for all adult women, is another way to check for breast cancer. The age when you begin getting mammograms will depend on your risk factors for contracting breast cancer. The procedure will also aid in the detection of any changes in the breast, such as the formation of tumors or cysts.

There is the possibility that the tests described above could result in a positive diagnosis for breast cancer. If this scenario should ever occur, the important thing is to NOT lose hope. Unlike in the past, a variety of treatment options are now available. The first ones that will be offered will most probably be the traditional treatments. These include chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy, and mastectomies. These, however, do come with risks, are invasive, and often have serious side effects.

It is important to realize that there are now options beyond these traditional cancer treatments. A number of holistic approaches are available. There are now even clinics that cater to individuals seeking alternative treatment methods for breast cancer. Should you decide to pursue this option, the first thing that needs to be done is to find a medical practitioner who will support you. The guidance of a licensed physician to oversee your care remains a must. Finding someone who is willing to try other treatment modalities will make the process both easier and safer for you.

Nutrition is increasingly being recognized as one way of helping treat breast cancer and its symptoms. These include certain food types, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Haelan is a type of liquid soy bean extract that has been shown to help block cancer-cell blood supplies, boost the immune system, and help reduce the size of tumors. Another is flax seed oil, which has been credited with slowing cancer-cell growth and improving the condition of the immune system. Also, the removal of certain things from a person's diet has been shown to help. For example, studies have shown that a diet that is low in sugar can help in preventing cancer or in stopping cancer growth. Moving to a low-sugar diet may also aid in "starving" cancer.

Electronic or magnetic therapies are modalities that are also showing promise in treating various types of cancer, not just breast cancer. These types of treatments include electrotherapy and magnetic resonance. Electrotherapy is used to treat tumors in the breast with the aid of electrical stimulation. This technique works by destroying the tumor in a gentle manner. The procedure is typically done with local anesthesia and is not very invasive. Magnetic resonance, meanwhile, uses radio waves. These are set at a frequency that specifically resonates with cancer cells, which have a different frequency compared to normal, healthy cells.

These are just a sampling of all the alternative options that are currently out there for the treatment of breast cancer. Always bear in mind, however, that your particular treatment needs to be based on your beliefs, your cancer's aggressiveness, and your body's condition. Also, I cannot stress enough, the importance of finding a medical practitioner who is going to listen to your wishes, and go with the therapy that feels right for you.

Alternative Treatments for Breast Cancer

Alternative Cancer Treatments

Early Stage Prostrate Cancer Treatments - VERY Important Tips

It's worth repeating that early detection of prostate cancer (or any other type of cancer for that matter) can help a great deal in the survival of the victim. Most of the people who have survived prostate cancer attest to detecting it in good time and nipping it in the bud before it metastasized (spread) to other parts of the body.

If detected in good time, especially before it gets to the fourth and fifth stages, prostate cancer can be effectively treated. Below are the early stage prostate cancer treatments that a victim would have to undergo:

Alternative Cancer Treatments

Radiation Therapy: This is a special kind of treatment which is done with the main purpose of killing all the cancerous cells that are in the prostate.

This is a slow and gradual process that can span several weeks. Many victims have experienced side effects with this type of treatment - that's why it's always recommended to have a full discussion with your physician before going for this.

Surgery: Lots of people might not want to hear about this, but it's very effective in helping to get rid of the cancer in the early stages.

Also known as prostatectomy, it's actually surgical removal of part or all of the prostate gland. This gets rid of the cancer in most cases of the condition. There are options for this surgery - either the open surgery or the more recent less invasive surgery (laparoscopic approach).

Other types of early stage prostate cancer treatments include Robotic Surgery, Cryosurgery as well as HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound).

Like I have said elsewhere in this article, ensure that you discuss all these types with your physician to know which is the best for you and which would have the most effective results for you. Remember - what works best for one victim might not work best for another victim; that's why your physician's help is critical to helping you decide on the right type of treatment(s) to go for.

Early Stage Prostrate Cancer Treatments - VERY Important Tips

Alternative Cancer Treatments

Nutrition During Cancer Treatments - Combating Nausea and Diverting Taste

Nutrition during cancer treatment is very important. This is because treatments like chemotherapy, radiotherapy and even surgery can have side effects. Most of the time, some patients can adapt. Some cannot.

