Smoking And Cancer Link Long Established

Smoking is a serious habit that has been linked to a wide variety of cancers and may play a contributing role in the development of a host of other potentially deadly diseases. The connection between this habit and cancer, in fact, has long been established. One of the first definitive looks at smoking and lung cancer was published way back in 1939, but it took decades before the general public would become fully aware of the dangers lighting up might pose.

A timeline of the findings of researchers in regard to the smoking-cancer link sheds light on just how rapidly the body of evidence against the habit grew even as the acceptance of smoking continued. In the 1950s, for example, a major study came out that was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. That study connected cigarette smoking to a rise in lung cancer deaths of an estimated 144 percent from 1938 to 1948. This study was followed by many more, but the persistence of the habit continued. 

By the end of the 1950s, the American Surgeon General issued a statement about the lung cancer risk smokers faced. As the 1960s arrived, medical professionals were beginning to offer smoking cessation assistance to patients. Despite increasing evidence of the connection, the first health warnings didn’t appear on cigarette packages until 1966. While the number of smokers has declined in the years that have followed, the habit hasn’t been crushed out entirely just yet. Each year, thousands for current and former smokers are diagnosed with lung cancer and related diseases.

Battling the effects of smoking remains an ongoing concern for healthcare providers and advocates of a smoke-free society. For those who do smoke and wish to kick the habit, a number of programs and tools are now available to assist them. Quitting smoking and sticking with the plan can dramatically lower a person’s risk of cancer and a host of other diseases.

While it took society decades to fully embrace the link between smoking and cancer, it is now very well established. Smokers who need help leaving the habit behind are urged to speak with their healthcare providers for assistance. 

New Breast Cancer Radiotherapy Recommendations Not Impacting Reconstruction

Changes in post-mastectomy radiation recommendations for certain breast cancer patients have not had a profound impact on breast reconstruction rates as previously feared. Researchers, in fact, say that a new study indicates growing comfort with the idea of irradiating new breast reconstruction.

The changes were made recently in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines in association with radiation for patients who had tumors that were 5 cm or less and had 1 to 3 positive lymph nodes.  As more studies began to show the benefits of post-mastectomy radiation therapy in these cases, the NCCN began counseling physicians to strongly consider radiation in these cases. Before the recommendation changes were made, some feared the switch might delay or cause some women to forego breast reconstruction all together. This, it was feared, would have a tremendous impact on patients’ quality of life.

Despite those fears, the benefits of post-mastectomy radiation won out. The recommendations for treatment were in fact changed. Researchers have since found that those recommendation changes have had very little impact on the number of women undergoing reconstruction follow mastectomy. In a population-based cohort study focused on mastectomy patients from 2000 to 2011, in fact, it was found that reconstruction rates remained positive.

More than 200,000 American women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. For many of these women, treatment will include a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. Studies have shown that radiation therapy can also help shrink tumor size while helping prevent recurrence and spread. Women who are diagnosed with this disease, however, are urged to discuss all treatment options with their healthcare providers. The best recommendations will hinge on the particulars of the tumor, its stage and whether spread has been detected. All women are urged to undergo routine breast cancer screenings. This disease, when caught early, is often highly treatable.

Men’s Health Supplements Not All They’re Cracked Up to Be

When it comes to reducing the odds of developing prostate cancer or beating the disease if it’s present, supplements may not work the miracles many men believe they can. Researchers have found, in fact, that men’s health supplements play no significant role in lowering risk of metastasis for those who are battling this form of cancer.

Prostate cancer strikes an estimated 220,000 American men each year. Some 27,500 men die from the disease annually, according to the American Cancer Society. Many of those diagnosed with the disease incorporate supplements into their lives to help reduce cancer’s effects. Studies, however, have shown that supplements like saw palmetto have little to no impact on the disease. What’s more is that some supplements may actually lower the benefits of cancer treatments, such as radiation and chemo, essentially doing more harm than good.

One of the more recent studies into the topic was conducted by the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. There doctors looked at 2,207 men who were treated with IMRT for localized prostate cancer. Of these men, about 10 percent reported using supplements, most especially saw palmetto, along with their treatments. Researchers found at the five-year mark, there was no lower risk for metastasis in men who took supplements versus those who did not.

