Wednesday, December 12, 2007

CANCER PAIN


What you Need to Know about Skin Cancer PreventionBy: MIKE SELVON
*Skin cancer prevention is preached by medical professionals all over the United States. This is no surprise given that the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation reported more than one million Americans were diagnosed with some form of skin cancer in 2005.

* Despite the medical evidence available on skin cancer, our society remains focused on tanning beds and sunbathing without using the proper protection. Skin cancer comes in two forms, melanomas and non-melanomas. Melanomas usually account for only four percent of diagnosed skin cancers, but they are considered to be the most deadly. Melanomas occur in the epidermis, the skin's outer layer, usually appearing as a dark mole with uneven edges.

*If detected early through skin cancer prevention, melanomas can be eliminated without causing harm. If ignored, these cancers can break away and spread to other parts of the body. Non-melanomas, on the other hand, are comprised of two different cell types, basal cells and squamous cells. Both of these cells are caused from sun exposure, but basal cells form in the lower epidermis while squamous cells form in the upper epidermis.

* Preventing skin cancer is often associated with older generations, but today you see more teenagers and young adults spending excessive amounts of time in the sun. Without the proper protection, our society could see a surge in skin cancer diagnosis. Tanning beds are another cause of skin cancer and are often used throughout the year, not just during the summer months.

* Proper prevention begins with knowing what you need to be sun safe any time of the year. If you have light colored hair and fair skin, you should be weary of exposing yourself to over indulge in the sun's rays. You should also be aware if anyone in your family has been diagnosed with skin cancer because this could increase your chances of developing the disease.Sunscreen is recommended as a form of protection against the sun.

*The American Cancer Society urges the use of waterproof sunscreen that has an SPF15 or more of both UVA and UVB protection. You should also apply at least an ounce of sunscreen for your body twenty minutes before going out into the sun. Too often, individuals forget to re-apply their sunscreen after being exposed to harmful UVA and UVB rays. Also be sure to avoid the sun during 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. because this is when the sun's rays are most intense. Staying unprotected in the sun during this time is when you put yourself in the danger zone for damaging healthy skin cells.

*Proper skin cancer prevention should be practiced by everyone in your family, even babies. Doctors recommend babies that are six months or younger stay out of the sun. Teaching your children to be sun smart is important for their health too. Find shady areas when you take them outside to play and be sure they have the proper protection on. Clothing is another way to protect yourself and your family from harmful rays.

