Health Guidance

Breast cancer today is affecting a number of women throughout the world. With this, it is very important for everyone to know the risks of acquiring breast cancer. The following are the risk factors that would make a woman get cancer.

First of all, the risk of getting cancer is increased with age. This means that as a woman ages, the chances of developing cancer is also increased. This is the reason that most women would get cancer around the age 60s and above.

The next risk factor is inheritance. The risk of getting breast cancer is increased if the patient has family members that also have breast cancer. The chance also increases if that family member had the cancer around 40s. At the same time, the genes that can make a woman be more susceptible to ovarian and breast cancer can also be passed to the patient from their family. Continue reading ‘Know the Risks of Getting Breast Cancer’ »

Mesothelioma cancer is often a terminal illness with most victims dying within one year of diagnosis. This grim fact is a very difficult fact that victim and the people around them will have to face. The person with cancer may be in pain, may be incapacitated by the cancer or may be able to walk only a few steps, or may be confused. It is hard to watch someone you love gradually pass away in this manner.

No matter how hard it may be, it is still important to try to be there for the person. The person with cancer may feel lonely even if there are people around. This is because the people nearby may not be really in tune with what is going on with the person. You can be the person who is in sync with your loved one every step of the way. Just by staying close and listening with a smile or gentle touch, you show you are there for your friend or family member. It takes courage and extra energy to be in this situation. Continue reading ‘How to Cope With a Terminal Mesothelioma Relative’ »

In the United States alone, 1 in 17 people will develop colon cancer. The colon spreads from your anus to your small intestine. The small intestine is about 4 feet long and twists and intertwines around other organs in the body. It digests and absorbs nutrients and helps to expel waste out of the body. Because the colon lies so close to other structures in the body, if colon cancer is left undetected, it can easily spread through the walls to adjacent structures such as lymph nodes and organs. Eventually, it can spread to organs that are farther away like the lungs.

Cancer occurs when cells transform and grow abnormally. This type of unhealthy growth overwhelms healthy cells and tissues by taking away the oxygen supply, nutrients, and space. This is why it is so important that cancer is detected at an early stage. Prognosis is better if the cancer is caught earlier rather than later.

Causes
As with any other type of cancer, the exact cause of why the cells begin to transform to unhealthy levels is unknown. Most forms of colon cancer are caused by clusters of these abnormal cells on the inside wall of the colon. This form of cancer usually occurs before the patient turns 40, but not always. Continue reading ‘Learning More About Colon Cancer’ »

People use mouthwash to reduce tendencies of bad breath. Moreover, mouthwash has some properties which kill known bacteria residing in the mouth. It is one effective way to rinse the mouth and therefore, it promotes good oral hygiene. Twenty five percent of the Americans have halitosis, a chronic bad breath. About seventy percent suffers from periodontal disease which includes periodontitis and gingivitis. Therefore majority of the population found the release of mouthwash in the market very helpful. Aside from the mouthwash’s chief task to cleanse the mouth off any accumulating bacteria, it helps with their social activities. There are times bad breath tends to stop people from talking to others. But with the help of mouthwash, people tend to be more confident while interacting with others.

Mouthwash ingredients include thymol, eucalyptol, hexetidine, methyl salicylate, menthol, chlorhexedine gluconate, benzalkolnium chloride, cetylpyridinium chloride, methylparaben, hydrogen peroxide, domiphen bromide, fluoride, enzymes and calcium. There are also water sweeteners such as sorbitol, sucralose, sodium saccharine and xylitol. Some mouthwash has alcohol which takes up to 27% vol. The alcohol content gives an antibacterial effect. According to research, alcohol causes mouth to be dry. It also aggravates the condition of chronic bad breath. It decreases saliva, which naturally makes breath fresh.

A researcher from the Dental Journal of Australia published a report linking mouthwash to oral cancer. It concludes that there is enough proof that alcohol-based mouthwash increases the chance of having an oral cancer. Alcohol based mouthwash has acetaldehyde as its by-product. As Acetaldehyde is produced, it builds up in the oral cavity. The researcher believes it is carcinogenic, thus causing cancer. Continue reading ‘Mouthwash May Lead to Oral Cancer’ »

Many years will pass between exposure to asbestos and the development of mesothelioma, as the disease typically has a long latency period. In fact, mesothelioma patients generally do not develop symptoms until several decades after the initial asbestos exposure. Because mesothelioma symptoms mimic those of less serious conditions, many patients who develop mesothelioma are unaware of their potentially life-threatening cancer.

Individuals who were exposed to asbestos should schedule an appointment with their doctors to screen for asbestos-related diseases. Because mesothelioma does not present early symptoms, individuals who were in contact with asbestos should inform their physician of their exposure. Patients who have a history of asbestos exposure but are not exhibiting signs of the disease should receive pulmonary function tests or chest x-rays to screen for any indications of asbestos-related diseases. Continue reading ‘Asbestos Cancer Symptoms’ »

When someone you love is diagnosed with breast cancer, it can be devastating. It shakes your whole life. You have no idea what to do, what to say, or how to help. You want to help but you honestly and truly have no idea what do. You are afraid of doing the wrong thing. Unfortunately, this inaction leaves breast cancer patients in a situation where her basic needs are not being covered. She is left in a place where she is uncomfortable to ask for help and is too tired to do it herself. Below are five things you can do to help someone you know fight breast cancer.

