Cancer Navigator

What Are the Symptoms of Colon Cancer?

admin — Thu, 10 May 2012 22:50:07 +0000

Perhaps the reason why colon cancer, a largely preventative disease according to most gastroenterologists, is a leading cause of death among cancer patients is that its symptoms can be difficult to spot. Taking the time to understand the look and feel of colon cancer symptoms will increase your chances of beating the disease before it spreads.

Overview of the Colon

The first step in understanding possible colon cancer symptoms is to learn the basic functions of your digestive system. The colon, sometimes called the large intestine, is a major section of your gastrointestinal tract. Approximately 6 feet in length, it is responsible for absorption of water, minerals and nutrients as food passes through your body. The colon also helps to get rid of waste by producing stool that can eventually be passed through the lowest parts of the gastrointestinal tract: the anal canal and rectum.

Common Colon Cancer Symptoms

During the earliest stages of the disease, it is quite common, in fact, to experience no symptoms at all. Fortunately, recommended colorectal screening starting at age 50 with procedures such as colonoscopy has been proven to be effective in detecting and removing cancer growth and preventing a large proportion of fatalities.

Regardless, many cases of colon cancer produce a variety of symptoms. Depending on whether a specific cancer is local or systemic, symptoms may vary even further. In reviewing the symptoms listed below, keep in mind that local colon cancer creates symptoms that affect your regular bowel movements because it attacks the colon itself. Systemic colon cancer, on the other hand, may affect the entire body.

You May Have Local Colon Cancer If:

You experience bowel movements more or less frequently than normal,
You experience prolonged constipation, diarrhea or a combination of the two,
You notice obvious or occult blood in your stool,
You notice that your stool is thinner than usual,
You feel like your colon is still full, even after a bowel movement, and/or
You experience abdominal pain, cramps, gas or bloating for no apparent reason.

Symptoms of Systemic Colon Cancer:

You notice a substantial drop in body weight without dieting or other intentional methods of weight loss,
You notice a loss of natural appetite,
You feel fatigued all of the time without apparent cause,
You frequently experience nausea or vomiting, and/or
You are suddenly diagnosed with a medical condition such as anemia or jaundice.

How Do I Treat My Symptoms?

It is good practice to see a doctor if any of these colon cancer symptoms persist. While recognition of these problems may not necessarily lead to a diagnosis, your doctor will be able to review your medical history and perform a variety of tests to assess your health. Some of these tests require drawing of blood or sampling of stool. If need be, your doctor may refer you to a colon specialist who can screen you for colon cancer with a colonoscopy.

Most patients will hesitate to see a doctor about possible colon cancer symptoms because they are scared of getting screened with colonoscopy. Don’t let yourself be swayed by common misconceptions.

While many wrongly believe that the colonoscopy procedure causes a lot of pain, shame and embarrassment, the benefit of removing cancerous tumors before they metastasize is well worth the perceived risk for many patients. In addition, advances in gastroenterology have allowed colon cancer screening to be as quick and painless as ever. In fact, most patients said that they did not even remember the screening procedure because they were sedated throughout the entire process.

What Are the Symptoms of Breast Cancer?

admin — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 10:39:45 +0000

Being diagnosed with breast cancer can be a scary situation. This disease is more common than most people think and it affects both men and women. It’s important to recognize some of the symptoms of breast cancer so that you can get help, if needed. Along with the help of medical professionals, you can determine if you’re in need of cancer treatments. Take a look at the below symptom of breast cancer, to better understand the warning signs. It’s best to stay educated on breast cancer issues so that you can be better prepared in the future.

There are a variety of symptoms of breast cancer and each person may experience different ones. It’s important to note that many symptoms go unnoticed, so it’s best to be extra cautious if you think that you may have symptoms.

Many people with breast cancer notice that there is increased swelling in parts of their breast. This swelling may be extremely uncomfortable. There may also be skin irritation on the breast area. Some people find that there’s also pain in the nipple area. These are just some of the symptoms that may exist.

Many people with breast cancer feel pain in their breasts. This can be a sign of breast cancer or other serious problems. While many people with breast cancer notice a lump in one or both of their breasts, others notice bumps in the underarm area. It can be hard to detect a lump, so it’s important to do routine breast exams so that these lumps can be found. Another symptom includes discharge coming from the nipple area. All of these symptoms point to a problem and show the need for medical attention. While these warning signs may not directly point to breast cancer, there may be other medical issues present. If you have any concerns, don’t be afraid to ask for assistance.

