Stomach cancer

Stomach cancer is more common in developing nations, while becoming less common in Western countries, including Australia. At present, stomach cancer is still the fourth most common cause of death from cancer. Slightly more men than women develop stomach cancer. It can occur in young adults, although most commonly it affects people in their late 60s to 70s.

Stomach cancer is curable if detected early, but most people don’t seek medical help until the disease is quite advanced, possibly because symptoms occur late and are often vague and non-specific.

Types of stomach cancer

There appear to be two main types of gastric (stomach) cancer.

One type of gastric cancer is associated with infection by the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacterium. The H. pylori germ commonly lives in the lining of the stomach in up to four out of 10 adults. It is now known to be responsible for most duodenal ulcers and over two-thirds of stomach ulcers. It also triggers symptoms like indigestion.

H. pylori is always associated with superficial gastritis and, sometimes with chronic atrophic gastritis, which can lead to the development of stomach cancer. However, only a minority of people infected with this bacterium ever develop gastric cancer.

Another type of gastric cancer is not associated with Helicobacter pylori. It is less common, but is becoming more so. The cause of this second type is unknown, although reflux – acid regurgitation into the upper stomach and oesophagus (swallowing tube) – and obesity are thought to be important risk factors.

MALToma, which are tumours involving mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT), and gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) are two other, more rare forms of stomach cancer.

The progression of stomach cancer

The lining of the stomach, called the epithelium, is layered with multiple folds. The epithelium is coated with mucus (gastric mucosa) secreted by special glands. Stomach cancer seems to progress through certain stages, including:

• Normal mucus lining
• Superficial gastritis (inflammation)
• Chronic atrophic gastritis
• Intestinal metaplasia (cell changes)
• Dysplasia and carcinoma (development of cancer cells).

Helicobacter pylori

Before the discovery of the Helicobacter pylori bacterium in 1983, peptic (stomach) ulcers were thought to be caused by diet and stress. The germs inhabit the stomach lining, and the chemicals they produce cause irritation and inflammation. The infection is more common among poor or institutionalised people.

The mode of transmission is mostly unknown, but is thought to include sharing food or utensils, or coming in contact with infected vomit or faeces. The decline of H. pylori rates in the Western world may be related to clean water supplies and the use of antibiotics in childhood. Countries where water from wells is still used have very high H. pylori rates.

Stomach ulcers aren’t a risk factor

It seems logical to assume that a person with stomach ulcers is susceptible to stomach cancer, since the H. pylori bacterium is obviously present. However, this isn’t the case. It apparently depends on the reaction of the stomach to the infection. Research is ongoing, but current theories suggest that stomach ulcers are not a risk factor for stomach cancer.

Dietary and workplace factors

It is thought that dietary factors, in combination with H. pylori infection, make the development of stomach cancer more likely, for reasons unknown. High-salt diets seem to increase the risk, which may help to explain why the incidence of stomach cancer is declining at a slower rate in Japan (where salt consumption is high). Refrigeration eliminates the need to use salt as a preservative and this could be partly responsible for the declining stomach cancer rate in the West.

Research suggests that eating fruits and vegetables decreases the risk, with vitamin C and carotenoids believed to be the key cancer-inhibiting ingredients. These dietary factors do not seem to be as important as H. pylori infection, however, in determining the risks of developing cancer. Workplace factors may also play a part; workers in the metal industry appear to be at higher risk.

Inherited forms of stomach cancer

Approximately one in 10 people with stomach cancer have a first degree relative – a parent, brother or sister – with the same disease. Some of these people have an inherited form. Clues to this inherited form are stomach cancer occurring in three or more relatives and occurring at an earlier age (sometimes as young as 20 to 30 years). A defective gene has been found to be responsible and genetic testing for this is possible.

Reducing the risk

H. pylori is a known risk factor for the development of stomach cancer. Infection can be checked with a simple breath test. If the bacterium is present, a range of medications, including antibiotics, can be used to destroy the infection. Subsequent breath tests are needed to make sure the drugs were successful.

Current research suggests that increasing the daily intake of fruits and vegetables, particularly those high in vitamin C and carotenoids, may further reduce the risk of stomach cancer. Early detection is also important and it is essential to report indigestion to your doctor during regular health checks.

Where to get help

• Your doctor
• Gastroenterologist
• The Cancer Council Victoria, Cancer Information and Support Service Tel. 131 120

Things to remember

• Stomach cancer is more common in developing nations, while becoming less so in Western countries, including Australia.
• Stomach cancer is thought to be triggered by infection with the Helicobacter pylori bacterium, possibly working in combination with diet.

Treatments and thier impact

Mood swings

Going through the stresses of cancer treatment is enough to make anyone sad, irritable, and frustrated. At times, you may notice that you don’t have control of your emotions, and you may cry about minor things. At the other extreme, you may find your mood is a little high and you feel euphoric, without any apparent reason. It is important to know that the cause may be the medications you’re taking. For example, both prednisone, which is often used to control extreme discomfort from nausea, may affect mood, causing unexplained highs that can be followed by intense lows. This emotional seesaw will pass, and you will return to feeling normal. If the mood swings are severe, ask for help in coping with them; you may even need to take medication to counter them. A persistent low mood could turn into a depression, with the symptoms of sadness, “bad” mood (feeling negative or hopeless), taking no pleasure in things you usually enjoy, and having trouble eating and sleeping. These are signs that you should seek counseling and perhaps receive medication to control these symptoms.
It’s important to recognize that these moods are signs of the brain’s biochemical reactions to drugs. They do not reflect failure on your part to cope with cancer, nor are they a sign of mental illness. You are fine-it’s what the medicines are doing to you.

Irritability

Are you more easily frustrated and annoyed than usual? Is it harder to tolerate frustrations that you usually manage easily? This irritability may be part of your response to the physical and emotional stresses you are experiencing, but it also may be caused by the drugs you are taking. Often the simplest things can help you calm down and feel better, such as soothing music, physical exercise, a warm bath, or relaxation or meditation exercises.

Difficulty concentrating

While going through chemotherapy, some people complain of having trouble remembering things, reading books and newspapers, and concentrating on their usual work. Sandra was frightened that she simply could not do her work at her law firm. She blamed herself for not coping better. She became disconsolate and depressed and considered taking a leave of absence from her highly responsible job. She was taking a high dose of interferon as part of the treatment for melanoma. Most of the symptoms were controlled with an antidepressant medication. When the interferon dose was lowered, her previous level of concentration was restored, and her mood returned to normal.
We know that some chemotherapy agents, especially in high doses, may temporarily affect a patient’s to think clearly, causing memory and concentration problems. Keep in mind that these symptoms usually get better, and you should be back to normal by the time the treatment is over. However, sometimes these difficulties may persist beyond the completion of the treatment; we don’t know for how long. Some studies are that finding cognitive changes last as long as two years.
If you find it hard to concentrate during the treatment, try to postpone serious work that requires your full attention for a while. If this side effect persists after the treatment is finished, tell your doctor. Most important, do not blame yourself. In general, problems with concentration are subtle and don’t interfere with your normal activities. If you’re feeling very distracted or disoriented, check with your doctor about potentially dangerous activities, such as driving. Impaired concentration is usually one of those troublesome side effects that you have to put up with temporarily in exchange for the positive effect of the drug on your tumor.

