INTRODUCTION: Warts are common, and are produced by a viral infection, specifically by the HPV (human papilloma virus) and are contagious when in contact with the skin of another. They grow very slowly and can take weeks or longer, in some cases, to develop and can be hard to get rid of because the thick layers of skin makes it difficult for medicine to reach the virus that produces them.

They come in many sizes, colors, and shapes and occur in people of all ages, but most commonly in children and young adults. They can also bleed a little, but if bleeding is significant or not easily stopped by light pressure, see a doctor. Warts are generally harmless growths that often go away on their own within two years.

HPV: As stated previously viruses that produce these skin growths are called human papilloma virus (HPV). More than 100 kinds of HPV are known to exist. Although treatments can get rid of the growths, they do not remove the virus, so they can happen again after treatment. Genital warts are the most easily recognized symptom of an HPV infection, However only a small percentage of those infected will develop these genital skin growths.

Kids can pick up the virus from touching something someone infected has used, like towels and surfaces. Once cells have been invaded by the virus, a latency (quiet) period of months to years may occur. The latency period simply means the virus is in an incubation period so if you do develop a wart, you may never know where you came into contact with the virus.

They can also be found in infants who have been delivered vaginally to women with HPV in their genital tracts; therefore, other methods of delivery should be considered.

TREATMENTS: Include the use of salicylic acid plasters, applying other chemicals, or one of the surgical alternatives including laser surgery, electrosurgery, or cutting. One review of 52 clinical trials of various cutaneous applications concluded that topical applications containing salicylic acid were the best, with an average cure rate of 75 percent observed with salicylic acid compared with 48 percent for placebo in six placebo-controlled trials including a total of 376 participants. This method usually takes three to six daily applications to be effective.

Like prescription cures, over-the-counter treatments often require numerous applications and are only necessary if the warts are problematic. Also, these are capable of destroying healthy skin as well as warts, so caution must be exercised by those attempting them without medical direction.

Since there have been no controlled studies for most household treatments, it is impossible to know if warts that go away after such applications do so because the treatment was effective, or because the growths often go away due to the individual’s own immune system regardless of treatment.

Dermatologists are trained to employ a variety of treatments, depending on the age of the person and the type of wart. However, repeat applications at 1 to 3 week intervals are often necessary. Since these skin growths are usually harmless, there may be times when these are inappropriate. Medical applications can always be used if needed.

CONCLUSION: Warts are non-cancerous skin growths created by a viral infection in the upper layer of the skin. They are usually skin-colored and feel rough to the touch, but they can be dark, flat and smooth and are passed from person to person, sometimes indirectly. In grown-ups they often do not disappear as readily or as quickly as they do in children and since they don’t generally cause any problems, it’s not always necessary to removed them.

INTRODUCTION: Arthritis is defined as the presence of swelling, the presence of effusion (The escape of fluid into another part), or the presence of 2 or more of the following signs: limited range of motion (ROM), tenderness, pain on motion, or joint warmth. It is a chronic disease that will be with you for a long time and possibly for the rest of your life and is diagnosed through a careful evaluation of symptoms and a physical examination.

Arthritis is one of the most rapidly growing chronic diseases in North America and is a major cause of lost work time and serious disability for many people. It is not just an old person’s problem. The two most common kinds are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that happens when the body’s own immune system mistakenly attacks the synovium (cell lining inside the joint). It seems to have been described in paintings more than a century before the first detailed medical description of the condition in 1800 by Landre-Beauvais. The disease can be hard to diagnose early because it can begin gradually with subtle signs. Rheumatoid arthritis often starts in middle age and is most common in older people.

TREATMENT: Treatment options include medications, reduction of joint stress, physical and occupational therapy, and surgical intervention. Treatment decisions require careful consideration of the risks and benefits.

Treating rheumatoid arthritis may involve: Lifestyle modifications, Drugs, Surgery, Regular physician visits as well as Alternative therapies. The aim of treatment in this chronic disease must be two-fold: to ease the suffering of the patient here and now, and to prevent the future destruction of the joints and resulting handicap if the disease is left untreated.

RISK: The risk of first developing the condition (the disease incidence) appears to be greatest for women between 40 and 50 years of age, and for men somewhat later. It is important to understand that people with rheumatoid arthritis have a higher risk of developing lymphoma as a consequence of their autoimmune disease, independently from any potential drug effects.

