cancer--ayurvedam
Ayurveda is an ancient Indian system of medicine. It tries to maintain or reestablish harmony between the mind, body, and forces of nature. This balancing is used for both prevention and treatment of illness. Ayurveda combines a number of approaches, such as changes in lifestyle, Ayurvedic medicines, cleansing or detoxifying, massage, exercise, and meditation. Overall, it aims to strengthen and purify the body and mind and increase spiritual awareness.
Overview
Ayurveda is one of several ancient Asian healing systems that have become more popular in the West. The effectiveness of Ayurveda has not been proven in scientific studies, but early research suggests that certain herbs may offer potential therapeutic value. Ayurvedic medicines are mainly composed of herbs, minerals, metals, and/or animal products. Heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, and mercury have been found in excess quantities in up to 1 in 5 Ayurvedic medicines, and a number of lead poisoning cases have been reported. Certain Ayurvedic cleansing methods such as enemas, vomiting, bloodletting, or laxatives might cause serious problems for some people.
How is it promoted for use?
A central idea in Ayurveda is that illness results when a person’s physical, emotional, and spiritual forces are out of balance with each other and with the natural environment. Those who practice Ayurveda claim that certain combinations of methods, matched to a patient’s unique physical and emotional needs and personal medical history, increase physical vitality, foster spiritual well-being, bring people into harmony with the world, and even prevent and cure disease.
One of the primary goals of Ayurveda is to restore this balance and invigorate the body’s biological and spiritual forces. Practitioners of Ayurveda promote a combination of therapies to try and restore physical and spiritual harmony by balancing energy forces.
What does it involve?
Practitioners of Ayurveda may combine special diets, Ayurvedic medicines, cleansing, yoga, meditation, massage, breathing exercises, and visual imagery to treat their patients. Ayurvedic medicines often consist of complex mixtures of herbs, minerals, metals, and/or animal products. Ayurvedic cleansing can include special diets, internally and externally applied oils and herbs, massage, nasal washing, sweating, vomiting, laxatives, enemas, and even bloodletting. Gentler cleansing methods may be used for the frail or ill.
To diagnose illness, Ayurveda practitioners closely observe a patient’s tongue, nails, lips, and the body’s 9 “doors”: the eyes, ears, nostrils, mouth, genitalia, and anus. They also listen to the lungs and observe the pulse, then take a detailed history of the patient’s life and health. Through these observations, practitioners claim to evaluate a patient’s doshas, or primary life forces. Practitioners say that each person is dominated by one of three doshas, but is influenced to some extent by all three. The dominant dosha describes a person’s physical, emotional, and spiritual characteristics as well as his or her daily habits and lifestyle.
According to Ayurveda practitioners, balancing a person’s doshas not only enables the various organs of the body to work together, it also establishes a person’s connection to the environment and the cosmos.
When planning a course of treatment, Ayurveda practitioners take into account the state of a patient’s doshas and the relationship between the doshas and other factors such as emotions, illness, physical activity, lifestyle, diet, relationships with other people, and even the four seasons, colors, and the time of day. Practitioners strive to harmonize all of these factors so that their patients can attain health and well-being.
What is the history behind it?
Ayurveda is thought to have appeared in India more than 5,000 years ago. It emerged from an ancient body of knowledge called the Vedas. In fact, veda is the Sanskrit word for knowledge. From these Vedas, India developed its moral, religious, cultural, and medical codes. Many of the beliefs and practices of Ayurveda are similar to those of ancient Chinese medicine.
Ayurveda practitioners in India are trained in state-recognized programs. Today, modern medicine is also available to most people in India, especially in urban areas. One study found that 15-20% of people with common ailments preferred Ayurvedic treatment for them. But more than 80% of Indian people said they preferred modern medicine for serious illnesses.
With the interest in Ayurveda from developed countries, practitioners began practicing and teaching Ayurveda in the United States. Today, there are Ayurvedic clinics and a growing number of training programs in North America. The National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA) web site lists more than a dozen US training programs for those who want to learn Ayurveda. NAMA started by recommending a minimum of 500 hours of training before starting to practice. As of 2011, NAMA is working to standardize levels of Ayurvedic practice in the US based on the practitioner’s areas of competence.
