cancer

cancer prevention |cancer events|cancer news|cancer

A new oral prescription medication that is being studied in an international clinical trial now it Phase III may be a successful alternative to chemotherapy, according to news results.

The trial was developed and studied by scientists at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and studied approximately 1,466 patients suffering from lung cancer in 24 various countries worldwide. Patients participated in receiving randomized treatments of Iressa, a once-daily tablet, or docetaxel, which is a form of chemotherapy.

Those receiving chemotherapy had a combined median survival rate of 8 months with 34 percent having a one-year survival rate. Similarly, patients given the Iressa treatment had an overall survival rate of 7.6 months with a 32 percent survival rate of one year.

However, while Iressa appears to be on par with the chemotherapy treatment, scientists found that lung cancer patients who suffered from tumors with EGFR gene mutations and who were given Iressa had “an improved response rate and progression-free survival compared to docetaxel,” according to researchers of the study who spoke with Science Daily.

Iressa is a considered a “biological oral therapy” and, according to the researchers from the news article, “this is the largest study in lung cancer comparing an oral biologic to chemotherapy, and shows, for the first time that an oral biologic therapy is just as effective as chemotherapy.”

Lung cancer Causes and Prevention

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), lung cancer is considered a leading cause of death in the United States. Science Daily reported that “in 2008, approximately 215,000 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer and approximately 114,000 people will die from the disease.” The Mayo Clinic also stated that “smoking causes the majority of lung cancers — both in smokers and in people exposed to secondhand smoke.”

Because the condition is considered preventable through smoking cessation therapies, the Surgeon General has outlined several steps that may assist a smoker in quitting the often addictive habit.

* Set a date to quite within two weeks.

* Remove all tobacco products from work and home environments.

* Alert friends, family, coworkers of your decision and request support.

* If any past attempts at quitting have occurred, review and determine what didn?t and did work.

* Make a pro list on reasons for quitting as well as benefits of quitting.

* Try to determine challenges in advance and determine strategies to overcome these anticipated challenges.

In addition to this method, there are several varieties of nicotine replacement therapies (NRT), both prescription and non-prescription, that can assist a smoker in succeeding with quitting their tobacco addiction. The ACS reported the following as several smoking cessation aids:

* nicotine gum

* nicotine patches

* nicotine nasal spray

* nicotine inhalers

* nicotine lozenges

* high dose nicotine replacement therapy (Zyban, Chantix)

Smoking Cessation Prescription Drug Dangers

Unfortunately, not all smoking cessation prescription or non-prescription aids are ideal for an individual and some come with dangerous side effects. An example of one such smoking-cessation aid is that of Chantix, also known as varenicline tartrate. Chantix, from Pfizer, was released in May 2006 and is currently consumed by nearly 3 million Americans hoping to quit their nicotine addictions.

In November 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began receiving hundreds of complaints associated with the consumption of Chantix. The drug was allegedly causing suicidal behaviors and tendencies among patients, 37 of which were successful in committing suicide. The FDA began investigating the Chantix risks, but did not recall the drug from the market.

Individuals who suffered from the severe Chantix side effects or who lost a loved one, family member to suicide because of the drug, should contact a pharmaceutical attorney who may be able to provide details as to how to develop a Chantix class action lawsuit that can result in the compensation of a monetary reward

Peter Kent
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/new-lung-cancer-therapy-fights-deadly-disease-711419.html

cancer prevention |cancer events|cancer news|cancer

There are numerous holistic sources that claim to be healing cancer with varying degrees of success. A few of these report success greater than 90 percent of the time. I have spent years researching and finding the best information available, and have compiled a list of the most important considerations relevant to cancer. I present here a distillation of these factors, as well as a brief exploration of some approaches that would be more likely to fail so these can be avoided.

This article will cover four basic areas:

• How and Why the FDA has Failed Us.
• Holistic Options that Fall Short.
• Comprehensive Holistic Treatments.
• A Note on Allopathic Cancer Treatments.

How and Why the FDA has Failed Us:

If cancer can be treated so effectively using holistic means, then why isn’t the allopathic medical establishment using such methods and showing greater success?

As many of us know, the EPA and the FDA have failed us when it comes to cancer. It’s no wonder that one out of three people are expected to get cancer some time in their lifetimes. Such an outrageous statistic is only possibly due to gross levels of corruption in our government.

It is now common practice for pharmaceutical industry executives to gain top posts in the FDA where they are then able to make critical decisions affecting the industry that they are charged with regulating. Then, a couple years down the road, they are offered high-paying positions back in the same industry that they just helped through their post at FDA. The implications of this blatant conflict of interest are obvious. One example of many is that of Michael Taylor who had been a Monsanto attorney before going to work for the FDA. During his time at FDA, he contributed to creating a new FDA policy that deemed genetically modified foods as “generally regarded as safe”, or GRAS. He also wrote the policy exempting biotech foods from labeling. Following his time at FDA, he went back to work for Monsanto – no doubt in a very lucrative position. Searching Google on “FDA revolving door” (without the quotes) turns up 28,900 results.

Consider: We know that money corrupts and that people will do outrageous things for money and power. These things go without saying. With all their science and research:

• Why don’t doctors tell their patients about how cancer loves an acid environment and cannot survive in an alkaline environment? Why don’t doctors tell patients to stay away from acid-producing foods and focus on alkali-producing foods? Why not give people lists of these foods?

