By Allison Chase

Kidney cancer symptoms are often hard to detect. The body will generally give few concrete signals during the first stages of this type of cancer. Because of this, without regular check-ups from your physician this horrific and debilitating disease is often impossible to detect.

One of the earliest warning signals that can be detected is that of discolored urine or urine that has a high blood count. Because numerous other issues such as kidney stones and infection can cause blood to be present in the urine it is necessary for further tests to be ran before a diagnosis can be made. When blood is present in the urine however, it is generally a good idea to allow the doctor to run further tests. In addition to this development, it is also common for people in the earliest stages to suffer from excessive sweating and frequent bouts with anemia.

There are several signs of the disease when it enters the later, or more aggressive, stages. Individuals that may notice larger amounts of blood in the urine. This can cause the urine to appear pinkish, bright red or even dark brown.

It is also common that the individual in the late stages of this disease will experience chronic and persistent back pain. This is usually centered around just below the ribs. This however, should not be confused with other more moderate forms of back pain as this pain will typically not respond to efforts to medicate or reduce the soreness.

Many people will also begin to suffer from weight loss as well. During this period the individual will be plagued by chronic fatigue and may have intermittent fevers. These however, are all signs that are all indicative of the late stages of kidney cancers. Regular, preventative health care can help lend to early detection and thus, early treatment.

By Dr. Sloan Charles, M.D.

Hair dye or hair coloring is a major concern to many people that the chemicals used might be carcinogens that could potentially be cancer causing agents, as it is common knowledge that most hair dyes do not have to go through the standard stringent safety tests. However, the peer pressure to look young and trendy keeps people coloring their hair either to younger by disguising white or gray hair, or to change their hair color to look more fashionable and attractive, despite the perceived risks of cancer or allergic reaction. Repeated warnings on the risks of using hair dye from medical experts are not discouraging people from continuing to color their hair.

Most hair dyes today are made from petroleum based materials, unlike those in the past, which used coal-tar as the main ingredient and was the culprit for triggering allergic reactions in some people. However, it is disturbing that the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has found that the modern day hair colorings and the older ones contain similar chemical compounds.

Studies about the cancer risks associated to hair dye have been contradicting, with some showing purported evidence linking hair dye to certain cancers such as increased risk of bladder cancer, while others dispute that risk. While some studies have shown a slight possible increase in the risk of blood cell cancers such as leukaemia, other studies have found no conclusive link. However, certain medical research has shown that there is a small possible increased risk of non Hodgkin's lymphoma with the long term use of dark hair dyes.

No matter how small the risk, you would not want to your health as risk merely to look good. There are many natural hair dyes around, made from organic natural ingredients such as herbs and fruits. Natural hair colorings are the safe way to color your hair, as you would definitely not want to put potentially hazardous materials on your skin, much less, on your head!

There are many benefits in using natural ingredients to color your hair. Among the many benefits, the natural ingredients also nourish your scalp with the much needed nutrients of protein, anti-oxidants and vitamins, keeping your hair looking soft, young and lustrous.

You can make your own hair color with a quick search on the internet for natural hair dyes recipes, or simply buy those ready-made ones with ingredients made from ayurvedic herbs such as henna.

By Steven R Newton

There's a general agreement between practitioners in both the conventional and alternative cancer treatment worlds that detoxification of heavy metals and toxins is a good thing. We get them from dietary sources, such as some processed foods or from fertilizers and sprays used on some food crops, but that is controllable somewhat in that we make our choices about what we eat. We also get them atmospherically from pollution and as a by-product of some industrial processes and depending where we live, this can be a little or a lot of uncontrollable exposure. A good cancer detoxification program should be part of your alternative cancer treatment or prevention plan.

A good cancer detoxification program is basically intended to rid your body of a bunch of the bad stuff that can lead to cancer and other diseases. Not surprisingly there are all sorts of detox programs out there to treat everything from obesity to cancer. It's reassuring to know that practicing a cancer detox program for one ailment will almost always have a positive impact on any others you might have or want to prevent. A good cancer detox program is also good for disease prevention. One approach that I find kind of interesting is that involving something called a zeolite.

Zeolite is a volcanic mineral created when ash and lava reacted chemically to sea water. Zeolites are one of the few minerals that have negatively (-) charged ions which can attract the positive (+) ions in the toxins and heavy metals. The result is something that can best be described as a magnetic cage that can trap and store heavy metals and toxins. It then carries them out of the body as waste in the urine. So you can see how zeolites could be an attractive part of any cancer detox program. But a bit of caution is required.