What is the evidence?
Although Ayurveda has been largely untested by Western researchers, there is a growing interest in integrating some parts of the system into modern medical practice. In fact, a few of the herbs and substances have been purified into drugs that are used (along with other medicines) to treat cancer. Early studies suggest that other parts of Ayurveda may have potential therapeutic value.
Laboratory and clinical studies have suggested that some Ayurvedic herbal preparations may contain substances that have the potential to prevent and treat certain types of cancer. Randomized clinical trials in humans are needed to learn about the possible role of Ayurveda in cancer prevention and treatment. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) funded a series of laboratory studies to evaluate 2 Ayurvedic herbal remedies (called MAK-4 and MAK-5). The studies so far have shown some promise against tumors in rats and cancer cells in lab dishes. To date, there are no reports of tests of these 2 herbal remedies in humans.
In a controlled clinical trial of cancer patients in India, researchers found an Ayurvedic herb mixture worked as well as a standard laxative for relieving constipation caused by pain relieving drugs. In 2 small controlled clinical trials, an herb used in Ayurveda (mucuna pruriens) was found to reduce symptoms in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Many other individual herbs and spices used in Ayurveda are being studied in the laboratory or in animals. Some are already being tested in human clinical trials to find out if they can be used to treat or prevent cancer. These studies use methods of conventional laboratory and clinical research and are intended to find out whether substances used in Ayurveda can be used with conventional cancer treatment. We are not aware of any scientific research addressing the relevance of Ayurvedic concepts, such as cleansing, to cancer treatment. There is no convincing clinical evidence so far to suggest that traditional Ayurvedic treatments can have a substantial impact on the growth and spread of cancer. (For more information, see documents on individual herbs, such as Turmeric, Garlic, Gotu Kola).
Are there any possible problems or complications?
These substances may have not been thoroughly tested to find out how they interact with medicines, foods, or dietary supplements. Even though some reports of interactions and harmful effects may be published, full studies of interactions and effects are not often available. Because of these limitations, any information on ill effects and interactions below should be considered incomplete.
Some aspects of Ayurveda, such as enemas, laxatives, bloodletting, and inducing vomiting, can be harmful and potentially cause serious complications. Many people with cancer already have low blood cell counts as a result of the disease itself, and removing additional blood can worsen fatigue and other symptoms. Inducing vomiting or diarrhea can cause imbalances of electrolytes (salt and minerals) in the blood.
The potential interactions between Ayurvedic herbal preparations and conventional drugs and other herbs should be taken into consideration. Some of these combinations may be dangerous.
There have been reports of lead, mercury, and arsenic in some Ayurvedic herbal preparations sold in US and international markets. Between 1978 and 2009, more than 80 cases of lead poisoning were reported in the medical literature in people using Ayurvedic mixtures. Patients with lead poisoning can suffer nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, miscarriage, and/or anemia. Because these symptoms occur with many other illnesses, it is likely that many people who have lead poisoning are never suspected of having it. Even when cases are found, very few are actually reported in medical journals, so this is but a fraction of the actual number of people affected.
Some people have allergies to certain plants and may react to combinations of Ayurvedic mixtures that contain them. Some people taking Ayurvedic herbal medicines have had serious heart rhythm problems and low blood pressure from taking too much of the herb aconitum or aconite.
Enemas also have some dangers. Illness and even deaths have resulted from contaminated equipment, electrolyte imbalance, or perforation of intestinal walls. People with certain diseases of the colon may be at higher risk of bowel injury. In addition, fluids, herbs, and other substances that are added to the enema can be absorbed into the body through the colon walls. In some cases, this can result in fluid overload, toxicity, or allergic reactions. For more on this, see our document called Colon Therapy.
Always tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs you are taking. If you use Ayurveda, it should be delivered by a trained therapist who knows all of your medical history and allergies.
Relying on this type of treatment alone and delaying or avoiding conventional medical care for cancer may have serious health consequences.
