Understanding Hives

Approximately 20 percent of the U.S. population gets hives, also called urticaria, at least one time in their life. Hives are red, swollen welts and can appear anywhere on your body. They are sometimes itchy. Hives can last anywhere from a few minutes to several weeks, however, each individual welt should disappear within 24 hours.

Causes of Hives

Usually, hives are caused by an allergic reaction to either a drug or certain foods. If you have other allergies, you are more likely to get hives. For some, the cause of the hives is obvious. An allergic reaction to certain foods, such as peanuts or shellfish, may cause hives within minutes or hours of eating the food.

In other cases, the cause is not so obvious. Some of the other reasons hives may occur are:

Insect bitesAllergies to pollen, animals, latex or other substancesInfections and illnesses, such as thyroid disease or hormonal problemsSun exposure or exposure to heat or coldStress

You may need to work closely with your doctor to determine the cause of your hives.

Diagnosing the Cause of Hives

If you have one episode, your doctor probably will not dig too deep to find out what caused the hives, however, if you have chronic hives, he may refer you to an allergy specialist for testing. In addition to taking a detailed medical history, the specialist may request the following:

Details on substances in your home and work environmentA list of all medication you are taking, including vitamins, over-the-counter medications and supplementsLab tests, including blood or urine analysisAllergy skin testing

There are many possible causes of hives. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, approximately 20 percent of all cases of hives can be attributed to a specific cause. The other cases either require testing and research or will never be known.

Treatment

Many cases of hives need no treatment at all. The red welts often disappear on their own, sometimes within minutes or a few hours. If your hives are itchy, cool compresses or taking a cool shower will often relieve the itch. Antihistamines may also be recommended to control the allergic reaction and to reduce the itchiness.

If you have more than one episode or if you have chronic hives (lasting more than six weeks), the best treatment is to find the cause and avoid the triggers. For some people, a daily dose of antihistamine is needed to help control the hives. Because some antihistamines can make you drowsy, it is important to talk with your doctor about the different antihistamines and their side effects. Your doctor may also recommend cortisone treatment or other medications that reduce inflammation.

What Are The Four Stages of Mesothelioma Cancer?

Brighan staging system, on the other hand, determines whether the Mesothelioma can be surgically removed or not and whether the lymph nodes are affected or not. In stage I Mesothelioma, the lymph nodes are not yet affected and the patient can still recover through surgery.

One rare form of cancer is called Mesothelioma, a malignant tumor in the mesothelial tissues of the lungs and the abdomen, arising from the inhalation of asbestos. Its rarity is one of the reasons why a lot of people are not aware of this kind of fatal disease. In fact, many people die of Mesothelioma undiagnosed.

Although there is now a growing awareness of the hazards of asbestos to health, still many have not heard of Mesothelioma and thus, have not understood its nature, cause, signs and treatment. Even some physicians find it hard to detect Mesothelioma because its symptoms are akin to other diseases like lung cancer and pneumonia. Furthermore, it takes decades for a patient who was exposed to asbestos to develop Mesothelioma ? fifty years, at most.

Being unaware of Mesothelioma poses higher risks since it deters diagnosis and treatment. A person undergoing treatment must know the different stages of the cancer or the extent of the disease. Chances of recovering from Mesothelioma and the kind of treatment depend on the stage of the illness. There are basically two staging systems used for Pleural Mesothelioma (lungs): TNM system and Brighan system. These staging systems are also used in other kinds of cancers; however, the first is commonly used. There is no established method in determining the stage of the Peritoneal Mesothelioma cancer (abdominal) so the TNM system is used.

There are three variables in the TNM system: tumor, lymph nodes and metastasis. In the earliest stage of Mesothelioma, stage I, the malignant Mesothelioma cells start to grow and multiply only one layer of the pleura. The pleura is the membrane that encloses the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity. However, there are some instances wherein the pericardium (membrane that covers the heart) and diaphragm cover are already affected. In this case, the cancer patient is still in stage I Mesothelioma.

In the second stage, the two layers of the pleura are already affected by Mesothelioma. Take note, however, that in this stage, only one side of the body is affected. Normally, the pleura produces only small amount of lubricating fluid that allows easy expanding and contracting of the lungs. The excess fluid is absorbed by the blood and the lymph vessels so there?s a balance between the amount of fluid produced and removed.

During the second stage Mesothelioma, fluid starts to build up between the membrane of the lungs and the membrane of the chest wall, resulting to pleural effusion. The increase in the volume of fluid produced causes shortness of breath and chest pain. Other Mesothelioma cancer patients experience dry and persistent cough. Diagnosis of the pleural effusion is achieved through a chest x-ray.

Stage III Mesothelioma means that the malignant cells have already spread to the chest wall, esophagus and the lymph nodes on one part of the chest. The patient may suffer severe pain near the parts affected. When not treated immediately or when the Mesothelioma patient doesn?t respond well to medication, the cancer may advance to the fourth stage.

The fourth stage Mesothelioma is formidable since at this stage the Mesothelioma cells have penetrated into the bloodstream and other organs in the body like the liver, the bones and the brain. The lymph nodes on the other side of the chest may also be affected by Mesothelioma in stage IV.

Brighan staging system, on the other hand, determines whether the Mesothelioma can be surgically removed or not and whether the lymph nodes are affected or not. In stage I Mesothelioma, the lymph nodes are not yet affected and the patient can still recover through surgery.