You should be aware that there is also a number of zeolite products designed specifically for industrial processes such as concrete or swimming pool filtration, and not deemed fit for human consumption. There are between 50-60 different forms of zeolite mined in the world, two of them quite toxic to humans. The beneficial form of zeolite is called clinoptilolite. Sometimes one of the toxic forms of zeolite called erionite is found with clinoptilolite.

The equipment to test for erionite is very expensive and so most commercial mines don't test for erionite since the zeolite is intended for commercial purposes and testing is an unnecessary expense. Many mines also include additives for commercial purposes that can be dangerous to ingest. When considering the use of any zeolite product for any health related matter, do your research and ensure that you are getting something that won't harm your body.

There are dry and liquid forms of zeolites commercially available. There are several companies making several claims about zeolites suggesting one form is better than the other for various reasons. The dry powder zeolite folks are saying that the process to make the liquids destroys the magnetic cage and frees up the heavy metals and toxins to be absorbed back in to your body. The liquid zeolite folks are saying that liquids are more readily absorbed into your system at a cellular level and, subsequently more effective than the powder zeolites. Almost all suggest that zeolites can be used to absorb toxins, free radicals and heavy metals from your body.

They also promote zeolite as an immune system booster, antioxidant, as well as increasing the pH level in your body. There's enough scientific evidence published to suggest that these claims may be somewhat true. But there's also a bit of a marketing war going between the various zeolite companies that represents some mud-slinging and allegations that are just short of libelous, in my opinion. So it's tough to decide which way to go when trying to find the right zeolite product.

At the very least, when choosing a zeolite product, you want to make sure that it is safe for human consumption. It should be approved by your country's regulatory health authority, such as the Federal Drug Agency (FDA) in the US, or Health Canada. Despite the questionable track record of some federal agencies around the world, at the very least they should have some legal requirement to have ingredients posted on the labels. If the ingredients aren't on the bottle, you may want to consider looking at something else or at least asking more questions of the manufacturer.

Another consideration is the daily intake amount you need. There's scientific evidence that suggests between 4,000 mg to 15,000 mg per day so when researching a product make sure that it comes in a form that will allow you to get this amount without having to eat or drink several bottles at one time. One other thing to consider is that a lot of the scientific evidence that is readily available is based on research done with micronized dry powders and not so much the liquid forms.

So when looking to use zeolite as an alternative cancer treatment, whether it be for detoxification, immune system boosting, as an antioxidant, or to manage your body's pH levels, make sure you do your research. More information can be found on my website.

By Barbara Lazarony

Cancer "The C-Word" "The Big C"

For some, the mere mention of these words makes people weak in the knees and sick to their stomachs. Far too many of us have seen family members and friends have had their lives changed dramatically as the result of having been diagnosed with cancer. And many of us have been witness to death and illness that at times can seem too hard to hold.

When I first learned about my cancer diagnosis, I didn't think I was going to die from the cancer itself; but I did realize that the life I was living was going to kill me if I didn't make some changes. Seven years later on the path of life and currently cancer-free; I am continuing to discover "My Gifts of Cancer," an on-going list of insights and blessings:

Cancer Gift # 1:

Knowing one day we will all die.

There it is I said it; one day each and every one of us will die. And by acknowledging that we are going to leave this earth; I realized that I have nothing left to lose by living. Said another way, I have everything to gain, learn, and experience through living my life to the fullest. (Pause a moment and read this again, we each have nothing to lose by living a full life.)

Cancer Gift # 2:

Knowing we are not our job, our possessions or even our bodies.

My ego was so busy telling me that I "should" be this or have that, or act this way before my diagnosis. And upon hearing, "You have cancer," that fairy tale about who I thought I was crumbled. Once my story disappeared the real work began; the work of discovering who I am and envisioning who I'd like to become in the future.

Cancer Gift # 3:

Knowing the fundamental core of every human being is love.

I am love, you are love and we are all love, plain and simple; and everything else in this life is accessories. I used to think I had to do something or be someone to experience love. And once I realized that at our core is love, loving and being lovable,I began to see it show up everywhere in the world. Life is really all about relationships and love is a way of sharing our interconnectedness as human beings.

Cancer Gift # 4:

Knowing one's unique essence is as essential as sunlight.

Essence is a pure manifestation of who we are individually as human beings. To express our essence we use words and symbols as metaphors to describe our deepest selves. When I realized my essence is warmth, energy, compassion, cheerfulness, playfulness and brilliance, my whole world shifted. I could feel myself embodying these words and my life becoming brighter and richer, easier even. Each of us has an essence within us that is waiting to be discovered and conveyed to the universe.

Cancer Gift # 5:

Knowing fear is just a paper dragon.

