ASBESTOS LUNG CANCER

Asbestos has been used in building-construction materials, textiles, missile and jet parts, asphalt and caulking compounds and paints, and in friction products such as brake linings. Exposure to asbestos fibers and dust, however, can cause asbestosis, a disease of the lungs caused by the inhalation of asbestos particles, and, after a latent period of up to 30 years and more, various cancers, especially lung cancer and mesothelioma, which is an inoperable cancer of the chest and abdominal lining, it could be a benign or malignant tumor of the lining of the lungs, heart, or abdomen.

The malignant form is often the result of exposure to asbestos and may take more than 30 years to develop

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When asbestos fibers are inhaled they become attached to the linings of the lungs, the size of asbestos fibers affect where they attach.  3mm fibers are likely to attach to the lining of the lungs, while 5mm fibers tend to attach to the lung tissue and this increase the risk of developing lung cancer. An individual who has the habit of smoking has a higher risk of developing lung cancer if he is exposed to asbestos.

At present no wholly satisfactory substitutes are available for asbestos in many of its applications; because of health risks posed by asbestos use, however, research into replacements has been accelerated. In 1986 the Environmental Protection Agency proposed an immediate ban on the major uses of asbestos and a complete ban on all asbestos products within the next decade. This proposal was partially overturned by the U.S. Court of Appeals, which limited the ban to asbestos flooring and new products using asbestos.

Other environmental factors that have been linked to lung cancer include prolonged exposure to certain workplace substances, such as arsenic; and high doses of ionizing radiation, for example, that emitted by uranium. Long-term exposure to air pollution, which is largely composed of the remains of burned petroleum and coal, may also increase the risk of lung cancer. One constituent of indoor air pollution, naturally occurring radon gas, poses a special danger to cigarette smokers. This colorless, odorless gas silently seeps from the soil into the air in some regions of the world.

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CAN ANTI-PERSPIRANT REALLY GIVE YOU CANCER?

New cases of breast cancer have doubled in last 25 years and the incidence of breast cancer is increasing.
Is it just a coincidence that sales of anti-perspirant have been rocketing too?
The suggestion that underarm cosmetics might be a cause of breast cancer seems almost too simple to be possible.
But these cosmetics contains a cocktail of diverse chemical that are applied frequently to the body, without question of toxicity, and are placed on an area adjacent to the breast, they are not rinsed off as shampoos or soap are, but the entire application is left on the skin each time, allowing accumulation in the underarm and breast area.
Anti-perspirants contains Aluminium based compounds, which is an active ingredient which promotes estrogen-like(hormonal) effect, estrogens has the ability to promote breast cancer.
Anti-perspirants also contains paraben, it is found that paraben traces are present in the tissue of all breast cancer patients.
Parabens can be found on some of the products we use on our body, like, shampoos, make-up and moisturizers. When you grab one of the above named items. Take a close look on the label, you will see paraben as one of the ingredient. It may appear as, methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben or butylparaben. Remember traces of these chemicals are found in the tissues of breast cancer patiens, but new studies doesn't support the idea that parabens causes cancer.
Most tumors in both men and women occur in the upper and outer section of the left breast. If the use of anti-perspirant is to be blamed, this would be explained by the fact that most people are right-handed and are likely to apply more deodorant, or anti-perspirant on their left armpit.
Like I have said earlier, new researchs doesn't suggest that anti-perspirant causes cancer, one of the reasons being that traces of paraben are present in the tissue of all breast cancer patients even in the tissue of those that doesn't use anti-perspirant or deodorant.
SUMMARY : Generally, we should be careful the kind of chemicals we use on our body in the name of anti-perspirant, deodorant, cosmetics e.t.c.
For a long time I haven't used anti-perspirant or deodorant because of this particular issue, even though most studies doesn't back it up, but I did what I think is the right thing to do.
Lastly, "prevention they say, is better than cure".