• With all of the science and research, why don’t they tell people that cancer loves sugar?

• Why don’t they tell people that cancer thrives in oxygen-deprived cells? Why don’t their protocols work more with oxygenating the cells and blood?

• Why don’t they tell you which vitamins and supplements inhibit cancerous growth?

Just imagine, for a moment, if a cure was found. Imagine the possibility that there are currently very effective holistic treatments. If they came into wide usage, imagine:

• All the research grants that would go out the window.

• Think about all the expensive diagnostic and treatment equipment in doctor’s offices and hospitals that would be rendered useless.

• The loss of revenue to doctors and researchers who use such equipment, and the manufacturers and sales people who sell them.

• The many expensive surgeries that would end.

• The sales of many life-long prescription pharmaceutical drugs would end.

How much money are we talking about? Treatment for one person will typically cost between $80,000 to $160,000. The medical industry represents one-seventh of the total United States Gross National Product at one trillion dollars per year with revenues associated with cancer reaching $400 billion annually. Is it any wonder that holistic options are off the table? The cancer industry cannot make a dime off of broccoli and carrots and vitamins and healthy people. A healthy person is lost profit.

“But nobody today can say that one does not know what cancer and its prime cause be. On the contrary, there is no disease whose prime cause is better known, so that today ignorance is no longer an excuse that one cannot do more about prevention.”

- Nobel Prize Winner Otto Warburg in a meeting of Nobel Laureates, June 30, 1966

Holistic Options That Fall Short:

There have been a number of books that suggest that the cure for cancer is one key factor, such as using specific nutritional supplements effective against cancer or an herbal cure for cancer. Using only herbs to cure cancer may not be the right answer for the same reason that I would not limit my own treatment to a single homeopathic option. The reason is simple. Alternative cancer remedies typically only give you part of the picture and fail to address the underlying causes of cancer.

Regardless of whether one is talking about stage three breast cancer, lung cancer, or prostate cancer, an herbal remedy or a homeopathic cure for cancer may do precious little to shift the pH (i.e. the alkalinity) of the body, and precious little to eliminate the toxins accumulated in the body that gave rise to the cancer in the first place. Further, if you kill the cancer cells, but you are still eating a diet consisting primarily of acid-producing foods, and you do not cleanse the body of accumulated toxins, then your cancer is likely to come back again.

Comprehensive Holistic Treatments:

To be most successful, any cancer remedy must address the underlying causes of cancer. Holistic Cancer Cures can be highly successful – given that one follows a protocol with a proven track record of success.

There are a wide array of factors that support or promote cancer that should be avoided. Nothing here should be ignored. A few are obvious, but several are unknown by most people. Knowledge is indeed power. So read this with an open mind and get ready to reclaim your health.

The best holistic cancer treatments should include three primary and essential considerations:

1) Cancer thrives in an acid environment in the body and for the most part cannot survive in an alkalized body. So an alternative treatment for cancer must inform you fully on acid-producing foods and alkaline producing foods so the pH of the body can be shifted away from acid and toward a healthy alkaline state. And this is easy to do because there are many lists of acid versus alkaline producing foods to be found on the internet.

But again, that’s only part of the story. Consider – if the body is full of toxins – many of which are acid-based, then it may not be possible to alkalize the body sufficiently without also addressing the next two steps:

2) Any holistic cancer treatment worth its salt will inform you of the many sources of toxins in our food and water, and how to best avoid them. And this brings us to the third element of your journey to healing cancer.

3) Treating cancer must address how to cleanse the body through use of a variety of detoxification products to eliminate accumulated toxins.

So again, natural cures for cancer are incomplete without these three elements. But with them, it can truly be said that healing cancer with a holistic approach is typically successful. This includes even advanced cancers, depending on, for instance, the degree of damage to vital organs and the person’s age.

On my website, I offer a document that provides details on the above three factors, as well as:

• A link to the best cancer diet to follow, which will, for example, discuss foods that are high in fungus and molds, foods that are genetically modified, which cooking oils to use, and much more.

• A list of supplements that are effective against cancer.

• A link to the best alternative cancer treatment website where you’ll find well more than 200 specific alternative cancer protocols that have a proven track record against many, many forms of cancer. This website will give you detailed information on things like contraindications, other relevant safety information, and much more.

• Details on approximately twenty of the most common and impactful sources of toxins in our society, as well as specific research and links for each to help you understand why you need to stay clear of them. Toxins can come from unexpected sources. Examples include non-stick cookware such as Teflon; plastics in touch with foods and drinks; microwave ovens, which transform foods in dangerous ways; municipal water which typically contains chlorine and fluorosilic acid – a highly toxic industrial waste product passed off as fluoride to help children’s teeth; genetically modified foods; common artificial sweeteners that turn into formaldehyde in the body; MSG, which is now in abundant supply in fast foods and hidden by using more than 15 different names; and even plastic shower curtains which outgas a huge amount of toxins.

• Information on the best products and means that I’ve been able to find over the years to help you limit your exposure to these dangers.

A Note on Allopathic Cancer Treatments:

People would do well to remember what the cancer establishment refers to as ‘terminal’. In my opinion it typically means that in their paradigm, they have no good answers for you. This document, with its sources, has much better answers – ones that won’t bankrupt you.

