Mesothelioma Survivors Diet

By Tony Ulrich  |   Submitted On March 06, 2010

  

I am a kidney cancer patient and my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer seven months before I learned about my disease. That doesn't make me a doctor or an expert, but I think it gives me some credibility and will put things into perspective as you read this article, especially when I talk about things like 'hope' and 'positive attitude'.

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that comes with a very poor outlook on survival, if we solely look at the data and statistics. A cure is yet to be found. New promising treatment protocols have been introduced over the past few years; however, the associated costs are astronomical and therefore those options are out of reach to most mesothelioma victims.

I was actually beating all odds, because given my age and overall health, chances where less than 2% that the blood I had encountered in my urine, would only a few weeks later lead to a kidney cancer diagnosis. By that time, I was able to deal with it fairly reasonable, because my family and I just went through the whole nightmare of coping with cancer news when my wife had been diagnosed with breast cancer. So I know how it feels to a newly diagnosed mesothelioma patient and their families. And I also know how hard it is to absorb all the well intended advice that comes pouring in from all over the place, along with statements like: "Do not give up hope." And in retrospect I must admit that all those people were right, because eventually, it was hope and the belief that living a healthy lifestyle will help us surviving the cancer.

But let's go back to mesothelioma. Celebrex is COX2 inhibitor which has shown remarkable results in a study that was recently conducted. I will purposely not go into numbers here, but they are available on the Internet.

However, the in general the picture is still the same. Malignant mesothelioma remains one of the most difficult to treat forms of cancer and therefore comes with a rather poor prognosis. That leaves the majority of mesothelioma cancer patients often with only one weapon: their hope.

And yes, there are examples where mesothelioma survivors lived significantly longer than anyone could have ever predicted. Interestingly enough, all those individuals, who were able to do that, have one thing in common: they all kept emphasizing the importance of living a healthy lifestyle, that not only consists of pristine nutrition, usually a whole food and plant based diet, but also mental health. I actually prefer the term mental health over hope, because hope is commonly slightly connotated with desperation.

I'm no Pollyanna and I have good and bad days like everybody else. But I do know that our physical and emotional health helped my wife in going through all the turmoil with our cancers. And I am convinced that this principle is equally applicable to mesothelioma patients, or anybody else who suffers from a severe health condition and wants to play in active role in getting healthy again.

The author Tony Ulrich was diagnosed with kidney cancer in October of 2009. In his research on what his cancer could have been caused by, he came across with data that suggests a strong link to environmental toxins, such as asbestos. Please visit his Kidney Cancer and Asbestos Mesothelioma website for more details.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Tony_Ulrich/493667

What Exactly Is Lung Cancer?

By Gary Bunn  |   Submitted On June 05, 2012

  

Lung cancer, one of the most prevalent and potentially the deadliest cancers in the world, is a disease of the lung tissue. Cancer is a disease that can begin in virtually any organ tissue of the body. Due to internal and external factors, a single cell can mutate into a cell that is abnormal. This cell multiplies, and the growing group of cells can attack normal cells in the tissue, or the cancerous cells can turn into a mass or tumour, causing disease and possible death. The lung is a very sensitive organ whose purpose in the body is to bring air and blood into such close contact as to permit oxygen to be added to the blood while removing carbon dioxide from the blood. When an individual has lung cancer, this normal exchange can be inhibited, and while healthy cells can die, there is also a great potential for the cancer to spread into other organs and tissues of the body.

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers globally, as each year over one million people die from the disease. One of the most common causes of lung cancer is cigarette smoking. Studies have shown that the ingredients and nicotine in tobacco can have a carcinogenic effect on the body. Since a cigarette is inhaled, the primary location for the disease is the lung. Increased levels in pollution have become a major risk factor for the disease. Exposure to radiation and asbestos (often used in home building) can also increase the risk of lung cancer developing. Radiation affects cells and can cause mutations that are unhealthy. Any outside factor such as those just listed, in addition to a poor diet and lifestyle, can contribute to the onset of lung cancer.

Although there are numerous symptoms, the most common are coughing up blood and having a generalised difficulty in breathing. Any unexplained loss of weight, in conjunction with the symptoms mentioned, can be an indication of the disease. When and if there is any question or possible concern about the probability of contracting this disease, there should be no hesitation in seeking a medical professional to discuss the completion of exams that may rule out lung cancer as a possibility of sickness.

Treatment for any type of cancer, including lung cancer, is an ongoing and long term commitment and battle. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are often used to "kill" the cancerous cells or tumours, although this treatment can weaken the individual, as these treatments often need to be repeated often. Surgery may be needed to remove the cancer cells.

The Royal Brompton Hospital is one of the world's leading heart and lung centres, renowned for its expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. If you're looking for more information about the Royal Brompton's stop smoking clinic [http://www.stopsmokingandlungcancerclinic.com/stop-smoking-clinic/] visit us today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Gary_Bunn/42461

Mesothelioma - What is Mesothelioma Cancer?

By Shan Durai  |   Submitted On November 05, 2009

  

Mesothelioma cancer is a rare cancer that is thought to come from the inhalation of asbestos fibers as well as exposure to asbestos. People that have work concerning plentiful amounts of asbestos are in danger of contracting mesothelioma. Studies have reasonably shown that the vast majority of those that have mesothelioma had exposure to asbestos at some point in the past whether it was work-related or otherwise.

Mesothelioma is also a relatively rare form of cancer with only about 4000 cases each year. The three major varieties of mesothelioma all match up to the area of the mesothelium that is affected. They are known as Pericardial, Peritoneal and Pleural Mesothelioma.

The cancer is named after the mesothelium, which is a protective membrane that covers various cavities. Peritoneal, Pleural and Peritoneal mesothelioma are all named after the particular cavities that this cancer affects. The symptoms for each are different.

These symptoms generally show up much later on in the future after exposure to asbestos. Weight loss, abdominal pain as well as abdominal lumps are all symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma. Pleural Mesothelioma symptoms include shortness of breath, cough (dry), lumps in the chest region, chest pain, painful breathing and coughing. Pericardial Mesothelioma symptoms are chest pains, fever, heart palpitations, difficulty breathing, murmurs, Orthopnea. It should be noted that smokers that have been exposed to asbestos have a higher than normal chance of contracting pleural mesothelioma.

In rare cases, if the cancer is caught exceedingly early, the cancer may be sent into remission. Otherwise, mesothelioma patients experience abysmal survival rates. Those suffering from advanced stages of mesothelioma usually have a year or so to live.

Those fortunate enough to uncover the cancer in its early stages can expect to live for up to 5 years. There is still research being done in the field, albeit not a whole lot. The well-known specialist, Dr.David Sugarbaker and other notable doctors elsewhere represent the few doctors that are making inroads into unraveling the mysteries of this cancer. The main areas of research tend to target pleural mesothelioma and new, aggressive techniques have been found to lengthen live expectancy by years. While a cure has still not been found for any type of cancer much less mesothelioma, there is constant research being done in the area.

Shan Durai has a website on Mesothelioma that offers free information on areas such as pleural, peritoneal and pericardial Mesothelioma as well as highlighting treatment facilities, doctors and treatment methods.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Shan_Durai/465439