Grandmary

Archive for the ‘cancer’ Category

Like most other cancers, mesothelioma treatment also depends upon the staging of the disease. If the disease or cancer is yet localized without any spread, the physician can think of surgery. Removal or debulking of the affected region can be done if the mesothelioma is diagnosed at early stage with the help of imaging techniques like CT scan and MRI scan. Also biopsy of lung tissue can help diagnose the condition exactly.

Once diagnosed, staging is done with the help of these techniques. If the cancer is already metastasized to distant organs or neighboring lymph nodes, the surgery cannot be a fruitful option and one may have to go for

chemotherapy and radiation therapy. But at times, these options may also not offer help. This is the time when the victim is advised some clinical trials in the mesothelioma centers where such facility is available. The trials are the treatments those are not completely proven methods but have proved useful in some patients.
Some other treatment options like photodynamic therapy, immunotherapy, gene therapy, monoclonal antibody therapy, cytokines therapy, and some alternative therapies like homeopathy are tried in these patients. Obviously these therapies or any treatment can be initiated if the patient and his relatives give consent for the same. But one thing is sure that mesothelioma cancer has poor prognosis unless treated promptly. So, whatever steps are thought of and are taken should be taken fast by doctor and patient’s relatives. Only then there are chances to extend the patient’s life by some years.

Cervical cancer or cancer of cervix (the lower narrow uterine part) is one of the commonest cancers affecting women. The incidence is higher in African-American women than Caucasian women. However, the underdeveloped countries report the highest rate of cervical cancer due to lack of knowledge regarding effective screening facilities.

Every woman should know some facts about cervical cancer as much as she should know about breast cancer. This puts her in positive frame of mind and also it is then possible to avert the danger in its inception. Let’s see the facts:

(1) If you have crossed forty years of age, the “pap-smear” testing must be done to diagnose any cervical problem much in advance.

(2) After the test is done, ask your healthcare professional to describe the problem to you properly. This will enable you to know the stage of cancer if prevailing. Mild dysplasia or low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) is quite common and with early treatment, complete cure can be achieved.

(3) Know the risk factors for cervical cancer. They are:

- HPV (Human Papillomavirus) infection. This is one of the precursors for development of cervical cancer. The high-risk group of HPVs causes cervical cancers and not all types.

- Early age of first sexual intercourse and more number of sexual partners make woman more prone to cervical cancer.

- Women who are smokers are about twice more likely to develop cervical cancer than non-smokers.

- If the mother of a woman is given the drug Diethylstilbestrol (DES) during pregnancy to avoid miscarriage, her daughter has high chances of developing cervical cancer.

(4) The HPV vaccine is a great way to tackle HPV infections in young girls who have not yet contacted the virus through sexual contact. Even the high risk women should be vaccinated for protection against cervical cancer.

(5) Early detection of cervical cancer is the key. Diagnosed early, the cancer has good prognosis. But in late stages nothing much can be done to prevent metastasis of the cancer to distant body parts.

Well, prevention is obviously better than cure. So, beware of your sexual activity. Also check yourself regularly by Pap test and keep yourself updated about your positive health status! It’s definitely worth it!

You will find that relationship between our physicality and mentality is unquestionable. Optimal health is termed as a combination of physical, mental, and emotional well-being of an individual. Obviously therefore when one aspect is faulty, the effect is seen on other as well. No wonder the term “psychosomatic” is applied to varied diseases these days. And cancer is no exception. Many theories suggest that there is a close relation between stress and cancer.

The scientists have found that individual when goes through the saddest phase of his or her life, his approach to it decides his fate. For example, if the person gets too stressed out and depressed due to certain mis-happening in life, he is more prone to developing the dreaded cancers that the person who maintains the positive attitude even through the lean period.

Let’s see some of the theories or postulates that point towards close relationship between cancer and stress:

(1) Scientists have proved in some studies that there is a relation between stress and certain virus-related tumors.

(2) There is a theory that suggests that chronic stress weakens the person’s immune system and the person is no more capable of resisting foreign probes on to his body. This might explain the occurrence of certain virus related tumors too like Kaposi’s sarcoma and other lymphomas.

(3) Stress alters body’s neuro-endocrine response to protect the body against the development of cancer. This also alters DNA repair and cell growth regulation, thus resulting in cancer.

(4) It is seen in some studies that women with breast cancer who endure some traumatic life events report early recurrence of breast cancer than other women.

(5) It is also evident that people with positive attitude and those who can handle stress better respond to cancer treatments better and the prognosis is obviously good in them than those tensed and stressed out people.

Well, all these are still in postulate stage and no definitive conclusion has been derived. But from these theories and studies, it can be said that there is a relationship between stress, trauma, and cancer. Obviously being stress free gives you many more benefits on health front. May be you can prevent cancers! How wonderful it is!

Any cancer victim needs rehabilitative programs as much as they need treatment for cancer. The breast cancer victim is no different and needs special rehabilitation programs to cater their post-surgical, post-radiotherapy, or post-chemotherapy needs. No wonder almost all good breast cancer centers have inbuilt rehabilitation centers for putting these people on the path of further recovery.

Apart from mental and psychological rehabilitation, they need physical rehabilitation. A full spectrum of rehabilitation is required for these patients in a supportive environment. When the patient undergoes surgical removal of breast and lymph nodes, usually she suffers from lack of strength and movement ability of shoulder on that particular side. The rehabilitation should comprise of:

• Occupational and physical post-op therapy
• General fitness and exercise
• Lymphedema (swollen arm) management

The rehabilitation treatment includes following:

(1) Manual lymphatic therapy
(2) Compression bandaging of the limb
(3) Exercise for general fitness and mobility
(4) Posture and breathing exercises
(5) Compression pump treatment if required
(6) Exercise for frozen shoulder or limited motion of the joint
(7) Exercises for correcting muscular imbalances resulting due to reconstructive surgeries
(8) Fitness programs to restore normalcy in overall activities
(9) Pain management with or without acupuncture
(10) Psychological counseling
(11) Nutrition counseling and planning of post-op diet
(12) Stress management and personality grooming

Apart from the above mentioned points, good center almost always give counseling sessions for the family members because they are the pillars of strength for the patient and their support means the world for her!

Depending upon the current stage of cancer and its treatment, the rehabilitation program is coined for the benefit of the patient. The patient’s physician is the active participant even in her fitness and rehabilitation program. It is him who directs and guides the rehabilitation therapist about the accurate staging of her rehabilitation program.

The woman who undergoes any kind of treatment for breast cancer is always apprehensive about further recurrence of the same. If she gets ample rehabilitation and support from her hospital and family, she recovers much faster and her mental balance is achieved sooner. She deserves better life, doesn’t she?