Cancer Causes and Prevention

Cancer is a very common affliction these days and kills millions every year across the globe. Depending on where the cancer appears, it may be simple to cure or even difficult to even treat, more or less eliminate. People often wonder out loud if there will every be a cure to cancer, but the problem we face is that there are many different types, but we do know what causes it and there are ways to at least reduce your chances of getting it.

There are really only two ways that cancer can exist. The first is through genetic mutation. Somehow or another from various possible sources, the DNA in a cell is damaged. This happens all the time, but where the damage takes place is the important thing. If it damages its ability to produce something, big deal. Just one less cell to do so. However, if it affects the cell's DNA which tells it to grow, it may start doing so with no limit. This is really what cancer is. These cells choke off others and consume large amount of resources, eventually killing the host.

Some people however seem to be born with a flaw in their DNA that makes some certain cancer almost inevitable. This is unfortunate as taking precautions may be almost pointless. Nonetheless, a cell starts dividing out of control and before long there are tons of these guys going haywire. The body normally fixes damage to DNA or kills rogue cells, but if one or more is able to escape certain destruction, it can start dividing such that the body cannot catch up.

Of course there are things that can be done to reduce your chances of cancer regardless of your genetic predisposition to it. Since your body is supposed to fix damage or kill messed up cells, even genetically disturbed cells produced naturally can theoretically be avoided. Of course there are a number of things that you should not do such as smoking, alcohol, and exposure to radiation. You should never tan and wear sunscreen while in the sun. Also avoiding harmful chemicals and fumes can be good as well. There are also things you should do such as eating a balanced diet high in fruits and vegetables, drinking plenty of water, and getting plenty of exercise.

When I was young I was stricken with an oligodendroglioma, a very uncommon cancer that probably could not have been avoided based on the age in which I got it. But fifteen years later I got another unrelated tumor from the radiation therapy I had from the first. I can tell you from experience that knowing the potential causes of cancer and how to reduce your chances is very good information to have, and would have been helpful to me to possibly avoid my second tumor altogether.

Paul C., oligodendroglioma survivor

Original article

Do Cell Phones Really Cause Brain Cancer?

The cell phone today is more ubiquitous than ever, and scientific studies continue to try to distinguish the relationship between cellular phones and cancer.

A recent study from the National Institutes of Health showed increased brain activity in participants exposed to cell phone radiation. The study used PET scans to measure the brain's sugar level, and found increased activity in regions closest to the phone's antenna after 50 minutes of exposure. Although the increased activity isn't directly linked to harmful effects, the human brain's evident sensitivity to the phone's electromagnetic waves does raise further questions.

In May 2011, the World Health Organization reclassified cell phone radiation exposure as "possibly carcinogenic," a label that places it in the same category as chloroform and lead. The most extensive case control study of cellular phones and cancer, the Interphone study, conducted across 13 countries for a decade found that the highest grade of mobile phone users-those who used their phones for 30 minutes a day over 10 years or more- were twice as likely to develop glioma, a malignant brain tumor. These results are alarming, particularly because the study failed to take into account that children and young adults are far more susceptible to cell phone radiation than adults.

Cellular phone radiation testing conducted by manufacturers also underestimates the amount of radiation that users are exposed to. A recent paper published in the journal Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine revealed that industry testing is done on a mannequin modeled after a 6'2", 200 pound man with the phone held one inch from the mannequin's ear. The study estimates that 97 percent of the population deviate from this unrealistic model of usage and experience greater exposure.

The Federal Communications Commission requires a mobile phone to have a Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), a measure of the peak of electromagnetic radiation level in a model, of less than 1.6 watts per kilogram. However, the peak SAR may not represent the actual SAR levels of a typical phone call. A cellular phone with a lower SAR may expose the user to more radiation on average than one with a higher SAR. A study conducted by a bioengineering research professor, Dr. Henry Lai, found effects of memory loss in rats exposed to SAR levels as low 0.0006 to 0.06 watts per kilogram.

As of 2010, there are over 223 million mobile phone users in the US over the age of 13 and the numbers are constantly growing. According to the CTIA, the Wireless Association, the total minutes of cell phone use in America in 2009 was 2.3 trillion minutes. Cellular phone users are also starting at younger ages. Given the indispensable role of cell phones in our lives and the increasing concern about an association between cell phone use and cancer, regulatory agencies should carry out more thorough investigations, and cell phone users should exercise caution and take steps to lower their exposure to cell phone radiation.

L. Yan on behalf of Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationwide law firm representing victims of dangerous drugs, defective medical devices and consumer products. The Firm has been named by The National Law Journal to the "Plaintiffs' Hot List," recognizing the top plaintiffs' firms in the country for the past nine consecutive years. For more information about cell phone cancer, visit the Firm's website, consumerinjurylawyers.com. Attorney Advertising.

Original article

Cell Phone - Health Risks of Microwaving and Cooking Your Brain

It's amazing to see so many people tied to the leash of a cell phone these days. It seems that you can't drive or even take a walk without seeing scores of people with cell phones seemingly implanted into their ears.

While the increase in communications technology is certainly impressive, very little is being brought into the public discourse about cell phone health risks. What you don't know about the cell phone that's glued to your ear several hours a day, could lead to some serious health issues later on in your life and actually cause damage to your brain.

Is it worth the health risk to your brain to have that telephone conversation on the way home?

Not-So-Smart Phones

If you apply a bit of critical thinking for a moment, the cell phone health risks are a lot more realistic than you might have assumed. Think about this - the radio waves, wireless network signals and other communication waves that are circulating through the air are able to penetrate wood, metal and other building materials with very little resistance.

Have you thought about those same waves beaming through your body 24 hours a day?

Well, it's happening. And if you have that smartphone of yours glued to your head, it's like holding a lightning rod in the middle of a thunderstorm.

Our brains and bodies are infinitely complex, and rely on electrical impulses to think, breathe and take action. When those powerful electromagnetic waves make their way through the air and into your phone, they are having a damaging effect on the electrical impulses in your brain.

In other words, that "smartphone" of yours may actually be making your less smart the more you use it. Scientific tests have shown that cognitive ability sharply drops when people use their cell phones, and it's not merely a matter of being distracted either. The physiological effects of magnifying the electromagnetic waves directly toward your head results in impaired thinking and reasoning.

I guess we'll all need smartphones eventually, as all of this cell phone use is working to make us dumber by the minute.

It's a Wired World After All

With more devices being plugged into wireless networks by the minute, before long we'll all be besieged by more of these invisible menaces than at any other point in history. The cell phone communications industry is making billions of dollars every year, and doing little, to nothing to educate people about the very real and damaging cell phone health risks.

Electricians and engineers who work with electricity and electromagnetic energy for a living can tell us all horror stories of the damage that invisible frequency waves wreak on the human body. Heck, all you have to do is look at the increase in car accidents and fatalities caused by cell phone use to know that this is one trend that isn't going to end well for any of us. Or, you might visit a cancer hospital and count the number of brain cancer patients and compare this figure with the number ten years ago.

Be aware of the invisible things that are going on around, in, and through your body. Is it worth being able to text that joke or to have a vacuum cleaner that does connect to the Internet, if your brain and body suffer for these ridiculous luxuries?

I don't think so, and I'll be you don't either.

Cell phone health risks are very real, and with the increase of wireless communications, they will continue to multiply. So the next time you have something important to say, avoid the temptation to text it while your driving, and tell the recipient in person.

Your brain will be the better for it, and you might start to remember how nice it is to talk to someone face-to-face instead of via a cell phone.

Download your free ebook 15 Secrets to Super Health that could put you on the fast-track to Super Health.

About the Author

Boro Petric, a Swiss native, became a longevity strategist after having battled a liver tumor that almost took his life. A believer in natural medicine and holistic healing, Boro has helped countless people with pain relief, and has saved people from dying after conventional medicines failed. His website is a free online resource for people who want to live longer, stronger and healthier.

Meet Boro @ http://www.longevitystrategist.com/

Original article

Herbal Medicines for Brain Cancer

Description

Brain cancer is a tumor or tumors that form on the brain itself. Most brain tumors have spread to the brain from other affected parts of the body (such as the breast or the lung) via the blood-stream. Only a small percentage of brain cancer cases originate in the brain.

In its early stages, brain cancer often produces no symptoms, or it displays symptoms that are mistaken for everyday headaches. As a result, the condition is often quite advanced before it is detected. Brain cancer is a very serious condition that can cause extensive neurological damage or death.

The exact cause of brain cancer is unknown, but heredity is suspected to play a role in its development.

