Prostate Cancer Screening FAQ

Screening – or testing to find a disease in people without symptoms – can help find some types of cancer early, when it’s more easily treated. But for some men, the risks of prostate cancer screening may outweigh the benefits. Asking questions is an important step in deciding whether to be screened.
Q: What are the screening tests for prostate cancer?
A: There are 2 main screening tests for prostate cancer:

• The PSA test is a blood test to check the level of prostate-specific antigen in your blood. Most healthy men have levels under 4 nanograms per milliliter of blood. But everybody is different, and a lower PSA level doesn’t guarantee a man is free of cancer, just like a higher level doesn’t mean he has cancer.
• For the digital rectal exam (DRE), a doctor inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum to feel for any bumps or hard areas on the prostate that may need to be tested for cancer. This test may be done with the PSA or the PSA may be done alone.

Q: What if the results are not normal?
A: If the results of the PSA and/or DRE suggest that you might have prostate cancer, your doctor will do a prostate biopsy to find out. A sample of prostate tissue is removed using a needle and sent to a lab, where a specialist will look at it under a microscope to see if it contains cancer cells.
Q: At what age should I have my first screening test?
A: The American Cancer Society recommends men learn as much as they can about prostate cancer screening risks and benefits and discuss the information with their doctor before deciding whether to be tested at all. Men at average risk of prostate cancer should have this discussion starting at age 50. Men at higher than average risk should have the discussion starting at age 40 or 45.
Q: Who is at higher than average risk for prostate cancer?
A: African American men and men who have a father, brother, or son who were diagnosed with prostate cancer when they were younger than 65 are at high risk. Men with more than one of these close relatives diagnosed before age 65 are at even higher risk.
Q: Why shouldn’t all men be screened for prostate cancer?
A: It seems like it makes sense to check everyone to find out if they have cancer. But screening isn’t perfect. Sometimes screening misses cancer, and sometimes it finds something suspicious that turns out to be harmless. Also, there aren’t reliable tests yet to tell the difference between prostate cancer that’s going to grow so slowly it will never cause a man any problems, and dangerous cancer that will grow quickly. In addition, studies have not been able to show that annual PSA screening helps men live longer. However, most men who find out they have cancer want to treat it. Treatments for prostate cancer can have urinary, bowel, and sexual side effects that may seriously affect a man’s quality of life. So, testing really is a decision that men should make after they have all the information.

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/news/features/prostate-cancer-screening-faq

What Is Lung Cancer?What Is Lung Cancer?

The word cancer tends to strike fear into many people as it is associated with a severe illness that in the past many did not survive. Today treatment has improved dramatically, particularly with some forms of cancer. With continued research further improvements will be made.
The disease first manifests itself in our cells and our bodies are made up of millions of cells. Collectively they form our bones, muscles and organs.

A gene controls a cell and informs it as to what to do. This will include growing and reproducing and usually the cells follow the order. Sometimes instructions become confused and cells start growing and multiplying where they shouldn’t. These groups of cells can form into tumors or lumps and may spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system (this is known as known as metastases).

The lumps or tumors fall into two categories; benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). The difference being that benign tumor cells remain in one place and are not usually a concern.
Malignant tumor cells invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body.
A swollen lymph node often provides the first sign that a malignant tumour has spread (metastasized). Quite often this occurs when a cancerous tumor is close by but cancer may metastasize to practically any part of the body and hence it is important that these type of tumors are found quickly.

The name of a particular cancer is basically defined by the part of the body where they grow. As an example a growth in the lung that spreads to the bladder is known as lung cancer with bladder metastases.

In lung cancer the cells of the lung are first involved.

The two main types of lung cancer are:

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This is the most common type of lung cancer. It growth is slower than small cell lung cancer. Approximately 80% of lung cancers diagnosed are this type.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC). This type invades quickly and will spread to other parts of the body.

NSCLC are groups of different cells and there are three types

Squamous cell carcinoma, this is often found in the central part of the lung.

Adenocarcinoma,this generally occurs in the outer part of the lung.

Large cell carcinoma, this can occur almost anywhere in the lung.
Although people with adenocarcinoma have a more favorable outlook, any non-small cell cancers can increase in size quickly and the prognosis can therefore be poor.

Treatment differs for each type of cancer as they do behave very differently. The treatment will depend on the staging of the disease.

Advanced stages of NSCLC may be treated by removal of the affected lung tissue to remove all or part of the tumour. While it may be possible to completely remove the tumor, this may not always be possible.

Chemotherapy and radiation treatment is common and administered after an operation or where the tumor is small enough for surgery not to be necessary. The patients general state of health also plays a part as treatments can be debilitating.

Chemotherapy and radiation are the only real options for those with SCLC and the results generally don’t provide remission but they are successful at extending the patient’s life.

Find the right doctor for Varicose Veins Treatments. Early diagnosis can lead to successful results. Other information Check out Health Facts

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10 Tips on Snacking with Diabetes

My patients always want to talk about food more than any topic relating to diabetes. But their favorite question is "what kind of snacks can I eat?" If you have diabetes, gone are the days of two graham crackers with 4 ounces of skim milk before bedtime.