January 9, 2013 at 5:56 am
No comments
admin
What is Cancer ?
Approach to the patient with Cancer
In general, the cells of a multicellular organism are programmed for collaboration. Many diseases occur because the specialized cells fail to perform their assigned task. Cancer takes this malfunction one step further. Not only is there a failure of the cancer cell to maintain its specialized function, but it also strikes out on its own.
Cancer Screening
Screening is a means of detecting disease early in asymptomatic Individuals, with the goal of decreasing morbidity and mortality. While screening can potentially save lives and has been shown to do so in cervical, colon and probably breast cancer. Early detection does not in itself confer benefits.To be of value, screening must detect disease earlier, and treatment of earlier disease must yield a better outcome than treatment at the onset of symptoms.
Principles of Cancer Treatment
The goal of cancer treatment is first to eradicate the cancer. If this primary goal cannot be accomplished. The goal of cancer treatment shifts to palliation, the amelioration of symptoms, and preservation of quality of life while striving to extend the life.
General Presenting complaints of cancer patient
1. Pain :- Pain occurs with variable frequency in the cancer patient 25-50 % of patients present with pain at diagnosis, 33% have pain associated with treatment, approx. 70% of cases in which pain is caused by tumour itself and 75% have pain with progressive disease , In 10 % of cases pain is unrelated to cancer or its treatment.
2. Nausea: – Vomiting in the cancer patients is usually cause by chemotherapy.
3. Effusions: – Fluid may accumulate abnormally in the cavities present in body, may be pleural, pericardial or peritoneum.
4. Nutrition: – Cancer and its treatment may lead to decrease in nutrient intake of sufficient quantity to cause weight loss leading to cachexia and decreased appetite.
Psychosocial Support
The Psychosocial needs of patients alter with their situations. Patients undergoing treatment experience fear, depression, Anxiety and sexual dysfunction.
The Six Early Detectable and Treatable Cancers
Cancer is not a single disease: there are more than 200 types of cancer, according to which part of the body or specific tissue it originated from.
The good news is that there are a number of cancers that when detected early, respond well to treatment and often with a 100% cure rate. Specifically, the following six types of cancer fall into this category:
Breast cancer:
One of the most common cancers in women, accounting for 17.5% of all cancer cases in the UAE, this is also one of the most treatable, especially if diagnosed early. With a cure rate of 98% in these circumstances, the goal is to find cancers before they start to cause symptoms. Most doctors believe that tests for finding breast cancer early save many thousands of lives each year. The following detection methods are recommended:
1. Clinical Breast Examination – is an examination of your breasts by a health expert such as a doctor, nurse or physician assistant. Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast examination as part of a regular checkup at least every 3 years. After age 40, women should have a breast exam every year.
2. Mammogram – this is a targeted x-ray of the breast, with the whole procedure taking no more than 20 minutes in total. Women aged 40 and older should have a screening mammogram every year and should keep doing so for as long as they are in good health.
3. Breast self-examination – being aware of how your own breasts look and feel, means you are likely to notice any changes that might take place, so regular self-examination is an excellent option for women starting in their 20s. Your doctor or nurse can help check your method to make sure you are doing it correctly.
Cervical cancer:
Also one of the most common cancers affecting women and accounts for 4.4% of cancers among Emirati women. This cancer generally grows slowly and when detected early and treated properly, has a 100% cure rate. The most effective detection method for cervical cancer is a pap screening which can identify more than 90% of cervical cancers. Up to the age of 30, women should have a pap smear every three years. After the age of 30, an interval of 2 years between pap smears is recommended.
The most effective prevention against cervical cancer is the anti-HPV vaccine, which has rendered this particular cancer 100% avoidable if received earlier enough.
Skin cancer:
This is the most common of all human cancers (in UAE it accounts for 4.4% of all cancers) with three major types: basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and melanoma. Skin cancer is also usually 100% treatable. The vast majority of skin cancers are BCCs or SCCs. While malignant, these are unlikely to spread to other parts of the body, but if not treated early, may be locally disfiguring. A small but significant number of skin cancers are malignant melanomas, a highly aggressive cancer that tends to spread to other parts of the body. These cancers may be fatal if not treated early.