The FDA likes to restrict the use of the words “cure” and “heal”. Now, if what is happening is that people’s cancers are going away and these patients are finding health and vitality – then perhaps to call it anything other than a healing would be inaccurate. Cancer patients are using holistic approaches and finding health. That’s a reality. The sources sighted in the document available for download on my website speak for themselves.

I speak to you as one person to another. It’s up to you to look at the evidence here and on my website as well as that presented by your doctor to make up your own mind for what is right for you. This is your opportunity to take responsibility for your own health.

I am convinced that the holistic approach is much more effective than the toxins of chemotherapy, radiation, pharmaceuticals, and toxic and acidic food being promoted by the mainstream allopathic path. It is my understanding that the holistic path, using specific protocols, achieves healings above 90 percent where the allopathic world knows something closer to 30 percent. That’s a guess, for now. So if you want one-third the chance of healing and a path that bankrupts you and leaves you sicker by the month – go allopathic. If you want three times those odds and a path that strengthens you each step of the way, then go with this document. One other important consideration – the allopathic path does nothing to address the underlying causes of cancer in the first place. As a result – if you continue eating the same foods and exposing yourself to the same toxins, your cancer is likely to come back again a few years down the road.

DISCLAIMER – The information in this article is provided for educational and informational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The author is not a doctor and is not attempting to recommend, prescribe, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease and in no way is the information contained in this document intended to be a substitute for a health care provider’s consultation. The content is based upon research by the author. The reader is encouraged to make their own health care decisions that can be based upon their own research and then partnering with their own health care professional. If you are ill please consult a qualified physician or appropriate health care provider.

Cole Simonson
http://www.articlesbase.com/cancer-articles/healing-cancer-holistically-713059.html

cancer prevention |cancer events|cancer news|cancer

Cancer is a complex, devastating illness which is responsible for the deaths of millions of people each year. For decades, scientists have been attempting to uncover some of the secrets of cancer in order to find a cure. While, so far, a cure has been out of reach, there appear to be some natural remedies which can prevent or slow cancer growth. One of those remedies is a beverage which is commonplace in many Asian households-tea.

The History of an Anti-Cancer Tool

Tea has been a dietary staple for 500,000 years. People in India and China appear to be among the first to have enjoyed this beloved beverage. But it’s one variety in particular-Camellia sinensis-which appears to have a number of health benefits associated with it. That variety is also known as green tea.

What Makes Green Tea Special

Green tea is unique in that it is produced from unfermented leaves and it contains a high concentration of polyphenols, which are chemicals that can serve as antioxidants. Antioxidants are essentially on a search-and-destroy mission against free radicals, compounds which compromise DNA and destroy cells. Free radicals are often to blame for the development of cancer as well as heart disease. The antioxidants immobilize free radicals and inhibit the damage often associated with them.

Medicinal Uses of Green Tea

For years, Asians have used green tea to promote a healthy lifestyle. It helps to promote good digestion, improve concentration, and promote the excretion of urine. In addition, a number of studies in human beings, animals, and in laboratories suggest that green tea can be effective in combating a number of ailments.

Green Tea’s Effect on Cancer of the Pancreas and Colon

In an article entitled, “Green Tea Consumption and the Risk of Pancreatic and Colorectal Cancers,” researchers B.T. Ji, W.H. Chow, A.W. Hsing, J.K. McLaughlin, Q. Dai, Y.T. Gao, W.J. Blot, and J.F. Fraumeni, Jr. examined the question of green tea’s effectiveness as an antidote to certain types of cancers.

The Columbia University researchers conceded that the effect of green tea on cancer risk is uncertain, although a number of animal studies seem to indicate a positive effect.

In order to test the hypothesis that drinking green tea can, in fact, lessen cancer risk, the researchers conducted an extensive study in Shanghai, China in order to see whether green tea consumption had any impact on cancers of the colon, rectum, and pancreas.

The research team found that the greater the consumption of green tea, the lesser the risk of cancer. As a result, it appears that green tea may, in fact, lower the incidence of both colorectal and pancreatic cancers. Yet, it should be noted that other similar studies have produced conflicting results. As a result, scientists recommend additional research before a definitive statement can be made about green tea as a colorectal cancer prevention tool.

As far as pancreatic cancer is concerned, another study showed that those individuals who consumed the most green tea were far less likely to develop the disease. It appears that the reduced risk is most pronounced in women, who cut their pancreatic cancer rate in half by drinking large amounts of green tea.

In contrast, male green tea drinkers were 37 percent less likely to develop the disease. However, it should be noted that it is impossible to tell from this particular study whether green tea was solely responsible for cutting pancreatic cancer risk.

Green Tea and Other Cancers

But what about other cancers? How effective has green tea been in preventing other forms of the disease? To begin with, cancer rates are often lower in Japan and other nations where green tea consumption is high. Animal studies also indicate that the polyphenols in green tea are effective antioxidants which kill cancerous cells, stopping them in their tracks.

A study of bladder cancer patients found that those who consumed green tea had a much better five-year survival rate than cancer patients who did not drink the beverage. In addition, animal studies appear to confirm that the chemicals in green tea stop the growth of breast cancer cells.