You may find that cancer or cancer treatment has affected your sense of taste. Food may lack flavour or taste too sweet, salty or metallic. Usually these changes are temporary or will improve in time. However, there are some suggestions for this:-

Alternative Cancer Treatments

- Cleaning the tongue allows the taste buds to function better

- Try different sauces, marinades, seasonings, spices, herbs and flavourings and other ingredients in your cooking

- Experiment with different foods and different methods of preparation. This gives a wider choice of meals. What your or the patient may have disliked in the past could now well be a new found favourite meal. Keep trying and never stop experimenting

Cancer treatments can also alter the sense of smell in a patient. Strong scents during food preparation might induce nausea in the patient. These steps are therefore necessary and should be taken in avoiding the nausea:-

- Keep the patient or yourself in a room where it is farthest away from the kitchen (or which ever places where the food is usually prepared)

- For pungent or strong smelling foods, reduce the amount of ingredients that contribute to the smell and taste. This may make the food taste bland. But for your own health and good, do it. If a cancer patient cannot tolerate the scent or taste, avoid using the particular ingredient and experiment with every other alternatives possible

Nutrition During Cancer Treatments - Combating Nausea and Diverting Taste

Alternative Cancer Treatments

How Effective Are Natural Cures For Prostate Cancer And What Are Some Popular Treatments?

Natural therapies for treating prostate cancer often consist of a number of treatments, including herbal remedies, natural vitamins, minerals or dietary supplements. Other treatments include massage, acupuncture, homeopathy and magnetic therapy.

Most natural treatments are used in conjunction with a medical treatment plan, they are not intended as a complete cure for prostate cancer. The effectiveness of natural remedies is under debate, many patients claim that these treatments have been beneficial for them, while many medical practitioners claim that they are not much use and cause patients to have false hope. They also claim that natural remedies can interfere with regular treatments in prostate cancer patients.

Alternative Cancer Treatments

Homeopathy is a well-known natural therapy that works on the principal that substances that can make normally well people ill can have the opposite effect on patients who are already ill if the doses of the substance are very small.

There have also been studies conducted for the usefulness of magnetic therapy to help with the cure of prostate cancer. It is believed that the north pole of the magnets can aid in slowing down the growth of a tumor. Patients treat themselves with magnetic therapy by sitting on a pad that contains magnets.

Acupuncture and massage are often recommended for prostate cancer sufferers as a complimentary treatment. Proper massage will make the patient feel more relaxed and able to cope better with stress. Massage and acupuncture are widely known as complimentary treatments rather than alternative cures for sufferers. Doctors often suggest that a patient use these treatments to help them cope with their condition.

Natural cures for prostate cancer are still being debated between doctors and natural therapy professionals, in regard to their effectiveness and ability to cure prostate cancer. If a patient is interested in learning more about natural therapies or remedies, a good place to start is to consult the doctor who is treating them and discuss the treatment, including the advantages or disadvantages of using these treatments in conjunction with the normal treatment programs.

It is important that patients make sure to tell their doctor about any natural remedies or therapies that they are thinking of using before starting them. Even herbal remedies can have a reaction to some treatments that are already being used to treat prostate cancer.

How Effective Are Natural Cures For Prostate Cancer And What Are Some Popular Treatments?

Alternative Cancer Treatments

Natural Treatments for Prostate Cancer

Perhaps the best natural treatments for prostate cancer comes in the form of prevention. In addition to contributing to your overall health, there is evidence that a balanced diet can help prevent prostate cancer. It's familiar advice, but limiting fats and increasing your intake of fresh, green vegetables, whole grains and fish may help protect you.

In the same vein, while obesity is believed to be a factor in developing prostate cancer, the results are not conclusive, still healthy nutrition and regular exercise can only increase your well being. Furthermore, science suggests that excess weight may affect levels of hormones associated with increased risk of prostate cancer.

Cancer Treatments

Medical researchers also support the use of plants, vitamins and minerals to decrease the risk of prostate cancer. While, again, the benefits aren't proven, a few key plant-based chemicals, called phytoestrogens, which are found in soybeans and other legumes may stave off prostate cancer. Tomatoes are revered in cancer treatments for their lycopene content and antioxidant effects. (Lycopene is also heavily concentrated in pink grapefruit, watermelons and guava fruit, which is native to Mexico and South America, but widely available most everywhere.)

