Practical SpiritualitySurviving Prostrate Cancer

Practical Spirituality--Surviving Prostrate Cancer
By John Gilmore

Theres nothing like discovering that you have cancer, especially if no one in your family ever had it. Cancer is a very dangerous disease, as anyone knows. It is only dangerous on the physical lever, but probably even more devastating on the emotional and mental level. Especially the forms of cancer that seem not to be taken seriously by those who dont have it. This is especially true of prostate cancer.

As soon as anyone discovers that you have prostrate cancer the first thing they tell you is how common it is, and then they move onto the success rate of its treatment. This is a bit comforting, but when you begin to hear about the procedures involved, that comfort flies out the window. Cutting out parts of your body, eradiating your body to shrivel your prostate, planting hundreds of radioactive seeds in the prostate, or freezing the prostate until it dies, and the left over affects of decreased potency and the need to use stimulates for intercourse, if that is even possible, are devastating.

These are not good things. They are all loses that must be grieved. Even if you dont want to, any of these treatments mean that you will never be able to father another child. You will always know that a part of you is missing; the part that created the seeds that bring forth life. If you are a survivor of prostate cancer, or you have just been diagnosed, and all of the speeches about the success rate dont quite comfort you on all levels, you may be dealing with the last issue of which I spoke. Procreation is more than a physical act. It is an issue that is somewhat primordial and spiritual. It is at the root of what it means to be alive for just about every species on Earth. Most people do not really think about it like that.

People around you hear cancer and panic, thinking that you should do anything to keep it from spreading. The cancer patient, some of them anyway, however, often looks deeper, looking for the meaning behind the fact that parts of ones own body has declared war on you, and thinking of the most beneficial ways of dealing with it.

If you are diagnosed with prostrate cancer, or any other type, and are thinking of getting treatment, or if you are having treatment, or have completed treatment, it is important for you to look for a deeper meaning. It is important for you to begin to explore your life deeply and to find a meaningful way to participate in life that is satisfying and enjoyable. Many say that modern civilization is a toxic, cancerous environment in itself. Is it any wonder that our bodies should become like the toxic environment in which we live? Find ways to be healthy. Create sacred spaces where you can step outside of the toxic environment to strengthen yourself. You will then give birth to new things on a different levela spiritual level.

If you can find a group where you can talk about what has happened, the shock that has happened to your mind, body, and spirit, find one. Several hospitals have prostate cancer survivor support groups. Many other people will not know what you are talking about and what you are going though on the inside. Dont try to force yourself to get over it and to go ahead with life. You will do this, and life will go on. The truth is, however, that you have been injured, even if it doesnt show on the outside, and you can never get back what you have lost. You have to heal from the injury on all levels. This is something that we must learn to live with. A greater understanding of who you are and why things like this happen are the only help. It is also important to work to gain some insight, or lifestyle that is worth all of the fear and suffering. When you have done this you will be able to move on without pushing. It will be natural and you will be a greater person. Dont ignore practical spirituality and healing methods like meditation, Tai Chi, Yoga or Chi Kung. They can be very good for dealing with the mental, physical and spiritual aspects of the injury if you go very deep in their application.

Dr. John W. Gilmore is a writer, spiritual director, and certified healer in many alternative health traditions. For more information on how to apply practical spirituality to your life visit our free Practical Spirituality Journal at http://www.dswellness.com Explore our website for more information geared to the healing of the greater community. Also visit our school at http://dswellness.htap.net

Reunion of Souls, Dr. John W.Gilmore. A book of deep spirituality in Sci-fi form.

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Peritoneal Mesothelioma Information

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Information
By Christian Louis

Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the peritoneum of the human abdominal cavity. Hence, this medical condition is also called as abdominal mesothelioma.

But before seeing more about peritoneal mesothelioma, let us first take a look at the classifications and functions of the peritoneum membrane.

Peritoneum is classified into visceral and parietal peritoneum. The visceral peritoneum envelops the abdominal organs and forms the periphery of the intestinal tract. On the other hand, parietal peritoneum covers the abdominal cavity. The purposeof these layers is to protect the internal organs and to secrete a lubricating fluid that eases the movement of internal organs in the abdominal cavity.

Causes of Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Even though not a definitive explanation, it is widely considered that asbestos is the main cause for peritoneal mesothelioma. According to medical experts, in two ways asbestos dust could reach the intestine lining one through involuntary ingestion during working long hours and days amid asbestos, and secondly, through the lungs while breathing and hence along the lymph nodes to the peritoneal cavity. Either way, it is injurious to the human body, and may invariably lead to this cancerous condition if exposed to for a longer period of time.

Symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma, like the other forms of mesothelioma, shows a very long latency period and it wont be until 20-30 years since the asbestos-exposure days before any typical symptoms becomes apparent. But by then it will be too late to check the disease or provide any constructive medication or treatment. Further, a delay in diagnosing the disease can happen due to the fact that most of the symptoms of mesothelioma is not-specific and may resemble that of some other common and less serious diseases. For example, the common mesothelioma symptoms include anemia, fever, weight loss, abdominal pain, and bowel obstruction, and it is highly likely that the doctor initially may consider other options than contemplating cancer. Therefore, the patient telling the doctor about any previous asbestos exposure in the first one-to-one interaction itself is very crucial, and that helps the doctor to think of a possible mesothelioma threat even before considering other possibilities.

Treatments

Once the disease has been diagnosed, the doctor recommends the treatments based on several factors such as the extent of the damage, age and medical history of the person and overall health. The traditional treatments for mesothelioma include surgery if the tumor has spread out and is beyond radiation-curable radiation therapy (external and internal radiation), and chemotherapy, which includes using a pill or needle to insert anti-carcinogen drugs into the body.

With the advancement in science and technology, newer treatment techniques have been introduced, and some of it is looking promising as well.

Intraoperative photodynamic therapy is one such newer method that uses special drugs and light to destroy cancer cells. This method is used to study the earlier phases of mesothelioma in the chest.

Further, Immunotherapy is a way of boosting the immunity of ones own body against the spread of cancer. Also, recently, researches have found that Gene Therapy is effective in correcting the faulty genes causing mesothelioma. But these two methods are still in the clinical trials and are yet to be implemented in hospitals.

Even though a wide range of treatments are available for mesothelioma, clinical experiences reveals that none of this alone is capable of checking the disease effectively. Therefore, it is a selected combination of some of these treatments called the multimodality approach that is commonly followed and the different modes of treatments to be used are decided by the doctor based on the given medical condition of the patient and his/her age.

Tail Piece Passive exposure to asbestos can also lead to mesothelioma. This happens when asbestos fibers reach the domestic setup through clothes dirties with asbestos dust. Therefore it is advisable that those handling asbestos may change their clothes before returning home or going to any public place.

Christian Louis is the author of this article.Check out the nr. 1 resource on Mesotheliomahttp://www.online-mesothelioma-information.com

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Non Small Cell Lung Cancer

Non Small Cell Lung Cancer
By Steve Valentino

Approximately 80 percent of people with lung cancer have non-small cell lung cancer. Depending on the type of cancer cell present, non-small cell cancer is in turn divided into several subtypes. Squamous cell carcinoma begins in thin, flat surface cells that line the respiratory tract, and is the most common type. Adenocarcinoma forms in cells that have a secretory or glandular function. Adenosquamous carcinoma begins in flattened cells that also have secretory properties. In sarcomatoid carcinoma, cells look markedly abnormal under the microscope. Carcinoid tumors grow slowly, and release hormones when stimulated by the nervous system. Cells in salivary glands in larger airways can also become cancerous.

Cancer cells in non-small cell lung cancer can produce hormones or hormone-like substances to cause certain conditions called paraneoplastic syndromes. These conditions include high blood calcium levels, abnormal clotting, overgrowth of certain bones and those in the fingertips in particular, and abnormal breast growth in men.

People with non-small cell lung cancer tend to be diagnosed later in the course of their disease, making these a difficult group of cancers to treat. The type of cancer, its location and stage, the presence of symptoms, and the patients overall condition and ability to withstand treatment all affect the ultimate outcome. Symptoms include breathlessness, chest pain, coughing up of blood, fatigue, fever and weight loss. A diagnosis is typically made by imaging, a lung biopsy, and blood tests.

Early non-small cell lung cancer can be treated by surgery. Once it spreads to surrounding chest tissues and to lymph nodes, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are frequently employed. Newer forms of treatment include laser therapy, photodynamic therapy, and biotherapy. The five-year survival rate for early non-small cell lung cancer is close to 50 percent; five-year survival drops to about two percent in the most advanced cases. A number of clinical trials are underway to find better treatment options. The National Cancer Institute website provides information on such trials.

Lung Cancer provides detailed information on Asbestos Lung Cancer, Lung Cancer, Lung Cancer Stages, Lung Cancer Survival Rate and more. Lung Cancer is affiliated with Asbestos Exposure.