It is important to get to know your skin and to look out for any changes. In particular, take notice of moles and any dark patches on skin that change in size, shape or colour over weeks or months in adult life. The ABCD rule is particularly helpful:
Asymmetry – the two halves of a mole do not look the same
Border – the edges of a mole are irregular, blurred or jagged
Colour – the colour of a mole is uneven, with more than one shade
Diameter – your mole is wider than 6mm in diameter (the size of a pencil eraser)
Other possible signs of skin cancers include a new growth or sore that won’t heal; a spot, mole or sore that itches or hurts; or a mole that bleeds, crusts or scabs. If you are concerned about any skin changes, visit your doctor without delay.
Prostate cancer:
This is one of the most common male cancers, representing 3.6% of all cancers in the UAE, and rising to 4.6% of cancer cases among UAE Nationals. If found early while still confined to the prostate gland itself, has an excellent 95% cure rate. Often prostate cancer doesn’t have any symptoms, but when they do occur they may include:
• Urinating frequently
• Difficult or painful urination or ejaculation
• A feeling that the bladder has not completely emptied
• Blood in urine or semen
• Disturbed sleep because of the need to urinate
It’s important to be aware that a number of non-cancerous medical conditions may also cause these symptoms, for example, infection or benign prostate enlargement, but they should always be investigated.
There are several methods to check for the presence of prostate cancer. The simplest is the digital rectal examination which is done by a doctor, in which a gloved finger is inserted into the rectum, through which an enlarged prostate can be felt. Blood tests are the next step – prostate cancers cause the levels of certain chemicals and tumor markers in the blood to rise. More sophisticated tests include the use of ultrasound scans, and x-rays.
Testicular cancer:
This cancer is the one most common in young men between the ages of 15 and 45. A highly treatable condition affecting either one or both testicles, men are urged to check for the warning signs of cancer so that treatment can begin as soon as possible. Testicular lumps, heavy discomfort in the groin area or pain in the scrotum are the most common symptoms.
Regular testicular self-examinations have been shown to lead to early cancer diagnoses and FOCP advocates these practices be taught at school age.
Diagnosis is generally conducted through ultrasound, and blood tests to measure higher than normal levels of certain chemicals and tumor markers. If a tumour is found, cancer is presumed as most tumours in the testicle are malignant. However, the only certain way to correctly diagnose is to remove the testicle surgically and send samples for analysis. If the cancer hasn’t spread, further treatment may not be necessary after surgery.
Colo-rectal cancer:
Also known as bowel cancer, this is one of the most common cancers in the world and with early diagnosis, it’s one of the most treatable. In UAE it accounts for 11% of all cancers. Affecting the lower part of the digestive system – the large bowel and the rectum – this cancer is rare in people under 40. Affecting men and women equally, almost 85% of cases are diagnosed in over 65-year olds. Colo-rectal cancer isn’t easy to treat, mainly because its detection is often after it has spread beyond the bowel, but estimates suggest that nine out of 10 cases can be successfully treated if detected early. Survival has doubled over the past 30 years because of early diagnosis. It is important to be aware of the following symptoms, and to seek medical attention, particularly if they persist for longer than a couple of weeks:
• Blood flecks in stools, particularly if the blood is dark or plum-coloured
• A change in regular bowel habits, such as constipation or diarrhea, that lasts for a fortnight or more
• A feeling that you need to empty your bowels even if you’ve just been to the toilet
• Abdominal pain or discomfort that lasts for two weeks or more
• Unexplained weight loss
• Tiredness, dizziness or breathlessness, caused by anaemia from microscopic bleeding from the bowel
The most common screening procedures for colo-rectal cancer are:
• Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) – used to detect hidden blood in stools, and recommended as an annual test for men and women over the age of 50.
• Colonoscopy – a test that checks the upper and lower parts of the colon with a thin, illuminated tube, and recommended for men and women 50 years and older, every 10 years.
