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Breast Cancer: Know Your Risk Factors, the Signs and Symptoms and What to Do About It

October 11th, 2007

All women, essentially, are at some degree of risk for developing breast cancer—considering that breast cancer is the most common cancer among North American women and that one in seven women either has it or will get it in their lifetime.

But some women have a higher risk of contracting breast cancer than others, and that’s why it’s important for all women to assess their individual risks.

There is no single cause of breast cancer, but some factors seem to increase the risk of developing it.

The risk is increased the older you are, if you had your first child after the age of 30 (or no children at all) and if you have a family history of breast cancer, especially a mother, sister or daughter. Other minor, suggested risk factors—some of which have not been fully documented or studied—include previous breast disorders, early first menstruation, dense breast tissue, use of combination birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy (with both estrogen and progestin), a diet high in fat and alcohol and not breastfeeding or exercising.

If you’re a woman who has assessed a higher personal risk of developing breast cancer, you need to know what to watch for; the first signs and symptoms of the disease.

The first sign of breast cancer is normally a lump, a spot or other abnormality on the breast, usually felt by you first or seen on a mammogram (an x-ray of the breast) before you can even feel it. The lump is also constantly present, may feel hard, tender and unusual and like it’s attached to your skin.

Additional signs and symptoms of early breast cancer include other lumps, spots or abnormalities of the breast or nipple, such as a lump in the armpit, an inverted nipple, nipple discharge or eczema-type symptoms on the nipple, and irregular changes in the size, shape and skin of the breast.

Early detection is key. One way to help out with early detection is to learn how to do a breast self-examination—and to do them regularly. Breast self-exams basically allow you to “get to know” your particular breasts and how they look and feel normally, so you are better prepared to detect any unusual changes.

Mammograms and clinical breast examinations, which are done by doctors, are usually considered more reliable than self-exams. Mammograms aren’t recommended until women are a bit older (into their 40s and 50s, although slightly younger if a woman’s personal risk factor is higher), but clinical breast exams can, and should, be done sooner and more regularly.

At the first sign of what may appear to be breast cancer, and even if it’s not, it’s important for women to talk to their doctor right away. The sooner breast cancer is detected, the sooner it can be treated, and the greater chance of survival.

Will Hanke - EzineArticles Expert Author

Will Hanke runs Breast Cancer First Sign - an informational website about breast cancer symptoms, causes and cures.

How to Properly Begin a Jogging Routine

October 9th, 2007

Jogging is not only one of the best ways to burn fat and lose weight; it also makes your heart and lungs stronger. You can jog almost anywhere and just about any time you want, making it very convenient to do. This is why there are so many people who do it.

The trouble that most people have in the beginning is not knowing how to get started properly and they usually end up doing it wrong. This has prompted scores of people to quit doing it before it has had enough time to do them any good.

Let’s take a look at some things that may make it a little easier to get started on a jogging routine without running yourself into the ground.

The first and probably the most common mistake people make when starting a jogging routine is that they start out too fast. They go out and pace themselves much to fast and end up huffing and puffing out of breath after 5 or 10 minutes. This is an instant recipe for failure and many people quit within a few days.

Some people who are a little more resilient may keep going for a while thinking that if they just stay with it long enough, it will start to get easier. Usually what happens is it gets harder because even though they might be getting in better condition, they continue to push harder along the way so it seems that there is no progress.

When you are about to set out on a jogging routine, the best thing you can do is buy a heart rate monitor before you ever jog your first step. With one of these, you can set up a pace that is comfortable for you and you can keep within that level throughout your jog. This means that you will not have to “guess” about the pace and you will not have to feel like your lungs are on fire when you are finished.

The key here is to always jog between 50% and 70% of your maximal heart rate. This is easy to do with a heart rate monitor because you can keep a close check on your heart rate as you go. You can speed your pace up if it goes a little low, and slow down if it goes a little high. You can even slow to a walking pace if your heart rate goes too high, and resume a jogging pace once it goes below 50%.

