Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms

Skin Cancer on Cats

Cat’s Skin Cancer

Feline cancer is one thing that the owner of cats needs to have in consideration. This condition propagates throughout the body and may be fatal in the majority of the cases. The quick expansion of this disease makes the treatment difficult and the recuperation possibilities very low.

This extension process, which is call metastasis, is one of the primary reasons behind the early death of cancer. It’s a common knowledge that the skin is the largest organ on the body, and for such reason is the one where cancer in more common.  The known skin cancer is a classification of several types of tumors, and this includes any abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells like, on the skin, the skin glands, hair follicles etc.

Metastasis, that appears on the skin, as result of cancer from other parts of the body, is not call skin cancer because it was not originated on the skin. On cats, skin cancer is possible, especially on older cats between the ages of 6 to 14 years old. The known causes for this type of cancer are; the light skin color or white skin, Exposing the skin to much to the Sun Rays, Feline virus of immunodeficiency.

Skin cancer appears under the skin like boulders, or lesions that never seems to get better. Then this creates the scratching behavior of the affected area. Detecting the skin cancer is relatively easier comparing it to other types of cancer, because the symptoms are readily visible. For example, to find cancer on the liver in a dog it is a tedious process of observation to identify multiple symptoms.

Regularly, you need to check your cat’s skin to be able to identify symptoms of: Tumors under the skin, any defects, scummy areas or change of color and any other abnormality, also check for color changes in the cat’s eyelids, in the lips, and inside its mouth. If your cat is white or its nose and ears are white, you can minimize the risk by protecting your cat from the sunrays.

To detect skin cancer in cats, look for a raised plaque or lump that usually appears on the face. Detect feline skin cancer with tips from a veterinarian in this free video on pet care. Expert: Dr. James Talbott Bio: Dr. James R. Talbott is a staff veterinarian at Belle Forest Animal Hospital and Kennel in Nashville, Tenn. Filmmaker: Dimitri LaBarge
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Pancreatic Cancer – Causes – Symptoms – Treatment of Pancretic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is one disease that affects the pancreas. The pancreas is a gland located in the back of the upper stomach close to the backbone. The pancreas has several functions; the main two are that it makes pancreatic juices and several hormones including insulin. Cancer is the growth and splitting up of cells in an unrestraint way. Cells become cancerous when the control mechanisms that manage cell growth don’t work. The cells continue to grow uncontrollably and in due course form a malignant tumor.

Pancreatic Cancer Causes

The exact as to what damages DNA in the vast majority of cases of pancreatic cancer is not clear. In other words the exact pancreatic cancer causes are not clear. But it is known that a small percentage of people develop the disease as a result of a genetic predisposition. These people who have a close relative, such as a parent or sibling, with pancreatic cancer have a higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer themselves.

Age: is also a factor to be considered which increases the incidence of the disease. As age increases the probability of pancreatic cancer also increases. The incidence of Pancreatic Cancer is relatively low in individuals up to age 50, after which it increases significantly. The age group 65 – 79 has the highest incidence of Pancreatic Cancer.

Symptoms and Diagnosis:

Pancreatic cancer is a ‘silent’ disease: There is no symptom at the early stage, nor is there a reliable screening test for early detection.

As the tumor grows, pain is often felt in the upper abdomen and sometimes, the back. The pain is exacerbated after meals or when lying down. Other symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea and general fatigue.

If the common bile duct were blocked by the tumor, symptoms of jaundice appear: The skin and whites of the eyes turn yellow and the color of urine darkens.

Treatment Options for Pancreatic Cancer

The treatment plan for pancreatic cancer differs from patient to patient. When established, treatment plans are based on several factors such as the stage and location of the cancer, the patient’s age and general health state.

Potentially curative surgery is a type of surgery that can be performed when the cancer can be removed. Potentially curative surgeries are performed when the cancer has started in the head of the pancreas (near the bile duct). Cancer of the head of the pancreas is easily detected by the symptoms it produces such as jaundice which is caused by the bile duct blockage.

Palliative surgery is a type of surgery chosen when the tumor is too widespread. The purpose of this surgery is to relieve the symptoms or complications caused by the cancer.

This cancer is difficult to diagnose because there are no symptoms in the early stages and because , when symptoms appear, they match other diseases.  Depending on the stage and location of the cancer, surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy may be used.  If the cancer has not spread beyond the pancreas, therapy can be successful, but, as stated earlier, it’s very unlikely to find pancreatic cancer in the early stages.  In later stages, often the therapy concentrates on the comfort of the patient.

Corn Syrup Feeds Your Cancer Cells – Joyce Riley on the Power Hour 8-3-10 If you like cancer then eat more Corn Syrup. Try to avoid cancer-feeding Corn Syrup if you are fighting cancer – good luck, it’s in almost everything! Thanks NWO. www.thepowerhour.com

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Increasing Awareness With a Breast Cancer Bracelet

Breast cancer continues to affect millions of people worldwide – plunging newly diagnosed sufferers and their families into the bewildering world of treatment plans and statistics on a daily basis.

This year alone, over one-million people worldwide will be unwillingly inducted into this club of warriors. And strong in numbers, these sufferers and their families will continue to affect change in the landscape of awareness and treatment; part of the way in which they raise awareness is through the wearing of merchandise, including the breast cancer bracelet.