One study of nearly 500 women with breast cancer found that those who drank green tea did not see their cancer spread as much as those who did not consume green tea. Yet, those who were in the later stages of breast cancer who drank green tea saw little or no improvement in their condition.

Animal studies also indicate that green tea can prevent the growth of cancer cells in the esophagus. But studies in human beings have yielded mixed results. For instance, one study showed that green tea could help prevent esophageal cancer-especially in women, while another indicated that the tea could actually increase the incidence of such cancer.

Consequently, additional research is needed before scientists can determine conclusively whether green tea can act as a cancer preventative.

The effects of green tea on lung and prostate cancer remain unclear. However, the beverage does seem to prevent the onset of skin cancer. There is also some evidence to suggest that it can inhibit the growth of stomach cancer cells.

It appears that green tea may be effective in the fight against inflammatory bowel disease. This is significant because people who suffer from this disease are at a greater risk for colon cancer. Specifically, green tea appears to reduce the inflammation characteristic of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, two forms of inflammatory bowel disease.

Green Tea and Chemotherapy

There have been lab tests to indicate that green tea can improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs such as doxorubicin and tamoxifen. But the positive effect has not yet been demonstrated in studies of human beings. In fact, green tea and green tea extracts are not recommended for prostate cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy.

The Final Word

Although scientific studies at this point are not altogether conclusive, there is strong evidence to suggest that green tea can be effective in preventing cancer. That may be particularly true for colorectal and pancreatic cancers. At this point, a number of doctors agree that, for most people, the health benefits of drinking green tea far outweigh the risks.

Marcus Stout
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/could-green-tea-provide-a-cure-for-cancer-99892.html

cancer prevention |cancer events|cancer news|cancer

In the ferret, adrenal disease – or hyperadrenocorticism – most commonly occurs when a tumor or lesion on the adrenal glands causes an overproduction of the hormones produced by the adrenal glands. Adrenal disease is most common in ferrets over the age of three years, but it can affect ferrets as young as a year old. Adrenal disease is one of the most prevalent ferret diseases, and there is no definitive test for it. Ferret owners need to know as much as possible about it to be able to recognize it and help the ferret after he is diagnosed by the veterinarian.

CAUSES

While we don’t know for sure what exactly causes adrenal disease in ferrets, most theories point to two possible causes:

Spaying and neutering at a young age

Many large ferret breeders spay or neuter ferrets at the age of 5 or 6 weeks, which may cause the ferret’s body to overcompensate for the lack of normal sex hormones. Adrenal disease has occurred in ferrets that are spayed or neutered after they have reached sexual maturity, but it is not nearly as common.

Extended photoperiods

Most ferrets have been forced to adapt to their owner’s lifestyle and are exposed to at least four or five hours of artificial light in the evening in addition to the natural light during the day. This limits the time they spend in darkness, which decreases melatonin production. Too little melatonin results in overstimulation of the adrenal glands. Ferrets should have no less than 12 hours of complete darkness throughout a 24 hour period.

When a ferret develops adrenal disease, it is most likely the combination of a variety of factors. In addition to environmental factors, some ferrets are probably genetically predisposed to developing adrenal gland cancer.

SIGNS

Hair loss or hair thinning – at the base of the tail, on his feet, on his belly, in an obvious pattern, or in a patchy appearance – are classic signs of adrenal disease. There are multiple causes for hair loss in ferrets, but a ferret owner should always suspect adrenal disease and report this to his or her veterinarian, especially if the ferret is 3 years of age or older. However, while hair loss is the classic sign of adrenal disease, not all ferrets will have this sign.

Unlike other diseases, there is not a standard set of signs that a ferret with adrenal disease will always display. The range of signs that your ferret shows will depend on where the tumor is on his adrenal glands. The adrenal glands produce many hormones, so the location of the tumor will affect which hormones are overproduced. The types of hormones that are overproduced determines which signs you will see.

Here are the various signs of adrenal disease:

• Hair loss, either in a symmetrical pattern or patchy with no apparent pattern *

• Thinning hair
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Papery thin or translucent looking skin, sometimes with sores from scratching
• Excessive scratching and itchiness
• Increase in musky body odor
• Excessive grooming of self or other ferrets, including ear sucking
• Sexual aggression and mating behavior in neutered males – with other ferrets, inanimate objects, etc.
• Swollen vulva in spayed females
• Difficulty urinating for males – this is a sign of an enlarged prostate, a condition usually associated with adrenal disease
• Weakness in back legs – usually seen in advanced or extreme cases
• Increased thirst, increased urination
• Weight loss due to a decrease in muscle mass, but with a pot bellied appearance

* It is important to note that you may see partial or complete hair regrowth without treatment. This does not mean that your ferret is fine, it just means that the hormonal imbalances have balanced out again, probably due to a season change. The hormones will become unbalanced again, and hair loss will occur, usually more severe than before.

Always remember that you can see any combination of these signs – there is no set group of signs! Keep an eye on your ferrets as they grow older, watching for any symptoms or odd behavior. Something as seemingly innocuous as your ferret running from litter box to litter box trying to go to the bathroom should result in a trip to the veterinarian.

DIAGNOSING ADRENAL DISEASE

If your veterinarian has a lot of experience with ferrets or if your ferret has the traditional hair loss, he or she may be able to diagnose your ferret through clinical signs (symptoms).

