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Lung cancer occurs when abnormal cells begin to reproduce and attack the tissues of the lungs.

That’s the plain and simple explanation. Here’s a short expansion: in its normal life, a cell will grow, divide, proliferate and then die, all the while meeting the needs of your body. When one or more of these cells begin to reproduce on their own, without serving their original purpose within the body, they form a tumor or a cancer. This is a mutation that researchers don’t fully understand. Left unchecked, the cells will continue to reproduce and spread throughout the lung’s tissue and then into the other vital organs of the body.

In 2004, the last year in which statistics were available at the time of the writing of this article, approximately 158,000 US citizens died from lung cancer, more than breast cancer, colon cancer, and prostrate cancer combined. While the numbers continue to drop every year as new strides are made in treating the disease and educating people, this is still represents a major health problem.

The primary cause of most lung cancers is …

Yes, you guessed it … cigarette smoking. Or more precisely, the inhalation of the carcinogens contained within the smoke. If a smoker is also exposed to radon in the environment, well, that’s a ticking time bomb waiting to go off. Beyond these two contributors, there is a form of lung cancer called mesothelioma, which results from exposure to asbestos. However, cigarette smoke continues to be the major causes behind most forms of lung cancer.

Lung Cancer Symptoms

Here are few things to be looking for if you’re concerned about the potential for lung cancer:

- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath and wheezing (dyspnoea)
- A cough that doesn’t go away and gets worse over time
- Repeated problems with pneumonia or bronchitis
- Constant chest pain
- Coughing up blood (bloody sputum) (haemoptysis)
- Swelling of the neck and face
- Fever
- Loss of appetite and weight loss (anorexia)
- Hoarse voice

Other symptoms can include repeated bouts of pneumonia, changes in the shape of the fingertips, and swollen or enlarged lymph nodes (glands) in the upper chest and lower neck. Any and all of these symptoms may be caused by lung cancer or by a range of other medical conditions. That is, the presence of one or more of these symptoms does not automatically mean that you have lung cancer. Which is why you need to visit with your physician if you have any concerns at all.

Forms of Lung Cancer

The two primary forms of lung cancer are small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Non-small cell lung cancer accounts for approximately 80% of diagnosed lung cancer cases. Within this category of lung cancer, there are three main sub-categories … squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinomas, and large cell carcinomas. Sometimes two or even all three can appear together.

Small cell lung cancer is the less common of the two, which is good, because it’s also the more deadly. Smoking is the primary cause behind this form of lung cancer. SCLC is aggressive and fast-moving. It rapidly metastasizes to other organs, and is often not discovered until the cancer is already widespread throughout the body.

The Good News

Since prevention is always better than cure, it’s highly advisable to avoid the use tobacco. The best way to increase your odds of never encountering lung cancer is to never start smoking in the first place. However, if it’s already too late for you, there’s still some good news. You can gradually decrease your risk of the disease if you quit at any early age and your lungs are given 10 to 15 years to recover from the damage already imparted upon them.

To learn more about the early symptoms of lung cancer, and for a comprehensive selection of articles covering all aspects of this dreaded disease, its symptoms, treatments, and more, visit: http://www.lungcancerinsights.com

Cancer occurs because of damage to the genes responsible for cell growth and repair. This lack of cellular regeneration can lead to a host of problems and inevitably cancer.

The following is a basic over view of the classifications used in determining the different types of carcinogens:

Chemical:
These can be any number of substances, including but not limited to caustic chemicals, asbestos, gases, and the most dangerous yet controllable cause-tobacco smoke.

Your work environment may be to blame; thankfully the government has gotten much stricter about employee exposure to toxins in the last two decades.

Please report any and all infractions you see on the job site, it could save not only your life but the lives of your fellow workers.

STOP SMOKING, this is a completely controllable cancer causing agent. Find the help you need to quit, if not for you-do it for your kids.

Physical:
An example would be radiation, such UV rays from the sun, microwaves, high power lines, and x-ray overexposure.

Using the appropriate sun block will put the odds in your favor. Remember to reapply every two hour. You also should reapply if you get wet from sweat or swimming, even if it state that it is water proof.

While proof is hard to come by, the number of people that live under power lines contract cancer at a disproportionate rate. My Aunt was one of them.

Heredity:
If you have a family history of cancer, especially women, you need to make the necessary lifestyle changes to combat the disease before it rears it ugly head.