The breast cancer bracelet can attribute its beginnings to the awareness campaign, where the pink ribbon first became the symbol in the united fight. The Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation – which began in the early 1980s as a way to funnel comprehensive information to victims and raise money for research – began using the pink ribbon in the early years of its Race for the Cure, the annual run/walk fundraising event that is the signature event of this foundation.

The early beginnings of the pink ribbon were brought to the forefront as Self magazine planned their second annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month issue in the early 1990s. In this effort, the magazine partnered with Estee Lauder to create the looped pink ribbon we have now come to recognize; over a million of which were distributed at makeup counters around the country to coincide with the distribution of the magazine. The ribbon included instructions on self examination and information on how to petition Washington to increase funds for research. The color pink was chosen because of its strong association with femininity.

With the growing popularity of the pink ribbon, came the further development of other pink items to signify awareness. The items have since come fast and furious – from t-shirts and pins, to umbrellas and mugs. The breast cancer bracelet, especially, has achieved enormous popularity as the message of awareness is encapsulated in a beautifully designed – and very wearable – bracelet.

The bracelet is just like any other bracelet that you would think nothing of buying and wearing; but you have the added benefit of knowing that in wearing the bracelet you are promoting awareness and, in so doing, are part of a community that is saving lives.

The bracelet comes in a variety of styles and prices – everything from pearls and crystal to silver and gold. No matter what your style or taste in jewelry, there will surely be a bracelet that draws your attention and furthers the message of awareness. In today’s online world especially, there is a growing number of websites dedicated to the sale of pink awareness merchandise.

This awareness encompasses many different things when it comes to the battle against breast cancer. Raising awareness means increasing people’s understanding of research, prevention, detection, and treatment. But more importantly, raising awareness – through the wearing of insignia such as the bracelet – means alerting those who are affected to a larger community; a community of enormous support and infinite understanding.

talk of breast cancer bracelets.
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Cancer Communities: the Rise of Self Help Groups

From the day of diagnosis, to incredible relief of the “all clear”, living with cancer can be a stressful, painful but in many cases curable experience. It may be hard to see how a cloud so potentially devastating as cancer could have any silver lining, but the rise of self help groups is one of the more positive aspects to come out of cancer suffering.

Self help groups provide a setting in which people can share similar experiences and offer each other practical and emotional support in a reciprocal and mutually beneficial manner. People go to self help groups for many different reasons; some simply want information and will then move on; others may want to make sense of what is happening to them by listening to the experiences of those who have been through something similar.

The sheer number and diversity of cancer self help groups that exist is quite remarkable, and they can be found in the most remote of places in UK. There are cancer help groups that cater for all manner of cultural subsets, such as ethnic minorities, gay and lesbian cancer sufferers and child sufferers. No matter your age, race or sexual persuasion, there is almost certainly a cancer support group that can help you.

And if there isn’t, why not start your own local cancer support group. Several major cancer charities offer help and advice to people wanting to start their own self help groups. They provide information, guidance and training to people involved in new or existing support groups. Members of new groups can attend workshops about starting up a self help group, workshops on listening and responding, as well as receiving support and advice from someone who has had experience of setting up or being part of a self help group or service and will be on hand to answer any questions.

And finally, don’t forget that the internet is alive with self help forums, mailing lists and discussion groups, so if for what ever reason you can’t attend a self help group in person, get online and you’ll find hundreds of people helping others by answering questions and providing help, support and advice via their personal computers.

Don’t suffer alone; find your nearest self help group and join them, and if there isn’t one in your local area, get active and start one!

For those who are afflicted with lung cancer, emotional support is an important part of the treatment plan. Support is available one on one with a psychiatrist or counselor, or can be found through either online or in-person support groups.
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An Overview of Cancer

Cancer is second only to cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of death in the Western world.

Although Cancer is primarily a disease of the elderly with more than 60% of deaths from cancer occurring in those over the age of 65, cancer can strike even the youngest of children.

Cancer appears to occur when the growth of cells in the body is out of control and cells divide too rapidly. Cancer can develop in almost any organ or tissue, such as the lung, colon, breast, skin, bones, or nerve tissue.

Most common sites are:

Prostrate 24%

Breast 13%

Lung 13%

Colon and Rectum 9%

Bladder 3%

Uterus 2.5%

The cause of Cancer is believed to be a combination of genetic factors and outside carcinogens such as tobacco, viruses, infection, asbestos, vinyl chloride, inappropriate diet.

Cancer often has no specific symptoms, so it is important that you limit your risk factors and undergo appropriate cancer screening. The signs and symptoms will depend on where the cancer is, the size of the cancer, and how much it affects the nearby organs or structures.

If a cancer spreads (metastasizes), then symptoms may appear in different parts of the body. As a cancer grows, it begins to push on nearby organs, blood vessels, and nerves. If the cancer is in a critical area, such as certain parts of the brain, even the smallest tumor can cause early symptoms.

But sometimes cancers start in places where it does not cause any symptoms until the cancer has grown quite large. Pancreatic cancers, for example, do not usually grow large enough to be felt from the outside of the body.

By the time a pancreatic cancer causes these signs or symptoms, it has usually reached an advanced stage.

A cancer may also cause symptoms common to many other problems, such as; fever, fatigue and weight loss. This may be because the cancer uses up much of the body s energy or it may cause the release of substances which affect metabolism.

