Once you reach a certain age are mammograms still necessary?
Yes. Did you know that 65% of women Medicare age do not take advantage of yearly mammograms or cancer screening and that it is a covered benefit? And men over the age of 50 do not take advantage of a CEA blood test which gives early detection of prostate cancer. Early detection gives you more options in treatment and can save your life.
I recently have been diagnosed with breast cancer and my doctor recommends surgery, can surgery make the cancer spread?
Some women worry that the surgery will make breast cancer spread by cutting loose cancer cells, or exposing them to open air. These factors do not make cancer spread.
Can some types of cancer be inherited?
Some types of cancer (including melanoma and cancers of the breast, ovary, prostate, and colon) tend to occur more often in some families than in the rest of the population. It is often unclear whether a pattern of cancer in a family is primarily due to heredity (due to gene mutations), factors in the family environment or lifestyle, or just a matter of chance. Most cancer causing gene changes are the result of factors in lifestyle and environment. However, some alterations that may lead to cancer are inherited and may be passed from parent to child. This does not mean you are certain to develop cancer; it means that the risk is increased.
Can cancer be prevented?
The risk of developing certain cancers can be reduced by not using tobacco products, avoiding the harmful rays of the sun, and choosing foods with less fat and more fiber. In addition, regular checkups and self-exams can reveal cancer at early stage when treatment is likely to be effective.
What is chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. These drugs work by interfering with the normal function of cancer cells to destroy them. Most anticancer drugs are injected directly into a vein; some may be injected into a muscle or given by mouth. Unlike surgery and radiation therapy, which are used to treat cancer localized in a small part of the body, chemotherapy is systemic treatment, meaning that the drugs flow through the bloodstream to nearly every part of the body.
What are the seven warning signs of cancer?
The American Cancer Society lists the following cancer warning signals: Change in bowel or bladder habits. A sore that does not heal. Unusual bleeding or discharge. Thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere. Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing. Obvious change in a wart or mole. Nagging cough or hoarseness. These symptoms are not always a sign of cancer. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis. It is important to see a physician if you have any of the above listed symptoms.
When can I get a Medicare Prescription Drug Card?
A Medicare-approved vendor should begin selling the cards in May 2004. You must be entitled to or enrolled in Medicare Part A or Part B. Medicaid recipients are not eligible for a Medicare prescription drug card. The card should allow you to get discounts on prescription drugs at a pharmacy that is with two to fifteen miles from your home depending on whether you are in an urban, suburban or rural area. For more information ask them directly by calling 1-800-633-4227 or go to www.medicare.gov.
My wife really wants me to have a PSA test. What is PSA and Should I have the test?
PSA stands for prostate specific antigen. It is a protein that is produced by normal prostatic cells as well as cancerous prostate cells and is measured with a blood test. In many instances, especially in men where there is a family history of the disease, the higher the PSA, the greater the chances of prostate cancer. If the PSA is “too high” a prostate biopsy may be recommended. Defining what is “too high” depends on age as well as prostate size and previous PSA readings. Prior to PSA testing, prostate cancer was often not found until the cancer was advanced and incurable. Now PSA testing allows us to identify prostate cancer at an earlier stage when curable treatment options are available.
What are the signs and symptoms of colon and rectal cancer?
Signs and symptoms may indicate the presence of a tumor in the colon or rectum. These symptoms are blood in the stool (either bright red or black in color), changes in bowel habits such as diarrhea, constipation or change in stool caliber, and occasionally, abdominal discomfort or pain. Some patients may also have weight loss or anemia. If you have any of these symptoms that last more than two weeks, you should consult your physician.
What is a benign and malignant tumor?
Benign tumors are not cancer. They can usually be removed, and in most cases, they do not come back. Most important, the cells in benign tumors do not invade other tissues and do not spread to other parts of the body. Benign breast tumors are not a threat to life…Malignant tumors are cancer. The cancer cells grow and divide out of control. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Also, cancer cells can break away from a malignant tumor and enter the blood stream or lymphatic system. That is how breast cancer spreads and forms secondary tumors in other parts of the body. The spread of cancer is called metastasis.