Signs and Symptoms

Brain cancer is usually asymptomatic until the tumor reaches a certain size. At that point, symptoms include:

Persistent headaches

Vomiting

General weakness, or localized weakness in the arms or legs

Loss of coordination

Dizziness

Change in personality

Loss of mental abilities, including memory

Double vision, or loss of vision

Seizures

Conventional Medical Treatment

If you suspect you have a brain tumor, see a physician immediately. A CAT scan or MRI of the head can usually confirm the presence of a tumor and pinpoint its location. If a tumor is found, the physician may take a CAT scan of the chest and abdomen to make sure the cancer has not affected other areas of the body. If the tumor is localized and is situated in an area where removal is possible (on the outer surface of the brain, for example), surgery may be performed. However, some tumors-particularly those located deep within the brain tissue-cannot be operated on. In these cases, radiation and chemotherapy will be used to destroy cancerous cells. (See "Conventional Medical Treatment" in the "Bladder Cancer" entry for more information on radiation and chemotherapy.)

Complementary and Alternative Treatments

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Acupressure By pressing on certain acupressure points along the body's meridians, a practitioner may be able to reduce cancer-related pain and headaches.

Chinese Herbal Therapy Traditional Chinese Medicine considers any type of tumor formation the result of stagnant blood, so a practitioner may recommend formulas that energize blood flow and strengthen the immune system, such as Ginseng and Astragals Formula. In cases of brain cancer, an herbalist may prescribe the Chinese formula called Three Yellows.

Original article

Brain Cancer - Symptoms of Brain Cancer

Brain cancer is a disease of the brain where cancer cells (malignant) grow in the brain tissue. Cancer cells grow to form a mass of cancer tissue (tumor) that interferes with brain tissue functions such as muscle control, sensation, memory, and other normal body functions. Tumors composed of cancer cells are called malignant tumors, and those composed of noncancerous cells are called benign tumors. Cancer cells that develop from brain tissue are called primary brain tumors. Statistics suggest that brain cancer is not rare and is likely to develop in about 20,000 people per year.

There are two main types of brain cancer. Primary brain cancer starts in the brain. Metastatic brain cancer starts somewhere else in the body and moves to the brain. Brain tumors can be benign, with no cancer cells, or malignant, with cancer cells that grow quickly.

Primary brain cancer rarely spreads beyond the central nervous system, and death results from uncontrolled tumor growth within the limited space of the skull. Metastatic brain cancer indicates advanced disease and has a poor prognosis.

Metastatic brain tumors are made of cancerous cells from a tumor elsewhere in the body. The cells spread to the brain from another tumor in a process called metastasis. About 25% of tumors elsewhere in the body metastasize to the brain.

Symptoms of Brain Cancer

Brain tumors can damage vital neurological pathways and invade and compress brain tissue. Symptoms usually develop over time and their characteristics depend on the location and size of the tumor.

Cancers are typically painless at first. As they grow, the first symptom is often a mild discomfort, which may steadily worsen into increasingly severe pain as the cancer enlarges. The pain may result from the cancer compressing or eroding into nerves or other structures.

The symptoms are caused by the tumor pressing on or encroaching on other parts of your brain and keeping them from functioning normally.

A sign is also an indication that something is not right in the body. But signs are defined as things that can be seen by a doctor, nurse, or other health care professional. Fever, rapid breathing rate, and abnormal breathing sounds heard through a stethoscope may be signs of pneumonia.

As the skull is made of bone, there is a fixed amount of space for the brain to take up. The growing tumor increases the pressure inside this fixed space. This is called 'raised intracranial pressure'.

Motion sickness is a very common disturbance of the inner ear that is caused by repeated motion such as from the swell of the sea, the movement of a car, the motion of a plane in turbulent air, etc. In the inner ear (which is also called the labyrinth), motion sickness affects the sense of balance and equilibrium and, hence, the sense of spatial orientation.

Brain tumors can often present different symptoms depending on the location of the tumor. There are general brain tumor symptoms that need to be checked out by a doctor if they are experienced.

Fits are one of the commonest symptoms of brain tumors. About 1 in 4 people with a brain tumor first go to their doctor because they have had a fit. A fit can just be jerking or twitching of a hand, arm or leg.

At the late stages of the disorder, dramatic changes in blood pressure may occur. Seizures are a common symptom of benign brain tumors and slow-growing cancers. Tumors can cause a part of the body to weaken or feel paralyzed. Hearing, sight and the sense of smell can be affected.

Original article

Brain Cancer Prognosis - Treatment Review

Can your brain cancer prognosis be improved? Oncologists consider brain cancer to be one of the deadliest cancers, but Karon Beattie, a cancer survivor, has compiled a reference book containing in excess of 350 alternative cancer treatments that thousands of cancer patients have used to overcome their condition, including brain cancer.

Beattie gives accounts of people surviving brain cancer by natural treatments. She states that these treatments are not within the FDA's jurisdiction, resulting in low awareness among doctors.

In one example, Beattie reports that some physicians have used a nutritional supplement to achieve complete remission of aggressive, stage IV cancers that had metastasized.

Specifically in regard to brain cancer, her book, "Natural Cancer Treatments That Work", describes how a British doctor successfully treated a Grade 4 brain tumor with a herbal mixture. The patient is alive two years later, long after oncologists had predicted.

Beattie also details a patient whose brain tumor vanished completely after taking a combination of nutritional supplements known to stop the spread of cancer cells, preventing metastasis. This seems an astonishing outcome for a cancer given a poor prognosis by oncologists.

Further, Beattie gives 131 first-hand accounts of people who beat brain and spinal cord cancers using alternative and natural treatments. If stories like these are factual, why are the treatments not used more widely for brain and other cancers?

According to Beattie, even though the creators of the treatments listed in her book are respected health scientists, few of the treatments have been formally assessed in human clinical trials. Why? There is little financial incentive for drug companies in natural treatments that they cannot patent, yet thousands have successfully used the treatments. Beattie also suggests that many doctors may not know of these treatments because they are only familiar with treatments regulated by the FDA. Many of the alternative treatments she lists involve herbs and vitamins that are beyond the FDA's jurisdiction.

These intriguing accounts will be hard to ignore for cancer sufferers and their loved ones in their efforts to survive cancer and retake their lives.

Natural Cancer Treatments That Work is available from Alternative Medicine for Cancer Also available is a free guide on where to get treatment and support as well as free articles on cancer treatment options.

Brain Cancer Prognosis

Original article

Brain Cancer Symptoms

Brain cancer accounts for about 1.4% of all cancer cases and about 2.4% of all cancer deaths. This may not seems like a lot but don't let the numbers fool you on the severity of brain cancer. Once the cancer turns malignant, the tumors grow aggressively and overpower the healthy cells taking up their space, blood and nutrients. This is an area of grave concern because the brain is the most important part of your body and controls everything. Whenever there is something wrong with your brain, it affects the entire body. Knowing what the brain cancer symptoms are and able to recognize these symptoms is incredibly important for our prognosis and survival from this deadly disease.

The biggest problem with brain cancer and brain tumors is that their symptoms are often nonspecific making it is very difficult to know if you have it or not, unless you are seriously looking for it. The most common symptoms of brain cancer are headaches, general weaknesses, difficulty in walking, clumsiness and seizures. Other more serious symptoms include difficulty with speech, abnormal vision, nausea, vomiting, quick emotional changes, and an altered mental state. An altered mental state can include changes in concentration, memory, intellectual capacity, attention and alertness.

Several different factors can cause these symptoms. Some of these symptoms are caused by the tumor pressing on different parts of the brain and impairing them from functioning properly. The symptoms can also be caused by the swelling of the brain, the tumor or the area around the tumor. Unfortunately, these brain cancer symptoms usually develop very slowly and gradually over time and this makes it really difficult for anyone to confirm the existence of this deadly disease. For instance, people often think that a headache is just a headache or that the dizziness felt is due to any other reasons except cancer. If these symptoms occur frequently and very rapidly, you should definitely visit your doctor to see what the problem is.

The doctors will often make you take a CT scan if they feel you have brain cancer. A CT scan is like an x-ray except in shows the brain in three-dimensions. A harmless dye is usually injected into your bloodstream to make abnormalities more visible in the CT scan. Other tests include blood tests, liver tests, urine tests and blood coagulation profiles. MRI scans are sometimes used instead of CT scans. The reason for this is because MRI has a better ability to assess the changes in a tumor.

Brain cancer is an incredibly serious form of cancer and it is important for us to know what these brain cancer symptoms are so that we can take necessary action to arrest the situation early. If you suspect you are suffering or are suffering from these symptoms, please consult your doctor early to ascertain your actual medical condition. If brain cancer is confirmed, discuss with your doctor for an appropriate course of treatment best suited for you. An early intervention increases your chances for an early recovery and a prolonged survival.

Lester Lee is the webmaster of http://www.cancer-tumor.info/, an informative website that provides the latest advice, info and updates on Brain Cancer Symptoms. Visit our site today for more helpful info on Brain Cancer Symptoms and other similar topics.

Original article

Four Emerging Breakthroughs In Solving Brain Tumors

Despite significant advances in cancer research and treatment, one form of cancer - brain tumors - remain particularly feared, and for good reason. Because of their location, brain tumors can severely impact an individual's personality, memories and basic motor skills, robbing the patient of their very being. The impact on family and friends is felt greatly, as their loved one may be "lost" to them even earlier than feared. While there are more than 120 types of brain tumors, for the most common and serious adult tumors, Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the chances of living 5 years is less than 3%. Most patients will live no more than a year or two despite aggressive therapy.