Some lung cancers make hormone-like substances that affect blood calcium levels, affecting nerves and muscles and causing weakness and dizziness.

It is important to know what some of the general (non-specific) signs and symptoms of cancer are, but remember that having any of these does not mean that you have cancer.

Most cancers can be treated and some cured, depending on the specific type, location, and stage. The earlier the cancer is found, the better the prognosis.

A good example of the importance of finding cancer early is melanoma skin cancer. Skin cancer can be easy to remove if it has not grown deep into the skin, and the 5-year survival rate (percentage of people living at least 5 years after diagnosis) at this stage is nearly100%.

Screening for breast cancer with mammograms has been shown to reduce the average stage of diagnosis of breast cancer in a population.

Colorectal cancer can be detected through fecal occult blood testing and colonoscopy, which reduces both colon cancer incidence and mortality, presumably through the detection and removal of pre-malignant polyps.

Similarly, cervical cytology testing (using the Pap smear) leads to the identification and excision of precancerous lesions.

Testicular self-examination is recommended for men beginning at the age of 15 years to detect testicular cancer.

SIGNS and SYMPTOMS

Pain may be an early symptom with some cancers such as bone cancers or testicular cancer.

Long-term constipation, diarrhea, or a change in the size of the stool may be a sign of colon cancer.

Pain with urination, blood in the urine, or a change in bladder function (such as more frequent or less frequent urination) could be related to bladder or prostate cancer.

Skin cancers may bleed and look like sores that do not heal.

A long-lasting sore in the mouth could be an oral cancer and should be dealt with right away, especially in patients who smoke, chew tobacco, or frequently drink alcohol.

Sores on the penis or vagina may either be signs of infection or an early cancer, and should not be overlooked.

Unusual bleeding can happen in either early or advanced cancer.

Blood in the sputum (phlegm) may be a sign of lung cancer.

Blood in the stool (or a dark or black stool) could be a sign of colon or rectal cancer.

Blood in the urine may be a sign of bladder or kidney cancer.

A bloody discharge from the nipple may be a sign of breast cancer.

Many cancers can be felt through the skin, mostly in the breast, testicle, lymph nodes (glands), and the soft tissues of the body. A lump or thickening may be an early or late sign of cancer.

While they commonly have other causes, indigestion or swallowing problems may be a sign of cancer of the esophagus, stomach, or pharynx (throat).

A cough that does not go away may be a sign of lung cancer.

A cancer may be suspected for a variety of reasons, but the definitive diagnosis of most malignancies must be confirmed by histological examination of the cancerous cells by a pathologist.

TREATMENT

Once diagnosed, cancer is usually treated with a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Radiation therapy may be used to treat almost every type of solid tumor, including cancers of the brain, breast, cervix, larynx, lung, pancreas, prostate, skin, stomach, uterus, or soft tissue sarcomas.

Most forms of chemotherapy target all rapidly dividing cells and are not specific for cancer cells, although some degree of specificity may come from the inability of many cancer cells to repair DNA damage, while normal cells generally can.

Contemporary methods for generating an immune response against tumours include intravesical BCG immunotherapy for superficial bladder cancer, and use of interferons and other cytokines to induce an immune response in renal cell carcinoma and melanoma patients.

Pain medication, such as morphine and oxycodone, and anti-emetics, drugs to suppress nausea and vomiting, are very commonly used in patients with cancer-related symptoms. transmission and disease.

Advances in cancer research have made a vaccine designed to prevent cancer available. The vaccine protects against four HPV types, which together cause 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts.

The consensus on diet and cancer is that obesity increases the risk of developing cancer. The cancer-fighting components of food are also proving to be more numerous and varied than previously understood, so patients are increasingly being advised to consume fresh, unprocessed fruits and vegetables for maximal health benefits.

With his family by his side Pete was laid to rest on March 20 just 28 days short of his ninth birthday. The cause of his rapid decline in health will never be truly known as he had very few definitive symptoms. Pete suffered from Cushing’s Disease and was diagnosed with pancreatitis, through a pancreas biopsy, three days before his life was humanely ended. Following his surgery he never resumed eating and grew weaker by the day. Blood work results gave reason to believe that he also had bone marrow cancer but by that time he was to weak to undergo treatment. Goodbye “Piggy”. There will never be another one like you.
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Small Cell Lung Cancer Life Expectancy – And A New Cure!

The small cell lung cancer life expectancy is not good. Provided that you went to a doctor, you have probably found that he can give you a fairly accurate estimation of how much time you have left. Now, if you have small cell lung cancer, be sure to check out this webpage, which offers a lot of promise, and has changed a lot of lives. Good luck!

There is a lot of controversy, when it comes to cancer treatment. The small cell lung cancer life expectancy is not long, but if you apply chemotherapy it can be prolonged significantly. Of course, that is done at the expense of the extreme nausea, and other side effects which will make your remaining time not very pleasant. That’s why you should start looking for other options – and read the above linked web page carefully.

It is a myth, that there is no cure for cancer – there are many possible treatment options, but none of them is 100% consistent. However, we are coming closer and closer, and soon will have a definite cure. Until then, people can experiment with various cures, and also – read the stories of people who have gone through this type of cancer. The small cell lung cancer is one of the most common cancers, and affects close to 10% of cancer patients.

