Medical Weblog. Lots of resources and information

UNRESTRICTED ENTRANCE – XENO-ESTROGENS

At this time it is thought that most xeno-estrogens do not bind with these blood proteins. DES (the first synthetic estrogen that caused serious birth and reproductive deformities as well as reproductive cancers in the daughters of mothers prescribed this hormone during pregnancy from 1940-1970) for example, does not bind at all to the sex hormone binding proteins in the blood. Xeno-estrogens, therefore, circulate freely and have access to places where natural estrogens cannot tread. Even if these chemicals are much weaker than natural estrogens outside the body, their potency increases inside the body because of their unrestricted travel capabilities.Environmental estrogens can travel across the placenta and enter the growing fetus. These estrogens can store in the placenta, which has a large fat content, and slowly releases toxins to the developing fetus. So, although these substances might not be nearly as potent as natural hormones when they are tested outside the body, xeno-estrogens are relatively; more potent within the body than testing would suggest, even parts per trillion can have an influence. *8/165/1*

OTHER CAUSES OF LUNG CANCER: ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION

Ideas about the cause of lung cancer have been so dominated by recognition of the effect of smoking for the last forty years that it is sometimes easy to forget that there may be other important causal factors and that lung cancer still occurs in non-smokers. The effect of smoking is so strong that it can be quite difficult to unravel other causes, because the presence of a few smokers in any group will so alter the statistics. However, there are undoubtedly other factors at work in the development of lung cancer and many of them can now be judged.
Passive smoking and the effects of asbestos and industrial hazards can act through atmospheric pollution to cause lung cancer. General atmospheric pollution by coal smoke was probably not a very important cause of lung cancer, although it may have contributed to some lung cancers in smokers.
Radon gas is radioactive and is present in some rocks. Certain geological conditions allow it to be released from the soil and, in some parts of the world, it appears to accumulate with its radioactive products in houses. In the United Kingdom this is most apparent in Devon and Cornwall and in parts of Derbyshire where the concentration of radon gas in houses may be much higher than in the country in general. However, lung cancer is not especially common in Cornwall and the whole question of a relationship between radon and lung cancer is now the subject of careful examination. Studies from Scandinavia and the United Scares do suggest that there may be a link between background radon concentrations and lung cancer, and if this is confirmed in Britain, some houses may well nerd specialized ventilation.
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CANCER AND PRECANCER PREVENTION: URINARY BLADDER CANCER PREVENTION

Urinary bladder polyps, like colon polyps, can also become cancerous. They are easily removed by surgical procedures, but 70 percent of them will recur or new polyps will form in these patients.
Approximately 120 people have been enrolled in a study being conducted at West Virginia University to test whether four nutrients can decrease the risk of future bladder polyps after surgical removal. Patients were divided into two groups: one group took a multiple vitamin at the Recommended Dietary Allowance levels; the other group took the same multivitamin but additional doses of vitamins А, В6, and C, as well as E. В6 has been known to decrease recurrence rates in bladder cancer studies in humans. Vitamins A and С have been used in used in animal studies with very good results, but vitamin E has never been used in this setting before. While the study is still ongoing, preliminary results again indicate that the extra doses of nutrients have decreased the risk of recurring bladder polyps.
*42\360\2*

YOUR CANCER YOUR LIFE – RIGHTS IN REGARD TO RESEARCH (INTRODUCTION)

Cancer research is necessary if we are to find out more about all aspects of cancer. It is quite likely that you will be asked to take part in some type of research. You need to know what your rights are in this regard.

Some research simply involves gathering facts. For example, if a researcher is trying to find the cause of the particular type of cancer that you have, you could be asked to complete a questionnaire asking about all sorts of past experiences, such as exposure to chemicals and drugs, your dietary history, previous illnesses, where you have lived and worked and so on.

Some research involves developing new tests or forms of treatment. You could be asked to undergo a new type of test which is not normally done. This would mean that they would not be sure what the results of the test mean and these results would not be of any use to your practitioner in planning your treatment. You could be asked to undergo a new form of treatment, perhaps with new drugs or a dosage or combination of drugs which is not standard. At this stage, I will just detail what your rights include in any type of research.