However, few maladies manage to both simultaneously confound researchers in their mystery, yet hold such promise for the cure and management as prominently as brain tumors. There is strong belief that some significant breakthroughs in brain tumor treatment may only be 4-6 years away. Complementing traditional chemotherapeutic and surgical approaches, four emerging breakthroughs are discussed here which are rapidly transforming the treatment of brain tumors and related conditions.

Gene Therapy

Gene therapy approaches involve the insertion of genes into growing brain tumors, rendering them more sensitive to some chemotherapeutic agents that are relatively non-toxic to the rest of the body. Some promising experiments have demonstrated that with insertion of genes into animal brain tumor cells and administration of chemotherapy, complete destruction of the tumor may be possible without spread of the tumor. Other approaches in gene therapy include substitution of abnormal genes for normal genes, the repair of abnormal genes via selective reverse mutation, and gene regulation (i.e., altering the instructions within a gene to "turn on or off").

Vaccines

One area showing substantial promise in brain tumor treatment is based on an immunotherapeutic approach; that is, using a patient's immune system as an instrument for cancer therapy. This approach is premised on a body's immune response toward cells bearing tumor markers or antigens. One major focus area has been "active immunotherapy", described as the administration of the tumor antigenic material to help "vaccinate" a patient against their own tumor. Other vaccine approaches, including Dendritic cell-based vaccines, Cytokine immunogene therapy, Bacterial and viral tumor vaccines, and GBM-specific molecular pathway vaccines are also being considered. The vaccine approach holds challenges that need to be evaluated against other treatment options that may require crucial patient choices, but they are continuing to emerge as an area of significant promise.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery/Radiotherapy

There is growing usage of stereotactic radiosurgery and radiotherapy among neurosurgeons. The tools, used for the non-invasive treatment of tumors and other brain, head, spine and neck conditions, use sophisticated mechanical systems and image-guided technology to treat tumors, using high, targeted doses of radiation (in a single session) to attack the tumor and minimizing contact with healthy tissue. The image guidance systems direct the radiation to the tumor; some systems shape the radiation beam to map to the exact shape of the tumor, and software can help direct the ideal access points to the tumor.

Dual Agent Drug Therapies

Some of the field's leading researchers have concluded that traditional treatment for many brain tumors has started with a faulty premise; namely, that interventions for brain tumors were simply a palliative effort designed to decrease patient discomfort and increase stabilization. The conclusion is that while these therapies have shown some success on their own, when multiple therapeutic agents are combined, (an approach more commonly used with cancers not as fatal) an increasing number of brain tumor patients are seeing increases in survival. Also, newer drugs are showing the ability to block the growth of tumors by attempting to interfere with their proteins that control tumor growth. And other, specialized treatment regimens are being formulated for patients whose tumors are shown to grow at an accelerated rate compared with typical tumors.

These are but four of the emerging approaches where we may continue to see major breakthroughs in treatment or management of brain tumors. The hope in all these courses is that ultimately, brain tumors may in some cases be curable or at least achieve status as a manageable disease, as with many other serious and chronic conditions such as diabetes.

Mike Tancredi provides services for http://www.unlockingbraintumors.org/ a non profit organization dedicated to raising and distributing funds for the continued research into brain tumors

Original article

Delta-24-RGD - A Virus Found to Target and Eliminate Cancer Cells of the Brain

Cancer is quite a hot topic in the scientific research community today, due to the obvious lack of knowledge underlying certain biological processes. Without the mastery of these biological pathways, it is not feasible to devise surefire treatment and/or prevention methods against specific types of cancer. One does not have to look very far to find criticism or an attempt at exploitation of these biological voids by the media. Despite the frequent scrutiny, the field of oncology (the study of tumors/cancer) has improved exponentially in understanding the manifestation, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer. A simple look at the declining morbidity rates of cancer patients over the last few decades should provide some comfort even to the most skeptical individuals.

Despite the frequent advances in cancer research, the findings manage to fly under the radar of mainstream media. It lies within these small findings, which are the basis of future treatments and cures. Recently, a group of researchers came one step closer to solving their life saving puzzle.

The study, conducted by researchers at the UT-Houston M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and funded by the National Cancer Institute, analyzed the destructive effects on brain tumor stem cells of mice by introducing a tailored adenovirus (Delta-24-RDG). By tailored adenovirus, I mean a specific virus produced by scientists. This was tested on the most aggressive brain tumor, glioblastoma multiforme, which is known to be resistant to chemotherapy and radiation. The particular intrigue in this project stems from their attempt to build on well-known and studied research performed in 2003.

The 2003 study found that Delta-24 eliminated brain tumors in 60% of mice. The recent study however, was conducted on the actual stem cells that drive the continued tumor growth postoperatively, hence the testing on glioma stem cells. This led to a direct comparison in survival time between the control group (received no intervention) and the treatment group (received Delta-24 injection). The survival time of the mice who received treatment nearly doubled that of the control group. The result is obvious: the mice that received the injection of the adenovirus demonstrated prolonged life-spans. The success of the study did not simply end there.

The researchers attempted to analyze more than mere cause and effect. They sought to gain information on the actual physiological process contributing to the death of the stem cells in the brain. For the first time, adenovirus-mediated cell death (by autophagy) was noted as the direct method of cellular death in tumor stem cells of the brain. It was also noted that the therapeutic virus did not alter normal brain tissue. This finding carries with it tremendous hope because the tumors formed in the brains of these mice closely resemble brain tumors in humans. This resemblance lies in their irregular form and invasive metastatic, or spreading, properties. The study did mention the limitations of these findings and the need for further research, but it does postulate an exciting and possible method of cancer treatment, which may not be limited to the brain. This study only hints at the remarkable and constant efforts put forth by cancer researchers. One must remember that our race for a cure is not a sprint, but an ongoing marathon that must be carefully and methodically ran.

1) Fueyo J, Alemany R, Gomez-Manzano C, Fuller GN, Khan A, Conrad CA, Liu TJ, Jiang H, Lemoine MG, Suzuki K, Sawaya R, Curiel DT, Yung WK, Lang FF. Preclinical characterization of the antiglioma activity of a tropism-enhanced adenovirus targeted to the retinoblastoma pathway. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2003 May 7;95(9):652-60. PMID: 12734316.

2) Jiang H., Gomez-Manzano C., Aoki H., Alonso M.M., Kondo S., McCormick F., Xu J., Kondo Y., Bekele B.N., Colman H., Lang F.F., Fueyo J. Examination of the therapeutic potential of Delta-24-RGD in brain tumor stem cells: role of autophagic cell death. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2007 Sep 19;99(18):1410-4. PMID: 17848677.

Derek Gene Kroll

Surgical/Scientific Research - Houston, TX

Original article

I've Got A What? - A Brain Tumor!

Being diagnosed with a brain tumor is a nightmare and it turns your world upside down.

I luckily had very little time between being diagnosed with my benign meningioma and it being surgically removed but the time I did have was spent frantically trawling the internet trying to find some answers to my questions of why, how and what do I do next. I managed to find medical papers on the subject but as I don't have a degree in medicine was at a loss to understand them. I found plenty of Brain Tumor Forums where I managed to scare myself stupid because I could not find any stories with a positive outcome to offer me some encouragement and believe me, I needed it. It would appear that the survivors out there must be so happy to be alive after their ordeals that they are too busy living life to put pen to paper and tell their stories.

My very happy world was hit by a thunderbolt on the 14th July when I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. I had a brain tumor; I had it surgically removed on 19th July.

I was probably luckier than most with regard to the position of my meningioma tumor, I had a fabulous doctor with insight and I had a top rate neurosurgeon on my side. I also had the will and determination to overcome this hiccup in my life.

I have had very little sickness in my life and have never been in hospital for any reason. You have it right, I have my tonsils and my appendix and I have never broken a bone in my body or had a baby. Remarkable isn't it that I escape a hospital visit for 48 years? But, boy, when I do it, I do it big style!

After waking up one morning in Mid June, I stretched and my lower leg started to kick involuntarily at about one second intervals. Just to make sure you have the picture correct, I don't mean a kick that would score a winning goal, more of a gentle flick as if trying to get the sand out of your toes. I grabbed my leg, pulled it back to try and stop it, got up out of bed and stood on it but that didn't work either. It was a little scary - who likes to be out of control? Certainly not me!

I thought I may have trapped a nerve in my back. Why I thought that, I don't know. I have no medical training. It just seemed like a plausible explanation to me at the time. Because of this self diagnosis, I decided to put the incident on hold and see if it happened again. Well, guess what? It took a few weeks, but yes, it did happen again. Just as before and I am ashamed to say that I let it happen twice more before visiting the doctor.

