Sunday, May 29, 2016

Cancer-Causing Foods You're Likely Eating Daily

ccfEveryone wants to live a long healthy life, but few people take the proper steps towards optimal health. Your lifestyle and diet play an intricate role in the overall quality of your life. Eating nutritious foods is essential if you want to prevent common illnesses. You can seek help with your diet plan by consulting with a naturopathic family care physician, who can design a plan for you and your entire family. Any integrative medicine doctor will tell you that prevention is the best form of treatment.
A lot of people believe they're eating healthy but are actually consuming foods and ingredients that are toxic. If you're on the path to leading a healthier life, then make sure you're not eating these cancer-causing foods.

Canned Foods
A lot of cans contain a chemical known as BPA (bisphenol-A). This is found in the lining of many cans that are sold in grocery stores across the world. In a study published in 2013 by the Proceeding of the National Academy of Sciences, it was found that BPA affected the genes in the brains of rats. Tomatoes sold in cans should also be avoided, since they're known to have high acidity due to BPA leeched from the lining. Don't expect to see a BPA logo on cans - if it doesn't say BPA-free, then you can assume there's BPA.

Soda
Research performed recently shows that soda pop has been linked to various illnesses. Those who drink more than one can of soda daily are at a higher risk of stroke than those who don't. It is also linked to weight gain, due to the high sugar content and empty calories. The artificial colorings and food chemicals placed in soda, such as 4-MI have been connected to cancer.
If you consult with a naturopathic family care physician about your diet, soda will be one of the items they recommend to remove from your daily consumption.

Farmed Salmon
Many people consume fish because it's believed to be healthy. Some fish are contaminated with heavy metals, while farmed salmon are found to be contaminated with antibiotics, pesticides, chemicals and various carcinogens. This is due to them being fed unnatural diets. About 60 percent of the salmon on the market are farmed. Then because farmed fish live in crowded conditions, they have 30 times more sea lice than wild salmon.

Naturopathic physicians can help improve the care and health of your family. If you're serious about preventing disease, then you need to ensure you're staying away from harmful foods and ingredients.

Friday, February 19, 2016

Ovarian Cancer : More Deadly Than Breast Cancer

ocA few years ago I was asked if I knew what the most deadly gynecologic cancer was and I answered "Well, breast cancer of course." Oh, how I was wrong. The American Cancer Society estimates that the average five year survival rate of breast cancer at any stage to actually be 89 percent. While no cancer is good that's a pretty good rate. The correct answer to the question is ovarian cancer, and its five year survival rate (estimated by the American cancer society) is only 46 percent. We need to find out why this cancer is so deadly.

Cancer is a dangerous and mysterious thing to people that don't know much about it. Well, everyone is made up of cells, cells are what make up tissue and tissue is what makes up our organs. Normally when a cell gets old and tired it dies just like we do and a new cell takes its place. Our body produces these new cells by growing and dividing healthy cells. Sometimes our body overproduces cells and this is when tumors (mass of tissue) are formed. These tumors aren't always cancer; when they are not they are called benign tumors. When they are cancer they are call malignant; these are the ones that can be life-threatening. Both types of tumors can be removed but the cancerous ones are more likely to grow back and only they also can spread to different parts of your body. When this happens the cancer cells are breaking away from the original tumor and entering the blood stream to use it like a highway to travel around your body. When the cancer cells spread like this it's called metastasis and the cancer can start to go new tumors. If these cells reach any of your organs and start to go new tumors and this is when damage can be done.

They call it ovarian cancer because the tumor first starts at the ovaries and is made up of over productive ovarian cells. The ovaries are part of the women's reproductive system and are attached to the uterus by the fallopian tubes. When a malignant tumor starts to grow these areas can also be affected because of their close proximity to the ovaries. When this tumor starts to shed cancer cells the cells typically go to the abdomen first because it's closest to where the reproductive system is located. Then as I said before the cancerous cells can start to affect your lymph nodes and enter your blood stream to travel to different organs.

