Fertility Preservation Options For Men And Women

Fertility Preservation Options For Men And Women
By Grace E Henderson

Being diagnosed with cancer can be very painful especially for young women who dream to bear children in the future. Every so often, cancer treatments affect a person's capacity to conceive. In women, those who are undergoing cancer treatment before the age of thirty have the best possibility of becoming pregnant after cancer cure. Good news for young women who stop menstruating for the duration of cancer treatment, regularly after they stop chemotherapy, they'll start having periods again.

In men, infertility issues can happen as well. At times, men are recommended to undergo surgery to remove the affected area of his body. Testicular surgery, testicle removal, prostate or bladder surgery and any type of surgery that interferes with ejaculation can affect man's ability to procreate. In addition, hormonal therapies used to manage prostate or other cancers can have a negative effect on man's fertility.

Fertility preservation has helped cancer patients maintain their fertility, or capability to produce offspring. Before undergoing cancer treatment, it is important for the health care provider to provide options to the patient regarding fertility preservation. Discussing fertility options carefully with the health care provider can ease concern about whether the patient can still bear children in the future.

Often, doctors would discuss with the patients the risks involved and success rates of the fertility preservation methods. Married couples or individuals in a relationship considering children in the future should weigh in the cons and pros of treatment.

The most common fertility preservation methods in women include embryo freezing, ovarian transposition, radical trachelectomy and fertility sparing surgical procedure. Diem Brown, star of MTV's Real World/Road Rules "Challenge" series was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. At age 23, she had her first ovary removed including part of her fallopian tubes and several lymph nodes. Now, at age 30, she is facing the same dilemma. She needs to have her second and last ovary removed. But before she does, she opt to undergo fertility preservation methods like egg freezing because she has plans to conceive in the distant future.

In men, available fertility preservation procedures include sperm banking and radiation shielding. These procedures are to be done prior to cancer treatments to have a better success of maintaining fertility.

Dealing with cancer and the possibility of becoming infertile can be a very distressing moment for both men and women. Before undergoing cancer treatment, patients are advised to consult with their health care provider about the different fertility preservation available. Certainly, these treatments are not cheap. Those who cannot afford to pay for treatment can look for sponsoring events that are in the business of raising funds in help those in need of fertility preservation procedures but unfortunately unable to pay for the treatment.

Read more about Fertility Preservation for Cancer Patients here.

Visit IVF HELP to learn more about Reproductive health, fertility issues, treatments available, updates and other information

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Prevention For Cancer

Prevention For Cancer
By Andrew G Crawford

In this article I will be giving you a list of cancer preventing/curing foods with a VERY short explanation about each one, short because there are just so many out there and this article would be just too long if I gave complete explanations for each food type. Your doctor prescribed drugs my be the way you are used to hearing about preventing and curing cancer but research from all over the world is showing us, in abundance, the best prevention for cancer lies in your everyday foods, namely fresh fruits and vegetables.

These include:

• Avocadoes: contains a compound calledglutathione, an antioxidant that blocks your intestines from absorbing certain free radical containing fats.


• Cauliflower: cabbage, and broccoli: contains indole-3-carbinol, converts a certain cancer causing estrogen into a more protective variety, helping to protect against breast cancer.


• Carrots: contain large quantities of beta-carotene, protects the body from a wide variety of cancers.


• Jalapeno peppers and chilies: these contain "capsaicin" helps protect against stomach cancers.


• Figs: contain benzaldehyde, helps to reduce size of tumors.


• Flax: contains an antioxidant referred to as "lignans" this is known to help suppress cancerous changes in the body, also rich in omega 3.


• Garlic: so many benefits, boosts the manufacture is immune cells to fight all kinds of disease and breaks down cancer causing substances.


• Grapefruits: like most citrus fruits, all contain monoterpenes, a compound believed to help rid the body of cancer causing carcinogens.


• Red grapes: and yes, this includes the grapes found in red wine, they contain antioxidants referred to as bioflavonoids, these are very powerful anti cancer compounds.

This is but a few out there, the list goes on, in short though, almost every fruit and vegetable we know has some kind of anti cancer compound within it, some more powerful than others. Another probably little known or understood cause of cancer is acid retention within the body, pollutants of almost every kind and even too much exercise by way of lactic acid build up within overtaxed muscles can cause your body to become "acidic".