Your veterinarian may decide to use the Adrenal Panel run by the University of Tennessee, often referred to as the “Tennessee Panel,” in cases where adrenal disease is suspected. This is a blood test that evaluates the levels of hormones and steroid production. The test is not always 100% correct, and has been known to result in false positives and false negatives, but it is the only blood test available to test for adrenal disease.

Radiographs (x-rays) and ultrasounds help determine whether or not adrenal disease is present, but can be misleading. Diseased adrenal glands can be normal in size and shape and, therefore, an x-ray or ultrasound may not raise any concerns. However, ultrasounds can be helpful in showing prostate enlargement (a complication of adrenal disease in male ferrets).

When it comes to diagnosis, if your ferret is displaying any of the obvious signs, your veterinarian will probably suggest beginning treatment rather than spending money on expensive tests and other diagnostic measures. Ferrets can suffer from adrenal disease for a long time before actually showing symptoms, so no matter how your veterinarian arrives at the diagnosis, it’s important to commence treatment immediately after the diagnosis has been made.

TREATMENT

Your veterinarian may opt to use any of the following options to treat your ferret’s adrenal disease:

Surgery

This is the most common treatment for adrenal disease, and is the only way to completely remove the tumor. It is also the most recommended treatment by most veterinarians. If your veterinarian seems at all hesitant about the surgery or does not perform surgeries, ask for a recommendation to a more experienced ferret veterinarian.

If your ferret has already had surgery to remove one gland and adrenal tumors develop in the remaining gland, your veterinarian may decide that surgery is not the best choice. Ferrets that have both glands removed may develop Addison’s disease, which is a severe or complete deficiency of the hormones made in the adrenal glands. Your veterinarian will probably want to check your ferret’s cortisol (a hormone produced by the adrenal glands) levels within three days of the surgery.

Though surgery is the only option that could completely rid your ferret of adrenal disease, it is important for you to know that there are risks involved with surgery.

• If the tumor is on the right adrenal gland, your veterinarian may choose not to remove it. The right adrenal gland is directly adjacent to the vena cava, the largest vein in the body, and there could be serious complications.

• If any microscopic piece of affected adrenal tissue remains, the tumor can grow back either on the same side, or the opposite side.
• There is always a chance that the ferret may not make it through the surgery or through the recovery period in the first few days after the procedure is done.

Discuss all of the risks extensively with your veterinarian before making any decisions. Some ferrets are just not good surgical candidates, either due to age, health or both, and with these ferrets your veterinarian will probably want to go the medical treatment route.

Medical

Your veterinarian may suggest medical treatment options in cases where surgery cannot be performed, either due to the health of the ferret or other issues. These options include:

• Lupron Depot Injections

  Lupron Depot may be prescribed at 1 month, 3 month, or 4 month intervals. “Depot” refers to the fact that the entire dosage is released over the given time period. This means that your ferret will need to get this shot at the appropriate time for the rest of his life. Lupron may shrink the tumor, but in most cases, it only affects the symptoms.

  Even if all symptoms cease, Lupron must continue to be administered. Lupron is a synthetic version of GnRH (gonadotropin release hormone), and it works by desensitizing the pituitary gland, which stops the production of the hormones that are overstimulating the adrenal glands. So if the Lupron shots are stopped, the pituitary gland resumes its normal function, and all of the problems start again.

  If your veterinarian recommends doing surgery, but you can’t do it right away for whatever reason, some veterinarians may recommend that the ferret receive Lupron in the meantime. This may prevent the disease from progressing any further and, at the very least, may make your ferret more comfortable by alleviating some of the symptoms.

• Melatonin Implants

  Melatonin is a natural hormone that serves many functions in your ferret’s body, one of which is to inhibit the release of GnRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone). Less GnRH means that the pituitary gland releases fewer hormones, which means that the adrenal glands are stimulated less.

  Melatonin can be used in oral (liquid or pill) or implant form. While you can use oral melatonin, the success or failure of it depends on the time of day it is given. It needs to be administered exactly 7 – 9 hours after sunrise to mimic the natural release of melatonin. If given at this time every single day, oral melatonin is extremely effective. Unfortunately many ferret owners are not home during this time. A more convenient way to administer melatonin effectively is to use Ferretonin, a melatonin implant. Implants last about 3 – 4 months, and provide a steady level of melatonin over that time period.

  Melatonin implants alone cannot be used to treat adrenal disease, and the best results are seen if Melatonin implants are used in conjunction with Lupron Depot.

• Medications to avoid

  Lysodren (mitotane) was formerly used as a common treatment for adrenal disease, but studies have shown that Lysodren doesn’t stop the stimulation of the adrenal glands and causes low blood sugar. This is a concern, as insulinoma and adrenal disease are often seen together, and ferrets with insulinoma struggle with low blood sugar already. Overdosages or incorrect dosages of Lysodren were also known to cause Addison’s Disease.

  Nizoral (Ketoconazole) is used to treat Cushing’s disease (hyperadrenocorticism) in dogs, which is completely different from adrenal disease (also hyperadrenocorticism) in ferrets. Though they are the same disease, the same drugs cannot be used to treat both.