*21/40/1*

SOUPS IN CANCER-FIGHTING AND HEALING DIET

Ginger Pumpkin Soup with Bok Choy

50 grams pumpkin, diced % onion, chopped

3 leaves Bok Choy

1/2 clove garlic, crushed

1/2 teaspoon coriander

1/2 teaspoon allspice

1 tablespoon fresh ginger, chopped

350 ml vegetable stock

Pepper

Rye bread

Peel and chop the pumpkin and onion. Shred the Bok Choy. Place the prepared vegetables in a saucepan with the vegetable stock, garlic and spices. Bring to the boil and then simmer until the pumpkin is cooked. Puree to a smooth consistency and adjust seasoning to taste. Serve hot with rye bread.

Hot and Sour Shitake Soup (Immune Booster)

1 litre vegetable stock Ginger, sliced

3 cm lemongrass

2 tablespoons tamari

1/2 teaspoon apple juice concentrate

2 tablespoons lemon juice

Pinch of sea salt or herbamere

3 tsp kelp flakes

10 shitake mushrooms

150 grams cherry tomatoes

2 leeks, finely chopped

1 handful basil, chopped

In a large saucepan, bring the stock to the boil. Add lemongrass, tamari, apple juice concentrate and lemon juice. Simmer for 3 minutes. Adjust the taste by adding sea salt and kelp flakes. Bring the stock back to the boil and add shitake mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, leeks and basil. Stir well and garnish with fresh coriander.

Hearty Chicken Soup

You will need:

3 organic diced chicken breasts

8 cups water

1 bay leaf

1 to 2 teaspoons sea salt

1/2 teaspoon sage

1/2 teaspoon thyme

3 carrots, chopped

2 onions, chopped

4 sticks celery, chopped

1/4 cup parsley

1 handful buckwheat noodles

Bring chicken to the boil in a medium pot with water, bay leaf and salt. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until chicken is tender. Leave on medium heat, add chopped vegetables, sage and thyme, and cook until vegetables are slightly tender. Then add parsley and uncooked noodles in the last 10 minutes.

*225/34/5*

AFTER CANCER: INSIGHTS AND HANDLES TO HELP YOU GET TO YOUR NEW LIFE

Many millions of people have recovered from cancer. The experience of these veterans provides insights and handles for helping you through the transition to your new life after cancer. There is no way to eliminate all the emotions, discomforts, inconveniences, worries, strains, and uncertainties. However, you can learn ways to cope with the difficulties of recovery and living with a cancer history. You can learn tricks and philosophies that will make the hard times easier.

Elaborate investigation and analysis of a problem serve a purpose. But at times a simple phrase helps more than all the sophisticated, caring discussion in the world. You can spend hours discussing the fear of recurrence, but sometimes saying, “Recurrence is not a death sentence,” is all you want or need. After investigation and analysis, a simple phrase can help you recapture all the derived insights and benefits at a later time, without going through the tedious process again. You can learn about the family dynamics when one member is sick, but at times you are best served by the simple statement “Cancer is a family affair.”

Handles are aids for moving from one place to another. Their usefulness depends as much on the person using them and the place where the person is going as on the handle itself. Some handles may become your mantras of self-help, providing dependable comfort and inspiration whenever you feel the need. You may find other handles worthless to you. Specific handles may be helpful to you only under certain circumstances or at different times in your life. If the handles help you, use them. If they do not, look for other handles that do. The following are offered to make your transition to your new life as safe and smooth as possible.

The roller coaster of cancer.

Having cancer and undergoing cancer treatments are often compared to being on a roller coaster: good days and bad days, easy days and rough days, peaceful days and stressful days, hopeful days and disappointing days, comfortable days and uncomfortable days. The ride does not stop with your last treatment. Be prepared for posttreatment medical problems and emotional upsets.

REPRODUCTIVE AND SEXUAL FUNCTIONS. WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT A DIMINISHED SEXUAL DRIVE?

Work with your doctors to find out why your drive is diminished. They can determine whether medical problems are contributing to the change. If medications may be playing a role, discuss the possibility of using alternative medicines that have less effect on libido.

