Survivor Videos

Uterine cancer is also known as endometrial cancer and the cancer of the uterus. Scientists and researchers all over the world are trying to find out the causes of this ailment and the ways and means of preventing it. Though we do not why one gets this malady and another does not, it is for sure that this is not contagious. It is interesting to note that findings are available to show that certain factors are more prevalent in women who contract this disease than in others who do not get it. It is ironic that some women who contract this disease have no such risk factors whereas still others, who have these factors, do not get the disease.

The uterus, commonly known as womb, is the muscular organ in a woman where a fetus grows when she is pregnant. It is a vital organ in a female?s reproductive system. Although there are other types of cancer in the uterus, the most common one is that grows in the lining of the uterus called uterine cancer or endometrial cancer. This type of cancer is more common in women who are 50 years of age and are in postmenopausal stage in their lives.

There are several symptoms connected with this ailment. Abnormal bleeding or discharge from the uterus is the most common symptom connected with uterine cancer. Any bleeding or discharge that occurs after menopause is considered abnormal. Difficulty and trouble in urinating is another. Pelvic pain and pain during intercourse are another two symptoms of possible uterine cancer.

It is advisable for women who experience these painful conditions to consult a doctor without any delay. But it always may be possible that these symptoms are false alarms as they may be caused by less serious conditions. Only a doctor can confirm it. However, the disease is capable of progressing without showing any of these symptoms. In that case, the first sign may be pelvic pain or pressure.

Uterine cancer is associated with women who have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, have not borne any children, are afflicted with hypertension or diabetes, and have a history of irregular menses. It is also considered to be hormone-related, often to estrogen. Whatever is said and done, since prevention is better than cure, it is most advisable to consult a doctor the moment you suspect that you may be the next victim of uterine cancer.

While cancer facts are easily obtainable on the internet and from your doctor, if you or someone you care about is diagnosed with cancer, panic sets in. The good news is that cancer is no longer a death sentence. Treatments for the disease are improving with time and research, and one day the expression ?finding a cure for cancer? may cease to be synonymous with doing something almost impossible.

So what is cancer? One of the best known cancer facts is that it has something to do with tumours and the word tumour is often used interchangeably with cancer. However, it is possibly for a tumour to be benign and therefore pose no threat to the individual concerned. (A benign tumour is one which does not invade other cells or parts of the body.) A malignant tumour, on the other hand shows uncontrolled growth, invades and possibly destroys nearby tissues and may show metastasis as well (i.e. spreading to another part of the body).

Amongst the little known cancer facts is the fact that cancer may not even be painful, depending on its location. Another of the cancer facts that could surprise you is that it can even be caused by some types of poisonous mushrooms and a toxin that can grow on peanut plants. (Don?t let that put you off peanuts, though, peanuts are harmless.)

Other encouraging cancer facts include the fact that the number of deaths to cancer is actually down from previous years. This could be because people today are more health conscious and are cutting down on unhealthy activities like smoking. They are also careful about overexposure to UV rays which can cause cancer. More good news in cancer facts is that there?s more and more awareness of the disease and organisations worldwide are teaming up to fight cancer.

While cancer is a notoriously difficult disease to treat, with patients sometimes needing three or more doctors (specialists in different areas), who may not always agree with each other, patients should not give up. Positive thinking and will power evidently work as well with cancer as they do with other illnesses, with patients making apparently miraculous recoveries because of their will to survive.

Statistical cancer facts may not be available to prove this, but faith in their religion can help a patient through the tough times that come with having cancer. Most importantly, never ever lose hope.

Cancer statistics is the term given to collecting, organizing and interpreting numerical data such that information can be gathered as an inference by analyzing a sample and relating this to the population.

Cancer statistics are useful when predicting a cancer patient?s prognosis. Prognosis is something that is discussed between cancer patients and their doctors which will give the patient an idea of the most probable outcome of their cancer condition (whether they might fully recover or whether they might have the cancer returning).

There are several important factors that could affect a patients? prognosis, such as: type of the cancer, location of the cancer, the extent to which the cancer has spread, the abnormality of the cancer cells and growth rate of the cancer.

Other external factors that can also affect the prognosis of the patient are the patient?s age, normal health condition and how the patient responds to the treatment given.
When the doctor discusses a patient?s prognosis, they carefully consider the cancer statistics available to them thanks to the researchers who?ve collected information over years on various cancer patients. The doctors carefully analyze the cancer statistics, and uses cancer statistics that are of a group of people most similar to the patient ? especially regarding the factors that affect the prognosis.

For instance, if the patient is a male of the age 34, who used to be a heavy smoker, the doctor will take into consideration- the cancer statistics that are available of cancer patients of age group between ? perhaps 30- 40, who are males and who were smokers, to base this particular patient?s prognosis.