Ayurveda is an ancient Indian system of medicine. It tries to maintain or reestablish harmony between the mind, body, and forces of nature. This balancing is used for both prevention and treatment of illness. Ayurveda combines a number of approaches, such as changes in lifestyle, Ayurvedic medicines, cleansing or detoxifying, massage, exercise, and meditation. Overall, it aims to strengthen and purify the body and mind and increase spiritual awareness.
Overview
Ayurveda is one of several ancient Asian healing systems that have become more popular in the West. The effectiveness of Ayurveda has not been proven in scientific studies, but early research suggests that certain herbs may offer potential therapeutic value. Ayurvedic medicines are mainly composed of herbs, minerals, metals, and/or animal products. Heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, and mercury have been found in excess quantities in up to 1 in 5 Ayurvedic medicines, and a number of lead poisoning cases have been reported. Certain Ayurvedic cleansing methods such as enemas, vomiting, bloodletting, or laxatives might cause serious problems for some people.
How is it promoted for use?
A central idea in Ayurveda is that illness results when a person’s physical, emotional, and spiritual forces are out of balance with each other and with the natural environment. Those who practice Ayurveda claim that certain combinations of methods, matched to a patient’s unique physical and emotional needs and personal medical history, increase physical vitality, foster spiritual well-being, bring people into harmony with the world, and even prevent and cure disease.
One of the primary goals of Ayurveda is to restore this balance and invigorate the body’s biological and spiritual forces. Practitioners of Ayurveda promote a combination of therapies to try and restore physical and spiritual harmony by balancing energy forces.
What does it involve?
Practitioners of Ayurveda may combine special diets, Ayurvedic medicines, cleansing, yoga, meditation, massage, breathing exercises, and visual imagery to treat their patients. Ayurvedic medicines often consist of complex mixtures of herbs, minerals, metals, and/or animal products. Ayurvedic cleansing can include special diets, internally and externally applied oils and herbs, massage, nasal washing, sweating, vomiting, laxatives, enemas, and even bloodletting. Gentler cleansing methods may be used for the frail or ill.
To diagnose illness, Ayurveda practitioners closely observe a patient’s tongue, nails, lips, and the body’s 9 “doors”: the eyes, ears, nostrils, mouth, genitalia, and anus. They also listen to the lungs and observe the pulse, then take a detailed history of the patient’s life and health. Through these observations, practitioners claim to evaluate a patient’s doshas, or primary life forces. Practitioners say that each person is dominated by one of three doshas, but is influenced to some extent by all three. The dominant dosha describes a person’s physical, emotional, and spiritual characteristics as well as his or her daily habits and lifestyle.
According to Ayurveda practitioners, balancing a person’s doshas not only enables the various organs of the body to work together, it also establishes a person’s connection to the environment and the cosmos.
When planning a course of treatment, Ayurveda practitioners take into account the state of a patient’s doshas and the relationship between the doshas and other factors such as emotions, illness, physical activity, lifestyle, diet, relationships with other people, and even the four seasons, colors, and the time of day. Practitioners strive to harmonize all of these factors so that their patients can attain health and well-being.
What is the history behind it?
Ayurveda is thought to have appeared in India more than 5,000 years ago. It emerged from an ancient body of knowledge called the Vedas. In fact, veda is the Sanskrit word for knowledge. From these Vedas, India developed its moral, religious, cultural, and medical codes. Many of the beliefs and practices of Ayurveda are similar to those of ancient Chinese medicine.
Ayurveda practitioners in India are trained in state-recognized programs. Today, modern medicine is also available to most people in India, especially in urban areas. One study found that 15-20% of people with common ailments preferred Ayurvedic treatment for them. But more than 80% of Indian people said they preferred modern medicine for serious illnesses.
With the interest in Ayurveda from developed countries, practitioners began practicing and teaching Ayurveda in the United States. Today, there are Ayurvedic clinics and a growing number of training programs in North America. The National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA) web site lists more than a dozen US training programs for those who want to learn Ayurveda. NAMA started by recommending a minimum of 500 hours of training before starting to practice. As of 2011, NAMA is working to standardize levels of Ayurvedic practice in the US based on the practitioner’s areas of competence.