Ovarian cancer is so deadly because it's very hard to detect. Every year more than 14,600 women die from ovarian cancer in the United States. This may not seem like a lot when you think of all the billion people that live here but when about 20,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year that number seems like a lot. So this means that on average 7 out of 10 women will die from this disease and this is all because it is so hard to detect. In order to detect it you have to know what the symptoms are. The most common symptoms are pain in the abdomen, pelvis, back or legs because of where the cancer is located in your body. You can also have a swollen or bloated abdomen because it can fill up with fluids. You will also feel very tired all the time and would have some nausea, indigestion, gas, constipation, or even diarrhea. Some less common symptoms would be shortness of breath, the urge to urinate often, and unusual vaginal bleeding. Now these are pretty general symptoms and many other disease or illnesses can cause them and that's why it's so hard to detect because ovarian cancer is not typical the very first thing we think of when we have one or more of these symptoms.

Most women would think if there was a problem that it would show up on their Pap test which is a once yearly screening that women get from their doctor. However, a Pap test is only screening for cervical cancer and it cannot be used to diagnose ovarian cancer. When women do go in to your doctor for the Pap test he or she should be doing a pelvic exam as well, during this they will feel your ovaries and organs in close proximity for any lumps or changes in shape and/or size. More often than not the doctors will not be able to feel a tumor until they are a substantial size. This is why we look to other testing as well as the pelvic exam to diagnose this cancer. If women who have abdominal bloating or pain and would go to the doctor, they may check your abdomen for fluid buildup. If they some find some a sample can be taken to test for ovarian cancer cells as part of the diagnoses. There is also blood testing where your doctor would check your CA-125 level to see if it is high. The CA-125 is a substance that is found on the surface of the ovarian cancer cells but also on some normal tissue, this is why a high level might indicate cancer. Unfortunately this test cannot be used as the only test for diagnosing ovarian cancer. It is mainly used for monitoring a woman that has already been diagnosed and is going through treatment or as an early detection for the return of cancer after treatment has been completed. The next way to get diagnosed is by having an ultrasound done. There are two different types of ultrasounds that can be done; the first is the less invasive of the two. This is where they take the ultrasound device and press it up against your abdomen and the sound waves that it produces bounce off the organs to produce a picture for us to see. By using this they would be able to get a picture of the ovaries to see if there was a tumor or any abnormalities. The second type of ultrasound they can do is a transvaginal ultrasound and it does the same things as the regular one however this device is inserted into the vagina for a much better view of the ovaries. The last test to help diagnose this cancer is a biopsy. They will only do a biopsy if blood test and one of the ultrasounds have indicated that there may be a tumor. A biopsy is when they take a sample of tissue or fluid to look for cancer cells. Once they biopsy has been done a pathologist will look as the sample under a microscope for any cancer cells. If there are some found then they will be described as either grade 1, 2, or 3 and this is based off of how abnormal the cells look.

Once the doctors have determined that there are cancer cells present they have to determine what stage the disease is in before they can start any treatment. In order to find out what stage the cancer is in the doctor must know grade the tumor is which we discussed earlier and they also may need to run a series of more test such as a CT scan or a chest x-ray. The CT scan is where they would give you some contrast material and the machine would then take several pictures to get a clearer picture of your pelvis and abdomen to see any tumors or abdominal fluid. The chest x-ray is used to see if the cancer has spread to your lungs and if there is any fluid buildup there as well.

There are four stages of ovarian cancer; the first stage is called stage 1. Stage 1 is where cancer cells can be found on one or both ovaries or in abdominal fluid. Only 15 percent of the total women diagnosed have stage 1 and they have a 5 year survival rate of 93.8 percent (statistics). Stage 2 is where the cancer has spread to other reproductive organs such as the fallopian tubes and the uterus. It can also be found in abdominal fluid as well as other tissue in the pelvis area. The 5 year survival rate for stage 2 is 72.8 percent and only 17 percent of women diagnosed have this stage. Stage 3 is where the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and can be also found on the outside of the liver. This is the most common stage that women are diagnosed (62 percent) with only a 28.2 percent survival rate or 5 years (statistics). The last stage is stage 4 and this is when the cancer can be found in the lungs or in any other organs. So, at this point it has traveled out of both the pelvic and abdominal areas. This has the lowest survival rate of 27.3 percent and the lowest percent of women diagnosed at 7 percent (statistics).