If done in moderation, here are ten things you should know about how snacking affects you:

    Prevents you from overeating at the next meal.
    Keeps hunger at a minimum between meals.
    Keeps the blood sugar level steady.
    Needed especially when you exercise for an hour or more.
    Is recommended for people who have gastroparesis. They get full or bloated on a complete meal due to delayed gastric emptying.
    May be an answer to help prevent hypoglycemia during the night.
    Can be used to prevent lows when driving for a long period.
    Good when you are on insulin or sulfonylureas and are more at risk for hypoglycemia.
    Is perfect during plane travel when you may not be receiving a meal.
    Is great for type 1 children who are growing and need extra calories between meals and to help prevent hypoglycemia.

  
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Remember, snacks need to be factored into your daily calorie allotment; you are just spreading the calories throughout the day. Measuring out portion sizes is important when snacking. They should not exceed 100-200 calories and contain only one serving of a carbohydrate (15 grams per snack). Stick to no more than two snacks a day. Combine protein, mono-unsaturated fats, and complex carbohydrates for the best nutrition and satisfaction.

Here are some of my tasty and interesting choices:

    Light Brie, Baby Bel, Alpine lace Swiss, Light Jarlsberg, Mozzarella cheese sticks, Fat free cheddar, mini-Gouda - One choice in 1 ounce portions with one of the following: half a pear, half an apple, 8 grapes, 12 cherries, 1 cup of cubed cantaloupe, 1 cup of raspberries, or ¾ cup blueberries are perfect snacks. The calories are appropriate and you get calcium from the cheese for strong bones and teeth yet it is low fat, low sodium and filling. The fruit supplies fiber - insoluble and soluble - to help reduce your cholesterol as well as stabilize blood sugar, Vitamin C for healing, anti-oxidants to boost your immunity, beta carotene, potassium, and folate. The combination of protein, fat and carbohydrates is satisfying and stays with you the longest to avoid a starving sensation at the next meal.
    3 cups of air-popped popcorn - low sodium and no butter. Sprinkle with a tablespoon of fresh grated parmesan cheese for the fat content to keep you less hungry later. If you like it spicy, add a pinch of cayenne pepper; spices have wonderful healing properties. The popcorn has lots of fiber to keep you full and the cheese has calcium. Calcium may also reduce the risk of colon cancer and adenomas. More research is needed.
    Guacamole with low fat, low salt whole grain tortilla chips - Make the guacamole with ½ a tomato, ½ a red onion, 2 tbsps. of lemon juice, a pinch of garlic powder and chopped fresh cilantro with one avocado. Mash together and eat ¼ of a cup with 6 chips. Delicious! Avocadoes are full of mono-unsaturated fat which decreases inflammation and helps keep you satiated.
    A tablespoon of dry unsalted pumpkin or sunflower seeds, or 2 brazil nuts, 6 walnuts, almonds or 16 pistachio nuts (white and in the shell - seeds and nuts have lots of calories if not in portion size) mixed with 6 ounces of Greek plain yogurt and 1 tbsp. of fresh berries. A mini-parfait with thick and tangy yogurt which supplies probiotics and live cultures for enhanced digestion and increased immunity. The nuts have protein and monounsaturated fat and help ward off hunger as well as supplying more fiber and flavonoids. The berries have multiple beneficial qualities. Together, they are a real treat!

Enjoy snacking in moderation with the right intentions and selections. You will feel better, less hungry and it will help maintain a stable blood sugar!

Mesothelioma Cause

Mesothelioma Cause

Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. In the United States, asbestos is the major cause of malignant mesothelioma and has been considered "indisputably" associated with the development of mesothelioma. Indeed, the relationship between asbestos and mesothelioma is so strong that many consider mesothelioma a “signal” or “sentinel” tumor. A history of asbestos exposure exists in most cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos. In rare cases, mesothelioma has also been associated with irradiation, intrapleural thorium dioxide (Thorotrast), and inhalation of other fibrous silicates, such as erionite. Some studies suggest that simian virus 40 (SV40) may act as a cofactor in the development of mesothelioma.

Asbestos was known in antiquity, but it wasn't mined and widely used commercially until the late 19th century. Its use greatly increased during World War II. Since the early 1940s, millions of American workers have been exposed to asbestos dust. Initially, the risks associated with asbestos exposure were not publicly known. However, an increased risk of developing mesothelioma was later found among shipyard workers, people who work in asbestos mines and mills, producers of asbestos products, workers in the heating and construction industries, and other tradespeople. Today, the official position of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the U.S. EPA is that protections and "permissible exposure limits" required by U.S. regulations, while adequate to prevent most asbestos-related non-malignant disease, they are not adequate to prevent or protect against asbestos-related cancers such as mesothelioma. Likewise, the British Government's Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states formally that any threshold for mesothelioma must be at a very low level and it is widely agreed that if any such threshold does exist at all, then it cannot currently be quantified. For practical purposes, therefore, HSE assumes that no such "safe" threshold exists. Others have noted as well that there is no evidence of a threshold level below which there is no risk of mesothelioma. There appears to be a linear, dose-response relationship, with increasing dose producing increasing disease. Nevertheless, mesothelioma may be related to brief, low level or indirect exposures to asbestos. The dose necessary for effect appears to be lower for asbestos-induced mesothelioma than for pulmonary asbestosis or lung cancer.[  Again, there is no known safe level of exposure to asbestos as it relates to increased risk of mesothelioma.