It is important to understand that rheumatoid arthritis is itself a risk factor for non-Hodgkins lymphomas. A modest increase in the risk of serious infection was seen in rheumatoid arthritis patients in clinical trials treated with anakinra in combination with DMARDS and other TNF inhibitors, compared to a placebo with DMARDs (2 % versus 1%).

CONCLUSION: Arthritis is a term that groups together over one hundred rheumatic diseases and other related conditions that cause stiffness, swelling and pain in the joints of the body. It is exploding in an aging American population and is one of the most rapidly growing chronic conditions in North America. Arthritis is a chronic disease that will be with you for a long time and potentially for the rest of your life.

Introduction:

Diabetes is a disease that affects how the body utilizes glucose (say: gloo-kose), a sugar that is the body’s main source of fuel. It is a chronic disease that needs close attention, but with some practical information, you can become your most important ally in learning to live with the condition.

“The prevalence of diabetes is rising because obesity is rising,” says Judith Fradkin, director of the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases at the National Institutes of Health. Tipically, the first step in treatment is to make patients know that this is a problem that can be effectively controlled. “The amount of money it will cost in 10 years to control diabetes is going to bust the economies of many countries” says institute president Paul Robertson.

Diabetes, caused by the body’s inability to create or use insulin effectively to stop a buildup of sugar in the blood, now afflicts close to 21 million in the North American and roughly 250 million worldwide. It is an affliction that can also cause long-term complications in some people, including heart disease, stroke, visual impairment, kidney damage and can also cause other problems in the blood vessels, nerves, and gums.

Blood:

During the past decade, medical studies have shown that by lowering high blood pressure and cholesterol and keeping blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible, diabetics can forestall many of the disabling complications that once appeared inevitable.

“This knowledge, along with simpler, more accurate blood tests and better drugs, has improved treatment”, says Buse, an endocrinologist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “New drug treatments, more accurate methods for monitoring blood sugar levels and assessing control of diabetes, and practical steps that patients can take are more common than ever”, she says. “Until 1993, it wasn’t clear that lowering blood sugar prevented or delayed complications, and it’s only within the past decade that doctors learned that managing blood pressure and cholesterol reduced complications”, she says.

Types:

There are 2 major types of diabetes: type 1, an autoimmune disease that results in loss of the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas and most often occurs in children or young adults, who need daily insulin shots; and type 2, which accounts for 90 percent of diabetes cases and is associated with obesity and inactivity and diminishes the body’s ability to use insulin efficiently.

Type 1 diabetes (formerly called insulin-dependent diabetes or juvenile diabetes) occurs when the person’s own immune system attacks and destroys the cells of the pancreas that produce insulin. Type 1 diabetes occurs at about the same rate in men and women, but it is more common in Whites than in minorities.

Type 2 diabetes (formerly named non-insulin-dependent diabetes) is different. It is the most common kind of diabetes and about 9 out of 10 patients with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. It is more common in older people, primarily in people who are overweight.

Conclusion:

The best way to prevent diabetes is through lifestyle changes and maintaining a normal weight.

INTRODUCTION: A vaginal yeast infection is often produced by a fungus called Candida albicans which is normally found in small numbers in the vagina. While it is definitely not a pleasant experience, there’s no need to spend too much time worrying.

Yeast infection is also more common after menopause due to decreasing estrogen levels, which thin the vaginal walls. It is not usually spread by engaging in sex.

The only time Candida Albicans causes a problem is when the conditions in its environment are such that it begins to grow and reproduce at an increased rate. When this occurs a vaginal yeast infection is the result. If the yeast infection is left untreated, some doctors feel that the Candida Albican will continue to reproduce at an alarming rate. They feel that if the vaginal yeast infection is left untreated that it will produce an imbalance in the bodies natural bacterias and the person’s immune system will become involved, in short the person will become sicker and sicker.

SYMPTOMS: Signs of a yeast infection are similar to a number of other diseases, including bacterial vaginosis (a bacterial infection of the vagina), trichomoniasis (a sexually transmitted infection), and contact or allergic dermatitis (a skin reaction to an irritating or allergic substance).

They can sometimes include intense and unbearable itching, rash, a burning sensation, vaginal discharge, and pain during sexual intercourse. Your health care provider will ask about your symptoms and examine you. Your provider may collect samples of cells from places you are having symptoms, such as the mouth or vagina.