The whole point of this tale is that brain tumor symptoms come in all guises depending on their position and what part of the brain they are affecting. My brain tumor was positioned on the top of my head on the right hand side and due to its growth was fighting for space and restricting the nerves on the left hand side of my body, namely my leg.

Listen to your own body because if something out of the ordinary is happening there is a reason.

I am happy to report that I came through this ordeal with flying colours feeling no pain whatsoever. I now have a very good tale to tell at parties, my scar is completely hidden and when people around me are whining about small details I can usually bring about a sense of proportion by asking them on a scale of 1-10 how it compares to brain surgery.
A meningioma is a tumor of the meninges, which are the protective membranes around the brain and spinal cord. Malignant meningiomas are extremely rare. Most meningiomas are found to be benign, make up nearly 1 in 5 of all primary brain tumors and are more common in women than men. As with most brain tumors, the cause of a meningioma is unknown and research is being carried out into possible causes.

If you would like to read more about Lynda Carter's fascinating and uplifting story and discover how she coped with her brain tumor from diagnosis through to recuperation, you can obtain her E-book here: http://www.mybraintumour.com/

Original article

What You Need to Know About Brain Cancer

Malignant brain tumors occur in about 4.5 people per 100,000 population, they may occur at any age but brain cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in patients younger than age 35. In adults, incidence is generally highest between ages 40 to 60.

There are two main types of brain cancer. Primary cancers start in the brain. Metastatic cancers start somewhere else in the body and moves to the brain. The most common tumor types in adults are gliomas and meningiomas. In children, incidence is generally highest before age 1 and again between ages 2 and 12. The most common types of brain tumour in children are astrocytomas, medulloblastomas, ependymomas and brain stem gliomas.

CAUSES
What causes brain carcinomas is not exactly known but there has recently been a great deal of speculation on the role of cell phone radiation in the development of cancer. In fact, while studies generally have shown no link between cell phones and brain cancer, there is some conflicting scientific evidence that may be worth additional study, according to the FDA.

More accepted risk factors include; exposure to vinyl chloride and individuals with risk factors such as having a job in an oil refinery, as a chemist, embalmer, or rubber industry worker show higher rates of brain cancer. Other risk factors such as smoking, radiation exposure, and viral infection (HIV) have been suggested but not proven to cause tumors. Patients with a history of melanoma, lung, breast, colon, or kidney cancer are at risk for secondary brain cancer.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Onset of symptoms is usually insidious and brain tumors are often misdiagnosed. The Cancers cause central nervous system changes by invading and destroying tissues and by secondary effects such as pressure on the brain. Symptoms vary but in general, symptoms include: Abnormal pulse and breathing rates, deep, dull headaches that recur often and persist without relief for long periods of time, difficulty walking or speaking, dizziness, eyesight problems including double vision, seizures, vomiting and at the late stages of the disorder dramatic changes in blood pressure may occur. Although headaches are often a symptom, it is important to remember that most headaches are due to less serious conditions such as migraine or tension, not cancer.

DIAGNOSIS
In most cases a definitive diagnosis is made by a tissue biopsy. Other diagnostic tools include; patient history, a neurologic assessment, skull x-rays, a brain scan, CT scan, MRI, a lumbar puncture and cerebral angiography. Meningiomas, arising from the covering around the brain or spinal cord, account for about 20% of brain cancers and are generally more benign.

TREATMENT
How to treat brain tumors depends on the age of the patient, the stage of the disease, the type and location of the tumor, and whether the cancer is a primary tumor or metastases. Brain cancer are somewhat unique because of the blood brain barrier, which severely restricts the types of substances in the bloodstream that are allowed by the body into the brain and makes drug treatment extremely difficult. Because of this more and more research is being undertaken in delivering medication by means of nanoparticles, amongst the properties of nanoparticles that make them ideal candidates for recognizing and treating tumors, their ability to deliver a wide variety of payloads across the blood-brain barrier is perhaps the most important.

The cancer's location and ability to spread quickly makes treatment with surgery or radiation like fighting an enemy hiding out among minefields and caves, and explains why the term brain cancer is all too often associated with the word inoperable.

Brain cancer survival statistics for the deadliest of tumors such as gliomas have not improved significantly over the past two decades and the clinical armamentarium is, to a large extent, still dependent on surgery and radiation therapy, treatments known to leave survivors with devastating cognitive deficits. Gamma knife surgery is a radiosurgery technique used to treat people with brain cancer and other neurological disorders

The most deadly forms may be treatable with a vaccine that uses proteins. Unlike measles or mumps vaccines, which are meant to prevent disease, the vaccine turns on the patient's own immune system so it will help kill the tumor. When the vaccine is injected, it stimulates the immune system to kill off brain cancer cells and prevent the regrowth of tumors that have already been treated.

PROGNOSIS
The chances of surviving for a person with a brain tumor: Prognosis greatly depends on all of the following: type of tumor extent of the disease size and location of the tumor presence or absence of metastasis the tumor's response to therapy, age, overall health, and medical history, tolerance of specific medications, procedures, or therapies. Metastatic brain cancer indicates advanced disease and has a poor prognosis. Unfortunately, the most common form of primary brain cancer, glioblastoma, is also the most aggressive and lethal but teratomas and other germ cell tumors although they have the capacity to grow very large may have a more favorable prognosis.

Dick Aronson has a background of over 35 years in various facets of the Healthcare industry. He now runs health sites, including http://www.life-wave-patches.com/: http://www.healthinnovationsonline.com/

Original article

Brain Tumor Symptoms

My father recently was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and he exhibited some of normal Brain Tumor Symptoms. However he did not have all the typical symptoms of a brain tumor, this is quite common for someone to only exhibit a selection of the normal brain tumor symptoms.

So what are the brain tumor symptoms you should look out for?

Brain Tumor Symptoms are very much related to where in the brain the tumor is located.

This is a short summary of what symptoms are related to which part of the brain.

Frontal lobe - Tumors in the Frontal lobe can cause the following: changes in personality or intellect, unco-ordination especially in walking, some weakness usually in one side of the body, some speech difficulties.

Parietal lobe - Tumors in the Parietal lobe can cause the following: difficulty in understanding words reading and writing, problems with movements especially co-ordination of movements, disorientation
numbers and calculations, weakness on one side of the body.

Occipital lobe - Tumors in the Occipital lobe can cause the following: vision impairment especially on one side.

Temporal lobe - Tumors in the Temporal lobe can cause the following: Fits, strange feelings like fear or familiarity like dé jà vu, unusual smells, blackouts, difficulties with speech, memory problems.

Cerebellum - Tumors in the Cerebellum can cause the following: Co-ordination affecting walking and speech, unsteadiness, involuntary movement of the eyes - flickering, vomiting and nausea, neck stiffness.

Brain stem - Tumors in the Brain Stem can cause the following: Unsteadiness usually un-coordinated walking, Facial weakness can be one-sided smile or eyelid that droops, vision issues usually double vision, speaking and swallowing difficulties.

As you can see the different tumors exhibit different symptoms.
You need to look out for any brain tumor symptoms and if there appears to be a problem get it check by a qualified medical person immediately.

Having recently had his father diagnosed with a brain tumor, Glenn has first hand knowledge and experience of just what can happen with brain tumors and how the person, family and friends can all be affected. Author of the popular website [http://www.dadsbraintumor.com/] and the blog [http://brain-tumor.blogspot.com/]

Original article

Different Types of Primary Brain Tumors

When it comes to brain tumors, the medical profession does not have a standard system to describe the spread of cancer. Primary brain tumors are usually formed in the central nervous system and invariably they do not spread to other parts of the body. In order to treat these tumors, doctors classify they based on the type of cell in which the tumor began, the location of the tumor in the brain and what grade the tumor is.

Here is a list of some of the different types of primary brain tumors that occur in adults:

o Brain Stem Gliomas: This is a type of tumor that forms in the brain stem, which the part that connects the brain to the spinal cord. The tumor is usually high grade, meaning it spreads very quickly and is difficult to cure.
o Pineal Astrocytic Tumor: This type of tumor occurs in or near the pineal gland. This gland is responsible for producing melatonin hormone which governs our sleeping and waking patterns. This tumor can be of any grade.
o Pilocytic Astrocytoma: This tumor is a grade I tumor and develops in brain cells called astrocytes. The tumor grows slowly and very rarely does it spread to neighboring tissues of the brain. The tumor can be cured and is seen more often in children and young adults.
o Diffuse Astrocytoma: This is another tumor that develops in astrocytes. It grows slowly and has the tendency to spread to the neighboring brain cells. This is a grade II tumor seen mostly in young adults.
o Anaplastic Astrocytoma: This tumor is also called malignant astrocytomas and grows very fast and spreads to the adjacent brain cells. The cancer cells look different from normal cells and is develops mostly by the time a person reaches 40 years of age. This is a grade III brain tumor.
o Glioblastoma: This is one of the most aggressive brain tumors and is categorized as grade IV brain tumor. It is more commonly referred to as glioblastoma multiforme and is usually fatal. It is very difficult to treat and occurs mostly in adults ranging from 45 years to 70 years.