What is the evidence?
Although Ayurveda has been largely untested by Western researchers, there is a growing interest in integrating some parts of the system into modern medical practice. In fact, a few of the herbs and substances have been purified into drugs that are used (along with other medicines) to treat cancer. Early studies suggest that other parts of Ayurveda may have potential therapeutic value.
Laboratory and clinical studies have suggested that some Ayurvedic herbal preparations may contain substances that have the potential to prevent and treat certain types of cancer. Randomized clinical trials in humans are needed to learn about the possible role of Ayurveda in cancer prevention and treatment. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) funded a series of laboratory studies to evaluate 2 Ayurvedic herbal remedies (called MAK-4 and MAK-5). The studies so far have shown some promise against tumors in rats and cancer cells in lab dishes. To date, there are no reports of tests of these 2 herbal remedies in humans.
In a controlled clinical trial of cancer patients in India, researchers found an Ayurvedic herb mixture worked as well as a standard laxative for relieving constipation caused by pain relieving drugs. In 2 small controlled clinical trials, an herb used in Ayurveda (mucuna pruriens) was found to reduce symptoms in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Many other individual herbs and spices used in Ayurveda are being studied in the laboratory or in animals. Some are already being tested in human clinical trials to find out if they can be used to treat or prevent cancer. These studies use methods of conventional laboratory and clinical research and are intended to find out whether substances used in Ayurveda can be used with conventional cancer treatment. We are not aware of any scientific research addressing the relevance of Ayurvedic concepts, such as cleansing, to cancer treatment. There is no convincing clinical evidence so far to suggest that traditional Ayurvedic treatments can have a substantial impact on the growth and spread of cancer. (For more information, see documents on individual herbs, such as Turmeric, Garlic, Gotu Kola).
Are there any possible problems or complications?
These substances may have not been thoroughly tested to find out how they interact with medicines, foods, or dietary supplements. Even though some reports of interactions and harmful effects may be published, full studies of interactions and effects are not often available. Because of these limitations, any information on ill effects and interactions below should be considered incomplete.
Some aspects of Ayurveda, such as enemas, laxatives, bloodletting, and inducing vomiting, can be harmful and potentially cause serious complications. Many people with cancer already have low blood cell counts as a result of the disease itself, and removing additional blood can worsen fatigue and other symptoms. Inducing vomiting or diarrhea can cause imbalances of electrolytes (salt and minerals) in the blood.
The potential interactions between Ayurvedic herbal preparations and conventional drugs and other herbs should be taken into consideration. Some of these combinations may be dangerous.
There have been reports of lead, mercury, and arsenic in some Ayurvedic herbal preparations sold in US and international markets. Between 1978 and 2009, more than 80 cases of lead poisoning were reported in the medical literature in people using Ayurvedic mixtures. Patients with lead poisoning can suffer nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, miscarriage, and/or anemia. Because these symptoms occur with many other illnesses, it is likely that many people who have lead poisoning are never suspected of having it. Even when cases are found, very few are actually reported in medical journals, so this is but a fraction of the actual number of people affected.
Some people have allergies to certain plants and may react to combinations of Ayurvedic mixtures that contain them. Some people taking Ayurvedic herbal medicines have had serious heart rhythm problems and low blood pressure from taking too much of the herb aconitum or aconite.
Enemas also have some dangers. Illness and even deaths have resulted from contaminated equipment, electrolyte imbalance, or perforation of intestinal walls. People with certain diseases of the colon may be at higher risk of bowel injury. In addition, fluids, herbs, and other substances that are added to the enema can be absorbed into the body through the colon walls. In some cases, this can result in fluid overload, toxicity, or allergic reactions. For more on this, see our document called Colon Therapy.
Always tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs you are taking. If you use Ayurveda, it should be delivered by a trained therapist who knows all of your medical history and allergies.
Relying on this type of treatment alone and delaying or avoiding conventional medical care for cancer may have serious health consequences.