Poor sleep

Although the stress of illness and treatment alone can be sufficient to throw off your sleep-wake cycle, drugs like prednisone also contribute to sleep problems, so trouble sleeping may be a complication of treatment. Try your usual “tricks” to get to sleep, but if you are arising tired and unfit to start your day, ask your doctor for some sleep medication to reset your cycle back to normal.

Fatigue

While fatigue is a physical symptom, it feels as though it controls your psychological state as well. During chemotherapy, it can come from low red blood cell counts, causing anemia, or it may be an effect of the treatment on your physical state. Fatigue makes it difficult to get motivated, rouse positive emotions, or undertake physical activities. Some of the high-dose chemotherapy regimens produce profound fatigue, so that for a time, all you can do is simply sit or lie in bed. It may be time to “go with the flow” and get as much rest as you need. Try to remember that the fatigue is a side effect and will go away when the treatment is over. However, it can persist for weeks to months.

Psychological side effects of radiation

Radiation has been used as a treatment for cancer since the early 1900s, soon after its discovery. However, for many years the dose was difficult to control. Only much later on did it become possible to carefully control the dose, so that we could obtain its curative power without intolerable, damaging side effects. For example, cancer of the cervix, larynx, and several other sites can now sometimes be cured by radiation alone. However, most older people remember that when radiation was recommended in earlier days, it meant that the cancer was not curable and it was palliative treatment (meaning its aim was to delay the growth of the tumor rather than destroy it completely). Almost everybody knows about the radiation damage to people at Hiroshima and Chernobyl, so that the destructive side of radiation is fresh in our memories. Being told that you need radiation treatment for your cancer may arouse these fears: that your cancer cannot be cured or that you might be left with very bad radiation sickness. These are fears based on myths that simply don’t apply today; your doctor can explain reality to you.

Phobias and enclosed spaces

Deborah, a forty-year-old broker who had cancer of the tongue, had a fear of being in enclosed spaces. This was a long-existing phobia that didn’t usually bother her because she avoided situations that provoked the fear. The radiation treatment required that she be fitted into a mold that was made for her head and shoulders to ensure that she was positioned exactly the same during each treatment. The beam came from a large source lowered from above her. Each time, she required an anti-anxiety drug before the treatment to control her terror of the machine and the restriction on her motion. A series of frightening thoughts would go through her mind each time she was in the room: The machine might fall on her; the dose might be too high; she might move and the treatment will go to the wrong part of her body. Reassurance, medication, and counseling all helped her to control an old phobia that had caused her little trouble until this new situation required her to face it.

Becoming fatigued

A prominent, almost universal symptom caused by radiation therapy is fatigue, similar to that caused by chemotherapy, although the exact cause of radiation fatigue is not known. The feeling is of lack of energy, inability to carry out your usual tasks, having less interest in your usual activities including sex, and not feeling rested or able to “shake it.” Although these symptoms are physical and may come from the radiation, they can also be symptoms of depression, to which you are vulnerable during radiation therapy. Tell your doctor your fatigue is severe and that the cause of it should be sorted out.
The fatigue can linger for weeks or months after the radiation is completed, so don’t be surprised if your energy doesn’t rebound quickly at the end of the treatments. High expectations of an immediate return of energy will only make the period more difficult.

Becoming depressed

Coming after the crises of diagnosis and possibly surgery, the daily routine of going for radiation treatment and seeing others who are ill makes you feel the reality more keenly. Don’t be surprised if you begin to feel sad as you respond to all that has happened to you. Do ask for help if you need it.

Effects of radiation to specific sites

Radiation over the mouth, neck, or chest is apt to affect your swallowing and eating. Loss of appetite and nausea are common, as is a change in the taste of foods, especially if the radiation is over the mouth or throat. Radiation to the chest can affect the esophagus, with discomfort and pain on eating.
Radiation to the brain causes hair loss, which is often permanent. It may be necessary to get a wig (which is better purchased before the hair loss occurs). You may have a period of poorer concentration while you are receiving radiation to the brain, but your concentration will improve after the treatment ends. In some cases, mild memory problems may persist, such as trouble remembering names. Should this occur, find out if your local hospital or cancer center has a memory-retraining program, which can help you compensate for and cope with this problem. Radiation appears to have remarkably little impact on mood and emotions. However, the steroid drug dexamethasone (Decadron) is often given at the same time, and it can cause mood changes and irritability.