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Asbestos Asbestosis Mesothelioma Lung Cancer

Asbestos - Asbestosis, Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer
By Michael Russell

Asbestos has many appealing qualities for builders. It is strong, flexible and corrosion resistant. It is also burn resistant and a good insulator. There are not many substances with these qualities and may explain why it was so widely used. It becomes hazardous when asbestos containing materials are disturbed or damaged. Asbestos is made up of microscopic bundles of fibers. When the materials become disturbed or damaged, these fibers separate and may become airborne. These fibers may get into the lungs and that may lead to serious and even fatal diseases. Some of these diseases include:

Asbestosis is a non-cancerous lung disease. Inhaling asbestos fibers for an extended period of time causes it. This disease takes twenty five to forty years to develop. As asbestos fibers become trapped in your lungs, the body will produce an acid to try to eliminate these fibers. The continued production of the acid can eventually scar the tissues in your lungs. An excessive amount of scarring may cause the lungs to function improperly. This can lead to serious breathing difficulties. If asbestosis is left untreated, it may cause cardiac failure. At this time, there is no effective treatment for this disease. People who renovate or demolish buildings that contain asbestos have the greatest risk of getting asbestosis. The chances of getting this disease through physical contact with a person who works with asbestos are minimal. People who worked in naval shipyards were the first ones diagnosed with asbestosis.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the pleura (the outer membrane that encloses the lung and chest cavity) and/ or the peritoneum (the membrane lining the walls of the abdominal cavity). In the United States, there are only about 3000 new cases of this disease annually. Exposure to asbestos has been the cause in all of the cases. The exposure in these cases lasted anywhere from fifteen to thirty years. Unlike other forms of cancer, there is only one known cause of mesothelioma. Studies indicate that people who work in areas that contain asbestos, such as mines, mills, factories, or shipyards, or who manufacture and install asbestos installation are at the greatest risk of getting mesothelioma. You are also at risk if you live with a worker exposed to asbestos or near any area containing asbestos. Studies also indicate that younger people are more likely to contract mesothelioma when they inhale asbestos. This is the reason why people are going to great lengths to protect school children from asbestos exposure.

Many cases of lung cancer can also be attributed to asbestos exposure. Lung cancer is actually the leading cause of death among all of the illnesses caused by asbestos exposure. You can aggravate the effects of lung cancer by about fifty percent if you start smoking. People who work in occupations where they are directly involved in the handling of asbestos are at a greater risk of getting lung cancer. Exposure to both asbestos and another carcinogen, such as cigarette smoke, puts you at greater risk of contracting lung cancer than exposure to asbestos alone. There was a study that indicated that exposure to asbestos and smoke makes you ninety times more likely to contract lung cancer than a person who is not exposed to either. Some of the symptoms of lung cancer include coughing, breathing irregularities, chest pains and anemia. It usually takes fifteen to thirty years of exposure to asbestos to contract lung cancer.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Asbestos

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Lung Cancer: Basic Facts

Lung Cancer: Basic Facts
By Barney Garcia

We all have heard of lung cancer but how many of us are well aware of its symptoms? The lung cancer is one of the most perilous diseases that kill thousands of Americans every year and each year the number of cases are increasing. With the occurrences of lung cancer on the rise, it is essential that we learn about the basic factors leading to lung cancer and what should be the courses of action in case of lung cancer diagnosis. Here are the basic information regarding lung cancer that will help you to understand how and when it develops and how to steer clear of this killer disease.

Lung cancer is that condition of your lungs where an abnormal reproduction of cells takes place. And it can happen in one or both of your lungs. Sometimes lumps of cancerous cells or the tumors invade the organs. Our lungs allow the oxygen from the air to pass into the bloodstream and carbon dioxide to eliminate from the system. Now any kind of lung disease including lung cancer impairs this function of lungs to transfer oxygen into blood and remove carbon dioxide from it. The result is many kinds of disorders relating to breathing trouble and cough.

Do you know what the most dreadful part of the lung cancer is? One rarely comes to suspect that he or she is suffering from lung cancer until it is too late and goes beyond any kind of treatment. This is because, signs and symptoms associated with lung cancer are never acute or alarming until the later stages of malignancy and it is often at this stage when someone starts to experience the typical symptoms of lung cancer. So it is recommended that if you ever experience any symptom even remotely related to lung cancer, rush to the doctor without delay so that in case of diagnosis of lung cancer you can avail the treatments as early as possible. The earlier the disease is diagnosed; greater are the chances of survival.