In stage II, surgery can still be executed but some lymph nodes have already been infiltrated by the cancer cells. In stage III, the heart and chest wall are already affected; thus, surgery is no longer advisable. The lymph nodes in this stage, however, may or may not be affected. In the final stage, stage IV Mesothelioma, cancer cells have already gone to the bloodstream and other parts of the body like the heart, brain, bone and liver. In most cases, a patient who has reached stage IV Mesothelioma only has four to twenty-four months to live.

Patients Of Gastric Cancer Therapy

Gastric cancer therapy is the most feasible option available for patients of gastric cancer to keep control on or eliminate malignant disorder in gastric region.
Therapy for gastric cancer can be of various forms and result into side-effects of various intensities depending upon certain basic aspects concerned with the victim. Undergoing proper and timely therapy helps to reduce chances of gastric cancer recurrence and also enables the victim to recover safely.

Gastric Cancer Therapy ? Meaning and Peculiarities
Therapy for gastric cancer is significant for varied reasons and gives immense advantage to victim in getting rid of infectious cells with least possible complications. Therapy can be used for both preventive and curative purposes and pattern may vary from person to person. Basic aspects considered before recommending a certain kind of therapy are age, personal medical background, gastric cancer stage a person is suffering from, gender, and type of cancerous growth.
Gastric or stomach cancer is prevalent in adults mostly older than 40 years and chances of infection are higher in males in comparison to females. Gastric cancer life expectancy is very less and it is very difficult to tackle the disorder in final stages. On an average, chances of survival are around 57-70% in the first stage which later drop to 33-45% in the second phase. Third stage rate of survival varies between 9-20% which later goes to mere 4% in the last or final phase. Majority of people suffering from gastric cancer die due to late or faulty gastric cancer diagnosis and late gastric cancer treatment.
Efficiency of treatment undergone in the past also plays an important role in deciding the chances of recurrence of malignant polyps. Those who have already gone through cure process for gastric or other kinds of cancerous growth need to be very careful while undergoing therapy once again as their body cells and tissues are weak and less resistant to infection. People suffering from serious non-cancerous disorders related to stomach or abdominal areas should be very particular about regular health checkups. Secondary form of gastric cancer is more difficult to cure in comparison to primary one.
Main Gastric Cancer Therapies
Surgery is a form of therapy useful to treat early stages of the gastric cancer. Gastrectomy is the most basic and standard surgical pattern to remove wither only the infected part of stomach (subtotal gastrectomy) or full stomach along with a part of esophagus, spleen, and small intestine (total gastrectomy). Other forms of surgery are endoluminal stent placement (stent is inserted to make bypass near blocked passages), gastrojejunostomy (removing infected portion of stomach that may be blocking opening of small intestine), and endoluminal laser therapy.
Other forms of therapies include cryosurgery (killing infected cells and tumors by exposing them to liquid nitrogen), chemoradiation (combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy), chemotherapy (exposing tumors to chemicals or recommending medically prescribed medicines to keep tumor-growth under control), and radiotherapy (killing tumors or burning the infected area by passage of strong radiations). Targeted therapy pattern can also be used to treat only the infected area without causing harm to nearby healthy tissues. Immunotherapy is a form of both curative and preventive way to deal with gastric cancer and needs to be supported by healthy diet and active lifestyle.
Gastric cancer therapy can be effective if habits like smoking, alcohol drinking, and chewing tobacco are avoided. One should also focus on eating nutritious diet that is easy to digest and puts less strain on the overall digestive system. Infections or inflammations in stomach or abdomen areas should be taken care of well in time and medication should be undergone only under expert medical supervision.

Are You In High Risk Of Getting Breast Cancer?

No one knows the exact causes of breast cancer. Doctors can seldom explain why one woman gets breast cancer and another does not.

Doctors do know that bumping, bruising, or touching the breast does not cause breast cancer. And breast cancer is not contagious. No one can "catch" this disease from another person.

However, research has shown that women with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop breast cancer. A risk factor is anything that increases a person's chance of developing a disease. Studies have found the following risk factors for breast cancer:

1. The chance of getting breast cancer goes up as a woman gets older.

2. A woman who has had breast cancer in one breast has an increased risk of getting this disease in her other breast.

3. A woman's risk of breast cancer is higher if her mother, sister, or daughter had breast cancer, especially at a young age (before age 40).

4. The older a woman is when she has her first child, the greater her chance of breast cancer. Women who began menstruation (had their first menstrual period) at an early age (before age 12), went through menopause late (after age 55), or never had children also are at an increased risk.

5. Breast cancer occurs more often in white women than Latina, Asian, or African American women.

6. Women who had radiation therapy to the chest (including breasts) before age 30 are at an increased risk of breast cancer. This includes women treated with radiation for Hodgkin's lymphoma. Studies show that the younger a woman was when she received radiation treatment, the higher her risk of breast cancer later in life.

7. Older women who have mostly dense not fatty) tissue on a mammogram(x-ray of the breast) are at increased risk of breast cancer.

8. After menopause, women who are obese have an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Being obese means that the woman has an abnormally high proportion of body fat. Because the body makes some of its estrogen (a hormone) in fatty tissue, obese women are more likely than thin women to have higher levels of estrogen in their bodies. High levels of estrogen may be the reason that obese women have an increased risk of breast cancer. Also, some studies show that gaining weight after menopause increases the risk of breast cancer.