Clinical trials

The best way to prove that a new cancer treatment works and is superior to others is by studying it in clinical trials. Trials are carried out by developing a research protocol in which the therapy is given at a specific dose on a defined schedule to people who have the same stage and type of cancer. Repeated observations are required and specified. The effects on tumor growth can then be determined. It is important that you know something about the why, what, and how of clinical trials, since there are many misunderstandings about them.
First, all clinical trials are under federal regulation, which mandates who is qualified to conduct the studies and requires that each hospital have its own institutional review board (IRB), responsible to the federal oversight agency, to review and monitor every research study being conducted by its staff. The IRB examines the expected benefits of each trial and evaluates the evidence that potential benefits outweigh the risks to the patients. Patients who agree to participate in clinical trials must be informed about all of the risks and benefits, be told about other treatment options available to them, and be told that their care will not be jeopardized if they choose not to participate in the trial.
The federal guidelines for conduct of research on human subjects are derived from the post-World War II Nuremberg trials, which revealed evidence of terrible abuse of people who were made the subjects of unethical experiments by Nazi physicians. The resulting outcry after the trials led to the extensive rules we have today to protect any person who is treated in a clinical trial.
Clinical trials are divided into Phases I, II, and III, each with a different goal. These phases guide how a new drug or method of treatment is identified, tested, and finally approved for general use.
Phase I trials are designed to test a new drug or combination of drugs in humans for the first time and to determine a tolerable dose of the drug for patients in terms of toxicity. Phase I is the most experimental phase, and these trials are open only to patients whose tumors have not responded to standards treatments available. The number of patients studied in a Phase I trial is relatively small, rarely more than twenty. Patients in Phase I trials understand that the drug has been tried only animals and that a standard dose has not been established in humans. Indeed, their informed consent document states this fact and also that the purpose of the clinical trial is to determine such a dose. Both patient and doctor hope the drug will be active, however, and that the patient will be in the first group to benefit.
Phase II trials constitute the second level of testing of a new drug or combination of drugs that have undergone testing in a Phase I trial, during which the safe dose was determined. Phase II trials are also small, usually composed of about fifteen to forty-five patients. These patients are studied carefully to determine whether a particular tumor type responds to the drug at the dose and schedule established in the Phase I study. Patients are studied before and after receiving the treatment to assess the size of the tumor and clinical benefit. A complete response (CR) means all signs of the tumor have disappeared, and a partial response (PR) means that the sum of all the diameters of all the tumors has decreased by half. Phase II trials often test a new drug or combination of drugs in several different types of tumors. For example, gemcitabine (Gemzar) was first shown to be effective in pancreatic cancer. It was tested in other Phase II trials and found valuable in the treatment of other tumors as well.
Patients who choose to participate in Phase II trials understand that standard, available treatments may not be effective against their tumors and that, while there is no assurance of benefit as a result of the new treatment, there is hope that the drug will be effective for them.
Phase III trials study drugs that have proved to be effective treatments in Phase II trials and that appear to be as good as or better than standard treatments for a particular tumor. A Phase III trial is termed a randomized controlled trial. Patients are assigned to either the standard treatment or the new one by a chance mechanism, hence the term randomized.
Patients participate knowing that they will receive either the best standard treatment or the experimental one, which may be better. They cannot choose, however. No placebo or sugar pill treatments are used; the best standard treatment is compared with the new one. Several hundred patients are recruited for Phase III studies, which are often conducted by large cooperative clinical trials groups directed by the National Cancer Institute. Patients are matched as nearly as possible for any other factor that might affect response or survival, like level of physical performance, age, menopausal status, or prior treatment. The size of the study groups for Treatment A and Treatment B is determined by statisticians on the basis of the size of any expected difference. If the investigators think a new treatment would be of interest only if it could double the response rate, or double the survival rate, they will take fewer patients than if they are willing to settle for a treatment that will improve these parameters by only 25 percent. The outcome of this large study is then presented to the Food and Drug Administration. If the new treatment turns out to be more effective than the standard one, the results are announced to doctors, who then can use it as first-line therapy.
To be sure that the two groups are nearly identical and that there is no bias in choosing which patients go into either group, participants must agree to be assigned randomly to receive either the experimental treatment or the standard treatment. Which group you go into is determined by a centralized computer that your doctor doesn’t control. The reason for this randomization is the notion that doctors or patients might be biased if they were allowed to select the treatment the patient will get. It is critical that the determination of groups be unbiased. This is sometimes a sticking point for patients, and may be for doctors, but is the only way to determine when a new treatment is truly better. It is crucial to remember that you will receive either the current best treatment for a tumor or one that may be even better. No investigator plans to study a treatment regimen that he or she thinks is less effective than the standard.
As difficult as these trials seem, they are essential for improving the treatment of cancer, which still falls far short of where everyone wants it to be. When you take part in a clinical trial, you are carefully monitored, your treatment options are fully explained, you get either the best treatment known or possibly a better one, and you contribute to improving treatment of future cancer patients.
Some people are afraid of clinical trials because they think they will be treated less well: “I’ll just be a guinea pig.” This is far from true since much preparation and review goes into the protocol plan, watching for side effects, and observing tumor response. In a study of children treated in clinical trials compared with those who were not, survival was better among the children treated in trials.
In many trials today, investigators also monitor the functioning of patients in the different areas of their lives, that is, the physical, psychological, social, work, and sexual domains. These data constitute what is called “health-related quality of life”, which yields scores that are then used to measure not only length of survival, but also the quality of that survival.
Others who are ill become upset when a particular clinical trial isn’t available to them because their medical status doesn’t exactly fit the criteria set out in the protocol. Some people are bitterly disappointed at not being able to take a new experimental treatment, especially people for whom standard treatment has failed and who are seeking treatment on Phase I and II protocols. It is hard to balance the demands of doing good science that gives solid answers versus the human needs of people who are seriously ill. At times, in exceptional situations, an IRB will give permission for a “compassionate exception,” so that a doctor can treat someone who does not meet the criteria for participation in the trial.
There are added psychological strains on both the physician who is at the same time a clinical investigator and a personal physician, and the patients, who are very aware of how much is riding on the outcome of the experimental treatment for themselves and others. The doctor and patient become partners not only in treatment, but in research. It is amazing the altruism of the many people who say, “Maybe it won’t help me, but I’m glad to be helping to find a better treatment for patients with cancer who will come after me.”
Without clinical trials, better treatments for cancer cannot be found. The human side of clinical research is as important as the human side of clinical care. Clinical trials require a high level of trust between the doctor and the patient and knowledge that improvement is possible, providing the basis for hope.
In summary, the main treatments for cancer-surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy-have some common physical side effects and some common psychological side effects. Anxiety or depressed feelings sometimes arise from dealing with illness, but also arise from the treatments themselves. Thanks to psychological support through family, friends, clergy, and group and individual therapy, there are ways to help you tolerate the treatments. Medications to control sleeplessness, anxiety, mood swings, and poor concentration are available. Such drugs are not addictive when taken under supervision and can bring great relief from troublesome symptoms. Self-managed methods of relaxation and meditation are also effective. Use what suits you and your personality best. The important thing is: Don’t suffer in silence. There is help available if you ask for it. If participation in a clinical trial is offered to you as a possible treatment option, be sure to obtain full information by reading the materials given to you and talking with the physician. Becoming a partner in a clinical investigation is a helpful way of coping for many people.

http://oralcancerfoundation.org/emotional/treatments.htm

Diagnosis and uncertainty

Many peoples first experience with cancer begins quite simply with the discovery of a symptom or sign known to be a possible cancer indicator. A lump, a sore that has changed in appearance or hasn't healed properly, any persistent severe pain, the presence of unexplained blood, a sore throat or cough that persists -these are several of the most common signs. From this moment, the uncertainty of cancer begins. Could this symptom mean cancer, or can I assume it's nothing?
This moment, before the doctor has even been called or a single test has been done, often transforms a person's life from one of general well being and confidence, to one of enormous anxiety and uncertainty about the future. This pervasive sense of uncertainty probably characterizes the journey with cancer more than anything else. It often lessens when things are going well, but it is a feeling that never completely goes away. This seems to be what people mean when they say, "The diagnosis completely changed my life." That wonderful sense of certainty and expectation of continued life and health, a kind of denial that the bubble can ever burst, which we all start out with, is destroyed forever. Learning to live with uncertainty becomes the bottom line in dealing with cancer.
Many people who notice a "suspicious" symptom have encountered cancer before through the illness of a loved one, such as a parent or grandparent. If a symptom suggests that you might have the same type of cancer as your loved one had, you may become terrified. Fear that you might go through the same vividly recalled cancer experience as someone close to you did, can be overwhelming. In such cases, a person may be too frightened to go to a doctor. A sense of hopelessness (if it's cancer, nothing can be done) or a feeling of panic can paralyze your ability to act. This can be the case for some who have seen family or friends with cancer. They can fear it so much, that they delay being treated, sometimes for something that isn't even cancer.
Others have not had such personal experiences, but have seen cancer statistics in the media and are extremely afraid of "learning the worst." They delay going to the doctor, even though most warning signs turn out to not be cancer. These feelings of fear, leading to the ostrich syndrome, wanting to put your head in the sand and thinking that the problem will just go away, can be both dangerous and foolhardy if the problem turns out to be cancer. As most people now know, a cancer diagnosed in the early stages is usually curable. So it is far better to overcome the fear or denial and see a doctor. The relief that follows finding out that it was nothing important allows life to get back to normal, and the fears can be laid to rest. If the problem does turn out to be cancer, you will get a head start on the treatment and improve your chances of cure.
If you are putting off checking out a suspicious symptom because of anxiety, it best to call your physician rather than letting your anxious feelings keep you from going through appropriate tests. Also, let your doctor know that you're having a lot of anxiety about what is happening, and that you may need help to control the fears, especially if difficult tests like scans or sonograms, are ordered. If you have been troubled with anxiety in the past, or if you have feared cancer, it may be wise to ask your doctor for a referral to a mental health professional to help you get through the tests and procedures. The same advice holds for friends or loved ones who have these problems; you can play a pivotal role in ensuring they get help.
Before you go to the doctor, you may wish to make some notes to take with you so that you can give an accurate account of your symptom. You may also wish to have a family member or close friend accompany you, since it is sometimes hard to remember things when you feel nervous. Also, it is important to have family involved in the decision making process, and this way they will have all the information to do so.
Once you have seen the doctor and had an examination, and the tests have been ordered such as biopsy or scans, your thoughts may alternate between "It's probably nothing" and "I know it's the worst." Feelings of optimism and despair change from hour to hour. This is part of the response to the possibility of hearing bad news: anticipating what you may feel should it be cancer. For most people this is one of the most difficult times for them-waiting to hear the news.