Once the doctor has determined what stage you are in you can start treatment accordingly. Most women will have surgery to remove cancer cells and also both ovaries and fallopian tubes, your uterus, any nearby lymph nodes, as well as the omentum which is a thin fat pad that covers the intestines. If you only have stage 1 sometimes the doctors will leave the uterus intact and only take one ovary and fallopian tube but this depends on your age and whether or not you would like to become pregnant and have children. If the cancer is one of the other stages (2, 3 or 4) then they might have to go in further and remove as much cancer as they possibly can. They can also do chemotherapy as a form of treatment. This is when "anticancer" drugs are given to kill the cancerous cell. The drugs can be given by either inserting them into the vein (IV), intraperitoneal (IP) which is given directly into the abdomen through a very thin tube, or by mouth via pill form (ovarian cancer 13). The side effects to the chemotherapy can be hair loss, vomiting, and diarrhea. This is because the drugs also harm normal cells, so it can damage your hair cells (hair loss) and the cells that line your digestive tract (vomiting and diarrhea) but it can also damage your blood cells and make your body bruise easier and you would be more susceptible to get infections because your blood cells are what help fight infections off.

As of right now we cannot explain why one women may develop this cancer and another will not but there are some women that are at higher risk. If you have any women in your family that has had ovarian cancer, specifically your mother, daughter, or sister you or a family member are at a higher risk. But, also if you or any other family members have had uterus, colon, rectum, or breast cancer you or a family member will be at a higher risk. Most women that are diagnosed with this disease are over the age of 55 and have never been pregnant. If you or a family member is at an increase risk you want to talk to your family member to make sure they are aware of these risks. Then I would encourage those at risk people to consult your doctor and see if anything can be done to make sure if you would so some signs of cancer, it could be detected early.

They may recommend genetic testing to see if you have a certain mutation of the BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 gene which has been linked to ovarian cancer and breast cancer. If you go and have this testing done you will have to provide a detailed family history and also give a blood sample. They will test they blood for mutations in your DNA, specifically looking at your BRCA 1 and 2 genes. When you get the results back they will let you know if they found a mutation and if they did you know that you for sure are at an increase risk. If they don't find a mutation they will still put you into an at risk category based on your family history. This testing has been very important in determining the links between certain mutations and ovarian cancer. The more data we can collect the better off we are on finding a connection.

The most important thing to remember is that this is the most deadly gynecologic cancer with very nonspecific symptoms, 15,000 women die from this cancer every year. If you or anyone you know are having any of these symptoms you should talk to them and encourage them to contact their doctor in hopes of early detection. The earlier the detection the better chances you or a family member has of not becoming one of the 15,000.

My Family Plate is a website that was created to post and make available health related content and tools from various experts for educational purposes. Get a FREE weight loss plan for adults, family weight loss advice, health and fitness tips, and student generated research papers on health, disease, diet, weight loss, and exercise. Go to My Family Plate klik here.

How To Get Rid Of Ovarian Cysts At Home

ocLooking for ways on how to get rid of ovarian cysts at home? Well, you've come to the right place. Below you shall find some of the common methods commonly used at home to obtain relief from ovarian cysts which are quite common in women of childbearing age although most of them do not produce any symptoms and go away on their own after a few menstrual cycles.

There are quite a number of common gynecological issues that most if not all women will deal with at some point during their lifetime which include fibroids, endometriosis, pcos, ovarian cysts, and so on and so forth, and in some cases many women will deal with more than one of these issues at the same time. For most of these conditions, it is unknown why they develop which can lead to frustration at the inadequacy of the information you may receive when you are start seeking treatment for these conditions.

As mentioned previously, it is important to remember that while most if not all women with deal with these gynecological issues, for most of them, these issues don't cause any problems or produce no symptoms and in some cases may go away on their own without the need for medical intervention which is a situation which commonly occurs with ovarian cysts.