9. Women who are physically inactive throughout life appear to have an increased risk of breast cancer. Being physically active may help to reduce risk by preventing weight gain and obesity.

It is helpful to be aware of risk factors. But it's also important to keep in mind that most of the women who have these risk factors do not get breast cancer.

A woman who thinks she may be at risk of breast cancer should discuss this concern with her health care provider. The health care provider may suggest ways to reduce the risk and can plan an appropriate schedule for checkups.

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 brain cancer starts in the brain. Metastatic brain cancer starts 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 OF BRAIN CANCER
What causes brain cancer 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 brain 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 for brain cancer 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 brain cancer. Patients with a history of melanoma, lung, breast, colon, or kidney cancer are at risk for secondary brain cancer.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF BRAIN CANCER
Onset of symptoms is usually insidious and brain tumors are often misdiagnosed. Brain 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, brain cancer 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 of brain cancer, it is important to remember that most headaches are due to less serious conditions such as migraine or tension, not cancer.

DIAGNOSIS OF BRAIN CANCERS
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 OF BRAIN TUMORS
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 brain metastases. Brain cancer and brain tumors 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 brain cancer, their ability to deliver a wide variety of payloads across the blood-brain barrier is perhaps the most important.

Brain cancers 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 form of brain cancer may be treatable with a vaccine that uses proteins. Unlike measles or mumps vaccines, which are meant to prevent disease, the brain cancer 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.

Your History of Cancer is Important

 Prevention is the best cure. Perhaps you have heard of that before and thought to yourself "if only all those sick people would have taken better care of themselves, they would not have to suffer from cancer now." If you are puffing on a cigarette or sun bathing as you think that, know that you are doing what people have done for centuries.

Humans, by nature, prefer to put off getting more education or creating healthier habits until they are already suffering the negative effects of their actions. Hospitals are now full of people who decided they were "immune" or that other things were "more important" than their health. The first matter you should take into concern is your family history with cancer.

Cancer springs from cell mutations so heredity is the biggest risk factor in your vulnerability. If you are unfamiliar with your family's medical history, it is time to take an interest and familiarize yourself with what unpleasant demons may be lurking in your genes. Awareness will allow you to prepare adequately and prevent possible tragedy later on. If your parents are still alive, they are the best source initially.

I recommend you do a web search for a pedigree chart you can print off and fill in the blanks. A good pedigree chart will allow you to trace your heritage back four or five generations, covering more than the last one hundred years of your family history. There will be spots to note full names, maiden names, wedding dates, birth dates, death dates, and some important places. Retracing your family history can bring immense satisfaction in addition to informing you of any possible health risks.

Other family members may be necessary to help you complete the chart. If there have been no cases of cancer in your family for the last four or five generations, you should feel confident that your heredity is not a risk factor in coming down with cancer. Some of the resources available for those who do not have family resources to tap in to are family history web sites. One of the most popular such sites is Ancestry dot com, which offers extensive access to all of the world's genealogical documents they can get a hold of.

The site is not free to use but is the most popular and definitely one of the most thorough. Some libraries offer free access to the site, so it may be worth a call to the libraries near your home. Do not forget the college libraries near you, they may have access that your local public library does not.

As you research your family's history, pay attention to any deaths due to "natural causes" because it may be that your ancestor suffered from some kind of cancer that was never detected. Hopefully there are enough diaries or journals as well as newspapers and census records to help you rebuild your family tree strong enough to see how much hereditary risk you may be running with cancer.

Best Types of Cancer Fighting Foods in Markets

Cancer fighting foods, generally speaking, can include anything that provides the body with the nutrition that it needs to stay as healthy as possible. By adhering to a diet that has been approved by a professional in the field of nutrition, men and women who are combating the disease should have more energy during their daily activities.
When it comes to specific foods, there are certainly a few that stand above the others when it comes to vitamin and mineral content. Leafy green vegetables are possibly the best foods that humans can eat. Kale, mustard greens, spinach, and even lettuce and cabbage are full of antioxidants. In fact, darker green vegetables have the healthiest components. Individuals who are not crazy about these kinds of vegetables might want to try cooking them up with a good sauce. The taste will be quite different.
Protein will also be crucial for energy. Meats that are grilled or even baked will be the best source in this regard. In fact, a couple of pieces of grilled chicken combined with some steamed vegetables can make a great meal. Though some spices will be necessary to give the meat some much-needed flavor, sodium-based spices should be avoided if at all possible. Salt itself should be used sparingly.
Nuts, though not often thought of as powerhouse foods, can be excellent. Walnuts and almonds are both solid choices, as they both contain non-saturated fats, which are what the body needs. Smoked almonds offer a slightly more robust flavor for those who are inclined to appreciate such things.
Citrus fruits, which are packed full of vitamin C, are also great to work into the diet each day. When someone is fighting cancer, some medical experts recommend oranges, grapefruits, and even lemons. Lemon juice can even be squeezed into a tall glass of ice water for some refreshing flavor. Oranges, on the other hand, go great with virtually any breakfast food. When supplemented with a glass of milk, individuals should get a nice start to the day.
Apples, as the saying goes, can keep the medical professionals at bay for quite some time. Men and women, along with their families, should check out some of the farmer's markets in their local area. If they find a location that provides only the freshest fruit, they can return to that market as needed.
Ultimately, cancer fighting foods can be found all over the culinary spectrum. By eating a range of healthy products and changing things up each day, people should get what they need going forward.
The information contained in this article is provided for informational purposes only and is not, nor is it ever intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice or professional recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician(s) or other qualified healthcare provider(s).

