Pictures of Types of Breast Cancer

Ductal Carcinoma in situ (DCIS) [ see picture ]
Normal breast with non–invasive ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in an enlarged cross–section of the duct.
Breast profile:
A ducts
B lobules
C dilated section of duct to hold milk
D nipple
E fat
F pectoralis major muscle
G chest wall/rib cage

Enlargement:
A normal duct cells
B ductal cancer cells
C basement membrane
D lumen (center of duct)

Continue learning about ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), as well as other types of cancer in our section: Your Diagnosis.

Range of Ductal Carcinoma in situ (DCIS) [ see picture ]
Continue learning about ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), as well as other types of cancer in our section: Your Diagnosis.

Other Type of Breast Cancer with picture, go to : http://www.breastcancer.org/type_breast_cancer_picture.html

Ovarian Cancer and Breast Cancer

Women with a personal or family history of breast cancer may be at increased risk for ovarian cancer as well. (This is also true if you have a personal or family history of ovarian, colon, or uterine cancer.)

Ovarian cancer is much less common than breast cancer. Breast cancer affects 1 in 7 women over the course of their lifespan, and ovarian cancer affects 1 in 68 women. While ovarian cancer is much less common, it's more life-threatening and harder to diagnosis early. Ovarian cancer is usually diagnosed in its later stages, and treatment options are limited.

When ovarian cancer is detected early, before it has spread beyond the ovaries, more than 90% of women will survive longer than five years. Unfortunately, only 25% of women are diagnosed in the early stages. Primary care doctors don't usually check for signs of this disease in younger women.

Ovarian cancer is often difficult to diagnose because symptoms may be subtle and are easily confused with those of other diseases. Also, there is no single reliable, easy-to-administer screening tool. Unlike breast self-exams, there are no self-exams for ovarian cancer. However, all women can learn to listen to their bodies to pick up clues for anything unusual.

Most women who get ovarian cancer have no known risk factors. Women of any age are at risk, as are those who have never given birth to a child and those who have taken hormone replacement therapy for more than five years. Using talc in the genital area for several years also increases risk. Risk increases with age. Women with a personal or strong family history of breast cancer might be at increased risk of ovarian cancer. And women with a personal or family history of both breast and ovarian cancer are at increased risk of ovarian cancer. Women who have had breast cancer before the age of 50 are twice as likely to develop ovarian cancer (instead of 1 in 68, the risk is 2 in 68).

Both breast and ovarian cancer can be associated with abnormal changes in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. About 1 in 10 cases of ovarian cancer are hereditary. Women who have an altered BRCA1 gene have a 40% to 60% risk of developing ovarian cancer by age 85. Studies suggest that ovarian cancer risk is between 16% and 27% in women with an altered BRCA2 gene.

Who Is at High Risk for Ovarian Cancer?
According to the National Cancer Institute, you are at high risk for ovarian cancer if you have:

• two or more close blood relatives with breast or ovarian cancer, or
• one or more close blood relatives with breast or ovarian cancer and you are of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, or
• a close blood relative (mother, father, sister, brother, daughter, son, aunt, uncle, grandmother, or grandfather) who has tested positive for the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation (abnormal change).

If you are at increased risk, it's important that you know about this disease and have good questions to ask your doctor. In addition, plan to have:

• an annual CA-125 blood test,
• an annual transvaginal ultrasound, and
• a twice-a-year pelvic and rectal exam.

Genetic counseling is also recommended to discuss the role of genetic testing as well as the possible role of preventive (prophylactic) removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes.

Symptoms of ovarian cancer
Although most people believe that ovarian cancer has no symptoms, there ARE things to look for. Any of the symptoms below could be related to other conditions; however, when several appear together and don't go away, you should see your doctor. Symptoms include:

• persistent and progressive abdominal pain, bloating, or discomfort,
• pain with intercourse,
• nausea, indigestion, or gas,
• urinary frequency, constipation, or diarrhea,
• abnormal vaginal bleeding,
• unusual fatigue,
• unexplained weight loss or gain, and
• shortness of breath.

Personal Quote
“Symptoms are opportunities—that's what I discovered after years of being put off by doctors who didn't take my symptoms seriously. I was diagnosed with everything from yeast infections to gall bladder attacks to irritable bowel syndrome to diverticulitis. When I started having a sharp pain in my chest and shoulder when I took deep breaths, I was told it was anxiety. The thing was, even the severe pelvic pain and spotting I developed soon after never kept me from doing anything, and I appeared healthy and fit. I never connected the dots between the pelvic symptoms and my frequent urination, hip pain, lower back aches, and weight loss.
“My diagnosis of stage IIIC epithelial ovarian cancer came five years after my first symptoms appeared, only after an emergency room visit led to a CAT scan of my abdomen and ovaries. I should never have been such a 'good' patient and listened to those who told me nothing was wrong. I should have pushed harder to get the right diagnosis earlier. I want to be able to spread the word that every woman knows her body best. Trust yourself, and don't overlook or diminish any symptom.”—Ayala

Next Page: How Ovarian Cancer is Treated

Understanding Breast Cancer Risk

All women are at risk for getting breast cancer. As you get older, your risk increases. Assuming you live to age 90, your risk of getting breast cancer over your lifetime is about 14%. That might sound scary, because it means that an average of about one out of every seven women will get breast cancer over a 90-year life span.

You can also look at it another way: A 14% risk means there's an 86% chance that you WON'T get breast cancer.

How Much Do Risk Factors and Preventive Factors Change Your Risk?
Knowing what factors can increase or decrease your risk for breast cancer is important. But you probably want to know just HOW MUCH those factors change your risk.
If you hear that a certain treatment can reduce your risk by 40%, what does that mean?

To understand what the numbers mean about YOUR risk for breast cancer, the key terms to know are relative risk and absolute risk.

Relative risk is the number that tells you how much something you do, such as taking a pill, can change your risk, compared to your risk without taking that pill. Relative risk can be expressed in percentages and in "hazard ratios." If you do nothing new, your hazard ratio is 1.0—this means that your risk doesn't change. If you do something and your risk decreases by half, or goes down to 0.5, then you are half as likely to have the risk. But if your risk goes up, from 1.0 to 1.88, then you are 88% more likely to encounter the risk. If your risk goes up to 3.0, then you have a threefold (300%) increased risk of having the problem.

Absolute risk is the size of your own risk. Absolute risk reduction is the number of percentage points by which your own risk changes if you do something, like taking a pill. The size of your absolute risk reduction depends on what your risk is to begin with.

Example of Risk Going Up for a Woman with No History of Breast Cancer
Smoking is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer as well as other diseases.

Suppose your risk of breast cancer is 14%. If you smoke, your risk goes up by 32% (about a third higher risk). That means your risk of breast cancer from smoking is 32% higher than the 14% risk if you don't smoke. That's the relative risk increase from smoking.

But how big a difference does a 32% increase really make for you? To figure out the change to your absolute risk, see what happens when you make your risk of 14% go up by a third:

• Multiply your risk of 14% by the relative risk increase of 32%. You get 4% (14% x 32% = 4.48%, or 4%). 4% is the size of the increase in risk
• Add the 4% increase to the 14% risk you started out with, and you end up with 18% risk (14% + 4% = 18%),

That means your absolute risk for breast cancer is 18% if you have no history of the disease and you smoke.

Example of Risk Going Down for a Woman with Breast Cancer History

Suppose you have had breast cancer and had lumpectomy with clear margins (meaning no cancer was found between the tumor and the edge of the surrounding tissue that was removed along with it).
After lumpectomy with clear margins, your risk of the breast cancer coming back in the same breast is about 30%. But if you choose to have radiation therapy after your lumpectomy, you can reduce your risk of the cancer coming back by two-thirds or 66%. This is the relative risk decrease.

But how much of a difference does radiation's 66% drop really make? To figure out the change to your absolute risk, take two-thirds off your risk of 30%:

• Multiply your risk of the cancer coming back (30%) by the relative risk decrease from radiation therapy (66%), and you get a decrease of 20% (30% x 66% = 19.80% or 20%).
• To figure out your remaining risk of recurrence after radiation, subtract the 20% from the 30% risk of recurrence that you started out with (30% - 20% = 10%). So your absolute risk of the cancer coming back falls to 10% if you have radiation therapy.

Now, after lumpectomy and radiation, is there something else you can do to knock down the 10% risk further? You may also choose to take hormonal therapy (for example, tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor) for five years. Learn more about hormonal therapy choices. If you do that, you can reduce your risk by another 50%. By taking hormonal therapy for five years, you lower your relative risk of the cancer coming back in the same breast by half or 50%. To see how big a difference hormonal therapy makes in your absolute risk, take half off your risk:

• Multiply your risk by the relative risk decrease from tamoxifen (10% x 50% = 5%).
• Then subtract that 5% from your risk (10%–5% = 5%).

Now your absolute risk of the cancer coming back is 5%. So by having radiation therapy and taking hormonal therapy for five years, you have reduced your risk of the breast cancer recurring from 30% to 5%.

Knowing how much your breast cancer risk changes with lifestyle changes and treatment options can help you and your doctor make the best decisions for YOU.

Next Page: Genetics and Breast Cancer Risk

Does It Pay to Get a Mesothelioma Attorney?

Mesothelioma is a serious form of rare cancer. There is no known cure for mesothelioma cancer. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer you will no doubt have many questions and concerns and may have wondered if you need a mesothelioma attorney.

Although the number of people being newly exposed to the risk of mesothelioma cancer is now at a minimum, newly diagnosed cases of the disease are set to rise dramatically in the coming decades. This is due to the fact that symptoms can take 30 to 50 years to develop. Sufferers only become aware of symptoms once the mesothelioma cancer has reached an advanced stage, which is why the disease is so difficult to treat and has such a low survival rate once diagnosed. The has caused an increase in the need for a mesothelioma attorney in some parts of the country.

The average mesothelioma latency period is approximately 35 - 40 years. Occupational exposure to asbestos over the past fifty years in the United States is calculated to have occurred in approximately eight million people causing many to look for a mesothelioma attorney to handle their case.

Mesothelioma is the most lucrative type of asbestos claim. Such suits typically are settled out of court for about $3 million each, according to plaintiff and mesothelioma attorneys.

The current trend indicates that getting a Mesothelioma attorney may not be such a bad idea if you you have mesothelioma cancer.

Suggested Resources:
http://best-choice-mesothelioma-attorney.com/index1.html

Mesothelioma True Story

Asbestos Killed My Husband
He was only a child when it begun -and he played as children do- in his yardwith his toy cars and tip trucksBut his sand was asbestos blue?In December 1999, my husband and I were walking home from a game of lawn bowls when I became aware of his shortness of breath. I was surprised and concerned when he told me that he had experienced this on several occasions. Believing this to be due to chest a infection, I made a doctor's appointment for him the next day.
Chest X-rays revealed fluid on the lungs, over two litres of which was drained, giving Brian immediate relief, but it was a tense wait for the pathology results.Through the Internet I had become aware of several conditions which may have been responsible for fluid on the lung; these included asbestos- related diseases. Brian had lived in Wittenoom as a child and I was afraid of his diagnosis. Not wanting to worry him unnecessarily, I did not mention my fears to him. I prayed that he had pleurisy or pneumonia but the pathology results revealed that there were cancer cells present.
When Brian finally received his diagnosis, my worst nightmare became reality. He had pleural mesothelioma, a terminal cancer of the lung caused by the inhalation of asbestos dust. We found it inconceivable that the disease was the result of Brian inhaling asbestos dust as a child and that it had lain dormant for forty-five years before become lethal.We were still reeling from the shock when, without preamble, the young doctor gave his prognosis. His exact words were, "Three to nine months, I reckon". That he could say this so unfeelingly amazed me. His total lack of compassion did not encourage even the small comfort of tears. I felt as if Brian and I had been shot and from that moment on we were waiting to drop.
Undoubtedly, were mortally wounded. We suffered shock, disbelief, anger, helplessness and utter despair; in fact all the symptoms of grief one feels when a loved one has actually died. Once again we found ourselves with no control over our lives. This time however, there was no light at the end of the tunnel. Our journey through terminal illness had begun.Throughout the course of our married life my deep love for Brian and my determination to resolve difficulties had seen us through many trials. I found it hard to believe that nothing could be done to save his life and begun surfing the Internet for information regarding mesothelioma, all the time praying for a miracle, hoping against hope to find a doctor who had successfully operated on or cured someone of it.It was a sad realization to discover that for Brian there were no miracles; however, I learned a lot and it helped me to accept that he was dying. With my acceptance came a fierce determination to ease his burden. I continued to seek information regarding mesothelioma and the pain and symptoms Brian would experience, due to the progression of his disease. In this way, I came to understand the importance of pain management and symptom control and realized that although I could not stop Brian from dying ? I could help him to live.
My acquired knowledge regarding pain and symptom management enabled me to communicate with Brian and to understand the type of pain he was experiencing and the intensity of that pain. I was then able to work hand in hand with his doctors, to bring his pain and symptoms under control. As my efforts resulted in his improved quality of life, I lost my sense of helplessness and gained strength.
Together, we achieved for Brian, a quality of life few thought possible, considering the nature of his disease. Testament to this, Brian survived for 2 years despite his prognosis of 3 to 9 months. Remained active and alert, drove his car for eighteen months after diagnosis and was not bed bound until three short days prior to his death.Brian's courageous battle with mesothelioma came to an end on the 24th December 2001, he passed away at home surrounded by his loved ones. He was 54 years old.
Article written by: Lorraine Kember ? Author of "Lean on Me" Cancer through a Carer's Eyes. Lorraine's book is written from her experience of caring for her dying husband in the hope of helping others. It includes insight and discussion on: Anticipatory Grief, Understanding and identifying pain, Pain Management and Symptom Control, Chemotherapy, Palliative Care, Quality of Life and Dying at home. It also features excerpts and poems from her personal diary. Highly recommended by the Cancer Council. "Lean on Me" is not available in bookstores - For detailed information, Doctor's recommendations, Reviews, Book Excerpts and Ordering Facility - visit her website http://www.cancerthroughacarerseyes.jkwh.com

Knee Deep in Asbestos
When I was 17 old I started working at an asbestos mine in the Yukon. I had the excitement of youth and looked on the thing as a big adventure.The mine was located about 7 miles from the Alaska border on the banks of the Forty Mile River, which emptied into the Yukon River some 5 miles or so north.
first arrived in August and started working on the Surface Crew. This was the group responsible for outside maintenance of all things on the surface. This was fine when we had those few relatively warm days in summer, but later it was a bit more difficult to be working outside in minus 55F.One of my first duties was to keep clear the conveyor that took the unused asbestos out to the tailings piles. Tailings piles are basically the dregs of what's left over after milling the asbestos and is run out of the mill on conveyor belts to large piles behind the mill. At that time they were about 100 feet high.
I was given a shovel, and a small mask (kind of like the little paper ones that painters use) and told to go shovel off the conveyor belt on the tailings piles. Dutifully I climbed up with my little shovel to clear any blockages of asbestos from the conveyor. I remember clearly at one point standing literally knee deep in asbestos on top of this 100 foot high pile and looking inside my very poor quality mask and seeing the inside (where it's not supposed to be) all grey from the asbestos dust. I then took out my hankerchief (yes, I carried one) and blew my nose. Sorry for the rude, graphic description, but it was all grey. And that was my introduction to work at an asbestos mine.
Even back in the early 1970's it was becoming known that asbestos caused problems. Working in the mine we'd get brochures handed around periodically with propoganda about how it was never proven that asbestos was actually harmful. They were beautiful glossy brochures. I wish I'd kept one.
Though I had occasion to go into the mill for various reasons I was glad I didn't work there. There were employees that worked in the mill whose sole job was to sweep up the dust that fell on the floor. There was so much of it that this was a constant ongoing job. The asbestos dust in the mill actually fell almost like snow and covered the floor completely. Without sweepers there would probably have been several inches of asbestos dust on the floor within an hour or so. In fact, I remember seeing sweepers go by pushing their wide brooms and the new dust settling onto the floor behind them as they walked.
The Yukon itself was absolutely beautiful. Stunning in fact. I had many great experiences there and saw some natural wonders I couldn't have seen anywhere else. I had hitchiked up the Alaska Highway with a friend. In those days the highway was unpaved. Most of the trip was provided by a nice family who were travelling in an old converted school bus. Rattle and dust. Rattle and dust. But we made it finally to Whitehorse, and then on to Dawson City. I loved Dawson. It was like stepping into the past. Not just the architecture and homes but the people had that old fashion friendliness and charm, though tempered by a resolve that one must have to live in such a fierce environment.
The Yukon has a peacefullness to it. Almost a serenity that one can feel. I've found that only those who have been there and experienced it fully understand what I mean by this.
In all of this beauty I suppose the asbestos mine was a blight, or cancer on the environment. Fortunately closed down now for many years nature is recovering it's territory, but unfortunately asbestos mining has left a legacy of asbestosis and Mesothelioma with some of it's previous employees. There are many resources available with information, legal, and personal (www.mesothelioma-listings.com) but one shouldn't let something that consumes the body, also consume the soul. Being human is to be somewhat fragile to the vagarities of life as it is. There's plenty of 'drama' going on without us spending all of our energies on blame. Be calm. Remember your duty in life is to help others. Be happy and try to improve life around you.
As I type this I am looking out the window, watching my grandchildren learn to fish off the seawall out back. It just doesn't get any better than this.Phil Jones is a freelance writer, who now lives in sunny Florida, about as far as you can get from the Yukon and still be in North America. He set up the website http://www.mesothelioma-listings.com/ to provide personal legal firm law mesothelioma asbestos info for those who may need it.

Mesothelioma And Asbestos

The cause of a number of ailments and diseases, including the deadly cancer mesothelioma, asbestos has actually been in use for centuries. The name asbestos was given to this mineral by the Ancient Greeks, and the word literally means inextinguishable. The Greeks gave it this name because of its amazing fireproof qualities, although they also noted the harmful effects that asbestos had upon workers.

Asbestos is a soft and flexible, which has been widely used for many years for a variety of things. The modern use for this mineral is for insulation, and it has been used in a wide range of items and structures, from ceilings and walls to toasters and hairdryers. This mineral became popular during the industrial revolution as an effective and safe form of insulation – safe in that it was fireproof, but certainly not safe in any other sense. Although the risks involved in using and working with asbestos had been observed several hundred years earlier, these risks were not taken into account when asbestos became widely used for insulation.

It was not until the 1900s that the facts regarding the risks involved to workers began to re-emerge. An English physician carried out a post-mortem on a man who had worked with asbestos for many years, and he found traces of fibres and dust in the man’s lungs. The doctor stated that the man had died due to his exposure to this mineral. Over the next twenty or so years professionals in many countries began to notice the fact that disease, illness and death was uncommonly high amongst asbestos workers.

In the mid 1920s, an English doctor made the first diagnosis of asbestosis, and this was followed by a study which showed that 25% of English asbestos workers showed signs of a related lung disease. Laws were then stepped up in England to provide better ventilation and more protection to workers who were regularly exposed to asbestos. These steps were slowly followed by other countries over the next decade.

This protection was slow to be implemented and did not prove all that effective. Although asbestos manufacturers and companies that used the mineral were now aware of these studies and the risks involved to workers, they continued to use asbestos widely, exposing many workers to the hazards associated with it. These employees continued to work with asbestos, totally oblivious of the harm that it was capable of causing. Asbestos continued to be widely used until the mid-seventies, by which time many workers has been exposed and were already unknowingly affected by what we now know as mesothelioma.

Today, as the disease begins to take its toll on the asbestos workers of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, many new cases of the disease are being diagnosed each year. In fact, the number of cases is rising so quickly that many law firms have employed or trained lawyers to deal specifically with these types of cases. The irresponsible companies and manufacturers that were responsible for this exposure have been sued for billions of dollars, with many of them going bankrupt as a result of compensation payouts.

Although the effects of asbestos have been observed, tested and verified, this mineral is still used today in many places around the world. Although the laws and regulations regarding working with asbestos are far more stringent these days, this doesn’t change the fact that this mineral can cause more harm than good and has claimed many victims from all over the world in the form of the deadly disease mesothelioma.

The Different Types Of Mesothelioma

A disease that has only started to come to light in recent years, mesothelioma is a cancer that normally presents itself in malignant form and results in tumours in and around vital organs of the body. The definition of the word mesothelioma is literally cancer of the mesothelium (-oma being a medical term for cancer). The mesothelium is the sac that lines and protects vital organs such as the heart and the lungs, and this disease causes the cells of the lining to become abnormal and malignant.

The result of asbestos exposure, mesothelioma comes in three forms: pleural mesothelioma; peritoneal mesothelioma; and pericardial mesothelioma. All three types have a variety of associated symptoms, and there are some symptoms that are common to all three types of the disease. In all cases of the disease, sufferers are unlikely to even realise that there is a problem until many years after they have actually contracted mesothelioma from regular exposure to asbestos.

The symptoms of all types of mesothelioma do not generally manifest for several decades after contraction. This can make the disease difficult to diagnose and all too often is too late to save the patient by the time a diagnosis is made.

Pleural Mesothelioma:
The most common form of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma. This is where the cancer affects the lungs and the protective lining and cavity of the lungs. The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma result from pleural effusion, which is a build up of fluid between the lung lining and the chest cavity. Sufferers of pleural mesothelioma may experience some or all of the following symptoms: difficulty in breathing, difficulty in swallowing, shortness of breath, persistent coughing, weight loss, fever, coughing up of blood, and rasping.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma:
A rarer form of mesothelioma is peritoneal mesothelioma. This is where the cancer affects the stomach and abdomen. The cancer can start in the abdominal area and spread to other parts of the body, but the tumours that press against the wall of the abdomen can cause some or all of the following symptoms: abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, breathing problems, chest pain, bowel obstruction, anaemia, fever, and blood clotting abnormalities.

Pericardial Mesothelioma:
The last and the rarest of the mesothelioma types is pericardial mesothelioma. This is where the cancer affects the heart and the cavity that surrounds the heart. The tumours affecting pericardial mesothelioma patients can cause some or all of these symptoms: chest pain, shortness of breath, trouble breathing, persistent coughing, and palpitations.

There are also cases of other asbestos related diseases such as asbestosis and respiratory problems that have stemmed from exposure to this potentially fatal material. Anyone that has worked with asbestos should see their doctor if they have any onset of this type of problem or if they are concerned and have doubts.

As you can see, the symptoms for all three types of mesothelioma are non-specific, which means that they could be the result of a number of more common diseases that are associated with the same symptoms. Many of the symptoms are the same as those displayed by viral pneumonia patients, and the disease if often mistaken for something else.

If your doctor is unaware that you have been exposed to asbestos, he or she is unlikely to assume that you may have mesothelioma and will instead test for a number of other more common diseases that are associated with your symptoms. People who have worked with asbestos or who have close contact with someone that works with asbestos should therefore always be vigilant in looking out for any of these symptoms and seeking medical advice if any or all of the symptoms manifest. They should also make their doctor aware that they have worked with asbestos so that no further time is wasted in testing for other types of disease. Much of the delay in diagnosing mesothelioma comes from lack of information and awareness on both the part of the doctor and the patient.

However, it is up to the patient, who is aware of the asbestos exposure, to increase the chances of a speedy diagnosis by making the doctor aware of the circumstances and keeping an eye out of any tell tale signs that mesothelioma may be present.

Symptoms Of Mesothelioma

The long latency period attached to mesothelioma means that the symptoms of this disease can take many years to manifest, making both diagnosis and effective treatment very difficult. And even when the symptoms do become evident, which can take several decades, the symptoms are so generalised and non-specific that they could be put down to any number of more common diseases. This makes it hard for even experienced doctors to make a quick and conclusive diagnosis with mesothelioma patients. The symptoms of this disease can often be confused with pneumonia during its early stages.

Some of the most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma (which is the most common form of the disease) are shortness of breath and chest pains. This may be accompanied by a persistent cough, and all of these symptoms stem from the build up of fluid between the lining of the lung and the chest cavity. This is known as pleural effusion. This type of the disease starts in the chest cavity and can then spread to other parts of the body. Pleural mesothelioma sufferers may also begin to display severe breathing difficulty, weight loss and fever as well as trouble swallowing and even swelling of the face and neck. Some patients may also develop a rasping voice and start coughing up blood. However, there are other patients that may not show any significant symptoms at all.

The symptoms for patients who suffer from peritoneal mesothelioma (a rarer form of the disease) are slightly different. This type of the disease starts in the abdomen and can spread form there. Patients of peritoneal mesothelioma can display abdominal pain and swelling, nausea, loss of appetite and vomiting. They can also suffer breathing problems, and chest pain in addition to these symptoms. These symptoms result from tumours that lean against the abdominal wall. Bowel obstruction, anaemia, fever and problems with blood clotting may also affect peritoneal mesothelioma patients.

The rarest form of this disease is pericardial mesothelioma, which starts in the cavity surrounding the heart. With pericardial mesothelioma, the tumours grow in the tissues that surround the heart and can spread from there. Pericardial mesothelioma sufferers may experience chest pain, shortness of breath, persistent coughing and palpitations.

As the disease moves into the later stages, the symptoms for all types of mesothelioma become more acute and obvious, although they can still often be put down to another illness. It is therefore important for patients to inform their doctor if they have been exposed to asbestos at any point – or even if they suspect they may have been exposed to asbestos. This will enable the doctor to make a more informed diagnosis rather than basing his diagnosis on guess work. It is also important not to ignore any of these symptoms, especially if they are experienced over a long period. Many people can be exposed to asbestos inadvertently (e.g. through the clothes of someone that has worked with asbestos) so it is important to visit your doctor should any of these symptoms manifest.

With pleural mesothelioma being the most common form of the disease, the symptom associated with this form of the cancer are the most common ones that are displayed by patients. However, it is important to be fully aware of the symptoms for all three types of mesothelioma, particularly for those who have worked in high risk professions where they may have been exposed to asbestos.Most people who have worked with asbestos in the past do not begin to show symptoms of mesothelioma until thirty to forty years later. By this time, the disease is already spreading and with the delay in diagnosis, makes it impossible to treat in many cases before it is too late. However, the cause, effects and symptoms of mesothelioma are now becoming more widely known by professionals and lay people. This awareness, coupled with the current clinical trials that are being carried out by a variety of organizations gives patients the hope that an effective treatment will one day be available for all stages of the disease.