Saw Palmetto, which can be found in nearly every grocery or drug store, is touted as an effective herbal treatment for the prostate because it prevents the body from producing the chemical DHT, thus decreasing prostate swelling and enlargement.

In terms of supplements, it's widely believed that selenium, vitamin E and zinc, alone or in combination, may increase resistance to prostate cancer. While these treatments are heavily praised for their effectiveness in preventing prostate cancer, they are suggested for use after diagnosis, as well.

Natural Treatments for Prostate Cancer

Cancer Treatments

Alternative Treatments - The Effects of Acai Berries on Cancer

The acai berry is used for many different reasons. Some people are looking to lose a few pounds, others want more energy and some just like the way their skin looks younger when using Acai. However, one of the more interesting and controversial uses of Acai is for cancer treatment.

Acai Berries and Their Effect on Cancer

Alternative Cancer

There are many companies out there who will try to take advantage of people who are suffering with cancer. Numerous supplements are marketed as a natural way to fight cancer, when in fact there is little research to back up the claims. So, right from the start we want to be very honest about the lack of long term human studies done with Acai and cancer. It is possible that 5 years down the road we will have specific human studies to report on, but for now we are in the very early stages of research on the impact of Acai and cancer.

The Acai Berries and Leukemia Cells Study

On 1/12/2006 a University of Florida study on Acai and Leukemia cells was published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. The study found that acai berries triggered a self-destruct response in up to 86 percent of leukemia cells tested in vitro. While this is an incredibly positive start - we want to stress that this study was done in test tube. Numerous substances have positive effects on killing cancer cells in a test tube, but then when it comes to human trials, they do not have the same positive effect.

Indirect Evidence on the Impact of Acai and Cancer

Over the next 5 to 10 years we expect to see many more human studies done specifically on the Acai Berry and various cancers. What we do know now is that a diet rich in antioxidants can decrease the risk of contracting numerous diseases such as cancer. There' is strong evidence that a high intake of fruits and vegetables reduces risk of cancer and that a low intake of fruits and veggies increases the risk.

As the Acai Berry is one of the highest antioxidant fruits in the world, it stands to reason that a diet high in Acai and other healthy fruits can help reduce the free radicals in the body. Free radicals have been linked to many types of cancer and this is one reason the USDA recommends we eat plenty of fruits and vegetables - to get antioxidants that can keep free radicals in check.

The Acai Berry and Its Impact on Chemotherapy

One of the major side effects of chemotherapy is that it creates incredible fatigue. As the Acai Berry can help increase energy levels, many cancer patients who are going through Chemotherapy will take Acai supplements to try to counter the side effects of the chemo. Again, more studies need to be done in this area.

Consult With Your Doctor and Play It Smart

If you or a loved one have cancer, beware of the incredible claims being made about the Acai Berry or any other fruit. You should consult with your Doctor and see if trying the Acai is something that your Doctor thinks could be helpful for your specific situation.

Alternative Treatments - The Effects of Acai Berries on Cancer

Alternative Cancer

Alternative Cancer Treatments

Cancer is a leading killer of people all over the world. There are some treatments for it but the survival rates for people with cancer are significantly lower. Over six billion dollars is spent each year on cancer treatment research. There have been strides in treatments and as a result the mortality rate is dropping and length of life is extending. Typical treatments for cancer include surgery, chemo therapy and radiotherapy. However, there are also alternative cancer treatments available. It is important to discuss these options with your physician before undertaking any alternative treatment.

Studies indicate that when taken alone, alternative treatments are not effective in prolonging life. However, if used in conjunction with traditional treatments, they can be very effective and can enhance the quality of life as well as prolong it. There are several categories of alternative treatment available and each should be discussed with your physician and the medical professional who is an expert in the type of treatment.

