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Types of treatment available for metastatic prostate cancer

Types of treatment available for metastatic prostate cancer

Prostate cancer that has reached its stage IV or metastatic state is treatable but unfortunately not curable. Metastatic prostate cancer can usually be treated by standard therapies such as hormone therapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy. Using these treatments over a period of time, metastatic prostate cancer can be controlled for several years. Hormone therapy The simple theory behind the treatment through hormone therapy is that it deprives a man’s body of male hormones that are necessary for prostate cancer cells to grow. The treatment of hormone therapy, initially can be achieved with orchiectomy, which means removal of one or both the testicles, or luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) analogues solely or in combination with an anti-androgen. Chemotherapy Just like hormone therapy, chemotherapy is a systematic therapy in which the cancer-fighting drug circulates in the blood and to the parts of the body where the cancer may have spread. It can also kill or eliminate cancer cells at sites that are at great distances from the original cancer. Conventional chemotherapy drugs that are available for the treatment can have serious side-effects including loss of immunity, loss of hair, nausea, etc. because the drugs used in chemotherapy kill all kinds of cells that come in its way.
Colon Cancer: Top 3 Signs and Related Symptoms

Colon Cancer: Top 3 Signs and Related Symptoms

Cancer can affect any part of the body where there is a growth of abnormal cells which may lead to manifestations like a tumor. Colon cancer is one such kind of cancer that starts in the colon of the patient. This is the small tract that lies between the intestines and the anus. Needless to say, this small organ is responsible for flushing out the toxins and digesting the left over undigested food that may have passed through the intestines. When there is a great deal of undigested food that turns into toxins in this area, it tends to accumulate which may lead to a variety of complications. Colon cancer is one such complication which can turn into a fatality if the signs are not seen at the earliest for timely treatment to take place. So here are the top three signs of colon cancer that we should all be aware of. Undigested Food: One of the first signs of colon or colorectal cancer is that one will feel that there is undigested food in the system at all times. This is due to the fact that the stool will not pass through in a normal and timely manner. Even after the stool has passed, the patient will not feel like all of it has been passed and there will be a feeling of heaviness and even bloating which will be felt on a persistent basis.
Her2 negative breast cancer- Symptoms and treatments explained

Her2 negative breast cancer- Symptoms and treatments explained

Amongst the disease that has plagued the Earth, a majority of them have been eradicated. And, this we owe to the discoveries in medical science. However, there are diseases that still haunt us, since no permanent cure has been found for the same. Cancer is one such disease that cannot be completely cured. 3 out of ten individuals might be suffering from cancer, and they succumb to it if it is not detected in the early stages. Women too suffer from cancer, mostly breast cancer. 1 out 5 women might have cancer, and the signs if ignored can lead to a lot of suffering, and ultimately death. The most common kind of cancer is Her2 breast cancer, which can either be Her2 positive breast cancer, or Her2 negative breast cancer. If diagnosed with Her2 positive breast cancer when a high quantity of Her2 protein causes the cancer cells in the breast to multiply at an abnormal rate. Whereas, Her2 negative breast cancer is caused when breast cells don’t contain Her2 proteins. Her2 proteins play a major role in repairing your cells and keeping them healthy. The absence of which would prove detrimental in helping your cells heal. The trick in battling Her2 breast cancer lies in detecting the symptoms at an early stage.
Understanding the early signs and types of pancreatitis

Understanding the early signs and types of pancreatitis

Situated behind the stomach, the pancreas is a gland which releases essential digestive enzymes into the small intestine to facilitate the proper digestion of food. It also introduces hormones in the blood known as insulin and glucagon which determine how food and energy is processed. Pancreatitis, on the other hand, is a disease in which the pancreas suffers from inflammation. This type of damage occurs when the digestive enzymes are stimulated before they are released in the blood. This causes them to attack the pancreas. Types and early signs of pancreatitis There are two main kinds of pancreatitis, i.e., acute and chronic. Acute pancreatitis This type of pancreatitis arises as a sudden inflammation that lasts for short span. The pain range for acute pancreatitis can be from minor to severe. Patients dealing with this health issue can recover completely with timely and appropriate medical intervention. In serious cases of acute pancreatitis, there can be internal bleeding, tissue damage, infections, cysts, etc. It can also end up damaging heart, kidneys, and lungs. Some of the early signs of acute pancreatitis are Loss of appetite Vomiting Queasiness Fever Diarrhea Faster pulse rate Rapid fluctuations in the blood pressure Chronic pancreatitis This pancreatitis type is an inflammation of the pancreas that lasts for a long time.
4 common challenges that cancer caregivers face