Breast cancer is often found in several generations of women, please get your mammograms as often as your doctor requires.

Biological:
These include but are not limited to: infections by virus (Hepatitis B Virus and liver cancer, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and cervical cancer) and bacteria (Helicobater pylori and gastric cancer) and parasites (schistosomiasis and bladder cancer) contamination of food by mycotoxins such as aflatoxins (products of Aspergillus fungi) causing liver cancer.

Any one of the four these different carcinogen factors listed above can bring about cancer in many parts of your body. Some of the most common areas are the lung, larynx, esophagus, stomach, bladder, ovaries, testicles, and mouth.

Conclusion:
I fear that the hormones and preservatives that are so prevalent in food today have a huge impact on the carcinogen levels we intake everyday.

While you have probably heard this a million times before, it bears repeating; if you can not pronounce the ingredients in your food, it is probably not good for you.

In my opinion, your best bet is to eat as many organic or at least chemical free foods as you can, start an exercise program immediately, and alleviate any controllable (Smoking, asbestos in your home, etc.) carcinogens in your day to day life.

Melford Bibens is an ACE certified personal trainer. He lost 150lbs in 1996 through a self-engineered fitness and nutritional program and has kept the weight off for more than ten years.

He is the author of
, a comprehensive guide to preventing or controlling cancer.

In July, 2008, the pharmaceutical company Hollis-Eden announced the start of initial phase trials of the drug Apoptone, used in the treatment of late-stage prostate cancer patients for whom hormone therapy and at least one round of chemotherapy have proved ineffective.

Several months prior in April, 2008, Dr. Eva Corey from the University of Washington, presented positive data from a preclinical study of Apotone at the 2008 American Association of Cancer Research in San Diego, California.

Apoptone is Hollis-Eden’s leading drug currently under investigation for its potential in cancer treatment. It has been shown in preclinical studies to control the growth and development of new tumors, as well as the number of instances of new tumors forming.

The drug affects prostate cancer differently from others used in hormone therapy by actually affecting the death of tumor cells. When hormone therapy is used, the process works to slow the growth and development of cancerous cells, but does affect a cell death. As a result, hormone therapies eventually fail at some point to be effective in fighting the disease in an individual.

This Phase I/II study of Apoptone, which is being conducted with the Prostate Cancer Clinical Trial Consortium, will evaluate the effectiveness of the drug in several areas. The study will be conducted on forty-four patients for a total of 28 days, following a twice per day dosage of the drug. Two of the most important characteristics of the drug which are being evaluated include safety, as well as the tolerance of patients for the drug.

In 2004, the last year for which statistics are available, 189,075 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer, and just over 29,000 died from the disease in the United States. Prostate cancer is a cancer of the prostate gland which is a part of the male reproductive system. It is often diagnosed in advanced-aged men, however younger men who are African-American or have a blood-relative who has suffered from the disease, are at higher risk for contracting the cancer.

Researchers are optimistic that prostate cancer treatment using Apoptone may provide patients in the advanced stages of the disease with more options for effective treatment of their conditions.

While hormone therapy, used to decrease or eliminate testosterone in the body and thus check the growth and development of prostate cancer cells, has been virtually the only effective option (besides chemotherapy) for patients in advanced stages of the disease, its side-effects similar to those experienced by menopausal women, are considered less than desirable. The development of an effective and safe prostate cancer treatment with Apoptone would be a significant advancement in available treatment.

James Culp is a prostate cancer survivor and runs ProstAide.org, a blog that keeps track of all the latest prostate cancer treatment options available.

Cancer treatment isn’t something you can do on your own. You need a physician’s help in order to survive, and that is a medical fact. However, some patients benefit from alternative cancer treatments that treat the body, mind and spirit.

Surviving cancer requires mental and physical strength. Unfortunately, a big side effect of common cancer treatments like chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery is fatigue and weakness. Prayer, meditation and other relaxation therapy can help to fortify the spirit and bring peace to the minds of cancer patients when they need strength the most.

A holistic approach combined with traditional medical treatments takes into account more than just the physical problem. It attempts to heal the entire person.

Cancer is caused when the DNA of a cell goes haywire and reproduces at a rapid rate. If a flawed cell begins to replicate fast enough, a tumor forms. Tumors impede the function of the body’s vital organs when they metastasize, or in other words, spread to other parts of the body from where they originally formed.