  Vetoryl (Trilostane) is also used in dogs with Cushing’s Disease, and increases the level of a hormone that is already quite high in ferrets with adrenal disease. Giving this to a ferret with adrenal disease would make the problem worse.

  Nolvadex (Tamoxifen) is an anti-estrogen medicine in humans. However, it actually has estrogen-like effects in ferrets, which would have a negative effect on many ferrets with adrenal disease.

PREVENTING ADRENAL DISEASE

Unfortunately, there are no proven ways to prevent adrenal disease. It is currently thought that the early neutering/spaying that is done by large scale breeders directly contributes to adrenal disease, and in most cases, the ferrets that you get will already have had this surgery. If they are intact, it is recommended that you wait until they are at least 6 months of age before getting them spayed or neutered. Adrenal disease is still seen in ferrets who are spayed or neutered after reaching sexual maturity, but it is not as prevalent.

Recent studies have shown that light cycles also contribute to the development of adrenal disease. Melatonin, as mentioned above, regulates the release of GnRH. GnRH affects how much the adrenal glands are stimulated. Melatonin is produced when the ferret is in total darkness. Most of our ferrets live in the same environment we do – natural daylight during the day, and several hours of artificial light in the evenings. This obviously shortens the amount of time the ferret is in darkness, thereby decreasing the production of melatonin. Less melatonin means more GnRH is released, which then overstimulates the adrenal glands leading to adrenal disease. A ferret’s optimal light cycle is about eight hours of light and sixteen hours of total darkness each day. It is thought that this will allow your ferret to produce the most melatonin possible. There are some ferret supplies, such as cage covers and certain types of fabric bedding, available to help you create the necessary photoperiods.

IN SUMMARY

It’s important to add one more thought here – adrenal disease is very treatable in most cases. Not treating adrenal disease is condemning your ferret to die, when this doesn’t have to be the case. If you see signs of adrenal disease in your ferret, please get him checked out as soon as possible. Ferrets can live long and happy lives after they are treated for adrenal disease, and I know we all want that for our fuzzies!

Kristen Onasch
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/adrenal-disease-in-ferrets-causes-signs-treatment-prevention-389534.html

cancer prevention |cancer events|cancer news|cancer

Abdominal Pain is also known by other name “Bellyache”. It can be defined in a simple way as pain in the belly. The abdomen extends from below your chest to your groin. You may feel abdominal pain anywhere between your chest and groin. Abdominal pain is a common problem. Due to the many organ systems in the abdomen the pain may arise in any of the organ from chest to groin. These organs include the stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, gall bladder, and pancreas. However, pain can be mild or serious which may put you into health dilemma. Abdomen pain can be classified into two categories namely acute abdomen pain and chronic abdomen pain. The causes of abdominal pain also rely on sex and age of the patient. An abdominal pain can be easily caused to small children and adults too. The abdominal pain usually is used to explain pain originating from organs within the abdominal cavity.

The pain caused by the abdomen may be mild or serious. It is said in abdominal pain that the pain can be minor which may lead to threatening condition, such as colon canccancer or appendicitis. Severe abdominal pain can be from light situations, such as gastric problem or viral gastroenteritis.

Causes of Abdominal Pain:

While seeking medical care you are advice for regular check ups to doctor so that your health condition is in control. Some of the feasible causes include.

* Gastric problem

* Constipation problem

* Viral gastroenteritis

* Indigestion or Heartburn

* Food poisoning

* Food allergy

* Hernia

* Kidney stones

* Urinary tract infection

* Pelvic inflammatory disease

* Lactose intolerance (milk intolerance)

* Crohn’s disease

* Muscle strain or trauma

* Inflammation of the gall bladder

* Pancreatitis

* Parasite infections

* Gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD)

* Endometriosis

* Irritable bowel syndrome

Acute abdomen can be defined as stern, constant abdominal pain of sudden start that is probable to involve surgical intervention to treat its cause. Often the lower abdominal pain can be linked with nausea and vomiting, abdominal distention, fever and signs of shock. Even a small child or an adolescent are prone to abdominal pain. It is difficult to apportion the ratio of abdominal pain in accordance to the age of a person.

Consult your doctor immediately if feeling mild or severe pain. Medical aid should be taken if the abdominal pain is sudden and sharp, having pain in the chest, neck or shoulder, and if you are eliminating blood from your body.

Thus, abdominal pain should be taken care of within time. Don’t take the stomach ache or belly ache to lightly as then it can invite serious health problems. Make a habit to enhance a healthy eating lifestyle blending with fruits or juice in good of your healthy abdomen.

Bella Mclaine
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/prevention-of-stomach-ache-abdominal-pain-710130.html

cancer prevention |cancer events|cancer news|cancer

Presently, there is no known factor that can be said that is the basic cause or causes of cancer. There are some facts that have long been held about cancer that has been discovered to be false, but new facts about this deadly have equally emerged. The lists below are however, some of the facts that are widely believed to be the true facts about cancer.

1) Heredity is among the factors that influence the occurrences of cancer in human life. However, the hereditary lines in an individual cannot be used to diagnose a cancer victim. Rather, this makes it difficult if not impossible to actually say what will become of a cancer patient. There has been striking similarity in the development of breast cancers in the life of people of the same family, especially with identical twins.

2) Cancer is not contagious. There is no proven fact that shows that one can contact cancer by taking care of another cancer patient.