The commonly used cancer statistics include: survival rate (this is the percentage of cancer patients with a certain type of cancer that had spread to a certain extent, who have survived for a certain period of time after they were diagnosed as cancer patients), the five year survival rate (this is the percentage of people who after five years from their initial diagnosis are still alive whether they have no symptoms of cancer, have few symptoms of cancer or are free of cancer completely or having treatment) and Recurrence-free survival rate (this shows how long a person who once had cancer will survive, free of the disease, rather than until death).

The National Cancer Institute produces a report called the SEER cancer statistics review that is consistent with the latest cancer incidents and is available to the American public. The latest edition of this cancer statistics review includes statistics from 1975 to year 2005- the latest year to which these statistics are currently available.
Other countries such as the United Kingdom also publish their own Cancer statistics reports, usually free for the public.

Cancer statistics are also useful for University students studying, for example Oncology and other research groups; hence it is extremely gratifying that cancer statistics reports such as those mentioned above are available for the public for free; as they improve public awareness of the dreaded disease- cancer.

The bladder is an important part of a human’s body as it is one of the main organs which deals with detoxifying the body. As the organ that stores urine, and thus helps remove excess nutrients and waste products from the body, the bladder plays an integral role in many bodily functions.

Bladder cancer can be of three main types, depending on which area of the bladder it forms in, and what type of cells are affected. There are no exact causes of bladder cancer but there have been many risk factors that have been identified to increase the chances of bladder cancer which include use of tobacco, infections or irritations in the bladder, age, gender and possibly family history. Use of tobacco is said to increase the chances of bladder cancer by two or three times. Although a person may have one or more of the above mentioned risk factors, they are not definite causes for developing the disease. Symptoms of bladder cancer include needing to urinate often, pain during urinating, and blood mixed with urine. Again, having these symptoms does not mean that bladder cancer is present, as infections, bladder stones and benign tumours can cause similar symptoms, can but it is advisable to check with a doctor if symptoms like such appear. Doctor?s use physical tests, urine tests and, in some cases, biopsies, to diagnose the cause of symptoms that appear. In most cases biopsies can be the best way to say if a patient has bladder cancer or not.

Bladder cancer occurs in four stages, separated as such due to the extent of penetration of cancer cells in the bladder. Stage 0 is when the cancer cells appear only in the inner lining of the bladder, whereas Stage IV is when the cancer cells have spread through the body and reached other organs, like the lungs or pelvis. The three stages in between refer to how far the cancer cells have spread in the bladder or to the rest of the body, in their various levels.

There are a range of treatments for bladder cancer which patients can ask their doctor?s about, from chemo or radiation therapy to surgery. A combination of a number of therapies can also be used. It is always better to ask for the doctor?s advice on which kind of treatment would work best for the patient. As an after-effect of bladder cancer treatment, patients may lose their appetites or suffer from nausea but it is important for patients to be able to take in proper nutrition into their body so that they have enough calories and protein. Talking to a doctor or dietician will give the patient more information on the diet that the patient needs to follow, so that recovery can be made faster and easier.

Being diagnosed with cancer is one of the scariest things that can happen to a person. It?s easy to lose all hope and just give up then and there, but it is important to keep in mind that the number of cancer survivors has increased over the last few years, and with proper treatment, it is possible to be one of them.

There are several types of cancer, and even in a smaller subset such as skin cancer there?s more than one type.

Skin cancer can be either a carcinoma or a melanoma. As the name suggests, the melanoma is a form of skin cancer that begins in the melanocytes. It is more likely than the carcinomas to spread to other parts of the body, but fortunately is the rarest form of skin cancer. The most common forms of skin cancer are basal and squamous cell carcinomas.

So what are basal and squamous cells and melanocytes? The epidermis (top layer of the skin) is made up of three types of cells:
Squamous cells ? These are thin, flat cells that make up the topmost layer.
Basal cells ? Found under the squamous cells, these are round.
Melanocytes ? These produce melanin, the pigment that colours skin.

Factors that increase the risk of skin cancer include having fair skin, chronic inflammations or ulcers, scars or burns, having had radiation therapy and being exposed to a lot of either artificial (as in tanning booths) or natural UV rays. Keep in mind, that just because one of the risk factors applies to you, it doesn?t mean that you will definitely get skin cancer. Unfortunately, the reverse is also true and people who don?t show any of the risk factors may also get skin cancer.

One of the best ways of preventing skin cancer is by minimizing damage to the skin through overexposure to sunlight, so wearing sunscreen is recommended. Also, the quicker a cancer is caught and treated, the higher the chances of success. Skin cancer looks different depending on which type it is, so if anything suspicious is spotted, it?s a good idea to see a physician and get a professional opinion.

If diagnosed with skin cancer, there are several organisations out there that provide support and information. A good source of information is the National Cancer Institute, which has a comprehensive and clear website, and experts available to assist by telephone, email, post or chat.