Three components of foods that prevent cancer

What the health are you concerned the most? If you're like most people, you answered 'Cancer'. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States (heart disease is the number one). Cancer is associated in the minds of people as a painful, protracted disease, which is devastating to your body and also a huge tribute to your loved ones and friends. Many people mistakenly believe that cancer is uncontrollable. Evidence proves wrong this view. The food that you eat can help to prevent cancer. Certain foods can improve the State of the current cancer patients.
Medical case study after case study give examples of patients who have successfully beat cancer, defying their forecasts, and eating the right foods was a large part of this success stories. For many years researchers that diet plays a role looked in the prevention of cancer. Today the world is a Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), the largest cancer research group in the United Kingdom, a vowel advocates of the idea of between 35 and 70 percent of the cancer of the unhealthy diet is connected. On the other hand, a healthy diet that is rich in superfoods such as blueberries, almonds and salmon can reduce your risk for many types of cancer.
Food share many of the same features, like for example a high amount of fiber, phytochemicals and antioxidants with cancer-fighting. Secondary plant substances are naturally found in plants and are responsible for the color of blueberries and the smell of garlic. Fiber or Ruff package, is the indigestible portion of plants. Antioxidant is a molecular component of certain foodstuffs, the oxidation inhibits other molecules that can damage cells.
Here are some examples how foods with these three features can help to prevent cancer:
-Lycopene found in tomatoes is a phytochemischen. According to studies by the American Cancer Society, foods with a high concentration of lycopene can reduce the risk of prostate cancer, as well as other types of cancer. The link between lycopene and cancer is still investigating.
-Beeren are rich in phytochemicals which have been proven to assist in the prevention of cancer. The secondary plant substances in berries antioxidant trigger reactions. These antioxidant reactions act in order to neutralize the damage done to your body cells of cancer.
-Rotwein has called two polyphenols, catechins and resveratrol. Both these polyphenols protect against cancer slowed the growth of cancer cells.
-Broccoli is a super food, which inhibits progression of hormone-sensitive tumors. These include breast and ovarian cancer.
-Several costly studies have been carried out to determine whether garlic and garlic extracts may reduce the risk of cancer. Some of these studies support the idea that garlic and garlic extracts are effective in combating the various forms of cancer. Further study in this area is underway.
-Fiber-rich foods such as legumes (beans) were shown to reduce inflammation in the colon, which in turn is connected with the reduction of colon cancer.
More research is needed to better understand which foods can prevent cancer and how they operate. For now, it is important to know that the food you eat can influence whether you develop cancer. In particular inhibit food that rich can help in phytochemicals, fiber, and antioxidants the growth of many types of cancer.

A Cancer Patient Instead Of A Swine Feeder?