Scientific research has linked certain substances to cell damage, which can lead to cancer. These substances are known as carcinogens. A person’s age and heredity, things in a person’s environment and even certain viruses are all potential carcinogens. From the sun and its connection to melanoma to the correlation between the HPV virus and cervical cancer, carcinogens surround us every day.

However, many things that people say cause cancer have not yet been confirmed by medical research. Be sure to ask a medical doctor about your risk factors and collect the medical facts about carcinogens before you draw any conclusions based on hype or rumors.

In order to cure cancer, the tumor must be either surgically removed or dissolved using chemotherapy or radiation. The treatment essentially kills off the cells that are reproducing with damaged DNA. Without removing the tumor, malignant cancer cells will spread to other parts of your body and eventually kill you.

Occasionally, a benign tumor is found in the human body. A benign tumor is often harmless to the body. It is a collection of damaged cells that have reproduced to form a tumor, but the tumor isn’t growing at a fast rate, if at all. It will likely not travel to any other parts of the body, and it can often be ignored. Your doctor will let you know if you have a benign tumor you can live with or if it needs to be surgically removed.

Cancer treatment is a frightening process. From diagnosis to remission, it is a tough road to walk. Be sure you’ve gathered all the information you can on your treatment options. Look to your physician for help and advice about alternative treatments. Above all, keep your dignity and your strength.

Beware of people that prey on the elderly and those suffering for money. Trust in the people that went to medical school and know about the latest advances in the world of scientifically proven cancer treatments that have been peer-reviewed and published in medical journals. Life is a precious gift, so be sure to preserve your health by caring for your mind, body and spirit while you overcome cancer. It isn’t the death sentence it once was. Thankfully, many treatment options exist today.

If you are looking to broaden your knowledge of cancer you can find more Free Information at
My Ultimate Cancer Solution Web Site.
Feel free to check it out.

In July, 2008, British researchers claimed to have won a major victory for prostate cancer treatment. According to recently release reports, a new drug, abiraterone, may be used to treat as many as 80% of patients suffering from advanced forms of prostate cancer.

Researchers worldwide involved in the treatment of prostate cancer are cautiously optimistic, and welcoming what may arguably be the best news in prostate cancer treatment research in the past 15 years. It is thought that larger clinical studies now need to be conducted to determine important side effects of the new drug’s use, as well as the level of its benefits versus the possible drawbacks of the drug treatment.

Abiraterone is a drug manufactured by Cougar Biotechnology Incorporated, and currently being investigated for use in treatment of prostate cancer. It works to block the production of testosterone, which enhances the growth and development of prostate cancer, by inhibiting an enzyme involved in the formation of testosterone.

In drug trials of abiraterone, it appears that the drug may reduce the levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA), as well as shrink prostate cancer tumors. It is currently being tested on 1,200 men worldwide.

In the trials of the new drug conducted at the Institute of Cancer Research and the Royal Marsden Hospital in Britain, the symptoms of prostate cancer occurring in patients with advanced stages and/or with untreatable forms of the disease have shown significant regression. The news offers hope for thousands of men who contract prostate cancer worldwide each year.

Prostate cancer is usually diagnosed in men in the later life stages. The disease often has few symptoms early on, which is a contributing factor to its reaching advanced stages before being detected.

By the time men reach the ages of 40 (higher risk) or 50, it is recommended that they receive annual prostate checkups. Annual checkups should include both physical exams as well as blood tests, to effectively screen for the disease.

The American Cancer Society estimates 186,320 new cases, and 28,660 deaths will result from prostate cancer in the US in 2008. The Society further states that prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men in the nation.

One in six men will get prostate cancer in his lifetime, while one in thirty-five men will die from the disease. Death from prostate cancer is currently on the decline, a fact thought to be due to advances in prostate cancer treatment and early detection.

James Culp is a prostate cancer survivor and runs ProstAide.org, a blog that keeps track of all the latest prostate cancer therapy options available.

There is one fact regarding prostate cancer treatment that a majority of doctor’s who treat patients with prostate cancer all agree upon. Early detection of the disease can offer a patient’s best chance for effective treatment and cure. One of the reasons that prostate cancer claims so many victims is that all too often, the disease is detected only after it has reached advanced stages. By then, the options for treatment and the chances for cure are much smaller.

The prostate is a gland within a male’s reproductive system that surrounds the urethra, which empties the bladder of urine. Starting at age 50 (or earlier if an individual is at higher risk), men should have an annual DRE or Digital Rectal Exam and a PSA or Prostate Specific Antigen test. African American men or men with a history of prostate cancer in their families should have annual exams beginning at age 40. The exam can be performed by a personal physician and doesn’t require going to a specialist.