Most tests today, including bone scans and sonograms, are generally performed on an outpatient basis rather than in the hospital, so it is good to take someone along to help you get home. You may not feel up to par if you're drowsy from medication that was given with the procedure.
The diagnostic tests themselves may be difficult to tolerate if you have phobias-intense and overwhelming fears-of doctors, hospitals, needles, seeing blood, or claustrophobia during an MRI.




If you have high anxiety or strong fears about any of the diagnostic procedures, your doctor may prescribe an anti-anxiety drug to help you through the process. It is important that you discuss your emotional state with him as well as your physical situation.
If you have had fears of being confined in a small space (claustrophobia), you may find magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to be frightening. This scan requires being placed in a small cylinder surrounded by a large, noisy machine. About 20 percent of people find it hard to tolerate, and about 5 percent are unable to go through with it. There are ways to make it easier today, such as listening to music or relaxation tapes or taking a medication to reduce your anxiety during the procedure. Tapes with instructions for relaxation, guided imagery, and medication can be listened to ahead of time to help you become calmer. When you have an intense fear or phobia, it may seem so overwhelming that you cannot imagine overcoming it. But your doctor or a mental health professional can help you to relieve the fear to the point that you can get the medical tests you need.
The workup is important to determine the medical situation and to help you decide on a treatment course; therefore, any fears or phobias standing in the way must be looked into. Let your doctor know that you're frightened, that this fear has troubled you in the past; you can receive mediation to be less anxious. Later, ask for a referral to a mental health professional to treat the phobia, so that you can get through future tests more easily.

The diagnosis

Many people describe the period of waiting between hearing the diagnosis-the dreaded words "You have cancer"-and the start of their treatment as the worst time in their illness. The anxiety begins to peak when the bad news is given, but there isn't as yet any plan in place to move ahead and fight it. It is difficult to tolerate the feeling that there are cancer cells in your body and nothing is being done to destroy them. The unspoken fear that "I might die" may seem more overwhelming when you are not yet receiving treatment.
This generalized anxiety can be compounded by worries about particular treatments. People worry about chemotherapy, for example, because they carry visions of chemotherapy as it was given twenty years ago, before drugs were available to control nausea and vomiting and other troublesome side effects.
Cornelius Ryan, famed reporter of the American forces' invasion of Europe in World War II, kept a diary of the time surrounding his diagnosis of prostate cancer in 1970. Ryan who wrote the best-seller The Longest Day, dictated tapes that were his secret way of coping with the shock and the meaning of the diagnosis. He described in a masterly manner some of the emotions so many people feel.
The diagnosis changes everything . . . Now cancer will be my closest possession, going with me from the office to house to conferences and dinner parties, as I go myself. I have got to get used to having it always here. I have got to think of what influence it may assume in time, not only over me, but on my family, friends and work . . . What comes to mind immediately is how fast cancer alienates one from the usual routines and behavior . . . It is odd that apart from a slight aching of the prostate . . . there is no pain, no dramatic change caused by this malignancy except in my mind. Does this cancer really exist? Did some harassed technician mix my slides with those of some other poor bastard? I am grasping at straws. I suspect it is not uncommon in the first few hours. There is simply no way to maintain a precise progression of thoughts and actions after such an emotional shock. My mind swings from disbelief to fatalism. I am vacillating between a surging belief that all will be well and a maudlin conviction that nothing will ever be right again . . .
Just now I thought of something that is probably the closest comparison to my present predicament I have ever experienced. During World War II, I found myself caught up in a patrol in a minefield. My reaction, and I remember it so well, had two distinct plateaus: how did I get myself into this situation? And, now, let's get out of it. Curiously, back then, I cannot remember experiencing fear. Neither do I recall any great surge of courage. I think my reaction was mechanical. There was no point in dwelling on the fact that we were in a minefield. The sole objective was to get through it safely-and somehow we did . . . Now, as in those wartime days, I don't know what steps will bring me through this grave ordeal, but I can't stay rooted to one spot forever . . . Without scientific knowledge to back me up, I would guess that the worst time emotionally is in the first few hours after you get the bad news.
Ryan says it all, in terms of those early responses to hearing the diagnosis. In other excerpts, he tells of his anger: "Why my body? Why now when I have so much to write?" Then he berates himself for his self-pity but retains his humor as a way of expressing the anger: "There's a mosquito in here buzzing around the desk. If it stings me, I hope the damn thing gets cancer."
Early in the work on this topic at Memorial Hospital, Dr. Massie and Dr. Holland tried to understand these first responses to a cancer diagnosis. People were responding in the same way that people do when faced with other kinds of catastrophic news, the death of someone close, a natural disaster such as an earthquake, or a personal catastrophic like the loss of a limb-that profoundly affect life and the future. They began to see a general pattern to hearing the bad news. There is an initial response of denial and disbelief. "This can't be true! It's a mistake. I'm sure the slides sent to pathology were mixed up or the doctor confused my tests with somebody else's. It simply can't be happening to me." Ryan said it by suggesting that a harassed technician reversed the slides. This couldn't be happening to me" - All this is probably the psyche's protective device to provide a little time and space to let the information "sink in", so that the person does not feel instantly overwhelmed.
The second stage is called the turmoil phase. The truth can't be denied; it is cancer. You begin to confront the reality more directly. This often creates a period of restlessness; fearfulness which is hard to control; and preoccupation with the diagnosis and its implications. There is a sense of helplessness (What can I do?) and hopelessness (I can't find a way out), alternating with a sense of vague calm (Everything will be okay). Sleep and eating may become erratic, and concentration on work routine activities becomes impossible. You may repetitively go over all the fears that the word cancer conjures up: possible death with much pain, becoming disabled, perhaps needing surgery that will drastically change your body function or appearance, becoming dependent on others, losing the sense of acceptance from your family and friends, and then the terror of final abandonment. We know that these fears are exaggerated far beyond the actual likelihood of their happening. Still, they are powerful, as described so well by Ryan in his tapes. This stage often lasts a week or two, usually ending when you begin treatment and regain a sense of hope.It is important to realize that this turmoil is a common, normal response to the threat to your life. You are not "going crazy." It is unfortunate that important decisions about treatment must be made during this time of high distress when thinking clearly is apt to be most difficult.

Today, many people seek several opinions about what the best treatment might be, and the opinions are often different.   Jack Price felt about his melanoma treatment that "surgeons are selling surgery; radiotherapists are selling radiation treatment . . . You know, it seems like the old saying that when you have a hammer in your hand, everything you see is a nail!"
Deciding whom to trust and with whom to cast your lot depends first on the treatment making sense to you, but also on finding a doctor you feel you can trust and who seems to have your best interests at heart. Ideally, your doctor should work in a multidisciplinary hospital that has the necessary equipment and highly qualified staff to provide expert care perhaps involving several different treatment types, such as surgery and radiation. They should be capable of handling whatever complications may arise, as occasionally they do. It's good during this tough, stressful period to take on day at a time, make one decision at a time, and keep a clear head and calm mind. Because of the difficulty in processing information when highly stressed, you may wish to have a relative or close friend help you gather information, meet your doctor, and help you weigh your options. But remember that the final decision-making is yours, it is your life and well being that is at stake.
A decision also has to be made quickly regarding whom you wish to tell about your diagnosis, both in the family and outside. For some people, maintaining the aura of health is important for the financial or psychological well being of others. They may find it difficult to make their illness public. Some of us recall the watershed events that led to drastic changes in social attitudes about cancer in the United States when Betty Ford, then the First Lady, made public her breast cancer and its treatment. Happy Rockefeller, Nelson Rockefeller's wife, did the same. It was suddenly okay to say you have cancer and to reveal the extent of it. They both announced that they had positive nodes under the arm and would receive chemotherapy. A great deal of stigma surrounding cancer, specifically breast cancer, was lifted. Today, an honest and open approach that reveals the diagnosis leads to the best opportunity for receiving the helpful support of others, although this attitude may be modified by personal style or circumstances.
The third stage of adjustment to the diagnosis usually comes when treatment begins, with the relief that comes from doing something about it. People usually feel reassured and become more optimistic as the treatment starts and they begin to work actively to combat the cancer and to return to their normal life. This is when we see the emergence of the many different ways people handle life's adversities. We enter into the realm of coping with disease and the broad range of coping styles developed by people on their own, honed by years of their own life experiences.
Most studies, when you sum them up, suggest that what works best is dealing head-on with the issues of illness and treatment, seeing them as problems to be solved. This mind-set encompasses people who want to do extensive research to find the right doctor and treatment, as well as those who are content to move forward without getting more opinions, wishing to get on with the treatment as soon as possible. What we know doesn't work well, as mentioned earlier, is the ostrich syndrome: passively refusing to deal with the diagnosis realistically.
Surely, there are as many ways of coping as there are people, but the key is to be certain that the diagnosis doesn't paralyze you into inaction and the inability to seek treatment. Finding a doctor with whom you can talk comfortably and honestly and work with as a partner, is a key to success. When you connect with such a doctor, the two of you become a team; coping becomes easier because you have someone who will face the fears with you.

http://oralcancerfoundation.org/emotional/diagnosis.htm

Pancreatic carcinoma

Pancreatic carcinoma is cancer of the pancreas.

Causes

The pancreas is a large organ located behind the stomach. It makes and releases enzymes into the intestines that help the body absorb foods, especially fats.

Hormones called insulin and glucagon, which help your body control blood sugar levels, are made in special cells in the pancreas called islet cells. Tumors can also occur in these cells, but they are called islet cell tumors.

The exact cause of pancreatic cancer is unknown. It is more common in:

    - People with diabetes
    - People with long-term inflammation of the pancreas (chronic pancreatitis)
    - Smokers

Pancreatic cancer is slightly more common in women than in men. The risk increases with age.

A small number of cases are related to genetic syndromes that are passed down through families.

Symptoms 

A tumor or cancer in the pancreas may grow without any symptoms at first. This means pancreatic cancer is often advanced when it is first found.

Early symptoms of pancreatic cancer include:

    - Dark urine and clay-colored stools
    - Fatigue and weakness
    - Jaundice (a yellow color in the skin, mucus membranes, or eyes)
    - Loss of appetite and weight loss
    - Nausea and vomiting
    - Pain or discomfort in the upper part of the belly or abdomen


Other possible symptoms are:

    - Back pain
    - Blood clots
    - Diarrhea
    - Indigestion

Exams and Tests

    - CT scan of the abdomen
    - Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
    - Endoscopic ultrasound
    - MRI of the abdomen
    - Pancreatic biopsy

This disease may also affect the results of the following tests:

    - Complete blood count (CBC)
    - Liver function tests
    - Serum bilirubin

 Treatment

Because pancreatic cancer is often advanced when it is first found, very few pancreatic tumors can be removed by surgery. The standard surgical procedure is called a pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure).

This surgery should be done at centers that perform the procedure often. Some studies suggest that surgery is best performed at hospitals that do more than five of these surgeries per year.

When the tumor has not spread out of the pancreas but cannot be removed, radiation therapy and chemotherapy together may be recommended.

When the tumor has spread (metastasized) to other organs such as the liver, chemotherapy alone is usually used. The standard chemotherapy drug is gemcitabine, but other drugs may be used. Gemcitabine can help about 25% of patients.

Patients whose tumor cannot be totally removed, but who have a blockage of the tubes that transport bile (biliary obstruction) must have that blockage relieved. There are two approaches:

    - Surgery
    - Placement of a tiny metal tube (biliary stent) during ERCP

Managing pain and other symptoms is an important part of treating advanced pancreatic cancer. Palliative care tams and hospice can help with pain and symptom management, and provide psychological support for patients and their families during the illness.

Researchers Discover A Treatment Against An Aggressive Childhood Cancer

A study made by IDIBELL researchers shows that glucose metabolism inhibition with 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) induces cell death in a type of childhood sarcoma: alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. The results have been published in the journal Cancer Research.

This molecule is very similar to the one used widely in positron emission tomography (PET), an imaging technique used to diagnose tumours by their glucose consumption rate. This suggests that it might be immediately repositioned as a therapy to treat an often fatal childhood cancer.

Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common soft tissue tumour in children and adolescence, accounting for 4-5% of paediatric tumours. It occurs in two forms: embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, the most frequent and less aggressive; and alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, with worse prognosis.

The most widely used treatment for the latter type of sarcoma is surgery. Chemotherapy treatments are not effective and now the survival rate five years after diagnosis is 70%, which indicates that it is necessary to develop more effective treatments.

New therapeutic strategies




In this regard, in recent years it has increased interest in studying tumour metabolism as a potential therapeutic target. Several metabolic pathways have different functions in tumour cells and in healthy cells. Specifically, glycolysis (glucose oxidation for energy) is increased in some tumour cells. This makes them particularly sensitive to inhibitors of glycolysis such as 2-deoxyglucose.

The study, coordinated by the head of the group of Cell Death Regulation, Cristina Muñoz-Pinedo, and the head of the group of Sarcomas, Oscar Martinez-Tirado shows that "in vitro" this molecule inhibits the metabolism of glucose needed by tumour cells, and causing their death.

According to researcher Cristina Muñoz-Pinedo this molecule "slows the growth of tumor cells, causes their death and a percentage of them suffer a terminal differentiation, and present the appearance of healthy muscle cells."

This molecule is also very similar to that used in PET imaging techniques used to diagnose tumours with high metabolism of glucose. Because of this and the fact that there are ongoing clinical trials with other tumours, shows that, at high doses, this molecule has low toxicity and it would be relatively easy that it could be used in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma treatment.

Muñoz-Pinedo added that "knowing the mechanism that causes cell death of tumor cells, will be useful, in the future, to find more personalized treatments."

Asbestos : What is asbestos?

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a group of minerals that occur naturally as bundles of fibers. These fibers, found in soil and rocks in many parts of the world, are made of silicon, oxygen, and other elements. There are 2 main types of asbestos fibers:

• Serpentine asbestos fibers are curly. The most common asbestos in industrial use, known as chrysotile, or white asbestos, has curly fibers.
• Amphibole asbestos fibers are straight and needle-like. There are several types of amphibole fibers, including amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, actinolite, and anthophyllite.

Amphiboles (particularly crocidolite) are considered to be more likely to cause cancer, but even the more commonly used chrysotile fibers have been linked to cancer.
Asbestos fibers are strong, resistant to heat and to many chemicals, and do not conduct electricity. As a result, asbestos has been used as an insulating material since ancient times. Since the industrial revolution, asbestos has been used to insulate factories, schools, homes, and ships, and to make automobile brake and clutch parts, roofing shingles, ceiling and floor tiles, cement, textiles, and hundreds of other products.
During the first half of the 1900s, growing evidence showed that breathing in asbestos caused scarring of the lungs. In the early 1900s, exposure to asbestos dust in the workplace was not controlled. Beginning in England in the 1930s, steps were taken to protect workers in the asbestos industry by installing ventilation and exhaust systems. However, in the huge shipbuilding effort during World War II, large numbers of workers were exposed to high levels of asbestos.
As asbestos-related cancers became better recognized in the second half of the 20th century, measures were taken to reduce exposure, including establishing exposure standards. In addition to more careful handling, there has been a dramatic decrease in the import and use of asbestos since the mid-1960s, and alternative insulating materials have been developed. As a result, asbestos exposure has dropped dramatically in the United States. However, it is still used in some products, and there is still a potential for exposure to asbestos in older buildings, water pipes, and other settings. Heavier asbestos use continues in many other countries as well.

How are people exposed to asbestos?

People are exposed to asbestos mainly by inhaling fibers in the air they breathe. This may occur during mining and processing asbestos, making asbestos-containing products, or installing asbestos insulation. It may also occur when older buildings are demolished or renovated, or when older asbestos-containing materials begin to break down. In any of these situations, asbestos fibers tend to create a dust composed of tiny particles that can float in the air.
In addition, asbestos fibers can be swallowed. This may happen when people consume contaminated food or liquids (such as water that flows through asbestos cement pipes). It may also occur when people cough up asbestos they have inhaled, and then swallow their saliva.
Many people are exposed to very low levels of naturally occurring asbestos in outdoor air as a result of erosion of asbestos-bearing rocks. The potential for such exposure is higher in areas where rocks have higher asbestos content. In some areas, asbestos may be detected in the water supply as well as in the air. It may be released into the water through several sources, such as erosion or natural deposits, corrosion from asbestos cement pipes, and the break down of roofing materials containing asbestos that are then transported into sewers.
However, the people with the heaviest exposure are those who worked in asbestos industries, such as shipbuilding and insulation. Many of these people recall working in thick clouds of asbestos dust, day after day.
Family members of asbestos workers can also be exposed to higher levels of asbestos because the fibers can be carried home on the workers' clothing, and can then be inhaled by others in the household.
Exposure to asbestos is also a concern in older buildings. If building materials like insulation and ceiling and floor tiles begin to decompose over time, asbestos fibers can be found in indoor air and may pose a health threat. There is no health risk if the asbestos is bonded into intact finished products, such as walls and tiles. As long as the material is not damaged or disturbed (for example, by drilling or remodeling), the fibers are not released into the air. Maintenance workers who sweep up and dispose of the asbestos dust or handle damaged asbestos-containing materials are often exposed to higher levels than other occupants of these buildings. Removing asbestos from homes and other buildings can also cause some exposure, although modern asbestos abatement workers are trained to use appropriate protective equipment to minimize exposure.
Although use of asbestos has declined in many developed countries, its use is still a health hazard in some other parts of the world. Much of the world's asbestos production is used in Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Asia, and its use is on the rise in many of these areas. In 2005, the World Health Organization estimated that 125 million people worldwide were exposed to asbestos at work, despite the known links to cancer and other lung diseases for more than 60 years.

Does asbestos cause cancer?

Evidence from studies in both people and laboratory animals has shown that asbestos can increase the risk for some types of cancer.
When asbestos fibers in the air are inhaled, they may stick to mucus in the throat, trachea (windpipe), or bronchi (large breathing tubes of the lungs) and may be cleared by being coughed up or swallowed. But some fibers may reach the ends of the small airways in the lungs or penetrate into the outer lining of the lung and chest wall (known as the pleura). These fibers may irritate the cells in the lung or pleura and eventually cause lung cancer or mesothelioma.

Ovarian Cancer (Cancer of the Ovaries)

The ovaries The ovaries are part of a woman's reproductive system. They are in the pelvis. Each ovary is about the size of an almond. The ovaries make the female hormones -- estrogen and progesterone. They also release eggs. An egg travels from an ovary through a fallopian tube to the womb (uterus). When a woman goes through her "change of life" (menopause), her ovaries stop releasing eggs and make far lower levels of hormones. Understanding ovarian cancer Cancer begins in cells, the building blocks that make up tissues. Tissues make up the organs of the body. Normally, cells grow and divide to form new cells as the body needs them. When cells grow old, they die, and new cells take their place. Sometimes, this orderly process goes wrong. New cells form when the body does not need them, and old cells do not die when they should. These extra cells can form a mass of tissue called a growth or tumor. Tumors can be benign or malignant: Benign tumors are not cancer: Benign tumors are rarely life-threatening. Generally, benign tumors can be removed. They usually do not grow back. Benign tumors do not invade the tissues around them. Cells from benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the body. Malignant tumors are cancer: Malignant tumors are generally more serious than benign tumors. They may be life-threatening. Malignant tumors often can be removed. But sometimes they grow back. Malignant tumors can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Cells from malignant tumors can spread to other parts of the body. Cancer cells spread by breaking away from the original (primary) tumor and entering the lymphatic system or bloodstream. The cells invade other organs and form new tumors that damage these organs. The spread of cancer is called metastasis. Benign and malignant cysts An ovarian cyst may be found on the surface of an ovary or inside it. A cyst contains fluid. Sometimes it contains solid tissue too. Most ovarian cysts are benign (not cancer). Most ovarian cysts go away with time. Sometimes, a doctor will find a cyst that does not go away or that gets larger. The doctor may order tests to make sure that the cyst is not cancer. Ovarian cancer Ovarian cancer can invade, shed, or spread to other organs: Invade: A malignant ovarian tumor can grow and invade organs next to the ovaries, such as the fallopian tubes and uterus. Shed: Cancer cells can shed (break off) from the main ovarian tumor. Shedding into the abdomen may lead to new tumors forming on the surface of nearby organs and tissues. The doctor may call these seeds or implants. Spread: Cancer cells can spread through the lymphatic system to lymph nodes in the pelvis, abdomen, and chest. Cancer cells may also spread through the bloodstream to organs such as the liver and lungs. When cancer spreads from its original place to another part of the body, the new tumor has the same kind of abnormal cells and the same name as the original tumor. For example, if ovarian cancer spreads to the liver, the cancer cells in the liver are actually ovarian cancer cells. The disease is metastatic ovarian cancer, not liver cancer. For that reason, it is treated as ovarian cancer, not liver cancer. Doctors call the new tumor "distant" or metastatic disease.

Mesothelioma Treatment

Despite years of research since the disease was first identified, it’s still difficult to identify the best approach to treating the disease, says David Rice, MD, a cardiothoracic surgeon and nationally known mesothelioma expert who practices at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX.



The very rareness of the cancer—only about 3,000 people a year are diagnosed in the United States—makes it difficult to run the kind of research studies needed to compare treatments and determine the ideal therapy at each stage of the disease. “There isn’t a lot of evidence-based science in this disease,” Dr. Rice admits. So when his patients ask him what the best treatment is for the disease, he tells them what we tell you in this section, adding that “we don’t have a reliable cure for this disease.”


Thus, a major goal of treatment is to reduce pain and suffering and prolong a patient’s life as long as possible while providing them with the highest quality of life possible.


Choosing the right mesothelioma doctor is an important first step in planning for treatment.


There are a number of mesothelioma experts, like Dr. Rice, practicing in specialized clinics throughout the country. Each of these cancer specialists has an acute knowledge of the behavior and pathology of malignant mesothelioma and its treatment. It is likely that if you are diagnosed with mesothelioma, you will be referred by your personal physician to a larger scale comprehensive cancer center.


The most important consideration in mesothelioma treatment is the cancer stage and type, said Dr. Rice. Treatment decisions also depend on whether the cancer is localized to the chest or has spread to the chest wall, diaphragm, or lymph nodes, your age and overall health, and the center where you’re being treated. Learn more about finding a doctor here.


Conventional treatments for mesothelioma involve surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.


As with most solid tumors, doctors turn to surgery, radiation and chemotherapy to manage mesothelioma. When exploring the various treatment options available with your doctor it is important to be informed about the risk and benefits of each one before making a final decision.


Surgery


Only about 1 in 5 patients with metastatic pleural mesothelioma undergo surgery. There are two main surgeries: pleurectomy/decortication, in which the surgeon tries to remove as much of the tumor from around the lung as possible, and the more radical extrapleural pneumonectomy, in which the lung itself is removed.


There is a lot of debate as to which is “best,” said Dr. Rice, although studies find that most long-term survivors have had surgery. He personally believes that pneumonectomy is best for tumor control if followed with radiation. Studies find it prevents tumor recurrence in the chest in 80 to 85 percent of patients who have the surgery.


However, Dr. Rice noted, it is a long, intensive operation with a 55 percent complication rate and a 3 percent risk of death, higher in some institutions. “So you only want to perform that surgery if the patient has a reasonably good prognosis,” said Dr. Rice. Translation: it doesn’t appear that the cancer has spread outside the chest.


Patients best suited for pneumonectomy are younger, with the epithelial form of the disease, no obvious lymph gland involvement, and are otherwise healthy enough to withstand the rigor of the procedure. Dr. Rice actually waits until he has the patient’s chest open in the operating room and biopsies the lymph nodes before deciding which procedure to perform.


Pleurectomy/decortication has a higher failure rate, with the tumor recurring in the chest cavity 50 to 80 percent of the time. However, that rate may change with improved radiotherapy techniques, Dr. Rice said. The reason for the high recurrence is that it’s impossible to completely remove the tumor without removing the lung.


However, he noted, there is no difference in survival rates between the two surgeries. Part of the reason is that the cancer has often spread to other parts of the body by the time it is diagnosed even if it appears to be confined to the chest.



Chemotherapy


Chemotherapy, also known as systemic therapy, uses oral or infusion-based medications to kill cancer cells throughout your body. Chemotherapy is used both before and after surgery, as well as in people who can’t handle surgery. It is also used in the palliative setting to reduce pain and improve quality of life.


The most commonly used chemotherapy drugs for mesothelioma are cisplatin combined with pemetrexed (Alimta) or raltitrexed (Tomudex). Other combinations include gemcitabine, carboplatin or oxaliplatin.


If you can’t manage combination therapy, your doctor may start on just one drug. Sometimes, your doctor may infuse the medication directly into your chest cavity, a procedure called pleural chemotherapy, or, abdomen, called intraperitoneal chemotherapy. You may also get a second course of chemotherapy, called “second-line” chemotherapy, with pemetrexed or other drugs, raltitrexed plus oxaliplatin, or the triple drug combination of irinotecan, cisplatin and mitomycin.


Some centers are beginning to provide intraperitoneal chemotherapy before surgery, followed by chemotherapy shortly after surgery. You can learn more about this approach here. There is also work underway to personalize chemotherapy based on the genetic characteristics of your tumor.

Radiation


Radiation can be an important part of mesothelioma treatment. The problem is that because the cancer is near the heart and lungs, it’s challenging to provide the kind of high-dose, intensive therapy needed to shrink the tumor. However, a newer option, intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), which can more accurately target cancer cells and avoid healthy tissue, may provide better results when performed by experienced clinicians.


Investigational therapies are being explored through clinical and surgical trials at many of the nation’s top cancer centers.


There are more than 50 studies on new therapies for mesothelioma in the U.S. that are looking for volunteers. Researchers are investigating new targeted drugs and chemotherapies, as well as new protocols for giving the medications; immunotherapy, which harnesses the power of the immune system to fight the disease; phototherapy, in which you are injected with a drug that bonds to cancer cells and is activated by high-intensity light; genetic therapies; and novel radiotherapy techniques like tomotherapy to treat the disease. Learn more about participating in a clinical trial here.




At some point, the management of the disease will shift from trying to cure the disease to trying to keep the patient as comfortable as possible for as long as possible.


This is the palliative care stage, when many people enter a hospice program. The primary goal at this stage is maximizing patient comfort. Medication to help with pain, difficulty breathing, and other symptoms that may be experienced is a mainstay. So is emotional and spiritual support for you and your family.