*Wear hats that have wide brims to cover all areas of your neck, ears, eyes and scalp. Skin cancer prevention does not mean you have to avoid the sun altogether. It just means you should be smart when you do go outside. Remembering to use a protective sunscreen all year is a great way to start your cancer prevention routine. Know your skin and any marks or freckles so you can recognize abnormalities that may develop. The sooner you start guarding yourself from harmful rays, the better you raise your chance of avoiding skin cancer.
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About Pain Prevention During Cancer TreatmentsBy: MIKE SELVON
*Pain prevention is important when a patient is diagnosed with a disease. Illnesses, like cancer or arthritis, are accompanied by severe pain. This makes it extremely difficult for an individual to maintain a sense of normalcy in their daily life because they are unable to perform daily task.
* Doctors and medical specialists can help you find the right regiment to alleviate any pain you experience from a disease.Debilitating diseases, such as arthritis and cancer, share a common connection when it comes to pain. Patients who suffer from arthritis, which is an inflammation of the joints, often need physical or therapeutic exercise. This type of arthritis pain control helps to increase joint flexibility and muscle mobility.
* Cancer treatments often have the same affect, leaving the person feeling weak and helpless. Cancer treatment has different effects on people, depending on the type of disease. Individuals respond to treatments based on how far the cancer has advanced, and pain prevention should be individualized. If you are diagnosed with cancer, it is important to set up a plan with your physician to develop a pain prevention plan.
*This will help you handle the changes your body will experience as you take treatments needed to eradicate the cancer from your body. Therefore, when you first experience a pain in your body, you should tell your doctor where the pain is located, how severe it is, how long the pain lasted and if you experienced a recurrence of it in the same location.
*Providing all of this to your health care provider will allow them to set up solutions to help you manage the pain.For individuals suffering from arthritis, there are a slew of medications available to help relieve the pain. Patients may have several different methods which make up their arthritis pain prevention plan. This could be incorporating anti-inflammatory drugs along with therapeutic exercises.
*The same mindset is used when it comes to cancer prevention, and doctors have to try different medications on a person before finding the winning remedy. The National Cancer Institute suggests a three-step medication plan for pain prevention in cancer patients. The first level is for treating mild to moderate pain, and uses anti-inflammatory drugs or medications with acetaminophen.
* If the pain continues to persist, doctors go to level two or level three pain medications. These could include doses or morphine to relieve severe and lasting pain. Other remedies, such as radiation therapy, can be added to pain medication treatments to help manage the cancer. Depending on the severity of the disease, pain prevention methods may need to include physical and emotional therapies as well.
*Physical therapy, hot and cold massages and breathing methods are all used to help weak muscles. Psychological support is also a method used to help cancer patients cope with the incapacitation they feel from the disease. The emotional support is important when coping with the feeling of helplessness patients feel when they can't perform simple task like dressing themselves. Your doctor will have to help find a pain prevention method that will fit your condition.
* Because all cancers react differently in patients, the pain your experience will be different than other patients with the same illness. It is important to maintain constant communication with your physician about your pain so they can help you find a treatment and provide you with a sense of normalcy.
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About Pain Control For Cancer VictimsBy: MIKE SELVON
*Pain control is usually something cancer patients have to practice when going through treatments. Pain can be generated from the cancer itself or it can be generated from an outside source, such as arthritis. Managing your pain can help you gain better control over your cancer diagnosis. Pain can be acute or chronic.
* Acute pain is severe, but short-lived and chronic is pain that lasts for longer periods of time, and can range from mild to severe. Sometimes patients will experience breakthrough pain, which is pain that breaks through medications prescribed to the patient. According to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network's (NCCN) August 2005 pain prevention report, one-third of cancer patients experience pain with their treatments.
*The NCCN also reports that nearly two-thirds of patients with recurring cancer or advanced stages of cancer experience pain. Pain control is possible, even for those suffering from cancer, and it can give a patient a better quality of life. Pain in cancer patients is most often a result of the cancer itself, but sometimes it can result from a specific treatment, such as radiation therapy.
*Pain can be relieved through several ways. For example, pain control can be through medications, relaxation methods, acupuncture or mental therapy sessions. Each patient is unique and pain can be evaluated through a cancer team made up of specialists such as an oncologist, anesthesiologist, pain specialists and your physician. It is important for you to discuss any pain you experience with your doctor or medical professional so they can figure out what methods would work best for you.
*The earlier pain is ministered to, the easier it will be to handle it during your cancer treatments. If you experience pain that is unrelated to your cancer diagnosis, it is important to find the best method to stop the pain before beginning your treatment. For example, arthritis pain prevention can be found through physical therapy sessions, water therapy or oral medications.
* If a patient suffers from cancer in the spinal cord, he or she may need to learn about back and neck pain control. This type of pain occurs because the cancer causes the spinal cord to compress, causing sharp pains in the back and neck regions. Finding the proper method can help you with pain control, especially when you suffer from cancer. With the advancements in medical technology, a slew of medications are available to patients suffering from continual aches, twinges and throbbing.
*Some patients experience breakthrough pain, which can be treated with prescription-strength morphine. Other patients experience extreme episodes of tingling and burning sensations, and doctors usually treat these symptoms with antidepressants or anti-seizure medications. There is always the possibility of experiencing vomiting, dizziness or acute fatigue with these medications. Your doctor can help find ways to handle them, such as therapy sessions with a counselor.
*Many times it is up to the patient to help their medical practitioner find out what is causing the pain by keeping notes each time it occurs.Managing pain control with cancer is not a figment of one's imagination. In fact, the hurt that accompanies cancer and its treatments can be controlled with the proper medication or therapy. Discussing any ache or soreness in your body with a physician will put you on the path to a smoother, more tolerable recovery from cancer.
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