A colon cancer survival rate refers to the percentage of people who were reported still living after being diagnosed with the cancer about 5 yrs ago.

There are already a lot of Americans that were diagnosed (and still being diagnosed) with cancer of the colon today. In 2005, more than 70,000 men and almost 70,000 women were diagnosed with colon cancer. In addition, more than 25,000 lives from each gender are being taken annually in the US but the fortunate news is, the colon cancer survival rate is also getting higher as the years progress.

The reason for this is the better health care facilities and services, faster treatment and modern advances. Many physicians believe in the fact that if only most cancer cases are detected early, the rate of survival would surge sky high. The same as cancer of the colon - it can be avoided altogether if there is early detection and more people undergoes colonoscopy as one of the procedures to be done to detect colon cancer.

More less intrusive techniques are also being discovered and introduced by doctors and hospitals. The good thing about them is that they are easier to use and takes less time, which makes it very convenient for both the medical practitioner and the patients.

The average over-all colon cancer survival rate for patients in some countries is reported as follows:

• 62% in Australia
• 68% in Korea
• 43% in Europe
• 62% in the United States of America

As mentioned before, the earlier the stage, the better your chances of survival. The colon cancer survival rate may only depend on what stage a patient is diagnosed. The good thing about early detection is that the cancer cells are still confined in a certain small area, making it easier to be removed from the body. In its earliest stage, the rate of survival is over 95%. To increase the rate of survival, regular screening is heavily advised to find and treat the disease in time.

It is said that if Americans were regularly examined for colon cancer, we can save about 25,000 lives each year. That is a lot of people who are given chances to live second lives. Sometimes, when the disease is already there, "prevention" is instantaneously rendered useless. So the best thing that you can do is detect the disease early. Make sure you got the best doctors for the job! You can also decrease the chances of getting the cancer by eating healthy foods and living a healthy life.

By Mert Ozge

Many smokers tend to quit at least once if not twice in their lifetime. Yet, they may not utilize several techniques to help them completely quit thus getting stuck in a cycle of not being able to stop. What kind of help is there?

- Nicotine gum
- Nicotine inhalers
- Nicotine sprays; among many more

Smokers already know how to lessen their chances of getting lung cancer. Yet, non smokers are still at risk of getting lung cancer by being exposed to passive smoking. Non smokers may be exposed to radon gas and not even know it. For that reason, radon gas test kits are important in identifying the levels of gas inside their home. Radon gas is capable of causing lung cancer to appear in non smokers with limited history of passive smoking.

DoctorsThese scans may be able to detect smaller cancers that are usually cured by surgical means thus preventing the spread of an incurable cancer.

The Facts behind Lung Cancer
Of all cancers, including breast cancer in women, diagnosed in the United States and around the globe, this disease is the primary killer in men and in women. Despite the existence of passive smoking, cigarette smoking, not including cigar smoking, is a main favor behind lung cancer growth. When a non smoker is exposed to tobacco smoke, there is an increased risk lung cancer due to the passive smoke.

There are actually two forms of lung cancer. The first is small cell lung cancers or SCLC. Survival rate increases through this treatment methods. The second is non small cell lung cancer or NSCLC. Cancers of this form usually will need to be surgically removed to be an effective treatment method. A small number of patients with SCLS can be helped by radition therapy. However, if the disease is in its advanced stages, there is a small chance of survival through chemotherapy treatment.

How extensive the disease, the size of the tumor, what sort of symptoms the patient has and the kind of lung cancer will determine at what stage the lung cancer is classified by doctors. Physicians will use x-rays, MRI scans, CT scan and bone scans to also determine the stage of the lung cancer.

Lung cancer treatments can involve any number of options including chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. Treatments may also be combined to achieve success in beat the cancer. Some lung cancer patients may be invited to participate in experimental treatments.

Lung cancer survival, unlike other cancer types, has a low rate. Generally, survival rates are approximately 16 percent for five years. Quitting smoking is the most vital way that can reduce the chances of getting lung cancer.

Lung Cancer - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Lung cancer is the malignant transformation and expansion of lung tissue, and is the most lethal of all cancers worldwide, responsible for 1.2 million deaths annually. It is a leading cause of cancer death in men and women in the United States. Cigarette smoking causes most lung cancers. The more cigarettes you smoke per day and the earlier you started smoking, the greater your risk of lung cancer. High levels of pollution, radiation and asbestos exposure may also increase risk. There are many types of lung cancer. Each type of lung cancer grows and spreads in different ways and is treated differently.

Treatment may include chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Lung cancer that originates in the cells of the lungs is called primary lung cancer; however, cancer may also spread to the lung from other parts of the body. Metastatic cancers spread to the lungs most commonly from the breast, colon, prostate, kidney, thyroid gland, stomach, cervix, rectum, testis, bone, and skin (melanoma). More than 90% of primary lung cancers start in the bronchi such lung cancer is called bronchogenic carcinoma.

The specific types of lung cancer are small cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, large cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma. The last three types of lung cancer are often referred to as nonsmall cell lung cancers. Alveolar cell carcinoma originates in the small air sacs of the lung (alveoli). Although alveolar cell carcinoma can occur at a single site, it often develops simultaneously in more than one area of the lung. Less common lung tumors are bronchial carcinoid (which may be cancerous or noncancerous), chondromatous hamartoma and sarcoma.

Lung cancer is the rapid growth of abnormal cells in the lung. It can start anywhere in the lungs and affect any part of the respiratory system . When we breathe out, the lungs get rid of carbon dioxide, which is a waste product of the body's cells. Cancers that begin in the lungs are divided into two major types, non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer, depending on how the cells look under a microscope.

Causes of Lung Cancer
1. Breast cancer
2. Colon cancer
3. Rectal cancer
4. Stomach cancer

Symptoms of Lung Cancer
1. Shortness of breath, wheezing, or hoarseness.
2. Difficulty swallowing.
3. Fatigue.
4. Loss of appetite or weight loss.
5. Constant chest pain.
6. Breathlessness.

Treatment of Lung Cancer
1. Chemotherapy
2. Radiation therapy
3. Surgery