The duration of exposure to asbestos causing mesothelioma can be short. For example, cases of mesothelioma have been documented with only 1–3 months of exposure. People who work with asbestos wear personal protective equipment to lower their risk of exposure.
Latency, the time from first exposure to manifestation of disease, is prolonged in the case of mesothelioma. It is virtually never less than fifteen years and peaks at 30–40 years. In a review of occupationally related mesothelioma cases, the median latency was 32 years. Based upon the data from Peto et al, the risk of mesothelioma appears to increase to the third or fourth power from first exposure.
Environmental exposures 

Incidence of mesothelioma had been found to be higher in populations living near naturally occurring asbestos. For example, in central Cappadocia, Turkey, mesothelioma was causing 50% of all deaths in three small villages — Tuzköy, Karain and Sarıhıdır. Initially, this was attributed to erionite, a zeolite mineral with similar properties to asbestos, however, recently, detailed epidemiological investigation showed that erionite causes mesothelioma mostly in families with a genetic predisposition. The documented presence of asbestos fibers in water supplies and food products has fostered concerns about the possible impact of long-term and, as yet, unknown exposure of the general population to these fibers.
Occupational

Exposure to asbestos fibers has been recognized as an occupational health hazard since the early 20th century. Numerous epidemiological studies have associated occupational exposure to asbestos with the development of pleural plaques, diffuse pleural thickening, asbestosis, carcinoma of the lung and larynx, gastrointestinal tumors, and diffuse malignant mesothelioma of the pleura and peritoneum. Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, gaskets, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation.

Commercial asbestos mining at Wittenoom, Western Australia, occurred between 1945 and 1966. A cohort study of miners employed at the mine reported that while no deaths occurred within the first 10 years after crocidolite exposure, 85 deaths attributable to mesothelioma had occurred by 1985. By 1994, 539 reported deaths due to mesothelioma had been reported in Western Australia.
Paraoccupational secondary exposure

Family members and others living with asbestos workers have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma, and possibly other asbestos related diseases. This risk may be the result of exposure to asbestos dust brought home on the clothing and hair of asbestos workers. To reduce the chance of exposing family members to asbestos fibres, asbestos workers are usually required to shower and change their clothing before leaving the workplace.

Asbestos in buildings
Many building materials used in both public and domestic premises prior to the banning of asbestos may contain asbestos. Those performing renovation works or DIY activities may expose themselves to asbestos dust. In the UK use of Chrysotile asbestos was banned at the end of 1999. Brown and blue asbestos was banned in the UK around 1985. Buildings built or renovated prior to these dates may contain asbestos materials.

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma, more precisely malignant mesothelioma, is a rare form of cancer that develops from the protective lining that covers many of the body's internal organs, the mesothelium. It is usually caused by exposure to asbestos.

Its most common site is the pleura (outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall), but it may also occur in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity), the heart, the pericardium (a sac that surrounds the heart) or tunica vaginalis.

Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, or they have been exposed to asbestos dust and fiber in other ways. It has also been suggested that washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos can put a person at risk for developing mesothelioma. Unlike lung cancer, there is no association between mesothelioma and smoking, but smoking greatly increases the risk of other asbestos-induced cancers. Compensation via asbestos funds or lawsuits is an important issue in mesothelioma (see asbestos and the law).

The symptoms of mesothelioma include shortness of breath due to pleural effusion (fluid between the lung and the chest wall) or chest wall pain, and general symptoms such as weight loss. The diagnosis may be suspected with chest X-ray and CT scan, and is confirmed with a biopsy (tissue sample) and microscopic examination. A thoracoscopy (inserting a tube with a camera into the chest) can be used to take biopsies. It allows the introduction of substances such as talc to obliterate the pleural space (called pleurodesis), which prevents more fluid from accumulating and pressing on the lung. Despite treatment with chemotherapy, radiation therapy or sometimes surgery, the disease carries a poor prognosis. Research about screening tests for the early detection of mesothelioma is ongoing.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms or signs of mesothelioma may not appear until 20 to 50 years (or more) after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath, cough, and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space (pleural effusion) are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma.

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and cachexia, abdominal swelling and pain due to ascites (a buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity). Other symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.

These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions.

Mesothelioma that affects the pleura can cause these signs and symptoms:

    * Chest wall pain
    * Pleural effusion, or fluid surrounding the lung
    * Shortness of breath
    * Fatigue or anemia
    * Wheezing, hoarseness, or cough
    * Blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed up (hemoptysis)

In severe cases, the person may have many tumor masses. The individual may develop a pneumothorax, or collapse of the lung. The disease may metastasize, or spread, to other parts of the body.