Fear shows up everywhere when you learn of your diagnosis; from which stage of cancer, to treatment options, to the fear of how this will impact on your everyday life. Fear is worry about the future; if you can begin to focus more on the present moment or that which is here with you right now; you may begin to notice that your fear dissipates. When you realize that you have the ability to cut, trim and change the paper dragon of fear into a bird of peace life begins to feel a bit less scary.

Cancer Gift # 6:

Knowing we always have a choice.

Ultimately each and every one of us as adults has the opportunity to choose what we want and need from life. By reminding ourselves that choices are always available, we connect with our ability to make the best decision in the present moment. When in doubt refer to Cancer Gift #1, we always have a choice until our death, thank goodness!

Who I was as a person before my cancer is very different than the person I am today. This is not a value judgment related to being better or worse as a human being, rather an ability to be at peace with who I've always been, who I am now and who I will be in the future. Each of us is always changing, learning and growing from life's experiences if we allow ourselves to be open to them. Cancer became just another of life's gifts for me, for it allowed me to be open to discovering my "presence." May you too be open to the gifts and presents that appear in your life each and every day.

Questions to ponder:

1. Which gift am I most accepting in my life right now?
2. Which gift am I refusing?
3. How could I fully choose all life has to offer?

By Brijesh Ghelani

For many years researchers have done studies on cancer including how they develop in the body and the effects the cancer has throughout the body when it spreads. We know that cancer is developed when cell growth goes out of control but recent studies have shown there may be a link between infection and cancer. Certain virus infections have had evidence of being linked with specific types of cancer which can change or complicate the treatment process after diagnosis.

Several examples of infections and cancers being linked include these common illnesses: human papillomaviruses (HPV's) being associated with cervical cancer, Helicobacter pylori being associated with gastric cancer, and salmonella typhi being associated with gallbladder cancer. There are also infections linked to colon cancer and lung cancer but how are infections related to cancers?

The process of how cancer develops is complicated but there are certain forms of bacteria that is associated with cancer formation that differs from viruses and infections. In some cases bacterial infections may lead to cancer especially if the infection is recurring. Bacteria may cause cancer in a variety of ways including chronic infections which disrupt regular cells causing inflammation and promoting cancerous growth.

Bacteria can damage DNA and cause DNA to mutate which alters control of the gene meaning it may not die when it should during the cell mutation process. The immune system is often weakened and suppressed and it is an important aspect in helping the body fight cancer. Bacteria can affect the way the immune system recognizes and fights bacteria and sometimes causes the immune system to stop recognizing toxins it should be fighting.

For the most part many people won't get cancer after an infection but it helps to take necessary precautions if you do get an infection and to keep from getting infections in the future. Keep in mind that everyone is different and people may be more susceptible to cancer than others. Your background and genes may contribute to your risk of cancer or infection and for some this may include where you live and the population.

Chronic infections may pose a risk for cancer development but with treatment of the infection your chances are greatly reduced. Preventing infection all together is even better and this can include simple measures that can be done regularly such as adopting good hygiene habits and cooking foods thoroughly. It may help to learn who is more likely to get infections such as groups that are considered high risk and look into eliminating infection risk overall.

Also keep in mind that if you get a certain infection and you have successfully treated it doesn't mean the risk isn't there for cancer. As mentioned infections don't always lead to cancer development but if you develop an infection take the necessary steps to keep it under control and get medical attention as soon as possible. Understanding cancer risks can help you live a positive lifestyle reducing chances of infection and cancer.

By Brijesh Ghelani

During the early 1970's cancer was the second leading cause of death in the U.S. and in 1971 President Nixon took a stand against cancer with it becoming one of his top priorities during his presidency. In December 1971 the National Cancer Act was signed into law and acts as a top resource for the country to fight cancer. During the time the act was signed into law a group of researchers and scientists were appointed to be advocates for research planning and future programs.

The National Cancer Act helps to promote an effective national effort toward fighting cancer. After the act was signed into law preparations were underway to do more focused research on cancer including choosing designated areas to become research facilities and setting aside funding to carry out programs. President Nixon felt the National Cancer Act was a significant action taken by his administration with the hopes of those in the future continuing the fight against cancer.

The act also enabled additional funding and increased efforts by other organizations that were already in progress of researching and providing programs for cancer. The National Cancer Act provided many opportunities and enriched others at the time it was signed. Besides creating new research centers the act also brought along new training opportunities and allows cancer issues to be thoroughly examined.