In some cases when the cyst are discovered the "treatment" that your doctor will recommend is "watchful waiting" which simply means waiting for two or three menstrual cycles to see whether the cysts end up disappearing on their own which is what commonly occurs as already mentioned with these cyst on the ovaries.

But for some women, the ovarian cysts that they have may produce various symptoms and finding effective treatment to not only cure but prevent the return of these cysts can be challenging. But one avenue of treatment that you seriously need to consider for various gynecological issues is natural treatment including how to get rid of ovarian cysts at home.

If you are struggling with these cysts on your ovaries, instead of turning to conventional medicine which may not have the answers you seek or prevent recurrence, you need to know that there are many amazing natural remedies for ovarian cysts that actually work and which may be able to help you deal with these cysts. Many of these natural remedies can also be effective against other gynecological issues such as uterine fibroids, pcos, endometriosis, etc.

How to get rid of ovarian cysts at home

1. Diet

Diet is usually the number one recommended natural remedy for this and many other health issues. A lot of health issues can be resolved by following an appropriate diet. An appropriate diet usually represents one that features an abundance of fruits, vegetables and some fish (mainly cold water fish). An appropriate diet also means reducing or eliminating your consumption of red meat, poultry, fried foods, dairy, etc.

This is because many studies have shown that many women who followed a mainly vegetarian diet were at a reduced risk of developing various health issues including many gynecological issues. Fruits and vegetables contain the perfect mix of vitamins and minerals that not only promote general health and well-being but which help fight various diseases and conditions including ovarian cysts.

If you are dealing with constant symptomatic ovarian cysts, consider changing your diet to one that is mainly plant-based. Fruits and vegetables are also a rich source of fiber which is important for not only eliminating waste and toxins in a timely manner but also for getting rid of excessive hormones in the body which can increase the risk of developing various gynecological issues when the levels of a particular hormone are too high in the body leading to hormonal imbalance.

Cold water fish with special emphasis on salmon is especially important because of the essential fatty acids (EFAs) found in fish which help to promote health and well-being and prevent various diseases and conditions. But while you can eat as much fruit and vegetables as you like, do not eat too much fish as it can also cause health problems. Mercury in fish is also always a concern. It is generally recommended to eat fish two to three times per week and no more. Fish oil or omega-3 supplements are also effective for those who hate fish.

2. Chasteberry (Vitex)

Another of the best ways on how to get rid of ovarian cysts at home is with the use of the herb chasteberry which is also commonly known as vitex. While there are many herbs that are beneficial for treating ovarian cysts, vitex is the number one female herb and you need it in your life if you are dealing with ovarian cysts, fibroids, endometriosis, pcos, and various other gynecological issues.

One of the benefits of this herb is that it helps to promote hormone balance because of the phytoestrogens that it contains. Phytoestrogens are chemically weaker hormones which are similar to the much more powerful estrogen which is produced naturally by the body. By introducing phytoestrogens into your body, they will bind to estrogen receptors in the body which will enable the much stronger and problematic excessive estrogen to be eliminated from the body which helps to balance hormones and can prevent the development of various gynecological issues.

3. Castor oil packs

Castor oil packs are a very common home remedy for ovarian cysts, fibroids, etc, and they are considered effective because they help to get rid of disease-causing toxins in the body as well as having many other health benefits.

It is best to use the best castor oil for this treatment and this means that it has to be 100 percent, organic and cold or expeller pressed. You can also use heat with castor oil packs which can help with faster absorption of this oil into the body and the various healing properties contained in castor oil to begin their work on the cysts promptly.

4. Heat

Using heat is another of the best natural remedies for ovarian cysts that actually work especially if you are dealing with pain and pressure in the pelvic region due to ovarian cysts. Applying a heating pad or hot water bottle whenever you feel pain or pressure in the pelvic region for at least 15 minutes will help to relieve some of the pain and pressure commonly associated with ovarian cysts.

Heat can also be used with the castor oil packs as mentioned above so that you get double the benefits of not just castor oil but heat as well.