When it comes to small cell lung cancer life expectancy, no accurate prognosis should be made. The fact that many doctors tell you what they expect is in a way bad. You may think that it gives you an accurate way to plan your future, but all it does is makes you give up any hope. Once you realize that there is a way for the cancer to be beaten, you should start moving forward, and trying those cancer cures – it’s your life that we are talking about, and there actually is a way to reverse the cancer completely, put it in remission, and forget about the disease completely. Good luck!

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Lung Cancer Pictures Of

We know that it’s a habit like drugs or drinking that becomes an addiction, but it still does not answer why people really start even though they know all the risks. Lung Cancer Pictures Of So what do we do about it? Do we ban smoking completely? Well we know that won’t happen as the Governments around the world get so much tax revenue from the trade in cigarettes.

In the UK they recently tried to reduce secondary smoke inhalation by banning smoking in offices and public buildings. This has reduced the amount of secondary smoke but has not significantly reduced Lung cancer risk or the number of habitual smokers.

A great way of describing Lung Cancer “is the breakdown in law and order of cell growth in the body”. This means that cells begin dividing and growing in any manner and the resulting chaos and breakdown in normal cell growth is called cancer. Cancer normally appears as a tumour or growth. In some cases cancer remains in its original location but in serious cases it spreads to other organs.

Lung Cancer Secrets Revealed Click here

You cannot ignore the risks of getting lung cancer from tobacco smoke. It has been worked out that if someone smokes 20 cigarettes a day they are at a 30 times greater risk at getting lung cancer than a non smoker. Now if that smoker continues to smoke that risk of getting lung cancer continues to rise and the risk of contacting other problems like emphysema become greater.

When somebody quits smoking they are giving their body a chance of living longer and reduce the risk of getting smoking related diseases. It is not however a case of quit today better tomorrow. If the smoker has been smoking for 10 years it will take 15 years for them to reduce their risks down to that of a non smoker. So if a person started smoking at 20, quit at 30, they would be 45 before they were at the same risk as other 45 year olds.

lung cancer treatment breakthroughs Click here

Quit Smoking Resource: www.frivolositicious.com If these lung cancer pictures won’t stop you from smoking, I don’t know what will.
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cancer pain management

Understanding cancer pain Dr (Maj) Pankaj N Surange Introduction

When you or a loved one receives a diagnosis of cancer, it isn’t long before you begin to think of the pain many people associate with cancer. It can be a frightening time. What will the pain be like? What will it do to our lives? Many people with cancer eventually experience pain due to their condition. Approximately twenty percent of patients with newly diagnosed malignancies complain of pain. Thirty percent of patients undergoing cancer treatment complain of pain, and up to ninety percent of those with advanced cancer experience pain (Grossman 1994).
Pain associated with cancer can take many forms and is experienced differently by each patient. Pain can be sharp and severe, or it can be a dull constant ache. Regardless of the type of pain, a diagnosis of cancer does not mean you have to suffer with debilitating pain.
Today, most concerns about cancer-related pain can be relieved by understanding the facts about cancer pain, and learning about the help that is available for pain relief.

How pain happens?

Pain is transmitted through the body by the nervous system when our nerve endings detect damage to a part of the body. The nerves transmit the warning through defined nerve pathways to the brain, where the signals are interpreted as pain. Sometimes pain results when the nerve pathways themselves are injured. You feel pain when your brain receives the signal from your nerves that damage is occurring. All types of pain are transmitted this way, including cancer pain.
Pain can be acute or chronic: Acute pain usually starts suddenly, may be sharp, and often triggers visible bodily reactions such as sweating, an elevated blood pressure, and more. Acute pain is generally a signal of rapid-onset injury to the body, and it resolves when pain relief is given and/or the injury is treated.
Chronic pain lasts, and pain is considered chronic when it lasts beyond the normal time expected for an injury to heal or an illness to resolve. Chronic pain, sometimes called persistent pain, can be very stressful for both the body and the soul, and requires careful, ongoing attention to be appropriately treated.
Along with chronic cancer pain, sometimes people have acute flares of pain when not all pain is controlled by the medication or therapy. This pain, usually called breakthrough pain, can also be controlled by medications.
Cancer pain can be caused by many different sources. Pain can be experienced when a tumor presses on nerves or
expands inside a hollow organ. Pain also commonly originates from bone destructive lytic lesions. Bone marrow infiltration commonly cause bone pain that can be severe. Unfortunately, the radiation and chemotherapeutic treatments that are frequently used to treat cancer can also cause pain.
Assessment of your pain
The first step in getting your pain under control is talking honestly about it.
This means telling them:
• Where you have pain
• What it feels like (sharp, dull, throbbing, constant, burning, or shooting)
• How strong your pain is
• How long it lasts
• What lessens your pain or makes it worse
• When it happens (what time of day, what you’re doing, and what’s going on)
• If it gets in the way of daily activities
Your pain physician may ask you to describe your pain in a number of ways. A pain scale is the most common way. The scale uses the numbers 0 to 10, where 0 is no pain, and 10 is the worst. You can also use words to describe pain, like pinching, stinging, or aching. Some doctors show their patients a series of faces and ask them to point to the face that best describes how they feel.