3) There is no scientifically proven influence that diet has on the development of any type of cancer. There are people that believe that some diets has some contributing factors towards the development of cancer, but since there is no scientifically proved evidence presently either in support of it or not, there is no basis also to say that such belief is wrong.

4) A repeated injury or a long term irritation has the potential to cause cancer.

5) Cancer sometimes behaves like infections, and certain animal experiments of malignant tumors seemed to stimulate cancer formation.

6) Certain hormones in the body, like the estrogenic hormones of the ovary stimulate the growth of cancer in the body. The implication of this is a suggestion that the existence of unbalanced hormone formation or growth in the body can lead to the development of cancer.

These are the basic facts one should know about cancer. However, we need to know that everyday, discoveries are coming out and new facts are equally coming out, so one should not take the above as the only things or the only facts that is worthy to note about cancer. There are other important things that we need to take note of about this deadly disease called cancer. Let’s discuss some of them as they will equally make some meanings in the topic of our discussion today.

A) One of the recognized causes of the cancer of the lower lip is smoking, especially pipe smoking. Also, it can be said authoritatively that one of the major causes of lung cancer is inhaled cigarette smoke. So if we can do away with this, we are doing a whole lot of good for our health.

B) Cancer of the tongue is mostly preceded by either jagged teeth, rough filling of the teeth or even syphilis of the tongue.

C) Cancer of the skin is not common except when this part of the body comes under undue or severe burns on the skin.

D) Cancer of the mouth is more common with those that chew often or hold objects long in their mouth thereby putting the mouth to undue pressure.

E) Excessive exposure to sunlight and wind can lead to skin cancer.

Cancer used to be classified as a disease that is more prevalent to the women folk, due largely the high incidence of breast cancer and other types of cancer that has to do with the sex organ, but there is a reversal of the trend today. More men suffer cancer these days than women. This is due largely to the increase of lung cancer among men. Avoiding all the causes mentioned above will guarantee 100% prevention of cancer, but will greatly reduce it. This is because there are other factors not mentioned here that can equally lead to cancer development in the body. So we should always be on the look out for any symptom that suggests that there is a development of cancer, then go me medical check and if it is discovered to be cancer and treated early, there will be better chance of success than when it has actually grown very large.

Eze ThankGod ik
http://www.articlesbase.com/cancer-articles/six-proven-facts-about-cancer-674164.html

cancer prevention |cancer events|cancer news|cancer

There are numerous types of cancer that affect different areas of our digestive systems. Two of the most life threatening are cancers of the biliary tract and gall bladder tumors. Tumors and cancers in this part of the digestive system are rare, with only about 7500 diagnosed each year, but are more often fatal than many other forms of digestive system cancer.

Gall bladder cancer occurs more frequently in women than men, and your likelihood of contracting it increases as you age. Hispanics are more likely to get gall bladder cancer than any other population. It is not usually diagnosed until it is far advanced, which is why the prognosis is usually poor.

We don’t fully understand the cause of gall bladder cancer, but we do know that people who suffer from gall stones are more likely to develop it later on. This appears to be because the gall stones cause chronic inflammation in the gall bladder, which can lead to the development of abnormal cells.

Other biliary tract cancers are diagnosed in about 2000-3000 Americans each year. Like gall bladder cancer, it is often not diagnosed until it has reached late stages and often metastasized.

Again, the cause is not fully known, but, as with other digestive system cancers, it occurs more frequently in the obese. It also occurs more frequently in Hispanics, American Indians, Eastern Europeans and Japanese.

In recent years, there has been a fair amount of research on the cancer preventative effects of drinking green tea. It appears that green tea has the power to prevent many forms of cancer, including those of the digestive system, like gall bladder cancer and biliary tract cancer.

A study conducted in China attempted to establish a link between consumption of green tea and the prevention of these cancers.

The study looked at a large segment of the population. It included 627 patients with various forms of biliary tract cancer (including gall bladder cancer), 1037 cases with biliary stones, and 959 randomly selected control participants.

This study concluded that the women who were regular tea drinkers had (meaning that they drank at least one cup of green tea a day for at least six months) a significantly lower risk of biliary tract cancer and gallbladder cancer – even if they had gall bladder disease – than those who did not drink green tea.*

For men, the study found a slightly lower risk of cancer among the green tea drinkers; however it was not enough to be considered significant.

In addition, it was found that a higher than average number of the male participants in the study were smokers, so this may have skewed the results, since smoking increases a person’s overall risk of cancer.

Why Green Tea?

Many of us may be surprised to find that green tea is so healthy. The reason is that it’s loaded with anti-oxidants in their natural state. Black tea also contains anti-oxidants, but during the fermentation process that black tea undergoes, these anti-oxidants change, and become less healthy than in their original state.

The anti-oxidants in tea are called catechins, part of the flavan-3-ol class of flavonoids. EGCG is one of the catechins contained in tea, and is one of the most potent anti-oxidants around. Because green tea hasn’t been fermented, the EGCG is in its most natural and potent state.

Anti-oxidants are so important because they combat the free radicals in our bodies. Free radicals are damaging oxygen molecules that occur as a result of our body’s process of converting food to energy. If they are left unchecked, they cause cell and DNA damage, which eventually leads to aging and disease.