If there are no obvious medical abnormalities, or if medical problems are permanent, evaluate your general level of energy and your mood. If you are fatigued, make efforts to get more rest. If you are anxious or depressed, try to deal with the sources of these feelings as well as the feelings themselves. Sometimes an alleviation of fatigue, anxiety, and depression suffices to lessen sexual difficulties. Even if medication or a medical problem is causing or contributing to the sexual problem, attention to your energy and mood will help.

It is common to have an altered body image, either because of obvious changes such as the loss of a body part or the placement of a stoma (opening for a “bag” to collect urine or feces) or because of general associations with having cancer. Addressing the issue of body image and self-confidence will encourage improved self-esteem and a return to healthy sexual function.

If you had a problem with self-image before your cancer, this is a good opportunity to deal with it. Open discussion is an effective means of moving toward resolving problems of self-esteem. Try talking with

•your sexual partner

• a social worker, professional counselor, or therapist with a special interest in sexuality

• other cancer survivors of the same kind of cancer or same kind of surgery

Decreased sexual desire can reflect a change in your relationship to your sexual partner. Human sexual desire and function are affected by feelings of anger, disappointment, fear of rejection, and frustration with the sexual partner, as well as by feelings of inadequacy.

Occasionally, patients or their partners may be sexually inhibited by concerns that

• cancer is infectious or contagious (it is not contagious)

• sexual activity may weaken or hurt the recovering partner

• the cancer is a punishment for prior “bad behavior” (this may be a conscious or a subconscious thought)

Decreased sexual interest is a normal part of grieving and spontaneously returns to normal with time. If you are sad about personal losses, others’ losses, or the general pain and losses of life, you will have to start to grieve these losses before your sexual desire returns.

*86/32/5*

AFTER CANCER: FATIGUE AND ITS CAUSES

What Is Fatigue?

Fatigue is defined as a feeling of weariness during or following exertion. It is a common symptom after completion of cam treatments and can be experienced as any combination of

• feeling tired

• lack of energy or stamina

• difficulty in staying awake

• inadequate physical or emotional energy to respond to signals or problems

• difficulty in concentrating or in learning new information

• poor memory

• excessive yawning

• irritability or emotional lability (ever-changing emotions, such as crying spells or bursts of anger)

• loss of interest in people and things around you

• decreased sexual desire

Fatigue can be subtle or debilitating, constant or fluctuating, can appear by itself or in association with other symptoms such as headache.

What Causes Fatigue?

Fatigue is a frightening symptom for survivors because they know that cancer can cause fatigue. However, many changes and problems other than cancer cause fatigue after recovery from treatment. The most common causes are

•medications such as those used to treat nausea, pain, insomnia, anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, or seizures

• anemia

• chemical imbalances such as a low blood level of potassium caused by prior cancer or treatment

•hormonal changes such as those of menopause, low thyroid, or diabetes

•the physical drain from your body’s efforts to heal tissue damaged by the treatments and to clear dead and dying cells

•the effect of substances released by the cells killed or damaged by your treatments

•circulation or heart problems that interfere with the supply of oxygen and energy materials to your organs

•respiratory (breathing) difficulties that interfere with the supply of oxygen to your organs

•physiological changes in your nervous system caused by your prior cancer or treatment

•underlying disease unrelated to your cancer (heart, lung, kidney, musculoskeletal, liver, neurological, or other disease)

•infection in which toxic products are generated or your metabolism is altered, such as by a fever

•emotional factors such as anxiety, depression, frustration, boredom, or conflict

•malnutrition (deficiency of carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, or vitamins) caused by energy requirements of your body that exceed the supply of energy

•interferons or other biological response modifiers that are sometimes given to help maintain a remission (treatment that continues for months, years, or indefinitely after remission is achieved)

•changed sleep patterns

•deconditioning due to inadequate exercise

•overexertion that results in an accumulation of metabolic waste products such as lactic acid •intake of alcohol, caffeine, or nicotine

•postcancer fatigue

After you complete radiation therapy or chemotherapy, your blood tests, X rays, and scans may all return to normal and yet your fatigue may persist. Under these circumstances, you may have postcancer fatigue, which is real, expected, and usually temporary.