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GENERAL SYMPTOMS OF CANCER AND CAUSES OF CANCER

Most cancers are insidious in onset and are therefore over-looked until well established. This is what makes them so dangerous. If discovered at an early stage cancer is usually curable. Pain is rarely an early symptom. There are, however, some symptoms which should recieve prompt attention by the physician. Note especially the following:
A lump in the breast. Women should feel their breasts occasionally and if a lump is found, report it to a doctor.
A vaginal discharge, especially bleeding between periods or after menopause.
Any abnormal digestive symptoms which resist, especially associated with loss of weight or change in bowel habits.
Any sore on the lips or tongue or skin that does not heal readily.
Rectal pain, bleeding, or obstinate constipation. These may be only symptoms of heamorrhoids but they should be investigated nevertheless.
Any change in a mole or wart, birth-mark.
A persistent difficulty in swallowing.
A persistent hoarseness or cough.
Unusual or unexplained loss of weight or aneamia.
Presence of blood in the urine.
From this list it will be evident that cancer may present a variety of symptoms, many of which are commonplace and frequently associated with conditions other than cancer. But let it be emphasized that to avoid cancer you should safeguard your health at every point. However, do not become morbid, always dwelling upon every trivial symptom and imagining others. Intelligently investigate unusual symptoms and have a periodic examination even when you have no such symptoms.
Cancer can be cured if it is discovered in time. Always be on the alert to discover anything abnormal in your body.

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CANCER TREATMENT

For a while we are going to focus our discussion on cancer. Cancer is not confined to any particular race of people, for all races are known to be affected. Even animals, birds, fish, and plants have similar growths of cancer. Every person should know something about cancer and should undergo the necessary examinations to make sure he does not have cancer in one form or the other. It is not intended to imply that every individual will have cancer. But cancer is a possibility that everyone must face. It is necessary to be aware of the danger and face it intelligently and courageously. It is important to know that even the most skilled surgeons cannot help a person get well if the cancer has progressed to far before it is discovered.
Cancer (medicine), one of the diseases described by excessive, uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells, which attack and destroy other tissues. Cancer grows in almost any organ or tissue of the body, but certain types of cancer are more life-threatening than others. In the United States and Canada cancer ranks as the second leading cause of death, surpassed only by heart disease. Each year, about 1.7 million Americans and more than 150,000 Canadians are diagnosed with cancer, and more than half a million Americans and about 70,000 Canadians die of the disease.
For reasons not clear, cancer rates vary by gender, race, and geographic region. For instance, more male than female develop cancer, and African Americans are more likely to develop cancer than people of any other racial group in North America. The occurrence of certain cancers also varies worldwide. For example, breast cancer is more common in well-to-do {wealthy} countries, and cervical cancer is more common in poor countries.
Although people of all ages develop cancer, most types of cancer are more common in people over the age of 50. Cancer usually develops gradually over many years, the result of a complex mix of environmental, nutritional, behavioral, and hereditary factors. Scientists do not fully understand the causes of cancer, but they know that certain lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of developing many types of cancer. Not smoking, eating a healthy diet, and exercising moderately for at least 30 minutes each day can lower the likelihood of developing cancer.
Just 60 years ago a cancer diagnosis carried little hope for survival because doctors understood little about the disease and how to control it. Today about two-thirds of all Americans diagnosed with cancer live longer than five years. While it is difficult to claim that a cancer patient is disease free, long-term survival significantly improves if the patient has had no recurrence of the cancer for five years after the initial diagnosis. For years, death rates from cancer were rising in developing countries. In 2006 the American Cancer Society reported that the number of cancer deaths in the United States dropped for two years in a row. The decrease was attributed to a decline in smoking, earlier detection, and improved treatment.
The National Cancer Institute of the United States (NCI) estimates that more than 10 million Americans are living with cancer or have been cured of the disease thanks largely to advances in detecting cancers earlier. The sooner cancer is found and treated, the better a person’s chance for survival. In addition, advances in the fundamental understanding of how cancer develops have reduced deaths caused by certain cancers and hold promise for new and better treatments.

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