The way for you to know where your heart rate should be to be between 50% and 70% is by using this formula:

Subtract your age from 220. This will be your maximal heart rate. Now, simply multiply this by .50 and .70 and that will give you your targeted heart zone. Below is an example of this formula.

Say you are age 40

220 minus 40 equals 180

180 times .50 equals 90

180 times .70 equals 126

By looking at this example, you can see that if you are 40 years old, you would keep your heart rate between 90 and 126 while doing your jog.

The fact is, you do not need to go fast to get benefits from jogging, it is how long you are moving that counts. It is more beneficial to cover a mile in say, 15 minutes than to cover it in 7 minutes and then be exhausted.

If you stay within the limits of your heart rate capabilities, you will begin to add more time and miles to your jog as you go and jogging will become something you look forward to instead of something you dread doing.

Jim O’Neill gives you tons of valuable information on the subjects of weight loss, fitness, and nutrition to make it easy for you to live a healthy lifestyle. Sign up now for his free 7 part mini e-course at: www.mrgymfitness.com/minicourse.php

Astragalus, The Ancient Chinese Wonder Herb - A Health Supplement

October 5th, 2007

Astragalus membranaceus is the root of a plant member of the Pea family and is native to the Northeast region of China, but it is now also cultivated in the United States. In China, it is known by the name Huang-qi.

The name means “Yellow leader” because it is one of the superior tonic roots, used in traditional Chinese medicine. It was first mentioned in the 2000 year old, classic “Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing”. It has been used to stimulate energy and general weakness, Lack of appetite, Treatment of colds, flu,abdominal ulcers and Diabetes.

Astralagus is still widely used in Chinese medicine, to this day and is known to be a immunostimulant, antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory agent.
It has been said that no single compond has such wide ranging beneficial effects on the healing process of the human system. Polysaccharides are contained, they are very important in the in the enhancement of the Immune System.

In China it is commonly used on Cancer patients undergoing Radiation and / or Chemotherapy, to stimulate their Immune System, which takes quite a beating under these treatments.

Astragalus has been used in the treatment of AIDS, Allergies, Arthritis, Bronchitis, Cancer, Chlamydia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Debility, Diabetes, Digestion, Edema, Fibromyalgia, Gonorrhea, Heart Disease, Hepatitis, HIV, Hypertension, Immune System, Kidney Disease, Leukemia, Liver Disease, Malaria, Stress, Ulcers, Urinary Tract Infections, Vaginitis.

Astralagus provides one of the Eight Essential Sugars that are used in Glyconutrients. These sugars improve Cellular Communication, and helps everyone to achieve Optimal Health.
There has never been any adverse reactions or side effects on record, associated with Astragalus or Glyconutrients.

“Article by Alfred Jones, More Information at: http://www.SugarsR4U.com and http://www.RUsweetEnuf.com

Learn about Glyconutrients, The Essential Sugars for Life, or Himalayan Goji Juice a Boost Immune System Vitamin. Help is available”.

Save Yourself From Lung Cancer!

October 3rd, 2007

Lung cancer is a very serious form of cancer. This is lethal especially when the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the lungs has already spread to the other organs in the body.

Cancerous cells can break down and can spread in other parts of the body by forming secondary tumor sites, which makes it more fatal.

When the tumor is already on its advanced stage, managing it is somewhat harder. It may help to know that early detection of lung cancer is best to ensure the possibility of putting the lung cancer into remission.

If early detection of lung cancer did not happen, diagnosis in the advanced stage may be harder and managing the symptoms may likewise be too difficult.

Lung cancer treatment is greatly dependent on the severity of the disease. Knowing which type of lung cancer you are suffering from may help in the management of the disease.

There are two types of lung cancer, the small cell lung cancer and the non-small cell lung cancer.

Small cell lung cancer or oat cell lung cancer comprises the twenty to twenty-five percent of all lung cancer cases. The major cause of small cell lung cancer is cigarette smoking.