Tumors that affect the abdominal cavity often do not cause symptoms until they are at a late stage. Symptoms include:

    * Abdominal pain
    * Ascites, or an abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen
    * A mass in the abdomen
    * Problems with bowel function
    * Weight loss

In severe cases of the disease, the following signs and symptoms may be present:

    * Blood clots in the veins, which may cause thrombophlebitis
    * Disseminated intravascular coagulation, a disorder causing severe bleeding in many body organs
    * Jaundice, or yellowing of the eyes and skin
    * Low blood sugar level
    * Pleural effusion
    * Pulmonary emboli, or blood clots in the arteries of the lungs
    * Severe ascites

A mesothelioma does not usually spread to the bone, brain, or adrenal glands. Pleural tumors are usually found only on one side of the lungs.

Ways to Quit Smoking

Quitting smoking is tough. But it can be done -- and many people get creative to kick the habit.


Recommended Related to Smoking Cessation

10 Ways to Reduce Stress While You Quit Smoking

Many smokers think that lighting up helps them relax. They’re fooling themselves, experts say. “Nicotine withdrawal makes people feel jittery and anxious, which smokers often confuse with feeling stressed,” says Steven Schroeder, MD, director of the Smoking Cessation Leadership Center at the University of California, San Francisco. “Lighting up makes them feel better, not because that cigarette eases stress but because it’s delivering the next dose of nicotine.” Breaking free of nicotine addiction...

Read the 10 Ways to Reduce Stress While You Quit Smoking article > >

Sedberry smoked for 26 years. Last November, when she discovered that her 19-year-old son, Ricky, had picked up the habit, she was motivated to change. “I made a pact with him to quit together,” she says.

Sedberry bought a case of chewing gum and says she walked around looking like Bessie the Cow, for about 2 months, but it worked. Ricky quit, too.

“No patches, no shots, no hypnosis -- just trying to make sure my son did not pick up the bad habit," Sedberry says.

No question -- quitting smoking can save your life. But it brings temporary physical withdrawal symptoms -- such as irritability and headache -- followed by the long haul of sticking with it.

"The physical withdrawal, for most people, lasts from a few days to a maybe a week. After that, it’s the psychological withdrawal that people have the most difficulty with,” says Heath Dingwell, PhD, author of 12 Things to Do to Quit Smoking.

In essence, if you make it past the first week, you then face the psychological symptoms -- the mere habit of lighting up - which, for some people, can last quite a long time. In Dingwell’s opinion, it comes down to breaking that habit and finding better ways to manage stress.

Here are other offbeat ways smokers have kicked the habit.
Workplace Challenge

Melissa Gold, 34, of Washington, D.C., quit smoking in 2001, on the first day of a six-month no-smoking challenge from her boss. At the time, she worked for Bratskeir & Co, a PR agency in Manhattan, when the owner came across a group of employees standing outside the building for a smoke break. He later asked what it would take to get them to quit. “I promptly said he'd have to pay me,” Gold says. That afternoon he issued the challenge.

The deal: The smokers would get $5 per day -- the cost of a pack of cigarettes then -- taken out their paychecks and stashed in a quit-smoking fund for six months, and Bratskeir would match that. If any of them faltered or got caught -- they split that person's payment.

“I think the final payoff came to around $2,000, plus he took all of us out for a celebration dinner,” Gold says.

Bratskeir also paid for whatever crutch the employees needed to quit. Gold remembers one woman chose acupuncture; another picked a nicotine patch. She tried nicotine gum, but says she couldn’t handle the taste and switched to watermelon bubble gum, which her boss also bought.

Five employees joined in, and all five earned the payout. Gold is still smoke-free nine years later. “I think with any kind of discipline challenge (weight loss, smoking cessation, etc.), it's really important to do it with a group. The peer pressure to stay clean and keep you accountable is key,” she says. A generous boss didn’t hurt either.

Candy and Mantras

Susan Brannan, 33, of Rochester, N.Y., quit smoking using vitamin C drops and reciting a mantra she found online (NOPE- Not One Puff Ever). “I had been a pack-a-day smoker for 12 years and quit cold turkey using this method.” She had her last cigarette in 2007.

Brannan says she'd previously tried to quit using nicotine lozenges, but didn’t like the taste. With the lozenges, she weaned herself to smoke only on weekends, but after eight months went back to full-time smoking. Next, she thought of using gum, but worried about her dental work.

In the end, she settled on the vitamin C drops because she liked the citrus flavor. “In the beginning, I went through quite a few. I would say 15 or so every day. Over time, I used less and less.”

Brannan had not been a fan of using mantras, and thought it sounded a bit flaky. But she says it helped in the early weeks.

"I would be alone in my car and the urge would strike to smoke. Having this little phrase to say out loud gave me the backbone I needed to resist the temptation.”
Get a New Hobby

Some people swear by replacing smoking with another activity. Reeve McNamara of Atlanta spent years trying to quit, and found the only thing that really worked was running.

“Runners always asked me how far I ran and my answer was until I did not want a cigarette, which started out as only a few miles, but now I have run up to 44 miles in a day," he says.