TREATMENT: Treating vaginal yeast infection may include a topical ointment or tablet; most are applied inside the vagina at bedtime with an applicator. Treatment lengths vary according to the formulation; one, three, and seven-day treatments are equally effective. Women with recurrent infections should use a longer course of treatment for infections, between 10 to 14 days for a topical (cream or suppository) medication or fluconazole 150 mg by mouth with a 2nd dose 72 hours later.

Treating with antibiotics can lead to eliminating the yeast’s natural competitors for resources, and increase the severity of the condition. Treating yeast infections will not help or cure sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, or trichomonas.

CONCLUSION: Let your provider help you be certain that yeast infection is the problem and, if it is, to determine why it’s not responding to treatment. If you feel that your yeast infection is immune to the over-the-counter treatment you are using, you can try using a new product, or go to your doctor for a prescription treatment.

A good home treatment for vaginal yeast infection is to raise your immune system through correct diet and complete sleep. Probably the easiest way to deal with a yeast infection is to prevent it. This may be a major “well duh”, but one of the best ways to treat a yeast infection is to wash yourself thoroughly at least once a day.

INTRODUCTION: About 15,280 women die every year in the US from ovarian cancer. Despite this, the 5-year survival rate for the disease has improved greatly in the last 30 years. The prognosis of ovarian cancer is closely tied to the stage at diagnosis. There is no approved screening method available at present for ovarian cancer.

The Mayo Clinic has one of the largest ovarian cancer practices in the North America, treating more than 1,200 persons in 2006 who had a principal or secondary diagnosis of cancer of the ovaries. Mayo Clinic uses a great variety of imaging techniques to detect ovarian cancer, including PET scans, CT scans and MRIs.

WOMEN: Ovarian cancer is the 7th most common cancer in women in the US, with over 25,000 women newly diagnosed per annum with this disease. It is the 5th leading cause of cancer deaths in women and often does not result in symptoms until the cancer has metatasized extensively. Only about 20 percent of women are diagnosed early, when the disease may still be curable. Cancer of the ovaries usually happens in women past 50 years of age, but it can also affect younger women. About 90% of women who get the disease are older than 40 years of age, with the largest number being aged 55 years or older.

RISK: All women are at risk for cancer of the ovaries, but older women are more apt to get the disease than younger women. The precise cause of ovarian cancer is not known, but several risk and contributing factors have been identified. Women who have been pregnant have a 50 percent decreased risk for developing cancer of the ovaries compared to those who have not. Oral contraceptive use decreases the risk of developing the disease. These factors support the idea that risk for ovarian cancer is related to ovulation and that conditions that suppress this ovulatory cycle play a protective role.

Genetic factors and Family history plays an important part in the risk of developing ovarian cancer also. A history of breast cancer increases a person’s risk of developing ovarian cancer. The lifetime risk for developing ovarian cancer is 1%. This compares to a 4-5 percent chance when 1 first-degree family member is affected, rising to 7% when 2 relatives are affected.

DISEASE: Early disease causes minimal, nonspecific, or no symptoms. The disease is uncommon in patients younger than 40 years, after which the incidence increases. Based on the surgical staging, patients are classified as having limited disease (stage I and II) or advanced disease (stage III and IV). Patients with limited disease are classified as having low or high risk for recurrence as follows: Low risk for recurrence includes the following; Grade 1 or 2 disease, No tumor on external surface of the ovary, Negative peritoneal cytology, No ascites, Tumor growth confined to the ovaries.

High risk for recurrence includes, Grade 3 disease, Preoperative rupture of the capsule, Tumor on the external surface of the ovary, Positive peritoneal cytology, Ascites Tumor growth outside of the ovary, Clear cell tumors, Surgical stage II for postoperative treatment. chemo drugs are indicated in all patients with ovarian cancer except those persons with surgical-pathological stage I disease with low-risk characteristics.

SYMPTOMS: may include Heavy a feeling in the pelvic area, Pain in lower abdomen, Bleeding from the vagina, Loss or gain in weight, Abnormal periods, Unexplained Pain in the back that gets worse, Gas, Nausea, Vomiting, or Diminished appetite. Symptoms may be caused by something other than cancer, but the only way to be sure is to see visit doctor, nurse, or other health care professional.