If you have any of the above symptoms, it’s important to get help right away. Cancer is a medial issue that should be treated as soon as possible. Medical professionals are trained to recognize the warning signs of the disease and they’re able to determine the best method of treatment. In many cases, breast cancer is able to be treated. If you think that you may have breast cancer, make sure that you’re taking the right steps to protect yourself so that you can stay as healthy as possible.

American Red Cross First Aid Tips – Important Tips Everyone Should Know

admin — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 21:45:04 +0000

The American Red Cross provides assistance in emergencies and other events to people throughout the communities they serve. In addition, they also offer courses in how one can be prepared for an emergency or to care for injured and sick persons in an emergency situation. They also provide tips for many types of situations where an emergency might arise to help in preventing or limiting the extent of injury or illness. These can be valuable resources for everyone but the most important tips they provide are the American Red Cross First Aid Tips. These basic tips can help save someone’s life in a medical emergency and it is good for everyone to know them.

One of the most basic American Red Cross first aid tips is to make sure that a victim is out of harm’s way. This means moving them out of any spot where they or those trying to help them can incur injury or damage. Safety for the victim and those helping him must come first. The next step is to ascertain if the victim is awake and breathing. If a victim is not breathing, then it is important to see if there is anything in their mouth that would interfere with their ability to get air. If there is anything in their mouth it must be cleaned out so that the air can flow. If this does not help the victim breathe, CPR may be necessary. Before starting CPR call for medical help, the 9-1-1 operator will generally give instructions on what to do next. CPR is not difficult. It involves chest compressions and then breathing into the victim’s mouth. The ratio is 30 compressions and then one breath.

Another critical area that American Red Cross first aid tips cover is heart attacks. A heart attack is a very sudden occurrence. One can recognize a heart attack victim by their profuse sweating, gasping for air, persistent or sudden chest pain, bluish lips, dizziness and or fainting. Have the victim sit down and then give them a regular aspirin which they can chew if they are conscious. Call for medical help and give CPR if needed.

There are many other American Red Cross first aid tips but these are two of the most basic tips. It is important that everyone become familiar with basic first aid and what to do in the case of an emergency. Sometimes it is only through the help of those on the scene when an incident occurs that a victim can survive.

The Importance of Consistency in Skin Care

admin — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 03:30:56 +0000

Every little girl dreams of standing in front of the mirror and doing what mommy does every day. And then we grow up and we often dread the daily routine of standing in front of the mirror every morning and every night. It can be tempting to skip certain parts altogether. However, the importance of daily skin care regimen should not be ignored. It is vital to maintaining healthy, young looking skin.

Incorporating a daily skin care routine into your daily schedule can be difficult if you are not used to it. However, it can become habit to wash your face every morning and every night. Practiced consistently, it becomes second nature to reach for the astringent and moisturizer so that your skin is never neglected. If you have not already recognized the importance of daily skincare regimen, it is not too late.

Once you realize the importance of daily skin care regimen, it can be difficult to know where to start in implementing a routine. A sample routine may look something like this:
Morning

Wash face with an appropriate cleanser. This may be done in the shower.
Apply astringent with a cotton ball.
Apply a light, daily wear moisturizer that has an SPF of at least 15.
Apply make-up

Evening

Wash face with an appropriate cleanser. This may be the same cleanser that is used in the morning.
Use make-up remover where necessary to ensure none is left on the face. Often it is necessary to use an eye make-up remover, as some water proof types are not easily removed with standard facial cleansers.
Apply night cream.

These steps will differ for each individual, but these are a good starting point for someone who is not used to taking care of their skin on a daily basis.

It takes at least two weeks to create a habit. Be consistent and make adjustments to help you stay on task. Recognizing the importance of daily skin care regimen is only the first step. Action must be taken. Your new skin care routine may add a few minutes to your day, so if need be, set your alarm five minutes early for a couple of weeks. It can also be helpful to leave the necessary products out in the open rather than in a cabinet or drawer. The old adage “out of sight out of mind” applies here, and you will be more likely to remember to use your skin care products if you can see them.