McNamara no longer craves cigarettes -- but the distance runner says he's now addicted to running.
Tough Love

Robert Brown, 46, director of the How Quit web site, modeled his smoking cessation program after the Marines.

“I've found that quitting smoking is less difficult when you believe you can do it.  As a former Marine, I had the belief in myself and knew that I could do it on my own. But there are thousands, maybe millions of smokers who aren't ex-military or highly disciplined and need help to quit.”

Brown combined effective techniques with boot-camp strategies to devise a program others can follow successfully. Tenets like dumping all smoking gear, using the buddy system, exhausting yourself with activities and exercise, and relying on team spirit comprise his boot camp-like quit regime.
Does it Work?

Dingwell says even with unconventional methods, the more approaches you use at the same time, the better your odds of lasting success. And "lasting" is what you really want.

Dingwell’s research on conventional means of quitting smoking show that "it does not matter what method a person used to initially quit smoking, long-term success rates drop for absolutely every method" that he has studied. So if freezing your last pack in a block of ice or betting your best friend would motivate you to quit and stay smoke-free, give it a go.

PASSIVE SMOKING

Passive smoking is the inhalation of smoke which escapes directly into the air from a lit cigarette.
It results from just being in the presence of a smoker.

Non-smokers are exposed to second-hand smoke, which is the unfiltered smoke that rises from the burning cigarette and which also includes the smoke exhaled by the smoker.

Second-hand smoke contains most of the toxic components of mainstream smoke.
Health Risks From Passive Smoking


Babies of smoking mothers weigh less than those of non-smoking mothers.
Higher rates of miscarriage have been observed in women who smoke.
Higher rates of neonatal deaths, as well as sudden infant death syndrome, have been reported.
Children of smoking parents have higher rates of pneumonia, bronchitis, and other respiratory symptoms, and for developing lung cancer later in life.
Non-smoking adults also experience conditions resulting from passive inhalation.

Effects include:

    eye, nose, throat irritation
    headaches, dizziness and nausea
    aggravation of allergies and asthma
    impairment of lung function

The risk of lung cancer

LUNG CANCER

  

The Lungs

The lungs are a pair of cone-shaped organs that are situated inside the chest. The lungs bring oxygen into the body and take out carbon dioxide, which is a waste product of the cells of the body.

Tubes called bronchi make up the inside of the lungs.

Your lungs have an extensive network of blood and lymph vessels. Cancer cells may grow into these vessels and be carried by the blood or lymph and be deposited elsewhere in the body.

Cancer can spread from the lungs to almost any site in the body. Most commonly it spreads to the brain, bone, bone marrow and liver. Lung cancer takes many years to develop. It is the second most common cancer in women.

There are two basic types of lung cancer - small cell and non-small cell cancer. These different types grow and spread in different ways. Small cell lung cancer is a disease in which cancer cells are found in the tissues of the lungs. It is usually found in people who smoke or who used to smoke cigarettes.

The non-small cell type of lung cancer is a common disease and is usually associated with people who used to smoke, passive smoking and radon (a radioactive gas) exposure.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

These can include:

- hoarseness - persistent cough - blood in your phlegm - shortness of breath

- chest pain - loss of appetite - difficulty in swallowing - weakness - paleness

- high temperature - joint swelling - bone pain or tenderness - weight loss

Smoking causes about 85% of lung cancer cases. Cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 different chemicals, many of which are proven carcinogens (materials that are known to cause cancer). Lung cancer occurs most in people over 50 who have a long history of cigarette smoking.

RISK FACTORS

The risk of lung cancer increases, the more cigarettes smoked per day.

Also, the earlier the age at which smoking began, the greater the risk of lung cancer.

Passive smoking is also known to increase the risk.

In rare cases, exposure to certain industrial substances, such as arsenic, certain organic chemicals and asbestos.

Radiation exposure from occupational, medical and environmental sources.

EXAMINATIONS

If the patient has a persistent cough that produces phlegm, the phlegm will be examined for cancer cells.

The doctor may order a chest X-ray or a specialised X-ray such as the CAT scan, which helps to locate any abnormal spots in the lungs. A bronchoscopy may be performed. A bronchoscope is a small tube inserted through the nose or mouth, down the throat, into the bronchial tubes. During this examination, the doctor may also obtain a biopsy or other sample of lung tissue to test for cancer cells. Pressure is felt during the examination but very seldom pain.

TREATMENT

Surgery may cure lung cancer. It is used in early stages of the disease.

Radiation therapy can also be used.

This is used:

in a combination with chemotherapy and sometimes with surgery to offer relief from pain.

Chemotherapy may be used: in a combination with chemotherapy and sometimes with surgery to offer relief from pain.

along with surgery.

in more advanced stages of the cancer.

in all the stages of small cell cancer.

PREVENTION :

STOP SMOKING

Try to avoid second-hand smoke/passive smoking.

Ask questions about your work environment if you are exposed to industrial dusts and fumes, as it can be very dangerous.

New Ways to Diagnose Colon Cancer

New advances in colonoscopy promise faster and easier screenings.

(continued)

Looking to the Future continued...

Macari says that in order to avoid dual prep times some medical centers are coordinating the virtual colonoscopy with a gastroenterologist who is standing by.