The bottom line, researchers noted, was that men’s health supplements can impede successful treatments in some cases and provide false hope in others. To avoid issues with treatment, men are urged to discuss all products consumed during prostate cancer treatment with their healthcare providers. Even basic, over the counter, nutritional supplements may cause more harm than good during cancer treatments. With that in mind, it’s best to check before taking.

Men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer will find there are a host of treatments available to them. The best bet for beating the disease will depend on a man’s distinct case. Regardless, the use of any vitamins or supplements during prostate cancer treatment should be reviewed by a healthcare provider.

Proton Therapy May Offer Help for Chronic Pain

While best known as a relatively new form of cancer treatment, proton beam therapy may also offer hope for people who suffer from chronic pain. This highly precise, targeted treatment could hold the key to helping people deaden pain while lessening the need to use potentially addictive management medications.

To find out more about the possibilities, researchers at the Loma Linda University Cancer Center are working with veterans to determine if this treatment can ease suffering. This population was specifically chosen because an estimated 44 percent of military veterans suffer from chronic pain versus 26 percent of the general public.

The concept behind the study, which is actively under way, involves using proton beams to target areas where pain originates. The hope is to use the radiation to neutralize the pain so the brain cannot interpret it. The overall goal is to lessen pain while helping decrease the need for patients to use potentially dangerous and costly pain medications. How soon results might be available remains unclear.

Proton beam therapy works in a similar fashion to standard radiation therapy. This form of treatment, when used in cancer, has the goal of killing off cancer cells through irradiation. The properties of proton beams enable doctors to be highly precise in their delivery of radiation, which can mean a dramatic reduction in the potential to damage otherwise healthy cells.

At present, proton beam therapy for cancer patients is somewhat limited in its availability. This therapy calls for highly specialized, costly equipment. Even so, the effectiveness of the treatment in some studies is giving rise to a growing demand for this alternative. Should it also prove effective in treating chronic pain, it’s likely demand will grow even more.

People who suffer from conditions that cause chronic pain are urged to discuss all treatment options with their healthcare providers. The best course of action will hinge on the details of each individual case. While proton therapy may offer hope, much study must be done to gauge its effectiveness in this arena along with prospective risks. 

Marker May Help Predict Prostate Cancer Bone Metastasis

Advanced prostate cancer is known to sometimes spread to the bones, making treatment especially problematic. Determining which cases of cancer are likely to spread to the bones, however, has been problematic at best in the past. Researchers in Turkey believe they have found a new way to better predict the likelihood of prostate cancer’s spread.

Doctors at the Sivas Numme State Hospital in Sivas, Turkey, reviewed data related to 633 men with prostate cancer. The analysis showed that men who tested positive for perineural invasion (PNI) had an increased risk for bone metastasis. In fact, the research showed an 11-fold increased risk, making them conclude that this finding could serve as a good predictor of metastasis risk.

PNI is an abnormality found in a few different types of cancer. It involves the spread of cancer to the space surrounding a nerve. In prostate cancer, the finding often does not play a role in recommended treatments. The Sivas’ researchers say it is time for that to change.  The study’s results, researchers say, show that PNI found in biopsy specimens has the potential to predict the likelihood of bone metastasis. That said, they highly recommend the PNI results be taken into careful account during treatment and clinical care.

Prostate cancer affects an estimated 220,000 American men each and every year. In many cases, the disease is caught early and can be treated and/or managed with a high degree of success. In some cases, however, advanced forms of the disease present or the disease is not caught until after it has spread. Having the ability to better understand the potential aggression level of the disease is critical for helping doctors guide more effect treatments.

Men are urged to discuss prostate cancer carefully with their personal physicians. Doctors can help men assess their risks and can offer insights on early screening protocols. 

Obesity is a Cancer Risk People Can Modify

Every form of cancer comes with its share of potential risk factors. Some of these factors can be modified and some simply cannot. While a person cannot alter their family history, gender or ethnicity to lower cancer risk, kicking a smoking habit, for example, is well within personal control. For those who are obese, shedding pounds may also prove to be an excellent way to lower risks related to some forms of cancer.

Researchers have found strong links between such cancers as kidney, colorectal, pancreatic and postmenopausal breast and obesity. While the mechanisms behind the link are not fully understood, the evidence supporting a connection is strong. One of the possible reasons, many have proposed, is that inflammation cytokines are increased in those who are obese due to an excess of adipose tissue. The connection between inflammation and cancer has also been established.