You may experience steady tiredness from month to month, as some problems diminish or resolve, others worsen, or new ones develop. In other words, the degree of tiredness may remain the same even though its causes have changed. Anemia may resolve (lessening fatigue) as lung function worsens (exacerbating it). And since malaise also can be the symptom of recurrent cancer or other serious problems, it is critical that you keep your doctor informed. Otherwise you may miss the opportunity for the early diagnosis of recurrent cancer, infection, weakened kidneys, heart failure, or other treatable problems.

In addition, you and your disease can remain unchanged, but your fatigue pattern may change, for unexplained reasons.

*59/32/5*

AFTER CANCER: WHAT IF I CAN’T STOP THINKING ABOUT MY CANCER?

You may be wondering when you will go a week, a day, or even an hour without being reminded of your cancer experience. The
more physical and/or social reminders you have of that experience, the harder it is to forget.

Physical pain and cancer treatment-related limitations are constant reminders until you reduce them to manageable levels and integrate them into your new life. Try to find some activities that capture your attention completely, no matter how briefly.

Cancer-related thoughts are triggered by insecurity about your renewed good health. You are ever vigilant for signs of a recurrence. It takes time to learn to trust your body again and enjoy your health.

You may have many unresolved feelings, such as anger, grief, disappointment, and depression, that are related to your cancer. Since these feelings will persist until the issues are resolved in one form or another, they remind you of your cancer. Attention to the feelings will liberate you from cancer-related thoughts.

A brush with mortality can make everything around you look and feel different. Since everything seems different, you are constantly reminded of why it seems so. Even when the changes and differences are good or pleasant, you are reminded of your cancer. With time you will get used to your new normal, and your surroundings will no longer remind you of your cancer.

AFTER CANCER: WORK AND SCHOOL

What is the Australian Disabilities Discrimination Act 1992?

In 1992, the Commonwealth Government passed the Disabilities Discrimination Act, making it unlawful to treat people with a disability less favorably than people without a disability. The areas specifically covered by the Act include employment and work related areas, education, access to public places, using goods, services and facilities, accommodation, land, clubs and associations, sport and Commonwealth laws and programs.

The Act became effective on 1 March 1993. Unless discrimination is ongoing, the Act does not cover incidents which occurred prior to the date of enactment. Actions undertaken by the Commonwealth, State, Territory and local governments, private companies, sporting bodies, clubs, associations and private citizens including employers, service providers, building owners, landlords and land owners are covered by the Act.

To make a complaint or obtain further information on the Disabilities Discrimination Act contact an inquiry officer at the Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission on 008 021199.

When Will I Be Ready to Return to Work or School?

If you stopped going to, or deceased your hours at, work or school during your cancer treatments, when you will be ready to return to work or school, and how full a schedule you will be able to handle, will depend on

• how vigorous your treatment was

• how well you are doing physically

• how well you are doing emotionally

• how well things are going at home

• how much flexibility in scheduling your job allows

• the physical and emotional demands of your schoolwork or job

• your financial situation

Should I Return to My Old Job?

Your prior job may no longer be the right job for you, because

• physically or emotionally, you are no longer able to perform the expected duties

• you were unhappy at your job before and feel that this is a good opportunity to make a change

• you were happy at your job before, but because of the changes catalyzed by your cancer experience, you feel that it no longer provides satisfaction

• rightfully or not, you feel that your ability to function effectively has been permanently compromised because your boss and coworkers knew you during your illness

Where Do I Get Help Finding a New job?

If you feel you must look for a new job, find out whether you qualify for a vocational training program or whether your prior employer has or knows of other job opportunities for you.

Do I Have to Tell Prospective Employers about My Cancer History?

No. While it is not unlawful to ask for a medical examination of job applicants, under the Australian Disabilities Discrimination Act 1992, medical examinations should only assess whether applicants are fit to perform the “inherent requirements” of the job, not their general state of health. An employer cannot refuse to employ an applicant on the basis of a medical exam that discloses a disability unrelated to the “inherent requirements” of the job.

*119/32/5*