Traditionally, it was believed that ovarian cancer does not produce any characteristic symptoms until the tumor is widespread, and that early symptoms of ovarian cancer were not recognizable. However, in June 2007, the American Cancer Society, along with other medical societies including the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation and the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists, released a consensus statement about possible early symptoms of ovarian cancer. This statement was based on research suggesting that some of the early symptoms of ovarian cancer can, in fact, be recognized.

TREATMENT: Treatment is usually surgery followed by treatment with medicines called chemotherapy. There are also many combinations of these treatment methods and it is usually worthwhile to get a second opinion about treatment before entering into a specific program. The more knowledge you have, the easier it is to make decisions about your cancer treatment. Arlene Dunlop is a breast and ovarian cancer survivor whose treatments have kept her well and out enjoying life.

Conclusion: Cancer of the ovaries actually represents a group of different tumors that arise from diverse types of tissue contained within the ovary. Ovarian cancer can invade, shed, or metastasized to other organs. A malignant ovarian tumor can grow and invade organs next to the ovaries, such as the fallopian tubes and uterus. Ovarian cancer often produces signs and symptoms, so it is important for women to pay close attention to their bodies and know what is normal for it.

Cancer of the ovaries most frequently appears in women who are more than 60 (about 50% of patients are over age 65), although it may occur in younger women who have a family history of the disease. Ovarian cancer is the most common reason for cancer death from gynecologic tumors in the United States. Cancer of the ovaries is diagnosed in about 23,000 women in the US each year. Ovarian cancer is a frightening diagnosis, but coming to it with knowledge and information helps a great deal. The earlier it is found and treated, the better your chances are for recovery.

INTRODUCTION: Testicular cancer is a disease that occurs when cancerous (malignant) cells develop in the tissues of a testicle and is the most common cancer in men aged 20 to 35. It is most common among Caucasians and rare among men of African and Asian descent.

In the U.S., between 7,500 and 8,000 diagnoses are made annually. Over his lifetime, a man’s odds of developing the disease is roughly 1 in 250 (four tenths of one percent). Although it is found most commonly among men 15-40 years of age, it has three peaks: infancy, ages 25-40 years, and age 60.

Since it is curable (stage I can have a success rate of 95%) when detected early, experts recommend regular monthly testicular self examinations after a hot shower or bath, when the scrotum is looser. Blood tests are used by your physician to identify and measure tumor markers that are specific to testicular cancer.

CAUSE: Currently, there is no recognized method for preventing this disease because there is no known cause for it.

TYPE: Although testicular cancer can develop from any cell type found in the testicles, more than 95% of testicular cancers are germ cell tumors. The main forms of testicular germ cell tumors are seminomas and non-seminomas.

SYMPTOMS: Usually include one or more of the following: A lump in one testes or a hardening of one of the testicles. The testicle should normally feel smooth to the touch. Symptoms of late-stage cancer of the testicles may include: Dull pain in the lower back and abdomen, A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum, A sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum, Pain or discomfort in a testicle or the scrotum, Swelling or tenderness of the breasts, Unexplained fatigue or a general feeling of not being well. However each person may experience symptoms differently. The National Cancer Institute suggests that a man see a physician if any of the above symptoms lasts 2 weeks or longer.

RISKS: Risk factors for developing cancer of the testicles include Klinefelter’s syndrome. This is a condition in which males have an extra X chromosome. This type of cancer is more common among caucasian men than black men. Hispanic, Asian, and American Indian men have a risk that is higher than black men but lower than white.

There are a number of factors that increase the odds for developing the disease. A major risk factor is cryptorchidism (undescended testicles). Surgery earlier in life reduces risk of developing the disease among males with undescended testes.

According to an article recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine, surgery before the age of 13 for the treatment of undescended testes reduces the risk of cancer of the testes compared with surgery later in life.

Other risk factors include inguinal hernia and mumps. Physical activity is associated with decreased risk and sedentary lifestyle is associated with increased risk. Also early onset of male characteristics is associated with increased risk.

Firefighters face elevated risk of many cancers. According to the results of a study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, firefighters have a higher risk of developing certain types of cancer. Others with job associated risks include Miners, gas workers, leather workers, food and beverage processing workers, utility workers.

Other genetic syndromes are also associated with higher risk. As mention previously white men are more likely to develop this cancer than are men of other races. Nevertheless many men with testicular cancer do not have the suggested risk factors.