January 9, 2013 at 5:56 am
No comments
admin
What is Cancer ?
Approach to the patient with Cancer
In general, the cells of a multicellular organism are programmed for collaboration. Many diseases occur because the specialized cells fail to perform their assigned task. Cancer takes this malfunction one step further. Not only is there a failure of the cancer cell to maintain its specialized function, but it also strikes out on its own.
Cancer Screening
Screening is a means of detecting disease early in asymptomatic Individuals, with the goal of decreasing morbidity and mortality. While screening can potentially save lives and has been shown to do so in cervical, colon and probably breast cancer. Early detection does not in itself confer benefits.To be of value, screening must detect disease earlier, and treatment of earlier disease must yield a better outcome than treatment at the onset of symptoms.
Principles of Cancer Treatment
The goal of cancer treatment is first to eradicate the cancer. If this primary goal cannot be accomplished. The goal of cancer treatment shifts to palliation, the amelioration of symptoms, and preservation of quality of life while striving to extend the life.
General Presenting complaints of cancer patient
1. Pain :- Pain occurs with variable frequency in the cancer patient 25-50 % of patients present with pain at diagnosis, 33% have pain associated with treatment, approx. 70% of cases in which pain is caused by tumour itself and 75% have pain with progressive disease , In 10 % of cases pain is unrelated to cancer or its treatment.
2. Nausea: – Vomiting in the cancer patients is usually cause by chemotherapy.
3. Effusions: – Fluid may accumulate abnormally in the cavities present in body, may be pleural, pericardial or peritoneum.
4. Nutrition: – Cancer and its treatment may lead to decrease in nutrient intake of sufficient quantity to cause weight loss leading to cachexia and decreased appetite.
Psychosocial Support
The Psychosocial needs of patients alter with their situations. Patients undergoing treatment experience fear, depression, Anxiety and sexual dysfunction.
The Six Early Detectable and Treatable Cancers
Cancer is not a single disease: there are more than 200 types of cancer, according to which part of the body or specific tissue it originated from.
The good news is that there are a number of cancers that when detected early, respond well to treatment and often with a 100% cure rate. Specifically, the following six types of cancer fall into this category:
Breast cancer:
One of the most common cancers in women, accounting for 17.5% of all cancer cases in the UAE, this is also one of the most treatable, especially if diagnosed early. With a cure rate of 98% in these circumstances, the goal is to find cancers before they start to cause symptoms. Most doctors believe that tests for finding breast cancer early save many thousands of lives each year. The following detection methods are recommended:
1. Clinical Breast Examination – is an examination of your breasts by a health expert such as a doctor, nurse or physician assistant. Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast examination as part of a regular checkup at least every 3 years. After age 40, women should have a breast exam every year.
2. Mammogram – this is a targeted x-ray of the breast, with the whole procedure taking no more than 20 minutes in total. Women aged 40 and older should have a screening mammogram every year and should keep doing so for as long as they are in good health.
3. Breast self-examination – being aware of how your own breasts look and feel, means you are likely to notice any changes that might take place, so regular self-examination is an excellent option for women starting in their 20s. Your doctor or nurse can help check your method to make sure you are doing it correctly.
Cervical cancer:
Also one of the most common cancers affecting women and accounts for 4.4% of cancers among Emirati women. This cancer generally grows slowly and when detected early and treated properly, has a 100% cure rate. The most effective detection method for cervical cancer is a pap screening which can identify more than 90% of cervical cancers. Up to the age of 30, women should have a pap smear every three years. After the age of 30, an interval of 2 years between pap smears is recommended.
The most effective prevention against cervical cancer is the anti-HPV vaccine, which has rendered this particular cancer 100% avoidable if received earlier enough.
Skin cancer:
This is the most common of all human cancers (in UAE it accounts for 4.4% of all cancers) with three major types: basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and melanoma. Skin cancer is also usually 100% treatable. The vast majority of skin cancers are BCCs or SCCs. While malignant, these are unlikely to spread to other parts of the body, but if not treated early, may be locally disfiguring. A small but significant number of skin cancers are malignant melanomas, a highly aggressive cancer that tends to spread to other parts of the body. These cancers may be fatal if not treated early.
