A Natural Way to Survive Cancer

I am just like any other person turning fifty; we grew up with the go out in the sun and play mentality, things were easier then and people felt safer, and besides "its good for you" people would say. We didn't give one thought about getting skin Cancer, or any other Cancer for that matter.

Now we find out those painful sunburns we suffered may have caused serious damage to our skin. Experts say if you have been burned as little as three times you are a high risk for skin Cancer. Genes and your environment can also be a factor.

I can tell you first hand I remember having been sunburned on my shoulders several times over the years, as a result, in 2007 I was diagnosed with Melanoma. Just a coincidence or proof the experts know what they are talking about? I like to believe with all the research done over the past few years they have a better understanding of what is going on with the sun and the danger to our skin.

There are many options to fight cancer, you can eat healthier and take a multi vitamin along with a green's based supplement. There is also a lot talk now about Coriolus and Maitake mushrooms and their benefit to Cancer patients. Proteolytic Enzyme's can help with joint pain and soreness. The best part is all these supplements are from all natural ingredients.

I found a very informative health food store owner. I am going to refer to him as the Vitamin Guy; I would urge you to find your own Vitamin Guy where you live. You will definitely get personal service from an informative mom and pop store; they are not pushing what's "on sale" this week. My Guy even wrote out a program specific for my blood type. He has been part of my support team from the beginning when I was first diagnosed. He is a walking encyclopedia, as I like to describe him. He gave me all kinds of literature and samples of various supplements to try.
I had built up a relationship with the Vitamin Guy when my son started playing High School football. I remember seeing this mom and pop Vitamin store in the strip mall near my house. I like to support the small business owner whenever I can. After all small businesses are the backbone of the American economy. I stopped in one day to gather some information for my son and that's when I met the Vitamin Guy.

My Guy just doesn't give you the name of a vitamin or supplement and say "here take this", He will give you a full run down of everything he is recommending along with the various ingredients and with the how and why they work or do not work for your specific goals and what you are trying to achieve. When it comes to your diet, vitamins and supplements there is only one person you need to check with to get the right answers to your questions. This is why I put my Vitamin Guy on my support team from the beginning and I feel you should have an expert vitamin Guy too.

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Skin Cancer - Six Reasons This Disease Is Increasing At Epidemic Proportions

20-year statistics from cancer centers and foundations.

Nationwide, since 1987, non-melanoma cases, such as, squamous and basal-cell carcinomas, have increased by at least 250%. Also, since 1986, melanoma cases (the deadly kind) have increased by only 3%. For example, in 1988, one clinic in the Kansas City area treated 300 patients. It now treats about 8000 patients a year and up to 20 melanomas (the deadly kinds that can spread throughout the body) a month.

Six reasons for the increase.

1. Over exposure to the hot sun. Too much UV-ray exposure to the hot sun is a major overall cause of skin cancer, particularly for the light-skinned people who burn easily or are allergic to it. This exposure occurs while sunbathing at beaches or swimming pools, attending events in uncovered arenas, or during daytime activities in the sun.
2. Not wearing sunscreen or protective clothing. Quite a few people seem to be invulnerable to the sun rays. As a result, they do not wear sunscreen or enough clothing while in the sun. Yet, a wide-brim hat is a good way to protect the face, head, and neck, where many of these cancers occur.
3. Not checking out moles or sore spots carefully. Certain dark moles should be reported to ones personal doctor or dermatologist, and then treated. Small sore spots (lesions) that come and go, or heal very slowly could also be reported and examined by them
4. Depletion of upper-level ozone layer. This depletion allows more UV-radiation (both A & B types) to reach the earth's surface. These rays are considered one of the causes of these cancers today as well as other skin allergies and diseases.
5. Use of tanning booths. Artificial tanning is highly suspected of causing these cancers for the same reasons. One Skin Cancer Foundation statistic shows people exposed to tanning booths in childhood have a 75% greater chance of getting melanoma later in life than those who are not exposed to them.
6. Increased awareness and better treatments. More people today are aware of potential skin cancers and their treatments. So, they report them for examination and treatment. Minor surgery is the standard for removing most skin lesions if caught early. Cryosurgery (freezing), electrodessication (scraping/burning/drying), and topical chemotherapy (chemical ointment) might also be used. Newer treatments are being researched.

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3 Types of Skin Cancer - Most Common - What Do You Know About Them?

The three types of skin cancer, most common, are Basal Cell Cancer, Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Melanoma, in that order.

Basal Cell Skin Cancer is the worlds most common and affects more than one million people in the US each year. It rarely spreads; it grows slowly and is highly curable in the early stages. Nevertheless, no one should take basal cell cancer lightly as it can be quite disfiguring if not properly treated promptly. Almost all of this type of cancer occurs on body parts most exposed to the sun and is a result of sun damage.

Squamous Cell Skin Cancer is the second most common. It also grows slowly but as it does grow, it can suddenly change to a faster rate. Such was the case with me. When this happens, it can grow inward and can reach vital organs. The growth is usually local and it can affect close organs. Again it is usually caused by sun damage due to overexposure. The sun damaged skin can be unnoticeable; however a person would feel a rough scaly patch on their skin. This is precancerous and can go a long time (years) without much change or noticeable growth. This condition is known as actinic keratosis. It can develop into squamous cell carcinoma. In this precancerous stage it can be removed by a dermatologist spraying liquid nitrogen and freezing the affected area. It is highly curable in the early stages. Mine spread to a stage 3 and it was successfully removed, although more difficult and more damaging in side effects, both short and long term.

Melanoma is the third most common of the types of skin cancer. About 50,000 cases of malignant melanoma are diagnosed in the US every year and the number is increasing. It is estimated that 1 in 70 people will develop melanoma in their lifetime. About 8,000 per year lose their lives to malignant melanoma. It usually develops as a pigmented mole or dark spot on the skin, but can also be pale in color, making it appear innocent. Although it is the most deadly, it is also highly curable in the earliest stages.

The prognosis for malignant melanoma is greater if it has not spread beyond the outer layer of the skin into the lymph nodes or other places in the body.

The best protection would be to avoid over exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun or tanning beds and live a healthy life style for a strong immune system.

Learn to do regular self skin exams to be watching for changes in moles, freckles, or any new occurrence on your skin. It's you who has the first chance to spot it.

 Always seek the advice of your doctor, dermatologist or qualified health professional when you see something suspicious happening on your skin.

Gary Harmon is a 20 year survivor of stage III squamous cell carcinoma. He speaks from his own experiences and research. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_H_Harmon

Can Doctors Misdiagnose Your Breast Cancer?

Why not ask Karen Nikkel of Quebec City, Canada that question. One of the most disturbing stories I came across while doing research for my special report and new book was in the book, "Patient No More" by Sharon Batt. She told the story of Karen who discovered that her mastectomy was based on a faulty diagnosis.

Now Karen successfully sued the surgeon, the pathologist and the hospital but that is no compensation for the agony and suffering that Karen and her family endured because of a wrong diagnosis.

Karen had what was called one-stage breast surgery, which was the norm up until the last twenty years. The doctor biopsied the suspicious lump, gave it to the pathologist, who did what is called a quick-frozen section. Sounding more like something you'd be looking for in the grocery store, the pathologists will do a quick-freeze on a section of the tumor and make an immediate decision as to whether or not there is cancer present. In Karen's case, while she was still on the operating table, the pathologist declared the tumor cancerous. A mastectomy was performed.
However, immediately after the mastectomy, tissue samples were sent to a nearby hospital for the permanent section. Within 48 hours, the doctors at the hospital learned that the samples were non-cancerous.

No one told Karen of the misdiagnosis. No, Karen lived with the agony of believing she was a breast cancer survivor for six years! She was so frightened of a recurrence that she considered a prophylactic mastectomy of her other breast. She had 3 reconstructive surgeries - her husband had had a vasectomy because he couldn't face having more children knowing his wife might die.

While in the doctor's office one day, the nurse left her file on the table. Karen looked through it and saw the letter that said she never had cancer.

How common is this situation? According to H. Gilbert Welch, author of "Should I Be Tested for Cancer", pathologists are very concerned about "missing" a cancer diagnosis. Fear of lawsuits is a prevailing factor. Consequently, they will often err on the side of caution and call it cancer, even when it's looking "iffy".

In a study done with pathologists, one third of the pathologists did not agree on the presence or absence of cancer in 24 different specimens. Overall there was a disagreement in roughly one-quarter of the breast biopsies.

As Dr. Welch explains, "pathologists can't look at every cell, nor can we expect them to accurately predict the outcome of a dynamic multi-step process based on a single static observation (a few cells under a microscope) The process of early cancer diagnoses is bound to be haphazard."

Haphazard is not a word I would want used in my cancer diagnosis, thank you very much. However, with early detection via mammography and biopsy being the norm for most women, haphazard may be more of an issue than women are led to believe. Mistakes are made. Serious ones. Just ask Karen Nikkel.

Jan Janzen is a breast health activist. A best selling author she has just released her fourth book Breast Health Exposed: 21 Secrets Most Doctors Will Never Tell You About Your Breasts. The book has been endorsed by medical doctors, naturopathic doctors and is already receiving rave reviews from women who know there is a better way. Jan says a woman dying of breast cancer every 12 minutes is absolutely needless and backs this up with 21 medically proven secrets.

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