About Author:
Pauline Go is an online leading expert in health care industry. She also offers top quality articles like:

Effects of Brain Cancer, Nadir and Chemotherapy

Original article

Brain Cancer Symptoms - Discover the Signs That Could Save Your Life!

Brain cancer symptoms don't usually start out as something easily noticed. In fact most people don't get diagnosed because they relate these to stress and poor eating habits. However, headaches, dilated pupils and vomiting are some of the earliest signs that will show up. In young children, a brain tumor can cause the skull to grow in diameter, and make the fontanelles bulge. Increased intercrainal pressure is the biggest thing to watch out for because it can cause displacement amongst certain parts of the brain and very lethal brain stem compression.

If there's one thing really frightening about this disease is the fact that it targets the young. In the US alone, around 2000 children and adolescents falling below the age of 20 are diagnosed with malignant tumors each year. Brain cancer is an abnormal growth that is caused by uncontrollable, abnormal cell division that can stem from either the brain, the cranial nerves or the brain envelopes. Of course, the cancer can also be caused by a tumor that has metastasized from another part of the body, so a full routine check-up is required when symptoms start developing.

The effects of these symptoms are based on two factors, first is the size of the tumor, then how large it can get. The time it takes for symptoms to show also depends on the type of tumor that you're dealing with. Benign tumors are slow growing, meaning that the symptoms aren't severe until it reaches the advanced stages. Malignant brain tumors, on the other hand, spread rapidly, showing an early onset of symptoms.

Some signs, however, can be quite severe in comparison. An altered state of consciousness, for example, like somnolence or a coma can happen. If the tumor has done enough damaged, cognitive and behavioral changes can show, as well as eye site problems and facial paralysis.

Of course, some of these brain cancer symptoms can be nonspecific, and can also be caused by other conditions like a stroke or traumatic brain injuries. Whatever the case it is always good to have things checked out by your doctor as soon as possible - it could save your life!

Melissa McKyler is a firm believer in natural cancer treatments. Her website focuses on all different types of cancer symptoms and alternative natural cancer treatments. For more information about brain cancer symptoms be sure to visit http://www.naturalcancertreatmentsecrets.com/

Original article

What Are The Causes Of Brain Cancer?

Here, I am going to describe the most common causes of Brian Cancer. As if you know the causes early, you can take proper precautions to live far away from Brain Cancer.

1. Deletion of Gene Causes Brain cancer: The deletion of a gene, normally present on chromosome 14, may cause cancer in brain, which is the most common, malignant type of brain cancer. Recently, the Researchers of Stanford University School of Medicine has exposed that the deletion of this gene, promote tumor development and grow resistance to therapy. This is frequently occurs in one out of every four cases of Brain cancer.

2. Heredity-An Important Cause: Risk of suffering from brain cancer is known to increase if a person has a family history of cancer. Cancer in brain often occurs with members of the same family, so heredity could be a cause of this.

3. Abnormal Cell Mutation: Primary brain tumors begin when mutations occur in normal cells within their DNA. Mutation may allow cells growth and divisions at increased rate, and to continue to living, when the healthy cells would die. As a result, a mass of abnormal cells occurs, which forms a tumor.

4. Un-controllable Cell Growth in Brain Most Often Causes Brain Tumor (Brain cancer): Our brain has many different kinds of cells and each with a different function. If, in any case, these cells inside the brain begin to grow up uncontrollably, then this will surely lead to a tumor.

5. A Benign Brain Tumor may not be cancerous, but Malignant tumor could be easily Cancerous: A tumor in the brain may or may not be malignant. If benign, a tumor stays its own place, where it starts, though it can grow up very large, and put pressure on crucial areas. In case of a malignant brain tumor which has the ability to spread, and cause cancer..

6. Cancer, that begins elsewhere, of the body, spreads to the brain- Cancer can develop in the brain (Primary cancer) or may developed by spread up of other cancer that previously affects the body. If, any other part of the body has any type of cancer, and then there is a great possibility of occurring cancer in brain due to spreading from the infected part of the body. This is the Secondary (metastatic) brain tumor. The Cancers of the breast, lung, skin, or blood (leukemia or lymphoma) can also be spread up (metastasize) to the brain.

Original article

What You Need to Know Regarding Brain Tumors

Brain - It is a spongy bunch of tissue, and is sheltered by the skull with 3 thin membranes that is called the meninges. The diluted fluid that is known as the cerebrospinal fluid protects the brain. The fluids will flow throughout the spaces in between the meninges and to spaces within brains that is known to be the ventricles.

Cancer - it started with cells, which is the main component that builds up tissues. The tissues that is responsible for building up the organs of the body.

Normally, cells will grow and divides to form another new cell as long as the body needs the cells. As cells are growing old, the cells die, and it will be replaced by the new cells.
Occasionally, this systematic procedure goes wrong. New cells are keeps on forming even the body does not need them or old cells wound not die even if they should. These extra cells will then form into masses of tissues that are called the tumor.

Benign brain tumors

These are tumors that do not have cancer cells. Benign brain tumor can usually be removed and also hardly ever to grow back. The borders and edges of benign brain tumors are clearly seen, and cells from benign tumors are not invading the tissues that are surrounding them. But, benign tumors could press with the sensitive portion of the brain that may cause a severe health problem. Nothing like benign tumors in the other parts of the body, benign tumors in the brain are often times life threatening. It is seldom turns to a malignant tumor.

Malignant brain tumors

It is a tumor that contains cancer cells. It is generally more severe and more often life threatening. It grows speedily and invades the nearby healthy brain tissues. Cancer cells seldom breaks away with the malignant tumors and spread up from one part to another parts of the brain or even to the body. The spreading is called the metastasis. Other times, the malignant tumors do not go beyond the healthy tissues. Tumor might be contained in a layer of tissues or bones of the skull. It is called the encapsulated tumor.

Tumor Grade

Brain tumors are grouped by grades, ranging from grade l to grade lV. These grades referred to the looks of the cells under the microscope. Cells that are of higher grades look more irregular and it grows faster compared to the cells that are of lower grade tumors.

Primary brain tumors - these are tumors that begin within the brain tissues. They are named from the type of the cells or portion of brain from where they begin.

Secondary brain tumors - once the cancer had spread up from the original part to the other position in the body.

Know some information about brain tumors Click here for more Info.

Original article

Bone Cancer Metastasis

An estimated 60% to 84% of patients with cancer develop bone metastasis. Of these 70% experience pain syndrome which is difficult to manage, of which 50% die without adequate pain relief with a poor quality of life. It is therefore necessary to have accessible and effective medications for the management of this condition. One of the most common pain syndromes in patients with advanced cancer is bone metastasis. This is difficult to manage and control in clinical practice. Currently, scientific advances in cancer detection and treatment have prolonged life expectancy in patients. Unlike the case with the phenomenon of bone pain in cancer, where current treatment strategies are not significantly effective. Most palliative treatment of bone pain are based on clinical studies on pain management in patients or in experimental models is not well designed this could explain why the drugs used are partially effective. Today, one of the main obstacles in developing new, safe treatments to control bone pain is the absence of basic science knowledge in the physiology of bone pain.

Epidemiology

The pain in cancer patients is usually multifactorial, may arise from the process itself, treatment side effects or both. For these reasons the approach and management of this symptom should be multidisciplinary. Pain syndrome occurs either by local proliferation or tumor invasion of a metastatic tumor from a distance. With metastatic bone pain often reflects the presence of a tumor in breast, thyroid, prostate, kidney, lung or adrenal.

Physiology of bone pain

Bone pain is associated with tissue destruction by osteoclast cells. Normally, osteoclastic bone resorption are in balance with bone formation mediated by osteoblasts. In neoplastic osteolytic activity is increased and there are substances such as cytokines, local growth factors, peptides similar to parathyroid hormone and prostaglandins. Autacoids are also released other owners as potassium ions, bradykinin and osteoclast activating factors. These tissue substances play an important role in sensitizing the neural tissue against chemical and thermal stimuli, lower thresholds for discharge of the neuronal membrane, produce exaggerated responses to stimuli above the threshold and result in discharges of tonic impulses normally silent nociceptors. This phenomenon is called peripheral sensitization and primary hyperalgesia and is understood as events occurring within the ranks of the injured tissue and stimulate peripheral nociceptors (C fibers and A delta fibers) translating pain. In bone tissue of the sensory receptors are located primarily in the periosteum, whereas the bone marrow and bone cortex are insensitive. This phenomenon of peripheral sensitization results in abnormal sensitivity to pressure surrounding skin (allodynia and hyperalgesia), pain in muscles, tendons, joints and deep tissues in contact with bone. This is limited to ensure that the peripheral ends have a greater capacity for alarm response to injury.

