Skin Cancer - Early Detection and Treatment

Skin cancer is the most common kind of cancer, surpassing in frequency lung cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer. Although it is the most common form of cancer, it is less frequently fatal than those and many other cancers, because the tumors it produces tend to be visible. This often leads to the cancer being spotted in the early stages before it can metastasize. If it goes ignored, however, skin cancer can be deadly.

There are many different types of skin cancer, some of them more dangerous than others. The three most common types are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type and tends to appear in sun-exposed areas of the body, like the face. It is the kind least likely to metastasize and rarely causes death. Basal cell carcinoma can be effectively treated with surgery and radiation.

Squamous cell carcinoma is less common than basal cell, although still fairly common compared to other cancers. It is more prone to metastasizing than basal cell carcinoma, but the rate is still very low. The risk is greater when it is located on the ear or lip, and in patients with weak immune systems. Generally squamous cell carcinoma is treatable through the same means as basal cell carcinoma.

The rarest of the three common types of skin cancer is melanoma. Melanoma tends to metastasize readily and is deadly once it has spread through the body. Because of its tendency to metastasize, early detection is of the utmost importance with melanoma. Early detection and treatment of melanoma can dramatically reduce the risk of it metastasizing and causing death.

The most significant risk factor is overexposure to UV-radiation. This radiation causes mutations in skin cell DNA that can lead to the development of cancer later in life. Regular use of sunblock and products with an adequate sun protection factor (SPF) can dramatically reduce the risk of the development of cancerous cells in the long term.

There are also genetic risk factors. People who are prone to developing moles are at an elevated risk. A particular hereditary condition called Congenital Melanocytic Nevi Syndrome leads to the development of moles on the skin, first appearing within months of birth. These moles are prone to becoming cancerous, but the risk is greatest for moles over 3/4" (or 20mm) in size. In addition, people who smoke are at a much higher risk for skin cancer than nonsmokers.

Detected early, skin cancer can be stopped in its tracks and treated. Even with melanoma, patients whose cancer is discovered early can make full recoveries. If you or someone you love have developed skin cancer as a result of a medical professionals failure to detect the signs, you may be entitled to damages. Call the Philadelphia personal injury lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams today to learn how they can help you.

Joseph Devine

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Devine

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3263497

Do You Know What Causes Colon Cancer?

I am sure you have heard of colon cancer, but do you know what it is and do you know what causes it? Colon cancer - also known as colorectal cancer - is the unrestrained expansion of cancer cells on the inner lining of the colon. Now if you forget what a colon is (which is normal, since we all aren't medical students), it is simply the part of the large intestine that extracts moisture from one's digested food before it is excreted. A common ailment in Western societies, this type of cancer has taken the lives of many, resulting in broken distraught families.

Now let's take a closer look at what causes this terrible disease. Notably, we owe this knowledge to the biochemist Dr. Warburg who discovered the cause and prevention of this type of cancer. He states that plainly, colon cancer is caused by the lack of oxygen reaching the colon cells of the body. Developing later in this process are adenomatous polyps which also turn cancerous and in effect worsen the patient's health. These polyps are seen on the inner walls of the colon. In addition, there are ways in which the lack of a healthy lifestyle can also increase the likelihood of developing colon cancer, which usually affects both men and women before the age of 40 years. These include smoking, which is a serious risk factor as it not only affects the lungs of the body, but many other systems as well. Obesity is another risk factor due to the fact that having a low oxygen level is prevalent in persons who are overweight. It therefore stands to reason that if a person can maintain a balanced oxygen level suitable for a healthy body and mind, then they can also decrease their risk of having a cancerous colon. This should be supplemented with a diet high in fruits and vegetables.

There are also risk factors associated with genes. In essence, adenomatous polyposis syndromes often run in families, making it much easier for a descendent to develop a cancerous colon, especially in cases with a first-degree family member with this illness. These risk factors are propelled even further if more than one relative have had the battle with colon cancer, developing it at an early age. Once the presence of colon cancer has been diagnosed, there are important additional factors which may increase its impact on the human body. Colon cancer cells use sugar as a source of energy to survive within the body and if a lot of sugars are part of the diet, then it can only pose more health problems to the patient.