So, to protect our health, it’s important to get anti-oxidants in our diet every day. Fruits and vegetables are good sources, as is coffee, black tea and dark chocolate. But, green tea is one of the very best sources. A diet rich in anti-oxidants can help prevent cancer, heart attack and stroke, as well as general premature aging.

The research regarding cancer is significant. In addition to the study mentioned above regarding digestive cancers, there have been numerous other studies suggesting that green tea can protect against many forms of cancer. In fact, Japan’s medical community now considers green tea to be a known cancer preventative.

This news is, of course, quite exciting, but it goes even further. There have also been studies that suggest that green tea may be helpful in treating cancer, too. Several studies have shown that when green tea was used as an adjunct therapy along with traditional chemotherapy, the chemotherapy was more successful.

Cancerous cells showed a higher concentration of the cancer drugs when green tea was administered along with the medication.

Some studies have even suggested that green tea may be beneficial in preventing the spread of cancer. It appears that the growth of cancer cells slows significantly or even stops when patients of certain cancers are given green tea in significant quantities.

Of course, green tea is not a magic bullet, and is not designed to replace traditional cancer treatments. However, it certainly appears that green tea is an important tool for protecting your body against many types of cancer and other illnesses, and may even be an effective adjunct treatment for those who already have cancer.

So, add some green tea to your diet. It’s delicious and you have nothing to lose. There are no side effects and green tea is well tolerated even by the caffeine sensitive. Drinking green tea may be the simplest thing you can do to protect your health.

Marcus Stout
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/protection-against-digestive-cancer-103216.html

cancer prevention |cancer events|cancer news|cancer

Ovarian cancer is a deadly form of cancer it kills more women than any other type of cancer of the reproductive system. If diagnosed and treated early, however, the survival rate is quite high. Unfortunately, ovarian cancer is known as a silent disease it produces no symptoms until it is in its later stages, so the death rate is also quite high.

Ovarian cancer is the second most common cancer of the female reproductive system. It affects approximately 1 in 70 American women at some point in their lives. The risk of developing ovarian cancer heightens past the age of 40 and menopause further increases the risk.

For dietary purposes we recommend a diet that is high in fiber and low in saturated animal fats is a good defense against ovarian cancer.

Quercetin has been found to have properties that protect against ovarian cancer. Low levels of selenium have been associated with a greater risk of ovarian cancer.

One of the most effective alternative treatment recommended in treating ovarian cancer is the hyperbaric oxygen therapy or the ingested oxygen therapy. We will examine the latter since this one can be administered at home. It is widely known as “one minute cure for all diseases” we all know that this treatment has gain prominence to a lot of people. Research revealed that if you deprive a cell 35 to 40% of its required levels of oxygen for 2days, the cell will become cancerous and will be prone to different kinds of diseases. Most people don’t realize that lack of oxygen is not only the cause of cancer but is also the cause of all most diseases. When the body is supplied with abundant and enough amounts of oxygen, no microbes, viruses, harmful bacteria, toxins, pathogens and disease microorganisms can survive because they cannot survive in a highly oxygenated environment in our bodies.

For an in depth study of this alternative therapy the Alternative Ovarian Cancer Treatment. And for more articles about the prevention, treatment, causes, symptoms and diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer. Just follow the link and watch also the 5minute video presentation for final assessment:

http://curewithinoneminute.com

john daniel
http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/alternative-ovarian-cancer-treatment-1147165.html

cancer prevention |cancer events|cancer news|cancer

Everyone has seen them. The small ribbons and pins that people are wearing on their shirts, purses, hats, and jackets. Whether they are pink or red, white, and blue, it is easy to spot cancer awareness pins. And, no matter who is wearing them, they are always happy to share their story or the story of their loved one who has passed away. One of the most prevalent colors is pink, pink ribbons are everywhere now days. But what are all those pink ribbons for?

Since cancer awareness pins came into existence, pink has always stood for breast cancer. The pink ribbons, pins, and other cancer awareness merchandise are all to help people become more aware of breast cancer and its effects on women, girls, and families all over the world. Breast cancer is one of the major cancers effecting women today, every year, over 200,000 American women alone are diagnosed with the disease. Over the course of the average American woman’s life, she has a 1 in 8 chance of getting breast cancer, and a 1 in 33 chance of dying from it. But, with all the research that is being done today on breast cancer and other forms of cancer, the number of women who die from breast cancer each year is dropping.

Some of this decline is due in part to the push in cancer awareness through cancer awareness pins and cancer gifts that are becoming more prevalent throughout the United States and the world. With the help of the money received from these gifts, cancer treatment centers and research facilities can keep going and keep researching to find cures and medications that help to fight and kill the disease before it can do major damage to the body.

Cancer awareness pins aren’t just made for breast cancer though. They come in all colors for different cancers, like gold for children’s cancers. So, no matter the type of cancer you want to push into the spotlight when you go out, you can always find cancer awareness pins and cancer gifts to help you on your mission. There are thousands of shops, both on and off line, where you can order cancer awareness pins or cancer gifts from, all you need to do is search a little to find the gift that is right for you. You can also be sure that out of the money you spend on your cancer gift, part of it will go to cancer research and studies to help find cures for this horrible disease.

Gordon Petten
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/cancer-awareness-pins-59318.html

cancer prevention |cancer events|cancer news|cancer