The female reproductive system is composed of many different parts. One of the most important of these is the ovary; the organ that releases the egg which is later either fertilized or degenerates. The ovary therefore plays an important role in hormone secretion in females, and hence in a lot of the processes that take place in a woman?s body. As such an active part of the female body, there are cells in the ovary that are constantly growing and maturing. Ovarian cancer is when there is a tumor in the ovary.

Finding out that you have ovarian cancer can be a traumatic experience. There are no specific reasons for ovarian cancer to develop and so there are no special methods to take that can prevent the disease from forming. Because of this reason it is important to stay alert about any warning signs of irregularities in your body?s functions. As a main organ that deals with menstruation, it would be a good initiative to be vigilant about any differences in the monthly cycle. Going to a doctor at the earliest signs of something happening out of the ordinary would be a good idea to find out what the causes for these changes are. Sometimes the doctor may recommend surgically removing the affected ovary as that would stop the cancer from spreading to other parts of the body. Ovarian cancer need not be the end of the line for women these days. There are wide arrays of drugs prescribed by doctors which provide the needed hormones for the body to function as it always did. And since there are two ovaries present in the female body, it does not mean that removing one ovary because of ovarian cancer would mean there is no chance for childbirth later in life. Science has progressed greatly over the past years and so ovarian cancer can be successfully treated and cured, as long as it is diagnosed early enough.

Dealing with ovarian cancer, or any other form of cancer, is not an easy experience. It takes a lot of courage to go through an experience like that, and so it is important to always surround yourself with positive people. Make sure the treatment that you take is something you are comfortable with and something recommended by your doctor. Last but not least never give up hope in yourself. You are stronger than you know!

Directly you hear the word ‘breast cancer’,the picture of a female patient is conjured up. This disease is not confined to females. Though rare, males can also contract this type of cancer. Cancer that starts in tissues of the breast in males and females is commonly known as breast cancer which is the second most common cancer type in the world.

The first sign of breast cancer is a lump or a mass in the underarm or breast area that feels different to the touch. Other symptoms may be a change in size and shape of the breast, nipple inversion, skin irritation or dimpling, swelling of the full breast or part of it, and a discharge from the nipple. It pays to be cognizant of these signs for early detection of cancer.

At the first sign of breast cancer, the prudent thing to do is to consult a doctor. Your doctor will feel your breasts for lumps or any suspect growth. Benign lumps are different to the touch from the cancerous lumps. If the doctor suspects it to be cancer, he will clear any doubts he has with the aid of an xray mammography, an ultrasound scan, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan or a biopsy. If you are diagnosed with the disease, he may order more lab tests to help him further study it and plan his treatment.

There are several treatment methods as regards breast cancer. They are surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy and biological therapy. Out of these, surgery and radiation are local therapies. The others are systemic therapies. The former removes or destroys the cancer in the breast whilst the latter enters the blood stream and controls or destroys the cancer.

There are many risk factors associated with breast cancer. The risk factor is high if you are a woman as the breast cells are always exposed to hormones such as progesterone and estrogen. The risks also increase with age. If someone in your family has had breast cancer, you are more at risk than those who do not have a significant family history.

Breast cancer is supposed to be the fifth most common cause of cancer death in the world. This goes to show the gravity of this disease. However, it?s comforting to know that billions of dollars are spent yearly on research work to find out the causes and treatments of it.

Cancer is the growth of too many cells in a certain part of the body, and depending on which part of the body it occurs, it is given different names. The colon, better known as the large intestine, is a part of the body that assists in digestion. It is the last organ involved in the digestive tract. Colon cancer is a malignancy that occurs in the inner lining of the colon or the rectum, the end part of the colon. Colon cancer has become a common ailment in today?s world.

Under normal circumstances, all cells in a human being undergo the process of cell birth and death. Cancer occurs when this cell growth becomes uncontrolled and when the body?s natural defense mechanism, the immune system, cannot control it. These cells then form a mass, better known as tumors. Tumors can be either benign or malignant. Benign tumors do not spread or invade any other part of the body. Malignant tumors on the other hand keep dividing uncontrollable and can invade other parts of the body and destroy the healthy cells in the body.

Like all other cancers there are known risk factors that increase a person?s chance of being affected by colon cancer. Those over the age of 40 are said to be at a higher risk of developing colon cancer, and colon cancer has rarely been diagnosed in those under forty. Having a family history of colon cancer can also increase the chances of developing the disease. Other factors like having had benign tumors or polyps removed before, having a diet that is high in fat but low in fiber and having another illness that may increase chances of developing colon cancer are all considered to be risk of getting colon cancer.