A DRE consists of a physician using his fingers to check the size and firmness of the prostate. The exam itself usually only lasts a few seconds, and allows the physician to determine if there are any abnormalities of the prostate. If the physician detects any problems such as lumps or hard tissue, he/she can then direct further testing to make a determination as to whether a problem exists.

A PSA test is a blood test and involves a small blood sample being taken, and then evaluated in a laboratory.

In the case where prostate cancer is detected and has reached advanced stages and/or has spread to other portions of the body, then treatment often involves strategies implemented to try to slow the progress of the disease as much as possible. This may include hormone therapy to lower testosterone levels (the male hormone testosterone provides the cancer with the means to thrive), chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.

Early detection of prostate cancer is often a key factor in the prostate cancer treatment options an individual may have open to him, as well as the chance for survival or cure. One of the problems in detection of the disease is that men who have it may not experience symptoms or problems prior to the disease reaching a critical point. However, if an individual experiences some of the warning signs of prostate cancer including frequent urination, a weak stream of urine, strain or difficulty urinating, or a feeling that the bladder does not completely empty during urination, a prostate exam should be performed immediately.

Prostate cancer treatment continues to be an area of aggressive cancer research. However, one of the best and most effective strategies used to fight this disease continues to be its early detection.

James Culp is a prostate cancer survivor and runs ProstAide.org, a blog that keeps track of all the latest prostate cancer treatment options available.

A new study published in the September 2008 issue of CANCER from the American Cancer Society, has determined that as many as 69% of men receiving hormone deprivation therapy, a widely used treatment for patients with advanced prostate cancer, may experience detrimental effects to their cognitive abilities. According to Dr. Christian Nelson, there is strong evidence that hormone deprivation therapy is linked to “subtle but significant cognitive decline in men with prostate cancer”.

The study, consisting of a literature review of cases of human patients as well as animals, was headed by Dr. Nelson, a psychologist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, and concluded that androgen depletion therapy, whereby patients are chemically castrated in order to deprive cancer cells of hormones (testosterone) which drives their growth, may cause a decline in cognitive function of patients receiving the treatment.

Androgen depletion therapy has been used for a number of years as a preferred method of treatment of advanced-stage prostate cancer patients. In more recent years, the treatment has also increasingly been used for men who are in earlier stages of the cancer, which is one reason that the effects of the treatment are of concern.

Most men undergoing androgen depletion as a prostate cancer treatment are placed on the treatment for the extent of their lives. As a result, many experience effects of the therapy including fatigue, hot flashes, lack of libido, osteoporosis, hot flashes, mood swings and erectile dysfunction. All but the last of those symptoms are much the same as those experienced by women in the menopausal life stage.

The study found that testosterone may effect cognition in the brain in several ways, one of which is the stimulation of neuron connections. The study indicated that from nearly one-half to three-fourths of men treated with androgen deprivation therapy showed declines most often in processes of higher capacity, such as engaging in concurrent or multi-tasks, and with processes dependent upon spacial abilities. Problems with concentration and memory loss seemed evident.

It is apparent from the results of this study that additional, more in-depth studies of androgen deprivation therapy and its relationship to cognition need to be conducted to better understand the long-term effects of this particular prostate cancer treatment on the men receiving it. However, it is thought that discontinuing prostate cancer treatment based on the possibility of some cognitive loss should not be a consideration because of the importance of treating the disease.

James Culp is a prostate cancer survivor and runs ProstAide.org, a blog that keeps track of all the latest options for prostate cancer treatment that are available.

A recent study has revealed a racial disparity in prostate cancer treatment of patients in the U.S.

The study, conducted in 2007 and reported in the Journal of Urology earlier this year, was led by Dr. Kathryn E. Richert-Boe, of Kaiser Permanente Northwest in Portland, Oregon. It’s objectives were to determine whether differences existed in prostate cancer treatment received by white and African American men at a health maintenance organization where access to medical care (was) theoretically equal for all members and, if so, to determine the reasons for these differences. The study found that African American patients in the early stages of prostate cancer were less likely than white patients to receive aggressive treatment for their disease.