So, how can those who are carrying around extra pounds lower their cancer risks? Here are a few suggestions:

• Go in for a checkup – It’s not a bad idea to start off by going in for a routine checkup and to discuss overall cancer risks with a personal physician. He or she will be able to recommend any necessary screenings and can also offer insights on how to lose weight in a safe and healthy manner.
• Watch the diet – It’s often best to eat a number of small meals and snacks throughout the day. Make sure meals are healthy, well balanced and low in fat.
• Work exercise into the routine – Getting active can make a great deal of difference in overall health while also assisting with weight loss.

Cancer has many risk factors that are simply out of a person’s control. Some risks, however, can be tackled. Obesity is one of those factors and it’s related to some of the most commonly diagnosed forms of the disease. Taking steps to lower weight can make a big difference in those risks while also having a positive impact on overall health.

Radiotherapy Remains Valuable Prostate Cancer Treatment

While the use of post-surgical radiation in prostate cancer treatment is on the decline evidence suggests this important procedure delivers benefits that should not be overlooked. A new study published in the journal European Urology indicates that less than 10 percent of American patients at risk for recurrence are receiving postoperative radiotherapy within six months of surgery. This is despite the fact that about 30 percent of radical prostatectomy patients develop biochemical recurrence after surgery. For those who are diagnosed with more aggressive cancers, the rate of recurrence can climb to 60 to 70 percent.

Use of immediate, or near immediate, radiotherapy has long been the focus of debate among urologists and oncologists. Two schools of thought exist in relation to the use of this therapy immediately post-surgery and the likelihood of the development of side effects such as incontinence and erectile dysfunction. Urologists have long held that holding off and taking a wait-and-see approach is the way to go, but oncologists have counseled for more swift application of radiation to ensure cancer’s eradication while lowering recurrence risks.

While these two schools of thought have existed little evidence was available to support arguments on either side of the debate. Researchers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, however, have stepped forward with more quantitative proof that supports immediate care. Through two separate studies, researchers found that there is no significant reduction of side effect incidence when the wait-and-see approach is taken.

Radiotherapy following radical prostatectomy might seem like an unnecessary precaution to some, but the reality is this treatment can be vital for those at greater risk for recurrence. Men who undergo radical prostatectomy should be mindful of the benefits of this potential secondary treatment and should carefully consult with their doctors for the best treatment options in their particular case. While radiotherapy can present risks, recurrences may as well, and waiting may deliver no real benefit in avoidance of potential side effects.

Is Radiation Therapy Safe?

When a doctor recommends radiation therapy to help treat cancer, there is something inherently scary about this prospect. After all, radiation therapy involves targeting doses of cell-killing radiation right at the body. The procedure is recommended since it kills cancer cells so effectively, but the reality is cells around the cancer may also be damaged in the process.

When radiation is recommended, many patients are likely to find themselves wondering if the rewards are truly worth the risks. Chances are they’re also going to wonder if radiation is truly a safe route to take.

While the prospect of radiation does sound scary, advances in treatments are enabling clinicians to more effectively kill cancer cells while avoiding as much damage to other parts of the body as possible. Radiation therapy works by damaging the DNA of cancer cells so severely that they die. The desired end result is an eradication of the cancer or a shrinking of a tumor so surgery can be performed more effectively.

Radiation isn’t without its potential side effect risks, but the reality is a number of treatment breakthroughs have made this potentially life-saving therapy safer and more effective than ever before. Here are just a few of the advancements that are making a difference:

• Better positioning for breast cancer patients – Researchers have found that having patients lie face down during treatments can dramatically reduce collateral tissue irradiated during this therapy.

 • Use of spacing material for prostate cancer – A new spacer gel injection can effectively push the rectum out of the way of radiation beams during prostate treatments. This, in turn, can lower the amounts of radiation delivered to the rectum and reduce the likelihood of side effects.

 • Better precision – New imaging techniques, including Image-Guided Radiation Therapy, are helping clinician’s better target radiation to reduce auxiliary damage.

The bottom line is radiation isn’t without its risks, but it has become safer and more effective than ever before. Anyone facing a cancer diagnosis should carefully discuss their case and recommended treatments with their doctors to devise a strategy that’s meant to kill the cancer while minimizing side effect risks inasmuch as possible. Thus radiation therapy has emerged out as one of the most reliable cancer treatment options today.

