Being diagnosed with a serious illness and undergoing treatment for conditions can take a lot out of a person. Even if the treatment puts a person on the road to recovery, it can still be exhausting and unpleasant while the treatments are in session. If you are battling kidney cancer or have been diagnosed with sarcoma, there are ways you can ease the discomfort of your necessary treatments. The trick is to create a balance between focusing on healing and treatment and other meaningful things in your life. While your health is important, thinking about it around the clock can create more stress than necessary. Understand that many of the treatments you may undergo may be unpleasant, but will be necessary. Prepare yourself for dealing with the ugly side of your disease or illness by adding some pleasant additions to your life.

First, focus on the basics. Make sure you get plenty of rest when you are battling an illness. It may be tempting to stay up all night thinking about how you can fix things or you may have a difficult time sleeping if you are worrying about the future. It is also likely your loved ones will have a tough time sleeping during the experience. Realize how important rest is for your body and how much healing is done when your body is at rest. If you are having trouble sleeping, speak with your doctor about natural ways to induce relaxation and sleep.

Your diet will be even more important if your body is battling an illness. Remember that food is fuel and you will need to feed your body the right foods to keep it in fighting condition. Some believe certain foods do battle against certain diseases, so as long as the foods are healthy, consider adding them to your diet. If you have been told your condition is weight-related, it may be tempting to crash diet in hopes of fixing the problem. However, the better solution is to swap out unhealthy foods for healthy ones. Consider speaking to a nutritionist about building an eating plan that supports your healing.

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Asbestos comes from a Greek word that means inextinguishable or unquenchable. Six of the earth’s naturally occurring silicate minerals combine to form asbestos. The properties that these six silicate minerals share include their asbestiform shape and their crystals which are long, slender and fibrous. Because of its excellent absorptive quality, good enough tensile strength and good resistance to damages from electrical, heat and chemical assaults, asbestos was a very famous and sought after component of manufacturers and builders alike during the 19th century. These properties are still very much valued by manufacturers of today. As of 2006, Russia has emerged as the biggest producer of asbestos , coming up with 40.2% of the entire output of the world. China came in 2nd with 19.9% of the world’s share, Kazakhstan 3rd with 13.0%, followed by Canada and Brazil with 10.3% and 9.9% respectively of the world’s share. A staggering estimate of about 2.3 million tons of asbestos is being mined in the world as of the present.

Asbestos is composed of six different types of minerals. These minerals are classified under one of two classes, namely chrysotile and amphibole asbestos. Chrysotile asbestos is derived from serpentinite rocks. These are the most commonly used asbestos fibers in the world. These fibers are valued for their curly fibers that allow it to be more flexible than its amphibole counterpart. Chrysotile asbestos is popularly being used for joint compound, as a component of cement for corrugated roof sheets of buildings, as part of pipe linings, as sealants for ropes in boilers, for insulation, and brake linings as well. Due to its flexible nature, it is also commonly spun and woven into fabric. Its myriad of uses however has been severely limited in several countries including the USA and a lot of European nations since the discovery of its potency as a health hazard.

Amphibole asbestos on the other hand has fibers that are straight and needle-like. These are mostly found in the south of Africa. Some of the natural sources of amphibole asbestos can also be found in Australia. Amosite, crocidolite, anthophyllite, tremolite and actinolite are the five types of asbestos that fall under the amphibole class. These are usually used as a component of ceiling tiles and in the production of insulation boards that are of low density. Amphibole asbestos also serves as an important ingredient in fire retardants in commercially produced thermal insulation products. Examples of these thermal insulation products include gaskets, laggings, limpet sprays and fire-rated doors.

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People of the modern world are still being exposed to trace amount of asbestos even to this day. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission had banned the use of asbestos in gas fireplaces as well as in wallboard patching supplies since the 1970s. These products were found to release excessive amounts of asbestos into the environment. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also put out a ban on all new uses of asbestos in 1989. However, all asbestos uses that had already been established prior to this date are still legally allowed. Therefore, people today are still being exposed to asbestos, albeit not as extensively as the people living during the earlier centuries were.

The U.S. EPA has stipulated that there is no safe level of exposure to asbestos. In keeping with its regulatory laws against the use of asbestos, the EPA has set forth an asbestos concentration limit of 7M fibers per Liter of drinking water. This holds true for fibers with at least 5 um in length. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has also put out their own limit, which is lower than the one set by the EPA. For an 8 hour shift in any workplace within a 40 hour per week timeframe, OSHA set the asbestos exposure limit at 100,000 fibers per cubic meter. Although exposure to asbestos cannot be totally eliminated, these limits that have been set by authorities help ensure that exposure to such are at its minimum.