Your Pain Control Plan

Only you know how much pain you have. Telling your doctor and nurse when you have pain is important. Not only is pain easier to treat when you first have it, but pain can be an early warning sign of the side effects of the cancer or the cancer treatment. You have a right to pain relief, and you should insist on it.
Cancer pain can almost always be relieved.
There are many different medicines and interventions available to control cancer pain. You should expect your doctor to seek all the information and resources necessary to make you as comfortable as possible. However, no one doctor can know everything about all medical problems. If you are in pain and your oncologist suggests no other options, ask to see a pain specialist or have your doctor consult with a pain specialist.
Controlling your cancer pain is part of the overall treatment for cancer.
Your pain physician wants and needs to hear about what works and what doesn’t work for your pain. Knowing about the pain will help your doctor better understand how the cancer and the treatment are affecting your body.
Preventing pain from starting or getting worse is the best way to control it.
Pain is best relieved when treated early. You may hear some people refer to this as “staying on top” of the pain. Do not try to hold off as long as possible between doses. Pain may get worse if you wait, and it may take longer, or require larger doses, for your medicine to give you relief.
You have a right to ask for pain relief.
Not everyone feels pain in the same way. There is no need to be “stoic” or “brave” if you have more pain than others with the same kind of cancer. In fact, as soon as you have any pain you should speak up.
People who take cancer pain medicines, as prescribed by the doctor, rarely become addicted to them.
Addiction is a common fear of people taking pain medicine. Such fear may prevent people from taking the medicine. Or it may cause family members to encourage you to “hold off” as long as possible between doses. Addiction is defined by many medical societies as uncontrollable drug craving, seeking, and use. When opioids (also known as narcotics) — the strongest pain relievers available — are taken for pain, they rarely cause addiction as defined here. When you are ready to stop taking opioids, your pain physician gradually lowers the amount of medicine you are taking. By the time you stop using it completely, the body has had time to adjust.

Treatment options

There is more than one way to treat pain. A simple, well-validated and effective method for assuring the rational titration of therapy for cancer pain has been devised by WHO. It has been shown to be effective in relieving pain for approximately 90 percent of patients with cancer and over 75 percent of cancer patients who are terminally ill. The World Health Organization (WHO) in 1986 established a stepladder approach for treatment of patients with cancer pain (fig.). The goal for this ladder was to provide treatment guidelines that healthcare practitioners could easily follow. The five essential concepts in the WHO approach to drug therapy of cancer pain are:
i) By the mouth. ii) By the clock. iii) By the ladder. iv) For the individual.
v) With attention to detail.
Medicines
Non opioids
Opioids
Adjuvants

Medicines are prescribed based on the kind of pain you have and how severe it is. In studies, these medicines have been shown to help control cancer pain. Doctors use three main groups of drugs for pain: nonopioids, opioids, and other types
1. Nonopioids – for mild to moderate pain
Nonopioids are drugs used to treat mild to moderate pain, fever, and swelling. On a scale of 0 to 10, a nonopioid may be used if you rate your pain from 1 to 4. These medicines are stronger than most people realize. In many cases, they are all you’ll need to relieve your pain. You just need to be sure to take them regularly.
You can buy most nonopioids without a prescription. But you still need to talk with your doctor before taking them. Some of them may have things added to them that you need to know about. And they do have side effects. Common ones, such as nausea, itching, or drowsiness, usually go away after a few days.
2. Opioids - for moderate to severe pain
If you’re having moderate to severe pain, your doctor may recommend that you take stronger drugs called opioids. Opioids are also known as narcotics. You must have a doctor’s prescription to take them. They are often taken with aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen. Getting relief with opioids
Over time, people who take opioids for pain sometimes find that they need to take larger doses to get relief. This is caused by more pain, the cancer getting worse, or medicine tolerance (see Medicine Tolerance and Addiction). When a medicine doesn’t give you enough pain relief, your doctor may increase the dose and how often you take it. He or she can also prescribe a stronger drug. Both methods are safe and effective under your doctor’s care. Do not increase the dose of medicine on your own.
3.Adjuvants
They can be used along with nonopioids and opioids. Some include:
Antidepressants. Some drugs can be used for more than one purpose. For example, antidepressants are used to treat depression, but they may also help relieve tingling and burning pain. Nerve damage from radiation, surgery, or chemotherapy can cause this type of pain.
Antiseizure medicines (anticonvulsants). Like antidepressants, anticonvulsants or antiseizure drugs can also be used to help control tingling or burning from nerve injury.
Steroids . Steroids are mainly used to treat pain caused by inflammation (swelling.)