Commonly, because lung cancer symptoms do not manifest in the early stage of the disease, treating it will be a big problem especially when detection happens when cancer metastases or secondary cancer cells already developed in the other organs of the body.

Non-small cell lung cancer, on the other hand, involves several kinds of lung cancers. The differentiation of these kinds of non-small cell lung cancer depends on the type of cells affected.

Three common types of non-small cell lung cancer are squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma.

These forms of non-small cell lung cancer tend to grow and spread slower than the small cell lung cancer.

Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common non-small cell lung cancer. This non-small cell lung cancer starts in the large bronchi and stay confined to the chest longer than other lung cancers do, because of this, the cancer do not spread as rapidly than the other types.

Adenocarcinoma, the primary cause of this non-small cell lung cancer is still a challenge to medical experts. Thus, experts continue to study the major cause of this cancer. Even with this pending study, cigarette smoking and breathing impure air is still being considered as major participant in the development of lung cancer.

Doctors believe that the tumor in this type of lung cancer is in the outer edges of the lungs and under the lining of the bronchi. The progression of this non-small cell lung cancer is average but survival odds remain on the 10% mark.

Adenocarcinoma constitutes thirty to thirty-five percent of all lung cancer cases in America.

Large cell lung cancer is another non-small cell lung cancer. The tumor in this type of lung cancer is on the smaller bronchi. Fifteen percent of lung cancer cases are large cell lung cancers.

Among all non-small cell lung cancers, this type of lung cancer progresses faster, almost to the level of small cell lung cancer.

Lung cancer cases account for the fourteen percent of all cancer cases in the United States. At worst, twenty-eight percent of all death among cancer patients are lung cancer cases.

To avoid being part of the statistics on lung cancer, ensure you will not acquire small cell lung cancer or even the slower non-small cell lung cancer by living a healthy and active lifestyle.

Regular exercise, eating a well-balanced diet and avoiding exposure to impure air including cigarette smoke will help strengthen your immune system and this will avoid acquiring the deadly disease.

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The Benefits of Having a Home Team Following Your Heart Surgery or Other Major Surgery

September 30th, 2007

It’s essential to organize a Home Team before you go in for heart surgery, even if you have little time before your surgery to plan it. On the other hand, if you have just gotten home from the hospital, don’t worry it’s not too late. A Home Team is a group of friends and family who are willing to assist you in your recovery following your surgery. Make a list of up to fifteen people, family and friends (but not your primary caregiver) who would be glad – even honored – to be called to help out. Pick a leader among these friends and engage her or him to contact the others about the tasks ahead. Set up a revolving schedule of assignments for your first three to four weeks at home.

Your Primary Caregiver Has The Most Important Role

Who will your primary caregiver be; your spouse, your partner, a friend, or another family member? In my new book, The Open Heart Companion: Preparation and Guidance for Open-Heart Surgery Recovery the following scenario is explained to help you better understand their importance: Suddenly your caregiver, your close personal ally, has the extended responsibility for all previously shared arrangements – nursing aid, household tasks, transportation, medical and social plan coordination. It can become overwhelming and too much for one person. That is why it is essential that you line up a supportive Home Team to pitch in. Your primary caregiver needs assistance and taking care of too. Once you are home and recovering, he or she is now “on” 24/7. He or she also needs continuing acknowledgment, appreciation and love from you. Plan to regularly express your gratitude. Find out how your loved one is feeling – every day. Though sometimes you won’t feel like it, remember to smile, and show you care and appreciate all that is being done for you.

Five basic tasks to assign to your Home Team

1. Dinner nightly
Some friends will like to prepare a home cooked meal for both patient and caregiver, while others can pick up a heart healthy take-out meal. Since the reality of landing back home means the primary caregiver has antenna focused on you continuously, your caregiver loved one will appreciate the sit-down break at dinner time.