A Little ‘Me Time’ is Time Well Spent During Cancer Treatments

When it comes to cancer the old saying that the cure is worse than the disease oftentimes fits. After all, surgery, radiation and chemotherapy treatments are grueling and they can take their toll on the body, mind and spirit. Since maintaining a positive attitude in the face of it all is important for battling this disease and so are those treatments, it’s wise to take time out to recharge the batteries. A little “me time” now and again can help with not only attitude, but also fatigue, pain and a host of other symptoms that tend to go along with this condition.

Here are just a few of the little “me time” indulgences that can help make enduring cancer treatment just a bit more bearable:

• Get a massage – As long as post-surgical concerns aren’t an issue, a massage is a great way to rest, relax and let go of some of the tension that tends to go along with battling illness. Massages are also excellent for helping alleviate little muscles aches and pains that can go along with extended treatments, especially if fatigue is an issue. 
• Consider acupuncture – While this might seem like an unusual recommendation, many cancer survivors says acupuncture helps with pain management and also nausea abatement – an important consideration during chemo treatments.
•  Meditate – This peaceful act is wonderful for clearing the mind while enabling it to focus on the positive. It’s also a great way to relax and unwind. Consider basic breathing exercises to help with any anxiety-related issues. Visualization techniques can also assist with maintaining that positive attitude that’s so important for beating any illness. 
• Have fun – As impossible as this might sound, just letting go and having a good time and a good laugh can make it all more bearable. Watch a funny movie with friends or family, go for a scenic drive, take a refreshing dip in a pool – whatever makes you happy and helps you unwind.

While cancer treatments will take up much of your life for a time, they shouldn’t dominate it entirely. Take some time out to rest, relax and recharge. A little “me time” can go a long way in helping you maintain a positive outlook.

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Talking to Your Doctor about Recurrence

Cancer diagnosis begins a whirlwind journey in which the patient is focused on eradicating disease, prolonging life, and improving quality of life. The goal is always to reclaim health and we will do anything that we have to do to achieve that goal. Recurrence of cancer is not something that we think about in the beginning; we are only focused on the immediate goal right in front of us - beating cancer.

Cancer survivors, however, are straddled with the uncertainty that comes with the potential for recurrence. To manage that uncertainty - which left unchecked only serves to degrade quality of life - it’s important to talk to your doctor about the plan for life after cancer.

There are different types of recurrence and they include - local recurrence in the same place as the original diagnosis, regional recurrence in the lymph nodes connected to the original location, and distant recurrence in other parts of the body.

The risk of recurrence differs for each patient and depends on the type of cancer and the treatment the patient received. It is important to discuss the possibilities with your doctor regarding the possibility of recurrence, what to look for, and what you can potentially do to lower your risk of recurrence - including eating healthy, exercising, seeing your doctor on a regular basis for follow-up care, and having the tests that are recommended.

In the end, there’s not much that can be done to prevent recurrence other than living a healthy life. Sacrificing your health to worry about the possibilities only serves to limit your quality of life instead of living your life to the fullest. If you find yourself struggling with the uncertainty associated with recurrence - enough so that you are finding it challenging to engage in your normal activities, then it may be helpful to see a psychologist or join a support group that can help you manage these emotions.

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Cancer and Anxiety

There are so many emotions that come along with a cancer diagnosis. Obviously someone who has been diagnosed with cancer feels scared of what is to come and overwhelmed with all the information coming at them all at once. As time moves on and a treatment plan is put in place and implemented, you will find that you are firmly on your journey as a reluctant cancer patient. The dust settles a little bit and you do what you need to do on a daily basis including treatments and trying to say in your routine as much as possible. So why do you still feel so anxious?

Anxiety is often as much a part of cancer treatment as anything else. There is a huge mental component of battling cancer and people will often find themselves depressed and/or anxious throughout the process - not just in the beginning when the diagnosis is still so new. Of course these are all normal feelings and definitely to be expected. But if anxiety begins to interfere with your day-to-day life, then it’s time to consult your doctor.

Some of the signs that your anxiety may need to be medically addressed include:

•    Trouble sleeping. You may have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up in the morning. Also, if you can’t stop sleeping then it may be due to depression rather than fatigue.

•    Eating issues. If you struggling with eating and it’s not due to the nausea associated with your treatment, then it may be anxiety induced.

•    Emotions those are hard to keep in check. Crying all the time, feeling fear throughout the day, anger, and more are all a part of cancer. But if they are interfering with your life, your work, or your relationships, it may be time to seek out help.