The best screening tools to use to determine whether a person has been exposed to asbestos are a thorough and directed physical exam and a simple chest radiograph. Levels of asbestos fibers can be detected in the urine, stools, saliva and mouth washings. Tissue biopsy can reveal high levels of asbestos fibers and can confirm exposure. These procedures however cannot determine who among the individuals who screened positively for exposure to asbestos will develop asbestosis, malignant mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases. The long latency period between exposure and the earliest manifestations of symptoms makes matters worse. Studies have shown that the average latency period between exposure to asbestos and the development of lung cancer is about 15 years. For both malignant mesothelioma and asbestosis, it has been shown that the latency period is even longer. This may even reach up to 40 years.

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Our bodies are continuously exposed to germs, viruses, bacteria, and carcinogens. Every day the body’s immune system effectively suppresses these numerous assaults—unless the assault is too strong and/or the immune system is too weak to destroy the affected or damaged cells. Normal cells will grow, divide and die in an orderly fashion. However, abnormal cancerous cells begin to multiply out of control and do not die. They develop into a lump, tumor, or growth that invades healthy tissue and can spread unhealthy cells to other parts of the body.

There are some factors that are generally accepted and known to be carcinogens which cause cancerous growth. Two good examples of this are: tobacco use and air pollution. However, there are many cancer triggers that are generally accepted by researchers but are not as obvious to the general public. The following are 8 things that researchers have determined can measurably influence your cancer risk.

#1 – Meat:

Study after study has concluded that vegetarians are 50% less likely to die from Cancer. Animal fats contain hormones that humans absorb during consumption. There are also chemicals that attach to the food as the fats are cooked. These chemicals can be carcinogenic.

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Cancer is a disease that can affect any one at any age. 13% of the deaths in the year 2007 were caused by cancer. While treatment for cancer is constantly being researched, risk for this disease also continues to increase. It is known to be caused by an abnormality in the genes due to carcinogens that is found everywhere, from prepared food, smoke, radiation to chemicals. There are also factors that pose as risk for having cancer such as obesity, smoking, excessive alcohol intake, poor nutrition, and environmental pollution.

A good way to win the battle against cancer is through prevention. When we avoid the risk factors, we help prevent cancer by 30%, which is way better than nothing at all. Staying away from cigarette, tobacco and people who smoke is a good start. Regular exercise and balanced meals can help fight obesity. Making sure that our environment is clean can be very beneficial. As for food intake, processed and treated food should be avoided. Since these are modifiable factors, it is easier to deal with.

These days, researchers are trying to discover which food can help prevent cancer. Omega-3 fatty acids have been proven to be one of those. These are essential fatty acids which, as the name implies, are important for normal growth of cells. They play a vital role in our brain’s function and improve memory. These are found from microalgae in seawater which are taken in by fish and are stored in large amounts in their organs. Omega-3 fatty acids are known to prevent diseases of the heart and brain, colon, breast, and prostate cancer. We can get these from fish such as salmon, sardines, and tuna, vegetable and nut oils which are available in most markets. Since it is easy to access, you can always include these sources in your meal plan. Eating fish twice or thrice a week will be beneficial not only in preventing cancer, but also for other diseases as well.

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Posted by BrentMcNutt | No Comments »

As someone who’s living with prostate cancer, I applauded Louis Gossett Jr.’s testimony in Congress on the importance of prostate cancer research funding. If congress was listening, maybe I’ll live long enough for something else to kill me. But according to the American Cancer Society statistics, I shouldn’t hold my breath.

Fifty times more money is spent on research for breast cancer than is spent on prostate cancer. Does that mean there are 50 times more women dying from breast cancer than men dying from prostate cancer? Hardly. Every year 40,000 women die of breast cancer and 34,000 men die of prostate cancer. And yearly, there are only 15,000 more new cases of breast cancer than prostate cancer. Since mortality rates and occurrence figures are similar, what could explain why a woman with breast cancer is thought to be 50 times more important than I am? The answer may be related less to science than it is to male vanity.

Even today, prostate cancer is one of those diseases that for many is spoken of in hushed tones with the same acceptability as talking about gonorrhea, and other “embarrassing” illnesses. Many men with prostate cancer are reluctant to self-disclose because they believe the term automatically implies incontinence, impotence, or both. Our silence, for what ever reason, makes it acceptable for oncologists to present treatment “options” as if all were on an equal playing field.

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Unfortunately, many people do not take asbestos-related risks as seriously as they need to considering the multitude of older building materials that may contain asbestos and may result in exposure. The reality is that exposure to asbestos can lead to much more serious side effects than just an irritating cough. Those who have suffered from asbestos exposure can end up with pleural plaque, which is a medical condition involving the smooth areas of the collagen tissue within the inner surface of the ribcage, pleura and diaphragm. Pleural plaques can range in size from small to very large.