Acid levels within the body can raise whenever we consume acidic foods, you should be able to pick these just by their taste, drinks like coffee, alcohol, supermarket orange juice and others, soft drinks or "pop" drinks. Excess acid in most creatures, especially the one's we like to eat and us, is stored in the fatty tissues, so when you are enjoying that next fatty cut of meat or burger etc, you are taking that animals excess acids into your own body where it floats around your body and "settles" in organs, veins, arteries, fat tissue etc and erodes the inside of your body thus causing many of the cancers we know today.

We can still enjoy a diet of meat however, just so long as we counteract the excess acids and other harmful compounds in our bodies with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.

You just need to find out how, in doing this you will not only stave off the threat of cancer YOU WILL BEGIN TO FEEL GREAT ON EVERY LEVEL, as your body will become thou roughly healthy.

To get ALL the information about preventing cancer, and even how to help cure existing cancer go to cure-cancer.info, to find out exactly how. Cancer is one of the greatest fears of our time, but with the right knowledge you can be one of the one's without this fear simply by staying healthy.

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What Is Adrenocortical Carcinoma?

What Is Adrenocortical Carcinoma?
By Paul A Morales

Adrenocortical carcinomas are uncommon malignancies that affect the adrenal cortex (outermost layer of the adrenal glands). These glands are found on top of the kidneys, and are responsible for producing hormones which control some body functions. These hormones include adrenaline, noradrenaline (which control heart rate, blood pressure, etc.), steroids, and some sex hormones (estrogen, testosterone).

Occurrence
Its occurrence is noted most on children younger than five years old, and to adults in their thirties and forties. It is found on both males and females. It is rare, as the chance of getting this type of carcinoma is two out of one million.

Causes
The causes of having this type of carcinoma are unknown, but it may be linked on genetics. People with family members affected with this type have been theorized to have increased risk of getting this type.

Signs and Symptoms
As the tumor develops in the gland, some/all hormones that the gland produces also increase in the bloodstream. This increase can lead to several symptoms that may depend on what hormone levels are affected.

Cortisol: Cortisol is a hormone that is responsible for carbohydrate metabolism, and to the body's response to stress. Its increase can produce symptoms which mimic those of Cushing's disease. These symptoms may include:

Buffalo hump: a hump found almost on the nape area of the body, which is usually made up of fat;

Moon face: a change in the patient's face, which produces puffy cheeks, and makes it rounded, resembling that of a full moon;

Virilization: male sexual characteristics become more prominent in both males and females, which causes increased hair growth in some parts of the body, deepening of the voice, and acne.

Aldosterone: Aldosterone is a hormone responsible for salt (sodium and potassium) and water balance in the body. Increase of this hormone can cause symptoms, such as:
Increased thirst: because of increased sodium in the body, and; muscle cramps and weakness: because of electrolyte imbalance.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of adrenocortical carcinomas will depend on the approach prescribed by the examiner. The physician can use several methods in order to properly diagnose if one has this type of cancer.

Symptom analysis: using the symptoms provided above, the doctor can already suspect that a patient has this type of cancer.

Laboratory tests: using different blood chemistry and hormonal analysis, a physician can see results such as increased blood glucose (because of increased cortisol), and change of hormonal levels from its normal limits.

Radiology: the tumor formed can be visualized through the use of different radiologic examinations, which can include X-ray, CT Scan, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Pathology: the physician can request extraction of a part of the tumor through different methods, and confirm its malignancy by doing a biopsy.

Treatment
The initial and the only treatment of this type of cancer is through removal of the tumor itself, especially when it has already affected some major blood vessels. If surgery is successful, the chances of living for five more years will be increased to fifty to sixty percent. However, not all of the patients are surgical candidates. If the patients will not be able to undergo surgery, some approaches such as radiotherapy, and radiofrequency ablation will be taken. Medications to control the production of cortisol might be given, as most of the symptoms are caused by increased cortisol.

Adrenal carcinoma is a dangerous and possibly fatal type of cancer. However, knowing Adrenal carcinoma and consulting your physician as early as soon as possible can help in early management and treatment of the disease.

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Marijuana Use May Increase Risk of Testicular Cancer

Marijuana Use May Increase Risk of Testicular Cancer
By Leeman Taylor

Smoking marijuana may increase men's risk of testicular cancer, a new study from the University of Southern California (USC) finds.

This new study discovered that men who smoked weed or marijuana were twice as likely as men who had not to get a dangerous form of the disease. If you don't know, testicular cancer is the most common form of cancer diagnosed in men under the age of 45. It's also on the rise, says Scott Eggener, MD, a cancer surgeon at the University of Chicago who has studied the trend.