2. Buddy system
During the many hours and days of convalescence, neither patient nor primary caregiver wants to feel isolated at home. Anticipate a buddy system in advance. Is there a friend who has been though open-heart surgery who will agree to check in with the patient regularly? Is there someone that the heart patient can call spontaneously? Many basic questions can be answered this way, by a friend or family member. Naturally, any substantial recovery question requires picking up the phone and calling your designated medical professional. Maybe you know, or know of, a former heart patient who also is a medical professional? Arrange chat times (perhaps twice weekly) with him or her. Primary caregiver and patient should also plan regular phone time with a best friend independently, to be free to let their hair down to tell it like it is.

3. Running errands
Who – friend or neighbor – would be willing to be counted on to run to the pharmacy or to deposit or pick up laundry or dry cleaning? How about someone who will shop for staples at the supermarket or buy a box of thank-you notes? Recruit a list of volunteers beforehand. It’s critical to have this in place to enable you to focus on getting well.

4. Housekeeping
In the hospital take-home instructions, there are very specific physical directives that must be honored while the sternum (breastbone) is healing. You are not to lift more than five to ten pounds for four to six weeks. As well, you are to avoid pushing/pulling activities with your arms, and also avoid heavy one-armed lifting for three months. This eliminates carrying groceries, carrying a toddler, vacuuming, shoveling snow, mowing the lawn, raking leaves – even wiping up a kitchen counter with a sponge can be challenging in the first couple of weeks. It is best to schedule others for regular housekeeping duties for at least four to six weeks and/or consider hiring a house cleaner for the short term.

5. Chauffeuring
An open-heart patient may not resume driving for six to eight weeks – until the sternum is fully healed. Because you don’t want to risk re-injuring the sternum should a passenger airbag need to be deployed, you might be advised to ride in the back seat using the shoulder seat belt. That said, you can ride in a car as soon as you’re home – to a medical appointment, to the store, to eat out. However, all these outings become a lot of driving for the primary caregiver, so line up chauffeur volunteers.

Recovering from heart surgery can be challenging, but with these tips and more tips on planning ahead found in The Open Heart Companion you can ensure that your recovery will go smoothly.

Maggie Lichtenberg, PCC, a recent open-heart surgery thriver, is an open heart coach to heart patients and their loved ones, a professional speaker, and frequently published author. To subscribe to her free online newsletter, Heart To Heart, send a blank email message to HeartToHeart-On@zines.webvalence.com. To learn more about Maggie’s free phone support group and other programs go to www.openheartcoach.com.

Article is free to reprint as long as author’s bio remains intact.

Diabetes Awareness: Diabetes on the Job

September 24th, 2007

When you go to work, your diabetes goes with you.

You get up, get showered, get breakfast, get to work. You have bills, therefore you have a job.

But you also have diabetes. You have to care for your diabetes while you’re at work. Here are 10 tips for merging your diabetes care with your career.

1. Wear medical identification jewelry

- If you ever need medical assistance at work, the emergency medical personnel will know you have diabetes.

2. Decide who to tell

- All things being equal, it might be in your best interest to let a few trusted co-workers or your boss know. Just for your own safety.

3. Give your co-workers a chance

- Don’t just assume that your boss won’t accommodate you, or that your co-workers won’t be helpful. Give them a chance to grasp what diabetes is and understand how they can help you, particularly if you’ve been diagnosed since starting your current job. Diabetes may be as new to them as it is to you.

4. Get it in writing

- If necessary, get a doctor’s note. It may help to get a medical statement from your doctor saying what your diabetes care needs are. Present it to your company nurse or human resources department, and make sure your supervisor gets a copy.

5. Be your own advocate

- Your local hospital or diabetes center may offer programs through which diabetes educators can come to your workplace and explain to your human resources department, supervisors, or co-workers what diabetes is and how they can make the workplace more diabetes-friendly. See if your employer is willing to host such a program.

6. Don’t abuse the system

- Unfortunately, there are people who claim extensive health challenges and reap disability benefits their situation may not warrant. That makes it harder for everyone. It’s best to save sick days and disability pay for when you really need them.

7. Plan ahead

- The biggest challenge many people with diabetes face is access to meals and breaks. Have snacks readily available should you need to treat a low.