In the fifteenth chapter of the book of Luke there is to be found one of the most poignantly beautiful stories of redemption and restoration in all of literature. Surely all of you are familiar with this story of a younger brother who persuades his father to give him his inheritance as though the father had died. As the story goes, he then went to a foreign land and wasted his funds in riotous living. His money ran out just as a famine gripped the land he had chosen and he was reduced to the role of a swine feeder in the filthiest of conditions. He then decided to go home and throw himself on his father's mercy and was, happily, extremely well received. This brings us to the central character of the story who was not the prodigal, but rather the older brother who was angered by the whole proceedings. He made it known that his first concern was financial and was based on his brother's handling of his money and the fact that he had come back for more. The story does not tell the ultimate outcome. We do not know if the older brother was ever able to reconcile with his father with the humility that the younger, repentant brother displayed.
Now let us fast forward to today and a currently developing story that bears a strong resemblance to the bible story in view of attitudes found within the community. There is a man in Granbury, Texas by the name of Rex Covert who has just completed a very real journey to hell and back. This started for him with the discovery that he had colo-rectal cancer that had already metastasized to distant organs. Add to the complications that Rex is a 90 year old man and you have what developed as a rather sordid picture of our times. I can only surmise that there must have been a sense of both jubilation and haste when the hospital folks saw a 90 year old cash cow coming through the door. They appear to have thrown every billable process, medication and procedure at him that was available at their facility with the result that by late summer he was bedfast and near death with hospice already on the scene. I had known Rex for many years and when he called me for help, I went immediately.
He would not receive me at his bedside and insisted that he be propped up in a chair in his living room where we engaged in a rather lengthy conversation about my experience in the field of mind/body medicine. Our conversation went very deep into Rex's personal life, at his leading, not mine. Before it was over, he broke down and cried his heart out as I held him in my arms. These were not tears of sorrow or self pity but rather, tears of joy at being released from some burdens that had troubled him for decades. He declared that he felt better and walked unassisted back to his bed. I had just received a package containing 5 proof copies of the new Alpha Wave modulated CD of guided imagery for cancer patients and I left one with him which he assured me he would faithfully use. This pretty much ended my involvement with Rex as the rest was left up to him and this is his story, not mine. Within about 3 months, he had regained his lost weight, resumed his walking exercise program and tests could find no cancer. What a remarkable, unbelievable story this turned out to be. Rex's story is, in fact, a story within a story as four other discs were sent to patients who all had positive responses that ranged from stable disease to full remission. Rex's story was by far the most dramatic. I thought it worthwhile to conduct a small "attitude survey" among several people from select walks of life. It is sometimes tough to tell these stories as people generally are not interested in hearing them. I was curious to see if a common thread of response would run through all the interviews and, sure enough, it did. Here are the results of my little survey:
1) A doctor thought this was "interesting" but since it was not done under proper scientific conditions could not be viewed as having much value. Again the use of the word "anecdotal" - this has become a convenient word as it has become an accepted vehicle for dismissing that which we really don't understand. The NCI has never come up with an answer to the question of "What if the anecdotal evidence is true?".
2) A neighbor of deep religious conviction who simply worried about me and cautioned that I might be in danger of putting myself up as equal to God and that I should be alert to any danger of my immortal soul. No interest in the details of what happened.
3) A person involved in cancer research who was considerably irritated that a layman such as I really had no business playing in the professionals yard. Again no interest in the details or how they might possibly and favorably impact his own work.
4) A cancer patient who felt that I was just not "scientific" enough to be doing this sort of work and felt that her doctor would be offended if she got off into something like this. (she just LOVES her doctor). She was not interested in finding out more of what Rex had done to bring about this miracle. I think this was the most interesting response of all considering that it came from someone who had never had an original thought in her life, scientific or otherwise. I used to argue this point with the doctors on the KCA board. I always mentioned that in my own career in plasma physics and theoretical fluid mechanics I racked up a score or 27 patents in 9 different countries while asking how many original scientific discoveries any of them had made - of course the answer was no. It comes as no surprise that my term on the board was not renewed.
5) A young minister whose first thought was to counsel me on the concern that I might be interfering with God's work. He was not forthcoming as to the scriptural basis for this concern. He never once asked for details.
There is an amazing consistency of disinterest running through the above that bears a striking similarity to the parable of the Prodigal Son, who is, himself, really not the central character of Jesus' story. No. this story was about the older brother who just happened to be the only one of all the characters who was not happy with the outcome. He saw only the financial aspects. None of the people above were joyful at the report that, as the father in the parable put it, "The dead is alive and the lost is found". I suspect that there are with us today, many forward looking oncologists who would find Rex's case of significant interest. I hope so as meaningful discourse on this case, in itself, would be cause for celebration as it could amount to a positive indication that the oncology worm is finally turning from a locked in mindset that is solely pharmaceutical. We are not threatening their treatment protocol -WE ARE TRYING OUR BEST TO ENHANCE IT!
The true essence of all science is expressed in three words "Observing and Inferring". The world is free of smallpox today because a man named Jenner, in the 1700's observed that milkmaids in his community did not seem to get smallpox. Inferring correctly from that observation he proceeded on a healing journey, no doubt over the ridicule of many of his peers in the medical community of his day and smallpox became history. Scientific observation is not limited to any organization or political system.
Let us take this wonderful outcome of tests simply for what it is - a Christmas miracle in the form of answered prayer. Rex, keep on doing what you are doing as you have made at least some of us very, very happy!!
Gerald White, P.E.
Back in 1993 Gerald White survived a 20 pound kidney tumor that subsequently went metastatic to distant organs. After all medical treatments had failed and the dreadful "only three more months" death sentence had been delivered. He worked out a self- directed program of guided imagery that induced a remission in three months. He has served a three year term as a Director of the National Kidney Cancer Association. Through his webpage he maintains an active world wide mentoring program that has yielded many similar remissions of cases thought to be hopeless. His book has been translated into Chinese and Hungarian. A credible Scientist, in his career before cancer, he achieved some 20 technology patents in 9 countries.

Dangers Barbecued Food and Tips to Prevent Cancer

Recent studies have found that smoked or barbecued food may be more hazardous they are thought of. However, there are some tips you can follow to enjoy your barbecue and lower its health risks as much as possible.
The root cause of health risks associated with barbecued food is the meat. Recent research has found that poultry, red meat, lamb, pork, and fish can emit two carcinogenic substances when they are barbecued.
The first cancerous substance is heterocyclic amine, which are deemed reasonable carcinogenic by the National Institute of Health. Heterocyclic amines or HCAs are produced when the meat is overcooked or char-grilled over high temperatures. Studies with rodents have shown that those rodents with HCA contracted diseases cancer in multiple organs later, including the colon, prostate, and breast. The effect on humans is still being researched.
The second cancerous substance is polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, abbreviated as PAH. PAHs are carried onto the food through the smoke that forms when fat from the meat drips onto the hot charcoal. PAH is directly formed on the food when it is char-grilled.
Both of these cancerous substances can be avoided if you follow a healthy barbecuing recipe. The following tips will help you prepare a healthy barbecue meal:
Cook at the right temperature
Overcooked or precooked food should be avoided, and you should keep the temperature of the grille just right. You should also avoid any step in the preparation process that might increase the cooking time of the food. A good practice to follow is to flip the meat frequently and to keep the grille at a low temperature. You can also buy thinner slices of meat so that they cook at lower temperatures and in a shorter time. Before you begin the barbecue, you should try to measure the temperature and see that it matches the USDA-recommended minimum temperatures mentioned below (all temperatures in degrees Fahrenheit):
· Chicken breast and whole poultry: 165
· Pork and ground beef: 160
· Steaks, roasts, and fish: 145
Choose lean meat
In order to prevent PAH, you should trim as much fat from the meat as you can before cooking it. This will be much easier if you choose lean meat cuts. While cooking the meat, flip it frequently to avoid the fat from dripping down and avoid stabbing the meat.
Marinate longer
Recent studies have found that some meat marinating ingredients, like vinegar, may be helpful in preventing the two cancerous substances from forming. One study found that beef marinated with teriyaki sauce had 67 percent less HCA than the steak without the marinade.