There was a study released earlier this year that showed marijuana use is up, with 1 in 10 teens now smoking marijuana at least 20 times a month. The USC study compared a group of 163 men with testicular cancer to a similar group of 292 healthy men who were questioned about recreational drug use. The researchers of California discovered those men who used marijuana had a two-fold increased risk of testicular tumors and, more specifically, tend to affect younger men and are difficult to diagnose, requiring chemotherapy.

I know the doubled risk of cancer may sound quite scary, but researchers caution that men who have smoked marijuana shouldn't panic. This is because the odds that a man will get testicular cancer are pretty small to begin with. About 1 in 400 men are diagnosed by the time they are 35, according to the National Cancer Institute. Even if you double that risk to 1 in 200, any one man's chances are still pretty slim. The study also does not prove that marijuana causes cancer.

On the other hand, there was a negative effect in this study between a history of cocaine use and these types of cancer. Victoria Cortessis, MSPH, PhD, assistant professor of preventive medicine, offers an explanation in the fact that cocaine destroys sperm-producing germ cells, as it is known to occur in animals. Cocaine may lead to infertility but it may also kill cells, including cancerous ones, before they even develop cancer, which would explain the lower incidence of testicular tumors among cocaine users. This is most likely the first study to reveal such an association.

Doctors still don't know why marijuana may increase the risk of certain types of cancer.The active ingredient in marijuana, THC, may interfere with normal hormone signaling between the brain and the testicles. Further research will be conducted that will look at all the processes.

The bottom line, explains Stephen M. Schwartz, PhD, MPH, an epidemiologist at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, is that marijuana may not be as harmless a drug as some people think. I have never heard of anyone dying from marijuana use or overdosing so I always thought that marijuana can't be that harmful. Sure enough you will get the "munchies" or laugh uncontrollably, but that's all I knew. As a matter of fact, many individuals have found marijuana to help them with stress and certain pains.

"The overall story is that there's an increased risk in marijuana users," says Schwartz, who was not involved in the research. "It's particular to the kinds of testicular tumors that are the most aggressive and therefore the most likely to put a man's life at risk." What's more, he says, the finding "is pretty consistent amongst these three studies, which is something we should be paying attention to."

The main issue that concerns me is the increased use of marijuana among teens. There has been a study that suggested that teens who smoke marijuana routinely risk a long term drop in their IQ. The significant fact about the analysis showed that individuals who reduced smoking habits and quit entirely, still showed declines their IQ by the age of 38.

The best solution to both of these studies is to avoid marijuana all together and practice healthy habits such as dieting and exercising. There is no better feeling in the world than knowing you are healthy and continuing to improve your body inside and out. Change your bad habits today and start following a healthier lifestyle.

http://www.webmd.com/cancer/news/20120910/marijuana-tied-to-testicular-cancer?page=2

http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/news/study-links-marijuana-use-to-testicular-cancer

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Living With Kidney Cancer

Living With Kidney Cancer
By Donald Willeyand Evelyn Willey

Being diagnosed with kidney cancer, or even being told of the suspicion of it, can make you feel extremely fearful. It is estimated that over 64 thousand new cases of kidney cancer will be diagnosed this year and that there will be in excess of 14 thousand people losing their life to this disease during the same period.The survival rate of kidney cancer has been pretty low compared to other kinds of cancers. Over the past decade many advances have been made in understanding and development of new ways to combat kidney cancer. In the United States the survival rate has risen to 1-in-33.

The kidneys are important organs in the human body and they perform many functions to keep it healthy, including producing hormones, absorbing minerals, and filtering blood and urine. Kidneys are two bean shaped organs the size of clenched fists that reside in the rear of the body in the abdomen, and are part of the urinary tract. They make urine by a filtering process that removes waste and water from the blood and make substances to control blood pressure and red blood cells. Attached to the top of each kidney is an adrenal (suprarenal) gland that is critical in creating various hormones that are required for a healthy life. To survive, the human body must have at least one functioning kidney and adrenal gland.

The cells in the body are the building blocks that make up the tissues, that make up the kidneys and the other organs of the body. When the cells malfunction, cancer starts. Cells naturally grow, divide and die as a natural part of life, and as they die they are replaced by new cells. When this natural process gets out of control and old or damaged cells do not die, malignant cells are formed and eventually produce a mass or a tumor. These tumors may be benign (not usually a threat to life) or malignant (may be a threat to life). Early detection of a tumor by a trained medical professional is critical in determining its chances for successful treatment.