What exactly is cancer?
Cancer is a general term for a group of diseases (more than 100), which are characterized by uncontrolled cell growth. In addition, the individual cells have the ability to surrounding tissues to spread distantly to other organs. The distant spread can occur by way of the blood stream, the lympathic system, or by ‘dropping’ through a body cavity to another organ. Recently we learned that some cancer cells are immortal, meaning they never die by the usual aging mechanisms for cells. This leads to the accumulation of dozens of generations of the same ‘family’ of cancer cells in the same organ. Cancer kills by destroying the function of normal organs, leading to infection, hemorrhage or organ failure.
What are the signs and symptoms of Melanoma?
Often, the first sign of melanoma is a change in the size, shape, or color of an existing mole. It also may appear as a new, abnormal or ‘ugly-looking’ mole. Thinking of ‘ABCD’ can help you remember what to watch for: Asymmetry-the shape of one half does not watch the other. B. Border-the edges are ragged, notched, or blurred. Color-the color is uneven. Shades of black, brown, and tan may be present, areas of white, gray, red, or blue also may be seen. D. Diameter-there is a change in size.
What is leukemia and how is it treated
Leukemia is a cancer of the blood cells that are formed in the bone marrow. When leukemia develops, a large number of abnormal cells, which do not function properly, are created. Leukemia is often described as either acute or chronic depending on how quickly the disease develops and progresses. The type of leukemia a person has determines the treatment. Chemotherapy is frequently used. Bone marrow transplant may also be a treatment option depending on the patient’s age. Anyone under the age of 60 should visit with their oncologist or transplant specialist to discuss their options.
I have a family history of blood clots. Should I be concerned about this when having my upcoming surgery?
Yes. A positive family history for blood clots could indicate a potential risk for you to also develop a blood clot. There are several inheritable mutations which can transmit a high risk of blood clot development from one generation to the next. If your family history is indeed positive it is vital that you make your surgeon aware of this so that appropriate hematologic test can be ordered prior to surgery.
What should I know before beginning treatment for my cancer?
These are some questions a patient may want to ask the doctor before treatment for their cancer begins: What is my diagnosis? Is there any evidence the cancer has spread? What is the stage of the disease? What are my treatment choices? Which do you recommend for me? Why? What new treatments are being studied? Would a clinical trial be appropriate for me? What are the expected benefits of each kind of treatment? How often will I have treatments and how long with the treatments last?
My doctor has recommended a clinical trial for my cancer treatment, but I am worried about being treated like a ‘guinea pig’. Are cancer studies a good idea?
Taking part in a clinical trial has many possible benefits. You have access to newer treatments and drugs that are not otherwise generally available. You contribute to furthering knowledge about cancer treatment. You are also taking an active role in your health care. And, unlike being a “guinea pig”, your treatment begins only after you have a thorough understanding of the possible risks and benefits. When participating in a cancer clinical study, you are working with a specialized team of doctors, nurses, social workers, dieticians, and other health care professionals to monitor your care and progress.
A friend of mine is taking alternative medicine for her cancer but has not told her oncologist. Is this dangerous?
I believe that it is best for a patient to inform his or her doctor of all prescription, over the counter, or supplementary medications that he or she is taking. This would include so called alternative medications. Even seemingly benign appearing supplements can cause side-effects and may interfere with other medications. Some supplements have even been found to cause cancer. I would encourage your friend to discuss these supplements with her oncologist.
Should people get a second opinion when they have been diagnosed with cancer?
A second opinion is always appropriate when you are facing a serious illness. It is important that you find a doctor that you can talk to, who answers your questions, and includes you in decisions regarding treatment options. There are different ways to approach the treatment of a complex illness, but there is also something called a standard of care. Doctors and their staff should help you understand what the standard of care is for your cancer, so that you feel comfortable with your treatment decisions.