•    Lack of desire for activities that once brought you joy. If you are feeling joyless, hopeless, or without any passion for doing anything that would otherwise make you happy, then it may be time to talk to someone.

Anxiety is normal but if you are finding it difficult to get through the day, then there is help available. Talk to your doctor about the options available; there are many that will allow you to feel more comfortable.

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Making Time for Yourself

Receiving a cancer diagnosis is certainly scary. But for many people not knowing at all is better than hearing news they are not prepared to hear. As a result, there are many people who put off going to the doctor for necessary screenings and tests because they are terrified that the doctor will find something. In the end, of course, if they DO have cancer, what would have helped the most would have been early diagnosis and treatment. In fact, in the large majority of cases, cancer responds the best to treatment that happens in the earliest stages; which makes early diagnosis critical. And in some cancers like prostate cancer, early treatment can mean complete cure. However, if you take a highly curable cancer like prostate cancer and allow it to advance, you soon have an aggressive disease on your hands that has spread to other parts of the body and now requires equally aggressive treatment.

Making time for yourself means a lot of things including eating well, exercising, finding time to do things that bring you peace and joy. But it also means making the time for yourself that allows you to manage your own healthcare. As the New Year closes in, it may be time to make the commitment to make the time for your healthcare including:

•    Scheduling a physical if you haven’t had one in some time. Most of us don’t forget to take our children to the doctors for a yearly physical. But ask most adults how long it’s been since they’ve been to the doctor for a checkup, and they will struggle with the answer. Schedule a physical that will assess your overall health and includes standard lab work.

•    Scheduling cancer screenings. For women, that means mammograms, breast ultrasounds, and a pap smear to screen for cervical cancer. For men, that means a prostate exam. And for both men and women that means a colonoscopy and skin cancer screening. All of these screenings are recommended for particular age groups so talk to your doctor about what is appropriate for you.

•    Follow up on any issues. If you’ve been struggling with a particular symptom or condition now is the time to take control. Consistent management of any health issue is crucial so make a commitment to stay on top of it this year and work with your doctor to formulate a plan.

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The Organized Cancer Patient

There is an awful lot of feeling out of control when you are diagnosed with cancer. Suddenly your body doesn’t seem like your own and things are happening to you that you are not able to stop or slow down. Your life is suddenly taken over with doctors appointments, tests, and treatment procedures that were previously nowhere in our plans. It can feel like you have been kidnapped from your own life and your own body.

That’s why it’s so important for those undergoing treatment for cancer to maintain some semblance of control of their lives and bodies. Let’s face it - there are many details to manage when you are undergoing treatment and just staying organized with everything can seem like a small feat. But maintaining this organization can also go a long way towards keeping you mentally focused and feeling like an active participant in your own life. Try these tips for staying organized during your cancer care:

•    Keep doctor appointments, tests, treatments, and other procedures on a big central calendar that can be accessed by the entire family. It can help you to organize rides if you need them, schedule other activities around your treatment, and overall keep everyone on the same page regarding what the week holds for you.

•    Go over any insurance or healthcare related paperwork once a week or every two weeks. Undergoing any type of treatment means the mail begins to come fast and furious carrying a variety of information. When you’re feeling already overwhelmed, it can be tempting to throw that mail to the side and forget about it. There’s no reason that you should have to deal with it every day but setting a schedule that you and your family members stick to regarding bills and other paperwork connected to your treatment is a good idea for staying ahead of something that can easily get out of control if it’s ignored for too long.

•    Make a meal schedule. Many people undergoing cancer treatment experience fatigue and lack of energy, as well as sickness in some cases. You’re not always going to want to eat but it’s important that you have healthy meals and snacks at the ready to keep up your energy. Talk to family members about rotating the responsibilities of the house including cleaning and cooking so that general upkeep is being managed and it’s not on one person’s shoulders.

Staying organized just requires a little extra preparation and before long - once everyone is in a routine - things will run smoothly, allowing you to focus on getting healthy.

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Is There a Way to Preserve Hair During Chemo?

While it’s true that chemotherapy and hair loss just seem to go hand-in-hand, there have been breakthroughs that can change all that. While not 100 percent effective in every single case, a revolutionary new means for preserving hair can help cancer patients tackle this side effect that is often so very troubling.

The breakthrough therapy is called a chemo cold cap. It’s a special device that’s worn on the head that chills the scalp to prevent chemo drugs from reaching the hair follicles. Since chemo drugs are designed to kill cells and they circulate through the blood, hair is often collateral damage in the battle against cancer.