There are many symptoms that are linked with the presence of colon cancer but having one or more of them does not necessarily mean colon cancer is present. Bleeding from the rectum does not always mean colon cancer but this bleeding should never be ignored. Changes in bowel habits, pain in the abdomen or rectum and a feeling that bowel movement cannot be completed are also symptoms. Again having these symptoms does not mean you have colon cancer but they should be taken seriously and a doctor has to be consulted to find out what may be causing these irregularities.

Advances in science and the field of medicine mean that cure rates for this type of cancer are quite high. Treatments for colon cancer include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy, and usually a combination of these therapies is given to a patient to increase the efficiency of treatment.

Lungs are one of the biggest organs in a human body. Separated into two sections, the left and right lungs, they perform THE most important task for life ? breaking down the air we breathe to give every human the needed oxygen for survival. So what is lung cancer? The cells in each lung, and the whole body for that matter, go through the usual life cycle of living and dying. It is when old cells die that new cells should be formed to take their place. In the case of lung cancer, cells keep producing new cells when the other cells are perfectly normal, which means there is an excess of cells in a particular area of the lung. These cells would not have room to be present, and they also have no function as they would not be able to specialize into the different types of cells because there is no reason for them to. Because of this there is an influx of cells in the lung, which cause a mass of cells, better known as a tumor, to be formed. Tumors can be of two kinds ? benign or malignant. Benign tumors pose no harm to the person as they do not spread and do not interfere with the usual processes of the body. Malignant tumors in the lung are what we call lung cancer. These malignant tumors can cause harm to the person, and could cause more harm by spreading throughout the body through the lymph system to other parts of the body.

Tobacco use is said to be one of the biggest reasons for lung cancer. The worst part is that you do not have to be a smoker yourself to be affected. Second hand smoking can have the same effect. So if you live with someone who smokes a lot, work in an area where there are lots of smokers around, or are in any way in the presence of smoke from a cigarette, you are at the same risk that the person who is smoking is in. Tobacco is said to have carcinogens, which increase the chances of cells acting in the abnormal way to produce a tumor. There have been many lawsuits against tobacco companies as they are not said to have made the impact tobacco has in the causation of lung cancer clear for the public. It is now the law that every cigarette packet should have a warning in bold letters mentioning how ?tobacco is harmful to health?.

Treatment for lung cancer can vary according to how far the tumor has spread, or how much of an area is affected. Doctor?s would prescribe one or a combination of the following few as treatment methods, depending on each individual. Surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are some of the most common treatments for lung cancer. But always remember, the fastest cure to lung cancer, or any other disease, is a positive frame of mind!

Bones help in movement, giving structure to our body and hence are known as the supporting framework of the body.

To understand more about what bone cancer is, knowing more about the structure of the bone would be ideal.

Bone consists of a fibrous tissue called matrix on which calcium salts are laid down, as its outer part. This fibrous tissue is part of the outer membrane of the bone- the Periosteum.

Inside hollow bones, there is a soft tissue known as bone marrow. The bone marrow is found in a space called the Medullary cavity. The bone marrow can be either a fatty tissue only or a mixture of fat cells as well as blood generating cells. These blood generating cells in the bone marrow are responsible for the production of Erythrocytes, Leukocytes and Platelets, which are important components of blood.

At the two ends of a bone, there is a tissue known as cartilage which is soft but firm, acting as a cushion between bones.
The bone tissue or the osseous tissue contains two different kinds of cells. They are, Osteoblast and Osteoclast which are functionally known as the ?bone forming cells? and cells that dissolve or breakdown bone tissues, respectively.

The term tissue was commonly mentioned in the description of the structure of the bone. A tissue can be defined simply, as a group of cells who have a common function. Therefore, it is obvious that there are many cells forming a bone and any one of these cells mentioned above can develop in to a cancer.

There are several types of bone cancer, such as ?metastatic cancer? (which is a cancer that was spread from somewhere else to the bone), cancers formed in the bone marrow that generates blood cells such as ?multiple myeloma?, leukemia (though it is commonly thought of as a blood cancer) and lymphomas (though it is often found in lymph nodes, there are occasions when it starts in the bone marrow).

A bone tumor that starts in the bone is known as primary bone tumors and they are usually the main type of bone cancers. Though most primary bone tumors lead to bone cancer, not all are cancerous.

Some cancerous primary bone tumors are: Osteosarcoma- (also known as Osteogenic sarcoma) one of the most common primary bone cancers that start in the bone cells
Chondrosarcoma a bone cancer that starts in the cartilage cells (the second most common primary bone cancer).
Ewing tumor (which is a bone cancer starting off either in bones or in other tissues).
Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) mostly starting off in soft tissues than in bones
Fibrosarcoma (which is also similar to MFH)
Giant cell tumor of bone (which is less often found as a bone cancer - as it takes the non cancerous form)
Chordoma (a bone cancer that develops in the skull and bones of the spine).

All different types of bone cancers can be treated using, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery.