> Surgery as Treatment Option for Lung Cancer - Risks of Lung Cancer Surgery, Questions to Ask your Doctor, Surgery Pictures
(October 9th, 2009)

> Researchers Seek Clinical Trial Patients for New Mesothelioma Drug: Gefitinib
(September 25th, 2009)

> Secondary Cancer in the Lymph Nodes - Role of Lymph Nodes in the Body & the Lymphatic System
(September 18th, 2009)

> Talcum Powder Slows Down Growth of Lung Cancer Tumors
(September 15th, 2009)

> Carbon Nanotubes that Look and Behave like Asbestos could cause Pleural Mesothelioma
(September 11th, 2009)

> Chest X-Rays Can Detect Early Lung Cancer, but also Alert many False-Positive Results
(September 7th, 2009)

> Peritoneal Mesothelioma – Cancer of the Peritoneum or Linings of the Abdomen - Symptoms of Peritoneal Lung Cancer, Role of Asbestos & Treatment Options
(August 31st, 2009)

> History and Advent of Cancer Treating Chemotherapy – Nitrogen Mustard as Anti-Cancer drug, Invention of Red Clover to treat Respiratory & Malignant Lung Cancers
(August 30th, 2009)

> Intra-peritoneal Therapy – Delivery of Chemotherapy Drugs in to Abdominal Cavity, Port and Catheter
(August 30th, 2009)

> Chemical Pleurodesis for Malignant Pleural Effusions or Fluids in Lungs
(August 26th, 2009)

> Evaluation of Pleural Thickening and its Effects on Development of Malignant Lung Cancer
(August 23rd, 2009)

> Chest X-Ray – Uses of Chest X-Rays, How to Prepare for X-Ray Session, Performance, Risks & Results, and Normal versus Abnormal Results
(August 15th, 2009)

> Multi-cystic Mesothelioma of the Peritoneum - Examinaton of the Pelvis, Abdominal Mass using Ultrasound, Process of Hysterectomy by a Gynecologist
(August 5th, 2009)

* > Mesothelioma Lung Cancer & Effects on Army, Navy & Marine Veterans - Asbestos Exposure in Battleships, Aircraft Carriers, Submarines and Navy Ships
(May 18th, 2009)

* Ruth Phillips - 10 Year Mesothelioma Survivor Living Large - Discussion of Immuno-Augmentive Therapy & Other Cancer Treatments
(May 5th, 2009)

* Prevention of Lung Cancer when You are at Risk, or when You Already Have Lung Cancer
(April 27th, 2009)

* Research Suggests Vitamin D Plays a Large Role in Preventing and Fighting Lung Cancer
(April 21st, 2009)

* What Types of Lung Cancer Exist? Differences between Small Cell & Non Small-Cell Lung Cancer
(April 15th, 2009)

* Steve Lee, 63, from Reading UK, Completes Half Marathon with Asbestos Lung Cancer
(April 8th, 2009)

* Basic & Advanced Symptoms of Mesothelioma & Common Misconceptions
(March 28th, 2009)

* Choosing Your Mesothelioma Doctor - Medical & Radiation Oncologists, Laparoscopic Surgeons
(February 4th, 2009)

* Study Suggests Computed Tomography (CT) Scans Increase Risk for Cancer Development - Mesothelioma News
(November 30th, 2008)

* Diagnosing Mesothelioma & Pathological Testing
(February 6th, 2009)

* Eat Fruits & Vegetables - Prevent Cancer and Stay Healthy
(January 12th, 2009)

* Gardening & Good Diet Leads to Less Lung Cancer Risk
(January 7th, 2008)

* PhotoDynamic Therapy - Types of Mesothelioma Treatments
(March 18th, 2008)

* Surviving Lung Cancer - Thoracic Surgeons Roll Out New Tumor Removal Procedure
(January 20th, 2009)

* Timing of Mesothelioma Cancer Treatment Options - Surgery, Chemotherapy & Radiation Therapy
(February 5th, 2008)

-> Mesothelioma is rarely developed by young people, and it has no relation with smoking, despite of rumours about this. Infact, Mesothelioma can take over 40 years to develop, before full diagnosis is realized!

-> There are about 200 - 500 cases of peritoneal mesothelioma each year, making it a very rare disease. Furthermore, peritoneal mesothelioma measures at about 20 - 30% of all mesothelioma cases in any given year. Approximately 54.7% of all the diagnoses are males and the rest are females. The median age when peritoneal mesothelioma develops is 65 - 69 years.