TREATMENT: Treatment options are based on the results of staging. Correct diagnosis is needed to ensure the most effective and least harmful treatment. An error in diagnosis is made at the initial examination in up to 25% of person’s with testicular tumors and may result in delay in treatment or a less than optimal approach (scrotal incision) for exploration.

The three basic types of treatment are surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. As an adjuvant treatment, use of chemotherapy as an alternative to radiation therapy is increasing, because radiation therapy appears to have more significant long-term side effects, for example, internal scarring, increased risks of secondary malignancies etc.

Chemotherapy is the standard treatment for non-seminoma when the cancer has metastasized to other parts of the body (that is, stage II or III). An alternative, equally effective treatment involves the use of 4 cycles of Etoposide-Cisplatin (EP).

While treatment success depends on the stage, the average survival rate after five years is around 95%, and stage I cancers cases (if monitored properly) have essentially a 100 percent survival rate (which is why immediate action, when testicular cancer is a possibility is extremely important). Understanding treatment options, accessing new and innovative therapies through clinical trials, as well as understanding the role of supportive care and complementary and alternative medicine are vital.

CONCLUSION: Testicular cancer is cancer that develops in the testicles, a part of the male reproductive system. The exact cause is not known. Common symptoms include: A swelling and/or lump in one or both of the testes. It is important to understand that these symptoms may occur as a result of conditions unrelated to the disease.

Possible risk factors include the following: Age - Most testicular cancers occur in men between the ages of 15 and 40. It has one of the highest cure rates of all cancers, in excess of 90% and essentially 100% if it has not metastasized (spread).

It is diagnosed with the help of tests that examine the testicles and the blood. Your exact treatment will be determined by your doctor based on: your age, overall health, and medical history, stage of the disease, your tolerance for specific medications, procedures or therapies as well as personal preferences.

INTRODUCTION: Brain cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in patients younger than age 35. Primary brain cancer starts in the brain while Metastatic brain cancer starts somewhere else in the body and moves to the brain. Primary brain cancer rarely spreads beyond the central nervous system, and death results from uncontrolled tumor growth within the limited space of the skull. Metastatic (spreading) brain cancer indicates advanced disease and has a poor prognosis.

In the United States, the annual incidence of this disease is around 15 tO 20 cases per 100,000 people. Primary brain tumors account for 50 percent of intracranial tumors and secondary brain cancer accounts for the remaining cases. The annual incidence of primary brain cancer in children is approximately 3 per 100,000. Secondary brain cancer occurs in 20% to 30% of persons with metastatic disease and incidences increases with age. In the US, about 100,000 cases of secondary brain cancer are diagnosed each year.

SYMPTOMS: The symptoms of a brain tumor can vary greatly from patient to patient. They usually develop over time and their characteristics depend on the location and size of the tumor. Those produced by a tumor of the meninges (meningioma) depend on which area of the brain is being compressed. They include headaches, as well as problems with vision. Symptoms of increased intracranial pressure may also be seen and Nausea,Vomiting, and Headaches are also common symptoms.

TYPES: As previously stated above there are two types of brain tumors: primary brain tumors that originate in the brain and metastatic (secondary) brain tumors that originate from cancer cells that have migrated from other parts of the body to the brain. Both types take up space in the brain and may cause serious symptoms.

RISKS: Those with a history of melanoma, lung, breast, colon, or kidney cancer are at great risk for secondary brain cancer. Exposure to vinyl chloride is an environmental risk factor for the disease. People who work in these plants or live nearby to them have an increased risk for brain cancer. Persons who have received radiation therapy to the head as part of a previous treatment for other malignancies are also at an increased risk for new tumors.

Life carries some risk, and no data can ever be perfect. It is simply not possible to rule out every potential risk. Also, small risks that require millions of people to be exposed or years of exposure cannot be studied until after a product is in the marketplace and is actually being used by millions of people.

TREATMENT: A histologic examination is a must in order to determine the appropriate treatment and the correct prognosis. Treatment depends on the persons age, the stage of the disease, the kind and location of the tumor, and whether the cancer is a primary tumor or brain metastases.

Treatment involves various combinations of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Surgery is the recommended treatment for accessible primary brain tumors, if the patient is in good health. The primary treatment option for single metastatic tumors is surgical removal, followed by radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. The treatment plan is developed by a team of oncologist and the patient. The more information you have, the easier it is to make decisions about your cancer treatment.