Chemo cold caps work by introducing a temperature of about negative 22 degrees to the scalp. While this is cold and it will numb the scalp, discomfort is generally the biggest complaint. Numbness sets in about 10 minutes after the cap is worn, so it becomes more tolerable as time goes on. The cap works by restricting blood flow to the scalp, which in turn, prevents chemo drugs from reaching the hair follicles. If these drugs can’t reach the follicles, they can’t damage them enough to cause hair loss.

Chemo cold caps have proven very effective in a number of cases, but they are a bit of a commitment. Those who try this therapy are urged to wear caps for about 50 minutes prior to treatment, during treatment, and for at least three hours afterwards. It’s often best, in fact, to wear the caps for as long as six hours after to ensure that residual chemo drugs don’t make their way to hair follicles.

Chemo cold cap therapy isn’t for everyone, but doctors can help their patients decide. This type of therapy tends to work better on hair that is shorter. The dosage of chemo drugs and other factors may also come into play that affects the likelihood of success.

Hairloss doesn’t have to be a given when chemo is indicated. To find out more about chemo cold caps and if this therapy to preserve hair is right for you, be sure to consult with your doctor.

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Tackling Hair Loss with Chemo Cold Caps

There are a lot of side effects that come with cancer and its treatment, and hair loss is certainly among the most profound. At a time in your life when you are already struggling emotionally, you are now left to contend with the fear and diminished self-esteem that often comes with losing your hair. Unfortunately, however, hair loss is often par for the course with treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation. Luckily, there are some ways to meet the challenge of hair loss head on and take control of the situation. Chemo Cold Caps are among the newest, most effective means to retaining your hair during cancer treatment and, luckily, they are now widely available online and through a variety of cancer care facilities.

How Do Chemo Cold Caps Work?

Chemo Cold Caps use an extremely low temperature to constrict the blood vessels that lead to the scalp. The cap itself is cooled to negative 30 degrees C and the patient undergoing treatment wears the cap on their head during chemotherapy as well as at least three hours following treatment. The temperature of the Cold Cap constricts the blood vessels to the scalp reducing the amount of chemotherapy drug that reaches this area where damage to the hair follicles typically occurs as a result.

While some patients find the Cold Caps to be mildly uncomfortable during the initial part of treatment, wearing it is an overall painless process and can be very effective in stopping the loss of hair as a result of cancer treatment.

How Do You Get Chemo Cold Caps?

Chemo Cold Caps can be ordered online and delivered right to your door. They can also be ordered through a variety of cancer care facilities where a medical team is committed to patient care.

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Tips for Asking Your Doctor About Alternative Cancer Treatments

If the diagnosis is cancer, chances are you and your doctor want to take a pretty aggressive approach to remove it and make sure it’s gone for good. That’s wise, however, there are sometimes when the more aggressive approach is more aggressive than necessary for the condition at hand. There are procedures in some cases that can preserve your quality of life while still proving extremely effective at eradicating cancer. The key is knowing about them, when to ask about them, and how to find an oncologist skilled in performing alternative treatments effectively when they’re indicated.

Common cancers such as prostate and breast, for example, do have alternative treatment methods that preserve the body inasmuch as possible while targeting the cancer directly. If your doctor hasn’t discussed all the alternatives with you, here are some tips to open the lines of communication:

        Play an active role in treatment discussions – Do your homework to understand the type of cancer you have and all the options for treating it. Ask about recommendations and don’t be afraid to step back to formulate questions about procedures.

         

        Ask for alternative options – If your doctor is recommending prostate removal, for example, ask about seed implant therapy and if that would be right in your case. Breast cancer patients, too, may discover mammosite therapy could work in their case, especially in the early stages of the disease. If your doctor won’t discuss these therapies, seek out a second opinion. It may be that your cancer has progressed too far, or it could be your doctor doesn’t perform these lifesaving procedures.

         

        Be open and honest about everything – You and your doctor make a team when it comes to fighting cancer. Be sure to answer questions thoroughly and ask questions when you don’t understand something. Never be afraid to questions.

         

Your doctor’s job is to treat the cancer and do his or her part to ensure it never returns. With that in mind, an aggressive approach is likely. There are alternative treatments, however, that can have exceptional results. Don’t be afraid to ask about them and seek out second opinions to see if they might be the right choice in your particular case. Any queries please visit