The constant presence of harmful process, stimulating nociceptive receptors gives the introduction of a subacute pain that tends to be chronic with the growth of bone metastases. These stimuli lead to another prevalent phenomenon called central sensitization important which includes abnormal amplification of incoming sensory signals to the central nervous system, particularly the spinal cord. The phenomenon occurs because of the persistent input stimulus through the fibers C. This spinal cord triggers a temporary increase in the power of silent synaptic terminals. In this process plays an important role of glutamate receptor N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA). The resulting amplification of the signal generated in the postsynaptic neuron sends a message to the brain which is interpreted as pain. In short central sensitization amplifies the sensory effects of both peripheral nociceptive inputs (C fibers of pain) and non-nociceptive fibers (A of touch).

In practice the two phenomena come together in the genesis of metastatic bone pain and peripheral sensitization occurs acutely metastatic lesions to appear nociceptors and translate the information conveyed through the afferent myelinated A-delta or unmyelinated C fibers to the spinal cord where the information is modulated by various systems. With the set up process subacute begins the process of central sensitization which sensory synapses begin to activate silent. And there is a state of increased central perception. By becoming chronic pain phenomenon becomes even more complex because all that is in contact with the area of injury becomes a powerful generator of pain. The touch, muscle movement or joint pain result, manifesting the phenomena of allodynia and hyperalgesia much more marked.

With progression and growth of metastatic disease can appear phenomena of compression of peripheral nerves, nerve roots or spinal cord. Then the pain can refer to other dermatomes, further complicating the initial picture painful. This condition becomes a debilitating factor for the patient and to be inadequately controlled could trigger the phenomenon of total pain detailed below.

I M Currently doing my doctorate and felt immense need to help the people about the Bone Cancer

Web Url: http://www.bonecancerprognosis.org/

Original article

Long-Term Use of Mobile Phones Increase Risk of Suffering From Brain Cancer

Scientists have pointed out that long-term use of mobile phones can increase the risk of cancer. But the World Health Organization had conducted a 10-year study on the safety of mobile phones and concluded that mobile phone didn't cause cancer because the relevant evidence is not sufficient to draw a conclusion. In order to find impact on human health from cell phone, they spent at least 15 million pounds in the past 10 years, but the authors of this paper had to admit that this effect requires further study in order to give the final conclusion.

Reports from World Health Organization would be released until this week later, but two national newspapers in the United Kingdom reported that invoked the scientific evidence use the phone less than 30 minutes per day at least 10 years would increase the risk of suffering from brain cancer, Over the past 10 years, they have been carried out this phone research in 13 countries, which is regarded the largest study by far.

Although we clearly that when we put the phone at the ear, radiation from cell phone is absorbed by the mind, but it is not confirmed that more often use cell phones are hazardous to health, it may be due to the time of the widely use of mobile phones in public is not long. From 2000 to 2004, researchers conducted a study which 1.3 million people was participated to see the time they use the phone. Among them, some people suffer from cancer while some people are very healthy.

Some research has been published, which showed that people who used cell phone at least 30 minutes a day suffered from an increased risk of Glioma. The place where brain tumor lie is just the side they always put phone calls. In addition, the study found another big question: short term use of mobile phones, in fact, helps prevent cancer. Even if the authors think this is unlikely. As the problem, they want more research to get a final conclusion and the investigation should firstly be launch among young people.

Although the Ministry of Health in British has not updated the relevant guidelines in the past 4 years, but the experts pointed out that adults should discourage small children playing phone chat, as for adult, try to answer the phone as shorter as possible. Other countries have also taken corresponding measures, such as encouraging people to use headphones to answer the phone or using text messaging instead of phone.

Copyright by Tony Eva. LeiYi Trading is a professional manufacturer and distributor of permanent China Natural Stone. The selection also includes China Sandstone, China Limestone and so on. All the goods are applauded by our client for their reliable quality and excellent services.

Original article

How to Know If You Have Brain Cancer, What Questions Should You Ask Your Doctor?

When trying to find out how to know if you have brain cancer, you should keep in mind that the doctor(s) you work with may be highly trained professional with years of experience but their opinions on your condition are just that... opinions. Two different doctors often have two different opinions when evaluating your symptoms and your test results. They also might have very different suggestions on treatment choices that would best suit you.
The following are questions you should be sure and ask of your doctor:
What symptoms data makes you think I need testing for brain cancer?What else could be the cause of these symptoms?What tests are you recommending?Describe each of the recommended procedures.What do I need to do to prepare for each test procedure?What is the name of the person performing the test?What is the recovery time after each test procedure?When will test results be available?Who will explain the results of my tests to me?What other testing options are available?When the results are available, would it lead to additional testing?If so, what does that consist of?Who are the members of the medical team that will be involved with my case?How do I contact them (phone numbers)?
Two different doctors will give two different sets of answers to the above questions. It is important to have a doctor that you trust and that you are comfortable with. If you don't feel you can be completely open and honest with your doctor, then find another doctor. Remember, you are putting your life in this doctor's hands.

I am a father of five and a grandfather of one. I am at an age where health issues have become relevant as cancer, Alzheimer's, and a host of others have started affecting family and lifelong friends.

I am educated in journalism and computers and I have extensive background as an executive in the computer and telecomm industries. I have spent a career researching and data gathering for business purposes. I now apply those same skills in a search for effective solutions to health issues affecting my loved ones.

I am sharing my discoveries.

The following is a MUST SEE link for anyone interested in treatment choices and cures for brain cancer:

[http://howtoknowifyouhavebraincancer.blogspot.com/]

Original article

How to Know If You Have Brain Cancer - Statistics

When researching how to know if you have brain cancer, the question of likelihood gets asked. What are the odds? Just how common is it?
According to the American Cancer Society, more than 18,500 people are diagnosed with brain cancer each year and the average age for being diagnosed is 55 years of age. The average age at death of the nearly 13,000 who will die from brain cancer is 64 years of age. That would indicate that an individual will typically live for 9 years once he/she becomes diagnosed and that it is of concern for those advanced in age.
However, the data for being diagnosed by age groups is as follows:
13.8 percent under age 2010.0 percent between 20 and 3411.7 percent between 35 and 4414.4 percent between 45 and 5415.4 percent between 55 and 6417.1 percent between 65 and 7414.2 percent between 75 and 843.6 percent 85+ years of age.

The statistics show that the odds are not all that different by age, meaning anyone from any age should pay attention to symptoms (see the first article in this series).
Statistics on the mortality rate of brain cancer are as follows:
0.3 percent deaths under age 204.2 percent between 20 and 348.3 percent between 35 and 4415.2 percent between 45 and 5419.2 percent between 55 and 6423.9 percent between 65 and 7419.5 percent between 75 and 845.5 percent 85+ years of age.

Those in the younger age groups will survive longer with the disease according to the statistics.
Death rates by race and sex are listed as follows:
All races                                   Men, 6.3 per 100,000              Women, 3.2 per 100,000Caucasian                                 Men, 5.6 per 100,000              Women, 2.8 per 100,000African American                      Men, 12.8 per 100,000            Women, 6.3 per 100,000Asian/Pac Islander                    Men, 11.2 per 100,000            Women, 6.8 per 100,000Amer Indian/Alaska Native       Men, 7.3 per 100,000              Women, 4.1 per 100,000Hispanic                                   Men, 9.5 per 100,000              Women, 5.3 per 100,000

For one seeking how to know if you have brain cancer the statistical information assists in the process. It all relates to the likelihood of having it. If cancer is diagnosed, the question then becomes how can you survive the diagnosis, what treatments are effective, how can you beat it.
We will examine the quality of life of those living with brain cancer in an upcoming report in this series.

I am a father of five and a grandfather of one. I am at an age where health issues have become relevant as cancer, Alzheimers, and a host of others have started affecting family and lifelong friends.

I am educated in journalism and computers and I have extensive background as an executive in the computer and telecomm industries. I have spent a career researching and data gathering for business purposes. I now apply those same skills in a search for effective solutions to health issues affecting my loved ones.

I am sharing my discoveries. An important link for those interested in treatment choices and cures is:

[http://howtoknowifyouhavebraincancer.blogspot.com/]

Original article

A Detailed Overview of Brain Cancer

Brain cancer tumors may originate in the brain (primary site) or they may metastasize to the brain from another site. Prostate cancer, for example, may metastasize to the liver, the lung, the hip, and then to the brain. Metastasized brain tumors have a poor prognosis because of the already advanced state of the cancer.

The human brain anatomy is complex system responsible for many body functions. Injury that causes damage, traumatic experiences, or brain tumors can greatly alter one's life.

Cancerous tumors that form in the brain (primary) tend to stay within the brain and not branch out to other organs. Their growth can take up the space needed by the healthy brain and cause many conditions, including hearing loss and stroke. The ratio is about 50/50 regarding the occurrence of metastasized and primary brain tumors. The leading cause cancer related death in people in people younger than 35.

The most dangerous chemical in terms of causing this type of cancer is Vinyl Chloride. This is used 'all over' in plumbing, furniture, and house wares. This is presumed to be safe to use unless it is heated as in a microwave oven, which evaporates and drives the substance into the food being heated.