4 common challenges that cancer caregivers face

Cancer in any form is quite fatal. It can be treated only when diagnosed in the initial stages. In the later stages, cancer treatments are directed towards managing the symptoms and providing relief to the patient. Life becomes quite difficult for cancer patients as their body starts deteriorating, preventing them from carrying out their daily activities. However, this is where cancer caregivers step in. These caregivers look after most of the patient’s day-to-day tasks. Cancer caregivers can be one’s partner, family members, or friends. One can even hire a professional cancer caregiver for this very purpose. Cancer caregivers ensure that the patient experiences some normalcy in their life. They also play a vital role in providing emotional support to their patients whenever needed. The duties of a cancer caregiver include giving medications, managing the side effects, and informing the doctor about any problems faced by the patient. Cancer caregivers provide around-the-clock care to cancer patients but face certain hurdles while doing so. The common obstacles experienced by cancer caregivers are as follows: Shifting roles A cancer caregiver can be one’s spouse, sibling, or any other relative, and this means that the caregiver has to play multiple roles. A caregiver has to dedicate their time to several duties such as accompanying the cancer patient to their next chemotherapy appointment, ensuring that all the bills are paid, etc.
An overview of cancers caused by an HPV infection

An overview of cancers caused by an HPV infection

HPV or human papillomavirus is passed from one person to another through skin contact. With more than 150 different types of HPV, it is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the country. Most women and men might not show HPV cancer symptoms. However, certain strains of HPV might cause warts on various parts of the body. Other types of strains might cause pre-cancerous lesions, which can turn cancerous if not treated in time. An infection caused by HPV can cause cancer symptoms, such as warts on the hands and feet. However, there are at least 40 other strains of viruses of HPV that can cause cancerous symptoms in the genital and oral area. It is commonly caused due to oral, anal, or vaginal sex. In women, genital HPV can cause cancerous symptoms on both the outer and the inner surface of the vagina. It can also affect the penile and anal area in men. The strains of HPV that infects the genital area in the form of warts or lesions are commonly referred to as HPV-16 or HPV-18. These particular types of HPV cause warts varying in shape, size, and number, rarely leading to cancer. Other than these, HPV 6 and HPV 11 are “low-risk” infections that cause warts on the hands or the legs.
Bladder cancer: What to know and how to lower the risk?

Bladder cancer: What to know and how to lower the risk?

As you know, your bladder stores the urine till you pee. The human urinary bladder is a muscular sac located in the pelvic region, just close to the pubic bone. The urine from the kidney flows to the bladder, in which, the muscles stretch by itself to store it. Abnormal growth of cells in the urinary bladder is called as bladder cancer. The abnormal cell growth leads to a tumor, and can spread to the nearby organs if untreated. Read about the bladder cancer signs that you should be aware of. Symptoms to know The most common symptom of bladder cancer is the presence of blood in the urine. Sometimes it will be visible through human eyes, but other ways during a microscopic examination. Other possible bladder cancer symptoms include: â An urge to urinate frequently â Difficulty to urinate â An constant urge to urinate, but difficult to pass urine â A pain in the lower back side of the body â Urinating small amounts, but in a frequent manner â Recurrent infections in the urinary tract â Swelling in the legs â Presence of pelvic mass Stay aware of the risk factors Although the cause of bladder cancer is unknown, there are certain risk factors identified by medical science researchers.
Cancer symptoms that you should be aware of