#1 Set Up a Visa Money Card

A Visa money card allows people to donate money to cover expenses. Believe it or not, gas money adds up fast. Doctor visits, fast food and a ton of other little things add up. For those who don’t know what else to do, adding funds to a Visa card really helps.

#2 Set Up a Volunteer Schedule

Often times, cleaning takes a back burner to chemotherapy and other doctor visits. Someone needs to step up and take charge of the people willing to volunteer. Whether people are willing to volunteer to clean, cook or babysit, a schedule needs to be made and the breast cancer patient should not be left in charge.

#3 Leave the Death Stories at the Door

No matter how many people you know that have died of cancer, keep it to yourself. While you may think this is helpful, this is not the time to share your story. We know you are trying to relate to what the breast cancer patient is going through but if you only knew how many death stories the breast cancer patient has to hear you would understand. Continue reading ‘5 Things You Can Do to Support Breast Cancer’ »

COHASSET, HINGHAM, PLYMOUTH AND WEYMOUTH, MA…

The Children’s Melanoma Prevention Foundation of Hingham and South Shore Skin Center, one of the most progressive dermatology practices serving thousands of patients at their Cohasset and Plymouth offices, teamed up at the Special Olympics held last week at Weymouth High School to educate children and their families about skin cancer prevention and sun safety .

Armed with one gallon of Blue Lizard sunscreen, Don’t Fry Day handouts and knowledge to share, Mimi Svenning, Assistant Director of the Children’s Melanoma Prevention Foundation and  Lori Skinner, RN of South Shore Skin Center who is a board member of Children’s Melanoma Prevention Foundation, educated attendees on proper sunscreen application and ways to protect themselves in the sun.

This sun safety and skin cancer prevention event at the Special Olympics was part of the Children’s Melanoma Prevention Foundation’s Don’t Fry Day line-up of events.  Don’t Fry Day (celebrated across the U.S. on May 28th ) is an initiative sponsored by the National Council of Skin Cancer Prevention (NCSCP) meant to raise awareness of sun safety.  Continue reading ‘Children's Melanoma Prevention Foundation and South Shore Skin Center Educate Families’ »

Colon cancer surgery is a major medical procedure. After an individual has colon cancer surgery there are several diet options that can prevent the colon cancer from reoccurring. One of the biggest contributing factors to colon cancer is dietary fat. A diet that has a high fat consumption greatly increases the amount of bile acids that are released into the digestive tract. Once bile acids have entered the colon the acids can actually turn into secondary bile acids. These secondary bile acids can promote the growth of a tumor in the colon. It is very important that after colon cancer surgery, to prevent the cancer from reoccurring, to eat a diet that is low in fat.

Another great way to prevent colon cancer is to eat a diet that is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are praised as an important substance in fighting colorectal cancer and other cancers of the body. Antioxidants give the body’s immune system a boost that acts as a defensive line against harmful free radicals. Continue reading ‘A Diet to Follow After Colon Cancer Surgery’ »

One of the most common forms of cancer nowadays is skin cancer, or more accurately, the three cancers associated with the skin since there are 3 major types of this cancer.

The most commonly seen and least harmful is what is known as a rodent ulcer ( or basal cell carcinoma). Then we see a skin cancer named Squamous cell carcinoma. Last but not least we come to what I would have to say is the most recognized type of skin cancer referred to as malignant melanoma. This third form is the most lethal but mercifully also the rarest sort of skin cancer.

Despite the fact that malignant melanoma is rare, considering that it is the most hazardous, it is worthwhile having a brief look at precisely what it is. This particular kind of cancer is responsible for approximately 1% of cancers and is a tumor in the cells which create melanin and which are known as melancytes. Melanin is the pigment which produces your sun tan and which gives your skin the color it has usually. It is additionally the agent that accounts for the color of your hair and eyes which means that malignant melanoma can also affect the eyes and not just the skin. Continue reading ‘Exactly What Are the Actual Facts Regarding Skin Cancer’ »

Inflammatory Breast Cancer accounts for only 6% of all breast cancer cases reported in the US. Alarmingly, it also accounts for 25% of inflammatory breast cancer related deaths, with statistics confirming most women diagnosed with the disease will fall terminally ill within 5 years. (Source: Mayo Clinic)

What causes inflammatory breast cancer is the unknown question scientists researching the disease, are seeking an answer for. All researchers now know is, “Inflammation of the breast tissue is caused by clogging of the lymph vessels under the skin”.

What causes that blocking is still a mystery.

This raises the question to the medical community and scientific researchers at large:

“If chemicals like polybrominated diphenyl ethers, found in blue jeans and no stick frying pans (PFC’s), and other dominant chemicals in the home such as parabens, used to prevent the growth of bacteria in cosmetics, deodorants, shampoos, and other household items, are proven to cause inflammation in humans, could these chemical toxins be present in those women diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer, and could these toxins, in low doses, be built up over time with repeated exposure, leading to a blockage of the lymph vessels?” Continue reading ‘Is Inflammatory Breast Cancer Linked to the Indoor Air Quality of Your Home and Work Place?’ »