Researchers conducting the study compared the likelihood of treatment with curative intent (TCI) between the two races, adjusting for age, tumor grade, stage, and the presence of comorbid conditions. What the study revealed was that 82 percent of 158 white prostate cancer patients underwent surgical removal of the prostate gland or radiation therapy for their illness; these are considered more aggressive treatments for the disease. Conversely, only 71 percent of 79 African-American patients received the same type of treatment. Dr. Richert-Boe and the team of researchers investigated whether other factors such as tumor grade, age, overall patient health, and even insurance coverage might explain the difference in treatment; they did not.

Prostate cancer is a leading cancer among men in the United States. In the year 2004, over 189,000 men were diagnosed with the disease. When found early, either through a DRE exam or PSA blood test, treatment is often successful. However, if the cancer goes undetected and reaches advanced stages before it is discovered, effective treatment can be much more difficult.

Prostate cancer in the early stages is often not treated aggressively, because the disease is slow-growing. Many doctors choose to monitor tumor growth and development rather than to prescribe more drastic or aggressive measures early on. The study found that while African American men were just as likely to agree to more aggressive treatments such as surgery or radiation therapy, they were only offered those options in 85 percent of the cases, versus 91 percent for white men.

In the end, the study concluded African American men were less likely to receive TCI than white men. Reasons for the findings in the study are not immediately clear. Additional studies including a larger patient sample is thought to be needed at this point to reveal the true nature of racial disparities in prostate cancer treatment.

James Culp is a prostate cancer survivor and runs ProstAide.org, a blog that keeps track of all the latest prostate cancer treatment options available.

Skin cancer represents the most commonly diagnosed malignancy, surpassing lung, breast, colorectal and prostate cancer. Tumors develop primarily on areas of sun-exposed skin, including the scalp, face, lips, ears, neck, chest, arms and hands, and on the legs in women. Contrary to popular conception, skin cancer affects people of all skin tones, including those with darker complexions. Most skin cancers appear after age 50, but the sun’s damaging effects begin at an early age, therefore protection should start in childhood in order to prevent skin cancer later in life.

Types of Skin Cancer
The main types of skin tumours are:
1. Melanomas are skin cancers that form in melanocytes (skin cells that make pigment). Even though it is rare, malignant melanoma is responsible for 75 % of all skin cancer related death cases.
2. Basal Cell carcinomas are skin cancers that form in basal cells (small, round cells in the base of the outer layer of skin).
3. Squamous Cell carcinomas are skin cancers that form in squamous cells (flat cells that form the surface of the skin).

Rarer types of skin tumors are:
1. Neuroendocrine carcinomas which form in neuroendocrine cells (cells that release hormones in response to signals from the nervous system.) carcinoma of the skin.
2. Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.
3. Merkel cell carcinoma.
4. Kaposi’s sarcoma.

Risk Factors
Risk factors for non melanoma and melanoma skin cancers include: unprotected and or excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, fair complexion, occupational exposures to; coal tar, pitch, creosote, arsenic compounds, radium, family history, multiple or atypical moles, and severe sunburns as a child. Anyone with a family history of skin cancer also has an increased risk of developing skin cancer.

Signs of Skin Cancer
Signs of melanoma may include: A large brownish spot with darker speckles located anywhere on your body, a simple mole located anywhere on your body that changes in color, size or feel or that bleeds, a small lesion with an irregular border and red, white, blue or blue-black spots on your trunk or limbs, shiny, firm, dome-shaped bumps located anywhere on your body, dark lesions on your palms, soles, fingertips and toes, or on mucous membranes lining your mouth, nose, vagina and anus.

Signs of basal cell carcinoma can vary depending on the type and may include skin changes such as a: Firm, pearly bump with tiny blood vessels in a spider like appearance (telangiectasias). Signs of squamous cell carcinoma include any: persistent, firm, red bump on sun-exposed skin.

Treatment
Depending on the type of skin cancer, dermatologic surgical treatments include: surgical excision; electrodessication and curettage which involves alternately scraping or burning the tumor in combination with low levels of electricity, cryosurgery and laser surgery. Other dermatologic treatments include radiation therapy and photodynamic therapy (a chemical is applied to the skin prior to exposure to a light source). Mohs micrographic surgery is preferred for large basal cell carcinomas, those that recur after previous treatment, or lesions affecting parts of the body where experience shows that recurrence is common after treatment by other methods.

Skin cancer can be deadly, but nearly all skin cancer can be treated if it is detected and diagnosed early, however skin cancer can recur, so it is important that you examine your skin regularly for any changes and see your doctor for a check-up every six to 12 months.