For this reason, always use glass or other microwave safe containers in the microwave oven. Don't burn plastic such as plastic wrapping and containers in a bon fire or fireplace. The smoke can be 'hazardous to your health'.

Typical Symptoms: Any impairment in hearing, sight, judgment, speech, cognitive skills such as reasoning or remembering, or stroke symptoms such as paralysis of one side of the body, inability to walk properly, can be symptomatic of a tumor in the brain.

The treatments are generally the same for other kinds of cancer and tumors. One innovative treatment is the use of the GLIADEL WAFER. These are packed into the space formerly occupied by the tumor and slowly release chemotherapy agents in order to destroy any cancer cells that may have not been removed. This has increased life expectancy for some kinds of brain tumors by fifty percent.

See how the antioxidants in acai berry can improve your health by drinking acai juice as a part of your diet.

Original article

How to Know If You Have Brain Cancer - After Diagnosis Who Can I Talk To?

When looking into how to know if you have brain cancer, if one receives the bad news that cancer exists, that person's life has instantly and severely changed for the worse. The questions flow in a non-stop stream; what now, who should I tell, how will I survive, can I beat this, what will happen to those who depend on me, can I continue to work, and many more.
The first thing to establish is what are the choices for communication about the issue. Where can one find answers to the incessant questions? The medical practitioner who gave the diagnosis is the first point of contact for answers. The doctor will have the most business-like and analytical point of view. He/she is formally educated in the area and no doubt has heard all of the most common questions and concerns from many different patients. The doctor will have considerable experience with the patient's emotions about the news and should be able to provide much information and hopefully a much needed compassion to the effects caused by the diagnosis.
It is repeatedly reported that apprising family of the situation has much more benefit than not. There can be a thought to not want to burden others. If the person with the diagnosis doesn't want cancer to be constantly a topic of conversation and doesn't want constant sympathy, it is still better to discussed the situation with loved ones than to leave them uninformed. You would want to know if the roles were reversed.
The individuals emotions seem to run the gamut from anger, to resentment, to disbelief, to grief, to denial, to apathy. These are ways different people react to the news but can also be a series of emotions all within the same person.
The attitude of the individual with the diagnosis seems to an overriding factor in one's chances for recovery and one's quality and length of life. Some people are helped profoundly by talking to others who have cancer. The American Cancer Society keeps lists of such groups for every local area.

I am a father of five and a grandfather of one. I am at an age where health issues have become relevant as cancer, Alzheimer, and a host of others have started affecting family and lifelong friends.

I am educated in journalism and computers and I have extensive background as an executive in the computer and telecomm industries. I have spent a career researching and data gathering for business purposes. I now apply those same skills in a search for effective solutions to health issues affecting my loved ones.

I am sharing my discoveries.

An important link for those interested in treatment choices and cures is:

[http://howtoknowifyouhavebraincancer.blogspot.com/]

Original article

Brain Tumor - The Symptoms and Diagnosis

The signs of brain tumor depend on the size, location and type of tumor. Symptoms may appear whenever a tumor pushes a nerve or injures a particular area in the brain. They can also be caused if the brain enlarges or fluids build up in the skull.

Majority of the common signs of brain cancers are the following:

- Headaches (regularly worse at daybreak)
- Vomiting or nausea
- Problems in walking or balancing
- Changes in personality, mood or capacity to contemplate
- Memory problems
- Changes in vision, hearing or speech
- Muscle trembling or jerking
- Numbness or itchy feeling in legs or arms

If the symptoms indicate that there is indication of brain cancer, the doctor can do any of the subsequent procedures as basis of its diagnosis:

- Physical examination - the doctor examines general sign of health
- Neurologic examination - the physician checks the attentiveness, strength of muscle, reflexes, coordination and reaction to pain. The eyes are also examined to find out if there is any swelling due to the tumor pushing the nerve which attaches the brain and eyes.
- CT scan - an x-ray apparatus connected to computer which takes series of thorough pictures of a head. The patient is given an injection of special tint in order that the brain can be seen visibly in the picture. The picture may show growths or tumors inside the brain.
- MRI - a forceful magnet attached to computer which makes comprehensive pictures of sections in the body. These pictures are shown on a screen and can be printed also. Sometimes, a particular dye is inserted in order to help illustrate differences in the various tissues inside the brain.

The following tests are also considered to help diagnose brain tumor:

• Angiogram - a particular dye is injected to the bloodstream and runs in the blood vessels inside the brain in order for them to appear on x-ray. If a growth is present, it can be seen by the doctor.
• Skull x-ray - various forms of brain cancers cause calcium accumulation inside the brain or changes on the bones in the skull. Through x-ray, changes can be checked.
• Spinal tap - the physician may take a sample of CSF (cerebrospinal fluid - a fluid that fills up the spaces around the brain as well as the spinal cord). This is done with use of local anesthesia. The spinal tap can be done around thirty minutes. The patient lies flat within several hours after extraction of CSF to avoid headache. Laboratory test is done to check for the presence of cancer cells and other indications of problems.
• Myelogram - refers to the x-ray of the spine or spinal cord. Spinal tap is done by injecting a special dye in the cerebrospinal fluid. The patient tilts to let the dye combine to the fluid. This procedure assists the doctor discover cancer on the spinal cord.
• Biopsy - it is the removal of sample of tissue to search for cancer cells. The pathologist examines the cells under the microscope in order to verify abnormal cells. A biopsy may show tumor, tissue changes which might lead to tumor and other situations. This is the surest way in diagnosing brain cancer.

Learn some facts in relation to the cancer of the brain or brain tumor. For more information, visit us at: http://CancerRadiation.org/

Original article

How to Prevent Brain Cancer - A Simple Guide That Will Change Your Way of Life For the Better

Cancer is a degenerative disease that figuratively speaking eats at your organs, being diagnosed with cancer can be the most devastating news you will ever hear; today were going to review over how to prevent brain cancer.

Just like a car's engine, our brains are the core of our existence. Without the usage of your brain, you would be a vegetable, having no movement, thoughts, or impulses. When a cancerous tumor is present in your brain it impairs many body functions controlled by electric impulses that are sent from the brain. Many people, lose their mobility, speech, and are subject to multiple uncontrollable body movements.

There are preventive measures that you can take to prevent this devastating disease from claiming residency in your brain.

Step 1- Explore your family history, find out what diseases run in your family. If cancer is prominent, be sure to let a doctor know about your cause for concern. Be sure to visit your doctor at least every 4-6 months for brain scans, if anyone in your family passed away over a problem in the brain.Step 2-Get healthy, healthier living promotes longer happier lives. Do not partake of any impurities such as smoking, or drinking alcohol. Exercise frequently and stay informed about any medical issues pertaining to brain cancer. Talk with a certified physician to obtain a full list on things you can do to prevent the cancerous tumors associated with brain cancer.Step 3- Use your cell phone with care. Studies have shown that people who regularly use their cell phones chances of getting a brain tumor, which can later on evolve into cancer is 240% higher then someone who stays off the phone. Cell phones give off radioactive waves which attack brain cells.Step 4-Educate yourself on brain cancer, know the causes and the symptoms, so if you feel that you may be suffering from a cancerous tumor you know the warning signs.

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Brain Cancer - Recognising the Symptoms and Understanding the Consequences

A brain tumor can be either cancerous or non-cancerous depending upon whether the tumor is growing and spreading aggressively. If the tumor is not aggressive then it will be termed 'benign' and generally speaking a benign tumor is less serious but treatment may still be required.

Brain cancer is the term given to a malignant brain tumor. If the tumor is growing and producing abnormal cells, which spread and take over the space of healthy cells then it will be termed 'malignant' or 'cancerous'. Cancerous brain tumors can originate either directly from the brain (known as Primary tumors) or they can develop from a cancerous tumor elsewhere in the body and spread to the brain (known as Secondary tumors).

They can grow anywhere in the brain and therefore you can experience different symptoms depending upon which area of the brain the tumor is situated.

The brain is divided into three main structures:

1. The Cerebrum (front)
2. The Cerebellum (back)
3. The Brain Stem (bottom)

Each part of the brain is responsible for different bodily functions.

The Cerebrum is divided into two halves (the right and left cerebral hemispheres). These are responsible for a person's memory, emotions, senses, speech and thinking. Opposite sides of the cerebral hemispheres control opposite sides of the body so that the left cerebral hemisphere controls the right hand side of the body and vice versa. Each hemisphere is then sub-divided into 4 areas each one being responsible for controlling different aspects, such as personality, sight, sense of smell and speech. A brain tumor in this part of the brain can cause difficulties with speech, vision, hearing and behavior.

The Cerebellum is at the back of the brain and is largely responsible for a person's balance and co-ordination. Ordinarily these functions occur spontaneously without thinking but a tumor in this part of the brain can make simple tasks that are taken for granted such as walking extremely difficult.

The Brain stem is at the bottom of the brain and is responsible for controlling basic things such as our breathing, heartbeat, blood pressure and eye movement. It connects the cerebrum and cerebellum to the spinal cord.