"In the event the virtual colonoscopy reveals a problem, the gastroenterlogist is right there ready to perform a standard colonoscopy without the need for a second prep," says Macari.

This dual-system screening is currently being performed in a select number of major medical centers nationwide.

New Ways to Diagnose Colon Cancer

New advances in colonoscopy promise faster and easier screenings.

(continued)

The Virtual Test

While looking towards the future is promising, there is also one futuristic method of colon screening that is available right now. It's called a "Virtual Colonoscopy" -- a noninvasive screening that uses X-ray beams to look inside the colon.

Doctors say there is so little fuss and bother, the whole procedure is over in less than 10 minutes.

"For the most part, when a patient leaves here they are pleased and happy. They are on and off the table in no time, and there is no sedation. You can literally go back to work in 10 minutes," says Michael Macari, director of abdominal imaging at NYU Medical Center in New York City.

Besides the fact that the screening is noninvasive, Marcari says that prior to the test his center also uses carbon dioxide -- compared with "room air" -- to extend the colon. The difference, he says, means very little cramping and almost no residual pain after the screening is completed.

"Initially there is a little pressure but the carbon dioxide gets absorbed so fast, by the time they leave they feel fine," says Macari.

Looking to the Future

While the screening itself may be fast and easy, right now it requires the same preparation as the regular colonoscopy, so patients are not spared the pretesting discomfort.

However, Macari reports that may change in the not-too-distant future, with the advent of a process called "fecal tagging."

In this procedure, he says, patients drink an agent which -- once inside the colon -- latches onto the fecal material and helps doctors differentiate between that and polyps on the scan.

"We just completed study of 80 patients using fecal tagging and no bowel cleansing and we had a very high rate of detection of polyps over 10 millimeters, which many believe is the real threshold for removal," says Macari.

In another study published in the journal Radiology doctors from Belgium compared fecal tagging with standard colonoscopy preparation. They found that fecal tagging left behind more fecal residue, but improved differentiation of polyps. The fecal tagging also dramatically reduced patient discomfort, side effects, and sleep disturbances.

Still, Marcari says he would not routinely recommend it for virtual colonoscopy -- at least not until larger studies are done.

"Right now it's used if a patient simply cannot tolerate the standard prep, or if a medical condition precludes them from participating in the standard prep," says Macaria.

As easy as a virtual colonoscopy appears to be, Brooks cautions that should a polyp be found during the exam, the patient must still undergo a standard colonoscopy to have the growth removed.

"This requires a second prep and a second procedure whereby if you have the standard colonoscopy screening and something is found, it can be removed on the spot without the need for a second procedure," he says.

Understanding Colorectal Cancer - Symptoms

What Are the Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer?

In its early stage, colorectal cancer usually produces no symptoms. The most likely warning signs include:

• Changes in bowel movements, including persistent constipation or diarrhea, a feeling of not being able to empty the bowel completely, or rectal bleeding
• Dark patches of blood in or on stool; or long, thin, "pencil stools"
• Abdominal discomfort or bloating
• Unexplained fatigue, or loss of appetite or weight

Call Your Doctor About Colorectal Cancer If:

• You notice a change in your bowel movements, experience bleeding from the rectum, or notice blood in or on your stool. Don't assume you have hemorrhoids; your doctor will most likely perform a rectal examination and possibly a sigmoidoscopy or schedule a colonoscopy -- an examination that involves a long flexible tube inserted in your rectum.
• You experience persistent abdominal pain, unusual weight loss, or fatigue. These symptoms may be due to other causes, but they could also be linked to cancer.
• You are diagnosed with anemia. In determining its cause, your doctor should check for bleeding from the digestive tract because of colorectal cancer.

Myth: Tanning Can Hide Cellulite

Tanning may make the cellulite less obvious, but when the tan fades, the cellulite might look even worse. That’s because frequent exposure to UV rays can damage the skin, making it thinner and less resilient, according to the International Academy of Cosmetic Dermatology.

Risk Factors You Can Control

Although you can’t completely prevent cellulite, your lifestyle choices may affect its appearance. Factors that worsen the condition include:

• Yo-yo dieting
• An excessively high-carbohydrate diet
• An increase in total body fat
• Being inactive
• Fluid retention or being dehydrated

Risk Factors You Can't Control

Genetics is destiny when it comes to cellulite. If your mother has cellulite, you probably will, too. White women are more likely to have cellulite than Asian women. Other risk factors include:

• Hormonal changes in pregnancy
• Aging

Myth: Skinny People Don’t Have Cellulite

Cellulite is related to the structures within the skin, so even slender women are likely to have some cellulite. And if thin skin runs in your family, the cellulite you have will be more visible.

Causes of Cellulite

Cellulite is caused by fat deposits that sit side-by-side with tough collagen fibers that are anchored to the muscle beneath. When the fibers pull tight, or the fatty areas grow larger, the fat deposits may bulge out. Cellulite is much more common in women than in men.