Dick Aronson has a background of over 35 years in various facets of the Healthcare industry. He set up and ran clinical trials in more than 20 countries and he has also founded a number of small private health related businesses. Dick now runs a number of informative health websites Go to Health Innovations Online and Go to Cancer Information Online

Bladder cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in your bladder, a balloon-shaped organ in your pelvic area that stores urine. It is the fourth most common type of cancer in men and the eighth most common type in women. Tumors can develop on the surface of the bladder wall or in more severe cases, within the wall and into the underlying muscles. Cancer in the bladder typically affects older adults, though it can occur at any age. Bladder tumors are 2 to 3 times more common in men.

Causes of Bladder Cancer
Smoking, gender, and diet can affect the risk of developing bladder cancer. Bladder carcinomas are also associated with industrial exposure to aromatic amines in dyes, paints, benzedine, nitrates, solvents, leather dust, inks, combustion products, rubber, and textiles. The period between exposure to the carcinogen and development of symptoms is about 18 years.

There is currently limited evidence that diet plays a part in the development of bladder cancer, but a diet high in fruit and vegetables and low in fat may help reduce the risk. Urinary infections, kidney and bladder stones, and other causes of chronic bladder irritation have been linked with bladder cancer (especially squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder), but they do not necessarily cause bladder cancer.

Signs of Bladder Cancer
In early cases around 25% of patients have no symptoms. Commonly the first sign of bladder tumours is blood in the urine, pain after urination, urinary frequency and dribbling. However, these signs and symptoms are not specific to bladder cancer, and may also be caused by non-cancerous conditions, including prostate infections and cystitis.

Types of Bladder Cancer
Cancers are divided into superficial and invasive disease. Superficial bladder cancer is limited to the innermost linings of the bladder. Invasive bladder cancer has at least penetrated the muscular layer of the bladder wall. Less than 5% of bladder cancers in the United States are squamous cell carcinomas, however, worldwide this is the most common form, accounting for 75% of bladder carcinoma in underdeveloped nations. Urothelial carcinoma (transitional cell carcinoma) is by far the most common type of bladder cancer in the United States.

Diagnosis of Bladder Cancer
Cancer in the bladder is usually curable if it is diagnosed while the cancer is still contained in the bladder, and up to 80% of tumors are diagnosed at this early stage. A biopsy for bladder cancer is usually done during cystoscopy. CT and Ultrasound scans, urinalysis and arteriography may also be done.

Treatment for Bladder Cancer
Treatments include bladder cancer surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and biologic therapy. The stage and grade of the cancer provides important information and can help guide treatment. Superficial bladder tumors are surgically removed with chemotherapy being added to the treatment regime to help prevent recurrence. Radical cystectomy and urinary diversion (an external bag) is usually undertaken for invasive bladder cancer.

Several new compounds have shown activity against transitional cell bladder cancer and are now being tested in combination chemotherapy trials. BCG immunotherapy is the most effective intravesical therapy and involves a live attenuated strain of Mycobacterium bovis. Immunotherapy in the form of BCG instillation is also used to treat and prevent the recurrence of superficial tumors. Alternative bladder cancer treatments such as herbal treatment may also be of some benefit.

Risk Reduction
Stopping smoking can reduce the risk of getting bladder cancer and if you have been diagnosed with superficial bladder cancer, stopping smoking will reduce the risk of developing more tumours in the future. Bladder cancer has a recurrence rate of 50%-80% and therefore, doctors recommend cystoscopy screening every three months for the first two years after treatment. People who drink a lot of fluids each day have a lower rate of bladder cancer.

Survival Rates
The prognosis depends on the stage of the cancer, whether it is superficial or invasive bladder cancer, and whether it has spread to other places in the body. Superficial bladder cancer has a good prognosis, with 5-year survival rates of 82-100%. If a tumor has grown into the wall of the bladder but has not spread to other organs, treatment usually involves surgical removal of the tumor, or combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy, with a five-year survival rate of 60% to 75%. Patients with more deeply invasive tumors,which are also usually less well differentiated, and those with lymphovascular invasion experience 5-year survival rates of 30% to 50% following radical cystectomy.

Dick Aronson has a background of over 35 years in various facets of the Healthcare industry. He set up and ran clinical trials in more than 20 countries and he has also founded a number of small private health related businesses. Dick now runs a number of informative health websites Go to Health Innovations Online and Go to Cancer Information Online