Cancer is the most feared disease in the world. It is the second leading cause for death in the United States and human beings have had cancer since the very beginning of recorded history. The term cancer refers to malignant tumors, which can invade nearby tissues and can spread to other parts of the body. Descriptions of cancer have been recorded in Egyptian history as far back as 3000BC.

There are many types of cancer and they all start as the out of control growth of abnormal cells. There are millions of people alive today who have cancer or who have had cancer. Scientists know that cancer can be caused by chemicals, radiation and viruses, and can even run in families. By understanding DNA and genes, it was found that it was the damage to DNA that frequently led to the development of cancer. Discoveries have continued over the years providing new understandings and the development of techniques and medications that now can be directed to a specific type of cancer.

Rental Cell Carcinoma (RCC) is also known as kidney cancer. Kidney cancer occurs when cells in the kidney divide without control or order.Renal cancers typically develop due to genetic changes called mutations. These mutations may be inherited, but most occur after birth. It is a devastating disease occurring mostly in men between the ages of 50 and 70 and affecting between 50,000 and 70,000 people a year in the United States alone.

Both kidneys can have the disease and it can spread to the lungs and other parts of the body. There can be many symptoms of this disease or it can be discovered during medical imaging of the body when checking for other problems. There are many types of RCC, but all start in the cells of the outer layer of the kidney and may be discovered as a single type or a group of many types.

The three main types of RCC are Clear Cell, Papillary Cell and Chromophobe Cell. Clear Cell is the most common and account for 75-85% of these tumors. Papillary Cell is the second most common and accounts for 10-15% of these tumors. Chromophobe Cell accounts for 3-5% of these tumors. RCC accounts for 2-3% of all cancers worldwide and is the 7th and 9th most common cancer in men and women. Kidney cancer may occasionally interfere with the body's ability to filter the blood, which may require dialysis treatments in some cases.

The overall prognosis for cancer has improved over the last few decades. In the 1970's approximately 1 of 2 people diagnosed with the disease survived at least five years. Now that has changed to 2 of 3. The prognosis for RCC depends on the extent of the disease, its stage (1 through 5) when it was diagnosed and if it has spread into other parts of the body. When it has spread outside the kidney into other parts of the body, its survival rates are low. RCC found in the early stages may be cured over time. The problem is when this cancer is not found until it has reached an advanced stage, and the chance of curing stage 5 RCC is very small.

Many people with cancer feel anxious and depressed, angry and resentful, helpless and defeated. Family and friends can be very supportive but may be hesitant to offer their support due to not knowing how to approach it. They can feel powerless because they do not know what to do to help the person with kidney failure, or if they receive a negative reaction when trying to help. Talking to others can provide a big help, not only in understanding the disease but in talking to others that have or have had the disease. People need to talk about their fears and feelings.

Evelyn and Don are co-owners of Ladies Hair Care By ED where they have selected all natural organic/herbal hair, health and skin care products that are sure to satisfy their customers needs. Visit them at http://www.ladieshaircarebyed.com and see what they have selected for you.

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Holistic Approach to Cancer

Holistic Approach to Cancer
By Michael E. Goldberg

The holistic approach to cancer is to boost a person's energy, to boost a person's immune system, to make sure the body is alkaline (and not acidic), to greatly reduce stress and negativity and negative thinking (because this depletes energy), to ensure cells have adequate oxygen (through deep breathing and hydration), to cut out refined sugars, starches, most fats and processed and junk foods from the diet and to greatly reduce consumption of meat and dairy products.

The holistic approach also advocates that we greatly reduce our exposure to toxins in the air, food and water, and that we use natural products and filter our drinking water. Toxins damage our immune system and compromise its ability to prevent cancer. Iodine deficiency may result from toxicity and iodine helps to de-toxify the body. So, look into iodine supplements. Also, look into the consumption of seaweed and kelp that contain iodine. De-toxify your body with the high nutrient diet below below and a lot of filtered water with fresh lemon and lime along with milk thistle supplements.

The holistic approach is intended to be used in combination with conventional medicine and not in lieu of conventional medicine. With respect to any disease and its treatment, consult a physician.

Holistic-oriented research indicates that toxins in the air, food and water and in other products we ingest or put on our bodies damage the immune system and permit cancer cells to proliferate. It is also clear from the holistic research that poor diet and nutrition and lack of exercise damage the immune system too. Stress and negativity drain a person's energy and damage his or her immune system. All this leads to a sick body that cannot fight the proliferation of cancer cells in it.