Is hormone therapy effective in treating breast cancer?
Often women with breast cancer have a cancer that is made up predominately of cancer cells that are sensitive to the estrogen balance of that women. Changing the estrogen balance with anti-estrogenic medication or using medicines that allow the ovaries or adrenal glands to make estrogen, may dramatically effect breast cancer cells, killing a proportion of the cells and decreasing symptoms of the cancer.
What is a bone marrow transplant and how is it different from a stem cell transplant?
A bone marrow transplant and a stem cell transplant are the same thing in that they involve transplanting a stem cell. The difference is the way that the stem cell is obtained. A stem cell eventually forms all of the normal blood cells that we have white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. A bone marrow transplant involves a surgical procedure that takes the stem cell directly from the bone marrow. A stem cell transplant takes the stem cell from the blood using an apheresis machine. Stem cell transplantation has the added advantage of helping the patient’s bone marrow recover more quickly than when traditional marrow was employed
What treatments are currently available for cancer?
The available treatments for cancer are increasing every year. We have surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, immunotherapy, gene therapy and biologic response modifiers. Some of these treatments are so new and undeveloped that they are still experimental. For those patients in whom the cancer is localized, surgery alone may be sufficient. Since the risk of recurrence or residual disease can be predicted in many cancers frequently another from of treatment may be used either before or after surgery to reduce the risk or recurrence. This additional treatment, which is call adjuvant therapy, may be any of the other available treatments, or a combination of two or more.
What is multiple myeloma and how can it be treated?
Multiple myeloma is a form of cancer that affects blood cells called plasma cells. In early stages of the disease there may be no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, patients tend to complain of bone pain. Patients may also have broken bones, weakness, fatigue, or weight loss. Multiple myeloma is treated with chemotherapy. Many physicians in the US also consider stem
With the new prescription drug card are there more benefits than just discounts?
Yes.. For those Medicare beneficiaries with low incomes. These beneficiaries are eligible for up to $600 in benefits and can get their initial $30 discount card enrollment fee paid for. To qualify, you must earn less than $2,569 a year or $16,862 for couples. You may apply for such “transitional assistance” at any time. A lot of changes are happening in health care so it is best to pay attention to the issues that may affect you or your loved ones and know the people we put into office have our best interest at heart.
What is a deep vein thrombosis?
This refers to the formation of a thrombus (blood clot) within a Deep vein, commonly in the thigh or pelvis. This can result in two serious consequences. If the thrombus partially or completely blocks the flow of blood through the vein, blood begins to pool and build up below the site, which can lead to chronic swelling and pain. The second consequence which can result is if the thrombus breaks free and travels through the veins, it can reach the lungs where it is called a pulmonary embolism. A pulmonary embolism is a potentially fatal event that can result in patient death within hours. Both deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism may be asymptomatic and difficult to detect. Thus, physicians focus on preventing their development by using mechanical or drug therapies.
What is Iron Deficiency Anemia?
Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) is a condition where a person has inadequate amounts of iron to meet body demands. It is a decrease in the amount of red blood cells caused by having too little iron. The main causes of iron deficiency are poor absorption of iron by the body, inadequate intake of iron, pregnancy, growth spurts or blood loss due to heavy menses or internal bleeding. Anemia develops slowly after the normal stores of iron have been depleted in the body in the bone marrow.
What are the symptoms of anemia?
There are many symptoms of anemia. Each individual will not experience all the symptoms and if the anemia is mild, the symptoms may not be noticeable. Some of the symptoms are pale skin color, fatigue, irritability, dizziness, weakness, shortness of breath, sore tongue, brittle nails, decreased appetite, and frontal headaches. The tests are simple to check for anemia and include red blood cell measures of hemoglobin and hematocrit, size of red blood cells, serum iron level, and the iron binding capacity in the blood.