Signs of Cellulite

Cellulite is purely a cosmetic problem, not an illness or medical

condition. It can look like faint dimples or an "orange peel" texture,

and may only be seen when the skin is pressed. But for some people

cellulite can be very conspicuous, forming large areas of lumpy skin,

deep dimples, and creases.  While it's most common on the thighs and

backside, it occurs on the abdomen, upper arms, and breasts, too.

What Is Cellulite?

Cellulite is the rippled appearance of skin, usually on the thighs and buttocks of women, that's caused by the underlying layer of fat. Paparazzi sometimes zoom in on Hollywood stars in bikinis to show the puckering in their skin. It doesn't mean the stars gained weight or failed to work out. The ugly truth: Almost every woman will eventually develop cellulite.

How Lung Cancer Affects the Body

Types of Lung Cancer

      The type of lung cancer will determine how quickly it will spread and take a toll on the body.

      The types of lung cancer are treated differently. The most common types are named for how the lung cancer cells look under a microscope:

      Small cell lung cancer: About 13 percent of lung cancers are small cell lung cancers. This type tends to spread quickly.

      Non-small cell lung cancer: Most lung cancers, about 87 percent, are non-small cell lung cancers. This type spreads more slowly than small cell lung cancer.

      To find out what stage the cancer is in, your doctor will measure the lump, check to see if the cancer has spread and perform tests such as bone and lung scans and tissue or bone biopsies. The results of the tests will help you and your doctor decide on a treatment plan.

How Lung Cancer Affects the Body

    *

      Besides the symptoms of lung cancer, which are generally due to the direct effects of the primary tumor to effects of metastatic tumors in other parts of the body or to disturbances of hormones, blood or other systems caused by the cancer, there are other issues that affect the body due to treatment depending on the type of lung cancer and whether or not it is metastatic lung cancer. The effects on the body include:

      Lung cancer most often spreads to the liver, the adrenal glands, the bones and the brain.

      Metastatic lung cancer in the liver usually does not cause symptoms, at least by the time of diagnosis.

      Metastatic lung cancer in the adrenal glands also typically causes no symptoms by the time of diagnosis.

      Metastasis to the bones is most common with small cell cancers but also occurs with other lung cancer types. Lung cancer that has metastasized to the bone causes bone pain, usually in the backbone (vertebrae), the thighbones and the ribs.

      Lung cancer that spreads to the brain can cause difficulties with vision, weakness on one side of the body and/or seizures.

Radiation and Chemotherapy

    *

      Depending on the stage of the lung cancer and the growth of the tumor, the doctor may suggest chemotherapy or radiation.

      Chemotherapy uses chemicals that travel through the bloodstream. It affects both cancerous and healthy cells. This accounts for the many well-known side effects of chemotherapy, including nausea and vomiting, hair loss, skin problems, mouth sores and fatigue.

      Radiation therapy does not affect cells throughout the body the way chemotherapy does. However, it does affect healthy tissues overlying or directly adjacent to the tumor. To a certain extent, the side effects of radiation depend on which part of the body is targeted with radiation.

      Surgery is another alternative. It is the preferred treatment for patients with early stage NSCLC. Unfortunately, 60 to 80 percent of all patients who have advanced or metastatic disease are not suitable for surgery. Surgery has it benefits but it takes a toll on the patient. Many people experience pain, weakness, fatigue and shortness of breath after surgery. Most have problems moving around, coughing and breathing deeply. The recovery period can be several weeks or even months.

New Type 2 Diabetes Treatment Options

Find out how new diabetes medications are bringing more options and convenience to diabetes care.

Over the past decade, the list of type 2 diabetes medications has grown -- helping people gain better blood sugar control. But the drugs' side effects -- plus taking several pills every day -- can be frustrating.

"There are two problems with diabetes," explains Ronald Goldberg, MD, associate director of the Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami Medical Center. "Your body doesn't make enough insulin. And your organs are resistant to using insulin that is produced."

If lowering high blood sugar is the primary goal, today's diabetes drugs do their job "but only to a limited extent," Goldberg tells WebMD. "Even when patients respond to one drug, they will need more and more drugs over time, as the pancreas deteriorates."

Type 2 Diabetes Treatments: New Options

Fortunately for many, advances in treatment are helping to make a difference, giving people with type 2 diabetes a growing list of options, including:

    *

      Complex new drugs, like Byetta, which is taken by injection but is not insulin. It attacks high blood sugar from multiple angles and suppresses appetite. "Byetta is a real advance," says Stephen Davis, MD, chief of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn.
    *

      Januvia is a novel drug that works with gut hormones, natural enzymes, and the body's own insulin to control blood glucose. Tradjenta (linagliptin) is another drug in the same class.
    *

      Several two-drug combination pills have been approved by the FDA in the past two years -- reducing the number of pills people must take. The well-known drug metformin is now available in an extended-release, once- or twice-a-day dosage -- without bothersome intestinal side effects.

    * Symlin a synthetic form of a hormone made and secreted from the pancreas which help lowers blood sugars after meals.

Metformin: Diabetes Workhorse Drug

Metformin has long been the workhorse of the oral diabetes drugs. Metformin "mostly works by preventing the liver from releasing too much sugar," Goldberg explains.