Interventions

While opioids are the mainstay of cancer pain management, they have their limitations. Some patients may only tolerate moderate doses of opioids, manifesting side-effects such as sedation, confusion, and constipation. Another reason for opioid ineffectiveness may be the development of opioid-resistant pain. For these reasons, the search for analgesia has resulted in introduction of Interventions as fourth step in WHO’s ladder for chronic and cancer Pain management. A wide array of procedures exists (e.g., local anesthetic/steroid deposition, neurolysis by chemical or thermal means, or the implantation of spinal pumps to deliver medications not effective by the oral/transcutaneous route)
Sympathetic Blockade:- The sympathetic chain exists along the vertebral column, carries much nociceptive information, so blockade of sympathetic ganglia may improve visceral pain as well as sympathetically mediated pain. This may be considered an attractive and simple option for the diagnosis of pain and possible long-term pain relief.
Spinal Analgesia.:- Opioids, local anesthetics, spasmolytics, and alpha-2 agonists to both subarachnoid and epidural routes of administration. To provide chronic treatment, tunneled subcutaneous catheters are commonly connected to pumps with reservoirs.
Spinal Cord Stimulation:- The mechanism of analgesia produced by spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is still unclear. Some hypotheses involve antidromic activation of A-beta afferents (“gate control” theory), activation of central inhibitory mechanisms, increase in substance-P release, and actual block of transmission of electrochemical information anywhere in the dorsal spinothalamic tract. The attractiveness of SCS lies in the potential to provide analgesia to severe neuropathic states without the need for medication. Patients control the stimulation (on/off and intensity) with a small battery-operated control. SCS has a low incidence of infection since it is not accessed except for a battery change, which may be needed every 2 to 4 years, depending on the level and frequency of stimulation.
Neurolysis :- Injections of neurolytic agents to destroy nervesand interrupt pain pathways have been used for manyyears. Neurolysis is indicated inpatients with severe, intractable pain in whom lessaggressive maneuvers are ineffective or intolerable because of either poor physical condition or the development of side effects.

Managing and preventing side effects

Some pain medicines may cause:
Constipation (trouble passing stools) Opioids cause constipation to some degree in most people. Opioids cause the stool to move more slowly along the intestinal tract, thus allowing more time for water to be absorbed by the body. The stool then becomes hard. Constipation can often be prevented and/or controlled.
Drowsiness (feeling sleepy) At first, opioids cause drowsiness in some people, but this usually goes away after a few days. If your pain has kept you from sleeping, you may sleep more for a few days after beginning to take opioids while you “catch up” on your sleep. Drowsiness will also lessen as your body gets used to the medicine.
Nausea (upset stomach) and Vomiting (throwing up) Nausea and vomiting caused by opioids will usually disappear after a few days of taking the medicine. Some people think they are allergic to opioids if they cause nausea. Nausea and vomiting alone usually are not allergic responses. But a rash or itching along with nausea and vomiting may be an allergic reaction. If this occurs, stop taking the medicine and tell your doctor at once.
Medicine Tolerance and Addiction
When treating cancer pain, addiction is rarely a problem. Addiction is when people can’t control their seeking or craving for something. They continue to do something even when it causes them harm. People with cancer often need strong medicine to help control their pain. Yet some people are so afraid of becoming addicted to pain medicine that they won’t take it. Family members may also worry that their loved ones will get addicted to pain medicine. Therefore, they sometimes encourage loved ones to “hold off” between doses But even though they may mean well, it’s best to take your medicine as prescribed.
People in pain get the most relief when they take their medicines on schedule. And don’t be afraid to ask for larger doses if you need them. As mentioned in Opioids – for moderate to severe pain, developing a tolerance to pain medicine is common. But taking cancer pain medicine is not likely to cause addiction. If you’re not a drug addict, you won’t become one. Even if you have had an addiction problem before, you still deserve good pain management. Talk with your doctor or nurse about your concerns.
Tolerance to pain medicine sometimes happens.
Some people think that they have to save stronger medicines for later. They’re afraid that their bodies will get used to the medicine and that it won’t work anymore. But medicine doesn’t stop working – it just doesn’t work as well as it once did. As you keep taking a medicine over time, you may need a change in your pain control plan to get the same amount of pain relief.
This is called tolerance. Tolerance is a common issue in cancer pain treatment.

Newer developments

Intrathecal pumps
Only 2% to 5% cancer patients require interventions or the direct delivery of opioids to the central nervous system. Patients with unmanageable side effects may benefit from the epidural or intrathecal administration of opioids.
Approximately one tenth of the intravenous dose of an Opioid is needed when administered epidurally and one hundredth is needed when administered intrathecally. However, these procedures are expensive, and catheters and pumps are required to deliver the drug. To be cost effective, these devices should be used in a patient who has a life expectancy for longer than 3 months.
Radiofrequency ablation
This modality is becoming more popular in the present days. In this technique, the patient is sedated, an interventional radiologist uses a special needle to deliver radiofrequency current into the affected nerve, and destroys it. This procedure has fewer side effects and can provide pain relief for several weeks to months. It can also be repeated when necessary. It is used for ablation of intercostals nerves, trigeminal nerve, paravetebral nerves in the thorax and abdomen.
Vertebroplasty/Kyphoplasty
Used to treat painful vertebral body collapse/fracture caused by osteoporosis or tumor

Terminal stages: Palliative care

In the terminally ill cancer patients, conventional pharmacotherapy and even invasive analgesic therapy may not provide adequate relief of pain. In the very terminal phase, procedural options should be used relatively sparingly.
Options for the severe pain in this phase include subcutaneous infusions of opioids and/or sedatives.
Haloperidol and corticosteroids can be helpful symptom control adjuncts in the terminal phase. Comprehensive palliative programs for end-of-life care may be considered and can be inpatient or through home hospice. The physician should assess the needs of the patient and the family and fully discuss all care options. In addition to pain control, palliative care addresses the control of other symptoms associated with intractable cancer pain, including those relating to the physical, psychological, and religious or spiritual. Optimum quality of life is the primary goal of palliative care, which at the end of life is emotionally intense because of the multifactorial needs of the patient and family.