All in all, there is a bright side to this grim picture; colon cancer - even though it is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the Western world - is treatable, and more importantly, preventable. Even for those individuals who are at risk because of family history, they also can take preventative measures to decrease its chances of occurring. The best thing you can do is to always know your status, live a healthy lifestyle, and stay on top of your healthcare!

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with colon cancer, be sure to investigate colon cancer and surgery on our site. You may particularly be interested in laparoscopic surgery for colon cancer, a much less invasive procedure that is often used today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_J_Bruton

Admin comment:
Felix Adekola has a great blog http://learn-how-to-stop-metastasized-cancer.blogspot.com/ that gives you more free helpful articles, Information And Solution On How to Stop Metastasized Cancer, An Alternative Cancer Treatment Plan, Stop Any Cancer including Lung, Breast, Liver, Pancreas, Prostate, etc Visit to find all the tools and Resources you need to get started fast.

Understanding Cancer Survival Statistics and What They Mean For Your Prognosis

One of the first things that a patient diagnosed with cancer does is find out the cancer survival rates for their cancer. Whilst this in itself is not necessarily a bad thing. It is only part of the story, any cancer patient has to learn how to survive the cancer statistics rather than learn how to survive the cancer. It is a normal human reaction to want to know whether or not your type of cancer is typically easier to cure when compared to other types. However it is not necessarily helpful because your doctor can only predict the future based on a national average which is by knows means your future.

The survival rates for cancer can be terrifying and misleading as well as downright depressing. It is easy to see why some people give up and do not get their full treatment options explained; therefore they cannot utilize their full range of options. It is one of life's constant ironies that at a time when you are at your lowest ebb you have to be extremely positive.

Not all cancer survival statistics are frightening some are extremely heartening. For instance the five year survival rate for prostate cancer is ninety eight percent. Which in effect it means is that out of every hundred people who contract prostate cancer, at whatever age and whatever stage of the cancer ninety eight of those will be alive and well five years later and two will be dead.

Lung cancer has some frightening figures and they include the fact that once lung cancer has metastasized or spread to the rest of the body, only three out of every hundred people or three percent are likely to be alive five years later. What it does not tell you is the fact that the majority of diagnosed lung cancer are in a late stage, nor does it tell you that your lifestyle has an impact and you can reduce the risk of lung cancer by stopping smoking.

Cancer survival statistics can only give both you and your doctor a general idea; of how likely it is that you will achieve a remission. What it cannot predict is how proactive you will be in searching out new treatments, how much you will be prepared to change your diet and eat food less likely to cause cancer. It cannot tell you how serious your condition is compared to your individual self it can only make a comparison across the national average.

What cancer survival treatment can show is how most people with your type of cancer respond to treatment. Armed with this information you can work out a treatment plan and work out the pros and cons of each and every option individually. No one can tell you whether or not you should treat your treat your treatment aggressively or not, but they can help you make up your mind as to what is likely to happen to the general population at large if you don't.

One of the most important factors to take into account when you are looking at five year remission statistics is the fact that they are five years out of date. They cannot reflect new breakthroughs and types of treatment in the last five years, and ten year studies are even more out of date. Even taking into account those factors they cannot help you to decide on your course of treatment because you have to take into account your individual lifestyle. To put those statistics into any sort of meaningful way you need to approach your doctor and have them explained to you in the light of your situation.
How you view those statistics will have a bearing on your personal outcome regarding cancer statistics. For instance some people will see a seventy percent survival rate over five years as a very positive figure and others will see that as frightening because it means that one in three people will die. One of the first things you have to do regarding cancer survival statistics is how much credence you personally are going to give them.

If you have been diagnosed with cancer or have a reoccurring cancer visit us at http://www.thewordisHOPE.com and find the hope for healing. Make a leap of faith from Cancer victim to Cancer Survivor by reading the stories of Hope and Encouragement from simple people like you that fought and believed and recovered. If you are a cancer survivor, we need your story with all the details you are willing to provide.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rita_Goldman

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2630845