5. Herbal teas

Herbal teas are another common natural remedy for ovarian cysts. Herbal teas such as chamomile tea can be used to help you relax and to relieve some of the pain and pressure as well as other symptoms commonly associated with ovarian cysts so drink up.

By helping to relax you, stress can also be reduced or eliminated. Dealing with stress can not only increase your risk of developing ovarian cysts and many other diseases and conditions but chronic stress can also worsen symptoms. Herbal teas will help to calm and relax your mind making them effective for eliminating or reducing stress and promoting healing and a feeling of well-being.

These are the top ways on how to get rid of ovarian cysts at home that may work for you. But you need more than the above to not only get rid of ovarian cysts but also prevent their recurrence. If you are serious about getting rid of ovarian cysts naturally, visit http://www.ovariancystsnaturaltreatment411.com/ovarian-cysts-miracle-book-review/ and discover a scientifically proven guide for eliminating and preventing ovarian cysts and pcos naturally.

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

3 Of the Leading Causes of Skin Cancer

skin cancer
Skin Cancer Indicators
Skin cancer is one of the commonest forms of this malignant disease. It is commonly caused by exposure of the skin to the sun. Before we talk about the 3 leading causes of skin cancer, let's take a look at the different types of skin cells and their basic functions. The top layer of the skin is called epidermis, and it has 3 major types of cells squamous, basal and melanocytes. Squamous cells line the inside of the skin, just below the visible outer layer. Below the layer of squamous cells are basal cells, which act as generators of new cells. The final layer of the epidermis consists of melanocytes. These cells produce melanin, a coloring pigment that determines your skin tone. This pigment also plays a vital role in protecting the skin from the harmful UV rays.

1. UV Radiations
A major cause of skin cancer is the ultra violet radiations from the sun. It is caused either due to long-term or short-term exposure to these harmful rays. The 2 common types of UV rays that affect the skin are UVA and UVB. Both the types of sun rays are known to be cancer causing. How do these rays work on damaging the skin cells? They go straight for the jugular - here, the DNA of the skin cells. Once the cell's code is damaged, the cells tend to multiply quickly, leading to cancerous growth. It is not just the sun's UV rays are harmful, even radiations from tanning bed and solarium have been found to be carcinogenic.

2. Chemicals
Many chemicals have also been found to cause non-melanoma cancer. Some of the harmful chemicals are arsenic, shale oil, petroleum products, soot, pitch, nicotine, coal-tar and creosote. People working in chemical factories or leather tanneries may be exposed to one or many of these carcinogenic chemicals. Their work conditions make their skin more vulnerable to the UV rays and to skin cancer.

3. Skin Conditions
Those suffering from skin conditions are prone to this form of cancer as the skin cells are already weak and can be easily affected by the carcinogens. Psoriasis, solar keratosis, Gorlin's syndrome, Xeroderma pigmentosum and eczema could increase the risk of skin cancer. These skin conditions do not by themselves cause skin cancer, but could hasten the formation of cancerous cells as they weaken the skin cells and reduce their natural ability to repair and renew.

Monday, February 1, 2016

Clinical Trials Survey

pancreatic clinical surveyOne of Pancreatic Cancer UK’s aims is to increase the amount of research into pancreatic cancer. We try to do this by funding research directly ourselves, lobbying Government and others to increase their funding and by pressing for policy changes to make research into the disease easier and more effective.

Effective research requires a good number of clinical trials to take place, so as to demonstrate whether a new treatment is truly effective for patients. We know that there are only a small number of clinical trials into pancreatic cancer open in the UK, and it can take a long time to recruit patients into those trials.

Friday, January 1, 2016

Prostate Cancer Treatment in India

prostate cancerHigh Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) prostate cancer treatment is one of the most rapidly growing treatment methods around the world. HIFU is a therapy option for localized prostate cancer that may offer a balance between eliminating cancer and maintaining quality of life. HIFU in India offers a non-invasive alternative to the traditional treatments for uterine fibroids. It combines magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with HIFU.