Statistically where adults are concerned most brain tumors grow in the cerebrum whereas in children they are more likely to occur in the cerebellum or brain stem. In adults it is also more common for a brain tumor to be secondary rather than primary whereas in children it is the reverse. It is important to remember that brain tumors(brain cancer) remain a rarity with approximately 4500 people diagnosed in the UK each year.

Some of the most common symptoms of a brain tumor can be; headaches, sickness and drowsiness but these symptoms are very common in lots of other illnesses therefore the chance of it being because of a brain tumor is small. Nevertheless if you are worried or concerned you should seek medical guidance. Other specific symptoms for a brain tumor can be problems with your sight including blurred vision, tunnel vision and floating shapes and/or fitting. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and you are concerned, you should speak to your doctor who will refer you to a specialist if necessary for further tests ad investigations; which may include CT and MRI scanning and/or a biopsy.

If a brain tumor is diagnosed various treatment options will be discussed with you. For primary tumors, surgery is usually considered as a first option provided the tumor is not positioned at the skull base. For secondary tumors again surgery will usually be considered first together with radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy.

If you believe that you have been the victim of a medical error or negligence in relation to the diagnosis of or treatment of a brain tumor it may be possible to claim compensation. Compensation will not resolve the medical issues but it may ease the financial burden by providing the money to pay for necessary care, therapy, and equipment. If you would like to discuss a possible claim please contact http://www.headinjuryuk.com/ who are specialist brain cancer lawyers who will be able to offer you further free advice and information.

HeadinjuryUK are specialist solicitors who investigate claims for compensation arising from clinical negligence involving traumatic head injuries. Contact us to speak to a solicitor for a free assessment of a potential medical negligence claim on 0800 073 0988.

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How to Know If You Have Brain Cancer, Diagnosis Choices

The first step in diagnosis for how to know if you have brain cancer is to evaluate the individual's symptoms. If the symptoms show an indication of brain cancer, the tests done to confirm diagnosis include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, computed axial tomography (CAT or CT) scan, and positron emission tomography (PET) scan.

CAT scans are specialized x-ray tests combined with a computer that takes pictures of the inside of the brain and brain stem, allowing the doctor to look for tumors. The CAT scan differs from standard x-rays in that it utilizes a computer to accomplish a cross-sectional view that allows for a much more accurate look at the soft tissues of body parts like that of the brain. A dye is often injected into the body to improve the contrast between abnormal and healthy tissue. CAT scanners have been in use since the mid 1970s.

MRI scans use magnetic and radio waves to take pictures of the inside of the body. Like the CAT scan, it provides images of the soft tissues of the body allowing the doctor to look for abnormalities. As a tool it will take pictures from any angle which is promoted as an advantage over CAT scans by institutions that use the MRI as the primary method of diagnosis. MRI is a technique that has been in use since the 1980s.

PET scans are not nearly as commonly used by institutions for determining how to know if you have brain cancer. The technique has been in limited use since the 1950s. It requires the injection of a short-lived radioactive isotope into the body, which allows for imaging of the body tissues. It is often combined with CAT scanning for a broad picture.

Skull x-rays were widely used at one time but have generally been replaced by the above scan procedures. Different institutions will use one or another of the scans as the first diagnostic test.
Any tumor located would be followed by a biopsy of the tissue to arrive at an exact diagnosis. A biopsy is a surgical procedure whereby a small portion of the abnormal tissue is removed and sent to a lab where a doctor can then study is under a microscope. The type and characteristics of the cells can then be determined as to whether it is malignant, degree of invasiveness and growth rate.

I am a father of five and a grandfather of one. I am at an age where health issues have become relevant as cancer, alzheimers, and a host of others have started affecting family and lifelong friends.

I am educated in journalism and computers and I have extensive background as an executive in the computer and telecomm industries. I have spent a career researching and data gathering for business purposes. I now apply those same skills in a search for effective solutions to health issues affecting my loved ones.

I am sharing my discoveries.

An important link for those interested in treatment choices and cures is:

[http://howtoknowifyouhavebraincancer.blogspot.com/]

Original article

How to Know If You Have Brain Cancer - Is it Possible to Resume a Meaningful Life After Treatment?

In researching about how to know if you have brain cancer, certain current event information comes up that is worth reporting on. President Obama is encouraging Congress to craft a bill that would spell out how the federal government could increase the role it plays in making health insurance and insurance benefits available to more Americans. Two Democratic Senators are spearheading efforts to remake the nation's health care system with sweeping health care legislation.  

Senator Max Baucus, a Montana Democrat and chairman of the Finance Committee, is crafting a bill that is aimed at health care reform of private providers to create meaningful, affordable coverage for all Americans. That is in contrast to fellow Democratic Senator Edward M Kennedy of Massachusetts, chairman of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, who favors a comprehensive public health care plan by creating a government sponsored entity that would compete with private insurers. Senator Kennedy is recovering after months of treatment for brain cancer. President Obama favors a public plan choice for the American people in order to "keep the private insurance companies honest."  

Democratic Senator Charles E. Schumer of New York has stated it is unlikely either Senator would support the other's bill but feels they might both support the compromise plan he is developing whereby any public plan would have to comply with the same rules, regulations and standards that apply to private insurance companies. Such a public plan would also have to be self-sustaining without access to federal funds to sustain it.  

The fact that Mr. Kennedy is back in the pressure cooker of holding the job of a Senator with its debates and disagreements as a way of life is an inspiration to other victims of brain cancer. He has resumed a very public life, engaging other high powered individuals on a daily basis, resuming what for him is a "normal life" with those around him fully aware of his brain cancer condition and his struggles with undergoing treatment.

I am a father of five and a grandfather of one. I am at an age where health issues have become relevant as cancer, Alzheimer's, and a host of others have started affecting family and lifelong friends. I am educated in journalism and computers and I have extensive background as an executive in the computer and telecomm industries. I have spent a career researching and data gathering for business purposes. I now apply those same skills in a search for effective solutions to health issues affecting my loved ones. I am sharing my discoveries. A must see link for those interested in treatment choices and cures for brain cancer is:

[http://howtoknowifyouhavebraincancer.blogspot.com/]

Original article

Symptoms and Signs of Brain Cancer and Treatment

Every individual having brain tumors should receive unique and individual brain cancer treatment. The treatment generally depends on the individual's age, general health, and size and location of the tumor.

There are several questions surrounding brain cancer treatment. The nature of treatment, its effects, and the long-term outcomes are some of them. Doctors are best equipped to handle these questions.

Overview of brain cancer treatment

Brain cancer treatment is generally complex. Some treatment plans will require multiple doctors.

1. The medical team usually comprises neurosurgeons, oncologists, radiation oncologists, and a general practitioner. Individuals may also want to include a dietitian, social worker, and physiotherapists.
2. The nature of the treatment will depend on location, size and type of the tumor. Existing medical conditions and age are other factors that need considerations when deciding the nature of treatment.

Brain Cancer Surgery

Most individuals who have a brain tumor are required to undergo surgery.

1. Surgery helps confirm the abnormality seen in the brain scans. Nature of the tumor and method of removal are also determined at the time of surgery. Surgeons will most probably take a sample of the tumor that needs to be removed.
2. When it comes to benign tumors, most symptoms vanish with the removal of the tumor.
3. A modern method for removal of tumors can be performed without a knife and is called stereotactic surgery. The tumor is removed without opening the skull. MRI and CT scans are used to determine the exact location of the tumor within the brain. Radiation beams are focused on the tumor from different directions. Radiation helps destroy the tumor. This method is also known as 'gamma knife'.
4. Knifeless surgeries have fewer complications. The recovery time, too, is much shorter.

Before surgery, individuals may have to undergo several treatment plans.

1. Administration of dexamethasone helps reduce swelling. It is also a steroid drug.
2. Treatment with anticonvulsant drugs, such as carbamazepine, relieves seizures. It also prevents its formation.
3. Excessive cerebrospinal fluid around the brain can be drained away by a thick plastic tube known as a shunt. One end of the shunt is fixed in the cavity where the fluid gathers. The other end is threaded under the skin to another body part. The fluid drains into a site from where it can be easily eliminated.

Brain Cancer Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy, also known as radiotherapy, involves usage of high-energy rays to destroy cells of the tumor. This prevents tumors from growing and multiplying.

1. Individuals who cannot undergo surgery are prescribed radiation therapy. In some cases, it may be used after surgery to destroy tumor cells.
2. Radiation therapy is local in nature, which means that only targeted cells are affected. Other brain and body cells are not affected.

Palliative treatments are designed to elevate the comfort levels of the patient. It also helps ease pain. Patients can also explore the field of latest treatments by signing up for clinical trials.

Alvis Walter is a cancer consultant and a guide for Brain Cancer Treatment. To know more information about Male Breast Cancer, Gamma Knife, malignant mesothelioma, mesothelioma symptoms, Myelodysplastic Syndrome and Mantle Cell Lymphoma visit http://www.cancery.com/

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