FAQ’s

Q. I’m afraid that if I use strong pain medicine now, there won’t be anything left to treat my pain later, when it gets worse.
Pain medications don’t work like this. Opioids used by themselves do NOT have a “ceiling” dose, meaning a level beyond which no more medication can be given. And if one opioid becomes less than satisfactory in providing pain relief, others may be used, as well as other medications and techniques for pain relief. There is ALWAYS more that can be done to ease your pain. Don’t deprive yourself of your pain medication because you fear nothing can help later. It just isn’t true.

Q. How should I take my pain medications? On regular scheduled basis or whenever required?
For cancer pain that is constant, or expected to recur; the best method of administration is to take the medication on an around-the-clock, scheduled way, such as a tablet every 6 hours. This means that you’ll have a steady level of medication in your bloodstream.
If you are not experiencing constant or frequently-recurring pain, then it might be helpful to think about activities that appear to trigger your pain, such as walking or riding in a car, for example. If there is a link between the pain and something you do, then you can arrange to take the medication in sufficient time to have sufficient relief in place when you undertake the activity.

Q. I take my pain medications on an around-the-clock basis, but at times I have pain anyway. What can I do about this?
The pain you experience is called breakthrough pain, and you probably need a medication to handle that kind of pain, as well as the pain your around-the-clock medications are designed to ease. Breakthrough pain can occur for no obvious reason, or as the result of some activity that seems to trigger it, such as walking, coughing, etc. Regardless of the reason, it’s likely that you’ll need an additional medication to use during these times.
Q. Are these pain medications available freely?
Some pharmacies are reluctant to stock opioid medications, because of a variety of concerns. Speak with your health care provider or your hospital social worker or pharmacist to learn the names of pharmacies that stock the medication you need and arrange to have your prescriptions filled there.
Q. If I take strong pain medicines such as opioids early on, will I run out of options if my pain gets worse later?
Depending on need, opioids may be prescribed at any stage of treatment. There is no need to “tough it out” early in treatment out of concern that strong pain medicines won’t be effective if needed later on. Some people, but not all, develop drug tolerance, which means their body has become accustomed to the medication. When a medication doesn’t relieve pain as well as it did, the dose can be adjusted or another type of medication or treatment can be prescribed. Patients may receive increasing doses of opioids for years without becoming addicted, or psychologically dependent. When the need for pain relief subsides, physical dependence can usually be managed without withdrawal symptoms by tapering the opioid before discontinuing.
Q. What is palliative care — is it the same thing as end-of-life care?
A major priority of Memorial Sloan-Kettering’s Pain and Palliative Care Service is the incorporation of the principles of palliative care into the care of all patients with cancer from the time of diagnosis, not only in the setting of advanced or terminal disease.
Palliative care treatment:
• Affirms life and regards death as a normal process.
• Neither hastens nor postpones death.
• Provides relief from pain and other distressing symptoms.
• Integrates the psychological and spiritual aspects of patient care.
• Offers a support system to help patients live as actively as possible until death.
• Offers a support system to help the family cope during the patient’s illness and in their bereavement.
Q. I take pain medications around the clock, and sometimes this means I have to wake myself up several times during the night to take a pill. Can this be handled differently?
Yes, very probably. It may be possible for your pain physician to switch you to a different form of your medication or to a different medication that is longer-lasting, one that will allow you to sleep through the night. Speak with your physician about ways to solve this. Your sleep is very important to all aspects of cancer management, including pain management.
References:
1. World Health Organization. Cancer Pain Relief. Albany, NY: WHO Publications Center; 1986.
2. Cancer Control. March/April 2000, Vol. 7, No.2
3. NCCN practice guidelines in oncology-v.1.2008
4. Cancer Pain Relief, Second Edition, with a guide to Opioid availability, World Health Organization, 1996.
5. Mercadante S, Fulfaro F. World Health Organization guidelines for cancer pain: a reappraisal. Ann Oncol 2005; 16(suppl 4):iv132-iv135.
6. Fine PG. The evolving and important role of anesthesiology in palliative care. Anesthesia Analgesia 2005; 100: 183-188.

The different types of nursing careers including being a registered nurse, a management nurse, a nurse practitioner and a nursing assistant. Find out how different nursing career impact how a hospital or clinic runs with information from a family doctor in this free video on medical careers. Expert: Dr. David Cathcart Bio: Dr. David Cathcart specializes in occupational medicine and has an in-depth knowledge of cancer, as well as experience dealing with cancer patients and treatment for multiple years. Filmmaker: Johnny Cathcart
Video Rating: 5 / 5

Breast Cancer Walk

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Numerous cancer researches have been done to understand the disease better. In women, breast cancer is the second most common cancer next to lung cancer. There are millions of affected women in the world and 200,000 more will be diagnosed with the disease in 2007. Current statistics show that breast cancer claims the life of 1 woman every 13 minutes. It would be really beneficial if there is higher awareness on breast cancer. Knowing about the disease, its causes, symptoms, treatment and management, will greatly help patients and families of these patients understand the disease better.

One of the most effective breast cancer awareness programs is the breast cancer walk. In the United States, there is the Breast Cancer 3-Day benefit. A fund raising program participated by men and women who want to make a difference in the lives of these breast cancer victims. The program involves 3 days or 60 miles of walking and participated by millions of people from all over the nation. It is a chance for the participants to learn about cancer and at the same time help in promoting awareness.