CONCLUSION: Brain cancer has a wide variety of symptoms including seizures, sleepiness, confusion, and behavioral changes. There are two main types of brain cancer. Drastic and sometimes life-threatening complications can develop. Symptoms of brain and spinal cord tumors generally develop slowly and worsen over time unless they are treated.

Statistics indicate that brain cancer is not rare and is very likely to develop in about 20,000 persons OR more per year. People with risk factors such as having a job in an oil refinery, as a chemist, embalmer, or rubber-industry worker show greater rates of the disease. Some families have several members with brain cancer, but heredity as a cause has not been linked to brain tumors. Other risk factors including smoking, radiation exposure, and viral infection (HIV) have been suggested but not proven to cause cancer of the brain. There is no verifiable evidence that brain cancer is contagious, caused by trauma to the head, or by cell phone use (Yet).

INTRODUCTION: High blood pressure also known as hypertension means abnormally high pressure (tension) in your arteries. It does not mean excessive tension caused by emotions, although emotional tension and stress can temporarily raise blood pressure.

Hypertension often has no symptoms, but it can produce serious problems such as stroke, heart failure, heart attack and kidney failure.

It forces the heart to work much harder and can damage the arteries, causing them to narrow faster. It can also harm many parts of the body and is a major health problem in the US affecting 1/3 of Americans or 65 million persons, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).

HYPERTENSION: Frequently referred to as “high blood pressure”, HTN or HPN, is a medical condition that is caused by the blood pressure being chronically elevated and is considered to be present when a person’s systolic blood pressure is continously 140 mmHg or greater, and/or their diastolic blood pressure is consistently 90 mmHg or higher.

It is classified as either essential (primary) or secondary and is among the most common complex disorders, with genetic implication averaging 30%. High blood pressure can be a temporary or lifelong disease, depending on what causes it and is dangerous because it causes the heart to work harder than normal.

Pre-hypertension is blood pressure between 120 and 139 for the higher number, or between 80 and 89 for the lower number. For example, blood pressure readings of 138/82, 128/89, or 130/86 are all in the pre-hypertension category. If your blood pressure is in the pre-hypertension category, it is more likely that you will eventually have hypertension unless you take action to prevent it. If you have this kind of high blood pressure, you may not have to take medication.

HEART: Some people may not find out they have hypertension until there is trouble with their heart, brain, or kidneys. When it is not diagnosed and treated, it can cause the heart to become larger, which might lead to heart failure. With hypertension, the heart works harder than usual, your arteries take a beating, and the possibilities of a stroke, heart attack, and kidney problems are greater.

If you don’t have hypertension by age 55, you have a 90 % chance of developing it at some point during your life, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. If left untreated, it will cause the heart to eventually overwork itself to the point at which serious damage can happen. About 1/2 of people having first-time heart attacks and two-thirds of people having first-time strokes suffer from hypertension.

Did you know, laughing heartily 100 times a day gives the same cardio results as working out for 20 minutes?

TREATMENT: Treatment is focused on lowering water retention and reducing blood pressure to normal levels. When you first start treatment, your doctor may want you to come to the office regularly. He/she will review the information with you and decide if your treatment program is effective or if you need to make changes to it.

Among the 61 percent who are under treatment, only 35 percent have their blood pressure adequately controlled. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.

CONCLUSION: High blood pressure is called the silent killer because it often has no symptoms and is a risk factor for heart and kidney disease and stroke. High blood pressure is not evenly spread throughout the population and happens disproportionately more often in minority communities.

Hypertension rates are also rising among American children, along with an epidemic of obesity. High blood pressure in adults will usually be measured on at least 2 different doctor visits before a diagnosis is made. It can be treated with both lifestyle changes, normally the first step, and, if needed, with drugs. Diuretics work in the kidney to flush excess water and sodium from the body.

Nearly 1 in 3 American adults has hypertension. Once It develops, it usually remains for the rest of your lifetime. Fortunately, it can be easily detected, and once you know you have it, you can work with your physician to control it.

INTRODUCTION: Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine also known as the colon, the lower part of your digestive system. It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the US, and the leading cause of deaths from cancer among non-smokers.