With research being needed research centers were awarded contracts and collaborations were brought upon federal, state, and local agencies to develop partnerships. This helped develop relations with private industries needed for drug screenings. The National Cancer Act inspired activities that help control cancer including early detection, dieting choices, and antismoking. The act also allowed for international research including collecting data from outside sources with research done in many countries outside the U.S.

The National Cancer Act has seen changes and revisions over the years but the focus and the main intention of the act has remained the same. Over the years there has been research and treatments that has changed the way cancer is being viewed. Since 1971 cancer has gotten more complex with more than 100 different types and the act has helped highlight the needs and importance of doing ongoing research for cancer treatments. The act helped give basic programs the support it needed in 1971 and today you can see a big difference by seeing how far we have come in the war on cancer.

Today there are various research programs not just in the United States but also around the world. The changes, adjustments, and advancements of the act has help save lives and give people a better understanding of what cancer does. We know our options as far as treating cancer while looking into new options that can someday provide a cure. The National Cancer Act has helped the country reach many milestones and even though the death rate has decrease for different types of cancer we continue to fight the battle for a better future.

By Brijesh Ghelani

With many of today's technology advancements researchers are able to study many forms of cancer in a variety of ways. Many are aware of the types of cancers out there and how they affect the body. Usually there is more emphasis on prevention by incorporating healthy habits into daily living but more people are pondering the concept of cancer being a predictable disease but if it is then how?

There are studies that suggest cancer may be predictable based on several factors. There has been a mention of breast cancer and prostate cancer with predictable tendencies based on several studies and data compiled based on activity from cells within the body. To many the idea of cancer being predictable may be confusing since there are different aspects to the concept. Is cancer predictable by knowing when and where it will develop or knowing when someone will die from cancer?

It is possible to know how long a person will live with a cancer diagnosis depending on the type of cancer and the treatment involved. But again the factor of cancer being predictable is tricky since each person is different and a factor in why studies take a long time to conduct. Another factor in determining on how cancer is predicted is based on the activity of cells and their growth.

Since many cancers have the tendency to spread throughout the body it's possible to know what organs may be affected based on previous studies of those who were diagnosed with cancer. For instance think about areas of the body that are highly known for developing cancer such as breast cancer. Cancer from the breast has been known to spread to the lungs and liver making the organs a predictable area that the cancer may spread to.

Again depending on the type of cancer if it gets into the bloodstream it will travel throughout the body but the odds of predicting cancer can be complicated but many feel it is possible by exploring the origin of the type of cancer. It's also complicated because of the scientific connection of studying cell growth and the types of cells involved. Depending on the type of cancer many feel it is possible to know about the onset of cancer but usually more research is needed to gain a form of clarity.

An example would be skin cancer and studies have shown it is possible to predict cancer depending on skin tone, skin type, ethnic background, and ultraviolet ray exposure. With the study there has been focus on certain cells and there formation along with how the skin absorbs the sun's rays. Researchers compare data of those involved in the study including men and women and with skin tone being a factor with skin density there has been evidence collected toward predicting certain skin cancers.

Time along with data collected will tell if cancer is a predictable disease but there are advancements that can help improve the outlook of cancer for the future.

By Brijesh Ghelani

Cancer is a disease that can involve one or more areas of the body and the effects can make treatment options difficult to go through. Over the years cancer treatment has been researched and depending on the type of cancer changes and adjustments have been made in order to effectively see treatment results. The standard approach to cancer treatment depends on the kind of cancer and the measures taken to treat the disease.

People who may be familiar with the changes and revisions to cancer treatment not only include researchers and healthcare professionals but also cancer survivors. In order to understand how treatment options have changed and improved you would need to know the different options available and how they were developed to treat cancer. There are different aspects to consider as well including follow up visits, medication options, diet changes, etc.

The standard approach may have revisions and additional options that come about with advancements in cancer education. Depending on the type of cancer that is diagnosed another process begins and that includes choosing treatment. After the diagnosis and treatment option has been determined you'll start preparing for treatment and learn what happens during treatment. Most likely this also involves concerns for loved ones who are in position to support the person in need.

Many forms of cancer have seen improvements and adjustments to their treatment processes which are good to know and helps increase overall recovery. The standard approach to treating cancer is the main foundation for cancer treatment and recovery. Over the years researchers have conducted numerous studies on cancers and their origins to help define treatment options. Since much progress has been made it is easy to see that research has helped use determine what needs to be done to treat cancer but more research is still needed and ongoing.

Various types of cancer have seen changes with their treatment processed including increasing healthcare costs which alone have made big progress over the years but at an increasing high rate. The cost of cancer treatment has increased with payment options such as private insurances, Medicaid, and Medicare covering most of the costs. Also consider changes in where cancer treatment is obtained, Many hospitals treat cancer but there are more cancer treatment centers that specialize in cancer care.