Although it may seem a lot of work, the breast cancer walk is actually fun. Since a breast cancer walk is not a race, participants can actually walk leisurely. It’s the perfect chance to meet people from all walks of life and share experiences. The route is filled with safety and support nets with people standing by to offer food and drinks. There are medical volunteers on stand by for emergency medical attention. At the end of each day, participants get to rest, shower, and eat a scrumptious dinner. Comfortable sleeping bags and tents are supplied for a good night’s rest. All these friendly accomondations can make the Breast Cancer Walk a truely unique experience.

If you want to participate but feel like you are not ready for such physical activity, you should not worry. There are training manuals provided that will put you in perfect shape to walk in no time at all. Training walks will even be organized in your area to practice long-distance walking. Since the Breast Cancer 3-day Series are held in different cities like Boston, Chicago, Seattle, Michigan and Philadelphia, you can practice at the city nearest you.

It’s a good idea to join in on the Breast Cancer Walk. Not only is it great exercise, but it’s also fun and it’s for a great cause.

Since a breast cancer walk is mostly a fund raising program to support breast cancer research, education, treatment and screening, you will be asked to raise a certain amount for the cause. You would be surprised to know that most participants exceed this amount because of the amazing generosity of friends, co-workers and families. Even people you do not know will eagerly support you in your cause.

Proceeds of the breast cancer walk will be distributed to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure movement, which has already generated billion to date for fighting breast cancer, and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund, a public charity that is considered to one of the largest independent charitable institutions in the United States.

May 9 – 10, 2008 Relay for Life Trumbull County, Ohio Video made by Christina and Michael Morrell for our mother and her fight with breast cancer this past year We claim no rights to the music used in the making of this video. “I’m Alive” Performed by The Hooters Written by Rob Hyman & Eric Bazilian “Ordinary Lives” Performed by The Hooters Written by Rob Hyman, Eric Bazilian, & John Lilley
Video Rating: 4 / 5

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Pancreatic Cancer-One of the Deadliest Cancers

The American Cancer Society predicts that, in 2007, about 37,170 people in the United States will be found to have pancreatic cancer and about 33,370 will die of the disease. Pancreatic is one of the deadliest of all cancers with one of the lowest survival rates. According to the American Cancer Society, only about 5% of pancreatic cancer patients will be alive 5 years after the cancer is found. Even for those with local disease (it has not spread to other organs), the 5-year relative survival rate is only 16%.

Many people don’t know what pancreatic cancer is because they are not familiar with the pancreas. The pancreas is a gland found behind the stomach. It is shaped a little bit like a fish. It is about 6 inches long and less than 2 inches wide. It extends across the abdomen. The pancreas serves two functions. It breaks down the fats and proteins in the food we eat so the body can use them. The pancreas also makes hormones to help balance the amount of sugar in the blood.

While pancreatic cancer can strike anyone, the American Cancer Society has identified several risk factors for pancreatic cancer:

* Almost percent of pancreatic cancer patients are older than 55.

* Men have this cancer more often than women.

* African Americans are more likely to have this cancer than are whites.

* The risk of this cancer is higher among smokers.

* There may be a link with eating a lot of red meat and pork, especially processed meat (such as sausage and bacon).

* Very overweight people are 20% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer.

* Pancreatic cancer is more common in people with diabetes.

* Some chemicals such as certain bug sprays, dyes, or gasoline products may raise the risk of this cancer.

* Cancer of the pancreas seems to run in some families. It seems to account for about 1 in 10 cases.

Some of the symptoms of pancreatic cancer, according to the American Cancer Society are:

* Pain in the belly area (abdomen) or in the middle of the back is a very common sign of advanced pancreatic cancer. Again, such pain is often caused by something other than cancer.

* Losing weight (without trying) over a number of months is very common in patients with this cancer. They may also feel very tired and have a loss of appetite.

* If the cancer blocks the release of the pancreatic juice into the intestine, problems such as trouble breaking down fat can result. Stools might be pale, bulky, greasy, and float in the toilet. Other problems may include nausea, vomiting, and pain that tends to be worse after eating.

* The doctor may find that the gallbladder is enlarged.

Many patients are treated with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy to prolong their life. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms, you should contact a doctor for testing. Early diagnosis and treatment can help increase your chance of surviving pancreatic cancer.

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) is a debilitating acquired neurological disease which has been recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) since 1969 as a distinct organic neurological disorder with the code G.93.3. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis symptoms are manifested by virtually all bodily systems including: cognitive, cardiac, cardiovascular, immunological, endocrinological, respiratory, hormonal, gastrointestinal and musculo-skeletal dysfunctions and damage. ME is a neurological illness of extraordinarily incapacitating dimensions that affects virtually every bodily system — not a problem of medically unexplained ‘chronic fatigue.’ Many with ME are housebound or bedbound. People with ME would give anything to instead only be severely ‘fatigued’ or tired all the time. For more information, and to see a full symptom list for ME (available in Word or PDF format), see: www.ahummingbirdsguide.com Also note that it should not be assumed that because you may have some percentage of the symptoms on the list that you necessarily have ME – many of them are common in a variety of other illnesses and it is the pattern of symptoms (and the acute onset type) which enables a ME diagnosis to be made, as well as the presence of a number of core characteristics and symptoms (and test results) which are always present in the illness, and without which a diagnosis of ME should never be made. (For example, damage to the brain, the CNS, which is visible on brain scans, and the unique …