So what are the common symptoms of lung cancer? Nagging cough that seems never to end coupled with constant chest pain may be the warning of something being grossly wrong with your lungs. If you are suffering from recurring pneumonia or bronchitis, it may be an indication that you should immediately see an oncologist. The person displaying certain apathy for food followed by a remarkable weight loss may be an indication of lung cancer and the patients of lung cancer often complain of fatigue. However, swelling of neck and face is also one of the symptoms of lung cancer.

Remember lung cancer can be prevented if you give up smoking. So stay away from the cigars, cigarettes, pipes and other tobacco products. Also insist that the smokers should always smoke inside the smoking zone; do not allow the second hand smokes damage your lungs.

Barney Garcia writes about lung disease and lung cancer topics. Visit: Lung Cancer Articles and Lung Disease Articles

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Lung Cancer Treatment

Lung Cancer Treatment
By Steve Valentino

The most commonly used treatments for lung cancer are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. The exact treatment a lung cancer patient receives will depend on several factors. These include the type of cancer, the stage or extent to which it has spread at the time of diagnosis, and the overall health of the patient.

Non-small cell lung cancer, which accounts for about 80 percent of lung cancer cases, is treated depending on its stage at diagnosis. Lung surgery is the mainstay of treatment for the early stages of lung cancer. Cancerous tissue, along with a margin of healthy tissue, is removed. Patients who are unable to have surgery may be treated with radiotherapy. While cure rates for early lung cancer are good, it is rarely detected in its early stages. As non-small cell cancer spreads within the chest, it is treated with some combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Once cancer has spread to other parts of the body, chemotherapy and radiotherapy replace surgery as the main treatment options. A number of drugs are available, and many more are being tested in clinical trials. Radiotherapy is palliative, and while it may ease symptoms such as pain and cough, it will not stop cancer growth. If the cancer obstructs a major airway, using a laser, freezing the tumor or keeping the airway open with a stent or tube may remove the obstruction.

Small cell lung cancer, which is found in about 20 percent of lung cancer patients, is more aggressive and more likely to have spread by the time of diagnosis. It is therefore treated primarily with chemotherapy. Radiotherapy to the chest may also be used to kill off remaining cancer cells. This type of cancer often spreads to the brain. This is why radiotherapy to the brain may be used as a prophylactic even if no cancer is detected in the brain.

Lung Cancer provides detailed information on Asbestos Lung Cancer, Lung Cancer, Lung Cancer Stages, Lung Cancer Survival Rate and more. Lung Cancer is affiliated with Asbestos Exposure.

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Lung Cancer Stages

Lung Cancer Stages
By Steve Valentino

Cancers are staged depending on how far they have spread. Staging a cancer correctly is essential to select the most appropriate treatment option. A number of diagnostic tests, such as CT scans, MRIs, bronchoscopy, blood tests, bone scans, and biopsies are used to find out how far the cancer has spread.

Non-small cell lung cancers, which account for about 80 percent of lung cancers, are staged using the Roman numerals 0 through IV. If a cancer is too small to be detected, it is called an occult or hidden cancer and not assigned any numeral. Stage 0 cancer, or carcinoma in situ, is limited to the lung and only involves a few layers of cells. Stage I cancer is still limited to the lung, with an area of normal tissue surrounding it. Stage I cancers are further divided into Stage IA and Stage IB, depending on the size of the tumor. In stage II cancer, the cancer may have spread to nearby lymph nodes, the chest wall, the diaphragm, or to the tissues lining the lung (pleura) and the heart (pericardium). In stage III cancer, lymph nodes in the central chest or on the other side of the body from the original tumor are involved. Stage III cancer is further divided into stage IIIA and stage IIIB. In stage IV cancer, the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver, bones or brain, or to a lobe of the other lung. Cancers that are stages 0 through IIIA may be treated with surgery. Treatment of stage III and stage IV cancers requires chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Small cell lung cancer has two stages. Limited-stage cancer is limited to only one lung, the tissues between the lungs, and nearby lymph nodes. In extensive-stage small cell lung cancer, the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. The brain is commonly involved in extensive-stage cancer.

Lung Cancer provides detailed information on Asbestos Lung Cancer, Lung Cancer, Lung Cancer Stages, Lung Cancer Survival Rate and more. Lung Cancer is affiliated with Asbestos Exposure.

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