Brain Cancer

Cancer can occur in any part of the Brain or Spinal Cord. Cancer cells are abnormal cells that divide too frequently and without any order. The causes of central nervous system tumors are not known. In addition, scientists cannot explain why Brain Tumors develop in healthy adults. Certain factors have been identified that may increase someone's chance of developing a Brain Tumor. Consider the following information; workers in certain industries such as oil refining, rubber manufacturing, and drug manufacturing industries have higher rates of select types of Brain Tumors. Researchers are also studying families in which multiple members have developed the same type of Brain Tumor to see whether heredity plays a role. Researchers are also looking at the connection between viral infections and exposure to radiation as a cause of Brain Tumors. There is no research to suggest that injuries to the head cause or increase anyone's risk for developing a Brain Tumor. Because most patients diagnosed with a Brain Tumor have no identifiable risk factors, it is believed that Brain Tumors are the result of many factors working together.

People who search for Brain Cancer also search the following:
- brain tumor personal stories
- brain cancer patients stories
- cayce treatment brain tumor

Skin Cancer

The most common type of Skin Cancer is called Melanoma. Melanoma is a type of cancer that forms in melanocytes (pigment producing cells). Of the many different types of melanoma, most are seen in the skin including nail beds, soles of the feet, and scalp. However, it can also be found in the eye, anal canal, rectum, and vagina. Melanoma is on the rise in the United States , accounting for about 4% of all cancers. The amount of new cases has increases steadily each year, but researchers are unsure why.

- Other types of skin cancer include:
- Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma
- Mycosis Fungoides
- Kaposi’s Sarcoma

Skin Cancer occurs mainly in people with fair skin, light eyes, and those who tend to freckle or burn easily during and after exposure to the sunlight. A history of 3 or more sunburns, particularly blistering sunburns (before age 20) greatly increases risk. A history of severe sunburns in childhood and adolescence may actually double the risk of melanoma in adulthood.

Cancer Treatments

When cancer finds its way into your life or maybe even the life of a loved one, you need to have somewhere to turn for information. Correct information and the right timing can help you make informed decisions about the uncertainty of you or your loved ones future. Finding information that applies to your current situation can be difficult, to say the least. You can obtain the information that is pertinent to you or your loved ones situation and avoid unnecessary frustration. The links on this page will provide helpful and pertinent information to the specific cancer type that you or your loved one is dealing with.

After identifying your cancer type from the links on this page, you need to be able to find availabel cancer treatment options for your identified cancer type. The cancer treatment options will include both conventional cancer treatments and alternative cancer treatments.

Multiple Myeloma

Multiple Myeloma is a type of cancer formed by malignant plasma cells . The plasma cells are a type of white blood cell present in bone marrow. At present, the cause of Multiple Myeloma is not known. Multiple Myeloma is part of a spectrum of diseases labeled Plasma Cell Dyscrasia. Plasma cells are the cells responsible for forming antibodies used by the body’s immune system against bacteria and foreign proteins. For reasons that are unclear, these plasma cells lose their ability to respond to signals put of by immune cells. Plasma cells will then start to divide and form abnormal proteins, resulting in damage to the bone, the bone marrow, and other organs (such as the kidneys). The disease is called Multiple Myeloma because abnormal myeloma cells can occur in multiple bone marrow sites in the body.


Multiple Myeloma is a type of cancer formed by malignant plasma cells . The plasma cells are a type of white blood cell present in bone marrow. At present, the cause of Multiple Myeloma is not known. Multiple Myeloma is part of a spectrum of diseases labeled Plasma Cell Dyscrasia. Plasma cells are the cells responsible for forming antibodies used by the body’s immune system against bacteria and foreign proteins. For reasons that are unclear, these plasma cells lose their ability to respond to signals put of by immune cells. Plasma cells will then start to divide and form abnormal proteins, resulting in damage to the bone, the bone marrow, and other organs (such as the kidneys). The disease is called Multiple Myeloma because abnormal myeloma cells can occur in multiple bone marrow sites in the body.
Sometimes, before Multiple Myeloma develops, it is preceded by another condition of excessive plasma cell growth. This condition is called monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. In this disease abnormal plasma cells produce excess amounts of antibody protein. However, these plasma cells do not form an actual tumor or mass and do not cause any symptoms. In fact, the disease rarely affects a person's health. It is discovered because of high levels of protein in the blood and then further testing shows the protein is immunoglobulin. In time, many people with monoclonal gammopathy eventually develop one of the following diseases:

-Multiple Myeloma
-Lymphoma
-Amyloidosis

Consult with a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment of Multiple Myeloma