Alternative Cancer

Mind and body treatments will help enhance a positive outlook on life and will help you to better deal with the effects of cancer. These include relaxation therapy, reflexology, acupuncture, yoga and meditation. Immunotherapy is a rapidly advancing field that is showing positive results. It increases the boy's ability to ward off infection and may someday replace chemotherapy and radiotherapy as a treatment. Herbal and nutritional therapies also are widely used. Protecting the body and keeping healthy will assist in ensuring the body is strong and able to sustain the treatments.

Make sure to thoroughly research the alternative cancer treatments available before undertaking any. Also, it is very important to discuss these with your doctor as some may counteract or react to existing medications and therapies you are involved with. The most effective means of treatment is to combine both traditional and alternative treatments for the most well rounded course of action available.

Alternative Cancer Treatments

Alternative Cancer

Future Treatments for Breast Cancer

Standard treatment for breast cancer has greatly improved survival for women, but the fact remains that 40% of women still ultimately die from the disease. This fact highlights theneed for new and better therapies. Traditional anticancer therapies mostly consist of drugs and ionizing radiation that damage DNA and DNA machinery. Such treatments preferentially kill certain kinds of cancer cells because these cells have a diminished ability to survive the damage. However, normal cells, can suffer DNA damage, but have the ability to repair their DNA. Unfortunately, the same genetic defects may render some cancer cells resistant to treatment, since they may also be less adept at activating cell death in the face of DNA damage. The challenge of cancer treatment now is to take advantage of properties of cancer cells that distinguish them from normal cells and to subsequently and specifically target cancer cells. A growing understanding of cancer cell biology is leading to better methods for treating the disease by directly exterminating only cancer cells. Listed are some of the latest new and adventurous strategies that are being developed for future breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Six new breast cancer treatment strategies

Cancer Treatments

1. Oncolytic viral therapy - takes advantage of molecules that tumor cells lack. Tumor cells usually lack the protein p53 which controls the cell cycle and cell replication. Viruses can attach to a host cell and replicate continuously inside the cell. They then burst out when their numbers are sufficient, killing the cell and infecting its neighbors. An adenovirus has now been constructed that lacks the gene for the p53 protein; this virus can therefore only replicate in cells in which p53 is already inactivated-including many types of cancer cells. If this modified adenovirus is injected into a tumor, it will replicate in and kill only the cancer cells that lack p53, leaving normal cells unharmed. This strategy is presently undergoing clinical trials.

2. Interventional Radiology - Scientists are investigating a technique in which magnets are used to pull chemotherapy drugs into tumors. Microscopic magnetic particles are attached to the cancer drugs and infused into the blood vessel that feeds the tumor. A rare earth magnet is positioned directly above the tumor site. The magnet pulls the drug-carrying particles out of the blood vessel directly into the tumor. This technique is still experimental; however, early research is promising. Scientists hope that it will bolster the effects of chemotherapy and avoid drug side effects.

3. Gene Therapy - involves the alteration of the patient's genetic material to fight or prevent cancer. Although the science of gene therapy is still in the experimental stages, researchers hope that in the future the therapy can be used as follows:

Alter the cells of a patient's natural immune system with cancer-fighting genes that allow cells to more forcefully attack the cancer; Genetically alter cancer cells so that the patient's own immune system will defend against them and allow the altered cancer cells to act as a cancer vaccine; Replace genes responsible for cancer growth with "good" genes; and inject a tumor with genes that will make it more susceptible to cancer-fighting agents. Make normal tissue resistant to chemotherapy, so that drugs will destroy tumors without damaging healthy tissue.

4. Breast Cancer vaccines - Vaccination strategies are being developed that engage the patient's own immune system to eradicate cancer cells. The advantage of this is low toxicity, and high specificity as well as a sustained antibody effect due to cell memory.

5. Use of breast cancer resistance genes - Researchers at the Dana Faber Cancer Institute have found a gene that can predict a high risk of cancer recurrence in some breast cancers that have been treated with chemotherapy drugs. This finding could guide the physician in the choice of anti-tumor drugs to use and eliminate wrong ineffective choices.

6. More precise breast cancer diagnosis - Breast cancer can now be characterized at a molecular level by obtaining expression profiles for thousands of genes within the cancer. These profiles can be grouped into subclasses of breast cancers that share common features such as prognosis and probable response to certain treatments. More precise treatments can then be made for each subclass of cancer

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Future Treatments for Breast Cancer

Cancer Treatments