The Systematic Identification Researchers Genetic Markers Of Drug Sensitivity In Cancer Cells

In the largest study of its kind, researchers have profiled genetic changes in cancer with drug sensitivity in order to develop a personalised approach to cancer treatments. The study is published in Nature on Thursday 29 March 2012.

The team uncovered hundreds of associations between mutations in cancer genes and sensitivity to anticancer drugs. One of the key responses the team found was that cells from a childhood bone cancer, Ewing's sarcoma, respond to a drug that is currently used in the treatment of breast and ovarian cancers. The lowered toxicity of this treatment may mean it is a safer alternative therapy for children and young adults with this aggressive cancer.
There is an intimate relationship between the way a drug works and the genetic changes present in cancers. This study found that sensitivity to most anti-cancer drugs is influenced by mutations in cancer genes and establishes the utility of using large-scale studies to identify these associations and build them into improved patient treatment.
"Our key focus is to find how to use cancer therapeutics in the most effective way by correctly targeting patients that are most likely to respond to a specific therapy," explains Dr Mathew Garnett, first author from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. "We studied how genetic changes in a panel of >600 cancer cell lines effects responses to 130 anti-cancer drugs, making it the largest study of this type to date."
The team identified biological markers of drug sensitivity to a broad range of cancer drugs. Most of the cancer genes analysed, including those that are not known directs targets of the drugs tested, were associated with either sensitivity or resistance to at least one of the drugs analysed.
"Our research has taken us down unknown paths to find associations that are completely novel," says Dr Cyril Benes, senior author from Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Centre. "We have identified hundreds of associations, many of which we still don't fully understand. We identified a novel indication for the use of PARP inhibitors, anti-cancer drugs currently used to treat breast and ovarian cancers, for the treatment of Ewing's sarcoma."
Ewing's sarcoma is a cancer of children and young adults with a 15% five-year survival rate in patients where the cancer has spread or they have relapsed after chemotherapy. The use of PARP inhibitors could represent a new treatment option for Ewing's sarcoma patients and these compounds will now be tested in clinical trials to assess their therapeutic benefit.
"Advances in next-generation sequencing technologies are already being translated into the large-scale detection of cancer gene mutations in the clinic," says Dr Ultan McDermott, senior author from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. "There is a compelling need to identify, in a systematic fashion, whether observed mutations affect the likelihood of a patient's response to a given drug treatment. We have therefore developed a unique online open-access resource for the research and medical community that can be used to optimize the clinical application of cancer drugs as well as the design of clinical trials of investigational compounds being developed as treatments."
The team hopes their open-access database will be an important resource for the cancer research community and which will ultimately lead to improved treatments for patients. This research program is a unique Wellcome Trust funded 5-year collaboration between The Cancer Genome Project at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and the Center for Molecular Therapeutics, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center.
"Our work is helping to move cancer therapeutics away from the conventional tissue-based treatment to a more molecular-based treatment," says Professor Daniel Haber, senior author from Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Centre. "The next steps for this collaborative project are to evaluate some of the key findings using tumour samples and test new candidate therapeutic strategies in clinical trials so we can hopefully improve the way we treat cancer patients. We are continuing our screening effort, in particular using drug combinations to discover innovative and better therapeutic options."