It is important to get to know your skin and to look out for any changes. In particular, take notice of moles and any dark patches on skin that change in size, shape or colour over weeks or months in adult life. The ABCD rule is particularly helpful:
Asymmetry – the two halves of a mole do not look the same
Border – the edges of a mole are irregular, blurred or jagged
Colour – the colour of a mole is uneven, with more than one shade
Diameter – your mole is wider than 6mm in diameter (the size of a pencil eraser)
Other possible signs of skin cancers include a new growth or sore that won’t heal; a spot, mole or sore that itches or hurts; or a mole that bleeds, crusts or scabs. If you are concerned about any skin changes, visit your doctor without delay.
Prostate cancer:
This is one of the most common male cancers, representing 3.6% of all cancers in the UAE, and rising to 4.6% of cancer cases among UAE Nationals. If found early while still confined to the prostate gland itself, has an excellent 95% cure rate. Often prostate cancer doesn’t have any symptoms, but when they do occur they may include:
• Urinating frequently
• Difficult or painful urination or ejaculation
• A feeling that the bladder has not completely emptied
• Blood in urine or semen
• Disturbed sleep because of the need to urinate
It’s important to be aware that a number of non-cancerous medical conditions may also cause these symptoms, for example, infection or benign prostate enlargement, but they should always be investigated.
There are several methods to check for the presence of prostate cancer. The simplest is the digital rectal examination which is done by a doctor, in which a gloved finger is inserted into the rectum, through which an enlarged prostate can be felt. Blood tests are the next step – prostate cancers cause the levels of certain chemicals and tumor markers in the blood to rise. More sophisticated tests include the use of ultrasound scans, and x-rays.
Testicular cancer:
This cancer is the one most common in young men between the ages of 15 and 45. A highly treatable condition affecting either one or both testicles, men are urged to check for the warning signs of cancer so that treatment can begin as soon as possible. Testicular lumps, heavy discomfort in the groin area or pain in the scrotum are the most common symptoms.
Regular testicular self-examinations have been shown to lead to early cancer diagnoses and FOCP advocates these practices be taught at school age.
Diagnosis is generally conducted through ultrasound, and blood tests to measure higher than normal levels of certain chemicals and tumor markers. If a tumour is found, cancer is presumed as most tumours in the testicle are malignant. However, the only certain way to correctly diagnose is to remove the testicle surgically and send samples for analysis. If the cancer hasn’t spread, further treatment may not be necessary after surgery.
Colo-rectal cancer:
Also known as bowel cancer, this is one of the most common cancers in the world and with early diagnosis, it’s one of the most treatable. In UAE it accounts for 11% of all cancers. Affecting the lower part of the digestive system – the large bowel and the rectum – this cancer is rare in people under 40. Affecting men and women equally, almost 85% of cases are diagnosed in over 65-year olds. Colo-rectal cancer isn’t easy to treat, mainly because its detection is often after it has spread beyond the bowel, but estimates suggest that nine out of 10 cases can be successfully treated if detected early. Survival has doubled over the past 30 years because of early diagnosis. It is important to be aware of the following symptoms, and to seek medical attention, particularly if they persist for longer than a couple of weeks:
• Blood flecks in stools, particularly if the blood is dark or plum-coloured
• A change in regular bowel habits, such as constipation or diarrhea, that lasts for a fortnight or more
• A feeling that you need to empty your bowels even if you’ve just been to the toilet
• Abdominal pain or discomfort that lasts for two weeks or more
• Unexplained weight loss
• Tiredness, dizziness or breathlessness, caused by anaemia from microscopic bleeding from the bowel
The most common screening procedures for colo-rectal cancer are:
• Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) – used to detect hidden blood in stools, and recommended as an annual test for men and women over the age of 50.
• Colonoscopy – a test that checks the upper and lower parts of the colon with a thin, illuminated tube, and recommended for men and women 50 years and older, every 10 years.
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