The holistic approach helps you achieve and maintain balance and high vibrations. The tools it uses are education, information, coaching, daily meditation and prayer, deep breathing techniques,exercise stretching, nutrition and energy body cleansing and Reiki and other forms of energy body healing.

It is important to keep the energy body clean and vibrant, removing energy blockages and attachments so that energy levels are high and energy flows freely through the body. This is done through Reiki and energy healing and emotional release techniques along with meditation and visualization techniques and positive thinking techniques.

It is important to let go of the painful past and any negative energy stored at the cellular level such as anger, fear, worry, resentment, regrets and guilt. It is important to achieve and maintain peace of mind and balance and an ongoing feeling of inner peace and joy and cultivate positive thoughts and emotions (i.e., the ongoing flow of unconditional love felt in the heart and body leads to inner peace).

It is important to maintain a healthy weight and to end obesity and smoking. It is important to reduce body fat (measured as BMI) to acceptable levels. The holistic approach to achieve this is through diet, exercise, stress reduction and natural supplements.

We must consume a healthy diet that consists primarily of whole foods and avoid processed foods. Generally speaking, we should only consume foods that contain a lot of vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants. A high nutrient diet is recommended. This diet should consist almost entirely of whole fresh vegetables, which provide the vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants so needed by the body.

According to holistic research, sugar, a lack of oxygen at the cellular level, toxicity and acidity feed cancer. Diet, exercise and energy body cleansing and healing will hep reverse these factors. The diet discussed above should help the body stay alkaline (as opposed to acidic). It will eliminate refined sugars, fat and starches that are in processed foods and substantially reduce meat that all keep the body acidic. The holistic research indicates that an alkaline body is best for cancer.

Take good sized doses of vitamins and trace minerals - a, b complex, c, d3, e, k1 and k2 and co q 10, fish oil, flaxseed oil, astragalus, liquid, collodial trace mineral supplements (especially liquid, collodial trace minerals), alpha lipoic acid and resveratrol.

Super foods such as, chlorella, spirulina, wheatgrass, and garlic will help boost the immune system. They can be taken as supplements.

Holistic research indicates the benefits of turmeric, soursop, pau' d arco and hemp oil with respect to cancer along with the topical use of frankincense essential oil. Holistic research also indicates the benefits of bromelain re natural treatment for cancer. Bromelain is a natural enzyme that is derived from pineapple and is sold as a supplement. Due to toxicity and poor diet, many people are iodine deficient. Holistic research indicates the need to normalize iodine levels. You can raise iodine levels through the high nutrient diet discussed in this article along with iodine supplements. Also, seaweed and kelp are a good source of iodine.

Supplements that help boost energy and the immune system include co-q10, Asian mushroom supplements (reishi, shitake, mitaki, cordyceps and others), astragalus, resveritrol, vitamins c, d3 and b complex vitamins and green tea extract supplements.

Holistic research indicates the benefits of eating the apple seeds along with the apples you eat. According to the research, the seeds are rich in vitamin B17 and natural cyanide that kills cancer cells.

Try alkaline water or put baking soda or powder in your filtered water to help keep your body alkaline and reduce acid.

Exercise is important. Do daily cardio exercises and lift weights. This will help reduce blood sugar and boost energy and the immune system. It will help get oxygen and energy flowing. Do yoga and stretching. This will also help get oxygen and energy flowing.

Get outdoors and expose your skin to moderate amounts of sunshine each day, especially on your face and arms. This will help your body produce vitamin D3 for good health. Breathe deeply, center yourself and maintain good posture to improve the flow of oxygen and energy in your body. Get into nature often- around trees, running water and the ocean. The air in these locations has more oxygen in it. Also, put a lot of plants in your home and keep it well ventilated to improve the oxygen in your home.

Greatly reduce stress in your life because stress drains energy and damages the immune system, so needed to prevent and fight cancer.

Most stress comes from our thoughts and emotions. Choose positive thoughts and emotions over negative ones and reduce stress factors in your life to conserve and boost your energy. Focus on being and feeling happy.

Meditation and deep breathing techniques are important to get the mind and body to relax and get us out of a state of stress and negativity.

Reiki and energy healing are also important with respect to cancer.

Please see my articles on the holistic approach to Type 2 Diabetes and Depression on EzineArticles.com for additional holistic techniques that will help with respect to Cancer too.