Put Pain to Dance in the Rain

Losing a lifelong partner is hard for anyone, and its taken me five months before I can even begin to put pen to paper.
David and I met in 1973 whilst we were both working for a motoring organisation. He had joined at the age of 16 and both our fathers worked for the company as well - so it was very much a family business. We started dating on the 11th October 1973, and after three days he asked me to marry him. I was 20 and he 21. A month later we got engaged and married the following August in 1974.
I never dreamt I would lose him at the age of 59......
I can honestly say whilst young by today's standards, neither of us regretted a day of our lives. Yes, we would have changed some things, but learnt from them. We spoke every single day even those times when we were in different countries. Our lives were always filled with laughter - he a practical joker at times, but he always lightened the darkest moments even at the end of his life. There are so many stories of the restoration and other funny incidents and he touched many peoples lives.
Our four children were our joy and we did so much together. He taught them honour and courage and handed on his love of life and humour. David had an incredible sense of justice and honesty and a thirst for adventure. He met life head on and taught me so much about business and to always face your fears. Ours was a life of love and laughter and we actually likes each other, spending more time together than anyone I know. We worked together in different jobs four times and whilst there were sometimes heated discussions, we never fell out.
We had our share of tragedies, losing pets (one great dane drowned in our pool), our children's car crashes and even our daughter Georgina almost drowing (saved cooly and calmly by David). And then we had to face a huge battle when David slipped into the world of alcoholism. This was my time to be the strength and together we faced it - and miraculously he beat it with sheer determination and hypnotherapy. The hypnotherapy brought other benefits and David then lost his fear of heights, rats and the dentist - having his teeth done and looking better than he had for years. I cannot say when I was so proud of him. Our children were solid and the love we all share is untold.
Then came our great adventure, in 2002, being unhappy in both our jobs for the first time in our lives we bought an abandoned farmhouse in a relatively unknown part of Italy, restored it and transformed it into an 8 bedroom country house hote. David took on much of the work, and I continued back and forth between Italy and the UK to keep money coming in whilst we were building the business. David did all of the cooking and used his passion for food to win great praise for his food, making us eighth on trip advisor out of four hundred hotels in the region. The business grew and prospered and allowed us to spend valuable time together. We put the house up for sale and David drew on his business experience to put a business plan together for a our return to the UK - and setting up some restaurants. I managed to find some investors and all we needed was our stake from the house sale in Italy.
But then came a scare in january of 2009 - David was diagnosed with a cancerous tumour in his mouth. An operation in Milan gave us hope - the tumour was benign with no need for other interventions. He had always been a smoker, but all but gave up save for 1 a day instead of 30. Our eldest son, Simon lives in Italy as well and he did so much to help- driving for ten hours some days to get David to appointments in Milan and back to Le Marche. We saw a lot of Simon and his wife and our grandson and I am so grateful for that time that David spent with them.
Returning to Le Marche after the operation, we made the most of every day and went off for coffee in the piazza, fish dinners at the coast and actually enjoyed our italian home ourselves, instead of just concentrating on work and guests.
How cruel though is life? in October of 2010 David got an abcess in his mouth, off to the Dentist for an extraction and antibiotics. A week later, another abcess - another extraction and antibiotics. Week later the swelling was back and we were sent to the specialist for a biopsy. I can't tell you how frightened I was. At the same time, I had an operation on my foot and relied on David for everything as I could not walk unaided for months, so he was my chauffeur, tea maker, personal butler and he never complained - teasing me and making me laugh.
The week before Christmas David was called for the result and he went with my brother (to make sure we knew what was being said - in Italian). We knew that he would have to have an operations and the word infection was used. That day returning home, our car blew up. Money was pretty tight as business was slow due to the sterling/euro exchange and the latest financial recession. We borrowed money to hire a car. But it was almost something telling us we should go home to England.
Our daughter Georgina and her boyfriend came out for Christmas and we had to tell everyone that David needed and operation on his jaw. Christmas came and went and David and I spent one of the best times on New Years Eve, in a little restaurant in our hilltop town. Just the two of us, and a week going to the mountain, having coffee in the piazza and enjoying the italian lifestyle.
On the 2nd January 2011, Georgina and I took David to hospital - the operation was scheduled for the next day. As we sat with the specialist he spoke of the cancerous tumour that was to be removed and his jaw would be replaced by a bone taken from his leg. We had no idea at that time that it was cancer, and he had kept it from us, so as not to ruin Christmas. Georgina and I felt that we had been hit by a bus. Oh my God, how we cried when we left the hospital.
We returned at 7am the next day to wish him well and waited. The operation lasted for seven and a half hours. We paced and walked up and down the hallways waiting for his return. I was still on crutches but nothing mattered except the safe return of David. Finally we bumped into the surgeon who told us it was a huge tumour and he thought they had it all, but more biopsys were needed. At 6.30 David was back on the ward. Unable to speak, but he still managed to write a note - 'guess I better give up smoking now!' I could have murdered him, but he still made us laugh.
Later that night, after a check by the surgeon, he was taken back to theatre as they were concerned about the transplant of the bone - one of the blood vessels wasn't functioning. So back un anaesthetic for more work. Georgina and I clung to each other - we were sleeping on blankets on the floor of his room.
At around 2 or 3 am he was brought back to the ward. He looked so thin and grey - barely alive. I can see it as if it was yesterday. Georgie and I took it in turns to sleep whilst the other watched him. Finally he came round, very much worse for wear and being fed by a tube, with monitors and drips. He was such a strong person. Battling every day, he improved and we were so relieved. I slept in hospital for nearly three weeks, with georgie taking some nights.
Then we were told the worst news - they had found 3 of 18 lymph nodes with cancer and a shadow on his lung and adrenal gland. As we were in terrible financial difficulties, I had secured a job in the UK before Christmas and managed to delay the start date, but I had to be in place for the 20th January, so Georgie and the boys took over in Italy. After discussions, we all decided that without work in Italy, no car and David as our priority, we should move permanently back to Italy, which would also empower David and no need for translators.
