Archive for February 13th, 2010

Osteoporosis, the loss of bone mass and structure, is made haste by the unexpected drop in estrogen levels that happens as a woman enters menopause, either in nature, by surgical taking away of the ovaries before age 45, or by premature menopause caused by breast cancer treatment. Estrogen keeps the bones; hence estrogen shortage is an exact risk factor for osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis could happen at roughly age forty-five years or anytime after. It is particularly significant for women experience undertaking treatment for breast cancer to be informed concerning the risk factors, detection and prevention of osteoporosis.

While the precise cause of breast cancer is not identified, the risk of developing it enhances with age. The risk is chiefly high in women over the age of 60. Due to their age, these women are already at increased risk for osteoporosis. Given the increasing occurrence of the disease and the development of long-term survival rates, bone health and fracture prevention have become significant health issues amongst its survivors. Continue reading ‘Breast Cancer and the Problem of Osteoporosis’ »

When diagnosed with something as deadly as cancer, fertility may not be the immediate concern. However, once cancer is cured and life goes on, the harmful effects of the treatment undergone may show up in the form of impaired fertility. Ironically, fertility enhancing treatments also seem to have the same effect on cancer, by increasing the risk of cancer in women who undergo fertility treatment.

Treatment for infertility almost always involves intake of fertility drugs, but it appears by improving fertility and the chances of a woman to conceive, the fertility drugs may simultaneously be increasing the risk of cancer. The risk of uterine cancer in particular is seen to increase. Ovulation-inducing drugs are common in treatment of infertility. The effects of these drugs on the health of the women who use them have not been verified yet.

The studies conducted on the topic come out with contradictory findings on the direct relationship between medication intake and ovarian or breast Cancer. Certain constraints on the research such as the short duration of study or inclusion of women with a higher propensity for cancer due to other reasons are cited as reasons for lack of absolute clarity in the findings. A recently conducted study on 15,000 Israeli women 30 years after they gave birth was published in the American Journal of Epidemiology. Out of this large group, 567 had used ovulation-inducing drugs. 362 women also took the fertility drug clomiphene. The study revealed that the subjects developed cancer at a higher rate than the other drug-free women; they were also at a higher risk for developing other forms of cancer. Continue reading ‘Cancer Risk Increased by Intake of Fertility Drugs’ »

Skin cancer can be divided into two main groups:

Malignant melanoma and
Non-melanoma skin cancer.

Malignant melanoma

Malignant melanoma is the rarest, but most serious form. It affects the pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) found in the skin and can appear as a new mole, or arise from an existing mole on the skin. Malignant melanoma has the potential to spread to other sites or organs within the body but is curable if treated early. Each year about 235 females and 150 males are diagnosed with malignant melanoma in Ireland.

Non-melanoma skin cancers (Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma)

Non-melanoma skin cancers are far more common but less dangerous than malignant melanoma and rarely fatal. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma frequently appear on sun-exposed skin after many years of exposure. This exposure also causes premature ageing of the skin. Non-malignant skin cancers are easily treated by minor surgery. If left, non-melanoma skin cancers will grow and disfigure – therefore early treatment is recommended. Each year about 7,500 people are diagnosed with non-melanomatous skin cancers in Ireland with 3445 in females, 3889 in males.

Basal cell carcinomas

Squamous cell carcinomas

Solar keratoses (actinic)
Solar keratoses develop on skin which has been damaged by long term sun exposure. Usually many are present and can appear as hard, scaly lumps. Some become unsightly as they slowly grow larger. The skin underneath solar keratoses can vary in colour from a normal fleshy shade to pink or red. Sometimes these skin lesions can become itchy. Common sites are the face, backs of hands, forearms, ears, scalp and neck. Solar keratoses are not skin cancers. However, a very small percentage can develop into a skin cancer in later life. Some specialists regard solar keratoses as precursors to skin cancer, therefore it is important to seek medical advice on treatment.

- Solar keratoses appear as hard scaly lumps on the skin. They may crust but do not heal.
- Solar keratoses can be rough, scaly irregular patches which are easily felt but not clearly seen.
- Often they are not troublesome in anyway but do not heal.
- Some are very troublesome, if present on the lips or nose as they tend to bleed spontaneously.

Solar keratoses are most frequently treated by freezing using Liquid Nitrogen (Cryotherapy) or by applying a treatment cream. Some larger lesions may be removed by minor surgery under local anaesthesia. Treatment is usually carried out on an out-patient basis with the minimum disruption to your daily routine. All treatments aim to cure. The most appropriate treatment depends on the size, site and number of solar keratoses. Solar keratoses seldom recur following treatment but others may develop over the years. Continue reading ‘Non Melanomatous Skin Cancer in Ireland’ »

Besides the usual symptoms like urinary retention, increase in urinary frequency, or the noticeable decrease in size and force of urination, one of the initial symptoms that is commonly experienced by men with Prostate Cancer is Sexual Dysfunction.

Lost in the desire to engage in sex commonly results during the treatment process when both partners become so preoccupied with otherwise more important matters that need immediate attention. Depression, anxiety and stress, which all ensue during the treatment, exacerbate the lost of interest in sex. Pain during ejaculation also adds up to this problem. However, more sexual problems arise as the treatment measures move forward. Continue reading ‘Prostate Cancer and Sexual Dysfunction’ »

The most popular remedies for ovarian cysts are those of the different kinds of surgical procedures. The type of procedure depends on many factors such as the size and composition of the cysts, the type of cysts present in the individual, the age of the person which is most commonly more likely to cause cancer at the age of forty, and the overall health status of the woman which would also include the severity of symptoms experienced.

Ovarian cysts could be fluid-filled sac-like structures or it can take many forms of substance within its sacs, like hair, bone and skin tissue, blood and fluid of different thickness as that of pus. There are five types of ovarian cysts that occur to women in their lifetime. There are functional ovarian cysts which are basically asymptomatic in nature and can heal itself in due time, while polycystic ovaries are characterized by multiple cyst growth inside the ovary and can be remedied by either surgery or drug therapy. Endometriomas are the kind of cysts which contains blood within its sacs and can be a big risk for internal bleeding. Dermoid cysts are the types in which skin, bones or hair tissue can be found in the follicular sacs which can grow into larger sizes if not properly remedied. The fifth common type of ovarian cysts which is the cystadenoma, can be either filled with serous or mucinous type of fluids that sometimes can be a risk for cancer because these cysts can grow quite large. Continue reading ‘Natural Remedies For Ovarian Cysts That Actually Work’ »

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Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, affecting millions of people yearly. Like many cancers, however, it comes in multiple varieties. Of the three primary skin cancers-basal-cell carcinoma, squamous-cell carcinoma, and melanoma-only melanoma is typically lethal. Knowing what type of skin cancer is crucial both for treatment and for paying for your medical bills.

The most common skin cancer is also the least deadly: basal-cell carcinoma. It rarely spreads or causes serious health issues, but doctors remove it to be on the safe side. The removal procedure is far less complex and expensive than treatment for serious cancers. If you have insurance, your insurance will likely cover the treatment. If you do not, and if you are eligible for health or retirement benefits from Social Security, you may be able to receive help for your medical expenses. Continue reading ‘Skin Cancer – Different Types, Different Coverage’ »