The foregoing is not intended to be medical advice. It is information based on holistic health research. It is a holistic approach intended to be used in combination with conventional medicine. Consult your physician for medical advice.

September, 2012

Michael E. Goldberg is a Reiki Master, Health and Life Coach and Author of The Road to Healing, Good Health and Wellness (available on amazon.com, kindle and barnes and noble.com), End of Mood Disorders (available on amazon.com and barnes and noble.com) and The Road to Happiness, available for free at http://www.theroad2happiness.com and the Facebook Page entitled The Road to Happiness along with many free articles on holistic health at EzineArticles.com. Michael provides Reiki healing and life and health coaching. Michael can be reached at mikegoldberg888@yahoo.com or the Facebook Pages Michael Goldberg or Mike Gold.

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Coping With Cancer - How To Deal With It

Coping With Cancer - How To Deal With It
By Kate J Carlton

My ex-husband described it as the 3 words you never want to hear.

"You have cancer".

Somehow, what follows that, is what I will refer to as an "out of body" experience. It is almost like a whir of a fan, or a low pitched siren.

When I received my call after a lumpectomy due to breast atypia, (which is benign, 98% of the time), my surgeon said there were some malignant cells found in the biopsy." I remember saying, "what does that mean?" at least four times. Finally, she said "you have breast cancer." I still can remember the shock I felt.
Why did I not hear about cancer when I was growing up as I do in my current life?

Yes, it was referred to as the "C"- and mostly whispered. Is it because we have such advanced methods of early detection? Is it because it is no longer something to be ashamed of- a show of weakness that somehow if you were stronger you could have prevented this from happening?

Or is it that cancer is so rampant that few are spared of not knowing someone who has been afflicted by this horrible disease?

After the initial shock, most of us go into automatic and go through the process of doing what we have to do- try and get cured.

As I think about it, I wonder if I ever fully acknowledged that I had breast cancer. My then husband, (although I was separated), told my children that I was being dramatic and didn't really have cancer. With that being said, my daughter was constantly angry at me for going to sleep before the usual late hours you can generally catch me awake, reading or watching some inane movie. I was constantly tired due to my treatment. My general sleep time was somewhere around 8. Other than that, I did not alter my routine in any way.

I did not talk about it, act differently or discontinue playing tennis. I just let my co-pilot take over- and it did.

After it was over, I contacted a therapist who specialized in treating women with breast cancer. She was wonderful, until a year later when she got diagnosed herself with breast cancer and had a mastectomy, followed by chemotherapy. She recovered, I returned, and 6 months later, had a reoccurrence. She retired.
At each 6 month check up, the nerves reappear, but as time goes on, you do become more and more confident that your health has remained intact.

I have just passed 7 years as a survivor of breast cancer.

I think the most difficult case for me, was when a 45 year old woman came to me, diagnosed with breast cancer. Coincidentally, she was being treated at the same hospital as me and using the same surgeon. She was petrified. Her husband and 2 daughters were extremely supportive, but she feared the return of cancer everyday. She had surgery, treatment, and years of well visits, but, she could never get over the fear of becoming sick again. This was especially trying for me, as this remains a fear of most every cancer patient. After years of therapy and well visits, she has tried to focus on the day, but is still plagued by her fear of the disease returning.

Recently, I treated a 55 year old woman whose husband had passed away 2 years ago from lung cancer. She went through a year of ups and downs, laughter and tears, and eventually the finality of the end of her marriage and loss of her husband and father of her children. She tried to be strong for her 2 college age children, and took over the business they ran jointly. Although difficult, the distraction of working, plus a strong family and friend support system, she moved on. She began dating, (nothing really panning out), but started to live again. Things were on the mend.

Today I received a call from her letting me know that something in her lung was detected in an X-ray and needed to be looked at further. After a pet scan today, although most likely benign, a mass was discovered. She will be operated on next week for a removal of the mass and partial lung. She will be hospitalized for 5-7 days and then followed by a 6 month recovery.

Erica, 59 year old woman, went for a routine mammography yesterday. A mass was detected so they proceeded with a fine needle aspiration (they insert a needle into the mass and withdraw fluid for pathology). Today, her news was positive. She was told she has a benign adenoma, and needs no treatment.

So, today was a day where there were lots of reminders to enjoy the day, cherish the moment, and never judge- because you NEVER know what battle someone is fighting. Life may not be fair, but remember that you have the power to make it good.

Kate
http://www.eastcoasttherapist.com

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