8. Take your equipment with you

- Keep your blood glucose meter and supplies where you can reach them. Don’t leave blood glucose meters or insulin in the car. Extreme temperatures can affect them.

9. Watch out for stress

- Stress can wreak havoc on your blood sugars. Stress can cause either high or low blood sugar. It differs from person to person, and sometimes from situation to situation in the same person. Stress may mask symptoms of low blood sugar, or prompt completely different symptoms. Frequent monitoring is
your best defense.

10. Keep good diabetes control

- The best thing you can do to remain productive is to stay healthy. Don’t let your diabetes get so far out of control that you’re not able to work. If you’re eating well, exercising, and controlling your blood sugars, you will have a productive work life.

The payoff from a job well done is that if and when you need to take time off for your diabetes care, your boss and co-workers will remember your good track record and be that much more willing to cover for you or help you with scheduling. By communicating with your employer and taking responsibility for your care, you can incorporate your diabetes care into your work life successfully.

If you feel that your employer is not making reasonable accommodations to allow you to care for your diabetes at work, contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) at: (800) 669-4000 or (800) 669-6820 TTY.

Ask your doctor about diabetes and have your blood sugar checked several times a year.

For more information about diabetes, including a Diabetes Quiz and a Free booklet, visit the Hope4Diabetes website at: http://hope4diabetes.com/info

This 20 page FREE booklet will provide you with in-depth information on comprehensive diabetes care. The 7 principles, or steps, will help you to understand, manage and diagnose your potential diabetes risk.

It could help you live a longer and more active life. The booklet is Yours absolutely FREE - No Risk! Share it NOW with the people you love and want to Keep alive!

David Anderson is a freelance health writer for Hope4Diabetes.com.
Awareness is the first step to preventing the onset of diabetes.
Visit our website at: http://hope4diabetes.com/info for more
information and a free book.

Herbal Remedies

September 23rd, 2007

Gingko has been promoted as a memory enhancer, merely studies rich person cast doubt. Nevertheless, the American English Diary of Medicine recently reported the herb’s manipulation as a treatment for intermittent claudication, a painful circulation problem in the legs. Maidenhair tree was found to wealthy person a modest effect on patients’ ability to step-up the distance they could walk without pain–the plant having the same benefit as conventional drug therapy. But neither type of medication proved as helpful as a regular exercise program.

Ginkgo biloba is rich in antioxidants and contains several active compounds that improve circulation. It makes the bloodshed a little less likely to coagulum and whitethorn strengthen vessels, according to Varro E. Tyler, Ph.D., World Health Organization researched pharmacognosy (plant-based pharmacy) at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Though considered condom, ginkgo English hawthorn increment the risk of bleeding if you are using aspirin; Coumadin (warfarin), which thins the gore; or other clog-busting medications. Kavakava users claim it aids them in coping with brief periods of extra emphasis–a crunch of job deadlines, for instance. It also Crataegus laevigata help defuse dread of an anticipated situation, such as fear of flying earlier a trip, as well as ease anxiousness-induced insomnia.

Research seems to support these assertions. A couple of years ago, scientists at the University of Exeter in England did a meta-analysis, which is a review of combined results from the best studies, and concluded that kavakava was effective at reducing . Active ingredients in Crataegus oxycantha green goods muscle-relaxing personal effects; that is, they May act on brain receptors and suppress “fight or flight” accent hormones. International Relations and Security Network’t habit-forming or addictive, simply herbal experts don’t recommend long-term usage. High dosage levels causal agent grogginess that tin can be dangerous if you’re driving or using machinery. Also, avoid combining with alcohol or sedatives.

Don’t utilization it if you’re pregnant or nursing. Saw palmetto berries green groceries a potent extract that is used to treat manpower’s urinary problems caused by prostate gland enlargement, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This experimental condition ISN’t cancerous just involves swollen, inflamed tissue that develops with aging. About half of all over age 50 suffer some symptoms, including frequent urination and urinary stream problems.