-> Fluid accumulated in the abdomen (also known as Ascites) is detected and removed through Paracentesis (a procedure that drains fluid from the abdomen of the body by the use of needles).

(View Archives)
 

Prevention of Lung Cancer when You are at Risk, or when You Already Have Lung Cancer

(April 27th, 2009)

As the old adage goes, prevention is better than cure! In this topic, we will explore the types of things you should do to prevent or avoid developing lung cancer if you don't already have it. If you do already have it, we will discuss how to minimize the symptoms, live a better life and steps to better pain management. Some reasons why patients could potentially develop lung cancer include exposure to Asbestos or Radon, smoking cigarettes or tobacco related products, second-hand smoke, or if your family member has lung cancer and you are close to that person or through other environmental factors. If your doctor has said you are at risk of developing lung cancer, the first logical step would be to stop smoking if you already do. This is because smoking causes not only lung cancer but also Cancer of the Esophagus, bladder, larynx, pancreas, etc. Quitting smoking has many benefits including more lung capacity, free flow of blood from the lungs to other essential organs of the body, lower blood pressure and more. Although easier said than done, we realize it is difficult to quit smoking in an instance or a matter of months. However, with tools such as gum or nicotine patches and behavioural patterns & lifestyles, this addiction can be lost. If you would like to learn more on how to quit smoking, visit this article hosted by Cancer.org - Guide to Quitting Smoking.

Screening Lung Cancer & Early Detection Methods

The purpose of screening lung cancer programs is to detect lung cancer at early stages when the symptoms are less, and it has not spread very further in to other organs. Treatments conducted during early stages of lung cancer are less invasive surgically, have a higher survival rate and more successful treatment varieties are available. In a recent statistic, the number of people who had a good 5 year survival rate for their lung cancers that had not localized (had not spread far) was almost 50%. This percent drops to 2% for those people whose lung cancers had metastized (spread far beyond the lungs). Early detection therefore helps saves lives, however currently there is no approved screening test that for sure detects lung cancer. Majority of lung cancers are diagnosed or detected when they are in the late stages meaning they have spread to nearby organs, lymph nodes and lungs. Symptoms include persistent cough, chest pain, difficulty speaking, pneumonia, bronchitis, and sputum filled with blood. People who are at high risk of developing lung cancer include those who are:

- 60 years of age or older who currently smoke or have a past history of smoking
- With chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- With previous lung tumors

What are some of the screening techniques to detect lung cancer early on? Here is a list of a few:

i) Examination of molecular markers in sputum
ii) Bronchoscopy (a technique used to visualize the inside of the airways and lungs).
iii) Computed tomography (CT) scan
iv) Microscopic analysis of Sputum cells

Scientists are also trying to use Chemoprevention agents including certain Vitamins to try to stop the development of lung cancer in patients. A chemoprevention agent is a substance that can repair genetic damages before Cancer develops. Examples of substances that contain Chemoprevention agents include Retinoids and Selenium. Chemopreventive agents are not 100% sure to detect early lung cancer, not even half the chance. Therefore, before you consume any minerals or vitamins containing Chemopreventive agents, be sure to check with your medical doctor.

If You Already Have Lung Cancer

If you already have lung cancer, it is best advised to stop smoking immediately. When you quit smoking, here are the benefits you achieve over time:

After 20 minutes - Your blood pressure will drop and heart rate beats will increase.

After 12 hours - The amount of Carbon Monoxide in your blood system drops to normal level.

After 2 weeks - 3 months - Lung function and circulation of blood from lungs to other organs of the body improves significantly.

After 1 - 9 Months - Shortness of breath & coughing decrease, functions of Cilia (small hair-like substances that get rid of Mucus from the lungs) become normal, your lungs become cleaner, and your risk of catching infections decreases.

After 1 year - Risk of Coronary heart diseases drops by 50%

After 5 years - Risk of Strokes drops to that of a non-smoker who quit smoking 5-15 years ago.

After 10 years - Risk of lung cancer death drops by 50% as well risk of mouth, throat, esophagus, pancreas or Bladder cancer also drops.

After 15 years - Risk of coronary heart diseases becomes that of a non-smoker.

 

 

 

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