Alternative therapies for mesothelioma can be used to ease side effects of traditional cancer treatment.


Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) includes such therapies as massage, acupuncture, and meditation. They can be a powerful part of your overall management plan, helping you better manage the stress and anxiety of the disease and conventional treatments.

Treatments for Asbestos Poisoning

Asbestos poisoning, or asbestosis, is an illness caused by prolonged and constant exposure to asbestos particles. These sharp, fibrous particles-when inhaled-will puncture and penetrate lung tissues, causing deep scarring and often leading to chronic breathing problems and cancer. Exposure to asbestos or materials containing this mineral may also result to mesothelioma, a cancer unique to such situation that directly affects the protective lining of the major organs in the body. The gravity of asbestos poisoning is directly proportional to the period and concentration of one's exposure, and of course the treatment will depend on the extent of the damage caused by asbestos fibers and particles to the body.
The side effects and health problems brought on by exposure to asbestos do not immediately manifest. Usually, the illnesses will start popping up decades after an encounter with the hazardous mineral. You will only feel the debilitating effects of asbestos exposure twenty to thirty years from now.
People over 50 are the ones who usually exhibit symptoms of asbestos poisoning and mesothelioma. This is because of the long latency period of these illnesses, and also because asbestos was not regulated until several years ago.
Asbestosis is the least serious of all the diseases caused by exposure to asbestos. However, the symptoms and effects of this disease are not to be taken lightly, as they are debilitating and sometimes fatal. Coughing, chest pains, reduced physical stamina, and shortness of breath even while at rest are the typical symptoms of asbestosis-and they worsen over time. Over-the-counter medicines may temporary alleviate the symptoms, but it is recommended that one suffering from such problems consult a physician immediately.




The common "cures" for cancer such as chemotherapy, medication, and radiation therapy will extend the life expectancy of a person suffering from mesothelioma. Surgery can also be an option, though not recommended for people who have been extremely weakened by asbestos-related conditions. Mesothelioma is often fatal, because it is not diagnosed and discovered until the cancer has significantly advanced. It is highly aggressive and a doctor will often prescribe a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy to combat the development of the cancer.
The best treatment-especially for people who have not contracted the disease yet or have not exhibited the symptoms-is to avoid exposure to asbestos at all costs. This includes removing all traces of asbestos in one's environment. If you live in a house constructed in the 1940's and the 1950's, you might want to contact a professional immediately for inspection. Asbestos was not a regulated substance until several years ago, so you might find it in vintage items that have heat and fire-resistant qualities. Insulation materials installed in the roofs, attics, ceilings, and walls might also contain this deadly substance, but you cannot overlook its possible presence in furnaces, fireplaces, siding tiles, and even vinyl and rubber flooring tiles.
Asbestos removal is a job best left to the experts, who have the skills and knowledge on removing asbestos materials safely and decontaminating the structure right afterward.

How Is Mesothelioma Acquired?

Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer than affects individuals who have been exposed to asbestos. Asbestos fibers are extremely dangerous and can pose major risks for anyone who comes into contact with them.
Asbestos has been used for years in many different products, especially construction and insulation. Although the risks were not well known in its earlier use, it is now a common topic with a vast amount of information available about it. Even so, many companies are still using this toxic material in trace amount in different products.
Once asbestos fibers are released into the air, they can either be inhaled or ingested by a human. At this point, the fibers can travel to any one of the main linings of the body. The pleura is a lining that surrounds and protects the lungs. If the asbestos fibers travel and lodge into this lining, a person will develop pleural mesothelioma. The peritoneum is a lining that surrounds and protects the abdominal cavity. If asbestos is ingested and travels to this delicate covering of the abdominal viscera, peritoneal mesothelioma will begin to develop. Finally, the third type of mesothelioma is pericardial mesothelioma. This cancer results when asbestos fibers lodge in the pericardium, or protective covering of the heart. Once the fibrous pieces of asbestos travel to any one of these major linings, they will become lodged and begin to produce carcinogenic scar tissue. At that point, mesothelioma is well on its way to causing numerous health problems.





The dormancy period of all types of mesothelioma is extremely long. This means that the time from exposure to the fibers until the appearance of symptoms can be anywhere from twenty to fifty years long. This fact makes treating mesothelioma extremely challenging because the cancer has normally progressed too far by the time of discovery. Also, the symptoms that come with each type of mesothelioma are similar to the symptoms that other major illnesses and diseases have as well. Most time, mesothelioma is misdiagnosed due to these symptom similarities. For example, pleural mesothelioma may cause shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, exercise intolerance and chest pain. These symptoms are the same symptoms that many major respiratory diseases cause as well. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthmatic bronchitis and emphysema all carry the same symptoms as pleural mesothelioma.
In any case, it is important to find a reputable oncologist that specializes in mesothelioma and the challenges that it brings with it. By doing this, the oncologist and patient can develop a treatment game plan and begin to fight this horrible cancer.

Why Cancer Can't Be Cured

In the last 40 years there has been no significant progress or new therapies for the treatment of cancers in this country. Rather emphasis continues to be on treating symptoms with expensive radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery, something that was already being done well before Nixon's 1971 "National Cancer Act." And statistics show that the incidence of cancer is now higher than ever.
Let's face it, the traditional cancer industry is a political and financial creation of big business. Brutal chemotherapy is their "war on cancer," a billion dollar industry that cannot be stopped. Most doctors, under the American Medical Association's (AMA) control, are threatened with censure for treating and curing cancer with most natural remedies. Why? They are not Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved and never will be. And any unlicensed laymen will be prosecuted for advertising or performing any proven natural cancer cure; that would be practicing medicine without a license. So nobody is allowed to cure cancer. Why?
1. Pharmaceutical companies profit greatly from treatments not cures.
2. Natural treatments work and kill profits.
Every American who looks to mainstream propaganda should realize this by now!




BOOKS & MEDIA Cancer: Curing the Incurable Kelley

If a new natural or inexpensive cancer treatment is publicized, grave warnings are issued by the cancer industry (FDA, AMA, NCI). For example, there are medical doctors and others who have openly discussed effective natural remedies -- and for this they are listed on the QuackWatch.com website. Even Suzanne Somers is on this site after writing her book Knockout about alternative cancer treatments.
Why cancer can't be cured is tied to this war on quacks. This "quack watch" started before the inception of the American Medical Association in 1847. New college-trained doctors came into prominence during the 1800s amid a land full of "quack" folk doctors and natural remedies. The attack on quacks was, and still is, a war on any natural, inexpensive treatment that cuts into the income of the college-trained doctor. In the billion dollar cancer industry, cancer can be treated, but not cured. Naturopaths and others who offer "unconventional" treatments are bad for business and medicine is big business. In any business, information is guarded. Marketing focuses on profits, not people. So for your health's sake, do some research. There are many medical books in your library under the Dewey section 610 (and 610 of the library's Reference area.) Good luck!

BOOKS & MEDIA Treating Cancer w/Herbs: An Integrative Approach Tierra