A survey of almost 3,000 patients that appeared in the Daybook of the American language Medical Association (JAMA) in 1998 showed that power saw palmetto lav growth urine flowing and reduce the number of nighttime urination episodes. In some research, it has matched the results of its counterpart drug therapy, Proscar (finasteride), which campaign side , such as loss of sex drive or impotence. Saw palmetto doesn’t shrink the prostatic gland significantly. A recent sketch found that it didn’t affect hormones, which explain why it doesn’t garden truck side typical of Proscar. Anyone WHO considers taking sawing machine palmetto to treat BPH needs to check with his doctor to rule out cancer.

Johnny Bee bottlehead.net

Pleural Mesothelioma Diagnosis

September 15th, 2007

Proper diagnosis of Pleural Mesothelioma, a form of cancer in the thoracic cavity caused by contact with asbestos, is of great importance because it enables the patient to get disease-specific treatment immediately and also arms him adequately for any lawsuit for compensation.

Unfortunately, diagnosis of this sickness is a very difficult process. The reasons are several. There are no specific to the disease outward signs. The symptoms like breathing difficulty, coughing, weight loss, chest and back pains, and fatigue among others are common to many ailments. They can confuse a doctor. And these indications take twenty to forty or fifty years after contact with asbestos to manifest. If some cases there may be no perceptible clues till the cancer has spread. Many doctors are unfamiliar with the disease. One key factor that would give the correct lead to a doctor is the information whether the patient had exposure to asbestos in the past. Since most of the pleural mesothelioma patients are in the sixty-seventy age group, there is the possibility that some of them may not recall details dating back forty or fifty years.

Diagnostic procedure starts with studying the patient’s medical history in detail and giving him a complete physical check up. Next comes imaging. This includes x-ray, CT (Computed Tomography) scan, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and PET (position emission tomography). These may reveal irregular thickening of the pleura (membrane lining the thorax), fluid collection in that area, congestion of the lungs, and mineral deposits. Magnified view and laboratory tests assist in determining whether chemicals found are the same as those seen in pleural mesothelioma cases. Analysis of fluid, tissues and lymph nodes helps in reaching a conclusion. Sometimes bronchoscopy, in which a lighted flexible tube is inserted through the moth, is done. Thorascopy in which the doctor looks into the chest cavity may also be performed. Finally, a pleural biopsy confirms the diagnosis.

An October 2005 report states that a new method that assists diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma is to measure the presence of osteopontin in blood.

Pleural Mesothelioma provides detailed information on Malignant Diffuse Pleural Mesothelioma, Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma, Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Survival Rate, Mesothelioma Pleural Brachytherapy and more. Pleural Mesothelioma is affiliated with Peritoneal Mesothelioma Lawyers.

Some O. H. & S. For You To Consider

September 10th, 2007

Clicking a mouse isn’t exactly vigorous exercise, so I thought we might consider a little Occupational Health and Safety. If you’re like me, you spend quite a few hours each day ’slaving over a hot computer’ - and it’s probably one the most sedantary things you can do.

As well as some exercise, there are several things you should pay attention to concerning your workspace.

Your chair.

Often in home offices, we sit on any spare chair available that probably isn’t really the right height relative to the desk we are using. These mis-matches accelerate the onset of fatigue as we work with a bad posture. Ergonomic chairs have height adjustments to match you to your desk - you can adjust the height so that your elbows are at a comfortable height relative to the desk top. This makes typing more effortless than it would otherwise be.

Your posture

You should not slouch when working at your desk. This produces a restriction in the diaphragm movement as you breathe resulting in shallower breathing and hence less oxygen in the blood and to the brain - which can make you drowsey. Good posture allows for deeper breathing, helping to avoid drowsiness.

Your eyes

As you work with your computer you should look away from the screen regularly. When you are looking at the screen constantly your eyes are focussed at a fixed distance. Over an extended period the little muscles that control the lens in your eyes become tired of holding that fixed focus and can start to ache. By looking up into the distance regularly you give these muscles the chance to move and focus on different distances. Gazing out the window is healthy !