In February I flew to Italy to pack up a few things and bring David to the UK. He bounced back and was so positive that he would beat the cancer. We lived one day at a time and were under Southamtpon General hospital. They put us under the Maxillo Facial team first, then decided that the lung was more important. Everything seems to take so long when you are battling cancer, but you also become institutionalised, looking forward to appointments. David liked to set targets and he remained positive that he would beat it. We were told that they could not cure him, but could offer palliative care. David did not want to know anymore but I asked. They said he may have a year, but they could try to slow the process and keep him out of pain.
I am so glad we came back. We moved in as temporary lodgers with some incredible friends, without whom I dont know how we would have managed. They found things to tempt his appetite and made us so welcome. David spent his days playing golf - something he hadnt done for years. He was my driver, taking me to work every day and we managed to spend lots of time revisiting old friends and places. In spite of what was going on, we made the most of each day.
In May the chemotherapy started. He was sick and dizzy and it hit him harder than either of us could have forseen - I expected him to sail through it.
We finally moved into our own rental house in May and Mum came back from Italy - staying at Auntie Hildas for a while, befoe joining us. Georgie and I were joint tenants and it was so nice to have our own place, especially with David battling the side effects of chemo.
Then in July just before the last chemo, he was not right. Not just dizzy, he could hardly walk, lost his balance and his speech was impaired. I thought he had a stroke. Phoning the emergency chemo line, he was admitted. A scan revealed that a brain tumour was blocking the spinal fluid. he was prescribed steroids, and miraculously he bounced back - after a few days in hospital, they did another full body scan and oh my god - it revealed that not only had the chemo done nothing, the lung and adrenal tumours had grown, the one was back in his face, and of course the new brain tumour. It was at this point I was told he probably had about three months. I passed out. I was going to lose my love, my life and my best friend with whom I shared everything.
David was still battling and we tried vitamin B17, with high doses of vitamin c - a special anti cancer diet and alternative therapies - reiki, healing etc. Anything that would not do the damage that chemo had done. The steroids really did some good and David got to a point when he got out of the tired phase after chemo and was cooking again and in good spirits. The boys came a lot and simon came from italy with his wife and our grandson. We spent a day in Bournemouth and went to the aquarium with lunch in Harry Ramsdens - its only looking at the photos now, that I can see just how poorly he was, but he put on his brave face and made the most of the family.
David loved surprising me, and bought tickets for Les Miserables for my birthday, which we werent sure we would make, but he perked up and in August we travelled to London to see the show we both loved. Then for our 37th wedding anniversary, he bought tickets for Phantom, again travelling to London with a wonderful supper in an italian restaurant - the date was the 8th September. After the performance finished, he had great difficulty getting up - the steroids and the cancer were taking their toll on his legs and I was frantic, trying to find a cab to ease his pain.
From this date, he got slowly worse - I lost a little of him every day. Not his mind, which was a sharp as ever - but he drifted away sometimes although he never let any of us know just how bad he was. He only took paracetamol and ibruprofen for the muscle pain.
Then on the Thursday, 13th October 2011, he woke and said he didnt feel very well. He couldnt say why or where, but I phoned work and said I would not be in. At 11 am he had a massive seizure and was unconscious. Georgie called the paramedics and we got him back. She also made frantic calls to the boys, who arrived. I could see that there may not be much time left. Over this week his mobility was severely impaired and in the space of 10 days, he went from crutches to a zimmer and then a wheelchair. We had to raise the cushions on the sofa and he needed help to get up and get in and out of bed. The doctors who were amazing along with the paramedics prescribed a higher dose of steroids, which seemed to do the trick.
We had an amazing weekend with him, laughing at X factor, and he chatted with our great friends over afternoon tea on the Saturday - about the grandprix. He was back to his old self. Thank god we had the boys and Georgie's boyfriend, who did so much to help him get up and move.
My big regret was that I told Simon that he had bounced back and he decided not to come on saturday, but the following wednesday.
In the early hours of Monday morning (17th October - Simon's birthday) he was in pain and had trouble breathing. Another call to the paramedics and doctor - they gave him oxygen and he was prescribed some stronger pain killers, which settled him. Our own doctor came out that morning and prescribed oromorph and a patch. He was certainly more comfortable, but very tired. Then early hours of Tuesday morning (18th October) he was in terrible pain in his lower rib cage again - the patch, which was slow release hadnt kicked in yet - so a call again to the paramedics and oxygen calmed everything and a dose of the liquid oromorph. We ordered oxygen for home use and a hospital bed was coming to help him to sit up, unaided.
We both woke at 6am and he asked me if today was the day? Taken by surprise I replied that only if he wanted it to be. Usually he would watch sky news, but I asked if he would prefer some music. He said yes, and I put santana on the ipod. The district nurse turned up to fit a catheter, as he was having difficulty and two social workers to help wash him, change the bed etc. I sat with him while he had the catheter fitted and then the girls suggested I leave them to wash him. I so wish I had stayed. He slipped away and I only caught his last breath.
The boys were on their way from London and David's parents had arrived to visit. Whilst I knew that he may not have long, nothing prepared me for losing him so finally.
I sailed through the next week and even delivered a tribute to him at the funeral. But I know now, that I was on autopilot. I was afraid to lose it and now some 22 weeks on, I cannot believe he is gone. No one knows how hard it is as I have a great public face. But I miss him more than I can describe.
I have amazing children and family and incredible friends. But I have lost my best friend, and myself. I no longer really know who I am anymore. Challenges face me, but nothing will affect me as the very worst has already happened.
I know he wouldn't want me to be this way and I do appreciate everyone, everyday and everything. But for now its too early to rebuild myself. A weekend with David was worth more than a lifetime with someone else.
The moral of this tale is that I was lucky enough to meet someone who was everything through good and bad, we took every opportunity that came our way. Whilst I miss his desperately we did so much together and I would not have wished him to suffer anymore. I am so happy that I told him every day that I loved him.
Live your lives with courage and remember, as someone wrote 'life isn't about learning to survive the storm, but rather - learning to dance in the rain.

Cancer Diasease

As cancer cells use the body.

Lung Cancer