Pleural plaques may not develop until years after one has been exposed to asbestos. In fact, some people find that it does not show up until forty years or even sixty years after the initial exposure. At this point, many people have forgotten when and where they may have been initially exposed to asbestos.

Only a small number of people can be exposed to asbestos and not eventually develop pleural plaques. The plaques are formed because of pleural scarring caused by the asbestos fibers entering the pleural lining. Generally, pleural plaques are benign and often will not end up becoming cancer. There are however, some studies suggesting that those who suffer from benign pleural plaques have a greater chance of developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the mesothelial cells lining the lung, chest cavity, abdominal cavity, or heart cavity. It is a serious condition that is potentially fatal and cannot be ignored.

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Posted by E.Johnston | No Comments »

Many people know that they need to avoid asbestos. If you do not avoid asbestos, you could be diagnosed with pleural plaques, or much worse. If you are working in an environment that has older buildings which may contain asbestos-ridden materials, such as insulation, roofing products, cements, fireproofing products, etc… , you may be at risk for coming into contact with asbestos. Short term, you are most likely not at risk for experiencing any physical complications. Over time however, whether it is twenty or forty years from now, you could find that you have pleural plaques or another asbestos-related medical condition.

Scans and tests performed by your physician can determine whether or not you have developed pleural plaques. Pleural plaques are raised areas of the collagen tissues of the fibrosis that are smooth. They are generally found on the inner surface of the ribcage, on the pleura and on the diaphragm. It takes many years after the initial asbestos exposure for any pleural plaques to form. Some have found that it is not until sixty years after their exposure to asbestos that they are diagnosed with pleural plaques.

Pleural plaques are not painful and they are not life threatening. Because of this, most people who have this condition will never know unless their doctor discovers the plaques through tests and scans that are preformed for other medical conditions. Furthermore, because there is no pain and no life threatening danger associated with pleural plaques, there are currently no cures or treatments options for individuals diagnosed with this condition. It is simply something that you will live with, and your life will not be impaired because of the plaques.

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Posted by E.Johnston | No Comments »

If you have been exposed to asbestos, then you are at risk for contracting any number of medical conditions, including pleural disease. Pleural disease occurs when the tissue lining the lungs becomes scarred and as a result lung use is restricted. This typically means that the person suffering from pleural disease has limited breathing capability. In short, this disease causes harm to normal lung function. There is a change in the secretion of lubrication, which can lead to a change in pressure within the chest cavity. You could ultimately have lung inflammation, difficulty breathing and other major lung problems.

Generally, with pleural disease, you will find that there is a significant amount of tissue scarring in the pleura. There are, in fact, four different types of pleural disease: pleurisy, pneumothorax, pleural mesothelioma and pleural effusions. If you believe you are suffering from pleural disease, make sure that you learn about the four different types of pleural disease. In addition, you will be better able to understand the details of your condition and have improved communication with your doctor if you are diagnosed with pleural disease and familiar with the various forms.

Pleurisy involves the inflammation of the pleura. This can be caused by pneumonia, tumors, viral infections and lung blood clots. You may have sharp pains in the area of the chest that seem to get worse when you breathe deeply. You may also experience a significant amount of coughing with this condition along with a multitude of other symptoms.

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Posted by E.Johnston | No Comments »

Many people have found that they are simply are not as aware of the complications related to asbestos exposure as they should have been. Because of this, some have been diagnosed with lung cancer only to find out later that their illness has been a result of exposure to asbestos. Even if you do not currently have any medical problems, it might be a good idea to think back through the past ten or twenty years to determine whether there was a time when you may have been exposed to high levels of asbestos. In extreme cases, some symptoms will not manifest until up to sixty years later. If so, you should know to keep an extra close eye on your health. If you start to experience any of the signs and symptoms related to asbestos exposure visit your doctor immediately. Some of the symptoms may include anemia, back pain, chest pain, persistent coughing, enlarged abdomen, fever, hoarseness, recurrent build-up of fluid in the lungs, shortness of breath and weight loss.

You might initially experience a dry cough that will not go away, and you could end up having breathing problems. Upon further testing, there is a chance that lung cancer might be diagnosed, more specifically Mesothelioma. While there is no absolute cure for cancer, it is important to remember that there are treatments that can possibly send the cancer into remission. Many people have lived for years after being diagnosed with lung cancer. The determining factor is often when the cancer is diagnosed, what treatments are performed and the strength of the person going through the treatments.

You will want to make sure that you are keeping yourself and your family away from asbestos when at all possible. Avoid old buildings that are in need of repair. Miners and workers who are responsible for removing old building materials have a high risk of being exposed to asbestos, so it is important to make sure that you are using the proper equipment, from breathing masks to whole body suits. This is the best way to make sure that you and your loved ones will not be exposed to asbestos. Remember that you can bring asbestos home on your clothes, putting your children at risk for developing lung cancer in the future.

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