It is, in nearly all cases, a treatable disease when it is caught early. The truth is when colon cancer is caught early, it has a 95% survival rate. It may be nutritionally based. For example, the occurence of colon cancer is much higher in North America than in China, but the Chinese who migrate to North America gain a higher incidence.

EARLY: Most colon cancers are predictable when diagnosed early. The fact is, screening prevents more deaths due to early detection than breast or prostate cancer screening. Other research is looking into multiple genes involvement in colon cancer and also at improving screening procedures so more cancers can be detected sooner.

This includes checking for markers in blood, stool or urine that might provide an easier screening procedure for detecting early signs of colon cancer. In general, when treatment begins at an early stage, greater than 90% of patients survive at least 5 yrs after their diagnosis. However, only about 39 percent of colon cancer is found at an early stage.

SYMPTOMS: Symptoms tend to vary depending on the position or site of the cancer within the colon or rectum, though there may not be any symptoms at all. Symptoms of colorectal cancer can include intense abdominal pain, bloody stools or rectal bleeding, unexplained weight loss, or major changes in bowel habits (recurring constipation or diarrhea).

In fact, the most common sign is no signs at all, says Emina Huang, MD. But once these symptoms start to develop, it may be a signal of more advanced disease. Fully half of people diagnosed after symptoms start will die. Finding colon cancer before symptoms develop greatly improves the chance of survival.

CONCLUSION: There’s no question that the earlier colon cancer is found, the more likely the patient will be cured with surgery. Although the cause is still unknown, there is evidence that most of these cancers arise from polyps (benign intestinal tumors).

It has been well demonstrated that if colon cancer is found in the earliest stages, the cure rate could be improved to 90 percent.

INTRODUCTION: Prostate cancer is cancer of the small walnut-shaped gland in males that produces the fluid that feeds and transports sperm. It is also the second most common type of cancer among men in the United States and is the 3rd most common cause of death from cancer in men of all ages.

Prostate cancer usually occurs in older men and is rarely found in men younger than 40. It occurs in 1 out of 6 men and when confined to the gland often is treated successfully.

RISK: Any man is at risk for developing prostate cancer. Besides being male, there are a number of other factors, such as age, race, and family history that may add to your risk. Those at higher risk include African-American males past 60,farmers, tire plant workers, painters, and men exposed to cadmium. The risk for developing it rises with age, and 60% of newly found cases occur in men past the age of 70.

The greatest risk factor is your age. This risk increases greatly after the age of 50 in caucasian men who have no family record of the disease and after the age of 40 in black men and males who have a close relative with the cancer. Having a brother with the disease appears to increase your risk more than having an affected father does. That risk is even greater when there are multiple family members affected.

SYMPTOMS: May include Problems passing urine, such as pain, difficulty starting or stopping the stream, or dribbling, Low back pain, Pain with ejaculation. Many men experience no symptoms; the first indication that they may have the disease is often an abnormal finding on a routine screening exam. Symptoms are more likely to appear as the cancer grows.

TREATMENT: Can include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy or control of hormones that affect the cancer. Treatment frequently depends on the stage of the cancer. The appropriate treatment is very often controversial.

Surgery is usually only recommended after thorough evaluation and discussion of available treatment options. Chemotherapy is often used to treat prostate cancers that are resistant to hormonal treatments. A radical prostatectomy is often recommended for treatment of stages A and B.

CONCLUSION: Prostate cancer is the 3rd most common cause of death from cancer in men of all ages and is the most common cause of death from cancer in men past 75 years of age. Frequently there are no symptoms in its early stages. If it has spread, it may be treated with drugs to reduce testosterone levels, surgery to remove the gland, or chemotherapy.

INTRODUCTION: Lung cancer is a disease of uncontrolled cellular growth in tissues of the lungs. It is one of the most commonly occuring cancers in the United States, accounting for approximately 15 percent of all cases, or 170,000 new cases every year. It is also the leading cancer killer in America, taking more lives each year than breast, prostate and colorectal cancers combined, according to the American Cancer Society. In the US it is the leading cause of cancer deaths in women and is responsible for as many deaths as breast and all gynecological cancers combined.

SMOKING: Smoking, radon, and second hand smoke are the leading causes. Smoking causes an estimated 160,000* deaths in the US. Smoking leads to 85 percent to 90 percent of all lung cancers.

Smoking affects non-smokers by exposing them to second hand smoke. If a person stops smoking, this chance steadily decreases as damage to the lungs is repaired and contaminant particles are gradually removed.