He says metformin is good at controlling glucose. "And it's a drug that does not cause weight gain. Also, the generic version is less expensive for patients. For all those reasons, metformin is usually the medication we start patients on."

However, because of side effects -- gas, bloating, and diarrhea -- some people have trouble tolerating metformin in its standard form, says Davis.

Extended-release metformin takes care of that problem. The drug has fewer side effects, says Davis, "and is absolutely an advance ... much better tolerated."

New Combination Drugs for Diabetes

The new combination medications join metformin with other well-known diabetes drugs. Sulfonylureas like Amaryl and Glucophage help stimulate the pancreas to make more insulin. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) like Actos and Avandia help "sensitize" fat and muscle cells, making them more responsive to the body's natural insulin, thus overcoming insulin resistance. However, the FDA has restricted Avandia for use in new patients only if they can't control their blood sugar on other medications and are unable to take Actos. Current users can continue Avandia if they choose to do so. All patients using Avandia must review and fully understand the cardiovascular risks.

New Combination Drugs for Diabetes

Here's the current list of FDA-approved combination drugs:

    * Glucovance (metformin and glyburide, a sulfonylurea)
    * Metaglic (metformin and glipizide, a sulfonylurea)
    * Avandamet (metformin and rosiglitazone, a TZD)
    * Avandaryl (glimepiride, a sulfonylurea and rosiglitazone, a TZD)

"The combination drugs make sense," Davis tells WebMD. "The individual components are effective drugs, and in putting them together you get an additive effect." For people with early to moderate diabetes, the combinations can be effective, he says. "A once-a-day pill is also easier for patients to remember to take. Plus they're cost-effective, since patients get two medications with one co-pay."

However, the two-in-one drugs have a downside, Davis says. "If there are side effects with one drug, you cannot change the dosage to reduce them. The patient may have to quit the drug altogether."

Combination drugs are not appropriate for people with advanced diabetes, he adds. "Their glucose is more difficult to control, and they are less able to tolerate side effects. I would not prescribe them for those patients."

Sophisticated New Treatment Options for Type 2 Diabetes

The two-pronged mission of Byetta -- a drug derived from lizard spit -- has generated lots of interest, says Goldberg. The drug stimulates insulin production after a meal, but only when blood glucose is high. It also represses glucagon, a hormone that increases blood sugars. The drug is given by injection.

The drug mimics a natural blood-sugar-lowering hormone made in the gut (GLP1), Goldberg explains. "The drug does this very, very effectively. Plus, the appetite-suppressant effect and weight lossalso helps control the diabetes."

Symlin is used along with insulin injections in those with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It is a synthetic form of a hormone made and secreted from the pancreas along with insulin. This medication help lowers blood sugars after meals. It works by slowing gastric emptying, repressing glucagon, and suppressing appetite. Symlin is given by injection.

Prandin and Starlix (meglitinides drugs) are fast-acting drugs that -- after you eat -- release enough insulin to control excess blood sugar. You take the drugs before sitting down to a meal. However, the drugs "are not dependable," says Goldberg. "The drug dosage has to be carefully calculated, and patients must watch their blood sugar carefully."

The drugs Precose and Glyset (alpha-glucosidase inhibitors) take a very different approach. They block the digestion of starch in the intestine, so blood sugar doesn't rise as much after a meal, Goldberg explains. "Trouble is, there are a lot of side effects with Precose, so it's not used much at all. Mainly, the problem is flatulence."

The Future of Diabetes Drugs: Beyond Blood Sugar Control

Side effects may not always present a problem. For example, research has revealed positive "side effects" of Precose and many other already-available diabetes drugs:

    * Metformin and Precose can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in at-risk individuals, when combined with a healthy diet and exercise.
    * Actos can reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and premature death among people with type 2 diabetes.

"We now think of diabetes as than more than just managing glucose. To manage a patient with diabetes effectively, you need to control blood pressure, lipids, glucose, and even inflammation. please call me.

Find out how new diabetes medications are bringing more options and convenience to diabetes care.

Diabetes: Newer Medications

Januvia (sitagliptin) is in a novel class of diabetes drugs called DPP-4 inhibitors. By inhibiting this natural enzyme, Januvia significantly increases the levels of incretin-a hormone, which helps regulate blood sugars. It also increases the synthesis and release of insulin. Januvia has received the FDA's blessing.
Don't Forget: Treatment With Exercise, Healthy Diet

To get the most benefit from any diabetes medications, you must stick to a healthy lifestyle, Davis says. He doesn't advise patients to follow extreme diets, like low-carb or vegan diets -- even though one study by the American Diabetes Association found that a vegan diet can reduce the need for diabetes medications.

"I certainly wouldn't recommend a vegan diet. You can get nutritional deficiencies," Davis tells WebMD. "I advise a well-balanced, nutritious diet that includes protein, fat, and carbohydrates."

Exercise prompts your body to use insulin efficiently -- if you eat a sensibly-sized meal, Davis says. "However, if you eat a very large meal, the medications may not be able to cope with the excess blood sugar. So yes, diet and exercise are important. Exercise controls insulin, blood pressure, weight, and well-being."