Mesothelioma

What Is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also metastasize (spread) from their original site to other parts of the body. Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the pleura or peritoneum.Mesothelioma is a benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous) tumor affecting the lining of the chest or abdomen. Exposure to asbestos particles in the air increases the risk of developing malignant mesothelioma. The Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that involves the mesothelium, or cells that line an organ, abdominal organs, usually the lungs, and heart. The most common form of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, where the malignant tumors form on the pleura, the sac that lines the chest ........[Read more]

Mesothelioma Cancer
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer involving mesothelial tissues of body organs usually lungs or abdominal. It is often caused by exposure to asbestos. However, there are 30-50% of patients without any history of asbestos exposure. People who have received asbestos exposure of as little as one or two months to very low doses are at risk of mesothelioma cancer. Even people who wash clothes of asbestos exposed people are at risk. A person exposed to asbestos could develop mesothelioma after 50 years of exposure.People in the occupations such as construction jobs in shipyards, insulators, boilermakers, etc. are at the risk of contracting asbestos disease.The 2 common types of .........[ Read more ]

What You Need to Know about a Mesothelioma Law Suit, Mesothelioma Law and a Mesothelioma Law Firm
There is some important information you should be aware of if you are considering pursuing a Mesothelioma Law Suit. Prior to pursuing a Mesothelioma Law Suit you should seek advice from a reputable Mesothelioma Law Firm and gain an understanding of Mesothelioma Law. A Mesothelioma Law suit can be costly, but it can also provide you with adequate compensation that will help cover your legal, medical and ongoing expenses, related to..........[ Read more ]

Choosing a Mesothelioma Doctor
Choosing a Mesothelioma DoctorBy Peter LenkefiMesothelioma Cancer is considered, within the medical profession, to be a serious illness. Mesothelioma Doctors are now available to those who are sufferers of Mesothelioma Cancer. Mesothelioma Doctors are well educated in the cause of Mesothelioma Cancer, diagnosis of Mesothelioma Cancer, the affects of Mesothelioma Cancer and the available treatment for Mesothelioma Cancer. Therefore, when choosing a Mesothelioma Doctor, ensure that they have...[ Read more ]

Avoid Further Mesothelioma Injury Through Prompt Treatment
Mesothelioma injury can be classified into three main groups, Pleural (chest), Peritoneal (abdominal) and Pericardial (heart). All three types of Mesothelioma injury are mainly cause through...[ Read more ]

Seeking Mesothelioma Help
Seeking Mesothelioma Help If you, or someone you know has been diagnosed with, or thinks that they might have Mesothelioma Cancer, it is often daunting and can be difficult to know where to seek help. However, you are not alone, there are organizations and doctors who can help. With the current research and new knowledge about Mesothelioma Cancer, seeking help has become easier, as there are........[ Read more ]

Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a disease in which cancer cells form in the tissues of the breast. The most common type of breast cancer is called ductal carcinoma. Ductal carcinoma starts in the cells of the ducts. Cancer that begins in the lobes or lobules is called lobular carcinoma and is more often found in both breasts than are other types of breast cancer.

There are many factors which may cause or increase chances of getting breast cancer. These include:
* Age
* Early menstruation
* Never having had a child, or having a first child quite old.
* A personal history of breast cancer or noncancerous breast diseases.
* A family history of breast cancer.
* Radiation therapy to the torso.
* Dense breast tissue (on mammograms).
* Hormone use like estrogen or progesterone.
* Alcohol.

Breast cancer can be genetic, inherited from your parents that is. 5 to 10 percent of breast cancer is genetic.
If you have had breast cancer in one breast, you have an increased risk of getting breast cancer in your other breast. Some women with breast cancer also have an increased risk of deeloping ovarian cancer and other types of cancer.

Tests that examine the breasts are used to detect and diagnose breast cancer. If you notice any changes, a doctor should be seen. The following tests and procedures may be used:

* Mammograms - x-raying the breast
* Biopsy - removing several cells or some tissue for microscopic examination by a pathologist.
This may be done on lumps discovered in breasts.
* Excisional biopsy - removing the entire lump.
* Incisional biopsy - partially removing the lump.
* Core biopsy - removing part of the lump using a wide needle
* Needle biopsy - removing part of the lump using a thin needle
* Estrogen and Progesterone receptor tests - testing the amount of estrogen and progesterone hormone
receptors in cancer tissue. This helps to determine if hormone therapy may stop growth of the cancer.

There are factors affecting the recovery of treatment, which include the following:
* The stage the cancer is in - how quickly it was discovered and treated
* What type of breast cancer you have
* Your estrogen and progesterone receptor levels
* Age, health and menopausal status
* Whether the cancer is recurring or newly discovered.