Drugs that are offered to patients may have seen an increase in price because the demand has increased along with having multiple uses. For those who don't have insurance or if their insurance only covers so much then the out-of-pocket costs may burn a whole in your wallet. If you or a loved one is faced with choosing a cancer treatment make sure you are fully aware of your options to get the best treatment possible and suitable for your situation.

Take time to understand the process by asking questions and doing independent research on options available. The cancer treatment option chosen will be an important aspect to the recovery process.

By Brijesh Ghelani

Every year there are millions of people including men, women, and children who are diagnosed with cancer but getting an idea of how many people will get cancer depends on the cancer type and other factors including age, race, gender, and genetics. According to a 2009 report from the American Cancer Society close to 2 million new cases were expected to be diagnosed during 2009. Different cancers have different risks and probabilities associated so gaining an understanding of estimated numbers for risk outcomes can help you understand that type of cancer better.

Usually the probability and estimated the number of people who will get cancer involves studying groups of people including their behaviors and characteristics. There are different risks which are defined by cause and probability of people. For instance an absolute risk is a numeric probability of developing a specific cancer during a certain time period such as by age 70 or age 50 or within 5 years.

There is also a lifetime risk with certain cancers such as prostate cancer followed by a percentage out of every 100 men. A life time risk doesn't mean a person will develop cancer but it helps to put the risk into another perspective as to how it affects men and women in that category. A relative risk shows the relationship between the risk factor and the type cancer such as risk of developing lung cancer from the act of smoking. Usually the numbers are compared by age group and gender.

Cancer researchers have identified many hazards within our environment that are carcinogens or cancer causing elements such as the sun toward skin cancer and smoking towards lung cancer. Observing human behavior is a big part in cancer studies that involves keeping track of large groups for many years. This allows scientist to not only study characteristics and behaviors but compare their findings to learn how and why people get sick and those who don't.

Learning about different cancer risks and probabilities is often confusing because it doesn't tell you exactly what your own risk it but it gives you an idea based on the gender and age group you belong in. in some cases it may not apply to you but there are sources such as family members and your personal physician to utilized if you want to gain a personal understanding of developing cancer especially if there is a chance of cancer being hereditary.

Anytime you hear about statistics for a type of cancer it helps to put it into perspective to help gain a better understanding. Look into who was being observed for the study and how many people were involved. Usually studies are done for a certain period of time so it helps to learn of other studies that have been done that have produced similar results. Different cancers often have different risks and some have higher risks than others meaning more people are likely to be diagnosed. If you have concerns of your own seek more information.

By Brijesh Ghelani

Over 7 million people died from cancer in 2009 which includes various types of cancer. Cancer is caused by a group of cells growing out of control and in many cases the cells spread out in the body. Because of so many different types it is one of the top killers of Americans over recent years. The impact of cancer has been felt around the world and though there have been many advances many wonder what the price tag has grown when it comes to fighting cancer.

Since there are various factors that can contribute to the scenario we may never really know how much money has been spent exactly since there are so many funding sources and private donors but we have an idea on how much has been invested over the years by looking at what has been accomplished. Several sources have done studies on research spending and have shown that the American Cancer Society alone has invested more than $2 billion since the mid 1940's and the National Cancer Institute spends roughly $6 million a year or more.

Monies raised and used toward cancer benefit researching and the development of treatment programs. Learning about how much is spent on cancer also includes how much has been spent on different types of cancer. Breast cancer is widely known cause for raising money and over the last few years the cause has seen over a billion dollars. Even though there is a wide spread interest in fundraising and donations for cancer causes a majority of the funding comes from major organizations and government grants.

Funding cancer research also involves a great deal of budgeting and planning and when you think about how much money that has been contributed thus far which includes billions of dollars looking at other ways money has been used tends to fail in comparison in certain ways. An example would be to look at different athletes and sport players and see how much they get paid to play their favorite sport as a pro. There are cancer research organizations that use the same amount to research cancer treatments and programs.

Because of the increased interested in issues related to cancer we are seeing the cost of research increase dramatically. There are more organizations that are joining in on increasing the awareness of cancer and even though there has been a tremendous amount of progress over the decades from private & public organizations as well as government agencies it is difficult to know how much more money will be needed in the future. Not only is the funding planned according for projects and programs funds have also helped save lives of hundreds of thousands of people who have been diagnosed.

The amount of money spent on cancer will vary from one cancer to another but many agree the millions of dollars that have been collected have been put to good use for the most part with funding playing a major role in the cancer fight.