Three tips to make you more alert and productive.

About The Author

David Berghouse.

(Copyright 2004)

Helping Small Business use the Internet since 1995.

http://www.microbiz.com.au/

What Treatments are Currently being Used for Victims of Asbestos Diseases?

September 5th, 2007

Mesothelioma is touted as deadly because most of the cases are diagnosed when in advanced stage and doctors have little solace to offer by then. Still doctors try to do their best to relieve the patients from severe pain of mesothelioma using advanced treatments.

Surgery

Before considering surgery as one of the propositions for the treatment of malignant cancer, the health of the patient needs to be carefully evaluated. The tests are performed to check whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body or not. Also evaluation of the patient’s lung and heart functions is done. In case of the former, a mesothelioma surgery cannot be performed. Both the heart and lungs need to be properly functioning state for surgery to take place.

Surgery is of two types: aggressive surgery (long-term control) and palliative procedures (relief of symptoms). Let’s define each of them separately.

Aggressive surgery

Aggressive surgery involves removal of the lung, the pleura, the diaphragm and the pericardium by a procedure, which is known as extra pleural pneumonectomy. The intention to follow this method is to physically remove as much of the tumor as possible. It is in fact adopting a bold method to do away with the disease—hence the name is “Aggressive surgery”.
This surgery is extremely complicated and involves high risk. This is because of the fact that there are possible chances of death due to the same within a month. Extra pleural pneumonectomy is therefore normally performed on younger patients who are in good health and are in a position to tolerate the surgery.

Palliative Procedures

Palliative procedures are normally performed when the cancer is in its advanced form. These procedures are performed to control the symptoms of mesothelioma rather than cure them. Pleurectomy (also decortications) is the process to surgically remove the pleura. This method reduces the pain caused by the cancerous mass and may also prevent the recurrence of pleural effusion (fluid collection which causes tremendous breathlessness). For patients suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma, complete surgical removal of the entire tumor is not entirely possible. In this case the surgery aims to extenuate the symptoms, such as ascites,

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the method in which drugs are used to treat mesothelioma. It has been observed that this method is partially succesfull. This is because the patient recovers partially after using drugs or combination of drugs (In fact the efficacy of this method increases, if combination of drugs are used at the same time.) Some of these combinations have proved successful and new drugs are being developed for the treatment of this cancer.

Radiation Therapy

In this method the tumor is killed by using radiation doses. However, with the help of this procedure, killing the tumor cells is quite difficult. This is because of the fact that it is difficult to specifically locate the malignant cells. Also the heart, lungs and other organs may surround the same, and they are at the risk of getting damaged by the radiation dosage. However lower doses of radiation can be used to reduce the disease to a certain extent.

Dual Therapy

Both chemotherapy and radiation are used in conjunction after the performance of the surgery. They both help in killing any remaining tumor cells that were not removed by surgery and may also help in relieving symptoms of the disease like chest pain.

The treatment methods, which are described above, are direct ways of treating a person suffering from mesothelioma. However doctors and researchers are always on the lookout for new ways to treat mesothelioma. The necessity for the evolution of alternative ways to treat patients suffering from mesothelioma arises because of the complex nature of different types of cancers, and because patients respond differently to various types of medical care.
Some of them are as follows:

Immunoagumentive Therapy (IAT)

The goal of IAT is to strengthen the body’s own immune system. The same is done by balancing four different proteins found in the blood.

Intraoperative Photodynamic Therapy (IPT)

This method of treatment is being used to cure early stages of mesothelioma in the chest. IPT uses special drugs and light to kill cancer cells during surgery. A drug that makes tumor cells more sensitive to light is injected into a vein several days before surgery. During surgery, a special light is used to locate the cancer.

Gene Therapy

This is a unique method whereby the researchers either try to improve the body’s natural ability to fight against the diseases or alternatively make the cancer cells more sensitive to other kinds of therapy.

Did you know that mesothelioma symptoms are hard to detect? Find out why by visiting http://www.mesothelioma-a.com