Cancer symptoms that you should be aware of

The word ‘cancer’ can put you in a state of shock, as it has become one of the most frightening health conditions in the recent decades. The number of cancer patients is on a rise in many countries of the world, including the United States. Cancer is a name given to a wide range of health conditions in which some of the body cells grow abnormally. It can occur in any part of the body, although some of the cancers are more common. It may not show up early symptoms. However, if you are vigilant about the changes that the body goes through, the chances of detecting cancer in its early stages are higher. Knowing the early signs and symptoms of cancer can keep you stay hale and hearty. Cancer treatment options are much advanced these days and early detection can save your life. Read the major cancer symptoms here. Signs and symptoms The signs and symptoms of the condition depend on the part of the body where it occurs. The common signs of cancer that you should be aware are listed below. However, you should visit the doctor only when one or more symptoms continue for a longer period without any reason.
Benefits of genetic screening in prostate cancer

Benefits of genetic screening in prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is one of the most common conditions that affect men. In this disorder, there is an abnormal multiplication in the growth of cancer cells that go on to form a tumor. The prostate gland is one that aids in the production of semen and it is situated around the male urethra. Typically, prostate cancer is painless in the initial stage; thus, there may be no signs and symptoms that indicate the growth of cancer cells. This is a major reason for a large population of men being unaware of the prevailing condition. However, as the condition becomes serious, one may include a slew of issues such as an abnormal flow of urine, pain during ejaculation, and the feeling of being unable to completely empty the bladder. The above changes or symptoms are seen in several other genital conditions and do not always imply the development of prostate cancer. The severity of the condition can greatly vary from one man to another. In most cases, if the prostate cancer is in its early stage, there can be treatment methods mapped for successful treatment. Also, in some older men, the tumor may grow very slowly and can surprising never cause an issue in their daily routine.
Four effective tips to be a better cancer caregiver

Four effective tips to be a better cancer caregiver

Cancer is treatable only when it is identified in its initial stages. Once cancer metastasizes, the treatment methods are directed towards relieving the painful symptoms of cancer and limiting its progress. The treatment methods are long term, and the affected individual undergoes several physical and psychological changes through the course of treatment. It is a difficult time for the patient and their family as the individual’s health deteriorates gradually. As the disease progress, there is a decline in the patient’s ability to perform daily activities, and it becomes imperative to have around-the-clock care for the individual. Cancer caregivers are those individuals who help the patient deal with cancer and help patients in their endeavor to try and lead a normal life. Cancer caregivers can be spouses, family members, or even close friends. One can even hire professional cancer caregivers for this purpose. Here are some effective ways in which one can become an expert cancer caregiver for the patient: Emotionally supportive: The long-term cancer treatment methods aim to relieve the patient by reducing the severity of the symptoms. However, the patient would be emotionally distraught as well, and in such cases, they long for emotional support. As a cancer caregiver, it is one’s duty to help the individual maintain a sense of control over their lives, and care for their emotional well-being too.
Head and neck Cancer – Signs, symptoms and more

Head and neck Cancer – Signs, symptoms and more

There are various kinds of cancer that can affect many people around the globe. These include breast cancer, lung cancer, leukemia, which is a kind of blood cancer, stomach cancer and much more. Head and neck cancer is also a kind of cancer that can be found in different parts of the world. Read on to know more about the same! • Types of Head Neck Cancer: There are many different types of head and neck cancer, including mouth or oral cancers, throat cancer, cancer of the sinus, cancer of the salivary gland and other kinds of tumors and growths that may be found in the neck. One will need to understand the symptoms of these different types of head and neck cancer in order to deal with them effectively. • Oral Cancer: This is also known as mouth cancer and usually arises when there has been persistent and excessive smoking, drinking and other forms of substance abuse. The main symptoms of this condition include discomfort and pain in the mouth that remains persistently and even grows. Also, many of us many have lumps and ulcers in the mouth that go away within a few days. But if these lumps and ulcers do not heal on their own, they you will have to report the same to a doctor as a sign of oral or mouth cancer.