RADON GAS: A colorless and odorless gas produced by the breakdown of radioactive radium, which is the decomposition product of uranium, found in the earth’s crust.

Radon leads the way as the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, according to EPA estimates. It causes between 15,000 and 22,000 deaths each year in the United States — 12 % of all lung cancer deaths are linked to radon.

RISK FACTORS: Include smoking cigarettes or cigars, now or in the past. Not all cases are due to smoking, but the role of passive smoking is increasingly being recognized as a risk factor, leading to policy interventions to decrease undesired exposure of non-smokers to others’ tobacco smoke.

A smoker who is also exposed to radon has a much higher risk of lung cancer. The more cigarettes you smoke a day and the earlier you started, the greater your risk of developing lung cancer. High levels of pollution, radiation and asbestos exposure may also increase your risk.

SYMPTOMS: Include Chronic cough, Hoarseness, Coughing up blood, Weight loss & loss of appetite, Shortness of breath, Fever without a known reason, Wheezing, Repeated bouts of bronchitis or pneumonia and Chest pain.

Approximately 10% of people do not have symptoms at diagnosis; these cancers are incidentally found on regular chest x-rays. In fact, lung cancer can spread outside the lungs with no symptoms at all.

TREATMENT: Treatment depends on the cancer’s specific cell type, how far it has metastasize (spread), and the patient’s performance status. It also depends on the stage, or how far along it is.

Treatment choices should be discussed with Your doctor. It may include chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. In recent years, various molecular targeted therapies have been developed as treatments.

CONCLUSION: Lung cancer is the second leading cause of cancer in most western countries, and it is the leading cause of cancer deaths. It is the most common cause of cancer deaths in both men and women, accounting for nearly 33% of cancer deaths annually in the United States.

It has become the subject of a large amount of research. Even though the rate of men dying from it is decreasing in western countries, it is actually increasing for women because of the increased taking up of smoking by this group. It is already known that the best way to prevent it is to quit (or never begin) smoking. Three to five years after you quit, the risk of getting the disease is reduced by half.

INTRODUCTION: Cancer is a collection of over 100 different diseases that are cause by abnormal growth of body cells. It is one of the key diseases that is a “golden eggs laying goose” for Orthodox medicine. Cancer is usually classified according to the tissue from which the cancerous cells originated, as well as the normal cell type they look like or resemble.

CHILDHOOD CANCERS: Amongst all age categories, the most common child cancers are leukemia, lymphoma, and brain cancer. In nearly all cases, however, childhood cancers arise from non-inherited changes in the genes of growing cells. Longer term effects can include infertility, growth problems, organ damage, or increased risk of other malignancies.

The diagnosis and treatment of cancers in children requires time, and there are both short and long term side effects.

WOMAN: Many women with inflammatory breast cancer do not have an associated breast lump, which can make the disease more difficult to detect. Another challenge is that inflammatory breast cancer is a much more aggressive cancer in younger women than other types of breast cancer.

Still, some benign breast conditions are important because women with these conditions have a higher risk of developing breast cancer. But not all women with lymph node involvement develop metastases, and it is not unusual for a woman to have negative lymph nodes and later develop metastases.

TREATMENTS: Different kinds of cancer have different signs, symptoms, treatments, and outcomes, depending on the type of cell involved and the degree of uncontrolled cell growth.

Each child’s treatment differs, so a child may be given daily, weekly, or monthly chemo treatments. Radiation is one of the most common treatments for cancer. While surgery is usually all that is needed, these types of cancers may not respond very well to the other treatments used for invasive ductal or lobular breast cancer.

As research continues, treatments are becoming more specific to various forms of cancer. Plus, histologic grading and the presence of specific molecular markers can also be helpful in establishing prognosis, as well as in determining individual treatments. A variety of experimental cancer treatments are also being development.

CONCLUSION: Cancer is not caused by micro-organism, like colds or the flu are. Cancer is a term for diseases in which cells divide abnormally without control and can invade other tissues.

Although the control of the symptoms of cancer is not typically thought of as a treatment directed at the cancer, it is an important determinant of the quality of life of cancer patients, and plays an important role in the decision whether the patient is able to undergo other treatments. Once diagnosed, cancer is usually treated with a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The cure and cause of cancer is within you.